A controversy is building in the little town of Haddam, Conn. where Selectwoman Melissa Schlag continues to take a knee NFL-Style during the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of meetings. Her protest however is not the treatment of African Americans but to protest President Donald Trump. I have previously stated my personal dislike for such protests during the national anthem and I frankly view this as a bit silly as a forum. However, while I have argued that owners have every right to bar such protests by NFL players as a contractual matter, I believe Schlag has a clear first amendment right to continue her protest as these meetings.
Schlag said that she was specifically motivated to do the protest in response to Trump’s comments after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.
Schlag told the Hartford Courant. “I felt nervous when I did it but I also felt powerful. If I don’t speak up, those who can’t won’t be heard.”
She however insisted that the “The Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t have anything to do with the flag, in my opinion,” according to FOX61. I agree that it is broader than the flag but that only deepens my dislike for such protests. For me, the flag and the allegiance is our collective expression of unity in our constitutional system. It is the same Constitution that allows Schlag to work to defeat Trump in the next election. She is protesting the very thing that guarantees her right to change the system and yes protest. It is a curious thing to be made at Trump and yet protest the flag or the Constitution or whatever she sees in that moment of collective affirmation.
Schlag was previously criticized for removing both the United States and Connecticut flags removed from her office rom 2013 to 2015 when she served as first selectwoman. She insisted that that she removed them to make way for a bookshelf.
From the nfl to motormouth waters to all the the leftist communist out there. They talk tolerance yet still try to bully everyone. History shows us a time when someone was even thought to be a communist sympathizers they were arrested until they could prove they weren’t. Now the left is trying to make communism a lifestyle on AMERICAN soil.
This anti – american has no rights ,while she represents the american people in Haddam in office. She is an employee by the people whom needs to be fired imedialtely!
Your disdain for the First Amendment is more anti American than anything she did.
Please give it some thought.
Shes a communist it is about the Flag. This is what I was warned about all my life.To watch out for.If you disrespect the Flag you disrespect this country and everyone who fought for it.GET UP!!!
Disrespectful Wacky Leftist at it Again!
Professor, when did it become customary to recite the Pledge at various events? And why? CAN YOU IMAGINE PATRICK HENRY PUTTING HIS HAND OVER HIS HEART AND RECITING A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO ANYTHING?
She would probably burn a store down in Ferguson. She needs to be kineed in the balls. But since she has no balls then kneed in the breasts.
Someone should hand this dummy a history book so she’ll understand WHY we say the Pledge… Of course there’s no guarantee she’ll be able to understand it — or maybe she can’t read. Many possibilities here.
So Incredibly CLUELESS!! Good luck Chickie.. You’re gonna need it.