Quite right. I agree with every point.

They should celebrate their Mexican holiday it the country of origin- Mexico. I hope the parents ask for the firing of the prinicipal.

Last time I checked Morgan Hill, CA, was still in America. Why are they forced to celebrate a Mexican holiday in America?!? I've been in Canada over July 4th and wasn't offended that they weren't celebrating the USA's Independence. Nor do they expect us to celebrate Canada Day.

I honestly do not get it!!!

But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.

"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."

NEWS FLASH !!!

You are not in Mexico. You and the school administration diserve a swift kick in the arse for being an idiot, not an apology.

How did they know the boys wearing the US flag weren't Mexican-Americans, showing their pride in the new country? Were they profiling and assuming they weren't because of their skin color? Shame, shame shame!

Seriously, is this the idiotic thing you've ever heard? Why is the school admin enforcing limitations of national pride to serve a foreign nationality?

Mexicans insulted by Americans in a American school. in a American State in a American city, protesting the American symbol; while they wear their American flag colors; and best yet some tin horned idiot school official ordering the American symbol removed, but not the Mexican symbol; this situation is beyond belief. The United States Supreme court has said that it is not a violation to wear a symbol of the American flag. I guess the school board just told the Supreme Court where they can shove their decision!

Political correctness..., run amok yet again.

Apparently our own citizens are no longer the priority in some communities. Viva America!

pandering by politicians only add to it... illeagals go home !!!

As a publicly funded institution, they should shut down the school permanently, but being in California, they won't do what they should . If people feel greater allegiance to any foreign country, they should live in the country of their allegiance. Who is stopping these people from returning to Mexico where they obviously belong and where they want to be? Perhaps they can make a contribution to improve vastly and enormously the country that they love. Many of these people believe that California belongs to Mexico, but they have that all wrong. Like Texas, Arizona, and the rest of the southwest, California was liberated from Mexico. A good thing.

I think we all need to send letters to the school board and demand the firing of every teacher and the principal of the school, because they all had American flags flying in their classrooms on a day that is important to Mexico. How dare they not remove those flags to an offsite location? They were trying to insult our Mexican guests!

/s/

One word: "Racist" and the parents are supporting the bigotry. The school is correct for saying that wearing these tees on May 5 was incendiary. It's like trying to serve roasted horse at Ascot. The Bobbies just shut the vendor down and told her to take the stall downtown if she wasnted to serve horse somewhere. The tees might have been the "right" thing, but wrong place, wrong time. And definately, on purpose.

Shame on parents for promoting such negativity.

Are you kidding me? What has America come to? Lets just hand it over gift wrapped to anybody that wants to take it over.

Give me a freaking break here!! I guess on Saint Patrick's Day it would be inappropriate to wear an American flag t-shirt!?!?! Or how about Columbus Day!?!?! And what about Eid???

I can appreciate that the principle is at least aware enough about the high level of anxiety surrounding Arizona's new immigration law to try to take action to avoid heightened tensions but really now did he not take civics??? Has he forgotten about the 1st amendment altogether???

Granted its just one day but for crying out loud, two kids sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch!?!?! I could maybe understand or even support the principle's action if it was roving youths displaying their 'colors' and acting with animosity towards students of Hispanic backgrounds but let's get a grip here!

It is ALWAYS you "love it or leave it types" that make me laugh really hard at your ignorance of the flag you claim to love and respect. These kids should have their respect off the flag questioned, as should every other flag wearing fool, including those politicians who pander to morons by wearing flag pins.

Section 8d of the flag code reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."

So why don't all of you show some respect to flag, and realize these kids should not have been wearing the clothing in the first place.

Really ! And to protest an immigration law that is so tame compared to Mexico's immigration laws.

Mary, are you kidding me! Anytime that an American cannot wear an American flag t-shirt to school, is the day that we just lost our freedom. Get a life,,,,,,,somewhere else.

This thing gets better, Gilroy Newspaper; the school officials were celebrating a festival, where the Mexican flags were flying over the campus; the school sponsored this, they flew the Mexican flag, they took down the American flag!

You folks are missing the point in this,,,this is all politics....its being allowed because of politics....the cost to the US citizen for supporting illegals from all countries is because of politics. The principal of that school and maybe the school board should be releaved of their positions....would bet that someone on that school board knew of what that prinipal was going to do or at least how he or she felt on that issue before this happened.

Davefoleyo re 1.2

The clothing the guys were wearing was not the USA flag, but a tee shirt with a flag logo. Big difference.

How much is enough people? You may not display the American flag in the country of it's origin because some political correct liberal school system official said so but the Mexicans can run their "RAG" of a flag up our flag poles at the schools and the press ignores it? There is freedom of speech and someone best start acknowledging this fact soon or there will be an event they will not be able to ignore! Mexican-American, African- American? WELL I am Irish-American and from now on American Socialist News outlets start addressing me as such! The schools is guilty of bias and profiling! The Mexicans in this country celebrate Cinco DE Mayo and not in Mexico itself, plus the independence they are so happy about was in September, not MAy! Freedom from the French! Time to make Mexico the 51st state I'm thinking! Should have done it at SAn Jacinto Battle!

I don't believe this crap. One other poster was right. If this had been St. Patricks Day these kids could have worn those shirts without complaint from anyone.

They were worried that these boys would stir up angst from the Mexican kids at school? COME ON!!! If they get riled enough over a damned t shirt to start a fight put the blame where it lies. On the kids stupid enough to be mad over a t shirt.

This is AMERICA not Mexico. If they want to celebrate a day that celebrates their heritage fine but remember they live HERE not THERE. This is no cause to tell Americans that on "Mexican heritage" day we have to put away American pride for a day. WTF???

They live here they should proud of that too on ANY day.

Hell they barely recognize it IN Mexico. WTF??

According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico.^[16] The 2007 paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."^[16]

As an American I reserve the right to wear the American flag on my shirt whenever I damn well please. To think my husband is defending our country only for jack asses to pull something like this is dissapointing.

Sometimes I am very ashamed of our citizens. This principal should be fired. It's okay for Mexicans to protest, carrying the Mexican flag, but our own people cannot display the American Flag? What is wrong with these people? What is wrong with America?

I think we should have a week where EVERY American citiizen wears red, white a blue, either with a pin, a t-shirt or simply red, white and blue clothing. How about the golfers doing it? They get international press. If they can wear pink for breast cancer, they certainly could wear red, white and blue for their country.

Mary Price you are the biggest idiot I have ever read in any post. I agree with all who say it is America love it or leave it. If you are Mexican American or just an illegal immigrant attending a school in America get used to the fact that this is America and not Mexico. If you want to celebrate Cinco De Mayo that is fine but if someone wants to show their patriotism you should not be offended because it is Ameica not Mexico. Where did freedom of speech go that day. Those students had every right to wear a Tee shirt with an American flag on it to say I am proud to be an American as much as you are of your heritage.

So does this school suspend mexicans for wearing mexican flag t shirts on memorial day, veterans day or are they afraid of racial profiling? This school needs to be shut down. A school that tells Americans they can't wear American flag shirts 365 days if they want, has no business teaching anything.

Take note...Mary Price...ANTI AMERICAN! Why should the students give up their pride and the Mexicans be able to show theirs. This is not an AMERICAN holiday..It is a Mexican. I am Italian Russian, I do not celebrate Italian holidays, nor am offended by someone wearing an American Flag on an Italian holiday. If they so honor Mexico, they need to go back.

But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.

GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY THEN!!! Go back to Mexico, or wherever you or your ancestors came from. I'm so mad I can't even see straight. Again I'll give a big shout out to the liberals who having divided this country into various ethnic race groups they can pander to, purely for there own political well being, not for the well being of the country. We are all Americans damit, NOT Black, Hispanic, Irish, Muslim, White, Jewish, Native, Gay, Asian, .......... Americans! If we ever get to the point where we make no distinction between various ethnic/racial groups, then racism will die. The current liberal pandering to these groups is perpetuating stereotypes and racism.

"We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

Yeah, the way I see it the administration has bigger problems then feelings to worry about...

I wonder if the students had placed a toilet with the American flag in it in the hallway or if they burned an American flag at school yesterday, the principal likely would have held a parade in honor of these students.

The 2007 paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."^[16]

Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages,^[22] foods, and music.^[23][24]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

Businesses in the US will promote celebrating just about anything if they can turn a profit from it. This I understand, but it is wrong to require our children in school to acknowledge and celebrate any holiday.

Think of the holidays that are politically incorrect to observe in classrooms such as Halloween, Christmas, and Easter because it might offend someone for religious reasons.

Cinco de Mayo could be included in a world history lesson in the appropriate class, but not a required day of observance and celebration in any school in the US.

This school and any other publicly funded school is wrong in what it did. We do not recognize any other foreign nation's battles as a cause for nationwide public school celebration. Why should we?

"We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

If you live in America you're American. This is NOT disrespect. This is about your heritage not your country and not everyone should have to celebrate it.

Why in the hell would I celebrate Mexican heritage day if my heritage is NOT Mexican unless I just wanted to?

OMG this story infuriates me.

Section 8d of the flag code reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."

That means you should not wear the FLAG as apparel, not that you can't wear something depicting the flag.

As to the boys, where's the ACLU to protect their rights. Those boys did nothing wrong. There were quotes that these boys were "insensitive" to the Mexicans on their day. What about the insensitivity towards those boys. Are they suppose to not be proud Americans on May 5th? Give me a break!

We have immigrants from every country here, does that mean we can't be proud of the flag that flies our colors and is suppose to make us united under one flag.

On a day that celebrates Polish History, are we suppose to ignore our flag?

On a day that celebrates Italian History, are we suppose to ignore our flag?

During a month that celebrates Black History, are we suppose to ignore our flag?

Hell NO! But for May 5th, we are suppose to ignore our flag! I don't think so.

This is the USA. If you choose to live here, it's under our flag. Embrace your heritage and celebrate your history, I'm all for that. Just don't try to override anyone that lives here their right to be proud of their country.

Steve 421605

I agree 100%. The Prinicipal must be a mexican. It's time to send these people back to mexico, This is the UNITED STATES and if they do not like our Flag, or Anthem they should go back to medico where they belong and don't let them back in. If they become citisans they sould be able to talk English, or be imported back to mideco.

Funny thing, May 5th has always to me signified the date that in 1945 American troops along with Canadians and UK forces liberated The Netherlands and Denmark.

This is repulsive. I've had what some would call 'questionable ethical views' at times; I believe in equal opportunity and fairness across the board, yet completely disagree with reverse racism and reverse sexism.

Years ago, I would apply for a job, and no matter how good my ranking, a black man, a woman, and a black woman would come before me putting me down the list. And I was told this by 'the powers that be' when I'd call and say, "what the hell? You needed 110 people, I placed number 45, but recieved a letter saying sorry, the jobs are filled?"

Many may disagree with me on that, and believe that was what was needed to equalize the playing field or right the wrongs, but I see it as reverse racism and sexism, no better or different than what they were trying to correct. I also see it as perpetuating racism and sexism, furthering divides.

But, in this case, it's not my opinion. Americans wearing the American Flag on their persons for WHATEVER reason..... just because, to show pride, to stand up...... THERE IS NO WRONG DAY OR REASON to show American pride.

The pendulums swung WWAAYYY too far, this is almost dream-scape crap here; I keep thinking it's a hoax and someone hacked in to MSNBC's server and made up lies, but it appears that a Traitorous principle in this school REALLY DID DO THIS.

No kidding, I say charge his ass and send a strong, clear message.... THIS IS AMERICA, YOU ARE IN AMERICA, and you've just PUNISHED American kids for showing American pride... YOU SENT THEM HOME FOR IT!!!!

Turn an American flag on MY shirt inside out so as not to offend someone in AMERICA? I'd turn his face inside out so it doesn't offend me (sorry, but how infuriating can some's moronic PC actions be?)

That is a very good observation. I was just going to point that out myself.

So, now we have days in American schools when American Children cannot display the American Flag!?!?!?!

I suppose this school does now allow American children to say the pledge of allegaince during Cinco De Mayo either?

How about this suggestion: If you want to celebrate Cinco De Mayo WITHOUT the American Flag - GO TO MEXICO!

EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISPLAY THE AMERICAN FLAG 365 DAYS A YEAR in AMERICA!!! ESPECIALLY AMERICAN CHILDREN IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS!

Where is the lawsuit against these school officials!?!?!

My GAWD WHAT HAS THIS COUNTRY COME TO!!!

God Help America!

Any respectable Mexican agrees Cinco de Mayo is not a day worthy of celebration.

Here's what Cinco de Mayo marks: Mexico didn't pay their debts and when somebody came to collect, the Mexican Army killed them. What a precedence; "Don't pay your bills and when your creditors show up to collect, kill them." Mexico is right to not treat this day with respect and it should be a day of national shame.

The Morgan Hill Unified School District should teach some real history.

Actually, Mary Price, you are the racist. You should be standing up for all immigrants and support the idea that Americans can't wear patriotic insignia on Canada Day, Bastille Day, VE Day, VJ Day, Remembrance Day, during Ramadan, German Reunification Day, Guy Fawlkes Day, etc. You are prejudiced against Canadians, French, Germans, Italians, British, Muslims, and Japanese.

In case anyone noticed, Cinco De Mayo is not a US holiday. The Administrators were wrong to ask the students to remove their Flag wear. I am glad the parents are standing up for their children. This is SOOOOOOO wrong! How about standing up for America!

Dave from Iowa:
"The clothing the guys were wearing was not the USA flag, but a tee shirt with a flag logo. Big difference."

If you watch the TV news coverage, they were wearing not just flag shirts, but flag bandannas, shorts covered with flags, and red-white-and-blue shoes. After seeing it, my opinion is that they were actually wearing the flag as clothing. Maybe bad taste and poor judgment, but still their right. The flag code isn't law.

It looks like the school district is disavowing the actions of the principal. We'll have to see what happens to him. Stupid action on his part.

willowbrook it IS an American holiday. LOL

In fact Cinco De Mayo is celebrated in more in places outside of Mexico than in it.

Jen it doesn't matter why these kids wore their shirts. Why on earth should other American students be inflamed by an American flag? Their heritage is Mexican but they are still Americans. So what should be so upsetting to them about seeing their OWN country's flag?

How much longer are we going to put up with this kind of sh**?

Exactly...I do not care where you or any of your family comes from...this is AMERICA everyday!!!

I thought that Cino de Mayo was the Mexican beer companies way of promoting their beer, like Christmas is owned by wal-mart, St. Patties day by the irish pubs, and thanksgiving by farmers or and halmark gets their cut on all of them. How is it that we can't wear an american flag in a PUBLIC school on a mexican beer holiday.

Oh yeah.. and if they want to be American than why on earth DO they fly Mexican flags at rallies? Do they want to be Mexican or American? They need to make up their minds. Mexico's flag is Mexico's. American flags are for Americans whether they are Dutch, German, Irish, Haitian, African, Mexican...

If you are an American regardless of your heritage then the American flag IS YOUR FLAG.

I think that the school should've lowered the American flag and raised the Mexican flag on 5 May. NOT!

Somebody pinch me...Americans can't wear American colors on American soil because it is some other countries celebration day? But it is OK for illegals to march on city hall in Arizona to protest the laws they don't like?

When are we going to wake up as a nation and realize we are handing our country over to anyone who bitches about unfair treatment and we will soon have no country to call our own.

Restated because of how powerful a message it sends.

You are not white, black, or brown if you are a US citizen. You are AMERICANS.

You are not just Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics, Wiccans, (and whatever I missed) if you are US citizens. You are also AMERICANS.

You aren't just Mary, Jo, or Bob if you are a US citizen. You are an American.

People have fought and died to make America a place for freedom. People have died trying to immigrate here for the freedoms we enjoy. If you cannot symbolize your pride and nationalism, you are no longer in the America those before us fought and died to create and preserve. THINK ABOUT IT.

Why not enforce it further and make it improper to speak english for the day. Some people.....jeez

This is why Arizona IS RIGHT!!!!

WE ARE LOSING OUR COUNTRY THIS IS A INVASION AND A TAKE OVER OF OUR COUNTRY!!

Is the principal still employed? The community needs to discuss his competence with the school district's senior administration. He - not the students - needs to be suspended for anti-American behavior.

Eris, correct. It's mostly celebrated by/in bars and restaurants because that's how we celebrate, with food and drink!

Jen, I understand your point BUT the boys were not causing trouble. They do not lose their right to be proud of their country because it is May 5th.

I think there is nothing wrong in wearing USA colors or flag at anytime on US soil. However, under the current anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican atmosphere, I think the students maybe were looking to piss the Mexican-American students disguised as the right to be patriotic or express themselves.

So should the legal and illegal immigrants stop flying the Mexican flag while protesting about having the rights of an American citizen? Isn't that inflammatory?

And what if these kids did wear these shirts as a form of protest? According to our Constitution they have that right as long as they are not inciting violence. If showing the American flag is enough to incite violence in people who say they are American or want to be American then perhaps this is not really the country they want to live in after all.

