Fueled by deep-seated paranoia and an unwavering thirst for outrage, a number of conservative blogs expressed dismay this weekend after spotting a Mexican flag hanging beneath the stage prior to a Democratic forum in Clear Lake, Iowa.
“Democrats Now Displaying Mexican And LBGTQ Flags at Their Campaign Events in Iowa,” read one headline from Gateway Pundit. “Democratic Presidential Forum in Iowa Proudly Displays Mexican and LGBT Flags,” reported Young Conservatives.
The anger is palpable!
The only problem? The photo in question, published innocuously to Twitter by NPR correspondent Don Gonyea on Friday, shows Iowa’s flag, not Mexico’s.
Buddy Holly played his last gig here in this Clear Lake ballroom. Tonight it hosts Dem presidential hopefuls. @NPR pic.twitter.com/fxM0CUfkx9
— Don Gonyea NPR (@DonGonyea) August 14, 2015
In the bloggers’ defense, both flags have…birds on them.
Readers were quick to point out that this was not, in fact, Mexico’s flag (because can you imagine how scary that would be?), but that didn’t stop the conversation from dovetailing into anti-gay rhetoric as the very colorful (and very real) LGBT flag hanging nearby became the next-best source of consternation.
Ah, politics.
Do they think Iowans are rapists and drug dealers with cataloupes the size of calves?
Yes, Robin. Yes they do.
Upon closer inspection of the photo, I’m surprised the didn’t complain about the ISIS flag to the right of the Mexican one.
The similarity between these flags is not a coincident. I live in Iowa and I know many Iowans who speak with very suspicious accents.
What the f*ck is a “suspicious” accent?
russian accents during the cold war
It was an easily avoidable error. But on the 16th, the Young Conservatives site acknowledged its mistake, and ran an apology. This mocking criticism was posted a full day after that acknowledgement, but did not mention it. That’s deceptive on thelittlevillagemag.com’s part.
Where? I do not see it even searching for it on their page???
Yes, you young conservatives!!!!! Do your freaking homework!!!!! Have your eyes checked! You talk about my flag like that I will be more than happy to discuss your crappy state flag compared to Iowa’s. JERKS!!!!! You just let hate to hate run rampent on your page?????? How is this for hate? F@ck you and your editing skills and eye sight!!!!!!! Your attempt at a post script apology is not accepted. You still keep this entry and story up! So you do not truly believe in an apology. How about this I make fun of your Arizona State flag you North Vietnamese Commie! And the rising sun looks like a WWII Japanese Battle Flag! I don’t care where you went to school! I have a DD214! I am one of the 1% to protect your mouth and 1st ammendment!
“Ah, politics.” Nope. This has nothing to do with politics, this is just pure bigotry.