Do a REAL poll
This morning I got a call from a woman who did not identify herself, but left a message complaining about our news poll on the Web site which asks if you think anyone should be able to put any size flagpole on their property.
"Why don't you do a real poll" she said, and ask the readers specifically what they think of the Hull-Piffero flagpole at the top of the western hills. "Of course" no one would agree to let anyone put up a flagpole of any size, she adds, so why stage this (unprintable word) poll.
Well, the reason we asked this question instead of the one she'd like is that the issue of the Hull-Piffero flag pole has become a test of patriotism and something of a popularity contest about Hull and Piffero in general.
What we want to gather from the readers is, if it weren't Hull and Piffero - who have become heroic to many local residents in their efforts to make patriotism a kind of public challenge in Ukiah - would people still think putting up a flag pole of any size in your front yard is OK.
This caller certainly thought not.
Driving through Ukiah, if you even notice the flag, tourists or others not in the know probably think,
"Gee Ukiah's post office is in a funny place," but I don't think I would particularly like to be a neighbor and suddenly have this imposing structure looming over or near my house. And that doesn't mean I don't love my country as much as the next person.
I suspect that a number of people cheering Hull and Piffero on wouldn't hesitate to scream if it was someone in their neighborhood doing the same thing. And once we have the precedent allowing this outsized flagpole, who is going to stop the next person who may not be interested in flying the American flag? How would we all feel if these gentlemen were flying a skull and crossbones up in the hills? Or a flag with a big marijuana leaf on it?
Having said all this. I think we will put up the poll that caller wanted as soon as we give this one a day or two. It will be illuminating to see how much support is out there for this flagpole but not anyone else's.