But, I'm not sure I'd have said the Pledge either. Not because I have any opposition to it, but because I think a funeral is a very odd place to be saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I'd have no problem saying it in other places, and in other circumstances, and have done so. But at a funeral? I can see why some might disagree with that, but it seems out of place to me at that event.
I'm a huge fan of Thatcher's -- even have an autographed copy of her first book. Her appearance at Reagan's funeral was wonderful, and was probably the one I enjoyed seeing the most. Lech Walesa kneeling and praying is up there too. But that being said, it also strikes me as a bit odd that Thatcher would have said the Pledge. I'm not condemning her or criticizing her for that, but I'd have understood the obvious reason had she chosen not to do so.
Anyway, anyone who is tossing around communist/Howard Stern accusations because someone doesn't condemn Schwartzenegger for not saying the Pledge really needs to get a hobby.
Great post
He should be criticized, certainly, particularly if Lady Thatcher, who was so ill that she couldn't even offer the eulogy back in DC, that day, from the podium but rather from a taped interview from weeks or months before, was able to recite the Pledge. She's not even a citizen of this country. Now you said that someone else also refused to say the Pledge, and that it was entirely inappropriate for a memorial service to a fallen US President? Well, then he was wrong, too. And I think you're wrong. I disagree with you.
That is, what the heck, in your opinion, is so wrong with someone saying - The Pledge of Allegiance?
As a former head of a foreign state, IMO it would have been inappropriate for Thatcher to swear allegence to the U.S. Singing the U.S. National anthem doesn't carry the same weight, and would be entirely proper. I agree with your comment regarding the pledge during a funeral service. Singing the national anthem in honor of statesman who has passed on does seem proper to me.