The article speaks for itself. As a patriotic American, this infuriates me. This is pretty much taking away the first ammendment from the students of this univerity. Why do people feel this is okay?  Part of the law states that “[F]reedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible[,] can be interpreted as hate speech,” the bill reads. So, what does this translate to? It means that if anything you say or do is offensive to someone, it can be considered "Hate Speech"! Restricting the freedom of expression is apparently an acceptable and reasonable thing to do. Not suprising though, considering that most of California is full of liberals, and this seems to go along with the liberal idealogy. I realize that not all liberals are like this. This seems to be more of a very VERY far left liberal act. This is not meant to start a flame war, so please do not interpret it in that way. Do you believe that this is a fair law?

 

http://rightwingnews.com/democrats/university-of-california-bans-the-american-flag-as-offensive/

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by 1ian20

More accurate summary: The student government's legislative council passed a resolution to remove all flags from the common lobby of the student government offices. This has zero input from the actual school administration; furthermore, it has to be approved by the student government executive council, which it's looking like it probably won't be. The bill applies to every flag of every country. In the entire bill, two lines even mention the American flag, and merely use it as an example of how all flags represent nationalism. Now, you can dispute that flags have a strong association with nationalism, or dispute that that's a bad thing, but if you read this bill and say "How DARE they be traitors and remove the American flag!", that's exactly the kind of thing they're talking about.

In other news, apparently "rightwingnews.com" is pretty terrible at summarizing things in a remotely objective way, and distorts reports even worse than the rest of the media in support of ideological aims. Who'd have guessed, with a great name like that?

More accurate summary: The student government's legislative council passed a resolution to remove all flags from the common lobby of the student government offices. This has zero input from the actual school administration; furthermore, it has to be approved by the student government executive council, which it's looking like it probably won't be. The bill applies to every flag of every country. In the entire bill, two lines even mention the American flag, and merely use it as an example of how all flags represent nationalism. Now, you can dispute that flags have a strong association with nationalism, or dispute that that's a bad thing, but if you read this bill and say "How DARE they be traitors and remove the American flag!", that's exactly the kind of thing they're talking about.

In other news, apparently "rightwingnews.com" is pretty terrible at summarizing things in a remotely objective way, and distorts reports even worse than the rest of the media in support of ideological aims. Who'd have guessed, with a great name like that?

After further review, you are correct. But it is still suprising to me that the students themselves would support this. In my opinion, this infrienges on the first ammendment rights of the stuents. Flying a flag is freedom of expression. Who cares if someone is offended by a flag? It's your right to be pround of where you came from. So you could say that it is even the simple idea that frustrates me. In the future, I will do more research before blindly posting like that, I aplogize.

Unfortunately, students seem among the most prone to restrict First Amendment rights -- I actually think the resolution as passed still does violate at least the principles of the First Amendment (I don't know if student councils at public schools are governments and so bound by the First Amendment, which is the main reason I'm not sure if it violates the letter); showing the flag is absolutely protected speech (just like showing it in a way contrary to the flag code, or for that matter burning it). Sadly, at least the most vocal students have a tendency to push the idea that "XYZ is hate speech, and shouldn't be allowed" -- it's really quite depressing how often student groups try to force schools and other student groups to do things like disinvite speakers they don't like. Seriously, there are law students who have tried to get certain areas of the law banned from their classes or their tests because it makes them uncomfortable to discuss. There's a Harvard student who wrote an editorial advocating replacing the idea of "academic freedom" and "free inquiry" with the idea of "academic justice," and that academic research should be stopped if it seems like it's reaching uncomfortable conclusions or it could be used by others to promote Bad Things.

The explanation is quite simple -- you see, the students aren't prohibiting Good Speech, because it's not the speech they like that's getting banned. It's just the stuff they don't like and don't want to hear that gets banned, but that's all Bad Speech that clearly shouldn't be said by anyone.

