McDonald’s Upside-Down Flag Seen As Reaction To 2012 Election Results
Brooke County, WV – A McDonald’s restaurant earned a fair share of controversy Wednesday when an American flag was shown to he hanging upside down early in the morning, thought initially to be a protest of the results of the 2012 election.
Many wondered whether or not the McDonald’s upside-down flag was a deliberate political message. Turns out, the upside-down flag wasn’t intentional disrespect, but rather a timely, accidental coincidence.
A local reporter for NEWS9 had called the McDonald’s restaurant earlier Wednesday to ask why the flag was flown upside-down, usually taken as a sign of distress. Reportedly, the employee who answered the phone said that the flag was flown that way on purpose.
Later, a person identifying herself as a manager of that particular McDonald’s called to clarify her employee’s comments.
“I just want to say: I am a manager at that McDonald’s. The flag was to be flown at half-staff as per McDonald’s Corporation. As for it being flown upside down–it was a complete and total accident. No one at our store would purposely fly the flag upside down. Our flag pole is actually broken, and we are unable to move the flag.”
Later, an email was sent to The Huffington Post for further clarification:
“Unfortunately, a flag cable broke and during the process of trying the fix the flag, it was inadvertently turned upside down. It wasn’t noticed that the flag was upside down until a customer inquired about it. We are working on fixing the flag right now. It’s important to note that this was an accident, not intentional.”
Reporters later returned to the scene and said that the flag pole had apparently been fixed.
Tags : brooke county, Follansbee, mcdonalds, mcdonalds upside-down flag, upside-down flag, West Virginia
Posted: November 7, 2012
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Nov 8, 2012
WAS THAT MAC'S CORPORATE RESPONSE TO THE THJE ELECTION? MISTAKE MY BUTT!
Nov 8, 2012
Ummm. It should be a sign if distress…
Nov 8, 2012
Actually an upside down American flag is a SOS signal, and is considered very unpatriotic when done so when that is not the case.
Nov 8, 2012
HALF of America feels EXACTLY the same way! Well done, MickeyD's! (And btw…HALF of America DOES need a public figure on our side to send an SOS).
Nov 8, 2012
no its not unpatriotic to do so. it the COMPLETE opposite. do it to your flag stamps as a protest that your govt. is acting unconsitutional. protest in 1775 is what led to the greatest country on earth. i saw grow some paul and others!
Nov 8, 2012
Please don't tell me that we have to start boycotting McDonalds! If so I will definitely start a petition!
Nov 8, 2012
THE FLAG CODE Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10 As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress Approved July 7, 1976 § 176. Respect for flag: No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any…
person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor. (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Nov 8, 2012
You got it right a country in bad distress now
Nov 8, 2012
If our federal government looks like New York State then all fast food will be banned.
Nov 8, 2012
Yes, it is a sign of distress. How dare you use a our american flag, to view your own personal political views.
Nov 8, 2012
those idiots did that on purpose, and since they were caught, now they won't face up to it like the typical republican cowards they are…
Nov 8, 2012
Ronald McDonald is a tea-bagging p.o.s….
Nov 8, 2012
The comment is "McDonald's corporation on 9/11 in remembrance of the victims of 9/11/01. Ever since then we have been having issues with the pulley system and that flag pole in general."
Nov 8, 2012
This country has been in distress ever since people started eating Mickey D's crappy food!
Nov 8, 2012
the owner must be retired, former banker, drives a ford, had bad experience with people of color, between 55-75 years of age, a fan of rush and savage nation and loves FOX news…I'm just saying.
Nov 8, 2012
Do you really think a McDonalds employee could fix the problem.
Nov 8, 2012
It was in distress someone was needed to fix their rope on their pole fix it and move on.
Nov 8, 2012
TYPICAL HOOD RAT..BET IF MCDONALDS GAVE YOU BLACK ASS FREE FOOD YOU WOULD OK. FUCK YOU AND FUCK OBAMA…ENJOY YOUR FREE WELFARE BITCH
Nov 8, 2012
Idiots……people need to stop wining….
Nov 8, 2012
You Democrats are the cowards feeding off other people's hard work!
Nov 8, 2012
I flew the American flag upside down for the entire length of Clintons presidency. Had a couple of neighbors ask why and I told them, no big deal. I think we still have the right to protest.
Nov 8, 2012
It's a disrespectful protest, though. Incidentally, life was awesome under Clinton.
Nov 8, 2012
I had forgotten about that maybe I'll do it for the next 4 years.
Nov 8, 2012
Note that "America hating liberals" resorted to no such disrespect when they lost in 2000.
Nov 8, 2012
I don't think that liberals hate America, when I was young I was very liberal, as I got older my views changed, and I am apt to vote for the candidate more than party. I am all for minority rights including gay rights, legalization of pot for recreational use, womens rights, I do believe America has suffered under Obama, believed it was time for change.
Nov 8, 2012
That's fine, but why dilute a tradition used with honor in wartime and disrespect our flag to do it?
Nov 8, 2012
screw you….get over yourself idiot
Nov 8, 2012
You mean like Obama facing up to fast and furious?..or maybe facing up to Libya?…or how about the whole " I will have more flexibility" comment to the Soviets?..Do you really want to talk about cowardice?
Nov 8, 2012
Haven't done yet,may not do, too much effort right now, it is only a sign of distress anyway.
Nov 8, 2012
Guess I'l l just see how things go…
Nov 9, 2012
Sue, I so agree with you!!! They LOST, WE WON, GET OVER IT!!!! =)
Nov 10, 2012
Your ignorance appalls me =)
Nov 10, 2012
GREAT COME BACK..FUCK OFF
Nov 10, 2012
thnx
Nov 16, 2012
Hey Guys:
Just a heads up: We are trying to alert as many folks as possible to a Sayreville, NJ business who have chosen to desecrate the American flag to make a political statement about the Obama re-election.
Any assumptions about Viking Terminal sending a distress signal resulting from Hurricane Sandy and the resulting flooding however are incorrect.
1- A black wreath displayed on the upside down flag: clear indication that the owners feel our country is dead as a result of the election.
2- A fast check on the owners into their Facebook accounts and other sources shows a pattern of right wing activity.
3- Repeated requests for comment from the business on the flag display have been ignored.
I have no problem with any of their political affiliations or activities. I do object however to their disrespectful use of our flag to make a statement.
There is a grassroots Facebook website set up to rally members in the hopes of boycotting this business until they remove their distasteful display. Please LIKE and SHARE:
Search "Boycott Flag Desecraters" on Facebook or cut and paste:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Flag-Desecraters/544316545582989
If those pictures don't make you sick, check your pulse.
Boycott Flag Desecraters does NOT accept donations. It is a labor of love. Its goal is to notify the public of businesses that desecrate Old Glory.