Time for a little followup story to the original Hampden, Maine story from last month. If you recall, two members of the Hampden town council objected to opening their council meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. They exercised 1st Amendment rights and their disapproval by refusing to stand and participate in the Pledge.
Now we have an explanation from one of the councilmen himself, William Shakespeare, a retired Army serviceman.
You can read the councilman’s words for yourself here. But in a nutshell, here’s his basic objection…
He has no problem participating in the Pledge of Allegiance. He has a problem with the husband of the council member who pushed for the inclusion of the Pledge in the council’s meetings. That husband just happens to be their local state representative.
Councilor Shakespeare is right when he says this is a “political tool.” Although he claims that Representative Duprey and Councilor Duprey are using it as a political tool, it’s really he and his dissenting colleague who are using it as a tool.
If there weren’t political bad blood between these individuals, I doubt there would be an objection from this military veteran to opening their meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. This fight is personal. And the town council is no place to air personal grievances. These folks just need to grow up and get about the business of representing the people who elected them to do their jobs!
Photo Credit via Flickr Michigan Municipal League
