Hey, who’s up for another story about high school students fighting over flags?
posted at 7:02 pm on May 7, 2010 by Allahpundit
I can’t find any more details online than what’s here, but since people are e-mailing about it, let’s do it. Your turn, Napa Valley.
Vintage High School students were suspended for fighting and burning a Mexican national flag during incidents on campus Wednesday, school Principal Craig Lewis said.
At 3 p.m., four female students were involved in a fight related to the burning of a flag, according to Napa police.
Thursday, school administrators found out the burned flag had been discarded on the school campus. They checked trash cans and found a partially burned Mexican national flag, police said.
If anyone knows more about this, send me the link. The only one of the three outrageously outrageous kids-and-flags stories in the news that really bugs me is this one, just because in its own small way it replicates the logic of the Comedy Central/Mohammed fiasco. I had a long argument with a friend about that via e-mail today. She insisted that, yes, in an ideal world, it’d be harmless to wear an American flag shirt to school on Cinco de Mayo in the U.S., but we don’t live in a perfect world, do we? Reality is what it is and the kids should have known it; as it is, they’re guilty of a provocation. Which I’m happy to accept as true. Let’s take it as given that they wore the shirts in protest of Cinco de Mayo, as a statement of support for cultural assimilation, and that they did it knowing it would piss off some Mexican-American kids. So what? If “reality is what it is” then Comedy Central’s right to keep Mohammed off the air. Ain’t nothing more “real” than an angry jihadist, as Theo Van Gogh would tell you if he could.
But once you make that move, rewarding illiberal reactions to free expression by silencing it, you’re in Appeasementland. The difficulty here, I think, is in recognizing that not all provocations are necessarily wrong. Wrongness depends on what principle the provocation was meant to defend. Van Gogh and Ayaan Hirsi Ali were surely guilty of provocation when they created “Submission,” but it was in service to a liberal value — i.e. defending women from abuses under Islam. So too with the kids in American-flag tees: They’re making a point about integration and the melting pot, a classic liberal value (if not, perhaps, a “progressive” one). If that bothers you as an American — or, in the parlance of constitutional law, if you’re an American student who finds that “disruptive” — then you’re the one with the problem. Adjust your attitude accordingly.
Incidentally, via Breitbart, here’s audio of Laura Ingraham discussing the day’s other outrageous outrage with the mother of that kid who took down the Mexican flag. Apparently the school thinks he owes some sort of damages or something. Oh, and here’s yet another national poll showing support in excess of 60 percent for Arizona’s new law. What can I say, amnesty shills? Realty is what it is.
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Alternate caption: It’s come to this.
RedRedRice on May 7, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Now were talking…!
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM
And even more importantly, if the US flag was flying atop a flagpole at the same school, why wasn’t that taken down? Why wasn’t that pissing off some Mexican-American kids?
MadisonConservative on May 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Eh, not me.
myrenovations on May 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Hey, its a free country. They can burn whomever’s flag they wish. Let’s not act as if they were just being patriotic Americans, though. They obviously have lots of ill will towards those of Mexican descent. They should try and get over that ill will, for everyone’s benefit, but as I appreciate provocation as much as the next guy, I can’t say I’d be demanding any action be taken one way or the other.
ernesto on May 7, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Ok let’s wait for details.
If the kids just went to go burn a Mexican flag to piss people off, that’s inflammatory and stupid.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Its inflammatory and stupid regardless. Doesn’t mean anyone needs to take action, though.
ernesto on May 7, 2010 at 7:12 PM
also true
a needless thing all around
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:12 PM
I don’t advocate burning the American flag or any other flag. This does not help.
HornetSting on May 7, 2010 at 7:17 PM
4 easy words.
