Gym members are offended by American flag

**thequeenofsorrow** · October 28th, 2009, 10:00 PM

The owner of Gravity Fitness in Marblehead says gym members have complained about the American flag hanging inside the gym.

The Fitness club's owner, 23 year-old Mark Shea, hung the 12 foot long flag from the gym rafters on Friday and had over a dozen complaints by Monday.

Some have complained that the flag blocks gym televisions, while some members have gone as far as to say that the flag is offensive.

One members was quoted to say "It's like putting a Jesus cross in my face."

Another member feels the exact opposite and said "This is America. If you don't like to see the flag you can move somewhere else."

Shea did move the flag so it would not block the TVs but said now the flag is going to stay right where it is. He also said if the complaining members decide to leave the gym he will just have to live with that.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/...g-is-offensive

Really people??? Seriously??

**backlash** · October 28th, 2009, 10:04 PM

**sanityslipping** · October 29th, 2009, 01:00 AM

If they really find the american flag that offensive, then they can not only go to another gym, they can go to a whole nother country for all I fucking care.

I can sort of understand being a bit peeved at having the TV blocked, (I'm not a big fan of exercising, but I noticed, if I watched TV while I was on the bike or elliptical, the time flew by) but honestly, I don't think I'd go complaining about it. I'd just try to find something else to focus on. I certainly wouldn't say it was offensive.

**brokenandtwisted** · October 29th, 2009, 01:10 AM

I'm really confused...it's a flag...I don't get it...blocking the TV, understandable, but being offended by its presence?

Then again, they don't fly Canadian flags in Quebec either.

**Pene784** · October 29th, 2009, 01:46 AM

I swear people are so obsessed with finding something to be offended about. I don't like everything I see but guess what? That is my problem. I don't go whining to store managers, If you can believe it I just deal with it. And if the flag is "offensive" go find another country that has a flag you can live with seeing. Seriously a whole generation of people that feel like everyone should bow down to THEIR beliefs, everyone else be damned

**trams** · October 29th, 2009, 06:12 AM

Just a bunch of fucking cry babies. Get a LIFE!

**sheevaa** · October 29th, 2009, 09:18 AM

I don't know. I don't think I'd get all pissed if the Canadian flag were hung in a place I frequented. It's the country you live in, what's wrong with having some pride in it?

**backlash** · October 29th, 2009, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by sheevaa

I don't know. I don't think I'd get all pissed if the Canadian flag were hung in a place I frequented. It's the country you live in, what's wrong with having some pride in it?

That's how I roll.

**Mare** · October 29th, 2009, 10:45 AM

I wonder if this is some sort of a publicity stunt. Gyms are not doing well at the moment. This man has a gym and customers complained that the flag was blocking tv's. Understandable. So he moves the flag and decides to embelish on the "complaints"; gets himself in the news and gets free publicity for his super patriotic gym that flies an American flag.

**TheMorningStar** · October 29th, 2009, 01:20 PM

These people go to the gym to watch TV?

**biteme** · October 29th, 2009, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by sanityslipping

If they really find the american flag that offensive, then they can not only go to another gym, they can go to a whole nother country for all I fucking care.

I can sort of understand being a bit peeved at having the TV blocked, (I'm not a big fan of exercising, but I noticed, if I watched TV while I was on the bike or elliptical, the time flew by) but honestly, I don't think I'd go complaining about it. I'd just try to find something else to focus on. I certainly wouldn't say it was offensive.

I just said something similar on the front page
Anyone offended by the Stars & Stripes can take their ugly ass back to where they came from. I am so sick & tired of assholes disrespecting the flag that affords them the ability to be disrespectful without being shot on sight
If you're offended LEAVE THIS COUNTRY and don't let the flag hit you in the ass.

**drkeegee** · October 29th, 2009, 02:56 PM

A very odd story. I wonder if the enterprising Mr Shea has a membership drive going on right now - if not then wow - he'd better prepare for a handful of new memberships from patriotic citizens.

Anyway - I envisioned the flag in a place like my gym - a very large gym with very high ceilings - the video shows a very large flag in a very small gym. It looks like the gym is in a strip mall - it looks like adding a coat rack would overcrowd the place.

**skeptik** · October 29th, 2009, 04:15 PM

I find people that go to gyms offensive.

**Peeperann** · October 29th, 2009, 04:19 PM

"This is America. If you don't like to see the flag you can move somewhere else."

Well said. Yeesh, really people? It's Our Flag.

**Rawrehz** · October 29th, 2009, 04:25 PM

i hate people. stupid people. get out of my country!!!!!!!!!!

**brokenandtwisted** · October 29th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by TheMorningStar

These people go to the gym to watch TV?

Yes? Kills a lot of time watching television and takes your mind off whatever you're doing, in this case burning energy. We even have them in the gyms at the hospitals here. The flag itself, since being so large, might be an annoyance, likely having little to do with the country's representation (aside from the asshats who just find it offensive). Or maybe they're annoyed at the excessive patriotism most Americans have? It's a strange scenario, this one, as we don't have enough information to draw any conclusion.

**Lazlo** · October 30th, 2009, 01:13 PM

excessive patriotism most Americans have?

By what standard?

**sheevaa** · November 1st, 2009, 09:42 PM

By what standard?

Well, I can't pull up any statistics or anything. Being Canadian though, I can see the excessive patriotism the U.S does have. There's nothing per say wrong with having pride in your country. There are a fair few that are pretty obnoxious about it.

No worries, it's the American way! :P

**skeptik** · November 1st, 2009, 10:09 PM

Define obnoxious patriotism. Are you referencing Backlash's festive pants?

Only a real American would wear those.

**sheevaa** · November 1st, 2009, 11:36 PM

Alright, thanks to handy google, I found a few examples of excessive patriotism from the U.S! Although those pants, patriotic as they may be, are bloody hideous!