Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Judge's act protects the individual

Re: Judge's ruling on pledge exemplifies extreme agenda, letter, Sept. 23.

The recent ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance was an act of courage. The judge had to know what the response would be, but he honored his oath and upheld the Constitution against majority opinion. That is the true test of judicial integrity.

The Bill of Rights sets forth basic rights which belong to every individual and which cannot be taken away by majority vote. It seems almost ironic that it is the limitations we place on majority rule which define our American political system and guarantee our individual liberty. It is the nature of majorities, usually acting through elected officials, to forever try to impose their will on minorities by gutting these basic rights. All that stands between us and slavery by the majority is a courageous and ethical judiciary defending these rights.

Coercing minors, some mere babies, to issue a pledge to anything is, of course, irrational. It is also an abuse of authority and responsibility by those to whom we entrust our children for their education.

Thank you very much, letter writer, but my children's mother and I will direct their religious instruction and guide them on their pledges of allegiance to anything or anybody. It is not your right to do so, regardless of the size of your majority or your personal view of history.

Religion has no place in our children's classrooms

Re: Judge's ruling on pledge exemplifies extreme agenda, letter by Joan Atkins, Sept. 23.

I am having a hard time understanding the recent court ruling declaring the word "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional. How is this possible? Since the 1950s, schoolchildren across our nation have stood at attention every morning and faithfully recited that very word, myself included.

As an adult now, I also remember how cruel children can be to one another without even fully realizing the extent of their harassment upon other children. No one denies that our founding fathers were men of strong religious faith and that they incorporated their views and principles in their actions. But they also had the vision that seems to be missing in some leaders today: tolerance and acceptance for all.

I believe in God, and I want my children to believe as well. But I do not want my children making fun of another child in school who, based on their own family values, chooses to express their right to not believe in God. The arguments that the child may just remain seated and quiet during the Pledge of Allegiance as it is written will only single out a child for harassment from others.

Our school system's goal is to educate our children. Religion is not one of the three R's. Religion should be taught elsewhere.

Times' stories concerning teenager's death tasteful

Re: Teen apologizes for providing fatal gun, story, Sept. 23.

I want to commend St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jacob H. Fries for his article on this case. Yes, there were many facts that were unveiled Sept. 22 in court, and still he chose not to write about them. I had always thought that reporters didn't care about people's feelings and were only interested in getting the story. He proved me wrong.

I went back and looked at all the articles from this case that I have in a scrapbook and Mr. Fries wrote every one of them and he did it in good taste.

The scrapbook was made so my son could remember some of the good times he had with his best friend. He was lying next to Christopher when he was shot, and held him until help arrived. When Christopher died, a part of my son died with him. And all because two kids who should have known better decided to play a prank on two sleeping boys.

YOUR VOICE COUNTS

We invite readers to write letters for publication. To send a letter from your computer, go to www.sptimes.com/letters If you prefer, you may instead fax your letter to us at 727 445-4119, or mail it to Letter to the Editor, St. Petersburg Times, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756.

Letters should be brief and must include the writer's name, city of residence, mailing address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be printed.

[Last modified September 28, 2005, 02:30:38]