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Fair ~ High: 87°F ~ Low: 67°F Sunday, May 19, 2013 |
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Our flag and nation deserve our allegiancePosted Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at 7:29 PM
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all." With a group of more than 130 brave members of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry of Indiana National Guard -- based in Linton -- ready to head into harm's way in an Iraqi combat zone in the next few days defending our nation's freedom and upholding our liberty and justice, the patriotic senses in me are more than appalled at the latest Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) case to hit the federal courts. A Franklin Central High School student filed a federal lawsuit against his Indiana school district claiming he was "wrongly" given one-hour of school detention because he refused to stand up during the reciting the 31 words that make up the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag. The suit was settled quickly when the school realized the kid is right. He can't be compelled to stand up and recite the Pledge. At least that is what the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1943. The High Court says that school children can not be forced to recite the 'Pledge' as part of their daily classroom routine. Under state law, schools cannot compel a student to participate in the pledge if the student or the student's parent chooses not to have the student participate. Teachers are responsible for making sure students remain seated or standing during the moment of silence, and that they maintain silence and do not distract other students. The lawsuit by the 17-year-old boy -- identified only as J.L. -- was filed last Friday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis by an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. That's no big surprise. This is just another example of the twisted, misdirected legal judgments made by the ACLU. They love to clog up the judicial system challenging things like the public display of the Ten Commandments, the public display of Nativity scenes, prayer in our schools and the like. According to the Indianapolis Star, the Franklin Central student remained silent and continued to sit during the school's daily conducting of the pledge, followed by a moment of silence, on two different days earlier this month. The lawsuit says the student's teacher reprimanded him during each of the incidents and sent him to the school office after his second offense. The school superintendent -- knowing the school probably doesn't have a legal leg to stand on defending this case -- said that the students would not be punished for refusing to stand for the pledge. The superintendent contends the school district had not planned to take any action in the case, but the lawsuit was filed before the two students were notified of that decision. Also, the school has agreed to pay $1,000 for attorney and filing fees. Again, it's a real shame that the courts have stripped away some of our patriotic rights. But what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. In my humble opinion, the teen boy was wrong and disrespectful to his nation and fellow classmates for deciding on those two days that he was going to make a public statement and refuse to afford the homage to our flag that it deserves. How difficult is it to just stand up for less than a minute? Talking real straight and 'old school' in my mind this kind of a case begs for some attention. I'm not suggesting that the Franklin Central student ought to be subjected to what I will call some good old "spiritually-inspired redneck justice" by his classmates or his teachers. But, I can tell you if this particular incident happened at the southern Indiana parochial grade school I attended back in the 1960s, he would have probably been ripped out of his desk seat by his shirt collar and stood up at attention by one of the 'dear sweet nuns' who taught at our school. Before the pledge was concluded, he would have been reciting it along with the rest of us. Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at nschneider@gcdailyworld.com Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
Extra, Extra!  - Archives - Blog RSS feed ![[Feed icon]](http://www.gcdailyworld.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon} - Comments RSS feed - Send email to By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor - Login Hot topics Thanks to all of our mothers(0 ~ 1:19 PM, May 13)
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I'm really feeling the love in this blog tonight. Great way to start the weekend, with the pleasure of knowing that our great nation allows us to banter freely on controversial subjects without fear of reprisal. It's an awful tough world out there, but our part of it is pretty darn close to utopia.
Remember what Woody Allen said, "We stand at a crossroads: One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other leads to total extinction. Let us hope we have the wisdom to make the right choice."
No purgatory? Then what do you mean when you say "perhaps even a nice father-son fishing trip and a talk about where he is spending eternity."? It seems to me you were inferring the youngster would find himself in hot water eternally merely for standing up, or in this case sitting down, for himself.
Dr. Spock was a draft dodger? From what I read about him it says he served during World War II as a psychiatrist in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps, ending with the rank of lieutenant commander. Also, by my calculations he would have been around the age of sixty-five in 1968 and I'm guessing the US wasn't drafting very many guys that old to go off to war.
You're quite welcome for the education. I felt it necessary seeing as how James Madison and his parents are very close to me. It's one thing to argue semantics, but it's really not necessary to bring someone's family into an argument. As for hatching from an egg if you look at the how we are created as humans you could say we all come from an egg.
