Endangered Birds vs. American Flags: A Disgraceful Attempt At Tampering Patriotism

Every so often, I come across a news story and don’t think it’s real. I read it and think it must be clickbait or some type of fraud or fake news. After I read this story, I had a hard time fathoming that it was in fact, true.

Just days before we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, residents of Plum Island in Newbury, Massachusetts, opened their mailboxes to find a letter from their town warning that displaying flags could potentially violate endangered species laws.

The town’s letter grouped flags together with mylar streamers and reflective materials as devices that could prevent protected shorebirds from nesting and warned that violations of state and federal endangered species laws could carry significant financial penalties. Unsurprisingly, many residents interpreted that as a warning that flying Old Glory outside their own homes would land them in trouble. It’s mind boggling and hard to comprehend.

After the not surprising backlash from residents began, town officials insisted they were not banning patriotic displays and that the letter was simply informational. I have a hard time believing any person with half a brain would mail a letter like that. I also believe those involved were trying to tamper patriotism in their disturbingly liberal enclave.

In the 2024 general election, 67% of the voters in Newbury and Newburyport voted for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. That explains a lot. I can pretty much guarantee, those aren’t the people who complained about the flag warning letter. If anything, they were likely thrilled with the warning, as they hope to see less patriotism in their beautiful and historic seaside community.

When an official letter tells homeowners that displaying flags could be viewed as violating environmental laws carrying serious penalties, most reasonable people aren’t going to hire a constitutional attorney to decipher the fine print or question its origin. They’re going to ask themselves one simple question. “Should I just take my flag down?” That was likely the intended outcome the idiotic people who mailed that letter had.

America’s 250th birthday should be a time when communities encourage patriotism, not when incompetent politicians create confusion over whether citizens can celebrate their country. It’s not only concerning, it’s deliberately creating chaos and confusion.

Protecting endangered wildlife is a legitimate government responsibility. I don’t think many people would argue that fact. Shorebirds and every endangered species deserve protection, and there are reasonable ways to balance conservation with common sense and property rights. 

The American flag isn’t just another decoration. It represents the freedoms that make debates like this possible in the first place. It has flown through wars, economic hardship, civil unrest, and national victories. It has comforted grieving families and inspired generations of immigrants seeking liberty. Americans should never hesitate to display our flag because a government letter made them wonder if it might be illegal. 

Our rights as Americans are not granted by the government. Our rights protect us from the government. That is something we must never forget and always be willing to fight for.

Happy Birthday, America! Now go buy a new flag and display it proudly, regardless of what birds may be nesting in your community.