The US Flag Is Now School Contraband

[JBeukema]

Like you said this is a mute point now and I will let it go with this. Personally, I believe school age kids are at the most impressionable age of their life and hence that is when we should be instilling American values and patriotism; as well as respect for others. There is quite simply no reason why school officials and more importantly parents should not be demanding the kind of respect for fellow students that would create and enviroment where kids could carry the flag without causing mayhem. Like you said earlier however we are imperfect people. Good discussion though

While I agree with you to an extent, I think it is a question of what values we prioritize. The value I would prioritize is being welcoming to all people, regardless of ethnicity, since that is the value I believe this country was built on. It was the reason my grandparents came here to escape repression. The first step in creating an environment in which any kid can carry the flag without causing mayhem is in teaching them not to hate any group of people and not to use the flag as something exclusionary...

and yes, good conversation. thank you for your courtesty.

Over the last 65 years, many people had come forward and talked about how close they were in location to Hitler at one of his speeches and "if only I had a gun!" Trouble was, no one had the courage to take matters into their own hands and pull the trigger. That is the same problem today.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/42-ways-to-kill-hitler-3522/Overview

 

[Immanuel]

The school admin is probably saving the kid from getting his ass kicked. Of course, his parents are probably too stupid to realize that.

Seems kind of strange that someone would want to kick his ass for displaying an American flag in America. That seems almost un-American to me.

Why on earth do you think someone would want to kick his ass for flying an American flag?

Immie

 

[JBeukema]

The school admin is probably saving the kid from getting his ass kicked. Of course, his parents are probably too stupid to realize that.

Seems kind of strange that someone would want to kick his ass for displaying an American flag in America. That seems almost unanti-American to me.

Why on earth do you think someone would want to kick his ass for flying an American flag?

Immie

fixed

 

[CMike]

American flags are only good for one thing.

Yup, flying proudly, especially in conquered arab dictatorship land

 

[bodecea]

I assure you jillian my patriotism is not some "some absurd homogeneous non-existant pretend 'patriotic' movie version of the U.S. " it is very real! It is my right as a citizen to carry or display the American flag anywhere in our country I dam well please and I will do so proudly. That is a right that I will not give up under any circumstances and will gladly take a bullet for. I refuse to believe that to feel that way is "absurd" and I also believe that 90% of the people that I serve with feel the same way. Quite frankly I find it apalling that anyone would try to argue that. There are many issues that I am willing to compromise and listen to alternative views but this one is so basic and so essential.

my intent was not to in any way question YOUR patriotism. I hope you understand that. I have nothing but respect for people who put themselves on the line for us. My point was that in this country, whether one likes it or not, unpopular views are protected. We can say ugly things... think ugly things... act in ways that I, myself, would not act. We can burn the flag. I don't approve of that and would never do such a thing, but I am grateful that I live someplace where we protect the right to speech. On a personal level, I think a flag is a symbol and I don't believe in protecting symbols at the expense of the thing they're supposed to represent...

That said, the article makes it clear that this particular school is having racial issues. They are doing their best to try to tamp down those issues. And whether I agree with the way they tried to control things or not, I don't think they did anything wrong telling ALL the children that they couldn't go waving flags.

And I know that the reaction would be very different if it was the mexican flag that were banned.

The article also made it clear that the family of this young man didn't want anything more to come of this. They were quoted as saying that they didn't want to make it a big issue. But you and some others on this thread still had the audacity to try to make that family look like racists and attention seekers.

The fact is, the school was wrong to ask this boy to take the flag off of his bike. And then they compounded their wrong by trying to make ANY flag against the rules at school. When push came to shove, they backed down.

Rick

Sounds a lot like the school that got rid of the prom for all students so they wouldn't have to let one student go in her tux. Same school idiot types.

 

[daveman]

American flags are only good for one thing.

 

[AmericanFirst]

it's not about it being racist. it's about them having racial tensions at the school and trying to keep them tamped down. i think they went overboard. but honestly? i think flying a flag from one's bike is silly and you have to ask why the kid is doing it.

If you have to ask why the kid is doing it after reading the op you are a stupid idiot. If they tell me I can't fly my flag from my motorcycle anymore they are going to have a fight on their commie hands. The kid is protected by the constitution, don't like it, get out of my country!!!!!

 

[AmericanFirst]

I have a feeling there is more to the story, since the only links I can find are from Fox News, Hot Air, and Michelle Malkin, and another website that talks about how socialism is evil.

Socialism is evil. This country was founded on Christian principles. If people want socialism they can leave and live in europe.

 

[AmericanFirst]

it's not about it being racist. it's about them having racial tensions at the school and trying to keep them tamped down. i think they went overboard. but honestly? i think flying a flag from one's bike is silly and you have to ask why the kid is doing it.

Uh I dunno. Maybe because he is a kid.

