The setting is Albany, where Democrats have forcefully attempted to take back the Senate chamber despite losing a democratic leadership vote there not long ago. They don’t like the fact that they lost the vote in the chamber, so they’re attempting to grab back the leadership seat by locking themselves in and not letting the bipartisan coalition rightfully take over. Imagine if Republicans refused to give up control of Congress in 2006, so they locked themselves in the chamber and refused to let Dems take over leadership roles.

Anyway, that’s the setting. Here’s what happened:

Note how one Democrat attempts to stand up, apparently confused as to why his fellow lefties won’t pledge allegiance to their country. He’s immediately pulled back down by the cry-babies on either side of his desk. Ed Morrissey notes the childishness the Democrats have displayed:

In this case, the refusal to stand comes as the culmination of a series of childish gestures. One member plays exies no erasies with the podium, while her colleagues try to make the chamber into the Democratic Club playhouse (no Republican cooties allowed!). When Republicans try to start the session on their own terms, the Democrats refuse to acknowledge their authority to do so — which is why they remained seated, except for one Democrat, who got pulled back down by his desk partner.

Democrats are so intent on holding onto their power unjustly that they’ll refuse to stand for the pledge of allegiance? Pathetic.