Politician Who Won't Say Pledge Of Allegiance May Be Recalled

Local6 ^ | Ded 15, 2004

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

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.

[SolutionsOnly]

I love the way these morons claim to be 'patriots'.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"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.

Presumably he'd have less of a "conflict" with alternate wordings, such as (oh, say) "under the United Nations," or "under The State."

[sgtbono2002]

If the words "Under God" really bother him that much he could just not say them when he says the pledge. But if he did that he wouldnt make the Statement he is trying to make nor would it prove his stupidity half as well. Hopeful;ly the people will help him by making a statement of their own and firing his dumb a$$

[roaddog727]

Kick-in-the-pants Bump

[Political Junkie Too]

I love the way these morons claim to be 'patriots'.

Wait until he tries to turn it into a "values" issue.

-PJ

[Austin Willard Wright]

Duplictious? Who would you rather have in office, just another politician hypocrite who may not believe the words but lies. I guess people here don't want honest politicians.

[exnavychick]

They write for newspapers because they can't get published anywhere else! LOL

[E Rocc]

considers himself a patriot.

For what country? Cuba? North Korea?

So if someone doesn't believe that the Nation is subordinate to a Deity, they're a communist? Sheesh.

The fact is, he's right, and this is a classic example of why the declaration of subordination to God (a concept appearing nowhere in the Constitution) doesn't belong in a patriotic affirmation.

-Eric

[joesnuffy]

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution
of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

[Protagoras]

This guy should be recalled because he won't bow down before a flag? That's preposterous.

That's what elections are for. They can vote against him next time.

[t-1000]

This guys should be recalled because he obliviously does not understand the form of government we have in the United States.
He is supposed to be representing everyone of us his constituents.
By not reciting the Pledge during in a public forum is tantamount to dereliction of duty.
Just another politician that see himself as larger than the office they hold.
He was elected to serve the public, not to use his office as tool to promote his personal beliefs.

He should be hanged. He doesn't believe in God, so we should be indifferent as to the morality of his existence.

Meaning hanging him versus not hanging him is equally moral from a atheistic standpoint.

[Ticonderoga34]

I have to disagree. I'm not a big fan of recalls, unless the office holder did something truly and provably criminal.

I agree that recalls should only be used in extreme circumstances. Voters should take elections seriously and watch who they're voting for. I would have to say life is pretty good if the major issue in a community is the Pledge of Allegiance.

[joesnuffy]

The oath of office required by the sixth article of the Constitution of the United States, and as provided by section 2 of the act of May 13, 1884 (23 Stat. 22), to be administered to Members, Resident Commissioner, and Delegates of the House of Representatives, the text of which is carried in 5 U.S.C. 3331:

I, Loyal Citizen of the Republic, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

has been subscribed to in person and filed in duplicate with the Clerk of the House of Representatives by the Members of Congress, pursuant to the provisions of 2 U.S.C. 25

[dnmore]

Everytime I here "violation of church and state" I go back to my copy of the Constitution and Bill of Rigths to make sure it hasn't changed to include that clause.

Nope, still not there. Isn't it freedom of religion as opposed to from religion?

[Camachee]

I'm sad for the community, that there is that much intolerance in our community.

You mean that they don't suffer fools to remain in their presence?

[harrowup]

...He's the one so full of anti-Christ hate that he can't mention God.

Christianity does not have God under an exclusive contract.

[JennysCool]

I have a feeling he would have less trouble reciting the Pledge if it was "one nation, under Goddess."

[sinclair]

"I guess people here don't want honest politicians."

I like honest politicians. I want more honest politicians. Lots more honest politicians. What I don't like or want is more STUPID politicians. You know, like this bumbleheaded idiot. Who by the way wont be a politician for much longer. He he.

[7thson]

Does he accept the money? IN GOD WE TRUST!

[camle]

i never said that they did. but you can safely bet that he ain't dissing the muslim version.