I'd say right now the majority of the American defense are defending in the wrong spot, but that's a different argument altogether.
So just because this kid doesn't stand for the Pledge you think some deity is going to condemn them to a life of purgatory after they have passed?
As for James Madison and his "Dr. Spock loving parents." I can assure you that you are very far off with that statement. His parents are both damn fine people one of which served this 'great' country in a foreign war.
Let's just hate on everyone who thinks for themselves and does not conform to the same standards you live by.
GCPatriot, good comments, but keep in mind that there are many religious and personal beliefs, which most of us have a difficult time understanding. The case that was decided by the Supreme Court in 1943 (W. Va. State Board of Education vs Barnette) centered on the fact that the Jehovah Witness' belief that pledging allegiance to the flag was akin to idolatry. I am definitely not a student of theology, but I do know that many people have some extreme convictions and fortunately (or unfortunately) our Constitution grants them that right. I say unfortunately, only because I am convinced that there are some Islamic fanatics in this country who hide behind that explicitly stated liberty.
After several beers this evening;(dramatic pause) I'll admit that as I was logging on I looked forward to reading all of the comments since I posted the initial response to Mr. Schneider's post.
As I read in succession, I formulated varying responses to several points knowing I'd respond, in type, to nary.
Then I read simmons.
He said exactly what needed to be said, and said it every bit as perfectively concise as it could've been said.
That said, I'll say nothing.
During ceremonies where the Pledge is recited, I happily join in the recitation, because I believe in The Pledge, as I believe in my country. However, we should not harbor any sanctimonious attitudes toward others who have reasons for not joining in this recitation. There are people who have religious, spiritual or personal beliefs, which may preclude them from offering this pledge and it is their right to abstain. This right was supported and defended by our Supreme Court Justices, in a decision as far back as 1943. Our liberties and freedom are not based on coercion of thought and we should all respect the rights of others in every aspect of our lives.
On a lighter side, I couldn't help but think of Jake and Elwood when you mentioned the "dear sweet nuns".
Patriot, why do you get to have it both ways? You use your right of free speech to degrade others over someone exercising their right to free speech?
I agree with junkmail and wonder if no one see's the problem with indoctrinating children from practically the moment they can speak to 'pledge their allegiance' to something they may not fully understand. Is it 'ethical' to ask anyone underage to 'pledge allegiance' to anything?
Perhaps it would be more fair and reasonable to ask children to take a moment to stand up and honor the country in which they are recieving an education and to thank those who fought for their freedom to chose, if they wish to.
Beating children into submission, threatening or ostracizing them to force them to believe what you believe is not very 'american'. That method sounds more like 'brainwashing'. Hopefully those days are long gone.
junkmail - this kid's attitude and yours are what's wrong with America today. The first amendment gives you the right to free speech, but it should be exercised with responsiblity and respect.
I agree 100% with Greene County Patriot - and I don't do it blindly.
Kudos to the kid.
I guess the whole irony of this story is that there are now, and in the past men and women dying to protect this country's freedom so people can voice what they believe. I guess thats what is so great about this country, and so wrong at the same time.
151st: stay low,shoot straight, come back safe, may GOD watch over you
"But, I can tell you if this particular incident happened at the southern Indiana parochial grade school I attended back in the 1960s, he would have probably been ripped out of his desk seat by his shirt collar and stood up at attention by one of the 'dear sweet nuns' who taught at our school. Before the pledge was concluded, he would have been reciting it along with the rest of us."
Thank God the times have changed.
This post started out really well.
It's important to recognize the 151st. They're going to an ugly place, and our support is welcomed.
I'm very thankful for their commitment. We all should be.
"Again, it's a real shame that the courts have stripped away some of our patriotic rights."
What?
Your rights have been stripped away because someone else is exercising their right?
I'll admit, this was pretty good.
You had me going for a second.
Classic satire at its finest.
"In my humble opinion, the teen boy was wrong and disrespectful to his nation and fellow classmates for deciding on those two days that he was going to make a public statement and refuse to afford the homage to our flag that it deserves."
This is pretty good too.
I laughed.
I cried.
I thought.
The post started out well, but quickly deteriorated into the same old trash.
"The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
- Thomas Paine