THIS IS NOT MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!!!
capejasmine on May 7, 2010 at 7:17 PM
It’s not Ireland, either. Expressing anger at the fact that illegal Irish pour into the NY metro area by burning their flag isn’t exactly a reasonable thing to do, though.
ernesto on May 7, 2010 at 7:19 PM
It’d be fun to know what Mexico’s high school students think of burning the American flag. *rolls eyes*
Ryan Anthony on May 7, 2010 at 7:19 PM
Ill will? What the heck is that?
If you talked like this at a tea party, they’d surround you with those ‘infiltrator – not one of us’ signs.
And in the end of your mini-speech, you show your total lack of substance. You’re a puddle of melted goo, useless to either left or right.
But not a concern troll, or so we’ve been told.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:20 PM
f*ckin irish and their damn po-tay-toez!
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:20 PM
Hey, who’s up for another sarky AP post?
RobCon on May 7, 2010 at 7:23 PM
LET’S GET THIS WAR STARTED!
THE MSM WILL HELP!!
Cybergeezer on May 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Liberals confuse the right to free speech with the right not to be offended.
angryed on May 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Lol
Ernie’s troll to the max .
The reality this is the USA. Don’t like it leave and don’t expect us to avoid patriotism. We thought you wanted to be here right? The lunacy is incredible. Not surprisingly Ernie plays along. Idiot.
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Couldn’t it also be argued that the Mexican nationalism (as opposed to hispanic pride) on display on 5 May is also a provocation? The students that decided to wear there US Flag shirts were reacting to something.
Why do we feel it’s alright to provoke them and expect them to deal with it, but, we feel that if the hispanic kids are being provoked you have to sqash it as quickly as you can?
Is it possible that certain people think that hispanic kids are less able to deal with provocation in a mature manner than the non-hispanic kids? Would that be the same as thinking there’s some inherent superiority in one race as opposed to another? I’m not a genius, but, I’m pretty sure that’s the text book definition of racism.
JadeNYU on May 7, 2010 at 7:25 PM
One problem – there’s only one national flag in America. The rest are just colorful pieces of cloth. That includes the Confederate battle flag.
One country, one constitution, one flag. If they want their colorful pieces of cloth to have value, they should take them to the lands where they belong. Then they become flags.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:25 PM
It is not really about being offended or not offended. It is about squelching speech.
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Certainly you aren’t advocating burning the flags of other countries, just because.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Obviously they must be racists.
Or maybe one of their dads is an unemployed construction worker whose job is being done by an illegal making $8 an hour? Nah. That never happens. Must be the racism.
angryed on May 7, 2010 at 7:26 PM
These kids could write an article in the school paper about the vices of illegal immigration vs. the virtues of a secure border, instead of burning a flag for the sake of burning it.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:27 PM
*wear their US Flag shirts not ‘there’
*sigh*
JadeNYU on May 7, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Just make Mexico the 58th State, and get it over with.
RBMN on May 7, 2010 at 7:27 PM
Funny how liberal sensitivities always work toward elimination of American culture and American traditions. This is waking more people up. We can’t let this multi-culti cr*p continue.
Feedie on May 7, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Uh oh – you’re spoiling the meme. And you’re from NYC, no less.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:29 PM
When that happens, let us know.
MadisonConservative on May 7, 2010 at 7:29 PM
Are you all knowing? If not, then the above is a big leap of faith on your part.
chemman on May 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
So you think that it is ok to have a flag of another country displayed above a U.S. flag in the U.S.? How about the young’uns who wore the U.S. flag t-shirts.
Johan Klaus on May 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
If any other flag than the USA’s flag is hung they should be required to hang other flags with it …much like Christmas symbols having to be displayed with the Christmas tree and the menorah.
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
re: fox news poll…
Even Fox is into the BS wording of this issue.
They ask the question as a choice of a) do you support the AZ law or b) do you want the federal govt to take the lead in fighting illegal immigration.
If I were asked that question just on its own I’d pick b) since I think it’s better for the feds to police the border than the states. But it is a skewed question because the feds are doing NOTHING.
