Maine Uni. Puts U.S. Flags on Floor as ‘Art’
Posted on April 16, 2008
Update by Jay: Video from Hot Air
-By Warner Todd Huston
We have another incident of empty showboating by a half-sentient college kid who imagines herself to be making “art” and a “statement” by placing American flags on the floor in hopes that people would disrespect them enough to walk upon them. One Miss Susan Crane of the University of Maine at Farmington decided that her “art” was going to be an exercise in desecration.
Unfortunately, all we have is another disrespectful kid doing the same thing that a dozen other disrespectful kids have done at anti-American campuses across the country over the last 40 years or so. There isn’t a thing “new” or even unexpected about it at this point. This makes her “statement” empty and pointless. But Crane has been fooled by her anti-American professors into imagining she is sparking a “conversation” about patriotism and the flag.
“Ninety-five to 98 percent of the people didn’t walk on the flags,” Crane said of her findings. The other reaction she was hoping for was one of thoughtful reflection on his or her individual patriotism.
“It sparked conversation and thought about how we feel about our flag, which I think is very important. It was a very hard thing for me to do, to put the flag on the floor,” she said.
Oh, we get these sort of self-loathing, anti-Americans every single time there is national turmoil of some sort or another. They imagine they are being “edgy” and “artistic” with their displays of hate for their own country. And they get congratulated by their equally vacuous teachers and professors that were trained in the Marxist work shops of the Weather Underground, the SDS, or the equally Marxist NEA. But, when all is said and done, no “conversation” is sparked. Only emotions.
No one goes away from one of these idiotic displays of hate with any newer understanding of the issues of patriotism or the actions of the government of the United States. No history is learned, no issues settled. All we have is the self-congratulatory, circle-jerking of the hatemongers in our Universities who are so proud to be sending out into the great world another American citizen indoctrinated to hate their own country.
To illustrate, I think I’ll rename this little incident. I’m am going to give this project the following title:
“Fat, ugly college girl with no boyfriend creates flag desecration to show hate for country”
There. Now, here is the question: does that title help the debate? I don’t think it does, but then again, my reaction with this project reflects about the only “conversation” that Miss Crane will get with her display of ignorance. It will be all of emotion and no substance.
Here is a perfect example of what I am talking about. UMF’s president, Theo Kalikow, issued a completely empty statement after word got out about this unpatriotic display of hate.
“Art in all its forms is important. The anger that was experienced today. Students push the boundary of what learning is. First Amendment rights, freedom of expression. We share in a state of expression.”
Kalikow’s empty moralizing shows that this display of hatred was meaningless in the end. It resulted in nothing but anger even as the unpatriotic president of UMF tries to see some good, ANY good, in it. (You can email president Kalikow with this address: kalikow@maine.edu.)
At least one fellow was incensed enough to confront the educrats at UMF. Charlie Bennett, American Legion 4th District commander, a Vietnam Vet, went on down and began to pick the flags up from the floor. Naturally, the college administrators warned him that they’d call the police for his arrest.
So, a man who put his life on the line for that flag and for the folks wandering the halls of UMF was to be arrested for his patriotism? Typical.
There is a video of Mr. Bennett confronting these anti-Americans in the hallways of UMF. Bennett was confronted by the University Provost Allen Berger who told the veteran that he “didn’t fight for a piece of cloth.” (His number is 207-778-7279, and email is aberger@maine.edu.)
In any case, what we have here is but useless ginning up of emotions by a college kid who has been misled to believe that she is actually advancing the cause of Americanism instead of defeating it. She is the recipient of another wasted exercise in what is called “education” in this country. This is why our schools are becoming the laughing stock of real education everywhere.
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Education, Liberal Media/Bias, News
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36 Responses to “Maine Uni. Puts U.S. Flags on Floor as ‘Art’”
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Just to let you know this was not a Minnesota University it was done at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Keith Mahoney
Chairman
UMF College Republicans
I propose that we set up a similar display — placing Mis Crane’s photo in urinals with a copy of this post at eye level above the urinal, and seeing what percentage of men then urinate upon the photo.
I bet it will exceed the two percent who walked on the flag
I’ve used parts of a US flag in a piece of artwork, and some thought it offensive. However, I find my example truly thought-provoking political art, while what this student did was soley meant to offend. Further, what was the artistic “value” of her arrangement of the flags? What class was she doing this project for? I bet it wasn’t an art class. This is another disturbing trend in academia. Professors and teachers who are not qualified to assess “art” in any way, but accept anything, in lieu of a written paper expressing the student’s level of knowledge about a subject. It’s a disgrace on so many levels. Anyway, here’s the URL to my piece of political art, which incorporates the US flag. I don’t think it’s offensive, but decide for yourself:
http://leavart.blogspot.com/2005/03/this-is-one-of-those-drawing-that-just.html
“The liberal Democrats are trying to destroy this country but try as they may they will never succeed.”
