Is reciting the pledge mandatory? Do you have to recite the pledge in order to be "American"? According to one judge, it is mandatory! Judge Littlejohn of Mississippi ordered attorney Danny Lampley to say the pledge with the rest of the courtroom. When Lampley refused the judge sentenced him to contempt of court. According to past rulings, it is a precedent that you cannot be forced to salute the flag or recite the pledge. The article can be found here and here (there is a little variance between the two).
What I wonder is this, if the media covered this story more, would it affect the populace? In one of the articles people are cited as saying that they don't feel it's american to refuse to recite the pledge while others feel it is a breach of the freedom of speech. What would people say if a debate was started about the pledge? I wonder this because we are in a difficult recession with a war going on so I wonder if that would sway people away from the freedom of speech argument? The fact that a judge felt he had the ability to hold a person in contempt makes me worry about what is happening with our legal system. I personally think that overall the system is corrupt, yet it still has its place in maintaining order. Therefore, I think judges and all acting members of the legal system need to not abuse their power which I think this judge has done. He should know case law. The case WV School Board v. Barnette is a well know, well referenced case that he should have known. It sets the precedence and Judge Littlejohn should abide by it.
I hadn't heard about this story yet but glad you posted this. I definitely agree that the Judge should have followed that precedence. The WV Board decision was the perfect precedence because it very clearly lays out how the judge should have reacted. I agree with you in that I feel that it should be a choice to say the pledge, I do think,however, that someone should remain respectful while others are pledging if they so choose. :)
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