As I exited the Santa Monica Freeway, at Sante Fe/Mateo, Monday I noticed something unsettling on Enterprise Street, the Mexican Flag in front of a pallet business. As you know, my mother is from Mexico, and has a home on the Island of Cozumel, so I’m not anti-immigrant. But, I am pro American, and disagree with the message S.A.Q. Pallets is sending out to the drivers that pass the business daily. Someone needs to tell S.A.Q. Pallets this is still an American City, so hang the Flag of the United States above the Mexican Flag, or return to Mexico.Click on pictures to enlarge.
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16 comments:
I couldn't agree with you more!!!
How about I take my American dollars, go to Tijuana, open a business and fly the Stars & Stripes???
I'll bet you the Federales would be extorting money from me everyday!!!
Or, maybe SAQ should just slap all of us "native" Americans dead in the face!!!!
I agree. If your going to live here show some respect and hang the US flag above the Mexican flag. Well said Dad!
Ed, you are way off the mark on this one. Would you object if they were flying a Raiders or a Lakers flag? How about a pirate flag? Or what about one of the rainbow colored gay identified flags? I don't know of any laws against flying your flag of choice, and I don't understand on what basis you "disagree" with the message you interepreted. Did you ask them what that "message" was?
The America I know still stands for freedom of speech, the kind that is real and actually means something, and not just some cliche to mutter while you try to tell someone to quash their choice of expression. Next you'll be telling me to speak English only.
I sincerely hope you thoughtfully consider what you've said in this post.
EL CHAVO!
PS. You really should allow anonymous or other comments, it's no good having to sign up to a blogger account just to add to the conversation.
EL CHAVO says,
"You really allow anonymous or other comments, it's no good having to sign up to a blogger account just to add to the conversation."
I beg to differ, El Chavo. You didn't seem to have a problem signing in to make your comment.
And as far as the 'flag-flying, I'm in total agreement with chef debi & lpadgett.
Have a nice day!
El Chavo,
Thank you for taking the time to register your Google Gmail account, and leaving your opinion here. We may not agree but we can debate the matter, and others that have no opinion, will hopefully leave here with a pro or con view.
I have no problem with fans waving the iconic flag of a sports team, or waving the flag of ones country of origin in the appropriate setting, such as a sporting event. When soccer teams from around the world playoff in arenas as the Rose Bowl or the Los Angeles Coliseum, the flags come out, yet this is expected and I for one understand the allegiance they feel while rooting for their team and showing their colors, especially the colors of their country.
If we look back at the day without an immigrant on May 1st, 2007, the focus was not on the plight of the immigrants, it was the number of Mexican Flags being waved, the march was a total flop and did not leave the American public very happy with what was perceived as disloyalty by the Mexican Immigrants. At the following march, by immigrants, there was a marked difference in the flags being waved; instead of mostly Mexican Flags there were many Flags of the United States being waved.
My next-door neighbors proudly display the flag of Columbia, but the United States Flag is displayed along side their countries flag, as should be.
The American Constitution was meant to protect the rights and freedoms of American’s, not immigrants that choose to visit here sans a visa. I still recall when the Mexican Government, which seized their homes, displaced American’s that retired in Mexico with ninety-nine year leases to the Mexican property. Their property rights were not covered, because they were not Mexican citizens, yet we are suppose to grant rights to immigrants that are in our country illegally?
When the Mexican Government begins extending rights to people that choose to live in their country, that are not nationals, I will change my feelings for waving the Mexican Flag in our country.
In closing, you and many others have been requesting the return of anonymous comments here, we may return to this form of expression if I can recruit someone to moderate the anonymous comments for us.
Again, thanks for your comment,
Edward
Ed,
I'm an American. If I want to fly the Mexican flag, an Irish Flag, or a Happy Halloween flag, for whatever reason I may have, what is so objectionable about that? Isn't that my right as well? Or are you going to suggest that I also "return to Mexico"?
But why do you bring up the notion of "illegal" Immigrants anyways, do you know something about this pallet company that we don't? It's not fair to assume people or a company are illegal just because they show their Mexican-ness.
The Mexican flag is no different than a Union Jack flying at a British Pub, or an Italian flag at the feast of San Gennaro. Last I checked, we still have some rights left.
You shouldn't be getting worked up over how someone choses to express themselves.
Respectfully, EL CHAVO!
Nubia,
No, I didn't have a problem registering, but it really hampers a discussion if one has to register just to make a quick comment. But hey, do as you like, it's a free country. Or so I'm told.
