School Forces Boy To Take Flag Off Bike

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   Reality Bytesposted 14 years ago

   DENAIR, Calif. -- A Stanislaus County school is forcing a student to take an American flag off of his bike.
   
   Thirteen-year-old Cody Alicea put the flag there as a show of support for the veterans in his family.
   
   But officials at Denair Middle School told him he couldn't fly it. He said he was told some students had complained.
   
   So now the eighth-grader folds up the flag and puts it in his backpack while he is in class.
   
   http://www.ksbw.com/r/25763175/detail.html
   
   Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” B. Franklin

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      LillyGrillzitposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What in the heck? Isn't this the US of America where flying the flag is a show of patriotism?

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         Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I am baffled?

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      readytoescapeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      All these overboard politically correct Boobs need to be holstered.
      
      At least if they all wore bras on their heads, we would know in advance what type of idiocy is going to spill out.
      
      
      
      
      Though, like the other type, they can be fun at parties.

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      John Holdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Too late, much too late.

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         uncorrectedvisionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         At last, a thing upon which we agree.

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   William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

   So should the hispanic kids be able to fly their Mexican flags?  Or should all kids be held to the same standard?

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      Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Freedom means Freedom for all.  Anyone can fly whatever flag they want.
      
      Look at the Rebel flag!

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   William R. Wilsonposted 14 years ago

   From reading the article it looks like there have been some ethnic tensions in the school - maybe even fights.  Was the boy trying to cause trouble with his flag? Or simply trying to show his patriotism?  Or trying to cause trouble and calling that patriotism? 
   
   There's probably more to the story that we aren't seeing.  If I was an administrator, in charge of my students safety, and there had been fights between different groups of kids, and I saw a student do something that might lead to another fight, I would sure as heck do something to keep a fight from starting. 
   
   If I didn't, and some kid got hurt in a fight, I'd be responsible for his injury.

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      Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This flag was not within the school.  It was on the boy's bike that he rode to school. 
      
      Parental responsibility, if a child is fighting and disrupting normal school activities then a suspension would be in order.
      
      If the problems continues the offending student/s should be expelled.

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         William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Right, but if the student was expelled for fighting, would the headline read:  "Student Expelled for Flying American Flag"?
         
         You can't trust everything you read.

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            Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I watched the video on the article, the boy speaks his mind very well.
            
            He unquestioningly removed the flag, he seems like a well intentioned young man.

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               William R. Wilsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               And maybe I'm being unfair to him by saying he might have been trying to start a fight.  But still, we are second guessing the person who's job it is to keep the peace at a public school. Even if the boy was completely well intentioned, he might have been causing a problem.
               
               Don't trust the media - their job is to get you to click on a headline so that you will see their advertisements.  If you write on Hubpages you should know this.

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                  Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Makes sense to me so long as there actually is a problem and the rule is applied uniformly.

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                  Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  
                  
                  Then the problems the child was causing should have been addressed with the parents.
                  
                  I do not believe the school even has the legal right to stop such behavior.

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      lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The kid had the falg on his bike for 2 months! If there was an issue wouldn't they have said something right away?

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         Longhunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I heard an interview with the boy this morning. He said some of the other students complained. Maybe. Perhaps.
         
         It was probably some of the teachers as well. After all, it is California.

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      Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Isn't flying the American Flag in America an expected act of patriotism?
      
      Wouldn't flying the American Flag in America be considered to be covered under the First Amendment as Freedom of Speech?
      
      Isn't America the logical place to fly the American Flag?
      
      What does flying the American Flag in America have to do with Ethnic Tension? 
      
      Isn't it up to the school board to handle problems with Ethnic Tension, at the schools, while enforcing freedoms guaranteed by the American Constitution?  (because, after all, we are in America)

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         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         

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            Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   If anyone complains about an America Flag being flown, out in public,.....
   
   Maybe they should not in fact live in America?

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      habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, Cags, you are SO right! We have Mexican restaurants in town that fly or display the Mexican flag, and I don't have a problem with that. Our US society is getting ridiculous!

