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Flag Also Represents Tolerance

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

Regarding "Appeals Court Rejects Portion Of Pledge Law" (Nation/World, July 24):

In the week, both in the print media and electric media, there has been much disagreement with the court ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, to the naysayers I suggest they research the U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming the right of Jehovah's Witnesses children to refuse to pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag in schools, declared: No official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

Today that principle is routinely traduced by officials and persons with petty attitudes towards those who exercise their freedom to choose. This attitude seems to be one of a person with dictatorial elusions, forcing some one to do something you wish to be done only means their actions of compliance are out of fear and not respect.

I, as a native-born U.S. citizen and a honorably served and discharged veteran (USMC) salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the country it represents with true feelings, but I have not forgotten the right of freedom for others to chose and speak as they wish even if I disagree with them.

A. FRANK PANELLA

Valrico

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