Suspended for refusing to pledge allegiance

[+OverSword]

From the article:

A Texas teen was reportedly suspended from school for refusing to stand up and pledge his allegiance to the flag.

Mason Michalec, a sophomore at Needville High School, claims he’s taken a pledge not to say the Pledge.

“I’ve basically said it from the time I was in kindergarten to earlier this year and that’s when I decided I was done saying it,” he told KHOU.

The 15-year-old says he loves his country, but he doesn’t agree with how politicians are running it.

“I’m really tired of our government taking advantage of us,” said Michalec. “I don’t agree with the NSA spying on us. And I don’t agree with any of those Internet laws.”

But his attitude didn’t sit well with his Needville school. He stopped saying the pledge earlier this school year and hasn’t had a problem. But when announcements were moved to a different period on Wednesday, a new teacher spotted him sitting down during the recitation. He also sat down during the Texas Pledge, a special pledge that students in the state make to The Lone Star Flag. She was furious.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/texas-teen-suspended-refusing-pledge-article-1.1785924#ixzz31oSZRGWg

[+and-then]

Hard one... if the pledge is given in protest or duress then it's meaningless so what's the point? But If youth see a way to rebel against order it has a way of mushrooming. A respectful silence in this case should be allowed IMO.

[scorpiosonic]

Being old school, I think he deserved to be suspended. (No one in their right mind would've tried this back when I went to school.)

OTOH, Does an American Citizen, (and school boy) have the right to refuse to say the Pledge???

[Ogbin]

Just another example of free speach being thrown out the window.

[+OverSword]

Being old school, I think he deserved to be suspended. (No one in their right mind would've tried this back when I went to school.)

OTOH, Does an American Citizen, (and school boy) have the right to refuse to say the Pledge???

Does a schoolboy have a right to refuse the pledge? Where are you from? Of course he has every right to refuse to pledge allegiance. Especially as he is doing it as a silent form of protesting the wrong-doings of our federal government.

[Babe Ruth]

Just another example of free speach being thrown out the window.

Another demonstration that "free speech" in this day and age is very much an illusion.

[Space Commander Travis]

i must say I've always thought this rather weird. It does all seem rather totalitarian.

[scorpiosonic]

Does a schoolboy have a right to refuse the pledge? Where are you from? Of course he has every right to refuse to pledge allegiance. Especially as he is doing it as a silent form of protesting the wrong-doings of our federal government.

I'm from the US, and being an American Citizen, I think he should've been patriotic enough to stand up and recite the Pledge...regardless of how ticked he is @ our Govt.

The fact that our Govt. is doing a very poor job right now is a completely separate issue, and has nothing to do w/ being patriotic. He should find a better way to protest, maybe march on Washington, or write letters to his Congressmen, ETC.

I'm not against freedom of speech, but he needs to direct his anger/frustration towards those responsible for causing it.

(As opposed to protesting school policies.)

[Gary Meadows]

Texas parental brainwashing. I bet he loves him some Jesus & firearms as well.

[Space Commander Travis]

I'm sure America must be the only country in the "Free" World where this kind of quaint ritual is obligatory. If you saw it in a documentary from N. Korea, say, I'm sure everyone would laugh at what brainwashed drones they are. But all this business about the Flag all seems a bit fetishistic, anyway. Like how you can be shot if you let it touch the ground or something like that, isn't that right? It all seems a bit weird.

[+OverSword]

I'm from the US, and being an American Citizen, I think he should've been patriotic enough to stand up and recite the Pledge...regardless of how ticked he is @ our Govt.

The fact that our Govt. is doing a very poor job right now is a completely separate issue, and has nothing to do w/ being patriotic. He should find a better way to protest, maybe march on Washington, or write letters to his Congressmen, ETC.

I'm not against freedom of speech, but he needs to direct his anger/frustration towards those responsible for causing it.

(As opposed to protesting school policies.)

Is it up to us how someone else should protest? Do you really think that just being born someplace obligates you to pledge your allegiance? How about the part where he didn't pledge his allegiance to the state of Texas? Should he be obligated to make that pledge as well? I have no problem with this form of protest at all.

I'm sure America must be the only country in the "Free" World where this kind of quaint ritual is obligatory. If you saw it in a documentary from N. Korea, say, I'm sure everyone would laugh at what brainwashed drones they are. But all this business about the Flag all seems a bit fetishistic, anyway. Like how you can be shot if you let it touch the ground or something like that, isn't that right? It all seems a bit weird.

Good point. But I don't think you can be shot for letting the flag hit the ground. People burn them as a form of protest without prosecution.

[scorpiosonic]

He can protest any way he likes, but I don't have to agree w/ it.

It's not an obligation, it's a privilege. Yes, the same goes for the Texas Pledge.

Send him to Nigeria, or Zimbabwe for a few yrs...then he can see what a really messed-up country looks like.

