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School bans flags.

nbc17.com — The title of the story is actually "High School Bans American Flag" but that isn't accurate because the ban applies to flags from any country.

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  • MercedRocks, on 10/10/2007, -71/+18Yah but the point is that its banning the AMERICAN flag in AMERICA....sheesh what an idiot......Im burying it 4 stupidest title ever.
    • mydigga, on 10/10/2007, -19/+7I thought is said "school bans fags"
      • Bubba3236, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4yeah, it's the new don't ask don't tattle-tell policy
      • weside, on 10/10/2007, -5/+2We can only hope for that day.
    • Grimdotdotdot, on 10/10/2007, -7/+4Your fellow Americans must be so fed-up with people like you...
    • tehpwnrate, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Why is he dugg down? I don't give a rat's ass if they want to ban other countries' flags (although I guess you should be able to wear whatever flag you want). But you cannot ban the American Flag in a school. It's a public, government institution and this is simply ridiculous. If you don't want an American flag in your school, move to Canada.
      • loungechair, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Ironically, you can wear all the american flags you want in a Canadian school.
        • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Any flag for that matter. We're still a free country. If the US keeps going the way it is, a lot of people will start to actually act on the whole "Then move to Canada" thing.

          You are all welcome here. My family that lives in the US has dibbs on staying at my house, though.
      • cwgannon, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2You guess we should be able to wear whatever flag we want? As in, you're not sure? Or that you're reluctant to allow such a freedom? What?
      • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3The problem is that saying one flag is OK but not another is (arguably) viewpoint discrimination under the First amendment. Schools either need to allow all, or allow none, or risk a lawsuit.

        IMO the amendment is more important than the flag. Substance over style.
  • aerohead80, on 10/10/2007, -35/+182Well in doing so they also banned the kid from wearing anything with the American Flag as well. I'm really getting sick of the whole attitude of "In America we can't display our flag because we might offend people who live here that came from other countries." I'm of the mindset that if you want to live in America you should embrace it and be proud of it. This country has its flaws, but I still say I'm proud to be an American and could give a damn if someone is offended because we display our flag and not a foreign flag. Many brave young men and women died defending this country and that flag means a lot to many veterans and most of the citizens in this nation. Down with stupid PC BS!
    • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -11/+79their reasoning is that they wouldn't know which flags should "be permissible." I've got an idea, how about EVERY FLAG?
      • Akaji, on 10/10/2007, -3/+15Nazi flag/emblem?
        • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -3/+26having a swastika isn't against the law, schools shouldn't ban it either (they can ban "kill-the-jews" rallies, but they shouldn't ban the symbol).
          • anonym41414, on 10/10/2007, -14/+8Schools are free -- in fact, they're required -- to regulate or restrict any student behavior that interferes with the learning process. I'd say sporting a Nazi symbol qualifies.
          • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -5/+27"I'm sorry teacher, I'm just unable to learn long division today. That Nazi design Billy has on his shirt is interfering with my brain waves."
          • JoeVet, on 10/10/2007, -3/+13I don't believe that there is a country who's flag contains a swastika. Nazi paraphernalia is reserved for hate groups and would not count as a national flag. Bowing to pressure by closed minded people to ban national flags diminishes the objective of education.
          • Akaji, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6@brstilson

            More like, "I'm sorry teacher, I'm just unable to learn long division today. Being a Jewish descendant of Holocaust victims, Billy's shirt makes me want to kill him. I've got a very nice diagram started, though!"
          • helmsb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2@brstilson
            The territory of Kuna Yala has a Swastika in their flag. Also it is a symbol in Hinduism
        • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -0/+18If you're talking about the swastika that would depend on how it's presented. It's an extremely ancient symbol found in just about every old world culture on earth, from pre-Columbian America to India. In Hinduism it's the symbol for well-being. To the Navajo it was the symbol for whirling winds. Of course, most people that would brandish one today probably are presenting the Nazi version, but I've heard of Native American children being kicked out of school for wearing one that was merely a symbol of their heritage.
          • Henaege, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1That's true, I live close to Cherokee and they wear swastika-type emblems all the time, the kids wear them to school and everything. It's a part of their culture, just as the stars and stripes are a part of ours (but probably even more deeply rooted and significant). I don't see how you can ban something like that.
          • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Note, however, that it comes in two clockwise/counter-clockwise forms.
        • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1.
      • inblue, on 10/10/2007, -5/+15right on. america would not be america (hence the nickname "melting pot") if it were not for the other countries that made america. every flag should be 'permissible'. rules and regulations of freedom of expression, speech, etc. only brings on more segregation and hate.
        • mattyG, on 10/10/2007, -3/+13America is becoming less of a melting pot

          The melting pot is a metaphor for the way in which heterogenous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (people of different cultures and religions) are combined so as to lose their discrete identities and yield a final product of uniform consistency and flavor, which is quite different from the original inputs. This process is also known as assimilation.
          en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melting_pot

          There is now a large percentage of the population who is not assimilating nor learning English and it is affecting this country in a bad way.
          • theodenking, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3That's not new, first and second generation immigrants have always tended to keep a large amount of their native culture. In all countries. I live in England, but nearly every one of my ancestors was an Irish immigrant and they lived in a very Irish culture for several generations (up to my grandparents). However, I don't consider myself in Irish in anyway. The point being: assimilation takes time. It's also a two-way process, for a culture to be a true melting pot the cultural majority must assimilate traits from the minority.
      • cawpin, on 10/10/2007, -0/+16They rescinded the ban because of all the attention. I'm still digging this story though because the poster intentionally chose a less sensationalist headline.

        http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-09-12-0013.html
      • theodenking, on 10/10/2007, -5/+5Are you kidding me, America bums its flag more than any nation on Earth. It's everywhere. I don't know how the constant patriotism doesn't make you throw up.
        • silveravnt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1It must be sad to not understand patriotism.

          America.. ***** Yeah!
    • gmprunner, on 10/10/2007, -15/+1You may not care if people get offended (and frankly I don't either), but that doesn't change the fact that they still do get offended by it and take legal action against it to the point where the flags would eventually get banned anyways.
      • SwingCorey, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0And then those flags would be reinstated as permissible because of something called the 1st Amendment.

        People can get offended all they want (and too many do), but that doesn't change the fact that everyone in this country is allowed to express themselves freely. If we become Vichy America, that may change, but until that day, wear the U.S. flag proudly!
        • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Almost: The government is allowed to place time/place/manner restrictions on free speech, the core issue being that it is not about the content of that speech.

          So a school could have all flags, or no flags, but only some-but-not-others would be grounds for a lawsuit.
    • ChromaVita, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the American flag being displayed, and not flags of other nations... The only people I've heard complaining were complaining that people were displaying flags of other nations more than they did the American flag. Then again I live in the South... Most of the people around here have trouble with change.
      • Stormflux, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2The American flags on car antennas kinda bug me, but I think that's mostly because they imply support for Bush's policies post-9/11. Same reason "support the troops" bumper stickers make people mad - Bush has hijacked the message.
      • dragon76, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4They bother me because they're made in China. Not that I have a problem with China, or that I'm a nationalist, or that I'm xenophobic. I just think there's something wrong with importing your country's flag.
        • silveravnt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I agree because I DO have a problem with China and I AM nationalist.
    • Brodels, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12"Well in doing so they also banned the kid from wearing anything with the American Flag as well. I'm really getting sick of the whole attitude of "In America we can't display our flag because we might offend people who live here that came from other countries.""

