GraniteGrok

Sirs,

The First Amendment does permit your student this activity of flag desecration  - she was well within her rights to do so as established by law and by judicial decisions.  Yet, in that art class of hers, along with the obligatory discussion of her rights, was there also part of the discussion dealing with the responsibilities that go hand in hand with those rights?  From what I have seen, the answer is, sadly, no.

The American flag is our national symbol.  While many decry this nation for its faults (and indeed, they are there), it also a nation that has done many wonderful and good things for not only its own citizens but for people world wide.  That flag that she most cavalierly used as a mere art object is a symbol of the ideals of this country that most of us hold near and dear to our hearts.  It's use in this way is also a continued symbol that these ideas are just passed off as arcane, and therefore, needless ones.  To demean the flag and what it stands for shows the continued denigration of our country from within the academy.  You both are to be congratulated for wrapping your rationalizations in doublespeak so as to release yourselves from any responsibility or guilt as leaders on your campus.  Well done, sirs, well done.

With political correctness all the rage on campuses across the nation, with many having speech codes (contrary to the First Amendment, I might add) that prohibit speech that cause pain and loss of esteem, I truly wonder if she realizes the pain that she has caused in other Americans that have pledged their lives in defense of that flag.  Add to that, the families of those that gave their lives to ensure that our flag continues to wave above the land of the free and the home of brave (instead of being a floor mat in some college corridor).  Again, this shows another "R" seems to be missing in action in our educational system - rights, responsibilities, and respect (plus the wisdom to show respect when required).  The latter is certainly missing from your curriculum.

As for you, Mr. Berger, "piece of cloth?"  For shame, sir, for shame.  It shows how little you truly understand that this "piece of cloth" is far, far more than the cotton and dyes with which is woven.  Nay, sir, that cloth is wrapped in the philosophical underpinnings of this country, the sacrifice of its people, and the hopes and ambitions of its citizenry.  It is also a symbol of hope for millions around the world that better is available where they themselves are truly oppressed and have no hope in their government.

Once again, you in the Academy have failed our youth in your duty to properly educate them.

Kindest regards,

Now for the comments I found 

Stop The ACLU

Grizzly Groundswell 

We have another incident of empty showboating by a half-sentient college kid who imagines herself to be making “art” and a “statement” by placing American flags on the floor in hopes that people would disrespect them enough to walk upon them. One Miss Susan Crane of the University of Maine at Farmington decided that her “art” was going to be an exercise in desecration.

[snip]

At least one fellow was incensed enough to confront the educrats at UMF. Charlie Bennett, American Legion 4th District commander, a Vietnam Vet, went on down and began to pick the flags up from the floor. Naturally, the college administrators warned him that they’d call the police for his arrest.

So, a man who put his life on the line for that flag and for the folks wandering the halls of UMF was to be arrested for his patriotism? Typical.

There is a video of Mr. Bennett confronting these anti-Americans in the hallways of UMF. Bennett was confronted by the University Provost Allen Berger who told the veteran that he “didn’t fight for a piece of cloth.” His number is 207-778-7279, and email is aberger@maine.edu.

ARRA New Service:

These art students did a project where they laid American flags on the floor of the student center for people to walk on. They brought the cops in to protect it, when some College GOP kids and vets came to try to pick them up off the ground. In the video, the university provost actually says ‘It’s just a piece of cloth,’ to the VFW guy, and one of the faculty tells the VFW chief that they are ‘actually protecting’ his freedom of speech by doing this.

Fort Hard Knox:

This is a disgrace. “Freedom of Speech,” does not include public universities sponsoring the desecration of the American flag and calling it “art”.

Gateway Pundit:

Enjoy a walk on the US flags in the student center.

The provost confronted outraged veterans who came to protest the display by saying- "It's just a piece of cloth."

Stix Blog 

I really don''t care what your political philosophy is, using the US flag in this manner is very disrespectful  to those that fought and died for our freedoms.   I am not saying this is illeagl or anything, but it is in very bad taste.  If  I was that veteran I would not be so restraint.

You have freedom of speech, and you also have the right to make an ass out of yourself.

Thurber's Thoughts:

The best thread on this is at a forum called AsMaineGoes

The school is the University of Maine at Farmington. Rumor has it they have another story brewing about a 'campus beautification program' that rejected the display of the American flag, saying specifically that it 'didn't beautify' the campus.

LeslieCarbone

The University of Maine at Farmington is apparently teaching a rather impoverished view of art.

Some students there did an "art project" that consisted of laying American flags on the floor for people to walk on.

Did the University nix the project because it required no creative vision and confused political protest with art?

Of course not. Not only did the project go on, but it was protected by guards.

Blue Collar Muse

The two University employees explain to one of the good guys, a veteran upset about the “art”, that the student’s project was approved by the University (so much for the “We didn’t know” defense later), was covered under the student’s right to free speech and that he can’t remove the flags from the floor. A third woman actually has the hubris to tell him they are protecting his Freedom of Speech by permitting the “art”. The veteran is further advised that his standing in front of the “art” with a home made sign reading “DISGRACEFUL” will not be permitted and that if he persists in doing so he will be escorted off the grounds, although they later agree to let him stay. There is, however, a police officer right next to the vet who enthusiastically agrees to remove him if necessary should the vet seek to defend his beloved flag from desecration. One of the employees further engages the veteran in a debate in which he tells him the flag is just “a piece of cloth” and implies his fight under the flag as a symbol of freedom was ignorant since Viet Nam was about far more than symbols. Truly these two employees are classic examples of those whose mind is so open their brains have leaked out.

Neptunus Lex

At the University of Maine, an “artist” carefully crafted a canvas of American flags to walk upon in the student union. Only think of the effort that went into such an act, the creative genius not only in conception but of execution. The sheer labor, the vaulting excellence. And there’s no call to grumble there, old man: After all, according to the university provost, the flag is “only a piece of cloth,” it has no symbolism or meaning. It doesn’t stand for you and me, or liberty and freedom, or hope and democracy, nor yet for all the legions that went down to their death to give it that meaning. Might as well have been McDonald’s wrappers laying there. Or Korans, theoretically, at least if such “efforts” were ever to require real courage.

Mario Burgos

What's Wrong with Our Universities
In New Mexico the University encourages the prosecution of a student veteran for honoring the United States flag code. In Maine, University officials mock a veteran for attempting to stop the desecration of American flags.