El I beleive you are in my country ! Ed may not suggest it but I will go back to Mexico do us all a favor and go now! I will buy you a plane ticket out of here! Nobody needs you here, there are plenty of AMERICANS here that WORK HARD for a living. Did you hear what I said AMERICAN not white, AMERICAN ! Get out we dont need you, go on scram. What is the education level of that fella at the pallet yard? I am sure he pays taxes and uses no government services huh..
This country was built by immigrants, LEGAL immigrants. The people that are showing up here 5 minutes ago dont want to be an American. They send the money back to Mexico.
I am sick and tired of you people whining about the Mexicans being picked on. I tell you what cry me a freakin river you people are ruining our country. Drive around the major cities in America and it doesnt in many ways resemble anything 20 years ago.
All of the major cities are turning into 3rd world cities, go to LA and I swear you would think your in Mexico city. The freeways are overcrowded the hospitals are being closed down, the schools are a joke , and go to the local jail and tell me who is in there? Go to your police department website and look to see who is arrested in the slammer what last names do you see???
How many Mexican citizens would stand by and watch there country being destroyed by an American invasion? We will put all the sick and poor on planes and trains to your country and your tax payers can take care of them.
MR.OC
I hit upon this the other day. At what point did being an American become less desirable within our own country? I remember seeing people fly flags of other countries --but it was never meant to take the place of our own.
Sure, fly whatever flag you want.
But don't compare a Mexico flag to a birthday or a halloween flag. We live in a society where icons say a lot. And when someone decides to fly a flag of a different country, rather than the one where they are making their livelhood, enjoying the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, then we have a right to wonder ...."What are they trying to say?"
And we have a right to question it, as Ed is doing.
When I see photos of high school kids in Whittier taking down the American flag and putting up the Mexican flag, what do they want? Do they want the economic oppression, the corruption, the lack of educational opportunities as there is in Mexico?
But it would appear that what they lack is a sense of history, which would give them the appreciation that they need to understand how fortunate we are to have certain freedoms (the Bill of Rights) and economic opportunities not available in other countries. Maybe they don't get that they're not the first batch of immigrants who felt pulled between their old cultural ties while trying to mix in over here.
Ed, you might want to approach the owner. Ask him to fly the American flag, too.
12 Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens. (that’s more than 21,900 murders by illegal aliens since September 11, 2001)
13 people per day are killed by illegal aliens who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. An additional 4,745 premature deaths per year.
62% of all “undocumented immigrants” in the United States are working for cash and not paying taxes, predominantly illegal aliens, working without a green card.
95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
83% of warrants for murder in Phoenix are for illegal aliens.
86% of warrants for murder in Albuquerque are for illegal aliens.
75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are illegal aliens.
More than 380,000 “anchor babies” born in the United States in 2005 were to parents who are illegal aliens; making those 380,000 babies automatically U.S. citizens. 97.2% of all costs incurred from those births were paid by the American taxpayer.
More than 66% of all births in California are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
24.9% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
40.1% of all inmates in Arizona detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
48.2% of all inmates in New Mexico detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
29% (630,000) of the inmates in all state and federal prisons are illegal aliens—at a cost of $1.6 billion annually.
More than 53% of all investigated burglaries reported in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens.
More than half of all gang members in Los Angeles are illegal aliens from south of the border.
More than 43% of all Food Stamps issued are to illegal aliens.
More than 41% of all unemployment checks issued in the United States are to illegal aliens.
58% of all welfare payments in the United States are issued to illegal aliens.
Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties in the United States are illegal aliens.
14 out of 31 TV stations in L.A. are Spanish-only.
16 out of 28 TV stations in Phoenix are Spanish only.
15 out of 24 TV stations in Albuquerque are Spanish-only.
More than 34% of Arizona students in grades 1-12 are illegal aliens.
More than 24% of Arizona students in grades 1-12 are non-English speaking.
More than 39% of California students in grades 1-12 are illegal aliens.
More than 42% of California students in grades 1-12 are non-English speaking.
In Los Angeles County, 5.1 million people speak English and 3.9 million speak Spanish.
More than 71% of all apprehended cars stolen in 2005 in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California were stolen by illegal aliens or transport “coyotes.”
47% of cited/stopped drivers in California have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 47%, 92% are illegal aliens.
63% of cited/stopped drivers in Arizona have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 63%, 97% are illegal aliens.
66% of cited/stopped drivers in New Mexico have no license, no insurance, and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 66%, 98% are illegal aliens.
