Ironic that you can lose your freedom for not reciting something about a country that touts its people’s freedom of speech.
When a Mississippi judge entered a courtroom and asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, an attorney with a reputation for fighting free speech battles stayed silent as everyone else recited the patriotic oath. The lawyer was jailed.
Attorney Danny Lampley spent about five hours behind bars Wednesday before Judge Talmadge Littlejohn set him free so that the lawyer could work on another case. Lampley told The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal he respected the judge but wasn’t going to back down.
“I don’t have to say it because I’m an American,” Lampley told the newspaper.
The Supreme Court ruled nearly 70 years ago that schoolchildren couldn’t be forced to say the pledge, a decision widely interpreted to mean no one could be required to recite the pledge.
[…]
“I’m speechless. The judge needs a reminder copy of the First Amendment,” said Judith Schaeffer, a Washington attorney who, along with Lampley, successfully sued the Pontotoc school district in northern Mississippi in the 1990s to stop students from praying over the intercom.
[…]
The Pledge of Allegiance has faced challenges since it was published in 1892.In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that children in public schools could not be forced to salute the flag and say the pledge. In 1954, the words “under God” were added to the pledge, when members of Congress at the time said they wanted to set the United States apart from “godless communists.”
I’m betting this judge has a personal grudge against this attorney and knew that he would do this. This is a case of a judge abusing his power.
We need to take our country back and restore the Constitution as the governing law of the land.
The yahoo states once again are calling for federal agents to go in and assume control like Robert Kennedy had to.
‘In 1954, the words “under God” were added to the pledge, when members of Congress at the time said they wanted to set the United States apart from “godless communists.”’
Everybody always forgets about this. They also forget that it’s not official anything.
#2 “We need to take our country back…”
Just curious, who is we and take “your” country back from whom or what?
Are they people that think and act as you feel they should?
“The yahoo states once again are calling for federal agents to go in and assume control…”
This sure brings a pleasant image to mind. The benevolent, wise, caring, and just Federal Government stomping it’s boot on states hat are “yahoo”, whatever that is.
“He respects God and he respects the flag,” /// Now he only has to respect the law. Amusing what can happen to a sane reasonable person when all they hear for 8 years is “Yes, Your Honor, Thank You your Honor.”
Power corrupts.
VOTE ALL INCUMBENTS OUT OF OFFICE.
thing like that keep me away from becoming a us citizen
I believe North Korea has a similar pledge, with similar penalties for refusing to recite it.
…about a country that “tauts” its people’s freedom of speech.
I think you’re searching for the word “touts”. M-W v. #4: to make much of
Everyone is free to agree with their government …
Never, ever, challenge a judge inside of his or her courtroom. You will lose every time. The judge sets the rules for his courtroom and the public (or lawyers) have very little to say in the matter. If the judge wants to start his session by having everyone stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance, then you damn well better at least fake it.
There is no such thing as “free speech” inside of a courtroom.
Legitimate grounds for removal from office whether he’s appointed or elected. Don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen.
Best definition I’ve ever heard of Freedom: “the right to do things that piss off other people”.
Freedom is not something I associate with the USA, nor most other nations for that matter….
The judge should be removed from the bench. He is imposing upon his ‘subjects’ a behavior that is not required by standard courtroom procedures or common standards of conduct. By requiring the pledge, he is showing a lack of impartiality that should not be accepted in those that are there to pass judgment upon us.
“Freedom of Speech” is about being able to say what you want to say, and that includes not being required to say something that you don’t want to say.
The lawyer that was fined is a real free speech advocate. Before you think he is some America hating lefty loon, keep in mind that he also fought for the right of the KKK to hold a parade, because it has to do with free speech.
I have not said that “pledge” since 1975.
I guess I would have been throw in the joint as well.
No problem. Better going for that than for theft or murder.