Unfortunately, students seem among the most prone to restrict First Amendment rights -- I actually think the resolution as passed still does violate at least the principles of the First Amendment (I don't know if student councils at public schools are governments and so bound by the First Amendment, which is the main reason I'm not sure if it violates the letter); showing the flag is absolutely protected speech (just like showing it in a way contrary to the flag code, or for that matter burning it). Sadly, at least the most vocal students have a tendency to push the idea that "XYZ is hate speech, and shouldn't be allowed" -- it's really quite depressing how often student groups try to force schools and other student groups to do things like disinvite speakers they don't like.

Here is a more reasonable and liable news source (in my opinion): http://dailycaller.com/2015/03/06/us-college-bans-american-flag-to-be-more-inclusive/

 

Yes, it is a conservative website, but its less manipulative. Anway, people nowadays try to ban anything they don't like. Like I said, this seems to be a popular thing to do among liberals in California, as well as other liberal states (Like I said, not all are like this). I guess they cannot tolerate the fact that people have different viewpoints. The rest of the school has really no say on what happens on this student body.

I'm no proponent of blind patriotism and I think nationalism is dangerous, but to ban all flags from a specific place is rather pointless. I understand the "inclusive space" argument, but I think this kind of measure isn't necessary for a space to be inclusive. 

 

sums it up pretty much

 

 

This is not only retarded and contradictory, but complete fucking bull shit. You'd think that the American flag would actually represent cultural diversity, equality, freedom, and civil rights. To ban a flag that is supposed to represent these, for these reasons doesn't make any sense. Then again this isn't surprising. California is a well-known left-wing paradise when it comes to politics. Liberal indoctrination has such a wonderful effect on American schools.

 

Only in California would I expect something like this. Mass amounts of illegal aliens, celebrities that "advocate" to "save the world" while drowning in their own wealth, and "progressive" liberals. I'm sure America isn't surprised at this, I'm sure not. Especially in a state like California. If you have a problem with the American flag, get out of America. We don't want you here, nor do we need you here.

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by CriminalKillaz

Why do so many people get so worked up over a piece of material with some pretty colours and shapes on it? It all seems rather pointless to me.

Here is an unbiased source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-american-flag--ban-uc-irvine-20150306-story.html

 

It's important for everyone to calm down with their patriotism and try to understand some of the details. This decision was made my student representatives who voted to take down the flags of all nations in an "inclusive space" where all students are supposed to feel welcomed. This is how democracy works sometimes, it doesn't always produce great results. 

 

What is infinitely more disturbing than this decision is that right-wing groups all across the country are using the flag as a symbol of their hatred.

 

 

 

 

So cut the bullshit and stop soiling the flag with the most un-American views possible.

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by RyanHunter24

Why do so many people get so worked up over a piece of material with some pretty colours and shapes on it? It all seems rather pointless to me.

If you were in America, you'd probably be shot down for saying that, or beaten. This is as ignorant as it can get, and it's not surprising when it comes from a foreigner.

 

You could have always, you know, looked it up...

 

http://www.faithdeployed.com/2011/06/what-does-the-u-s-flag-really-mean/

Here is an unbiased source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-american-flag--ban-uc-irvine-20150306-story.html

 

It's important for everyone to calm down with their patriotism and try to understand some of the details. This decision was made my student representatives who voted to take down the flags of all nations in an "inclusive space" where all students are supposed to feel welcomed. This is how democracy works sometimes, it doesn't always produce great results. 

 

What is infinitely more disturbing than this decision is that right-wing groups all across the country are using the flag as a symbol of the hatred.

 

 

 

 

So cut the bullshit and stop soiling the flag with the most un-American views possible.

That's not hatred, it's truth.

If you were in America, you'd probably be shot down for saying that, or beaten. This is as ignorant as it can get, and it's not surprising when it comes from a foreigner.

 

You could have always, you know, looked it up...

 

http://www.faithdeployed.com/2011/06/what-does-the-u-s-flag-really-mean/

That's not hatred, it's truth.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

 

Do you agree with this?

