This is one of the most ignorant things I’ve ever heard of in my life. It’s as if the vice principal involved in this incident believes the school is in Baja California, not Northern California.
Administrators at a California high school sent five students home on Wednesday after they refused to remove their American Flag T-shirts and bandannas — garments the school officials deemed “incendiary” on Cinco de Mayo.
So let’s remove the flag of the actual country we reside in to exhibit sensitivity to a country we not only do not live in, but a country that 75% or more percent of the student have never lived in – or perhaps even visited?
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
These children were – rightfully – seeking to balance love of their country with a celebration of – a foreign land?
But wait, could there be more???? Well, let’s see.
The name of the assistant principal involved? Miguel Rodriguez! Check! Hell, maybe he’s a member of the Terry Oatts Fan Club – Left Coast chapter? But of course, this doesn’t in any way smack of racism or Socialism, does it – Mr. and Ms. MSM? (snark)
At minimum, Mr. Rodriguez’s decision was wrong-minded and sends a powerful anti-American Patriotism (and back-handed racial message) to the student body and parents of the school district. The action displays utter ignorance and insensitivity while punishing Patriotism.
Miguel Rodriguez was dead-ass wrong in making this call, and I believe owes (at minimum)apologies to the children, their parents and the community. IMHO, he needs some sensitivity training to balance out that inner anti-U.S. sentiment he appears to harbor.
But Patriotism may not be desirable in Morgan Hill after all. A quick look at the junior Senator representing Northern California? Why, none other than… Barbara Boxer. Makes perfect sense…
Ed. note: Does this look incendiary to you? It’s OLD NAVY for chrissakes!
The five teens were sitting at a table outside Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Calif., on Wednesday morning when Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez asked two of them to remove their American flag bandannas, the Morgan Hill Times reported. The boys told the newspaper they complied, but were asked to accompany Rodriguez to the principal’s office.
The five students — Daniel Galli, Austin Carvalho, Matt Dariano, Dominic Maciel and Clayton Howard — were then told they must turn their T-shirts inside-out or be sent home, though it would not be considered a suspension. Rodriguez told the students he did not want any fights to break out between Mexican-American students celebrating their heritage and those wearing American flags.
So the lesson of the day appears to be: Show love for your heritage, we love it! As long as it’s not the U.S.A.
“They said we were starting a fight,” Dariano told the newspaper. “We were fuel to the fire.”
The boys told Rodriguez and Principal Nick Boden that turning their shirts inside-out was disrespectful, so their parents decided to take them home, the newspaper reports.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Julie Fagerstrom, Maciel’s mother, told the newspaper. “I’m an open-minded parent, but it’s got to be on both sides. It can’t be five kids singled out.”
Sad days people – sad days indeed. These so-called educators are bringing Socialistic rhetoric right to our kids, whether we like it or not. How distorted and turned around are things when the American flag has to be hidden – in America?
h/t Fox News for the quotes….
-LTB
Smash Mouth Politics 
My son is fighting for that Flag in Afghanistan, now it seems we all need to fight for it here in America. Shame on Morgan Hill, CA.
can u belive he still doing this in lan lorenzo imtimidating kids my boys were suspened for fighting an they never punched anyone
You beat me to it LTB. I had heard this on the Rush radio show as I was returning from getting my stent removed from my kidney stone surgery.
Interesting; I wonder if Mr. Rodriquez would have asked me to remove the dew ragthat covers the hole, in me head…?
Gramps sends, best regards…!
A rumor circulating around is that the same school, Mexican students had the Mexican flag colors painted on their faces and arms while at school. I haven’t heard anything about the Ass principle sending any of them home or asking them to remove the paint. :0
I’m torn here. I vividly remember being a young punk in high school ordered by the principal to remove my sunglasses. I put them back on when he left. He caught me with them on again and sent me home. Kicked me right out, made me walk home. (Back then he knew where every student lived, and he knew I only lived about a mile away–probably create a law suit today.) My dad found out and backed the Principal, who happened to be a war hero and a friend of my dad’s. The Principal later said he was just having a bad day. I later stole the flag out of his office as a prank, and all he did was order me to return it. [To this day I have no idea how he knew it was me!]
