Kids Kicked out of School for Wearing American Flag Tshirts

[DawnCt1]

Yes. How dare they do not respect a Mexican holiday



Silly you We must RESPECT the people that are here illegally. We must respect those criminals and not hurt their feelings. We must embrace THEIR culture and welcome their children into our public schools. We must hire people to speak their language so they can get the education that they "deserve". We must use OUR taxpayer monies to help these criminals give birth in our country.

That is what it has come to. Americans are WRONG for even daring to question illegal immigrants. We must welcome them.

What is amazing to me is that while 60 to 70% of Americans support the new Arizona law, which is actually modeled after the federal law, more than 70% of the media coverage is against the law and is not covering the full story of the murder and mayhem coming across the border and are spending 'ink and bandwidth' covering the "poor illegal alien victims" instead of the victims of illegal aliens.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Yes. How dare they do not respect a Mexican holiday



Silly you We must RESPECT the people that are here illegally. We must respect those criminals and not hurt their feelings. We must embrace THEIR culture and welcome their children into our public schools. We must hire people to speak their language so they can get the education that they "deserve". We must use OUR taxpayer monies to help these criminals give birth in our country.

That is what it has come to. Americans are WRONG for even daring to question illegal immigrants. We must welcome them.

What is amazing to me is that while 60 to 70% of Americans support the new Arizona law, which is actually modeled after the federal law, more than 70% of the media coverage is against the law and is not covering the full story of the murder and mayhem coming across the border and are spending 'ink and bandwidth' covering the "poor illegal alien victims" instead of the victims of illegal aliens.

In case we are treading on thin ice here with the No politics/Dis board rule ( although I don't THINK so since no one is mentioning any politicians that I can see) that being said all I have to add is ...its our responsibility to educate ourselves and speak up before we (our country) end up deeper in trouble..2 words....Glenn Beck....just sayin' (has a web site so go there or google)

 

[DawnCt1]

In case we are treading on thin ice here with the No politics/Dis board rule ( although I don't THINK so since no one is mentioning any politicians that I can see) that being said all I have to add is ...its our responsibility to educate ourselves and speak up before we (our country) end up deeper in trouble..2 words....Glenn Beck....just sayin' (has a web site so go there or google)

I heard someone saying that the border has been tightened "just enough" to make it more difficult for the "maids and housekeepers" that we so often hear about from the media, to get across the border that that traffic has somewhat diminished. It is the drug traffickers and cartel operatives who are coming across in huge numbers. Phoenix is the kidnap capital of the western hemisphere. Something is wrong with that picture. We need to wake up as a country. Misguided compassion is not the road we should be taking.

 

[EMom]

What is amazing to me is that while 60 to 70% of Americans support the new Arizona law, which is actually modeled after the federal law, more than 70% of the media coverage is against the law and is not covering the full story of the murder and mayhem coming across the border and are spending 'ink and bandwidth' covering the "poor illegal alien victims" instead of the victims of illegal aliens.

A few days ago, I was watching CNN and they finally ran a story about people who supported the AZ law and the rally they were having. It looked like a peaceful, decent sized crowd with signs, etc. That is, for the 3 seconds they showed them. Before they even started the piece, I said to myself, "I bet they'll interview someone who is against the AZ law instead of someone who supports the law EVEN THOUGH the story purports to be about a rally supporting the law."

Sure enough, the story briefly mentioned that a group had organized a rally supporting the AZ law and then immediately went to an "immigrant rights" supporter and asked them why they were against the law. Geez Louise! So even when the story is SUPPOSED to be about a pro-AZ law rally, they can't even get a comment from someone on that side of the issue. All the airtime went to the opposite side. No one in the media is that stupid. This has simply got to be an attempt to make public opinion appear to be something other than what it is and even sway it. If you only watched the news and read the paper instead of talking to people, you'd think just about all Americans were fine and good with doing away with borders and letting anyone and everyone come to the US with no negative consequences whatsoever. That simply does not mirror the reality of public opinion.

 

[CandyMandy]

It's a sad day when Americans are reprimanded for wearing shirts with their own flag on it. What the hell is going on in this country?

It's called balkanization and is a corrosive path to anarchy.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I haven't read all 13 pages (yikes), so I apologize if this has already been stated.
Actually, the kids in this situation were violating the US Flag code. The US flag is not supposed to be used on apparel or headbands. I know that this seems to be a minor offense, but shouldn't we respect the flag codealmost as much as we respect the flag? I just thought I'd just throw that out there. Again, apologies if someone has mentioned it.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I went to HS with a large Puerto Rican population. On St. Patricks day I'd wear my green and go all out b/c I'm Irish. Every year on St. Patrick's day @ my HS all those of Puerto Rican decent would wear Puerto Rico t's with the flag, wear the flag around their necks and shoulders like a cape, paint the flag on their face, etc. I didn't know St. Patrick was from Puerto Rico
Nothing was ever said to them that they are "disrespecting" Irish-Americans, and honestly I don't care, I'm Irish and proud, I'm American and proud, as they are Puerto Rican and proud. But I am sorry, I just don't get it. Not only that, *WE* live in America, if I want to wear a shirt with an American flag on it then why shouldn't I be able to.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I've read a fair amount of this thread but not all of it.