      Are you kidding me? The American flag is *everywhere* whenever I've been to America. I like the fact that it's flown so much there, although it does come across slightly excessive and introverted sometimes, for the most part I think it's a good thing. You hardly ever see the Union flag or the Cross of St George in England unless there is a football tournament on.
      • Godlesswanderer, on 10/10/2007, -4/+1Or if The Sun tells us to do it. =/
      • dragon76, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1They are banning all flags so kids from Mexico cannot display the flag of their country. You can thank racism for the reason why people are banning displays of national pride. They only like it if it's the national pride they want you to have.
    • SomeHobo, on 10/10/2007, -2/+19Did you read the article? They're saying that they are banning ALL flags, not because too many people were wearing the American flag but because they were bringing other countries flags and they decided to ban flags altogether. I understand that if they would ban all flags EXCEPT the american flag that wouldn't sound very good and they would propbably get sued over it so they decided to ban all flags altogether....
      Although, personally I don't understand why they would do such a thing, why would you care if someone has a french, mexican, Afghani or whatever flag? In a free country people should be free to support whatever country they wish...
      • AJH16, on 10/10/2007, -4/+3If you read the article, the reason has nothing to do with being politically correct. It has to do with the fact that gangs had started using foreign flags as a way of showing what gang they are in. The school was trying to prevent this, but the policy was overreaching and was recinded by the school board. (The original policy was made by the principle to try to block gang related clothing.)
        • SomeHobo, on 10/25/2007, -1/+0actually the article says nothing about gangs... I'm sure there's other (better) ways of preventing gang violence than banning flags...
      • mookiemookie, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3"if they would ban all flags EXCEPT the american flag that wouldn't sound very good"

        I think it sounds perfectly reasonable.
        • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2First Amendment? Content-based discrimination of speech by government?

          I'll take our system of personal liberties over the flag. The flag's just an identifier for the real thing.
    • ukblacknight, on 10/10/2007, -3/+19This is the kind of BS we have to put up with in the UK. In some parts, you have to have permission to fly the union flag or the St. Georges flag, in which it's not uncommon for it to be denied. Apparently, it "offends" the muslims and so on - however most muslim's aren't offended at all! If I emigrated somewhere, I wouldn't expect the natvies to take down their national flag because of foreigners. If people do have a problem with seeing the natives flying their own flag, then what are they doing in that country in the first place?
      • Palmer586, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I remember when that pirate themed kids party got shut down because of the pirate flags they flew off the climbing frame! That was just waaay to PC
      • Timmmm, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1St. Georges flag has become associated with white supremacy and racism.
        • SolsPolaris, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Only by the racists, and the sheep that have allowed the PC leaders to tell them to believe that.
      • gadgetuk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Gordon Brown has suspended that rule - you can fly the Union Flag or St. George's Cross if you like. It's true that the cross has been associated with racist thugs and football violence which is a big shame.
        I find that the people who complain about the British flags aren't the foreign nationals though, they don't seem to mind at all, it's the busybodies in local government who make these decisions.
        • firebringer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Does anyone have a link to a credible cite that gives details of the UK National Government banning the display of the Union Jack or St George's Cross?
          • thebman990, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom :
            "The Union Flag can be flown by any individual or organisation in England, Scotland or Wales on any day of their choice. Legal regulations restrict the use of the Union Flag on Government buildings in Northern Ireland. Long-standing restrictions on Government use of the flag elsewhere were abolished in July 2007."

            So there are no restrictions except for Northern Ireland, and that's only for government.
    • Palmer586, on 10/10/2007, -11/+6I bet I'd get a few complaints if I wore a Nazi flag t-shirt.
      The Nazi party, like the US, has many flaws but I'm sure Neo-Nazi's are proud to be Nazi's. And 'Many brave young men and women died' defending the Nazi morals and beliefs too...
      • pyrator, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Godwin's Law!!!!!
      • answer42, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2We aren't in Nazi Germany.
        • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -1/+21) You mean plain "Germany"... You don't live in the "Wild West", or the "Confederacy", or the "Louisiana Purchase", or the "American Colonies"...
          2) Maybe *you* don't live in Germany, but the internet is sort of funny in how it isn't limited to US borders.
        • answer42, on 10/10/2007, -0/+11) No I mean Germany during Nazi rule. The German flag under the Nazis is different than it is now.

          2) Don't be such an ass. I'm pretty sure Palmer doesn't live in Germany during the 1930s and 40s. Just guessing though.
    • AJH16, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8How about reading the article and its follow up before posting.
      First, the ban has been removed.
      Second, the reason for the ban was that flags were being used as gang symbols, not because of some stupid political correctness BS.
      Is this still somewhat disturbing that a principle made such an overreaching and horrible decission, sure. But my high school decided to block all knowledge of what was happening on 9/11/2001 until just before we were released from school almost 6 hours after everything happened. Lots of schools make stupid horrible policy decissions. Atleast this one corrected theirs.
      • WilliamDavis, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4"Second, the reason for the ban was that flags were being used as gang symbols, not because of some stupid political correctness BS."

        Call me crazy, but it doesn't bother me to be able to easily identify what "gangs" people are in. Seems smarter to know who you're messing with, and it doesn't really stop anything anyway. If they don't use some country flag, they can always use something like a triangle or square. Then what? The definition of gangs seems to get really loose as well.
    • bemenaker, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1WTF, why are they banning flags. What richard cranium came up with this idiotic idea?
    • Culiada, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Has any kid (of any race) ever been offended by the American flag in school??
      "In America we can't display our flag because we might offend people who live here that came from other countries". What incident led to this type of thinking? Anyone got a link to the "Foreigner v. Flag-waver" case?
    • Culiada, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0Has any kid (of any race) ever been offended by the American flag in school??
      "In America we can't display our flag because we might offend people who live here that came from other countries". What incident led to this type of thinking? Anyone got a link to the "Foreigner v. Flag-waver" case?
    • dakotatypes, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I feel sorry for the kid who only has green shirts. He's not Lybian, just fashion-challenged.

