[Bob J]

I've never understood the emphasis on requiring children to recite pledges of any kind. They don't understand what they're saying nor the significance of the words. Better to teach them why their country deserves love and allegiance and let them hold it in their hearts rather than wear it on their sleeves.

I'm not sure exactly what is the goal. For those who truly have “allegiance” to their country is it to let everyone else know in a very public way? Is it to identify those that don't so they can be harassed?

Forcing/pressuring someone to do this in public who may be uncomfortable or doesn't understand will only lead to enmity, bitterness and possibly reprisal. Love, or allegiance, to country will be proved in someones actions, not in chanting phrases in public.

It reminds me of what Jesus said about charity in that it should be done in private. Those that do so publicly are interested in something far less noble than helping those in need. My question is what is the interest of people who insist on public displays of patriotism?

[DesertRhino]

And i agree with you,,
my reason for spupporting it has more to do with the fact that the school is making it’s anti-americanism a point of pride.

I read about Pappy Boyington almost getting in a fight in 1941 at a football game because he didnt know one of the rituals such as standing or something, surrounding the playing of “America the Beautiful”.

He had been in China with the flying tigers when the song became popular.