Idaho — A high school student in Twin Falls, Idaho, says he may file a lawsuit against a physical education teacher who took a Mexican flag he had brought for Cinco de Mayo and put it in the garbage.
Clint Straatman denies Froylan Camelo's version of events but said he took the flag Monday because "white kids" might have hurt the 16-year-old. He said he put it in a garbage can because he had no place else to keep it.
Camelo said he was changing into gym clothes at Minico High School in Rupert when Straatman told him, "Give me the flag."
"I said, 'What's the problem?"' Camelo, speaking in Spanish, told The Times-News of Twin Falls. "He said, 'The problem is that we are in the United States and not in Mexico.' He grabbed it from me. He threw the flag in the garbage can."
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consumer1 (anonymous) says…
And?????
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
When I don't have anywhere to put something, I toss it in the trash as well. It's a good storage place that tends to be bottomless.
monkeyhawk (anonymous) says…
An apple for that teacher.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
Yes, we need more exhibitions of childish bigotry and xenophobia from our teachers.
Haiku_Cuckoo (anonymous) says…
That teacher is no better than the Eurotrash that harass American tourists for having a US flag patch on their backpacks. Live and let live!
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
"I said, 'What's the problem?"' Camelo, speaking in Spanish, told The Times-News of Twin Falls. _________The article mentions that the boy was speaking in Spanish during this interview. Why would he do that?
Informed (anonymous) says…
Ceallach says: "The article mentions that the boy was speaking in Spanish during this interview. Why would he do that?"Because maybe it's his native language and it's easier for him to speak than English, especially when he's upset. No big deal. There are many people here in the US for whom English is not their native language. I don't see the problem that this boy spoke to a reporter in Spanish. Apparently the reporter also speaks Spanish. Do you have a problem with that as well?As far as the flag being thrown in the trash, disprespecting ANY country's flag is just not a cool thing to do. In my home I display the flags of several of the Central American nations I've visited. No big deal.
jafs (anonymous) says…
Although this was clearly not a good thing for the teacher to do, I think there may be a legitimate question here:If folks from Mexico are so proud of their country, why are so many coming here, many illegally?And, before I get jumped on for being racist, etc., other immigrant groups, many legal ones, don't seem to display their flags - when was the last time you saw a German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Hungarian, etc. flag flown proudly?The reason most immigrants come here is because they feel they can have a better life here, and most are glad if/when they can, and feel grateful for the extra opportunities.The current combination of huge amounts of illegal immigrants, many from Mexico, with a great deal of pride in their native country, is somehow a little odd to me.
Informed (anonymous) says…
Um, jafs, I grew up back east and used to see Italian flags flown all the time. It was not and still isn't a problem for me. People are allowed to be proud of their heritage.Other articles from other sources have much more info than the small amount JW used. One third of the students in that particular school are HIspanic, so the teacher should have been used to it.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
No, informed, I do not have a problem with it. If I did I would have said so. But I do wonder why the reporter included that line in what is a relatively small article, especially when it's obvious that the boy was ethnically harassed by the teacher, other students, or both.
Eride (anonymous) says…
Probably because he doesn't know how to speak in English?
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
Consider Obama's good buddy & his treatment of the American flag.http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2001/No-Regrets/
bd (anonymous) says…
He is not a racist ,but a patriot!America live(love) it , or leave it!
Informed (anonymous) says…
Yes, ansxiousatheist, you CAN treat the flag any way you want. But, "SHOULD you?" is another story. I respect the flag of my country (America) and I also realize you have the right to do whatever you'd like with it, up to and including burning it. I won't deny you that right and will even defend your right to it. However, I know what that flag has cost.
bearded_gnome (anonymous) says…
the boy spoke spanish for the interview,perhaps he is part of the growing human wave invasion from mexico that *has no intension of assimilating into mainstream american culture?*and, by the inclusion of this story, apparently some believe we must show more respect for the mexican flag than for the american flag! ***Man, the a$$holes are out in full force today.--dupeplentythanks, although I already knew that about you beo and boozo. but it is nice of you to hand a self-identifying label. very thoughtful of you. *** jafs,nicely done.