Cursor_
With the ACLU on the case, I expect that “Judge” to be on the Un-Employment Line pretty soon !!! Just like that Judge with the 10 Commandments Monument he moved into the Courthouse !!!
I haven’t recited the pledge in many many years. The judge is nuts.
But it does bring up the thought to me that saying the pledge once (in a lifetime) ought to be sufficient. Rather like saying, “I do” is supposed to last until death.
#4 “..Just curious, who is we and take “your” country back from whom or what? ..”
“We” meaning those that believe in the premise of Free Speech (or not needing to speak) and Separation of church and State – for starters.
“From” meaning from the judge cited in this blog and those that agree with him, like you.
Does that help?
.. and just Federal Government stomping it’s boot on states hat are “yahoo”, whatever that is.
Yes. The Federal government has a role in our society. For instance, in sending troops to a yahoo state to protect black students in attending a white school.
Define Yahoo: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/yahoo
In lieu of a thank you for educating your dumb ass, please contribute to the ACLU
#17 DullAss
“In lieu of a thank you for educating your dumb ass, please contribute to the ACLU”
Still nothing about “Yahoo” applying to states you elite snob or can’t you read? Surely the schools in Highland Park must teach something other than bigotry.
You had better contribute to the ACLU it’s the only way you will get even a minuscule amount of the changes you want in society.
Peter said: Best definition I’ve ever heard of Freedom: “the right to do things that piss off other people”.
Or, the freedom to do things that piss you off.
Nextlie==you do understand that the ACLU (not covered enough on this blog) is one of the FEW organizations protecting YOUR inalienable rights?
What is it?==You DEMAND to be a sheeple?
Well, on second thought, most sheeple do.
Carry on.
FREEDOM: other people doing things you don’t like.
((ie: Get over yourself.))
#18 Highland Park? The last time I mentioned I lived in Highland park was last year and you weren’t around! LOL What alias did you use back then that you seemingly needed to abandon?
Anyway, my sheeple training quota for the week has already been met. My community give back program can only go so far.
Why am I not surprised that this happened in Mississippi?
I don’t think a judge has right to require anybody to lie. If the guy doesn’t mean it he ought not be required to say it.
Anyone know the history of cases where people don’t want to swear on a Bible? Considering how much dirt religions have perpetrated, involving scripture might influence the witness to lie.
I think it would be better to make people talk about something that is important to them, and then swear on that.
#2 Dallas
I think your first post was a little unclear, so best not to attack quick. ‘Restoring the Constitution’ could mean a lot of things depending on who is talking.
#25 Hmm, somehow I don’t find my point vague given the topic I’m responding to. If there was a literal interpretation of the sentence without context, I suppose.
I suppose “restore the Constitution” could mean bringing removing those stains and blotches it has to many in here.
This judge should be removed immediately. He obviously is not qualified to interpret the laws of this country.
#26
RFK as attorney general sent national guard troops into the South to enforce civil rights. If “Yahoos” are calling for more troops being sent to the South wouldn’t that make the left the Yahoos? Ignorant Southerners probably aren’t calling on the feds to come and regulate themselves…
Initially I thought you were saying that the South wanted to send troops to the north(something that I’m sure would warm many Southern hearts).
Every political group identifies itself with protecting the Constitution. Their conceptions of what that means depends heavily on which sections they like.
A glittering generality tied to a historical example and an reference that could be to multiple groups. I’d say that is unclear.
What’s far worse. Five successive US Presidents, who lied about our involvement in the Vietnam War? Or one guy in court, who just don’t feel up to singing along with the Judge that day? There temporarily elected little tin pot dictators, we call Judges, ought to be held accountable for their occasional abuses of power and position. But for the sake of the joke an institution we call our legal system. Such abuses usually get overlooked, and covered up. My favorite Al Pacino movie is “And Justice for All”. Partly for this very reason.
#29 Glenn,
Judge: “You’re out of order”
Pacino’s character: “No, you’re out of order!”