In the US, you can be prosecuted for burning the American Flag.

Edited May 15, 2014 by scorpiosonic

[Space Commander Travis]

Is it up to us how someone else should protest? Do you really think that just being born someplace obligates you to pledge your allegiance? How about the part where he didn't pledge his allegiance to the state of Texas? Should he be obligated to make that pledge as well? I have no problem with this form of protest at all.

Good point. But I don't think you can be shot for letting the flag hit the ground. People burn them as a form of protest without prosecution.

I read something about that. Apparently burning it is one of the officially approved methods of disposal of it, like giving it a decent funeral it seems. I don't know what would happen if you put one out for the garbage; would the garbage people report you?

[Keel M.]

I have a feeling that if he had simply stood then no one would have been the wiser.

[Space Commander Travis]

I have a feeling that if he had simply stood then no one would have been the wiser.

but he wouldn't have made his point would he.

[supervike]

I'm from the US, and being an American Citizen, I think he should've been patriotic enough to stand up and recite the Pledge...regardless of how ticked he is @ our Govt.

The fact that our Govt. is doing a very poor job right now is a completely separate issue, and has nothing to do w/ being patriotic. He should find a better way to protest, maybe march on Washington, or write letters to his Congressmen, ETC.

I'm not against freedom of speech, but he needs to direct his anger/frustration towards those responsible for causing it.

(As opposed to protesting school policies.)

Being an American Citizen does not require one to be patriotic.

I cannot think of a better protest for a student to make. It's harmless, and it exercises HIS right of Freedom of Speech.

For the record, I also think burning a flag is a legitimate protest (provided you are burning your own property and obeying fire safety rules).

I too am an American Citizen. I am not unpatriotic, but I don't see how forcing someone to do this serves a free country.

Freedom of Speech should protect unpopular opinions as well....There really shouldn't even be a debate about this.

Edited May 15, 2014 by supervike

[supervike]

In the US, you can be prosecuted for burning the American Flag.

No you cannot.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Good on the lad I say.

Good to see someone standing or, or rather sitting down as the case is, for free speech!

[scorpiosonic]

It's possible to hate/protest the Fed Govt, and still be an American Patriot. (I'm living proof of this.)

I never said the kid should be denied his freedom of speech rights. I DID say he should find a better way to protest.

He has caused trouble for himself. I doubt his actions will change Texas School, (or Tx Govt.) policies, and it's highly unlikely his actions will change Fed Govt. policies. It takes more than one person's protests to accomplish this.

[andy4]

I thought America was land of the free? Or am I missing something here?

Do they also arrest handicapped people who can't stand or the mentally challenged who scream out (hypothetically, and I truly mean no offence) during it? Quite the hypocrisy, you're free to do what you want as long as you stand for the pledge to pledge alliegence to have the freedom to not stand. Conundrum #1.

[andy4]

It's possible to hate/protest the Fed Govt, and still be an American Patriot. (I'm living proof of this.)

I never said the kid should be denied his freedom of speech rights. I DID say he should find a better way to protest.

He has caused trouble for himself. I doubt his actions will change Texas School, (or Tx Govt.) policies, and it's highly unlikely his actions will change Fed Govt. policies. It takes more than one person's protests to accomplish this.

Being "patriotic" no offence, means, "I'm brainwashed enough to fight for some land on the earth and so are some other people even though it's all truly one place." Animals can't see the borders because they're false.

Invisible man made boundaries that tell you to "believe" (what's that even mean?) in your country and to wave a piece of multi colored cloth in the air.

Land of the rich, home of the slave.

[supervike]

It takes more than one person's protests to accomplish this.

Yep, but his stance may inspire others.

[Ogbin]

Metallica said it best..

You can do it your own way as long as it's done just how we say.

Edited May 15, 2014 by Ogbin

[spud the mackem]

How many times do Americans have to do this "pledge", the guy says that he's done it so many times that he is sick of it , so if he is silently protesting its better than running around a school with a loaded gun.

Us Brits stand for the National Anthem as it is a mark of respect , but we don't keep pledging allegiance.

[scorpiosonic]

Being "patriotic" no offence, means, "I'm brainwashed enough to fight for some land on the earth and so are some other people even though it's all truly one place." Animals can't see the borders because they're false.

Invisible man made boundaries that tell you to "believe" (what's that even mean?) in your country and to wave a piece of multi colored cloth in the air.

Land of the rich, home of the slave.

Some of us actually love our country.

It's more than just a piece of cloth.

How many times do Americans have to do this "pledge", the guy says that he's done it so many times that he is sick of it , so if he is silently protesting its better than running around a school with a loaded gun.

Us Brits stand for the National Anthem as it is a mark of respect , but we don't keep pledging allegiance.

I recited the Pledge every school day of my life. (That's first grade thru 12th.)

True, better than a loaded gun @ school.

Edited May 15, 2014 by scorpiosonic