FL: Vet Charged With Theft For Taking Down Tattered Flag

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mekender
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FL: Vet Charged With Theft For Taking Down Tattered Flag

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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/winte ... e=rss_news
Karl Edward Baldner didn't like what he saw, a tattered and torn American flag flying from a small business across from the Goldenrod Post Office just east of Winter Park.

The U.S. Army veteran strongly believes the flag should be displayed properly and in the summer of 2009, took it upon himself to let the business owner know the beat-up old flag ought to be taken down. When it was not, Baldner decided to remove it himself.

Baldner said he intended to replace the flag with another one that had been draped over a fallen soldier.

After removing the flag, Baldner left a note behind, stating, "Please have respect for the American flag and don't display our flag in such a condition. It disgraces our nation." He left his name and number with the note.

"I felt for sure he'd call me, but he didn't call me," Baldner said Wednesday. "He called the police."

Baldner recalls being questioned by law enforcement and admitting to the deputy who called that he took the flag. Still, Baldner thought the matter was too insignificant to cause him serious trouble – until he was served with a summons this summer.

The State Attorney's Office is charging Baldner with petit theft, a misdemeanor. He is scheduled to return to court for trial on the case Tuesday.

Baldner, 49, insists he will not accept a plea deal.

"Yes, I would go to jail for my flag," he said, though he risks losing his government-subsidized housing if convicted. "What I did was the right thing and that's why I'm so adamant and I'm angry. I don't go around intentionally trying to break the law."
“I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democrat Party has adopted our platform.” - Norman Thomas, a six time candidate for president for the Socialist Party, 1944
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