Comments on: Flag Stomping Could Cost South Carolina Teacher His Job

By: Yeppers

Yeppers — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:33:51 +0000

Reading these comments, it is readily apparent that most people only read the headline and not the story.

Stomping on the flag, yea that was extreme and probably (definitely) not necessary; but the point he was trying to get across is a valid one. A symbol, by itself, means nothing without the understanding and devotion behind it. Symbols can also become distorted by time, or by people wishing to further their own causes.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 14:52:37 +0000

Oh my. It was a LESSON that engaged the students which obviously worked because they paid attention. He didn’t instruct the students to stomp on the flag or protest the US. He didn’t shout anti-American slurs. The problem is that the BOE members are so out of touch with what happens IN a classroom they could never understand how teachers struggle to teach the curriculum. I can’t even get my students to stand up for the Pledge, no less recite it. I feel bad for this teacher.

By: Fail

Fail — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:23:34 +0000

Many academicians have a disdain for the American Flag, including, apparently, W. W. (Bill) Woolsey, who is a professor at the Citadel (a military school), and Mayor of the Town of James Island, SC. While setting himself up as qualified to be a party to making laws governing his constituents, he seems to consider himself and his Town above the law when it comes to obeying United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10. This law requires the American Flag be flown in front of every public building and I guess that includes town halls. Of course I could be all wrong about this and I apologize if so. Perhaps the media could look into this and explain if, and why, the Town of James Island is exempt? Perhaps an innocent oversight, but then that would make you wonder what other oversights the town has made or will in the future. Is this another bunch of liberal elitist, who feel that they, above all others, are best qualified to tell the masses how to behave because they feel we, the people, are too ignorant to think for ourselves?? Maybe the town should just secede from to Union if it can’t or won’t honor the Stars and Stripes!

By: IdiotZen

IdiotZen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:23:21 +0000

The Constitution lets him do what he did. However, I don’t think it also extends to protect him from the consequences of doing so.

The school board exists to address the concerns of the parents. They would be remiss if they didn’t fire him. “The school board became aware of Compton’s allegedly unpatriotic act after receiving numerous complaints from parents.”

The teacher exercised his Freedom of Speech with his lesson. The parents exercised theirs by publicizing and demonizing him for it. The school board is doing their duty to their taxpayers and will make their decisions accordingly. I don’t see how the system isn’t working, nor were anyone’s rights being violated.

By: Jeno

Jeno — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:35:41 +0000

Teaching children the power of symbolism is admirable. Many of you miss the point of the lesson. He was trying to show them that an object is just an object until you love and respect that object. He taught them a great lesson. If any of you take offense to that because he did it front of kids (smart kids at that, it was an advanced placement class after all) then perhaps you should start scrutinizing your own parenting styles. If you feel that your own child would not have taken the lesson for what it was meant for then you are failing at your own job. His goal was obviously an attempt at teaching them to respect not only their own symbols, but symbols that are important to others as well.

As far as the public information officer saying that people were offended because it is a very patriotic town, I call BS! Every town in America is a patriotic one. They have probably been wanting to fire this man for his liberal ideas about respecting everyone’s beliefs and not just your own beliefs for quite some time.

By: ToolMan41

ToolMan41 — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:11:40 +0000

A lot of you folks are missing the point. Yes, it his right to deface the flag, BUT, as an American, it was a stupid thing to do. There is also a code of conduct concerning the flag, solely BECAUSE so many people have fought and died to protect it as a symbol of our nation. As has been stated in the past, free speech does not give one the freedom to yell “fire” in a crowded theater. I don’t understand why respect for ones’ country and the lives lost to preserve our way of life has become something to be ashamed of. Be proud of the U.S., it’s unlike any other country on earth-in a good way!

By: RangerJoe

RangerJoe — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:13:26 +0000

What I haven’t heard anyone express, yet…unless I missed it somewhere is that…were this a citizen on the street expressing their personal views, Yes, they certainly do have the constitutional right that I and others fought for to express those views…BUT as with any decision, with that right of expression comes the expectation of consequence…pat on the back or punch in the nose. freedom does not come without consequence. That being said, his expressing his personal political views and desicrating a symbol of the USA in a classroom setting as a paid public school teacher (with or without the BS tenure) is not a constitutional issue any more than would be his stomping a Mexican or Islamic flag or preaching pro/anti abortion or gay rights opinions in the same setting.

By: Harold

Harold — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 22:08:52 +0000

The teacher was teaching his kids to think. Something rare in our schools today. Everyone go look up the meanings of “symbol” and “represents” because you definitely missed the point and the teachable moment. The students who didn’t understand the lesson, never will. Just like their parents.

By: Hillyer

Hillyer — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:53:44 +0000

So…do we NOT live in the land of the free and the brave? EVERYONE who says he should be fired are the problem here, not him. Is freedom of speech and expression just when it suits your beliefs? And the ironic thing here is that if the issue is put back into context, it sounds like he was espousing alll the things that make this country great. We are not dictated to by symbols, but by beliefs and no one can stomp on my beliefs. They are within me.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:44:06 +0000

Fire Him. We do not need teachers with poor judgment teaching our kids. And regardless of what his intentions were this was POOR judgement.