Posted on 04/01/2006 10:12:20 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Colo. School Bans Flags Amid Protests Principal Says Students Used Flags To Taunt Others
(CBS) LONGMONT, Colo. 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 the KCNC-TV, the CBS station in Denver, 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at wcbstv.com ...
That would require a public school principal or administrator to have some kind of spine.
A bunch of kids in a high school is not the enemy. For all you know the kid that got taunted didnt do anything. Kids are cruel and stupid at times like I said
Well, perhaps, but not for me. I fought for it, proudly saluted it, and demand that it be treated with respect. That was not the case at the Longmont High School.
No, you punish the students not the flag. IF the students were misusing their text books would you ban those?
Thank you for your service.
My father and brother did the same and I've gotta tell you...you are on the other side of the fence as they are.
If they feel taunted by Old Glory, they are the enemy.
If they manage to have the flag removed they are an empowered enemy.
"I fought for it, proudly saluted it, and demand that it be treated with respect."
I agree with you on this. There is a protocol for displaying our flag, and waving it as a taunt in people's faces is definitely not mentioned in that protocol. Neither is wearing it as a decoration on a t-shirt.
All disrespectful use of the American Flag diminishes it. Flown properly, it gets a proud salute. Used as some sort of tool in disrespect, it gets a sharp rebuke from me.
I'm quite sure the Flag is still flying on the pole at that school. It's out of the hands of stupid children who do not treat it with respect. Good for this principal, I say.
The flag is to respected. If the kids are misusing it, they don't get to have one.
I understand what you're saying and your solution would probably have worked in the past. Not anymore.
if they are misusing it suspend them.
Unfortunately, you can't monitor them all the time. That's why the best solution is to take the privilege away from them. You are thereby punishing the kid and saving the flag from misuse.
Very well said. I hope the rest on this thread think about that.
You think so? Perhaps you want to rethink what you just wrote, and, maybe you don't. However you are being given the opportunity at the present time.
Thanks. Don't mind being on the other side on this issue at all. If kids aren't taught by adults the definition of respect, they're probably not going to get it through osmosis.
So carrying a Mexican flag at protests is not a way to taunt the US? Looked that way to me , escpecially when many also chanted such taunting slogans as "Gringos out of America!" and "This is our land, not yours!"
amid racial tensions following immigration rallies.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Would you want your child attending a school with "racial tensions".?
Would you enjoy being FORCED to work in a business with "racial tensions"?
So....if this is an environment that would try the patience and resolve of a mature adult, why on earth should we expect children to deal with it????
We should call it what it IS! Forcing immature children into and environment of "racial tension" is government sponsored CHILD ABUSE!
So carrying a Mexican flag at protests is not a way to taunt the US?"
Yes, I think for some it was.
But we're talking about kids in school. What the kids do after school is something else.
Kids are cruel and stupid at times like I said
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Why are immature children expected to put up with "cruel and stupid" that would win an adult millions in court?
Especially when they soak them in water and snap them. I hate that. :)
I see your point. Like I said I wince at how I treated some kids in High School. It like what in the world was I thinking. But the only solution is to try to control it because its kids learning to socialize.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.