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
The term "meltingpot" was once upon a time a proud reference to the USA. Diversity is a bunch of liberal BS!
autie (anonymous) says…
land of the free and home of the brave..As long as you speak as I do, think as I do. Why is it much of what I hear from Idaho is about intolerances and bigotry...Too much mountain air? Not enough O2? The teacher should be reprimanded; if not dismissed..
lovenhaight (anonymous) says…
Wow, you've really never seen people with Irish or German flags? Look around Lawrence...check front license plates. I see at least one Irish or German plate a day, I'm sure. You can be proud of your heritage and not live there...in fact, that is a fairly large part of being American. We have massive St. Paddy's celebrations, Oktoberfest, Heidefestivals (Swiss), and countless other events that celebrate the varied cultural heritages found in the US. Comments about Mexico in particular are obviously biased, as was the veiled comment regarding the language the boy was interviewed in. Perhaps he articulates well in Spanish and not as well in English...he was attempting to put his best foot forward in a news story that has gone national. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
"And, before I get jumped on for being racist, etc., other immigrant groups, many legal ones, don't seem to display their flags - when was the last time you saw a German, Irish, Italian, Russian, Hungarian, etc. flag flown proudly?"On St. Patrick day you can see a lot of Irish flags flying and there's a house near downtown (can't remember exact location) that flies a US and British flag. And on cars I see flag tags being displayed from all sorts of countries. Open your eyes. It's the Mexican flag you have a problem with. At least be an honest bigot.
staff04 (anonymous) says…
Yes, speak English or get out:http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/f/f/get_a_brain_morans.jpghttp://www.newsince.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/no-amnety-small.jpghttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/dayinpictures?o=4&f=/g/a/2008/05/02/dip.DTL&type=dayinpictures
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
So, if this boy can't speak English well, then maybe he can't understand it well, either.
Take_a_letter_Maria (anonymous) says…
You all do realize that there is a large population of Nazi and survivalist groups located in the state of Idaho don't you?The teacher could be a member of one of these groups, or he could just as easily been protecting - though in an "unusual" way - this kid from other kids who have been brought up in one of these groups and are intolerant of anyone that is not white.
mancityfooty (Corey Williams) says…
"What beats one Mexican flag, though, when billions of American flags are burned around the world, and in the U.S., every day?"That's what is really driving China's economy: having to replace those "billions" of American flags that get burned every day.
Bossa_Nova (anonymous) says…
hey everybody dont worry, the bigots aren't only in idaho and kansas. mexico has its share of bigots too. i used to live there and lost count of how many times i was refused entry to a restaurant or a bar for being a gringo, confronted by machista mexicans for being in public with a mexican woman, i even remember seeing the american flag being burned at the zocalo when the american soccer team beat the mexican soccer team and the people started chanting, "pinches gringos! pinches gringos!" (that was the day i feared for my life and had to insist i was canadian). oh and dont even dare tell them you're not catholic, that nearly warrants a public stoning. but at least i wasnt guatemalan or nauhuatl , those guys usually get the tar beat out of them for speaking indigenous languages in public. oh, and do your best to avoid the mexican cops. i cant remember how much mordida i was constantly paying during my stint in mexico to the patrulla everytime they pulled me over for having "suspicious license plates" and for "displaying signs of erratic and careless behavior" (aka, openly being a gringo). so dont worry my friends, its not just us gringos who are hateful and bigoted.
Informed (anonymous) says…
Well, Bossa, your experience in Mexico is so opposite this gringo's experiences. I've been all over CA and never had those experiences. I'm sure it has a lot to do with attitude, but maybe that's just me. Of course, I've met many of the 'ugly Americans' on my journeys -- gringos that would have been better off staying in the States if they expected everything to be just like it was 'at home'.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Wind: "What beats one Mexican flag, though, when billions of American flags are burned around the world, and in the U.S., every day?"Billions? Really? Every day? That is more than one flag a week burned by every man, woman and child alive! That is a whole lot of flag burning! Are you sure there are even "billions" of American flags in existence?Apparently, we could stop global warming if we just made American flags out of inflammable material. I'm trying to figure out which is worse, the action, or the teacher's lame excuses? Like that flag, I hope the teacher also gets canned. People this stupid shouldn't be put in front of impressionable children. And remember: God Bless America ... And Nowhere Else!
