Texas Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

[airplanemechanic]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

I would much prefer that kids wanted to stand to the flag, versus being forced too. Are we turning into North Korea?

Yea, yea, that's it.

Because we want our kids to respect our country and our flag we're turning into a country that just killed the leader of a music band with 90 bullets because KJU didn't like how they played.

Yea, that's it.

 

[OKTexas]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

Of course you have no objection of schools forcing commie propaganda on kids, even if it's against the parents wishes. The parents in this case could have opted out, but evidently didn't. Your opinion of their decision is irrelevant.

.

 

[Resnic]

My parents sent me to a Christian private school for one year when I was little. I got paddled every morning, Monday through Friday by the principal because I refused to stand up and say the pledge when they told me I had to do it.

So sure, go ahead and play the song every morning on the pa system and encourage, don't make them do it.

 

[lennypartiv]

Should we have the kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance or should we have them read Heather Has Two Mommies?

Of course we should have them recite the pledge. There's nothing wrong with that law.

 

[Mustang]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

Two comments:

Doesn't the TX legislature have more important things to do than pass legislation requiring HS students to stand for the pledge?

Nothing is going to make kids want to sit during the pledge than telling them they have to under penalty of law. Then what happens? Are the police going to arrest HS students if they don't stand for the pledge? Or are they going to write them a citation requiring either a court appearance or paying a fine like a traffic infraction?

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Unlike the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance is not part of our founding heritage.

The form of the pledge used today was largely devised by Francis Bellamy in 1892, and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942.[7] The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The most recent alteration of its wording came on Flag Day in 1954, when the words "under God" were added.[8]

Pledge of Allegiance (United States) - Wikipedia

Neither is abortion but libs have no problem killing the babies in the womb.

 

[marvin martian]

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

Shortly thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.

In World War II, the salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Written by a SOCIALIST - and Texas honors it? Interesting...

Believe it or not, there was a time when socialism didn't equate to Nazism, like it does now under the modern left.

 

[Rigby5]

This has been settled in court many, many times.
It is an illegal criminal act to try to force anyone to stand for a flag or recite a pledge.

I refused in the 60s, and won.

No one trying to silence political speech has ever won.
When they do, then it will be time to start shooting.

 

[bodecea]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

Nothing says patriotism like forcing people.

 

[Rigby5]

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

Shortly thereafter, the pledge was begun with the right hand over the heart, and after reciting "to the Flag," the arm was extended toward the Flag, palm-down.

In World War II, the salute too much resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to keep the right hand over the heart throughout.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Written by a SOCIALIST - and Texas honors it? Interesting...

Believe it or not, there was a time when socialism didn't equate to Nazism, like it does now under the modern left.

The Nazis, (National Socialists), were totally anti-socialist.
Socialism is always from local support and needs.
Nationalizing it is backwards and totally against any principle of socialism.

 

[Rigby5]

Should we have the kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance or should we have them read Heather Has Two Mommies?

Of course we should have them recite the pledge. There's nothing wrong with that law.

Jefferson said that people are the source of all legal authority, with the protection of their inherent individual rights.
Government are created to help defend those rights, but is never more important than those rights.
And when government abuses those rights, then government has no purpose at all, is the enemy, and must be destroyed.
The law and pledge are wrong because they imply obedience even when government has become corrupt and evil.
That is totally wrong, and Jefferson is right we then need to rebel and change the law, or the whole government, whatever is necessary.

And let us not forget how often government is wrong.
Like the Spanish American war, Prohibitions, WMD in Iraq, the War on Drugs, 3 strikes laws, sentence mandates, gun control, the Dred Scott Decision, asset forfeiture, repealing Glass-Stegall, no-knock warrants, etc.

 

[Dana7360]

How patriotic is it to force someone to take an pledge?

If the person is forced to do it, how meaningful is that pledge?

I would think that a real patriot wouldn't force anyone to do anything. They would respect everyone's right to liberty and freedom.

