U.S. Flag Banned (At CO Schools) Amid Racial Tensions

AOL NEWS ^

[HHKrepublican_2]

LONGMONT, Colo. (April 1) - Dozens of high school students protested a temporary school policy forbidding students from displaying the U.S. flag- (SNIP)

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 Denver station KCNC-TV that he was suspended for two days.

[Salvation]

Did the school make the right decision in banning the U.S. flag?
No	88%
Yes	12%
Total Votes: 189,014

[staytrue]

Skyline Principal Tom Stumpf said that the school enacted a ban this week that prohibits students to display, wear or fly any flag -- American or Mexican.

My opinion is the principal wants an orderly school focused on learning and not on politics. It sounds like the US students are waving the flag, not because they are patriotic, but because they object to the other side waving the mexican flag.

I don't think the principal is gay or mexican. He just does not want these kinds of problems.

[staytrue]

regarding the pledge, most kids do not understand the words.

for a kid, why pledge allegiance to an inanimate object like a flag ? why not pledge to the country USA or love, or the president. Most do not know exactly what republic is either. Kids also do not have much in the way of liberty either. So a lot of the pledge rings hollow for them.

[staytrue]

I just sent sent this fool a email telling him what I think of his banning the American flag.

fyi, he banned the mexican flag too along with any flag.

[shebacal]

Did the school make the right decision in banning the U.S. flag?
No 88%
Yes 12%
Total votes: 111,296

I just now voted "NO".

Did the school make the right decision in banning the U.S. flag?

No 88%
Yes 12%
Total Votes: 189,088

[staytrue]

What the hell is going on in America ???

The principal just does not want a gang fight over a flag, mexican or US. It is an imperfect action for an imperfect world.

[RandallFlagg]

Welcome to FR.

[staytrue]

I have an ever increasing and horrible fear that it has gone so far now, that nothing but violence will turn it around and we may soon see blood in the streets.

Please read post 202. I think the principal may share your fears which is why he banned all flags.

[staytrue]

you are off base in 202.

I think this guy is just trying to run an orderly school without the students trying to mix it up on this issue.

[staytrue]

sorry, I meant you are off base in 82, please read 202.

[JCEccles]

We live in America. The US flag is fully appropriate to have in our high schools. The Mexican flag is not.

[RandallFlagg]

Perhaps. However he had the choice to stand as a proud American and stand with his students regardless the outcome.
If he'd done that, this issue may have erupted, but not in a way that makes a majority of Americans uprise against the action he took -as the poll proves.

I.E. He'd have had more allies than enemies.

[exhaustedmomma]

uuuugggghhh!!! The original article was/is just sickening. Added to this We Hate Grignos.com... just ... well... unbelievably gutt wrenchingly SICK.

[jan in Colorado]

Watch video of brave American teenagers defending the "right" to display an American FLAG!
Click the second story that says "student protest." It is raw footage of the students defending their actions. They are awesome!

I live in Longmont and I am outraged that this principal has banned the American flag from being displayed. What hasn't been reported is how proud Americans in this town have had to witness the Mexican flag being flown from car windows up and down Main Street ALL week. So, the American students decided to show their pride for America, and the principal has to resort to banning the American flag!?! I don't think so.

This is AMERICA.

There is only ONE flag!

[staytrue]

If you want to buy a gun, please take some type of class or get some level of instruction first.

[staytrue]

* Outlaw the display of foreign flags except at embassies and consulates

Most things on the list are ok, but this seems to be anti first amendment. Besides, I like the rose parade and there are a lot of foreign flags there. Of course there is also the Utah olympic games where there were a lot of foreign flags. You get the idea. This seems silly.

[staytrue]

Isn't Potomac Falls an exclusive area?

Very exclusive with a lot of latino yard workers, maids and nannies.

[4U2OUI]

Thanks!

From what the kids said, it sounds like the pricipal's claim that the American flags were being used to threaten or intimidate the spawn of the illegals is crap.

The revolution the illegals want, may not be the revolution they get. I'm growing disgusted, angry, and ready to act.

[jan in Colorado]

I'm growing disgusted, angry, and ready to act.

Me too! I have been fuming ever since I saw the story. I will say, maybe some of those kids did "taunt", I really don't know...but after a week of being taunted themselves, who can blame them?

The illegals are now "out of the closet" and they are demanding their rights. Their attempts at blackmail are going to be mindbogglingly and American citizens are going to have to be the ones to stand up and fight this battle.

There are only a handful of politicians who are looking out for the best interests of this Country and its LEGAL citizens. To say I am appalled is an understatement.

[Colorado Doug]

Mr. Stumpf:

The American flag is a beacon of hope. It stands for a great country, a country that has helped oppressed people all over the world. Publicly we have stood against tyrants of all sorts and privately our people (your fellow Americans) contribute billions of dollars and millions of man hours to helping people around the world. We can do this because we are a strong, well educated and united people. This is America, the same America that you seem so ashamed to be a part of.

What country has done more in the last century to help others? China? Mexico? perhaps Iraq? You tell me. No, let me tell you, they all have. The people of these countries and many others have immigrated legally to the United States, became citizens and they have assimilated. They are America. It is their American flag that they wave.

I am reminded at times like these that lately, American schools fall well behind much of the civilized world academically. We hope for educators that will help America to compete with the rest of the world. You are charged with teaching new generations of Americans to be prepared to help the world like generations before them have, to make America a better place. Your job is to help them to learn. If they are poorly educated, they cannot even help themselves much less help the world. Unfortunately, you don't seem to have done a very good job. Your focus should be on getting your schools scores up. That is your very important job.

You have drawn nationwide attention to your school, sadly, not for academic achievement but for your own self loathing and hatred of your country and people. Under your leadership Skyline's academic performance is listed as declining from average. Wouldn't it be better if rather than banning symbols of this great country, you spent your time cultivating academic excellence, striving to achieve an excellent rating like Niwat or Lyons high schools or even a "high" rating like Berthoud, Silver Creek or Longmont schools? What grade exists below "Average?" "Low" I think is the only grade below your school's declining "Average" grade.

Of course, if you unable to perform this most basic function of your job well, I suppose that any form of distraction is welcome to you.

I trust that you will do the right thing and resign. Let's face it, not only are you a failure to the students entrusted to you are an embarrassment to the people of Colorado. I will contact my Representatives and I will gladly contribute to any civil litigation that ensues as well. Senator Steve Johnson has the right idea and my next letter is to encourage legal action against you.

Yes, your little ban is a violation of several laws, such as §83 of the Civil Rights Act and USC Title 36 Chapter 10 §174.

Regards,