Video: Principal apologizes for disciplining students who wore American-flag clothing on Cinco de Mayo

posted at 12:20 pm on May 9, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

Closing the loop on one of the hottest controversies of the week, the principal of Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California does the right thing in this video from Friday evening. Just to recap, the school suspended several students for wearing clothing with American-flag themes on Cinco de Mayo, calling the display “incendiary” and warning that it could have led to violence. One aspect of this explanation is the rather unnoted bigotry in the assumption that those students celebrating Cinco de Mayo would have such a hair-trigger inclination to violence that the mere appearance of an American flag would set them off. Jimmy Orr reports on the backtrack for the LA Times:

Live Oak High School Principal Nick Boden accepted the blame while apologizing Friday, saying, “In this situation, I may have moved too quickly in drawing the line of when to take preventative action.”

Officials had cited concerns that fights between students could erupt because of the “incendiary” images of the U.S. flag on the holiday.

“This was never about whether students were allowed to wear patriotic clothing on our campuses. They can. It was about ensuring that our high school campus was orderly and safe,” Wesley Smith, superintendent for Morgan Hill Unified School District, said Friday at a press conference.

The apology doesn’t satisfy some. They want Rodriguez fired. In fact, they’ve set up a Facebook page to solicit support.

Writes the creator of the page: “This blatant disrespect toward our country and anti-American infringement on a student’s right to learn should not be tolerated. Take action. Sign the petition, send emails to the school and tell your friends.”

Even in the apology, the superintendent manages to perpetuate the idea that someone would have a reasonable expectation that an American flag display would generate violence, which sells these students short. Some students demonstrated against the school administration’s backtracking on suspending the dissenters, and from all accounts, that demonstration was orderly, law-abiding, and responsible. The superintendent and the principal really should be apologizing to them as much as to the students originally disciplined for their expressions of patriotism.

The superintendent also manages to blame “bloggers, talk show hosts, and social networks” for painting a poor picture of Live Oak High’s administration, which makes this a rather pathetic apology. Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

Addendum: We’ve gotten a lot of e-mail about a YouTube video of a UCLA professor calling for an uprising to return the American Southwest to Mexico, but as Verum Serum discovered, that’s old news. It’s from 2007.

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Comment pages: 1 2

There is no apology or forgiveness for stupidity.

HondaV65 on May 9, 2010 at 12:24 PM

Lame all around.

Fletch54 on May 9, 2010 at 12:25 PM

Those pesky bloggers doing the job the elite national media won’t do…

d1carter on May 9, 2010 at 12:25 PM

The daily browbeating by the PC Main Stream Media, and the “Race Industry’ CEO’s, is beginning to have it’s effect on common sense.
And Islam is hanging on its coat tails.

Cybergeezer on May 9, 2010 at 12:27 PM

An apology really is not enough. I think some people need to lose their jobs when they do stupid stuff like this.

Terrye on May 9, 2010 at 12:29 PM

Nothing more than a pathetic attempt at damage control.

Disturb the Universe on May 9, 2010 at 12:30 PM

Now does he want to apologize as well for making the Spanish students at the high school now feel entitled and humoring their stupidity with their marches and ‘demands for tolerance’

Defector01 on May 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Ed,
He also isn’t a UCLA prof.
Just a HS teacher.
Well, not just.

Open The Door on May 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

Oh, the latter, of course.

ddrintn on May 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Oh… he apologized.

So uh… what happened in the 60′s to school principles who denied rights to black people after they apologized? Were they allowed to remain employed? I think not…

Likewise…

Addendum: We’ve gotten a lot of e-mail about a YouTube video of a UCLA professor calling for an uprising to return the American Southwest to Mexico, but as Verum Serum discovered, that’s old news. It’s from 2007.

So is the racist guy still employed at UCLA? Did he even bother to apologize? Why am I paying for him?

Skywise on May 9, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Forced attrition, nothing more.

Bee on May 9, 2010 at 12:34 PM

I got the impression that “The Good Doctah” was doing an audition tape for a Hollywood project to be an LSM point of contact.
.
So, no recognition of alternative POV, no admission of overreaction, no contemplation of inherent bias? What are those property taxes for, anyway?

