Guess What Happened to Artist Who Painted Flag on School Board HQ in NYC ?

[MegalosSkylaki]

Artist Scott LoBaido painted is an Artist. A recent allagorical Mural he painted (over a bar ) portrays deceased Policeman, Fireman, and Mayor Guiliani slaying the Dragon of Terrorism.

This week he went to a Public Jr. High School that is also the HQ of a Local School Board (there 32 in NYC along with a Central Bd. of Ed. which oversees them) in the trendy Upper West Side of Manhattan.

He painted an American flag there. There was no dung or feces on it and it was not funded by the National Endowment of the Arts.

It seems that last week the District School Board unanimously voted to defy a Board of Education regulation (actually based on State Law) that Public School are to provide an American Flag at every Public School and are to provide and allow for students to engage in the VOLUNTARY Pledge of Alliance. It is voluntary for Teachers as well.

Despite these provisions which did not compel it recitation--only tat the Schools provide daily ceremonies for it, the District School Board # 3 voted unanimously--no dissent there--to defy City Bd. of Ed. Policy based on State Law.

One of its members, Mr. Larry Sauer was reported in local press as likening the Taliban forcing Afghans to read the Koran. Of course, the Pledge of Alligence is not Scripture and the recitation is voluntary.

The School summoned the Police to have Mr. LoBaido arrested but subsequently decided to drop charges of "criminal mischief" by painting the American Flag on a public School. The School building was itself in violation of NYS state law in not flying the Flag.

Perhaps they had gotten "feedback' by this point or didn't like the press coverage. The District HQ which was housed in that school--was in defiance by a unanimous vote last week of not only Bd. of Ed Policy but the New York State Education it law is was based on.

Mr. LoBaido's position to District 3 Local School Bd. was:

"Either you change your position, abide by the law and conduct the Pledge of Alligence, or I will publically call on all graffiti artists and creative patriots to paint American flags on every precious building in your district."

The Chancellor of the Board of Education, Mr. Harold Levy, can overule the action of the Local school Bd. 3 or even remove it for violation of NY State Education Law.

Interestingly, all the "symbolic speech" advocates, the Civil Liberties Union and those who rose to defend the right of an artist to smear a religious icon in feces or photograph a religious object in urine , all at the public expense, and then display these for profit in a publically supported building, have been eeirily quiet about Mr. LoBaido's arrest.

Perhaps, if Chancellor Levy orders the School Board #3 to comply with State Law regarding providing for the voluntary recital of the Pledge of Alligence by children and staff, we will hear volumes from them.

I am contemplating ways I can help artist Mr. LoBaido which are not illegal and would be happy to provide information to interested Members as I obtain it.

Thank You.
MegalosSkylaki

P.S. There is informatin about the Chancellor and the once-upon-a-time Teacher's Organization in another Post, "How to collect two saleries for one job"

[Richard Cranium]

One of its members, Mr. Larry Sauer was reported in local press as likening the Taliban forcing Afghans to read the Koran.

It takes a real moron to liken the Taliban's ironfisted rule to a School principal ordering the pledge to our flag.

[MegalosSkylaki]

The school Principal does not "order" the Pledge as such but make the provisions for a Flag and it recitation. No individual--student or staff-- is forced to to recite it. Even this seemed beyond the tolerence of District School Board.

Incidentally the friendly-local- involuntary Teachers's Organization passes out list of whom to vote for in mock elections which are held in May (not November by design to discourage voting) on paper ballots to its involuntarily "dues" paying members.

Hmmm. would be interesting to find out whom they supported ?
Surprise: Whom it supports , usually "wins" !

[Hey-Todd]

One of its members, Mr. Larry Sauer was reported in local press as likening the Taliban forcing Afghans to read the Koran.

And these are the people who are teaching our children. Scarey!

[BBA]

Do you really think teaching even happens?

[Hey-Todd]

Uhh... good point, BBA!

[MegalosSkylaki]

Yeah ! Mr. LoBiado tought us something about why Educational Establishment spends $12,000,000,000 + per annum and is crying for more but can't seem to educate itself, let alone a million children.

Perhaps the Educational Establishment can be tought a lesson.

Infuriates me that they tried to paint over the Flag.

I am trying to get in touch with Mr. LoBiado through media and maybe a national Internet protest may have an effect. Check with your own local newsmedia to see if they have picked up on it; if not, bring it to their attention. PLEASE.

Right will Prevail !

Why is the involuntary paying of money to a private organization to keep a public job alright but the voluntary recital of the Pledge of Alligence is not ?

DOOOG

P.S.Does anybody have link to local press,; pleas use them. This school Bd. deserves to be removed.

Also, there are 31 other Local School Bds. in NYC. Who knows What they voted to do?

This District # 3 was exposed by Mr. LoBiado's action and the press coverage. But What about the others ?

[MegalosSkylaki]

I wonder if those flagless schools still do something to commemorate or remember Pearl Harbor Day.

My best regards to jadison whose Post reminded me of what today is.

DOOOG

[Tom Jones]

Don't know about other schools, but the elementary school my wife teaches at flys the flag every day.....and has been doing this forever.....also school does a morning pledge to flag from school broadcasting studio and has been doing that for years as well. The way I see it.....if you don't like the American flag and what our country stands for....then take yourself to another country because you are surely not American....

[MegalosSkylaki]

Spoke briefly by telephone to Scott LoBaido about the Flag issue.
He will pursue the matter if School Bd. #3 does not reverse itself. Describes himself as "an Artist and Patriot".

Found article by New York Times journalist Alison Gendar[ to whom I've spoken before on other issues] regarding "A Pledge to Defy Flag Rule"Flag Rule" and posted at a PoliticalSite.

"Requiring students to blindlyrepeat the pledge is no different than the Taliban requiring children to memorize the Koran and repeat it by rote, without understanding why or what they are saying." said Larry Sauer, the board member behind the move.

Errr..so why not teach the children what it means and what voluntary means ?

I will pursue the matter if Chancellor of Education Harold Levy --the Teacher's Organization choice --does not enforce this Reg on District #3 and the 31 other local school bds. in NYC Public School System.

DOOOG