Schools punishing wavers of U.S. flag (yet patriotic shirt confiscated could incite violence)

Daily Press ^ | April 2, 2006 | GRETCHEN LOSI

[hedgetrimmer]

American flags on shirts and backpacks have been banned on Cinco de mayo at the schools in my area for over a decade.

This anti-American insurrection has been brewing for quite some time in the education establishment.

[isrul]

"a Hispanic student waving the Mexican flag at students to cause a problem, school officials would have taken the same action."

Nowhere is it mentioned that the Mex flag could or would incite violence; only the American flag. I read the article.

[daybreakcoming]

I hope the eastern part of the state still says it????

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[ApplegateRanch]

You believe him ...a "civil servant"... uncritically?

Were you there? What difference does that make either way? It is a comment on the content of the article, not court testimony.

What "judgement call"? Did I say he lied; or did I just point out the situation didn't arise, so he didn't have to prove his words?

And speaking of "judgement calls":

It sounds like the kid is a little punk who's not aruging against illegal immigration but just flaunting the American flag at anyone who is hispanic.

33 posted on 04/02/2006 10:12:46 PM MDT by Almondjoy

Well, WERE you there? Something about glass houses comes to mind.

[roaddog727]

"‘This is bullshit’ and ran.” "

Damn straight it's bullshit!

[texastoo]

I hope the eastern part of the state still says it????

This is the college town of Pullman on the Idaho border.

[HungarianGypsy]

Saying the pledge of allegiance in my school stopped when I couldn't get a pole for my flag. But, I remembered that we had a little flag with a dowel for the pole. After breakfast we will say the pledge and put our flag in the front yard. I just hope my children won't fight over who holds the flag, like last time we had it out.

[MortMan]

Uh.. well let's see.. the kid is learning that it's ok to be racist?

The hispanics I'm sure he was waving at were probably Americans.

They seem to need reminding of that fact. And I would advise against the "racist" card being played. The facts in eveidence do not support it, and its play immensely decreases the value of any valid points you may have.

You appear to hold the opinion that the young man in question was wrong to have "waved the flag". Unless he was profane in his comments, or was belligerent in his manner (i.e.: directly trying to provoke individual protestors by getting up in their faces), I fail to see what he did wrong. The article does not allege that he did either of these things.

I would say he's being taught that "righteous indignation" is a hate crime, based on my reading of the events.

[blackie]

Here's what we're fighting!

[Romish_Papist]

Correction, a real AMERICAN.

[Romish_Papist]

Over my dead and rotting corpse.

[blackie]

Roger that, RP!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[TheForceOfOne]

The anti-American academia and the anti-American media see the American flag as the enemy and pursue its destruction. The anti-American illegal immigrants who disparage the American flag and wave the Mexican flag serve as a perfect vehicle for the lefts agenda.

[daybreakcoming]

WSU. My alma mater of a 100 years ago. I'm beginnning to think colleges are ruining nice towns like Pullman was. Thanks for the disappointing info.

[Almondjoy]

"Baker added that if it was a Hispanic student waving the Mexican flag at students to cause a problem, school officials would have taken the same action."

If you had then you would know that the admin addressed that very issue in her above quoted statement.

[absolootezer0]

I’m Mexican. All of this is embarrassing to me and my family,” Guzman said of the nationwide protests. “I don’t want people looking at me or my sister like we’re one of those idiots protesting for a getout-of-jail-free card.”
There are a lot of people in this category, some of them probably Freepers.

and the reason for that is his first sentance. "I'm Mexican." I, and many others, have real problems with people who claim the rights and priveledges of being an American citizen, yet claim some other heritage.

[Almondjoy]

Right.. I'm forming an opinion based on the whole article. An opinion not all based in fact. I don't know the situation intimately.

However I don't believe at this time I have any reason to suspect Baker is lying.

What I do know is that the kid copped an attitude since the article says there is no dispute that the kid cussed at a teacher.

[Almondjoy]

First off I never played the race card.. however since YOU brought up.. do you have any proof that the kid is not a racist?

The facts in evidence show that the kid was waving around his shirt at Hispanic students and cussed at a teacher. The kid is clearly no Saint.

The article alleges that the kid was out of line.. when faced with that he cussed at a teacher.. again not exactly saintly behavior.

I'm not certain he should have been told to stop.. because I don't know how he exactly running around waving this flag or what he might of been saying to other students... what I do know is that he was suspended for mouthing off to an adminstrator which no one in the article denies that he did.

[MortMan]

First off I never played the race card.. however since YOU brought up.. do you have any proof that the kid is not a racist?

You did play the race card. Here is the money quote:

Uh.. well let's see.. the kid is learning that it's ok to be racist?

Also, doesn't the burden of proof fall on the accuser, not the victim? Besides, one cannot prove a negative.

As far as I can tell, you were arguing that the punishment was appropriate because the act of waving the flag could be provocation. Have I mischaracterized your position?

Suspension for swearing at the school administrators is severe, IMO. Expulsion is outrageous.