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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Go to Iran

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.

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.

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.