General Discussion

ChoppinBroccoli

(3,787 posts)

30. I've Always Had A Problem With The Pledge. Know Why?

Sun Sep 18, 2016, 12:02 AM

Sep 2016

For all the times we've stood up and recited it by rote, has anyone ever actually stopped to understand what we were SAYING? What exactly is it we're pledging our allegiance to? It ain't this country, or the Constitution that is its lifeblood, or swearing to uphold its laws, or swearing to protect this country from all enemies foreign or domestic, or anything like that. Listen to the words.

We're pledging allegiance to...........THE FLAG.

That's right. All the times we stood up and rattled it off, and all the times right-wingers lost their shit over people not wanting to say it, it was all about people pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth. A SYMBOL.

So, forgetting for a moment just how much I abhor loyalty oaths, just what exactly does it mean to pledge your loyalty to a FLAG? And what if the flag changes, as our flag has done MANY TIMES over the course of our history? It would be a different flag. Does that release us from our oath of loyalty?

Has anyone really bothered to think about what is actually going on here?

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35 replies

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Highlight:

Student's grades lowered for sitting during Pledge of Allegiance [View all] KamaAina Sep 2016 OP

Her teacher needs to read the Constitution. madaboutharry Sep 2016 #1

1943 Gabi Hayes Sep 2016 #2

dunno how this can be, as the SCOTUS ruling above should supercede this: Gabi Hayes Sep 2016 #4

Err.. that's not what that NH law did. X_Digger Sep 2016 #6

It's not really inaccurate because it says schools. That's the way I read it anyway. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2016 #19

Schools are required to set aside time for the pledge. No student is forced to say or participate. X_Digger Sep 2016 #23

Still didn't answer the question. But move on along... Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2016 #35

here: Gabi Hayes Sep 2016 #20

Don't get your legal opinions from an unnamed CNN editor X_Digger Sep 2016 #24

what's with the attiude toward everybody? you a lawyer or something? Gabi Hayes Sep 2016 #32

The law in question specifically says individual participation is voluntary Major Nikon Sep 2016 #25

This is THE LAW on the matter. nt. marybourg Sep 2016 #27

I'd stand up for that bhikkhu Sep 2016 #5

I HOPE this student has someone to complain to to have this fixed. napi21 Sep 2016 #3

I hope she sues the BOE for a nice chunk of college tuition $$. lindysalsagal Sep 2016 #15

I'm glad to see LWolf Sep 2016 #7

Participation. LeftyMom Sep 2016 #14

In what subject? LWolf Sep 2016 #17

The participation component of her grade for whatever class she's in when they do the pledge. LeftyMom Sep 2016 #21

That's an easily fought grade. LWolf Sep 2016 #22

I don't believe in pledges of allegiance alarimer Sep 2016 #8

The Nazis were pretty big on pledges of allegiance Major Nikon Sep 2016 #9

It's disturbing. LWolf Sep 2016 #18

Teachers should keep their opinions to themselves and it was wrong to lower a grade Rex Sep 2016 #10

It wasn't wrong: It was illegal, and that teacher should be fired. lindysalsagal Sep 2016 #16

If that teacher is to keep their job Blue Idaho Sep 2016 #26

Yes, they do, if they use grades to punish. Not allowed. lindysalsagal Sep 2016 #29

I think I know something about teachers and grades... Blue Idaho Sep 2016 #34

Demanding that a native American grovel before the symbol of their oppression. ronnie624 Sep 2016 #11

even jesse ventura has this right dembotoz Sep 2016 #12

This is unethical. The teachers should not be allowed to mix grades with personal opinions. nolabear Sep 2016 #13

That teacher needs to be... Duval Sep 2016 #28

I've Always Had A Problem With The Pledge. Know Why? ChoppinBroccoli Sep 2016 #30

This is clear grounds for a lawsuit. Odin2005 Sep 2016 #31

I work in a grade school, refuse to acknowledge the pledge, Gabi Hayes Sep 2016 #33