HuffPost: Kid Won't Pledge Allegiance to Country that Discriminates Against Gays

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Will Phillips, 10 Year Old, Won't Pledge Allegiance to a Country that Discriminates Against Gays (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/12/10-year-old-wont-pledge-a_n_355709.html)


UPDATE: Will Phillips appeared on CNN Monday morning with his father, Jay, to discuss his refusal to say the pledge of allegiance.
"I've grown up with a lot of people and I'm good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do," the ten-year-old Phillips said.
Jay Phillips, asked if his son was prepared for the media attention, said his son saw it as an opportunity to raise awareness. "He felt that just because he's ten years old doesn't mean he doesn't have opinions, doesn't mean he doesn't have rights, and doesn't mean he can't make a difference."

Via Queerty (http://www.queerty.com/this-10-year-old-wont-pledge-allegiance-to-a-country-that-discriminates-against-gays-20091111/) comes a story from the Arkansas Times about Will Phillips, an elementary school student who refuses to say the pledge of allegiance in school (http://www.arktimes.com/articles/articleviewer.aspx?ArticleID=2f5d7a3b-c72a-446b-8d20-3823aa79c021) because of discrimination against gay people:

"I've always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer," Will said. "I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all."
After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week, a retired educator from the district, who knew Will's mother and grandmother. Though the substitute tried to make him stand up, he respectfully refused. He did it again the next day, and the next day.
A columnist for the Arkansas News has stood up for Phillips against his angry substitute teacher (http://arkansasnews.com/2009/10/15/hey-kid-youd-better-make-that-pledge/). Predictably, fellow students have taunted the kid and called him a "gaywad," but he says he doesn't see his quiet act of protest ending any time soon.


:munchout:

[Koolblue13]

Good for him.

[SonOfWashington]

He's grown up with and is good friends with people who are gay as a ten year old? That seems weird to me at that age. At least when I was ten, being attracted to any sex was barely existent. Maybe times have changed in those seven years.

Regardless, he sounds very intelligent and good for him for supporting his cause.

[NewCliche21]

He's grown up with and is good friends people who are gay as a ten year old? That seems weird to me at that age. At least when I was ten, being attracted to any sex was barely existent. Maybe times have changed in those seven years.

Regardless, he sounds very intelligent and good for him for supporting his cause.

Well, friends of the family are still friends, and that term is used loosely at that developmental stage.

This kid kicks ass.

[Dallascrushers]

I heard this interview this morning. The kid is 10 years old and he talks like he is a 40 year old man. He used the words sexism and racism in his talk on CNN. He is way beyond his years and is very intelligent. Quite interesting.

[RabidFan]

Big Balls....Brass Ones....KUDOS

[Enter Apotheosis]

He's grown up with and is good friends with people who are gay as a ten year old?

That struck me as really bizarre as well. :whoknows:

[GibbsFactor]

Smart kid.

[luckydevil]

good for him

[RammsteinSkins]

I respect him but I don't agree with him. Intelligent guy for sure, I wish more people thought as clearly as him.

[ohioskinsfan]

I didn't see the interview, might have to look it up.

Did it say (the interview) that he has received any backlash for not saying it?

[Dallascrushers]

As far as I know there hasn't been any repercussions last time I checked.

[Special K]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

[Enter Apotheosis]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

That's kind of a loaded post considering the context in which it often gets brought up around here.

Words like "planting", "pushing", "impressing", etc. tend to carry rather sinister connotations in that context. Most kids just pick this stuff up on their own from their daily life without necessarily being programmed to think a certain way.

[Vicious]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

God forbid we don't shove a bible down someone's throat and teach them all about how to hate other people.

[twa]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01111/barack-obama-stari_1111370c.jpg

Like I need this headache.

[ACW]

Good for him.

[deejaydana]

There's no way a kid of that age arrives at that stance and those words without the influence of his parents (a claim you could level at probably most opinions children of that age have formed).

