The US Flag and Lehigh University
Sep 15th 2001, 3:50 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
It seems that Mr. John Smeaton, Vice Provost for Student Affairs at Lehigh
University in Bethlehem, PA was worried that foreign students would be offended; and
he ordered that the US Flag be removed from at least one place where it was
displayed in reaction to the current terrorist actions in the USA. In response to
the strong negative reactions to Mr. Smeaton's actions, the university quickly
reversed his actions.
My foreign born wife was aghast at this guy's actions and asked me to write
to him to tell him of her reactions as a foreign born resident of the USA. I
am sure that the other foreign born spouses in the newsgroup probably have
the same reaction.
Following is my letter to Mr. Smeaton, whose e-mail address
is: [email protected] . The e-mail address of the president of Lecithin University,
Gregory Fascination, is: [email protected] .
Any other similar reactions from your spouses?
DUTCH
it. Smeaton:
Misguided or not, retracted or not, your decision regarding the removal of
the US Flag for fear of offending foreign students is shameful; and brings to
question your decision making ability. It also brings ridicule on what I
understand is normally a highly regarded institution of higher learning.
I realize that you probably will not read any further in this message; but,
just in case that you do, let me tell you of the reaction of my foreign born,
not yet US citizen wife and her four children to this current situation in
general and to your action, specifically.
I am a 59 yr old 3rd generation US Citizen who is proud of his country and
her flag. My wife was born in another country and has been here almost 5
years. Her four children were also born in that same other country and have
been here 1.5 yrs. My wife has been brought to tears far too many times to
count while watching the TV coverage of New York and Washington situations.
Most recently was during President Bush's remarks at the National Prayer
Service. The kids have been watching in horror and some fear; and the oldest
one who is 19 and is NOT a US Citizen says that he wants to enlist in the
military to assist in the fight.
Yesterday, Friday, was the National Day of Prayer. Each one of them asked me
(I did NOT suggest it to them) repeatedly and urgently to help them find
small US Flags that they could attach to their clothing and book bags before
they went to school. I did with pride in and for them. My wife insisted
that, as I was leaving for work, I must attach a flag to our mailbox at the
street. I did.
This, Mr. Smeaton, is how the foreign born residents of this house feel about
the US Flag. My wife told me to tell you that she is proud and honored to be
living in "America", and she is proud to display the flag. She has already
filed for her citizenship/naturalization, and is anxiously looking forward to
becoming a US Citizen.
Perhaps, Mr. Smeaton, you could learn something for the foreign born
residents of this home. If not, perhaps you might spend some time at the WTC
recovery site. Maybe then, you might get some perspective and respect.
Signed.
University in Bethlehem, PA was worried that foreign students would be offended; and
he ordered that the US Flag be removed from at least one place where it was
displayed in reaction to the current terrorist actions in the USA. In response to
the strong negative reactions to Mr. Smeaton's actions, the university quickly
reversed his actions.
My foreign born wife was aghast at this guy's actions and asked me to write
to him to tell him of her reactions as a foreign born resident of the USA. I
am sure that the other foreign born spouses in the newsgroup probably have
the same reaction.
Following is my letter to Mr. Smeaton, whose e-mail address
is: [email protected] . The e-mail address of the president of Lecithin University,
Gregory Fascination, is: [email protected] .
Any other similar reactions from your spouses?
DUTCH
it. Smeaton:
Misguided or not, retracted or not, your decision regarding the removal of
the US Flag for fear of offending foreign students is shameful; and brings to
question your decision making ability. It also brings ridicule on what I
understand is normally a highly regarded institution of higher learning.
I realize that you probably will not read any further in this message; but,
just in case that you do, let me tell you of the reaction of my foreign born,
not yet US citizen wife and her four children to this current situation in
general and to your action, specifically.
I am a 59 yr old 3rd generation US Citizen who is proud of his country and
her flag. My wife was born in another country and has been here almost 5
years. Her four children were also born in that same other country and have
been here 1.5 yrs. My wife has been brought to tears far too many times to
count while watching the TV coverage of New York and Washington situations.
Most recently was during President Bush's remarks at the National Prayer
Service. The kids have been watching in horror and some fear; and the oldest
one who is 19 and is NOT a US Citizen says that he wants to enlist in the
military to assist in the fight.
Yesterday, Friday, was the National Day of Prayer. Each one of them asked me
(I did NOT suggest it to them) repeatedly and urgently to help them find
small US Flags that they could attach to their clothing and book bags before
they went to school. I did with pride in and for them. My wife insisted
that, as I was leaving for work, I must attach a flag to our mailbox at the
street. I did.
This, Mr. Smeaton, is how the foreign born residents of this house feel about
the US Flag. My wife told me to tell you that she is proud and honored to be
living in "America", and she is proud to display the flag. She has already
filed for her citizenship/naturalization, and is anxiously looking forward to
becoming a US Citizen.
Perhaps, Mr. Smeaton, you could learn something for the foreign born
residents of this home. If not, perhaps you might spend some time at the WTC
recovery site. Maybe then, you might get some perspective and respect.
Signed.
Sep 17th 2001, 11:32 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
The US flag is flying high and proud in our house (actually, they are just little
ones so they aren't that high!) and so far I've managed not to show any offence.
Several things over the last week have severely offended me (apart from the actual
attacks for which I have no words):
a) The attacks on innocent muslims and their place of worship by Americans.
b) The absolutely disgusting, misinformed, small-minded and idiotic retoric by Jerry
Falwell and Pat Robertson who blamed gays, feminists, abortion-rights groups and
civil liberties groups for bringing this upon us.
c) The stupidity of My John Smeaton - OK, that doesn't really offend me, it just
staggers me!
Andy.
--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.
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ones so they aren't that high!) and so far I've managed not to show any offence.
Several things over the last week have severely offended me (apart from the actual
attacks for which I have no words):
a) The attacks on innocent muslims and their place of worship by Americans.
b) The absolutely disgusting, misinformed, small-minded and idiotic retoric by Jerry
Falwell and Pat Robertson who blamed gays, feminists, abortion-rights groups and
civil liberties groups for bringing this upon us.
c) The stupidity of My John Smeaton - OK, that doesn't really offend me, it just
staggers me!
Andy.
--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.
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