Maybe they should live in the country that displays the flag of their choice.

Dear Ms. Annicia Nunez,

You make the rest of us look bad. I understand that you mean well. You are trying to show pride in our heritage. But your small mind perceived the same pride in others as an assault? Really?

I know there was plenty of hate spouted yesterday against Mexicans. I saw it online and did my part to combat it. But if all these boys did was wear clothing with the American flag, you over reacted.

Please apologize to these boys and to every Mexican American for set us back with your moronic jaw flapping.

Thank you.

is it any wonder the American public is fed up with illegals. this is America. since when can our kids not wear items adorned with the American flag? this is a slap in the face of every American serviceman who fought and or died for this nation.

if our flag is so offensive to these mexicans, perhaps they should get the @!$%# out of OUR nation.

if you find what this school did offensive, i urge you to call them and let them know, the phone number for live oaks high school is 408-201-6100

boogablue

There is a difference between wearing the flag and displaying or wearing a picture of the flag.

What the hell????? You can't wear a shirt with the American Flag on it at a school on May 5th in CA? Last time I checked CA was in the USA!!! This is an outrage and the principle at this school needs to be fired. What a crock...........if I was the parent of one of the kids who were disciplined, I would be really fired up!

This is complete and utter BS!!! However, being a former resident of the Bay area, it doesn't surprise me one bit.

I call upon everyone who cares about this country to make some additions to your wardrobe.

Zazzle.com has a million great things available.

Be proud

This is getting rediculous. All of these students are Americans, I'm assuming these students were all born in the U.S.. Why would anyone of whatever ancestry be insulted by someone wearing the image of the U.S. flag? You would think that they would be just as proud no matter what national holiday they are celebrating. They wanted to come here for some reason and to be offended by the very symbol of the country they chose to be in is absolutely assinine. The staff of this school should be reprimanded rather than any students. If these students are illegals then they still should not be offended by someone wearing the colors of the U.S.. If they really want to be Americans so bad then they had best get with the program instead of playing silly nationalistic games like this.

I'm assuming these students were all born in the U.S..

i wouldn't assume that. we're talking about california. i bet there are plenty of illegals attending that school at the expense of the American public.

In my opinion the principal didn't go far enough! He should have banned them from speaking in english also!

What a load of hooey! Last time I checked, California was still a part of the United States, which means that we don't celebrate the holidays of other nations any more than they celebrate ours.

It's unfortunate that, as a country, we are trying to teach our children that they should be respectful of everyone else's customs and beliefs, but that those of our own country are not even worth anything. The school administrators should be made to apologize to those kids and should lose their jobs. You know, the jobs they have as employees of a school district in the United States!

maybe we should have taken all american flags down and replaced them with mexican flags for the day so they won't feel dissed? dang, I hope obama doesn't read this...

Morgan Hill California???? Oh brother! I suspect these poor little rich boys who spontaniously wore American flags on a Mexican American celebration day just could not wait a day to display. How sweet.

The school was right to note the obvious and avoid a protest act that interfers in education and may end up with a fight - school is not a place for the wealthy little suburban area boys to act out. School is where they are taught and get their education. These little Morgan Hill boys should be displaying for mommy and daddy with their report cards.

I will be convinced that what they did is ok if the little angels were also allowed to wear an upside down cross to school on National Prayer or Christmas Day.

Good for the school for understanding that all their students have the right to study in a setting that is less prone to fights and unnecessary actions.

Take America Back !!

Vote the Bums out in November !!!!

Great post "Steve-421605".

Not only are the "ILLEGALS" marching in protest to AMERICAN laws they don't like, they're waving MEXICAN flags which in my mind constitutes TREASON. Yes I said illegal, because if they're here legally, why are they protesting ? They must be worried about being deported. Otherwise they'd keep quiet.

Try going to Mexico and waving the American flag and see how long it takes to be arrested or shot on sight. Also, try to go to Germany or France or Spain and try to make people learn English or lobby for it to be the official language and see how long you last...

This country isn't going to Hell, it's already there. God help us all.

If the principal cant run a school in California without the Mexican population erupting into violence then there is something very wrong with the system in California.

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...

There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

--Theodore Roosevelt, 1907

boogablue, I wear shirts with the american flag on them at least once a week, I don't consider it an insult or disrespectful, I do it to honor the servicemen and women, who have served or are currently serving our nation. My father died serving his country.

OKay as a Retired US Air Force Veteran, this goes too far. The administration of that school needs to go serve 10 days in Iraq or Afghanistan, and find out what it is like to defend the flag of the United States. Then when they come home, they should be forced to walk a gauntlet of active duty US Military in the school they were administrators of. I'm guessing they'd never again defend the rights of Mexican Americans students. Some of these Mexican Americans have served in our military by the way, and some have lost their life fighting for the right to fly the US Flag.

These were 5 punks who knew they were gonna stir it up by wearing the shirts with American flags. My guess would be that they did not own these shirts until the day before when they hatched their scheme to create a disturbance by wearing them. The school officials should have just let the other students deal with them accordingly....

I say anyone that was offended by these kids wearing American flags need to be sent back to Mexico on the next bus period. If you live in America follow our holidays and language or get the hell out!

norcal, hysterical, is there such a thing as national prayer day? and I'm guessing schools are closed on christmas.

Could not have said it better. If they don't like it here, go back to from where you came. This is AMERICA, not mexico, not spain, not honduras, AMERICA.

Please don't assume that all liberals are going to support the principal's decision. I'm definitely somewhat to the left of center politically, but I think this is total crap and would be calling for the principal's head if I was the mother of any of these boys. Since when is it disrespectful and "incendiary" to wear the colors of our country - IN our country? This is a case that the ACLU should get involved in - but I bet they won't because it involves a minority.

I can not even begin to tell you how mad I am about this issue! I will promise to email that school until the servers shut down about this INJUSTICE! The indoctrination of our students by liberal left wing morons like the principal of this school should all be put on a boat and led out to sea. HOW DARE THEY infringe on our freedoms! On July 4th we don't tell other they can't wear Mexican flags on their shirts, thats what FREE means!

America Today-Anthony you said:

If the principal cant run a school in California without the Mexican population erupting into violence then there is something very wrong with the system in California.

I take it you have never been to Morgan Hill California. Any violence from the children would be centered around taking their brand name designer shoes away. Now that would have been tragic. lol

I wonder if the boys ever wore the bandanas at any other time of the school year. If not then they were making a statement but to play the devil’s advocate, if these same American students were in a Mexican school on the 4th of July and a few Mexican students did the same in reverse do you think it would have made the headlines?

I am enough of a realist to understand that the boys did this at a very sensitive time (and most likely knowingly showed a lack of fore thought), but how far are we going to go with this... are we going to ban Muslims from wearing hijabs on the anniversary of September 11th too? There has to be freedom of speech and religion for everyone, or else none of us will have it in the end.

Norcal.

Why does a school in an upscale neighborhood, as you plainly allude to, have a predominately mexican population.

Hows that immigration reform treating your lovely state?

Oh and I think I know why California is so angry at Arizona for taking the first step. Your liberal state will be the landing ground for about 7 million more illegal Mexicans!

How long will it take you to get off your liberal soapbox and realize your state has been invaded by mexicans?

I guess you need to travel to Oregon to see the doctor because all of the California hospitals are over ridden with illegals. I was there 3 years ago all over the state doing IT work in your hospitals. Are you trying to tell me that things have improved LOL.

I would love to know how many of those Mexican -Americans are getting free lunch, breakfast and food stamps by the people who support that flag. And exactly what has that great society of Mexico done for them ever, except provide a map for them to walk through the desert to be with a better class of people.

Time to boycott all things Cali !

Section 8d of the flag code reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."

That's an unbelievably wide interpretation of the flag code. This applies to an ACTUAL FLAG, not to items of apparel that have pictures of the flag on them such as t-shirts, pins, etc. Now if someone took an actual flag and made a shirt out of it, THEN the code applies - but the way you're trying to apply it is just nonsensical.

NORCAL- Why would there be a fight? Why would there be a disruption? Are you clueless? This is AMERICA! NOT MEXICO! If the mexicans who live here dont know this, then maybe the poor little rich boys did a good thing by reminding them that this is America- where they live , breed and prosper from my taxes- Not mexico- If it is such an important thing to them, then , load them up and send them back to their cultural identity land. Thats right they dont want to be there because it is all screwed up due to their own people's lack of ability to deal with their own government and figure out legal ways to prosper. While you slam the poor little rich boys of Morgan Hill, remember that the people they were supposedly offending were poor little mexican boys from Morgan Hill as well. You and your ilk wanted change? Well I think you got it. America is changing back into the peoples country, legal peoples who have worked hard for their prosperity. Take a close look at Greece right now- its comming to America at a corner bank near you! It will happen because of liberal garbage educatin and your ilk that support it. PS- My kids will never play with yours. This country needs incited into something the selective press understands- we Americans are sick of this!!!

cmon-864012 I hoped someone would appreciate it! lol

I suspect this wealthy little community will survive flag-gate. Maybe they can all go out for caviar next Cinco de Mayo. Hard to take a Morgan Hill protest against a holiday serious. It is a beautiful little community protected by any kind of "reality".

I am sure the PTA can open the school for Christmas for the little angels to wear those upside down crossed. ;-)

If you are offended by the US flag in our country, please leave. We don't need you or want you.

WOW. I'm a black American who considers herself neither a liberal or a conservative (I vote for whomever the hell I feel like). If this isn't a wake-up call. I mean, how does someone even begin to justify something like this. I fear one day we are going to be the ones having to march to City Hall just to reestablish our natural-born rights.

As far as this illegal immigration, I could care less if someone wants to come here LEGALLY and contribute to our society. The problem is, when we have a disproportional amount of illegals coming in and working for scraps. It deteriorates or own communities. It takes away jobs for our own poor citizens. Believe it or not, we need poor people (someone has to work at Target) but we need them to be self-sustaining. Plus these people aren't paying taxes. They complain that "We do the work you all wont." But $5/hr is a whole lot when you're getting your whole $5. This leads to crime and poverty amongst in our own neighborhoods. Something, I just don't know what, has to be done.

ml in az if there are any Mexican Amerians in Morgan Hill they are as well off as any other Morgan Hill student.

The stereotyping does not quite fit in that town.

Well kiss my grits. That's a rude thing for them young'un to do to our Mexican guest. I bet ya that the assist. principle was most likely a Mexican or scared to death of the gang in the school. One way to fix this mess is to invade Mexico and take her over. That way they can be legalized as American Mexican and the goverment can collect taxes off of them. While we're at it we can ask Cananda if they want to join the union. Then we would all be one happy country. Might even allow Arnold to run for president. Lord I can see it now. imagine what the new flag might look like? Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, White etc. Money saved on boarder control. Price of drug dropping to almost nothing. Everyone living the same and not offending some many. Everything written in Spanish, English, French. Ah don't just see it.

"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."

Annicia might not do it but many Mexicans do display the Mexican flag on the Fourth of July both by flying the flag and wearing it on their clothing. Until she is ready to condem them as well she needs to shut up.

When did it become disrespectfull to show pride in the good ole U.S. of A ? I'm so sick of hearing people defending people that are breaking our laws. I don't care if you're Mexican, Korean, South African or what ever other nationalitly. If you can't follow the proper procedures to enter our country you have no right to say S#it and those defending then shut the F* up. Further more, if you are here legally, show some freakin respect for the country "You Chose" to come to and be a part of.

boogablue

You shouldn't be wearing the American Flag at all.

It's disrespectful to the nation and those who fought for it. I wish you all would stop desecrating the American flag while stating how patriotic you are. If you were really patriotic, you would learn the code of how to display the flag correctly, and do so.

Even Tommy Franks came out with a country-style American Flag shirt. It's INSANE how little you people understand. You bumper sticker patriots are the first to attempt to destroy an American and blame them for your mistreatment of/stealing from them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, there is a correct way to display the FLAG and the majority of Americans do so with the FLAG.

It is not illegal to wear clothing that has the colors or even something depicting the flag on your clothes. It is the FLAG itself that one should not wear as clothing.

Watch calling people idiots. It is not only inflammatory, it can come back and bite you.

Wealthy kids fight too. The school wanted to avoid a situation where the students are all fighting with words like "He stepped on my designer shoe!". Yes, even the Mexicans are wealthy. Look at what you folks are mentally seeing and compare it to the real Morgan Hill town:

http://neighborhoods.rdesk.com/backfence/viewcomment.aspx?id=33176CC2-F5FF-43E0-9025-F63CEE57B38C&city=Morgan_Hill_CA&p=50649278

MMos said:

As to the boys, where's the ACLU to protect their rights. Those boys did nothing wrong. There were quotes that these boys were "insensitive" to the Mexicans on their day. What about the insensitivity towards those boys. Are they suppose to not be proud Americans on May 5th? Give me a break!

MMos, you are so right! But I guess the ACLU is not interested in protecting American rights! The ACLU just sunk to a new low in my book!

I'm sorry, but Cinco De Mayo is just a reason to party. Here is this school Administrator setting a party day above American tradition. Pathetic!

You got it right!

AMEN!

I'm an American Hispanic. I also happen to disagree with the current Arizona laws, and think they are a result of a Fed that drags its feet. And all I have to say is:

What a bunch of idiots for not letting these kids wear the flag of the country they live in.

Well, I'll also say this...sure the kids were probably wearing the flag on Cinco de Mayo in support of Arizona and its anti-immigration laws. Is that so wrong? There isn't a single illegal immigrant to the US in my entire Hispanic family. NOT ONE! I was taught, rightly, that I'm an American first. And whether they want to admit it or not, any citizen in the US is an AMERICAN FIRST. So, if a kid has a problem with another kid wearing an American flag, maybe that other kid is the problem. And maybe the school is a problem. Because the likelyhood is that that other kid is an illegal immigrant, or that kid needs to get an education on what 'American' is.

And I kind of thought that a school would be the place for, you know, an education.

These are American citizens of Mexican descent. They are not here illegally. This is also their country.

At the risk of sounding racist, I'm going to play devil's advocate here. Are you SURE all the Mexican students involved were American citizens? And are you SURE that all of their parents were American citizens?

Assuming they all ARE American citizens - in my mind, being an American means showing respect for your fellow citizens. Where was the respect for the young men who chose to wear the primary symbol of our country?

Vicki-427762 even worse they are not only legal but they are wealthy. ROFL.

What is even sicker is the AVERAGE price of a home to live there is just short of a million dollars. ;-)

This is not an issue about sterotyping, rather it highly concerns racial profiling by the Principal of that school. This is The United States of America afterall, not Mexico or the land of Hispanics.

I wonder, if one of the Hispanic kids were wearing the same T-shirt, illustrating his pride to be an American Citizen, on the same day, if the same actions would have been taken against him or her?????? And I wonder, if one of the Hispanic students were to wear a t-shirt depicting "Mexicans Rule" or depicting the Mexican flag on the t-shirts to school would the principal have taken the same action???

Although, we may be a nation of many diverse races, there is no need or justified reason to remove students from a public educational facility for demonstrating their pride to be an American. I believe that the principal acted out irresponsibly and unprofessionally while demonstrating and justifying his act of racial profiling and preverence, nothing more or less.

This is AMERICA not Mexico. We can fly the US Flag 24/7 365 days a year including May 5th. Yes Cinco-de-Mayo is celebrated here more then in most of Mexico.

http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm

I'd wager that if Annicia Nunez wore a shirt with a Mexican flag on an American national holiday (when schools are closed, obviously) no school administrator would asker him or her to turn the shirt inside out to avoid offending anyone.

Should we begin having dress code laws to comply with Canadian holidays also ??? Is Cinco de Mayo now being celebrated in our country ???

This deserves a good ass kicking. The principal and the rest of his cronies deserve to have their asses kicked all the way to the Mexican border, and then get tossed out of America.

Liberal bunch of scum bags, kiss my American ass. Stick your stinkin ass Mexican holiday where the sun don't shine, scum bag.

This has gone to far Mr Obama, time to get your heads out of anal defelade jerk.

This type of student and faculty behavior certainly gives Arizona's new laws plenty of perspective towards adopting the same law nationwide.

These students were denied their rights to Freedom of Speech and expression toward pride of America. The students who protested didn't show any respect to where they are living now.

The students who were told to take off American flag T-shirts should be asking the vice-principal and students who gave them sh1t for proof of citizenship. Any faculty engaging in this type of sh1t should definitely be fired, tenure be damned. If any other nationalities don't like freedom of speech or how we do things here get the hell out and stay out. Take your culture with you.

I totally agree. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! The Mexican American students need to get a clue---THIS IS NOT MEXICO!!!! GET OVER IT!!!!!

The Principle and anyone else involved need to be fired & the school issue a formal apology to the students & parents of these kids..I am so livid such anti-American behavior on our own soil. A message needs to be sent.

sillyshrinks I do not think it as you see it. It is a case of a celebration celebrated around the world and the students decided to play a joke or act out. They are the American dream. They do not have the Mexican Americans to blame for anything. There is nothing in the wearing of the American flag on this particular day of recognition except to play their little bored games. The Mexican Americans who live in their town are as wealthy as they are. The school recognised the kids were acting out and they acted swiftly.