[Larry]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

Me, too.

I support the kid's cause. But any time I see a child in a political confrontation it makes me wonder if the parents are using the kid as a puppet.

It's pretty certain that I'll never know. (Heck, it's possible that even the people in the family aren't sure.) I suppose the line between "encouraging the kid to think" and "encouraging the kid to think the way I want him to" can be subtle, even if the parents have the best of possibly intentions.

(Still, I suspect that the kid will gain from the experience, either way. And that's what growing up is for.)

[Vicious]

I think you guys are confused. The kid didn't want to stand up during a pledge. That isn't something that normally gets on television. I remember a kid that would not get up for the pledge either because he was a "communist."

It's the news that is politicizing this. They are the ones that are pointing the camera on this. Not standing up for the pledge? He's not torching himself in front of the white house, folks.

[SonOfWashington]

I support the kid's cause. But any time I see a child in a political confrontation it makes me wonder if the parents are using the kid as a puppet.
At least this one isn't in a balloon.

http://media.kauz.com/images/balloon%20hoax.jpg

[skinsfan_1215]

I think you guys are confused. The kid didn't want to stand up during a pledge. That isn't something that normally gets on television. I remember a kid that would not get up for the pledge either because he was a "communist."

It's the news that is politicizing this. They are the ones that are pointing the camera on this. Not standing up for the pledge? He's not torching himself in front of the white house, folks.

Actually it is a big deal for a lot of people. When I was a freshman in high school I refused to stand for the pledge as my own little protest of the Iraq war. It rubbed a lot of teachers the wrong way in my school. Ended up having a talk with the principle, who decided that I didn't have to say the pledge, but I did have to stand up while everyone else was saying it.

[Larry]

I'd be a lot more inclined to believe that this was a case of the kid exerting his own rights and opinions if it had happened in High School.

[Mooka]

I'd be a lot more inclined to believe that this was a case of the kid exerting his own rights and opinions if it had happened in High School. I think around High School is when they stop forcing people to stand up and recite the pledge.

That's how it was at my High School anyway.

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

When I was 10, I didnt even know what being gay was.

[SonOfWashington]

I think around High School is when they stop forcing people to stand up and recite the pledge.

That's how it was at my High School anyway.Yeah that's still true.

Here at CFHS, at least from what I've seen, since people aren't forced to say the pledge, many don't, for no real reason other than they don't have to.

Plus it's only recited about once every two weeks.


When I was 10, I didnt even know what being gay was.


Nope me neither.

[Larry]

When I was 10, I didnt even know what being gay was.


Nope me neither.

When my health class said that there were guys who had sex with guys, I asked my Dad how they could do that, since neither of them had a vagina.

Now, remembering it, I'm really embarrassed that I asked.

[PokerPacker]

I don't know why this made the news. must be a slow news day.

[GoSkins561]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

Exactly, the kid is ten, I want my kids playing football/soccer and scraping their elbows , IMO the last thing a ten year old needs to be concerned about is the screwed up politics in this country.

[Special K]

That's kind of a loaded post considering the context in which it often gets brought up around here.

Words like "planting", "pushing", "impressing", etc. tend to carry rather sinister connotations in that context. Most kids just pick this stuff up on their own from their daily life without necessarily being programmed to think a certain way.
Take it how you want.

It wasn't meant to be a loaded post.

I'm saying 10-y/o's, WHATEVER their beliefs, get most of them from their parents and household environment...especially when it concerns something as severe and politically sensitive as gay rights and pledge of allegiance.

It's just something that I think about when I see a kid, use an excuse like "I grew up and am friends with gay people," as a platform to undertake a highly political and potentially (not potential anymore) public stance on a hot-button current issue.

Not saying this is the case, yes or no. But it is usually one of the first things that pop into my head when hearing about cases like this.




