From a news article at http://wbztv.com/local/wakefield.high.school.2.1654083.html

“A war veteran and substitute teacher has been asked to not come back to work at Wakefield High School.
Joe Bellavia served 25 years ago, and in 2003 his son, Joseph, was killed while serving in Iraq.
Bellavia was substituting at Wakefield High recently when a student said to a classmate after the pledge of allegiance that she didn’t have to stand up.

“What did she say?” asked WBZ’s Paul Burton.

“‘I have constitutional rights and don’t have to stand for pledge of allegiance.’ Thats when I turned to her,” said Bellavia. “I said to her, ‘You’re correct, young lady, you do have that right and it’s because of people like me who served 25 years and my son who gave his life to preserve these freedoms.’”

Bellavia said he used a stern voice and was angry with the student”

“After the incident the school’s principal, Dr. Kimberly Smith, told Bellavia his services were no longer needed at the high school, and suggested he substitute at the middle and elementary schools.”

“Wakefield school superintendent Joan Landers said it has the highest respect for Bellavia, but that the district has a duty to respect the rights of students as well.”

I’ve already expressed my concerns to Ms Landers, as well as the school committee person quoted in the article.

Should anyone else care to do so, their email addresses are:

landersj@wakefield.k12.ma.us
dlieber@iiui.com

I carry, as a good luck charm and means to keep my perspective grounded, a small stone I picked up on Omaha Beach 2 years ago. Given the ‘bribe, vote, then read’ legislative process of the Obama, Reed, Pelosi troika, I sometimes wonder if the men who gave their all on D-Day would have done so had they known what the country would be like today. And our forefathers, who deliberated so long and arduously to give this country a framework for freedom and success – I often wonder what their thoughts would be at today’s elected “leadership.”

Well, one can only speculate about that, but over the last year, I have felt a growing sense of frustration at where we are being led as a country, and at myself for not doing something to help. I attended the Tea Party on Boston Common last April and was encouraged, but at the same time, got a glimpse of a huge part of the problem…a CNN reporter saying there were 200 people at the rally, when at that point, there were easily a thousand (on the bright side, the crowd just off camera, was chanting ‘tell the truth, tell the truth.”)

Then Scott Brown won. I went to one of the stops on his ‘Thank you tour” and the energy in the room was just plain inspirational. But I still was a spectator in the fight. At that point, I went to the Mass GOP website and volunteered to help. Later I signed up to attend a GOP workshop for candidates and activists.

At the same time, I contacted Coldwarrior for advice, and in a nutshell, he said find a way to help, precinct chairman, or anything else, but get involved. At the workshop, I had a chance to meet and talk face to face with some dedicated young people, who are trying very hard to put the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts on a better path. Long story short, a couple of weeks later, I had a short interview at GOP headquarters in Boston, and start Monday as a volunteer. It is nice to report I walked into an office filled with genuinely nice young people, all very respectful, and all working very hard.

I want to thank Erick, Neal, Coldwarrior, Achance and so many others on Red State who have helped bring me to this point. Their deep knowledge of so many political issues, and dedication to moving this country back to greatness, have been crucial to opening my eyes.

Bottom line, I promise everyone who has had a part in motivating me to get involved, that I’ll do the best to be helpful

Charlie

and…the Tea Party today was awesome!

I received this in an email from Congressman Tierney this morning.  I hope those of us in the district who oppose Obamacare will call in:

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding my upcoming town hall meetings. I
appreciate the opportunity to respond.

On Wednesday, August 26 and Monday, August 31, I invite you, your neighbors and
friends to join me in a telephone town hall to discuss health insurance reform
and other issues of importance to you. Your thoughts and opinions are
important to me, so I will be taking your questions and comments throughout the
hour.

If you are interested in participating in the call, please see the list below
to find the telephone town hall scheduled for your area and link to the
registration form below.

AUGUST 26, 6 PM – registration closes for this call at 10 AM on 08/25/09

Amesbury, Bedford, Burlington, Hamilton, Lynn, Marblehead, Middleton, Newbury,
Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rockport, Rowley, West Newbury, Wakefield,
Wilmington

AUGUST 31, 6 PM – registration closes for this call at 10 AM on 08/28/09

Beverly, Boxford, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Ipswich,
Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Merrimac, Nahant, North Reading, Reading,
Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield,
Wenham

To register please visit the following website:

https://forms.house.gov/tierney/webform/phone_registration.html

Participation in the call is free. All registered participants should receive
a call inviting them to participate. Please simply stay on the line to join
the live discussion.