Can't use Pledge of Allegiance to comply with law (Pledge Banned in Madison, WI Schools)

Wisconsin State Journal ^ | 10/8/01 | Doug Erickson Education reporter

[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."

[browardchad]

About the time of the Presidential election, I remember seeing a PC/tolerant piece on either C-Span or the Discovery channel about schoolchildren's objections to the Pledge of Allegiance. Many "dissenters" explained that their "religion" forbade them to express loyalty to anyone but their specific god. They did not mention Allah, or Islam, but they did not need to.

Just one more example of the worldwide reach of Islam, the religion of "submission."

[Stand Watch Listen]

The Pledge of Allegiance - A Short History

The Pledge of Allegiance
A Short History

by Dr. John W. Baer

Copyright 1992 by Dr. John W. Baer

Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Looking Backward (1888) and Equality (1897).

Francis Bellamy in his sermons and lectures and Edward Bellamy in his novels and articles described in detail how the middle class could create a planned economy with political, social and economic equality for all. The government would run a peace time economy similar to our present military industrial complex.

The Pledge was published in the September 8th issue of The Youth's Companion, the leading family magazine and the Reader's Digest of its day. Its owner and editor, Daniel Ford, had hired Francis in 1891 as his assistant when Francis was pressured into leaving his baptist church in Boston because of his socialist sermons. As a member of his congregation, Ford had enjoyed Francis's sermons. Ford later founded the liberal and often controversial Ford Hall Forum, located in downtown Boston.

In 1892 Francis Bellamy was also a chairman of a committee of state superintendents of education in the National Education Association. As its chairman, he prepared the program for the public schools' quadricentennial celebration for Columbus Day in 1892. He structured this public school program around a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute - his 'Pledge of Allegiance.'

His original Pledge read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. [ * 'to' added in October, 1892. ]

Dr. Mortimer Adler, American philosopher and last living founder of the Great Books program at Saint John's College, has analyzed these ideas in his book, The Six Great Ideas. He argues that the three great ideas of the American political tradition are 'equality, liberty and justice for all.' 'Justice' mediates between the often conflicting goals of 'liberty' and 'equality.'

In 1923 and 1924 the National Flag Conference, under the 'leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, changed the Pledge's words, 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' Bellamy disliked this change, but his protest was ignored.

In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

Bellamy's granddaughter said he also would have resented this second change. He had been pressured into leaving his church in 1891 because of his socialist sermons. In his retirement in Florida, he stopped attending church because he disliked the racial bigotry he found there.

What follows is Bellamy's own account of some of the thoughts that went through his mind in August, 1892, as he picked the words of his Pledge:

It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution...with the meaning of the Civil War; with the aspiration of the people...

The true reason for allegiance to the Flag is the 'republic for which it stands.' ...And what does that vast thing, the Republic mean? It is the concise political word for the Nation - the One Nation which the Civil War was fought to prove. To make that One Nation idea clear, we must specify that it is indivisible, as Webster and Lincoln used to repeat in their great speeches. And its future?

Just here arose the temptation of the historic slogan of the French Revolution which meant so much to Jefferson and his friends, 'Liberty, equality, fraternity.' No, that would be too fanciful, too many thousands of years off in realization. But we as a nation do stand square on the doctrine of liberty and justice for all...

If the Pledge's historical pattern repeats, its words will be modified during this decade. Below are two possible changes.

Some prolife advocates recite the following slightly revised Pledge: 'I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, born and unborn.'

A few liberals recite a slightly revised version of Bellamy's original Pledge: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all.'

Please allow me to present an insightful commentary made years ago by Red Skelton.

Red Skelton's Commentary on 'The Pledge of Allegiance'
From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969

To listen to this actual recording with 'Real Audio' press here:

".....Getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only went, I went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry."

[laughter]

"And ... this is true. I worked in the summer and went to school in the winter. But, I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison school, in Vincennes, Indiana. To me, this was the greatest teacher, a real sage of ...of my time, anyhow."

"He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher ... Mr. Lasswell was his name."

"He said: 'I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?'"…….

I
- - Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge
- - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance
- - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag
- - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of courage; and wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

Of The United
- - That means that we have all come together.

States
- - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that is love of country, of America

. And to the Republic
- - Republic--a sovereign state in which power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation
- - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible
- - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty
- - Which is Freedom; the right of power for one to live his own life, without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice
- - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All
- - For All--that means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that be eliminated from schools, too?

Red Skelton ( July 18, 1913 - Sept 17, 1997)
Thanks Red, … "Good Night ... and ... God Bless"

[sphinx]

The should read the Declaration of Independence, but that would probably not be approved as it contains too many revolutionary ideas for the current system to handle.