If this was about anything else than the flag I’d side with the Principal–he has to be able to crack down and be the boss. I say let it go, let heads cool, and not make a big deal out it. Maybe by next year he will deal with it differently. If not, then we raise hell. Just my off the cuff reaction.
In a way I agree with you John, BUT if the rumor about the Mexican students being painted up with the Mex flag colors is true, then I have a big problem with it. As an ASS principle, you cannot single out one group of students over another group.
MrG: It’s not a rumor – it’s in the extended article. Additonally, in another interview – Mexican kids said the boys sent home because of American flags should APOLOGIZE TO THEM for “disrespecting them”.
Again, Whisky Tango Foxtrot?
Quoted:
More than 100 students were spotted wearing the colors of the Mexican flag — red, white and green — as they left school, including some who had the flag painted on their faces or arms, the Morgan Hill times reported.
Again, quoted:…
A few youths were sent home from the local high school [in Morgan Hill, California] for subervisely wearing American-flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. “I think they should apologize,’cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day,” Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. “We don’t deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn’t do that on Fourth of July.”
Note the use of “we,” suggesting an ethnic allegiance that trumps the national one; note the equation of a Mexican Heritage Day with the Fourth of July; note the strange idea that the sight of the American flag leads to one being “disrespected”; and, of course, note the action by the school’s administration — banishing the boys for apparently politically incorrect, subversive behavior.
Sorry folks, this is BS. And the worst type of political correctness gone bad…
-LTB
(Yo quiero Los Estados Uniodos)
I’m gotta fall on JD’s side here…
We may be fortunate that, there was an adult present…after all these were teenagers!
From my experience; they’re mostly devoid of good common sense, except for a few exceptions. That’s why they still live with their parents.
The girls at that age are often more responsible than the boys. Boys at that age; generally exhibit considerable acne, a pea sized grasp of responsibility and bull sized balls.
I vote for the adult decision, here.
Gramps agreed wiff me!!?? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! I gotta reassess my position!!!
😉
Sorry gang but I must take the other side.
Equal should be equal. If the pea-brained/bull-balled kids wanna paint Mexican flags on their bodies (in exhibit of a country most of them have never visited) why should the American kids be sent home for wearing Old Navy with the Red, White and Blue?
I get the vice principal wanting to keep order – but if this had been reversed roles, do you think the vice would be sending the kids with the Mexican flags home? Think about it…
Reps from the school district even stated Rodriguez’s actions were not consistent with current district policy.
This was a blown call, plain and simple.
-LTB
Gramps is now torn. Either way he goes, he’s gotta agree wiff one of us, and you know that makes the hole in his skull ooze liberal blood.
LTB, a little consideration, rumination and understanding is required here.
No doubt there was a concerted effort on the side of the Chicano kids to paint or wear the colors of the Mexican flag on Cinco de Mayo.
By the same token, there was most likely a “senior leader”; not unlike JD in his infamous, high school days… that instigated the group that decided to show the colors of our national flag.
The assistant principle made the right decision, defuse the presented, contentious and possible unfortunate escalation of the situation.
One of my very best buds, in Vietnam was one SFC Alex M. Fontes, [A1/A213 (TDY) LO T-103 dtd 07/27/62] a proud American, a proud Chicano, one of my best mentor’s, a brave and courageous soldier and one of the very best friends…
Any man would be very blessed, if Alex had yer back…believe me, trooper…!
HOOAAH, Alex…
May you rest in peace…!
I’m sorry folks, but the Ass principle made a mistake when he singled out one group over another. It couldn’t be because he was also of Mexican descent could it?
Gramps:
“…The assistant principle made the right decision, defuse the presented, contentious and possible unfortunate escalation of the situation…”
I’m sorry but IMHO the school allowed this to become something – when what it was was – NOTHING – was just fine.
This could have been a teachable moment – an opportunity for so-called learned educators to demonstrate responsible behavior, tolerance and mutual understanding. Instead it became a national story with a Hispanic vs. white slant (perceived or actual – too late to differentiate).