Fuck'n a...

or maybe because when he goes home, his parents scream about the f'ing mexicans???

just sayin'

a "kid" puts a sticker on his bike. no?

Maybe you are a nutjob obamaturd supporter who hates the U.S. and the flag. Idiot!!!

 

[AmericanFirst]

O rly?

You're the one siding with those who would attack a kid for having an American flag and supporting measures designed to curb his display of support for a family member in the service.

Sure I am.

I would just put a bigger flag on the bike. The flag is not the problem, the anti-American pukes are.

 

[bodecea]

O rly?

You're the one siding with those who would attack a kid for having an American flag and supporting measures designed to curb his display of support for a family member in the service.

Sure I am.

I would just put a bigger flag on the bike. The flag is not the problem, the anti-American pukes are.

Actually, I would just keep doing what he's doing...their silliness isn't going to affect me in an way.

 

[JBeukema]

I have a feeling there is more to the story, since the only links I can find are from Fox News, Hot Air, and Michelle Malkin, and another website that talks about how socialism is evil.

Socialism is evil. This country was founded on Christian principles. If people want socialism they can leave and live in europe.

1) We live in a socialist society, Be grateful

2) America was founded on Liberal principles and bourgeois liberal hypocrisy

3) Americans fought and died in the streets and factories for socialism. Google: American labour movemet

 

[jillian]

Uh I dunno. Maybe because he is a kid.

Fuck'n a...

or maybe because when he goes home, his parents scream about the f'ing mexicans???

just sayin'

a "kid" puts a sticker on his bike. no?

Maybe you are a nutjob obamaturd supporter who hates the U.S. and the flag. Idiot!!!

no.

try again, nutbar.

 

[Sallow]

I have a feeling there is more to the story, since the only links I can find are from Fox News, Hot Air, and Michelle Malkin, and another website that talks about how socialism is evil.

Socialism is evil. This country was founded on Christian principles. If people want socialism they can leave and live in europe.

So you'd like the military and post office clauses removed from the Constitution because they are socialist?

 

[Sallow]

Uh I dunno. Maybe because he is a kid.

Fuck'n a...

or maybe because when he goes home, his parents scream about the f'ing mexicans???

just sayin'

a "kid" puts a sticker on his bike. no?

Maybe you are a nutjob obamaturd supporter who hates the U.S. and the flag. Idiot!!!

So a duly Constitutionally elected American..is a "turd"? The President?

Really?

 

[007]

it's not about it being racist. it's about them having racial tensions at the school and trying to keep them tamped down. i think they went overboard. but honestly? i think flying a flag from one's bike is silly and you have to ask why the kid is doing it.

It should NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHAT SO EVER, be viewed as ANYTHING BUT PATRIOTIC to FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG in AMERICA!

Silly my ass... WTF is wrong with you Jill?

 

[manifold]

Didn't read through the entire thread...

but did y'all miss the part in the story where the school superintendent said they boy will be allowed to fly the flag on his bike?

So somebody overreacted, but their mistake has been quickly remedied.

Kind of no big deal really.

 

[jillian]

it's not about it being racist. it's about them having racial tensions at the school and trying to keep them tamped down. i think they went overboard. but honestly? i think flying a flag from one's bike is silly and you have to ask why the kid is doing it.

It should NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHAT SO EVER, be viewed as ANYTHING BUT PATRIOTIC to FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG in AMERICA!

Silly my ass... WTF is wrong with you Jill?

Sorry, hon, i can't hear you above the red huge font...

do you think that if you make yoru letters larger and more colorful, it makes you more correct?

i don't think it was a big deal. and i don't like the fauxrage from the rabid rightwingnuts.

that's what.

and there are times you need to control your need to fly a flag...

same as there are times you need to control your religious zealotry... school might be one of those places.

That said, I'm not sorry they changed their minds.

I'm sorry there are people who want to use the flag as a means to taunt and bully.

 

[LibocalypseNow]

Yes,waving an American Flag in America is now Racist. Thanks a lot Obamy. What a country.

 

[Vel]

it's not about it being racist. it's about them having racial tensions at the school and trying to keep them tamped down. i think they went overboard. but honestly? i think flying a flag from one's bike is silly and you have to ask why the kid is doing it.

It should NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHAT SO EVER, be viewed as ANYTHING BUT PATRIOTIC to FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG in AMERICA!

Silly my ass... WTF is wrong with you Jill?

Sorry, hon, i can't hear you above the red huge font...

do you think that if you make yoru letters larger and more colorful, it makes you more correct?

i don't think it was a big deal. and i don't like the fauxrage from the rabid rightwingnuts.

that's what.

and there are times you need to control your need to fly a flag...

same as there are times you need to control your religious zealotry... school might be one of those places.

That said, I'm not sorry they changed their minds.

I'm sorry there are people who want to use the flag as a means to taunt and bully.

I'm sorry that there are people living in this country and being educated at public expense that can be offended or feel taunted by the sight of this nation's flag.