Rob Lowe Goes After Liberal College Who Banned Pledge of Allegiance

Actor Rob Lowe called out the board of trustees at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) over what he called their “idiocy” by initially trying to ban the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings because they find the line “one nation under God” offensive and its history objectionable.

“I decided to discontinue use of the Pledge of Allegiance for reasons related to its history and symbolism,” the president of SBCC, Robert Miller, reportedly wrote in an email on Jan. 24.

Humiliated for Santa Barbara City College making national news for their idiocy.

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) January 30, 2019

“Humiliated for Santa Barbara City College making national news for their idiocy,” the Brat Pack star tweeted.

SBCC backpedals after major scrutiny

The board adopted the ban before facing sharp criticism and attention over the right of those who wish to recite it being banned from doing so.

In a statement posted on Santa Barbara City College’s Facebook page, the board reversed the decision restoring the recitation of the Pledge. But only for now, while they wait for attention on them to abate, apparently.

“Effective immediately, the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at Board of Trustee meetings until some future date when the matter may be considered by the Board. This decision, which restores the status quo, follows an appeal for reinstatement from members of the public who raised important issues at the January 24 board meeting.”

“While the college recognizes that there are different opinions about the Pledge of Allegiance, it expects that the First Amendment rights of members of the public to comment at board meetings will be respected. It is inconsistent with those rights for other audience members to interrupt and mock speakers on this topic, as happened at the January 24 Board meeting.”

[Emphasis added.]

It seems highly likely that Miller and the board are simply planning to hold off on banning the Pledge of Allegiance until eyes are no longer so pointedly on them. If they truly believe what they said about First Amendment rights, they wouldn’t be bringing it back up for discussion later, which will make Rob Lowe’s comments even more accurate when their idiocy gets them in the news once again.