Can someone tell me how the Republic of Texas became a state? Before the Act of Congress, did Texans vote in a plebiscite to become part of the U.S., or was there a treaty between the U.S. and Texas?
Thanks! Francisco Forrest Martin President Rights International, The Center for International Human Rights Law, Inc. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > [Original Message] > From: Bryan Wildenthal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 6/16/2003 7:16:20 PM > Subject: Re: Texas Pledge of Allegiance > > What an appalling statute. I am embarrassed for my native Texas (not the > first time!). > > Not only does this Texas pledge suggest a somewhat creepy-sounding conflict > with pledging loyalty to the *United* States (and what's with the faux > archaic language: "thee"?), but I think it plainly violates Barnette. > > I do not think a parental excuse option is adequate to save it. A child has > a right to object him/herself on the spot, regardless of what the parent > thinks, and before it may be feasible to obtain the parent's view. > > Furthermore, as discussed in some prior postings of mine when a similar > issue came up: to the extent this statute (if it does, I haven't seen the > full text) requires *private* schools to promote or hold such > pledge-of-allegiance ceremonies, it plainly violates the free-speech rights > of the private schools themselves. > > Finally, it is silly to refer to Texas as "indivisible" when the 1845 > statehood act expressly gives Texas the option of splitting into five > states. > > Bryan Wildenthal > Thomas Jefferson School of Law > > -----Original Message----- > From: Keith E. Whittington [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 9:26 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Texas Pledge of Allegiance > > > The new Texas statute includes a parental option to excuse a student from > reciting either pledge. > > keith whittington > > -----Original Message----- > From: Discussion list for con law professors > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Gilbert, Lauren > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 12:15 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Texas Pledge of Allegiance > > > Aren't we missing the obvious point here? It may be that certain government > employees or even bar members are required to take the pledge pursuant to > their employment or bar membership, but it seems a pretty clear violation of > the First Amendment under West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette > to require school children to pledge allegiance to the U.S. or Texas flags. > > > Lauren Gilbert > Assistant Professor of Law > St. Thomas University School of Law > > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Finkelman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 1:09 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Texas Pledge of Allegiance > > > I received the follow question from an English professor in one of the > Texas state colleges. I wonder what people on this list think of the > law law and her question: > > "The state legislature passed a law this session that mandates > schoolchildren pledge an allegiance to the Texas flag as well as the US > flag each morning. It goes: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance > to thee, Texas, one and indivisible." > > My question is this: if I pledge allegiance to Texas, am I not then > nullifying my pledge to the US? Do I not, by pledging allegiance to one > state, NOT pledge any allegiance to the other 49? This seems > unconsitutional to me, but then what do I know? " > > > -- > Paul Finkelman > Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law > University of Tulsa College of Law > 3120 East 4th Place > Tulsa, OK 74104-3189 > > 918-631-3706 (office) > 918-631-2194 (fax) > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