It's pretty certain that I'll never know. (Heck, it's possible that even the people in the family aren't sure.) I suppose the line between "encouraging the kid to think" and "encouraging the kid to think the way I want him to" can be subtle, even if the parents have the best of possibly intentions.

(Still, I suspect that the kid will gain from the experience, either way. And that's what growing up is for.)
Yeah, those are pretty much my thoughts on stuff like this. We'll really never know what side of the fine line that family is on (unless they have a documented past of kind of out of the mainstream political activism)...but it's certainly something I consider.

[Special K]

Exactly, the kid is ten, I want my kids playing football/soccer and scraping their elbows , IMO the last thing a ten year old needs to be concerned about is the screwed up politics in this country.
Seriously.

Just like dating, my child cannot get involved in cluster**** politics until they are at least 35-40, lol.

Mission work, yes. Politics, no.

[herrmag]

Me, too.

I support the kid's cause. But any time I see a child in a political confrontation it makes me wonder if the parents are using the kid as a puppet.

It's pretty certain that I'll never know. (Heck, it's possible that even the people in the family aren't sure.) I suppose the line between "encouraging the kid to think" and "encouraging the kid to think the way I want him to" can be subtle, even if the parents have the best of possibly intentions.

(Still, I suspect that the kid will gain from the experience, either way. And that's what growing up is for.)

Just out of curiosity; Is it better to let society shape your child's behavior and way of thinking, or your parents? Who has more of a right to do so? I always find it interesting when people say parents are using their children as puppets. It's as though some believe children grow up in a vacuum and make up their own minds about their opinions. Realistically, we all are influenced HEAVILY by those closest to us. Should we all just unleash our children unto the world and wait to see how they turn out?

[herrmag]

Seriously.

Just like dating, my child cannot get involved in cluster**** politics until they are at least 35-40, lol.

Mission work, yes. Politics, no.

Agreed. I'm 31. I refrain, because I know I'm not fully developed mentally yet. :)

[SparkleMotion]

Protesting a symbol is dumb. I don't understand why people do things like refusing to say the pledge or turning their back on the flag during the star-spangled banner.

If you've got a cause, lay it out there and do something positive to advance it. These types of things just strike me as a "look at me" stunt more than anything else. But what protest isn't?

[Mooka]

Protesting a symbol is dumb. I don't understand why people do things like refusing to say the pledge or turning their back on the flag during the star-spangled banner. He's not just protesting the flag or the act of saying the pledge, he has a specific complaint:

"I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all."

[Madison Redskin]

If you've got a cause, lay it out there and do something positive to advance it. These types of things just strike me as a "look at me" stunt more than anything else. But what protest isn't?

It might be a "look at me" stunt, but isn't that what protestors try to do (i.e., get attention and get people talking)?

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Here's a more detailed story about it and the boy. Including my favorite part in bold.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=98884


Arkansas 10-Year-Old Won’t Pledge Allegiance Until Gays Gain Equality

by Kilian Melloy
Wednesday Nov 11, 2009

A 10-year-old Arkansas boy name Will Phillips has decided that he cannot in good conscience pledge allegiance to the flag as long as the country for which it stands refuses legal equality to its GLBT citizens.

That stand has brought young Mr. Phillips anti-gay taunts in the lunch room, but admiration from around the country, reports a Nov. 5 Arkansas Times article. The West Fork School District fifth grader clashed with a substitute teacher for his refusal to stand for the pledge, prompting a call to Will’s mother, Laura Phillips. When the principal acknowledged that Will has the right to refuse to say the pledge, Ms. Phillips asked that her son receive an apology--a request that the principal declined to honor.

A 1943 Supreme Court decision found that schools may not punish students for refusing to recite the pledge. Objections to compulsory recitation of the pledge arose from the Jehovah’s Witnesses on the basis that their religion does not permit expressions of allegiance to anything other than their own religion and to God. The Jehovah’s Witnesses lost their first case before the Court in 1940, and reportedly suffered from bias-motivated violence in the aftermath of that case. The Court’s 1943 decision reversed the earlier finding, and students have had the right to decline saying the pledge since then, although socially such refusal is often met with disapproval.

