Pledge Controversy Expands Beyond Congressman

You may have heard about a Mesa, AZ Councilman who is refusing to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. He's now being protected by police. If I'm not mistaken, I heard him describe himself as a Republican. I don't know about that, but this page labels him a Libertarian.

I'm less troubled by that than I am by this from the mouth of a 17 year old American girl and it causes me to wonder if Al Gore truly appreciates the impact he has when he makes, in my view, disgraceful speeches about how he believes George Bush betrayed this country - and then there are the other Democrats who have compared our current administration to Nazism, etc. Where else would a 17 year old be getting this nonsense from?

Cheseree Gaston, a 17-year-old senior who opposes the war in Iraq, defended Rawles' right to protest, although she said she is not a fan of the councilman or the pledge.

"I don't do the Pledge of Allegiance because I think it's cult-like and reminiscent of Nazi Germany," Gaston said.

And while a government official celebrates his anti-war position by refusing to respect the pledge, a young girl in Idaho is in trouble for doing a similar thing - only she refused to recite it in Spanish and German as the school's protocol demands.

An elementary student in Nampa, Idaho is in trouble with school authorities because she insists on saying the Pledge of Allegiance in English only. It apparently has been the school's practice for some time to require its students to repeat the Pledge first in English, and then in both Spanish and German.

Unlike the Councilman, she may be being told to stand, even if not reciting the pledge.

Then I come across this story:

America’s melting pot is fuller.

That’s because Wednesday more than 1,900 Houstonians made their dream of becoming an American a reality.

They took the oat to he red, white and blue at 8800 Barker Cypress.

The group hails from more than a hundred countries.

In some ways, immigration is what it might take to ultimately save this country. If we could trade a councilman or two and some high profile Liberal pundits and politicians in the deal, so much the better. With everything we are incredibly fortunate to enjoy in this country, it's sad when those who long to come here seem to appreciate it that much more than many already so privileged for no other reason than having been born to it.

Comments

[tammy]

Cheseree is right.its just kind of creepy to say that every morning in homeroom.I guess i have just been doing it for so long that i never paid attention.

[Purple Avenger]

"In some ways, immigration is what it might take to ultimately save this country."

I've been thinking this for a while now. Immigrants believe more in this country than many of our native born do. Around the world America is still "special" to them.

No matter how dire the left wants to paint the situation, people "voting with their feet" (by the millions) is about as a resounding endorsement as can be given.

[Ssl;sjuo]

Forced pledges are worthless.

[Phoenix]

PA,

Nice analogy. As well, Dan's figuring that immigration may well be what saves this country.

I live about 50 miles from DC, and because it's so close, I don't bother to take advantage of its great offerings - just because I know it's there and tomorrow's another day. It's really a sort of fateful way to live life, and I'm sure I'll regret it one day. The thing is, when I do go, I am renewed and inspired with awe at the wonders of this country; thinking of that humble appreciation transferred onto a newcomer to this country is quite powerful.

[Exurbankevin]

Some updates:

1. The police protection has been withdrawn from Councilman Rawles, as the Mesa Police determined there was "no credible threat" against him. ( http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0126rawlesthreats0126.html )

2. As a member of the blog that started come of the uproar, ( http://www.exurbanleague.com ), myself and all who write there will not and have not encouraged, tolerated nor condoned any threats against Councilman Rawles. We may disagree with him, but nobody deserves to live in fear of their lives over this.

3. And as an immigrant who voted with his feet, (legally), I'm looking foward to the day when I can say not only the Pledge Of Allegiance but the Oath Of Citizenship as well ( http://exurbanleague.com/2007/01/23/on-the-outside-looking-in.aspx )

Thanks for everyone here for bringing attention to Councilman Rawles' shameful actions.

- K