CA students sent home for wearing red, white, & blue on Cinco de Mayo

This story coming out of California should be a huge red flag for those who have ignored the other red flags concerning American-Mexican relations. How can five American students in an American high school wearing American red, white, and blue colors be sent home for wearing those colors in America?

On the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, American students in America, not Mexico, were told by American school officials to turn their shirts inside out or go home:

Four of the five students who wore American flags or patriotic colors on campus walked into a meeting with the superintendent of the Morgan Hill unified school district Wednesday night.

They were facing unexcused absences because they chose to go home early rather than take off what they were wearing.
...
Student Anthony Caravalho was also sent home for not turning his shirt inside out.

“They said we had to wear our t-shirts inside out and then we could go back to class and we said no,” said Caravalho. “It would be disrespectful to the flag by hiding it.”

One student commented:

“It's just kinda disrespectful that they would do that on this day,” said student Victoria Wright. “I mean, we don't go around on 4th of July wearing red white and green and saying ‘Viva Mexico,’ because that's disrespectful.”

Does Ms. Wright not understand that she is not in Mexico for the Mexican holiday but that Americans are in America for the 4th of July holiday?

A student of Mexican descent was proud to wear red, white, and blue ... the colors of the country where he lives:

Dominic Maciel said his father is of Mexican descent.

“I have no problem with them wearing their Mexican stuff, their Mexican flags,” said Maciel. “I just thought I'd show my pride. American pride.”

Would students wearing American colors on St. Patrick's Day be sent home for not wearing green?

Wake up, America!

Adnan Barqawi ... VA Tech Cadet Corps ... star of GOP Convention

Adnan Barqawi talks with SWAC Girl on Bloggers Row
Photo by Tom White of Virginia Right!

He won the hearts of Virginia Republicans Saturday ... this young man who graduated from Virginia Tech as a member of their Cadet Corps. He looked handsome in his uniform as he stood before thousands and relayed his story. He had the crowd on their feet over and over and over as thunderous applause greeted his welcomed words.

His name is Adnan Barqawi and he immigrated to the United States from Kuwait at the age of 17 to attend Virginia Tech. His story is remarkable ... he was a man without a country ... but he is now an American citizen.

Thanks to Rick Sincere, we have footage of Adnan's remarks ... Part 1 and Part 2. If you want to be inspired, give it a listen:

- Adnan thanked his role model and the "godfather" of the Republican Party Donald Huffman who was a cadet at Virginia Tech in the 1940s;
- Because he was a man without a country, his dad sold everything to move his family to the United States so his children could receive a higher education;
- Moved to Virginia after seeing an ad saying "Virginia is for lovers;"
- Chose Virginia Tech because of the gorgeous campus;
- Joined cadet corps after only two weeks in America;
- Believes those coming to America should embrace the culture, not expect the culture to embrace them;
- Became a Republican because they represented the beliefs he had.

As Adnan addressed the crowd at the Coliseum, I could see my parents, ages 81 and 82, in the Chesterfield County delegation directly opposite Bloggers Row. They were on their feet applauding because Adnan spoke what they believed.

Republican unity began in Richmond this past weekend ... and Adnan Barqawi showed that the quest for the American dream is not dead ... it is alive and well in the Republican Party.

Photo by Tom White
May 30, 2009

Hannity's Top 10 items for GOP victory

Hannity's Top 10 Items for GOP Victory

1) To be the Candidate of National security:

a) Victory in Iraq
b) Fully support NSA, Patriot act, tough interrogations, keeping Gitmo open
c) A Candidate that pledges to NOT demean our military while they are fighting for their Country. eg Harry Reid: "the surge has failed", "the war is lost"
d) Candidate that promises to ensure that our veterans can live out their lives in dignity.

