Posted on 02/07/2003 8:59:53 AM PST by Willie Green
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:34:58 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
A high school sophomore and a private school in Harrisburg are suing to overturn a state law that requires public and private school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the national anthem each morning.
The law was scheduled to take effect today, but lawyers for the state Department of Education agreed to delay enforcement pending a federal court hearing next week, an American Civil Liberties Union official said yesterday.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
The Feddle Gummint has a constitutional obligation to keep out of this argument, lets see if it knows its role.
For the 15 seconds that it takes for a class to recite the Pledge of Allegience, I think students who have a philosophical difference with it can do what many other students have done over the decades, simply stand there semi-quietly, shuffling their feet, gaze around the classroom in boredom at other students mumbling... whatever...
It may not be the most respectful behavior during the pledge, but I don't believe that this is 15 seconds of daily torture that is worthy of some BS ACLU lawsuit.
No doubt some "libertarians" on this forum will disagree with my perspective. But what the heck, they'd approve of pot-smoking drunken orgies with animals in the classroom as long as they didn't pay any school taxes.
The question was; "So you believe that compelled speech is acceptable?"
You must be a drug using, orgy attending libertarian. < /sarcasm>
In other words, 2 people called and it is time to go judge-shopping.
Not surprising.
For students in school, yes.
Rote recitation provides the fundamental basis for education.
Same as making it mandatory that students learn to recite their ABCs.
Same as making in mandatory that students learn to recite their multiplication tables, over and over and over again.
You want to file a lawsuit against "mandatory" ABCs and multiplication tables?
How about foreign language classes where speech is mandated to indoctrinate students with nouns, verbs, adjectives, grammar, etc. etc. etc.?
Another reason to abolish government schools.
Rote recitation provides the fundamental basis for education.
Political speech is what we are talking about here. Specifically an oath of allegience.
Same as making it mandatory that students learn to recite their ABCs.
No analogy. These are not oaths of allegience.
Same as making in mandatory that students learn to recite their multiplication tables, over and over and over again.
Political speech. "I will obey Bill Clinton, I will obey Bill Clinton, I will obey Bill Clinton. Seig heil, Seig heil, Seig heil.
And in your mind, government borders.
Political speech is what we are talking about here. Specifically an oath of allegience.
And we all know you don't hold allegience to anything except your own stock portfolio.
Explain please.
Please cite where I ever said that or withdraw the personal attack based on a lie.
And we all know you don't hold allegience to anything except your own stock portfolio.
A personal attack from the person with the quickest abuse button finger on FR?
Shame on you for not addressing the points but instead attacking people, particularly with lies.
I need to elaborate - I missed that the law requires private schools as well, so I may be in agreement with you. If the school is funded by my tax dollars, then I have no problem with being required to pledge allegiance to our nation (which gives them the money in the first place)! Otherwise, they can home school or go private.
A private school, however, should not be required to do this at all, but I would hope they did anyway.
Just like the only time I'd have any desire to burn a US flag would be if the silly flag burning amendment passed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.