EXks (anonymous) says…
Hey, here's what legendary country & western singerDarlene McBride has to sayhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=oqZaQKskP-A
Take_a_letter_Maria (anonymous) says…
Well Informed, I ran into a similar situation as Bossa and I was "home". My then girlfriend and I went to visit her parents in San Antonio. One evening, just walking in her neighborhood with her, I got jumped by a carload of young hispanic men because I was out with one of "their" women. I didn't even have an opportunity to be an ugly American or anything else. Lucky for me her pops came out swinging a baseball bat or it could have been even worse than the broken ribs I received.
Bossa_Nova (anonymous) says…
hey informed i said mexico not CA. there's a big difference you know. you shouldnt generalize all paises latinos as being the same. and as for my attitude, i have no idea as to what that has to do with constantly being pulled over by la chota and not being allowed entrance in public places without even saying a word to the guy at the door. and what does attitude have to do with me and my girl minding our own business and a bunch of mexican rednecks yelling obscenities at both of us. if you were as informed as you think you are and you would know that mexico is just as bigoted, racist and nationalistic as america's bible belt
Bossa_Nova (anonymous) says…
oh and by the way, i'm not one of those gringos who expects everything to be the same as back home and who only goes to the american colonies like cancun and vallarta. i actually lived in mexico for many years and i got to know all the aspects of the culture (the good and the bad) and i do speak spanish and dont have a problem with communicating in mexico. while in mexico i gladly took the position that "i am here in this country and its my responsibility to learn the language and understand and respect their culture". trust me this isnt a matter of attitude, rather someone who has had a lot of experiences, good and bad, and who is capable of admitting that its not just us gringos who are bad and that everybody you meet overseas wants to hold your hand and sing kumbaya with you because youre an american. trust me amigo, there's plenty of hatred in mexico for the gringo y los guatemaltecos, los indios, extranjeros, maricones, sudacas, bolillos, etc. just as hatred is alive and well in america.
autie (anonymous) says…
I would have to say, it is rare I see any comments threaded so incoherently and didn't seem to have any common theme than those of Windlass in this one. So are you leaving America because we suck or because you don't like Mexicans or because you're a pussy? So many post, so many thoughts and none of it adds to any real sense. You never did answer any of Tony88's questions..just went on a new tirade. Maybe you are an Idaho native? From one of the "compounds"?
autie (anonymous) says…
Amigos, donde es el amor para nos hombres?
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
What about flying the Confederate flag in the South? Is that worse than a Mexican flag?
lovenhaight (anonymous) says…
The Confederate flag is a whole different story, the two are not comparable. I say that as a Mississippi native. Mexico exists, the CSA does not. The Confederate battle flag was taken by a bunch of hate groups and turned into something that it wasn't, the Mexican flag was not. There isn't the same level of conflicted emotion regarding the Mexican flag. Comparing the two is in no way relevant or correct.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Some on this thread have supported the teacher's actions:"Last time I checked we were living in the U.S. not Mexico. So who cares.""He is not a racist ,but a patriot!America live(love) it , or leave it!""However, I believe some caution should be excercised when foreign flags are exploited in public forums, particularly public schools funded by American tax payers."So the common theme here seems to be equating the flying/display of any flag other than the United States flag (probably excluding state flags) with being unpatriotic or un-American. And I would think that flying the flag of a former country that was in military opposition to the United States of America would be especially improper to fly. I guess I just see it as both relevant and correct. You are from the South, so maybe you have a different view of it. I had ancestors who were wounded fighting for the Union during the Civil War, so I guess I'm kind of biased.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Oh yeah, I hate having afterthoughts, but here's one:Was any land in the United States ever owned by any other countries? Maybe Spain? France? Mexico?I guess what I'm saying is that you can't really be against flags of other countries yet be someone who condones the Confederate flag. It just seems like the same thing to me.
