Posted on 10/09/2001 7:02:25 AM PDT by Jean S
Can't use Pledge of Allegiance to comply with law, schools told
The Madison School Board barred schools on Monday from using the Pledge of Allegiance as a way to comply with a new state law that requires a daily patriotism dose.
Instead, schools can use only the national anthem - and then only instrumental versions of it. No words.
The 3-2 board vote came after several parents and teachers complained that the pledge, which contains the line "one nation, under God," is a religious oath that doesn't belong in public schools. Others criticized the pledge for promoting nationalism and militarism.
Board President Calvin Williams, who voted with the majority, said the board's action is the "least intrusive and least offensive" way to comply with the law.
"We've chosen a reasonable compromise that preserves freedom of expression on both ends of the spectrum and doesn't trample on anyone's rights," he said.
The law, which took effect Sept. 1, requires schools to offer the pledge or anthem daily in grades 1 to 12. Madison implemented the law last week, with Superintendent Art Rainwater leaving it up to each school to decide whether the pledge or anthem would be offered and in what format.
The heaviest criticism has been aimed at those elementary schools where the pledge is being read over the public address system. Although the law says students cannot be forced to participate, critics said children have little choice but to listen to it when it's broadcast throughout the school.
"What we're doing here is opening up a very slippery slope," said Sally Franz, an educational assistant at Cherokee Middle School and one of six people who criticized the law Monday. "Indoctrination leads to totalitarianism, and we're approaching that moment."
Board member Bill Keys' motion instructs schools to broadcast an instrumental version of the anthem at a time deemed appropriate by administrators. This option will allow dissenting students to opt out less conspicuously, reducing the chances for harassment, he said.
Williams and Carol Carstensen agreed with Keys. Carstensen said the motion in no way prohibits the teaching of the pledge for educational reasons or the singing of the anthem in music class. And students can say the pledge on their own during the school day, she said.
Ruth Robarts and Shwaw Vang opposed the motion, with both saying it doesn't go far enough to protect the rights of dissenters. "It's a step in the right direction, but it doesn't remove the coerciveness of the classroom situation," Robarts said. She wanted the anthem to be offered before or after classes.
Ray Allen and Juan Jose Lopez were absent. Reached later, Lopez said he opposes the motion.
"I would not have voted to ban the Pledge of Allegiance," he said. "We live in the United States of America, and people should be given the choice."
Can't sing the National Anthem? Can't say the Pledge of Allegiance? Time for some members of the School Board there to be retired from public life.
Haven't read this whole thread yet. But I'll wager a dollar to a doughnut that some FReepers have already posted the appropriate phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
The (More er Less) Honorable Billybob,
cyberCongressman from Western Carolina
When I went to UW there we called it "The People's Republic of Madison." The people who run that place are complete, unadulterated godless communists.
While I will defend with my life their right to preach their godlessness, I will also expose them for what they are and let the people who are governed by their decisions decide.
Pathetic!
If Madson and Berkely residents complained about our local high school having rifle teams, Bible (as literature) classes, prayer groups, or patriotic themes I'm sure that I'd be of the mind to tell the outsiders to stuff it. Local control; what people want for themselves but don't want others to exercise.
This is certainly not representative of our entire state. Schools around here (Green Bay) are saying the pledge, flying the flag, etc. Several have "God Bless America" and other patriotic messages on their outdoor signs.
Arggh...this makes me so angry!!!
This is what gets me about the PC crowd -
They say; "We live in a democracy, so majority rules."
Then, it's; "We can't do __________ because we might offend a minority."
NEWSFLASH - You can't have it both ways, you morons!
(And no flaming...I know it's a Constitutional Republic :)
--Boris
Here's the text of the note I just sent them:
So, you have voted to ban the pledge of allegiance in your schools. This will not stand. You need to change your decision before the rest of America comes down smack, dab in the middle of your business.
Your decision demonstrates that you are nothing but godless traitors, worthy of the charge of treason. You are entitled to your beliefs, but only on your own time - not when it affects other people's children. Either reverse your decision or resign and join the other side. Our president said you are either with us or you are with the terrorists. Methinks you have chosen.
For the first time I can really relate to Key, and the real meaning of the words in the national anthem.
Key had been captured by the British in the war of 1812. He was standing on the deck of a British ship watching the British attack Baltimore. There was a real question in his mind that his country,The United States, would not survive the war and end up once again a British colony. Form Key's standpoint, the battle looked to be lost. Then he saw the American flag and realized that his country (and the world's first try at self rule) had survived the battle. Key's fears and hopes are put forth in the song. When you put it in context, it is a wonderful piece of poetry.
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.<p> Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I'll throw my support elsewhere, like Marquette.
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.