ExpressoBold on May 9, 2010 at 12:37 PM

Gads, this is just another weak ‘if you were offended, I apologize’ statements. No doubt these school officials are liberals.

docdave on May 9, 2010 at 12:37 PM

If my son had been one of those patriotic boys, I would sue. Period.

ladyingray on May 9, 2010 at 12:38 PM

We’ve gotten a lot of e-mail about a YouTube video of a UCLA professor calling for an uprising to return the American Southwest to Mexico, but as Verum Serum discovered, that’s old news. It’s from 2007.

Aww, man. So giving back at least California is off the table then?

dissent555 on May 9, 2010 at 12:39 PM

No doubt these school officials are liberals.

docdave on May 9, 2010 at 12:37 PM

I would be interested in how many someone could find that are not a liberal.

Yoop on May 9, 2010 at 12:41 PM

The publication is so harsh about the California that it calls the state “the Venezuela of North America.” (Click on chart for a larger view):

I wonder if this has any correlation to the California Public School system? This principal thinks his job as an educator is to promote “Purple” day. Can he point to where this is in his job description?

The Vice Principal, thought he was inside his pervue choosing one group of students over another- based on clothing? Because it was the 5th of May? How so?
Is there a “United States” National Holiday for Cinco De Mayo? I don’t think so.

Those kids who wore their country’s colors, were being discriminated against, they were being punished for being Legal U.S.A. citizens, this has nothing to do with ethnicity. The Vice Principal - should be sued, and the school system along with him. Where is the ACLU? This is Vice Principal trampled these student’s 1st Amendment Rights.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 12:44 PM

Apology not accepted, firings need to occur.

The apology doesn’t satisfy some. They want Rodriguez fired. In fact, they’ve set up a Facebook page to solicit support.

Link?

Sugarbuzz on May 9, 2010 at 12:44 PM

Even in the apology, the superintendent manages to perpetuate the idea that someone would have a reasonable expectation that an American flag display would generate violence

Then the problem remains that there are foreigners in our schools that are a threat to our children’s safety.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:46 PM

He, don’t want division, don’t allow anti-american apparel in school. Don’t allow foreign nationals to protest on public property, that is for citizens. Nothing against free speech, but if you are not an american citizen, shut the Eff up and stay out of our politics and stop lobbying against US citizens in our own house.

rgranger on May 9, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Even in the apology, the superintendent manages to perpetuate the idea that someone would have a reasonable expectation that an American flag display would generate violence

Then the problem remains that there are foreigners in our schools that are a threat to our children’s safety.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:46 PM

…And not according to me, but to the lowlife principle of the school.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:47 PM

Was Vice/Assistant Principal Rodriguez guilty of racially profiling the young students at this school? Why would he think that the Hispanic students would have a problem with their fellow students apparel?

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 12:48 PM

To be honest, I think the principal knows more about his students than we do. I happen to think he would have been proven correct. I disagree with his actions but I bet there would have been violence for this. The racist mexicans have learned well from the muslims.

jukin on May 9, 2010 at 12:49 PM

Dude is just sorry he got caught.

VikingGoneWild on May 9, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

Definitely the latter. Because when all is said, and done. When head hits pillow at night….they are still anti American, and pro Mexico….and want to make us aware of that fact on our own soil!

capejasmine on May 9, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

He got caught and begrudgingly apologized. I’d assume he agrees with O-ba-ma on how the information age enslaves and misinforms. Curse those “iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations”!

conservative pilgrim on May 9, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Was Vice/Assistant Principal Rodriguez guilty of racially profiling the young students at this school? Why would he think that the Hispanic students would have a problem with their fellow students apparel?

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 12:48 PM

According to the earlier stories, some of the foreign kids warned the vice principle that there was going to be trouble for the American kids.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:52 PM

“It’s disrespectful to do it on Cinco de Mayo,” said Jessica Cortez, a Live Oak sophomore. “They can be a patriot on some other day. Not that specific day.”

