A 10-year-old boy from Arkansas refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance in class. And no, it's not because of the "under God" phrase; rather, this remarkable youth believes the stanza "with liberty and justice for all" does not describe the actual state of affairs in America today. Specifically, Will Philips (who aspires to be a lawyer) claims that there will not be justice for all in America until gays and lesbians are allowed to marry.
I admit, when I first read this story, I thought Will had probably received a lot of coaching from his parents, and that he was just another kid spouting out beliefs he doesn't understand. But watch the video. He knows exactly what he believes, and he speaks for himself. Will continued to sit through the Pledge despite taunts from his classmates, who called him a "gaywad", and repeatedly reminded his exasperated teacher of his right to do so. His teacher wouldn't relent, so young Will (brilliant asshole in the making) told her, 'very solemnly, with a little bit of malice',* "Ma'am, with all due respect, you can go jump off a bridge."
Way to go, Will. You have proved yourself far more mature and intelligent than many adults I know.
*In the CNN interview, he describes the exchange with these exact words.
