Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

So it's "unacceptable, rude and something that shouldn't have happened."

Granted - but what do you REALLY want? Are you going to make the proverbial federal case out of this, or will a simple monetary donation be acceptable instead?

Put on your most serious face and puff out your chest - must look good for the cameras.

I don't suppose you have anything to say to the unruly students who precipitated this whole unfortunate incident now, do you?

You can burn the American flag in public and its protected under the first admendment but you can't step on the flag of another country?? What the hell did I serve 6 years for ?? In interviews those who felt they were wronged said they were offended that "their flag" was disrespected? Until they WANT to accept that their flag is the American flag I for one see no end to the immigration problems we face. The want to maintain loyalty to their homeland and disrespect the country which allows them to practice it. How does that work? The man should be praised !!!!

This story is a whole lot of nonsense about nothing. It needs to end and Mr. Perkins needs to resume his position.

"unacceptable, rude and something that shouldn't have happened."

Your right...Now Move On!!!

Perhaps the consul should also hold a meeting with the parents of these children and explain proper behavior to them, then perhaps these things would not be happening.

Had that been an American flag the ACLU would be falling over itself to defend this guy.

Mr. Perkins has a First Amendment right to free speech. Leave the man alone. Those disruptive children need to be punished, not him.

Great points. So you can do what you want to my flag (USA), but touch another country's flag and its big news/lawsuit i am sure. I wonder how many of those outraged are illegal aliens? Go home to the DR where no one will mess with your flag. God Bless the USA!!!

It's too bad the consul general isn't more concerned about the conditions in the Dominican Republic that force so many to flee to an ENGLISH speaking country, America.

The ACLU is a joke. There's no problem with them if you want to defame the American flag, but don't offend anyone else.
It was an unfortunate incident. Now get over it (and yourselves)and move on. God HELP America!

So, Baez what you're saying is that when dominicans mess up and break the laws enforced in this country you should lose the privilege of being here? Can we say hypocritical... ever hear of forgiveness? Are you not human? Do YOU not make mistakes? Have you NEVER had a bad day and made a bad choice? Sounds to me like the domincans are invoking the same INTOLERENCE you're crying about!!! Was it wrong... YES! Noone is disputing that but come on now you want to bury the man for a moment of emotional stress!
Before you try to call for actions as extreme as him losing his job after all the years he's devoted to children, all OUR children, ask his staff what happened, or what type of person he is. Talk to the students, of ANY ethnic background, who have encountered this man over the years what kind of educator he is. If you expect others to be tolerant of your diversity and accept you and even forgive your mistakes maybe you should extend some forgiveness. Do you honestly think that Americans are going to want to maintain or build relationship with people of other cultures if your answer to someones mistakes/shortcomings is to have them fired? No, you're going to cause them to resent you all the more.

I am so embarrassed for all of the people involved in this blown-way-out-of-proportion-situation ... for everyone who has made such a big damn deal out of what amounts to a bunch of delinquents bent on manipulating the system. Pathetic.

HIGH HIGH FIVE JACKY =

Reading a lot of the comments all of you have left here makes anyone sick. Some of you sound like a bunch of racist. No one should be stepping on any country's flag, USA or any other country. Some of you have to remember that this country is made of imigrants, just because you were born here doesn't mean your parents or gramparents were. Where do you think all this money for bail out and stimilus pakage come from? Borrow from another country.

All of you people commenting are what is wrong with this country. People come to this country for opportunities to better themselves, it doesn't mean they necessarily hate where they come from. Stepping on the flag is wrong, it was actually a sign of racism to those Dominican students celebrating thier heritage. The assistant principal should be reprimanded as his job is to oversee the education of those kids in that school, and he needs to hold himself to a higher standard. What does it say to those children looking to him for guidance?
All of you are displaying racism by thinking this is fine to do, quite frankly you all make me sad.
And yes, I am white and I was born in this country, but I like to display the Irish flag outside my home to honor my heritage.

Walk the halls of some of Providence schools before you throw Mr Perkins under the bus.These kids could care less about an education or authority as well as some of there parents. A teachers job can be very frustrating at times.Mr.Brady just wants his fifteen minutes of fame! Shame on all who do not see first hand what a teacher is up against especially in Providence.Mr.Perkins Thank you for the job and years you put into your work please do no give up your kids need you .

Patty, are you an idiot by design or desire?

Since when is being from the Dominican a race issue?

Do you actually know the difference between a race and the nationality of people? Do you?

I'll bet it cost more than the whole GDP of the Dominican Republic to get that guy here to talk about what?

