(Updated) Boucher Joins Marines In Wanting "Gadsden Flag" Flown Over State Capitol
Says July 4th display would show our gratitude to members of the armed forces.
State Sen. Toni Boucher announced Wednesday she wants the "Gadsden flag" flown over the state Capitol on the Fourth of July.
In a news release, Boucher, who represents New Canaan, says she has requested Attorney General Richard Blumenthal issue a legal opinion directing the State Capitol Police to fly it to honor a request by U.S. Marines.
Wednesday afternoon, Blumenthal released this statement in response to Boucher's request:
"I have received requests regarding the Gadsden flag from state Sen. Boucher and state Sen. Caligiuri, which I am reviewing.
"I am barred by statute from issuing formal opinions except to specified officials such as legislative leaders or the governor. Although neither state senator is among the list of officials who may request a formal opinion, I will consider their letters and respond appropriately."
In her news release, Boucher says the Gadsden Flag is recognized as the flag of a military organization of our nation, and meets eligibility requirements for being flown over the Capitol.
"Independence Day celebrates the birth of our nation and the freedom we cherish," Boucher says. "Granting the U.S. Marines' request to fly their flag over our State Capitol on July 4th is a wonderful way to show our gratitude for the sacrifices that members of our armed forces make to keep us free."
Boucher says she is disappointed previous requests to fly the Gadsden Flag over the Capitol were denied, considering it's been associated with those who fight for our country since the Revolutionary War. She says she understands the desire to protect the Capitol from being used to promote any political agenda, but the flag's attachment to the military makes it appropriate to display, "regardless of who else has since adopted it for their own reasons."
"To place this in historical context," Boucher says in her letter to Blumenthal, "the Gadsden flag was first flown by Marines in the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775 and currently flies over Marine bases in Iraq and Afghanistan."
The flag was designed by and is named after American brigadier general and Continental Congress delegate Christopher Gadsden, who was the principal leader of the South Carolina Patriot movement during the Revolutionary War, according to the on-line reference site Wikipedia
The vast majority of the citizens of Connecticut and in my district support this move, Boucher says. Having the Gadsden flag displayed over the Capitol, she says, would make a strong statement that Connecticut highly regards and respects the U.S. Marines and all other service men and women.
David Kostek
4:37 pm on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wow, now Toni is pandering to the Tea Party crowd. Some context:
Last April, a group of Connecticut tea partiers wanted to fly the Gasdsen Flag over the state Capitol in Hartford during their rally. A mini-controversy erupted when the Capitol Police wouldn’t allow it. Initially it had been OK-ed, but then after complaints that it was, in fact, a flag with contemporary political significance, the approval was rescinded.
Without that context, Boucher's comment seems perfectly reasonable. But by failing to even MENTION the April tea party rally, and the ongoing obsession of the ultra-far-right in our state to fly this flag over our Capitol since they were rebuffed, Boucher is telling a half-story.
Yes, it has a long history as a symbol of the US Marines. But the tea party adherents are trying to appropriate that symbol. It's a shame when extremist elements of a party try to claim a military symbol as their own. It's a bigger shame when an elected representative (who surely knows the purely political motivation behind this request) intentionally tries to hide that effort from her constituents.
Just be honest about it: It's a tea party thing and you're more interested in shoring up right-wing support than maintaining the political neutrality of the managers State Capitol building.
Relevant Courant article: http://articles.courant.com/2010-04-09/news/hc-no-flag0409.artapr09_1_flag-raising-state-capitol-police-patriots-day
Ginny
5:40 pm on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Perhaps someone could be sure Sen Bouchard goes to
www.united-states-flags.com/marine-corps.html and see the official Marine Corps flag it is not the Gasdsen flag, I believe people would not have an issue with the offical flag being flow for a special occation. I find it sad that our State Senator does not know what is the official US Marine Flag.
Harold F. Cobin
8:27 pm on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
This story was updated Wednesday evening to include Blumenthal's response to Boucher's request.