All this is doing is creating a generation of kids who put no meaning into that pledge with some of them hating it.

Finally, in a free society based on individual freedom and liberty, what is any state doing passing laws to force children to recite a pledge?

 

[InspectorDetector]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

I realize that I am light years older than most of you, but here was an "average" day in the schools I attended: Start of the school day, The Lord's Prayer was recited followed by the Pledge. ALL students were required to stand, place their hands over their hearts and recite it. After that, the Principal or Vice-Principal would give any news that we needed and the someone would broadcast the days lunch menu.

I am part of a generation that believed in patriotism. Look around you today that is the shit hole that you fools have built. That's all you need to know.

 

[marvin martian]

How patriotic is it to force someone to take an pledge?

If the person is forced to do it, how meaningful is that pledge?

I would think that a real patriot wouldn't force anyone to do anything. They would respect everyone's right to liberty and freedom.

All this is doing is creating a generation of kids who put no meaning into that pledge with some of them hating it.

Finally, in a free society based on individual freedom and liberty, what is any state doing passing laws to force children to recite a pledge?

Think about that next time you vote for a politician who thinks parents shouldn't have any say in what their kids are taught in public schools.

 

[lennypartiv]

How patriotic is it to force someone to take an pledge?
If the person is forced to do it, how meaningful is that pledge?
I would think that a real patriot wouldn't force anyone to do anything. They would respect everyone's right to liberty and freedom.
All this is doing is creating a generation of kids who put no meaning into that pledge with some of them hating it.
Finally, in a free society based on individual freedom and liberty, what is any state doing passing laws to force children to recite a pledge?

Kids need to learn that America is the best nation in the world. It doesn't matter how we get that into their heads, it just has to happen.

 

[lennypartiv]

Mental.

You should stop talking about yourself in such a negative way.

 

[Tommy Tainant]

Mental.

You should stop talking about yourself in such a negative way.

I am lucky. I was never forced to pledge my allegiance to anything. Im a free man.

 

[airplanemechanic]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

Nothing says patriotism like forcing people.

Well people are forced to go to school against their will. You have to do alot of things you don't want to do. Pay taxes, go to school, etc. It's not unpatriotic. It's life.

 

[Whodatsaywhodat.]

Ken Paxton says he’s watching out for parental rights by intervening in a lawsuit over a student who refused to stand.

The Texas attorney general has jumped into a Houston area lawsuit to defend a state law that requires schoolchildren to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance unless a parent or guardian opts them out.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has moved to intervene in the suit brought on behalf of former Windfern High School student India Landry last year.

Landry, then 17, accused the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and several of its officials of violating her First Amendment rights when they suspended her for refusing to stand during the pledge.

Amid nationwide protests over race relations and police brutality in America, Landry, who is black, said she took issue with this line in the pledge: “With liberty and justice for all.”

“It’s not obviously what’s going on in America today,” she told Houston station KHOU last October.

Paxton argued in his statement that requiring the pledge to be recited at school fosters “respect for our flag and a patriotic love of our country.” He said, “School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge.”

The Republican attorney general noted that the state law allows students to opt out of the pledge if they submit written permission from a parent or guardian. He said leaving that decision up to parents respects their rights.

“The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that parents have a fundamental interest in guiding the education and upbringing of their children, which is a critical aspect of liberty guaranteed by the Constitution,” Paxton said. “The Texas Legislature protected that interest by giving the choice of whether an individual student will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the student’s parent or guardian.”

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 1943 that the state cannot force public school children to recite the pledge, Paxton pointed to a 2008 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit involving a similar Florida law, which held that protecting parents’ rights to some control over their children’s education can justify some restrictions on the First Amendment rights of those children.

"School children cannot unilaterally refuse to participate in the pledge."
--Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton​

More: TX Attorney General Defends Law Forcing Kids To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

I think this is scary - and unconstitutional. No one should be forced or legally compelled to stand or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What do you think?

Stand for your country.