Funny story guy, the student who did this is a conservative republican whose father was a 20 year military veteran who APPROVED of her project. Us kooky liberal democrats actually had nothing do with this mess at all.
To Mike J and your quite heated, disrespectful response … that veteran and his service to our country is what gives you the right to talk trash like that about anyone, anywhere, anyhow.
As long as you don’t direct toward the White House. If you had, you’d be in jail.
Does war happen so that we can maintain our rights and freedom to say what we want? Mike? The Student? The Veteran? Or, are wars fought and won so that we can protect our nation’s relics…from a student’s opinion of art?
Tough question.
Seriously.
Bush already did it:
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20060911/i/r3741338336.jpg
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20060911/i/r1066002127.jpg
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20060911/i/r2976054383.jpg
Jay,
You are a total idiot.
Calling her a “Fat, ugly college girl with no boyfriend” is proof that you don’t have an argument.
By insulting her (in such a demeaning way) you’re taking credence from your original argument.
You think it’s better to live in a Military state?
Perhaps you don’t think we need our freedom to express ourselves?
Perhaps every idea the government doesn’t agree with should be squelched?
Move to Cuba, jerk!
I don’t think you were paying attention, Richard. The “fat ugly girl” line was used PRECISELY to show that mere outrage does not really do much to0 advance discussion!
Richard,
Freedom is not the “government’s” to grant.
Warner — if that’s the case — I agree.
Jaredd — I agree to an extent — but who shall enforce/regulate/allow (or limit, as is obviously being proposed) our freedoms?
You? Me?
there must be a governing body.
It’s so easy to say you love freedom when it comes wrapped in an invasion of a foreign country. It’s entirely different when it is an art statement you don’t agree with.
Mary W.
War is fight for the freedom you do not deserve. As you speak of college kids if they get a damn education like college was intended for this country would be a better place. But you see the College is breeding grounds for the Liberal Democrats and the Anti-Americans who hate this country so much but use the system like it was a money machine. The teachers at this colleges use the teaching time to teach there ideology instead of an education that will help them get a JOB. But 90% off them will end up on the welfare list because they spent there college time listing to BS and not getting an education to support there selves but instead we the people who pay taxes will support there pitfall lives as they spend it complaining about this country instead of doing something for this country. And you said they would be in jail if it was directed towards the white House well guess what idiots do it everyday and not a damn thing is done about it. Unlike other countries where you be glad to go to jail as that is the weakest of there punishment.
And if you are so dumb to ask why wars are fight then you belong top the 90% I spoke about above.
Wars are fight for freedom, security in this country. Without are troops putting there lives on the line everyday you would not be so free and secure as with other countries like IRAN, North Korea, etc…Burn a flag or say something about there governments and jail is the last place you will hope to be.
Millions have giving there lives fighting under the flag and people are going to disrespect it they better be ready for the heat that comes with it. How would you like it if I went and pissed on one of your family’s grave or walked all over there corps just to make a point? How would you feel? Well that’s what veterans feel!
You clearly need a check up from the neck up as all your Liberal Democrat friends do!
Richard you and Mary should go bowling together.
Mike,
Believe it or not, I did not like the disrespect that was shown to the veterans who believe the flag stands for exactly what they fight for. As you said, wars are fought for freedom and security in this country … something that they don’t enjoy in Iraq, Iran or North Korea.
We both said it … freedom. And, that freedom includes the ability to do just what you did … calling me dumb, anti-American. I am nothing of the kind. Not dumb. Definitely not anti-American. But you can say it. You could even piss on the grave of my father, a Korean War veteran, AND step over his corpse. I wouldn’t like it. But you could.
THAT is what we have that no one else does. And, in my opinion, THAT is precisely why our men & women in the armed forces face death (and worse) every day in Iraq, Afganistan, etc. They fight for our freedom.
You said it yourself.
I think that perhaps her statement could have been made a different way. And I’m sorry for the vet who felt badly, but the fact remains. He fought for the very freedom the student had in placing the flags on the floor. Can’t you see that?
Done in very poor taste, but that’s my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions … they’re like … everybody has one. Right?
Mary W.
