13 year old boy told he cant fly flag on his bike...

[deerman]

I don't understand what the fuss is about. During the years that I visited Florida, flags were commonly flown outside homes. National pride, so long as it doesn't extend to jingoism, is fine. Objecting to a flag on a bike is odd, unless there's more to the boy's story than has been made public. I saw nothing offensive about the US flag flying in the US and why should I?

In Thailand, many homes fly a small national flag and one of a selection showing respect to the Royal Family. I have never heard an expat. comment adversely on that.

My wife has been given the Union Flag, St. George of England flag and the Canadian flag for her restaurant. She awaits a gift of the US flag! The are discretely hung within the restaurant. A Thai customer suggested that we put them out by the road. I told him that I didn't want to offend anyone by flying foreign flags and he replied to the effect that Thai people don't worry about things like that. I think that's a very mature attitude.

I'm a little puzzled by some comments in this thread along the lines 'if you don't like it, leave the country'. Is this a gratuitous poke at foreigners or was it foreigners who objected to the flag?

my comment no mater who get offend about anyone flying our Flag here, can leave .
American or anyone.

 

[cassie]

Actually, the principal was not so much concerned about offending anyone as he was concerned about the kid's safety. Apparently some of the Mexican kids had brought the Mexican flag to school to celebrate Cinqo de Mayo (sp) and it caused a bit of a ruckus. As a result of this the school responded by banning all national flags. This was the easiest thing to do but not the best. The principal realizes this was not the smartest thing to do and is now concentrating on dealing with the troublemakers. If this had been done in the first place none of this would have happened. I think he knows this now.

 

[chickened]

They should not allow any flag flown in the U.S. other than old glory IMO. Some things are just wrong... and I really do not care who that offends... honestly.

 

[cupman]

They should not allow any flag flown in the U.S. other than old glory IMO. Some things are just wrong... and I really do not care who that offends... honestly.

Only being able to fly the American flag defeats the purpose of what it represents.

 

[chickened]

Only being able to fly the American flag defeats the purpose of what it represents.

Only when it is flown under it not over or in place of.

 

[cupman]

Limiting free speech is a dangerous, slippery slope. If I wanted to fly a North Korean flag over and in place of the American flag that's my business and nobody else's. I wouldn't do that, but that's not the point.

 

[Zinnia-Hen]

While I'm not the most patriotic person out there (I do support our troops however, and it's sad to see people giving them crap), I think that was really sweet.

 

[Zinnia-Hen]

Quote:

Well said.

 

[deerman]

Limiting free speech is a dangerous, slippery slope. If I wanted to fly a North Korean flag over and in place of the American flag that's my business and nobody else's. I wouldn't do that, but that's not the point.

disagree......

 

[thaiturkey]

Actually, the principal was not so much concerned about offending anyone as he was concerned about the kid's safety. Apparently some of the Mexican kids had brought the Mexican flag to school to celebrate Cinqo de Mayo (sp) and it caused a bit of a ruckus. As a result of this the school responded by banning all national flags. This was the easiest thing to do but not the best. The principal realizes this was not the smartest thing to do and is now concentrating on dealing with the troublemakers. If this had been done in the first place none of this would have happened. I think he knows this now.

If that's so, it puts a very different slant on this story. Is it the case then that the trouble began over a foreign flag taken to school for a particular purpose rather than a more usual display of the native flag? The Principal had a difficult decision to make.

I have been looking closer at the expressions on the boy's face. It's assumed that his watery eyes were due to the support that he was given. That may be so, but might he not be fearing what could happen to him at school after that unsolicited rally? Were the adults perhaps using the boy for their own ends, regardless of what his wishes might have been?

Pride in your own nation's flag is fine. However, fighting over a piece of patterned cloth itself is folly. On reflection, it might have been more productive if a group of parents had visited the Principal to discuss the matter.

My own national flag: