I respect our flag
I’m an eighth-generation Hispanic, having served in the armed forces as have countless members of my family.
Letter writer Butch Augustine (“Making it hard to back an amnesty program,” July 5) wrote about some Hispanics who were talking during our national anthem and refused to at least show some respect.
I, too, have witnessed this behavior and am deeply saddened by it. Not all Hispanics disrespect our flag.
If I traveled to other countries, I would at least stand during their national ceremonies.
Joseph T. Espinoza Sr., Denver
Mr. Espinoza, I agree with your letter. As a sailor in the US Navy, I have also visited many countries and it doesnt matter where but we stood at attention and saluted the flags and anthems of any country we were at. I hope that you are not considered a sell out by those hispanics who, like the students at Montbello High, think it a joke to fly the AMERICAN flag upside down while the mexican flag flies above it and takes a picture of it. I know there would be less anger in the US if more hispanics respected the American flag and the laws of this country as we do without cohersion but as a sign of respect. Until that time occures, the anger and hatred will only grow stronger and more vocal.
Posted by Nick on August 1, 2007 12:39 AMI also am hispanic,a veteran and who's father earned a purple heart during the Normandy invasion........I am very disturbed at the disrespect given our U.S.A. flag by what I consider newly arrived Mexicans. Don't get me wrong on this issue,I have great pride in my heritage but,come on now, this is AMERICA !!!! I will honor the stars and stripes above all colors......Please don't judge us all by the few rotten apples the news seems to focus on.........
Posted by ron on August 1, 2007 01:16 AMRon, I admire what you and your father have done and I have to say it is hard not to hate those who would chant for Osama at a soccer game while the American Anthem was played, or not hate those who commit crimes and hide in Mexico for they know US laws can not reach them. It is hard to tell who are true Hispanics and those who are nothing more than criminals and care nothing for the law or this country. But I must say, this also includes people from ALL walks of life and nationalities.
Posted by Nick on August 1, 2007 03:03 AMIsn't a shame that there are those who have now cast a large negative shadow on a segment of our citizenry. Unfortunately it is not limited to just a few hispanics. I have seen whites, blacks, and others disrespect the American flag and national anthem by either remaining sitting or talking during the ceromony. It is dispicable.
So many want to cry and moan about America, yet have no real idea as to how good they have it here. Having traveled to over 60 other countries, first world included. America is still by far the greatest nation on the planet. Sure we have some problems but you know our standard of living just blows everyone else away.
Is it so hard to show a little respect for the symbols that represent this nation and these liberties (not entitlements) we enjoy and take for granted.
Posted by on August 1, 2007 06:08 AMAmerican Flag: She's too heavy! I served in 3 deployments to Vietnam. I am simply stunned that American citizens have sat on their hands while a felon has occupied the Oval Office. Bill Clinton had "too much info to serve in Vietnam". Bush simply pimped and exploited the draft system by faking his Gurd duty. Bus is a certified UCMJ felon (40+ year AWOLee, deserter, and guilty of illegal separation and discharge). The same holds true for Supreme Court Judge Alito. Let's cull the herd of GOP felons.
We should immediately impeach and court martial Bush. The we can toss him to the dogs in an international court of law, just like we intended for Hitler. Bush has committed war crimes in our troops have used chemcial weapons on unsuspecting Iraqi citizens (white phosphrous munitions-WILLY Peter). All NAM vets know this stuff burns through both skin and bones. Another barbaric act is, Bush gave our troops Rx drugs (mind-altering PTSD suppressors) so they could exterminate Iraqi citizens without blinking. A bad 65 year pattern has developed. FDR used the atomic bomb on Japanese. LBL used WILLY PETER on Vietnamese. Heck, my "homies" in Darfur and Sudan better cut and run.
Posted by ididntservenoflag on August 1, 2007 06:23 AMididn't, stick to the subject. Another liberal spewing out hate and no facts to back your wasted opinion. Fly the flag high and proud.
