Students Kicked Off Campus for Wearing American Flag Tees

[impalanar]

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local-beat/Students-Wearing-American-Flag-Shirts-Sent-Home-92945969.html?__source=Facebook


On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel Galli and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T-shirts with the American flag. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day especially on a campus with a large Mexican American student population.

Removing the Bandannas I could see if their was a school policy against hats or headgear. The rest is BS.

[DecepticonDon]

:angry1::angry1::angry1::down:

So what country is this? Cinco De Mayo is a Mexican holiday.....

[Hammerhead]

"Freedom of expression or cultural disrespect on Cinco de Mayo?"

Cultural disrespect? For wearing an American flag in the United States of America?

Holy. ****ing. Shit.

[KTM Rider]

Cinco de mayo is actually a made up american excuse to party. it loosely relates to the Battle of Puebla where the Mexican army defeated the French in the 1800s to secure freedom for one state in Mexico. it is not Mexico's independence day and its essentially not even important the mexican people as a whole country. it is simply an excuse to sell tacos and beer that is "mexican" but really are also just american versions of mexican food. the average idiot knows very little of this and thinks its a big deal.:up:

[Butthead]

how could anyone believe that the defeat of the french would constitute a big deal? :D


Cinco de mayo is actually a made up american excuse to party. it loosely relates to the Battle of Puebla where the Mexican army defeated the French in the 1800s to secure freedom for one state in Mexico. it is not Mexico's independence day and its essentially not even important the mexican people as a whole country. it is simply an excuse to sell tacos and beer that is "mexican" but really are also just american versions of mexican food. the average idiot knows very little of this and thinks its a big deal.:up:

[Lazarus]

Cinco de mayo is actually a made up american excuse to party. it loosely relates to the Battle of Puebla where the Mexican army defeated the French in the 1800s to secure freedom for one state in Mexico. it is not Mexico's independence day and its essentially not even important the mexican people as a whole country. it is simply an excuse to sell tacos and beer that is "mexican" but really are also just american versions of mexican food. the average idiot knows very little of this and thinks its a big deal.:up:

Yup. I noticed on my work calendar it said Battle of Puebla.

[KTM Rider]

how could anyone believe that the defeat of the french would constitute a big deal? :D

:rofl:

[MONICA]

Yep, and the reason they even had a battle with the French was because they refused to re-pay their debt to France.

[KTM Rider]

see those people have been scofflaws for a LONG time:lol:

[Spicoli]

I guess I'm old fashioned but there is one phrase that's mentioned over and over in the article that just ticks me off: "express myself"

I agree the whole issue is BS...and it could only happen in California... but are we raising generation after generation of self absorbed wuss bag attention whores that feel this superficial need to express themselves to the rest of the world?

I never felt the need to express myself before.

[signguy]

you can start sending emails to the principal and Vice principal... http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory

time for the fun to begin

And you will notice the VP's name....Rodriguez, Miguel (http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory/administration.htm) and Lemos, Kim (http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory/administration.htm)

[Barton72]

E-mail sent! That pisses me off. American colors are something that anyone can wear in our country 24-7/365 without any concern. I can't believe this happened. I hope something becomes of it, but I doubt it will. I'm all for blowing California off the US and either sinking it or giving it to Mexico. What a bunch of scumbags!!

[Barton72]

Also sent the story to all of our Atl. based news channels. Lets see if they actually report some news that's worth a $h1t.

[Karl Hungus]

I wear red white and blue on Confederate Memorial Day. But I just do it to disrespect all the Confederates. This is America. Love it or leave it.

[A&A Motorsports]

I personally disagree with the schools decision but as a future educator I believe that there might be something we dont know.

Maybe those students got into "fights" or "arguments" with the hispanics before and that is why the faculty picked them out of the students to take their shirts off out of respect.
The shirt, bandana, shorts and EVEN the shoes where red blue and white. A little too suspicious to wear on Cinco de mayo.

[A&A Motorsports]

I personally disagree with the schools decision but as a future educator I believe that there might be something we dont know.