lovenhaight (anonymous) says…
RedwoodCoast:Our opinions on the Civil War may be different, I agree. I had numerous ancestors who fought for the Confederacy, some were wounded, some were not, one was in the POW camp in Ohio and was severely brutalized. NONE of my ancestors owned slaves, they were all farmers and the men were called to fight without regard to whatever the rich slaveowners believed in. Compare it to the present situation, I don't support the Iraq War but I still support my friends in the military, and I would hope that people don't peg me as an imperialist 100 years from now just because I lived in these times. I know no one mentioned that, but slavery is always an undercurrent in conversations regarding the South. Anyway.I do agree with what you just said, I just think we were reading things differently. The posts I've responded to previously said things that basically implied that they have no problem with people of European heritage flying the flags of their forefathers, but they do have a problem with the fact that a Mexican thought he could fly his home country's flag. I would guess that those people who are so up in arms over a Mexican flag are also the same who quietly condone the men in the pointy white hats who have taken the Confederate flag and made it a symbol of hate...
jaketh (anonymous) says…
Salsa is the number 1 condiment in the US. Either you start eating more ketchup or deal with it.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
lovenhaight: That's cool that you know about your ancestors. It sounds like we both had ancestors who got themselves captured. My great-great grandfather got sent to some prison on an island somewhere. From what I understand, they were rarely given food. There are stories passed down from him about guys physically fighting over something as inconsequential as an ear of corn. But I think we're on the same side with the topic of the thread.
denak (anonymous) says…
The teacher lost a valuable opportunity to teach all those "white kids" a history lesson about Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of Puebla.He handled the situation badly and I don't believe for a moment that he threw the flag in the trash because it was the only place to put it. That is a bunch of crock.I have friends who are of Mexican descent. Some of American born, some are naturalized and some are here legally on different types of visas. For the first two groups, all of them are proud to be American as well as being Mexican.Both cultures add a richeness to their lives and contrary to what some believe, they are not torn between where their loyalities lie. Their loyalties lie with the U.S. My friend Guadelupe because a U.S. citizen last year. She is very excited about being able to vote for the first time in November. This teacher was short sighted and mean spirited and I think it is alarming and disheartening to think we have teachers like him in our school system.Dena
jonas (anonymous) says…
Windlass (Anonymous) says:"What beats one Mexican flag, though, when billions of American flags are burned around the world, and in the U.S., every day?"Billions, eh? So is that, then, that one in seven people in the entire world burn a flag every day, or are there just several 100 million people that burn thousands of flags every day? Just trying to work out the logistics.
justfornow (anonymous) says…
Just spent the last hour shaving my Snapper, yea it takes that long. Anyway I think this is one of those teachers that deserve a raise. Stupid PC Liberals.
justfornow (anonymous) says…
Oh my god I'm starting to inch really bad.
justfornow (anonymous) says…
itch if it matters.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
This story isn't about immigration, illegal or otherwise, but about heritage. The teacher played the xenophobic fool and should be let go. right-thinker: "The US is in it's final years. If Obama is prez, it most assuredly is the beginning of the end, I guarantee you."Hey rt, your man Bush took us into a war to make the oil companies happy, all the while giving tax breaks to his wealthy base even though the national deficit was doubling. The dollar is quickly becoming worthless on the world market, and there may be nothing that can be done at this point to reverse it. We are too dependent on foreign oil and we owe too many other nations money. I think we may well have already lived through "the beginning of the end" thanks to your man Bush -- he is our Waterloo. Suck it up, rt, you are going to have to deal with a Black man being your president. Knowing that you are someone who has posted links to White Supremacist websites in the past, all I can do is point and laugh at you. Loser.
situveux1 (anonymous) says…
Somebody give that teacher a medal.
Guardian (anonymous) says…
Anybody have any air miles they want to donate to Windlass?
RiverCityConservative (anonymous) says…
Almost everyone now living in the United States of America has heritage from another country and in fact maintaining our connections to such traditions is natural and human. I learned from my fourth-grade teacher (long ago in central Kansas) that America is an experiment in freedom and democracy. That high school PE teacher in the news story apparently thinks the experiment is over, as do many of the good people on this comment blog who seem to perceive a Mexican flag as a threat. The good fortune for America is that each new generation brings more opportunities for the free expression of their ideas as well as those ideals which others of us hold dear. Long live the American experiment! Or, a la Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
TopJayhawk (anonymous) says…
It's hard to speculate about this because so much is not being said. This article is very short on particulars.. If he was acting like I have seen so many hispanics act on or around cino de mayo, then that would inclued getting in other's faces, and taunting kids with his flag in a very entittled and stupid way. You know "reqonquesta (SP). And all that silliness. In which case what the coach said may very well be true.
