Business owner Flew the United States Flag upside down in Protest, Is he right or wrong?

It is absolutely his 1st Amendment right. I'm not sure he chose the best way to protest this (I don't know that being denied a liquor license calls for distress signals, though I suppose his property was in peril and that is indeed considered reason for flying the flag upside-down). However, having had his First Amendment rights stomped on certainly is cause for distress. If the government itself is responsible for a loss of rights, when the government renegs on its promise, I definitely think that is cause for distress and it is appropriate to use the flag to express that distress.

The fact that he is a vet I'm sure doubled his problems with the police. He should have known better. Plus in this little town that is patriotic enough to have a parade how many other vets did he piss off?

I had given this some thought. So the town let him pay for building permits and all and then deny him a license? The town could have made money on the taxes from his business.

There is something else at work here. Small town stuff.

Yes of course it would cause a disturbance. Note that the town's attorney ordered this. If allowed it could become a legal nightmare for the town.

It is ones right to free speech but not in this way. There are many rules concerning a flag like proper disposal and all of that. That may sound archaic but they came about because of respecting your country and is the "glue" for America.

Point is the upside down flag is for SERIOUS things. Like if there is a potential for loss of life or limb. Men, women or children may die.

Not for something like where a person should have gotten a license before they spent all of this money. Again I have no doubt he is getting screwed in some manner such as another bar is in tight with the town but something is not right in regard to him.

There has to be more to this story.

HIs property is in distress. I think he has the right to fly the flag upside-down. Why would indicating that distress "cause a serious disturbance?"

Is it because the township politicians want to keep the whole issue of denying him a liquor license quiet after they let him spend $200,000 to buy and fix up that restaurant all the while they were keeping their intentions to deny him a liquor license secret? Something does not smell right here.

He's wrong. Flying an American flag upside down is for emergencies only, like if you're injured. If everyone flies the American flag upside down for other reasons, it loses its effectiveness. People can't tell if someone's injured or if someone's acting like a spoiled brat. It would be like the business owner calling 911 to complain about his liquor license.

In my opinion it is more 'illegal" than burning it. Because an upside down American flag is a distress signal. The display of it that way for any other means dilutes the credibility of the symbol / signal. It borders on the proverbial shouting "fire" in a crowded theater in terms of 1st Amendment issues. If you do not take the symbol seriously, it proves how diluted it has become.

I am very proud to be an American. He has the 1st amendment right to protest in this manner. Not too bright though because I am guessing quite a few folks will be offended enough not to go to his restaurant even if he gets the liquor license.

Freedom of speech, Freedom to organize, right to protest. He's protected under the first amendment. Now, in the spirit of our forefathers, if you were able to sneak onto his property and steal his flag, and get away without being seen. Well, that's just what goes on.

He seems to help Obama/Biden. that is actual the only subject. the U. S./GOP/TN flags being the opposite direction up is an indication of the country/occasion/state being in misery. that's what that is. quit being ghey.

He probably showed why he shouldn't get the license.