And Gramps, this is the United States of America. Our flag is never politically incorrect. And god dammit, if you are going to support someone who wants to burn it then you better remain consistent and support those who wear it in pride.
Yesterday in an interview with Bill O’Reilly, Dennis Miller made a good point in defense of Mr. Obama and his “Predator Drone” joke to the Jonas Brothers (a damn fine joke, BTW). Miller referred to America’s malignant state of political correctness as a “mincing leviathan”.
Miller’s right. With regards to PC, we are tres fukked up.
If Hispanic kids made a deal of the American flag on an Old Navy shirt – then behavior issue is theirs. The racial issue is theirs. The disruption is caused by their own prejudice. And then it became sanctioned by a school leader.
And I’ll be damned if Mr. Vice Principal didn’t give them an excuse become part of the “mincing leviathan”. And that’s wrong.
-LTB
LTB…
Actually LTB… the assistant principle took appropriate action…he defused any possible confrontation by taking preemptive action…
You picked up on the entertainment media’s [Rush Limbaugh’s and Glen Beck’s] concept of our, dear, country’s flag, being disregarded or displaced in favor of the Mexican flag.
I served in Vietnam fifty years ago with the finest Mexican Americans the good Lord ever created…!
Cinco de Mayo is their holiday not ours; let them celebrate…
We are a great country of immigrants from foreign soils…may it ever be…!
Hey gurrls and guyes…
How’s about yer stock market today…
Do yah have yer kit bag’s together…fer tomorrow’s opening…
Just askin’…?
Mr Rodriguez is a good guy even though he just made the wrong choice he was just trying to prevent something that might have or might have not happened. Thos dumb underclass men on both sides of the issue there is no need to over react how many people actually know or knew where Morgan hill is before this happened why do they care it was a simple mistake! So people chill stop being so up tight.
Gramps:
This is not an issue about denigration Hispanics. My life is richer and fuller because of my friendship (and in a couple cases lust/love) with people whose heritage began south of our border. So please, you’ve choked that chicken long enough.
There was no real issue with students – by their own admission – until school staff got involved and made one. These quotes from students permeating the internet came after school – and after the story had broken.
So here’s a case when making the wrong choice – on the part of the school staff – made a story that need not have existed. AND was in violation of the school district’s own policy.
-LTB
Sr. Acorn:
“…Mr Rodriguez is a good guy even though he just made the wrong choice he was just trying to prevent something that might have or might have not happened…”
On this, we do agree….
-LTB
Gramps:
What part of this did you not understand:
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Morgan Hill Unified School District said it did not agree with the school’s actions.
“In an attempt to foster a spirit of cultural awareness and maintain a safe and supportive school environment, the Live Oak High School administration took certain actions earlier today,” the statement read.
“The district does not concur with the Live Oak High School administration’s interpretation of either board or district policy related to these actions.”
DUH!!!
-LTB
Assistant Principal, Miguel Rodriguez, of Live Oak High School should be made to wear a shirt with the American flag on it for an entire school year.
Personally, I have more problems with that Michigan principal who organized a field trip for black kids only. That took days or weeks of planning, and he is unrepentent from what I saw.
I can allow that perhaps this ass principal made a spur of the moment assinine decision which–if he now thoroughly rejects, then I have problems with letting it go. With vigilance it better damn well not happen again!
I changed the format, to hopefully make it easier to follow the discussion. First comments first, last last. And more per page. Let me know if this is better or worse…
See my update on Morgan Hill this morning – now the “Astroturf” has been laid. The FiberoRacist SocioNazis are involved and it’s a mess….
http://viewedfromtheright.blogspot.com/2010/05/morgan-hill-ca-season-1-astroturf.html
-LTB
I’m really stunned by the response to the original article, which was so badly written. The vice principal was never interviewed. There’s a group of 15-year old kids who gave hearsay statements about what the VP said and what his motivations were, and now there’s a BOATLOAD of people demanding his head on a pike. But this is America, as so many have pointed out; there should be a trial before we have an execution. We should see what he has to say for himself.
