Update on DISGRACE - Walking on the American Flag is Art

Bill Smith, Editor, Update on Story - Below is the video of the disgraceful flag desecration project. Watch a heroic veteran take a stand. As a veteran - I was moved to tears. I located and interviewed the veteran. He is Charlie Bennett, Dist 4 Commander, Maine American Legion. He served in Vietnam from 1967-1979. For 11 1/2 months, he was on the Cambodian border with the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Bennett is a proud supporter of protecting the American Flag. He shared that he did not mind the criticism by campus officials and was proud to take a stand, but that he almost cried when the police indicated they were going to arrest him. He had always faithfully served his country and was hurt to think he would be arrested for protecting the American Flag. Commander Bennett has received numerous phone calls by people encouraging him to continue and has been called by the local news. He welcomes interviews and can be reached at 207-778-2340. As of this post, Charlie Bennett is returning to the front lines (the university) today but this time with his own "parade flag" and a sign that says " You won't walk on this flag!" We hope that many students and other veterans will stand with him. Charlie our prayers are with you!

Please share the video and info with others. Contact the Univ. of Maine Farmington and express your outrage! Two people in the video supporting the flag desecration project are Univ. President, Theodora Kalikow (the old "witch" who's telling Bennett that the project of walking on the flag is defending free speech) and Univ. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Allen Berger (the liberal educator who's seen telling Bennett that he didn't fight for a piece of cloth). Don't expect agreement, but take time to express your Free Speech to Theodora Kalikow (kalikow@maine.edu or 207-778-7256) and Allen Berger (aberger@maine.edu or 207-778-7276.

The following just in from conservative friend by Jenn Sierra at FHK: Lance Dutson of the Maine Web Report has identified that the Maine College Republicans are reporting an incident at the University of Maine Farmington, a public liberal arts college. This was apparently a school-sponsored event. Lance relates the story this way:

These art students did a project where they laid American flags on the floor of the student center for people to walk on. They brought the cops in to protect it, when some College GOP kids and vets came to try to pick them up off the ground. In the video, the university provost actually says ‘It’s just a piece of cloth,’ to the VFW [and District Commander, American Legion] guy, and one of the faculty tells the VFW [and District Commander American Legion] chief that they are ‘actually protecting’ his freedom of speech by doing this.

This is a disgrace. “Freedom of Speech,” does not include public universities sponsoring the desecration of the American flag and calling it “art”. We understand the Maine College Republicans plan to edit and post some footage of the event for the public to view. Also see: Thurber’s Thoughts - A ‘right’ to desecrate the flag?

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Tags: Charlie Bennett, College Republicans, Flag, flag desecration, free speech, Maine, University of Maine Farmington, Vietnam Veteran To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!