      P.S. If I had to guess from the wording of the poll, this rule was intended to prevent students from wearing items with the 'Rebel flag' on them.
    • thax, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1I am not from the US, but it seems to me that it is against your laws?
      http://www.wi.net/flag.html
      "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery."
      "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." - The shirt in the picture says "Mid America Trucking Show 2007"
      "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform."
      "No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof; "
      • Maarek, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1The Flag Code is unfortunately not law in the US. "Patriots" get to do whatever they want with our flag unfortunately.
        • VSLOATHE, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Yes, it's so incredibly unfortunate that we can't be fined or locked away for failing to recognize some arbitrary and archaic "flag code". The military still recognizes and abides by the flag code as do agencies of the federal government. Private US citizens should never have to be bound by laws like the flag code. If that were to happen, I would start burning flags, because everything important that the flag has ever stood for would be defunct.
        • Terr01, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Everyone needs to remember that the flag is a label. It's not totemic, nor is it in any way a substitute for the SUBSTANCE of American ideals.
      • kablaq, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0I believe this "flag law" your quoting has more to do with an actual flag, rather than a representation of it... and most people don't really give a ***** about that law either...
    • stinger666, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Anyways what the hell is wrong with America? Stop being overly patriotic. Your country is far from perfect and is not the best country of the world. I went to Disney World in the winter of 2001 and I was amazed to see so many flags. Almost every single home had a flag and most of the cars too. I think I would not see that many flags in nazi germany.
    • Plewt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0According to Flag Code 8(d)
      "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general."
      http://www.house.gov/israel/constituentservices/flags_uscode.pdf
      So the school was justified in banning at least the American Flag.
  • MercedRocks, on 10/10/2007, -34/+5HIGH SCHOOL BANS AMERICAN FLAG
    http://jaredmoya.blogspot.com/2007/09/high-school-bans-american-flag.html
  • SwingCorey, on 10/10/2007, -7/+81This is idiotic. What's next? You can't wear your favorite pro sports jersey because somebody might not like that team? Maybe I won't be able to wear a New Orleans Saints jersey because someone will become depressed thinking about Hurricane Katrina.

    Since when did the Thought Police merge with the Fashion Police?
    • Dested, on 10/10/2007, -8/+1When people start suicide bombing other people for liking a different sport team than maybe they will be banned.
      • hamishmacdonald, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Actually, a lot of pubs where I live (in Scotland) have a ban on team jerseys and even the wearing of team colours, because -- stupidly -- people do actually get into fights over their sports-team allegiances.

        Talk about mass distraction.
        • reddikilowatt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1You have to do SOMETHING during the football match!

          Kidding! As long as Philadelphia has the Eagles, the US can't say a word...
    • zlintux, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Technically with regards to American flags, the school is simply complying with federal law. The applicable code lacks penalties, as it is widely known, but there's a bit of applicable irony :)
      Considering the obvious associations with freedom of speech (if not with the US flag, but with foreign flags), I'm impressed this could happen. I don't know about N.C., but in California, such a draconian restriction would be challenged and easily defeated in court.
    • oxdeltaxo, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4What's next? Uniforms seem to to be where it's going.
      • UglieJosh, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2My sons school is switching to uniforms next year. Almost all the parents are against it but we seem to have no way to stop it.

        They didn't put it so bluntly, but at the last PTC meeting, the principal pretty much said it was because too many students were starting to dress in a "black" style (black as in black skin, not as in emo). This is especially insulting since about 25% of the students there ACTUALLY ARE BLACK!
      • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Uniforms are a great idea - for all sorts of reasons - but banning flags is not.
        • WilliamDavis, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2People were wearing the flags, not carrying them and waving them.
      • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1We could call the students the Bush Youth. Oh wait, theres already a patent on that..never mind.
    • daridave, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3It causes trouble. You're supposed to go to school to study, not to show off like a n00b who needs attention.
    • SolsPolaris, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3"Since when did the Thought Police merge with the Fashion Police?"

      November 2, 2006.
    • JonnyTrombone, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2US Flag Code, §176. Respect for flag, part D: "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." The only exception to this is the flag worn on armed forces uniforms.
    • Noddegamra, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2"You can't wear your favorite pro sports jersey"

      Actually, you are correct. At my school, all jerseys, shirts, or anything displaying the emblem or logo of a pro or college sports team is banned. It's to prevent "gang violence." Unfortunately, a lot of things are banned at my school because of "gang violence," like having a picture of any sort of dog on one's clothing.
      Here are the rules exactly as they appear in the handbook:
      "Clothing with logo/mascots or colleges or professional sports is prohibited
      (such as) Raiders, Cowboys, 49ers, Chicago Bulls, Oakland A’s Dodgers, Char-
      lotte Hornets, Kings, Fresno State Bulldogs, Georgetown Hoyas, etc. Hats/
      headgear are not to be worn or visible on campus, except official RHS ap-
      proved baseball caps. These caps are never to be worn inside buildings.
      Gang related symbols, styles, or insignias are not to be worn or displayed (such
      as Bulldog, Georgetown Hoyas attire). Clothing with pictures of dogs are not
      allowed. Pictures depicting graffiti, graffiti items or spray cans are not allowed."
  • mdwhite, on 10/10/2007, -14/+30What lunacy...I'm sure that the multi-colored "gay flag" would be allowed on "Gay Pride Day" or that the "earth flag" would be perfectly acceptable during "Save the Environment Week." People...real people...are getting sick of this crap and, one day, there will be a reckoning.
    • zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -5/+4Gay Pride is not a country, nor is Environment.

      I don't agree with the policy, but it started because other kids were denied wearing flags of other countries, not because someone wanted to wear the American flag. This is the result of a 'reckoning'.
    • Kinkistyle, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6What if I wanted to wear the Libyan Flag?
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_Libya.svg
    • Maarek, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2but the reason this was done was because the flags were being used as gang signs, not as any kind of political statement. Don't worry, I am sure the gay oppression front is still holding strong in NC.

      People....real people.... are getting sick of this crap of ignorant assholes reading their political leanings into every piece of news they see and, one day, there will be a reckoning.
    • animeguru, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Can I wear the South Park flag??

      http://www.fotw.net/images/f/fic-spk2.gif
  • epublicus, on 10/10/2007, -6/+25Pay attention folks! We will get the "government" that we allow.
    As old uncle Benny once put it,"We have given you a republic,....for as long as you may hold on to it!"
    Wake up. Hang on.
    • betterth, on 10/10/2007, -2/+4The administrative team of a high school passing down a mandate is hardly "government". It's as much government as the manager of your local DMV is government. My highschool had retarded rules like this as well that when brought to the country school board were struck down.
  • mathewsjw, on 10/10/2007, -13/+3better hide your #7 Mike Vick jerseys. /sarcasm
  • primaldefense, on 10/10/2007, -8/+11Wow.. talk about putting a ban on Patriotism.... could some go as far as consider this being anti-american to an extent?... some could even go so far as to call it aiding our enemies, because even their flags cant' be shown but some I bet will consider it that and maybe even treason from some of the even more emotional people who may hear about this. I know I just see it as only a ban on patriotism because kids can't even show their pride in their contry through shirts that may have the flag even.
    • Gavagai80, on 10/10/2007, -6/+8Patriotism aids the country's enemies... namely its politicans who will manipulate you to their ends with it.
    • stinger666, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Since when patriotism and nationalism is a good thing? Remember germany?
  • siszam, on 10/10/2007, -18/+26Children need to be home schooled. Schools have turned into politically correct, government brain washing centers. It's disgusting.
    • CaptainNoPants, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20home-schooling is fine, assuming the parents have the time and capability to actually teach someone.
      • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -10/+6home-schooling only makes freaks. The kids don't know how to function (except this one kid I know who was only home-schooled for senior year).
        also, now-a-days, most homeschooling is done on the internet.
        • inblue, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9of the home schoolers i've known (which weren't many), they are usually socially inept, but probably smarter than the average public school kid. there are just too many distractions in public school so a lot of what they are supposed to be learning gets filtered out by this.
        • Okari, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6Freaks that will be making more money than you will.
        • OutThisLife, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5I'm homeschooled and I still go out and have a girlfriend.
          So no, you fail.
        • jodofashodo, on 10/10/2007, -4/+2Watch Jesus Camp and then talk to me about being home schooled. It gives parent's the right to teach their kids whatever they want and a lot of the time that isn't a good thing.
          • WilliamDavis, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2There's a lot more jesus in public schools than there is at my house. In many places, public schools are full of religious teachers. They're well meaning, but they don't do a great job of seperating their personal and political views from their teaching responsibilities. They're also handed a lot of propaganda from the top down.
        • pintomp3, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3that's not a fair statement. there are generally two reasons for home schooling: 1. you find the school's in your area inadequate. or 2. religion. those who fall into the first category tend to try to give their kids a well-rounded education though the social aspect isn't so easy to do. those who fall into the second category simply want to teach their children myths and brainwash them to protect them from the secular world of facts and reason; it borders on child abuse.
        • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1If by "not know how to function" you mean that these kids have a far lower probability of getting involved in drinking, drugs, gangs, and teen pregnancy and a higher probability of emotional stability and advanced academic acumen, then you're probably right.