Mike,
Believe it or not, I did not like the disrespect that was shown to the veterans who believe the flag stands for exactly what they fight for. As you said, wars are fought for freedom and security in this country … something that they don’t enjoy in Iraq, Iran or North Korea.
We both said it … freedom. And, that freedom includes the ability to do just what you did … calling me dumb, anti-American. I am nothing of the kind. Not dumb. Definitely not anti-American. But you can say it. You could even piss on the grave of my father, a Korean War veteran, AND step over his corpse. I wouldn’t like it. But you could.
THAT is what we have that no one else does. And, in my opinion, THAT is precisely why our men & women in the armed forces face death (and worse) every day in Iraq, Afganistan, etc. They fight for our freedom.
You said it yourself.
I think that perhaps her statement could have been made a different way. And I’m sorry for the vet who felt badly, but the fact remains. He fought for the very freedom the student had in placing the flags on the floor. Can’t you see that?
Done in very poor taste, but that’s my opinion. And you know what they say about opinions … they’re like … everybody has one. Right?
Mary W.
I’m not going to arguing on this subject because it comes down to how the kids are raised from there parents to there teachers between whats right and whats wrong. So i guess it is ok to disrespect someone in your house Marry but in my house my kids are to respect other people unless those are disrespecting them.These are the people who call the terrorists freedom fighters and are troops cold bloody murderers. And again i say if you people hate America so much then just leave. It’s so simple. Put the fact is they will not leave because America is the only country who will put up with there trash.
Someone let the birdcage open.
Mike,
this is garbage
sorry I argued with you
you can’t srting a sentence together to save your life.
I hope that you’d agree that if someone invaded YOUR country you’d be a freedom fighter.
Yet, perhaps you’d concede that in some circles, American foreign policy is terrorism.
It’s a matter of perspective.
nothing like making a hate crime worse by showing her hate…she was wrong in what she did but two wrongs do not make a right. We don’t need to call her names. That just shows our immaturity.
Richard- I beat I Can string your eyes together and then take the trash out since you’re talking about garbage. Freedom fighter yup the terrorists came here on 9/11 so now we are kicking there ass. Your either behind are troops or in front of them.
Educate yourself on Iraq! Jimmy Carter & bill Clintons screw ups that lead to 9/11 and Iraq war. George Bush just cleaned up the Liberal trash that was left behind. And now Jimmy the nut carter is over there again talking to his Buddies the terrorists. Putting his nose where it doesn’t belong, like he did when he was the so called President.
Somebody let the birdcage open again.
Wow. I always find it amazing that there exist so many people who feel the need to flaunt their ignorance in public.
One is forced to conclude that if nothing else, the flag project has brought to light some real morons.
Special note to Mike J. — next time, sober up before you write. And proofread. Please.
Totally Mike (J).
You seem to have kids, maybe you can have your kids look over what you write before you click the “submit comment” button.
Did you really say that you bet (or “beat”) me that you can string my EYES together?
What on earth are you talking about?
Here’s the kicker though;
Aren’t you glad you’re free to say it?
So am I!
As ignorant as you are, I’m proud to live in a nation that doesn’t censor you.
Thank you, ACLU!
This article is very one-sided and discriminatory. First of all, as a student of UMF, I know that we are not Anti-American.
The attacks in this article saying that the professors brainwashed this student and that the president is unpatriotic are absolute CRAP.
Samantha–if you don’t drink the administration’s Kool-aid right to the dregs, then you are anti-American. I can’t believe you didn’t know this. It’s common knowledge.
Just ask Sean Hannity–he knows everything.
Mike J
On what basis are you calling me a racist?
Do you know what race I am?
What race am I discriminating against?
What I think is funny, Mike (J) is that you seem to have a lot of tough-talk, a lot of insults but not a lot of well-thought arguments.
Mike J.–Surely there is a copy of “The English Language for Dummies” you could get a hold of. It is most unseemly for you to blather on like this. Your conservo brethren must be silently beggging you to shut up already.
Your lack of insight into politics and what freedom actually means is only outdone by your singular inability to articulate said inanities.
But please, don’t stop. I so enjoy a good moronic rant.
Mike J.–Serious question. Do you actually, literally believe, and I quote– “That flag that that jackass called a cloth is what gives that jackass his freedom.”
In other words, if somehow every US flag in existence were magically destroyed, would we then cease to be free? Or is freedom a state arrived at independently from the existence, or not, of flags?
Thank you in advance for your consideration of my query.
hahahaha
Mike Dude get a life and go somewhere else will you. You have no idea.
THAT is your response?
