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Education

High School Teacher Suspended After Allegedly Stomping on American Flag, Telling Students ‘It Doesn’t Mean Anything’

Jan. 9, 2013 6:00pm Jason Howerton

S.C. High School Teacher Suspended After Allegedly Stomping on American Flag During Lesson

FILE

A South Carolina teacher has been suspended after he allegedly threw the American flag on the ground and stomped on it in front of his honors English class. He reportedly told students the flag was “only a piece of cloth” and didn’t “mean anything.”

At least one parent calls the actions of the Chapin High School English teacher disrespectful and unpatriotic, WIS-TV reports. Officials at Chapin High School, located in Chapin, S.C. hope to have a permanent replacement for the teacher for the remainder of the year while an investigation is carried out.

One parent, Michael Copleand, says he heard his teenager talking about what her English teacher did with the American flag in the classroom and pressed to get the whole story.

“He drew a couple of symbols, like one of them was a cross, and he said, ‘What does this represent,’ and everybody said, ‘Christianity,’” Copeland told WIS-TV.

“Then he proceeds to take down the American flag, and said, ‘This is a symbol, but it’s only a piece of cloth. It doesn’t mean anything,’ and then he throws it down on the floor and then stomps on it, repeatedly,” he added. “I asked what was he trying to get, the point across? And she said, ‘I don’t know,’ and he said, his explanation was there would be no consequences, it’s just a piece of cloth that doesn’t mean anything.”

But there were consequences.

wistv.com – Columbia, South Carolina |

Mark Bounds, A spokesman for the Lexington-Richland 5 school district, a military veteran, was unhappy with the teacher’s disrespectful display.

“Our superintendent served in the military, I served in the military for 20 years, our flag is a symbol of our freedom, and so many people have fought and died for that liberty, and so we take this action very seriously,” he said.

He continued: “There is a code of ethics for teachers that talks about professional conduct, and then we tell our teachers that their personal opinion is their personal opinion and shouldn’t be brought into the classroom, and so we caution them all the time,” said Bounds.

The lesson on the flag was repeated in three classes that day. School officials have reportedly launched a full investigation into the incident.

What do you think, is the American flag more than a “piece of cloth?”

Featured image via AP

This story has been updated.

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Comments (192)

RoDogg
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:21pm
enter … the teacher’s union and freedom of speech talk….

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- NHwinter
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:24pm
  Fire him and deport/send him to another country.
  
  Report this comment
- MisterSarcastic
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:29pm
  There are no teachers unions in SC. He’ll have to go the old fashioned route and get a sleazy lawyer.
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:37pm
  home school…………also if you libs want to make a point go to military base in the morning and do that……….as for the godless athiest..if you want to be taken seriously go picket a mosque instead of loving charitable christians
  
  Report this comment
- strawberry411a
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:38pm
  South Carolina….gee. What a surprise. What did he do…..fly the secesh flag from the war they started….and can’t seem to get over.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:41pm
  Syria would be good !! suspend my AZZ, FIRE the SOB !!!!
  
  what does the American Flag have to do with teaching English ??
  did I miss something when I went to HS ? Bill Ayers, is that you ??/
  
  Report this comment
- crackerone
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:52pm
  B O has no problem, putting it on all toilet paper in the White House.
  
  Biden thought it was funny, so he had it “stamped” on the bottom of his depends.
  
  Report this comment
- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:00pm
  I think someone should leak his name and what he did to a couple local combat veterans and see what happens.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:53pm
  His name is Scott Compton. It’s all over other news sources.
  
  Report this comment
- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 8:14pm
  Every facet of society is being attacked today from every angle. How much longer will this republic last?
  http://www.isthatbaloney.com/new-york-governor-andrew-cuomo-to-propose-unconstitutional-gun-control-laws/
  
  Report this comment
- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 8:21pm
  Mr or Ms RODOGG,
  
  Here is what you must know:
  
  Free speech scares only fascists.
  
  It is so.
  
  Report this comment
- UNINFORMED
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 9:20pm
  Sadly there are many more teachers would do the same thing if they could get away with it.
  
  Report this comment
- yiska8
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 9:32pm
  Strip him of his pension and then you’ll see the rabid unionists bussed in. He doesn’t “deserve” his teaching license or a retirement check. What a POS.
  
  Report this comment
- robfletch
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:35pm
  The teacher wanted a vacation. He will receive a strongly worded letter on how disappointed the School district is and not to do it again.
  
  Report this comment
- YankeeDelta68
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:42pm
  crackerone@thats a good one.
  
  Report this comment
- IndyGuy
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:42pm
  The kids should have thrown the teacher on the ground and stomped him saying he doesn’t mean anything,he’s a communist…
  
  Report this comment
- jcldwl
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:51pm
  He’s welcome to come to my house and try that.
  
