Arlington student's plea for the Pledge unsuccessful

GateHouse News Service ^ | June 28, 2010 | Linda Kush

[Dayvester]

Sean Harrington, a senior at Arlington High School, faced the School Committee on Tuesday with frustrated tears in his eyes.

He had just come tantalizingly close to realizing his dream: he wanted every student in the Arlington schools to have the chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day.

But in spite of Harrington’s impassioned speech citing mothers who lost children in Iraq and aging Baby Boomers left mentally shattered after Viet Nam, the committee vote was tied 3 - 3, and the measure failed.

School Committee members Joseph Curran, Cindy Starks and Chairman Joseph Curro voted to reinstitute the pledge, while Leba Heigham, Kirsi Allison-Ampe and Judson Pierce voted no. Jeff Thielman was absent.

“Please … it’s the last day!” Sean pleaded after the votes were tallied...

...There is even a Massachusetts law making daily recitation of the pledge mandatory, but that law is routinely ignored because it contradicts federal court decisions that say compelling someone to say the Pledge of Allegiance violates freedom of speech.

[TribalPrincess2U]

Stand and pledge anyway. When the board calls it ‘school disruption’,respond that you are taking a page from Bill Ayers playbook and practicing ‘political dissent’. Turn the tables on the left and they get real agitated.

There ya go!

[markoman]

I grew up in Arlington and went to the public schools there.
(1963-1976)
I can remember reciting the pledge of allegiance in elementary
school, hand over heart,facing the flag.
Arlington was a nice middle class town with strong values.
It started to change in the 1970’s when young progressives
started moving in.

[LibertyRocks]

"There is even a Massachusetts law making daily recitation of the pledge mandatory, but that law is routinely ignored because it contradicts federal court decisions that say compelling someone to say the Pledge of Allegiance violates freedom of speech."

So what? It's not like you HAVE to stand up and recite it even if it's being said around you! Freedom OF Speech - not Freedom FROM Speech... It's just like prayers -- Freedom OF Religion, not Freedom FROM Religion.

It's no wonder people in this country don't understand how our government works, or what's going on. There is no more emphasis on respecting past generations, and the price they've paid for our Freedoms... The only push as far as our government in the schools is concerned, is the overwhelming number of teachers who are indoctrinating today's students against the US of old (Capitalism, Freedom), and against so-called "US Imperialism", and "Rights Violations".

We're doomed to repeat the worst parts of history because these children will not respect our country, or have an understanding of how lucky we as a nation have been up until now. I guess a lot of these younger kids are going to get a very rude wake-up call. But, will they know how to answer it when it comes??? That's what I REALLY worry about!

[muawiyah]

Not to flame you but I don’t care what you think. You learn to get along or get out. Most folks have figured out by the time they are adults how to respect the rights of others, or they’ve gone totally criminal and we’ve locked ‘em up to contemplate their futures.

[muawiyah]

Don’t count on it. Anyplace that’s run by Leftwingtards is usually staffed with corporate toadies who will bust your chops for getting out of synch with the party line.

[frogjerk]

Time to just do it and screw the courts. Let them enforce their BS.

[Artemis Webb]

I was raised a Jehovah’s Witness. We weren’t allowed to say the pledge but we were taught to stand out of respect. I don’t see why that little bit of common sense could not be applied to the town of Arlington (other than that there is a common sense shortage in Massachusetts).

[AU72]

Didn’t Arlington have a State Senator who was arrested for accosting multiple women in public?

[tx_eggman]

Sean Harrington, a senior at Arlington High School, faced the School Committee on Tuesday with frustrated tears in his eyes.

"Weepy drama-queenery is no way to go through life, son."

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue - Proverbs 17:28

Signed up June 14, 2010 and it's already too late for you.

[Grunthor]

“but that law is routinely ignored because it contradicts federal court decisions that say compelling someone to say the Pledge of Allegiance violates freedom of speech.”

A forced pledge means about as much as a coerced confession.

[Candor7]

Count me in!

[palmer]

Yes, met him once at Garden in the Woods. Seemed like a decent guy, didn’t accost me or my sister.

[ilovesarah2012]

When I was in school (a long time ago), saying the Pledge was routine. No one ever gave it a thought. Of course, back then we didn’t have to have cops in our schools, either. The libs are destroying America bit by bit.

[newfreep]

Love that photo & captioning the Utopian illogic (i.e. lack of common sense) of liberals.

[markoman]

James Marzilli.
Went to school with him.

[Balding_Eagle]

You’re the only one talking about mandatory.

Even the student is smarter than you.

[ilovesarah2012]

As I see it, the Pledge is a way of coming together and stating that we love our country and believe in it. I believe those who refuse to say the Pledge hate America.

[Neville72]

I will not recite the pledge until the oozing carbuncle known as Barack Obama/Barry Soetoro is removed by impeachment or resignation or election from the White House.

Now, if someone comes up with a Pledge to the U.S. Constitution, I’ll gladly recite that every day

[Godwin1]

Well, when you have people with names like “Leba” and “Kirsi” on the School Board, what do you expect? You can't expect love for America from people who are not “real” Americans.

[DemonDeac]

Parody post?