Next up it will be do you support AZ or do you support Santa Claus. And when 60% say Santa, the MSM will be headline news with AMERICANS SEE AZ AS RACISTS headlines.
angryed on May 7, 2010 at 7:30 PM
When our national flag is reduced to just another gang symbol, then we have a problem.
It’s another symptom of the ‘European Disease’ where my gang can whip your gang, my clan can whip your clan, my king is better than your king.
Many of our ancestors came to the New World to escape that mentality.
Skandia Recluse on May 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
Ernie thinks they had ill will. What an idiot.
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
That’s the whole point, isn’t it…
Instead of Americans of Hispanic decent trying to become better citizens of the United States, over the past forty years groups like ‘La Raza’ set up chapters of ‘MEChA’ on every school campus in the United States to teach Chicano Studies and Aztlan:
Now we have generations of American Citizens who have been taught to hate this country, have a loyalty to Mother Mexico based on race and a leftist political ideology, and they shove it in our face at every chance they get…
… I think the kids are reflecting what no one else has the courage to say, lest be labeled a “racist”.
We have had enough…
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
I agree completely except, the supreme court has ruled many times that it is a constitutionally protected stupid action.
Unless the Mexican flag has more rights here than the US flag does.
Reverse the perpetrators and the flag, and what outrage would there be?
cozmo on May 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
We need to burn Mexico, not their flag; They’re coming here like their country is on fire anyway.
Cybergeezer on May 7, 2010 at 7:31 PM
I see you’ve started your Friday night festivities early…please tell me you’re 1/2 wasted and didn’t just write that drivel sober.
angryed on May 7, 2010 at 7:32 PM
Prove it. What’s obvious is ill will towards Mexico and/or Mexicans, like…say…the Mexicans who illegally have invaded this country by the millions, as opposed to the immigrants who become citizens of our country.
Americans and Mexicans are two different things. You’re a citizen of one or the other.
MadisonConservative on May 7, 2010 at 7:32 PM
I don’t think the Mexican flag has more rights.
The pressing question is “why?”
Here’s your answer:
Simply to provoke. To offend. To irritate. To agitate. To me, that’s stupid and wrong.
We get mad when the hairy French burn American flags.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:33 PM
Seems that way.
They disrespect their own country by leaving and Americans are damned for wearing a flag shirt. Wow.
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:34 PM
A heads-up for you, blue. The Carl T link on your site trips my AVG as an exploit site if I try to click past the opening page.
Feedie on May 7, 2010 at 7:34 PM
They’ll need to translate it to espanol first and write it in invisible ink to get it past the government minders…err school administration.
Fletch54 on May 7, 2010 at 7:34 PM
And just where did they get the notion that burning flags was acceptable protest behavior? The leftard media with their fawning coverage and endless apologia for faux oppression of third world hellholes?
Not excusing them but refusing to hold them accountable for what is presented to them as approved behavior for use when one’s feelings are bruised.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Nope. Haven’t gone out yet, buddy.
And yes, I’m sober.
That’s great you feel that way. Maybe you can hold an Annual Mexican Flag Burning Party for your entire block this weekend.
And why? WHY NOT?! RIGHT?
Give me a break.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
I can see you’re just getting started; Proceed with your ‘American Spirit’!
Cybergeezer on May 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Thanks, dude/ette!
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:35 PM
What are they teaching kids in school these days? Everyone knows if you are going to burn a flag it better be the American flag. Like, Duh.
JohnInCA on May 7, 2010 at 7:36 PM
From Rick Warren’s twitter a few minutes ago: There’s no chance the US will ever be a theocracy.It’s more likely secular political correctness will outlaw free speech.
redeye on May 7, 2010 at 7:36 PM
They’re seeking damages because the kid ripped down & took property that didn’t belong to him (the flag in question belonged to another student who had put it up with permission of school authorities for Cinco de Mayo) and took it upon himelf to “dispose of it” without anybody’s permission, let alone the flag’s owner!