Such has been the case with Will Phillips’ stand, but he hasn’t backed down. Laura Phillips told the Arkansas Times that her 10-year-old is "probably more aware of the meaning of the pledge than a lot of adults. He’s not just doing it rote recitation. We raised him to be aware of what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s fair."

Fairness in this case is more than a mere abstraction, since the family has a number of openly gay friends and has participated in GLBT equality events such as Pride parades. Will, who told the newspaper that he would like to pursue a career in law when he’s older, could not square the tenets of the pledge with the political realities faced by his family’s GLBT friends, whose family and individual rights are under constant challenge. "I really don’t feel that there’s currently liberty and justice for all," said Will.

That led the young man to his decision not to pledge his allegiance due to the injustice he perceived to prevail against gays and lesbians. He discussed the matter with his family and then took his stand--or rather, refused to stand with the rest of the kids when the time for the pledge came around each morning. The first week of the young man’s protest happened to be a week when a substitute teacher, a friend of Will’s grandparents, was in charge of the class; as days went by, the teacher grew more aggravated, until finally she took Will to task.

"She got a lot more angry and raised her voice and brought my mom and my grandma up," Will told the Arkansas Times. "I was fuming and was too furious to really pay attention to what she was saying. After a few minutes, I said, ’With all due respect, ma’am, you can go jump off a bridge.’"

That was enough to get Will sent to the principal’s office, which was when his mother received a call. The principal "said we have to talk about Will, because he told a sub to jump off a bridge," recounted Will’s mother. "My first response was: Why? He’s not just going to say this because he doesn’t want to do his math work." Upon learning the specifics of the exchange, Laura Phillips requested an apology for her son. "She said, ’Well I don’t think that’s necessary at this point,’" Laura Phillips told the Arkansas Times.

Will’s mother tweeted about the incident, and family friends informed the media. Support has poured in from around the country, and some of Will’s classmates have also been supportive.

But not everyone, said Laura Phillips, has been supportive, and those who oppose Will’s stand "are much more crazy, and out of control and vocal about it than supporters are."

Moreover, Will’s stand for equal rights for gays has led those who disagree to attack him personally with anti-gay epithets: "In the lunchroom and in the hallway, they’ve been making comments and doing pranks, and calling me gay," Will said. "It’s always the same people, walking up and calling me a gaywad."

That hasn’t been easy for Will, who skipped fourth grade but seems older than his age, especially in contrast to some of his peers. Said Laura Phillips, "It’s really frustrating to him that people are being so immature."

The interviewer from The Arkansas Times asked Will what it means to be an American. The answer: "Freedom of speech. The freedom to disagree. That’s what I think pretty much being an American represents."

[SparkleMotion]

He's not just protesting the flag or the act of saying the pledge, he has a specific complaint:

"I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all."

I understand his complaint, and I agree with him. I just think are far more productive ways for him to advance his cause.

But this got him in the news and got everybody to call him a hero, so what do I know?

[skinsfan_1215]

I understand his complaint, and I agree with him. I just think are far more productive ways for him to advance his cause.

But this got him in the news and got everybody to call him a hero, so what do I know?

Haha I was getting ready to ask what more productive ways to advance his cause you could think of, but your last sentence was what I was going to point out. What he did is getting people to talk about this, so he's off to a great start.:)

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Here's a more detailed story about it and the boy. Including my favorite part in bold.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=98884

:rotflmao:

Can you imagine!?

I wish I had those cojones when I was 10.

[Burgold]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

It's almost certain that this thought started from some role model, be it a parent, uncle, aunt or close family friend. Good for him for expressing himself and taking a stand. I have always come down against those who want to ban the Pledge, but individual choices are fine as long as you don't try to get me to follow suit.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

:rotflmao:

Can you imagine!?