Posted by Down with ENTITLEMENTS on August 1, 2007 06:43 AMI applaud the comments by the two Americans above who are of Hispanic heritage (and I agree one should remain proud of their heritage). Unfortunately, this wave of illegal immigrants is making their lives much more difficult. Let's hope that we do get the problem resolved in the near future so Americans such these don't have to keep defending themselves due to their heritage and skin tint.
"Down With..." Your comments to "ididn't" will bounce off closed ears. This is just "40acres" under another name. He periodically changes names, but never changes his racism, bigotry nor sense of entitlement. And lately, he's been claiming our soldiers are now mind number killing machines with no conscious (if he wants to see no conscious he ought to look in the mirror). And to think, this man is a retired Lt. Commander of the US Navy -- you would think he would be capable of writing with more logic and less emotion. Lot's of people, of all colors, served in NAM (and weren't all REMFs like "ididnt/40acres") and you don't hear them crying about being cheated by political "felons".
Posted by Trinity on August 1, 2007 09:36 AMHey, ididnt or 40acres, or what ever you want to be called; Truman dropped the bomb, not FDR. I don't know who LBL is, but imagine you're trying to identify LBJ (Johnson). And if you're worried about "chemical warfare", forget about white phosphorus and be concerned about the depleted uranium shells being used in Iraq. Residue powder from those are not just affecting the soldiers and civilians in the war theater, there drifting throughout our atmosphere world wide. Talk about your carcinogenic fallout with that heavy metal sprinkled on your morning grape nuts...
Posted by on August 1, 2007 10:01 AMMr. Espinoza. With all due respect,you are an American.I am proud of your service to our country. This country is your home and you respect it. If you would like to make a point about your heritage for the sake of the story. You should be referring to yourself as an American of Hispanic heritage.
This country needs your service and others like you more than ever.
We need proud Americans of hispanic heritage that have followed our laws and contributed to this country.
to stand up and say no more to the downfall of this country that has so much to give to everyone who comes here legally.
You and your family sound like a wonderful part of our country and are respectful and still celebrate your heritage.
Please help stand up against the chaos that has gripped our nation into hating one another because many hispanics have come here to destroy this country we love.
Thank You for your love and respect of our country. Meaning yours and mine together.
You earned your AMEN this time, CIgA!
Posted by on August 1, 2007 10:04 AMTrinity: What's a REMF and how do you know about ididnt?
Posted by on August 1, 2007 10:18 AMSomehow a Veteran can spot another Veteran. I don't know why, we just can. Thanks for your story, just keep on being you.
This is getting astray of the original brilliant post, but should be answered since "ididnt/40acres" stomped on through in his typical mindless rant.
REMF - military slang Rear Echelon Mother F******; essentially a paper shuffler behind the lines and far away from daily combat.
40acres has provided his retired rank a few times in other posts. The fact that he was most likely a REMF is drawn from his complaints of only being allowed to have an M1 rifle (WWII/Korean War vintage) and a .38 caliber revolver while in NAM. While he was attempting to portray it as though all, or most, blacks were treated in this way, the truth of the matter is that just about all of the REMFs were issued these older weapons, irregardless of their color, reserving the modern weapons for the active combatants -- of all colors.
Although he bitterly complains about being discriminated against, ididnt/40acres did stick around, receive promotions and retire with full retirement benefits.
When you compare his whining with the posts of the two American vets, Joseph and Ron above, it's easy to see who the true Americans are who not only appreciate, but have defended and worked to benefit and grow with their country.
Posted by Trinity on August 1, 2007 10:53 AMas a hispanic veteran myself, I can assure you that the only ones who are disrespectful and have no rule of law are the illegals . we should focus all our efforts to deport them all. the secure the boarder and make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to get a job here.
Posted by Fresh on August 1, 2007 11:48 AMThanks Mr. Espinoza, you're a great American.
Posted by RickyLee on August 1, 2007 12:06 PMHow refreshing to see AMERICAN OF Hispanic heritage. I have noticed that Black American, Hispanic America, Native American etc. has actually served to create more divides in our nation. If we really wish to honor our country, perhaps we should all become Americans first and then, if more clarification is needed, wanted or volunteered it can be expanded.
