Reciting of Pledge of Allegiance prompts controversy

Syracuse Post Standard ^ | 03.03.06 | Scott Rapp

[Behind Liberal Lines]

SENECA FALLS NY--Former Seneca County lawmaker Richard Ricci said Thursday "that's a bunch of baloney" to criticism that he was grandstanding when he led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at a public hearing Wednesday night.

At the close of his prepared remarks, Ricci called on the crowd of about 300 at the New York Chiropractic College to stand with him and recite the pledge.

Many in the crowd stood on cue, but a scattering of people didn't. They included Clint Halftown, the New York Cayuga Indians' federally recognized representative, and Syracuse lawyer Daniel French, a former U.S. Attorney who represents the Cayugas.

A few reporters and two federal Bureau of Indian Affairs officials at a front table also remained seated.

On Thursday, Halftown and French defended their reasons for keeping their seats. Halftown also criticized Ricci for what he said appeared to be a grandstand attempt to play to the crowd at the hearing, which was held for residents and politicians to have their say on the tribe's land-trust application before the BIA.

French, who was U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York from 1999 to 2001, said it's unfortunate when people use "something as sacred" as the Pledge of Allegiance to question somebody's patriotism.

Ricci said he asked the crowd to recite the pledge because the BIA - which was holding the hearing - did not open the meeting by saluting the flag.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Sacajaweau]

Many of the indians belong to regular christian churches. I have historical letters telling about their participation. This appears to be just "deliberate disrespect" for the country that supports and protects them.

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for posting this article.

I am NOT at all surprised that some reporters refused to stand. Most of them root against this Country and do all they can to undermine its success! See tagline...

[jan in Colorado]

My Name Is Old Glory

I am the flag of the United States of America.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on the worlds longest undefended border.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am honored - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected -- and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam. Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon Vietnam. Know me, I was there.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me, And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts. But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.

But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.
MY NAME IS OLD GLORY... DEAR GOD, LONG MAY I WAVE.
Author © Howard Schnauber

[Fixit]

Dan French, protege to the late Senator Daniel P. Moynihan, graduated law school in 1995.

French was first appointed to be a US Attorney by Clinton in '99, and left in early 2001 when Dubya took office.

Dan French came into his job as U.S. attorney with something to prove two years ago. Of the 94 U.S. attorneys across the country, none had less legal experience.

There was grumbling in the legal community that someone just four years out of law school didn't deserve to run an office where career prosecutors had been putting away criminals for decades. As the top prosecutor in the Northern District of New York, French was in charge of prosecuting federal crimes in a 32-county region that includes Syracuse.

...

He said he wants to get involved in federal lobbying and might eventually run for public office. But he and his wife, Channel 9 reporter Kelly French, plan to stay in the Syracuse area.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

his wife, Channel 9 reporter Kelly French

But there is no liberal media, there is no liberal media, there is no liberal media...

[DelphiUser]

>>Written in the late 1880s, it's a 'progressive' piece advocating a socialist utopia that would exist in the year 2000

Did it work?

[billbears]

Look around you. A populace concerned more with their nationalistic pride and a national government taking over day to day operations of our lives more and more. Maybe not at the level of Bellamy's desires but we're getting closer

[potlatch]

Thanks for the ping!

[Smartass]

Thanks for the PING potlatch

"French, who was U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York from
1999 to 2001, said it's unfortunate when people use "something as sacred"
as the Pledge of Allegiance to question
somebody's patriotism."



Well Mr. French, I'd say it was more un-American to sit, instead of standing!

[potlatch]

BUMP!!

[potlatch]

Ping of interest!