Posted on 06/11/2008 6:54:58 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
PORTLAND, Ore. - The exclusion of the Pledge of Allegiance from a southwest Portland elementary school's ceremony has proved upsetting for a local mom.
Departing fifth-graders at Capitol Hill Elementary usually open their promotion ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance but not this year.
"I was sad," said parent Briana Reese. "The flag was sitting up there, you know. Two of the kids went up and they said 'everybody rise' and we rose and I thought for just a second 'oh yeah, we're going to put our hands on our hearts and we're going to salute the flag' - but no."
Reese had heard that the principal planned to take the pledge out of the ceremony.
"I think that's what they should be doing - telling kids you should be pledging your allegiance to this country," said Reese. "This is a great country. You're here for a reason."
The pledge was instead replaced with a singing version of the preamble to the Constitution.
KATU tried repeatedly to talk with Principal Pam Wilson but got no results. However, in an e-mail response to Reese's questions, she explained the pledge was removed "out of respect for the diversity of religious faiths."
Some parents support the principal's decision.
"I think it's nice to be trying to consider everybody," said parent Teri Price. "But I don't think she necessarily meant it to be that controversial. I think she just wanted a change."
The Portland School District said there were no complaints about the pledge. They said they have little say in how principals handle end of the year ceremonies at individual schools.
http://www.capitolhill.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/_sid/fd991ca972318d78c708b46a2a38c357/pg/10168
8401 SW 17th Ave
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 916-6303
Pam Wilson Principal pwilson@pps.k12.or.us
The pledge should be kept and taught as a reminder of the preservation of religious diversity, not the denial of it
what a stupid “Piled higher and deeper” (PhD) administrator
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
There. Somebody report me for hate speach.
Pack your bags — it’s off to re-education training for you.
When I swore in to the Army years ago, we were told that if our religious beliefs precluded us saying “Under God” we could keep silent during that part.
I don’t get what’s so hard about allowing the pledge and instructing people that they can keep silent during “Under God”. There’s no reason to exclude the Pledge entirely.
For the record, I don’t recall anybody skipping the “controversial” part. Not that most people would notice, most people stay focused on the Flag, as they should.
To pledge allegiance to your nation’s flag has nothing whatsoever to do with the religion that recognizes Almighty God. It’s painful to hear the atheist rationales of liberal religionists.
Some parents are dopes.
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"
Ime, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledgededicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
Allegiancemy love and my devotion.
To the flagour standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!
of the Unitedthat means that we have all come together.
Statesindividual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
And to the republica state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands, one nationone nation, meaning "so blessed by God"
Indivisibleincapable of being divided.
With libertywhich is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.
And Justicethe principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For allwhich means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...
UNDER GOD"Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?"
What's so frickin' nice about it?
1. The pledge was written by a socialist.
2. Several faiths, christian and nonchristian, have prohibitions against swearing oaths.
Were I there, I’d have put my hand over heart and started reciting it LOUDLY. I’m betting most others would have joined in. Then, after the ceremony conclusion, a beeline to the Principal for a heart-to-heart conversation.
I just taught it to my 3 yr old.
There. Someone report me for child abuse.
( I’m a lifetime HSLDA member, so I “got heat”. :) )
The Pledge is unifying you dumb bleeps.
>>KATU tried repeatedly to talk with Principal Pam Wilson but got no results. However, in an e-mail response to Reese's questions, she explained the pledge was removed “out of respect for the diversity of religious faiths.”<<
Another reason to homeschool...
I hope the anti-christian anti-religious in the name of her god Diversity principle e-mails me back. I will post what ever she does.
The woman should be fired. This is the US, not some agglomeration of faiths.
Emails on the way to Principal Wilson right now
I wonder if these people also have problems with wedding vows, business contracts, or simple promises?
I guess they’re just teaching kids to be citizens of the world. /s
Levin surge?
Tagline direct hit!
Excellent point. Hope you don't mind I used it in my "not so nice" email to principal Wilson. Tanks!
Very cool! My cousin is Mike Smith...
Schoolhouse Rock is da bomb!
Anti-Americanism is not the end goal of these people. It’s worse. They wish to destroy the entire concept of the nation-state. And because America is the finest example of what good can be achieved by a nation state, America is enemy number one.
It goes beyond anti-Americanism. It’s about one world government totalitarianism masquerading as utopianism. The EU also represents a step in this direction.
I wish it were worthy. :o(
It goes beyond anti-Americanism. It’s about one world government totalitarianism masquerading as utopianism. The EU also represents a step in this direction.
I believe your assessment is most correct. anti-nation-state, anti-Americanism, anti-Capitalism, anti-life, anti-responsibility, anti-freedom, anti-God and anti-authority...all great values learned today in public schools.
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
When we first moved back to Texas my wife , from the great Northwest, just groaned when she heard our 3rd grader come home and tell her that she said the Texas flag pledge...... then my 8th grader said, "yeah, we did the same thing this morning."
I looked at them and said "Do you know why you did that?"
"No sir"
"Cause you live in Texas, that's why". hahahahahahaa...
I believe your assessment is most correct. anti-nation-state, anti-Americanism, anti-Capitalism, anti-life, anti-responsibility, anti-freedom, anti-God and anti-authority...all great values learned today in public schools.
You're both right!
IIRC, one of the many spurious defences of socialism and communism is that they would have worked if only the whole world was forced to participate - I'm afraid they fully intend to give it a shot.
And the public schools are certainly the vehicle for this attempt - they have no other serious purpose.
individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
Thanks for posting this, now I have the reference to it for later. Of course, since this is post-1959, I'll change it to "50 great states". Of course, Mr Obama might be a little murky on this factoid.
Personally (though a non-American) I’d happily fight and die for my country. However if my country tried to compel me or mny children to pledge loyalty or salute symbols, it becomes my foe. I know it isn’t intended that way, but the sight of children pledging in rote always reminds me of the early steps of police states.
In Kern County, we say the Pledge. This is America. Put the pledge back, “Principal” Wilson, or leave your job.
Dang, you’re all three right, and so am I for recognizing it.
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian Socialist, and the cousin of Socialist Utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). Bellamy's original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8th issue of the popular children's magazine The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America, conceived by James B. Upham. "Bellamy's original Pledge read, 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. America.'"
"The pledge was supposed to be quick and to the point. Bellamy designed it to be stated in 15 seconds. He had initially also considered using the words equality and fraternity but decided they were too controversial since many people opposed equal rights for women and blacks. Bellamy said that the purpose of the pledge was to teach obedience to the state as a virtue and that the United States supports the flag."
Yes, it was. Great man.
Kudos to the principal for having the kids recite the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution!
Good Job.
I would rather my kids know the Constitution that the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Principal did the right thing.
Why should she be fired for teaching the students the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?
because she’s obviously a communist.
I did not realize that people who taught their students the U.S. Constitution were communists.
You can learn something every day.
Hey, this is just one school. PS’s rock!
/sarcasm
Please check this out- we’re doing what we can!
www.pledge4pps.com
-Briana Reese
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