They can be patriotic on some other day – Not that specific day. WRONG they can be patriotic every single day of the year this is the USA.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 12:52 PM

He, don’t want division, don’t allow anti-american apparel in school. Don’t allow foreign nationals to protest on public property, that is for citizens. Nothing against free speech, but if you are not an american citizen, shut the Eff up and stay out of our politics and stop lobbying against US citizens in our own house.

rgranger on May 9, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Justice Sotomayor just shot a “gang signal” in your general direction.

VegasRick on May 9, 2010 at 12:53 PM

Wonder if that flag in his office is a prop or is always on display, I hate being so cynical.

fourdeucer on May 9, 2010 at 12:53 PM

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Interesting way of handling the information. Bullies win again.

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 12:54 PM

Bloated, two-faced, ponytailed blogger was unavailable for comment.

JammieWearingFool on May 9, 2010 at 12:54 PM

Instead of issuing apologies for their stupid actions here, the superintendent and the principal should be issuing something far more appropiate, namely their resignations.

pilamaye on May 9, 2010 at 12:55 PM

Messr. Wesley Smith is a weenie and gave a weenie apology. Sadly, it is what I expected from my state school system.

Wesley Smith Apology = FAIL!

Sailfish on May 9, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez – He discriminated against children, going by their appearance, that has to be against California laws. Where is the ACLU?

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 12:58 PM

It would have been nice to hear that the student should never have been sent home, but I know better. The only way the school changes is with a Lawsuit.

Patricksp on May 9, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Here is a link to the Facebook page to fire Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000358119545#!/pages/FIRE-Assistant-Principal-Miguel-Rodriguez/114968521877229

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:00 PM

Shows poor judgment. He must be fired.

faraway on May 9, 2010 at 1:04 PM

If that was an apology, I need to get a different dictionary. He’s only sorry his feckless administrators got caught enforcing anti-American racism in his school district. I read the article first and thought calls for the firing of the administrators was overkill. Then I listened to his alleged apology–twice. He doesn’t have a clue what happened–but I’m thrilled that his students are now wearing purple and white.

I’d be even more thrilled if his comments indicated that he had the slightest clue of what went wrong.

Alma on May 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM

I don’t think any of the flag-wearing kids were suspended, Ed.

Infidoll on May 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM

Is there a “United States” National Holiday for Cinco De Mayo? I don’t think so.

[Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 12:44 PM]

There isn’t even a Mexican National Holiday for Cinco de Mayo.

Dusty on May 9, 2010 at 1:06 PM

Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

He’s just sorry that they got caught.

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Too little, Too late. But Public School Education for sure.

ontherocks on May 9, 2010 at 1:09 PM

Infidoll on May 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM

Were any of the students sent home? If they were then they were suspended.

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Infidoll on May 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM

I think they were sent home and the day was considered an unexcused absence.

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:11 PM

If the Principal has allowed the culture of his school to degenerate to such a level that a person cannot safely walk the halls of his school, while wearing a shirt displaying the American Flag, then he has failed to properly educate his students regarding diversity of thought, and should be replaced.

Jones Zemkophill on May 9, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Addendum: We’ve gotten a lot of e-mail about a YouTube video of a UCLA professor calling for an uprising to return the American Southwest to Mexico, but as Verum Serum discovered, that’s old news. It’s from 2007.

Yes, old news. I’m sure the gentleman has changed his views 180 degrees since those olden days. No one in America thinks like that anymore.

BL@KBIRD on May 9, 2010 at 1:13 PM

I don’t think any of the flag-wearing kids were suspended, Ed.

[Infidoll on May 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM]

Technically true, I suppose, since the school promised not to put the fact in school records that the principal kicked the kids out of school for the day, but that’s just a word game.

Not that the promise makes much difference since everyone in the world now has access to the one fact that the principal promised he’d hide from the world.

Dusty on May 9, 2010 at 1:14 PM

I didn’t bother listening to the entire lengthy non-’apology’. Every administrator that believes as this school’s admin appears to believe that it’s their responsibility to head off confrontations in the manner they did, should resign. They are under the employ of American taxpayers and their loyalty to American concerns and general safety is not to be compromised by foreign grievances while on the taxpayer clock. The issue would never have been a concern if Cinco de Mayo was not recognized in an American taxpayer funded public school. Remove Cinco de Mayo from the school calendar. Those who wish to celebrate foreign holidays can do so on their own time/dime and spare US taxpayers and public school administrations from these manufactured grievances.

heroyalwhyness on May 9, 2010 at 1:15 PM

Yoop on May 9, 2010 at 12:41 PM

I taught in a large Southern California High School for 23 years. For most of that time there were less than 5 conservative teachers on a staff with 125 teachers. The administration, high school and district, was wholly liberal. Given the location of the High School in question I would expect similar demographics for the conservative-liberal split.

