Connecticut town bans yellow ribbons

The Drudge Report linked to this outrageous story by Connecticut NBC affiliate WVIT-TV today. The Board of Warden and Burgesses bizarrely voted to forbid yellow ribbons on a stretch of trees in Litchfield, Connecticut, while most residents are simply ignoring the new rules against showing support for our troops.

To be fair, the article notes that one board member is a Vietnam veteran, while two more are married to former servicemembers. Still, the reasons being offered for banning the ribbons do not make much sense.

The reason they were taken down, according to the Board of Warden and Burgesses, was that they set a precedent for other causes to hang ribbons. More importantly, the board says the worn and tattered ribbons are a disrespectful display.

The latter explanation seems well-intentioned, but was it really necessary to take the initial, extreme step of banning yellow ribbons on the Litchfield Green? The board could have avoided this entire public relations debacle by issuing simple guidelines on how to keep the displays respectful and patriotic, and by urging residents to replace worn-out yellow ribbons. Instead, members have scheduled a hearing on the ban for February 2. How about rescinding the ruling until the public has a real chance to be heard?

Another article about the controversy, by Mike Agogliati of The Register Citizen, shows how misguided journalists can sometimes be when covering issues of national pride. Agogliati writes:

What was supposed to be a meeting Tuesday to discuss a ban on what some call patriotic yellow ribbons turned into a circus Tuesday and, although no decision was reached, residents had a lot to say on the subject.

"What some call patriotic?" I guess only "some" people call the American flag patriotic too, since "some" people opt to burn it? While it would be easy to label Mr. Agogliati as just another elitist masquerading as a journalist, I do not know him or his body of work, so I will not attack him in that manner. But this is a good example of when striving for balance in a story actually works against you as a journalist. Yellow ribbons are patriotic. Period.

The most ridiculous aspect of this entire issue is that while we are constantly reminded by politicians that we are living through "the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," this group of local politicians is instead busy creating unnecessary divisions over what should be a universal effort to support those in harm's way. Or perhaps issuing fines to those backing American troops is the board's solution to a fiscal emergency? I sure hope not.

Smarten up, bureaucrats.