Maybe those students got into "fights" or "arguments" with the hispanics before and that is why the faculty picked them out of the students to take their shirts off out of respect.
The shirt, bandana, shorts and EVEN the shoes where red blue and white. A little too suspicious to wear on Cinco de mayo.

[Barton72]

However anyone wants to dice it up, we are in America. Cinco de Mayo means jack $h1t here!! Anyone who wants to wear an American flag for any reason whatsoever in our country is allowed to at any time or any place.

[Hammerhead]

I bet the ACLU will jump in on behalf of these students at any minute.

[Butthead]

:D I love your humour!


I bet the ACLU will jump in on behalf of these students at any minute.

[Jector]

It was an obvious douchebag troll maneuver on the students part to wear lots of US colors on an ostensibly Mexican holiday. It shows poor taste and they should have been talked to.

However, it is their right to be douchebags if they want to just like all the Hispanic people could wear Mexican colors on the mostly US holidays. Kicking them off campus or threatening to suspend them was very legally shaky.

[Seca]

E-mail sent! That pisses me off. American colors are something that anyone can wear in our country 24-7/365 without any concern. I can't believe this happened. I hope something becomes of it, but I doubt it will. I'm all for blowing California off the US and either sinking it or giving it to Mexico. What a bunch of scumbags!!

Actually, the American Flag is not supposed to be worn as apparel.



Sec. 8. — Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.


The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.


The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.


The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.


The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.


The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.


The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.


The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.


The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.


The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.


No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.


The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning

[Hammerhead]

It was an obvious douchebag troll maneuver on the students part to wear lots of US colors on an ostensibly Mexican holiday. It shows poor taste and they should have been talked to.



How was it a douchebag maneuver to wear U.S. colors in the U.S. on a Mexican holiday? A second rate Mexican holiday, but still a Mexican holiday.

[Hammerhead]

Actually, the American Flag is not supposed to be worn as apparel.

An image of the flag on a shirt is different than wearing it as apparel. If they were wearing flag bandanas then yes, you have a point.



"The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

I guess this would apply to those ridiculously huge flags they bring out onto the field before a ball game. I've always thought that was tacky.

[winmutt]

I bet the ACLU will jump in on behalf of these students at any minute.

No other action was taken otherwise I wouldn't be surprised. What a crock of shit.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

It was an obvious douchebag troll maneuver on the students part to wear lots of US colors on an ostensibly Mexican holiday. It shows poor taste and they should have been talked to.


I'm sorry.. when did ANYTHING having to do with pride in one's country, the country we LIVE in make one a douchebag?

[Seca]

An image of the flag on a shirt is different than wearing it as apparel. If they were wearing flag bandanas then yes, you have a point.



"The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

I guess this would apply to those ridiculously huge flags they bring out onto the field before a ball game. I've always thought that was tacky.


I dont know, here it mentions a patch or pin...


No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart

Oh, and for the record I wasnt commenting on the OP but on Bartons post.

[Karl Hungus]

I'm sorry.. when did ANYTHING having to do with pride in one's country, the country we LIVE in make one a douchebag?

Off the top of my head, at least this far back.

http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=jgtwo.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.files.wordpress.com%2F2009% 2F11%2Fkid_rock.jpg&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11% 2F24%2Fexamining-kid-rocks-common-sense-ideas%2F

[impalanar]

It was an obvious douchebag troll maneuver on the students part to wear lots of US colors on an ostensibly Mexican holiday. It shows poor taste and they should have been talked to.

However, it is their right to be douchebags if they want to just like all the Hispanic people could wear Mexican colors on the mostly US holidays. Kicking them off campus or threatening to suspend them was very legally shaky.

Troll yes, douchebag no. Kind of reminds me of the student who wore a Pepsi shirt on Coke day at his school, was years ago.

[impalanar]

Off the top of my head, at least this far back.

http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=jgtwo.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.files.wordpress.com%2F2009% 2F11%2Fkid_rock.jpg&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11% 2F24%2Fexamining-kid-rocks-common-sense-ideas%2F

Now that was a douchebag move.

[Snafu484]

Heres the link to the actual interview of the kids on Yahoo. One of the kids is actually hispanic with a hispanic father and even he thought it was total BS....