          @jodofashodo
          Yeah - it's a much better idea to let government institutions teach the kids.
          • jodofashodo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1The textbooks aren't written by the government and the teachers actually go to college in order to learn how to teach children. The bible and a linear mind set aren't always the best ways to go when trying to learn and be open-minded.
          • jodofashodo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1The textbooks aren't written by the government and the teachers actually go to college in order to learn how to teach children. The bible and a linear mind set aren't always the best ways to go when trying to learn and be open-minded.
        • sethisastud, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1My aunt home schooled my 2 cousins because the schools were so bad in her area. They treated it like actual school, and they're actually quite a bit brighter than the average person, they both have girlfriends (not ugly girlfriends either) and are very social and popular. Although they were homeschooled they were also socialized through sports and the like. Oh, they also went to some private high school after being homeschooled for several years.
    • gmprunner, on 10/10/2007, -5/+7*cough*sensationalism*cough*
    • SlackerCSB, on 10/10/2007, -7/+10Yeah, because kids that are homeschooled turn out normal. LOL
      • Murdats, on 10/10/2007, -4/+4are you saying the normal, retarded american is good?
        • Swimming_Bird, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I"m saying that home schooled people tend not to have the social skills one can only develop by being around people their own age.
        • FishHammer, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1I've been homeschooled since 2nd grade and I do plenty of social outings. Sure I spend a lot of time on the computer, but how many public school kids don't do the same? I go out with friends, go out on youth trips to help people who can't help themselves, and I get along great with 90% of people I meet. I really don't appreciate the generalization of home-schoolers as social outcasts, the only difference between you and me is while you're in class bored out of your mind, I'm doing my English assignment in front of digg with my favorite music blasting. After 'learning time' is over our lives are exactly the same.
    • frostieDude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Why not just pick a private school? I send my daughter to private school. I don't live in St. Louis anymore, but I know that most people there send their kids to private schools (except extremely poor people).
    • animeguru, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Schools do _not_ bear all the blame here. Ever been to a school board meeting or a PTA meeting? There are more than enough nut job parents out there making retarded demands of the public schools as well.

      I'm not saying that schools do not bear part of the blame, but as is all too common, people are so quick to point out that the school system has failed them / their children and yet they can't be bothered to spend 15 minutes with that kid to ensure that they're getting the education that they need.

      Public schools are what you make of them. Yes, there are some schools with little opportunity for students to better themselves, but there are just as many that have plenty of those opportunities that regularly go unused by a large part of the student population.

      It is a two way street that requires the cooperation of both parents and teachers. Sadly, too many parents believe that it is the governments responsibility to raise their children for them so they can be their kids best friend rather than a parent and too many teachers are so inept (due to the ridiculously low pay grade attracting the lower half of a graduating class) that they're content to simply read from a book and hope that some of it makes it through.

  • justerayw, on 10/10/2007, -13/+5Was born and reared in NC and this story just sickens me! The only thing that I find about this Hobbton Hi is that the school student population is 14-15% immigrant (legal?????)
    Another reason for School Vouchers, home schooling!
  • vvtf, on 10/10/2007, -18/+11"The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible."

    Dumbass politically correct educators are too stupid to KNOW which flag should be allowed!!!!!! .....liberals are pathetic!!
    • mydigga, on 10/10/2007, -9/+8I did not see where it identified he was a liberal... but I guess we could assume... you're a ***** up.
      • Catfan81, on 10/10/2007, -9/+4He is right because only the ACLU, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California and libs could be responsible for crap like this.

        Are you ready for CIVIL WAR 2??? I AM!!!!
        • Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4You are a fool. Why, do you suppose this happened? Because the majority of Americans were against the American flag, or that they were against another Flag and used the laws to ban those "bad" flags?

          The trouble with that, is that once they had that Ban for flags - it caught up the American one as well.

          In other words, Thanks to Americans flying off the handle without thinking of the effects of what they do - got screwed by their own actions...
          If only there were other examples of this American phenomenon?
        • zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3That's amusing. The ACLU would defend someone's right to wear any flag they want .. If someone is feeling slighted enough about this, the ACLU is the first group they should contact.

          Seriously, where do you get your ideas about what the ACLU does?
    • nastronomical, on 10/10/2007, -7/+6This is what they call liberals open mindedness..lol..They cannot do whats right because they do not want to offend anyone...***** cowards.
      • sovietrussia, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3The problem here isn't 'liberals' or 'conservatives', douchebag. It's a matter of who the ***** really cares if a kid wears a flag to school. Sure, the American flag is important because it's OUR flag, but America is composed of people many different heritages and what the hell is wrong with if your family emigrated to here from Iran but you are proud to bring and remember the positive aspects about the old ways.

        This is not a conservative/liberal issue it's a matter of people lightening the ***** up. Conservatives are just as likely to bitch about people wearing a Mexican flag as a liberal is likely to bitch about people only being allowed to wear the american flag. *****' a.
        • CaptainNoPants, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3He can't be expected to have coherent thoughts or add anything of value to a conversation while he's foaming at the mouth with his hatred of those darn dirty liberals.
        • brycelb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0"Conservatives are just as likely to bitch about people wearing a Mexican flag as a liberal is likely to bitch about people only being allowed to wear the american flag."

          This is the obvious problem. This school is not in Mexico. Liberals will fight tooth and nail to allow Mexicans (the vast majority of them illegal. This is undisputed fact.) in CA to drape their Mexican flags up and down the streets and fight equally as hard to have the AMERICAN flag removed from fire trucks. So why don't you wake the ***** up and realize this is absolutely a liberal/conservative issue. Douchebag!
    • alexkorova, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2"Dumbass politically correct educators are too stupid to KNOW which flag should be allowed!!!!!!"

      I say, allow any flag except the KKKs.
      • AnotherBrian, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I say allow ALL flags.
        Free speech for 99% of speech != Free speech.
      • zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Except if you ban that one, you then have to ban Black Panther flags, and then Nazi flags, and then the flag of the USSR, and the list grows from there.

