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As an American flag burns at Occupy Oakland, the man capturing the video recites the following: "I pledge allegiance to a flag of the imperialistic, capitalistic dictatorship. And to the plutocracy for which it stands, privately owned central bank, under the Jews. With inequality and injustice for the 99." For video, click link.

Until 1912, there was no set design for the Stars and Stripes. And so, hidden in older versions of the flag, its makers laid hints of the country's history and quest for identity.Aptly - given its national anthem is about the flag - the Stars and Stripes is a key part of America's identity. It hangs in classrooms and in courtrooms, on state buildings and suburban porches. It has been the national flag since 1777. And the flag that inspired the anthem was enormous. Measuring 30 by 42 feet (9 x 12.8m), it was raised over Baltimore's Fort McHenry during...

The surreal part of the article: About 30 minutes before Brandl ordered Old Glory removed from its elevated perch, Snyder said the bridge workers intended to take it down after the holiday weekend. But Brandl said safety could not wait. "It was not authorized, and we do not need the distraction," he said, adding, "I can't imagine who it would offend, but I do not want controversy."

Should public school officials have the right to prevent students from wearing pro-American garb on Cinco de Mayo? This question has been at the heart of a California court battle between the Morgan Hill Unified School District and students who were told by a principal and assistant principal that they could not wear American flag t-shirts on the Mexican holiday back in 2010. Following the incident, a lawsuit against the district was launched by the students and their families. This week, the case came to a close, with a federal judge ruling against the students — a blow that is...

Earlier this week I posted pictures highlighting the difference between the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street protesters. If that didn’t make you question the patriotism of these protesters, maybe this will. A new photograph has surfaced that shows Occupy Wall Street protesters trampling the American flag, showing utter disrespect and contempt for all the men who have fought and died to protect their freedom.

Normally in these cases, my sympathy tends to run towards employers, who have the legal right to set uniform and presentation policies, especially in public positions. Barring the display of pins on a uniform is not unreasonable, as adopting a laissez-faire attitude might end up with a whole lot of political messages seem as though they represent the views of management rather than individual employees. As a former mid-level manager in a corporation, I also know how difficult life can get when exceptions get made to policy, and suddenly every employee wants an exception for their own pet causes.With all...

An employee at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida was asked to leave the premises for refusing to remove an American flag pin from his jacket on Wednesday. Sean May, who has worked for more than two years at the company, now faces the harsh reality of losing his job as the front desk supervisor. May, in an exclusive interview with Townhall.com, explained that following his weekly staff meeting on Wednesday -- he was unexpectedly asked by the HR Director to remove the insignia from his uniform. When he protested the policy, he was given two options: Remove...

Dear Guest: We are very sorry for any misunderstanding about this issue. We do not have a policy at Olive Garden concerning bringing the American flag into our restaurants. Some members of our team were misinformed about company policy by our corporate office. As a company we take responsibility for that and we regret it. We take pride in how we communicate to our restaurants and we are correcting this so it doesn’t happen again. Like all Americans we have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes. In fact, we periodically provide...

Olive Garden Denies Local Kiwanis Group the right to fly the American flag during pledge of allegiance

ANNISTON, Ala. -- Officials with the parent company of Olive Garden restaurants say they're sorry if a decision regarding an Alabama Kiwanis club's desire to display the American flag caused any concern. The comments come after 80-year-old Marti Warren of Anniston said she wasn't allowed to bring an American flag into an Olive Garden for a planned Kiwanis Club banquet in the east Alabama town of Oxford.

Last night, I was drafting a message to publish on my Twitter and Facebook accounts, in recognition of Patriot Day and the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, when I found I was missing what I wanted to share most with my family and friends: an image of the American flag. You see, special text characters and symbols can be inserted into the text fields of popular social media sites. They’re often used to recognize holidays and events. You can find most of them here http://thenextweb.com/TwitterKeys/keys.php and here http://facebook-symbols.com/all/. I’ve used both Facebook and Twitter for years, and I have...

An elementary school in Colorado has come under criticism after they lowered the American flag and elevated a Saudi Arabian flag. The principal at Bauder Elementary School in Fort Collins said they did not mean to disrespect the American flag, according to a report in the Greeley Gazzette.

Dawn Kamin said she would expect opposition to the flying of an American flag in more liberal parts of the country – but not the suburbs of Memphis, Tenn. Kamin said she was ordered to remove an American flag she had posted outside her optometry office. According to a letter sent to Dr. Kamin, the flag pole and the flag violated the bylaws of the business condominium group. She was told to take down the flag or face the consequences. Kamin demanded to see the business condominium’s bylaws, but she said so far Tesco Properties has not complied. She said...