Unless they make designer shirts that say "Mexicans Rule" written in 22 carat gold overlay I would guess your guess is wrong. lol

Agreed 100%. I could not believe this story when I heard it on the news this morning. WTF! Mexicans should feel priveledged that America allows them to express their heritage freely, but no! I am so sick and tired of this Sh*t! Americans can't express their love of their country without offending another culture. Something is wrong here.

http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory

the schools email Directory.

Vicki-427762 - From to wikipedia:

"According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $99,243, and the median income for a family was $108,611."

Its northern California, where the bulk of the far left live. Its a well to do community and this just screams of rich liberal over reaction. But I will grant that is is possible some of the children are either illegal immigrants or children of illegal immigrants.

That being said, its far more likely that the majority of the Mexican American children are multi-generational citizens. I don't know where you live, but the "invasion" is not nearly as rampant as the conservative talking heads make it out to be.

Since the wonderful president the prograssives elected doesn't like Arizona's ILLEGAL immigrant law, I can't wait to hear what he chimes in right here with. Shouldn't say anything, but we know he will. Can't wait to hear it.

Is this not a violation of Constitutional Rights, oh my GOD, oh now I can't say GOD.

But to many Mexican-American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They say they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors on a Mexican holiday.

"'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'."

First of all, yes they would. They are even now protesting in our AMERICAN streets and waving the Mexican flag. That is disrespectful. And now, on Cinco De Mayo day, NO other country is allowed to display their flag? Not only are they pouring into here ILLEGALLY in droves, and holding protests in our AMERICAN streets, now we have to cover up OUR flag on their day? I don't believe we would do the same to the British on Independence Day. If you're in England on July 4th, tough out of luck on that one.

I have no problem with them observing their holiday, but in America it does not mean we have to hide our symbol of freedom....the very reason (supposedly) most of them came here. And what indeed is this school teaching our kids....that freedom of speech ends when you walk through its doors? Or that only Mexicans have First Amendment protection?

Would Mexico (or any other country for that matter) make their people put aside their cultural pride because it was the 4th of July and a group of Americans wanted to celebrate? I think not! They might join in the celebration, but no way would they make their school children remove clothing that declares their pride of country.

This is AMERICA for Christ's Sake. When it comes to a point that we are REQUIRED to be so politically correct there is something wrong.

WHERE THE HELL ARE MY RIGHTS AS AN AMERICAN!

Do these idiots even understand what Cinco de Mayo means to the Mexican people....It's the celebration of the Mexican Army's victory over the French at Puebla...So where the hell does the American flag play into this BS....If I was a parent, I would get a lawyer and sue their butts...

And we wonder why our education system is in such disarray

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo

It sucks so bad that @!$%# like this happens in California. I hate it when the state I live in completely embarrasses itself on a daily basis every chance it gets 8( how &uckin* pathetic. This morning I came into my office and every single employee is pissed all to hell.

I am a llittle torn on this one. I think the school was out of line and they should be able to wear the clothing. But at the same time I think the kids were jackass's for doing this. The only reason for these kids to get together and wear this clothing on this specific day appears to be to protest, directly or indirectly, the celebration of cinco de mayo and get a reaction out of someone.

The Mexican-Americans have the right to celebrate cinco de mayo even though they are in the U.S. because it is their heritage. A lot of them are probably only one or two generations removed meaning they still have family there. If you don't think it is right for them to celebrate than you also don't think an American or person of American descent has the right to celebrate the 4th of July in another country.

Vicki-427762 - From to wikipedia:

"According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $99,243, and the median income for a family was $108,611."

Its northern California, where the bulk of the far left live. Its a well to do community and this just screams of rich liberal over reaction. But I will grant that is is possible some of the children are either illegal immigrants or children of illegal immigrants.

That being said, its far more likely that the majority of the Mexican American children are multi-generational citizens. I don't know where you live, but the "invasion" is not nearly as rampant as the conservative talking heads make it out to be.

A little information is always good. I was not aware that this particular school was in a well-off neighborhood. Thank you for the clarification!

As it happens, the neighborhood where I have lived for the last 20 years has, during that time, become predominantly Hispanic. And as you mentioned, most of the residents are NOT new to this country. I do have next-door neighbors who are originally from Mexico - but when they first moved in, I met the (fourth-generation) Hispanic man who had sponsored them, and I know they are here legally (and in the process of becoming citizens). And since Colorado does a considerable amount of farming, we do have large numbers of migrant workers here at various times of the year. But I agree, I just don't see the huge influx of illegal aliens that we keep hearing about.

Brad...they're Old Navy tees....with all due respect, this is BS....If they are that offended by their country's flag then there have no right to be here....

Mexican-Americans?????....WTF.....You mean they are not AMERICANS, but only MEXICAN-AMERICANS....Sounds like something out of a Cheech and Chong movie...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, SOMEbody's going to have full inboxes!

if you are dumb enough to believe this story

ctdad,

What does them being Old Navy tees have to do with anything?

Fine, change it to Americans of Hispanic decent. It was just easier to say mexican-americans.

This is America not Mexico! There should be no day off limits for being proud of our country. What is happening to us?! Do certain people really want us to lose our American identity so that we don't offend others?

I absolutely agree!!!!!! Next year I will make sure to wear my american flag t-shirt everywhere!!!!!

If Mexicans are offended, let them go BACK to Mexico ! I for one am sick and tired of people coming to this country, and wanting US to change to suit THEM!!

To hell with all of them.

You think these kids made a statement on may 5^th? Watch this video made with high-profile Hollywood actors and the statement they sent to Arizona.

If you do not want to click on the link, just search "Machete Trailor 2010" on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y1AbjZIrpk&feature=popular"

If the Mexicans don't like it, too f-in bad! Half of them are probably illegals and their as*es should be shipped back to Mexico!

If this is their holiday, good, go to your homeland to celebrate - pleeezzzzz!

It is not an American holiday and we do not need to acknowledge or support it in anyway.

Brad...Does the constitution ring a bell to anyone....freedom of expression..or does that only apply to minorities who can wear t-shirts and carry flags from other countries on the 4th of July....Are you that embarrassed of our flag that you see some justification with this action...Perhaps they should recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish next year on cinco de mayo..

Absolutely!! God are we stupid!! This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of - other than when my daughter was in hs in Colorado and was being severely threatened and harassed by an illegal (pregnant) thug (for 3 yrs!!), all she had to do was pull the race card and the administration kowtowed to her like no other (even tho my daughter had done Nothing to warrant such a thing!!) We ended up getting a restraining order from a judge that Never gives restraining orders out ever! And I switched my daughter's school - who knew if this crazy would bring a knife to school??!! Oh, and all this was over jealousy - not over Latino boys, but White boys!!! I kid you not. Last heard, her first child was born at 15 and she has 2 others - at 23!!! My daughter's focused on her career... hmmm... Also, her mother told me that if they were in Mexico, the girls would have taken it out back and solved it w/a physical brawl!!! there are so many more problems w/this invasion that at first meets the eye!! The cultural differences are astounding!! and we're supposed to defer to them??!! ummm... and who is the 'new kid on the block'??! Seriously, folks, we need to wake the heck up before it's too late!! Oh, that's right, it probably already is... the finger in the dam doesn't work once the dam's broken... oh, and btw, they don't call it the 'reconquista' (reconquest!!) for nothing!!!

I've got to believe that there's much, much more to this story - or the School F'd up big time!

As an American veteran having served my country defending our American rights and American way of life, ask any American veteran, "We do not live in America, America lives in us"!

I feel sorry for the fool that tells me otherwise, and tries to stifle my rights as an American. I will kick they're ass all the way back to the filth they crawled out of.

If you want respect, then return the same or else!

GOD BLESS AMERICA...........and those who are her soul!

I plan on wearing an Easter Bunny next Christmas. That should show them! ;-)

On another note, I used to love Cinco de Mayo festivals on the weekends in California. This story justs reminds me of the fun I am missing until we get back home. Once this settles down and all the silly stuff is over it better not get between me and my Tequila Margarita, and Salsa and Chips opportunity.

nevermind...

lol

HRDawg....I'm believing the latter of the two..

Boy oh boy this country and the American people are getting more ridiculou every time. You can't say boo or wear certain clothes without a major stink. Its seems that our freedom of speech and rights are slowly being taking away from us and this incident just proves it.

Why you blaming Mexicans or Mexican Americans for this? It's the idiots that run that high school that chose to do this. Most Mexican's would proudly shoulder the American Flag anyday! So please don't come on here all anti Mexican. There are a lot of good Mexican's and Mexican American's here that do not support this school decision.

That school and their administrators can all GO TO BLAZES.

The purpose of these boys wearing the flag was to incite anger in the Mexican population of the school. This is why the boys were asked to remove the tee's. It is the principles duty to keep all the students safe. If he felt the boys were inciting a fight then it is is duty to ask the boys to change their behavior. If you "White" Americans can't understand this simple request then your nationality issues are ethnocentric and full of the same bigotry that the boys were displaying. America is supposed to be a mixing pot of different nationalities and there is no room for people that think this is "their country. In the west part of America the Mexican population was not only here first but is the largest part of the population. Just because we drew a line in the sand and called it "America" did not change this fact. People that are angry at not being allowed to disrespect another peoples culture are nothing more than prejudice bigots that can't seem to get along with others. America is not yours, it belongs to the people that live here and they all deserve respect and safety. The question here is wether the boys were wearing the flag tee's out of disrespect for the other students or whether they wear these tee's everyday and are being singled out on this particular day. I doubt they wear these tee's all the time and believe they were wearing them today to show their disrespect for our other citizens the latino's. They weren't send home for wearing their tee's, they were sent home for "looking for a fight". Something nobody needs.

THe fact that BLOGGIT thinks the mexicans are the invaders shows how stupid Americans are. We stole California from the Mexicans not the other way around. THe only thing out of hand is the racist bigotry that can't understand the right of the principle to protect all the students from the possibility of violence that could occur from a group of children that has come to school looking to cause a fight or create hatred among the different groups of students at the school.

America the land of nationalistic, ethnocentric philistines. Just looking for someone to feel superior over. Like the blacks, or the chinese, or the vietnamese, or the muslims. Just a bully on the block looking to prove he's the baddest.

As for as rights as an American there should be no such thing. Just rights as human beings on this planet. The right to be free from kids looking for a fight. That's the rights that were being enforced at this school and it was brave of this principle to his nationality aside to protect the rights of the other students in this situation.

What is really sad is that if a fight had broken out it would probably be some innocent bystander "female usually" that would get hurt. Same as in any war, it's the children and the women that get killed, instead of the soldiers.

ctdad,

Have you heard of reading comprehension? Did you read my post or just skim it? I said the school was wrong and the kids should be able to wear the shirts. I simply added that the kids ar jackass's because the only reason to get together and do this on Cinco De Mayo was to protest the celebration and get a rise out of people. Unless this is something they get together and do often there was motive to do it on this day.

Pay attention to what you are @!$%#ing responding to next time so you don't look like such an ass.

Here's the school's website...

http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory

The only reason the T-Shirts could be "incendiary" as the school said, is if someone didn't agree about the flag being worn, in that case who cares? I am not going to make sure that I don't make someone else angry because they don't agree with the flag, that's is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a while.

I wonder if a school in Mexico would tell their students not to wear anything about Mexico on July 4th if there were American kids in the school? No. And if you complained about it you would probably be the one expelled!

If our country is so great, and so full of opportunity as to make thousands of people from Mexico leave their own country and come to ours, it would seem like they wouldn't mind seeing the American Flag every day.

Ken Waltz....Mexico only became Mexico in 1836 when Spain recognized them. So really Mexicans have only been immigrating to many parts of what is now America since then.

Their first government was corrupt their current government seems corrupt and I think most between have been corrupt. What really is there to celebrate. Those celebrating Cinco de mayo should really wish their lands had remained New Spain.

Well said Ken Waltz! You are exactly right but this is a feeding frenzy and most are not thinking this through. They think it is just about wearing an American Flag. It is sad to read so many who have missed the real issue of a schools responsibility and a handful of kids who did not accidentally wear flag clothing on a day the world celebrates Cinco de Mayo.

It was a silly kid thing and the school acted appropriately.

I beg to differ on the statement that they wouldn't do it if it were 4th of July. That's BS. Last year at our local fireworks celebration at the high school in a small town in Southern Oregon a group of Mexican students were yelling "Viva Mexico" and "La Raza." The Mexican students locally are rude and treat the other students (of all races) as if they own the place. Funny because the majority of them are on free lunch programs and their parents don't speak English.

The "political correctness" in this Country is out of control! What the hell is going on here! I am utterly disgusted with this story. FIRE THE PRINCIPLE FOR DISCRIMINATION!

it would seem like they wouldn't mind seeing the American Flag every day.

Kind of depends on the motive. If the students motive was to disrespect or upset the students of Mexican decent then they have a right to be a little angry. After all, they are Americans too.

It appears the students that wore the shirts and bandanas got exactly what they wanted.......a reaction and 15 minutes of fame..... I have absolutely no problem with people displaying their patriotism IF that is all it is ...but if it was none of this would be news worth would it?

The kids knew what they were doing- five teenagers who are friends wearing similar specific things at once......come on unless it was prom it was a statement...... just like wearing gang colors and for very similar reasons. What is sadder is that such an iconic and powerful image is being used as a way to promote xenophobia.

Support the flag, use it appropriately but please do not allow it to be viewed the same way as a swastika- it and the country it represents deserve better from its patriots

This is a total load. I am tired of this crap. It makes me sick to think that the flag my grandfathers bled for cannot be displayed in a public school. My father bled for this country too. This a slap in the face of every man and woman who struggled here for a better future and any one who has ever served our country. I never thought I would see this day come in our nation. We are US Citizens if our flag offends you on our soil then to friggin bad!!! This school, and I use the term loosely, should be ashamed and all faculty involved should be fired!.

You know what the @!$%# of it is? The one statement by that kid about how disrespectful this was to them...

She is in America, a country that not only allows her the right to be proud of her heritage but GAVE her this day in recognition of her heritage yet the AMERICAN flag was disrespectful to her on this day. That is the thing that is REALLY eating me.

Every time I think about that kid saying it was disrespectful... I want to go find that kid and smack her upside the head for her stupidity.

Not to mention she compared this day to the FOURTH OF JULY. Our Independence Day!!

Hey stupid kid...

A: Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day.

B: If you wanted to fly the Mexican Flag on the 4th of July I doubt anyone would say anything but that REALLY WOULD be disrespectful since it is a day that celebrates your freedom to be stupid in this country. A freedom brought to you BY this country and NOT Mexico.

C: If you want to celebrate Mexico's Independence Day then go to effing Mexico. My son is a Marine fighting for the rights of Americans like you who feel offended by your country's flag. Or is Mexico your country... make up your mind you little dummy.

And to the school.. PLEASE start educating these kids about THEIR country. THIS ONE. AMERICA. So that children like her are not so embarrassingly ignorant.

I have little doubt that these boys wore the national colors to create tension with the Latino population. I do believe that the School was in a difficult place, but completely mishandled the situation.

I do think the incident provides some very interesting perspectives on some of the issues that are faced in places like Arizona, New Mexico and California where there are large Mexican and Latino populations, some illegal. I think the response by the Mexican student was very telling about the attitude towards the United States and "American Nationalism". There is obviously segments of immagrant populations that do not fully appreciate the priviledge of being a US citizen. I especially feel bad for Mexican Americans that embrace, and our proud of being US citizens while trying to hold on to some of their heritage.

I have to say as a Californian, "It Figures". This whole situation is a symtom of the disintegration of American culture. Let's face it, we are all immagrants and most of our ancestors walked through an open door into America. The big difference now is that most people used to immigrate here to embrace the American culture and lifestyle, now globalization has blurred national, social and cultural borders. People that come here do not just maintain a cultural connection to their home counrty, but a Nationalistic connection as well. It does not matter if they are Mexican, Chinese or Pakistani, many come here merely to utilize the country's vast resources, but remain more loyal to their country of origin.

Don't get me wrong, I welcome all who come here that desire to become American citizens, and support the American way of life. The merging of cultures is what has made this country great, but I also believe that becoming an American is a priviledge that should be granted only to those that truly want to be Americans first.

" . . . a handful of kids who did not accidentally wear flag clothing on a day the world celebrates Cinco de Mayo."

The world doesn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Some Mexicans do. I must have missed the mandate that all humans must observe every holiday, even down to the clothes they wear.

trixierix- I admire your ability to use your cultural heritage in the proper context. This is how all legal immigrants should act and upon generational time all become Americans. The issue here is first generation Illeagals, using our own laws against us to force their cultural needs upon America, which they would assume means acceptance that this is the new Way of life in America. America was once all Immigrants and in Fact still is today. American Indians are not immigrants and have their own government which is different from from the rest of us, so technically America is 100% immigrants.

