This is not a good way for Prince William County to get into the news.
A retired administrative law judge who now sits on a newly formed Prince William County commission was outraged when, at the most recent meeting, commissioners didn’t start with a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
The pledge is commonplace at the county’s other meetings, including at the Board of County Supervisors.
So, he recited it himself at the end of the March 18 meeting of the Racial and Social Justice Commission, which took place at the county’s government center in Woodbridge.
“I am insulted we didn’t start this meeting with the pledge of allegiance or opening prayer. Not even the Congress or the House of Representatives is so un-American,” the Coast Guard veteran said, as he chastised fellow Commissioner Shantell Rock of Woodbridge, who serves as its chairwoman.
Instead of the pledge of allegiance, Rock asked commissioners to recite an equity communication pledge which asks commissioners to avoid using statements like “I think, I feel, I believe,” and promise not to challenge others when talking about the issue of race, and not to include their personal perspectives. “You are here to listen and serve the discussion, not to join it,” states the pledge. (continued)
Commissioner blasts Racial & Social Justice Commission for not reciting pledge of allegiance (potomaclocal.com)
What is an equity pledge? ‘You Want Us To Recite This?’: County ‘Social Justice Commission’ Starts Tense With Unannounced ‘Equity Pledge’ | The Daily Caller provides a link to a tweet the contains it. Here it is.
In a free county, we have to allow some stupidity. Why? The problem is defining what constitutes stupidity. Everyone — EVERYONE — thinks some things wise that others think stupid and even evil. Since we all have trouble agreeing with each other about EVERYTHING, that creates the potential for violent disputes and radical abuses (like murder, rape, and slavery). Hence, we need to a government to protect us FROM EACH OTHER. Unfortunately, we have done a terrible job of passing our traditions from one generation to the next. Therefore, instead of protect us FROM EACH OTHER, we have large numbers of public officials who think it is their job to fix us. That includes making us think correctly.
What is the solution? There is no quick fix. However, there is something is worth noting in this story. The first person to object to the Equity Pledge was an older gentleman.
Good government is hard work that requires the participation of every citizen. Why every citizen? Is that because we all need to vote? Well, voting is important. When we elect leaders who think their job is fixing us, instead of our protector, our government becomes the greatest threat to our lives, liberty, and property. However, there is something more important than voting. That is passing our fundamental beliefs to our children, especially our beliefs about God. We must do our best to teach our children what it is they should stand for and defend. Otherwise…..
If You Don’t Stand for Something, You’ll Fall for Anything
— Unknown.
If You Don’t Stand for Something, You’ll Fall for Anything – Quote Investigator
Additional Reference: Prince William Racial and Social Justice Commission holds first working meeting | Headlines | insidenova.com
What about the Pledge of Allegiance?
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America | History & Text | Britannica
Is it more appropriate to begin a meeting by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance? Well, it is ironic that the original pledge was written by a Socialist minister, Francis Bellamy. Because Bellamy’s version has been significantly altered, some are quite unhappy. In his original, those reciting the pledge gave their loyalty to the flag and to the republic. In the revised version, those reciting the pledge give their loyalty to one nation under God. Therefore, some people desperately want to change the pledge.
Additional References
Prince William-Manassas Family Alliance 
