American flags banned in an American school!

[Lupinus]

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060401045009990014&ncid=NWS00010000000001

LONGMONT, Colo. (April 1) - Dozens of high school students protested a temporary school policy forbidding students from displaying the U.S. flag - as well as flags from other countries - amid racial tensions following immigration rallies.

Skyline High School Principal Tom Stumpf said American flags were brazenly waved in the faces of Hispanic students and in one case a Mexican flag was thrown into the face of another student.

"When it involves the American flag and its abuse in vilifying other people, we simply will not tolerate it," Stumpf said. "They were using the symbol derisively as misguided patriotism."

Students were warned about the policy Friday and several were suspended, although Stumpf would not provide details. Then, about 100 students protested during lunch time.

Student Dustin Carlson told Denver station KCNC-TV that he was suspended for two days.

"I'm getting suspended for it and personally I think that's uncalled for," he said. "If this country means freedom, then why can't we fly our own flag? It's ridiculous."

Thousands of high school students Friday in California, Texas, Nevada and other states protested the tough immigration laws proposed in the House. Some waved Mexican flags and carried signs saying "We are not criminals."

On Monday, about 150 high school students, including some from Skyline, protested in Longmont.

"People are taking it to a whole other level," said Laura Avitia. "I don't think they know why we were protesting."

*~*

First school officials allow a Mexican flag to be raised above an American flag. Now another school bans students from having an American flag. This is to far, way, way to far. I would not allow my children to step foot on school gounds as long as this ban were in effect it is utterly disgracful and downright shamful. Words simply can not fully express my anger, most certianly not ones permitted here.

 

[longeyes]

"When it involves the American flag and its abuse in vilifying other people, we simply will not tolerate it," Stumpf said. "They were using the symbol derisively as misguided patriotism."

Yes, rock on, little commissar. Eventually Americans will recognize the role of public education in the grand indoctrination process.

 

[Lupinus]

I simply can not see how this happens. This is a pure and simple slap in the face to America.

 

[longeyes]

embrace the coming of New America!

Lupinus, you think like an Old American. You've got to recognize that the elites have a vastly different vision of what patriotism is and when it applies. They see the average American as a dinosaur. Slow, plodding, a ground feeder. I know a lot of academics. They believe the run of Americans don't get it, are unreceptive to "progress," are crypto-cowboy-nazis.

They will believe that right up until round-up time.

 

[cbsbyte]

I believe this has played out on national TV and it was reported that the school adminstrators also barred the Mexican students from using their flag. Both side where told to chill out but the ones that did not cease where suspended. He sounded completely different on TV than he does in the online report. I believe the principles quote was taking out of contex or only part of it was reported.
Anyway I agree with the Principles dicision. If you ever listen to some of reports on what they kids are saying one will quickly realize that both sides of this debate are clueless about the real issue. If I was the prinicple I would probably expell the Carlson kid for being a complete idiot. He has no clue nor do his friends. I agree that we need a good debate on immigration but assualting students with the American flag because their families are not American is truly a dispicable act. The Mexican students though passionate are equally clueless about their own issue. Most are doing it so they don't have to attend class.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

While correct, the title of the thread isn't fully accurate. It wasn't that American flags were banned, but all flags. While I agree that it is stupid given the school is in the US, I understand the necessity.

Dustin Carlson is a moron. Maybe he thinks he can be a martyr. The rule went into effect and he chose to break it and now personally feels like the rule is unnecessary. He personally broke the rule. D'uh! He said,

"If this country means freedom, then why can't we fly our own flag? It's ridiculous."

Apparently, Dustin needs to spend less time cutting class and more time learning civics. Maybe some day he will understand what it means to have rights and freedom, that minors are limited, and that in such matters as flag flying that is falls under the Bill of Rights with other freedoms and that such freedoms can be suspended in places for various reasons. The freedom of speech and expression does not mean you can do anything you want.

The outrage over such matters shows up in lots of threads on the net such as in various gun forum like THR. Lupinus thinks that the rule is utterly disgracful and downright shamful. I agree. There is disgrace and shame. Have y'all seen how the kids around the country are handling said flags? There is nothing like seeing the stars and bars carried by a patriotic American teenager as he goes over and assaults another teenager by rubbing a balled up American flag in the other kid's face. Yep, another proud American moment.

From the looks of things, few kids in the crowds, here in Texas, look like they have been in the scouting. Balled up flags, thrown, dragged on the ground....disgraceful and shameful.

How many of those kids do you think owned flags before the protests? How many have EVER hung a flag at home?

Even more shameful from what I have seen, are the interviews with the kids like Dustin who are clueless. I have seen interviews with Hispanics who could not tells the reporters the reason they were cutting class and protesting. Equally well informed was a groups of good old rednecks who were protesting that "It just isn't right!" When the reporter asked what wasn't right, the comment was, "They can't come do this!" "Do what?" asked the reporter. "Come here and protest!" said the redneck.

Several years ago, a spokesman for the VFW gave a nifty talk at our 4th of July parade on what the flag meant to him. The guy was amazing. In short, he noted that people talk about fighting for our flag and dying for our flag and that such things were stupid as it was obviously stupid. He queried, "How often do you ever see flags protected by armed guards?" He said their unit went through many flags in Korea. Some were shot, blown up, torn, burned, or otherwise suffering as a result of being with soldiers in battle. So they would order new ones as needed. When it got cold and they had not rec'd their winter gear. Flags were wrapped around the bodies of those that didn't have coats, being worn under shirts. A buddy of his who had lost most of his gear was in a flox hole with him and asked the sarge who brought him a spare flag to wrap up in, "Sarge, are you covering me with a flag because you think I am going to die?" The reference was to soldiers returning home, of course. The reply went something like, "No. I expect you to take care of that flag and if you take care of it, it will take care of you." All of a sudden, American flag underwear was patriotic.

Given the vast knowledge of our youth and the embarrassment I felt watching them on TV ignorantly explaining what they were doing in protest, on both sides of the issue, my thoughts are that the students cutting school are inclusive of a lot of loud mouthed morons who are using nationalism and heritage as a thinly vieled excuse to cut class and avoid learning more about what it is that they are protesting. Shameful and disgraceful? That would be ignorance, no doubt.

 

[KriegHund]

Wear a sighn of an american flag, then. Its not an actual flag.

Hmm, if i see the flag down at my school monday im gonna be real pissed. And ill have to print out a flag to use on tuesday.

 

[Art Eatman]

APS stuff.

Art