Oh and they didnt start jack... they were sent home cause some hispanic students got "upset"

http://news.yahoo.com/video/sanfranciscocbs5-15751300/s-bay-students-wearing-u-s-flag-shirts-sent-home-19586193

[Seca]

Off the top of my head, at least this far back.

http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=jgtwo.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.files.wordpress.com%2F2009% 2F11%2Fkid_rock.jpg&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fjgtwo.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11% 2F24%2Fexamining-kid-rocks-common-sense-ideas%2F


Now that was a douchebag move.

While I know the flag "rules" I dont always follow them either.I dont have a light on my flag at night since my solar spot light went out and dont always take it down in the rain. I love seeing folks showing they love our country but it always is in the back of my head the flag amendments. The only thing that really erks me is seeing the flag upside down cause folks dont like Obama. I almost got into a fight with my parents neighbor after he was elected and they put their flag upside down. I didnt vote for him but the country wasnt in distress simply cause we has elected.

[Jector]

Troll yes, douchebag no. Kind of reminds me of the student who wore a Pepsi shirt on Coke day at his school, was years ago.


I'm sorry.. when did ANYTHING having to do with pride in one's country, the country we LIVE in make one a douchebag?


How was it a douchebag maneuver to wear U.S. colors in the U.S. on a Mexican holiday? A second rate Mexican holiday, but still a Mexican holiday.

From the article:


Galli says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove American flag bandannas that they wearing on their heads and for the others to turn their American flag T-shirts inside out.

I find it extremely unlikely that numerous friends just happened to all wear either US flag shirts or bandannas on Cinco de Mayo. They did it specifically to troll other students, not "show their patriotism" since Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of any Mexican victory over the US. If you deliberately troll people for no reason, that makes you a kidro... err.. douchebag in my book.

Like I said, it would be the same if the Hispanic kids wore lot's of Mexican flags on the Fourth. Not illegal. Certainly not something anyone should do any more than say "Hey, can you quit being a jerkoff and wear something less inflammatory when fellow students are celebrating their heritage". But it was stupid and uncalled for. Faculty and douche students need a collective wake up call on citizens rights and basic manners.

[Hammerhead]

From the article:




Like I said, it would be the same if the Hispanic kids wore lot's of Mexican flags on the Fourth. Not illegal. Certainly not something anyone should do any more than say "Hey, can you quit being a jerkoff and wear something less inflammatory when fellow students are celebrating their heritage". But it was stupid and uncalled for. Faculty and douche students need a collective wake up call on citizens rights and basic manners.

Difference being that the Fourth is an American holiday. If Mexican kids wore Mexican flags on the Fourth while attending a school in America then it might be a little "abrasive", but I doubt anyone would really care. If Mexican kids wore Mexican colors while in Mexico on the Fourth, a holiday that isn't relevant at all to Mexicans, then who gives a damn? What happened here was American kids wearing American flags in America on a Mexican holiday that doesn't mean shit to Americans.

[DecepticonDon]

Like I said, it would be the same if the Hispanic kids wore lot's of Mexican flags on the Fourth.

That analogy works only if that were to happen in Mexico.

[impalanar]

Faculty and douche students need a collective wake up call on citizens rights and basic manners.

And what citizens right do they need a wake up call about? I wore a WWRD (http://www.zazzle.com/wwrd_what_would_reagan_do_tshirt-235904814852383581) t-shirt to work on January 20th, 2009 so I guess that means you can lump me in with these kids.

[impalanar]

While I know the flag "rules" I dont always follow them either.I dont have a light on my flag at night since my solar spot light went out and dont always take it down in the rain. I love seeing folks showing they love our country but it always is in the back of my head the flag amendments. The only thing that really erks me is seeing the flag upside down cause folks dont like Obama. I almost got into a fight with my parents neighbor after he was elected and they put their flag upside down. I didnt vote for him but the country wasnt in distress simply cause we has elected.

