One McDonald's restaurant raised eyebrows by flying the American flag
upside down at half-mast Wednesday morning, leaving many wondering
whether the fast food chain is making a political statement following
President Barack Obama's re-election.
The post-election controversy was raised at the McDonald's in Follansbee, West Virginia.
An upside-down American flag can be either a signal that the
flag-bearer is in jeopardy and in need of assistance, or a sign of
protest.
In this case, the flag has been interpreted as a sign of objection to the result of Tuesday's election.
An employee at the McDonald's told News9 that the owner set the flag's position.
When the flag stirred controversy on the station's Facebook page, a
user who claimed to be the owner said "it was a complete and total
accident," alleging that the flagpole was broken.
The owner also contacted News9 to clarify that the upside flag was up by mistake.
"I just want to say: I am a manager at that McDonald's,” a caller told News9.
“The flag was to be flown at half-staff as perMcDonald’s Corporation.
As for it being flown upside down--it was a complete and total
accident. NO ONE at our store would PURPOSELY fly the flag upside down.
Our flagpole is actually broken, and we are unable to move the flag."
"Unfortunately, a flag cable broke and during the process of trying
the fix the flag, it was inadvertently turned upside down," the owner
said in an email sent to the news station.
"It wasn't noticed that the flag was upside down until a customer
inquired about it. We are working on fixing the flag right now. It's
important to note that this was an accident, not intentional."
The unusual position of the American flag was an ill-timed mistake,
McDonalds' franchisee Karen Mezan told the media in an email.
"Unfortunately, a flag cable broke and during the process of trying
the fix the flag, it was inadvertently turned upside down," Mezan
stated.
"It wasn't noticed that the flag was upside down until a customer
inquired about it. We are working on fixing the flag right now. It’s
important to note that this was an accident, not intentional."
The upside-down flag has been since taken down.
In West Virginia, Mitt Romney defeated Obama by 62 to 35 per cent on Tuesday.
Read more at http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/3971/20121107/mcdonalds-upside-down-flag-west-virginia-raises-controversy.htm#6qWd6GyEMJ6fJ37F.99