  Report this comment
- redfish52
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 8:50am
  Nope….no teachers union in SC….a RIGHT TO WORK STATE….and this is a good example of why…
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 2:05pm
  Thro’em down onna ground and stomp allaover him cause he’e not worth “nuttin’”!!
  
  Report this comment
- zapparules
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 9:49pm
  Ahhhh…
  So it IS Free Speech when it is an act of burning the Koran – or making a movie insulting to those who follow a certain religion BUT…
  Perform a similar act to a SYMBOL of America and…
  You no longer should be allowed to work. You should have legal charges brought up against you. You should be subject to physical violence.
  
  Report this comment
Owt_Raged
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:21pm
Her teaching certificate is nothing, it’s just a piece of paper, let’s burn it and see how quickly a piece of paper suddenly gets “meaning”

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- seek.the.truth
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:32pm
  Agreed!
  
  Report this comment
- RustyElbows
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 9:30pm
  Owt_Raged – Very good !!
  
  Report this comment
- donsfirstwife
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 5:53pm
  What her are you talking about this teacher is a man.
  
  Report this comment
OUTLAW_WEALTH
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:20pm
Now do that to a Koran, brave union member.

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- john vincent
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:28pm
  -good call
  
  Report this comment
- Chuck Stein
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:30pm
  That sure would be brave. I don’t expect it.
  
  Report this comment
NotPoliticallyCorrect
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:17pm
I’m surprised he didn’t get a fat promotion, I’m happy with a suspension at this point which is so sad that we’ve gotten to this point :/

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bluntforce
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:16pm
An uppercut to the jaw of this so called teacher would work wonders on this punks attitude towards our flag.

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marssnw
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:14pm
I wonder if I stomped his face if he would say it meant nothing?!?!?! Im growing tired of these people. Ship them all to Afghanistan. Would they still say it means nothing?

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Perspective
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:14pm
It most certainly is more than a piece of cloth and it certainly does mean something. The teacher was correct in that our flag is a symbol but that’s all he got right. Of course he certainly showed everyone how he felt about the USA didn’t he? Try that little stunt in North Korea and see where it gets you.

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- Black Horse
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 5:28am
  It’s a symbol alright. It’s a symbol representing the brave men and women that have died or been severely wounded in order to give this fool the right to pull his stupid stunt.
  
  He may now leave my country. Exit, stage right.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 11:14am
  “What do you think, is the American flag more than a “piece of cloth?”
  
  It is the piece of cloth my grandfather had drapped on his coffin.(Spanish American War, WWI).
  
  It is the piece of cloth my father had drapped on his coffin. (WWII, Korea, Vietnam)
  
  It is the piece of cloth my mother had drapped on her coffin. (WWII)
  
  Some day it will be the piece of cloth drapped on my coffin. (Vietnam)
  
  Some day it will be the piece of cloth drapped on my son’s coffin. (Iraq, Afghanistan)
  
  Yes, I think it is more than just a piece of cloth.
  
  Report this comment
Longgonegator
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:14pm
What is out country coming to? Lord please help us

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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:32pm
  This if we don’t get busy.http://weaselzippers.us/2013/01/09/egyptian-cleric-christian-women-should-wear-a-veil-unless-they-want-to-get-raped/
  
  Report this comment
- GeorgieJo
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:03pm
  Unions will get his job back
  Remember the guys drinking and “chooming” at Chrysler plant??
  They got their jobs back.
  Ho Hum
  Nero is playing the fiddle……………….
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:13pm
Burn his paycheck…..

After all it’s just a piece of paper.

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- bitterclinger
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:23pm
  Excellent!
  
  Please, please, please don’t furlough him WITH pay. There’s got to be some action against these dweebs.
  
  Report this comment
- seek.the.truth
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:29pm
  Like!
  
  Report this comment
- kickagrandma
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:30pm
  LIKE!
  Nice comment. (Mandatory small letters put together to support comment in ALL CAPS).
  
  Report this comment
- SolitudeBliss
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:38pm
  Good one
  
  Report this comment
- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 8:22pm
  Mr or Ms THE MONK,
  
  This is what you must know:
  
  A paycheck can be exchanged for legal tender.
  
  It is so.
- Black Horse
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 5:25am
  NOTMYSENSEI
  
  Here is what you must know:
  
  Not if it is burned first. It may cook a marshmallow. A small masrhmallow.
  
  It is so.
  
  Report this comment
DougHuffman
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:12pm
The “piece of cloth” covered by 4 USC 1 and under which countless men have given their all, their lives, their fortunes and health.

The skrule employee also needs personal security guards for a while – at his own expense.

