Comments on: Second firefighter in Chester, Pennsylvania makes a statement with stars and stripes. Wears cap with upside-down American flag. http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/ Fire & EMS news from the Nation's Capital, the Nation & the world Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:11:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jimmy has a voice http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-12059 Jimmy has a voice Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:09:51 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-12059 CORRECTION...the cartoon sticker that started all of this said "Black man has no free speech", not "A black man has no voice". CORRECTION…the cartoon sticker that started all of this said “Black man has no free speech”, not “A black man has no voice”.

]]> By: Jimmy has a voice http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-12058 Jimmy has a voice Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:59 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-12058 That's the spirit...Let's punish the good guys and not the idiot that started the whole mess to begin with. What was his punishment for displaying a stupid sticker (on the outside of his gearlocker) of a black cartoon that said "A black man has no voice" - Oh yeah, and wearing a hat with the U.S. Flag upside down on it. C'mon E'Rbody, let's not take care of the real problem, let's punish everyone else for a slacker's actions (Even though we are taught differently in Company Officer's class, that is exactly how Fire Departments around the nation handle "problem children", they punish everybody but the real problem). This kind of crap makes me sick. Directive or a bad judgement call? I'll go with the latter on the Fire Commissioner's part... That’s the spirit…Let’s punish the good guys and not the idiot that started the whole mess to begin with. What was his punishment for displaying a stupid sticker (on the outside of his gearlocker) of a black cartoon that said “A black man has no voice” – Oh yeah, and wearing a hat with the U.S. Flag upside down on it. C’mon E’Rbody, let’s not take care of the real problem, let’s punish everyone else for a slacker’s actions (Even though we are taught differently in Company Officer’s class, that is exactly how Fire Departments around the nation handle “problem children”, they punish everybody but the real problem). This kind of crap makes me sick. Directive or a bad judgement call? I’ll go with the latter on the Fire Commissioner’s part…

]]> By: Scott (scottstribling@bellsouth.net) http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11975 Scott (scottstribling@bellsouth.net) Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:52:24 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11975 HOOKMAN! I fought for our country under the very flag that he is wanting to display, my father and his father and his father also did! I wear the very same flag on the right breast of my uniform shirt. I have the very same flag on display (properly) on my mailbox post. That FF violated a directive...period. HOOKMAN! I fought for our country under the very flag that he is wanting to display, my father and his father and his father also did! I wear the very same flag on the right breast of my uniform shirt. I have the very same flag on display (properly) on my mailbox post. That FF violated a directive…period.

]]> By: Scott (scottstribling@bellsouth.net) http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11969 Scott (scottstribling@bellsouth.net) Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:02:20 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11969 ITS NOT ABOUT HIS PATRIOTISM! IT IS ABOUT BLATANTLY VIOLATING A DIRECTIVE SET FORTH BY THE FIRE COMMISSIONER! He was told to remove all stickers! HE DID NOT! So his punishment is just! NOW if he was the stand-up guy that everyone is wanting he would have used the proper channels AFTER this incident, without going to the media, and discussed having Flag stickers on the outside of your locker. The locker is city property. LIKE IT OR NOT! If its not yours, you have to comply! They did not remove the flags from their uniforms or tear down the flag poles in front of all the stations; so lets leave the god and prayer thing alone. This is a seperate matter in and of itself. ITS NOT ABOUT HIS PATRIOTISM! IT IS ABOUT BLATANTLY VIOLATING A DIRECTIVE SET FORTH BY THE FIRE COMMISSIONER! He was told to remove all stickers! HE DID NOT! So his punishment is just! NOW if he was the stand-up guy that everyone is wanting he would have used the proper channels AFTER this incident, without going to the media, and discussed having Flag stickers on the outside of your locker. The locker is city property. LIKE IT OR NOT! If its not yours, you have to comply! They did not remove the flags from their uniforms or tear down the flag poles in front of all the stations; so lets leave the god and prayer thing alone. This is a seperate matter in and of itself.