As an American of Native and who knows what else heritage, I honor those who have served, our flag, our common language, and our shared cultures. To those who have served, thank you, to those who make our country strong, thank you. To those flying another flag above ours, or talking during our anthem, please do so in your own country.
Posted by jep on August 1, 2007 12:08 PMTrinity 9:36
So what if it's 40 acres!! He an American Veteran.
He did three deployments in vietnam,!
How many have you done?!
12:39AM
I served 42 months 19 days in combat units in the Republic of Vietnam. A "standard" deployment, or tour, was 11 months.
5th Special Forces Group, CCC, MACV SOG
I don't take slighting another vet lightly. I responded to 40acres only because he continually: 1) casts deep dispersions about those who served in NAM, while claiming to be a discriminated vet of NAM; and, 2) he's casting even worse dispersions about our current troops as being mind numbed robotic killers. I could care less if he's happy or unhappy with Bush.
Rather than attacking vets and current soldiers via his mindless rants, a former naval officer should be able to express his position as it relates to himself in a civil, intelligent manner.
Have you considered their may be a mental disability? A fellow vet in need of help.
We give you both props for being American Vet's.
1:17PM - Please understand that I'm not knocking 40acres' service in Vietnam. Everybody who served, from the front line grunts through the back office bean counters have my utmost respect for that service -- they all had their roles in a team effort under adverse conditions.
40acres went on to serve on nuclear subs; a service that requires another form of commitment and bravery!
He only gets my ire up when he goes into a rant that reflects negatively on past vets and current military. As to his attacks on past or present politicians or bureaucrats, what ever floats your boat!
Posted by Trinity on August 1, 2007 01:33 PMI have traveled and lived in alot of countries and have to say that America is one of a very few countries where we have voting balots, driver tests, benefits forms, court translators, etc... in Spanish to accodate a minority class.
Try getting a driver license in Mexico, there is no English version of the test. Same in Austria, Germany, Sweden, etc... Tests, government forms, schools are in the official language of the country. If you don't speak it, TOUGH.
The first priority of virtually all of the LEGAL immigrants, is to learn the language of their new country and the second is to assimilate into the new culture. LEGAL immigrants strengten their host country, bring new ideas and are an asset. This is true in the entire world. With the ILLEGAL's that's an entire different matter.
Finally, what's up with the native american, african american, italian american, etc... We are all AMERICANS and creating these artificial divisions makes the country weaker and more succeptible to outside influence. We need to stand together as one country, one voice, one team, regardless of where we came from because at one point or another we, or our forefathers were immigrants (even native americans originally "immigrated" thousands of years ago).
Posted by on August 1, 2007 01:36 PMTrinity
So you were one of those Green Beret baby killers. That explains a lot!
Posted by on August 1, 2007 01:43 PMLove your freedom? THANK A VET!
Thanks, Trinity and 40acres.
RICHARD LEE LANDRUM II
LONGMONT
1/1 ADCOMM,
Federal Republic of Germany ('85-'87)
wow, what a nice response from the last writer against Trinity. It also seems to ignore the fact that the VC and NVA also used kids as booby traps wrapped in explosives knowing that US troops would attend to them and try to give them medical care food and more. The writer also ignores the fact that the US Military evacuated thousands of children before the advancing NVA and VC troops took over all of Vietnam giving them a better life than they would have had there.
Posted by Nick on August 1, 2007 02:19 PMNick:
Thanks for the defense, but I've been called worse by people who have actually shown signs of intelligence.
It's time to get this thread back to the topic which started it. Namely, how it's too easy for people in general to include anybody who appears somewhat Hispanic arbitrarily in the category of illegal immigrant.
Too many Americans, whether they be from second (or older) generation immigrant families -- and those new LEGAL immigrants -- are being unfairly lumped together with the illegal immigrants.
Posted by Trinity on August 1, 2007 02:37 PMI respect the right to freedom of speech much more than a piece of cloth.
Posted by on August 1, 2007 05:51 PMTrinity,
Thanks for the post. I understand much better now. 1:17