CINCO DE NO-NO

No doubt you are aware of the five high school students who were sent home for wearing shirts with the American flag on them on Cinco de Mayo.   Apparently some Mexican-American students were offended by the wearing of the American flag on American soil during a Mexican holiday that is not formally recognized as a holiday in this country, and so, naturally, the three students were punished for their "defiance" (Via NBC News):

"They said if we tried to go back to class with our shirts not taken off, they said it was defiance and we would get suspended," Dominic Maciel, Galli's friend, said.

My question about this whole tempest in a teapot is this - why are we now being forced to observe another country's independence day?  What next, official observance of Bastille Day?  Maybe a solemn (but drunken, no doubt) marking of the occasion of the Bolshevic Revolution?

"They said we could wear it on any other day," Daniel Galli said, "but today is sensitive to Mexican-Americans because it's supposed to be their holiday so we were not allowed to wear it today."

For heaven's sake - the day, for a majority of Americans, is a day to eat Mexican food and toss back a few margaritas.  No offense intended, but it's like St. Patrick's Day, except in spanish, with refried beans and tequila instead of corned beef and beer.

We here in America love to celebrate the 4th of July, and it is an important day for us, but we don't expect foreigners to solemnly observe this country's independence if they don't feel the urge - after all, it's not their country, what do they care?  Just feel free to have a hot dog and a beer and enjoy the fireworks!  And if you want to wear a t-shirt with the Mexican flag on it, go for it.  The only thing we ask is that you don't denigrate our country on it's birthday - that's disrespectful.  But wearing a t-shirt with a foreign flag on it?  Puhleeze.  What's the big deal?  The kids weren't starting a fight, they weren't saying that Mexico was a horrible place, they were just quietly showing their support for their country.  I do believe they are still allowed to do that under the 1st Amendment - at least for now.

The only Independence Day we need to celebrate in this country is the 4th of July, thankyouverymuch.  At no time should there ever be a day in this country where American citizens are not allowed to show their patriotism by wearing Old Glory.  Anyone offended by that should get over it.

Why is it that no one is mentioning that the kids were sent home for their own protection? 

The boys said the administrators called their T-shirts "incendiary" that would lead to fights on campus.

All they were doing was sitting and eating their lunches.  They weren't picking fights and talking trash about Mexico and Mexicans.  They were merely wearing t-shirts and bandannas with an American symbol on them.  They should be able to do that in this country without fear of violence.

One more thing - here is a little article from the St. Peter, MN Herald:

Beyond the historical significance, however, Cinco de Mayo provides a great opportunity for the entire community to recognize the strong ties of family, economy and culture that bind the United States and Mexico. This celebration is also a warm expression of friendship between the neighboring countries.

St. Peter has offered its hand of friendship to its “sister city,” Petatlán, México. On May 8th, representatives from Petatlán will be attending the Cinco de Mayo Celebration and will participate in a formal ceremony, along with Mayor, Tim Strand, acknowledging the sister city relationship.

What the heck is that all about?  Sister cities?  A formal ceremony with the Mayor?  Sounds rather "one people, one continent", doesn't it?
 
While we're at it, how about if Ireland and Massachusetts join up with sister cities, because there are so many Irish in the state.  Then they can start forcing those citizens to observe Irish holidays.  Hey, why not have every state in the union get adopted by a foreign country!  It's all about the 'Global Community', right?  What better way to 'integrate'?
 
Why is it, though, that WE are the only ones at risk of losing our national identity in all of this?

CINCO DE NO-NO