US Flag shirt is a No No in a California School

[strickj]

Umm.......

Why exactly where the Hispanic students skipping class for this???

From my understanding it was American students, doing what they though was showing patriotism for America, in an American school. From what I read it was these American students that were sent home from this American school. These so called Hispanic-Americans should be doing this in protest of the boys being sent home, and any gang retaliation shouldn't be against the boys, it should be againt the school. These people that took part in this march are trying to say that it is wrong to show support for the country they are living in, and it should NOT be allowed to happen. Again I will say, the Constitution should not apply to those that protest against it. How long will Americans allow people to use the 1st in order to protest this country in such a manner?

Edit: Finally something else to argue over, as I'm sure that the usual guys will want to argue over my opinion with me.

The boys were also Mexican-American.

As far as wanting to show support for the country your family is from, there is nothing wrong with that.

People in this country have a looong history of doing so.

Marching in the name of this is not disrespecting this country and is protected.

Not allowing a march is disrespecting the Constitution.

Now, as soon as they do start disrespecting this country by burning the flag, chanting anti-American things, etc, then that's the point where I think they need to return to their oh so great home.

[MCSCOTT]

The boys were also Mexican-American.

As far as wanting to show support for the country your family is from, there is nothing wrong with that.

People in this country have a looong history of doing so.

Marching in the name of this is not disrespecting this country and is protected.

Not allowing a march is disrespecting the Constitution.

Now, as soon as they do start disrespecting this country by burning the flag, chanting anti-American things, etc, then that's the point where I think they need to return to their oh so great home.

They've already been burning the flags and doing other things that you mention out there, and they still have the right to do that apparently. Personally I see this as no different. This march, and what it stands for, is basically saying that people shouldn't be allowed to show patriotism around Mexicans, even in this country. Also if those boys were Mexican-American, then kudos to them for showing support to their country, and send the ones that march against this type of behavior back to Mexico since they love the place so much.

That's just my .02 on it though, because everyone has different opinions on what the definition of anti-American is. I will say that in the town where I went to school, the boys would not have been sent home, and a march of this nature would NOT be allowed to take place.

[wjh2657]

I am arch-conservative on the issue of the flag. I believe in the flag as the presence of our country. As such, I don't believe it should be used as a "symbol" or "replica" anywhere. The flag belongs on a flagstaff, on a coffin, as insignia on a uniform or at a gravesite. It doesn't belong on clothing, on advertising or flown at commercial sites (other than a single flag flown from a proper flagstaff). If we are using reverence for the flag as a political statement we are demeaning it. Reverence means it is revered and not used. (Reverence means we treat it as a presence not as a convenient message). I don't put flag stickers on my bumpers to get dirty and I don't go around with a flag on my car antenna flapping around and getting frayed. I do fly the flag from a proper flag staff at my home.

If you want it to serve as your message for then you have to acknowledge others may use for others' messages, including some you may not like. I don't even like the flag being flown over churches who then claim tax exemption because they are not to be taxed by the state that the flag represents. If churches are to claim to be separate from the state, then fly the Christian flag.

The flag is unique in the U.S. It is not a symbol of the U.S., it is the presence of the U.S.and should not be used for anything else. I do respect and honor my flag, because to me it is the embodiment of my country.

I have no issues with people wearing other flags from other countries, because they are not the presence of that country , but rather just a symbol of that country. We have many other symbols that can be used to show loyalty and should be used.

The issues in California are not the flag but divided loyalties and how they are perceived. If it had been Columbus day I doubt the administrators would have been worried about the Italian-American students being upset.

The students wearing the flag Ts should not have been punished for wearing a blatantly accepted commercial product. They wore what they bought, legally. They have the right to express themselves as long as they don't start disorder by their own actions other than the T-shirts.

MGySgt USMC (ret)

RVN 1963-1966,1967-68, 1970-1971

Edited May 11, 2010 by wjh2657

[Oh Shoot]

They've already been burning the flags and doing other things that you mention out there, and they still have the right to do that apparently. ..

Far as I know, flag desecration is still punishable under US Code. It's just not enforced. At least you never hear of it being enforced.

- OS