I feel that the article is manipulative. At first, the boys said, “Wuuuut? I’m just being my normal everyday self. Can’t I be proud to be American??” Later, though, the truth came out, by the admission of one of the kids and his father: this was a coordinated effort, there was an agenda, and the only responsible adult actually THERE at the time was worried about the tensions rising. None of this was addressed by the original journalist, who is the one who really should be fired–for irresponsible journalism. How do you manipulate the public? First, tell them it’s only about the flag and national pride. Second, tell only one side of the story.
If I have to pick a side without getting the whole story, I’m siding with the VP. The one nobody asked for an opinion from.
(I’m a proud American, ex-Navy, and I mean no ill will to anyone.)
Dan:
“…(I’m a proud American, ex-Navy, and I mean no ill will to anyone.)…”
No ill will perceived. We want the opinion of all who care to leave it. JD and the rest of the Motley Crew love debating ideas with thinking people. Even if, as in this case, we happen to disagree.
Glad you stopped by and comment often!
-LTB
Dan, I did note that the assist principal apologized. I hope he was trying to do the right thing and just screwed up. If he is truly sorry for over-reacting I can live with that…
JD: I would like to believe that is the case as well. I still want to believe our education system is about teaching our kids not just didactics but assisting with building of character, self respect and self sufficiency.
Not only did both the ass’t principal and principal apologize but the school district publicly rebuked the action. With regards to the players in this episode – that closed the chapter for me. However we still have Fiberal apologists who want to blindly defend the action, so again we shall review.
The reason you don’t hear from either of them is because the school district has forbidden them from speaking publicly or within the capacity of their jobs – lest they lose them. In this case, it may be the case of their bosses saving them from future harm – or lawsuits.
It’s unfortunate we still have those out there using the superficial “prevention” argument to veil what was (intended or unintended) an attempt to quash free expression. Why can’t Fiberals simply review the situation, admit to themselves the reality of same, accept the mistake and move on?
Because this is how Socialism works – when an act is supportive of the Socialist agenda (and in doing so denying the personal freedom of others) they call it benevolence, a necessary evil. If someone acts contrary to Socialist ideas it’s labeled as bigoted/homophobic/hateful etc. etc.
Or it’s Bush’s fault….
OK, Pop Quiz….
1. The expression of preference for or application of preferential treatment for one ethnic group over another is:
2. The punishment of American citizens for wearing their national colors while displaying favoritism to others wearing foreign colors is:
Quiz on Friday.
-LTB
Those are trick questions because they both have the same answer. Doh!!!
This just goes to show you no good deed shall go unpunished. When Regan gave citizenshilp to 2000 Mexicans 20 years ago, as a country we should have realized that you don’t negotiate with criminals. Now we have 12-20 (or more) million of them and they are taking pride in destroying this country. Sucking off the American tit, they thank the tax payers by shows of disrespect for the country they now live in by saying that it’s always been Mexicans against Caucasions. Or so some snot nosed Mexican girl was bold enough to say on national TV. Well, I say good for these Mexican parents. They extort their children at every corner they can. Breed to have them to stay in a country where they stole in. Wave them in the air and endanger them in crowds for illegal rights (does that make sense? Illegal rights?) and then teach them at home that the Caucasions are the problem. Teach them to go to a school that is teaching them at the expense of the tax payers, and make trouble for people that don’t look like them. Sounds like profiling to me and the principal and vice principal should both be fired. Reverse discrimination is just as wrong as discrimination.
Maggie:
“..Reverse discrimination is just as wrong as discrimination.”
Ask the Firefighters of New Haven, Connecticut. Or, on their behalf, the Supreme Court.
The sad, ugly truth is that so-called “reverse discrimination” is simply that – discrimination. The use of “reverse” is simply political mis-direction. So is so-called “equal opportunity”, and all such engineered racial-based quota programs. The only difference is naming them is the source – ones promoted by Fiberals are labeled “social justice, the right thing, leveling the playing field” and so-on ad nauseum. If the policy does not meet with their edicts toward social engineering, it’s called racism, exclusionary and bigotry.
As referred to in my “pop quiz”, all expression of preference to or application of preferential treatment for one ethnic group over another is discriminatory. Period. Even with Liberals do it.
-LTB
(not a bigoted bone in my body – I hate everyone equally – j/k)