University Begins Displaying American Flag in Classrooms

[Nambe]

Cybernews (rw source)

The first American flag in a Florida state university classroom was unfurled at the University of Central Florida in Orlando on Friday afternoon as a result of an effort led by conservative students. ---

"I would consider this an invasion of what is supposed to be a bastion of critical thought, the university," said Robert Coffman, a junior majoring in English at the school. "What's the next proposal? Let's have President Bush's photo in every classroom?"

"The flag doesn't offend me personally," said UCF sophomore Matt De Vlieger, a native of Coral Springs, Fla. "The way it's being used does offend me." ---

[jiacinto]

1. I don't see anything wrong with putting a flag in the classroom

nt.

[JohnyCanuck]

2. At least it will be handy

for freeper students and profs when they feel a need coming on to wrap themselves in it.

[LearnedHand]

16. Elementary schools, maybe

University classrooms, NO! Save the university flags for the friggin' assembly halls and quadrangles.

On edit: clarification

[termo]

41. one nice quote

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.
--Bertrand Russell

[bluestateguy]

3. Next on the agenda: a photo of * in every classroom

and a mandatory pledge of allegience to his Administration every day.

[Pale_Rider]

4. When I went to a state university ...

... it likewise had an American flag. I really don't have a problem with the American flag since its protects my rights to call Bush n' Cheney 'evildoers' and Ashcroft, the Son of Satan.

However I would draw the line if they had put up those photo portraits of Smirky the Chimp and the Sneering Dick. Nearly went insane with anger when I went into a US Embassy consular office several months ago and had dick and chimp sneering and smirking away in the front hallway.

[July]

29. Actually, it's the Constitution that protects your rights.

The flag is a symbol.

[T Roosevelt]

5. Yeah, the univ Pres (John Hitt) is a big RWer

No way this wasn't going to happen. Personally I am offended by this, and I have to attend this school. Very sad...

[uberotto]

7. the flags were bought using private donations...

so maybe you should get together with some other students, raise money to purchase UN flags and put them in the classrooms next to the American flags.

Personally, I was happy by the decision of the Administration to not allow school funds to be used to purchase the flags.

[prolesunited]

11. Yeah

like they would allow the UN flag in the classroom.

[LauraK]

6. Replace it with a UN flag at every opportunity!

Wish I was there! A French flag would be cute too!

[Nambe]

8. Remember our zoology prof with a picture of Mao in his office.

[jiacinto]

9. I don't understand why some people have a problem with the

flag.

[LauraK]

12. A strong case can be made for it as a symbol...

of militaristic imperialism. At the very least, many see it as a symbol of conservative nationalism. IMO a university should provide a universal education applicable throughout the world. It is simplistic to think the US is intellectually superior to any other country in any way and I think flag waving implies just that.

[maggrwaggr]

18. gee, why do people have a problem with nationalism??

Gosh, I dunno .....

Maybe because "God Bless America" means "The Rest of the World can Go To Hell"

Maybe that's why.

[LearnedHand]

19. Because the freeps

have wrapped themselves in it at the drop of a liberal hat for the last 20 years. The flag no longer symbolizes the United States of America for me. It simply means one more freeper ideology that's being forced down my throat.

And I don't need a flag to remind me to be patriotic. It's just a red/white/blue quilt as far as I'm concerned.

[Guaranteed]

25. Americans don't like being coerced into allegiance.

Or having their integrity and loyalty questioned, for that matter.

[PartyPooper]

10. The way it's being used, offends me, too!

First, there were all of the 'patriotic' Americans (Repukes) who adorned themselves with flag pins. And, they still do. Lou Dobbs' pin is particulary large. (God forbid, someone should tune in to CNN and think they were watching a Canadian broadcast.) And, Bush, Cheney, Powell, and Rumsfeld--all wear their flag pins like 'badges of honor'...for 'fighting terrorism'. Even some of the Dems have taken to this de rigueur!

Then there were those who flew flags from their cars, SUVs, and trucks. Never mind, many of these flags were tattered and soiled.

Later, more patriotic folks erected shopping mall-sized poles in their yards with giant flags to demonstrate their patriotism.

Soon, most were attaching flag stickers to the rear ends of their cars, SUV's and trucks.

I can barely drive anywhere...without NOT knowing what country I'm in.

Sorry, the flag has been exploited and desecrated by these pseudo, patriotic, 'you're either with me-or against me' neo-fascists inspired by the Bu$h regime. They seem to say to Democrats and non-Americans, "We're so much better and patriotic than you!"

And, to me, flag waving 7 days a week...well, it's like thumping your Bible in public everywhere you go...if you need that kinda security...for gosh sakes get yourself a 'security blanket'. But, please respect the American flag...and, demonstrate some courtesy, tolerance, and respect to others...especially those visting our country who aren't American!

[Guaranteed]

26. Personally, I have two American flags on my bumper...

....right next to my "United for Peace" sticker.
Those weren't forced on me, though.

[reprobate]

34. I've been leaving the following note under windshields with flags:

You have an American flag displayed on your vehicle.

This flag is torn and tattered from wind damage.

It is desecration to display a damaged flag.

The only proper way to destroy a damaged flag is by burning (look it up).

You must immediatley burn all damaged flaggs. Not to do so is to disrespect the flag.

[JackSwift]

13. I don't have a problem with it

at least it isn't a religious creed

[boilertommy]

15. The Flag is OK

University of Central Florida? Never heard of it. I presume it's one of those White Collar vocational schools that masquerades as a university.