Has anybody taken notice of Congressman Allen West's lapel pins? So if you don't advertise your accomplishments, are you any less of a politician or an American, as was the trend by Republicans during the Bush years? Back then, the Republicans staked claim to being the only true Americans because they sported American flag pins on their lapels when really they should have worn corporate sponsorship pins instead. Do other elected officials need to one-up West and carry around their diplomas or the ribbons they won at the yacht club summer swim meet when they were kids? Someone who has...

Who is torching American flags? It’s a disturbing and potentially dangerous trend in one New Jersey community, reports CBS 2’s Scott Rapoport. A day or two before the Fourth of July, two homes on West Colfax Avenue and another on East Lincoln Avenue all had their flags burned. The charred black remains of Robert Lingenfelter’s flag are still stuck to his pavement. Then just this past Tuesday a home on Chestnut Street had its flag torched.‪ Throughout the town many are asking themselves the same questions: who’s doing this and why? Roselle Park police officers are on the case and...

The owner of the Four Seasons Diner in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township, NJ has been told by the township to remove his American flags which are hung by a string. The township has an ordinance prohibiting any stringed banners. However, they also say the American flag may be flown or displayed without limitation. The owner, originally from Greece, said he would go to jail for the American flag. The township is threatening to fine the owner $1000. Despite these threats, the owner said he will not remove the flag.

The owner of the Four Seasons Diner in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township, NJ has been told by the township to remove his American flags which are hung by a string. The township has an ordinance prohibiting any stringed banners. However, they also say the American flag may be flown or displayed without limitation. The owner, originally from Greece, said he would go to jail for the American flag. The township is threatening to fine the owner $1000. Despite these threats, the owner said he will not remove the flag.

Having just bought a new home, I m bound and determined to fly the American this July 4th. I have checked Home Depot and Lowe's and am not satisfied with the options. I want a looking metal or black wall mounted hanger. And a high quality flag ... Preferably cotton and USA made. Any suggestions for online purchases?

Absolutely hysterical! The Palin Derangement Tour is trying desperately to keep up with the bus! Martin Bashir actually suggests that the flag on Palin's bus is illegal. Honest to God. How long must we suffer such lunacy and why does Bashir have a television show at all? With all the flag imagery we see all day and every day you would think Mr. Bashir could ignore something like this. Apparently his disdain for Sarah Palin is such that he overlooked common usage of the flag before putting his foot in his mouth.We've seen the flag used for everything. It's on...

Infuriated locals gathered with American flags to protest the Turkish-American Community Center for flying an inverted American flag; the inverted flag was removed before the protest. Patriotic Americans congregated in front of the Turkish-American Community Center on Tuesday, May 10 at 9 a.m. in protest of an American flag that was being flown upside down in front of the building. Protestors held large American flags in front of the center, garnering honking horns from passing cars.   Kim Jessome, a Clarksburg resident,  first noticed the overturned flag as she was driving past the center on Rt. 33 in Manalapan on Monday,...

The California boy who flew the U.S. flag on his bike, which was abruptly banned by his school, has since garnered national attention and very generous support. Now, the boy received an escort to school of around a hundred people to school. After they arrived, they recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The initial incident arose when the 13- year Cody Alicea was told to remove the American flag from his bike he’s been displaying for 2 months by Denair Middle School in California.

Our flag seems to be constantly under attack these days. This beautiful symbol of freedom and liberty that is recognized throughout the entire world as a beacon of hope for all mankind seems to be barely tolerated here at home. For over 200 years, the American flag has been an emblem of America’s goodness, charity, hope and freedom throughout every land and those of us who do not take those qualities for granted hold that symbol in precious esteem. But, now in this revolting age of political correctness, where radical leftists and the ignorant masses rule supreme, we are no...

Remember that student who was told to take the American flag off of his bike because tolerance or racism or George Bush or whatever? Yeah. Try telling that to all of these folks, California. For those without video, 13 year old Cody Alicea was escorted to Denair Middle School by veterans and bikers, all proudly flying the American flag on their bikes

This is absolutely infuriating and I can only imagine my reaction if I were the mother of this patriotic schoolboy. I do all I can to instill a love of God and country in my children. My 10 year old son is deeply patriotic and I would be enraged if his school reacted to his patriotism in this manner. DENAIR – 13-year-old Cody Alicea rides with an American flag on the back of his bike. He says he does this to be patriotic and to honor veterans, like his own grandfather, Robert. He’s had the flag on his bike for...

13-year-old Cody Alicea rides with an American flag on the back of his bike. He says he does this to be patriotic and to honor veterans, like his own grandfather, Robert. He's had the flag on his bike for two months but Monday, was asked told to take it down. A school official at Denair Middle School told Cody some students had been complaining about the flag and it was no longer allowed on school property. "In this country we're supposed to be free," said Cody. "And I should be able to wave my flag wherever I want to. And...

