Brace yourselves for the newest RW outrage.

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/10/opinion/navarrette-olympics-flags/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Now, thanks to U.S. Olympic medalist Leo Manzano, and what I consider to be the misguided and ill-mannered way he chose to celebrate his silver medal in the 1500-meters final, I get the chance to think through the subject of flag-waving once again.

The 27-year-old was born in Mexico, but the United States is his country now. His father migrated here illegally from the city of Dolores Hidalgo. Manzano was brought here when he was 4. Like most immigrants, they came in search of greater opportunity. And they found it -- for themselves, and their children.

So why did Manzano carry two flags with him on his victory lap? As the world looked on, he held up both the U.S. flag and the Mexican flag. Not a good look. And not a good idea.

What am I missing? Where were the Italian-American athletes waving the Italian flag, or the Irish-Americans waving the Irish flag? I didn't see that.

This country took you in during your hour of need. Now in your moment of glory, which country deserves your respect -- the one that offered nothing to your parents and forced them to leave or the one that took you all in and gave you the opportunity to live out your dreams?

[bluestateguy]

1. It actually is possible to love more than one country

I don't expect the right wing patriotism police to be able to grasp that.

[Major Nikon]

5. Not only that

...but it was HIS medal. He earned it. If he wants to do a victory lap with a rainbow flag, or a NASCAR flag, or a HAVE-A-NICE-DAY flag, I could care less.

[bongbong]

37. LOL

> or a HAVE-A-NICE-DAY flag

Hilarious imagery. That would certainly leave Facelift Costas scratching his head.

[Enrique]

2. absolutely

they should make criticizing minority athletes an Olympic sport, the right wing pundits would kick ass.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Braced and ready

[malaise]

15. ROFL

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Well they whined about the gymnastics team for not desecrating the flag

to use for uniforms so nothing surprises me.

[hunter]

6. But the Nike swoosh on his uniform goes without comment.

Okay, I get it. The fellow is no longer Mexico's property and he shouldn't be giving them free advertising.

[discopants]

7. yes, Drudge will remove its "Big Sis is a lesbian" headline for this

and Fox News will follow ….

[progressivebydesign]

8. No big deal. He has family in Mexico, he was born there and was brought here.

My god.. of all the things that people can lose their mind over.. THIS? Haven't watched a minute of the Olympics, but I'm always fascinated by people that turn it into the most important thing in the world. I'm sure they'll be outraged. They're outraged about everything.

[immoderate]

9. What are they without bullshit to complain about?

--imm

[hobbit709]

10. So what. I fly this one too

[hedgehog]

11. " Where were the ... Irish-Americans waving the Irish flag?

I didn't see that. "

[RZM]

23. He's not talking about ethnic pride in general, he's talking about ethnic pride at the Olympics

None of the pics you posted are of the Olympics. I don't think the question is whether or not ethnic pride is good or bad, but how appropriate it is in situations like this, when the whole world is watching. Wearing an Irish flag at a Dropkick Murphys concert or on St. Patrick's day isn't exactly the same as a victory lap at the summer games.

Personally, I don't really care if this guy wants to fly two flags at the Olympics. But I think you did take the author's words out of context.

[JoePhilly]

35. Actually, its even MORE appropriate at the Olympics. The entire point of the Olympics is bringing

people of different nations together. Including people whose ancestors came from multiple nations.

Your post actually makes me think that every American who wins a medal should wave the flags of the nations of their ancestors.

If nothing else, it would show that the US is the Olympic ideal, people of many nations, together.

Disagree?

[RZM]

39. I didn't say there was anything wrong with what the athlete did

I believed the poster was taking the author's words a bit out of context. That's all I was really trying to say there. The fact that Irish-American flag images exist isn't the same as an athlete displaying two flags at the Olympics.

As for the flags, I really don't care, which I also said. If he wants to wave two flags, more power.

[JoePhilly]

41. Regardless, my point stands. The varied ethnic backgrounds of US athletes should be celebrated,

not hidden ... and certainly not a point of derision. Which is what Fox has and will do with them.

[madaboutharry]

12. I suppose Mr. Navarrette

also had an issue with Aly Raisman performing her floor exercise to Hava Nigila.