        I don't agree with this policy, but if they start banning one they are eventually going to have to ban them all. Baning none would be easier.
        • grenden, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1How about just banning flags of things/countries that most of the world hates...oh wait, no U.S. flag then either. nm
    • grenden, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2If they don't want to "pick and choose", I have no problem with that--how about just the flag of the country the school resides in? The ***** American flag! I can't believe this is even up to debate, let alone being ruled against. What the ***** has this politically correct society gotten us except unconstitutional rules and laws. "For the land of the freeee"...oh, wait. Disregard that last bit. Maybe we should change that part of the song now.
      • Swimming_Bird, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1If you're so patriotic you should read the constitution some time and perhaps learn how it's being implemented. The only way that any school could ban the wearing of any flag is to ban all flags. This is a content neutral rule/law. I'd personally prefer any flag being ok but who cares that it includes the American flag.
  • uptown, on 10/10/2007, -5/+38F 'em. If I was a student there, I'd wear the flag to school everyday.
    • Goombellaofgoom, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9And then get major press when you're suspended for it. This headline would be in national news within a day or two:
      "Student Suspended From High School for Wearing American Flag Tshirt"
      • SolsPolaris, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6No, the media would say, "Racist Student Suspended For Wearing Anti-Immigrant T-Shirt". Remember, the media spins it to where being against ILLEGAL immigration is against "immigration". They're not called "illegal aliens", they're "undocumented workers". It's all part of controlling the speech, in an attempt to control the thought.
        • deadmann, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2'High school student charged in hate crime'
    • TexanPsycho, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1I really hate to say this but you Americans really do bum your flag (I'm Norwegian, the name is just a spur of the moment thing). It's the red one ^
  • bstein80, on 10/10/2007, -8/+32People should call the principal, Wesley Johnson, at 910-594-0242 and let him know how they feel.
    • Catfan81, on 10/10/2007, -8/+3I just tried and got put on hold. They new what I wanted though.

      REVOLUTION!!!
  • ShamarArabians, on 10/10/2007, -4/+6Absolutely unbelievable...I hope you'all over in NC can find a way to get yourselves a new superintendent.
    • Toshibi, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9I'm a North Carolina schools drop out. The education system here sucks so, so bad. It's not just the administrators, but the teachers, and worst of all, the other students. I ***** hated school here. Loved every second of college though.
      • anonym41414, on 10/10/2007, -8/+0"I'm a North Carolina schools drop out."

        No kidding?
        • Toshibi, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9North Carolina schools, as in the North Carolina's School System. It's a system of Schools (plural). Not divulging the exact school that I attended it's fair enough to say that I'm a drop out from the School System which happens to be in North Carolina.

          With that being said, ***** off grammar/spelling/language Nazi. This is the internet and these comments aren't a formal letter or even very important, considering half the sentences on this site end up something like "lolomgbbqapplewiilulz in soviet russia!!!111!"
  • mydigga, on 10/10/2007, -4/+13The poll results...

    Should schools be allowed to ban clothes that display flags?
    Yes = 200 / 5%
    No = 889 / 22%
    An exception should be made for U.S. flags = 2758 / 71%
    An exception should be made for other national or cultural flags = 31 / 0%
    • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -4/+23that's ***** stupid. any flag should be allowed, national or not.
      • typicalusername, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5They've printed a retraction to the policy already, so it's no big deal. Originally, it was to stop "gang apparel". Which, let's be honest, we're dealing with NC schools... They consider pretty much any flags south of the border is what we're talking about.
      • plizard, on 10/10/2007, -4/+3i dont think the mexican flag should be flown in AMERICA
        • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3While I agree with your sentiment, I feel I need to correct your terminology. Mexico is America. In fact, it is part of North America. It is not, however, part of the the United States of America. The Mexican flag does not need to be flown in the United States of America, but in the part of America that is Mexico, it should be flown.
    • BooostedAWD, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4As of Thursday, September 13th @ 8:21 AM:
      Should schools be allowed to band clothes that display flags?
      Yes = 1033 / 5%
      No = 4129 / 22%
      An exception should be made for U.S. flags = 12794 / 70%
      An exception should be made for other national or cultural flags = 166 / 0%

      Ridiculous! Why would even 5% of people from this poll vote for banning flags in schools?
      That in my opinion is just absurd. People display their heritage, and most are proud of it.
      • Swimming_Bird, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2they're not voting to ban, they're saying they should be allowed to ban. Very different if you actually look at it.
    • Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3@mydigga

      That tells me more than I wanted to know about the polled philosophies of life. Sad, really that a coloured piece of cotton could cause so many people such strife.
    • CannedMango, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think it's interesting that far more people are in favour of banning flags except for the American flag than people who don't want any ban whatsoever.

      Freeeeeeedoooom!
      • brycelb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I had to look it up, but it appears that this place is located in the United States. I guess this would account for the need to bounce all flags but the home country. The flag represents freedom, not freedom to be a dumb ass.
  • mushuweasel, on 10/10/2007, -14/+3Wearing the flag, flying it from your car, etc, is disrespectful, and is in violation of the Flag Code.

    Anyone that mouths off about traditions they have no clue about deserves modding into oblivion.
    • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7so I guess that american flag pin all the politicians wear is a violation of the Flag Code? And btw, the flag code is not law, we changed that years ago.
      • mushuweasel, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0Flag pins are outlined in the flag code. They are a replica, an adornment, and not "clothing", and should be worn over the heart.

        The flag code is indeed law. It is Title 4 of the US Code. There are no penalties for violations, but it is indeed "law". More mouthing off by people who just don't know. Grow up. Read some. Get a clue.

        You may want to google for "Abbie Hoffman"
    • Wacer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5So the flag on the solders uniforms are violating this code?
      • ukblacknight, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Bit off topic but, why is the flag on US soldiers kit backwards (the stars are on the right)?
        • ipodman715, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Combat_Uniform#Jacket :

          "The U.S. flag insignia, in this position, is facing the reverse of what tradition has demanded for over a century. That such positioning is considered to be a sign of bad luck, or actually is an insult to the flag, is a constant charge. The Pentagon's rationale is that, when worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer's right and thus gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. [3] If carried into battle as in the civil war, a viewer on the right would see the blue field on the right. The flag has been worn on the right shoulder since at least 1996. It has been recommended that, if this "flying in the breeze" effect is important to maintain, that the flag insignia be placed on the left shoulder, allowing long-standing tradition to be maintained. The counter-argument to this suggestion has been that, if the flag were to be placed on the left side, it would then give the effect of the wearer retreating from battle."
      • mushuweasel, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Flags on uniforms are explicitly laid out in the Flag code. A quick google could give you all the answers you are looking for.
  • Catfan81, on 10/10/2007, -16/+6This is a ***** disgrace.

    The ACLU and Liberals should be buried in a deep hole somewhere.