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:20 PM

There isn’t even a Mexican National Holiday for Cinco de Mayo.

Dusty on May 9, 2010 at 1:06 PM

That’s correct but remember these kids are in the California Public School System. I doubt they are being taught American History correctly, let alone Mexican History.

It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance and celebration nationwide in Mexico,


Cinco de Mayo
is not Mexico’s Independence Day, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

Mexican Independence happened in September It wouldn’t be a National Holiday in the US either.

So let’s all go down to Mexico for the Fourth of July, and start ripping down anything with a Mexican flag on it…it makes as much sense as this Vice Principal and Principal punishing children for their freedom of expression and free speech for wearing American colors….where is the ALCU this is discrimination.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:20 PM

So did the school suspend raising the AMERICAN flag that day? Did they suspend the Pledge of Allegiance that day? If any BIGOTRY was displayed it was by Rodriguez.

GarandFan on May 9, 2010 at 1:21 PM

Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

He’s just sorry — a sorry excuse for an administrator. The principal & vice principal need to be fired.

rbj on May 9, 2010 at 1:21 PM

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:11 PM

An unexcused absence in California means that the teachers aren’t required to give make-up work to the students. At least if they were suspended they would have received make-up work.

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM

My personal experience with schools, as a parent and employee, is that they will do almost anything not to involve the law enforcement or public scrutiny. Better to suspend students for nothing then to stand up to those who threatened violence.

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:24 PM

NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2008 Check out the American Flags.

This is what one would hope we would see on Cinco De Mayo “Respect For Your Country” there is a difference between being proud of your heritage, and expecting everyone to applaud you elevating it, over your Country, in this case the USA.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:25 PM

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:23 PM

I am not sure what the actual punishment was, I have seen different reports. The system I worked for gave zeros on for unexcused absences and as you can imagine it puts a heck of a ding in a grade point average.

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM

I love the ending of that St Patrick’s Day Parade 2008 video, all you see are American Flags filling up the street in NYC and nothing else. Message – We are Proud Americans first.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:29 PM

It makes me think that this Vice Principal is some kind of ingrate that doesn’t appreaciate the country he lives in and this is what they are teaching in California Public School system? This is there message Americans you come second after immigrants in your own country?

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:31 PM

Old news, however it was up on Drudge for quite some time before apparently getting pulled. I’m glad it was up so that people could see where groups such as La Raza are coming from. People say they want to see an end to racism here in America, but it will never happen if only a percentage from each racial group truly wants this to end. Right now, blacks and hispanics are getting very riled up and expressing some pretty damning behavior towards other races. We have a WH that is also stirring the racial kettle big time.

Not going to end well I’m afraid.

Keemo on May 9, 2010 at 1:31 PM

Addendum: We’ve gotten a lot of e-mail about a YouTube video of a UCLA professor calling for an uprising to return the American Southwest to Mexico, but as Verum Serum discovered, that’s old news. It’s from 2007.

What? So SW USA can become a cesspool like the rest of Mexico? Talk about reality-based. The US SW became what it was because of US rule of law and exceptionalism. Mexico became what it is because of rule of man – peerage and pedegree.

Ironic that Mexico was colonized exactly the same as the US. In their case, immigrants that came from Spain and took the country by force. The cognitive dissonance is quite stark. The Mexican power base lies not in the native Mexicans but those descended directly from and/or ‘cross-bred’ with Spaniards.