[arcane1]

13. CNN and FOX are competing to see who can crap on the most non-white medal winners

[dipsydoodle]

19. Sounds about right

We don't get shit coverage like that in the UK with the BBC.

[Mad_Dem_X]

62. That's certainly what it sounds like.

[Lint Head]

14. I think the flag thing is getting ridiculous.

When are people going to start caring about human beings and life and joy?

[get the red out]

32. Thank you

I agree completely.

[JHB]

58. Phlag Pharisees

Always ready to condemn those who make insufficient public displays of piety.

[smirkymonkey]

61. +10,000

I heartily agree. It's getting a little out of hand. People should be able to honor their country of origin as well as the country for whom they are competing.

[malaise]

16. Fugg these idiots

Congrats Leo Manzano

[sendero]

46. I'm reclaiming the word..

... "ditto".

Ditto.

[malaise]

47. LOL

[grantcart]

17. Nah navarette is an idiot no one listens to him

For example from the same article;

I remember that, in 1992, Mexican-American boxer Oscar De La Hoya held up both the U.S. and Mexican flags after winning a gold medal in Barcelona. But that was largely symbolic since De La Hoya was born in the United States. He wasn't an immigrant caught between two countries.

Navarette lost all credibility he had when he went on and on about what a great Attorney General Gonzales, and he knew this because he just had lunch with him.

[petronius]

38. That comment about De La Hoya makes absolutely no sense; if anything, that one was

less appropriate. And the last line of the article is moronic as well: how is it 'not respecting' the US to also respect Mexico?

[grantcart]

49. you want stupid here is gold medal stupid

http://articles.cnn.com/2007-03-22/us/navarrette_1_first-hispanic-attorney-alberto-gonzales-white-house-political-adviser?_s=PM:US

[sofa king]

18. I think it's awesome.

Hell, I wish more American olympians would adopt another country and bring it along for the ride. We have an embarrassment of talent in a big, big world.

Why can't an American concerned with deforestation in Papua New Guinea say she's running for them, too, and display their flag if she medals?

We are a people made of other peoples, and that is what makes us so damned cool.

I will also point out that the display of the American flag in the current fashion goes against the spirit and possibly the letter of our ridiculous flag laws, particularly the US Code Title 36 Chapter 10 SS176 (j):

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

So be sure to have that at the ready for the knuckledraggers. Displaying the American flag in such an inappropriate manner is a desecration of our "living thing," especially it it is draped around a person like a cape or (as a certain Jamaican did with his own flag last night), wearing it as an ascot.

Our flag is not supposed to be shown in such a way at all.

[JoePhilly]

36. See my post #23. A similar thought, but also a little different.

I don't focus on the appropriate use of the flag aspect, but on the "we are people made of other peoples" line of thought.

[sofa king]

42. We definitely agree.

The Olympics is one of the few places where one can kick ass and make friends at the same time. Many other countries do not have the resources to field as many high-quality athletes as we do. So why not try to bring them along for the ride by having each American athlete adopt a second country? They probably have to watch our damned America-centric broadcasts, anyway.

And for you assholes lurking out there, then we can desecrate their flags instead of our own. See? There's something for everyone in that idea.

[JoePhilly]

48. LOL.

Exactly, and as Americans, when we watch events in which their are no Americans, we still cheer for some one. Maybe its a country of our ancestors, maybe its the South African guy with the prosthetic legs ... a woman from Saudi Arabia or Iran.

The point is nations coming together. And as for flag desecration ... I won't complain so long as a US athlete does not do this!!!

[sibelian]

20. That article is possibly the most moronic thing I have ever read. nt

[southernyankeebelle]

21. I have come to a conclusion that the rightwingers are afraid of everything. This young

man worked hard to get his medal. Gabby worked hard to get her medal. Why all of a sudden all this hostile towards any minority we are seeing. It is possible to love your country and your country you came from. I love Italy and to me it's my second home. I will always be an american first but no one can tell me not to be proud where my family came from. On flag day we put the american flag up along with my Italian flag and my husband's German flag. Be proud who you are and what got you here.

[arcane1]

25. Why? To train viewers to feel instant disdain for successful non-white people

preferably before November.