As a left-libertarian, this makes me angry and pissed off if this is true. I personally believe that anyone can carry the flag and do what they want with it as long as you do not hurt anyone. This includes the right to carry or burn the flag.

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by TheAntiCapitalist

What is infinitely more disturbing than this decision is that right-wing groups all across the country are using the flag as a symbol of their hatred.

 

 

 

 

So cut the bullshit and stop soiling the flag with the most un-American views possible.

 That. Thanks for pointing it out for everyone to see.

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by Hystery

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

 

Do you agree with this?

As usual, you aren't fully understanding the concept. The United States welcomes legal immigration. We welcome those willing to come here to work, contribute to society, and not leech off of government benefits.

 

We DON'T welcome those who decide to hop the border, live for free, and commit crime. Illegal immigration and legal immigration are two separate things. Don't get them confused, because it makes you look ignorant.

If you were in America, you'd probably be shot down for saying that, or beaten. This is as ignorant as it can get, and it's not surprising when it comes from a foreigner.

It's a piece of material with shapes and colours on it. It doesn't identify you, nor should you identify yourself with it.

It's a piece of material with shapes and colours on it. It doesn't identify you, nor should you identify yourself with it.

This has got to be the dumbest crap I've ever read, personally. You clearly don't understand the concept, so why should I bother arguing with you. Once you do some research rather than call the flag a piece of cloth, then you can come back and argue with me on its meaning. Right now, you don't have a clue what you're talking about. You're just someone in another country that doesn't know anything about American history, heritage, or culture.

 

I'll even do your research for you.

 

http://bit.ly/1Eq5aeK

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by CriminalKillaz

As usual, you aren't fully understanding the concept. The United States welcomes legal immigration. We welcome those willing to come here to work, contribute to society, and not leech off of government benefits.

 

We DON'T welcome those who decide to hop the border, live for free, and commit crime. Illegal immigration and legal immigration are two separate things. Don't get them confused, because it makes you look ignorant.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,"

 

Those were words that our country was built on. When I see people trying to hop the border, I see tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free. When you see them, you think of leeches that are coming to live for free and commit crimes. Our country was built by illegal immigrants. Personally, I think they did a damn good job.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,"

 

Those were words that our country was built on. When I see people trying to hop the border, I see tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free. When you see them, you think of leeches that are coming to live for free and commit crimes. Our country was built by illegal immigrants. Personally, I think they did a damn good job.

Nope. Our country was built by those who came to seek freedom, work, and make a living. Illegal immigrants haven't contributed a damned thing to American society. I support immigration, I don't support illegal immigration. To support illegal immigration makes no logical sense. What part of ILLEGAL do you not understand? Seriously? They are ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. What part of that word do you not understand? ILLEGAL. It's against the LAW. The LAW. The LAW. Doesn't matter if you think it's a good thing, it's ILLEGAL, ILLEGAL, ILLEGAL.

 

Maybe saying the word 5 times will help you comprehend it. They are ILLEGAL immigrants. ILLEGAL immigrants did not build this country. 

 

Edit: You also clearly don't understand what that passage even means. It means that America welcomes those who come to seek a better life. Those who come to work, who come for freedom. It doesn't welcome those who hop the border and want everything for free. If you want to come into America, no problem. Just do it the RIGHT way, don't try to manipulate the system.

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by CriminalKillaz

This has got to be the dumbest crap I've ever read, personally. You clearly don't understand the concept, so why should I bother arguing with you. Once you do some research rather than call the flag a piece of cloth, then you can come back and argue with me on its meaning. Right now, you don't have a clue what you're talking about. You're just someone in another country that doesn't know anything about American history, heritage, or culture.

Symbolically, our flag represents our struggles, rights, and integrity. In the end though, it is still a piece of cloth.I support carrying the flag, waving the flag, burning the flag, you name it, as long as no one harms anyone else as a result. 

Edited March 7, 201511 yr by TheAntiCapitalist