... Alexa, "How many definitions for the word flag?" Alexa answered 25. No wonder the English language is difficult. Yet, people learn it.
What is the definition of "Is"? As a verb, Alexa gives only one. Otherwise, she said it is part of abbreviations for aisle or island. Did a flag get thrown at Bill Clinton in that staged production about the definition of that two letter verb? Was the flag of red, white and blue thrown at him in a judicial process? Presidents matter, he got flagged. "Is" is part of history now. Words matter as do defniitions.
Clinton did get the Guide to Safe Schools published in 1998. That easy to read document talked about red flags. In that Guide we learn, in reality, safe schools take a village. Documentation is vital. Sadly, its simplicity is ignored by many still. Does a flag have to be made of cloth to have significance?
None of us are islands. And we all have the right to be safe in our schools. ( The Clintons have a problem with safety in the womb though.)
Do kids today in any country learn the song "No Man is an Island"? I sang it in the 60's. President Kennedy (JFK) also not a saint, must have learned it too, because his speech about asking is historic and should be remembered. Ask not.. Ask what? Did he think we lived and could stand alone? I think not.
Did you read about double entendre in an early post? Did you know Alexa hangs out in the background? Now she admits it. I digress. She even whispers. Is our AI friend flagging everything I ask, let alone say?
Did you see the movie, The Family Stone? Who flew the freak flag? That playful scene is my favorite one in the movie. Do people think I fly that flag.? I know some do. Oh well, do they pay attention to what the media flags from viewing? What is more freakish than children under fire?
Ask Alexa what freakish means. The definition does apply to school shootings. Did you get freaked out when the news broke reporting intial details on the school in Bend, Oregon. Sometimes the flags you wave are telling.
Did I see a red flag in March 1998? Did I miss some? What was missed in Bend?
Do you know what a false flag is? Some of those actions have directed the path of history. Some school shootings are considered false, not necessarily staged, but false. Look up false flags; the scope is greater than the purpose of this blog, unless schools are in the discussion.
False or real, school shootings have drastically altered the course of education. They seem like the song that never ends. (See other posts).
Were there any flags on the plays in the Steeler's game yesterday in Paris? Would they have been red for a challenge or yellow for a penalty? Did the stadium have yellow and black terrible towel flags waving? How about for the New Orleans Saints? They were not American flags waving in other parts of the city.
The Steeler's beat the Saints. Thank you Steelers. My route to this steel city came through New Jersey. I root for my current home team. Second favorite team is the team that plays in the city where Betsy sewed a flag of 13 stars with red, white and blue. How is Jalen doing? I heard he is hurt. Any flags missed in that health crisis? He plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, Betsy's hometown.
(See other posts on the color I see when I read of blood clots and sudden illness or death on the sports teams. Do you know why I like Aaron Rodgers? What flags did he see during Covid season and beyond? Did he love his fellow man?)
What color flag would you die for? Is it for a sports team, America, or another country's flag? Is it your school's flag? Is it a red flag of warning?
Asking for Abraham, Martin and John on that one, for what and whom do you think they stood? Did they stand alone? Why did they die? Did they die alone? Who else died because of their stands?
The three were in were not saints. They all got flagged and killed by an angry group of people, one of whom was motivated and pulled a trigger; one shot in a theatre; two shot from windows. (Look up false flags or staged events because all of these brought a nation to its knees. Conspiracy theories exist and may be true?) Discernment is necessary for prevention. Not all kneel in prayer. Not all are false, although staging is necessary for deadly consequences to occur.
I remember how we mourned and watched funerals in November 1963 and April 1968. Pictures show for the death in April 1865. I remember that they loved us enough to serve.
https://youtu.be/mxa4HDgfWFs?is=jMtMEkal8J_gBM2a
Red, white and blue flags covered caskets. Flags on poles flew half staff. Well orchestrated murders fly flags of warning too. History records.
Funerals of police, fire and now teachers and student funerals are of national interest. Flag poles tell a story, as do caskets.
