City Punishes Store Owner for Too Many Patriotic Flags

Apparently, in Crystal River, Florida, it’s possible to be too patriotic. Linda Downey, owner of Taste of Philly Cheesesteak and Hoagie Shoppe, was notified by the city of a “violation” because there are too many flags flying in front of her store. Downey, who has two sons in the military and many servicemembers and veterans as customers, flies six American and military flags as a "tribute," she tells Fox & Friends. When she first got the letter, she thought it was a joke.

Alas, it was not. A local ordinance limits people to three flags, but a city manager says officials aren’t anti-American or unpatriotic. They simply want to make sure flags are “done in a respectful manner and not in a way that is overly commercialized.” The city wanted Downey to file an appeal and pay an $80 filing fee, but she says the American Legion has taken over the case. Hat tip to Gawker for the find. (More Florida stories.)