UC Irvine bans the American Flag. How is this legal?

2015-03-06T19:38:24-05:00

Should this mean they ban federal funding too?http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/03/06/students-at-uc-irvine-vote-to-ban-american-flag/

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 6 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-03-06T20:01:31-05:00

I disagree with it.

Absolutely disagree with it.

But, Freedom means making bad decisions as well as good ones.

We don't just Protect Speech, Expression, Assembly, Rights, et al, we agree with. We Protect them all. Even when we loath the person expressing them.

Hate Speech is just as protected as any other speech. There is no requirement to fly a flag anywhere. We do it as a representative of our ideals. If these yahoos don't feel it represents them, it is the Right not to display it. I would rather them not display it all, than them display it falsely.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 6 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-03-06T20:34:40-05:00

It is legal because the are exercising their 1st Amendment right to freedom of expression Do I have to like it hell no is there anything that legally can be done probably not. I would love to see Federal funding pulled from the University but I do not see that happening either.

Response by Sgt David B made Mar 7 at 2015 6:29 AM

2015-03-07T06:29:48-05:00

I don't think they should lose funding for the sole reason that I've never voted during any of my university's little shindigs, but I don't understand why they'd take away the American flag. I'd feel no different if I was an international student in China and they were flying their flag in case I forgot where I was.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 7 at 2015 7:24 AM

2015-03-07T07:24:25-05:00

Let's see if the power of the veto is exercised....they have a chance to right themselves, I won't hold my breath though.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Mar 7 at 2015 7:50 AM

2015-03-07T07:50:43-05:00

According to the below article:

A post on the university's Facebook page on Friday made light of the bill reading in part, "Contrary to what you might be hearing, flags are still flying at UC Irvine," alongside a picture of the American flag.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/06/uc-irvine-ban-flag_n_6821316.html

UC Irvine Student Government Bans American Flag, Others From Campus Area

March 6 (Reuters) - The student council of a southern California university passed a bill that would ban the hanging of any national flag in the common area of student government offices, school of

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Mar 7 at 2015 9:44 AM

2015-03-07T09:44:32-05:00

They need to figure this out on their own. It is a free speech kind of thing. Likewise, I may exercise my freedom of speech by letting those students know that they are completely missing the point and probably not getting their parent's monies worth of education.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Mar 7 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-03-07T10:00:39-05:00

All part of free speech.
So you might ask what can we do. I have one simple answer.
Transfer to another school
Do not buy any products that have there logo
Do not go to any sporting events
This is how we could change all this b---sh-t let our hard earned dollars speak.
Because as the school goes down so does the funding and then the school closes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 11:24 AM

2015-03-07T11:24:29-05:00

To paraphrase something I saw...

We are so worried about protecting the culture of those entering our country we have forgotten to protect the culture of our own country!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 11:45 AM

2015-03-07T11:45:30-05:00

SMH only in California!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-03-07T12:07:14-05:00

Sad part is this school has an Army ROTC program.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 7 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-03-07T16:33:34-05:00

Do you really think that California cares what We the People think? I live in California and can vouch that this place is an asylum and yes, the lunatics are running it. They fund Bezzerkly which is guilty of even more heinous transgressions against good taste. I don't expect the UCI will suffer.

Should there be a law? Hell no. This isn't a Sharia state. Not yet. People are free to do what they want. Actually, I'm glad the students at UCI voted against displaying the flag. It makes my job of warning others about the state of our schools much easier.

If we have any hope of restoring faith and pride in America, we can't start at the college level. We have to go back into the grade schools, the intermediate schools, the high schools, where all these ideas were planted. We have to restore civics classes taught by teachers with pride in America. Actually, this might be a good job opportunity for veterans.

We have to cull out professors who indoctrinate rather than educate their students.

Moreover, we have to neuter the all-too-powerful teachers unions that promote and protect these people.

We need to require all teachers to have some real world experience. How can we expect teachers to be connected to reality when they have never seen the world outside of a classroom or a college campus?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-03-07T18:51:12-05:00

If you don't love America enough to have the red white and blue flying over your campus then you don't love America enough to receive funding...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-03-07T21:24:50-05:00

It's in California. What do you expect? They are always trying to be different. Besides, it's their right to do so. No offense to Californians, but you know they have a lot of fruits and nuts. ( Here comes the old down thumb.) (-;

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Mar 7 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-03-07T22:08:58-05:00

I know I'm going to take a hit for this but I gotta say it... This is just another example of the liberal mindset and their false liberal utopia. You know what to shame just because of the name of the place silly parents are Guinness and their young daughters and sons to get another education off a liberal who hates America. So sad..... Go ahead everybody down vote me I don't care anymore

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Mar 7 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-03-07T22:48:02-05:00

"along with every other flag from the lobby of a complex housing the offices of the student government."