    Look what you have done to this country. If I was a parent I would tell my child to wear the flag and wear it proud and just dare someone to take it off of them.
    • Smiths, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9You are an idiot. The ACLU was never mentioned in that article, and if you knew anything about what you were talking about, as far as the ACLU is concerned, you would know they are for student free-speech in schools. They want everybody to wear what they want. Some how you have bought into the conservative vilification of the one of the great American non-profits. God, I hate people who bash the ACLU without the slightest clue why they hate them - just because they think some stupid *****. Well, the ACLU defends your right to say your stupid *****.
    • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -3/+6The article mentions nothing of the ACLU nor Liberals. Besides, the ACLU would rather NO flags be banned than all of them.
  • chicoer2001, on 10/10/2007, -2/+37The American flag is a flag. The ban is on all flags. It probably started because someone bitched about a student wearing a Mexican flag tshirt, now it's turned into this. If people stopped bitching, this wouldnt happen. I dont care if a kid wears a Mexican, a Japanese or an American flag. Why do other people?
    • Catfan81, on 10/10/2007, -26/+3We don't need you Mexicans in the United States anyway you peice of *****.

      Get out now!!!!

      This is the United States of America it is our decision to fly our flag if you want to fly the Mehiko flag do it in Mexico. You got me amigo.
      • nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -1/+13uhm.... u being sarcastic? if so, you're really bad at it. if not, you're a horrible horrible person (there ARE legal immigrants who like to remember where they came from, in case you didn't know).
      • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -2/+13I'm pretty sure the Native Americans didn't need YOU in the United States either, you piece of *****.

        Every single one of us are the offspring of immigrants.
        • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I don't have a single drop of American Indian blood in me, but due to the fact that I was born in the United States of America, I am a native American.

          "Every single one of us are the offspring of immigrants."

          Very true. This statement also includes the "Native Americans" to whom you refer. They didn't just spring up out of the ground, you know.
      • Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4You are a fine example to the young people of what a troll truly is...

        Bye bye now...
      • CaptainNoPants, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Take your own advice catfan. Go live in the mountains and stop bothering everyone. Idiot.
      • pintomp3, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2calm down lou dobbs.
    • ZebraCrew, on 10/10/2007, -3/+17Actually, most likely someone bitched about someone wearing the confederate battle jack. I live in NC and when i was in high school they tried to ban the confederate flag because the blacks in the school found it "offensive." Long story short: that measure failed miserably. Just like a large portion of my high school student body did.
      • pintomp3, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4the confederate flag is like the swastika. it shouldn't be banned, but you are an idiot if you display it proudly.
        • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Wrong. The Confederate flag has nothing to do with Nazism or white supremacy (although some white supremacists have adopted it). It represents the union of confederate states that banded together to preserve the concept of states' rights in opposition to growing federal power. Get your facts straight and stop being so reactionary.
        • Maarek, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1So let's see, the confederate flag was the flag used by the largest single traitorous act in the history of the US and that's the one we are defending mahdaeng? Sorry but as a southerner I can tell you that the confederacy was, is, and will always be wrong on the issue and states rights was not even an issue mentioned until after the war was over and the southern states were trying to justify their treason.

          IMHO the flying confederate flag is the most irresponsible act that any american can do.
    • Wacer, on 10/10/2007, -6/+5While it should be allowed for kids to wear other flags, as long as the school doesn't have a dress code requiring uniforms, but it's really stupid for people to wear flags of other nations when they are living here. It shows no solidarity to this nation. Kinda like, they want to live here but not respect the nation they are a part of.

      Look at the illegal aliens from Mexico. They protest and demand citizenship and are walking the streets waving Mexican flags. How idiotic is that? It certainly doesn't help their cause. Makes a lot of people who have some sympathy for them, lose most of it real fast.
      • ZebraCrew, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9Exactly, once they set foot on American soil their origins are insignificant because they're Americans. /Ridiculous

        Wearing the flag of another nation doesn't mean they don't respect America.
      • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9So the next time you eat spaghetti/pizza/french fries (chips), remember that you are betraying America because you are taking part in foods that weren't invented here.
        • zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I guess it's only hot dogs from now on .. Phew.
          • Cyclops0T8, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Sorry ... originated in Germany. You'll have to stick to the fortune cookies they give out in chinese restaurants.
    • DaveV, on 10/10/2007, -7/+5I started caring when the students at a school in California took down the American flag and rose a Mexican flag.

      I think all those students should be shot for treason.
      • Palmer586, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7Sorry, but my calendar says it's 2007, not 1802.
        Shot for treason? Classic XD
        • zioxide, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Yeah it's 2007, but you still get a shot for treason. However, it's from a needle, not a gun.
      • svartabrandr, on 10/10/2007, -5/+3I agree with him
        • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4I agree with the outrage, but not with the proposed punishment.

          :^)
    • Eronamanthius, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Kids could get away with the Japanese flag though. "It's just a red dot on a white t-shirt, it's not a flag!"
      Seriously, though...the whole situation is retarded. School systems in the south really need to start educating their kids, not keeping them in the dark about every damn thing in the world.
  • ageeksgirl08, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Why couldn't they let students wear any nation's flag? Or would that have been the incredibly easy thing to do?
    Stupid-blind-cowardly-assholes.
    • kooft, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5I think the point of the ban is to try and reduce the number of altercations that were triggered by flags. In the end it may only eliminate an aggravating factor but they still need to address the underlying problems, otherwise altercations will still occur.
      • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Exactly. People learn through resolving conflicts, not through removing every little thing that might potentially create some conflict.
  • javabelly, on 10/10/2007, -6/+9Perhaps everyone should google section 8d of the flag etiquette...."the flag is not to be worn as apparel"
    Lapel pins and that type are appropriate.....don't wear my flag on your butt!!!
    If you don't like like it...move to another country.
    Everyone keeps trying to change this country, trying to turn the American Dream into the American Nightmare.
    • ZebraCrew, on 10/10/2007, -4/+4"Flag etiquette" insn't mandatory.
      • mahdaeng, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3No, but honorable people follow it. Just as honorable people follow other rules of etiquette.
    • jbronder, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I'm impressed that anyone besides me even knows about the flag etiquette. While flag etiquette isn't mandatory, there is a federal Flag Code which, "the laws relating to the flag of the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code. Title 4, Chapter 1 pertains to the flag; Title 18, Chapter 33, Section 700 regards criminal penalties for flag desecration... These laws were supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations." -- Doesn't that make them laws?
      • haniam, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4No, the president can't just make up laws anytime he feels like it (well, according to the Constitution, anyway). Executive orders were supposed to be orders for the employees of the executive branch, not the citizens. Check out Michael Badnarik's Constitution class - it's a real eye-opener about how far we've strayed from a constitutional republic: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8321747074978323622
    • colonelpanic, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3Rocky, anyone?
    • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8I'm pretty sure that the flag etiquette refers to how to treat an ACTUAL flag. Section 8b is talking about taking a flag meant to go on a pole and draping it over yourself. This is far different than the DESIGN of the flag appearing on a t-shirt.
      • eatbeefjerky, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4This man is correct. For an item to qualify as A FLAG, it has to be of the correct proportions - a design doesn't count.

        It amazes me the number of "true patriots" who don't know or follow flag etiquette. If you leave your flag out in the rain or at night without lights to illuminate it, you are not a true patriot. Fail.
  • dvsbastard, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4You aren't alone on this one, as a similar thing happened in Australia not too long ago. Flags were banned at a massive annual outdoor concert as a result of previous racially driven violence. (http://news.independent.co.uk/world/australasia/article2177986.ece)

    It was nothing but a silly (and disgusting) knee jerk reaction...

