SC Teacher Stomps on Flag During Lesson, Facing Termination - UPDATE 2: GOT DAT MONEY!!!

So this is a couple days old and I was surprised that I didn't see (or may have missed) any discussion on the subject here.
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The story is: An English teacher in a South Carolina school was teaching a lesson on symbolism. During his lesson (and other lessons that day), he allegedly threw a US Flag on the ground, said something along the lines of "This is a symbol of America. It is just cloth. This doesn't mean anything," and stomped on it. Students went home and complained to their parents, who immediately complained to the school. It looks like he has been suspended already and the superintendent is going to recommend he be fired to the board (I've seen claims that he has already been fired, but no sources or links have been provided).

I've read some opinions on it in a couple different places and was wondering what the thoughts were here.

I suppose I will state mine:
Absolutely ridiculous. He was teaching a lesson on symbolism and it obviously went right over the heads of his class and their parents (and this is supposed to be an honors class?! ). I fear that he was probably employed at will though and will not be able to fight it. His attorney claimed that "Compton wanted to demonstrate that the United States is an “inspirational idea” that is greater than any representation of it" and I believe that is an important lesson. He didn't say "**** you, America/Obama/Republicans/Tea Party/Whatever!!!" and stomp all over a flag (that was probably made in China), he had a point he tried to make about symbolism and hoped that there were critical thinkers in his class.
I read someone's comments who said that this isn't about not being offended, that the parents who got so angry "to the point of shaking" have the right to be offended. But after the offense, they should realize "Wow, I was offended. Huh, symbols ARE powerful."

I've read quite a bit of comments from veterans on Yahoo News or other places that allow comments, saying that they took an oath to defend the flag (the flag is not mentioned in the Oath of Enlistment at all) and that they would perpetrate violence on this man for doing this.
As a veteran myself: I have saluted the flag many times and since a law was passed recently that allows veterans to render a salute to the flag and during the National Anthem, I will continue to salute it. But this man's actions have not upset me at all. I never swore an oath in defense of the flag; I swore an oath in defense of the Constitution, which includes the First Amendment (which covers flag desecration). The ideals and beliefs that the flag represents are more important than the flag itself and the ideals and beliefs were not hurt or destroyed by this.



EDIT: I was hoping he wouldn't get fired, but I had a hard time finding any updates after the initial story broke. Apparently he did get fired, because he submitted his request for an appeal hearing to the school board. Update in post #178.

EDIT 2: Looks like he resigned in March, so he more than likely did not get fired. Anyway, kharvel provided an update in post 462:

Quote from kharvel : Here's an update: http://news.yahoo.com/flag-stompi...22377.html The U.S. CONSTITUTION HAS WON!!! Under the threat of A TORT LAWSUIT for "breach of contract, defamation and emotional distress", the SC Flag-Stomping Teacher has become $85,000 richer, not including the salary he has been receiving while suspended. This is precisely why we need tort lawyers. They're the only people standing in the way between a lynch mob and the United States Constitution.

These are the same people who insist that the confederate flag doesnt really "stand" for anything. Take that as you will.

Quote from Gotchaforce : These are the same people who insist that the confederate flag doesnt really "stand" for anything. Take that as you will.

I did have something in there about the Confederate flag, but I tossed it.
Believe me though, I've heard all about it. I've been living there for the past 5 years.

I will be holding my breath for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to hop on their jets and launch protests.

<-- teacher / flag stomper.

I have no problem with what he did in the context he did it.

Quote from EYEL1NER : I did have something in there about the Confederate flag, but I tossed it. Believe me though, I've heard all about it. I've been living there for the past 5 years.

This is why I won't even apply for jobs in the Rebel States.

But he could have SAID that the flag is only a symbol and have SAID that even stomping on it is merely an expression. Could this at least be called a bad judgment?

I am not supporting termination. At most a letter reprimanding him is enough.

Also this subject is more appropriate for a course in philosophy perhaps even history than a course in English.

Gah. It might have been bad judgment on his part. But something to lose your job over, I think not.

I don't envy school teachers at all these days. They can't even reprimand a student anymore if it hurts the student (or the parent's) feelings. Just because someone is offended does mean they are entitled to any additional rights.

Quote from roughnready : Gah. It might have been bad judgment on his part. But something to lose your job over, I think not. I don't envy school teachers at all these days. They can't even reprimand a student anymore if it hurts the student (or the parent's) feelings. Just because someone is offended does mean they are entitled to any additional rights.

I'm sure the ACLU will come to his defense if he is actually fired. The principal would be an idiot to fire the guy just due to the fallout and taxpayer cost due to any lawsuit. I think it's a good thing if peoples' sensibilities are occasionally offended.

Quote from TRNT : But he could have SAID that the flag is only a symbol and have SAID that even stomping on it is merely an expression. Could this at least be called a bad judgment? I am not supporting termination. At most a letter reprimanding him is enough. Also this subject is more appropriate for a course in philosophy perhaps even history than a course in English.

Perhaps the reason for it being in an English class is the idea that symbolic speech is still a form of communication, even if no verbal words are uttered.

A chemistry teacher can SAY that certain chemicals will cause a certain reaction when combined. Or s/he could demonstrate it to the class. Which do you think would typically be a more meaningful & effective form of teaching?

sounds like the teacher is teaching...

good

Quote from vaultaddict : sounds like the teacher is teaching... good

...teaching lessons that some don't want learned....

Quote from smegalicious : Perhaps the reason for it being in an English class is the idea that symbolic speech is still a form of communication, even if no verbal words are uttered.

Good point about speech. Then I still say the teacher used very poor judgment to use the flag. He could have used other symbolism.

One aspect that has not been explored here is that there are anti gov sentiments in SC these days and perhaps this teacher felt comfortable doing what he did and then it backfired.

What is interesting is that I have noticed that southerners would want to put in jail someone who would burn the flag say in protest of hawkish policies of the US (Vietnam war, e.g) but they are willing to burn the same flag if it is, in contrast or at the time, the symbol of the unions as opposed to confederate or if at the time the president is a liberal. Sigh.

Quote from gunnerusa : This is why I won't even apply for jobs in the Rebel States.

Hopefully this is a widespread phenomenon.

if you are going to do something that offends some people you should epect that some of those people will complain and you need to be able to deal with that. i dont have a problem with what he did per se, but it is not surprising that some are offended and complained. What an idiot.