West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette

[© tweed]

http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/426/

Basically, it was ruled that forcing students to salute the flag during the pledge of allegiance is unconstitutional.

[A18]

Free speech does not mean you're entitled to a part of your speech, but to all of it. In forcing a student to communicate in this manner, it seems quite plain to me that the First Amendment was implicated.

Could a state force a student to speak favorably of the government?

Constitutionally sound.

[Emsworth]

The decision was correct. Compelling students to express a particular opinion violates the First Amendment's free speech clause.

[Ebowed]

Sound.

[memphis]

The decision was sound, but it seems like a great example of a judicial decision that screws the Democrats.

[A18]

..It seems like a great example of a judicial decision that screws the Democrats.

How so?

[memphis]

I feel like the Republicans always act really outraged at this kind of stuff, which forces the Dems to get the  "hating God, the pledge, and the flag" kind of rep which really hurts among populist voters who might otherwise vote Democrat.