Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do pay taxes but have no allegiance to the USA but frankly I don't care about whether or not our kids are reciting that pledge in school. Though I'd like for someone to calculate the economic costs of saying this pledge each morning (discounted sum (#min foregone education * loss of earnings))... and I do take some solace in knowing that DCPS discussions are now down to the acceptability of bake-sales, prior review of student newspapers, and the pledge of allegiance. We've come a long way!

For example, could you imagine that, not all that long ago, my kids started in DCPS dodging teachers throwing stuff across the room and had to say lunchtime prayers? By all means, I will not mind the Pledge of Allegiance.

YES! the lunchtime prayers! when I tell people about this, they do not believe it. Less than 10 years ago at Brent.

Don't get your panties in a knot over it. As Reagan said, as long as there are final exams, there will be prayers in the public schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do pay taxes but have no allegiance to the USA but frankly I don't care about whether or not our kids are reciting that pledge in school. Though I'd like for someone to calculate the economic costs of saying this pledge each morning (discounted sum (#min foregone education * loss of earnings))... and I do take some solace in knowing that DCPS discussions are now down to the acceptability of bake-sales, prior review of student newspapers, and the pledge of allegiance. We've come a long way!

For example, could you imagine that, not all that long ago, my kids started in DCPS dodging teachers throwing stuff across the room and had to say lunchtime prayers? By all means, I will not mind the Pledge of Allegiance.

YES! the lunchtime prayers! when I tell people about this, they do not believe it. Less than 10 years ago at Brent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little historical perspective from a DCPS teacher: Before 9/11 we didn't recite the Pledge. After 9/11, all of sudden we were doing it every morning.

We do it now at my school. I personally think the whole morning announcement routine is a waste of time. I would rather just start the teaching and learning. But since we do recite the pledge, I insist that my students stand up straight, put their right hand over their heart, and face the flag.

We have a lot of language learners at our school. Reciting the pledge and the motto is actually good practice for developing fluency, oral language and vocabulary.

So even though I don't love it, it's not that big of a deal.

And I'm an atheist. A Jewish atheist.

You don't say what age you teach, but I'm glad it's not my kids. I think the whole morning meeting, morning announcement, morning routine is important to many children. Is the fact that it's an important routine to many children lost on you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little historical perspective from a DCPS teacher: Before 9/11 we didn't recite the Pledge. After 9/11, all of sudden we were doing it every morning.

We do it now at my school. I personally think the whole morning announcement routine is a waste of time. I would rather just start the teaching and learning. But since we do recite the pledge, I insist that my students stand up straight, put their right hand over their heart, and face the flag.

We have a lot of language learners at our school. Reciting the pledge and the motto is actually good practice for developing fluency, oral language and vocabulary.

So even though I don't love it, it's not that big of a deal.

And I'm an atheist. A Jewish atheist.

You don't say what age you teach, but I'm glad it's not my kids. I think the whole morning meeting, morning announcement, morning routine is important to many children. Is the fact that it's an important routine to many children lost on you?

Anonymous wrote:A little historical perspective from a DCPS teacher: Before 9/11 we didn't recite the Pledge. After 9/11, all of sudden we were doing it every morning.

We do it now at my school. I personally think the whole morning announcement routine is a waste of time. I would rather just start the teaching and learning. But since we do recite the pledge, I insist that my students stand up straight, put their right hand over their heart, and face the flag.

We have a lot of language learners at our school. Reciting the pledge and the motto is actually good practice for developing fluency, oral language and vocabulary.

So even though I don't love it, it's not that big of a deal.

And I'm an atheist. A Jewish atheist.

Anonymous wrote:

I've noticed how inherently tough and brave men who post on mommy web sites and whine about our anthem are.

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Anonymous wrote:Do you stand, remove your hat, hand over heart, anything during the national anthem? (directed to those who find the pledge fascist, immoral, etc)

No.

I take out my phone and load up candy crush, it's a great way to pass the time until everyone else is finished.

I am partial to Scrabble.

I hope next time you do that you are standing next to someone recently returned from deployment.

I dont do it based on the people around me, so it wouldn't matter much. I don't respect the former President's decision to invade Iraq on false pretenses. I feel sorry for all the soldiers that had to deploy there because of his greed/personal agenda.

There are plenty of men on DCUM, it is for Moms and DADS for a reason. Unless you thinking a parenting website should only be for woman...which would be the case, except its 2015 now.

I don't respect it much either. But I do respect the sacrifices that our service people are making over there (now under Obama for the past 6 years) and I respect their ability to punch you in the face when you show such flagrant and purposeful disrespect.

They can try, but they will probably end up on the floor though. FWIW my choosing not to participate is not being disrespectful to what they do for a living. We all (well most of us) contribute to America in our own way....I don't recall the last time I attacked someone for not going out of their way to show respect to what I do for a living...So I guess you are right, many soldiers do lack impulse control, must be a soldier thing...

and FYI since it seems you never picked up on the obvious sarcasm. I don't actually pull out my phone just to spite people during the pledge/anthem. But If I'm already engrossed in something, I don't necessarily drop everything to recite it though. That's my 2 cents.

I've noticed how inherently tough and brave men who post on mommy web sites and whine about our anthem are.

Anonymous wrote:I do pay taxes but have no allegiance to the USA but frankly I don't care about whether or not our kids are reciting that pledge in school. Though I'd like for someone to calculate the economic costs of saying this pledge each morning (discounted sum (#min foregone education * loss of earnings))... and I do take some solace in knowing that DCPS discussions are now down to the acceptability of bake-sales, prior review of student newspapers, and the pledge of allegiance. We've come a long way!

For example, could you imagine that, not all that long ago, my kids started in DCPS dodging teachers throwing stuff across the room and had to say lunchtime prayers? By all means, I will not mind the Pledge of Allegiance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you stand, remove your hat, hand over heart, anything during the national anthem? (directed to those who find the pledge fascist, immoral, etc)

No.

I take out my phone and load up candy crush, it's a great way to pass the time until everyone else is finished.

I am partial to Scrabble.

I hope next time you do that you are standing next to someone recently returned from deployment.

I dont do it based on the people around me, so it wouldn't matter much. I don't respect the former President's decision to invade Iraq on false pretenses. I feel sorry for all the soldiers that had to deploy there because of his greed/personal agenda.

I don't respect it much either. But I do respect the sacrifices that our service people are making over there (now under Obama for the past 6 years) and I respect their ability to punch you in the face when you show such flagrant and purposeful disrespect.

They can try, but they will probably end up on the floor though. FWIW my choosing not to participate is not being disrespectful to what they do for a living. We all (well most of us) contribute to America in our own way....I don't recall the last time I attacked someone for not going out of their way to show respect to what I do for a living...So I guess you are right, many soldiers do lack impulse control, must be a soldier thing...

and FYI since it seems you never picked up on the obvious sarcasm. I don't actually pull out my phone just to spite people during the pledge/anthem. But If I'm already engrossed in something, I don't necessarily drop everything to recite it though. That's my 2 cents.

I have a family member in the military. He fought for your right NOT to say the pledge if you don't want to and would have no issue with it. That is your right and freedom as an American. He may disagree with you, but that's the great thing about America - our freedom to disagree without punching each other in the face.