    • Wacer, on 10/10/2007, -3/+3By them doing that, will only make your nation lose strength and national unity. It will only lead to ruin.
      • cam81, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Nice theory but it hasn't really had any effect. The measure was taken because the previous year there were riots between people of different nationalities. The organisers didn't want it spilling over into their event. Nothing major happened if I recall correctly, some people still wore the flags as a sort of '***** you'.
  • TheWiseNoob, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9Maybe everyone should be encouraged to read Fahrenheit 451?
    • ZebraCrew, on 10/10/2007, -3/+4Nah. NC teachers don't encourage reading of any sort. The only people who read are the ones who have decided they don't want to live here all their lives.
    • suriyou, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3It was required reading my sophomore year.
      Awesome freakin' book, too.
  • WaterDragon, on 10/10/2007, -10/+4Now if they could only ban religious icons, we might actually begin to get some decent education, free of arbitrary, unreasonable emotionalism and ignorant 'belief systems'. Or else, they should allow all flags and religious icons, and any other symbols...but teach the kids to not be controlled by symbols and tricked into compromising their reason and sanity because of them. How about teaching kids about ignorance and the perils of being a follower of anything, without REASON?
    • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Or how about just let people display their religious symbols if they choose and not ban any of them? If someone's offended well then too ***** bad. That would be, you know, FREEDOM.

      Pretty awesome idea huh?
    • Rapter09, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4You're exemplifying what's wrong with your country.

      Let. People. Live.
  • satx, on 10/10/2007, -4/+12I'm rather ambivalent on this; it is ***** on free speech grounds but, as an anarchist, I can't say I'm a big fan of flags in general. All they do is foster a nationalistic or tribalistic form of arrogance and belligerence.
    I guess what I'm trying to say is: they should be allowed to wear them but they shouldn't wear them; kind of like you should be allowed to be a bigot but you shouldn't be a bigot.
    • inblue, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5nicely put.
    • cam81, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Yep, anyone who thinks they are better simply because of where they come from should get some perspective.
    • flygirl62, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2To use the famous quote, "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

      I agree 100% with your final conclusion
    • Swimming_Bird, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2I cant really listen to anyone who actively thinks anarchy is a good thing. While a distaste for nationalism is fine governments are required in some context in order for local infrastructures to work. w/o any governments we'd seclude ourselves into very small self sustaining communes and degenerate to what we were thousands of years ago.
      • satx, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2" w/o any governments we'd seclude ourselves into very small self sustaining communes and degenerate to what we were thousands of years ago."

        You say this like it's a bad thing.
        • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Uh yeah, it is. To have built up this HUGE world-wide self sustaining community only to break it all down to start over again is idiotic at best. Half the anarchists I see here in Toronto live on the streets, collect their welfare money and anything they eat, smoke or shoot into their arms was paid for by the taxpayers of our social commune that we call Canada and the planet Earth at large.

          Idiots.
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1An anarchist using a computer is ridiculous. In Anarchy, there will be no internet. No society. Everything breaks down to the quest to fulfill one's basic needs and survival of the fittest.

      Give me a break. Anarchists. Bah!
  • haentz, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6They didn't know WHAT flags to ban? Why would they want to ban ANY flag at all?
    • malman4, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0RTFA.....It was a gang identification thing.........And it has been rescinded.........although I think there are flags that should be banned........Nazi for example.
  • tortfeasor, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8This is unconstitutional. Tinker v. Des Moines School District
    • carnage, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6i 100% agree. as soon as i read this article i thought "havnt we been over this before"

      http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/tinker.html

      not hard stuff, remember it from my 10th grade government class
    • Swimming_Bird, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Actually this is different from Tinker v. Des Moins. In Tinker v. Des Moins the school district was only banning black arm bands (symbol for protesting vietnam) whereas here the rule is content neutral. Content neutral rules are permissible, why dont people ever realize that democracy is how one fixes such issues. The people enacting these rules are elected, you dont like what they're doing you elect someone else. Dont sit back and wait for some lawyer who wants to make it to the supreme court fight for you.
  • philipkaplan, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2I dont see how wearing any flag could be considered "a controversy".
    • malman4, on 10/10/2007, -4/+0RTFA.....It was a gang identification thing.........And it has been rescinded.........although I think there are flags that should be banned........Nazi for example.
  • zoomtechtv, on 10/10/2007, -4/+7Last time I checked this is a free country.
    • Goombellaofgoom, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Maybe you'd better check again. It's *supposed* to be, but...
    • malman4, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1RTFA.....It was a gang identification thing.........And it has been rescinded.........although I think there are flags that should be banned........Nazi for example.
      • frostieDude, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1OK. What about the confederate flag? Soviet flag? The flag of Iraq under Sadaam?
      • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1flag banning is an example of Nazi thinking, yes. Add to that some book burning and some good old fashioned constitution anal-raping (Patriot Act) and you're on your way to being drafted into the Bush's army!
    • Waiting2awake, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6You've been away for a long time haven't you?
    • exomni, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2No it's not. Go read the news for about two seconds and the very suggestion that this is a free country will be laughable at best.

      It's SUPPOSED to be a free country, it was FOUNDED AS a free country. Is it a free country? This and millions of other instances say: HELL NO.
    • WilliamDavis, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2When did you last check? Early 1800s?
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I guess you havent checked since the Patriot Act passed.

      Welcome to the present.
  • nastronomical, on 10/10/2007, -11/+7Ahh yess the Liberal mind at work.
    • pintomp3, on 10/10/2007, -4/+5ah, the conservative mind never at work.
    • Maarek, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Except that this was done due to gangs using the flags as their sign. Not to make the same attribution error you did but that would sound more like an act of a conservative principal not a liberal one.
  • SavageBlackCat, on 10/10/2007, -6/+3Rescinded.

    FWIW: When other countries contribute to our public school system, then they can fly their POS flags.
    • deivys, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3Dude what the hell is wrong with you. Why do you have lo label other people flag as a POS. You wouldnt like it if someone label the US flag as one would you?
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Many of those countries whose flags you call POS have better living standards, healthcare and education than the US, so before you condem all other countries, be mindfull that there are better places to live in the world. Look it up on the google as your president says.
  • jeremye, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14UPDATE: Ban has been lifted: http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-09-12-0013.html
    • johnnall, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Good. I love America and I love my state, North Carolina. It saddens me when stuff like this happens anywhere, but even more so in North Carolina. At least someone had enough sense to reverse it.
  • pnarel, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3They actually ban flags for safety. I remember that in my school a few years back, Serbian kids would get into fights with Bosnians and Croatians because of the flags that they wore.