To all those Americans who have fought for our country to be free, God Bless You All, and thank you. Our Flag is free to fly because of all of you. Those coming into our country touting the honor or their own, ought best to understand that they also are free to come here because of the respect, dignity and honor of our American soldiers paving a haven for them. Although all should respect all, first and foremost, the respect goes to the United States of America and that can easily be taught by parents teaching their children to respect authority, and that authority during their daytime hours, belongs to the Principals and other adults manning the responsibility of those children.

Scott asked..."What the hell did I serve 6 years for ?? ...Until they WANT to accept that their flag is the American flag I for one see no end to the immigration problems we face. The want to maintain loyalty to their homeland and disrespect the country which allows them to practice it."

Scott, you served for all of us and yourself, to be free to post your thoughts here just as you have and to stand up with all the honor you possess in acknowledging that the problems do not lie in the design of a flag, but to the respect that parents should be teaching their children for ALL flags, especially that one under which they live, are fed, and are provided education by.

I do hope that principal is doing well, perhaps if parents actually taught their own children how to properly behave in a civilized fashion, our educators and those in authority could actually do their jobs of educating these kids instead of babysitting them.

God Bless All.

Patty,
Being proud of your heritage is the most unearned pride. It is one thing to be proud of your own successes in the face of discrimination against your particular group, but to be proud of a country from which you've abandoned makes no sense. You can still enjoy your shared cultural beliefs, but realize that the flag you carry around to show that also represents a country that was so terrible you decided to leave. To display that flag be it Irish, English or Dominican is a smack in the face to the country you now reside.

The only flags that should be allowed on public school or any government property are the American and (possibly) Rhode Island State flags. Students are not allowed to wear or dispaly gang colors, caps, or inappropriate dress by law, why should they be carrying non-USA flags? Keep those things OFF our school property!

This is America, be proud of it. I put my life on the line for my flag, and I would do it again. Having said that, I would help protect any person wanting to display thier flag--under ant to the right of the American flag. If you want to display only another countries flag, then I think you can, but do it in that country. One other thing---step on or burn an American flag in my presence and you take your life in your own hands. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

The Journal, desperate to keep this NON-EVENT some sort of front page news story, has done a great disservice to the community by not reflecting the entire story.

A.) He takes a flag away from unruly kids in one part of the building, then LEAVES them to deal with other situations.

B.) At the other situation, he threw down what was in his hands, in disgust with what was happening in front of him, and moved forward to address the situation at hand.

C.) He apparently stepped on the flag in the process, storming off to deal with whatever separate and unrelated event was happening in front of him.

Please clue me into where racism, disrespect, or any other sort of "wrong" was committed.

This is not freedom of speech on the part of Perkins, and this is not racism against Dominicans. This is a school disciplinarian trying to keep order in a Providence middle school.

That the school department never approached Perkins for his story before releasing statements to the media, and that they have now allowed a DIPLOMAT (?!?!) to enter into the fray is simply ludicrous.

All of Providence... nay.. all of RHODE ISLAND should be ashamed of the Providence School Department. Not for Perkins' actions, but for the utterly scary behavior of the superintendent and city overseers.

And they wonder why they can't keep good teachers...

This is America, be proud of it. I put my life on the line for my flag, and I would do it again. Having said that, I would help protect any person wanting to display thier flag--under ant to the right of the American flag. If you want to display only another countries flag, then I think you can, but do it in that country. One other thing---step on or burn an American flag in my presence and you take your life in your own hands. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

The Stars and Stripes is the flag of this great country. These children and their parents are part of a growing problem. I highly doubt the vice-principal stepped on their flag. However, why did they bring a flag to school? Where are their books for learning? What gives these children these type of rights? When I was in the Providence School System (K-12), students had no rights. I couldn't even have a pencil behind my ear never mind challenge a teacher or an administrator. We had to walk in a 2 column line from classroom to classroom. These third world antics are part of a growing problem throughout America. We are spending too much time and energy to appease the most stupid problems. Put that vice-Principal back to work and get those children into a classroom where they belong.

These people commenting here are sick, racist, haters. Talk about us (Dominican), talking about us in the internet, in our faces Y'all some "well wishers," friendly acting, envy hiding snakes. Shame on you all!!!

Let's hope this can be straightened out soon. We don't want the Dominican Republic to declare war and invade the US....oh, wait.....

