MaryKait Durkee refuses to recite pledge, files lawsuit

Libartarian Rock ^ | June 1, 1998 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

MaryKait Durkee refuses to recite pledge, files lawsuit

June 1, 1998 - MaryKait Durkee, a student in San Diego, California is the latest Libertarian Rockstar. A few months ago she stopped reciting the pledge of allegiance. Her teacher responded by sending her to the principal, who threatened to give her detention. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in her behalf to protect her First Amendment free-speech rights.

Durkee disagrees with the pledge because she doesn't believe in God, thinks the government is corrupt and that American society is too violent. She has no respect for a country that has so many problems.

Despite the lawsuit, the school threatened her with detention. To avoid further punishment, she now stands while the rest of her class recites the pledge. The ACLU will seek a restraining order against the school so that Durkee can forgo the pledge during the remainder of the school year while the case proceeds through court.

If the student wins the case and the federal judges in your area agree with the verdict, then you'll probably have the right to skip the government's daily dose of propaganda .

[vannrox]

Worth a post.

[general_re]

This is still an issue? Whatever we may think of this child's opinions, SCOTUS decided the legality of this nearly 60 years ago. The school can't win, and I'm surprised their counsel hasn't apprised them of that.

Unless they think they can get SCOTUS to overrule itself, which seems unlikely, first off. And second, shouldn't be undertaken at taxpayer expense, in any case.

[Bikers4Bush]

This appears to be from 4 years ago. Got anything more recent?

[Astronaut]

Ship the stupid disrespectful little snot to Iraq. No pledge of allegiance there. Problem solved.

[week 71]

Durkee disagrees with the pledge because she doesn't believe in God, thinks the government is corrupt and that American society is too violent.

I'll defend her right the think and say whatever she wants. Now let me remind her that she is free to leave.

[GuillermoX]

To Captain Black, every officer who supported his Glorious Loyalty Oath Crusade was a competitor, and he planned and plotted twnety-four hours a day to keep one step ahead. He would stand second to none in his devotion to country. When other officers had followed his urging and introduced loyalty oaths of their own, he went them one better by making every son of a bitch who came to his intelligence tent sign two loyalty oaths, then three, then four; then he introduced the pledge of allegiance, and after that "The Star-Spangled Banner," one chorus, two choruses, three choruses, four choruses. Each time Captain Black forged ahead of his competitors, he swung upon them scornfully for their failure to follow his example. Each time they followed his example, he retreated with concern and racked his brain for some new strategem that would enable him to turn upon them scornfully again.

- from Joseph Heller's Catch-22

[Shooter 2.5]

The school is run by not very bright people. Like the article said, it turned her into a rockstar. The worst thing you can do to a student like this is to ignore them. They aren't doing this because they're making a stand. They do it for the attention. Tell the girl she has to stand when all the other students are reciting the pledge. Why waste the school board's money.

[Tennessee_Bob]

As I have told many visitors who were intent on telling me just how much they dislike the South - "Delta has flights leaving everyday. Do you need a lift to the airport?"

[Arthur McGowan]

Why do think any American child should be taught to recite the anti-Constitutional, Socialist Pledge to the Federal Flag? Where did this idolatrous regard for the Socialist Pledge come from? Pure, brute, rote repetition in the government schools, that's where.

[gunnedah]

I agree with her on two of the three but I will still pledge because there is still some hope.I have spent my whole adult life believing in the principle of equal justice under the law but it is fast fading and I have about lost all hope but I will not as of yet give up.Our politicians and our court system are as corrupt as any in the world.But where there is hope there is a chance.

[L.N. Smithee]

Uh...this is from 1988? It hasn't been decided/settled by now?

When they say "Extended News," I don't think they mean extended four years in the past.

[KineticKitty]

SOLUTION;

ONE ungrateful snot nosed brat

ONE american service member who risks his/her life for this country

ONE sound proof room

ONE very large paddle

[TEXICAN II]

I take your quote to be an attempt to insult & slander all who would teach & require patriatism ( can you please do me a favor here, & read 'patriatism' with the greatest nasal intonation, as though a British Sargent Major were reading it to you? It would be, first, a short A, as in the name Pat, like Buchanan, then "tree-a-tism" Thanks, thsats how I wish to project it, & with great implications for all.

To attempt to be-little Western Civilization, or our own very productive, all inclusive, ever so successful little version of it, is NOT to overcome it. The sick Arabs are actually attempting to do that-you shall just have to await the results. I am sure your presence has been duly noted by all who attend this thread-but I simply feel compelled to act, rather like when one sees a snake, one acts.

[Rightproud]

What is the purpose of posting this article from 1998?

[GuillermoX]

You're obviously insane and cannot spell.

[archy]

Uh...this is from 1988? It hasn't been decided/settled by now?

When they say "Extended News," I don't think they mean extended four years in the past

I'll certainly not throw stones, as I posted an *extended news* item on 06 March regarding the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo to the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna's army 166 years ago. Several dozen FReepers responded, and there was only one carping about the admittedly late dispatch and my description thereof.

There is a related bit of recent news to that Alamo story though, since the names of several additional volunteers who perished in that fight have now been added to those of the 185 previously known defenders, bringing the list of those known to have fought there at over two hundred. Hopefully, there's a similar more recent bit of news to be added to this four-year-old story as well, and if the reposting of such an older item reawakens interest and brings us updated information, then that's works to the betterment of informed FReepers.

-archy-/-

[Bonaparte]

"Our politicians and our court system are as corrupt as any in the world."

You haven't travelled much.

[TEXICAN II]

You may be correct on both counts, but at least I can recognize a goofy source from a misguided poster. Actually I have more regard for the act of reciting the Pledge than you, & your silly anti-war, anti-West book quote is just vacuous.

Is your handle a play on MalcomX, Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory or do you hail from the Iberian Peenensula? Was Malcom a hero of yours or do you seek to inflame racial tensions?

[GuillermoX]

You are truly an idiot. That is all I can say, other than you should get a prescription for Lithium before the weekend.

[let freedom sing]

To avoid further punishment, she now stands while the rest of her class recites the pledge.

More civil rights violations. It would be reasonable to let her suffer from "peer pressure".