Less than 2% of illegal aliens in the United States are picking crops, but 41% are on welfare.
Over 70% of the United States annual population growth (and over 90% of California, Florida, and New York) results from illegal immigration, at a cost of nearly $68,000,000,000.00 annually
MR.OC
EL CHAVO,
If one can read, write & speak ENGLISH, and is compelled to join the discussion, then WHAT 'hampers' him or her from commenting? Certainly not signing in to a blogger account!
'Nuff said!
I am...NUBIA
Wow, Mr. OC tells me to get out of "his country", even though I already explained that I'm a United Statesian by birth. Way to read, chief! I'm not even going to bother with his pulled-out-of-a-right-wing-hat statistics about all the evils "illegals" do to my country since I've yet to get any explanation as to why flying a Mexican flag is related to the subject of "illegal" immigration.
I am a US citizen. If I were to choose to fly a Mexican flag, for whatever reason, how can you justify asking me to "go back to Mexico"? Kanani makes the point that country flags are iconic, and that is true. But the question remains, what gives you the right to tell me how to express myself? If I want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Irish flags, isn't that my right?
You all seem to be confusing your own personal preferences with some sort of governmental mandate. You really need to stop the hate of Mexicans.
El , For starters I didnt miss the fact that you claim to be an American. Lets get this right this is THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . The fact you claim you are A "United Statesian " by birth explains everything .. That is the problem you are not proud to be an American if you were you would not be a "United Statesian". Your loyalty is not here in the USA.
That is why Amercicans are so angry with the current immigration problem , the prior generations dreamed to be a US citizen they wanted to learn the language and they assimilated into society. Remember in elementary school you were taught this a giant melting pot , well its not melting anymore.
You claim to be A citizen of ..? Can you honestly tell me wherever it is you live is a better place because of this invasion?
One last thing "right wing statistics" ? Well facts are facts I guess the truth hurts. If you do not beleive these facts than PROVE them wrong. Facts are color blind.
Proud to be a United States of America CITIZEN
MR.OC
I think you missed the part where I said, "Sure fly whatever you want."
However, what you fly says a lot to your kids and their respect for this country
Take for instance what happened last week in Whittier. School kids TOOK DOWN the US flag in front of the school and raised the Mexican flag.
What does this mean?
El, you want to give it a shot?
Cultural pride, sure, fine.
But to toss out the American flag and put up another country's flag?
Especially when their parents or grandparents got the hell out of Mexico because face it: it was so freakin' corrupt, they just couldn't make it. That's precisely why my own grandparents got the hell out of China. They'd of starved or died young. So the thought of even flying a Chinese flag would have been so contrary about how they felt about their future. They saw their own future as this country, and to them, there was no going back.
So you tell me, el...why the non acceptance of the flag of their country --adopted or not? Or is it a protest to say, "Screw the immigration rules, we want to stay?"
One thing they have to realize that were it not for the First Amendment, their massive immigration protests in downtown L.A. might not have been allowed? That's right, it's guaranteed under "the right to peaceably assemble." Had it not been for that, they might have encountered the same conditions that the monks have been encountering with in Burma. So why not be grateful for not getting their heads bashed in and being able to protest? It's all protected under the First Amendment.
Frankly, El, spanish speaking citizens have been accommodated in so many ways, from the faulty bilingual education programs to the printing of governmental documents in their language. And today, many businesses require spanish to be spoken. No spanish, no job.
Chinese is a very close second. As a third generation Chinese I think it's a shame. I see kids with much less proficiency in English than when everyone was just required to learn the language so they could partake in the structuring of our democracy.
So go ahead, fly your Mexico flag. Fly your Irish flag. What Ed is wondering about is why not the American flag, especially given what happened in Whittier the other day.
El,
You've accused of us
"hating Mexicans."
Great. And with that, I think we can pretty much give up on you. If you're going to give us a knee jerk reaction, it means it doesn't matter what we say, you've already decided against listening to us.
Kanani,
I am definitely understanding your POV...this good ol' girl was founded on levels of diversity...mainly economics, but, those of us who have lived a few generations here, see that behavior as demeaning to our "middle passage forefathers" and some!!!
In the words of Rodney, beat me running in a Hyundai...fly the stars and stripes along with the flag of your native origin, and could we just all get along???
HAHAHA!!! Don't y'all love cliches????
As a side-note, the full name of Mexico IS the United States of Mexico just like the full name of America is the United States of America.
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