Of the many things that disqualify Jasmine Taylor from serving as mayor of Great Falls, in my opinion, one of the most glaring is her refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance at public meetings and events.
Of course, every citizen has the absolute right to remain seated and silent during the Pledge of Allegiance or the Star-Spangled Banner. I thank God that we live in a country that protects our freedom to dissent and disagree.
I had the honor and privilege of representing the City of Great Falls and its citizens in welcoming newly naturalized American citizens to our country, state, and community at a naturalization ceremony. I can’t help but wonder what those individuals—who worked so hard to become American citizens and who proudly and eagerly stand, place their hands over their hearts, and recite the Pledge—must think of a local mayoral candidate who refuses to do the same.
Likewise, active-duty military personnel and veterans in Great Falls—who have given so much to our magnificent country and who cherish and revere our flag—must be scratching their heads in disbelief at the audacity and disrespect of someone who holds such apparent disdain for our country while asking for their votes.
In one of her videos, Taylor bizarrely claims she is displaying true leadership by not standing and reciting the Pledge because she doesn’t believe in the words it contains. Huh?
Well, I suppose you could call that “leadership” if you lived somewhere that despises America—like certain precincts in L.A., San Francisco, or Missoula.
But that’s not Great Falls. Our Great Falls is full of patriotic people who love this country, who are proud to recite and believe in the inspirational and aspirational words of the Pledge of Allegiance, and who respect their fellow citizens, the flag, and our founding principles.
How would it make Great Falls look to the many people watching a City Commission meeting—streamed online and broadcast on public access cable—if our mayor remained seated and silent while everyone else stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? Thankfully, it’s almost certain we’ll never have to witness that scenario.
What will happen, however, is a series of local forums for mayoral and commission candidates, coming soon to venues like Neighborhood Council events—where we all stand for the Pledge. We’ll see if Taylor can withstand the heat of that public scrutiny when all eyes are on the only candidate who refuses to participate.
If Taylor wants to demonstrate real courage and leadership, she should withdraw from the mayoral race and acknowledge that her anti-American ideals are completely out of step with the vast majority of folks in Great Falls.
If you don’t want to be a supporter of American values, you have no place in trying to be a leader.
Out of state bully.. She needs to go elsewhere to start her riots She will answer someday
She is literally born and raised in Great Falls, unlike you Connie.
That and a quarter still won’t get you a cup of coffee. Your point? Being born and raised in here makes you better qualified than someone maybe not born here? People “born” Democrats (Ronald Reagan for one) when they move from the Dark Side make a pretty darn good contributor to society.
Has she stated her reason for not standing??
Read the article She says the reason is she does believe in the words contained in it me
It has nothing to do with being an out of stater. I am a Navy Veteran and married a local woman. Marrying a local woman mean I married Montana. I would never participate in riots. And if you burn the American flag in front of me, you will have a real problem real fast. My daughter refused to stand at a voyagers game and I popped her on the back of the head. “You stand up…” Patriotism is taught from birth. Jasmine has run for political office multiple times. She wants power and wants to be a politician because its an easy job. Great Falls keeps telling her no, but she keeps coming back…
Absolutely has no place representing or speaking for Great Falls. Sounds like liberal trash to me
Grew up as a lower/middle class kid., one of the main things my Dad grilled into me was we are lucky to be where we are and it was my American duty to Vote and support what’s right Now I have a husband who has served and 2 sons still serving for our rights. I feel the rights my family fights for aren’t for rights of you not standing and paying respects for our American flag. I am disgusted that people support this. It’s a disgrace to all of the families whom have had made the ultimate
Sacrifice for your freedom. These people have no idea how their life would be without all the background things being done to ensure their freedom. Wake up people, we need to bring common sense back or we are going to fall
Has she stated her reason for not standing for Pledge of Allegiance? I don’t understand…
Don’t discount her as a candidate. Who would have believed that someone like Kamala Harris would have become VP, given her credentials? All it takes is a willingness to do repugnant acts (in the case of Kamala, Willie Brown) and funding. If you do not want her to become Mayor, make sure you and everyone you know, does not vote for her. She has a following that is rabid and in all likelihood, well funded.
That won’t get a vote from me, no respect for what America stands for. If everyone knew this they wouldn’t vote for it either!
We have a chance to get the word out. I wonder if it is the “one nation” or most likely, the “under God” part that she does not like.