How can conservatives defend that? I don’t care what ‘statement’ you’re trying to make, if you have to steal something to do it, you’re not helping your cause.
Sheesh. This makes all people who have perfectly legitimate reasons to be concerned about illegal immigration look just awful.
leilani on May 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
who is this we?
I think you are projecting.
If someone was burning OUR flag here in the U.S. and no one stopped the stupid reject, who are the worst people? The ones who are burning the flag or the ones not stopping it burning.
And since this is the U.S. why do I have to apologize for wearing something with the U.S. flag on it? And since the 5th of may is not an American holiday…. it has NO purpose in schools and is mainly a drinking holiday for 20 somethings.
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Really? you know this how?
What about the hanging of the flag??? Was that not done to provoke??
CWforFreedom on May 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
…
“My grandma and your grandma were sittin’ by the fire…”
Rude on May 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
I simply don’t see a purpose for burning a Mexican flag. It is intended to offend. It is intended to irritate and to provoke.
One can be against illegal immigration and the burden it bears on our nation without supporting stupid acts like this.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Upinak, you’re very good at putting words at my mouth. Have you reached a fourth grade reading level, yet?
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM
That’s not “obvious” at all, and if it were you could “prove” it, but you can’t no matter how nuanced your convolutions get.
FloatingRock on May 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM
Agreed. BUT, this gives the MSM, Liberals, and other trash the right to make their somewhat dimwitted point.
Now, I DO believe flying the Mexican flag in that school MEANT something…..to the Mexicans, it meant the same as if someone put that flag on a conquered land. They believe that it is THEIR land, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California…..they will try to reclaim it by subverting our borders and multiplying like rabbits.
HornetSting on May 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM
I wouldn’t doubt it one bit!
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:38 PM
Yep, the only safe flag to burn, maybe the Methodist flag is okay.
Just like we cannot draw Mohammed, we cannot burn the flags of other countries.
cozmo on May 7, 2010 at 7:39 PM
spoken like a true 20 something with nothing to lose. Thanks for playing Blant….
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:39 PM
In fact, I’ll spell it out for your dumb a$$.
I support the kids who wore the flag shirts to school.
I don’t support just burning a Mexican flag to piss people off.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Fine, don’t burn flags.
But you sound like a kumbaya singing d-bag when you suggest that they should write an essay. Hey maybe they can sing a song too. Come on.
angryed on May 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM
No “n” in that part of the word.
Guess I’m right.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM
In fact, I’ll spell it out for your dumb a$$.I support the kids who wore the flag shirts to school.
I don’t support just burning a Mexican flag to piss people off.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM
my point is over your head. You don’t get it…
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Yes, because writing a well thought out, solid, bullet proof piece supporting conservative ideals on illegal immigration over stupid exercises in Mexican flag burning is kumbaya-ish.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Yeah, they’re coming in droves, illegally….right? Let’s put the shoe on the other foot shall we? What would happen if any one of us went to Mexico, and waved our flag, and demanded entitlements from the tax payers there, and demaned rights etc? What would happen? No need to answer. We all know what would happen.
This is NOT Mexico, Ireland, Russia, or any other nation. This is the United States. If you want to fly your countries flag, go back to ones country of origin, or to an embassy.
I’m tired of this pandering. I am not anti immigration. I’m anti illegal immigration, and I think assimilation is important. All of us who came from immigrant ancestry did so. It’s time to stop this nonsense.
capejasmine on May 7, 2010 at 7:41 PM
Trouble with the buttons, too!
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Thanks…
…. I will!
Seven Percent Solution on May 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
blant.. I like to call you that. Because 1. you are too damn proud of your name. 2. you are so arrogant (or stupid) you don’t realize I am doing it to annoy you and 3. I like calling you a blant. Because you don’t seem to stand for anything.
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Anyone remember this?
Doubt the intent of “reconquista” at your own risk.
