McGath: Resurgence In The Police State Flag

The Police State flag has been making a comeback in Rockingham County, unfortunately.

You've seen it. It's a perversion of the United States flag with the red, white, and blue replaced with black and white, and a single blue stripe added. It stands for police power. Perhaps the flags are an outraged response to the reforms which our governor recently authorized.

It stands for civil asset forfeiture: the seizure of people's property without a trial or, in many cases, even a charge. The property just needs to have an alleged connection with the crime, whether the owner was involved or not.

It stands for qualified immunity, the legal doctrine that cops can't be sued for reckless and destructive actions unless there's a precedent for exactly the same action.

It stands for the convenient malfunction of body cameras whenever the cops would rather not have people see something they do.

It stands for unions that make sure rogue officers aren't punished for their misdeeds.

It stands for threats to loot and burn homes that display signs promoting disapproved causes.

It expresses contempt for America. It builds distrust and fear of the majority of police officers, who do their job properly.

The mockery of our flag is what makes it outrageous. People have freedom of speech. They can wave a Nazi flag if they want, but there's no reason anyone should respect their action. A business in Plaistow has been flying the Police State flag. It's free to do that, but it won't get my business.