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School Lowers American Flag, Elevates Foreign Flag

An elementary school in Colorado came under criticism after they lowered the American flag and elevated a Saudi Arabian flag.

The principal at Bauder Elementary School in Fort Collins said they did not mean to disrespect the American flag, according to a report in the Greeley Gazzette.

Principal Brian Carpenter told the newspaper that the American flag was immediately returned to its proper and prominent position at the school.

He explained that other flags are posted around the school to recognize the nationalities of students from other countries.

A photograph showing the raised Saudi flag alongside the lowered American flag was first posted on the Greeley Report, a local blog. It generated lots of local debate.

“We realize this is an extremely sensitive time with us getting close to the 10th anniversary of 9/11,” Carpenter told the Gazzette. “There is an increased amount of alertness and sensitivity, but if someone is concerned about something to do with our flag I will settle the issue right away.”

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58 Comments

  1. RobHoey

    September 5, 2011 at 10:11 am

    It isn't only about 9-11 as the idiot Carpenter said. It isn't only about sensitive times. It's about being an American first and stopping this PC bs. Where I live, Muslims are praying every Friday in 14 high school cafeterias throughout the city, but Christmas and Channukah are forbidden to be shown in any display form and the word "God" is taboo. Christians are now the lower class and Jews are targets because the USA is more concerned with the rights of a tiny minority of muslims who refuse to identify with this nation, refuse to assimilate, and actually believe they are better than we infidels. Wake up America–look at the west in places like Londonistan

    • Paul

      September 7, 2011 at 8:01 pm

      couldn't agree more. Forget being politically correct. If you don't like it then go to another country.

    • A Texan

      September 7, 2011 at 11:04 pm

      1. They do not need those flags hanging on the wall of an American school. The pictures of flags of every country are in the books.
      2. The way they breed, they will not be the minorty for very long.

  2. Foe

    September 5, 2011 at 11:33 am

    If these school officials would have done the reverse in Saidi Arabia, they would have been hanged in the village square.

    • ian

      September 6, 2011 at 12:58 pm

      thats why were better then they are. why do you insist we stoop to the level of autocratic 3rd world regimes? can you tell me?

    • Jack

      September 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm

      Nope–beheaded

  3. Tom

    September 5, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    The principal showed an utter lack of understanding for the American flag. Have we forgot the symbolism and respect for the flag that everyone should understand? We as a society can chant and yell U-S-A and all that but when it comes to respecting and honoring all that the flay symbolizes, we apparently are ignorant to what is RIGHT with America.

    Mabe the principal needs a few days off without pay to begin to grasp the error of his ways. What an idiot.

  4. George

    September 5, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    The first question I'd ask is who did it?

  5. bsfurg

    September 5, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    and how many flags have you got flying on your school grounds.. since when do we have to show flags fromothere..countrys.. they came here to be americans so why do we need there flags…. we never did do that in the 235 years we have..

    • JShaw

      September 7, 2011 at 3:04 pm

      Right on!!!

  6. Mark Wolchko

    September 5, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Enough of this anti-Americanism in our public schools. This is little less than social indoctrination in the Soviet style. Heads should roll

    • bill

      September 6, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      yes starting with obamas and everyone elses in washington who
      do not stand on the outh they took to protect our constutition

  7. Bobbiuri

    September 5, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    I'm sure Ovomit will immediately apologize to the Saudis because we had to put our flag above theirs. Man, this country is f'd up!!

  8. fvfdgm1

    September 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    The American flag should NEVER be under a foreign country's flag, esp here in the USA!!! It has nothing to do with 9/11 & has everything to do with being an American city / state / citizen in the USA. Would you find an American flag above the flag in any other country?? NO!! If you want to recognize the different countries epresented by your students, then take small flags & hang them across the wall in a common room but never in place of the American flag. Of course if your students are American citizens, the American flag s/ suffice. Since when do Americans shy away from the flag? What gas happened to my country???

    • IRENE

      September 5, 2011 at 11:47 pm

      AS PARENTS ND GRANDPARENTS IT HIGH DAMN TIME TO INVADE THE PTA AROUND THE COUNTRY ND SCHOOL BOARD ROOM METING AND TAK OVR BOARD POITIONS AND OVR TURN THESE NON MERICA bs SO [RNTS AND GRANDPARENTS ROLL UP YOUR SLEAVS AND FIND OUT WHO ARE THE LEADERSHIP OF LOCAL PTA AND SCHOOL BOARD AND GET BUSY NOW NOT LATER TURN THIS THING AROUND AND GET THESE KIDS SAYING THE PLEASGE SINGING AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL AND GOD BLESS AMERICA AND A MONMENT OF PRAYER AT SCHOOL SO LETS DO IT NOW WHAT YA SAY.

