Marblehead gym members say giant American flag is offensive

[Delirious]

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news...-members-say-giant-american-flag-is-offensive

MARBLEHEAD (FOX25, myfoxboston) - The owner of Gravity Fitness in Marblehead says gym members have complained about the American flag hanging inside the gym.
The Fitness club's owner, 23 year-old Mark Shea, hung the 12 foot long flag from the gym rafters on Friday and had over a dozen complaints by Monday.
Some have complained that the flag blocks gym televisions, while some members have gone as far as to say that the flag is offensive.
One members was quoted to say "It's like putting a Jesus cross in my face."
Another member feels the exact opposite and said "This is America. If you don't like to see the flag you can move somewhere else."
Shea did move the flag so it would not block the TVs but said now the flag is going to stay right where it is. He also said if the complaining members decide to leave the gym he will just have to live with that.

Seriously now...now people are being offended by American flags? What's next?! Frosted Flakes!!??

 

[Famine]

Who cares if it's offensive? It's in somebody else's property and you can opt not to go in if you don't like anything in there.

 

[Omnis]

Who cares if it's offensive? It's in somebody else's property and you can opt not to go in if you don't like anything in there.

Yep. Would I go to an obnoxiously nationalist gym? No. Would I complain that he take it down so that I don't have to go elsewhere? No.

 

[Zrow]

Yep. Would I go to an obnoxiously nationalist gym? No. Would I complain that he take it down so that I don't have to go elsewhere? No.

You wouldn't go to a gym that hangs an American flag?

 

[Public'sTwin]

Hanging a flag doesn't mean obnoxiously nationalist. I know in America nationalism can sometimes equate to neo-Nazi and white-power groups, but here in Canada, I don't even think we have nationalists. (I'm sure we do, it's just such a non-issue in the public's psyche, it wouldn't even cross our minds.)

That's strange. I'd be perfectly content with having a Canadian flag hung in a Canadian gym.

 

[Rykon Zero]

It's not like hanging a Jesus cross in your face, it's like an American hanging an American flag in an American Gym. I mean no racism, but I'm betting that the people who said that are chiefly either foreigners, or immigrators. If you look at it from a different perspective, it's like a British person hanging the union jack in a gym in Britain. If I went there, I'd honestly have no problem.

 

[Northstar]

I swear some people want nothing to be there if it has any sort of message, even if it's not remotely offensive.

It's OK though, in a month or two next month we get to do the annual Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays debate all over again.

 

[Nicksfix]

It's America,we can fly our flag anywhere.You don't like it,then move the 🤬 out.

 

[Omnis]

You wouldn't go to a gym that hangs an American flag?

Not a giant obnoxious 12-foot outdoor flag hung from the ceiling. I wouldn't mind it on the wall if it's not obstructing mirrors. My gym has a boxing hall upstairs with flags all over the place, but they're not obnoxiously huge.

 

[nk4e]

It's America,we can fly our flag anywhere.You don't like it,then move the 🤬 out.

"Anywhere"?

Well, I find it offensive that people think that a symbol is offensive. It is his GYM, as long he isn't forcing you to do anything by it, then just simply ignore it.

 

[Joey D]

The gym members have every right to complain as the gym owner has to put the flag up. The gym owner doesn't have to do anything though as he isn't breaking any laws, just as those making a fuss about it aren't breaking any laws either by complaining. I don't really see what the big deal is about this and I really don't understand how it's newsworthy.

I probably would drop my membership from the gym if the owner did that, I wouldn't make a fuss about though. I'm not even remotely a fan of the "AMERICA !$#% YEAH!" attitude and I think this is a pretty good example of it.

 

[Nicksfix]

"Anywhere"?

Well, I find it offensive that people think that a symbol is offensive. It is his GYM, as long he isn't forcing you to do anything by it, then just simply ignore it.

Yes,anywhere.It is our country afterall.Why can't we fly our own flag wherever we want to ?

Agree,people who find a symbol (our flag) offensive ..... well,I'll just be quiet on that. (for now)

 

[Public'sTwin]

I probably would drop my membership from the gym if the owner did that.

Seriously? You would quit your gym because of that?

What if it was an equally sized flag of, say, the cast of Baywatch? Also huge, obstructing, and undoubtedly more obnoxious. Or how about a giant flag with Christopher Walken, doing a handstand on the moon, while wearing purple suspenders?

Yes, anywhere.

I think he's trying to make you think about a couple of places where any country's flag might not be appropriate to be displayed. A hospital comes to mind, for instance. Institutions of governance (and by extension, justice) and private dwellings are all fair game, as are privately owned (and often small) businesses; however, for the sake of professionalism, espousing a particular political opinion can be construed as distasteful in other places of business.

 

[Joey D]

Seriously? You would quit your gym because of that?

I'm not into extreme patriotism like that, I would just quietly leave. No sense making a fuss about it.

