Forced to stand for pledge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way to handle this is for the overall community to shame people who sit. Just like boycotting or any other coercive but legal action.

Only it that community values conformity over FREEDOM and LIBERTY. And effectively wants to crap on the flag.

Right? "We should honor the flag by shaming children who sit during the Pledge of Allegiance. That'll show our commitment to liberty!"

[Anonymous]

Of course they have the right not to stand. What is sad? That they want to sit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course they have the right not to stand. What is sad? That they want to sit.

What is sad? Adults want to force or shame children into standing. Shame on you, you unpatriotic MFers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The way to handle this is for the overall community to shame people who sit. Just like boycotting or any other coercive but legal action.

Only it that community values conformity over FREEDOM and LIBERTY. And effectively wants to crap on the flag.

Right? "We should honor the flag by shaming children who sit during the Pledge of Allegiance. That'll show our commitment to liberty!"

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course they have the right not to stand. What is sad? That they want to sit.

+100 Of course, these are also the kids of parents who are on the threads wondering if the teacher "will take a bullet" for their kid. Well, what do you think? The teachers are standing for a value that clearly these kids and their parents don't share.

[Anonymous]

1) 11 pages in, and yet OP never had to elaborate on what she means by "forced." I highly doubt that someone lifted her kid up by the ears to get him to stand.

2) If any of you (teachers or parents) are in FCPS, you may want to actually read that lovely SR&R book that was given to you at the start of the year.

More specifically:

Pledge of Allegiance, One Minute of Silence
Students are expected to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and to observe one minute of silence each day, unless the student or his or her parent objects to participation in such exercises. Nonparticipating students are expected to sit quietly, or to stand silently, and to refrain from engaging in any disruptive or distracting activity. A student’s decision to participate or not to participate should be respected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course they have the right not to stand. What is sad? That they want to sit.

+100 Of course, these are also the kids of parents who are on the threads wondering if the teacher "will take a bullet" for their kid. Well, what do you think? The teachers are standing for a value that clearly these kids and their parents don't share.

Why are you so unpatriotic?

[Anonymous]

Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

Just be a follower already! That's what America is about!

[Anonymous]

It's not a republic. It's an oligarchy.

We are not one nation. We are a country. Not a nation.

Indivisible? Only because of the threat of force.

There is no god.

With liberty and justice for wealthy whites.

There. You get it now? The pledge is a crock. Saying it feels like satisfaction that the USA is as perfect as can be. And it's not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

Wow!

You know what? We lived overseas in England for a brief time when my kids were in elementary and they attended a primary school. First thing my kids noticed was that they did not pledge to the British flag...or ANY flag. And when they asked about it, the other kids (and teachers) were SHOCKED that American kids do this. One of the kids went home and told her parents and the mom asked me about it later and I confirmed that yes, in fact, all our elementary schools do this. Her eyes bugged out and with a smile, she blinked and said lightheartedly "well, now that's a bit facist, isn't it?" in a way that only a Brit can do.

But it made me think about it in a way that I never had before.

And yes, it definitely is racist. And more than a bit, I think.

I love this country. But no one should be made to feel that they must profess loyalty to a symbol. Especially when that symbol is meant to represent FREEDOM and LIBERTY itself. Such a contradiction.

And so I would ask those of you who think there is nothing wrong with forced patriotism...why do you hate America??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

Wow!

You know what? We lived overseas in England for a brief time when my kids were in elementary and they attended a primary school. First thing my kids noticed was that they did not pledge to the British flag...or ANY flag. And when they asked about it, the other kids (and teachers) were SHOCKED that American kids do this. One of the kids went home and told her parents and the mom asked me about it later and I confirmed that yes, in fact, all our elementary schools do this. Her eyes bugged out and with a smile, she blinked and said lightheartedly "well, now that's a bit facist, isn't it?" in a way that only a Brit can do.

But it made me think about it in a way that I never had before.

And yes, it definitely is racist. And more than a bit, I think.

I love this country. But no one should be made to feel that they must profess loyalty to a symbol. Especially when that symbol is meant to represent FREEDOM and LIBERTY itself. Such a contradiction.

And so I would ask those of you who think there is nothing wrong with forced patriotism...why do you hate America??

Please stop trying to justify your lack of patriotism. We know you are the type who will never serve this great country, and that is just the way it is. Anyway, I dont see how you would contribute. And stop with this nonsense about racism and your pals in England.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

Wow!

You know what? We lived overseas in England for a brief time when my kids were in elementary and they attended a primary school. First thing my kids noticed was that they did not pledge to the British flag...or ANY flag. And when they asked about it, the other kids (and teachers) were SHOCKED that American kids do this. One of the kids went home and told her parents and the mom asked me about it later and I confirmed that yes, in fact, all our elementary schools do this. Her eyes bugged out and with a smile, she blinked and said lightheartedly "well, now that's a bit facist, isn't it?" in a way that only a Brit can do.

But it made me think about it in a way that I never had before.

And yes, it definitely is racist. And more than a bit, I think.

I love this country. But no one should be made to feel that they must profess loyalty to a symbol. Especially when that symbol is meant to represent FREEDOM and LIBERTY itself. Such a contradiction.

And so I would ask those of you who think there is nothing wrong with forced patriotism...why do you hate America??

Please stop trying to justify your lack of patriotism. We know you are the type who will never serve this great country, and that is just the way it is. Anyway, I dont see how you would contribute. And stop with this nonsense about racism and your pals in England.

What does patriotism mean to you? Honest question. -NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just follow the class and do the right thing. What’s wrong with you people? Like living here? Then pledge and be grateful. Teach your kids to be respectful. What does a kid know from what they believe in anyway? Get up!

Why are you so unpatriotic?

[Anonymous]

I hold the highest security clearance this country offers. I serve my country every single day. I would NEVER endorse a public school forcing anyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance.

We have constitutional protections, which dictate that no one can be forced into political speech. As long as the kid sits respectfully during the pledge, and doesn’t disrupt other kids’ experiences, he is completely within his rights.