I would just like to say that for one person arguing on behalf of the conservative party, they must be cringing at you lack of political insight. While what the student did may spark a response, i agree with richard and mike that your definition of freedom is very skewered. Whether or not it was some political statement is what should be being argued, not whether our colleges and teachers are anti-american, because i believe that despite your rantings, most of the people you talk of are, in fact, very Pro American. It is our given right, by the Government and the Supreme Court, to display our rights, ones you seem to be exercising just as much as anyone else. I believe that the project, if it showed something, was that 98 percent of Americans respect the flag, yet here you call pretty much anyone who’s views aren’t an extreme conservative a, and i quote “the trash that America doesn’t need.” I would like to see what you have to say about that. Just remember, 98 percent of the people who walked by avoided the flags. I’m sorry we can’t all be conservatives, but America wasn’t brought up to take cheap shots at people based on their beliefs. If i remember correctly, we founded this country so that people COULD express their beliefs, and not be persecuted as you would see them if we lived in your world.
I completely agree with Tyler. It seems that Mike J is taking unwarranted shots at people he obviously knows nothing about and wouldn’t take the time to know them. Simply put, he is an extremest who would see any left wing radical be monarch then see democracy or the freedom he holds “so dear” to his heart prevail. Any just for the record, i don’t agree with what this student did, our vets did fight for that same flag, and our flag, should be a sacred item cherished above all in our nation, when unity is needed the most
Flag should be cherished as a symbol of freedom not a walking mat that men and women have died over to protect. You can handle when you are criticized about your views. Because your views are intended to hurt people.
Here is a political eye opener for you.
Words of Hamas political adviser Ahmed Yousef, who in an interview Sunday with WABC radio and WorldNetDaily said the terrorist group supports Obama’s foreign policy vision. One of cut and run and leave Iraq to die under the rule of terrorism.
“Barack Obama’s foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders,”
Yousef said in the interview: “We don’t mind — actually we like Mr. Obama. And we hope he wins.
How nice the terrorists like obama. Maybe because he is friends with them. Maybe because that’s where his money is coming from. Maybe the 3000+ people who died on 9/11 means nothing to you Liberal Democrats as it always shows.
The colleges today are breeding grounds for Anti-Americans and racists. You people go over to your MoveOn.Org website where you disrespect people on an every day basis. Like i keep saying if you hate this country so much then get the hell out and stop your crying. I get pissed when they questioned a vets service as they did and put him down. You people need to grow up.
Troll cage is closed!
We at the Grodner Effect would like all personal information we can discover about S. Crane. If you don’t know what the Grodner Effect is, read this:
The Grodner Effect:
A person, politican or company, particularly a lawyer or law firm who is corrupt and arrogant tries to create a position in which he or the company, party or entity for which they work or represent can repress or harm an individual or individuals simply by having connections in the legal system, political connections or personal wealth. That person, party or entity gets blogged and the entire story goes viral on the Internet, causing the person or entity who is blogged about to lose pretty much everything, like our hero and pet, Jay Grodner.
Please post whatever you find in the comments section at
http://www.grodnereffect.com
Thanks!!!!
But, when all is said and done, no “conversation” is sparked. Only emotions. Im not sure how you define conversation but looking at all the replies to this article I believe this did spark a fair bit of conversation. If anyone would like to read and ACCURATE article about this event check the Sunjournal articles. A note to the author: Get your facts straight before you go ranting about something you don’t have accurate facts about.
Wynn–if they tried to inject facts, reason, or logic into their opinions, they’d likely implode. Ugly stuff, that. I almost prefer they prattle on this way.
Wynn,
You think this was “conversation”? Hardly. Even the comments here are not “conversation” as much as just outrage. There is NO “discussion” and no useful contemplation as a result of this incident. It just ginned emotions.
Haha
Warner, do you think that she did it with the intent of having it discussed on the Stop The ACLU forum? Do you think this is the only place it’s being discussed (sorry — commented on), or do you think it’s safe to assume that someone somewhere else is talking about it too?
Wow— While I agree she has the right to do this.. I just can for the life of me understand WHY you would do something like this. Even in 2 respects, Art as it relates to freedom of speech, and I guess political statements she has the right, but really, if you put your mind to it and actually think for 2 seconds, you would realize the flag is the symbol of our country, and we have fought for what it represents, hundreds of thousands of american soldiers have died for what that flag represents, and to put it on the floor and to have people walk on it, is just saying you don’t care what they did for your freedoms, it’s plain disrepectful. There is better ways she could have ‘voiced’ her opinion.