[metesky]

The ruling is that the words "under God" may not be used in the Pledge, not that nobody can pledge allegiance to their country.

Now if the Oakland schools see fit not to have the pledge given, that's something that should be taken up with the school board.

I was in school in the fifties when the pledge was changed. Not using the words "under God" one year and using them the next made me feel neither more American nor closer to God and the whole frickin' thing is a tempest in a teapot, sir.

[jwalsh07]

You're behind the curve.

Oakland has suspended the voluntary recitation of the pledge pending jusicial outcome. Coerced recitation has been illegal since 1943 in the West Va. v Barnett case.

In other words they have suspended political speech, the first amendment to the Constitution.

Trivial matter?

Balogna

You don't want to say the words "under God", then don't. But don't go telling me that the suspension of political speech in Oakland is much ado about nothing.