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Two flag poles should have been installed

Updated: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 6:27 AM PDT
Comments (37 comment(s))

In your article on May 30 about the "Banner at Lodi's Sikh Temple," Takhar said, "It was so any Sikhs driving through San Joaquin County can see the symbol from Highway 99 or Interstate 5." The banner would let out of town Sikhs know where the temple is located. Have you gone out to I-5 or Highway 99 to look for that flag? There is no way it can be seen from either highway.

My son and two of my grandsons have fought for this country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Freedom for you and me, as well as the Sikhs. Our military men and women deserve the respect from these people by honoring the flag of the United States of America. As Robin Sarisky said, "You're an American first; then everything else falls under that."

They should have had two flag poles installed at the time. One for our country (which is taller) and the other for their church.

Doloras Lemke
Lodi

Reader Feedback

??? wrote on Jun 9, 2007 10:33 AM:

" Does the article seem prejudice to anyone else? Also, show me a sikh that doesn't speak english, I need to see one to believe it. "

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Disturbed wrote on Jun 8, 2007 3:58 PM:

" I'm disturbed that this has come of an issue because this is a non christian church. How many churches in Lodi have the American flag on display? The people that are complaining show true ignorance and lack of respect for any other religion than Christianity. I think if a few uninformed, non-intelligent people complain on a such a moronic topic, it should be taken with a grain of salt and not published in the LNS. Doesnt LNS have the sense to publish REAL news. "

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Jason Johnson wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:58 PM:

" Thank you Leonard for pointing that out. It's sad that poor ignorant people spurt out information based on bias rather than fact. Sikh's do speak English, as it is an offical language of India. And I love how people just lump Muslims and Sikh together - "oh, there all from Asia, they must be the same." Do we mix up Canadians and Mexicans so easily? Come on folks, be more open and aware of the world around you. "

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Good Enough to Die for this Country wrote on Jun 5, 2007 5:32 PM:

" Uday Singh, a Sikh, was enlisted in 'C' Company, 1st Battalion, and 34th Armored Regiment, US Army. He had been a gunner onboard a "Hummvee", which left his torso exposed. He was killed in an ambush on December 1, 2003 on his patrol near Habbaniyah. Uday Singh was then evacuated to the Forward Operating Base, St Mere, where he died of his injuries. "

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Gilbert wrote on Jun 5, 2007 4:56 PM:

" Mrs Lemke, your letter is an offense to the brave young men and women who are fighting to keep this a country in which all people can worship God in their chosen fashion. You should be ashamed of yourself. "

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sam wrote on Jun 5, 2007 4:52 PM:

" Nylodian, I agree. And they are wonderful neighbors. They mean no disrespect to our country by flying their religious flag and they are wonderful American citizens. Stop by for a visit. "

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dogbark at da wrote on Jun 5, 2007 1:29 PM:

" 10 points for you! I had to look it up. To the flag's right, (as if the flag was facing you.) In otherwords at a building which you are facing the flag will be at your left, which is the flag's right, (as if it had been brought out of the building and hoisted.) As we in this nation read left to right, that would make the US Flag always the first we would notice. "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 1:04 PM:

" Free Country: Hmmm.. do whatever you country says, even if your religion tells you that it is wrong? So, as a Christian, what would you have done if you had lived in Nazi Germany and the Chancellor had told you that you should kill your Jewish neighbors? "

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To Free Country wrote on Jun 5, 2007 12:07 PM:

" According to your way of thinking"... This a free country, with freedom of speech and right to say what we believe and right to put our writings down on paper without fear. The point you miss is part of being an American (LEGAL IMMIGRANT is embracing the ways of America. Not saying "Look I am MUSLIM, HISPANIC, SIKH and I will ignore America and do as MY Religion says. A recent poll showed 20% of muslims in America believe BLOWING UP PEOPLE in the name of ALLAH is OK! "

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Daniel wrote on Jun 5, 2007 11:39 AM:

" Doloras Lemke: What's seriously wrong with this letter is that the Sikhs will pick up the newspaper and read your letter. Prejudice is alive and well in Lodi. The Sikhs are LEGAL immigrants, who probably went through an application process, came to America to live the American dream, and probably respect our laws. "

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da wrote on Jun 5, 2007 11:17 AM:

" DOGBARK....WHICH RIGHT?? "

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nylodian wrote on Jun 5, 2007 11:16 AM:

" Doloras: I agree the US flag should be honored. But it's NOT being dishonored in this case. Be honest here - you didn't admonish any Christian churches for not flying the Stars and Stripes - why is that? "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 10:16 AM:

" When, I ask, is the LNS going to run an article on all of the Churches that have crosses at a higher elevation than their flags? This shocking injustice DEMANDS attention. "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 10:09 AM:

" The Thing: I have never met a Sikh in the US that didn't speak English. English is the one of the official languages of India most Sikh immigrants have studied the language in grade school and college. "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 10:02 AM:

" Love for Poles: Honestly, I would not care. "

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dogbark at the flag code wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:28 AM:

