High School's Ban of American Flags Has Students Outraged

Hollister, CA FreeLanceNews ^ | Oct 1, 2008 | Jeff Gatlin

[auzerais]

High School's Ban of American Flags Has Students Outraged Oct 1, 2008 By Jeff Gatlin

San Benito High School students Jared Ballinger, left, and Abraham Enriquez were told they could not fly the flag on campus. Photo by: Nick Lovejoy, The Free Lance

HOLLISTER, CA

San Benito High School senior Jared Ballinger, who has completed basic training in the Army Reserve's Alternate Training Program and is set to finish advanced training after graduation, was driving around the campus parking lot this week with an American flag flying from the back of his truck when a school counselor flagged him down.

"I was told that flying any kind of flag, even the flag of the United States of America, wasn't allowed," said Ballinger, also noting that a school resource officer pulled up behind and took down his license plate number.

Ballinger said he's been told recently he couldn't wear a T-shirt displaying the American flag as well.

"That's where I draw the line," Ballinger told the Free Lance on Tuesday.

[auzerais]

Came across this article while surfing 'StumbleUpon' website. Haven't seen anything about this in any other SF/BayArea MSM.

[FlingWingFlyer]

More of the “New Direction” Amerika!

[al baby]

When is this madness gonna stop?

[jimfree]

Shut the bloody school down!

[Harry Wurzbach]

I guess students don’t learn about the 1st amendment at that institution.

[wbill]

San Benito County Office of Education Superintendent Tim Foley told the Free Lance it's a complex issue

Flying the American Flag could only be a "complex issue" in the head of a school administrator.

[tsmith130]

Kids can display these flags inappropriately, and it can be disrespectful," she summarized. "However, it is not the action of displaying the flag itself - it is the reaction that inappropriate display can bring."

Then deal with the REACTION, not the flag, you lazy putz!

[JoJo Gunn]

When is this madness gonna stop?

When we get off our asses and take to the streets. 

[donnab]

In our PC world, they can’t stop one without stopping them all.

BULL SHTTTTTTTTTT.

This is the USA. If you want to fly a Mexican flag ..go to Mexico.
Enough of this crap.
We really need to fight and stop accepting this as PC norm. NO MORE!!!!!!!!!
Writing to the school.

[TurtleStink]

california is dying right in front of our eyes. the land Reagan loved is almost unrecognizable.

no mom and dad in school, la raza schools............

jeezzzzzzzzz

[2ndClassCitizen]

It might be a real good idea to cross train in weapons.

A gun is good, but knowing a half dozen different weapons is not a bad idea.

These kids dressed in fatigues convey a special type of meaning.

I think we need to have the right to have a white month, just like the blacks have a black month..

[freedom4me]

I teach in a private school in Texas. One of our new students, a girl from California, told us that she was not allowed to say “one nation under God” at her old school while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

[BigEdLB]

San Benito High School senior Jared Ballinger, who has completed basic training in the Army Reserve's Alternate Training Program and is set to finish advanced training after graduation, was driving around the campus parking lot this week with an American flag flying from the back of his truck when a school counselor flagged him down.
"I was told that flying any kind of flag, even the flag of the United States of America, wasn't allowed," said Ballinger, also noting that a school resource officer pulled up behind and took down his license plate number.

Looks like the "counselor" and the "resource officer" are a couple of the undead that were missed by Gen Patton in "An American Carol".

[areukiddingme1]

“Superintendent Tim Foley, just what part of the American Flag do you find offensive, threatening, provocative, vulgar, displays tobacco, alcohol or drug advertising, or displays profanity, racial slurs, or has images of gang-related symbols is disruptive to the educational process and may not be worn.”

I know I for one spent 20 years defending that flag and all that it stands for...so, Mr. Superintendent Tim Foley...I’m curious...please enlighten us.

[2ndClassCitizen]

It is time to organize. Do it smartly.

Remember there are blacks who think just like us. Make sure they are included. It is not race, it is idealogy.

Just because the black racists hold sway it is no reason to judge all blacks like the Farakhan types. The Farakhan types are pigs and will burn in hell. They won’t get 72 virgins, they will get 72 Virginians.

[wintertime]

ping for later response.

[FrankR]

"When is this madness gonna stop? "

I'm sure you know the answer to that question...but are reluctant to say it.

It's going to stop when we - loyal Americans - step up and put a stop to it.

The forefathers didn't say, "When is this going to stop." when we were putting up with crap from the English.

The whole world has always wondered what America's secret for success is...well, it's got a lot to do with a great system of government and an astounding document called the Constitution...but included in all that is the American spirit...including we don't take no $h!t from nobody.

In the last 50 years, we seem to be wimping out by our only kryptonite..."greed". We don't want to leave our warm, comfy recliners and turn off "Friends" long enough to see what is happing around this country.

The great outpouring of American flags after 9-11 was great, but it faded pretty quick and wound up being a "symbolism over substance" act of defiance.

Now I realize mayber it's not time to turn our plows into swords yet and hit the streets, but we need a blast of hell-raising by phone, fax, email, mail and in person visits with the elected officials.

We need to get behind the "incumbents OUT" movement at the elections. If you and I did at our jobs, what our elected representatives are doing at theirs...we would FIRED.

Remember that title...they are OUR REPRESENTATIVES. Do you think they are really representing us? I think they are representing everyone BUT us...and it's time that they all go home.

We are sitting on our collective a$$e$ and allowing the congress and the media to build a "ruling class" in America. How long before America is a dictatorship? If Mr. socialist - Obama gets elected, along with a democratic congress, and...he stacks the supreme court, then he will have the unlimited power to be the Hugo Chavez of America.

Don't be whining and mad AFTER he get's elected, do something now...anything to stop it. McCain is a jerk, and he's pissed me off a couple of times with his bills, and I ain't crazy about the bailout deal either...with all of that is a walk in the park compared to what Hussein Obama will do in office.