As a school administrator, I'm going to bet that we aren't getting the whole story -- almost always when something like this happens we only hear the parent's side due to confidentiality laws.

My guess is that these students were taunting or trying to incite something -- that they were trying to start something and had intentionally worn the flag Tshirts as part of it. Basically bullying other kids, trying to start a fight.

Administrator came in, and tried to remove part of their power by taking away the symbol they were misusing. It's a pretty classic move, I've taken away crayons (sorry, you were misusing those, you need to finish the assignment with just a pencil) when a child was bullying another child over them (I have 64 because my mommy loves me, you only have 8). But in this case it was a mistake? Yes, because the flag is protected speech, and crayons aren't.

So the administrator acted impulsively, maybe because they knew this situation had the potential to get violent quickly (On both sides, the fact that people here are assuming that only the Mexican American kids had the potential to get violent is pretty racist), and made a rash decision. People who are scared do that, they act impulsively. Anyway, it was a mistake, and the school system has acknowledged that it was a mistake, but it wasn't part of some evil plot.

 

[luvsJack]

I've read a fair amount of this thread but not all of it.

As a school administrator, I'm going to bet that we aren't getting the whole story -- almost always when something like this happens we only hear the parent's side due to confidentiality laws.

My guess is that these students were taunting or trying to incite something -- that they were trying to start something and had intentionally worn the flag Tshirts as part of it. Basically bullying other kids, trying to start a fight.

Administrator came in, and tried to remove part of their power by taking away the symbol they were misusing. It's a pretty classic move, I've taken away crayons (sorry, you were misusing those, you need to finish the assignment with just a pencil) when a child was bullying another child over them (I have 64 because my mommy loves me, you only have 8). But in this case it was a mistake? Yes, because the flag is protected speech, and crayons aren't.

So the administrator acted impulsively, maybe because they knew this situation had the potential to get violent quickly (On both sides, the fact that people here are assuming that only the Mexican American kids had the potential to get violent is pretty racist), and made a rash decision. People who are scared do that, they act impulsively. Anyway, it was a mistake, and the school system has acknowledged that it was a mistake, but it wasn't part of some evil plot.

I see what you are saying, but the bullying (whichever side was being the bully) would be the issue not the wearing of the flag and should have been dealt with in that way.

You are saying that everyone thinking the Mex-Amer kids could get violent is racist (I don't think anyone actually said that but whatever) but aren't you doing the same thing by assuming the kids wearing the flags were actually trying to bully someone?

The fact is there ARE school administrators, police officers, etc. that will try to de-fuse a situation by removing the quiet statement from the one causing all the racket. In other words, one kid is having a fit over what another kid is wearing so they remove what the kid is wearing not the one having the fit. It could have easily been this example also.

 

[crusoe2]

I've read a fair amount of this thread but not all of it.

As a school administrator, I'm going to bet that we aren't getting the whole story -- almost always when something like this happens we only hear the parent's side due to confidentiality laws.

My guess is that these students were taunting or trying to incite something -- that they were trying to start something and had intentionally worn the flag Tshirts as part of it. Basically bullying other kids, trying to start a fight.

Administrator came in, and tried to remove part of their power by taking away the symbol they were misusing. It's a pretty classic move, I've taken away crayons (sorry, you were misusing those, you need to finish the assignment with just a pencil) when a child was bullying another child over them (I have 64 because my mommy loves me, you only have 8). But in this case it was a mistake? Yes, because the flag is protected speech, and crayons aren't.

So the administrator acted impulsively, maybe because they knew this situation had the potential to get violent quickly (On both sides, the fact that people here are assuming that only the Mexican American kids had the potential to get violent is pretty racist), and made a rash decision. People who are scared do that, they act impulsively. Anyway, it was a mistake, and the school system has acknowledged that it was a mistake, but it wasn't part of some evil plot.

I've read the whole thread and I don't recall seeing anyone making the assumption that ONLY the Mexican-American students had the potential to get violent. I have, however, seen several who presume to know exactly what the boys w/the flag tee shirts were thinking and what they were up to.

For what it's worth, it isn't my opinion that this is part of some "evil plot" but it certainly does seem to be a trend that many of us feel is stepping on our rights as US citizens.