TopJayhawk (anonymous) says…
Again, this is so typical of a lot of folks on this forum... WE don't know all of the story. But most everyone is jumping to the conclusion that it was all the teachers fault.. Have you never been verbally accosted by an entittled latine bent on reconquista. Remember the holiday just past and the absolutely atrocious behavior before by out southern "friends" on this day. I think the fact that he did not speak English really does speak volumes.. Not wanting or able to assimilate... It's supposed to be a "Melting pot" Not a balkinization, of the populace... I will give the teacher the benefit of the doubt until I get more info.
jonas (anonymous) says…
Topjayhawk: I think we can read the teacher's version of events and deduce that he is putting quite a positive spin on what took place."Clint Straatman denies Froylan Camelo's version of events but said he took the flag Monday because "white kids" might have hurt the 16-year-old. He said he put it in a garbage can because he had no place else to keep it."C'mon.
Stain (anonymous) says…
Do it kid! Sue the teacher!It won't go anywhere in that heavily Mormon, white supremist town. But do it anyway because it is the right thing to do.
peaceword (Kenneth (Uncle of "KIA" Iraq:) MacKenzie (Kristian Menchaca)) says…
Regarding U.S. House Hearing 106-158 nuclear landmines & Mexico: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-b... Mexicans still consider "land" as part of modern day Mexico taken by the U.S. from them in the treaty of "Guadalupe-Hidalgo" that ended the Mexican-American War (18461848). Prior to collapse of the Soviet Union when 250 "Hand-carried Suitcase Nuclear Landmines (RA115)" were sold to terrorists, the Mexicans could not mount a military threat to return all "Guadalupe-Hidalgo" land back to Mexico. If several of these http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-b... are forewarned as being concealed in Washington DC, NY, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, etcetera, etcetera & Mexican terrorists say "PEACE" if you return our land, what should we say? What would the Gym Teacher say if one of these Soviet RA115 Suitcase Hiroshimas is concealed where his family lives facing Nuclear Holocaust ? What should Bush say ? Should he be "tough?" SEE: Jose Padilla's "Radiological"SEE: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-b...
Bossa_Nova (anonymous) says…
i have a great idea.... we can give the western part of the US that we "stole" from mexico as long as mexico gives chiapas back to guatemala, and mexico city gives itself back to the aztecs, and panama gives itself back to colombia, and northern chile gives itself back to bolivia, and uruguay gives itself back to argentina, and the angles give britain back to the gaels/celts/whatever, and spain gives itself back to the moors who could give it back to the visigoths, and the turks give themselves back to the byzantines, and the kansans give themselves back to the potowatamie, and the alaskans give themselves back to kanchatka, and the australians give themselves back to the aborigines and all the euro-americans and afro-americans give the US back to the iroqois, sioux, sak, seminole, etc. and everybody can start speaking the languages that their forefathers spoke 10,000 years ago and then we can all be happy! world peace!!! yippeee!!!!!
Friendo (anonymous) says…
"Last time I checked we were living in the U.S. not Mexico. So who cares.""He is not a racist ,but a patriot!America live(love) it , or leave it!"I agree, let the ethnic cleansing begin. All our problems are the Mexicans fault, just like in the 1930's all of Germany problems was the fault of the Jewish population.Weiss Amerika über alles.
Rationalanimal (anonymous) says…
"Yes, we need more exhibitions of childish bigotry and xenophobia from our teachers."Out of the other side of your mouth you champion and defend those around the world, including in this country, who burn, stomp, rip, spit on and otherwise destroy the American flag as a direct display of hatred for the United States of America. What your duplicity supports is that you fall among those that hate the United States of America. You sympathize and defend our sworn enemies because you idenitfy with such. Try being honest with people about who you really are, you shed some of the constant angst that fills your life.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Bossa-Nova, can I be the realtor on this land deal you are proposing? I would even take a cut in commission to broker this deal!jrudy, oil companies were poised to profit whether or not Americans got control of Iraqi oil (proof is in the record profits they are experiencing), those who make their living from stock dividends pay 15% taxes and are capable of taking advantage of other tax incentives, trickle-down economics don't work as we learned under Reagan, and I haven't read Zakaria's book, but I hope to soon. Tax breaks should go to small businesses, not corporations.
tunahelper (anonymous) says…
I would have burned the piece of crap!
