Was Justin Jones right to decline saying the Pledge of Allegiance? Here's what readers say

Editor’s note: Today's debate is on shows of patriotism, the Pledge of Allegiance and protests.  If you would like to join the conversation, send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, address and contact information for verification; only writers' names, cities/towns and ZIP codes will be published.

Protests are preferred to performative patriotism

Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, wants Rep. Jones, D-Nashville, to resign because he declined to lead chamber in the pledge of allegiance.

Why is this even an issue? Seems to me that if Mr. Faison is so patriotic he should support U.S. veterans in better physical and mental healthcare.

He should support legislation that protects women and LGBTQ veterans from abuse, hate crimes and questionable dishonorable discharge. To do less is duplicitous.

I think Faison and others like him are afraid of the power of protest, the likes of which we have not seen since the 1960s.

Mr. Jones, please continue to be a sharp thorn in the seats of those with small minds and hidden agendas because protest is not unpatriotic. In fact, protesting is the most patriotic thing we can do in a real democracy.

Faison, quit throwing shade!

L. Barrett, Portland 37148

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Democrats show hypocrisy with pledge antics

Justin Jones must not believe in justice for all if he won’t lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sadly, Democrats are proud of him.

They must also not believe in justice for all.

Jim Kennedy, Smyrna 37167

Justin Jones’ constituents elected him to speak truth to power

I would like Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, to address some concerns in his role as the Speaker of the House.

I live in District 52 where my representative is the Hon. Justin Jones, D-Nashville. As you are aware, after a special election was held on August 3, 2023, a total of 5,226 individuals voted to reinstate our District  House of Rep. Justin Jones.

We collectively did not vote into office someone who merely would become complacent and collect dust but someone that would be the vessel to be our voice. Someone who would fight for not only our democracy but equality. We knew we voted for the right candidate from the start. Someone to challenge the status quo and speak up and speak out.

As the Speaker, do you not see the danger in silencing any representative whether it is Mr. Jones or anyone from being the mouthpiece of Tennesseans?

Do you consider it fair that at least 5,226 taxpayers have no representation? Let's not forget the 2,439 that voted in District 86 for House of Rep. Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis.

You introduced gold tickets where each politician has a ticket which must be given to enter the halls of democracy. Is that fair to those seeking judicial legislation for gun control although they pay taxes?

Is it fair to the parents of children identifying as other than their born sexual identity although the parents pay taxes?

Sometimes, it takes a little good trouble to wake our senses of humanity. Give us back our representation, we are surely being taxed.

Phil Michal Thomas, Antioch 37013

Pan voucher plan, but don’t heckle the governor

While I am not a Bill Lee fan, he does deserve the respect as the governor and the folks that were so rude as to keep interrupting his speech should be ashamed of themselves.

It's too bad the governor doesn't have the same respect for the people who put him in office. As one of the roots of the GOP power hungry supermajority legislators, Gov. Lee doesn't have the courtesy to listen to us who put him in office.

In all the time Governor Lee has been trying to push his $141.5 million dollars to fund his Education Freedom Scholarships program. I have not seen one positive remark from anyone except the people directly under him or his political allies. It is possible I have missed them but you don't hear many voters expressing positive remarks about taking our tax dollars to fund a program that will benefit the wealthy more than Joe Blow average citizen.

While we elect politicians to do the jobs we thought were a priority to us, again, I have not seen the governor or most of the legislators doing what they were elected for to represent us. They do represent themselves and the heck with what the voters want. Or don't want.

I always thought that our representatives were supposed to represent the voters  who put them in office, not the political party they belong to.

Richard Barlow, Nashville 37217

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee protest: Should Justin Jones recite Pledge of Allegiance?