When it comes to patriotic impulses, the naturally ostentatious Donald Trump doesn’t hold back. High-Flier Trump has been flying the American flag a little too high for some people’s taste lately. The wealthy real estate developer and consumate self-promoter recently installed an 80′ flagpole with a 15′x 25′ American flag at Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach property. The only trouble is, he failed to file a permit, no doubt in part because the pole exceeds by almost twice, the height restriction of 42′.
In his defense, Trump didn’t exactly erect the pole in the dead of night. In fact, he sent a letter to the town council notifying them of the flagpole before the fact. The letter concluded with, “Please consider this a statement and gift from me to the Town and people of Palm Beach.” So as the Palm Beach city fathers prepare to do battle Trump-style, they should keep in mind that Trump has been down this very same road before.
At the Trump National Golf Club in Ranco Palos Verdes, California, he erected a 70′ flagpole sporting a huge American flag in violation of a local ordinance. But after hearing arguments from Trump representatives at a council meeting, the city wisely caved, voting 3-2 for allowing the flagpole to stay. One of the dissenters, Councilman Doug Stern, voiced his opposition this way, “The history, from my perspective, does not speak of an organization that complies with regulations. It speaks of an organization that views rules as for the rest of us.”
With that remark, Stern perhaps revealed more about himself and his own biases than about Trump’s true motivations, because Stern got it wrong. A very smart friend of mine who is older and wiser once gave me this piece of advice: “Sometimes, it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.” Love him, hate him or ignore him, Trump has reached his goals by recognizing opportunities, acting on them regardless what the rule-makers and advice-givers say, and choosing his battles carefully.
Trump knows that anything he does that is the least bit controversial will get national attention, and he can’t loose on this one. He will garner points as the champion of free speech and American values, while council members who vote against him will be framed as anti-American, envious of Trump’s wealth and sucess and petty, all of which are probably true.
Wow, honestly what is this counrty comen to? I actually was trying to argue that the people in this counrty need to start being more patriatic.Is it wrong that Mr.Trump likes to express himself as an american citizen? Hmmm……I bet no one would be telling him to take it down if he put up a big foriegn flag.I guess were just trying to be bad role models to children like me,showing us how to not support our country.Its not good that im one of the only 16 year old kids left in my town who cares about supporting this counrty.But atleast I kno one of the most respected men in america still feels the same way i do.
Andrew DeVries.
It figures this would take place in Florida. This state is becoming as bad as California. I support Mr. Trump whole heartedly.
Its a shame that an american can’t display his countrys flag without critisim.
Palm Beach City Fathers would probly vote to make Spanish the
towns official language while fighting one of it’s own about
our Flag.
fly it high and long Donald