Grinding Gears

This Grinding Gears segment is taking a bit of a step back from the car world, and going a bit political. I try to keep my head out of the political realm, but this one really chapped my ass.

Last week, 5 high school students in CA were sent home from school for wearing "inappropriate" t-shirts to school. The assistant principal felt that the shirts, which bore the AMERICAN FLAG, were inappropriate because it was May 5, and that they "could offend other students."

These kids were asked to leave around noon, and no complaints had been placed to the principal's office against them at that point.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy throwing back a tequila or two on Cinco de Drinko, but to say that they can't wear a shirt with the american flag on it because it is a Mexican holiday?? We're in the United States of America, if you don't like patriotism, then get out.

The kicker is that Cinco de Mayo isn't a holiday that is recognized in all regions of Mexico! It signifies the day that the Mexican militia defeated the French Army in the Battle of Puebla. The capital city of the Mexican state Puebla celebrates this day, and it is somewhat recognized in other parts.

Mexico's independence day is September 16.

The level of "political correctness" has gone way too far in this country. Now we're infringing on our own basic rights to speech and expression for the sake of hurting someone's feelings.

Now, some argue that if this should be allowed, then kids should be able to wear whatever they want to school based on the same principle. There is an easily discernible line between what is and isn't appropriate. I don't think that a kid should be able to wear a shirt that has foul language or images of death/sex to school. It's not the place for them.

Plus, there has been a softening of rules that I have seen in recent years, and the effect of this hasn't been positive. Kids are rude, brash, brazen, and don't have any respect for authority. Everything they ask for is given to them, and the sense of entitlement is out of this world. No one wants to work for anything, they just want it all handed to them on a platter.

What better reason to give these kids for rebelling but to persecute them for being patriotic? Can you say, 1776?

The parents of these kids are considering suing the school district. I say, bravo! Kick them where it hurts, and make a statement for the rest of this country that there should be no punishment for being patriotic.

Hopefully someday soon we will start to realize that this country is getting further and further out of our control.