"They didn't care if it was illegal or not," Beckham said. "They just thought it was the wrong thing to do."

And the radio host agreed with his listeners.

"I'm sure whoever did this had good intentions, but that doesn't make it right," he said.

Beckham said that the issue would likely be a hot topic on the radio today, since the flag is still scheduled to fly through Saturday.

Johnson said that he heard the radio show and has gotten a few complaints from the public. He has also looked at the flag protocols and although he thinks flying the two country's flags together is against flag etiquette, he does not believe it is illegal. He said he has also heard from some downtown business owners and at least one veteran who appreciated the measure.

He intends to keep his pledge to the Hispanic people and fly the flag for the full six days.

"The mayor has to make some decisions that he thinks is right," Johnson said. "For those who we offended, I apologize, but I think it was the right thing to do."

Gutierrez agreed with the mayor. He said that he understands the concerns of the people but that the mayor's decision was based on respect for human life.

"Behind this decision is only the human being," said Gutierrez. "I understand that behind the flag, there are people that are suffering."

The display of the Mexican flag has led to one change which likely won't ruffle feathers. Complaints that the Mexican flag was in much better shape than the American and state flags prompted Johnson to have the old flags replaced with new ones.

To contact reporter Dusty Vassey, call 382-4321, ext. 208.