Should the American Flag be Banned -- in America? No. This is a lame decision. Teach the kids what the flag means, instead of banning it. Yes. The safety of students comes first. Not sure, but of all things to ban, the American flag would seem the least 'incendiary.' Other (post a comment)

Hi gang, nice to be back. Unfortunately, as I describe further in today’s column, it’s like I never left. In the column, I suggest we can assess the silliness of the rationalizations of the Ground Zero mosque by applying them to Pastor Terry Jones’s similarly provocative Koran-burning escapade — entirely legal, but a gratuitously offensive thing to do.But that doesn’t begin to cover how vapid the commentary continues to be, particularly from the commander-in-chief — as President Obama took pains to remind us he is in an interview by George Stephanopoulos this morning.According to Obama, Jones’s “stunt” (a fair...

LAVEEN, Ariz. — Don’t tread on Andy C. McDonel. This year, Mr. McDonel began flying a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag on his roof in this unincorporated area just outside Phoenix. The historic banner — which dates to 1775, when it was hoisted aboard ships during the initial days of the Revolutionary War — has been adopted by the Tea Party movement. But Mr. McDonel said that he had unfurled the flag for its historical significance and nothing else. He notes that the banner, the Gadsden flag, has been widely used over the years and was even featured on...

Jim Brossard, a US veteran, uses an Iraqi Freedom Army knife to cut down an American flag being flown under a Mexican flag at a business in Reno, NV

<p>After an absence of a few days, a mural of an American flag has returned to a hillside above Interstate 680 in Sunol — just in time for the Fourth of July.</p> <p>Caltrans had obliterated the previous mural, but thanks to two patriots, the colors of Old Glory are once again visible.</p>

Veteran Removes The American Flag: This is a video clip showing the veteran who went down to a Mexican restaurant in Reno, NV ,to take down the American flag that was being flown UNDER their Mexican flag. This guy silenced the folks on the sidewalk and makes me proud to be an American. I think it's going to take a lot more of this kind of revolting to change things...watch and be proud.

Today is one of those "minor" holidays. No one gets the day off work because it's Flag Day and it's business as usual throughout the country. A few towns and cities across the nation have small parades or other community events to celebrate but it largely passes unnoticed by most Americans. Officially, Flag Day is the commemoration of the 1777 adoption of the United States Flag by the Continental Congress. We all know the story of Betsy Ross stitching the first flag (which may or may not be 100% true according to historians). But especially on Flag Day we should...

"Gaza flotilla: 2 dead, dozens injured in navy boarding." By JPOST.COM STAFF AND YAAKOV KATZ 05/31/2010 07:00 SNIPPET: "Passengers tried to wrest weapons from soldiers, Army Radio reports; Turkish leadership in emergency meeting to discuss response to attack at sea. Passengers tried to grab weapons away from soldiers boarding the Gaza protest flotilla, starting the violence, Army Radio reported Tuesday morning, responding to accusations that Israeli commandos assaulted the ships guns blazing."

From “The O’Reilly Factor” a little over thirty minutes ago. Bill O’Reilly talks about the growing tensions going on between Americans and Mexicans. It started on May 5, 2010, when on the day of Cinco De Mayo, students of Mexican backround wore tee-shirts with the Mexican flag on it, while American students who had worn tee-shirts with American flags had gotten into trouble with the principle.

Good grief! A group of students, in protest knock to the ground an American flag, then afterwards DEMAND “RESPECT” in turn? What is wrong with these young people!? You cannot get respect if you do not EARN the respect of others and hold respect for special values that make the USA GREAT. With MANY THANKS to xSAVAGExISxRIGHTx and YouTube.

The battle over the American flag has reached a middle school art class in California’s Santa Rita School District where a student was told not to draw Old Glory because it was “offensive,” while another student was praised for drawing a picture of President Obama. Tracy Hathaway, of Salinas, CA, told FOX News Radio her 13-year-old daughter was ordered to stop drawing the American flag and start another project at Gavilan View Middle School. “She had drawn the flag and was sketching the letters, ‘God bless America,’ when the teacher confronted her,” Hathaway told FOX. “She said, ‘You can’t draw...

Californians were recently confronted with a sobering reality. Students at a large high school in the Morgan Hill district were told by school administrators that American flag tee shirts and other patriotic paraphernalia were not allowed, citing Cinco de Mayo as justification. Few students at the school probably realize that America provided help to Mexico in expelling the French, whose defeat at the Battle of Puebla is commemorated on May 5. How can American flags be "offensive" on a day that is almost as much American as it is Mexican? Cinco de Mayo is not even celebrated as a national...