Not the campus. I'm sure they are flying flag in every other location. They removed flags from the student government lobby, calm down its just a headline.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 7 at 2015 11:14 PM

2015-03-07T23:14:16-05:00

Tell me this isn't a great country. Any weenie can be free to burn the very flag of their own nation and no one chops off their head. I bet the same said weenie gets federal assistance.

Response by SGT Francis Wright made Mar 8 at 2015 12:15 AM

2015-03-08T00:15:40-05:00

The administration vetoed, the student council. Kids.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 12:17 AM

2015-03-08T00:17:22-05:00

What really bothers me most about things like this is that, although mostly Democrat hacks are behind this, there are still people, some even in the Military, that support the Democrat party. And for those that don't believe indoctrination is occurring, the students voted to ban the flag. Where did they get these ideas if they aren't being indoctrinated during the K-12 grades.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-03-08T00:28:49-05:00

Looks like it was veto'd ... http://www.asuci.uci.edu/flag/

Statement from the ASUCI Executive Cabinet
The statement below is from the ASUCI Executive Cabinet, the student leaders of ASUCI
Link to Legislation R50-70

Executive Cabinet Veto of R50-70

We the Executive Cabinet of the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine convened on March 7th, 2015 to officially veto ASUCI Legislative Council legislation R50-70, “Flags and decoration adjustment for inclusivity”. We engage in this action to veto under the constitutional authority granted to us under Article V, Section B, Sub-Section 2 of the ASUCI Constitution stating:

“Vetoing, as seen fit, any measures adopted by the Legislative Council, provided such an action be exercised only once per measure, and within six (6) days from the date of the measure being passed, after which time, the measure shall become legislation with or without the Executive Cabinet’s approval.”

We fundamentally disagree with the actions taken by ASUCI Legislative Council and their passage of R50-70 as counter to the ideals that allow us to operate as an autonomous student government organization with the freedoms of speech and expression associated with it. It is these very symbols that represent our constitutional rights that have allowed for our representative creation and our ability to openly debate all ranges of issues and pay tribute to how those liberties were attained.

As students in an academic institution we encourage all students on campus to participate in open debate about a wide array of issues and to actively engage in academic curiosity, which lies at the backbone of a preeminent academic research institution. It is this freedom to be able to navigate and explore topics on a wide range of issues that we see at risk if we begin to engage in a particular form of regulation of free speech and its expression through symbols in any space associated with our organization.

We as well want to reaffirm our commitment to diversity as a campus in all aspects and ideals associated with it. The concept of inclusion and diversity is a core pillar in the mission of University of California system and we wish to continue to work to have these important discussions of what our campus is doing to make this a priority.

Signed:

ASUCI Executive Cabinet

Update on ASUCI Legislation R50-70

Message from UCI March 12, 2015 – After further consultation with University Administration, it has been decided that tonight’s Legislative Council will be cancelled due to continued security concerns. The measure of highest importance for the University is the safety and well-being of all students and the campus community at-large. FROM THE ASUCI EXECUTIVE CABINET

Response by Cpl Eric Mosher made Mar 8 at 2015 12:53 AM

2015-03-08T00:53:27-05:00

Thankfully, the executive council at the school finally came to their senses and reeled in the idiots..

http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/California-student-group-bans-American-flag-from-6120962.php

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Mar 8 at 2015 9:12 AM

2015-03-08T09:12:39-04:00

In a word. Yes they should lose ALL State and Federal Funding and ALL flags including the Rainbow Flag must also be banned

Response by A1C Markus Frank made Mar 8 at 2015 10:58 AM

2015-03-08T10:58:09-04:00

If this refers to public space, the university needs to enforce the law. If this is private space - up to the students.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Mar 8 at 2015 2:20 PM

2015-03-08T14:20:59-04:00

"Four days after its birth, the radical push to remove national symbols from student government facilities was dead ..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/08/uc-irvine-students-just-banned-the-american-flag-on-campus-for-a-little-while-anyway/?hpid=z5

‘Threat of violence’ cancels meeting to discuss flag-banning on UC Irvine campus

Resolution called for the banning of flags in student government office. It has since been vetoed.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 2:27 PM