Overall, this is sort of like the old question: what’s a dog going to do with a car when he catches it? What is La Raza going to do with the SW if they get their wish?
1) their immigration policies will revert to Mexico’s.
2) Non Hispanics will emigrate to US proper
3) Likewise business, leaving them the shell of office complexes and infrastructer and promptly start decaying w/o the talent needed to grow their newfound assets
4) drug cartels will move in to take up operations across the redrawn border
5) the ‘breadbasket of the world’ regions will become little more than subsistence farming with reduced exports as campesinos take over the fertile land with their tried and proven techniques
6) you get the gist. Another pesos-based swampland of corruption and oligarchy.

Such tools of envy & racism

AH_C on May 9, 2010 at 1:31 PM

If the clown had tried this at the private high school I attended he’d be fitted out with a neatly pressed janitor’s uniform. On a lucky day. Otherwise he would be serenaded to “Hit the road Jack Miguel… and don’t come ’round here no more, no more.”

The typical sanction in the NEA-polluted publik skools is suspension with pay until the controversy dies down then a rapid return to business as usual.

viking01 on May 9, 2010 at 1:36 PM

Such tools of envy & racism

AH_C on May 9, 2010 at 1:31 PM

Yep it’s why they come here to get away from it, and they then they turn it into what they left CRAP…that’s what I call defeatism. Ask people from Guatemala, how the Mexican’s treat them. Ask a Guatemalan if they want their lives in the US to mirror the lives they left behind.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:38 PM

The issue would never have been a concern if Cinco de Mayo was not recognized in an American taxpayer funded public school.

I agree. Why is a foreign flag, especially one that represents corruption and drug violence, being honored in our schools, at all? It’s one thing to have a “Hispanic Heritage day”—or to learn about Mexico and other countries and their flags—but encouraging anti-American foreign nationalistic patriotism? To a Mexican corruption/drug flag?

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 1:40 PM

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:00 PM

Linky is defunct, Yahoo “web brouwser cannot make connection” msg pops up. Alot of this kinda thimg was happenig in the runup to ’08 election for links to stories dertimental to the left’s narrative.

Several Google Blogs not helpful to the One got carachterized/shut-down as spam as well at the time.

Something smells.

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 1:40 PM

Now Smith can explain the MEChA club at the school.

drjohn on May 9, 2010 at 1:41 PM

Boden. Sorry.

drjohn on May 9, 2010 at 1:41 PM

What happened at Live Oak is a national scandal and the idiots in charge deserve all the criticism they’ve received and more. And I agree that, In the context of a discussion about the kids’ free speech rights, it doesn’t matter whether the kids were suspended or merely threatened with suspension if they didn’t take off their shirts. Even so, if they didn’t suspend the kids, Ed shouldn’t be reporting that they did.

Infidoll on May 9, 2010 at 1:42 PM

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo and the Mexican flag is NOT appropriate for American schools.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 1:43 PM

chemman on May 9, 2010 at 1:20 PM

I’m afraid the ratio’s you have quoted are accurate around the country, not only in our public school system, but in higher education a well. Private schools are the only answer in my opinion. Progressives own the public education system, the network news industry, print media…. This must be addressed for real, and now. I’m in a rural area of Montana where to community is probably 80% right leaning to very right leaning, but yet our little school is dominated by Progressive Liberal faculty as badly as the school we left in So. Ca. four years ago. Doesn’t matter one bit that these idiots are shoving an agenda down the throats of children that the mass majority of parents disagree with. My son was literally forced out of this school due to his brilliant essay rebuke of Global Warming. We even busted his science teacher inside my sons car searching for something they could use as an excuse to suspend my son; the teacher received no punishment my the school board for such behavior. We eventually had my son take the GED, which he passed in the 90% category, and move on to college.

Keemo on May 9, 2010 at 1:43 PM

I’d be happy with something like, “Well, I realize now that I had everything backward. In an effort to undo the damage, I am calling for an American School Patriots day next week, where all students are encouraged to wear clothes with American flags represented on them. I am encouraging all our students to participate, regardless of their heritage. We all live in America now, let’s show our support.”

That’s a job-saving apology, IMO.

Daggett on May 9, 2010 at 1:46 PM

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 1:40 PM

If this Principal really wanted to make some amends, he would have pointed out all if any of the Hispanic people who thought it was wrong to punish the kids for wearing patriotic American colors. Were there any? We wouldn’t know because the Anti American Protesters are the only ones reported on and covered “The negative behavior” gets all the media’s attention.

