Quote:
Originally Posted by djplong
Here's a fly in the ointment...
What about the children of LEGAL aliens? Specifically non-resident aliens, working legally in this country but still citizens of another. ...and this is why you do it silently. It would be rather awkward to have one kid singing "God Save The Queen" while others were going for the Star Spangled Banner. (I know, anthems are different from the Pledge but I don't know what countries have something analagous to the Pledge)
This is an example of not thinking things through - heck, this didn't occur to me until just now. Previously I was against forced participation in the Pledge for different reasons (forcing someone to demonstrate patriotism is not patriotic, etc).
And, for the record, yes, I recite the Pledge from time to time (some meetings here start with it but that's a military policy) and I leave out the part they added in 1954.
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This is the United States of America; if legal alien children are at a Major League Ball Game and the National Anthem is played do they start screaming about it or stand silently and respectfully while the National Anthem of their gracious host country is played and the audience in the stands celebrate their patriotism?
Our schools and the recitation of the Pledge is no different. Let those who don't want to participate stand quietly, if they must. The education of our children should include the pro-active respect and pride of country and tradition. We are damaging the future of our country to do otherwise.
Why are we wimping out on this?