Mr. Perkins sorry for all you have to go through because our society has been so dumbed down. We are a bunch of spineless saps. For once I wish someone one would stand up to the school committee and Mr. Brady!! How dare he apologize on Mr. Perkins behalf when he never even bothered to talk to Mr. Perkins to get his side of the story. This is just a show of cowardliness. Have Mr. Brady spend the day as disciplinarian at the Middle School. He is a wimp. This is typical of what's to come. Let the illegal's have their rights?? I can guarantee that every one of them is on assistance and receives a free breakfast and lunch on the taxpayer. When are we going to get mad enough to take action. When we have a date for a hearing on this we should show up to support Mr. Perkins. Now lets see if everyone who posted there frustration with this follows through!

PLEADAIN-As I said I was born here, please read something entirely before responding to it.

ROLAND-Here is a definition for you straight from dictionary.com- RACE: (NOUN)A GROUP OF PERSONS RELATED BY COMMON DESCENT OR HEREDITY.

It seems I do know that race and nationality are intertwined, but you sir, do not. Now who is the "idiot"?
By the way, nice manners, it is possible to have a passionate discussion or debate without insulting someone, but what should I expect from a hater like you?

It's interesting that Mr. Brady talked to the Dominican Consul about this incident before even having talked to Mr. Perkins. Are you kidding me? No one should be disrespectful to any flag but this is quite simply political correctness gone not awry but insane! Mr. Brady went as far as to apologize for Mr. Perkins accused behavior. This is absolute madness.

Last time I checked this is the United States of America....Any complaints regarding a flag from another country should be filed at 200 Dyer Ave. with I.C.E.

OK he stepped on the flag,SORRY i want to see how many of could deal with these children on a daily basis.let's get on with our lives and let this man get back to work there are more serious issues to deal with.

Sorry what you are going through Mr.perkins,And to the rest of us I can only imagine dealing with these children on a daily basis.we have bigger things to worry about.

["I put my life on the line for my flag, and I would do it again."]

["step on or burn an American flag in my presence and you take your life in your own hands."]

You served in the military and now you believe that you would have the right to 'MURDER' someone that burns or steps on 'YOUR' flag. Your sick...

Ironically, the ACLU and all the pathetically liberal teacher union reps would be totally behind this guy if he had stomped on the flag in front of an entire assembly of the school.

If, according to Mr. Perkins, there wasn't a student present when he supposedly stepped on the flag, then who witnessed and reported this incident? The "facts" just don't seem to add up.

I'm more concerned with Mr. Perkin's use of the English language. " I didn't did it..." That said, the man shouldn't lose his job over a frustrating moment in his career.. The Mayor is clearly pandering to the Dominican community and that should be offensive to Dominicans. Based on what I see of Supt. Brady, this matter will be handled appropriately and with respect for the act itself. He appears to me, at least, to have a steady hand and philosophy.

According to Roger Williams web page, data from 06/07 states that only 7% of the students scored on or above grade level in writing. Only 22% of the students scored on or above grade level in reading. Only 15% of the students scored on or above grade level in math. A frustrated man steps on a piece of fabric and this is why Roger Williams makes it on the front page of the Journal. Let's ask Mr. Brady about these scores first.

If this were the American flag this incident would be ignored. These so called elected officials should get there facts straight before they come out and make accusations that can and probably will kill a man's career. There should be a recall of Juan Pichardo and Grace Diaz immediately.

I think that it is real sad that there are people out there that think they are better than others. Do you not know that we are all created equal and that no matter where we are from that we all have equal freedom. The same respect we are taught to respect the American Flag we should in turn respect any other country's flag. If it were a student that were to do that to an American flag they would probably be suspended and probably expelled. We should stop approving of the behavior of any educator that would show that kind of disrespect towards anyone or anything. It doesn't matter if he was having a bad day. We as kids are taught to think before we act. Well, maybe he should have done the same. I am a United States Citizen, born and raised, but also have Dominican Blood flowing through my veins. The same way I respect the United States flag, I show the same respect towards the Dominican Flag. We should all do the same.

I hear it's beautiful in Santo Domingo, right on the Caribbean, warm, and you can get 2 lb. pineapples for 50 cents. Why would anyone in his right mind want to leave there and go to So Prov. Go figure.

Thank you very much.

If this were the Irish flag or the Italian flag..not to metion the flag of Israel...
NO ONE WOULD BE WRITING ABOUT IT.
Enough alreay !

What should be of more concern to Mr. Brady is that 3 middle school aged children were arrested.

I am sure they will be 3 future Albright Scholars!

Superintendent Brady is a politically correct hack.

Send them all the the nearest catholic school and close this one. It'll cost a whole lot less than 20 million a month.