I doubt seriously that all Hispanics in this country think that what this Vice Principal did was right thing. They are Americans too, many have served in the US Military. I would think they would be insulted.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:46 PM

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo and the Mexican flag is NOT appropriate for American schools.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 1:43 PM

Nor is teaching sex education to 3rd graders against the will of parents. Nor is brainwashing our children starting in the 1st grade that gay sex is normal.

Out of control behavior taking place in our public school systems against the will of the citizens.

Keemo on May 9, 2010 at 1:47 PM

Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez – He discriminated against children, going by their appearance, that has to be against California laws. Where is the ACLU?

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 12:58 PM

If you’re white, it doesn’t matter anymore. No equality….just compliance, and obedience.

capejasmine on May 9, 2010 at 1:48 PM

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 1:40 PM

This is the name of the facebook page, it works. Try cutting and pasting this exactly into facebook search.

FIRE Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:49 PM

welcome to a glimpse of our future, where some pigs are more equal than others…

right4life on May 9, 2010 at 1:49 PM

Don’t know about you all, but anyone that uses the word “conversation” as much as this empty suit, makes me suspicious.

av8tr on May 9, 2010 at 1:49 PM

This is interesting reading.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/high-school-where-flag-flap-occurred-hides-racist-secret/

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:53 PM

Well, as if these boys being told to turn their shirts inside-out weren’t bad at least their not in NJ being told to dress as girls to recognize womens acheivements.

http://biggovernment.com/bhallowell/2010/05/09/new-jerseys-wacky-month-in-education/#more-117422

Seriously, the NEA, AFSCME and allthe other Gov’t unions need to go the way of the old air traffic controlers union aqnd be abolished.

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 1:55 PM

I can’t understand why the national GOP won’t make school choice a flagship issue. The only reason I can think of is because they suck.

Bugler on May 9, 2010 at 1:56 PM

……or just sorry that everyone noticed?

This…

BigWyo on May 9, 2010 at 1:57 PM

Something smells.

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 1:40 PM

Dr. Evil left you a diabolical link – it was incomplete.
.
If you want to use his link, use all of it:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/FIRE-Assistant-Principal-Miguel-Rodriguez/114968521877229

ExpressoBold on May 9, 2010 at 1:58 PM

Are they now wearing these ‘purple shirts’?
-
Not so great an answer. Indoctrination…

RalphyBoy on May 9, 2010 at 1:58 PM

Not gonna watch it, don’t wanna hear it. Shouldn’t have done it in the first place. He’s not sorry he did it, he’s just sorry about the reaction he’s getting.

Oldnuke on May 9, 2010 at 1:59 PM

This is interesting reading.
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/high-school-where-flag-flap-occurred-hides-racist-secret/

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:53 PM

Incredible they are allowed on the campus – A PUBLIC SCHOOL that means American Citizen’s tax payer dollars are supporting this.

Mr. Boden and Mr. Rodriguez preside over a high school with various clubs and organizations. As administrators, they must sanction these activities. There is the Anime Club, the Asian Student Union, the Black Student Union, the Drama Guild, the Chess Club, MEChA, the Patriot Club, and a raft of other extracurricular activities from which student can chose to participate. Shockingly, one of these groups is a borderline hate group that proclaims racial supremacy. While it may come as a shock to some of our more “progressive” readers, the oppressors are not the Patriot Club, but the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, or MEChA. Live Oak High’s Web site claims that the group has certain goals:

MECHA stands for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (Chicano Student Movement of Aztlán). Aztlán was the homeland of the Mexicas (Mexicas is the root word of Chicano), also known as the people of the earth, who wandered from Aztlán to Tenochtitlan. Aztlán is believed to be located in the southern US and northern Mexico.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 2:01 PM

I am guessing The Principal and Vice Principal are Afraid of being targeted with violence. But I think it’s too late, the lids come off at least the local police are forewarned.

If I was a parent with a child in this school system, I would start suing with or without the ACLU.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 2:07 PM

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 1:53 PM

Amazing! Tolerance as depicted by the left is to live and let live, yet what they actually seek is our acquiesence in not being tolerated. In effect, they expect us to willingly tolerate those who seek to destroy us.