Agreed. But there is a difference between your light being out and cutting a hole in a flag and wearing it like a poncho.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

difference being that the fourth is an american holiday. If mexican kids wore mexican flags on the fourth while attending a school in america then it might be a little "abrasive", but i doubt anyone would really care. If mexican kids wore mexican colors while in mexico on the fourth, a holiday that isn't relevant at all to mexicans, then who gives a damn? What happened here was american kids wearing american flags in america on a mexican holiday that doesn't mean shit to americans.

qft.

[Jector]

While that's true, I see it as mostly being the same. Someone's saying "Hey, I like my heritage today" and someone else comes in saying "My nation's more awesomer than your heritage". Any way you slice it, wherever you are, whatever heritage you're dissing, that's not cool.


What happened here was American kids wearing American flags in America on a Mexican holiday that doesn't mean shit to Americans.

Apparently it means shit to many Americans of Mexican descent.

It's a dick move. If they wore US flags all the time, that would be one thing. They did it to stick it in the face of the Hispanics.

Tell me why they just had to wear the Stars and Stripes on Cinco de Mayo? Why didn't they don them the day before? The day after? What purpose does it serve on a day the Hispanic community likes to feel good about itself?

They were being insensitive assholes. They didn't deserve what happened, but it doesn't change the fact that they were being insensitive assholes.

[impalanar]

Actually, to be totally equal it would have to be Mexicans wearing their flag on a observed US heritage holiday in Mexico.

I see it as mostly being the same. Someone's saying "Hey, I like my heritage today" and someone else comes in saying "My nation's more awesomer than your heritage". Any way you slice it, wherever you are, whatever heritage you're dissing, that's not cool.



Apparently it means shit to many Americans of Mexican descent.

It's a dick move. If they wore US flags all the time, that would be one thing. They did it to stick it in the face of the Hispanics.

Tell me why they just had to wear the Stars and Stripes on Cinco de Mayo? Why didn't they don them the day before? The day after? What purpose does it serve on a day the Hispanic community likes to feel good about itself?

They were being insensitive assholes. They didn't deserve what happened, but it doesn't change the fact that they were being insensitive assholes.

Shall we agree to disagree then? I know they wore them on purpose, nobody is disputing that. They probably talked ahead of time and said "Let's see what happens." But I don't think it makes them insensitive assholes. As someone pointed out, if they had wore clothes bearing the French flag, that would have been a dick move by an insensitive asshole but it also would have gone unnoticed. (which would be a testament to how much the holiday really means)

[wallypiper]

they were being insensitive assholes.

Actually, I think "troll" was a better description. They were trolling. The interviews basically prove it. All the responses, from the kids and the parents, pretty much reflected the trollish intent. On the other hand, Cinco de Mayo is a BS holiday but a much better phrase to sell tequila with than "septiembre el décimosexto" which won't fit on banner very well.

You don't have to be obnoxious to be a patriot.

[Hughduffel]

My freedom of speech trumps your nonexistant right not to be offended, like it or not people have the right to be assholes. Highschool used to be for growing thick skin for later in life, harden the **** up and get over it.

Seriously, we're even arguing whether its ok to show pride in your country for ANY reason? **** that.

[G_MAN]

My freedom of speech trumps your nonexistant right not to be offended, like it or not people have the right to be assholes. Highschool used to be for growing thick skin for later in life, harden the **** up and get over it.

Seriously, we're even arguing whether its ok to show pride in your country for ANY reason? **** that.

:stupid: I agree totally, people have paper thin skin now a days.

[Karl Hungus]

My freedom of speech trumps your nonexistant right not to be offended, like it or not people have the right to be assholes. Highschool used to be for growing thick skin for later in life, harden the **** up and get over it.

I agree with you, but so do these assholes.

http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2007/10/fred_phelps_idiotic_911_message.bmp

[Dan43]

I agree with you, but so do these assholes.

http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2007/10/fred_phelps_idiotic_911_message.bmp If they want to picket recruiting stations, military bases, public offices (mayor, senator, congressman etc) then I support their right to do so fully even while I find their message totally abhorrent. But When these assholes protest at a funeral they are IMO interfering with a private function, and I think they should be stepped on at that point.