BalkansHawk (anonymous) says…
I could understand if it was an MU flag.
ASBESTOS (anonymous) says…
Leave it to the illegal alien supporting ljworld to truncate the story. The real story is that th kid was being an arse in class and was being disruptive in class.HERE is the story from the ap:"twin falls, Idaho (AP) - A high school student says he may file a lawsuit against a physical education teacher who took a Mexican flag he had brought for Cinco de Mayo and put it in the garbage. Clint Straatman denies Froylan Camelo's version of events but said he took the flag Monday because "white kids" might have hurt the 16-year- old. He said he put it in a garbage can because he had no place else to keep it. Camelo said he was changing into gym clothes at Minico High School in Rupert when Straatman told him, "Give me the flag." "I said, 'What's the problem?'" Camelo, speaking in Spanish, told The Times-News of Twin Falls. "He said, 'The problem is that we are in the United States and not in Mexico.' He grabbed it from me. He threw the flag in the garbage can." Camelo said that Straatman told him the flag would be returned at the end of the school day, but that Straatman taunted him instead. "I asked, 'Where is my flag?'" Camelo said. "He said, 'What, the U.S. flag?' I said, 'No, the one for Mexico.' But he wouldn't give it to me." Camelo said he then took the undamaged flag out of the garbage. He said he's been contacted by the American Civil Liberties Union and is considering a lawsuit against Straatman. Camelo and others brought Mexican flags to the south-central Idaho school to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the May 5 recognition of Mexico's victory over the French army on that day in 1862. About a third of the student body is Hispanic. Straatman denied saying the words Camelo attributed to him, and said the student may have misunderstood him because of his poor English skills. He said he took the flag from Camelo after Camelo had been waving it in the school gym, and denied withholding it later. "I had to confiscate it so it wouldn't escalate any problems in class," Straatman told The Times-News. "We're worried about that stuff all the time. We always have kids saying stuff to each other, and we have a lot of fights between kids." Scott Rogers, superintendent of the Minidoka County Joint School District, said an investigation has been started. He said he could not comment specifically about personnel decisions. "We believe in nondiscriminatory practices and cultural sensitivity," he said. "We train for that and talk about that. If there is a teacher making derogatory comments we don't approve of that. We also don't approve of a student disrupting the classroom." Rogers said he was at the school early Wednesday and that the school was quiet. He said he noticed a few students wearing clothing in the colors of the Mexican flag-red, white and green-in protest of Monday's incident.
micah6_8 (anonymous) says…
Why do we raise such a stink if a Mexican flag is dishonored, yet we write great glowing articles and heap praise on those who desecrate the American Flag in the "name of free speech"?
jaycee (anonymous) says…
Kudos to this teacher. It's about time Americans started having a little pride in our country and stop trying to be everybody's friend. If you go to Mexico, you better not even try to display our flag. You'll be thrown in jail so fast and may never get out of jail.C'mom USA where has our pride gone?