I wish I had those cojones when I was 10.

No ****. I probably would have started to cry or something. Kid is definitely bright and mature for his age.

[NOLASKINSFAN]

Maybe the kid could learn some damn respect for the men and women who died for his right to "peacefully" protest. what a punk...

[twa]

Freedom for me,not for thee


The interviewer from The Arkansas Times asked Will what it means to be an American. The answer: "Freedom of speech. The freedom to disagree. That’s what I think pretty much being an American represents."

Wonder if he takes this to heart?

[Capt Rich Fla]

I wonder how many kids whipped his ***.

[Vicious]

Actually it is a big deal for a lot of people. When I was a freshman in high school I refused to stand for the pledge as my own little protest of the Iraq war. It rubbed a lot of teachers the wrong way in my school. Ended up having a talk with the principle, who decided that I didn't have to say the pledge, but I did have to stand up while everyone else was saying it.

You could have told them to go **** themselves and got on the news. You missed your 15! :hysterical:

[Vicious]

Take it how you want.

It wasn't meant to be a loaded post.

I'm saying 10-y/o's, WHATEVER their beliefs, get most of them from their parents and household environment...especially when it concerns something as severe and politically sensitive as gay rights and pledge of allegiance.

It's just something that I think about when I see a kid, use an excuse like "I grew up and am friends with gay people," as a platform to undertake a highly political and potentially (not potential anymore) public stance on a hot-button current issue.

I wonder if blacks ever referred to their civil rights as a "hot-button current issue."

I'm guessing your parents were hardcore liberals right and all your beliefs are based on your own individuality.

[Vicious]

I wonder how many kids whipped his ***.

Yeah, lets all go beat up the homos.


Now THATS something they definitely learn from the home.

[twa]

Yeah, lets all go beat up the homos.

That would be illegal

a violation of their civil rights

and a hate crime

added
getting to where ya can't even whip someone's ass anymore w/o checking their status.:silly:

[Vicious]

getting to where ya can't even whip someone's ass anymore w/o checking their status.:silly:

You hit it right on the head. It's the homo self haters that rage.

[Larry]

Deleted post.

There's too much hate in this thread, already.

[AsburySkinsFan]

Interesting. I fully support children sticking up for what they believe in, but I always wonder how much the parents may be planting stuff in a kid's head or kind of pushing them in one direction or another.

My thoughts exactly, the kid is articulate and has a brain that he uses for sure, but one cannot dismiss parental influence here. I see this same thing whenever there are mock elections in schools, the kids in the vast majority of cases reflect their parents values. Not saying its a bad thing that parents influence their kids, but knowing that makes the kid's statements less remarkable. Now, if the kid was from a conservative family and took this same position against his parent's influence then I might be inclined to see it as being much more attention worthy.

BTW, I didn't say the pledge when I was 10, but that's because I was lazy and just didn't want to...so not quite as trailblazing.:D

[jnhay]

Maybe the kid could learn some damn respect for the men and women who died for his right to "peacefully" protest. what a punk...

I don't see anything wrong with it. He's not saying that he hates the men and women who died for his right to protest. That's just your wrong assumption.

Also, of course there's "parental influence" involved, but there aren't many people who haven't been influenced by their parents.

[SnyderShrugged]

I dont mind the kid's (and probably his parent's) motives in this. I've growth somewhat against the whole concept of a "Pledge of Allegience" in recent years anyway.

One thing I dislike though is this silly trend of "raising awareness" as a basis for any protest or event.

Who the heck isnt aware of homosexuality and the strife with socially controlling government by now?

I'd prefer honesty instead and they should just say, "we dont like the way our country is doing xyz, so this is a protest against those actions" and leave it at that. Don't briong the stupid "awareness" agenda into it, its just dumb.