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BlackCrow
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:12pm
This “teacher” needs a few lessons from the local VFW on flag etiquette. I might take the liberal application of a club to the head but they should be able to get their point across.

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- john vincent
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:30pm
  crow-
  well said ,
  but
  would it have made a difference if the flag was made in China??
  
  Report this comment
broper
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:11pm
This is liberalism, the disease, featuring contempt and hatred for anything moral, respectful, traditional, or American. The disease has infected our schools, courts, and our elected representatives. I remember a time when people stood up for the flag, freedom, liberty and the red, white and blue symbols for duty, honor and country. Now there is a television show featuring an unwed father of nine or ten children, by nine or ten women, and he is somehow the new American hero to be looked up to and admired. We are in a cultural and economic death spiral and we are allowing 535 members of the House and Senate and one very scary President to take us over the cliff. Oh yeah, have you folks who voted for Obama noticed your paychecks decreased? Told ya! LEAN FORWARD, and brace yourself… it is only the beginning.

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- Val2652
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 9:12pm
  It isn’t America they hate it is all of Western Civilisation. They have been busy destroying and placing themselves in key positions for decades while we were busy working, and not watching close enough. I have had a dream that we got an influx or invasion of conservative/right wing Americans that would place the vote here for an improved and better Australia. Our lefties could leave and with enough right wingers we could build dams, nuclear power or coal fired plants (new), irrigate the desert, encourage farmers and become self sufficient once again. All left wingers are welcome to leave and a new selection procedure to be put in place for teachers as well as company CEO’s and representatives in parliament. Well that’s one dream I have anyway.
  
  Report this comment
Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:11pm
Clearly what he did is disrespectful. It is also likely a fire-able offense with his employer. That being said, outside of school I’d fight for his right to do that despite the disrespect. Point is, you want to do that on your own time? Fine. At work? In front of kids? C’mon man….pack your desk.

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- brother_ed
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:27pm
  @ROTH
  
  You, sir, are correct.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:50pm
  roth-
  bro ed-
  
  here is a link to something similarly distasteful; yet as you point out, there is a time and place for tolerance over things we know to be egregious
  
  http://sienna48.blog.com/2010/09/09/burn-the-book/
  
  Report this comment
- brother_ed
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:07pm
  @JOHN VINCENT
  
  The quote that I think is apropos is:
  
  ” A man getting rattled because his religion’s book is burned shows he is weak, peccable, and has a poor foundation because he cannot tolerate dissent. And this really is the issue, that dissent must not be allowed.”
  
  Freedom of speech means two things, I am allowed to express my ideas, and also that I must tolerate your expression of idea – without fear of physical or legal recourse.
  
  I think this man is seriously misguided, but I can use my intellect and reason to counter his ignorance.
  
  The only thing to do is to show the children why we should respect the flag; bring in a veteran or two to talk about their experiences and sacrifices. Then let the kids make up their own minds.
  
  I learned to respect the flag, it didn’t come naturally. Others can learn, also.
  
  Report this comment
- john vincent
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:17pm
  ed-
  good comeback
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 8:33pm
  “Figuratively, the flag stands for freedom and democracy. It represents the unity of America, our common cause, and the hope for a better tomorrow.”
  
  http://www.enotes.com/history/discuss/what-does-american-flag-stand-for-11027
  
  A flag is a “stand in” for the American people & what we value. To desecrate the flag is to speak ill or have ill will toward the American people.
  
  In a political sense a flag is to the American people what a variable is in an equation.
  
  If said teacher thinks so little of the American people the American polity, he should find a better one & move.
  
  Report this comment
- IMAFUNDSARELOW
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 1:21am
  Your right, he does have the right to express himself and his opinion under the 1st Amendent, but so do I. I would express myself by kicking his azz for disrecpecting my flag.
  
  Report this comment
- donsfirstwife
  Posted on January 10, 2013 at 5:59pm
  What I don’t understand is all the reports say allegedly when there was a classroom full of witnesses who were talking about it and telling their parents. This alleged business is going way too far. If I shot you in the face with a squirt gun (I’d never use a real gun) and there were three people who saw me do it, that would certainly not make me an alleged shooter. It should definitely prove beyond a doubt that I did indeed squirt you in the face with my squirt gun.
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:10pm
I didn’t know that US High Schools were still allowed to have an American Flag on campus….

(end sarcasm)

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- lordjosh
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:19pm
  “our flag is a symbol of our freedom,..” LMAO
  I use to think like that. Probably a year ago I would’ve called his actions treasonous.
  Like the swatiska, the American flag as a symbol has been tainted by the use of the fascist over the last 150 years or so. Stomp away. It means nothing. Sorry to all the vets who got suckered int to serving the worms.
  
