Stupid flag tricks

11.20.06 - Posted by AsiansVote

The town council of Pahrump, Nevada, has taken xenophobia to an almost certainly unconstitutional level. From Ruben Navarette's CNN column:

The town council voted last week, 3-2, to approve an ordinance that makes it illegal to display a foreign flag -- unless an American flag is flown above it. Scofflaws face a $50 fine and 30 hours of community service.

Pahrump resident [and Town Board member] Michael Miraglia proposed the ban because, he said, he got upset when he saw immigrant activists marching through U.S. cities last spring, waving Mexican flags. Mr. Miraglia told USA Today that he was especially miffed that "we had Mexican restaurants closed that day."

Kos notes that Democrats just outpolled Republicans in Nevada by five points. Look for more xenophobic legislation as Republican leaders try to hold onto their base. But look for more attrition among the Republican base as more voters realize the Republican Party has abandoned its commitment to small government and personal liberty.

And for what it's worth, I can't remember seeing an immigrant rally that wasn't chock full of American flags. Here are just a few images from a Seattle rally in April.

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11.20.06 | Civil Rights & Liberties , Immigration , Issues , Race & Racism