      • ekim

        September 6, 2011 at 9:18 am

        Irene, you have the right idea ! There is no better way to turn this ship around " PEACEFULLY " than to get physically and mentally involved to engage those who would whine and bend over backward to please some small segment of this society while reducing the will of AMERICAN PATRIOTS to foolheartiness !

        TAKE A STAND, NOW ! " DO NOT TREAD ON ME ", MUST PREVAIL in every young heart in this Free America !

      • Guest

        September 6, 2011 at 12:53 pm

        Sounds like a plan but you really do need to learn how to type (and/or spell) in order to make your point clear. I found this extremely difficult to read and translate at the same time.

        • Guest

          September 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm

          To clarify – my comments are for Irene, not "fvfd…

      • Randy

        September 7, 2011 at 11:24 am

        I like that sister, GOD bless AMERICA.

    • buffy

      September 7, 2011 at 11:01 am

      I am an enrolled tribal member of the Cherokee tribe, and I fly our flag every time we fly our American one…but it's always hanging below the American flag. Wouldn't think of doing it any other way. America, you should have let the Indians keep it…we've always been proud of our country.

  9. GINGER

    September 6, 2011 at 8:20 am

    THE PRINCIPLE MUST BE A PRODUCT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM..THEY DON'T TEACH MUCH AND THAT GUY PROVES IT,,,EVERYONE KNOWS ,,NO FLAG IS EVER PUT ABOVE THE AMERICAN FLAG..ALL STATE FLAGS HAVE TO BE FLOWN UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES..ONE NEVER REPLACES THE AMERICAN FLAG..ESPECIALLY FOR ANOTHER COUNTRY'S . IF THE SAUDI STUDENTS MISS THEIR FLAG…THEY ARE FREE TO RETURN TO THAT COUNTRY.

  10. Zoe Zeta

    September 6, 2011 at 8:30 am

    Those "different Nationalities" are supposed to be Americans living in the United States of America under the American Flag and all the Freedom and Opportunity afforded by that Flag. They left their Country to come here….RESPECT THAT! The liberal idiot at that school needs to be fired!

  11. soldiermom11

    September 6, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    We are not only dumbing down our students we are dumbing down our teachers! I cannot believe that it didn't even cross this principal's mind that MAYBE this was wrong! Didn't it take some effort on his part to even find a flag from Saudi Arabia? Could he have not taken a second to google flag protocol in the process? Another lefty elitist. Makes me sick.

  12. Ruby

    September 6, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    It doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, you are now in the United States of America. This is our flag, "We The People". If you want to fly the flag of the country you left, then go back there to fly it. You are now in "our" country and we will always fly "Old Glory".

  13. Charlene

    September 6, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    I thought it was the law that in the US no foreign , state or other kind of flag could or should be flown above the U S flag. Apparently, Brian Carpenter, an educator, did not study American History and did not have a course in American Government. Sad.. He is in charge of educating children.

  14. giegie

    September 6, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Time to fire all the administrators no matter who does it, why or what positions they hold including judges and those in Washington, D.C. including the president alah.

  15. RICARDO36

    September 6, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    It just shows you how ignorant the teachers that are teaching our children are! Close the public schools, they are commie breeding nests!

  16. Dexter

    September 6, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    When are we going to insist schools teach only school subjects – not political and pc crap???? Time to ban together and keep America our country. That's why people come here so if they want to be here become an American until they revisit their own land.

  17. VWmama

    September 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Principal Carpenter you say you didn't mean to disrespect the flag, yet you allowed a foreign flag to be elevated over American flag which is one of the most glaring of examples of poor flag etiquette. Are you really that clueless? Or deep down did you really mean disrespect? You should never never never fly a foreign flag over an American flag in this country. That's your lesson for today.

  18. smith

    September 6, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Our kids are stupid because many of their teachers are morons

    • guest

      September 12, 2011 at 11:09 am

      I'd like to know how this principal made it as far in education as he did. It's ashame that there are so many educators like him that are in charge of our children

  19. Butch

    September 6, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Wonder if the esteemed Mr. Carpenter is a military vet ? Likely not. What the hell are we displaying flags from other countries anyway ? Just another of the reasons that this country is headed into the toilet, if we don't turn around. I am speechless !!

