School Makes Boy Take American Flag Off Bike...it offends Hispanics

[lostinblue 1,989]

Who honestly cares about rags on poles?

The flag represents the true America, and all of our freedoms, whether we actually still have them or not. When you insult the flag, you insult the very heart of America.

And you can’t hide behind the excuse that it’s just a “piece of cloth.” Because, while it is a mere piece of cloth, it is also the symbol of America. The real America. The America that’s laid out in our Constitution, that was the dream of our founding fathers and many who have followed them.

A country where all men (and women) can freely speak their mind.

A country where everyone is equal in the eyes of the state.

A country where everyone has a fair chance.

And if you don’t want in on that, then you can leave. Don’t let the door catch you on your way out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The flag represents the true America, and all of our freedoms, whether we actually still have them or not. When you insult the flag, you insult the very heart of America.

And you can’t hide behind the excuse that it’s just a “piece of cloth.” Because, while it is a mere piece of cloth, it is also the symbol of America. The real America. The America that’s laid out in our Constitution, that was the dream of our founding fathers and many who have followed them.

A country where all men (and women) can freely speak their mind.

A country where everyone is equal in the eyes of the state.

A country where everyone has a fair chance.

And if you don’t want in on that, then you can leave. Don’t let the door catch you on your way out.

Yes, I understand symbolism. I also understand the difference between jingoism and patriotism.

You don't need a flag, or any prop to have a set of shared values. If you do, you have problems.

[Danno 1,228]

Yes, I understand symbolism. I also understand the difference between jingoism and patriotism.

You don't need a flag, or any prop to have a set of shared values. If you do, you have problems.

Why don't you share with us who you find your "Shared values with"?

Edited November 14, 2010 by Danno

[Danno 1,228]

UPDATE:

School Reverses Course After Ordering Student to Remove American Flag From Bike

Published November 12, 2010 | FoxNews.com

A California school has done a U-turn after it forced a student to remove an American flag attached to his bike, saying the Stars and Stripes could spur racial tensions on campus.

Cody Alicea,13, had been flying the flag on the back of his bicycle for almost two months to show support for veterans like his grandfather, Robert Alicea.

But just in time for Veterans Day, school officials at Denair Middle School told Cody he would no longer be allowed to display the flag, citing complaints from other students.

Now, after a public outcry, the school has decided that the grand old flag can come back.

Superintendent Edward Parraz says the school was trying to avoid racial tensions that stemmed from a "little issue" that arose when Hispanic students brought Mexican flags to school on Cinco De Mayo.

"That's when it all kind of started, and I think it carried through so that when Cody started doing his flag everybody said well why isn't he getting in trouble?" Parraz told Fox40.com.

So the school asked Cody to remove the flag, both to keep the peace and for his own protection.

"It was a safety concern that that particular campus supervisor called at that particular time based on information she had heard," Parraz said.

Cody says he complied with the request to avoid trouble, but he asked the school to reconsider because he believed the decision was wrong.

"I'm supposed to be free in this country and I should be able to fly the flag wherever I want to," he told Fox40.

Apparently, he wasn't alone.

Parraz says the school got flooded with so many complaints from upset parents both inside and outside of Denair that he was called into to "handle the situation."

"It was crazy" he said.

Parraz says the school decided on Friday to allow Cody to display his flag again, and now it will be shifting its focus to the students who complained.

"In no way did we want to take that right away from Cody," Parraz told Fox40 on Friday. "…We think we know who the instigators are that were trying to do that and we need to meet with their parents and those students to just kind of explain that this isn't what we want to have. We want to make sure that our kids can appreciate a safe environment and be able to have the American flag."

Edited November 14, 2010 by Danno

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why don't you explain why that's necessary and why you seem fixated on me rather than on what I'm saying. If you disagree with me, feel free to deconstruct my argument.

If you cant, then don't let the door hit you in the ####.

[Danno 1,228]

Why don't you explain why that's necessary and why you seem fixated on me rather than on what I'm saying. If you disagree with me, feel free to deconstruct my argument.

.. You have crazy logic, my questions are based on exploring if your logic even works in your own life.

Care to answer the question?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

.. You have crazy logic, my questions are based on exploring if your logic even works in your own life.

Care to answer the question?

Please explain to me how my opinion is wrong. If you won't then we have nothing to say. I'm not playing your silly games.

[Pooky 3,828]

Danno boy seems a bit confused. Now one in the UK gives a #### what flag you fly on your bike or anywhere else for that matter - or indeed whether you fly one or not, nor whether you burn them or whatever else you feel like doing with a piece of cloth. UK citizens simply do not place any undue importance on faux patriotism.

