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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>I have been personally asked to enter into the conversation
regarding the Pledge of Allegiance and respond to those questioning the patriotism
of some of their fellow citizens.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>While I do not fear
external enemies, I do fear unnecessary divisiveness within our nation.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>One focus of the campaign I ran for city
council was the inclusion of all that wished to participate in the governance
of </span></font><st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>. <span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I do not want to see any who wish to
participate excluded because of any litmus test.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>We are a great nation that relies on each of
us to express our love of country in a way that is meaningful to us as
individuals.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I made my dedication to country, state and
city when on <st1:date Month="1" Day="3" Year="2006">January 3, 2006</st1:date>;
I swore to uphold the Constitution of the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United
States of America</st1:place></st1:country-region>, The Constitution of the
State of <st1:State><st1:place>Idaho</st1:place></st1:State> and the Code of
the City of <st1:City><st1:place>Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Nothing has changed my dedication to that
oath.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>During the past four years our
Mayor asked that the Pledge be said to open meetings of the city council.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>During the four years prior to that, the same
Mayor saw no need to do so and as far as I know that was the case prior to him
taking office.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>We have a new
Mayor.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>She has decided that the Pledge
of Allegiance not be wholly discontinued, but be saved for special occasions,
occasions that honor the history of our nation and the sacrifice of the many
that has insured our freedom.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I support
my country, my state, my city and I support my Mayor in this decision. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Aaron Ament</span></font></p>
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