David, what were you thinking exercising your rights as an American!? I mean come on. People have to tell you what to do. That’s the way it works now m’boy. Keep up with the times.
If someone tells you to say god you have to or you’ll be told you’re not American. Sheesh, didn’t he get the memo? I know I did.
Oh! Yes, it had the correct TPS coversheet. Someone must have read that memo too.
Sigh. This is such a sigh story. Uber sigh.
Original Link
Politician Who Won’t Say Pledge Of Allegiance May Be Recalled
POSTED: 11:53 am EST December 15, 2004
UPDATED: 1:08 pm EST December 15, 2004
DENVER — A recall election is now set for an Estes Park, Colo., trustee who refuses to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the Town Board meetings.
“I have not been standing for the Pledge of Allegiance due to a conflict I have with the wording of the pledge, specifically the words ‘under God,'” Councilman David Habecker said.
Habecker said it’s a violation of church and state to include the words in the pledge and for that reason, he won’t stand.
The board began reciting the pledge before meetings earlier this year at the suggestion of Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark. She suggested it as a way to show respect for the country during wartime.
Jeffrey-Clark said Habecker is expressing his personal views, not representing townspeople, when he sits down.
Habecker, who’s served on the Town Board for 12 years, said he doesn’t oppose the meaning of the pledge, and considers himself a patriot.
But some other council members and residents are upset about his actions and have enough signatures to hold a recall election. That recall election will occur Tuesday, Feb. 15.
All residents will vote on whether to recall David Habecker and a choice for his replacement in the event the recall passes. The recall is expected to cost a few thousand dollars.
“I’m sad for the community, that there is that much intolerance in our community. But if the people want to have a voice in what’s going on, this is their way of doing it. And I will respect whatever the wishes of the community are,” Habecker said.
Estes Park, which has about 5,500 residents, is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
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I had to be a pain in the ass too:
TO:mwhaley@denverpost.com, talktous@RockyMountainNews.com, JOBANDS@aol.com, DSLSP@aol.com, ebu@frii.com, estesparkchuck@yahoo.com, sbpinkham@charter.net (two newspapers and the estes park board)
I’m writing to let David Habecker know that his actions are to be commended. He is standing up for his rights and his beliefs in a country free of persecution. I only hope that others are able to see that his point of view is not illegal and not immoral. Instead he is simply acting on his rights as an American citizen. I wish to extend to him emotional and physical strength.
Many others online feel the same way:
http://www.witchvox.com/vn/vn_detail/dt_wn.html?a=usco&id=11721
A notable quote is: “Define irony: A geovernment official stands up for what he believes in (and represents American freedom by doing so) , yet by doing so, he is labeled as “un-American” and “unpatriotic” and the local citizenrabble are rallying to vote him out of office!” by Athena DragonDancer (Boonsboro, Maryland, USA)
Thank you for your time.
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Gary Ploski