We passed laws to prevent the exploitation of woman in the work place, we passed laws to prevent the exploitation of children and Teens, we passed laws to prevent the exploitation of other races and yet the primary reason that the liberals use as an economic benefit for allowing Illeagal immigrant's to work and not pay taxes is below the law , low cost labor. So what the hell... Why dont we just repeal all the laws that protect each group of segration of society here in America and just exploit ourselves and women and children and other races? What kills me here is when I say this- "other Races" I am only seperating white races from everyone else. In America there is almost as many Black Americans as there is White, so in context maybe the answer is to start saying other cultures besides American's- which would then seperate Blacks and Whites from all the others.

There is no arguement at all in my personal mind to justify low cost wages to any group. The statement that they do meanial or distasteful jobs that no one else will is BS. The statement that they are willing to do them because of laziness is more correct. Why ? Because if you work under the table at $5.00 an hour and you collect medicaid, welfare and food stamps its the same as making $20 an hour and paying taxes and benefits with 2 kids but not having to work at a skilled level so no one expects anything of you. Why should you strive for more- thats a pretty fair income for pumping outhouses or picking fruit or washing dishes at a local diner and you have little to no fear of getting deported. You can buy a car, buy a house, get a credit card, travel freely from state to state, breed like a rabbit, suck off the government tax tit that others have to pay and not worry about being identified or singled out. Hell you can even protest in public and not worry. The protesting people of Arizona are pissed because of an invasion of privacy or fear of public examination of their credentials or fear of having to prove who they are and screaming racial profiling??? I dont get it... The feds have been examining these idiots with a microscope since the implementation of the Patriot act and the creation of Homeland security. Every cell phone in America has the ability to be listened to by the Feds and they do!!!! Legalized wire tapping! No wonder the illeagals are screaming, they dont want to be subject to the same laws and rules that you and I are faced with everyday. This isnt about racial profiling its about proving who you are and your right to be here. Heck with all the somali's in Atlanta I am sure we could drum up a requirement to check all the credentials of black people. If there is some other way to differentiate an illeagal from a legal mexican I would sure like to know what that is.

In the end- Thank you for clearly setting an example of what amexicans should be acting like and how they should be thinking. As an immigrant to America in the 1600's from England of which we immigrated to around the year 575 from the druid horde of eastern Europe, my family doesn't want anything to do with our druid heritage and stonehenge celebrations of the winter solstice or running naked through the woods in celebration of the birthing season of the summer solstice. So we have settled on only American holidays and dont give a crap about Boxing day! My wifes family came as part of the Plymouth party as in the first govenor of Mass. the honorable William Bradford in the late 1600's and we dont celebrate Kings day!

Bring the good of your cultural heritage and leave the bad behind, legally immigrate to America, learn english, respect the laws of our nation of opportunity and work for the dream. If not then get the hell out.... or I will run you out!!!

I am an American! I dont change for you- You change for me- It's my country carved out of of over hundreds of years and literal generations of blood, sweat and tears and lost fortunes. With out my family and others like mine- there would not be an America. Illegals better learn to have some respect for the host they so dispise or we will become very intolerant of them, very quickly.

Brad....If you read my initial response, it was prefaced with "all due respect" and not F#cking or A$$....My ire over this situation has nothing to do with you personally but only the level of fear and ignorance that permeates in this country...It's a ridiculous decision, be sent home today to avoid suspension for wearing a t-shirt with the American flag today, but tomorrow it's okay....that's unreal...Even the school district disagrees with the principal's decision...People toss around the constitution when it is convenient...whether these kids intended to be wise asses or not, they did nothing that warranted this action but only to wear a shirt with our flag...Talk about Un-American...

Cinco de Mayo is celebrating some minor skirmish and victory the Mexicans had over the French. It's nowhere near being close to celebrating national independence. Americans not being allowed to quietly express their pride in being American? Disgraceful. If the Mexican students don't like that, they can hightail it back over the fence they hopped to get here.

The purpose of these boys wearing the flag was to incite anger in the Mexican population of the school

If the American flag, worn at ANY time incites anger, those angry people shouldn't be here.

Most of these posts have said everything I've wanted to say. I can't add anything else except I'm Puerto Rican-American and I could give 2 f*cks about Cinco de Mayo and how those mexicans felt offended by the boys wearing t-shirts with the American flag on them. Offended? This isn't loser Mexico, people! This is the USA! I'm offended that American boys are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan while these arrogant, moon-faced, fat-ass, taco smugglers (and most probably illegal) can sit here and be "offended".

Folks if you read all your responses to this you can understand why a school stepped in to stop any potential issues in their school. The anger here alone should tell you something. The school is only charged with maintaining a safe environment. For all you know this school person you are all screaming about and emailing may be more flag happy then you are.

I love the flag but that does not mean I expect schools to become a battleground when some few kids use it to incite on school grounds. I mean if the adults can't even figure it out with less passion, how do you expect the kids to handle it. That is what they have administrations for, to nip it in the bud and focus on education.

I completely agree with you, I wanted to scream when I heard this story, it makes me so angry that Americans hate America so much.

I do believe that I have now heard it all.

Everyday is American Flag Day in this country. While it is very nice that we allow poeple to celebrate their countries special day it in no way gives anyone the right to say that we cannot show our pride of our country any day of the year!!!! Any student or group that it might incite should be asked to leave for the day. Fire the principal. This is just too unbelievable.

davefoley0 unfortunately the only thing your post demonstrated is your own ingnorance of the Flag Code. Section 8d of the Flag code is referencing an actual Flag not an image of a flag.

More to the point though, Cinco De Mayo, as a celebration is celebrated more in the U.S. than it is in Mexico. Puebla where this battle took place celebrates it but most states in Mexico don't. I would bet most young Hispanics who do celebrate in this country don't have a clue why or what they are celebrating. I'll also bet the majority don't realize had it not been for U.S. intervention after the battle of Cinco De Mayo and the end of the US Civil War that Mexican's would probably be speaking French today. Cinco De Mayo is not Mexico's day of independence so quit using your 4th of July argument. It's weak!

Why does this surprise anyone? Santa Clara country is just a jog down Hwy 280 from the largest sanctuary city in this country.

Last, I worry for future generation and what this great country of ours is going to look like 20 years from now. Political correctness is going to be the death of this country as we know it if we don't send a clear message to politicians on both the left and right that we are not going to tolerate political expediency any longer and demand they stand up, be counted, and demand they protect the liberties afforded to all LEGAL citizens of this this coutnry through our constitution. If politicians continue to suggest through their behavior that they are willing to sacrifice the sanctity of our country to win political points and votes they need to be sent a clear message with a clear NO VOTE to their incumbancy. We have a process in this country that affords any citizen who cares, to vote their will in the future direction of our country.

I miss the days following 9/11 when you could drive down the street and see OUR symbol of freedom flying from almost every house on the block. I miss the unity we felt through the simple act of flying the American Flag.

Wow... the school administrators who did this to the kids wearing american flag shirts need to be fired for such ridiculous bs.

Americans lets stand up and take our country back, we have to do sometime about the illegals total disrespect for our laws, and our borders. We need troops on the border, keep them in THEIR country! This story is an example of what's in store for us. I believe many of the Mexican student are in fact American, maybe they feel we stole Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California from them, and they are going to, one way or another take them back. The Arizona law, should be a national law, go back to your country. Our government needs to prosecute the people that hire the illegals, defend the border from drug cartels and criminals.

ctdad,

has nothing to do with you personally

OK, but when you start out a comment with my name it kind of implies a response to me. And your comment really had nothing to do with what I had said so it angered me a little.

They should have brought a flag to scool and burnt it, that is considered freedom of speech and the school would approve of burning the flag!

Political Correctness Will Be The Death Of Us All

Norcal...Are you saying, We, as AMERICANS, living in the USA, cannot express our pride by wearing a shirt garnishing the AMERICAN Flag because of fear we might incite anger from a person who celebrates a holiday of another country other than the USA, while living and attending a public school within the US...Is that what you are saying???.

Amen to that

So the kids who appreciate their country get a thunk on the head while those who want to turn us into Mexico are the good guys. Yeah, right.

I'm elated to hear that the flag-wearing boys and their families refuse to apologize. Sounds to me like they're regular ole Americans.

As a sign of support for these kids and to express my pride for this country, I'll be buying an American-made T-shirt with an American flag today. I hope you will too.

ERIS -2010-

It has just beagn here- you thought things were bad 18 months ago? Take a look at the banking=reform bill. It doesnt reform the banks!! It is so they have more access to your bank account- its the Obama nation plan- and yes it isnt far off in the future that we will all pay for this social experiment of loss of American values, adoption of other cultural principles and complete loss of ethical behavior as someone in the public trust!! Chaos will reign and socialism will come true to America.....

Another reason to vote conservative in November 2010 and 2012. The tail is waging the dog and our liberal corrupt politicians pander to this nonsense. It's over the top. Enough!

Right on, starting from Steve, Soccermom, Saxon - all the way to the end This is AMERICA, NOT Mexico - I fully support the Arizona law - what part of 'ILLEGAL' don't (some) people understand!!!??? Can't wear the AMERICAN FLAG in Amercia!!!??? UNBELIEVABLE!!!

During ths Phoenix Suns game last night the mexicans were parading down the street in front of the arena waving the mexican flag in protest of Arizona's new law. And guess who was in the front ranks, yea, the reverend Al Sharpton. I guess good old Al will show up at the California school in support of these students wearing our colors on their Tee shirts. The last few Suns games I have attended there have been mesicans in the back of pickups shouting "viva mexico" and waving their rag flag.

When is enough going to be enough?

sorry, norcal - you are wayyy off on this.
if there would have been violence in the school, who do you think would have started it ? not the flag wearing guys...it would have been a hispanic who took offense.
no one has the right to incite violence in America, over and American, wearing an American flag. what if it wasnt cinco de mayo, and the hispanics took offense to it anyway ? Do we, as Americans, allow anyone to control what we wear because they take offense ? This was not a swastika.
Would you advocate the sending home of a hispanic who wore a mexican flag on July 4th ? HOW long would it take you before you're screaming that THEIR rights are being violated ?
You are a moron, anti American, and your bleeding heart is staining my computer.

Norcal... the point is this...

The American flag is NOT a sign of disrespect to Americans. These kids are supposedly American.

This should not have been an inflammatory issue at all.

This is about some kids who are obviously too uneducated to understand the difference between their heritage and where they live. Apparently they don't know who they are.

Where is the disrespect??

What in the hell do these kids have to feel disrespected over?

Why should this have been an issue to some American kids no matter what their heritage is?

I hope everyone is smart enough to see the coming trend.

And some idiots want to give amnesty to the other 12 - 20 million of these types.

Anyone for amnesty is either totally ignorant or a complete idiot.

ken w. said -

"The purpose of these boys wearing the flag was to incite anger in the Mexican population of the school. This is why the boys were asked to remove the tee's. It is the principles duty to keep all the students safe. If he felt the boys were inciting a fight then it is is duty to ask the boys to change their behavior. If you "White" Americans can't understand this simple request then your nationality issues are ethnocentric and full of the same bigotry that the boys were displaying."

You know how the game is played, if one is barred, they all get barred. If the principal feels he has a legitimate "fear" that flag waving - on both sides - could get fights started, well, then on Cinco de Mayo he needs to institute a school ban on flags, period. Kinda stupid, but this is not about being "ethnocentric", it's more like about one group of brats "poking" another group of brats - if that's the battle you wish to pick. Asking just ONE group to change, well, that might be ethnocentric. How about we just tell the kids that EVERYONE has an opinion, and the flag wearing boys, even if they are being jerks about it, have the same rights in America, as everyone else - and "get over it".

ctdad,

I think he is trying to say that if the purpose is to incite people at school you shouldn't. It's not the same but similar to gang colors. There is absolutely no problem with wearing red, unless you are doing it to incite another gang that wears blue. This is about intent and reason, not the shirt itself. And no matter what it is, if something could cause violence or harm to students the school needs to do something about it beforehand. This bad press is better than the bad press of a student going to the hospital after a fight.

A few things;

1. These are kids. In fact these are high school kids. If they are to make mistakes, it is best to make them small and early in life. This is why they are in school.
2. ACLU is already looking into this. Are rights being hindered or violated? YOU KNUCKLE DRAGGING RIGHT WING IDIOTS, ACLU has defended people from the right and the left. It is about the protection of our civil liberties. Where were you Right Wingers when the other American rights were violated? Where were you when an American Truck driver with license, social security cards was pulled over and arrested, because he did not carry his birth certificate in Arizona? It is you who violate the common decency. It is always the people who farted to start accusing that of others. SHAME ON YOU.
3. The fact that the kids chose to wear American Flag on Cinco de Mayo day is obvious intent provoke a fight or altercation. It is not meant to start a debate nor discussion. This is a reflection on their parents, and their teaching.
4. Like many already pointed out, Cinco de Mayo, is not a recognized American holiday. It is not even an Independence day for Mexico. So it is hardly an comparison with American July 4th celebration. However, this is coming from a child or a teenager's mouth.
5. We all have rights to do many things, it doesn't mean that it is the right nor smart thing to do. These are kids. Aren't they about learning? Isn't this about a teachable point or a learning point?
6. We may not agree with how the school administration handled this matter, but they intended look out for all of the kids. This was not an exercise in human rights. This is about violence prevention at a place of learning and a place of gathering for minors (whose hormones are rushing at unfiltered/controlled rates).

No ctdad, I am saying that a school has different requirements than we do on any street. Schools have American flags so they are obviously not banning flags. The problem for the school is that the ONLY thing they are charged with is keeping the classrooms safe in a learning environment and teaching. I think the administration acted responsibly based on what their task requires. I do not see anyone thinking that 5 or 6 kids who hang out together and arriving to school with flag shirts on Cinco de Mayo was an accident or not a message.

The school doesn't have the task of protecting our flag, they are charged with protecting kids. It is silly kid stuff but it could have escalated. Look at how few people here even understand the schools need to to handle it or for that matter the emotion both sides would feel.

The kids probably didn't realise how people can go into a blind rage over a flag without stepping back and understanding this is a school. The school is proven right simply in reading the posts.

What a crock of you know what. This is America first and foremost-before any other nationality celebrates their holidays/heritage. Oh by the way..I'm Italian and Polish-where's my holidays? Where's the Norweigian holiday, and all the other nationalities? This is getting old. Why do you think people want immigration laws enforced--because they come here, many times illegally-in such great numbers, don't speak English many times, and demand respect for Cinco de Mayo-the heck with Cinco de Mayo and political correctness! I lived in California for over 30 years..and left because of the huge influx of illegals and the crime, garbage, and stress on all systems because of it.

Another glaring example of a an idiot school official catering to some fringe group most of whom are most likely illegal anyway. If they don't like what Americans wear in America, get the hell out of OUR country!!!!!!!!!!

one kid showed back up today - again wearing a American flag shirt.

I like that kids style

:)

Brad...I'm trying to wrestle with some of the rationales being expressed supporting this Principal's decision and each time I try to entertain that point, I get a huge migraine...Perhaps the school should take down the flag from their pole next Cinco de Mayo to avoid any negative response from the Mexican-American community..

Where do we draw the line with tolerance...This is our flag, service men and women died for this flag...Have we lost respect for our flag and what it represents...Have we become so fearful of our own flag that we would simply compromise it's prescence in place of another country's flag in fear that it may incite some response....This is surreal....

I don't understand why there are so many heated comments directed toward Mexicans in this thread. One form of ignorance doesn't excuse another and just because this incident happened doesn't mean everybody should jump as quickly as they can onto the hispanic-bashing-bandwagon. First off, the anger should be directed at the principal, not at an entire community.

Do I think the boys should have been allowed to wear their American Flag tshirts: Of course. I wear a crucifix, not to be offensive to others, but for myself. Do jews get offended if I wear it on a Jewish holiday? I've never had anything said to me. Would I care if a Jewish person wore one of their religious symbols on a Christian holiday? Of course not!! This is what is called "freedom."

Do I think the boys did it on purpose to piss people off: Maybe... knowing how kids sometimes do dumb things it's entirely possible.

Should it matter: No. Unless they were belligerant or spewing hateful s*&t around there's no reason for reprimand.

Is everybody on here who is pissing and moaning about Latinos helping anything: No. Just the creation of more tensions and divisions from a generation of biggots and racists with an "I don't know them and I don't want to know them" attitude. Get over yourselves. Yes, the events that took place were wrong, no blaming an entire nationality doesn't make you right.

addiem,

The differnce could be intent though. Wearing Mexican flags was not meant to upset anyone but to celebrate heritage. Now, was the intent of wearing the American flags to get a rise or reaction out of people and hence, disrupt class? If it was, they were in the wrong for wearing them, if it wasn't then they were ok.

First of all Cinco de Mayo has nothing to do with being an American holiday. It is a Mexico holiday, celebrated in Mexico and possibly other parts of the world. It is not a national holiday in America and never should be looked upon as such.

The only people who have a right to be offended because five boys wore American flag shirts on Cinco de Mayo are those who were sent home. Every American who chooses to display our countries colors have a RIGHT to do so and anyone who takes offense to this is clearly not respecting our country and the values we stand for.