  20. desertred

    September 6, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    This nonsence of diverstiy is taking everything this nation was founded to be away…because they want this One World Order to be the governance of all people…they are trying to brainwash everyone , especially our children……well our Constitution is for Americans that come here the right way, embrace OUR Constitution, laws, ways and assimilate…out of many: ONE!! That is America….so no other flag should EVER be flown in this nation!!! We all are immigrants decendants but this is America!!..so anyone here can be proud of their ancestry but must be an American first! Stand For AMERICA NOW!!!!

  21. jlbs

    September 6, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Picture this: the back side of my hand, all fingers and thumb bent except for the middle finger, which is upright……Oh, I didn't mean any disrespect !!

    I am SO SICK AND TIRED OF THIS CRAP !! Don't these people have a brain….or an inkling of a brain? Is there any part of themselves that has an iota of patriotism? Just a bunch of stupes !!! (short for stupid)

    I'm sure there is a country in this world that will accept them. Just get the hell out of MY country !!!

  22. desertred

    September 6, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    I don't care where anyoneis from…when in OUR nation they must respect OUR laws, customs and our ways…don't liek that ; do nto come. Our OWN citizens have got to get back to the patriotism and standing for our Constitution! They are trying to get us programed for the insanity ahead in the world…read folks, research and see what world leaders have in store for the people of the world….just really listen to what is going on in these other places ……see who ids at the basis of it all and what is happening after the fighting..Check out the Muslim Brotherhood, the Summits held in the G blocks…..

  23. PENNY

    September 6, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    AS AN AMERICAN AND THE WIFE OF A STILL LIVING WWII VETERAN I KNOW DAMN WELL THE SACRIFICE MADE THAT ENABLES US TO FLY THIS BEAUTIFUL FLAG. IF THE PEOPLE FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES WANT TO SEE THEIR FLAG FLOWN FROM A POLE THEY NEED TO RETURN TO THAT COUNTRY. THIS IS STILL THE USA AND AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THIS MUSLIM RADICAL OUT OF THE WHITEHOUSE THE SOONER IT WILL STAY THE US. I'M SORRY I SOUND SO CRAZY, BUT I AM WHEN IT COMES TO LOOSING OUR FREEDOMS. WE ARE SLOWLY ONE BY ONE SEEING THIS DONE. WAKE UP AMERICANS. VOTE IN 2012 AGAINST THIS MANAIC, EVEN IF A PISS ANT RUNS AGAINST HIM.

  24. Patriot

    September 6, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Incredibly stupid! This principal demonstrates the decline in the Education System of America!! Shame on HIM! I think this is a reflection of the lack of patriotism taught in schools today. They are all trying to be so "politically correct" that they have lost all common sense and allegiance to the belief of their own country.
    It is time to get back to the basics. Throw these idiotic educators administrators out of the sytem and let them find a REAL job, like serving in the US Military. Then maybe they will learn to value the love of their freedom. God help our children and May God once again be welcome in our schools. God Bless the USA!

    • Lydia

      September 11, 2011 at 1:58 pm

      From one Patriot to another……Amen. I totally agree with you.
      I've read all these comments and the consensus is clear.
      If you want to be in the USA you accept being an American and
      all that goes with it. If you come here expecting to change us you
      should go back to the country that is YOUR HOMELAND. Our Founding Fathers did a great job putting together all we needed to
      be successful, to grow, and to be free. Our children need to know
      the TRUTH about this country and the fact that she was founded on
      Christian principles. That won't happen until individuals stand up
      to the schools and goverment and insist on it. Remember, it
      took ONE person who didn't want prayer in schools to get it
      thrown out. Where has that gotten us?

  25. Bertha Rogers

    September 6, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Under our former patriotic forefathers newcomers to this land were proud and happy to accept the ideals and practices THAT MADE THE U.S.A. to be a great place to LIVE. Other countries, religions and flags were killing them.

    Now…if we remain free…we must reinstate those ideals that give us life and liberty.

  26. JohnC. Freeport, NY

    September 6, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    This happens because we have let the schools become indoctrination centers for the Marxist left wing traitors. This is some real serious stuff, and if we do not do something about it soon, we are not going to recognize the United States of America as we once knew it. To control the people, you have to control the government, the schools, and the media. They are winning for now. It has gone far enough! Now is the time for us to act. I for one will not give up one of my rights, whether from God, or the Constitution. I will fight anyone who tries. I am a Conservative, Constitution supporting American who is armed and willing to fire some lead at anyone who tries. America, do not give up any of your rights. Fight these marxists, or they will eat you alive.
    JohnC. US Navy Vet. retired.