[Hughduffel]

I agree with you, but so do these assholes.

http://americansfortruth.com/uploads/2007/10/fred_phelps_idiotic_911_message.bmp

Yeah its a bitch isn't it? To protect your own rights sometimes you have to protect the rights of people you don't agree with. Its a shame you can't just impose your will on everyone. Oh wait, but thats politics.

[KTM Rider]

Difference being that the Fourth is an American holiday. If Mexican kids wore Mexican flags on the Fourth while attending a school in America then it might be a little "abrasive", but I doubt anyone would really care. If Mexican kids wore Mexican colors while in Mexico on the Fourth, a holiday that isn't relevant at all to Mexicans, then who gives a damn? What happened here was American kids wearing American flags in America on a Mexican holiday that doesn't mean shit to Americans or anywhere in Mexico except Puebla.....LOL.

Fixed.

[MONICA]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/07/tensions-high-california-high-school-following-flag-flap/

Tensions High at California High School Following Flag Flap


Tensions are rising at a California high school where five students were sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo.
More than 200 Hispanic students reportedly skipped class on Thursday and marched to school district headquarters while chanting "we want respect" and "si se puedes" -- "yes we can" -- the Morgan Hill Times (http://www.morganhilltimes.com/news/265448-hispanic-students-leave-school-march-to-show-support-for-mexico) reported.
"We did this to support the Latino/Hispanic community," Francine Roa, a 2005 Live Oak High School graduate, told the newspaper.
At least six Morgan Hill police vehicles traveled alongside the students, many of whom carried Mexican flags. No arrests were made related to the march, the newspaper reported.
Police have been told to be on alert for gang-related retaliation against the boys, according to Ken Jones, whose stepson, Daniel Galli, was one of the students who refused to turn their T-shirts inside-out when asked by a vice principal on Wednesday.


"We just want this whole thing to die down," Jones told FoxNews.com. "We're not trying to keep these flames firing."
The five teens -- Galli, Austin Carvalho, Matt Dariano, Dominic Maciel and Clayton Howard -- were sitting at a table outside Live Oak High School Wednesday morning when Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez asked two of them to remove their American flag bandannas, one of the boys' parents told FoxNews.com. The youths complied, but were asked to accompany Rodriguez to the principal's office.
The students were then told they must turn their T-shirts inside-out or be sent home, though it would not be considered a suspension. Rodriguez told the students he did not want any fights to break out between Mexican-American students celebrating their heritage and those wearing American flags, the parent said.
But Jones said the preemptive action was unnecessary, and that Rodriguez "overstepped his bounds."
"The issue was, there was nothing going on," Jones told Fox News on Friday. "There was no sense of violence at all amongst the students, there was no conversation, there was no bullying.
"We just feel like the vice principal overstepped his bounds. He jumped in too quickly. We can understand he might be concerned something would happen, but there was no indication that was going to happen at all."
Officials at the high school, a 1,300-student institution in Santa Clara County, near San Jose, have not returned several messages seeking comment.
As of late Thursday, Jones said the five boys' parents have no plans to sue the school or Morgan Hill Unified School District, which has characterized the incident as "extremely unfortunate" and is conducting an ongoing investigation. Several attorneys have contacted the families offering to represent them pro bono, Jones said.
"We're keeping an open mind," he said. "We want to stand up for our First Amendment rights."
He said the families are seeking an apology from school officials and want the students' unexcused absences for leaving school to be expunged.
Galli said he frequently wears the American flag T-shirt to school and that he wasn't trying to incite any tension. Asked if he wore the shirt to make a statement related to the ongoing immigration debate, Galli said, "No, it had absolutely nothing to do with that."
District officials, meanwhile, sent a voicemail message in English and Spanish to all parents late Thursday.
"The Morgan Hill Unified School District does not prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing," the message from Superintendent Wesley Smith said. "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 situation and our response are under review."
Asked if the district will be taking any steps to quell rising tensions at the school, a district official told FoxNews.com in an e-mail, "Our focus for [Thursday] was student safety. Students are safe and administrators are continuing to work through the investigation."
Eugene Volokh, a professor of law at UCLA, said the students are protected under California Education Code 48950, which prohibits schools from enforcing a rule subjecting a high school student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that, when engaged outside of campus, is protected by the First Amendment.
If the school could point to previous incidents sparked by students who wore garments with American flags, they could argue that the flag is likely to lead to "substantial disruption," Volokh said.
"If, for example, there had been fights over similar things at past events, if there had been specific threats made. But if [school officials] just say, 'Well, we think it might be offensive to people,' that's generally speaking not enough."
Volokh said the students and their parents likely have a winning case on their hands if they decide to take the matter to court.
"Oh yes, it's almost open and shut," he said.