 

[Luvchefmic]

If you get Fox News 2 of the flag wearing students are being interviewed right now

 

[moburg]

The courts have ruled time and time again that students in school have no rights.

Actually, wrong. According to Tinker vs. Des Moines, students do NOT "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate" but "problem lies in the area where students in the exercise of First Amendment rights collide with the rules of the school authorities."

Wearing American themed shirts was NOT a violation of the school dress code, just as wearing Mexican themed shirts was NOT a violation of the school dress code.

So attempting to censor 5 students for wearing American themed apparel while allowing Mexican themed apparel is most definitely violating their free speech rights. They were, after all, giving tacit approval of the free speech rights of those wearing Mexican themed clothes.

 

[moburg]

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_stud.html

From your link: "students in public schools are not stripped of their rights completely."

Quite a bit different from your statement of 'no rights'.

 

[moburg]

You think it would be right to wear the conferate flag on dr martin luther king day?

If the school dress code allows the confederate flag on any other day of the year, then yes, it would be fine.

 

[ICF]

I could give a flying flip less why they wore them. Any school administrator who would send kids home for wearing american flag shirts that fit the dress code should be fired on the spot.

I havent read all 13 pages, but I think this pretty much sums it up....

 

[moburg]

Sounds like Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez has been naughty according to the District Superintendent and faces 'appropriate action."

Update 4:24 p.m. Superintendent Wesley Smith released the following statement:

The Morgan Hill Unified School District does not prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing. The incident on May 5 at Live Oak High School is extremely unfortunate. While campus safety is our primary concern and administrators made decisions yesterday in an attempt to ensure campus safety, students should not, and will not, be disciplined for wearing patriotic clothing. This matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken.

Common sense from the School Board!!

This matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken.

I hope Mr. Rodriguez will be looking for a job in the very near future.

 

[saradela]

NOw, lets face it, AMERICANS ON THE BORDER ,AND OUR MEXICAN POLITICIANS, CREATED THIS PROBLEM. Why? I will explain myself: (before starting I want to point out, that this is not a racist form of veiw, neither I am a racist, this are just the facts)

This is a fenomenon that its about the BORDER. Poor people (because of this uneducated) goes to the boarder seeking jobs (our politician havent created enough jobs). They found it on the Border, some stayed mexican side, some crossed the borders to USA. In the mexican side, because their mothers had to work lots of shifts (on the Maquila factorys) ,left kids alone, with some much time in their hands, didnt go to school, they got violent, got into bands, and there is were the narcotics business became alive. (this is well documented that this happened). Now, lets talk about the ones that crossed the borders. They found a job, because they got the jobs that americans didnt want ,mainly in farming. Bad payed, lots of work, then, that people began having kids, the kids became by law, mexican and american two nacionalities. One (the american) been born in the USA, Mexicans, because by mexican law, the person who has mexican parents ,wherever they be, are Mexicans.
Then it started, when they figure out that they have a lot of rights, and everywere they hear that they have to stand by them, fight for them, and because of that, they now, demand them. But since their parents where uneducated, and this is the first generation that goes to school, they havent learn yet, a lot of things, like the American flag in American Territory, is the MOST important flag, and it should be rised above everything. Also, is NOT the same been Conquest, than been Colonized. USA was Colonized, and Mexico by blood, Conquest by the Spanish people, they have heard the story, A traidor called Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ( 10 times president of Mexico) sold for a laughable price (at that time) of 15 million dollars the states of Arizona, Nuevo Mexico, California, Nevada , Colorado , Plus Texas also wanted their Independance. (Santa Anna must be, if there is a God, burning in Hell). This was a little bit more than a 100 years, not that much time. So in this case ,Mexicans where there before this was USA. Dont forget this kid have doble nacionality. It is a fenomenon in the border, because Mexican that live in the more central areas are , neither agresive or intolerant they are not fighting to be equal, its the new mexican-americans that is having the changes, the Chicanos. (I hope for the better). Only time will tell.

 

[Luvchefmic]

NOw, lets face it, AMERICANS ON THE BORDER ,AND OUR MEXICAN POLITICIANS, CREATED THIS PROBLEM. Why? I will explain myself: (before starting I want to point out, that this is not a racist form of veiw, neither I am a racist, this are just the facts)