Not quite. The Declaration is verboten in progressive circles because it refers to the "Creator." Can't have that.

[MozartLover]

" it doesn't go far enough to protect the rights of dissenters......"

Where do they think those rights CAME from????

Give me strength.........

[Eric in the Ozarks]

We were blessed with a plentitude of leftists at Iowa City when I was there 1968-72, but Madison was always a waaaay out there. Somebody said UW lost to Indiana Saturday ?

[bvw]

The pledge is the simply the finest piece of Socialist propaganda ever written. I will not say it, and dang it, no American should be saying it, much less forced to say it.

[winna]

Thanks for posting the RealAudio link. Red Skelton's speech is great but you gotta hear it to appreciate it. :-)

[LouD]

I wish you were right - But Madison is further left than Berkeley...

We'll certainly try, however...

[okie_tech]

It's time to bring back the wonderfull traditions of stocks as well as tar and feathering. I would prefer a good public beating but I guess we'll have to start small.

[breakem]

Is that a new constitutional amendment? The right to not be offended?

[winna]

The pledge is the simply the finest piece of Socialist propaganda ever written. I will not say it, and dang it, no American should be saying it, much less forced to say it.

EXCUSE ME!? "Socialist Propoganda"!? Exactly what part do you have a problem with? "Allegiance" is devotion or loyalty to a group or cause. If you aren't devoted or loyal to the United States, WHY ARE YOU HERE?

[cake_crumb]

Against the right to self expression??? What about the right to express one's ( self ) patriotism by saying the Pledge of Allegience???

[Senator_Blutarski]

During the war in Viet Nam Madison was the site of continuous anti-war rioting and violence. The pacificists were in a constant state of conflict with the police. My father was Police Officer in a small town 30 miles from Madison. During the worst of the riots my father stood in the police lines facing the protestors. He was spit on, hit with rocks and bricks, called a "dirty fascist pig", kicked and punched. Of course, he was asked to simply stand his ground and take the beating, which he and the other officers did in a great show of self-control. They only responded when in danger of physical harm.

Meanwhile the pacifists burned cars and buildings, damaged property, destroyed fire hydrants (to keep the fires burning) and injured police and firemen.

Great town, Madison. Some things don't change.

These people have done us a favor by putting their hatred of America on public display again. Their politically correct, liberal orthodoxy stands as a symbol against all of us who believe in America and love what it stands for.

[cricket]

Yes, at the very least 'choice' should be an option - not to say it. Seems it might be time for Madison Lefties to start their own schools, or just pay for the 'public' education they are now getting.

Madison is known for it's Liberal/Left predisposition, but this is rediculous. It shows whether these people are the minority or the majority; they are incapable of the rational which is required for good governance.

Wish I could at least threaten, they will never get my 'tourist dollar'; but. . .

. . .will think of something. In the meantime, I will send mail.

[Capt.YankeeMike]

How my two sons start their school day: 1) Pledge of Allegiance 2) Sing National Anthem 3) sing God Bless America 4) whole school convocation in Chapel (Bible hour and full school prayer) 5) rest of day: actually LEARN reading, writing, math Nothin else, no "homo tolerance lessons" , no politically correct BS, no sex ed., no evolution science. Private Christian School, why do you STILL send your precious children to public scrools? That shiny new car in your driveway more important than your children? shame on you....

[UB355]

WI did not simply lose to IN. Indiana embarrasses Wisconsin 63-32 at Wisconsin.

[katana]

Duly freeped as follows:

"Treason

There is no other word appropriate to describe your decision to ban the Pledge of Allegience from your classrooms. You are as a group an embarrassment to your schools, your community, and the State of Wisconsin.

Are you all so blind as to not realize what the next months and years will entail for this country? We are at war with an enemy whose stated purpose is to kill every man, woman, and child in America. That is by definition a threat of genocide. Do you think for one minute that any American who believes they can straddle a fence between their fellow citizens and such an enemy will be safe? You have built your "moral high ground" in no man's land.

This decision of yours will not be forgotten."

[prambo]

"...and doesn't trample on anyone's rights..."

I submit that the "rights" cited:

1) Do NOT, and have never, existed, and

2) Even if they did, it's time to trample these morons.

prambo

[jgrubbs]

I asked the lady on the phone if children were being FORCED to say the pledge, and is that why they put the ban in place, she said "no they weren't forced, but some complained that when they sat down during the pledge they felt uncomfortable and out of place."

Keep Freeping this "Communist" county!!!