[Kilmer17]

I wonder what the reaction would be if a group of Christian students started openly praying for his soul in the classroom.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I wonder what the reaction would be if a group of Christian students started openly praying for his soul in the classroom.
Apples and oranges Kilmer and you know it, the pledge is school sponsored, and he's not giving speeches during the pledge he just isn't saying the pledge. What's more is that I have to wonder why someone would "openly pray for his soul" as if asking for equal protection under the law means that one is "lost". I'm not sure if you're making that assumption with your statement but it sounds like it.

[Hunter44]

I wonder what the reaction would be if a group of Christian students started openly praying for his soul in the classroom.

Isn't "one nation UNDER GOD" already there?? Personally I don't think it should be in the pledge, you know, the separation of church and state and all. I do wonder which God the pledge refers to?? :D

Something interesting: http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
In its original form it read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

[Kilmer17]

Im also pretty sure that most school districts require students to stand during the pledge, but far and few require it to be recited.

What is the law in this particular district?

Also remembering that "rights" are limitted all the time in schools.

I think he's going about this the right way. But it's obvious he's a puppet for his parents agenda. Not the first, or the last.

[ljs]

When I was 10, I didnt even know what being gay was.

I did:silly:


I saw a short interview with this kid and he wants to be a lawyer. I'm also pretty sure he's gay...sorry, but its an honest opinion after watching his interview. I knew I was gay in preschool, so I wouldn't be surprised if he has already figured it out.

[Hunter44]

I did:silly:


I knew I was gay in preschool, so I wouldn't be surprised if he has already figured it out.

I knew I was straight around that time also!! :D That's what I find ridicules about the notion that people "choose" to be gay. Kids know.

[Predicto]

Of course he is influenced by his parents. Every 10 year old is. We have no way of knowing exactly how much - this may be a stunt to push his parents' agenda, or this may be a genuine reaction by a kid who is way more mature than most at this age.

Either way, this really should not be a big story.

By the way - you don't have to know about specific sex acts to understand that some people love other people of the same sex. My children have been exposed to our gay friends all their life, they have friends in their classes who are the children of same sex couples, and it is just not a big deal.

[Special K]

BTW, I didn't say the pledge when I was 10, but that's because I was lazy and just didn't want to...so not quite as trailblazing.:D You lazy bastard! lol

It's all good, I did rebellious stuff too...like not closing my eyes during a prayer in church as a kid... or not wanting to kneel down during prayer. SUCH a rebel! ;) My parents always just rolled their eyes and didn't feed into my little attention-grabbing scheme.


EDIT: n/m. PM territory.

[Sticksboi05]

I didn't know of the word gay being used as an insult until about 6th grade.

[AsburySkinsFan]

I didn't know of the word gay being used as an insult until about 6th grade.
I'm 34 and as such I'm much more removed from the 6th grade than you are, but even I remember gay (or its synonyms) being used as an insult.

[AsburySkinsFan]

You lazy bastard! lol

It's all good, I did rebellious stuff too...like not closing my eyes during a prayer in church as a kid... or not wanting to kneel down during prayer. SUCH a rebel! ;) My parents always just rolled their eyes and didn't feed into my little attention-grabbing scheme.

LOL, you have to pick your battles wisely as a 10 year old.

[Sticksboi05]

I'm 34 and as such I'm much more removed from the 6th grade than you are, but even I remember gay (or its synonyms) being used as an insult.

I'm not saying it wasn't used. That'd be a lie. I'm saying that's when I first picked up on people I know using it to describe things in a negative manner.

[jnhay]

It's so predictable that he'd be called gay for standing up for gays. This isn't news though.

[Farbod21]

Maybe the kid could learn some damn respect for the men and women who died for his right to "peacefully" protest. what a punk...

Whats the point of fighting for that right unless someone can use it?

[twa]

Whats the point of fighting for that right unless someone can use it?

Damn Right



says the guy illegally smoking in his own business:silly:

[Destino]

I really don't care what a 10 year old has to say on the subject of politics.