Forced to stand for pledge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that there are people who are deeply offended by the fact that people choose not to stand during the pledge. I am not one of these people. I stand, recite the pledge and teach my children to do the same. However, I understand that some people choose not to. Not my business. More importantly, I understand that it has been settled law for 70 years that the state (in this case, a public school) can’t compel a child to stand and recite the pledge. That’s what this thread is about and there’s really no room for argument.

For the PPs dismissing the OP’s concern, do you acknowledge that we have the the right to be disrespectful of the flag, of our institutions, even our service members honorable sacrifices as long as our actions are peaceful? You can get upset about the impropriety, but our freedom to disrespect the country that protects these freedoms is a beautiful contradiction of our system.

Well said.

Indeed. This is what America is all about. If you prefer forced conformity and state control, move to North Korea or China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's nothing that says a student cannot stand. A student can refuse to recite the pledge based on philosophical, religious grounds, etc. but it sounds like they can still be compelled to stand out of respect. As people have noted earlier people stand for various reasons including weddings, Olympic gatherings, judges entering a room, Kings/Queens/Presidents, CEO's. The OP has nothing better to do other than cause drama and waste time/resources on non-issues. OP also sounds like a hateful and spiteful person who's raising her kid to be the same way.

Lordy, there's a lot of name-calling in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that there are people who are deeply offended by the fact that people choose not to stand during the pledge. I am not one of these people. I stand, recite the pledge and teach my children to do the same. However, I understand that some people choose not to. Not my business. More importantly, I understand that it has been settled law for 70 years that the state (in this case, a public school) can’t compel a child to stand and recite the pledge. That’s what this thread is about and there’s really no room for argument.

For the PPs dismissing the OP’s concern, do you acknowledge that we have the the right to be disrespectful of the flag, of our institutions, even our service members honorable sacrifices as long as our actions are peaceful? You can get upset about the impropriety, but our freedom to disrespect the country that protects these freedoms is a beautiful contradiction of our system.

Well said.

Indeed. This is what America is all about. If you prefer forced conformity and state control, move to North Korea or China.

(I see what you did there!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Iran

I despise people like you. No, I will not go to Iran, Iraq, North Korea, China, etc. etc. I'm an American and I am legally entitled to NOT stand for the pledge if I so choose. This is so whether you like it or not. As others pointed out, there aer many reasons why someone may not want to do so. This practice is a form of weird, chest-thumping patriotism that is not present in many free societies across the planet. And, it was one that was really not that big of a deal until the last 50 years or so. Then it became some litmus test for what constitutes "being an American." ANd what's really strange about you, is the drivel you spew is fundamentally at odds with the pledge (as another poster pointed out). Stupid.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? Wonder if you are the one forcing this on your child; most elementary school aged kids aren’t going to decide to make this sort of political statement on their own. Then after forcing it on the child, you’re upset because it’s creating a problem. Children can stand from respect while others say the pledge, not a problem. This is going to create a perceptual problem for the child, as others will think they are troublesome, weird. Next you’ll be posting wondering why the child isn’t invited to parties and doesn’t have friends. Children should be taught manners, civil behavior, respect. Should stand during the pledge if that is what the class does, not be disruptive to prove a point by being different and drawing attention to themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child? Wonder if you are the one forcing this on your child; most elementary school aged kids aren’t going to decide to make this sort of political statement on their own. Then after forcing it on the child, you’re upset because it’s creating a problem. Children can stand from respect while others say the pledge, not a problem. This is going to create a perceptual problem for the child, as others will think they are troublesome, weird. Next you’ll be posting wondering why the child isn’t invited to parties and doesn’t have friends. Children should be taught manners, civil behavior, respect. Should stand during the pledge if that is what the class does, not be disruptive to prove a point by being different and drawing attention to themselves.

This.

[Anonymous]

For the PPs dismissing the OP’s concern, do you acknowledge that we have the the right to be disrespectful of the flag, of our institutions, even our service members honorable sacrifices as long as our actions are peaceful? You can get upset about the impropriety, but our freedom to disrespect the country that protects these freedoms is a beautiful contradiction of our system.

You have the right. But, it is disrespectful and don't be surprised if you are judged by others for being ungrateful. And, that is really what this is about. Ungrateful people who think their show of disrespect is making a point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you be upset about something so small? Dedication and pride in one's country (native or adopted) should not be an issue. Your kid should stand because it's not about the President, it's about the women and men in the armed forces who serve EACH.AND.EVERY.DAY. so that your kid has certain freedoms. Why can't you and your child have respect for these people? Why are you being so hostile about your child being grateful for the freedoms that he currently has?

You don't get to decide what it's about for me or for others. It's about soldiers for you? Fine. You want to stand and recite it? Fine.

I. DON'T. HAVE. TO.

But why though? I truly am trying to understand where you are coming from. What is the point you are trying to make by refusing to do something respectful that takes not even a minute? What is the problem with the pledge of allegiance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe that this many people on this board are offended by the Pledge. That is a shame.

You must be new here.

[Anonymous]

4th grade teacher here. I remind kids to stand for the pledge, because all of them (this year) who aren’t standing haven’t been paying attention to the announcements. If a student continues to sit, so be it. I might talk with them about why they sit. If they have a political or philosophical reason, great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that there are people who are deeply offended by the fact that people choose not to stand during the pledge. I am not one of these people. I stand, recite the pledge and teach my children to do the same. However, I understand that some people choose not to. Not my business. More importantly, I understand that it has been settled law for 70 years that the state (in this case, a public school) can’t compel a child to stand and recite the pledge. That’s what this thread is about and there’s really no room for argument.

For the PPs dismissing the OP’s concern, do you acknowledge that we have the the right to be disrespectful of the flag, of our institutions, even our service members honorable sacrifices as long as our actions are peaceful? You can get upset about the impropriety, but our freedom to disrespect the country that protects these freedoms is a beautiful contradiction of our system.

Well said.

Indeed. This is what America is all about. If you prefer forced conformity and state control, move to North Korea or China.

+1

I stood and usually recited the pledge - minus the “under god”. My kids stand. One probably recites, one probably doesn’t.

But no one should be FORCED to do it.

“With LIBERTY and justice for all”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If someone cannot understand that standing is not the same thing as saying the pledge, then that person is the one with the political statement.

There are lots of things we do out of respect for others: go to funerals; stay silent when others are praying during a moment of silence; staying silent while others are completing a test; standing in line rather than barreling to the front; waving a car into the lane in front of you in heavy traffic; etc.etc.

The whole audience stands at the Olympics for the national anthems of the winner's country. Standing while others pledge is the respectful thing to do. Not standing shows disrespect for our country. Standing indicates respect. It does not indicate allegiance. It is really pretty simple.

Right. Which is why public schools cannot legally force students to stand for the pledge. Because forcing students to stand for the pledge is forcing students to make a political statement.

[Anonymous]

As long as it's OK to boycott, vilify and fire people who disrespect the pledge I have no problem with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as it's OK to boycott, vilify and fire people who disrespect the pledge I have no problem with it.

Do you want to know why they are protesting first? Or does that not matter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as it's OK to boycott, vilify and fire people who disrespect the pledge I have no problem with it.

It's ok for you, as a private person, to do it. I get to have my opinions, you get to have opinions about my opinions, I get to have opinions about your opinions, etc.

It's not ok for the government (which includes the public schools) to do it.