You know, maybe Liberals oughta start waving and wearing the flag and not letting the Conservatives wrap themselves in it. But I think many Liberals think they are too "cool" to do such a thing.

[Guaranteed]

28. I agree...see my posting below....n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

35. It actually has a very diverse campus

On an international level, it is a quilt of colors. But there is no question that a conservative presence has been growing on the campus and it probably has a direct connection to Jeb Bush. The downtown classes are held in a building that has a sign outside that reads, "Headquarters of Governor Jeb Bush" or something similar. It's just odd to see people who have absolutely no tolerance for diversity, controlling a campus which is very diverse.

[maggrwaggr]

20. It is too religious.

these are people who worship the flag. Nationalism is their religion. That's why it's wrong.

Why would you put a flag anywhere? To identify it as American territory, that's the ONLY reason.

So just in case someone tunnelling through from some other country accidentally sticks their head up into the classroom, they'll know what country they're in?

Give me a break.

[FlemingsGhost]

14. Yawn...

I guess if you're not getting laid in college, organizing an effort to put a flag in each classroom is ripping Saturday night.

Looooooooo-sers.

[Dogmudgeon]

23. Hey! I resemble that remark!

I never got laid in college, but no way would I organize any right-wing clubs to go around putting flags up in the classrooms!

Speak fer yerself :-)

--bkl

[Whoa_Nelly]

17. The flags need to be hung upside-down

to make the statement that we are a nation in distress.

[peterh]

21. Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance.

It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. ~James Bryce


Enough said….

[AndyTiedye]

22. This is a Nice Flag, and Has No Republicans Wrapped Up In It

So I fly this one at home, and have a sticker of it on the car.


If the recall passes and Arnie wins:

I'll fly the American flag when we get our country back again.

[PennyLane]

24. All Federal Buildings........

Have a picture of Bushie in the lobby. It's really cut down on the rodent population though!:+

[Guaranteed]

27. To me, the flag doesn't represent our government...

...or even our country, really. It transcends the current and all past political climates. To me, it represents, put simply, "liberty and justice for all."
Of course, you're free to let it represent whatever you like ;). This IS America.

[reprobate]

32. Correction: this "WAS" America.

[teryang]

30. I'll bet the black ops people

...in Tampa are behind this. It's phony issue time.

[Zero Gravitas]

31. Nothing wrong with having the flag in classrooms

Excpet that it has now become a political symbol thanks to the craven scum who wrap themselves in it tojustify attacks on our county's fundamental values.

A flag is just a mass produced piece of cloth (likey made in China) no-one really dies for a poiece of cloth, and it protects no rights. it used to be symbol for freedom, but right wing zealots are taking it over. Unfortunately the hard-core flag-worshipers are generally fascists or at least nasty Nationalist fascist-wannabes, and their attempted take over of the flag symbolism is detracting from the ability to fly the flag for benign reasons.

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. I have long suspected

that there was a nest of conservatives on UCF which have had devious plans of indoctrination.

[leesa]

36. Purely political...just like all the flag waving goons on the road.

It's wrong because it's done for the wrong reasons.

[Orangepeel]

37. Excellent explanation from the University

This is an email message that the president of UCF sent to all students. In my opinion, the administration handled the situation beautifully.


The request to place donated flags in classrooms at the University of Central Florida presents the University with two clear choices. We can accept the flags and proudly display them in our classrooms as symbols of the political entity that guarantees our freedom of speech, our right to dissent, the rights of political minorities, and our tradition of democracy. Or, we can decline the offer of the flags and by that act cede to one political group our national symbol, likely making it a pawn in ongoing culture wars between groups jockeying for momentary advantage in what is often a low political process. The choice is, for me, simple and compelling. UCF will accept and proudly display the flags in our classrooms. In doing so, we affirm our flag as a powerful unifying symbol. It belongs to all Americans, right, left, center, or undecided. It must not be co-opted as the symbol of any one group or party.

What of the effects of this decision on our academic enterprise? I am sure that there will be some who use the occasion to create or exploit controversy, but I must reject in the strongest terms the suggestion that the presence of the flag inhibits free speech. The flag is symbolic of the very constitution and government that guarantee our rights of democracy and free speech. Were you to seek redress from actions that you believed denied you free speech, you would do so in federal court, where you would find the flag on prominent display.

I have been a strong advocate and protector of individual and group rights on our campus since the day I assumed its presidency. My administration will continue to protect the academic freedom and individual and group rights of all members of our campus community. We expect that all members of the community respect the rights of others and obey the laws of our state and nation and the rules and regulations of the University. It is a core value of academe that we respect the dignity and worth of all people.

[Cronus Protagonist]

40. Perfect. They did a great job of co-opting the flag

They co-opted it back from the nuts. I like that.



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[RobinA]

38. It Sounds to Me

like a lot of people on this thread want to just hand the flag over to the wingers. TAKE BACK THE FLAG! It stands for the Bill of Rights as much it stands of imperialism in Iraq.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

39. I remember being suspended for wearing a black armband during Viet Nam...

I remember a truckload of Rednecks screaming "Fuck You"in a truck flying a monster sized flag passing by peaceful protestors of a war.

As someone said earlier, it's not the flag I object to, it's the way it's being used. It's the inferrence that if one does not support the current administration, they are somehow traitorous and should be dealt with.

Reich Marshall Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg trial: "The people can always be brought to the bidding of leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."