yoornotmee (anonymous) says…
1. The teacher had absolutely no right to throw away the student's personal property. The teacher certainly had the right to confiscate the flag for the remainder of the class period or perhaps even until the end of the school day if the flag had proved to disrupt the learning, but putting personal property of a student's in the trash is not right. The confiscated flag should have been placed on or inside the teacher's desk or on a shelf, not in the trash. 2. From what I read in this article alone, I believe a law suit is an over reaction. There was no physical harm done and I'm sure the monetary value of the trashed flag was not worth suing over. The teacher should certainly be suspended and reviewed and, if more evidence of racism is found, fired. 3. The reporter might have included what language the student was speaking to show that the quote is not a direct quote and has been translated.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Marion, I excluded the word "large" before corporation, so sue me. Now, about that business acumen, did you acquire your knowledge the first, second, third, or fourth time you had to file for bankruptcy? jrudy: "Thinking that corps pay only fifteen percent tax is, well, not thinking." Several points to make, but on this one what I mentioned above are the individuals, not corporations, who live off of dividend shares -- they are the ones paying 15% taxes, which is less than I pay and likely less than you pay, and that isn't taking into account further tax incentives. How is that correct or good for the country? Questioning that has nothing to do with leaning left or right. If you make your money off of dividends, should you pay less in taxes than those who make their money off of earning it by working for a living? (If your answer is "yes," then you are so far to the right that you probably can't even make a left hand turn while driving.)So you support tax breaks for corporatins, but what about the lower wages corporations pay overseas' workers -- are you in support of paying American workers less, too? Finally, tax breaks for the wealthy have not helped lower our deficit or helped our economy. Period. If they had, we wouldn't be facing our current economic problems. It really is that simple.Now, obviously there is good and bad on both sides, but straddling the fence isn't the way to go. I prefer to stand up for what I believe in, no matter what side it falls. Sweetie. And finally, the teacher had no right throwing the Mexican flag in the trash. If we hate to see our flag mistreated, why would we want to do the same to others? Aren't we better than that?
jonas (anonymous) says…
micah6_8 (Anonymous) says:"Why do we raise such a stink if a Mexican flag is dishonored, yet we write great glowing articles and heap praise on those who desecrate the American Flag in the "name of free speech"?"We do this?
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Marion: "I don't see you repeaetaedly reminding everyone how our Glorious Progressivbe Ex-Mayor, Mike Rundle filed a bankruptcy and went through with it!"If Mike Rundle regularly came around here and told us about what a great businessman he was and how stupid we are with our "business acumen," I have no doubt we would be glad to tell him that he is full of it, just as we do with you. You are indeed full of it. Of course, Mr. Rundle only had the one bankruptcy. How many businesses have you failed at? How many people did you stick it to for not being able to pay your debts? The funniest thing is that I am saying I would gladly support tax breaks for small businesses -- like yours!!! -- and you still must attack. Whatever. Go clean a gun or something. Or better yet, go to New York's "Little Italy" district, and throw the first Italian flag you see in the trash. I'm sure they won't mind.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
I (heart) marion when he's all imperious & judgmental & stuff. I also LOL. Stillhavingawonderfulinternetlife.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
marioni, you could afford a trip to Austin, MN.http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2126BTW,stillhavingawonderfulinternetlife.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Marion, now you are trying to imagine my financial situation? That truly is laughable, but let me just tell you that I am doing well, have never had to file for bankruptcy nor felt the need to brag about what I have. In fact, when someone has to brag about how much they have -- be it money or anything else -- chances are that person doesn't really have it.And I have no doubt that you really don't have it. And a whole $1500! Wow, that is like almost a million! Well, you know, give or take a million. So how much of your big, big, big $1500 are you going to use to pay off your past debts? Any? Didn't think so. Now you have more money then you've ever had before -- maybe you can purchase the really good type of blow-up companion this time around.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
And one last thing, I know you hate Mike Rundle. Too bad you have to compare yourself to the people you hate in a pathetic attempt at getting sympathy. It makes you both sad and a hypocrit .... again.
toe (anonymous) says…
Who cares?
tunahelper (anonymous) says…
hey micah 666,pull your head out.
peachesncream (anonymous) says…
did marion just ask some dude how many inches he has???? i thought marion was a GUY ...... am i wrong ?????
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
snap writes:stillhavingawonderful& "large"internetlife.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
benny, you had me there for a second. For some reason the sarcasm meter didn't instantly activate. Well done. Marion, yes, I will be the one who decides what makes up a "large corporation" in my idea of making life easier for small business owners. I will be the one selected for this important assignment because of my posts here on this community website. Seriously, are you against making the tax code easier for small business owners? Here it is on Mothers day, and you want to kick the Mom and Pop stores to the curb -- why do you hate America? By the way, was the $1500 you spent on the escort service last night worth it?
beatrice (anonymous) says…
I checked my books, and the guy I sent over was grossed out but happy to have been paid. If you want an upgrade, perhaps two guys, it will cost more ... as usual.
snap_pop_no_crackle (anonymous) says…
marioni pwned, priceless.