Posted on 01/23/2007 6:18:17 AM PST by AZRepublican
PHOENIX -- A Mesa City Council member refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance before a meeting to protest American involvement in what he calls an Iraqi civil war.
"If you're not willing to stand up for what you believe, you don't belong in politics," Tom Rawles said.
Rawles told Mayor Keno Hawker of his intention before Monday's meeting but surprised the other five council members with an announcement during a study session before the meeting.
"Although I love my country and respect our flag, this is my way of protesting America's continuing involvement in the civil war in Iraq," Rawles said in a written statement hours before the meeting.
Rawles said he has been thinking about making such a protest for about five months.
He said he favored the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, predicated on President Bush's assertion that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to the United States.
"I didn't have a problem with going into war," Rawles said, "(but) that's not what we're doing now. Now we're into nation-building and acting as a policeman in a bloody civil war. That's the part that bothers me."
Rawles said he will refrain from saying the Pledge until U.S. troops are called home or he's no longer in public office.
He picked the wrong town to act like a dork in.
Tom Rawles must be a Democrat. Yes?
If he is not one, he certainly is a meathead.
Nice going, Tom. We're all real proud of you.
Tom Rawles = All American Ass-Wipe!!!
What a tool.
This is the extent of Dems' "Allegiance" to the US - as and to the extent they agree with it. That's left-wing "patriotism" for ya.
He is a Libertarian
Shouldn't there be a chin somewhere between his lower lip and his necktie?
"Rawles said he has been thinking about making such a protest for about five months."
Good God..it took him 5 MONTHS to decide that NOT saying the Pledge of Allegiance was a good way to protest..Me thinks he should have thought a bit longer and come up with a better approach.. assneck.
MM
So he's slow as well as obnoxious?
Good for him. If he wants to make a statement this way then I support him. At least he's not out sitting at a press conference calling George Bush a bunch of nasty names. This was a civilized way for him to make a point.
If so many people on FreeRepublic want to call this man names for making such a tame protest, then it begs the question what kind of protest IS acceptable to you people?
"Rawles said he will refrain from saying the Pledge until U.S. troops are called home or he's no longer in public office."
He will no longer be in public office long before the troops come home.
We say the Pledge to show that we have no Allegiance to any person or and other country. That is the PURPOSE of pledging allegiance. To make it clear that our allegiance is to our COUNTRY.
This guy is too stupid to be a councilman.
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