it was an important symbol of independence in the american revolution, positioned under the don t thread on me. this was a model of a flag used by the u.s. marine corps. retired marines asked it be flown over the state capitol on memorial day. that was rejected by the capitol police, the reason? rules say that flags that recognize military organizations can be flown. they said the gadson was used by one admiral, and they never claimed that to be one of an organization s flags. the books i checked disagree with that. perhaps the real reason for the flag flap is that various tea party groups have adopted the gadson to symbolize their movement against intrusive
the body of robert byrd will lie in ra pose in the chamber thursday. he died on monday at the age of 92. well the don t thread on me flag is apparently too political for connecticut. the state capitol police refusing a request to fly this flag over the capitol building. their reason? the flag has become too political. greg jarrett has more from our new york newsroom, greg. reporter: the famous flag used by the marines will not be allowed apparently because some in the tea party movement have adopted it as a symbol. this is the historic gadson designed and named after christopher gadson. it depicts a rattle snake coiled and ready to strike.
government. they are not offering that, though as a reason for the rejection. i mentioned the rainbow flag, the symbol of gay and lesbian acceptance, it flu over the capitol a decade ago. after controversy over that a new rule was adopted. retired marines are asking the state attorney general to issue a directive for the state police to comply with the law that they claims allows the gadson flag, they want it flown july 4th. the capitol police may be wrong legally on several fronts, not only is there strong historical evidence as i mentioned that the flag was used by the marine corps at the birth of our nation but the language of the state law doesn t define flags to those currently used by military organizations. moreover the capitol police have allowed the society of cincinnati, which is a nonmilitary historical group to fly its flag in years past. by denying the gadson flag they