General Discussion

Nevernose

(13,081 posts)

83. It's such a HUGE waste of time

Tue Aug 23, 2016, 10:42 PM

Aug 2016

None of those kids think about what they're saying, care about what they're saying, or are doing anything other daydreaming.

The Pledge of Allegiance doesn't make anyone more allegiant. It's not like there are a bunch of 10th graders out there thinking "Death to America! Oh wait, now that I've renewed my daily vow of allegiance, I no longer feel disloyal."

Plus, loyalty oaths are authoritarian nonsense.

A much better use of that time (including our minute of silence following the pledge) would be to allow me to tell the kids an interesting story about a great American. That would inspire some patriotism, not some mindless chant.

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Should students be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance & hold hand over heart? [View all] True Dough Aug 2016 OP

No. Of course not. Glorfindel Aug 2016 #1

this was ruled unconstitutional in 1943 and rightly so. unblock Aug 2016 #2

Not in a democracy, no. nt villager Aug 2016 #3

Old fashioned thing that should be done away with treestar Aug 2016 #4

NO relayerbob Aug 2016 #5

As a standard practice in primary schools, it seems benign at worst LanternWaste Aug 2016 #6

it used to require the arm held at a 45 degree angle Angry Dragon Aug 2016 #7

The "Pledge" can be challenged. When Congress passed, and Eisenhower signed, the adding of words. tonyt53 Aug 2016 #8

No. sinkingfeeling Aug 2016 #9

It's not clear to me gratuitous Aug 2016 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author kestrel91316 Aug 2016 #53

This shoudl make it clear: Ms. Toad Aug 2016 #68

Actually I suspected it was the second one gratuitous Aug 2016 #87

No mcar Aug 2016 #11

no. La Lioness Priyanka Aug 2016 #12

NO n/t prairierose Aug 2016 #13

They can be exempted if they wear a flag lapel pin milestogo Aug 2016 #14

And can tap dance to "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy". trof Aug 2016 #25

And they will be tested on how well they can do a 'buck and wing' Stonepounder Aug 2016 #28

No. Even if we remove the words "under god," Hortensis Aug 2016 #15

Hardly. Igel Aug 2016 #58

Well, you're very sincere, but I couldn't disagree more Hortensis Aug 2016 #89

A permission slip should not be needed. LuvNewcastle Aug 2016 #16

^ this right here. nt cyberswede Aug 2016 #86

In the late 1960s I stopped reciting the pledge to protest the Vietnam War csziggy Aug 2016 #94

OMGerd, next thing ya know, the kids won't have to learn cursive writing1!!1!! KG Aug 2016 #17

Many schools have already stopped teaching cursive. It's moronic Exilednight Aug 2016 #43

Albeit off topic, absolutely the truth. It requires/activates brain functions. Same with learning a libdem4life Aug 2016 #66

I never did. hunter Aug 2016 #18

No, all should be required to at least stand quietly & respectfully while the class does. WillowTree Aug 2016 #19

I believe the SC has already decided this issue. July Aug 2016 #21

True. Heaven forbid that kids should be taught to show respect for the Country they live in. WillowTree Aug 2016 #33

This message was self-deleted by its author kestrel91316 Aug 2016 #54

I already said I didn't think that kids should be forced to say the pledge. WillowTree Aug 2016 #70

well, they can't be. But I agree they shouldn't disrupt other people doing it. Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #76

Well, that's just childish and stupid. Dr. Strange Aug 2016 #98

SLACK! Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #100

Respect is earned not automatically granted. avebury Aug 2016 #56

What about kids whose nation disrespects them? bravenak Aug 2016 #57

This country respects freedom of religion or from it surprise ! Jehovah witness etc are allowed here Person 2713 Aug 2016 #64

And what is "the Country"? Is it the rocks? The dirt? The map? The road system? Flag design? Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #75

Heaven forbid children should be forced to participate in a forced nationalistic ritual. July Sep 2016 #103

"country" nt July Sep 2016 #104

Why should they stand? trof Aug 2016 #27

Just my opinion, which is as valid as anyone else's. WillowTree Aug 2016 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author kestrel91316 Aug 2016 #55

