After members of the student government association at the University of California at Irvine voted on March 3 to remove the United States flag from their student government offices, the executive leadership of the student government vetoed the measure and restored the flag to its place. As disgusted as I was with the actions of the six fools who voted to remove the flag because, they say, "the American flag has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism," I was equally gratified that the leadership of the student government at UC Irvine had the good sense to reverse the action banning the flag. In addition, the UC Irvine administration issued a statement calling the decision "misguided" and that the decision "was not endorsed or supported in any way by the campus leadership, the University of California, or the broader student body." So I shelved the column that I was going to write.
I see now that as many as 60 professors at UC Irvine have joined another 1200 or so people (and the number is growing) who have signed a letter supporting the six students who voted to remove the flag. A quick scan of the signatories to the letter reveals that most of the supporters appear to be either students, faculty or alumni of UC Irvine or of other California universities. The letter states that, "The resolution recognized that nationalism, including U.S. nationalism, often contributes to racism and xenophobia, and that the paraphernalia of nationalism is in fact often used to intimidate." I suppose that "paraphernalia of nationalism" is their preferred reference for the United States flag. The letter goes on to state that, "This is a more or less uncontroversial scholarly point, and in practice the resolution has drawn admiration nationally from much of the academic community." Uncontroversial? First they applaud the removal of the American flag as a symbol of "racism and xenophobia" and then they say that it is an "uncontroversial scholarly point?"
It is at this point where I usually say something like, "I respectfully disagree." However, I have no respect for "enlightened" people who believe that a government funded institution like UC Irvine, should endorse the misguided efforts of a few to force their skewed view of American inclusiveness on the rest of the UC Irvine community and, by extension, the rest of us. By saying that it is uncontroversial, they are implying that "no person, who is as enlightened and as educated as we are should disagree with us." This is another attempt by liberals to stymie debate on a very controversial topic on which they are clearly outside the mainstream of American thought and popular opinion. When they say that the flag inhibits inclusivity, they forget that the USA is historically one of the most inclusive nations on the planet. For 239 years, this nation and its flag, have been shining beacons to welcome all those who would come to our shores, seeking the freedom and the opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. My mother had a saying that she used when she was frustrated with us children as we were growing up. That phrase is particularly applicable here. I am "sick and tired" of people who insist on tearing down this nation because they believe that we, as a people, are racist, intolerant or xenophobic. To the contrary, unless people like the six at UC Irvine and their supporters ultimately prevail, I believe history will demonstrate that America is the last best hope for everyone to persevere and to thrive. It is fitting that we proudly display Old Glory to celebrate that fact.
I see now that as many as 60 professors at UC Irvine have joined another 1200 or so people (and the number is growing) who have signed a letter supporting the six students who voted to remove the flag. A quick scan of the signatories to the letter reveals that most of the supporters appear to be either students, faculty or alumni of UC Irvine or of other California universities. The letter states that, "The resolution recognized that nationalism, including U.S. nationalism, often contributes to racism and xenophobia, and that the paraphernalia of nationalism is in fact often used to intimidate." I suppose that "paraphernalia of nationalism" is their preferred reference for the United States flag. The letter goes on to state that, "This is a more or less uncontroversial scholarly point, and in practice the resolution has drawn admiration nationally from much of the academic community." Uncontroversial? First they applaud the removal of the American flag as a symbol of "racism and xenophobia" and then they say that it is an "uncontroversial scholarly point?"
It is at this point where I usually say something like, "I respectfully disagree." However, I have no respect for "enlightened" people who believe that a government funded institution like UC Irvine, should endorse the misguided efforts of a few to force their skewed view of American inclusiveness on the rest of the UC Irvine community and, by extension, the rest of us. By saying that it is uncontroversial, they are implying that "no person, who is as enlightened and as educated as we are should disagree with us." This is another attempt by liberals to stymie debate on a very controversial topic on which they are clearly outside the mainstream of American thought and popular opinion. When they say that the flag inhibits inclusivity, they forget that the USA is historically one of the most inclusive nations on the planet. For 239 years, this nation and its flag, have been shining beacons to welcome all those who would come to our shores, seeking the freedom and the opportunity to make a better life for themselves and their families. My mother had a saying that she used when she was frustrated with us children as we were growing up. That phrase is particularly applicable here. I am "sick and tired" of people who insist on tearing down this nation because they believe that we, as a people, are racist, intolerant or xenophobic. To the contrary, unless people like the six at UC Irvine and their supporters ultimately prevail, I believe history will demonstrate that America is the last best hope for everyone to persevere and to thrive. It is fitting that we proudly display Old Glory to celebrate that fact.
