Okay, we have gotten distracted over the flag code. I can see both points, but as jack pointed out, its a code and not law. Do with it what you like, its your right, but dont expect everyone to agree with your pratices. ie flag burning

But, when reading about this, I did hear that part of the reason was to avoid fights between these 5 and the other students. I think that they should be applauded for making a stand for their country. I think its a steaming pile that they got sent home

Cinco de mayo is an offical holiday, in MEXICO. Celebrate it if you like, but this nation does not recognize it just like the 4th isnt recognized in mexico. The fact that these students chose not to celebrate cinco de mayo is their choice and their right. I understand that in schools, you are not afforded the same liberties as the outside world, ie dress code, but if their goal was to attract attention to the problem, goal accomplished. Good job!

 

I've discussed the flag code with Jack before and found it enlightening. I have an Old Navy shirt similar to the one the kid was wearing and wore it last 4th. My intent was not to be disrepectful, I had no idea that it might violate the flag code, but rather show patriotism. I am still not sure how I feel about t-shirts like that, although after reading the code obviously Old Navy does use it as a marketing tool and that is probably not correct with the code.

That being said I do not really like the flag shorts or shoes and obviously the kids were trying to make a statement but unless that school has a dress code that requires all kids to dress the same, white shirts and khakis, then I can't see they did anything wrong. In fact even though some of their outfit may not be the most patriotic I think it is a good thing they want to show their patriotism. As far as I am concerned more young people should. If they wear patriot symbols 24/7/365 what is wrong with that? Let Mexico citizens celebrate their holiday, in Mexico.

The trouble is the kids who were offended do not see themselves as Americans.
I do not like hyphenated Americans. You are either american or you are not.

Theodore Roosevelt said "There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all... The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic... There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else."

Now before someone bust me I copied that off wikipedia, and I hate wikipedia but I knew it was there and easy to find! lol But truthfully even though he was mostly refering to European immigrants it still applies today and I could not agree more!

 

If the full and honest intentions of the students were simply to "make a stand for their country" then I would agree that what the school administration did was wrong.

But it seems more likely to me that the intentions of the flag wearing students were not so honorable. That they were trying to incite conflict and thus draw undeserved attention to themselves to get their 15 minutes of fame is much more likely. I find such actions phoney and offensive.

 

That's a nice trick, reading the intentions of people you have never met, from 3,000 miles away.

I doubt if the flag wearers had any idea this would draw national attention. None of us would have ever heard about it at all if the Vice Principal had not acted the way he did.


As to the flag code, I was raised much as Jack and am aware of the flag code. It used to bother me when people displayed the flag on clothing, especially if in an inappropriate way. Nowadays, unless it's an egregious violation or clearly disrespectful, it does not bother me at all.

I guess I've got other things to get upset about, like the Constitution in tatters and the country rapidly sliding into the abyss.

 

That is no different than making judgements about how the kids were done wrong to be punished and why the Vice Principlal did what he did. A lot went on that we do not know about, and he might have been left with little choice. Probably a lot of taunting, etc that led to the actions. We are just discussing the events from a philisophical view point and we have few facts to go on. Plus, this is all from the news media, so I don't get too upset or make too many judgments from what the media gives me, if you get my drift. Especially a West Coast Media!

 

That is precisely my point, reversed. I contend that they premeditated the entire stunt with the express intent of drawing national attention via the American Flag. I cannot prove it but it is no trick to see this and it is becoming all too common. It is disrespectful to the very flag that they pretend to honor.

 

So is it agianst the FLag Code to have a tatto of the American Flag? Not trying to be a horse' rear here or stur the pot, just an honest question, because I dont know the answer.

 

I am thinking of getting a flag tattoo. Is it okay?
There is nothing in the Flag Code about tattoos. The question is one of respect for the flag. In this case one person's respect is another's disrespect, and we advise against a flag tattoo. Perhaps an American eagle would look good?

Source

 

I got lost by page two...


Why the hubbub over the idea of wearing a image of our flag became the main conflict when the original topic was someone offended by kids wearing clothing with the USA flag on it.

I'm sorry, I don't really give a rip what these mexicans compain about, I see them always flying their colors/flag on the 4th. Though, not nearly as many.

 

Guess getting the American Flag tattooed on me was disrespectful. As to everyone who is following a Code like it's a Law, well law's are made to be broken, no one is perfect, everyone break's a law and if you don't then you're a hypocrite. But, I'm going to leave the thread until I get in trouble.

 

Is the flag on the moon always properly illuminated?

 

The only place for an American Flag is on a pole, casket, a triangle box or a pin. I have 3flags 2 on display outdoors for all to see with lighting 24/7, one at 22' 5x 8and one at 12' 3x5 and my dad's on my wall which once covered his casket!!. Jack is so correct here and you guys need to respect his views as they are what we are...

 

Ok, we've established that there are varying opinions on flag etiquette. Perhaps these kids will be court martialed for disrespecting the American flag?

Does these kids blatant disregard for proper flag etiquette give the vice principal of the school the justification to require them to either turn their shirts inside-out or leave school for that day? Stuffing the shirt down their throats isn't an option in this case. Or is it? It is a public school and we know that the ACLU would have no interest in defending anyone who would, though in blatant disregard of the flag code, show their patriotism.

Look, I know that people want to talk about the flag code and proper respect for flag etiquette. I get it. It seems to me though that it is a distraction from the root of the incident at this school. You can have contempt for these kids but what about the adults who "acted stupidly" in the handling of this incident?

 

wittom, I do agree that the man overreacted but i think he seen a problem coming with what the kids were wearing and just to avoid conflict he sent them packing. IF he would have sent the mexicans kids home then there would only be 10 kids left to teach>>>.

I see your point big time but these are the times we live in.. All the Pakistanis say they are ashamed because of the bombing attempts by pakistanis but they do NOTHING to show it, How about they march with signs deploring what they did (or tried to do) instead of pretending to be of Indian decent (there so call mortal enemy) so who's kidding who in this f up world.