So when will all this foolishness stop? There are people from other countries who chose to move here are we now obligated to recognize their countries holidays and celebrate them? Should other ethnic holidays now become an American national holiday because of these individuals? Has being politically correct gone to FAR? Being an American is not just a word it is a way of life, it's what we believe in and what we have a right to defend. If this craziness is not put to an end this country will loose its greatness because to many people want to change this country into an unrecognizable nation.

OMG, these kids don't have a chance.....their parents are breeding hatred!!!!! When I was in school in the early 60's a jerk of a teacher wore orange on St. Patricks day. She did it because she hated the Irish and their heritage. She was cruel to students with any Irish surname. I was in 9th grade and she was an a@@hole all year. No matter how hard we tried the grades weren't there for "my kind".

I went home and told my mother what she said that day and that she had on an orange dress. My mother explained to me that the women was not thinking clearly, that her hate was a sad thing. Wearing Orange on St. Patrick's day is an insult to everyone of Irish descent, and it showed how really hateful and childish she was. She should of been sent home but in those days you could get away with being racist.

These boys are being taught by their parents that it is ok to be rude, ignorant and hateful. Would it of been so bad to celebrate a semi holiday (at least in California) without causing a ruckus? What kind of boys are these jerks going to be in the future? I fear not much of a man.

Turd what is your problem? If someone has a social security card and a drivers' license then they've proved they're a citizen so no one got arrested. Quit making crap up.

And how do you know these kids had any intent to provoke violence? Were you there? Did you ask them? This is the United States of America. We have a flag that represents THIS country. If anyone in THIS country has a problem with it then they can get on the next bus, train, plane, boat or any other transportation that will take them out. And then they can stay out until they respect OUR right to display OUR flag.

In most Schools in America they Fly The STARS and STRIPES at the front of the School and there is an American Flag in almost all the Rooms.. Did the Prinicpal order those Flags be taken down too?.. This person should be Fired..

Whats next. No white people allowed during black heritage month. That would be offensive to what those folks had to go through.

Time to get rid of political correctness. If people like those kansas church people can protest at every soldiers funeral with signs printed with the words "faggot lover" and "gay soldiers" then some AMERICAN should be able to wear a shirt with the american flag on it. For these people to be offended by it is ridiculous. These school officials seriously need to be replaced.

Maybe they should have worn their corona shirts yesterday

The audacity of them saying THEY were disrespected after this:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mexicoflag.asp

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.'
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Every American citizen needs to read this!

If this isn't stopped soon, the southwest U.S. and rest of America will be like Israel and Palestine.

ctdad,

The problem is both accusers and defenders are jumping to conclusions. Defenders are doing so a little more so as the story stands. If the kids were just wearing their shirts and quietly going about their day the Principal is in the wrong. But, if they were adding to it with comments or actions meant to upset or incite people celebrating Cinco De Mayo the Principal was in the right. First and foremost he/she has to protect the students.

One last thought. Did the principal pull down the American flag in front of the school also, so as not to offend these same students who took issue with the boys wearing their American flag t-shirts to school?

OUCH...Here comes another migraine...

Here's an idea, let's just have a good ole American flag burning ceremony next year for Cinco De Mayo...Everyone can wear Orange...We can serve baba ghanoush, drink soy milk, and sing non-demoninational show tunes...

The school has a website with a ton of e-mail address links. I've already sent the Principal's secretery an e-mail. I suggest you all do the same.

The fact that the kids chose to wear American Flag on Cinco de Mayo day is obvious intent provoke a fight or altercation. It is not meant to start a debate nor discussion. This is a reflection on their parents, and their teaching.

Wearing the American flag on cinco de mayo shouldn't INCITE anything given that this is America. So the problem lies within the Mexican community apparently. If wearing the flag incites violence you are saying the Mexican is a violent community that doesn't tolerate America. So, why are they here?

Why do they celebrate Mayo anyway,its ok i mean it taste good on bread.

LYNN98108 I doubt they did take down the school flags as their action had nothing to do with our flag. They only had to handle 5 or 6 kids coming to school wearing flags on Cinco de Mayo as a message that can get students as riled up as this board is. They had to be the adults and calm the waters.

I think the fact that they do fly flags is a clue.

Norcal the school is also responsible for educating the kids. If these kids don't know enough to know that they are Americans and that they shouldn't be offended by seeing a flag that represents their country... or they don't even know enough about the holiday they are celebrating and supposedly want to celebrate.. then maybe it is time to educate them.

Then the school wouldn't have to police them over an issue that didn't need policing. It is wrong to bar the rights of individual free speech because you are afraid it is going to offend someone.

Since when is the American flag a violence inciter... and if it is... who is the one with the issue? Why should those kids have been made to be quiet or go home because they wore a national symbol of pride - in their own damned country..

You can't even call this a racial issue.. Americans don't have a race. They're just Americans.

If they went to Iran and did it.. yeah I could see the problem... but in their own country???

Wearing the American flag on cinco de mayo shouldn't INCITE anything given that this is America. So the problem lies within the Mexican community apparently. If wearing the flag incites violence you are saying the Mexican is a violent community that doesn't tolerate America. So, why are they here?

You could easily use the American flag in conjuction with words and actions to incite another American by using it to disrespect their heritage that they are trying to celebrate. It is not ok to use our flag to try and insult or degrade someone. Not sure if that is what happened here but it could be.

I send this response to the parents of those children who were sent home....Hire a lawyor and file a class action lawsuit against the school district.

These kids knew what they where doing, they were asking for problems, with the Racism sky high against Mexicans nowdays, I wouldnt be suprised if they did it on purpose to cause an uproar, it would of been better if the Principal didnt step in to protect those "proud americans" and they would of gotten their a**es beat to a pulp, that way all of the people commenting in here would of been happy.VIVA MEXICO!!!!

If they would have let the kids wear their shirts this board wouldn't be riled up. I never heard anything about those students saying anything derogative. So it's an assumption on your part that they did anything "wrong" besides wear a shirt with a flag emblem on it.

"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."

Crybabies. At least they admitted the hispanics I saw on TV on the 4th of July waving Mexican flags in California were disrespectful.

In other news, the White House had the American flag up on the same day. Later today a hispanic singer will get on TV and claim Obama hates hispanics.

Thank you, George, for posting those numbers. I'm calling them ASAP!!!!! This is so evil, trashy, ludicrous, disgusting, un-American, un-patriotic, diabolical!!!! I don't know if there is really a word to describe this despicable act by the vice-principal.

I think the parents of that school district should storm that school and demand his resignation immediately!!!!!! Demand it and don't leave the school until he is fired!!!!

Where's the ACLU.....

AIN'T THIS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE EVERYONE....

well listen up because this is what it's going to come to......

YOUR GONNA LOVE THIS !!!!!!!!!!!

a cowboy , an indian and a Mexican were sitting around a table....

the Indian said ...once we were many ...but now we are few....

the Mexican said once we were few but now we are many....

the cowboy said ...

that's CAUSE WE AIN'T PLAYED COWBOY'S AND MEXICANS YET.....

GO FECKEN GET EM COWBOY'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Administrators should all be shown the door and maybe the border that they seem to want to cross themselves. I'm glad that it is a Mexican Holiday and I don't even mind celebrating it with them in friendship, but it should be stated that those that live here in the United States Legally or Illegally should be grateful for the protections that it affords. Both in making a living and supporting their family, as well as the freedoms that living here affords. For those legally here the ability to protest the fight that many politicians are waging against the illegal immigration of their brothers and sisters from south of our border. I think that the whole bunch of administrators and their supervisors should be shown the door, and if it was a school system decision they too need to be shown the door.

BlackJack

Eris2010 it is not that complicated. It is a school. In fact for all I know the offended person(s) may have been a blond or redheaded American. The school does not have the luxury of debating silly the stuff with many students, just stopping it as it happens, whatever the kid's "big deal" is.

As long as schools are flying the flag as they do I am pretty sure the schools are just doing their job in protecting children and teaching. I would not call it a race issue either, just a school situation with 5 or 6 kids. No big deal in any case. They did their job.

hey isn't California used to be part of Mexico or how about New Mexico?

why so many street names, etc.. here in CA are in spanish?

Maybe that school is owned by hispanics and high demographic makeup of hispanics are there as well.

My question is were there fights or violence broke out from cinco de mayo celebration in this school in the past or recently?

I know that patriotism is important but kids' safety is more important imo.

But more importantly this school first must practice educating students with 100% American ways of things, not a mixed influence of Mexican/American education to create false sense of where they belong. I bet some kids think they're living in or like in Mexico because of the environment.

It would/should not cause any problems by some kids wearing USA flags if that school taught kids the system in American way.

I know this has probably already been said a thousand times so far but I am late getting here. I also dont usually use foul language but I know it will be edited.

WHAT THE @!$%# IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY? ARE YOU @!$%#ING KIDDING ME?

ok got that out.

calm down, breathe

ok this is the exact reason why the department of education needs to be ended. I cant say anymore...will look around for someone who actually supports this so can debate.

un@!$%#ingbelievable.

This just proves that Mexican's have no intentions of assimilating into the American society...They just want their Mexico, outside of Mexico!!!! If their so hell bent on Mexican history...Just go back down and get all the history they wish! back home in Mexico!!!!

I absolutely cannot believe what I have heard. The principal should be fired, and sent to Mexico since they are so protective of the rights of mexicants. I am purposely going to wear my AMERICAN FLAG TSHIRT today. I really hope that I EXTREMELY OFFEND ALL MEXICANS!

I THINK ITS TIME THAT WE START PLAYING COWBOYS AND MEXICANS!!!!!!!! DOWN WITH MEXICO, AND MEXICANS IN AMERICA. YOU ARE STARTING A WAR YOU WILL NOT WIN.

Wow. Just Wow. And I am not talking about the flag, the students, or the school.

If a kid was offended and obviously some were and complained to the principal because I doubt he'd have said anything otherwise... the principal should have explained...

You're American kiddo... there is nothing offensive about the American flag and just because it is your day to celebrate your heritage does not mean everyone else has to.

The law does not state that on Cinco De Mayo anything other than the Mexican colors can be worn. They need to get over it and grow up. This was sooo overboard.

Eris the school could have done anything but what they did was their job. It is not up to the school to promote division or take a side, just put out fires whatever the fire of the day may be. I think people are going a little too deep with this.

FAX # FOR THE SCHOOL 408-776-9097 PHONE # 408-201-6100

CALL OR WRITE THE SCHOOL. EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE FOR SUCH A THING

My father came to this country to make a better life for himself and became a US citizen....He'd put down his life for American flag...He respected what it stood for despite still having a dual-citizenhip with his country of birth....

This is the AMERICAN FLAG that should be respected by ALL AMERICANS, that includes MEXICAN-AMERICANS.....

Steve, no one can say it better! You are so right!

US Oath of Allegiance: I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.^[1]

This is soooo ridiculous. Whatever happened to freedom of speech. I doubt the students even wore the tee shirts as a form of protest or as a political statement (which is totally irrelevant). I went to a Catholic college and the majority of the students were either Irish or German and on St Patty's Day my girlfriend wore black and tan just to be controversial. (The English wore black and tan when they invaded Ireland). No one said anything. No one was offended.

this is america anyone who has a problem with our flag,the pledge,or the national athem should leave now. if they are so proud of their heritage why are they here instead of mexico. if i go to another country i follow their rules i don't expect them to change their way of life or language or holidays for me. first God was not allowed in school now the flag next week it might be the american students themselves.

It is not up to the school to promote division or take a side,

He did take a side. Norcal. That's the point. He shouldn't have taken sides at all. If there were complaints he should have done the right thing and mediated the situation.

Are we going to have to pander to every single person in America because they are feeling sensitive? This is crazy.

Where does it end?

Those kids were well within their rights to wear those shirts. They violated no school rules in doing so. This is a publicly funded school both by state and federal funds. Therefore it is property of the government. According to the Constitution what this teacher did was a clear violation of that and even the district says it disagrees with how this principal handled it.

Who the f u c k do these greasy mexicans think they are? This is yet another insult to Americans in this country. These kids can't wear the Red, White and Blue but these wetbacks can come to this country illegally and do whatever they want? This is disgusting!

smallbusinessformccain, et al: At the risk of being suspended...oh, just be quiet. We have St. Patrick's day, and others, that we all participate in, many white's love Cinco de Mayo and the parties. This one school principal acted like a jerk and you have to be ridiculous. The fact that so many agree with you is extremely sad and anonymously prejudiced, not matter how much you deny it. After all, its only the Mexican national holidy you oppose.

Flags belong on flagpoles.Wearing one and getting it dirty is disrespectful,my humble opinion.

Everybody seems to be on the same page with this. I have tried to think of some way to try and possibly understand the school admin and 'offended' Mexican-American students.

I cannot. It's not like the 5 students sent home were wearing SPANISH flags. You know the country from whom the Mexican people gained their independence. Wearing the flag of your country within the borders of that country is simple patriotism.

The Mexican-American students should remember that the only reason they have the right to celebrate their "heritage" is because of the freedom of expression they enjoy here. The same freedom they want to deny to their classmates.

Disgusting!

Flags belong on flagpoles.Wearing one and getting it dirty is disrespectful,my humble opinion.

No one was wearing a flag. (slaps her forehead)

I agree.. The migrants that we have allowed to come into our AMERICAN lifestyle are NOT americans. The Mexican holiday is just that "a Mexican holiday" and has no pupose in the american agenda. If they love the Mexican Holidays so much then go to Mexico. I can only think of one good cause for the celebration and that is they would all be speaking FRENCH instead of Spanish. I also whole heartedly agree with Peanut Jelly and Butter..but this oath is meaningless to non-americans such as living in California, and Arizona..

What might be a good start would be if this school actually taught American History... Here are a few quotes from Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, 26th President of the united States of America, when dealing with nationality and nationalism.

Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.

We can have no "50-50" allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism…. The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities.

In an 1894 article on immigration, Roosevelt said,

We must Americanize in every way, in speech, in political ideas and principles, and in their way of looking at relations between church and state. We welcome the German and the Irishman who becomes an American. We have no use for the German or Irishman who remains such... He must revere only our flag, not only must it come first, but no other flag should even come second.

----- (This goes for ALL "nationalities"!!!)

From a letter Theodore Roosevelt wrote just before he died.

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man’s becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American.

"If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.

"We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room for but one soul [sic] loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."

Also stated by Theodore Roosevelt:

The pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country and to humanity as is the most brutal wrongdoer.

The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public.

This act of INSANITY gives more proof that there is no better reason for all of you to put your John/Jane AMERICAN Hancock on the petition below if you believe we must protect AMERICA and AMERICANS from these DISRESPECTFUL, ANTI-AMERICAN immigrants ( Criminal and the ones who aid and abet the Criminals and their Criminal Anchor Babies) :

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/support-arizona-and-enforce-immigration-laws

Let's all sing the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless The USA" in protest of these illegals.

Americans: "If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life, and I had to start again with just my children and my wife. I'd think my lucky stars to be living here today, cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away. And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't fo"...

Politicians: "HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! Who told you the flag stands for your freedom?! You can't sing that song because it's offensive to the illegal aliens! We have to take into account there Constitutional rights!"

Americans: "But I thought the Constitution was written by and for the American citizens."

Politicians: *Laughs* "Now where would you get a crazy idea like that from? The illegals are the ones we give freedom of speech to along with the taxpayers hard earned money."

It's time we Americans, whether you're natural born citizens or legal immigrants, stand up for this country!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E

If this video and what I said offends you then you're not an American! God Bless the USA!

We need a law in Calif now the same as AZ...this is my state and i'm tired of being politically correct and walking on eggshells to please everyone, especially an illegal, so get the hell out and go back home where you belong....nobody wants you here and slowly but surely, state by state, from the north to the south and the east to the west, it's time to go back home....cinco de mayo isn't even celebrated in mexico anyway, it's one battle in a war they got their asses kicked in and eventualy conquered and ruled by france....losers!!....PS: i sent my son to school today with an old navy US flag shirt to show his pride for his country and the flag his dad, grandpa, and uncle fought and died for.....just try and make him take his shirt off today, i think not!!

Kevin... SIGN THE PETITION posted above !! Then pass it around to everyone you know who supports DEPORTATION OF ALL ILLEGALS and ARREST of those who aid and abet them !

I'm a Mexican-American and did not find this to be offensive but if they were saying somthing to be offensive that's a deffrent story no one know's why the boy's or girl's wore the shirts but them if they intended to start a race thing then they got what they deserve but if not then it was not right but like I said only the kid's that wore the shirts know's why but in the end we are all still American's let's not forget that. This is the land of the free isn't it?

Well after reading all the response this news has caused it has left me very upset. The fact that we were not there to know exactly what happened, for one we don't know what race the youngs nor the Principle, where or what response they were looking for, or even if there wasn't any. I it is not respectful to wear any flag as an appearl. BIG mistake from the principle! There are bigger issues in school than to punish students for wearing a flag. I believe any foreign person should honor their flag, but raise high the American flag for we live here not in our foreign country.

