Looking together in the same direction.

Looking together in the same direction.
Sea otters hold hands while they sleep so they don't drift apart.

by my favorite poet, Mary Oliver

"Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it."

Mary Oliver


Monday, September 25, 2017

US Supreme Court, 1943, WV Board of Education vs Barnette, re forced saluting of the American Flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance


 "Compulsory unification of opinion," the Court wrote, was doomed to failure and was antithetical to the values set forth in the First Amendment. The Court eloquently stated: "If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that 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." To underscore its decision, the Supreme Court announced it on Flag Day.

The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections.
     Doesn't this whole standing vs respectful kneeling with head bent in prayer during the anthem remind you of "The Sound of Music?"    The Von Trapp's come home from their honeymoon to find swastika flags flying throughout Austria, and everyone Sig Heiling, which you had to do or face prison or death.  Does no one see the connection?  "Compulsory unification of opinion is antithetical to American values."
      trump says Nazis are good people, and now he is adopting their principles.     The Supreme Court settled this back in 1943. Don't fall for it. We are so far down this slippery slope already.


https://www.britannica.com/event/West-Virginia-State-Board-of-Education-v-Barnette



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