It's a new school year, but an old fight is fast becoming the title bout in American classrooms. Teachers and administrators around the country are perplexed once again over the Pledge of Allegiance.
The courts have consistently ruled that students have the right not to recite the pledge in public schools. But now some First Amendment advocates are taking it one step further, arguing that the law compels educators to inform kids at the beginning of school that the decision is entirely up to them.
Comments
Fri, May 17, 2013 - 09:32 AM
Good choices, what is accurate, and what is best are often not related at all to pop [...]
Fri, May 17, 2013 - 09:18 AM
It will be difficult to get any government employee or official to consider science, [...]
Fri, May 17, 2013 - 04:25 AM
How horrible. And what seems worse is the fact that this is the first I have heard o [...]
Thu, May 16, 2013 - 10:56 PM
If they were qualified and there were open positions, then I am sure they would have [...]
Thu, May 16, 2013 - 08:52 PM
The noise from the plant can be heard in the Laurel Drive, Pine St, and Maple Dr are [...]
Recent Stories
- Organic vegetables thriving at Honeywood Farm
- Friday, May 17 2013
- Hunt still on for woman missing since July
- Thursday, May 16 2013
- Farmer's Market offers pro cooking demo
- Thursday, May 16 2013
- Matthews visits English race course
- Thursday, May 16 2013
- Neighbors sick of noise from PGP plant
- Thursday, May 16 2013
Archives
Have each county vote on this, and let the people decide, NOT the ACLU.
If the ACLU would try to protest a County election results, take it to the state level and have our State Representatives vote on an amendment keeping the power in the hands of each county only.
Of course I also feel this should have been done when prayer was being tossed out of the classroom. Things like these are community concerns, and big Government and Organizations like the ACLU should back off.
Is the pledge a statement of authoritative principles or has it over years become a means of indoctrination? How many today would not say the pledge if not in fear of retaliation? Are we by making it mandatory surrendering the right, duty and necessity of private judgment resulting in blind nationalism? Should the refusal to pledge be an act of protest?
The answers are for each citizen to determine. I say the pledge but do take issue to what has been added to it over the years.
The country was founded on freedom. Freedom to choose what you say, and dont say. So, should we "Marandize" them so they know they dont have to say it? If we do that then we are suggested that it is okay not to take pride in your country, something that should never be taught.
If this is over the whole "one nation, under god" deal then its ridiculous. I admit, I feel stupid when I pledge to a nation under an make believe character, but again, thats what the country was based on. I take pride in the pledge, even though I don't agree with that small principle. The pledge isn't about rather or not to preach religion, its about fighting for our country, and being proud of it. Though I don't believe in god, I feel taking that out of the pledge would be a horrible move. Being proud to be an American is what it is all about, and thats what needs to be taught to our children.
children? Is this still THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?
Or is obummer land?
Most very young children don’t understand what it means to pledge allegiance. Therefore, most are just repeating words with a group. Teachers should explain what the pledge of allegiance actually is and what it means routinely. Children should learn at a very young age what it means to have an allegiance to pledge to their country. If the parents don’t have any allegiance to the country, most of their children will grow up the same way. It’s better for them to take their children and go somewhere that they can practice anarchy or whatever it is they want to teach.
Abraham Lincoln said that “the philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next”. Just look at the shape of things now. He also said “our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors”. My opinion is that these seeds are planted and are being well fertilized. Despotism is growing rapidly and most can’t see it. If you don’t know what it means then look it up!
While I didn't vote for the current President of the United States I don't think that his religion should have one thing or the other to do with YOU and YOUR family saying the Pledge of Allegiance. In my opinion that should be even MORE reason to encourage your children to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I'm very proud not only of my husband and the soldiers that he stands along side with daily (and has done for almost twenty years now) but also to be an AMERICAN!
Say the Pledge of Allegiance... Hourly, Daily, it doesn't matter you should just be proud that you can SAY IT without fear of the repercussions
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
let me repeat that....
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
After reviewing the pledge (twice might I add), I do not see where it reflects an allegiance to the President....our alligence lies with our Country and if we step aside and put our beliefs on "hold" then do we have a belief?
Much prayers for the 48th!!!!!
I agree.......despotism doesn't only apply to a political authority but a religious authority as well. indivisible means sole nationaistic authority and under God means a theocracy. There is despotism no matter which direction you turn.
Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"
I
*** me, an individual, a committee of one ***
Pledge
*** dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity ***
Allegiance
*** my love and my devotion ***
To the flag
*** our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job! ***
of the United
*** that means that we have all come together ***
States
*** individual communities that have united into 48 great states Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
And to the republic
*** a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. ***
For which it stands, one nation
*** one nation, meaning "so blessed by God" ***
Indivisible
*** incapable of being divided ***
With liberty
*** which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation ***
And Justice
*** the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others***
For all
*** which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine***
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...
UNDER GOD
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?
God Bless America!
--- Red Skelton
...just sayin'