Danger Will

Will Phillips is a fifth-grader from Arkansas who refuses to stand up for the Pledge Of Allegiance. Why? Because he feels in a country where gay marriage isnt allowed there's no "liberty and justice for all."

He was interviewed on CNN and has received a fair amount of adulatory coverage. It's his right to stay seated, but I can't understand why anyone would make a hero of him. While I wouldn't call what he's done hateful, I don't consider it particular admirable. There are plenty of people who have grievances of one sort or another against the U.S.--drugs are illegal, abortion is legal, illegal immigrants aren't stopped, illegal immigrants are treated too cruelly, the Democrats want to take away our freedom, the Republicans want to fight an illegal war, etc.--and there always will be. To teach your child to hold your grievance is no great trick.

He also told a substitute teacher who was mad at him to go jump off a bridge. Maybe his parents could also teach him some self-control.