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UTA students protest Iran, North Korea (and typical liberal reactions)
Star Telegram ^ | 09/11/06 | JOHN AUSTIN

Posted on 09/12/2006 7:07:22 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

UTA students protest Iran, North Korea

By JOHN AUSTIN

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON ?Three University of Texas at Arlington freshmen sparked a small flareup when they burned what looked like facsimiles of the North Korean and Iranian flags on campus Monday, the fifth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.

The flag-like images, which were printed on what appeared to be paper, and photos of the nations?leaders, were doused with charcoal starter and burned in a galvanized metal washtub on the sidewalk outside Arlington Hall as an estimated 50 to 100 students, administrators and campus police watched shortly after noon.

“This is the rally against the enemies of the United States,?said Lance Kennedy, 19, of Coppell, who stood on a chair on the sidewalk between the student union and the nearby dorm to speak as the flames burned. “In no way are we demonstrating against the people of their two nations.

“Because of these two nations the world is a much more dangerous place,?Kennedy said. “In 1939, would you have opposed me burning the flags of Nazi Germany and Japan??/p>

Another member of the protest trio stood nearby.

“Iran has directly funded Hezbollah,?said Ansel Gaddy, 18, from Coppell. “It’s a good chance it was connected to 9-11.?/p>

Said Alexander Kloster, 18, of Plano, “If we’d just had a little discussion and a pot of tea, no one would come. This will gather everyone. It starts something.?/p>

But several students objected to the protesters?approach. After all, said Chastaine Perry, an 18-year-old freshman from New Orleans, Americans don’t like it when the Stars and Stripes are burned.

“It’s outrageous to stoop to their level,?said Perry. “To burn their (flag) is just not what America is all about.?/p>

History major Monica Owiti agreed with Perry.

“I think it’s absurd that they should burn someone’s flag,?said Owiti, 22, who is from Kenya. “It sheds a bad light on UTA.?/p>

Chris Atwood, 17, held up a Texas flag bearing his own hand-written message. It read: “Try burning this one ...?/p>

Atwood said the protesters shouldn’t have used the fifth anniversary of 9-11 to support their cause.

“They’re the kind of people that say that burning the American flag is intolerable, which is hypocritical,?the philosophy freshman said.

The odds that anyone from either North Korea or Iran would see the protest first-hand are slim, according to Judy Young, UT-Arlington’s executive director of international education.

No North Koreans are enrolled at UT-Arlington. As of last spring, only seven non-immigrant Iranian students were enrolled, Young said.

“I was pleased with the people who opposed the flag burning,?said Young. “It was done in a non-confrontational way. I think that’s a mature way to respond.?/p>

John Austin, 817-548-5418 jaustin@star-telegram.com


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: nkorea; northkorea; protest; uta
At first, I thought I would see something like this:

A South Korean protester burns a North Korea's flag and a picture of North leader Kim Jong Il during an anti-North Korea and pro-U.S. rally in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006. North Korea on Saturday accused the United States of threatening war against the communist nation with its missile defense test, and vowed to strengthen its own self-defense to counter any U.S. attack. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

But this is what happened(from AP.)

University of Texas at Arlington freshman Ansel Gaddy pours starter fluid on a burning likeness of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a protest at the mall in front of Arlington Hall Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, in Arlington, Texas. Three friends, Lance Kennedy, Alex Kloster and Gaddy, burned paper versions of the Iranian and North Korean flags as well as posters with the likenesses of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The protest was intended to bring attention to the anti-American oppressive regimes, according to protest leader Lance Kennedy. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ian McVea)

It turns out UTA campus is no different from other typical college campuses in U.S. Dominated by liberal administration, and full of brain-washed drones called students. Protesters above do not make up a majority yet, I guess.:)

Thanks to Lance Kennedy for information.

1 posted on 09/12/2006 7:07:24 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster
From Lance, additional comments:

Longer article for you. The only issue with it was that it made the student with the Texas flag look like patriot....he was also the one who tore it up and spit on it. Shows you how the media spins situations.

2 posted on 09/12/2006 7:08:39 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster
It turns out UTA campus is no different from other typical college campuses in U.S. Dominated by liberal administration, and full of brain-washed drones called students

Not to mention being a hotbed of Islamist activity. These guys best guard their necks.

3 posted on 09/12/2006 8:03:57 AM PDT by El Gato
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Go Mavericks!


4 posted on 09/12/2006 9:02:40 AM PDT by Bigoleelephant
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To: TigerLikesRooster

I thought it would be American flag burning when I 1st heard the blurb on the radio.

It was refreshing to hear they were burning NK and Iran flag and the leaders pictures.


5 posted on 09/13/2006 8:34:18 AM PDT by No Blue States
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