standing for the pledge...

[nathanlawliet]

Ah, this sounds like something my school would do. I'm not sure if where I go, we have to say the pledge, but people probably wouldn't get caught anyways if they didn't as long as they stood.

But for these three students, it was wrong that they got punished. It's even worse that they got suspended. Hopefully, the person who wrote that "strongly worded letter" to the district will have them realize that the Supreme Court ruled this and that and that these kids should not be suspended.

Originally Posted by Gow616

Yet, here we type open and freely on a forum without persecution.

Are you sure about that? Just look at what the mods did to me, and what they WILL do once they read this post which ISN'T EVEN AN INSULT OR AGAINST FORUM RULES.

[Darth Camel]

As much as I think that the three students should have just stood up to prevent any problems, that punishment is ridiculous.

[Gow]

Why is that people think saying the pledge means one is engaging in blind patriotism? You can be proud of your country and still question the actions of the individuals in it. Yet, every time the argument ends up the same...to even admit to being willing to stand up for a country means that the person is blinded.

I say the pledge for the ideals of this country and will stand up for that ideals it does not mean I will condone the actions of individuals in this country who are acting contrary to those ideals. Quite the opposite it means I am standing for the ideals and will act against actions to that countermand it.

As for matter about communities...whenever Government intervenes more damage is done yet people seem to think that Government can magically fix whatever they put action or policies to. Personally, I have seen more good done by communities without Government aid than I have seen done by those with. The will to power is always the key.

[zombii kitten]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

Are you sure about that? Just look at what the mods did to me, and what they WILL do once they read this post which ISN'T EVEN AN INSULT OR AGAINST FORUM RULES.

Your "Everyone's out to get me" mentality is ridiculous. This is not the place for your bull****.

Back on topic:

I do take pride in my country although I may not agree with everything that's been done in the past or that's being done currently, though I don't believe one should be forced to recite the pledge in that it's understandable for one to refuse when personal beliefs come into play. However, if one does not stand out of sheer laziness, then (s)he.. well, one could assume (and most often assume correctly) just what kind of upstanding citizen that particular person would turn out to be.

Regardless, I believe the punishment was just. They violated district policy and therefore must accept the consequences of their actions (or inactions, I guess one could say).

[birdman]

I stand up and do it just because people will bitch about it if i dont. One time i stood and had a hat on while doing it and the teacher was freaking out about how 'it was a disrespect to god and my country'

so i said 'didnt they wear hats during the war? i dont see why it's a big deal.."

3 minutes later i got wrote up for insubordination!!!!!!! AHHH

[Meekins]

like i said, be proud of ur country, alot of people fought for that, i guess some of you aren't as educated into the whole flag, country thing, as you could be. it's not just some rule or rebel thing to not do it. it means a whole lot more then alot can understand.

[HipHopScribe]

Personally, I don't think saying the pledge is an act of blind patriotism, I think it can contribute to an outcome of blind patriotism as a characteristic in an individual, especially with the immature minds of children coming into play. There is a significance mentally of repeating actions and statements, once they are ingrained psychologically, images and symbols (key words and the flag itself in this case) can be called upon to influence the way you think (it's also why politicians will repeat key phrases over and over again in speeches). I didn't say it was brainwashing earlier to be controversial, I think it literally is an example of psychologically targeted propaganda, that's why it is a disturbing practice to me.

[saab900]

I stand and say the pledge. I love my country. I really dont care if you stand or not, if your not gonna say it I dont see a point in standing. What PISSES me off that Ive noticed is most who dont say the pledge dont say it to be cool, or out of defiance (to whom im not sure) but mostly out of lazieness, there is no reason most people dont say it, they just dont cause they dont want to.

[HeXuS]

Originally Posted by birdman

...how 'it was a disrespect to god and my country'

so i said 'didnt they wear hats during the war? i dont see why it's a big deal.."

3 minutes later i got wrote up for insubordination!!!!!!! AHHH

Wow, your teacher is a dumbass. LOL

You stand for the Pledge & National Anthem as a sign of respect for your Country, not your "god" so your teacher has some thinking to do. America supports Freedom of Religion, so the "god" think they can't make you stand for.

Well really they can't make you stand it all, but as I've said before, if you don't stand for your country, if you live in it, then that's ridiculous.

[Gow]

The counterculture is not free from such brainwashing as well. In fact, they engage in as much brainwashing as the brainwashing of the culture they are against.

Plus the pledge is nothing on the child's mind compared to Disney, Spongebob and Hannah Montana OR even a parent who "enlightens" the child on the evils of "the Man".

After all what is the difference between an individual who is a blind patriot and one who is against the Government on anything and everything?

Blindness is not sole property of patriots and tyrants.

[mrs. cutiepie]

aha. i dont have to stand up for the pledge anymore. bwahaha!

[Miss Contagious]

Originally Posted by Dark Whole

its the friggin pledge. who gives a ****. it is in no way a desplay of true patriotism to recite a poem.

its not patriotism. its respect to all the ****in ppl that fight for ur freedom. dont be sucha douche bottle.

i love my country and my man that fights for it. I dont care if you hate the pledge, you should still show enough respect to stand for it. If you dont ****in love our country get the **** OUT! no one likes a disrespectful ass monkey.