Dear Internal Affairs Commissioners, I was shocked to learn that you voted down the Pledge of Allegiance bill. I read the bill, it is well-written and perfectly fair. I cannot understand how all of you, in your right minds, could vote against a bill to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. Your "no" vote just doesn't make any sense. Especially when considering that UC Davis, as a public research university, relies on funding from the STATE and FEDERAL levels of government. Your decision rings with ingratitude for the deluge of money that the state and federal governments rain down on this school. Every time the ASUCD Senate has their meeting, many different opinions bounce around the room. Isn't it wonderful that the U.S. Constitution allows for that freedom of speech, without any fear of retribution from the government? Voting "no" on this bill is a disservice to the principles that even allow ASUCD to exist. Any and every reputable political body in the entire nation says the Pledge of Allegiance before their meetings begin. You are all incredibly immature for voting down this bill, especially since reciting the Pledge, or even standing up to recognize the flag, would be optional. And for those of you who are worried about self-preservation... Congratulations on having this in your permanent political record. I hope you realize that your chance for ever getting elected to any public office is ruined, for the rest of your lives. No discerning citizen would vote for a man/woman to represent them, if that man/woman is on RECORD saying that the Pledge of Allegiance is not good enough to be said, aloud, in a public university. Especially since the recitation of the Pledge, in this and in every situation, is optional. I'm not trying to be mean-spirited about this particular point, but let's face it. If you ever run for any public office, your chances of victory are very slim if the media somehow discovers your "no" vote. You have also slimmed your chances of getting hired by any non-governmental organization or business that would take issue with your vote. All companies do background checks, as I'm sure you are well aware. So I wish you the best of luck in your future ventures, because with this embarassing affair on record, you'll need it. Shame on you, those who voted "no." You're not even elected officials. Let the Senators, elected by popular vote, do the legislating in ASUCD, especially when it comes to bills of such incredible importance as this one. When it comes down to principles, we as people don't bleed blue and gold, or red and yellow. Like it or not, we are granted many freedoms by the U.S. Constitution, and saying the Pledge before a public meeting is simply a way of recognizing those freedoms. That's all. Sincerely, Cameron Menezes - UC Davis class of 2005
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Please see "ASUCD Senate Bill #84, ASUCD Information Systems webpage (http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/government/gov-documents/senate-bills/2005-2006) Please see "ASUCD Senate Bill #12, ASUCD Information Systems webpage (http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/government/gov-documents/senate-bills/2006-2007)
Internal Affairs Commissioners voting to have a voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Senate meetings: Joseph Bleckman - UC Davis class of 2009 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006) Tom Woelfel - UC Davis class of 2006 - (Senate Bill#84, spring 2006)
Internal Affairs Commissioners voting NOT to have a voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Senate meetings: Derick Lennox - UC Davis class of 2009 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006 & Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Mike Rivera - UC Davis class of 2008 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006 & Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Matt Schock - UC Davis class of 2006 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006 & Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Matthew Shannon - UC Davis class of 2008 - (Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Jill Weinstein - UC Davis class of 2007 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006 & Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Max Mikalonis - UC Davis class of 2009 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006) Alix Giroux - UC Davis class of 2009 - (Senate Bill#12, fall 2006) Paul Harms - UC Davis class of 2009 - (Senate Bill#84, spring 2006)
Internal Affairs Commissioners ABSTAINING to vote on whether to have a voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Senate meetings: Jack Shannon - UC Davis class of 2008 - (Senate Bill#84, spring 2006) Eric Wu - UC Davis class of 2006 - (Senate Bill#84, spring 2006)
