Students were confrontational on Cinco de Mayo

David L. Sullivan, Las Vegas

Thursday, May 13, 2010 | 2:04 a.m.

In response to Dick Atherley’s Sunday letter to the editor, headlined “A U.S. flag on T-shirts offends in own country?”:

The five students at Live Oaks High School in California who wore American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo were all sitting at the same table in the schoolyard. This could be coincidence or not.

To me their choice of apparel for that particular day was deliberately confrontational. The assistant principal was correct in advising them that their attire could be disruptive. He was being cautious — that’s his job.

The students were never suspended. They were given the option of wearing their T-shirts inside out or going home. They chose to go home.

In my high school, approximately one-third of the student body was Mexican-American — close to the ratio of Live Oaks High School. I can assure you that in my high school there would have been more than one fight if such a provocative action took place.

It is my opinion that wearing the American flag as an article of clothing is disrespectful to the flag. I can see a red, white and blue motif, or even a stars-and-stripes design. I object to wearing an exact replica of the flag as a T-shirt, bandana, poncho, bikini, etc.

I am a veteran of World War II, so please don’t question my patriotism.