AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Inadvertant Racism?

I believe I am a cut-and-paste job from the above two . . much like the USA is a cut-and-paste job when you think about it. No-one ever said the fabric of society couldn't be a quilt.

Excellent point.
BTW, it was only based upon your presence and moniker on this board that I failed to include my other one....
I believe in the superiority of the Mizzou Tigers ! ( jayhawk fans hate that one):)

I have found that everyone has at least one serious character flaw. You have revealed yours. Mine is that, for the last 23 years, I have drawn a paycheck from the University of Missouri (at the KC campus). I can live with this. Especially in retirement. In San Pedro.

Ha!!! Now that is the funniest thing I have read on here in a while.
Knowing the bureaucracy of the University system, that explains your position quite well. Best of luck to you spending those tuition dollars well in San Pedro someday.

I'm a few years from retirement, but less than three months from another 2 weeks in SP. We have it scheduled so we can get back in plenty of time to see my Hawks pummel Mizzou at Arrowhead!! (I never know when to quit!!)

B&G, very, very well said.

I will add:
I've never owned a slave or been a slave, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you. But sadly, all of those things are part of our history and we do well to remember them less they be repeated.
I believe if you don't like the way things are here, it is your responsibility to work to effect change before you start complaining about the failure of others to do so.
I am thankful that the symbolism of the American flag is strong enough to stand proudly next to that of flags from a wide variety of other countries which are just as strong in their own right.
This IS America. I believe "love it" and "leave it" are not the only choices. It is not perfect but it is my home and I will do my very best to make it the most welcoming home possible.
I believe God never left our country. He's willing to have a conversation with anyone who's interested, but He does not force His will on anyone. And He doesn't like America best.
I believe the most awesome thing about being American is recognizing that there are no "true Americans" as we all came from somewhere else and it is the combination of so many rich heritages that makes this country the unique blessing it is.

Linking these 2 thoughts....

Section 8 of the "Flag Laws" states in part

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;

and yet this?

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque jury today convicted a University of New Mexico student who hauled down and ripped apart a Mexican flag flying over the campus last year.

Peter Lynch, 30, had claimed he acted out of patriotism, not racism, but jurors agreed with the prosecution that he committed criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor.

The jury heard testimony on Monday and closing arguments this morning. The verdict was returned shortly after noon.

El Centro de la Raza, a student group that claimed ownership of owned the flag, called it an act of racism. Shortly after the incident Lynch told KRQE News 13 he wanted to replace the flag for them.

However Lynch, who did not testify during the trial, has said it was inappropriate for a foreign flag to be flying alone on U. S. soil. The Mexican flag had been raised with administration permission for a campus event, and it later came out the U. S. flag was missing because of a communication breakdown involving UNM ROTC cadets.

Lynch said he alerted UNM officials that the Mexican flag was alone, but no one did anything.

Today in court his attorney said he was protecting an American symbol.

"I respectfully submit to you if the constitution on the First Amendment permits burning an American flag belonging to another, Peter Lynch's actions protecting the symbol of the United States is protected activity," defense attorney John D'Amato said in his closing argument.

But prosecutors said Lynch took it too far.

"There is no reasonable doubt in this case," assistant district attorney Greer Rose told jurors. "We have two different admissions by the defendant that he ripped this flag in half and testimony he didn't have permission to do that."

Lynch is not happy with the decision plans to appeal.

"We were fairly disappointed with the verdict, and we'll see where it goes from here," D'Amato said as he left the courtroom.

Immediately after the verdict Metro Court Judge Clyde DeMersseman sentence Lynch to a six-month deferred sentence plus anger management, 48 hours of community service and supervised probation. He also must replace the flag for El Centro de la Raza.

News 13 contacted Centro de la Raza for their opinion on the verdict and sentencing, but a representative did not want to comment.

Also today KRQE.com Web Question asked for opinions on Lynch destroying the Mexican flag. By late afternoon the responses were:

* 76 percent saying it Lynch was right
* 24 percent saying he was wrong

To Recap: this was a Mexican flag, flying alone at a State University, from Friday through until Monday morning, and was pulled down after requests to have it removed were ignored?

Well we certainly wouldn't want to hurt anyone's "feelings" would we? even an organization that has declared it wishes to remove border states from the USA? Would an Al Qaeda flag be allowed at UNM?

How would the citizens of Belize feel about a flag of Guatemala being flow alone on Government property?

Apparently, its only OK to destroy an American Flag?

And will any reply address this issue, or become a discussion of La Razas good deeds?

Inappropriate seems to replace illegal these days (by certain folk, but only for their own ends). Count me in the 76%. Unfortunately, no one cares if WE are offended. Political correctness is defined as being extremely careful not to offend people who don't particularly care if they offend you.

"To Recap: this was a Mexican flag, flying alone at a State University, from Friday through until Monday morning, and was pulled down after requests to have it removed were ignored?"

Lynch was not on trial for " Pulling" down the Mexican flag!
he was on trail for destroying personal property!

" Jurors agreed with the prosecution that he committed criminal damage to property, a misdemeanor."

Lynch was correct when he stated "it was inappropriate for a foreign flag to be flying alone on U. S. soil."

But removing the flag is as far as he should have gone. Destruction was the criminal act.


"We have two different admissions by the defendant that he ripped this flag in half and testimony he didn't have permission to do that."

He is guilty!!

..or maybe he just acted inappropriately