Are you setting your hearts on fire with love, hatred or indifference? The difference could mean something in your village. How many poles in our communities speak?
Presidents Obama. Biden and Trump have all ordered flags flown at half staff after a school shooting. Sandy Hook by Obama; Uvalde by Biden: and Trump ordered flags at half staff for the Annunciation Catholic school in Minnesota. Does it happen for every school? Check out this link.
Learning links:
Alexa does not generate any of my writing but does answer some questions. She says she can listen in the background.
Is Alexa listening? She seems to know what songs interest me. Does she hear red flag warnings too? I know she does not just sing. She asks.
Does this song mean anything to you? There names are not forgotten in history. Or are they not learned in history class today? They all stood so others could live...
So did Shannon, but she is not listed in the title.
https://youtu.be/a5hFMy4pTrs?is=NRg01G5Rg8a0yOY-
In America, do our kids pledge allegiance? To what flag? "With liberty and justice for all" can be inspiring. Do they at least have to stand for it? Or do they sit or kneel?
Does your school have a flag? Has it been torn because some red flags were missed? Did you kneel in prayer or protest?
Colorado and Columbine High School lowered the American flag, not by Presidential decree, in April 1999. The state of Colorado and the school district lowered it after the school district and the shooters' parents missed every red flag that led to that massacre. Bill Clinton as President did not call for a national flag lowering.
At Columbine, the police were also flagged from entering right away, entering only after the swat team entered. How did Columbine effect our nation? (See post on Swat teams.) Did you see the hand waving in the window from that day? The media has made it an iconic picture.
Sometimes my first idea when writing these posts take unexpected turns. Today's did.
Each post can stand alone but they are better read in some sort of sequence to get the bigger picture.
I ask for Shannon, but did you also know, that besides her name that I only learned on March 24, 1998, I ask for one child in particular. His family remembered Abraham in re-enactments. I will never forget him either. His red flag flew high. He deserved help...
before school flags were flown at half staff. I hope he knows that I loved him too. Shannon just gave one example of how to save a life. I give info on documenting concerns that lead to intervention. The flags I saw were behavioral and visible in the eyes. My book explains in detail. Is prevention not preferred?
There are many ways to help before someone gets killed off the island.
Remember that fifth grade exercise about the island? We all thought it was hard and hated it.
What say you?
Alexa is playing "I'm still standing after all these years" I can relate. I "got knocked down and got up again" because...on the way up, I knelt in prayer. Still kneeling and praying. Still writing. Still advocating. Still a thorn?
My life has taken turns I did not expect when I started my teaching career or when I married. How did I travel? I got kicked off a few islands in the process! Who came to rescue or helped? Did I miss a few red flags? The winds blew. No one died but the warnings were there. I caught on before caskets were needed.
https://youtu.be/MJ_aPtt4U8M?is=d7lD7YntCqrEpIEs
You know who you are if you outstretched your hands as the storm flags were waving in my life.
Next up: some concerns about the red flags in Bend, Oregon failures to prevent. After careful listening, the various reports have me asking.
Why am I not indifferent? Because I am part of the village that has red, white and blue as flying colors. America IS not an island. Life, liberty, happiness, and justice, yes, there are flags for those. Per Alexa, several state flags have depictions.
Other definitions of flag: hook on a musical note or a dog's tail, newpaper headings, corporate flags etc. Who knew?
Ask before dogs need to help in a crime scene, the musical notes are solumnly sung, or a newspaper headlines the deaths at your school.
What does a flag hanging upside down mean?
Do you know the flags symbols for SOS? Do you know those distress flags are an international language?
Car racing has solid green, yellow, red, blue, black, and black and white checkered flags. Knowing what the colors meaning could be the difference between life and death while driving with speed.
Do you know the penalties that come with flagged calls?
Any warning flags waving in your life?
From the Teacher's Desk with Love,
Marian R. Carlino
October 26, 2026