Standing Up for the Right to Sit Down

[MountainLaurel]

Standing 5 feet tall in checkered Vans, 14-year-old Theodore Pugh is an unimposing First Amendment warrior.

But the freshman at Leonardtown High School in St. Mary's County, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and his principal, yesterday taught his teachers a lesson in free speech and reinforced his right to abstain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school.

Theodore became upset this year when, he said, a friend in his homeroom was "reprimanded" by the teacher for remaining seated during the pledge. The teacher, according to Theodore, said that she had a brother in the military in the Middle East and that it was disrespectful to his sacrifice not to stand.

snip

Without telling his principal, Theodore -- with help from his father -- wrote to several First Amendment organizations, including the ACLU of Maryland, to find out what rights students have. As it happened, the ACLU was already on the case. At least four students in three public school systems -- St. Mary's, Baltimore and Prince George's counties -- had reported being forced to either stand or say the pledge although they wanted to abstain, said ACLU of Maryland lawyer Richard Griffiths.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/30/AR2005113002010.html

What a great kid!

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[sui generis]

1. "disrespectful"

"she had a brother in the military in the Middle East and that it was disrespectful to his sacrifice "

Honey, if you want to respect his "sacrifice" then don't sacrifice him. It's easier that way. If you want to keep him from being sacrificed, throw yourself in front of a bullet for him, or else shut the fuck up.

[msongs]

2. the bush family is NOT sacrificing anything nt

[MountainLaurel]

3. They're making a mint at it

As well as getting lots of money for their defense contractor and petroleum industry pals, which will translate to lots of campaign dolars for Jebbie's '08 run.

[sui generis]

4. sorry didn't realize my comment could be interpreted

that way. I meant, that was the speech I would give to the teacher . . . not the OP!!!

:blush: