Lawsuit: Michigan teacher tried to force Palestinian American student to stand for Pledge

[Correll]

I'm a teacher employed by a public school. My "right to free speech" only means I can't be jailed or punished by the govt for political speech. But I sure can be fired if I step outside the bounds with children, and that is AS IT SHOULD BE. I mean I would bet you want that protection if a teacher would go off the rails and lecture kids about Palestine or whatever, and you would be right.

Free speech does not mean "you can say whatever you want with no repercussions"

Mentioning that citizens SHOULD stand for the pledge, is outside of "the bounds" in your mind?

Yeah, this is why we need to purge lefties from education. And everything else.

 

[TemplarKormac]

It angers me too, personally. But forcing someone to say the pledge, including "under God", is really not very American. I may not LIKE or RESPECT that you sit out the pledge, but our rights are more important than my preferences.

In my view the life sacrifice outweighs the right to sit there and show such disrespect. The child has sacrificed nothing. Done nothing to earn the right to spit in the face of the people who died to give him his freedom.

I respect where you're coming from, but I come from a family who has spilled blood for this country, so I have a unique perspective on the matter.

Agree to disagree, madam?

 

[SweetSue92]

Mentioning that citizens SHOULD stand for the pledge, is outside of "the bounds" in your mind?

Yeah, this is why we need to purge lefties from education. And everything else.

Not what happened. This is what happened:

‘A Palestinian American student in Michigan is suing a middle school teacher and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, claiming in federal court that the educator violated the student's First Amendment right by attempting to force the student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The East Middle School teacher, Carissa Soranno, according to the lawsuit, allegedly told the student, “Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don’t like it, you should go back to your country.”

 

[TemplarKormac]

I have to disagree with you.


'Compelled Speech' is tyranny. Just ask the Canadians or Jordan Peterson.

I disagree here also. Teaching children the meaning of gratitude starts here. If they won't swear allegiance and gratitude to the nation that gives them their freedom, then they will grow up being just as ungrateful in other aspects of life. Not only that, they are spitting on the men and women who died for their freedom. I heard stories from old-timers who came home from Vietnam who were spit on for being in the service. I won't abide by such ingratitude from our children. There's already enough lack of respect for basic values in this country as it stands.

 

[SweetSue92]

In my view the life sacrifice outweighs the right to sit there and show such disrespect. The child has sacrificed nothing. Done nothing to earn the right to spit in the face of the people who died to give him his freedom.

I respect where you're coming from, but I come from a family who has spilled blood for this country, so I have a unique perspective on the matter.

Agree to disagree, madam?

I get it, and I have family in the military too. Sadly in this nation, people have the right to be complete jerks. I mean not sad that they have that right, just sad that they take liberties with them so disrespectfully

(And no problem with disagreements!)

 

[Correll]

Not what happened. This is what happened:

‘A Palestinian American student in Michigan is suing a middle school teacher and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, claiming in federal court that the educator violated the student's First Amendment right by attempting to force the student to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The East Middle School teacher, Carissa Soranno, according to the lawsuit, allegedly told the student, “Since you live in this country and enjoy its freedom, if you don’t like it, you should go back to your country.”

"should".

He expressed his opinon. Where was the "force"? Did he tell the kid to stand or else face consequences? Did he lay hands on the child? Did he threaten the child?

 

[Darkwind]

I disagree here also. Teaching children the meaning of gratitude starts here. If they won't swear allegiance and gratitude to the nation that gives them their freedom, then they will grow up being just as ungrateful in other aspects of life.

The ingratitude has already been embedded. However, gratitude is a value taught in the home, not the school.

 

[SweetSue92]

"should".

He expressed his opinon. Where was the "force"? Did he tell the kid to stand or else face consequences? Did he lay hands on the child? Did he threaten the child?

Teachers are in a position of authority. My guess is that you easily recognize this regarding, say, gender ideology or LGBTQ stuff. Right? So a teacher saying "You should accept gay marriage if you value civil rights" would probably get your dander up. But because you agree with her in this case, it's an outrage.

It's hypocritical.

 

[cnm]

Such cluelessness.

Prove your claim.

The claims of just about every American reporting more freedom in their lives in Europe is from anecdotal evidence. Youtube, etc.

Here is objective evidence that much of Europe is deemed more free than the USA.

​

Freedom Index by Country 2026

Detailed data on freedom index by country throughout the years, including scores for Human Freedom, Personal Freedom, and Economic Freedom.

worldpopulationreview.com

​

​

Countries and Territories

Freedom House rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 208 countries and territories through its annual Freedom in the World report. Individual freedoms—ranging from the right to vote to freedom of expression and equality before the law—can be affected by state or...

freedomhouse.org

​

​

https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2023

​

The countries that took the top 10 places, in order, were Switzerland, New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, Estonia and Sweden (tied at 5), Iceland, Luxembourg, Finland, and Norway. Selected jurisdictions rank as follows: Taiwan (12), Canada (13), Japan (16), United Kingdom and United States (tied at 17),​

 

[the watcher]

This is the meaningless nonsense that the Leftist Democrats push onto national news. FFS who cares?

Which pledge was that the pledge of allegiance to which flag? US or USrael? That might make a difference.

 

[Correll]

Teachers are in a position of authority. My guess is that you easily recognize this regarding, say, gender ideology or LGBTQ stuff. Right? So a teacher saying "You should accept gay marriage if you value civil rights" would probably get your dander up. But because you agree with her in this case, it's an outrage.

It's hypocritical.

if that was the extent of the indoctrination being force on our children, I would be so happy.

Instead, we both know that you lefties are pushing your ideology not as opinion shared, but as FACT, presented at the only possible or reasonable view.


So, you are talking shit now.

 

[cnm]

I knew you'd find the comparative lack of freedom in the land of the free to be amusing, especially since Americans never shut up about it.

Everyone else finds it pretty funny, too.

 

[SweetSue92]

if that was the extent of the indoctrination being force on our children, I would be so happy.

Instead, we both know that you lefties are pushing your ideology not as opinion shared, but as FACT, presented at the only possible or reasonable view.


So, you are talking shit now.

You just don't like being called on your own hypocrisy. And I am not a Leftie. I voted for Trump three times. What are you talking about?

 

[TemplarKormac]

I get it, and I have family in the military too. Sadly in this nation, people have the right to be complete jerks. I mean not sad that they have that right, just sad that they take liberties with them so disrespectfully

(And no problem with disagreements!)

I appreciate your understanding. But I am of the mind that speech isn't supremely infinite. The behavior of this student shows why it shouldn't be. You can express yourself in any other way, but this, in my mind, is unacceptable. Oh well, I'm getting heated up here and I would care not to take it out on you. You're one of the good ones.

 

[JoeB131]

Sorry, if you have been permitted to be here, you swear allegiance until you leave. Simple as that.

You are under the good graces of the American government, act like it, damn it.

Says the guy who has never had a real job and doesn't pay taxes.

 

[TemplarKormac]

View attachment 1129505
I knew you'd find the comparative lack of freedom in the land of the free to be amusing, especially since Americans never shut up about it.

Everyone else finds it pretty funny, too.

Oh hey, look, someone who should pack up and leave!

(Let's all point at him, guys!)

 

[cnm]

C'mon, who doesn't find it funny?

Freedom loving Americans?

MAGAts?

Lighten up, it's a hoot.

 

[JoeB131]

This isn't a First Amendment issue, far from it. Not standing and saying the pledge is like spitting in the face of your benefactor and biting the hand that feeds you.

If your government gives you rights and privileges, you should be required to swear allegiance to it. You should be made to show appreciation for the freedom you enjoy.

While some might be happy living on the government dole like you do, there's no evidence that the parents of this child are anything but hard-working people who pay their taxes.

They shouldn't be required to pledge allegiance to a flag of a country that is complicit in the murder of their families.

 

[cnm]

Oh hey, look, someone who should pack up and leave!

(Let's all point at him, guys!)

It can't get better.

 

[Correll]

You just don't like being called on your own hypocrisy. And I am not a Leftie. I voted for Trump three times. What are you talking about?

You are pushing the scenario that teachers are up there saying something like,

"trans people should have their pronouns respected" and leaving it at that.


When we know that they are using their power to punish or destroy anyone that doesn't conform.


That is not equal to this teacher saying "Should".

To be equal or balanced, the teacher should have expelled the kid right there, and trashed talked him in his perment record to ruin his life.