The left is sick, twisted and perverse. They must be shown for what they are and stripped of all positions where they can advocate such madness!

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Morgan Hill Times has a poll up on the issue of Rodriguez sending the kids home for wearing American Flag Graphics. Upper left Corner to vote.

http://www.morganhilltimes.com/poll/sectionlist.asp?p=2554

Did LOHS officials make
the right call when they sent four students home for wearing American
fla…g clothing on Cinco de Mayo?

Yes

(8%)

No

(92%)

Total
Votes:3301
Thank you for voting in this poll.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 2:19 PM

The superintendent also manages to blame “bloggers, talk show hosts, and social networks” for painting a poor picture of Live Oak High’s administration, which makes this a rather pathetic apology. Is he sorry that the school administrators screwed up, or just sorry that everyone noticed?

I dunno, but Mark Levin had one of the flag-shirt wearing kids on his show Thursday evening along with his dad. Levin tore those administrators to shreds and promised legal assistance to the kids if they needed it. From what the dad stated, it may have gone wayy out of proportion and all parties were very interested in ratcheting down the issue. Either way, the administrators screwed up and deserved a nationwide beatdown.

ted c on May 9, 2010 at 2:23 PM

[Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:20 PM]

Oh, I didn’t mean to denigrate your point, but to reinforce it.

[Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 1:25 PM]

Thanks for pointing out the difference there. St Patrick’s Day had been on my mind, too, for it’s comparative value — loving memory of their ancestry, love of the country they’ve made their own, and last, but not least, a unifying invitation to all Americans as one to celebrate with them.

One can’t do the last when one considers oneself separate from the rest of the country.

Dusty on May 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM

A pithy response to this moron Principal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxTs9WmCzyU&feature=player_embedded

Lockstein13 on May 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM

What is the National Ranking of California Public Schools?

I will go out on a limb and say they land in the bottom 5 out of the 50 57 states/SARC

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 2:31 PM

According to the earlier stories, some of the foreign kids warned the vice principle that there was going to be trouble for the American kids.

FloatingRock on May 9, 2010 at 12:52 PM

If that is true, he should have suspended those kids immediately and given a stern warning to any others who may have been thinking along those lines. So he has poor judgment and he’s a wimp.

macblanegirl on May 9, 2010 at 2:34 PM

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Good luck with that. Most, if not all, nations’ histories are littered with discovery, prosperity, despair, wars won and lost and slavery and or oppression of various groups. That was life and history, until the United States. For some reason when the same things happen here it is the epitome of all that is evil. Maybe because regardless of what happens the individual will be allowed to stand or fall here. I truly don’t know.

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 2:35 PM

Lockstein13 on May 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM

drinkinwithbob freakin rules!

Thanks for that, I hadn’t checked him out in waaaay too long.

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 2:36 PM

One can’t do the last when one considers oneself separate from the rest of the country.

Dusty on May 9, 2010 at 2:30 PM

And a popular phrase on St Paddy’s Day – On St Paddy’s Day everyone is Irish :)

But I am guessing no one is ever invited to be Mexican for a day – to celebrate in unison…it comes back to the idea of Americans all being the same if we celebrate a heritage, we offer everyone to join in, and celebrate, not stand on the outside as spectators watching the celebration like we are aliens in our own country.

We also used to promote assimilation not multiculturalism.

Dr Evil on May 9, 2010 at 2:39 PM

Cindy Munford on May 9, 2010 at 2:35 PM

As rand put it, I am all for minority protection, as long as we remember that the smallest minority is the individual.

It’ll more than luck, as the old indian in The Outlaw Josey Wales said, endeavor to persevere!

Archimedes on May 9, 2010 at 2:41 PM

This all for a FAKE HOLIDAY, unbelievable. It is not a recognized Holiday here or in Mexico unlesss you are inthe village of Puebla or maybe the surrounding area. I think even wikipedia calls it an American holiday and not Mexican one. It celebrates the winning of a battle not the winning of independence. Same with the Mexican Flag in Houston, that administration needs castigation as well.

bluemarlin on May 9, 2010 at 2:41 PM

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