]]> By: Jimmy has a voice http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11963 Jimmy has a voice Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:05:26 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11963 For years now it seems like folks have lost their ever-lovin' minds. Example: -Taking prayer out of schools. -Removing "One nation Under God". -Doing away with "I solemnly swear". If Americans do not stand up for what they believe in, they will fall for anything. "He who kneels before God can stand up to any man". Firefighter Krapf stood for what he believed to be right. This is the character that a lot of Americans are lacking. If Firefighter Krapf followed the Chief's directive and removed the U.S. flag decal from his locker, he would have to live with the dissatisfaction of going against what he believed in. But guess what? He did not remove the U.S. flag and sure he got a few days suspension, but he has been reinstated (with back-pay) and an agreement has been reached to allow the Firefighters of Chester, Pa to proudly display the U.S. flag decal on the OUTSIDE of their gearlockers. So who was wrong and who was right now? I would also like to add that Firefighter Krapf could join my Engine Company any day, this job not only requires common sense and smarts, but huge gonads as well. Good job Krapf!!! For years now it seems like folks have lost their ever-lovin’ minds. Example: -Taking prayer out of schools.
-Removing “One nation Under God”.
-Doing away with “I solemnly swear”.
If Americans do not stand up for what they believe in, they will fall for anything. “He who kneels before God can stand up to any man”. Firefighter Krapf stood for what he believed to be right. This is the character that a lot of Americans are lacking. If Firefighter Krapf followed the Chief’s directive and removed the U.S. flag decal from his locker, he would have to live with the dissatisfaction of going against what he believed in. But guess what? He did not remove the U.S. flag and sure he got a few days suspension, but he has been reinstated (with back-pay) and an agreement has been reached to allow the Firefighters of Chester, Pa to proudly display the U.S. flag decal on the OUTSIDE of their gearlockers. So who was wrong and who was right now? I would also like to add that Firefighter Krapf could join my Engine Company any day, this job not only requires common sense and smarts, but huge gonads as well. Good job Krapf!!!

]]> By: Scott http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11959 Scott Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:03:06 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11959 Seems some of you have missed the point. The Fire Chief gave a directive that "all" decorations, stickers, etc. be removed from the locker doors. Yes the American Flag is sacred to all americans, but it was still in violation of the Fire Chief's directive. The proper thing would have been to remove it. Period! FF Krapf violated/disobeyed orders to remove "all" not "some" stickers from his locker. We can't have partial compliance with directives based on the "I don't think it is fair" mentality. I have been in the military and am in the fire service. Decisions are made and have to be adhered to. Non-compliance is not an issue. There are proper channels to address these matters of disagreements. Simply defying a directive is not an option. FF Krapf was suspended for disobeying a directive by not removing "ALL" stickers. It just so happend to be the the US Flag. The US FLAG subject has taken the subject in a different direction and has red-blooded americans in arms. The sole subject here is "DISOBEDIENCE" on the part of FF Krapf. Seems some of you have missed the point. The Fire Chief gave a directive that “all” decorations, stickers, etc. be removed from the locker doors. Yes the American Flag is sacred to all americans, but it was still in violation of the Fire Chief’s directive. The proper thing would have been to remove it. Period! FF Krapf violated/disobeyed orders to remove “all” not “some” stickers from his locker. We can’t have partial compliance with directives based on the “I don’t think it is fair” mentality. I have been in the military and am in the fire service. Decisions are made and have to be adhered to. Non-compliance is not an issue. There are proper channels to address these matters of disagreements. Simply defying a directive is not an option. FF Krapf was suspended for disobeying a directive by not removing “ALL” stickers. It just so happend to be the the US Flag. The US FLAG subject has taken the subject in a different direction and has red-blooded americans in arms. The sole subject here is “DISOBEDIENCE” on the part of FF Krapf.

