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Councilman refuses Pledge as protest to U.S. involvement in Iraq
PHOENIX -- A Mesa City Council member refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance before a meeting to protest American involvement in what he calls an Iraqi civil war. "If you're not willing to stand up for what you believe, you don't belong in politics," Tom Rawles said.

Rawles told Mayor Keno Hawker of his intention before Monday's meeting but surprised the other five council members with an announcement during a study session before the meeting. "Although I love my country and respect our flag, this is my way of protesting America's continuing involvement in the civil war in Iraq," Rawles said in a written statement hours before the meeting.

Rawles said he has been thinking about making such a protest for about five months.
Prob'ly consulted with Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink.
He said he favored the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, predicated on President Bush's assertion that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to the United States. "I didn't have a problem with going into war," Rawles said, "(but) that's not what we're doing now. Now we're into nation-building and acting as a policeman in a bloody civil war. That's the part that bothers me."

Rawles said he will refrain from saying the Pledge until U.S. troops are called home or he's no longer in public office.
This jackass is out of office now but he and his idiot constituents apparently don't realize it yet. An affirmation of loyalty, usually an oath, is a common-law requirement for holding public office. Citizens may not be required to give loyalty oaths, but it is mandatory for public officials. This dates back more than a thousand years and is supported by precedent and various constitutional requirements from the beginning of United States history. Publicly repudiating that affirmation, as in declaring a refusal to pledge allegiance, is an instant disqualification. He has effectively resigned from office.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2007-01-23
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=178525