MS Attorney Jailed for Refusing to Recite Pledge of Allegiance in Courtroom
I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.......
Obviously, there's some question of legality here as to whether the Chancellor can force someone to say the Pledge of Allegiance even if he does rule his courtroom. But when I was in elementary school, there was no such question. We started every class off by standing, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and having a moment of silent prayer.
To be honest, it never occurred to me not to do any of those three things. I most assuredly was not going to be the only one seated when the entire class stood up. After all, everyone would look at me, and when you're in elementary school, standing apart from the herd is your worst nightmare.
Saying the Pledge of Allegiance isn't difficult for me, because I guess I'm one of those people who loves being an American and feel it's a great thing. I still say it when the occasion arises.
The prayer time didn't bother me or anyone else I knew. If you were in Old Lady Duffy's room, you did a lot of praying. Most of the time you were praying that she didn't call on you to go the blackboard.
In fact, in never occurred to me not to do anything Mrs. Duffy said, because she was in good with the principal, Mr. Logan, down the hall. It was well-known around school that Mr. Logan had a nice long paddle he had nicknamed "Old Glory." We'd all heard stories of how Old Glory had been introduced to one of those high school boys who'd watched a little too much James Dean and thought he was a tough guy.
In my opinion, Mr. Lampley may have had the right not to say the Pledge of Allegiance as long as he was respectful to the judge and the others, which seems to be the case. I suppose the Chancellor was making a point by locking him up. At least, Mr. Lampley didn't have to face the fury of Old Glory, and I can assure him that's a fact he can be happy about.
Sources:
Associated Press
"The Oxford Eagle"
Published by Pattie Byrd
Pattie Byrd is a freelance writer specializing in humor commentary, reviews and news articles. She has been published in magazines and several internet sites. Growing up in the South, she maintains her lov... View profile
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26 Comments
Post a Comment(continued...)
The one thing we can all (hopefully) agree upon is that one of the central tenets of our government is freedom of religion and the right of every person to live in accordance with the dictates of his or her own conscience. It is because of this commitment to tolerance that the U.S. has been able to maintain its cohesion despite the variety of religions practiced by its populace. This is also the reason why formerly persecuted religious minorities (like Catholics and Jews) have, over time, become accepted into the political and social culture of our society.
The Pledge was written in 1892 by a baptist minister. Its original form did not include the words "under God." It's usage became widespread almost immediately (school children first began to recite it on Columbus Day in 1892). The phrase "under God" was not added by Congress until 62 years later in 1954.
The U.S. Constitution provides that Congress cannot pass any law respecting an establishment of religion. The Fourteenth Amendment incorporates this so that it also applies to states. Regardless of whether the phrase "under God" is constitutional (and I believe it is not), the government cannot compel religious speech. The attorney is perfectly within his rights to refuse to say the Pledge because it requires a religious affirmation on his part.
The one thing we can all (hopefully) agree upon is that one of the central tenets of our government is freedom of religion and the right of every person to live in accordance with the dictates of his or
I don't think anyone should be forced to recite the Pledge but he should be reminded that he is not forced to live here and it would probably be best all the way around if he would get out of here and go find some country he could love and respect.
I believe that everyone in the courtroom and in a schoolhouse should have to recite the pledge. Be respectful of the country!!
I remember reciting it as a child too. It's strange to me that a lawyer who supposedly represents justice for all would have a problem with saying it. But you know today it seems that anything goes.
The judge surely did overstep his bounds here, but I relate to your childhood memories of fear being the best assurance of obedience.
So does this fall under freedom of speech? This is a toughie. Great job!
I don't really care about his "right" to not say it; I think it's funny he had to sit a few hours in jail and stew...I'm fed up with people who complain about the very country they live in. what a shame, though, that he'll probably sue about his "rights" being violated and probably win.
Something else I want to mention- freedom of speech doesn't usually apply in the courtroom. If it did, trials would become circuses.
When I was in elementary school- grade 6- I refused to stand and say the pledge. My parents were called, and it was made clear to me by them that I was to stand, say the pledge, and be happy about it. They were right. This is my country, and even though I am extremely unhappy with the direction its going, allegiance to the founding principles is the only way the right changes will come about.