From Deseret News archives:
A red flag for HOAs
No one questions the need for rules when people share the same walls in their living quarters. Doing things a certain way keeps the value of everyone's property up, discourages tastelessness and greases the wheels of a tiny community. That's why HOAs are formed. But as with most things in life, the rules can easily become the focus not the quality of life they're meant to enhance.
So Kevin Capito of Draper found out when he hung an American flag above his door to celebrate, well ... to celebrate America. The property management company representing the HOA was quick to act. He'd hung a flag holder on his condo a codified no-no. But Capito had an ace up his sleeve. He knew about the Freedom of Display Act of 2005 that prohibits HOAs from denying people the right to fly the flag on their own residential property. His HOA claims they objected to the mounting device he used and wonders, aloud, if maybe Mr. Capito was simply trying to make a point. They say if Capito does the paperwork, all will be forgotten.
Will this latest "flag" incident trigger a suburban revolution with condo-owners wielding dinner forks?
Probably not.
But the whole affair does call into high relief a classic American trait. Americans are go-along to get-along folks to a point. When someone starts treading too heavily on their freedom to speak, bear arms, gather together or hang out an American flag, however, they'll counter-punch.
Americans won't be bullied.
It's a lesson the British learned the hard way.
And it's a lesson that censors, heavy-handed cops, pushy politicians and HOAs need keep in mind.
Comments
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week 11:03 a.m.
- Weiss new Tour of Utah director 10:54 a.m.
- Moguls skier Jeremy Bloom retires 10:51 a.m.
- Police probe synagogue vandalism 10:44 a.m.
- O'Connor's husband dies 10:36 a.m.
- Russia launches program for tigers 10:35 a.m.
- Veterans Day in Afghanistan 10:34 a.m.
- Drug industry presses FDA 10:31 a.m.
- Obama honors veterans 10:29 a.m.
- New dinosaur species found 10:21 a.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- 4 Jazz players make All-Star ballot
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- House passes health care bill
268 - TCU showdown has big implications
188 - Lobo suspended
185 - Senators want food tax restored
156 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
106 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
105 - Utes pound winless Lobos
90
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
It's hard to factor in BYU stats when 70% of BYU students aren't actually...
Blow the dust off your specs. He's also 6-2 and weighs 235. Not like the...
Hey, Doug G., sometimes doing nothing is BETTER than doing something,...
Bite your ute tongue!
One of the strange misconceptions people have on this site is the idea that...
So how is this this enforced? Young people with sporadic income and jobs, no...
First, Utahans...take this opportunity for NO TAXES on unprepared food. ...
["He placed thorns in my flesh to teach me humility"] wow. you should sue...
This is about Kelly, not Brady. Brady is playing with the Packers.
It's a start. Now keep going.


You can be the first to comment on this story.