As for the 5 de Mayo schools celebrate it as a learning of a heritage truly. I love my country, Mexico, but respect America for being the land of the free. I do think that what we hear or say around our youngsters effects them and they really don't understand what is going on. They go with the first instinct reaction of defiance or with the our reaction of anger. I would've been offended that is nonsense! Not all illegals are from Mexico like the media portrays it, not all illegals are drug dealers or murders or rapists. Just like not all Americans are child molesters or rapists, murders. Don't judge all Mexicans for 1 ignorant person. People like that principle and many ignorant people that do or say stupid things like this are embarrasing as a human being.

I am a proud Mexican, and a proud American, you live here in the USA proudly raise to honor the American flag, but truly honor it don't just defend it because you were born here, but because you are thankful to be an American for all that we have an other countries don't. No one has the right to take that from us, but we do have the right to teach our kids the right way to honor and respect our COUNTRY. Let us not encourage hate. God Bless America!!!

"They said we could wear it on any other day," Daniel Galli said, "but today is sensitive to Mexican-Americans because it's supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today."

THEIR FRIKKEN HOLIDAY?!?!?OMFG!!! It is NOT a National Holiday here in the US! Its a bull@!$%# holiday that we all celebrate so we can eat mexican food and drink Corona and tequila! SENSITIVE?!?! SCREW YOU AGAIN! Who needs sensitive? We dont need no sensitive here! This school will receive so much backlash form this it wont be funny.

Rock on!! Me, too!!:) Don't let anyone distract from the real point by name calling, 'racism'! It's only a smoke screen to avoid the real issue - ILLEGAL entry of this country by some 20 million invaders! The time is now - or forever deal w/the consequences of not fighting for what's ours!! We need to show we do have a backbone and care about this country - or are we willing to live in a little Mexico?? I know I'm not!! I don't like walking around thru trash every time I walk outside my door!! Immigration is good! Illegal invasion is Not!!!

This is the United States of America. We have allowed, for too long, other cultures to over run ours. I understand that people want to come to America for what we were founded upon, and for a better opportunity, but those freedoms are being openly raped from us because when the people of those cultures come to a free land and practice 'freely' they begin to think that they can over take this country and run it like the one they came from. No-no-no. We in Americans need to stand up and get back to our roots and what this great country was founded upon and if other cultures want to practice in their homes, fine, but if not then remember from whence you came you can return for this is AMERICA!

Th Tinker case clearly states that a person has the right to protest, at school, by wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War, so long as they were not disrupting class. Since these students wore these shirts to show national pride on may 5th, and to support whatever their beliefs are, without disrupting any class, they were in their right of freedom of speech to wear the American flag tees by being forced to either face suspension, or go home with these shirts on, the district can be sued for violating the right freedoms of these students. It is not racist to show you do not like what is being done here, it is simple, we as a nation are not required to celebrate another counties national holiday, and should not have to silence our beliefs in fear of offending someone else. It is not racist to where an American flag symbol to school, and if a Mexican citizen at that school is offended by the symbol, why are they recieving a free American education if they are not a citizen of this country?

In case the definition of "irony" has been overlooked, check out this entry from Wikipedia...

While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance and celebration nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed nationwide in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride

Limited significance and celebration in the country that recognizes it... really? There aren't words to express the thoughts in my mind over that.

Having said that, if I catch any of you wearing red, white and blue on St. Patricks day, there will be the devil to pay!!!

I hope and will pay to see that school sued and the decision maker fired. If there had been an incident or altercation then that student or those students could be disciplined. The you lady who says they were being disrespected sounded like gangbanger talk. She's a fool. I didn't serve this country for four years to watch everyone lie down because they fear a law suit. There will be a revolution again and I hope it will be in my lifetime.

The Principal and Assistant Principal should be fired. Regardless of your country of birth or your INS status - in America you live by "our rules". If you want to celebrate your country of birth or any other day you consider to be special - feel free to do so but dont stop me from displaying the American flag!

We Americans need to stop electing people that want to turn are Country in to a third world Country. This is America and we need to be proud of that So when you go to vote elect people that looks out for us and not them

Pio.. it's only the "land of the free" until an illegal criminal tramples your rights as a citizen.

go to infowars.com

The problem here is we have a group of people (maybe some Americans and maybe some Mexicans, and maybe white or whatever other colors), and they do not respect other people, or other peoples' freedoms.

They demand that we show them respect and honor them, but do not give that same respect in return. We have a culture of peolpe behave like this and it is simply unacceptable no matter what nationality or color someone is. People who demand respect without giving any in return will get away with this for a while, but sooner or later good people of society will say that it can no longer stand.

This is insane! Fire that principal! Illegals go home!

"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"

It IS mexican heritage day? Really? It might be locally for you senorita, but its not a recognized HOLIDAY in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Disrespected? Like you dont do that on the 4th of July? Who are you kidding?!? I live in Chicago and the mexicans are always driving around waving their flag everywhere on OUR NATIONAL HOLIDAY! Its almost like the wild frikken west! I am almost expecting to hear gunfire and 'RIVA RIVA!' as they drive by. I can only imagine what its like in Cali!

I just bet that this bu!!@!$%# does not happen in Arizona. Americans better wake up. The country is already just about gone along with all of your freedoms!

And no were doe's this articale say there were illegals at this school so you are talking about american's .

We need yard signs that clearly state that we support Arizona's new law.

The liberal news media should just call them Mexican and omit the term American because they are not truly American. What happened to freedom of speech? i suppose that only applies to those who are not tru;y American. I am so sick of this idiot political correctness. According to those in the minority we should never say or do anything they disagree of because it might offend. Well if it offends you for Americans to dress and act like Americans, I suggest you return to Tijuana or any other Mexican destination. I will support the red, white and blue of the American flag and if you don't like it you may kiss my flag.

Welcome to Obamaland! The home of diversity, and the new world order.

To El Chapo - There has been a big increase in racists (and violent) actions by Mexicans against AMERICANS. The American have had enough! Go back where you came from!

All I can say is WTF!!!!

This is the same bull@!$%# that you hear day after day. Americans are losing their rights at an exceedingly fast rate. What other country can you go to and say you are offended by something one of their citizens says or does, and they take that right away from them? NOWHERE!!!! So why do we need to give up our GOD given rights because of someone being offended? I am offended by a lot of things people do, but I don't expect them to become illegal for those people. I don't go to another country and expect them to give up their rights because they might offend me! Come on, people. Has this country just given up and rolled over? It is offensive and just wrong . Now we can't be proud Americans in our own schools? What is next? If people don't wake up, soon their will be no more AMERICA-HOME OF THE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I 'm just curious, but does this same principal forbid the Mexican students from wearing anything that has a Mexican flag on it the other 364 days out of the year? Given that it might cause trouble in an American, English speaking, FREE, school in America.

The people that are ("incendiary") are the Mexican gangs in our schools that disrespect everything we have and stand for!!

And it's not even a Mexican holiday. It celebrates one battle against the French in the 1860's. The Mexican Independence Day is in September, I believe. Still the idea that we can't wear our own colors in the USA is ridiculous. The parents should sue. What has happened to our country? I always thought it was the best place to be. Now I'm not so sure.

And how many of the students were wearing Mexican flags??????????????????

And I suppose that was fine with the school.

What has happened to "our" country? politicians care more about foreigners than the american people! telling our children not to be proud of our country "every day of "every" year"? Anyone ever see a Mexican flag fly alongside ours on the battlefields of Kuwait, Iraq, Vietnam, Korea? Mexico is a neighbor with its hand allways out, never offering anything. those buried at Arlington, and other graves that hold Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for america have never been more disrespected in our history! a few veterans should visit these school officials and give them a lesson in american pride, and what country they're in!!!!

ACLU is already looking into this. Are rights being hindered or violated? YOU KNUCKLE DRAGGING RIGHT WING IDIOTS, ACLU has defended people from the right and the left. It is about the protection of our civil liberties. Where were you Right Wingers when the other American rights were violated? Where were you when an American Truck driver with license, social security cards was pulled over and arrested, because he did not carry his birth certificate in Arizona? It is you who violate the common decency. It is always the people who farted to start accusing that of others. SHAME ON YOU.

A brief reading of the actual law in Arizona (this means actually discovering the facts as opposed to reciting the talking points of liberals) would show that a valid state license is proof enough of citizenship. Likewise a social security card would also be proof. I know this ruins your worst case scenario but it's the truth.

The fact that the kids chose to wear American Flag on Cinco de Mayo day is obvious intent provoke a fight or altercation. It is not meant to start a debate nor discussion. This is a reflection on their parents, and their teaching.

You are creating motives here. I don't think it is obvious of anything. Why would it provoke violence? Aren't the other students also Americans? This isn't a school of Mexican nationals and American nationals - it's an American school in America filled with American children. Why would other American students be offended by the American flag on a tee shirt? Cinco de Mayo is about a fight between France and Mexico, it has nothing to do with the US so it should not provocative at all.

We may not agree with how the school administration handled this matter, but they intended look out for all of the kids. This was not an exercise in human rights. This is about violence prevention at a place of learning and a place of gathering for minors (whose hormones are rushing at unfiltered/controlled rates).

There is something fundamentally wrong with the school if the mere sight of an American flag on a tee shirt is an invitation to violence and the proper attention should be focused on the students that would inflict violence on others for wearing a symbol of the country that represents all the students. The teachable moment should be at any student who is driven to violence at the sight of an American flag - not a student who chooses to wear a tee shirt with our national flag on it.

You are spot on, excuse me those kids can wear T-shirts with the American flag we are in America not Mexico. Frankly I am a more then fed up with all the PC crap if they don't like it go to Mexico and celebrate.

American patriot? A real American patriot respects, RESPECTS, others, respects other peoples' heritage. This was no show for patriotism, this was a bully effort, a kid sticking out his chin, 'go ahead and start something.' The school will be on top of the situation if they invite soldiers who have been in a war to talk about patriotism, respect and integrity.

I still can't believe what I just read. That has got to be the most ignorant thing I have ever read about and I have read about some really ignorant things. I know it has to be true because you can't make up S — — T like that!!

I can't believe this crap! Did Arizona and the rest of the Southwest just become part of Mexico? I know a good percentage is Mexican or Hispanic and that's cool because it adds to the diversity of this country (when they are legal) but this is hog @!$%#, horse @!$%# or what ever kind of @!$%# you want to call it but it's @!$%#. This is America and sure lets have a holiday for Cinco De Mayo, St Patrick's Day, what ever but don't tell me I can't wear what I bleed (Red, White and Blue). First and foremost, they should be able to wear American flags and cinco de mayo is secondary, not the other way around or you offend someone! Wear an american flag on your shirt or fly it proud and be happy we let you celebrate your holiday in this country!

it shouldnt offend them if they are mexican - AMERICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOES to show who the real americans are!!!!!!

This is one of the most outragous things that I can imagin. WHAT IN THE @#$@ are they thinking. All Americans have the right to wear an American flag in the USA in any state, any county, and in any town at any time within the boarders of the USA when ever they want. To deny this right is a slap in the face to all of the great people that have given there lives for this country over the past 234 years to make this a free country. This is a HUGE injustice and jobs should be terminated for such poor judgement. My hat is off to the 5 individuals that stood up for all of us.

Apologies in advance to anyone I may offend, but it seems to me that, as a generalization, people living in the USA are a bit too sensitive. I don't just mean American citizens, but people in the US. I can't think of anywhere else in the world this would happen. Speedy Gonzales, for example would offend an awful lot of Mexican Americans as well as politically correct minded thinkers. In Mexico, however not so many people are offended, and the cartoon was aired for years on Mexican channels. Hardly anyone in Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo. (I'm in Mexico as we speak, and yesterday I heard exactly zero people mention the holiday) We celebrate Independance day in September, as well as the revolution, but outside of Puebla Cinco de Mayo is just another day like any other. The problem is that In the US there is an atmosphere of politically correct hypersensitivity which allows this sort of nonsense to go on. Let's please stop making mountais out of molehills no matter where you're from.

It's not a Mexican holiday, it's another American college kid excuse to drink holiday.

ROTFLMAO!

Ahhhhhh,,,,political correctness strikes the sovereign soil of America again. And the stupidity of some who argue this point is hysterical.

So, here in America, in a high school, LEGAL American students wear an American flag, and THEY get sent home.

Why?

Because it's in CALIFORNIA that's why!!! The Liberal Progressive political correctness headquarters of the WORLD. Notice they didn't put the city/state location at the very beginning of the first paragraph as any honest journalist would do.

Cinco De Mayo. This is a sham. It is NOT a Mexican Heritage Day, it's a regional holiday basically celebrated in Pueblo Mexico. It is virtually ignored in the rest of Mexico. The only reason we celebrate it here is to have another reason to get drunk.

I guarantee you if you asked most of the Mexican-American students about the origin of Cinco De Mayo they wouldn't have a clue.

Oh by the way, Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th.

I guess if you do this then we can't wear our nationsl colors during St. Patricks Day, Octoberfest or the Chinese New Year either.

God Bless America and the American flag.

It is disrespectful to wear the American flag as clothing or as a clothing accessory. A bandana? Give me a break.

This country is a melting pot believe it or not. we are different backgrounds but no matter what we are created equal like our constitution said. but defanatly i agree that this is #%$@ that this kids cant wear their own american flag in their own country with all respect this is not Mexico this is the USA for thoes that dont know this. and if u want to live in this country and be in this country go back to ur country. i came at the age of 10 years old to this country and i m soon to be a citizen and i have always respect this country even though i have different background culture but this is america not Mexico and not any other country. RESPECT !!!!!

Indeed, we are living in America aren't we? Is it now politically incorrect to be an American in California? Is this the same state or high school that flew the Mexican flag over the American flag? I'll bet these same Mexicans do not support American independence albeit suspended from school wearing the Mexican flag on their shirts. Let these administrators be suspended for their treason to the country which gives them their job.

Hey, MaryPrice, some of the kids wearing American flags were...Mexican-American kids! So your "racist" claim is just more liberal race-baiting. To the rest of you (us!), don't let the liberals draw the lines here. It is not a dispute with Mexico, Mexican-Americans, or any other race or culture-based issue. It is a melting pot issue. It is deciding whether you define yourself as American or not. Two choices only. Not _____-American (fill in the blank). AMERICAN. If you can't leave your allegiance to your home country behind, if seeing red, white, and blue "disrespects" you AT ANY TIME, if you don't feel proud to see an American flag 365 DAYS A YEAR, then please return to your most beloved home country. We will miss you a little, but will get over it.

Just saw a video talking about this and one of the kids is part Mexican and another one has a father who is Mexican so I don't want to hear that they were being racist.

http://news.yahoo.com/video/sanfranciscocbs5-15751300/s-bay-students-wearing-u-s-flag-shirts-sent-home-19586193

thturd states...

"Where were you when an American Truck driver with license, social security cards was pulled over and arrested, because he did not carry his birth certificate in Arizona?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh please. The law hasn't even gone into effect yet. If he was arrested, it had nothing to do with not having a birth certificate.

About the young lady that said this was "disrespectful" to her; how do you think millions of Americans felt when some Mexicans took our National Anthem and translated it into your language.

Excuse me! Press ONE for English and stop right there!

i guess if americans cant wear shirts with american flags on cinco de mayo because its a mexican holiday, then mexicans shouldnt be allowed to order taco bell on the fourth of july because its an american holiday... they gotta order a good old american tradition... hamburger

I pray I never see another mexican flag on AMERICAN soil on any other day!! Just goes to show u what kind of morons we have in charge of OUR country!! May 5th is over, GO HOME!! I have NO tolerance for this garbage!

they gotta order a good old american tradition... hamburger

umm.. we adopted the hamburger... LOL

Genghis Khan believe it or not may have created the first one. There are more than one accounts of "the first hamburger". The world may never know... along with how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop.

i really think that is what they want. i thought all those losers were moving to canada when bush was re-elected? how far do we go back. when will it end. it is my first ever posting i just became outraged when coming across this article. you really got to be kidding me. @#&%^@&$&%$&$#&@#@*^*%#@^%(^%#$&^%%^$#$##& unbelievable. now those kids are the real patriots. they should all been given medals of honor and courage under fire

Amen - last time I checked this is America not Mexico - there is never a day not to express your pride in your country. I say fire the vice-principle!

A Proud American / Veteran

Just wanted to point out, this isn't a conservative/liberal issue. I'm liberal and this is just stupid. Yes, they probably planned to wear the shirt because of the Cinco de Mayo celebration but, this is the US and they can wear a flag shirt if they want. As long as they aren't fighting anyone, whatever. It also is totally not the same as wearing a Mexican flag shirt on the 4th of July in the US because it is in the US, not Mexico. They shouldn't be sent home for wearing a shirt with a flag on it, get a grip school officials.

If they love their country that much, what are they doing here? Oh! I forgot, to send money home.