  27. Orionsbow

    September 6, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    There is NO EARTHLY REASON for any flag other than that of the United States of America and the state flag to be flown at ANY SCHOOL anywhere in this country. Whatever policy has been in place that allows flags of other countries to be flown along the American flag at this school is a bad policy and needs to be rescinded. Part of being an American is ACTING LIKE ONE. Enjoy your individuality at home. While at school, ACT like you love this country and want to be part of it. You care enough to be here right?

  28. Nana

    September 6, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    Why niot send the principal and any others quilty of not using the stated requirements for displaying the American Flag to Saudi Arabia and see how they enjoy the "freedoms" in that country. They should be sure to see what happens to their Bibles and crosses and freedom to assemble or speech..

  29. rbentrdr

    September 6, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Just how the hell DID he mean it???????? You never put another country's flag over your own, and even the little children at that school probably know that. Or did.

  30. teaman

    September 6, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    The United States flag, "OLD GLORY", is NEVER displayed lower than any flag PERIOD!! This principle should be FIRED, and I don't care what his excuse is. The buck stops with him!!!!

  31. amishron

    September 6, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I like how he says he will settle the matter right away if anyone has an issue with the Saudi Arabia flag being raised & the American flag being lowered. It should not have happened to begin with. That is the way to solve this issue. Another liberal who is a principal that thinks with his head up his a**.

  32. Mary

    September 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    I am sick and tired of people disrespecting our country! By George, this America and we should and could fly the American Flag any time we please and if any foreign or "domestic jerk" doesn't like it, well, it is too bad. If you dislike America, MOVE! Go where you came from. If you are an American and hate our country, leave the country. We will not miss you!!!!!!!!!!

  33. Marilyn

    September 7, 2011 at 12:38 am

    If the school has no clue about correct procedures for American flags, perhaps they should ask a Scout or someone from the military. Meanwhile, they have no business raising or lowering the flag until they are schooled in how to do so properly.

  34. chuck

    September 7, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Fire his ass . I am feed up to here with this BS .They come to MY COUNTRY America go by my rules

  35. Kris

    September 7, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    It is also against the law that any flag be raised over the American flag! No flag will be raised higher than the American flag. This guy should be fired!

  36. Ken R.

    September 7, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    We gave Bin Ladin a more respected funeral then we give our fallen soldiers (example is media coverage of fallen soldiers), Christian beliefs are being condemned in public, but endorse atheist beliefs, now we break federal law on flying the American Flag and there is no punishment for breaking this law. What the heck happened to us? We need to protect our soldiers, allow fair representation of religious beliefs, not just atheist beliefs and darn it, if someone wants to raise some other countries flag above our own in our own country, then deport them and let them see how wonderful that country is that they want to go live in.

  37. Pete

    September 7, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    Really, it isnt just about bein close to 9/11, our flag never never flys under any other flag in the USA period!!!!!

  38. Ed Herrington

    September 7, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    I'll bet my Social Security check this principle in a progressive democrate who hates what the flag stands for.

  39. trueamerican

    September 8, 2011 at 6:38 am

    It is America we live in, if you dont like it or are too sensative about standing up for your rights and maybe offending someone, then pack your crap and get out, go live in the country of those you dont want to offend after all they left there for a reason. Remember have pride in your couintry, your country men, and pride in your flag which so many have died for. If we offend you, thats life it is not intentional but it is America the beautiful and a couintry for we the people, LEAGL AMERICANS, dont like it well…

  40. Jim

    September 8, 2011 at 10:18 am

    When people mention how bad Fox news is and how ignorant those who put their trust in it really are, it's stories like this one and the responses it has generated here that they are talking about. This is not journalism. The truth here is SO different than what you've been led to believe, just google the sources and think for yourselves!

  41. Reasonable

    September 21, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    so you still have not retracted this story? Disgraceful! I hope my local school district sues you!

  42. GINGER

    September 6, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    I THINK THE PRINCIPAL IS JUST IGNORANT AND HAS NO ABILITY TO THINK..IF HE HOLDS THE SYMBOL OF THIS COUNTRY IN SUCH DISREGARD, PERHAPS HE SHOULD GO ELSEWHERE..WHY WOULD ANY THINKING PERSON EVEN ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT OF LOWERING THE STARS AND STRIPES FOR ANY OTHER FLAG. GUESS THEY DON'T TEACH PROPER FLAG ETIQUETTE WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL.

  43. Linda

    September 6, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    why do they need flags from different countries for the students? If they are here and in our schools they are "Americans" now, geese what does it take to get it through their thick skulls.. We are Americans not Saudis not Mexicans, Iranians etc…

  44. A Texan

    September 7, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    Linda,
    They are not even "Americans" now. They are only permitted to come here to work for a certain time.