This is a fenomenon that its about the BORDER. Poor people (because of this uneducated) goes to the boarder seeking jobs (our politician havent created enough jobs). They found it on the Border, some stayed mexican side, some crossed the borders to USA. In the mexican side, because their mothers had to work lots of shifts (on the Maquila factorys) ,left kids alone, with some much time in their hands, didnt go to school, they got violent, got into bands, and there is were the narcotics business became alive. (this is well documented that this happened). Now, lets talk about the ones that crossed the borders. They found a job, because they got the jobs that americans didnt want ,mainly in farming. Bad payed, lots of work, then, that people began having kids, the kids became by law, mexican and american two nacionalities. One (the american) been born in the USA, Mexicans, because by mexican law, the person who has mexican parents ,wherever they be, are Mexicans.
Then it started, when they figure out that they have a lot of rights, and everywere they hear that they have to stand by them, fight for them, and because of that, they now, demand them. But since their parents where uneducated, and this is the first generation that goes to school, they havent learn yet, a lot of things, like the American flag in American Territory, is the MOST important flag, and it should be rised above everything. Also, is NOT the same been Conquest, than been Colonized. USA was Colonized, and Mexico by blood, Conquest by the Spanish people, they have heard the story, A traidor called Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ( 10 times president of Mexico) sold for a laughable price (at that time) of 15 million dollars the states of Arizona, Nuevo Mexico, California, Nevada , Colorado , Plus Texas also wanted their Independance. (Santa Anna must be, if there is a God, burning in Hell). This was a little bit more than a 100 years, not that much time. So in this case ,Mexicans where there before this was USA. Dont forget this kid have doble nacionality. It is a fenomenon in the border, because Mexican that live in the more central areas are , neither agresive or intolerant they are not fighting to be equal, its the new mexican-americans that is having the changes, the Chicanos. (I hope for the better). Only time will tell.

I'm not going to give you a history lesson on MY birth country but don't agree with your statements. Regarding the birth of a child here that becomes a citizen that should have been abolished a long time ago...it was done for a particular reason re-slaves and it certainly wasn't intended for what this country is going through now. I will say that when I first saw your post I read it with an open mind with the opportunity to hear a persons point of view that lives in Mexico City. IMHO it read like someone who wanted us to understand and I also got the impression you were struggling to get your point across with "broken English"...admirable I thought....then I read some of your other posts, reads totally different I don't want to start an argument but I will NEVER accept that criminal behavior is justified...no way no shape no form.....illegal entry is a crime....period

 

[Scurvy]

I've read a fair amount of this thread but not all of it.

As a school administrator, I'm going to bet that we aren't getting the whole story -- almost always when something like this happens we only hear the parent's side due to confidentiality laws.

My guess is that these students were taunting or trying to incite something -- that they were trying to start something and had intentionally worn the flag Tshirts as part of it. Basically bullying other kids, trying to start a fight.

Administrator came in, and tried to remove part of their power by taking away the symbol they were misusing. It's a pretty classic move, I've taken away crayons (sorry, you were misusing those, you need to finish the assignment with just a pencil) when a child was bullying another child over them (I have 64 because my mommy loves me, you only have 8). But in this case it was a mistake? Yes, because the flag is protected speech, and crayons aren't.

So the administrator acted impulsively, maybe because they knew this situation had the potential to get violent quickly (On both sides, the fact that people here are assuming that only the Mexican American kids had the potential to get violent is pretty racist), and made a rash decision. People who are scared do that, they act impulsively. Anyway, it was a mistake, and the school system has acknowledged that it was a mistake, but it wasn't part of some evil plot.

As one of the few posters who did suggest that the Mexican-American students might be the source of the possible violence, I'll address the bolded. It isn't a racist suggestion at all. It's based on this line from an article which has additional information about the incident:

At an earlier meeting, Principal Nick Boden and Rodriguez indicated to her that they were worried about the safety of the American-flag boys.

They didn't say they were concerned for the safety of the Mexican-American students, they said they were concerned for the safety of those who were wearing the American flag. Unless you are assuming for some reason that the American flag wearing students are going to turn on each other, the logical assumption is that they believed there was a possiblity that some - not all - of the Mexican-American students would resort to violence. I honestly can't see how that could be racist. As others have mentioned often in this thread (and as I'm sure you are aware since you are a school administrator) the administrators usually know who the problem students are. If they are concerned about some students being violent then there's probably good reason for that, and there's nothing racist about it. But if somehow it is racist, then you'll have to blame Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez and Principal Nick Bolden for their racist assumptions, because those assumptions aren't coming from anyone here.

 

[saradela]

I am not talking about the illegal inmigrants, I am talking of American Citizens Now. Those kids are not illegal, They are American. I am pretty old , I dont change my way of thinking....so I dont know which post are you referring to. I am Mexican, and I have a daughther that was born in the USA. She is 21 years now. She lives in Mexico. She has doble nacionality. I lived 10 years in the USA. She celebrates 4 of July and we always have Thanksgiving dinner. So I can see both sides of the coin. Sorry if you dont like my post. Illegal entry is that, illegal. I have a law degree, so I know about illegal, but I also know that the law is born of the uses and customs of the people, and the uses and customs on the border are changing..I am just stating something that is happening right now.