[UncleJeff]

If you and I are at a Fourth of July celebration, and the crowd recites the Pledge, I cannot see how anybody's First Amendment rights have been abrogated.

Requiring children in a public school to recite the Pledge, as modified in 1954, does.

[summer]

Requiring children in a public school to recite the Pledge, as modified in 1954, does.

I don't think so. As I explained in a previous post, and, as I posted in the Education Week article above -- no student in FL is required to recite it (but the student must stand); in addition, the US SUpreme COurt already said no student can be required to cite it. I think one person quoted in that Education Week article had it right: it is being mandated for the schools, but the high court already ruled it can not be mandated to each student. But, yes, it IS legal to have every public school devote time to reciting the pledge. No one's right are violated. And, if you think your rights are violated, you are free to go to a private school where the pledge is not recited.