you're a grand old...

okay. this deserves some attention, simply because it really does push the limits of absurdity.

right. so, the background: there is a law on long island that states that a flagpole cannot be any taller than its distance to the street. this is to prevent it falling into the street and on to a car and causing chaos (apparently there was a real problem with this back in the day).

a man named kevin shine has a 25-foot flagpole in his front yard. the authorities are giving him trauma. here's what he has to say on the subject:

"The flag represents freedom and democracy," he said. "My father was an Iwo Jima survivor. I can't believe their priorities are so bent."

totally. what are traffic accidents in the face of symbolism? yeah. you tell 'em, kevin shine! tell those driver-loving' yanks that they can take their "safety" and stuff it!