[G_MAN]

Also sent the story to all of our Atl. based news channels. Lets see if they actually report some news that's worth a $h1t.

11alive covered the story on their website

11 Alive Flag T-Shirt Coverage (http://www.11alive.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=143746&catid=40)

[MONICA]

It's amazing how 5 kids wearing the US flag in a school of 1300 can cause so much drama.

[Snafu484]

Apologies ahead of time for the long long post but I needed to copy paste this from the comments section in G_MANS news link... it was totally awesome :rofl:

Here is something for all to enjoy.

MOVING TO MEXICO

Dear President Obama:

I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me.

We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico , and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements.

We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws.

I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over?

Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:

1. Free medical care for my entire family.
2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
3. Please print all Mexican Government forms in English.
4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.
5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.
6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.
7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch.
8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.
9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico, but I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.
10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.
11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my housetop, put U S. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.
12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.
13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.
14. I want to receive free food stamps.
15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.
16. I'll need income tax credits so that although I don't pay Mexican taxes, I'll receive money from the government.
17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Government pays $4,500.00 to help me buy a new car.
18.. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.

I know this is an easy request because the U.S. already does all these things for all his people who walk over to the U.S. from Mexico. I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.

Thank you so much for your kind help.

AN AMERICAN TAXPAYER

[Hammerhead]

Awesome! :LOL:

[Karl Hungus]

Maybe if our tax dollars were used to fund social programs in Mexico instead of here they would stay there. It might even cause some of our deadbeats to head south.

[Jector]

And what citizens right do they need a wake up call about? I wore a WWRD (http://www.zazzle.com/wwrd_what_would_reagan_do_tshirt-235904814852383581) t-shirt to work on January 20th, 2009 so I guess that means you can lump me in with these kids.
Sorry, that was an awkward sentence. The faculty needs the wake up call about citizens rights and the students need a wake up call about basic manners. I'd meant to put "respectively" at the end and forgot. My bad.


Shall we agree to disagree then? I know they wore them on purpose, nobody is disputing that. They probably talked ahead of time and said "Let's see what happens." But I don't think it makes them insensitive assholes. As someone pointed out, if they had wore clothes bearing the French flag, that would have been a dick move by an insensitive asshole but it also would have gone unnoticed. (which would be a testament to how much the holiday really means)

Certainly. I just can't see what was polite or necessary about their actions.


Actually, I think "troll" was a better description. They were trolling. The interviews basically prove it. All the responses, from the kids and the parents, pretty much reflected the trollish intent. On the other hand, Cinco de Mayo is a BS holiday but a much better phrase to sell tequila with than "septiembre el décimosexto" which won't fit on banner very well.

You don't have to be obnoxious to be a patriot.

The basic tenant of trolling is that you're ****ing around with someone to see how they react or to watch them get angry. It's awfully hard to do that without being a jackass.



More than 200 Hispanic students reportedly skipped class on Thursday and marched to school district headquarters while chanting "we want respect" and "si se puedes" -- "yes we can"
Way to overreact guys. Good going. :roll:


Galli said he frequently wears the American flag T-shirt to school and that he wasn't trying to incite any tension. Asked if he wore the shirt to make a statement related to the ongoing immigration debate, Galli said, "No, it had absolutely nothing to do with that."
While he may wear a flag frequently and may not have been trying to make a statement about immigration, the line about not trying to incite tension smells strongly of BS. No way can someone got to a mostly Hispanic school and not think it would go over just fine with even half the Hispanic student body.