    That being said, I think it's ridiculous that students aren't allowed to display their patriotism (of any country). I think an exception should at least be made for the American flag. We do live in America after all, and for better or for worse, that is what unites us.
    • AnotherBrian, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5The safety argument is 100% *****.
      1) The flags aren't CAUSING the violence. The kids who start fights are. They should be dealt with as one would deal with a student who starts a fight for any reason.
      2) It's not effective. The flag isn't the only way that these students with different nationalities would be able to tell each other apart.
      3) Even if it was effective, it's absolutely wrong to ban non violent free expression.
      • pnarel, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I agree with you. I don't agree with the policy. Notice how I said that it was ridiculous that student's aren't allowed to display their patriotism. All I wanted to point out with the safety argument is that the superintendent does have a reason for what he's doing, but as with most superintendents, they are very detached from the reality that they administer.
        • AnotherBrian, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you agreed with it.
    • exomni, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Then ban fighting, not flags.
    • zioxide, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2If you get into a fight over a flag, then there's two things:
      1. You're an immature idiot.
      2. You need to be expelled immediately.
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Banning all flags except the US one is NAZI at best. No ban is freedom.
  • tomis, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Flags are symbolism, and some people get offended by things they don't understand. After all, why should an institution of education trying to get people to educate themselves about each other's cultures and symbols when they can't even get the kids to pass basic math or english?
    Public schools in America aren't about educating and enlightening, they're about people paying taxes so someone else can baby-sit their kids for 14 or so years. As such, it's easier for them to manage the kids if they teach them to sit down, shut up, and don't ask questions.
  • MeMongo, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Update: The ban has been rescinded:

    http://digg.com/world_news/School_Rescinds_Ban_On_Flag_Clothing

    Or if you just want to go straight to the story:
    http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-09-12-0013.html
    • saltinekracka20, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I knew they at least has a semi-reasonable cause for doing this. To prevent gang activity. But come on, the national flag shouldve been an exception.
  • kidal25, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9Political Correctness Sucks
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1At least it wasnt a ban on all flags but US ones, that would make it sound a lot more like Nazi germany.
  • Toshibi, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5What kills me about all of this (but I agree with satx, sort of, as far as anarchy is concerned) is that an institution, schools, which are created by our government, a government which is supposed to protect free speech and religion, would work to limit those exact rights on public property. The way I see it everyone has a right to say what they will, create the symbolism they so choose, and display it in the manner that they like, as long as it's not physically harming someone or limiting their ability to be productive or to provide for themselves. No one has a right to not be offended. If something as trivial as a flag or a picture makes you so upset that you want to come to violence or damage property, then you are not responsible or mature enough to have rights in the first place!
    • Veretax, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3So long as what they are saying it and what they are doing is not interfering directly with educational time, I'd agree, What ever happened to teaching Civics?
    • exomni, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1The problem isn't even just the anti-american spirit that our schools are run in, the problem is that if we are to have a compulsory education system, we CANNOT force our citizens (underage or otherwise) into environments that revoke their civil rights.
  • yunus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Is the color green banned? Because Libya's National Flag is just green.
    • supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Students should just all pick a day and go to school wearing every ***** flag they can find.

      ***** the school, isn't America free?
  • roflcpt3r, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3I just wanted to thank you for not posting such a sensationalist title like School bans American Flag
  • reyalp, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I'm gonna digg this school some bad press.
  • cuoops, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3http://www.utahguard.com/flag.html
    Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words written on it? No, the flag should never be worn and no, the flag should never have marks or words written upon it. Section 8d (see below): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Section 8g: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."
  • impresently, on 10/10/2007, -11/+8Flags do more harm than good.
    They create an sense of us vs them, divisive to the point where it makes it clearer to some who exactly who it is you need to hate.
    They are in a sense worship of false gods. The religious right should really despise them.
    People put way to much power and influence into a piece of fabric, in which where the real problem might lie.
    I believe our primary obligation as the human species is to this planet first, not to our country. When it is country first, we end up valuing our country's people (5%) over the rest of the world (95%), which I think is sometimes how we justify to ourselves the invasion of another country. Their lives are worth less than ours.
    Yes there are some positives, but it ultimately I think in the world today these symbols often lead to blind, jingoistic patriotism, a big problem to any sort of global unity. Some want to talk about national unity, I think international unity should come first.

    • SpiroPope, on 10/10/2007, -4/+4Very well put. Dugg.
    • TheUndertoker, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6I agree with almost everything you say...except for "I believe our primary obligation as the human species is to this planet first, not to our country".

      Your primary obligation should be to your family.
      • RedNeckerson, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2At first I agreed with you, but on second thought I don't.
        The reason every country colonized by the Spanish is corrupt and poor, is because of the culture they established there. It's a culture where the welfare of your family is more important than the welfare of the nation as a whole. To be successful and prosperous, a population must look beyond themselves and their relatives.

        For examples I present all of southern North America (Central America for the geographically challenged), South America, and the Philippines.
  • david76, on 10/10/2007, -3/+10Everyone seems to be missing the point here.
    "The new rule stems from a controversy over students wearing shirts bearing flags of other countries."
    What was so controversial about a student wearing a flag of another country in the first place? Who cares if it was Cuba, or the USSR, or Iran, or North Korea. If you're that offended by a piece of fabric, you've got some serious issues.
    • saltinekracka20, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Im offended by people burning a piece of fabric with my nation's symbol on it.
  • protogenxl, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1My High School dealt with the same sentiment by hanging the flag of every country in the cafeteria. I guess the administrators of this school just did not want to spend any money.
  • pilgrim3970, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7"The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible."

    Talk about no backbone. This is still the United States isn't it? He has just spit ont he graces of those who died to gain our freedom as well as those who have died to keep it.

    This is still the United States and we have a flag that soldiers have bled on to keep it flying.
    • WRXFiles, on 10/10/2007, -5/+2Heck, they've not only bled to keep it flying - they've bled to impose it on others!

      USA!, USA!, USA!
  • aimetti, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5"The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible."

    How about letting the only that should be allowed, our OWN ???? idiot.
  • pilgrim3970, on 10/10/2007, -4/+1"ignorant 'belief systems"

    versus the inane views you just spouted off?

  • david76, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7This article is already out of date: Superintendent Dr. L. Stewart Hobbs, Jr said they have lifted the ban on flags and “from this point on, all dress code changes will be made at the school board level.” (As of 9/12)

    And it was originally started because: Last year, the school system had a problem with the Mexican flag protests, and with gang members using that to hide gang symbols. As a result, one principal banned all flags.
  • brstilson, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2There is a gross lack of background information in this story. Why did they ban flags in the first place? Did someone find one flag offensive so the school banned all of them just to be "fair?"
    • malman4, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Did you not read the article and the one that rescinded it?
  • DavidGX, on 10/10/2007, -7/+3Well, what can you do? It's either all flags or no flags. Personally I'd just allow all flags, why not? Also ***** "rp".
    • SolsPolaris, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4We live in the United States of America, and this country has a flag. If you want to fly a flag from a foreign nation, move to that foreign nation and fly it as much as you like. Period!
      • DavidGX, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Period? Wow, since you said that I guess I have no choice! Also ***** "rp".
        • Chromatik, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Go home. If you are an American you don't deserve to be one and your complacency will only be rewarded with oppression
    • repins, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2If you are offended by the Flag of the United States, then why did you come here? I am sure that if you wanted to leave no one would try and stop you, GET OUT!
  • rumorby10, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0It is evident that we are trying to raise homogenized kids with no patriotism no religion no passions and no real opinions. If we succeed there will no longer be any freedom.
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