And no, I don't get offended by the flag or people who love this country to some pretty epic levels. That's how they choose to live their life and as long as they don't do something that directly affects me I'll just look at it from a far, shrug my shoulders and go on with my life.

 

[nk4e]

I think he's trying to make you think about a couple of places where any country's flag might not be appropriate to be displayed. A hospital comes to mind, for instance. Institutions of governance (and by extension, justice) and private dwellings are all fair game, as are privately owned (and often small) businesses; however, for the sake of professionalism, espousing a particular political opinion can be construed as distasteful in other places of business.

Not really a physical place but clothing..I read it somewhere but sadly, I sold the book.

 

[Keef]

Who cares if it's offensive? It's in somebody else's property and you can opt not to go in if you don't like anything in there.

Agreed. If it's blocking the TVs, alright, move it over a little bit. But I don't care if it's offensive. It doesn't even matter if it's private property or not. It's the symbol of this country and if they live here they have to deal with it.

Speaking of which, Famine, we need more people like you over here. Planning on moving any time soon?

Or how about a giant flag with Christopher Walken, doing a handstand on the moon, while wearing purple suspenders?

You have a point. I would buy three memberships if that were the case.

 

[Casio]

We've been here and done that.

A BRISBANE council has ordered an ex-soldier to take down the Australian flag which flies outside his house because it has been deemed "offensive" by a neighbour.

You guys really need to get with the times.

 

[Joel]

Am I missing something here? I just can't fathom how your own country's flag is offensive. As far as I'm concerned, if you find your country's flag offensive, you can GTFO.

 

[Northstar]

Am I missing something here? I just can't fathom how your own country's flag is offensive. As far as I'm concerned, if you find your country's flag offensive, you can GTFO.

It's the U.S.A. everything is offensive, even it it's not actually offensive.

 

[nk4e]

It's the U.S.A. everything is offensive, even it it's not actually offensive.

Like Sampling. I think that is another topic though..

 

[LSX]

Man, plenty of people gave lives so we could fly our flag. I have a giant one outside my house year round, I don't care who is offended by it, it wont come down until it wears out and a new one needs to be put up.

That's like going to Walmart and getting upset that there is a sign out front that says so. "I know this is Walmart, but I don't want a big sign shoved in my face saying so."

It's America, those people should just take their money elsewhere.

 

[Joel]

Man, plenty of people gave lives so we could fly our flag. I have a giant one outside my house year round, I don't care who is offended by it, it wont come down until it wears out and a new one needs to be put up.

That's like going to Walmart and getting upset that there is a sign out front that says so. "I know this is Walmart, but I don't want a big sign shoved in my face saying so."

It's America, those people should just take their money elsewhere.

Agreed, cept switch America with Canada in my case. It just bugs me.

 

[Max Powers]

The gym members have every right to complain as the gym owner has to put the flag up. The gym owner doesn't have to do anything though as he isn't breaking any laws, just as those making a fuss about it aren't breaking any laws either by complaining. I don't really see what the big deal is about this and I really don't understand how it's newsworthy.

I probably would drop my membership from the gym if the owner did that, I wouldn't make a fuss about though. I'm not even remotely a fan of the "AMERICA !$#% YEAH!" attitude and I think this is a pretty good example of it.

Hanging a flag = AMERICA **** YEAH? Maybe he actually shows some pride in being American?

I'm pretty grateful to have been able to grow up in a nice country where we have it so easy that people feel the need to quit gyms for showing too much national pride.

I for one don't agree with everything our leaders have done, but I'm still proud of my country and wouldn't trade it for any in the world.

Man, plenty of people gave lives so we could fly our flag. I have a giant one outside my house year round, I don't care who is offended by it, it wont come down until it wears out and a new one needs to be put up.

👍

 

[Famine]

Speaking of which, Famine, we need more people like you over here. Planning on moving any time soon?

2020. I'm bringing the MX-3 with me.

 

[Eric.]

2020. I'm bringing the MX-3 with me.

Oh, and the ATR too? That'll be a unique one for us.

 

[Famine]

Probably not. The MX-3 is pretty much a family member.

 

[Joey D]

Hanging a flag = AMERICA **** YEAH? Maybe he actually shows some pride in being American?

Hanging a large flag in the middle of your gym seems that way to me. Putting up a small flag in the corner isn't. I am in no way suggesting putting a flag up is bad though, I even have a small American flag on my desk.

Like I said, that guy has every right to put the flag up, but people do have every right to complain about it. We do grant free speech here afterall....or at least we used to.

 

[Famine]

I had a 6 foot by 4 foot Southern Cross hanging in my garage this time last year.

*plucks banjo with sixth finger*

 

[Joey D]

I had a 6 foot by 4 foot Southern Cross hanging in my garage this time last year.

*plucks banjo with sixth finger*

You had a bunch of stars hanging in your garage? That's awesome.

 

[Keef]

You had a bunch of stars hanging in your garage? That's awesome.

Way to stifle the flame war before it got started.