2) The Candidate who pledges to oppose Appeasement:

a) The Candidate will oppose any and all efforts to negotiate with dictators of the world in places like Iran, Syria, N.Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela without "pre-conditions"

3) The Candidate Pledges to support Tax CUTS, and fiscal responsibility:

a) The American people are NOT under taxed, Government Spends too much
b) The Candidate who Pledges to ELIMINATE and VOTE AGAINST ALL Earmarks
c) The Candidate pledges to BALANCE the budget

4) The Candidate Pledges to be a supporter of "Energy Independence"

a) supports Immediate drilling in Anwar and the 48 states
b) Building new refineries
c) Begin building and using Nuclear Facilities
d) expand coal mining
e) realistic steward of the environment

While simultaneously working with private industry to develop the new energy technologies for the future, with the goal being that America becomes completely energy independent within the next 15 years.

5) The Candidate pledges to secure our borders completely within 12 months:

a) build all necessary fences
b) use all available technology to help and support agents at the border
c) train and hire agents as needed

6) Healthcare:

The Candidate will look for Free-Market solutions to the problems facing the Healthcare industry, and will vigorously oppose any efforts to "nationalize healthcare".

a) The Candidate will fight for Individual health savings accounts, that includes "catastrophic insurance" for every American, so people can control their own healthcare choices.

7) Education:

a) The Candidate pledges to "save" American children from the failing educational system
b) The Candidate will fight to break the unholy alliance of the Democratic party and teachers unions, which at best has institutionalized mediocrity, and has failed children across the country
c) fight for "CHOICE" in education and let parents decide
d) fight for vouchers for parents

8) Social Security and Medicare:

a) The Candidate will "save" social security and medicare from bankruptcy.
b) Options will include "private retirement" funds so people can "control" their own destiny.

9) Judges

a) The Candidate vows to support ONLY judges who recognize that their job is to interpret the Constitution, and NOT legislate from the bench.

10) American Dream:

The Candidate accepts as their duty and responsibility to educate, inform, and remind people that with the blessings of Freedom comes a Great responsibility. That Government's primary goal is to preserve, protect and defend our God given gift of freedom.

That Governments do not have the ability to solve all of our problems, and to take away all of our fears and concerns. We need their pledge that we will be the candidate that promotes Individual liberty, Capitalism, a strong national defense and will support policies that encourage such...

It is our fundamental belief that limited Government, and Greater individual responsibility will insure the continued prosperity and success for future generations.

We the people who believe in the words of Ronald Reagan, that we are "the best last hope for man on this earth," "a shining city on a hill," and that our best days are before us if our Government will simply trust the American people.

"Defending the American Dream:" Duane Sand

During the opening of the "Defending the American Dream" summit on Friday, there was a roll call of the states and, just as in national political conventions, a spokesperson backed up by other convention-goers extolled the virtues of that state.

The last state called was North Dakota ... and they announced "Duane Sand" was the State Director of Americans For Prosperity. My head swiveled around when I heard the name ... I recognized it because I had met him seven years earlier.

Flash back to the Republican National Convention of 2000 in Philadelphia when George W. Bush became the GOP nominee to run on the ballot for President. It was the last night of the convention, and we were on the shuttle bus going back to our hotel from the convention center. Sitting in front of me was a young man holding the "North Dakota" sign because they had announced the delegates could take them as they left. I joked with him about him getting the sign ... and we struck up a conversation.

His name was Duane Sand and he was running for Senate. He had been a Navy submarine commander who was now hoping to get into public office, and he was walking across the state of North Dakota to meet its citizens and call attention to his campaign. He gave me his business card and we stayed in touch for a while afterwards ... he did not win the election ... and then lost touch.

Fast forward to last Friday at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, when I heard the name of that same young man. I determined to try and find him in the crowds before the day was over which wasn't easy ... there were hundreds of people milling about.

My opportunity to talk with him came late in the afternoon when I was walking through the crowded corridors on my way to a session ... and there was Duane Sand standing in front of me. While I knew he would not remember me, I recalled to him our meeting seven years ago on the shuttle bus while he was walking the state in his bid for U.S. Senate. We talked and he gave me his new business card and said he may be running for office again. Perhaps this time he will achieve his dream.

The world sometimes seems very small....