Pledge of Allegiance flap divides Vermont town

Associated Press ^ | November 14, 2008 | John Curran

[Albion Wilde]

Martin and School Board Chair Retta Dunlap defended the practice, saying it restored the Pledge to the school as requested, preserved the rights of students who -- for political or religious reasons -- didn't want to participate and gave others the opportunity to pledge their allegiance.

A child has political reasons? More likely it is the old hippie faculty who thinks it's cool to hate their own country.

[metmom]

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[metmom]

I know that there’s schools around that make the kids say the pledge and put their hands on their hearts. All the teachers and support staff do it where ever they are. They even stop in the doorway of the nearest classrooms when they announce time for the pledge if they are in the halls.

There are still public schools out there that do things like this right.

[Canedawg]

I’m familiar with the area, havent spent a lot of time in Stowe, Mad River Valley, and driving all over the area. Have flown into Burlington a bunch of times, and have taken the scenic trip up and down route 100 more times than i can count.Been to cabot and Jay Peak, too.

I actually like northern Vermont a lot- it’s beautiful up there.

[Shadowstrike]

How the hell can one be in this country and be nonparticipating?

When did “We the PEOPLE” lose control?

grrrrrr.

[berdie]

This made me pretty angry.

But I live in a small town that decks itself out with flags for every occasion, the kids pray in front of the school every day...and mixed with the muzak in the grocery store are very patriotic songs.

[Sender]

At the risk of being penned as intolerant, why are there nonparticipating children?

Are there some that don't love this country? Were they told by their parents not to participate? Does their allegiance lie elsewhere?

Perhaps these same children can elect not to participate in Math or English. We can't make them. Let's not participate in History either.

Aren't we the grown-ups? We are tasked to imbue our young'uns with proper values and skills. They need to participate.

If they can't participate, they need to explain to whose allegiance they pledge. If they came here from some other country, and they are still pledged to that country, why are they here?

[berdie]

“who thinks it's cool to hate their own country..”

Rahm Emmanuel thinks it will bring cohesion to the country by mandating compulsory community service (Barry has the same idea)>

In my feeble mind, back in the day...when all of us children in a classroom, from kindergarten to senior in high school, said that pledge together, it brought voluntary cohesion. I must be showing my age.

[pnh102]

Anyone who has a problem with stating the Pledge deserves to be ostracized and mocked. Go move to Cooba.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

The communists and their young hippie followers targetted Vermont in the mid-70’s as the place to takeover due to the town-council political structures. Their infiltration and propagandizing have paid off handsomely.

Isn’t Ben and Jerry’s Comradely ice-cream from Vermont?

[nufsed]

To many stories and too many bad trends.

[so_real]

school officials blocking the exercise from classrooms amid concerns that it holds nonparticipating children up to scorn

Based upon the ridiculously low level of achievement in schools these days, perhaps it's time for a little scorn and competition to be re-introduced into the school system. Children that accomplish nothing, but "feel good about themselves" are good for little more than a chorus of Kumbaya (and being counted among the sheeple).

[Bellflower]

I am offended when they leave God out. I am offended when The Pledge of Allegiance is not said. I AM OFFENDED!!!

[Politicalmom]

Ours have the pledge, the school motto, and a moment of silence. :)

(How’s life?)

[geege]

Me too....I also loved Vermont and wanted to buy a house in Bennington County.....now I’m having second thoughts.....We’ll just stick to a visit once in a while.

[nwrep]

When the President of the US himself is cool towards the Pledge of Allegiance, how can you blame the small towns for not allowing it?

[Alex Murphy]

But efforts to restore them have erupted into a bitter dispute in this tiny (pop. 810) Vermont town, with school officials blocking the exercise from classrooms amid concerns that it holds nonparticipating children up to scorn.

I say we give Vermont to Canada. We've got 57 states in this great nation of ours. We can afford to lose one!

[Texas Eagle]

What is it going to take to get people to take their kids out of government schools?

No doubt here in California we are going to be teaching kindergarteners about the wonders of engaging in homosexual acts and I doubt if even that will motivate people to take their kids out.

Stop whining people and do something! The government schools get their funding based on attendance. Take your kids out and cause the funding to dry up.

[Cicero]

Oh, I agree. I’m just saying that Woodbury is a civilized and beautiful town. It’s a pity that people who are otherwise decent for the most part are crazed on the subject of politics. If I lived there, I’d be arguing for the pledge, but I’m afraid I’m a very small minority around here.

We’ll be seeing more of this. Obama skipped the Pledge and the National Anthem at many of his rallies and substituted his Hitler rally stuff. In any case, our local school has the pledge still.

[blackbart.223]

"To many stories and too many bad trends"

I can't speak for anyone else. But I will never bow to Obama or anyone for that matter.