Hey folks, today we’ve got quite a story brewing that touches on patriotism, the judiciary, and some heated neighborhood dynamics.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina recently took Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to task over some flags flown outside his New Jersey vacation home. These flags, an upside-down American flag and another with historical significance, have stirred quite a controversy, especially after liberal media and Democrats weighed in.
Let’s start with the backdrop. In mid-January 2021, an upside-down American flag was spotted outside Justice Alito’s home. This wasn’t just any display—Alito’s wife, Martha-Ann Alito, put it up in response to what she described as offensive and vulgar yard signs from a neighbor. The neighbor’s signs included a “F*** Trump” message, allegedly placed within 50 feet of where children wait for the school bus. According to Justice Alito, the flag was a temporary protest against this neighbor’s coarse language.
Now, onto the second flag at the center of this storm—the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, also known as the Pine Tree Flag. This flag, with its green pine tree and the phrase “An appeal to Heaven,” dates back to the American Revolutionary War.
Commissioned by George Washington in 1775, it symbolizes the American colonies’ quest for independence from British rule. Its origins are deeply rooted in the writings of John Locke, a British political philosopher, who argued that people have the right to appeal to Heaven when no earthly authority can judge their grievances.
Fast forward to today, and the New York Times has linked this flag to some protesters at the January 6th riots, suggesting negative connotations. However, this flag is a historic emblem of liberty and resistance against tyranny.
Senator Lindsey Graham, however, didn’t see it that way. He criticized Justice Alito for allowing these flags to be displayed, suggesting it wasn’t wise judgment for a Supreme Court Justice to engage in such a manner. “Emotions are apparently high in that neighborhood,” Graham remarked, noting that while he believed the Alitos’ frustrations were genuine, the role of a Supreme Court Justice demands a higher standard of public conduct.
Not everyone agreed with Graham. Senator Mike Lee of Utah defended Martha-Ann Alito’s right to display any flag she chose, emphasizing her freedom as an American citizen. “Martha-Ann Alito has every right to hang whatever flag she wants. In whatever manner she wants. She is a free citizen. And a freedom-loving, American patriot,” Lee declared. He also pointed out that the actions of one spouse shouldn’t be conflated with the other’s responsibilities.
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana also stood by the Alitos, highlighting the historical significance of the Pine Tree flag. He noted its connection to George Washington and the founders, dismissing attempts to link it to the January 6th events as baseless.
Can @washingtonpost get more pathetic?
The Post is now doing a deep dive into the wife of a Supreme Court justice who flew 2 flags at their home:
1. American distress flag (after a neighbor put up a “Fuck Trump” near a children’s bus stop, put up a sign blaming Martha-Ann Alito… pic.twitter.com/vpz2e1U7Sm
— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) May 25, 2024
The controversy doesn’t end here. Rolling Stone published an article in November 2023, labeling the Pine Tree flag as a symbol of “Christian warfare” and linking it to right-wing extremism. The piece attempted to paint House Speaker Johnson as an extremist for flying the flag outside his office. Johnson countered this by reiterating the flag’s historical roots and its longstanding representation of American independence and liberty.
Stay tuned as this discussion unfolds, reflecting broader themes of patriotism, free speech, and the ever-evolving landscape of American political discourse.
