As he always does what? Stand? Or "not say the Pledge" or "stand without saying the pledge?" Or maybe he meant "did not say the Pledge [the way] he always does" as in "although he usually does..."
Perhaps the DUmmies still haven't mastered English grammar, but at least they are [some of them are] walking upright. That's a good start.
It is. And it will be even better when they progress to the stage where their knuckles don't leave irregular lines in the sand when they move about.