Proud to be American... NOT HERE!!!

[arnegrim]

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.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-01-flagprotest_x.htm

Goodbye Sweet America!

 

[Voegelin]

Australia banned its own flag from a beach so as not to offend Muslims.

 

[ballfan]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-04-01-flagprotest_x.htm

Goodbye Sweet America!

Are we headed to a point where we can't advertise that we are Americans right here in our own country?

 

[Alarum]

This is a substantially odd time for the people who have been screaming about the godless ACLU to notice that the school system of the united states of america uses the first amendment as toilet paper. For years we have heard complaints when the ACLU goes to bat for students wearing the Anarchy A t-shirt (though the silence about cases like the girl with the cross tatoo has been deafining). In the name of curbing gang violence the school system has been allowed to do anything it wants - notable examples include banning t-shirts of a certain color (including white, at times), banning any form of jewelry on guys, banning various messages on t-shirts (including a soft-drink), etc.

Well let me say this:

Welcome Onboard!

The school system tramples on the rights of students, and maybe this will bring to light that its not a conservative or liberal issue, but a simple one of free speech and the rights due an american citizen.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

The school system tramples on the rights of students, and maybe this will bring to light that its not a conservative or liberal issue, but a simple one of free speech and the rights due an american citizen.

I agree. They are teaching these kids that punishment comes from anything they do and it's ridiculous. What do they think these children believe about our country when they are being treated this way?

 

[Doctrine1st]

This is a substantially odd time for the people who have been screaming about the godless ACLU to notice that the school system of the united states of america uses the first amendment as toilet paper. For years we have heard complaints when the ACLU goes to bat for students wearing the Anarchy A t-shirt (though the silence about cases like the girl with the cross tatoo has been deafining). In the name of curbing gang violence the school system has been allowed to do anything it wants - notable examples include banning t-shirts of a certain color (including white, at times), banning any form of jewelry on guys, banning various messages on t-shirts (including a soft-drink), etc.

Well let me say this:

Welcome Onboard!

The school system tramples on the rights of students, and maybe this will bring to light that its not a conservative or liberal issue, but a simple one of free speech and the rights due an american citizen.

YEAP.

So Voegelin, arnegrim, and ballfan, the ACLU is always need of members or donations to help restore the constitution from those who wish to treat it like "just a piece of paper."

 

[burrow_owl]

If kids can't play nicely with their toys, we take 'em away. Mexican flags, American flags, whatever. Until they're mature enough to display them maturely and responsibly, don't let them have 'em. I don't see what the fuss is about.

There's no question that the recent immigration stuff has caused some....heightened tensions. If it's the case that several people are inciting bad behavior, it doesn't seem inappropriate to me to take away the tool with which that behavior is incited.

 

[ballfan]

This is a substantially odd time for the people who have been screaming about the godless ACLU to notice that the school system of the united states of america uses the first amendment as toilet paper. For years we have heard complaints when the ACLU goes to bat for students wearing the Anarchy A t-shirt (though the silence about cases like the girl with the cross tatoo has been deafining). In the name of curbing gang violence the school system has been allowed to do anything it wants - notable examples include banning t-shirts of a certain color (including white, at times), banning any form of jewelry on guys, banning various messages on t-shirts (including a soft-drink), etc.

The school system has valid reasons for many of the things it does. In the instances you mention I can see the reasoning. There is no valid reason to take down the US flag in this country. There is no right to "gang violence" that I know of. The schools though do operate under the patronage of the local, state, and federal governments.

 

[arnegrim]

So... instead of disciplining the students for their behavior... you ban anything that symbolizes US patriotism...

GIVE ME A BREAK!

 

[Yusuf Evans]

The school system has valid reasons for many of the things it does. In the instances you mention I can see the reasoning. There is no valid reason to take down the US flag in this country. There is no right to "gang violence" that I know of. The schools though do operate under the patronage of the local, state, and federal governments.

