Smart kid for his age...

**R13** · October 12th, 2009, 07:54 PM

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"When I heard from the principal, I was not happy," said Jay Phillips.

Jay and Laura Phillips were shocked to hear their 10-year-old talked back to a teacher at West Fork Middle school Thursday - but were less surprised when they found out why.

"Don't push him - four days of hassle, hassle, hassle and raise your voice," said Laura Phillips. "He's going to lose his temper."

Their son told them last weekend he had decided to no longer stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at school because he didn't believe there is liberty and justice for all, especially when it comes to gay rights.

"To say them (words) and not mean them would be a lie," Jay said.

This week their son says a substitute teacher prodded him every day to stand up and say the pledge after he had refused. He then says he got angry, and talked back. The Phillips said that they reprimanded him for that, but they don't want him to be pushed to do something he doesn't feel comfortable doing.

"We would like to have the school make sure the teachers know the kids do have the right to sit down and make their own choices, even if he is only 10 and in 5th grade," Laura said.

She chooses not to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but Jay does. They said that they respect each other's choices - and their son's - and they don't see it as an insult to the country.

"He is not anti-American," Laura said. "He is very proud to live here, but he knows even at 10 he can make changes."

The West Fork School District responded by saying that they don't require students to say the pledge.

Student Refuses to Say Pledge

**MikeJones** · October 12th, 2009, 08:05 PM

Smart? More like probly gay.

**Milk3** · October 12th, 2009, 08:14 PM

To believe this 10 year old kid made that decision himself is stupid. His mom is the reason he did it and that is it. If he was 5 or 6 years older i might buy it.

**R13** · October 12th, 2009, 09:46 PM

Takes guts to take a stand like that at any age, esp his.

**Shooter** · October 13th, 2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by R13

Takes guts to take a stand like that at any age, esp his.

What if this 10 year year old had stood up and said he didnt want to learn about evolution because he thought it was false....would you say he had guts then?

**R13** · October 13th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Shooter

What if this 10 year year old had stood up and said he didnt want to learn about evolution because he thought it was false....would you say he had guts then?

Why wouldn't I? Still takes guts.

True that there isn't "justice for all", more an more obvious by the day, that even 10 year olds can see.

**Shooter** · October 13th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by R13

Why wouldn't I? Still takes guts.

True that there isn't "justice for all", more an more obvious by the day, that even 10 year olds can see.

Justice for ALL is impossible...its unrealistic to think everyone can be happy.

**R13** · October 13th, 2009, 04:38 PM

True, but this isn't some people scattered here and there...mad at this and that. This is millions of people that don't have the same rights.

**MikeJones** · October 13th, 2009, 06:10 PM

Should this kid be allowed to vote, smoke and buy brewsky's? Becsuase certain age groups cant do that. Anybody in this country that is of age or mental state can get married.