" quoted from the US Flag Code: (c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services... *** WOW!!! A church pennant ABOVE the Flag !!!! Also note it does NOT say the US Flag must be higher, poles can be the same height as long as the US Flag is farthest to the right. "

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dogbark at Lodi et al wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:17 AM:

" I am so sick of this refusing to embrace American ways and clinging to old world ways; stupid clothes, silly songs, outlandish serving dishes, and ancient festivals. I say pack it all up and go back! Get those lederhosen, beer steins, oompa accordians, and your Octoberfest packed up and go back to the Dakotas. "

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I wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:15 AM:

" Doloras, until they change the constitution, it doesn't really matter what you think! That is the freedom people have of living in this Country! "

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dogbark wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:13 AM:

" D. Lemke writes, 'As Robin Sarisky said, "You're an American first; then everything else falls under that."' I haven't been to church in years, but it seems to me there was a commandment 'Thou shalt not put false idols before Me.' I guess I get to go back to church to watch D. Lemke's ex-communication hearing now along with Robin's. "

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I wrote on Jun 5, 2007 9:13 AM:

" Gee..Could it be the Christian Clan? LOL! "

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Daniel wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:50 AM:

" Doloras Lemke: Letters like this make me say that I'm from Woodbridge or Acampo, not Lodi. Do we need to discuss separation of church and state again? The Sikh flag does not conflict with the American flag. Two flags are used to show loyalties to federal and state jurisdictions. "

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Free Country wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:33 AM:

" Isn't this a free country, don't we have freedom of speach. Or is it freedom of speach as long as EVERYONE agrees. I believe we have the right to worship in any manor we believe, we have the right to say what we believe, we have the right to put our writings down on paper without fear. Forcing another religious organization to post a flag is against all aspects of the Constitution. We are free to be who we are. Not who are neighbors want us to be. "

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The reason wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:25 AM:

" the reason everyone is going nuts about this is because alot of people dont know that the Sikhs are flying a religious flag. "

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wellwell wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:20 AM:

" Another serving of homemade fruitcake. "

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TF wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:20 AM:

" To Doloras, thankyou to your son and gr-sons for doing their duty, although, they fought for Iraqs' freedom, not mine. Why do people keep insisting that what I have understood to be a religious symbol is a flag? "

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WTF wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:17 AM:

" They do not need to have the American flag flying at their temple!!! Leave these people alone!! By the way both poles can be the same height! The US flag IF THEY CHOOSE TO FLY IT(per the flag code) should be flown higher on the staff. If it was me I'd put up the other pole and fly the flags at the same height or maybe have the US flag about an inch or two lower just to piss off the ignorant fools like you. "

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Judy wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:53 AM:

" To Leonard: you do not have to be racist to want your country flag displayed as primary,which is proper. I would be upset if the Union Jack or a Swedish flag were flown over the Stars and Stripes, you move to this country to become a part of it not to seperate your self, reglious flags should be the same,the church I was raised in had both flags represented. "

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To be fair... wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:51 AM:

" If the Sikhs have to display the American flag then we must make sure all houses of worship display it. Why can't y'all leave these people alone? "

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Lee wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:50 AM:

" If this church is harassed into putting a US flag higher than their religious symbol, every church should be required to fly the US flag higher than their highest cross. "

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If My Religion... wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:37 AM:

" allowed me to be a nudist...would I be allowed to go to work, shop and go out to dinner, just because I religion forbids me to wear clothes? One can have a religion and not wear a turbin or wears sheets! I feel that muslims and sikhs have no desire to assimilate and thus DRAWS attention both good and bad to them. This unfairly draws negative attention to them esp since September 11th!Especially when they won't even speak english. I have ssen Muslims/sikhs try to ask a bus driver for directions and not speak a word of english! "

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Leonards love for flag poles... wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:35 AM:

" Leonard, what if Wal-Mart had such a flaf pole with a Wal-Mart flag only, what would your opinion be then? After all, they are just trying to tell people on highway 99 this is where the store is. Rules are for order! "

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Flags wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:33 AM:

" Church's are not retail outlets. The planning department needs to look closely at all use permits. This is still considered the ag zone, and all building should complement it. In other words, check the language, it is probably not in compliance. "

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The Thing I Have Seen Most Is... wrote on Jun 5, 2007 7:33 AM:

" that many many hispanics I encounter, only speak spanish, I see almost no muslim ever speaking english and sikh's I see speak only their language! People are not embracing America any more and stay with their language and let religion "Blind their eyes" to the culture of America. If a sikh had a serious life threatening EMERGENCY, I could not help them, not could I help the Muslim of Hispanic because they CHOOSE not to learn ENGLISH! "

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Landlover wrote on Jun 5, 2007 6:51 AM:

" I beleive in the article. They stated they will be adding anothr flag pole, for the American flag.... We will see. "

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localgal wrote on Jun 5, 2007 6:49 AM:

" Perhaps we should require all churches to display the United States flag with their religious symbols. Why single out one religion for this display? "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Dolores, I think you forgot your sheet at the cross burning. Is this your hood? "

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Leonard wrote on Jun 5, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Obviously, there is some sort of organized group behind this campaign. So, who is it? The Klan perhaps? "

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