Huh? I thought they were obligated to since they are funded by taxpayer money?

 

[burrow_owl]

So... instead of disciplining the students for their behavior... you ban anything that symbolizes US patriotism...

If dumb kids are disrupting school with something, that something (whether it be flags or whatever) gets banned. That's pretty much par for the course.

 

[Alarum]

If dumb kids are disrupting school with something, that something (whether it be flags or whatever) gets banned. That's pretty much par for the course.

Are you kidding? That's not par for the course. Par for the course is suspension for a couple months or expulsion of anyone wearing anything resembling the disruptive item. That the administrators used their discretion to only suspend the students for a couple days for the crime of having an american flag is somewhat amazing.

Of course the administrators could have exercised simple common sense and suspended anyone caught shoving the flag in someone's face or jeering at someone or making racist comments, but that's too subtle for them. Why use a needle when you can use a sledgehammer?

 

[Jetgirl]

Of course the administrators could have exercised simple common sense and suspended anyone caught shoving the flag in someone's face or jeering at someone or making racist comments, but that's too subtle for them. Why use a needle when you can use a sledgehammer?

If they were enforcing the rules that they ALREADY have regarding student's actions, there would be no need for this ridiculous ban.

Unfortunately I understand the point in a way. I wanted to get a flag sticker for my new car, but I have about a 75% chance of either being keyed or having my windows broken in my own neigborhood if I have anything patriotic or troops-positive on my vehicle. Two of my neighbors (both Marines) have had their cars vandalized in the last two weeks, and the problem is ongoing.

 

[SummerMadness]

Schools can already have their newspapers edited by the principal, so I don't see why people are screaming now.

Free speech was never absolute in primary and secondary schools, so it should come as no surprise when this ban occurs. This is not a permanent ban anyway, it's most likely temporary until the tension lays over. This is a school first, a place of learning, where you learn about math, science, english, etc. The display of any flags at this moment isn't to show patriotism or to show solidarity, it's the equivalent of sticking your tongue out at others.

Schools will ban something when it is apparent that you're wasting too much time trying to enforce a rule. They don't allow chewing gum, no one says anything, you can't wear a hat, no one says anything, no they ban the flags temporarily, and there is an uproar? When you're having groups of students fighting over somehting as small as a flag, remove the flags and get them back to learning.

I think complaining about the ban is useless because you're forgetting the purpose of school in the first place. If the students all feel this is so wrong, they should collectively stage a walkout. That won't happen because we know the flag display was about raising tension, something you don't have the right to do.

 

[arnegrim]

You're right... teaching our children pride in their country is useless.

 

[warispeace]

If they were enforcing the rules that they ALREADY have regarding student's actions, there would be no need for this ridiculous ban.

Unfortunately I understand the point in a way. I wanted to get a flag sticker for my new car, but I have about a 75% chance of either being keyed or having my windows broken in my own neigborhood if I have anything patriotic or troops-positive on my vehicle. Two of my neighbors (both Marines) have had their cars vandalized in the last two weeks, and the problem is ongoing.

Cars are getting keyed for having an AMERICAN FLAG on them? That's insane.

Sounds like the work of a couple of teenagers with too much time on their hands.

 

[Vylo]

You would think they would make an exception for the American flag......you know the thing hanging in every single classroom in every school I have ever been in.

 

[AirPo]

You're right... teaching our children pride in their country is useless.

Ignorance and immaturity are nothing to be proud of.

 

[ballfan]

http://www.usdreams.com/Greenwood79.htmlhttp://www.brownielocks.com/godblesstheusaWAVE.html

GOD BLESS THE USA


If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

 

[levi501]

The flag is a symbol. When any symbol is used in a way to disrupt the classroom and antagonize others then it should be removed/banned temporarily. The flag is no exception and neither is a christian cross.

The appeals to emotion in this thread are simply hilarious and unimpressive.