The Pledge in American Schools

Whatever happened to respect for our flag. As a child I was taught to respect the flag and those who had given their lives for this country. I just don't think that children are taught that anymore! Enjoyed your article
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I wonder if these same students would sit through the national anthom at a sporting event. Probably not as the peer pressure to stand would be far greater.

I had wondered the same thing about the national anthem. Thanks Twyla for your comment and support.

I started refusing to stand or say the pledge when "under god" was added. I've never said the pledge since then, but if I'm in a public place and the pledge is said, (I try to avoid such situations) I will stand silently.

The deaths of young men and women in war is a tragedy, and they should not be forgotten, but the pledge is simply a symbol, and usually a meaningless one. I view the flag the same way. It's a piece of cloth, nothing more.

Congratulations to any young person who has the guts to stand up against adults for what they feel is right. This is still a free country, though it is quickly becoming less so.

I also don't say the pledge, but for a totally opposite reason. I originally didn't want to give my allegiance to a piece of cloth rather than to God. As I matured I've begun to see the Pledge as a political indoctrination and brainwashing tool. Children are forced to recite it daily in public schools and by the repetition are brainwashed into thinking the United States is something it isn't. For example: "Justice for all". Give me a break. Anyone who is really listening to what is going on in this country these days knows that there isn't justice for all here. It may be a better country than many others, but the US has its problems. Many of them.

My decision not to recite the pledge is in no way a lack of appreciation for the country I was born into. I love America - the people, the land, and the Constitution that is being torn to shreds by federal legislators. But I don't love indoctrination of the youth or brainwashing, or the idea of pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth, no matter how beautiful the flag may be. When I am in a situation where it must be said, I stand silently and keep my hand at my side.

If people try to tell you how you should feel about your government or your religion you reserve the right to disagree without being subjected to punishment. How you feel about those two things is the right that the men who died face down in the mud all over the world for the last 230 years have granted you, it's an affront to thier service to give in to any threats made against you in any form when you would rather just peacefully disagree with that particular brand of morality.

Growing up in Washington I feel very strongly that if given no choice as to how to feel about my politics or my religion I do reserve the right to find other likewise pissed off people and attempt to overthrow that government in favor of something else more to my liking. Personally I think it's a whole lot easier to let people feel however the fuck they want to feel about the flag.

Linda M., that was a very insightful comment!

The President takes an oath of office once per term. Members of congress about every two years. Little kids, every school day. Where else do they do this? In toltalarian regimes, not in democracies.

Students pledge allegiance to a flag -- a piece of cloth as well as the republic for which it stands. How about just the Republic? They claim the United States is indivisible -- if they know what that means -- but the Phillipines is no longer part of the United States and Puerto Rico might one day leave. As for "liberty and justice for all" no nation achieves that. For one thing those found guilty of serious crimes lose their liberty. I agree this is fair, but it makes the statement liberty for all false. But there is more, how about miscarriages of justice. Even in the most democratic country this can happen. But that is not all -- take for example the internment of Japanes Americans during World War II. I don't see that as liberty and justice.

No I am not saying the United States is a totalatarian nation. It is far more democratic and humane than most. But the "pledge" claims America is some sort of utopia. It is not. We should not claim it is, that only makes it worse. Let's admit our limitations and try to improve. Rewrite the pledge to say that.

No one should be subjected to the pledge.

I ran across this while scanning some articles.
First of all, the founders of this nation fought for two years without a national flag. They had more important things to worry about.
I do train flag teams for the Boy Scouts. But I feel they need to know what the pledge is all about. I have them read in their Handbook. We make cards with a photo of a flag on one side, and a paragraph, usually something important about the flag's history, on the other. They volunteer to lead the pledge by first reading from the card. This builds confidence to speak in front of others. It also is voluntary, and respect is garnered by the fact that the boy chose to lead the pledge.
Finally; scout meetings are once a week.
Maybe the daily rote could be replaced by something more meaningful done once a week.