Newsmax Panelist Falsely Claims Saying “Under Allah” in the Pledge is “Illegal”

As I posted the other day, a student at Justice High School in Fairfax, Virginia recently delivered the Pledge of Allegiance at graduation while saying “under Allah” instead of “under God.”

It wasn’t a big deal. For Muslims, “Allah” means “God,” so it’s arguably not even some attempt at rebellion. But the panelists at the right-wing media outlet Newsmax claimed this was an “absolute disgrace,” “un-American,” and “unpatriotic.”

One of those panelists was Republican strategist Mark Vargas, who said the student should serve a year in the military because people who serve in combat, like him, supposedly know better.

Vargas was back on the channel on Friday, and he went even further this time, claiming the student broke the law by revising the Pledge — that’s not true — and that she should be criminally investigated.

… They want to belittle and degrade and mock your service to our country all because you’re trying to defend our Pledge of Allegiance. But yesterday, I said it was un-American and unpatriotic. It’s also illegal and in violation of federal and state laws. And I’m calling on the state attorney general to look into this. You know, the laws are very clear. You can respectfully decline to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but you cannot recite it and alter the words and use — pull out God and say whatever you’d like. And so, again, I think it’s important. It’s unpatriotic, it’s un-American, and it’s also illegal. And I think the state attorney general ought to look into this.

Vargas failed to mention which law was broken… probably because there isn’t one. He’s either ignorant or a liar. (Which is why he advises Republicans.)

He went on to say he wasn’t “calling on this young student to be prosecuted” but simply wanted the student or the school district to be scared straight. Even though nothing of consequence occurred.

Naturally, the Newsmax anchors didn’t ask him which law was broken because they’re as dumb as he is. They believe forced patriotism — by reciting a religious oath verbatim at a public school graduation — represents genuine love of the country. That’s how warped their mindset is. It’s also why anyone watching their channel earnestly needs help.

(via Media Matters)