Letter to the editor:

Student had every right to stay in seat

Shonna Rhein-Gariepy, Las Vegas

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 | 2:04 a.m.

I’ve been reading with interest the letters to the editor regarding Devon Smith’s choice to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance and his family’s choice to support him. As a veteran, I am proud of my Army service and of the rights I and so many others fought to protect.

Another fact I am proud of: We do not choose which of those rights we get to protect; we simply protect them all. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution are for all Americans. We may not agree with one another or respect one another’s choices or beliefs, but I and so many others fought and indeed continue to fight for each American citizen to have the right to do exactly what Devon Smith did.

There are many who are offended by Devon’s acts and several are fellow vets. I would ask them: What, then, were you fighting for? You may not agree and may wish he and others who rock the boat were elsewhere; but I defy you to name a country with equally magnificent documents penned at that country’s birth that have managed to keep it together even in times when lesser nations would have been shattered.

Citizens have rights here, including the right to dissent. If you don’t like it, you have two choices: run for office or try one of those countries with fewer rights that you so love promoting to others.

Discussion: 2 comments so far…

By DonD

2/12/08 at 12:31 p.m.

Suggest removal

In my nonage I learned the basic three "R's" at school; and at home, the fundamental three"R's:" Rights, Responsibility, and Respect. In my dotage I still stand when a lady enters the room, when the National Anthem is played, and when Our Flag is passing. I stand, not because I have the right not to, but because I have a responsibility to and a respect for my fellow citizens and Our Country. Those, like Smith and his parents, who ignore the other "R's" to insist upon their Rights may soon find they all are mutually inclusive. Without education, personal responsibility, and mutual respect there will be no Rights. I say Stand up; stand up for your rights or stay seated without them.
By Sgariepy

2/13/08 at 5:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

Respect is relative. What about our own veterans? Now, they have fought and many have died for our country, for our rights, yet there are still people who insist upon giving them sub-standard medical treatment and calling them weak for needing psychiatric treatment to deal with post-traumatic stress issues that they may have. Is that respect? Who do we show respect to when according to the the religion of another it is rude to shake the hands of another while we in the West offer our hand to be shaken? Who is being disrespected here? Do we automatically disrespect the one whose religion might differ from our own? In this great nation we are supposed to be a haven for all. We are certainly promised liberty and justice. You might not like that Devon and his parents do not agree with the Pledge - however, they have every right to not agree with it. They have every right to speak out against it. They have every right to say what they will because this is the beautifully put-together country that it is. America IS what it is because our nation's founders were experienced in being on the receiving-end of tyranny. You may say "Stand up" but does that mean Devon has to? No. He has every right not to. He is a citizen, and as such, it is his right. You might not like it, but that is what it is. It's one of the beauties of being an American. My own daughter is in the second grade, not a single one of those kids can say the Pledge correctly. I defy you to find me a single child of second grade and under who can properly pronounce much-less define the word "indivisible"! If a reasonably intelligent child CAN define what the words mean in the Pledge and decides that they do not choose to speak the Pledge on principal, that is their right. You can huff and puff all you wish; but the Constitution and Bill of Rights being what they are make it so that you can't blow his house down.