District officials, meanwhile, sent a voicemail message in English and Spanish to all parents late Thursday.
"The Morgan Hill Unified School District does not prohibit nor do we discourage wearing patriotic clothing," the message from Superintendent Wesley Smith said. "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 situation and our response are under review."
Well, that's something anyway. Good to hear someone in the education food chain isn't a total dimwit.


Volokh said the students and their parents likely have a winning case on their hands if they decide to take the matter to court.
"Oh yes, it's almost open and shut," he said.
Definitely. Legally, that school left their tackle swinging in the breeze.

[Hammerhead]

=The faculty needs the wake up call about citizens rights and the students need a wake up call about basic manners.

Please list all holidays that you consider wearing an American flag, in America, to be "bad manners" so I'll know how to dress appropriately.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

While he may wear a flag frequently and may not have been trying to make a statement about immigration, the line about not trying to incite tension smells strongly of BS. No way can someone got to a mostly Hispanic school and not think it would go over just fine with even half the Hispanic student body.


Who cares what the racial makeup of the school is? It's a school in AMERICA.

Also, it's TENET, NOT TENANT I HATE SEEING THIS

/grammar nazi.

[Jector]

Please list all holidays that you consider wearing an American flag, in America, to be "bad manners" so I'll know how to dress appropriately.
Because you can't figure it out on your own from the basic direction of my posts? I'm going to assume that was a facetious question and that you actually don't care about the answer. I thought we were having a discussion, but frequently here at LEPR you have swung to sarcasm and kneejerk comments when you don't have anything useful to say.


Who cares what the racial makeup of the school is? It's a school in AMERICA.

Also, it's TENET, NOT TENANT I HATE SEEING THIS

/grammar nazi.

Sorry. Does that get you where you live? ;)

And I'm not saying that more or less Hispanics in a school make it more or less rude to go rollin' with red white and blue on CdM; I'm saying that the kid's statement that they didn't think it would cause any stir is extremely suspect since they are in a large enough group of Hispanics that they wouldn't have missed how they feel about their heritage.

[Hammerhead]

Because you can't figure it out on your own from the basic direction of my posts? I'm going to assume that was a facetious question and that you actually don't care about the answer. I thought we were having a discussion, but frequently here at LEPR you have swung to sarcasm and kneejerk comments when you don't have anything useful to say.

You said the kids "need a wake up call on basic manners" so tell me when it is considered to bad manners to display the American flag in America.




And I'm not saying that more or less Hispanics in a school make it more or less rude to go rollin' with red white and blue on CdM; I'm saying that the kid's statement that they didn't think it would cause any stir is extremely suspect since they are in a large enough group of Hispanics that they wouldn't have missed how they feel about their heritage.

If their heritage is so great then why aren't they celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Mexico?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Because you can't figure it out on your own from the basic direction of my posts? I'm going to assume that was a facetious question and that you actually don't care about the answer. I thought we were having a discussion, but frequently here at LEPR you have swung to sarcasm and kneejerk comments when you don't have anything useful to say.



Sorry. Does that get you where you live? ;)

And I'm not saying that more or less Hispanics in a school make it more or less rude to go rollin' with red white and blue on CdM; I'm saying that the kid's statement that they didn't think it would cause any stir is extremely suspect since they are in a large enough group of Hispanics that they wouldn't have missed how they feel about their heritage.



Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree though. There shouldn't be a stir at all. The Hispanics can be proud of their heritage, that's fine. But the way I see it, they live in America, which makes them one of several things (and I'm simplifying): A citizen, a legal immigrant, or an illegal immigrant. If they're either of the first two, America is their country. If they're an illegal immigrant, they obviously think poorly enough of their heritage to come here and try to make a new life, while breaking laws and consuming resources. For example, I was born in Korea (on an Air Force base). I'm half Korean and half Irish by birth. But I'm American. I'm all for honoring your heritage, but your right to do that stops where mine begins.

[Jector]

It's not about rights. I'd stated numerous times that they were well inside their rights in wearing US flags and I agree it shouldn't have made any stir beyond school gossip. I'm just saying that they could have chosen any other day to all show up wearing such and they chose to do so on the one day a majority of their school is celebrating their Hispanic roots. Legal; very much so. Cool; not very.

