According to UNM officials, flying the flag was part of a celebration of Mexican independence day last Sunday, sponsored by the Mexican Student Association. The criminal complaint indicates that Lynch removed the flag, tore it in half, and proceeded to the Air Force ROTC office with flag (now flags) in hand. His objection... there was no American flag present. Mr. Lynch has been charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and of course the MSA called it a "hate crime."
You know, we're all for freedom, liberty and being able to fly whatever flag you want. However, UNM is a state school paid for with American tax dollars. It is wholly inappropriate for the UNM administration to allow the Mexican national flag to be flown in place of the flag of the United States. In fact, the act is against the U.S. flag code.
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...Even more irritating is the fact that UNM's new President, David Schmidly promised the Mexican Student Association that they could raise the Mexican national flag again Thursday. The MSA enjoys the freedom of association and the freedom of speech provided by the U.S. Constitution and symbolized by the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag.
Is it really too much to ask that they respect the flag of the country that provides those freedoms even when celebrating the independence of their homeland? It's certainly not too much to ask that the administration and President Schmidly to abide by the United State Flag Code at a publicly funded university.
One other nagging question we have is... Would Mr. Lynch be facing charges if he had committed the same "crime" against the flag of the United States? Even if he did, we'd bet that some group like the ACLU would be out there defending his right to do so. Perhaps some enterprising, patriotic lawyer will step up to the plate and defend a man who was through his actions, defending the flag of the United States of America and upholding U.S. Code title 4, chapter 1, section 7.
16 comments:
If the fellow in question wanted to deface his own flag, then the ACLU might have a reason to get involved, otherwise not.
The only crimes here were theft and vandalism. The Flag Code is only an advisory codification of custom, lacking any penalties or enforcement mechanisms.
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So your respect for private property only extends to those you agree with politically? Theft of someone else's property is indeed a crime, no scare quotes needed. Is that really what you want to defend?
Shred it???? Heck, burn that puppy!!!
Not even close to a hate crime, doesnt even meet the criteria. It is simply a larceny, buy em' another Mexican flag (made in China) and donate it along with a copy of the US FLag Code.
Are the mexican students getting free tuition? The only thing UNM administration cares about is their bottom line. Maybe a boycott of all UNM sporting events could send them a wake up call. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NOT MEXICO. I am sick to death that UNITED STATES CITIZENS ARE BEING PUSHED ASIDE FOR ILLEGALS, AND I AM SICK TO DEATH BEING MADE TO PAY FOR THEM. Albuquerque wake up,you are loosing your country and thanks to Marty kiss your city good-by !
Kudos to the student who tore that Mexican flag down. I lived in Mexico for half-a-year. If I ever flew an american flag at a Mexican university like that, I would be thrown in jail.
We kicked Mexico's ass out of this country in the mid 1800's. Their flag doesn't belong on our flag poles.
What? Maybe it's the bad grammer that makes this so unclear. What is your point again?
The point being made is that the flag did not belong to him to destroy and take with him, Mexican or US flag. The sad part to all this is some of you will find any excuse to make any incident a racial issue, hatred toward any Mexican. The lynching mentality of the 60's.
I am sure if you want to buy your own flag, underwear or whatever, as the rightful owner you could wipe your ass with it and it would not be a crime, unless you do it in public, then it will be indecent exposure.
For one of the posters above, probably the same illiterate idiot spreading racism; a good basic grammar 101 class at night school might be in order to prevent further embarrassments in future posts.
I don't want to see the Mexican flag or anyone elses for that matter in this city ever again. Is that clear Mr Mayor? Especially on a state funded tax dollar university. If you want your Mexico day, go to school there. Same goes for anybody else.
The flag issue is a lot different than food. If you don't understand all the fuss I advise you to read the paper and try to educate yourself. What might not be important to you is important to others.
And so it turns out the Flag Code violation was inadvertent and a result of miscommunication (at least if you believe the head of the ROTC program at UNM).
ROTC: Flag incident stems from miscommunication
And I want to thank the illiterate, racist mouthbreathers who have posted here and once again revealed the true face of so-called conservatism in the 21st century.
How do you figure it's larceny or vandalism? The flag was ABANDONED and discarded as debris.
...nice go straight to labeling when confronted with a legitimate argument.
Get legal, then you'll have a voice.
Get legal,so you can vote legitimate.
Get legal, then we'll talk.
Get legal, so you can pay taxes and share in the burden of supporting you. Otherwise, stick to what you know; lettuce
LOL!!!!
hEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE, unfortunately we are not allowed to ask any of the Mexicans if they are illegal, it somehow fringes on their constitutional rights. I believe every single forefather that signed the declaration (50, i believe) are rolling over in their graves knowing that illegals are being protected.....YOUVE GOT TO BE KIDDING
oh yeah, reference the lettuce comment-- HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH RIGHT ON!
Oh, People.
Get a clue is aptly said. I lived in El Paso for 10 years.
Racism? Discrimination?
Get out in the real world and try to find a job in the desert southwest when you are NOT bilingual!
NOT HAPPENING!
Illegal immigration is a real problem in the US. Here are a few numbers for you tax paying citizens.
Americans now realize that the costs of our present high level of immigration (legal and illegal) are enormous and growing. (The Center for Immigration Studies estimated in 1995 that immigration costs us a net $29 billion a year--more than the combined budgets of the Departments of State, Justice and Interior.) These costs include both programs targeted toward immigrants, as well as the increased costs of education, health care, and welfare programs that are used by immigrants.
Source: http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_research9605
Damn! I’m glad you pay taxes! Raise a MEXICAN flag over a US tax dollar supported University…
I fully support the guy who tore it down! GO FOR IT again I’ve got you back!
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