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Habee, "ridiculous" isn't even close enough of a word I would use to describe what is happening in this F**king Country.

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         lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It's not our society, it's the socialist liberal leftist democrats that hate America!

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            Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That's just more misinformation.

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               lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Well who are the ones that always call for this? It's not the right! It's always the left, the pc crowd, apologists for America! God forbid we should insult some illegal immigrant with our flag! Oh no! We can't do that!

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                  Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  It's too many people who don't believe in America and it's spreading across this country. It's NOT just the politicians. Got it!

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                     lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Did I say it was just politicians? It's liberals, all of em socialists America haters!

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                        Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Liberals? Nice label.
                        
                        Freedom is what matters, and those who choose to ignore it is the problem.

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                        Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        It's truly amusing that you label the people who work the hardest to advance what is best about American society as "America haters".
                        
                        I suppose only the sheep who bleat the right-wing pap are patriots in your mind?

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                           lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           I love how you promote the left as "advancing what is best for American society", as if somehow the left is endowed with some special intelligence, or intuitiveness that allows them to determine what's best for everyone (collectively as a group) and being so secure in that knowledge they can't imagine how any one individual might be harmed by their vision!

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                              Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              gzmflakdoomorphly?

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                                 lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                 That's they typical from the radical socialist liberal left democrats when confronted with common sense arguments for their arrogant and foolish policies.

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                                    Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                    As soon as you bring one to the table...

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                                    John Holdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                                    Can you prove that with just one common sense argument?

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                        rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        lady love, you have some major issues...
                        
                        
                        
                        as far as the boy with the flag, ridiculous. I'm sure there's an American flag in each classroom. I think the administration missed it here.

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                           uncorrectedvisionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           Not every classroom in America has a flag.  Since public schools are publicly funded they should be required to honor all the symbols of the Republic.

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                              qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              Uncorrected:
                              Give us an example, pls, of another symbol of the "republic." TY

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                              rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              they do in Florida, it's a law. there's a flag in every public classroom K-20.  even publicly funded, this is the US of A this is the country we live in. If I lived in France, I would expect to see a French flag. I don't see that too terribly hard to understand.

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                           lady_love158posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           I do! Nothing that can't be fixed by un-indoctrinating liberals of their socialist leanings! I'm doing my part to educate America, in order to 'keep the republic" that Ben Franklin alluded to in his famous quote.

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      Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Go Cags!  Go Cags!  Go Cags!

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   Now that is just weird.
   I checked out Denair to see if something would jump out as the reason for this insanity.
   Admittedly the census info is 10 years old, but the demographics all check out to being more than tolerant of flag flying (overwhelmingly white, represented by Republicans). It's quite possible, however, that in the ensuing 10 years the population has shifted to more Hispanic. However, if that is the cause of the tension, then I would have to say the school isn't handling this very well.
   I mean it's not like the kid is flying an Aryan Brotherhood flag, right???? And last I checked, this IS still America.(Yes, even California is still considered part of the United States!)
   
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denair,_California

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   habeeposted 14 years ago

   I have a shirt that displays the Scottish flag - my ancestors came from Scotland. Guess I wouldn't be allowed to wear the shirt!

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Just hope you don't have to go to a parent/teacher conference, you might not be allowed in wearing such a shirt.

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      Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Only if you're clan was going all William Wallace on the rest of the students.

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         habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         LOL! Actually, one of my Kilpatrick ancestors helped Wallace, so it could happen!

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   
   
   Too bad. This school really missed an opportunity to teach why we celebrate Veterans' Day. The spokesperson for the school sounds ridiculous.
   Anyone needing evidence that our schools are failing our children... read this article.

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It started with too much misinformation, political twists to stories(disregarding truth) and gullible people willing to not stand up for their rights.
      
      It's unfortunate, many people forget that their freedom stems from those who protect this country.

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   
   
   Here ya go, Habee!

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      habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      LOL!! It would take all three of those tops to cover the twins, along with at least two of the bottoms to cover my butt!