Please feel free to speak for yourself.

Just don't drag the rest of the UK into your brand of disrespect.

[Peikko 1,575]

Please feel free to speak for yourself.

Just don't drag the rest of the UK into your brand of disrespect.

UK citizens are well known for getting in a hissy fit about flags. Not. A boy in the UK would probably not even think of putting a Union Jack on his bike in the first place - not because of a lack of patriotism - but because of class, it's just not something UK kids think about. However, were he to do so, none of the other parents would comment on it, again, not because of a lack of respect for queen or country, but because respect for one's country is not driven by the ability, or not to fly a flag on a bicycle. Now, you might think that I disrespect this or that because I don't cow-tow to jingoism, that's your right but I personally think this sort of thing is stupid, both flying a flag on a bike AND getting your knickers in a twist because someone does - and my attitude is extremely typical of the avg UK citizen. - like it or not..

Note, I was responding to Danno's idiotic idea that this story represents the US turning into the UK. I'm pointing out that it doesn't because the UK is nothing like Danno's wacked imagination.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Pooky 3,828]

UK citizens are well known for getting in a hissy fit about flags. Not. A boy in the UK would probably not even think of putting a Union Jack on his bike in the first place - not because of a lack of patriotism - but because of class, it's just not something UK kids think about. However, were he to do so, none of the other parents would comment on it, again, not because of a lack of respect for queen or country, but because respect for one's country is not driven by the ability, or not to fly a flag on a bicycle. Now, you might think that I disrespect this or that because I don't cow-tow to jingoism, that's your right but I personally think this sort of thing is stupid, both flying a flag on a bike AND getting your knickers in a twist because someone does - and my attitude is extremely typical of the avg UK citizen. - like it or not..

Note, I was responding to Danno's idiotic idea that this story represents the US turning into the UK. I'm pointing out that it doesn't because the UK is nothing like Danno's wacked imagination.

My point stands.

[Peikko 1,575]

apparently not

link

How in the world can you see any similarity between these two stories? That you do really does tell me that you can't see the difference between silly and sometimes dangerous jingoism and true patriotism that serves a valuable purpose.

My point stands.

What point? Jingoism is silly and dangerous. Name me one kid you know in the UK that files a Union Jack on his bike and name me a parent who cares about it? I know rather a lot of kids and parents in the UK and none of them would do either. It's simply a non issue in the UK.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Pooky 3,828]

What point? Jingoism is silly and dangerous. Name me one kid you know in the UK that files a Union Jack on his bike and name me a parent who cares about it? I know rather a lot of kids and parents in the UK and none of them would do either. It's simply a non issue in the UK.

Far more people in the UK respect the flag than you apparently care to recognise. You made a sweeping statement that "UK citizens simply do not place any undue importance on faux patriotism", which is an overarching generalisation and patently incorrect.

That is my point.

[Peikko 1,575]

Far more people in the UK respect the flag than you apparently care to recognise. You made a sweeping statement that "UK citizens simply do not place any undue importance on faux patriotism", which is an overarching generalisation and patently incorrect.

That is my point.

Getting your knickers in a twist about a boy with a US flag on his bike isn't jingoism? Alrighty then.

[Pooky 3,828]

Getting your knickers in a twist about a boy with a US flag on his bike isn't jingoism? Alrighty then.

And trying to insult me over your lack of respect is merely typical of you and your view of the world.

[Used to be broken 147]

And trying to insult me over your lack of respect is merely typical of you and your view of the world.

I think all one has to do to "get to the bottom of this " is take a look at the kid on the bike, and see that the "real issue" was not the flag flying per se, but that the flag made it easier for the bullies to find this poor kid and *e#t his ar$e. another nod to political correctness on the

schools part, they asked him not to fly his "freak flag" for his own personal safety.. but as usual its been taken out of context. Clearly his parents are CLUELESS as they are allowing him to single himself out for ridicule and harrassment by his classmates.

I read between the lines that the school was trying to protect a kid in an age group where children are vicious and deliberately cruel to anyone who is perceived to be "different'. This kid is having a one man fourth of July parade every day.. which is WEIRD and out of the norm which some of you find disturbingly patriotic.

Of course this is America and he is "free to fly the American Flag, the Mexican Flag or the flag of Satan on his bike.. but I strongly suspect if he was flying either of the latter two those who have supported his right to fly ANY flag in America.. would suddenly make a U turn and think of a million reasons he shouldn't.

This story is about a weird kid doing an odd thing and not some national patriot.