I have to agree that I find it a little disrespectful to the flag, and a violation of the flag code, for it to be splashed all over clothing, etc. however, the boys had a right to wear their shirts. It feels as if Big Brother is coming and perhaps uber political correctness is paving the way...I'm so torn on this issue of illegal immigration...on one hand there is the part of me that is tired of Spanish on everything I buy, I've had experience with the drug and crime scene and seeing the mug shots, and I have to admit I'm worried that there are many many narcos living here. On the other hand, I have friends who are illegal that I love and that are incredible people who work very hard with very little and contribute great amounts of kindness to our community. I worry about them. I worry that someday they may have to leave their families if they get caught. Without the "slave labour" that they perform for us this country would defintely suffer. I work with many refugees from all over the world and I have heard the horror stories of what they had the courage to go through. This is a very difficult situation to have a hard line opinion on....!

No celebration in America should take precedence over an American celebration. It seems to me that the guests are trying to outst the natives. This matter should not be taken lightly. I believe in liberality, but some things are too darn liberal.

HOW is it that comments that get 170 votes, and 222 votes, get CENSORED on this board? that is as ODD as censoring kids for wearing the american flag to school these days. so ODD.

Maybe, just maybe, the boys should have worn FRENCH flags (same colors, of course). I'd bet a penny that no one would tumble to the significant fact that Cinco de Mayo celebrates a Mexican victory over the French. Probably, the idiot school administrators wouldn't either.

That is the most appalling thing I've read this week - some kid feels "disrespected" in this country??? Any more remarks like that and I'm going to start displaying an Arizona state flag in front of my California home.

This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard of... Evidently the person at the school was mexican!!!!!!!

How is it that mexicans can dictate what American students wear to school to show they are proud to be an American? If these mexican students are offended then they need to move to mexico!!!!! I mean a t-shirt with an American flag on it for crying out loud. First of all the country these mexican students are in is called AMERICA and everyone should be proud to live in American and to be able to show they are proud. I am sick to death of people trying to tell Americans what we can wear, say, eat, pray, etc. I would bet money that these students are not even legal!!!!! Go back to mexico and leave us alone!!!! Good for you boys for standing up for what you believe in!!!!

I don't care if you are liberal or conservative. This story should piss you off. I hear some people on the vine saying that the flags would incite violence. My reply to that is bring it on.

If those kids who think their heritage is important, please tell them they LIVE in America and if they don't like it, sorry, go back to where your ancestors came from. This is ridiculous and I am proud of these students, the parents, and the UPPER administration of the district who did not back down! Arizona is doing the right thing and the only item they are missing is this should include ALL non-citizens who are here illegally. GIVE BACK OUR COUNTRY! If you don't like it here, LEAVE!!!!!!

What happend to the mexicans fearing being singled out and therefore scared to celebrate cinco d mayo? sounds like being an American was more of a cause for fear.the absolute gall to say it is offensive to mexican students amazes me.

Tyler, really? Posting the principals info is soliciting? I see people do it all the time to contact their senators or congressmen. And besides, if they really wanted to find out the information on the school, all they would have to do is GOOGLE it anyway. I understand you have an obligation here, but if people are upset about something, they should at least be informed of where they can contact someone to complain about it.

Reminds me of when Obama refused to wear his American lapel pin during the election. I guess it's now illegal to be a proud American patriot on May 5th now.

What's next? No orange shirts on St. Patrick's Day?

This isn't fuking mexico!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just stupid, its not the first time either, remember the school in California that raised the mexican flag over the American flag last year!

My mother is from Cuba, she is a American citizen and loves this country, she still loves Cuba but this is her home.

My wife and kids are of mexican decent, they were born here they are Americans, the funny thing is, they have no desire to turn this into mexico, they still respect and love there heritage but they are Americans through and through.

I am heavily surrounded by the benefits of immigration and I say ---

Love this country or LEAVE, even if your a American citizen this country comes first or find another we don't need you, and if your not leagle, get ready to be thrown back to the hole in which you came from.

And yes the word mexican is not capitalized on purpose!

What happened to my country? I spent 4 years of my life protecting this country and it's FLAG and now we can't even show our pride by wearing our flag. The liberals in charge must have an IQ of their shoe size.

If some one is offended by the showing of our flag, maybe they should GO HOME!!!!!!

A disgusted AMERICAN (and I've got a Birth Certificate to prove it.)

Reminds me of when Obama refused to wear his American lapel pin during the election.

B.S. He wore it and he didn't same as John McCain. There are pictures of both of them with it and without it. This is America. If they don't want to wear a pin one day they don't have to. Please stay on point here.

I agree. I think this principle misses the point that Mexicans, like other ***-Americans celebrate their ethnic and cultural heritages under the umbrella of our red, white and blue flag of freedom and democracy. I hope at the very least this principle should be sued and required to attend culturally sensitivity training classes.

Mary Price is the epitome of what is wrong with the United States of America. School officials forcing students to remove a display of their country's flag is dictatorial. They are free not to celebrate a foreign country's holiday if they wish. They are free to display their country's flag if they wish. Mary, maybe you should watch "Red Dawn" and pay particular attention to the scene where Americans were forced under threat of violence to wave little Communist flags at a parade for their invaders. It sounds like you would be right at home pointing your AK-47 at a child for not complying. You can bet your fat liberal behind they don't force kids to celebrate our holidays in Mexico.

Immigrants today are stupid. I know i will be slammed for this comment but first and for most. I have PERSONALLY been an immigrant to another country, so back off. People move to america either legally or illegally to escape their lives where they are from but they still bring their beliefs and customs to america and are offended when we dont wish to celebrate of acknowledge it? Im sorry but last i checked this was MY country not yours, if you want to live here, learn MY language, dont expect me to learn yours, get involved in our local community, dont go off and form your own with people from the country you came from, dont force your believes and customs on me because im not doing it to you. And if you are offended by our National Pledge of Allegiance, then why are you here. Please go back where you came from.

Completely agree. I dont care who or what u are honoring for a holiday wither it be Canada Day or Cino De Mayo. If your in the United States of AMERICA and get upset over someone wearing the AMERICAN flag in an AMERICAN city in a AMERICAN High School, on AMERICAN Soil (Which is a no brainer) than you know what. That's just to damn bad now aint it?? Were AMERICAN and your HERE in AMERICA. If you want to be happy about MEXICO independence that ya know what, whats your right buy you ALSO have to mind WHERE your at. The princible should be removed and any school offical who decided to kick the students out for it.

@ Mary Price99224

WTF dude.. Seriously? Do you actually believe in what you just posted??

One word: "Racist" and the parents are supporting the bigotry. The school is correct for saying that wearing these tees on May 5 was incendiary. It's like trying to serve roasted horse at Ascot. The Bobbies just shut the vendor down and told her to take the stall downtown if she wasnted to serve horse somewhere. The tees might have been the "right" thing, but wrong place, wrong time. And definately, on purpose.

Shame on parents for promoting such negativity

If you believe in that above than seriously do us all a favor and go back to where u came from. Either it be from under the rock you've been living in or Mexico. Shame on you for even thinking that it's ok to Shun American Pride just because our neighbor has a flipping Independence day. To think there was respect once for Americans.. Definitely none for this dude.. wonder if he/she has all her papers... Hope they don't live in AZ. ALL US States should adopt AZ laws.

I still find it incredulous that this really happened. Celebrating other peoples' heritage is great fun for all of us, but having to deny our own country IN our own country is absurd and these school officials should be disciplined and chastised and they should be the ones apologizing to the students, their parents AND AMERICA!

LOL! This is the best seed ever! In a single thread I can watch the devolution of the right wing! First they just get mad at the darn "libs". Then, tell people that they should just get out of the country if they don't like what the right-wing likes. Then, thaking a queue for good ole Bill-O saying "Hey, I got his number lets harass him". Then, they go down to the very base of their entire argument, say it with me, racism!
Oh I know, the left pointing out the rights racism is soooo passe. But, I have to call it when I see it. I mean sheesh, just scroll up and read all the people talking about "playing cowboys and Mexicans", or calling them "greasy, wetbacks", or making a (tasty?)joke about Taco Bell.
So, thank you right-wingers. Thank you for proving what the left has said all along!
P.S. At first I was ticked off about what happened too, but then the logical part of my brain kicked in. What that tells me the Principal was right is the bandannas. Plus all of them "just happened to be dressed in American flag t-shirts" on cinco de mayo.
They got together, decided that cinco de mayo was a stupid holiday (even though it isn't a national holiday)and wore t-shirts and bandannas to cause a stir. The school had every right to stop that.
Ok, now collapse my comment. :P

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stars-and-Stripes-FOREVER-Fly-it-with-Pride-in-your-heart/114902758549452

Grass Roots effort here people! Tell your friends about the effort and fly those flags PROUDLY!

Ha ha ha I am with you oograh . You got a check mark from me. The truth is that in California pretty much everyone enjoys the Cinco de Mayo celebrations and festivals. Fun stuff and I don't mind saying though I am Irish mix I like it more than St. Patrick's Day. Morgan Hill wouldn't know an illegal if one ran over them, unless their family has hired them as a nanny. It is a lovely, well off bedroom community and has none of the problems people here are seeing in their own minds.

It is sad it all turned racial here but where Morgan Hill is concerned I would guess it is just another school day. This has been entertaining to read once the shock of what is posted eases.

The racist comments are uncalled for but there were plenty of posts that were not. The school overstepped it's bounds no matter what the boys were up to.

An American flag should not piss off anyone who is American no matter what day it is. That is an overreaction. You can't even call it racist if those Mexican kids are American. The American flag is their flag too.

If it weren't for America they wouldn't even be celebrating Cinco De Mayo even if they lived in Mexico unless they happened to live in the correct part.

I'm a "lefty" btw. You can read my other posts to prove it.

I think the school made a huge error and turned this into what may be another heat wave to an already heated topic. Even the school district disagrees with what the V.Principal or Principal whichever.. did.

Has ANYone here bothered checking out the Law for displaying the American flag? Be informed:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

Personally, I feel strongly that if any of the students being reported as "Mexican Americans" were NOT legally here in the United States, they shouldn't even have been in our schools... but that is another issue.

What bothers me is that the district has not done its homework either. The actual school administration was correct. Using our flag as a T-shirt, and worse, as a bandana, is NOT appropriate and is highly disrespectful, and these kids need to be informed about that.

They may have intended it to be a patriotic gesture and I will give them the benefit of the doubt.... (so long as the "gesture" was not a middle finger at the ones who feel their right to Cinco de Mayo was as basic as St. Patrick's Day).

However, respect for the flag is clearly defined under law and I hope this incident will wake up the History and Social Studies teachers.

That said, I would feel far more supportive of a legal patriotic display including all the citizens who care to participate. Non-citizens who are illegally here at all need not apply!

Unbelievable!!! What nationality are these kids? What country do they reside in? What country supports them and builds their schools? In what country would they have the opportunity to disrespect the country in which they have chosen to make home? The answer is, The United States of America. It's far from perfect but it deserves our respect and honor ...... if you don't agree try not to let the door hit you on the way out.

These kids can now have a law suit on their behalf. This Mexican vice prince screwed up big time on this one. Whats next ( All legal Americans please leave the USA ) !!!!

Edna: In case you have think I made up the story of the commercial truck driver (Abdon, resident of Maricopa) being arrested in Arizona on April 21, and wife had to get off work and drive 1 hr back to get his birth certificate (which nearly 40% of American no longer have) to get her husband released from JAIL!

http://www.azfamily.com/news/91769419.html

Here is the clip (about 2:30min into the vid): http://tv.fooyoh.com/?mid=fooyohtv_videos_viral&category=625955&document_srl=6691751

http://misterdudeblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/your-papers-please/

And to expidite the matter on profiling and harassement, Maricopa Sheriff chose to rid of documents and evidences that can vindicate or to convict his (and his department) actions.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/04/joe-arpaios-sheriffs-offi_n_450371.html

The kids were sent home because the administration's concern for safety. The kids that wore the American Flag knew what they were doing. They were not doing it because they love our country. They did it because they think they are better than the others. There is not butts here. Basically, their parents allowed their kids to use OUR AMERICAN FLAG to instigate fight or altercation. Patriotism is shown through out our life, not only during someone else's party or celebration.

This is about the haves and the have not. It was important that the kids show the other Latina kids that they were better. Those kids were instigating a fight or altercation. That is no different than running on a baseball field and being taized... or wearing a KKK hood at a peace rally or wearing a Anti Gay Slogan at a Gay Parade. I don't blame the kids. I blame the adults and you fools urging them on to become a irresponsible American Citizens.

Yes, we heard, LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME.... you guys amaze me at your skin deep analysis of the situation.

Wake up America !!!!!! They started out attacking Christians and statues. Then they went on to try and control the media. Then they put gay clubs in our high schools. ( Is evil thriving in America, in every aspect of our lives ) !!!!!!!

davefoley0 writes:

It is ALWAYS you "love it or leave it types" that make me laugh really hard at your ignorance of the flag you claim to love and respect. These kids should have their respect off the flag questioned, as should every other flag wearing fool, including those politicians who pander to morons by wearing flag pins.

Section 8d of the flag code reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."

So why don't all of you show some respect to flag, and realize these kids should not have been wearing the clothing in the first place.

Dave, You are an idiot!

A t-shirt with a flag design or picture IS NOT a flag. What the code addresses is using an ACTUAL flag as wearing apparel (or material used in making apparel). In other words, don't drape a flag over you as a toga or cape. Don't wrap a flag around your waist like a skirt, or use it as a diaper. Don't cut up a flag to use as material in making a dress or shirt. The flag code does not prohibit lapel pins or flag designs on your clothing.

Let me paint you a picture so you can understand it... Our United States Armed Forces wear a United States flag patch on the shoulders of their uniforms. There is no higher respect that can be shown, as these individuals put their lives on the line for OUR country EVERY day!

This is way wrong,, Our country where this happened is USA.. NOT Mexico.. this is not a national hoiday here, They need to go home if its there hoiday......................

Eris2010 I agree some just feel strongly about the issue but any racist we have read among the good posts have an agenda. What is cute about this story is some in the group of 5 or 6 who wore the flag identify themselves as Mexican American or half Mexican American.

The kids who wore the shirts do not have the same mind set many here have. They hang out together. They may have decided this was just a fun idea in a great little community. I am sure none of us know. You have given your position in a dignified way and I saw no racism in your thoughts so you prove that we can be on opposite sides and still appreciate the respect. I can't say that for every post here on the subject.

I'm amazed at the mass of right-wing morons that cant wait to blame this on liberals, how do you know its a "bleeding heart liberal" school or staff? Maybe they're just plain stupid, like most people in charge or with power are? Yeah I know its hard to believe that Republicans are capable of being stupid too yanno! Let me guess, this is all Obama's fault right? Hmmmm... maybe if your boy Ronny Raygun hadnt granted amnesty en'masse during his 8 years in office, and your beloved Bush boys hadnt looked the other way concerning immigration for the 12 years THEY ruled the country....... yeah I know, Willie didn't do anything about it either.

P.S. No I'm not a "liberal"... both sides are traitors, too bad all your blinders are pulled on too tight!

upside down American flag

http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mexicoflag.asp

This is the contact information for the high school and school district. Call and email.

http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Directory

http://www.mhu.k12.ca.us/About-MHUSD/Contact-Us/index.html

Everybody please read the story. The school district agrees with the students and not the bone-head assistant principal. Any guesses on his lineage? Chupacabra~!~!

Sounds like to me that we are going to have a revolution.

what part of mexican holiday doesnt this idiot get?if the mexican kids have a problem go back to YOUR country,take your illegal alien relatives with you.let your country give you free health care,assistance and everything else your type can sponge up.hey america.. what happened to your balls??really?why does this crap even happen?Are we afraid of hurting their feelings or is it a case of fear of retalliation? AMERICA...STOP PUTTING UP WITH THIS CRAP!

Stevo01, jhawk750: what do the other students have to do with the 5 kids being sent home?

RoxieMae: Is it right to instigate a fight even if you're carrying a bible and wearing a cross? School is a place to learn and to be educated. Today, they learned that their apparel can create unnessary or unintended tention. If one fail to abide by Pricinpal or Vice Principal's demand, you can be sent home. Your loss, not mine. If the education is that important, then the kids would have turned their shirt inside out. If this is that critical or clear headed, then they would have called ACLU.

For the kids, this is justification, because they are there to test their limits. We as parents must teach what is and what can. I like to hear from the children themselves instead of the parents yaking away about their children's rights being violated. What about the rights of the other students who are not involved who may be injured during a possible altercation or fight? Did the parents think about their rights? Or did you? Again, school is a place for education. It is my children's right to be educated. It is my right to assume that their safety is of upmost concern of the teachers and the administration.

Jerry of NV: I think you missed the point. You automatically assume flag = patriotism. Sorry that is false sense. KKK use our American flag, is that right or is that fair. Now ask yourself why are the KKK or Neo Nazi or Skinheads using the American flag? Is it patriotism or justification or instigation?

http://www.calstatela.edu/orgs/mecha/planphilmecha.htm

What illegal aliens are really all about.

Cut and paste and keep for future reference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkAP_M4ZAM

First of all, many posts that people are leaving are almost as ridiculous as this school's administration. I feel a lot of hate coming from these comments, but I understand it's easy to hide behind a computer screen.