Per Drudge... Yesterday, a listener’s son was offended that his school, Klein Collins High School, displayed the Mexican flag prominently. His mother called to complain, and the school wouldn’t return her call. The student took the sign down. The school pitched a fit, reviewed the surveillance tapes, found the student, and suspended him for 3 days. AND he has to pay for the flag.

It’s funny how things can begin from a relatively minor event. In my world history classes, we’re discussing the beginnings of World War I. Invariably when discussing this topic, students marvel at how one assassination was the spark that threw Europe–and eventually the United States–into a bloody conflict. Arizona passed a law allowing their law enforcement officers to do what the federal government should have been doing for years. Chaos ensued. Days later, on Cinco de Mayo–a holiday that Mexicans don’t even really celebrate, according to one of my Mexican-American basketball players–two students were forced to leave school because they...

This coming from one of the young people who got into trouble simply for wearing a shirt with the American flag on it, while a number of students from that SAME high school, who either themselves or their parents, come from Mexico, on Cinco De Mayo, are ALLOWED to wear shirts of the Mexican flag. What is WRONG HERE? Can people who are Americans wear a shirt with the American flag on it while people who are Mexicans where shirts with the Mexican flag on it ?

What country are we in? 200 students left school and held a march today following the reports yesterday that 4 students dare wear American flag shirts on Cinco de Mayo. Hispanic students march down Monterey Road in Morgan Hill on Thursday morning asking for respect after Live Oak High School Principal Nick Boden ignited a controversy Wednesday by sending home five students who wore American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. (Photo by: MorganHill Times Staff) MorganHill Times reported: About 200 Hispanic teens are marching in Morgan Hill yelling “We want respect!” and “Si se puede!” in reaction to a...

Should the display of an American flag be banned, even if a school administrator feels that display could lead to fights? No. This is a lame decision. Teach the kids what the flag means, instead of banning it. 46% (147,117 votes) Yes. The safety of students comes first. 53% (167,868 votes) Not sure, but of all things to ban, the American flag would seem the least 'incendiary.' <1% (1,268 votes) Other (post a comment) 1% (3,241 votes) Total Votes: 319,494 PLEASE FREEP!!!

Berkeley fire officials ordered flags to be removed from the city's fire trucks Wednesday, at least temporarily. The decision was made by top department brass in order to avoid a confrontation between protesters who might try to steal the flags and the firefighters who would defend them, said Assistant Fire Chief David Orth. Orth said the "operational decision" was made in preparation for a protest today on Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley. "We are fearing protesters might try to rip the flags off the rigs," Orth said. "I am not concerned about losing a flag; I am concerned about them...

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Five Morgan Hill students sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts 2:11 PM By Lindsay Bryant Five male students were asked to leave Live Oak High School this morning because they were wearing American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. Officials at the school could not be reached for comment, but one student said administrators called the T-shirts "incendiary." "They said we were starting a fight, we were fuel to the fire," said Matt Dariano, a sophomore. The five teens were sitting at a table outside during their brunch break around 10:10 a.m. when Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez asked two...

It's a new school year, but an old fight is brewing in American classrooms. Teachers and administrators around the country are scratching their heads once again over the Pledge of Allegiance. The courts have consistently ruled that students have the right not to recite the pledge in public schools. But now some First Amendment advocates are taking it one step further, arguing that the law compels educators to inform kids at the beginning of school that the decision is entirely up to them. They're advocating a "Miranda warning" for the Pledge... See the rest of article posted at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,550063,00.html.

The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced stadiums. But the lack of space for one low-tech item stirred passionate debate this week. Fans started noticing a week ago that the team doesn't have a U.S. flag permanently displayed inside the stadium. Owner Jerry Jones said Friday on KRLD-FM (105.3) that a flag wouldn't be added. The debate started last weekend when a high school football team did not have a flag at its game, and the national anthem was performed without the Stars and Stripes. "The policy really is that the people that are...

These vile people know they're Americans, right? One of the 20 finalists in health care video contest run by Barack Obama’s campaign arm features a mural of an America flag splattered with health care graffiti until it’s covered completely by black paint. I know, I know, patriotism is SO uncool amongst the Latter Day Patchoulis but can't they at least pretend not to despise all things American for marketing purposes? Apparently not, so deep is their revulsion for any American symbol that us common folk hold dear. According to the Organizing for American Web site, the 20 finalists in the...

"So is this just an uncanny coincidence, or a genuine threat to our nation’s flag? I don’t know about you, but I find the whole 'everything has to come down', 'sports flags are also not allowed', and 'nothing is allowed on the lockers' too thin an excuse..."

A Chester City firefighter was suspended without pay yesterday for refusing to remove an American flag sticker from his locker. James Krapf, an 11-year veteran of the department, could face more days of suspension if he does not remove the sticker, Fire Commissioner James Johnson said.