Madison School Board removes Pledge of Allegiance ban in schools after hearing

AP | 10/16/01 | Jenny Price

[Native American Female Vet]

Madison School Board removes Pledge of Allegiance ban in schools after hearing

By Jenny Price, Associated Press, 10/16/2001 06:50

MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Madison School Board voted to allow schools to offer the Pledge of Allegiance, reversing an earlier decision that critics denounced as unpatriotic.

The board approved the change on a 6-1 vote Tuesday after hearing about eight hours of testimony from emotional residents about its decision last week to bar the Pledge of Allegiance and only allow an instrumental version of the ''Star-Spangled Banner'' in classrooms.

''For a few minutes every morning, everyone joins in an exercise that I believe binds us together,'' board member Ray Allen said. ''I don't think the pledge is about religion. I think it is a commitment to our democracy.''

The 800-seat auditorium at Madison Memorial High School was overflowing late Monday into Tuesday with citizens wanting to express their opinion.

Last week, the board ruled out the pledge as a way for schools to comply with a new student patriotism law that requires public schools to give students a daily opportunity to say the pledge or hear the national anthem.

The district received more than 20,000 phone calls and e-mails over the matter almost all of them criticizing the decision.

Before the meeting started, the crowd spontaneously began reciting the pledge, with the majority standing as some scattered boos were heard. After finishing the oath, supporters broke into applause, waving American flags.

Laura Brown, a Madison resident, said it was unfair to divide students with different beliefs on the issue of the pledge.

''It's bad enough Osama bin Laden has declared a holy war on us,'' she said. ''It's a heck of a lot worse if we declare war on each other in the name of God.''

Dan Neviaser of Madison, who said he volunteered to serve in World War II, contended the board allowed a vocal minority to overrule rights of the majority of people who want the pledge said in schools.

''In this time of stress and fear, we need our `Star-Spangled Banner,´ we need our Pledge of Allegiance,´´ he said. ´´You know what we don´t need? Our school board.´´

Outside of the meeting, several parents led by former U.S. Rep. Scott Klug, R-Wis., said they intend to seek the recall of some or all of the board members.

On the Net:

Madison Metropolitan School District:

http://www.mmsd.org

[summer]

<(I>The Madison School Board voted to allow schools to offer the Pledge of Allegiance...

Oh, well, thank you for returning back to this planet.

[4CJ]

It's a sad statement about government education when Dims teachers and educators can't understand the First Amendment. They only voted to remove the ban to save their sorry arses.

[afz400]

They still should be removed for trying to ban the pledge. They want to keep their jobs because they have other ideas to uses to subvert the schools. Why should they continue to be trusted with our children?

[KillTime]

See, I knew Madison wasn't bad. The people of that fine city attacked the school board hijackers of the Pledge and won!

[Alas]

They are starting to feel the heat, here is a copy of an email recieved by me from Wisconsin:

Dear Mr. ...:

Thank you for contacting us regarding the Madison Metro School District's recent decision. This action has had a negative effect on the reputation on the city of Madison and our state. We want you to know that due to overwhelming opposition and public outcry, the school board has temporarily rescinded their decision and will reconsider it on Monday, October 15th. We expect it to be overturned.

Governor Scott McCallum and many other officials have gone on public record opposing the school board's decision.

Despite this regrettable incident, Madisonians, and the citizens of Wisconsin, have deep consciences and embrace all that our great nation - and our American symbols - stand for. Please know, the views of this small minority do not reflect the sentiment of the entire state.

Wisconsin prides itself on extending a sincere and heartfelt welcome to all its visitors and is known for its warm, friendly people. I hope you will reconsider your vacation options and visit Wisconsin in the future.

Sincerely,
Lisa Marshall
Public Relations Manager
State of Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Ph: 608.267.3773
lmarshall@travelwisconsin.com

[PLK]

Before the meeting started, the crowd spontaneously began reciting the pledge, with the majority standing as some scattered boos were heard

Amazing. Who ARE these people. I respect their right to disagree, but sheesh!

[truthkeeper]

The board approved the change on a 6-1 vote

STILL a holdout?

[zip]

Laura Brown, a Madison resident, said it was unfair to divide students with different beliefs on the issue of the pledge

It would be a shame to divide the 2 students from the 1800 patriotic students, wouldn't it? (Sarcasm off)It's time these leftists (such as the school board) get their attitudes adjusted. Usually it's the teachers that love the left and the administrators love the right but it sounds reversed here. I think they still don't get it, no words to the National Anthem, only instrumental (can the students hum?).I hope the recall movement is successful..

[Arthur McGowan]

So now the collectivist, tax-funded, coercive, state-run, socialist government schools of Madison will be teaching "patriotism" for 15 seconds each morning! Whoopee!

[TigerLikesRooster]

I saw many people with red/white/blue ribbons and flying flags at their stores and houses. Where do you think is this place ? Indiana, or Texas ? No, it is Massachusets. I was astonished to find that so many people do it in People's Republic of Massachusets, the stronghold of radical leftism. You all remember the Amherst flag controversy. I think that, even in Massachusetts, the left is losing.

[brewcrew]

I hope the recall movement is successful.

So do I, zip. This meeting was all about trying to get the toothpaste back in the tube. It can't be done. It's now up to the parents of Madistan publik skool students to hang these clowns out to dry.

[Reaganomics]

Before the meeting started, the crowd spontaneously began reciting the pledge, with the majority standing as some scattered boos were heard.

Booing the Pledge of Allegiance? Now that takes it too far. You can sit there and shut up if you don't won't to participate, but don't dare spit on our flag.

[shuckmaster]

Does this mean we can replace the flag Madison removed from a cemetary last Febuary?

[YOMO]

Too late!!! Recall them all and give the students a real lesson in Civics for a change. You live in this country you support it. Yes change can come, but at a price. They better have strong convictions and KNOW they are right rather than stuffing their thoughts down everyones throat without consequences.

[joy361]

Just saw a news clip on the meeting.
Some moron spoke of how he was afraid of what would be next if we allow our children to be brainwashed into pledging allegiance to a 'stinking piece of cloth'.

They should have ripped him a new one.

[FreedomPoster]

Pledge ban gone? Great!

Now it's time to remove the idiots who voted for it in the first place. They have proven themselves unworthy of the public's trust, and might show similarly poor judgement in the future. Reversing the ban isn't enough. They should resign, or be impeached/recalled/voted out of office, whichever can happen quickest.

[eeriegeno]

'For a few minutes every morning, everyone joins in an exercise that I believe binds us together,'' board member Ray Allen said. ''I don't think the pledge is about religion. I think it is a commitment to our democracy.''

This board member THINKS that the pledge is a commitment to our democracy? And he is a member of the school board? Lord help us!!!!!

[Tricorn]

We routed the commies on their own home turf. When we come at them in force, they're too afraid to even put up a defense. Let's keep it up. This is one victory. Now we've got a war to win.

[Brookhaven]

commitment to our democracy?/i>

How can it be a commitment to something that doesn't exist.

We are not a democracy. We are a Republic.