2015-03-08T14:27:52-04:00

Just saw the Irvine Student Leaders vetoed the ban on American Flag:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Orange-County-University-Students-Vote-to-Ban-American-Flag-295473791.html

Give the kids a chance and they will make the right decision :-)

UC Irvine's Ban on American Flag Vetoed

UC Irvine student leaders on Saturday vetoed a resolution that banned the American flag from being displayed in the lobby of the student government offices, according to a post on the school’s website.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-03-08T15:11:12-04:00

Why should the American government fund anyone that refuses to fly the American flag?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 8 at 2015 4:37 PM

2015-03-08T16:37:51-04:00

What if they voted to fly the ISIS flag. Is that freedom of speech or treason?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 8 at 2015 7:36 PM

2015-03-08T19:36:11-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/08/living/feat-uc-irvine-student-council-ban-american-flag/index.html

Student council vetoes American flag ban - CNN.com

Student leaders at the University of California-Irvine veto resolution banning flags, including America's Stars and Stripes, amid widespread criticism.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Mar 9 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-03-09T01:15:25-04:00

WHAT THE FUCK!!!!???? HELL NO!! LOVE IT OR GET THE FUCK OUT!!!!!

Response by TSgt Joshua Lynch made Mar 9 at 2015 1:59 AM

2015-03-09T01:59:51-04:00

So how do our institutions keep taking our traditions and craping on them?

Response by PO3 Omar Olmeda made Mar 9 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-03-09T10:42:15-04:00

It's California.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Mar 9 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-03-09T11:26:51-04:00

I am not a fan of lawsuits. But I cannot think of another way to get UC Irvine to come before a judge and attempt to defend this blatant violation of freedom of speech on campus.

What symbol is more inclusive in its philosophy than American idealism? We welcome more legal immigrants than any other nation. We educate more foreign nationals at the undergraduate and graduate levels than any other nation. We provide more foreign assistance than any other nation. From our founding to now, we have been and are a melting pot of cultures and nations. So, sue their arses and force them to defend their decision in court.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Mar 10 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-03-10T10:53:04-04:00

Does the Bear Flag still fly over the campus?

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Mar 10 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-03-10T12:22:30-04:00

Well, if they do not like the symbol of the United States, then they must not like funding from the United States.

Let's give them what they want.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-03-10T21:22:54-04:00

Idiots.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 11 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-03-11T19:35:44-04:00

Interesting update:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/uc-irvines-american-flag-ban-spurs-lawmakers-propose-flag-amendment

UC Irvine's American Flag Ban Sparks Controversy, Possible Flag Amendment

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 11 at 2015 7:41 PM

2015-03-11T19:41:27-04:00

Interesting update on this:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/uc-irvines-american-flag-ban-spurs-lawmakers-propose-flag-amendment

UC Irvine's American Flag Ban Sparks Controversy, Possible Flag Amendment

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 11:09 PM

2015-03-14T23:09:49-04:00

If America offends you, then LEAVE

Response by PO2 Michael Berry made Mar 22 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-03-22T12:23:47-04:00

NO U.S. flag then NO government funding, including grants, student loans or any other help that can be tied to government support either directly or indirectly. They should not be able to participate in any interschool activities or NCAA events and must pay all taxes the any citizen or business would have to.

You are either with us or against us, it's just that simple. If you do not like it then leave this country to go to a place that makes you happy. If the school does not comply then they forfeit their certifications.

The next school that tries the same stupid actions automatically gets shutdown. Am I hard core and anal about people trying to change the core values that this country was founded on? You bet, and I will fight to the death to keep those core values strong.

Response by PO1 Michael Rohman made Mar 25 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-03-25T13:43:11-04:00

It's my opinion that the university should have whomever was behind the banning be removed from that institution, be it student or staff. It's a state run university (supposedly) and should fly both federal and state flags, daily!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 26 at 2015 3:10 AM

2015-06-26T03:10:57-04:00

Since this discussion was combined with another from today, 25JUN15, I'll say this. I am NOT condoning this at all, but the flag ban applied to all flags and not just the US flag on the UC-I campus.

Furthermore, the ban got overturned by a 6-4 vote (sadly not a very big margin).

I also am not surprised that the students who voted to ban all flags do not seem to be from the United States of America. America is good enough to go to school in, but not respect our country and our flag?

In every country I have EVER been in I have stood at attention with my hand over my heart during the playing of their National Anthem and saluted their flag if I was in uniform.