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.

[Mike Bates]

Gee whiz, this guy deserves credit for standing up for his beliefs, and at some risk.

Think he mentioned his objection to the voters before the election?

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[Beckwith]

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

I don't suppose it ever occurred to this dickhead that he is the one who is intolerant.

Just one more liberal double standard.

[harrowup]

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

When you equate his distain for ...under God with anti-Christ hate that is precisely what you have done, and it is tiresome.

[ashtanga]

If this birkenstocker can't interpret the difference between the anti-establishment clause and some dopey "wall of separation," then fire him and bar him from public service for the rest of his life.

[Xenalyte]

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.

I know all six of those words, but the phrase doesn't make sense. How does one violate church and state? I'd love to know, 'cause I like to do my violating wholesale instead of one at a time.

[Protagoras]

My vote for the goofiest post of the day award.

[camle]

i apologize if defending christianity is tiresome.

BTW: I dig your tagline

[Sacajaweau]

I'll bet ya 1000 bucks that this dude has stood many times "for the flag". Betcha he was even a boyscout. His problem is deeper. He can leave out the words which he "thinks" is imposing Christianity on him by the government.

Just another "15 minutes of fame" JERK.

[wideawake]

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

Who said anything about bowing?

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

Whichever way they want to do it.

[Political Junkie Too]

Isn't it freedom of religion as opposed to from religion?

They always seem to stop reading just when they get to the part about not "abridging the free exercise thereof."

-PJ

[Modernman]

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

Dumb.

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

And dumber.

[EQAndyBuzz]

""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. "

Unfortunately he doesn't get it. He is the intolerant one.

[Jaysun]

Habecker seems to be the guy who is intolerant. Maybe he needs to go somewhere else ~ just to improve things locally you know.

Only the nuts and extremist sit out the Pledge of Allegiance for any reason. He's free to be "different" just as we're free to be disgusted by him.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I'd bet he never mentioned his feelings about the Pledge during the campaign.

[Xenalyte]

Because they are too busy crusading and righting the wrongs we conservatives perpetrate to worry about such trifles as proper grammar and factual accuracy! And you have the nerve to criticize those engaged in such a noble undertaking. For shame, pirate man. ;)

[Protagoras]

Who said anything about bowing?

You got the idea.

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

Whichever way they want to do it.

Ok, so the whole recall idea is goofy, like I said. The issue is the recall, not whether the guy is right or wrong. Recalls aren't for this stuff. He has no obligations in that regard.

[MineralMan]

""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.""

---

The final four words are optional in those oaths. One may affirm the oath, leaving off those words.

[t-1000]

If you are going to critique my post, at least have the decency to explain why it is "Dumb" or "Dumber".

Perhaps it was easier just to say it was "Dumb" rather than actually explaining why it was "Dumb".
Or do you just say things that have no intelligent thought behind them?

[daybreakcoming]

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

Probably has a fear of melting if he utters that word GOD.

[camle]

it's merely another form of bigotry.