  Report this comment
- tnman65
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:41pm
  Lord Josh. You sound just like the Liberal POS hippies from the sixties. I am a Vet and I wasn’t suckered into serving my country, I did it for love of country. Please choose a country you feel is better and get the HELL out.
  
  Report this comment
- lordjosh
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:00pm
  @TNM65
  
  If you love this country, open your eyes.
  
  Report this comment
- Jenny Lind
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:05pm
  lordjosh, I have two flags, in cases. One was given to my husband as he retired from the Navy aboard the USS Isenhower, it had flown over that great ship that day, and had my husband’s
  acheivments in the case also. The other flag covered his coffin, and he was a true patriot. When you are handed a flag like that, it is more than just your country’s symbol, it is the symbol of a life lived in service to keep all of us free and is filled with love he felt for America. It was cold that day in Dixon, Calif, I hung on to that flag and remembered his pride and love for a country that is less and less than what he would have considered acceptable. Do not try to tell me it means nothing.
  
  Report this comment
- tnman65
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 10:56pm
  Jenny Lind, I know you are proud of your husbands service and the sacrifices he made for his country. May your heart be filled with fond memories. I think to many people confuse their country with polititians. There is more to our country than the people holding office.
  
  Report this comment
MisterSarcastic
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:10pm
Howerton must have meant Chapin, SC which is located near Columbia (if anyone cares). I’m from SC and have never heard of nor can I find a Chaplin, SC on the map.

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- teammommy
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:19pm
  Seriously? I’m from SC (born raised) and Everyone I know of knows where Chapin is! Between Newberry and Cola, I-26!
  
  Report this comment
- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:28pm
  I think you’re correct. I caught that also. I expect more from SC.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:25pm
  Hi MisterSarcastic,
  
  I checked and you are correct.
  
  Thanks.
  
  Report this comment
CarolinaGirl
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:09pm
For God’s sake, fire the teacher and revoke his teaching creditials. And do not pay him anything! What a slug!!

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CommonSenseTalk
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:09pm
The flag represents our freedoms. In a protest you would have the right to step on the flag. In our schools that should be teaching our children pride in there country its disgusting. These teachers are why America is giving up all its rights and freedoms to the very people who have never done a single thing right. They cannot balance a budget, the one thing they should do.

The next fight is over good and evil. Don’t think for one second that the reps or dems will fix anything. They both want bigger government and more spending.

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garbagecanlogic
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:08pm
SUSPENDED?? Fire his arse and let him find a new line of work – in china.

Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

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- westtitus
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:17pm
  Mrs. Obama said “all this for a flag”? So why should the teacher care if the wife of our President doesn’t even know what it stands for????
  
  Report this comment
ltb
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:08pm
People who desecrate the American flag irritate me, but the freedom represented by our flag gives these people the right to desecrate it. In the end, it’s what the American flag stands for that is important, not the flag itself.

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ginger100
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:07pm
maybe the commie should be teaching in n korea, try stomping on their piece of cloth and see what happens. gulag

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The-Monk
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:06pm
“Chaplin” High School????

The FFRF will be there in no time with a lawsuit saying they need to change their name. : (

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- The-Monk
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:08pm
  “Chaplin”, S.C. ?????
  
  Watch out South Carolina… you’re next.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:27pm
  As MisterSarcastic has pointed out above….
  
  There is no Chaplin, SC. It’s Chapin, SC.
  
  Report this comment
LB
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:06pm
Throw the teacher down stomp on him, his cloths are just cloth

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BBReggie
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:06pm
Well if it doesn’t mean anything, why stomp on it. She stomped on it because it symbolizes our freedom and great nation, which for some reason she seems to detest.

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lapua338shooter
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:06pm
How about if we throw the teacher on the ground & stomp on him?

It doesn’t mean anything……

What a direspectful, unpatriotic jerk.

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- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:32pm
  All classrooms usually have photos of the sitting president..
  Could stomp on that, its just a photo, HMMM ?? now I would
  go for that !!
  
  Report this comment
hempstead1944
Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:04pm
Suspended? How about fired without possibility of reinstatement…..

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- subic
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:10pm
  This guy needs a good old fashioned beatdown.
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:11pm
  agree!
  
  Report this comment
- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:25pm
  How about brought up on charges of desecration. Interesting that in 2006 this came within
  one vote of being passed to reinstate penalties for violation. Someone should get behind
  this and get it passed.
  
  4 USC § 8 – Respect for flag
  http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8
  
  Report this comment
- Shasta
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 6:50pm
  Nope, he is in a union, can’t fire him.
  
  Report this comment
- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on January 9, 2013 at 7:11pm
  Lots of blood has been spilled over that flag & what it symbolizes.
  
  Report this comment

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