I agree. I'm not American but I support this kid.

Good for him, and how petty and awful that Principal did not apologize to the child.

I would be following up with the school board, so this school district can learn what civil rights are, and yes, teachers they are afforded to students.

I would also ask that the teacher be reprimanded for singling out the child who was only utilizing his civil rights, and then for harrassment of the parent over a non issue.

The principal would then be next on my list, she definitely owes this kid an apology and so does the teacher.

And coming from ARKANSAS, I say this is a breath of fresh air, and a welcome new spirit of youth (I Hope more kids follow this ones example and get interested in civics and civil rights!!)

A ten year old can make their own choices, I can tell my ten yr old to something at school, but if I am not there how am I going to make sure he does it, unless he really wanted to do this, it would not have happened.

I love this kid, has Ellen called for an interview yet?

What legal equality exactly?

They mention that he wants them to be equal but they make no mention of what his actual grievances are.

Makes me wonder if he's not being puppeted by some of those friends of the family the article mentions.

[edit on 8/23/2010 by eNumbra]

Originally posted by Droogie
Is it the parents that put him up to it, or was this a conscious choice made by himself?

ionteresting question, one could simply state that conscious choice itself is an illusion, a manifestation of former programming by others to determine how you will act and react given influence and experience....do you choose your thoughts based on creative ability with no influences from others in your circle, or are you simply a biproduct of others in your life as they are products of others in their life and so on.

of course their parents influenced his stand somewhat, and perhaps a gay friend or two, and a television show he enjoys, perhaps a book he read, etc...people are almost incapable of original thinking...when someone thinks of something new or different, we call them genius's or madmen...the rest are simply replicated thought association monkeys (myself included for the most part).

And, good for him...America is about freedom of speech and expression...and he is doing just that.

Originally posted by eNumbra
What legal equality exactly?

They mention that he wants them to be equal but they make no mention of what his actual grievances are.

Makes me wonder if he's not being puppeted by some of those friends of the family the article mentions.

[edit on 8/23/2010 by eNumbra]

Yeah, how dare that 5th grader not make actual points so we can scrutinize them.

Originally posted by hippomchippo
Yeah, how dare that 5th grader not make actual points so we can scrutinize them.

When you have an argument or a grievance; especially one in which you contend that someone's rights are being trampled, it's best that you actually have the points to enumerate rather than spout catchy slogans and parrot talking points.

Surely you don't assume I'm so ignorant as to scrutinize the kid himself rather than what his points are. I'll happily discuss his position once I know what it actually is.

Originally posted by eNumbra

Originally posted by hippomchippo
Yeah, how dare that 5th grader not make actual points so we can scrutinize them.

When you have an argument or a grievance; especially one in which you contend that someone's rights are being trampled, it's best that you actually have the points to enumerate rather than spout catchy slogans and parrot talking points.

Surely you don't assume I'm so ignorant as to scrutinize the kid himself rather than what his points are. I'll happily discuss his position once I know what it actually is.

He's 10 years old, he probably doesn't know much about gay rights, but wants to stand up for something that he sees as an injustice in the world.

Originally posted by hippomchippo
He's 10 years old, he probably doesn't know much about gay rights, but wants to stand up for something that he sees as an injustice in the world.

And if he's been the victim of a pseudo-brainwashing? Should it be allowed? or should he be shown how he's been used.


I'm of the opinion that people shouldn't protest something that they have a severe lack of understanding of, I won't stop them from doing so, but a ten year-old standing up for someone's rights is bound to get lots of publicity. Makes him a perfect spokesperson; especially when his actions get him ridicule from his classmates.

Children are easily manipulated and I don't understand why you seem to object to a better understanding as to whether this kid is a pawn or not.

Originally posted by eNumbra

Originally posted by hippomchippo
He's 10 years old, he probably doesn't know much about gay rights, but wants to stand up for something that he sees as an injustice in the world.

And if he's been the victim of a pseudo-brainwashing? Should it be allowed? or should he be shown how he's been used.


I'm of the opinion that people shouldn't protest something that they have a severe lack of understanding of, I won't stop them from doing so, but a ten year-old standing up for someone's rights is bound to get lots of publicity. Makes him a perfect spokesperson; especially when his actions get him ridicule from his classmates.

Children are easily manipulated and I don't understand why you seem to object to a better understanding as to whether this kid is a pawn or not.

I'm not objecting to it, I'm just saying my opinion of why the kid is saying this.

I know parents brainwash their children, it happens all the time, but that doesn't mean that children can't have viewpoints of their own on controversial topics sometimes.

Originally posted by hippomchippo


I know parents brainwash their children, it happens all the time, but that doesn't mean that children can't have viewpoints of their own on controversial topics sometimes.

Of course they can; I want to know whether this opinion is his own or not.

I smell a rat.
It's obious this kid was encouraged and prepped to say those things by some gay rights activist.

This should be considered some type of child abuse because this kid should be concerened with normal 5th grade activities.

Alxandro, really? Child abuse? Because the child is not interested in what he should be? according to what highly qualified opinion? If you smell a rat you might wanna check yourself.

"First they came for, the people who didn't think like me, and I told them to take them bas-turds away" freckin idiot

I see no reason to suspect the parents. Nation with millions and millions in schools, you think kids don't go home and see the news or talk world issues with their parents, you think they all think the same, hanah montanna and call of duty? Plenty of kids care about what's going on. They may have faulty or immature reasoning, but they don't have to be put on to stand out. I remember not wanting to do the pledge of allegiance just because it was so daily expected and I also felt no one deserved my allegiance. This was at 11/12.

I say EVERYONE should stand behind a kid like this, of course he needs discussion, to be grounded out, but who cares, he's got nerve and the desire to make a difference thats what counts. If his parents put him up to it I think it'd show very quickly, how far will a 10 year old go with something he doesn't believe in? Not saying there's a limit, I just don't see it in my mind is all.

[edit on 23-8-2010 by Theblackout]

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."

Here, from the source article. The parents are obviously proud that their child is educated. Any parent is allowed to educate their child how they see fit, no? What are you to do about this? They've given their child information, and probably a bias, and the child took it an ran. What do you expect? If I talk to a child about medicine and the many ill side effects of pharma, what is social opinion to me? Nothing, I care about him, and that HE knows, to beware of those that act like they have the answer to everything. Do you believe children should monotonously ring the pledge daily before they understand a nitwit of what their country is, or only that people should not argue a case unless they have a thorough understanding?

Also, did anyone note that he had skipped a grade? He might be quite the 11 year old that your unwilling to admit in your mind.