Mexican flag flying above an american flag.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This veteran in the story scares me. I hope those who are figting in other countries right now are not as likely to go off half-cocked over some small trivial matter and harm innocent people in the process.

Frankly, as a veteran myself people like you scare me...........

The event the gentleman engaged in is against the law, yes, but is no more serious than any other civil act of disobediance rooted in nothing more than the intutive knowledge that we are being overrun by illegals that are sapping us of our taxes, in social costs, bringing crime to our country, and thumbing their noses at us.

This is the impetus of his acting out on his emotions. He's sick of it, and frankly, so am I.

I now support (as I'm told statistically) in my school district 3 out of 10 students that are illegals belonging to those very people that are defended as "hard workers" that burden nobody and take jobs that no american wants.

Well, this is the root of the anger; they do burden us with large families that require an inordinate amount of social services that all americans pay for in the form of taxes......

We are losing this country to a liberal point of view that refuses to acknowledge the social cost of having these people here and would give it away.

Press 1 for english, 2 for spanish? Why should there be a choice?

None of which will fly in court.

[trailmix 77]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

You are absolutely correct Alhamdulillah - however kaydee is mearly acknowledging the elephant in the room.

The frustration that some people feel about having so many illegal aliens in their country - well they have just decided to take it out on individuals who represent the country/nationality their frustration is directed at.

It's just wrong - but there you have it.

[Alhamdulillah 0]

You are absolutely correct Alhamdulillah - however kaydee is mearly acknowledging the elephant in the room.

The frustration that some people feel about having so many illegal aliens in their country - well they have just decided to take it out on individuals who represent the country/nationality their frustration is directed at.

It's just wrong - but there you have it.

Yes it is.

[Jenn! 918]

You are absolutely correct Alhamdulillah - however kaydee is mearly acknowledging the elephant in the room.

The frustration that some people feel about having so many illegal aliens in their country - well they have just decided to take it out on individuals who represent the country/nationality their frustration is directed at.

It's just wrong - but there you have it.

Yes it is.

And I bet the response to that would be something about the legal immigrants having their illegal countrymen to thank for any discrimination that they may suffer.

Edited October 19, 2007 by Jenn!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

Indeed - all that's really being said is that if you're angry about illegal immigration that you somehow have a right to vandalise the property of a presumably law abiding citizen simply because you don't like the imagery they display on their property.

Again its difficult to see how that argument would stand up in court, or indeed justify the constant complaints by these people that the "US is a country of laws". When you're breaking those laws yourself and acting in a manner completely opposed to the spirit of the constitution... well... the phrase "Unamerican" is often heard. Ironically from many of the same people

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

You are absolutely correct Alhamdulillah - however kaydee is mearly acknowledging the elephant in the room.

The frustration that some people feel about having so many illegal aliens in their country - well they have just decided to take it out on individuals who represent the country/nationality their frustration is directed at.

It's just wrong - but there you have it.

Rather like the treatment of Japanese Americans in WW2...

[Heracles 417]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

12,000,000 illegal immigrants is larger than the population of many nations

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

12,000,000 illegal immigrants is larger than the population of many nations

Which again appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with the shop owner.

[trailmix 77]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

12,000,000 illegal immigrants is larger than the population of many nations

You know what I find amazing. How did 12 million people enter your country and you didn't notice?

Or you did but it was convenient for a while to have them all there - but it's not anymore as they might like some rights.

The Gov. of the U.S. could have stopped illegal immigration across the border years ago - they chose not to.

Which again appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with the shop owner.

Edited October 19, 2007 by trailmix

[Heracles 417]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

You are absolutely correct Alhamdulillah - however kaydee is mearly acknowledging the elephant in the room.

The frustration that some people feel about having so many illegal aliens in their country - well they have just decided to take it out on individuals who represent the country/nationality their frustration is directed at.

It's just wrong - but there you have it.

Rather like the treatment of Japanese Americans in WW2...

Funny how the victim in the Jena 6 case was not regarded in the same way, by some cough cough, when it came to being a victim..

The store owner knew exactly what he was doing.

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

12,000,000 illegal immigrants is larger than the population of many nations

Which again appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with the shop owner.

He took the flag down and did not touch the store owner....

[Alhamdulillah 0]

we are being overrun by illegals

Where was it mentioned that this shop owner is an illegal alien? If it hasn't been presented or proven then your opinion is baseless and irrelevant to this discussion.

12,000,000 illegal immigrants is larger than the population of many nations

True. Now, where is the proof or allegation that this shop owner is one of those 12,000,000?

He took the flag down and did not touch the store owner....

He vandalized and stole the store owner's property.

[Heracles 417]

You know what I find amazing. How did 12 million people enter your country and you didn't notice?

Or you did but it was convenient for a while to have them all there - but it's not anymore as they might like some rights.

The Gov. of the U.S. could have stopped illegal immigration across the border years ago - they chose not to.

That is not possible with partisan politics. They received amnesty back in the 80's which clearly failed as it simply opened the flood gates.

On top of that you have states and counties doing as they please as congress drags their feet on the issue. On one hand you have counties, which just passed laws, restricting public services being used by illegal immigrants and on the other you have other various states which are giving them licenses and access to all public services.

[Alhamdulillah 0]

I'm curious....

1. If any of the Americans here, who are raking this Mexican store owner over the coals for displaying his nations flag on the same rope as our own, would forgo patriotism towards the US simply because they visit or reside in another country for a legnth of time?

2. For those who are bothered by the "press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish" option, does it also bother you when you visit countries like China or Japan that they have signs in English for your convenience?

[applesac 0]

If you move to another country it is for you to LEARN that language and their laws. And if you want your home countrys flag to be on the top stay in your own country. I have nothing aginst any country and if any one wants to come to America fine but do it to be an american otherwise stay out. Illegal or not!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Looks like some Southern folk need to learn a little flag etiquette too...

maybe someone should learn their state flags.......and why this one in particular can be flown like that

The point is that if the outrage is REALLY about flag etiquette or lack of...then I'm certain there are and have been plenty of instances where proper flag etiquette wasn't being followed and nobody stormed up the flag pole and took down the American flag.

The real issue underneath the chest thumping is what I take offense to. I wish people who believe in their hearts and minds they are being good Americans would behave like good Americans by upholding the principles of what makes this country what it is. You can't claim to be patriotic if you're deliberately disregarding the U.S. Constitution.

This is an extreme example - but didn't those guys who in the Michigan Militia who destroyed the FBI building claim to be patriotic citizens?

Yep. Which spurred the speech Pres. Clinton made (the one that Gary posted).