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Habee, you're a sweet and wonderful lady, however, TMI!

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            habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I luvs you, too, Ray!

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Wrong country Mighty Mom, those are Mexican flag bikini- Not Scottish.

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         Longhunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         FLAGS? WHAT FLAGS? OH, I SEE THEM NOW.

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      Longhunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      MOM, I SALUTE THEM...I MEAN YOU!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   I know those are Mexican flag-tinis. I was trying to combine the issue here in Denair with Habee saying they fly Mexican flags in Florida too (they do here).
   I didn't miss that she said she's Scottish.
   
   Phrase of the day: "Don't mess with me or I'll go all William Wallace on your ass!" Love it!

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    qwarkposted 14 years ago

    I was at the gym working out when i looked out the window and saw an employee of the gym dragging our flag across the dirty sidewalk. He was supposed to "fly" it. It was the birthday of the US Marines.
    I am a USAF vet. There were 2, young, US Army soldiers working out. We all saw it at the same time.
    I looked at the "kids" and said "uh uh, we have to stop that!
    The 3 of us went outside and told the fellow to treat that flag with the respect it deserves. Keep it off the ground! he looked at us like we were idiots, but picked the flag up and folded it into his arms.
    There is "trouble-in-river city."
    If you are an American, how can you disrespect the flag which represents all who have given their lives to insure it's purpose i.e. to "fly" over the land of their birth?
    That school kid should fly that flag anywhere he desires! In any school or classroom that is built on American soil!
    Any who don't like it should pack up and leave the USA!
    Qwark

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       habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Go, Qwark! Good for you!

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          qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          TY Habee!

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       Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Way to go, Qwark!!

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          qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          TY Raf.....:-)

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    Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years ago

    The flag is an important symbol of what we stand for (some fight and die for).  Citizens through their actions and advocacy protect it.
    
    Burning or otherwise desecrating the flag is a form of free speech.  The Constitution protects that.

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    Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

    This sort of thing just proves how unfathomably stupid huge chunks of America is getting (reminds me of the stuff I wrote about in my America Needs an Enema hub).  The schools are the worst. The crap that goes on in our school is so unfathomably backwards and common-sense defying it is hard to wrap one's head around it. This is the mindset of a broken, weak, trembling nation of cowards and appeasers.  I freaking HATE that watching the country erode like this.  It's like nobody is thinking at all anymore.  We focus on EVERY wrong thing and ignore what is ACTUALLY important over and over.

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    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    I don't see a single person disagreeing here, really.
    
    I did like the story of Qwark and his serviceman workout buddies teaching respect for our flag. Way to go.
    I guess if we're not even flying the American flag in public school classrooms anymore we can't reasonably expect our young people to know how to treat it, can we???

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       habeeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       The flag is flown in every classroom in GA - at least in all the rooms I've seen. We say the pledge every morning, too. Kids don't have to join in if they don't want to, however. Over my years of teaching, I had only a handful of kids who didn't participate. Of these, probably 90% of them were American whites and blacks - not the Asian, Muslim, or Hispanic students I taught.

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       qwarkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       TY Mom~  :-)

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    CYBERSUPEposted 14 years ago

    What ever happened to "RESPECT" here in America? Not only for our American Flag but for all else as well.

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       John Holdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       What, like respect for the Vets who were prepared to die for their country but were cast aside, unwanted, after they'd made that sacrifice?

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          Evan G Rogersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          nothing like demanding that everyone respect you for invading a foreign country for some wussy president's greed.

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             John Holdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Take me out of context, I don't care!
             
             I was just wondering how a country could show more respect for a coloured square of cloth than it does for citizens who, by their lights, served their country well.
             
             Nothing to do with the morality, or lack, of invading other countries.

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             uncorrectedvisionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             There really is nothing like an opinion planted in the soil of liberty and watered with the blood of patriots to grow flowers that stink like death.  What a rarefied air you must breath to put out such a pungent fragrance.