Like I said before; why'd they just have to all show up on the 5th of May in red, white, and blue? They could have done so a week later to show their support but they did it on a day they knew it would cause a stir. It's a dick move.

[BUD]

This is America, The Great Melting Pot. If you want to stay here, assimilate, if not, GTFO. Who cares if the kids were trolling? If I was a kid there, I'd be trolling too. I'm not anti-Hispanic, anti-Nigerian, anti-Egyptian or anti-anyotherillegalimmigrantnationalitygroup. This isn't Yugoslavia with a bunch of competing identities ripping us apart, this is AMERICA!

[wallypiper]

If you want to stay here, assimilate, if not, GTFO.
Come on Bud. You ever been to rural PA or OH or MN or to NYC? There are lots of groups and others that live and work in the US but steadfastly maintain their ethnic, religious, social and national identities. They don't assimilate much at all but they don't get the kind of hatred that we're building against Mexicans. You think the Quakers should go home?

[Dan43]

You think the Quakers should go home?Only the ones who snuck across the border illegally.

[wallypiper]

Cute, but dodges the point of my post, which was a response to Bud's "assimilate or go home" position. Immigrant populations in the US have never assimilated. There are Hispanic communities, Scandinavian communities, Korean communities, Dutch communities, Vietnamese communities, Chinese communities, Irish communities, Italian communities, Jewish communities . . .. Almost all groups have come here and established locations and social groupings that preserve and promote their cultural, religious and ethnic heritage. It's part of America. Part of what we are. Coming here doesn't mean you have to abandon your background and become the archetypical American. It has never meant that.

[TarzanMan]

What's an 'archetypical american'? Anglos have been here less time than hispanics, asians, and native americans.

[Hammerhead]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/07/stinko-de-mayo/

"There should be nothing disrespectful about the U.S. flag to Americans of Mexican descent or to any other immigrant group. Teaching children that their heritage is at odds with their citizenship promotes disunity and divisiveness. While the high school's administrators may have been responding to a real public-safety threat, that threat was the product of their failure to instill a sense of national pride in their students."

[Dan43]

Cute, but dodges the point of my post, which was a response to Bud's "assimilate or go home" position. Immigrant populations in the US have never assimilated. There are Hispanic communities, Scandinavian communities, Korean communities, Dutch communities, Vietnamese communities, Chinese communities, Irish communities, Italian communities, Jewish communities . . .. Almost all groups have come here and established locations and social groupings that preserve and promote their cultural, religious and ethnic heritage. It's part of America. Part of what we are. Coming here doesn't mean you have to abandon your background and become the archetypical American. It has never meant that.The difference is that those communities are not pressing for governmetn forms to be printed in Scandinavian, Korean, Dutch, Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian etc. Nor are they flying flags in schools and other public places. The other groups you named retain their culture and heritage without attempting to force it on any other portion of the US population. The hispanic community seems intent on not only retaining their culture and language after coming to the US, but also forcing the non-hispanic population of the US to embrace their culture and language.

And lastly those groups are not entering the US illegally in anything even remotely approaching the numbers of hispanics entering the country illegally.

[Jector]

I agree with all of that. They DO need to try harder to be US citizens of foreign descent instead of transplanted pieces of their country's soil. But we shouldn't be telling them they have to become just like us or they're out. Some diversity is a good thing and can make people interesting instead of alienating them. Too much diversity can be divisive.

[BUD]

I haven't seen a lot of militant Quakers around lately.

[Jector]

It's a ruse. They're setting us up for the mother of all ambushes.

[BUD]

So instead of printing all government forms in Spanish for the Mexicans/South Americans and requiring the women to wear burkhas for the Muslims, we will all just have to wear funny hats and drive horse and buggys?

[Karl Hungus]

That guy running for governor of AL says that the drivers license exam is offered in 12 languages. So it isn't just the Mexicans that we're coddling.

[wallypiper]

Have you seen a lot of militant Mexicans, I mean other than the crowds that somebody pays to gather in front of the TV cameras?