]]> By: DaveO http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11940 DaveO Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:02:52 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11940 I think the issue is that if you display any item (flag,cartoon etc) on a piece of property that does not belong to you (in this case a locker that is Fire Dept./City property)then the Chief has the right to tell you to take it down. If you don't like it you can get a job somewhere else or you can go through the process of filing a grievance. I think the issue is that if you display any item (flag,cartoon etc) on a piece of property that does not belong to you (in this case a locker that is Fire Dept./City property)then the Chief has the right to tell you to take it down. If you don’t like it you can get a job somewhere else or you can go through the process of filing a grievance.

]]> By: Jim Ricci Jr. http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11933 Jim Ricci Jr. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:55:33 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11933 Another example of the lack of management skills that some (most) of our chiefs and commissioners have. Punish all instead of dealing with the true problem. Another example of the lack of management skills that some (most) of our chiefs and commissioners have. Punish all instead of dealing with the true problem.

]]> By: Larry Harris http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11930 Larry Harris Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:13:11 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11930 What ever happend to sitting down with the Chief to discuss the issue before it is blown out of proportion? Not saying either side is right or wrong but more harm to the fire service is being done by this being in the public spotlight. Find a neutral Chief from another county or City and all sit down and work out a way to make everyone happy. Before it is asked I am a career FF who belongs to a union and I have over 25 years in the fire service. I have seen where sitting down and discussing the problem has resolved this type of issue. What ever happend to sitting down with the Chief to discuss the issue before it is blown out of proportion?

Not saying either side is right or wrong but more harm to the fire service is being done by this being in the public spotlight.

Find a neutral Chief from another county or City and all sit down and work out a way to make everyone happy.

Before it is asked I am a career FF who belongs to a union and I have over 25 years in the fire service. I have seen where sitting down and discussing the problem has resolved this type of issue.

]]> By: H. W. Field III http://statter911.com/2009/10/18/second-firefighter-in-chester-pennsylvania-makes-a-statement-with-stars-and-stripes-wears-cap-with-upside-down-american-flag/comment-page-1/#comment-11925 H. W. Field III Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:34:41 +0000 http://statter911.com/?p=3098#comment-11925 Just another case of a Chief taking a blanket approach, disciplining and punishing everyone, for something that should be handled on a case by case basis. 26 years ago, when Firemen were men and not whiney "victims", the Chief would have taken the guys aside and tore them a new Butt Hole for being stupid, and sent them on their way to carry out whatever he directed them to do...and THAT WOULD BE THAT. Unfortunatly, what is shown in this article this is the way the world is going. A soon as race is involved, people in positions of authority are almost forced to punish everyone because if they dont, someone, or their Lawyer, or their Community Organizer, will cry foul and the costly litigation begins. My opinion is that EVERY FF LOCKER should be decorated with the American Flag (first and foremost), PLUS reminders of our brothers past. Sometime real soon, we need to stand together as Brither and Sister Firefighters and talk things out without Lawyers,a nd without the fear of the dreaded "RACE CARD" being pulled. Our profession is dangerous enough without having to worry about being IED'ed by the people we are supposed to be standing arm in arm with. Stay safe and respect and enjoy your Brothers and Sisters regardless of RACE. Just another case of a Chief taking a blanket approach, disciplining and punishing everyone, for something that should be handled on a case by case basis. 26 years ago, when Firemen were men and not whiney “victims”, the Chief would have taken the guys aside and tore them a new Butt Hole for being stupid, and sent them on their way to carry out whatever he directed them to do…and THAT WOULD BE THAT. Unfortunatly, what is shown in this article this is the way the world is going. A soon as race is involved, people in positions of authority are almost forced to punish everyone because if they dont, someone, or their Lawyer, or their Community Organizer, will cry foul and the costly litigation begins. My opinion is that EVERY FF LOCKER should be decorated with the American Flag (first and foremost), PLUS reminders of our brothers past. Sometime real soon, we need to stand together as Brither and Sister Firefighters and talk things out without Lawyers,a nd without the fear of the dreaded “RACE CARD” being pulled. Our profession is dangerous enough without having to worry about being IED’ed by the people we are supposed to be standing arm in arm with. Stay safe and respect and enjoy your Brothers and Sisters regardless of RACE.

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