So they should stand because you say so? ForgoTheConsequence Aug 2016 #74

Read the SC decisions to learn why. Nt July Sep 2016 #105

I didn't stand. I read quietly. hunter Aug 2016 #62

No, nobody should. smirkymonkey Aug 2016 #20

Tmes change kskiska Aug 2016 #22

No matt819 Aug 2016 #23

I was in grade school in the 50's leftyladyfrommo Aug 2016 #24

Did you practice duck and cover in case of an air raid? milestogo Aug 2016 #39

I did. "Under God" was not in the Pledge then, MineralMan Aug 2016 #48

No. LWolf Aug 2016 #26

No way BSdetect Aug 2016 #29

NO....!!! Grey Aug 2016 #31

No. It infringes on the First Amendment on two fronts. Xolodno Aug 2016 #32

They should also have to say "UNDER GOD" extra loud to prove they mean it. JoePhilly Aug 2016 #34

Good story. Chemisse Aug 2016 #36

I was happy when it didn't happen again at the next PTA meeting. JoePhilly Aug 2016 #38

and a lot of them are anti-vaccer's also gopiscrap Aug 2016 #85

Oh the irony..... Xolodno Aug 2016 #40

Good observations ... JoePhilly Aug 2016 #42

Stay tuned JoePhilly... True Dough Aug 2016 #44

Exactly. He's Deaf in one ear. Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #73

No, individuals should not be required to do it. Buckeye_Democrat Aug 2016 #35

NO. CharlotteVale Aug 2016 #37

the pledge is a meaningless and futile gesture. KG Aug 2016 #41

No (nt) bigwillq Aug 2016 #45

No, and the child should not need parental permission to opt out. surrealAmerican Aug 2016 #46

Absolutely not. Loyalty oaths are the antithesis of what it means to be an American. Oneironaut Aug 2016 #47

Freedom of speech include freedom to be silent MineralMan Aug 2016 #49

NO Tikki Aug 2016 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author kestrel91316 Aug 2016 #51

The high school civics I studied True Dough Aug 2016 #69

Not unless they are so moved. Laffy Kat Aug 2016 #52

I will go further Kali Aug 2016 #59

This message was self-deleted by its author kestrel91316 Aug 2016 #60

Is this directed at me as the OP? True Dough Aug 2016 #71

it was passed by a republican legislature and signed by a republican governor dlwickham Aug 2016 #61

No JonathanRackham Aug 2016 #63

When we were in school liberal N proud Aug 2016 #65

Just to add some to the mix...... MyOwnPeace Aug 2016 #67

Sure, how better to inculcate respect for our constitutional values of freedom of speech/conscience Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #72

Of course not bhikkhu Aug 2016 #77

I dig that last paragraph True Dough Aug 2016 #78

No one is compelled to swear oaths. This is America jberryhill Aug 2016 #79

Hell no ismnotwasm Aug 2016 #80

Hell no, and a waiver is stupid. roody Aug 2016 #81

No they should not be required! FXSTD Aug 2016 #82

It's such a HUGE waste of time Nevernose Aug 2016 #83

I don't think we should be saying the pledge at all gopiscrap Aug 2016 #84

Hell no. This was settled by the Supreme Court 73 years ago. JustinL Aug 2016 #88

No, I think kids should be able to refuse Zing Zing Zingbah Aug 2016 #90

I agree that this is stupid... brooklynite Aug 2016 #91

If they need to memorize something Warren DeMontague Aug 2016 #92

No. NaturalHigh Aug 2016 #93

No. It's Silly ProfessorGAC Aug 2016 #95

I stopped doing that in fifth or sixth grade. Codeine Aug 2016 #96

Absolutely not. Cairycat Aug 2016 #97

Nope - let them fill out the form, then sick the NSA on them. Watch lists are cool! jmg257 Aug 2016 #99

How valuable is a pledge when it is forced by the threat of punishment? HerrKarlMarx Aug 2016 #101

When the visiting Japanese students do it I feel terrible. lindysalsagal Aug 2016 #102