I feel that some of these comments as well as "getting a suspension for wearing an American Flag t-shirt on Cinco De Mayo" is too extreme. Did these kids even do it on purpose? I would assume that it was just a shirt they pulled from their dresser that day.

Secondly, I just want to be fair to all sides. Are they trying to make this Spanish student sound incompetent by this statement?

"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."

Using the word "cause" instead of because and "to be get" ??? I find it ridiculous that anyone would take offense to this situation, but to me, this reporting seems a little faulty.

New Immigration Laws:

Read to the bottom or you will miss the message…

1. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools.
* * * * * * * *
2. All ballots will be in this nation’s language.
* * * * * * * *
3.. All government business will be conducted in our language.
* * * * * * * *
4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.
* * * * * * * *
5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office
* * * * * * * *
6 Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported.
* * * * * * * *
7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must20be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage.
* * * * * * * *
8. If foreigners come here and buy land… options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country.
* * * * * * * *
9.. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation.
* * * * * * * *
10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted &, when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Too strict?……
The above laws are current immigration laws of MEXICO

Under Mexican law, it is a felony to be an illegal alien in Mexico."

http://illegalaliensmustgo.blogspot.com/2007/02/immigration-reform-lets-try-mexicos.html

Koobee: stop with the jokes... you are killing me. You know this is a story about the 5 kids, not about foreigners, immigrants, deportations, language, residency, welfare... You do know that, right? Unless, you are here recruiting?

Indiana Nights: don't know if you're with Indiana Knights? Had an excellent experience working with a fine group of people. Back to the vine.... These are kids, and they are allowed to make mistakes. We want them to make mistakes (especially at now than later). They don't have the life experience that we have enjoyed. So I don't want to criticize the kids other than not following instructions. Oh, 5 kids (friends) wearing similar things on the same day? Come on, we are the adults here.

Taking the opportunity to educate.

Fire the principal and vice principal, now.

this is some bullsh*t!

I can't believe they were to be suspended. If I were them, I'd sue the school for discrimination or school board or whoever I need to sue. I mean, I am a full Mexican myself and even I could see that as wrong. There's nothing wrong with wearing a damn American flag. Shoot, I even came over here because there is so much freedom in this country; And now they even want to take that freedom away from AMERICANS???!!

"Need to apologize"... b*tch, you need to know what you're going to say because without Americans, we wouldn't be able to PARADE out in the streets like we do.

Whoever knows these people, please... tell them to take my word for it.

This is like me waving the Mexican flag in America; Should I apologize even IF Americans were offended?? Hell NO! I just being patriotic!

They should not be sorry for what they "did" because they have done nothing wrong.

There is always one Mary in the crowd, but she deserves her opinion even if it is wrong. That kind of thinking is what caused the school to do what they did. Some people feel like this country should cater to everyone who moves here, when actually it is the immigrants that should conform to our way.

Like I said before, all immigrants here left their own countries behind to come here because it is better than where they were. They should love to see the flag of the country they left theirs behind to come to displayed.

thturd writes:

Jerry of NV: I think you missed the point. You automatically assume flag = patriotism. Sorry that is false sense. KKK use our American flag, is that right or is that fair. Now ask yourself why are the KKK or Neo Nazi or Skinheads using the American flag? Is it patriotism or justification or instigation?

I don't think I missed any point "sense"(sic) I was not talking about anyone's motivation. I was addressing davefoley0's conprehension of the flag code.

What you are giving an example of is racism. As for your example, someone's stupidity or ignorance (the KKK, Neo Nazis, or skinheads) does not validate, NOR does it nullify, their patriotism or love of country. They are EXCLUSIVE of each other. Are they ignorant? YES. Are their views on racial superiority wrong? Absolutely! Are a lot of the actions they take against minorities criminal? You bet! Their views on race are extreme. But to say they are, OR aren't patriotic...

Racism is emotionally charged. Most people tend to think of individuals with racist views as ALL bad. Sorry folks, but that's usually not the case. Most are good people who just don't know better... plain and simple. Their are people of all color who are racists. Being a minority doesn't make you exempt. However, racism has nothing to do with patriotism.

I wonder if the principal will ban "incendiary" Mexican flag shirts on Independence Day. Or would that be considered racist?

Thanks Norcal. I do disagree with how it was handled and I am very upset - even if it is a kid - by someone saying the American flag was disrespectful to them if they are a citizen of this country. I do think they are the ones overreacting and I think if this had been a direct attack on them as a racist act I'd have been on the side of the kids who complained. But I don't see a racist attack in this.

Maybe those kids who wore the flag were making a political statement about illegal immigrants. Maybe in that school, where it sounds like it is predominantly Mexican, the flag-wearing kids are being bombarded by an opposing view point and decided to make their feelings known about it on that day knowing it would get the point across. Maybe those boys are just racist... we don't know.

What I do know is if those Mexican kids aren't illegal immigrants than the point wasn't directed at them but at their opposing views of the illegal immigration issue and that an American flag should not have been offensive.

Not everyone who is against illegal immigration is racist. I am against it. I think it is doing more damage than good to this country, to families, not to mention, I really do not like such an open door into our country when we have people trying to blow up Times Square. I think it is a National Security threat and that congress is more worried about their jobs than they are trying to settle this angers me and a lot of other people.

I think the Arizona law was a good thing. Not because I agree with it entirely. I do agree the laws need to be enforced when laws are broken - but the rest is subject to question - but I think it was good because this is an issue that has been put off long enough and it is forcing it back into the spotlight. I think there is a silver lining in the creation of the Arizona law.

It says people are tired of being ignored and that this is reaching a boiling point and that putting this off any longer a detriment to everyone illegal or not.

I can't say I blame Arizona. The drug wars on the border are heating up and they're drifting over into Arizona. Americans shouldn't be subjected to this. We're supposed to protect our own and the crime rate and violence and incidents of drug related killings and kidnappings is picking up in Arizona. If I lived there I think that would heat me up enough to get behind this law too. Fear and anger will make you do things you normally wouldn't.

If the government doesn't step up and do something I think we are going to see more incidents like this one in this school and this situation is going to grow potentially more volatile.

Eris I think most Americans agree on the issue of stopping illegals at the border. Where they disagree is how to do that constitutionally without stopping "some" Americans without probable cause. One thing is clear, the federal government does have to step up and do this the right way otherwise the courts are going to be swamped with red states grabbing bandaids that sacrifice American's rights. It is not an easy job no matter what we do.

This school situation is not so hard to talk about. The schools have one job and one job only, teach and keep the kids safe. I guess I would agree with you if this was one kid who came to school with any shirt he just grabbed but because the whole group of friends did it this places pressure on the school to keep the peace. I think it is pretty simple actually. They handled it well in my opinion without punishing the boys and just giving them a choice. The boys selected which choice they preferred, going back to class or removing the statements they were making (whatever it was.) I do not see the kids as bad so much as not well thought out but no big deal. The racism looks like it was more on this board in some cases than in their minds. I mean almost half of the 5 or 6 flag wearers said they were Mexican American. They hang out together so no one can really make a racism case against them. This bedroom community is so far from having to make any racist point that I would almost guess they did it for fun initially. They may have never seen an illegal but for the nanny they hired in that town. Lovely little well heeled town without the pains so many seem to think motivated it.

The school just did what schools do when kids get uptight in the hallways or the class. They handled it gently. I think this board shows what happens when adults place their interpretation and love of flag into a kid issue at a school that has flags all over the place. The clue is they did not remove flags from the school, they just told the group of friends to not make that statement in school on Cinco de Mayo. Logical and expected imo. I doubt any school would allow the students to take sides and fight over one small group of fiends no matter what tee shirt picture the kids used or what day it was. lol

Why is it not ok to live in this country without having someone crying all the damn time about how theyre being offended??????

If someone thinks theyre going to take my flag away because someone sniveling "disrespect". You best be on your guard!!!! We have our own History in this country. If these snivel mongrels think theyre due respect they should be happy theyre even ALLOWED to live here. Im wondering how many of these immigrants even came to this country through the proper portal and taught this nations meaning and history, because it sounds to me like theyre just taking FREEDOM for granted. They have taken its meaning out of context by crying over ones dress habits. Why is it our voice thats being silenced? But well listen to the ones that dont matter???? Just tired of all the BS!!!!

Ken Waltz, you said, as though it were fact, that the boys wore those shirts to cause trouble. While it could be possible, or even likely, that they wore their American flag shirts and bandanas as some form of protest, or display of misguided nationalism, the fact is that there had been no conflict and no altercations and no aggrevations at the time the boys were approached - half way through the day. If these boys decided that they don't like Cinco de Mayo, and wore t-shirts as their only form of protest - and currently, they have not even made any statements to indicate that they were protesting - then exactly what have they done wrong? Wearing these t-shirts were in no way disrespectful to any Mexican-Americans or even Mexicans.

Their shirts didn't say "Cinco de Mayo Sucks!"

Their shirts didn't say "We hate Mexicans!"

Their shirts didn't make any derogatory statements at all. And the boys didn't make any derogatory statements, either. They didn't do anything inflamatory. They were approached by the vice pricipal without any incident, by the school's own admission.

Of course, the next day, over 200 Hispanic students skipped school and marched on the school district's headquarters carrying Mexican flags and chanting in Spanish that they demand to be respected. Envision students of American heritage doing the same thing in ANY other country. The world would view them as arrogant bullies.

The truth is there is no disrespect with wearing the flag t-shirts. The likelihood is that the vice principal was following his own agenda. The reality is that, in spite of the fact that you seem to believe that California should still belong to Mexico, it doesn't. To hold true to your statement that the US stole California from Mexico, we would have to then also say that the Spanish stole Mexico from the Mayan, Aztecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs and others who occupied the land before them.

But Mexico left Spain, and those separate peoples united to form their own country. And similarly, California left Mexico, and it IS now the United States. But not by theft - it was by treaty. A treaty that guaranteed property rights and retention to any Mexicans already living there. That means they kept their land, and could do what they wanted with it - sell it, cultivate it, divide it or whatever. And if you really want to be accurate, all of that land that you claimed was stolen from Mexico, was actually stolen from the Native Americans. So let's not kid anyone about any pre-existing land rights.

Finally, you said that there should be no such thing as American rights, just rights as human beings. On an idealistic level, I agree; however, the world is not ready for that. Rights as human beings are not the same from country to country. In truth, to say say that there should be only human rights would mean that nothing these boys did, intentionally or not, could even be considered offensive, since it could have only be considered motivated by nationalism - rights that you claim shouldn't exist, and therefore couldn't be violated.

But let's just keep it simple - wearing a t-shirt void of any derogatory statement is simply not incendiary. Calling them out and demanding that they change or leave was. Clearly, the school administration made a grievous error. Did anyone even read this whole post?

The majority of posts I have seen so far are, I think are to be complimented for their feelings of patriotism. Still, so many are a knee-jerk reaction.

The school and its district have clearly accessible Codes and Procedures, with which all students and yes, their families, should have read. I know, few of us do, but it is there, just like the law for displaying the flag.

All of you involved in this issue please note:

“Policies and Procedures” http://liveoakhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home/About+Live+Oak/Policies+and+Procedures

“However, any clothing or decoration which detracts from the learning environment is prohibited. The school has the right to request that any student dressing inappropriately for school will change into other clothes, be sent home to change, and/or be subject to disciplinary action.”

It is specious to argue that the United States Laws regarding displaying the American flag doesn't pertain because the "students were not wearing a flag." Nonsense. The key word is DISPLAY. Wearing the flag itself is also forbidden, but that is certainly different from Displaying the flag as a part of a clothing design by citizens not authorized to do so.

And if you READ those laws (instead of scanning them or trusting hearsay) there are exceptions listed as to what may be displayed. Under these codes are the patches for the military, authorized, for which there is not the remotest question about their message. It's an absurd analogy to try to compare those to the T-shirts and bandanas.

In fact, it is my opinion that the lawsuit, if any, should be instigated by the Feds against the manufacturer of those T-shirts. They are ordinary citizens NOT authorized by the United States Government to manufacture clothing over which there is no knowledge or ability to know its use.

At the same time, the teachers of American History, or European or World History, or Social Studies which should include Political Science.... are remiss! The first thing that should be taught, regardless of the level of the class, are the primary laws of the United States and the nations from which we came. The close second, or perhaps even switch it with the first, are the School's Rules.

And they should teach something else, that we could all use if only a refresher...

Why Law? What is Law? What is the intent of Law? What are the consequences of breaking the Law? And, I do not mean all the formal laws, though some should be highlighted. This includes rules by the authority we all have over us and in most cases by our own choice. And clearly make a distinction between Behavior (as perceived by others) and Intent. It is almost impossible to prove "intent," especially by the claimant. That is where behavior which is factual, not interpretive, kicks in.

But a good teacher will focus on the similarities of what all ethical laws and rules we've agreed to (by explicit or implicit consent) are trying to achieve. And it is NOT "power."

It is survival... with civility.

Not arguing with your basic points, but I do have a correction to make What you are reading is not LAW. It is a code by which the flag of the United States of America should be displayed and handled to show honor and respect, but it is not law. And if you do not abide by that code, there is nothing anyone can legally. I was surprised when I first found this out, myself. But that's the way it is. And that is why acts such as burning the flag, which are disgusting to me, are none the less legal.

This is America and America comes first !!!!!!!! You can wear your colors but you will not tell me I cannot wear mine !!!!!!!! To many people have died for the RED, WHITE, AND BLUE !!!!!! Why is it that so many people cater to other cultures but Americans are automatically the enemy when we do something , like wearing shirts with the American flag to school ????? Is that a crime ????? I think the American flag comes first in America ! IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS COUNTRY , GET OUT !!!!! I'LL PAY FOR THE TICKET !!!!!! STOP BABYING THESE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY TAKE OVER !!!!! By the way, I am a proud Puerto Rican man , born and raised there , and I proudly served my country as a U.S. Marine for 8 years !!!!! So this is not a racial issue , it's about respect , WE ARE IN AMERICA AND AMERICA COMES FIRST !!!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!!!!

I think most people understand and want respect. However the question to me is about abusing the power of our flag and of our respect. Again, these are kids. They are simply pushing the limits. Secondly, they are NOT SUSPENDED as some claimed. They were simply asked to go home to prevent possible altercation.

Remember, we may not like the fact that our flag is perceived to be disrespected. That goes the same for our Mother or our family being disrespected. However, is it against the law? or is it simply a play on our emotion? This is about common sense and education (from the parents). Is it against the law to have people carrying Nazi signs or Hitler signs during the middle of Octoberfest? Walk around with anti gay signs during gay parade?

Some of you are so charged emotionally that you forget that this is a free country and that is a school for minors. The priorities are is safety and education. The administration may have made a bonehead move, but I can not see their intent being out of priority. I would not want my child in the middle of such charged up environment.

thturd I don't see how you can compare the nazi and gay thing to this.

The flag is not a show is disrespect to any American. Now if they had worn French flags in there showing support for the opposition to the war fought between the Mexican and the French and for which Cinco De Mayo is the original reason.. then I could see it.

Why should these Mexican-American kids feel disrespected by their own flag? Maybe for one day out of the year they want to forget they are American but does everyone else have to out of respect for them?

I think the kids with the American flags are not the only ones that need to grow up here. Being proud of your heritage is a good thing but that doesn't mean the world stops revolving just because you're having a heritage pride day and it does beg the question...

If these kids were that offended by the American flag on "their day". Would it not have been equally offensive to them to see it hanging in front of the school? Or is this just because it happened to be some kids? Why the nit picking? And according to some.. I haven't read so far.. the kids doing it were part Mexican..

I don't get it. I think this was much ado about nothing and that the V.P. pushed it into a bigger something by calling attention to it.

But yes I am completely offended by hearing someone say the American flag was a sign of disrespect to them when they live in this country. Maybe it is because my son has to go to Afghanistan soon and it burns my ass to think kids like him and so many others defend this country and die for people who think like that. It really does make me want to join so many others and say.. if America is offensive to you.. then get out. And I HATE it when people say that but here I am thinking it just the same.

So yes, it is an emotionally charged issue for some of us and I think for good reason - The racists aside. Any point they try to make is pretty much invalidated the minute they express their true feeling behind it.

I agree with you completely. Since when is Calif. part of Mexico and who does the Pricipal and Vice Pricipal think they are. If those students want to celebrate thier national holiday, then it is clear they are not American citezens and should be sent back across the border immediately. We can not go to another country and run around waving our falgs except at our embassy which is our countries soil. Why should they be allowed to do it here. The district should fire the Principal and Vice for thier actions. This is American soil and the 5 student wearing our nations colors did nothing wrong. President T.R. said it best, when you come to be in this country you are Americans, not mexican-americans, african- americans, etc. We need to stop this crap and put this sensitive buisness of others in our country to rest. Our House Our Rules.

A Tee shirt showing dozens of law breaking, drug dealing, scoundrel, worthless, Mexicans sneaking into America would have been more appropriate.

El Chapo Guzman-906890

F$CK MEXICO