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                Paragliderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Purple prose, if I ever saw it...

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          Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          But we can't be wasting our precious tax dollars on better care for these people!
          
          Some of them might be malingerers.  Better to give as little as possible than run the danger of someone getting something undeservedly.  We do the same with all our social programs and that is what makes us the greatest country on earth.  Sort of. Unless you actually measure stuff, but as long as there are flags to wave, none of that matters.

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             John Holdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks, yes I do see your point, it could involve fewer tax cuts for the wealthy and then where would you all be?
             I mean, isn't it disgusting when you see some work shy malingerer
             who prefers to sleep on the pavement using your national flag as a cover when there are plenty of penthouse apartments they could buy if they could just be bothered.

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    Paragliderposted 14 years ago

    We laughed, — knowing that better men would come,
    And greater wars: when each proud fighter brags
    He wars on Death, for lives; not men, for flags.
    
    (Wilfred Owen)

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       Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I like it as well.

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          Paragliderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          That's good   And Owen's point, of course, is that flags, Kings' standards, etc have been used throughout the ages as substitutes for true justification for carnage.

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    Evan G Rogersposted 14 years ago

    Ugh.. .I'll probably get banned again for typing this:
    
    There haven't been many veterans worth saluting for QUITE some time - the only justifiable war that the US have embarked upon was the Revolutionary war...
    
    either way, the fact that SCHOOL officials are having a student take down an image of their flag shows you the utter lunacy of Government-Mandated schooling. Only the government could make such an idiotic request of a student. I'm sure that some time in the same week a teacher at that school had told a student that freedom of speech is important

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       TamCorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       No, you probably won't get banned, but you should, since you pretty much attacked every person in this country with those stupid, cruel, and incredibly moronic remarks.
       
       What an idiot--I used to think you had some valid points in your arguments...not anymore..

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       Reality Bytesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       Was there not enough disagreement and argument in the thread?
       
       Seriously??????????

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    Reality Bytesposted 14 years ago

    Old Glory
    Jon Townsend, Former Green Beret Captain
    
    I have seen "Old Glory" unfurled and waved,
    Moths flying everywhere.
    It has been put away too long
    Well , since last there was a scare.
    
    I have heard "God Bless America"
    Being sung strong and loud,
    Why must there be a tragedy
    To make us finally proud?
    
    I have heard the people sing
    "The Star Spangled Banner"
    Who never sung before
    With hands placed over hearts ,
    They let their voices soar
    
    As tears run down our cheeks
    And shivers up our spine,
    We honor how freedoms were won
    And paid for, time after time
    
    We've sent our young soldiers into harm's way,
    When freedoms were in doubt,
    To battle evil in the world
    And to help the victims out.
    
    Korea, Vietnam and Iraq,
    World Wars 1 and 2,
    American blood was shed to combat evil,.
    That's what Americans do.
    
    Now we were the targets of terrorists,
    And, as time will surely tell,
    Whether you are for or against us, know this!
    America will prevail!
    
    When terrorism is defeated
    And wrongs are ultimately righted,
    I pray that moths don't again get Old Glory,
    And again the soldier slighted.
    
    "Old Glory" is my flag
    And I am filled with pride,
    I choke up when I see her wave cause I know
    She waves o'er heroes who died.
    
    God bless America.

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       Paragliderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'll stick with Wilfred Owen

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    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    I'm glad that I was able to raise my sons to know their grandfather who served in WW11.  what an ignorant, idiotic, insensitive remark to make in a public forum. you must be starved for attention. I wonder if you would make such a statement if you were standing in a room with all of us.

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       TamCorposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       I wonder that, too...
       
       I lost my grandfather from exposure to mustard gas in WWI...my father-in-law carried shrapnel in his back from WWII until the day he died...the list could go on and on...
       
       So Evan--Tell me to my face--not on a damn computer screen- that the men or women who have served our country didn't deserve to be saluted...and respected until their dying day.
       
       Tell anyone...I dare you.

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