3 small-town jr. high kids suspended for sitting during Pledge (of Allegiance)

Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) ^ | 5/09/08 | Paul Walsh - Staff Reporter

[exit82]

“No disrespect tolerated here.
This says all you need to know about freedom and how much others will tolerate when it offends them. Pathetic.”

I don’t understand your post. Can you expand on your thought please so I don’t misunderstand?

[purpleraine]

Not saluting the flag can be an expression of political speech. It is protected by the constitution. Now some people don't think that applies to kids and some do.

When some teacher or principal makes that proclamation against kids who don't stand, they are merely showing that power is more important that rights.

You don't teach the exercise of rights by restricting them. This is a chance for the school to teach why you might stand and why those who don't have a right to sit. They might teach that wars have been fought for those rights. But they usually cowboy up and look for ways to exercise power.

[exit82]

The school handbook, approved by the Board of Education, states the children must stand for the Pledge but they don’t have to recite it.

That strikes a good balance between understanding respect and for the ability to show dissent without disruption.

For the Arlington incident I cited earlier, when you are at a place that honors those who have given their lives to protect us, our freedoms, and our way of life, respect is to be shown, and disrespect should not be tolerated. That transcends rights and involves common decency and honoring the sacrifice made by others on our behalf.

If a person cannot be civil in a hallowed place, they need to be elsewhere.

[blam]

"It’s hip to piss on America now."

Sad but true.

[purpleraine]

The whole purpose of the right is to "disrespect" if you chose to. This type of "disrespect" is not disruptive and does not create a safety problem. The only disruption comes is when the school officials decide to force people to stand.

The power and authority of government does not transcend rights. That's why they're rights.

The school handbook is just a further example of that abuse of power. "We want you to look like you're doing something you chose not to do. We don't want anybody to know you're exercising your rights."

[Rappini]

What did you expect it’s Minnesooooooota.

[mountainbunny]

The principal has had a change of heart.

My guess is that he would very much not like to be sued.

See: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,354864,00.html