Freedom of Expression

No matter how many times the man from the condominium community across from me hooks up two dumpsters  to his riding lawnmower-styled tractor, I have to view the little choo choo as he aligns the smelly bins into positions for a huge trash truck to lift, shake and bang out the trash.

This morning as I watched the daily custom I finished zipping my uniform jacket a flag flapping from a balcony in another sky scraper on the other side of the condos caught my eye. No, it couldn’t be…I stepped on to my balcony. It WAS!

Someone about 10 floors up was flying an Iranian flag.  In light of recent events, I’m trying to figure out what these people are saying.  And, I became slightly irritated.  What kind of nerve is that?

I’ve met people from all over the world in this area, including several people from Iran, but the area only has one Iranian flag posted. I snapped a picture, but it was not close enough. I hurriedly finished getting dressed, preened my beret on my head and decided I’m going to get a closer picture of this “sight.”

While proudly wearing my uniform and getting closer to the flapping cloth, I took several pictures.  Today I sent a copy of the somewhat closer picture to my friends at the Missile Defense Agency.  I heard from one friend, who is a retired Lt. Col. In the U.S. Air Force. He responded with kind words that ended with, “I literally have no clue.” (-why the flag is posted.)

Most of the day the image fluttered in my mind as the flag continued to flutter in this area’s constant breeze.  On the way home, a Pentagon Police officer who saw the flag as well wondered if the Missile Defense Agency could “make an oops” and pinpoint that very apartment.  He was more upset about it than I was which makes perfect sense to me.

I’m starting to calm a bit now. After all, this is one of the reasons I wear my uniform and basically do what I do …to provide for free expression …whether or not I agree with what is being expressed.