MadisonConservative on May 7, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Then you really don’t read, lady, because I’ve made what I stand for abundantly clear on this website over and over again.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:43 PM
LOL you aren’t worth paying attention too. Point lost again and again and again
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Ernesto isn’t a concern troll…he just views every thing through the only world he’s ever known..NYC.
There’s THE CITY…and there’s the rest of us proles.
BigWyo on May 7, 2010 at 7:45 PM
Keep talking.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:45 PM
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.
wowrob on May 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
The proper action, the only one, is to tell ALL of the students, supposed provocateurs or supposed victims, to shut up and go to class.
The principal didn’t have the intelligence to see that or the courage to do it.
This is wrong on every level.
poteen on May 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
You’re exactly correct. We are at war. BTW, did you see that speech/article by the AZ senator about SB 1070? She said they had testimony from a border rancher who found two Korans in the desert on his property.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:46 PM
You are seriously a ‘diluted’ American; But I can’t figure out diluted by what? Canadian?
Are you ashamed of your feelings of American patriotism?
Where did you learn this?
Cybergeezer on May 7, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Tea Party Patriots of Silicon Valley
invites you to a rally
Saturday in Morgan Hill
to Support the Patriotic Teens
Tea Party Patriots of Silicon Valley wants to let you know about a rally
this Saturday
May 8, 2010
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
3rd Street and Monterey Highway
downtown Morgan Hill
supporting the patriotic local teens
at Live Oak High School
xplodeit on May 7, 2010 at 7:48 PM
What’s “get in their faces” in Mexican?
Barnestormer on May 7, 2010 at 7:48 PM
I’m diluted because I don’t think burning a Mexican flag serves any purpose other than to offend?
I didn’t know patriotism meant supporting burning foreign flags. I must have missed the memo.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:49 PM
What nobody seems to have the cojones to ask is why can’t American students wear the American flag on Cinco De Mayo day.
Speakup on May 7, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Somehow I’m not a patriot because I look down upon arbitrary burning of foreign flags?
LOL — where did you develop such backwards thinking processes?
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
He is a kid fresh out of college. Need I say more?
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Si, se puede?
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
The same reason why no one can answer me why we are celebrating other nation’s holidays.
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM
Your typical fallback position. Age.
–
Anyway, Geezer, since when does patriotism require the cheering on of such a pointless exercise? I know you like to think within your little mental box, but you can be both an energetic patriot and find such a pointless exercise to be just that: pointless.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Great write up! I really enjoyed your writing on this one.
Stephanie on May 7, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Please do not stop. There’s something to be said for repetition as a learning tool.
platypus on May 7, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Isn’t even their holiday. It’s a dumb made-up holiday to sell alcohol.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:53 PM
we were all your age one time. Would I go back to it.. depends on if I could start over and know what I know now.
That is the problem B. You may see it when you get to where we are in life.
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:53 PM
It iactually is a holiday.. but you are correct that Corona made it more a drinking game. But tell me B, why celebrate it in our schools?
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:54 PM
I’ll be just fine, thanks.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:54 PM
So liberals can feel better about how multicultural they are?
I think that’s an accurate reason.
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
See what I mean….burning the Mexican flag has all the trolls and trash in a snit….it just adds to their continuing list of hatred for all things American.
HornetSting on May 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Never said you wouldn’t be.
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:55 PM
Well, wouldn’t it be interesting if all teachers would just stop with the BS fake holiday to begin with?
upinak on May 7, 2010 at 7:56 PM
You know how some teachers are..
blatantblue on May 7, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Provocation? Are Mexicans some kind of Catholic Muslims? What are you doing hanging up some other nations flag and banning yours on their special day? When they say they honor their Mexican flag, they don’t sound like particularly good future citizens.
When is Canada Day celebrated? I want my balls licked six ways from Sunday and dancing girls in Canada flag bikinis. I’ll be hurt and could possibly radicalize otherwise.
BL@KBIRD on May 7, 2010 at 7:57 PM
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