[southernyankeebelle]

44. How terrible sad that makes me feel. Obama is the ONLY ONE and should be reelected. He is

calm, cool and collected at all times. He is best with foreign affairs. God I wish people would open their eyes. If there really is a god he will put Obama back in.

[berni_mccoy]

22. Didn't Rush Limbaugh say he was leaving the country anyway?

Why should the RWers care whose flag an olympian carries when their leader has given up on America?

[Tikki]

24. Here's mine..and my Irish and French ancestors, I have no idea...

if they came here illegally or not.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=






Tikki

[southernyankeebelle]

45. That is cool.

[nichomachus]

26. Do these dickwads lay awake at night

trying to find something to be "outraged" about.

[valerief]

27. Why would ANYONE give a crap? That's the real question. nt

[CreekDog]

28. I have this crazy idea that 1) Mexico is not our enemy, but our friend 2) It's OK to honor 2 flags

why not?

I don't have any issue with this.

[JoePhilly]

29. You clearly are not Italian-American.

Go to south Philly and tell Italian Americans to simply think of themselves as Americans. And drop the Italian part. They'll kick your ass.

When I was growing up in Philly (70s and 80s), the Italian American kids judged each other on how Italian they were. You got points for having a grandparent from the old country, who only spoke Italian, living in your house. And you got more points if you spoke "real" Italian.

Mexican Americans who are relatively new to this country, like the guy you mention, appreciates the country of his parents and grand parents as well as his home country ... much like the 2nd and 3rd generation Italian Americans I grew up with.

So again ... go to South Philly and tell them to stop calling themselves Italian-Americans. Even today, it won't go well.

[lunatica]

59. This was not the OPs opinion. He included a link

I make that mistake sometimes too.

[JoePhilly]

60. The author of the article should go to south philly too.

Both would be welcomed.

[IggleDoer]

30. Wonder what Sheriff Joe would say?

[ismnotwasm]

31. Good for him

He should be proud of his heritage and his country.

Do these rw assholes ever think a little bridge building is in order? That we share a world as well as a border? That this young man is representing hope and love and tolerance as well perseverance and victory in the face of overwhelming odds?

Thanks for the heads up. I may need to throw up a little over this one.

[sibelian]

33. Should this actually be more common?

Would it be a good thing?

[chknltl]

34. These men would likely agree with Manzano.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute

Nuff said.

[hedgehog]

40. +1

[KamaAina]

43. "celebrate his silver medal"

I forget who said that a silver medal means you're the best loser in the whole world.

So basically, two countries lost instead of one. In the words of the immortal Suzanne Sugarbaker, "Big woo!"

[DearAbby]

50. You may note

Fox questioned the patriotism of another person of color. It seems in their eyes, only white, conservative Americans know how to show proper patriotism.

It's veiled racism. Say if a white immigrant from say Scotland won a medal and showed his pride with both flags..you wouldn't hear a peep out of the ANGLO SAXONS over at fox.

[MrSlayer]

51. I'm hardly a right winger and I find it disrespectful.

You compete for America not for Mexico. If I won a medal I would not be running around with a German flag.

Now, of course, I am not apoplectic about it. I just think it's disrespectful.

[geckosfeet]

52. madona mia

[The_Casual_Observer]

53. He can wave anything he wants to as far as I am concerned. The whole thing is too jingoistic anyway.

[Justice wanted]

54. This guy not only brought honor to his NEW home country BUT he showed respect for his heritage and

I hear this crap and it makes me ashame I am a citizen of this country which is putting the term "Kangaroo court" to shame.

[pennylane100]

55. So if I ever win a medal at the Olympics

does that mean I cannot hold up the Union Jack. Well then I will not compete.

[tabasco]

56. Fuck CNN and their idiot writers.

I didn't even bother to click to see who wrote this tripe.

[lunatica]

57. They're Jingoists. I love both Mexico and the US

And it's people like them who make me wish I could go back to live in Mexico.

[Zoeisright]

63. Who the fuck cares?

Anyone upset about that needs much bigger problems in their lives.

[Pisces]

64. I think he is stating he is proud to be a Mexican American born in Mexico. I am not offended, but

right wing will go nuts with this.

[Alduin]

65. The nationalism in the Olympics is ridiculous.

I can't stomach watching them anymore because of this crap.