Mass. School Requires Permission Slips to Recite Pledge of Allegiance
- Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:17am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A public school in Brookline, Massachusetts is bringing back the Pledge of Allegiance. Except now, in a move that suggests the recitation and its words are controversial, the school is requiring parents to sign a permission slip so their kids can participate.
“It’s uncomfortable. The pledge is a promise, and I’ve always taught my kids to think very carefully before making any promise. It’s not a decision I want to make for them,” parent Judi Puritz Cook, who has two sons at Devotion School, told the Brookline Tab.
According to a letter sent to parents last week by Principal Gerardo Martinez, the school is implementing the Pledge in order to comply with state law.
“In order to meet the state legal mandate for public schools and to support our learning expectations, I will, once a week, as part of my morning announcements, recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag,” he wrote in the letter. “Under our Constitution, neither teachers nor students can be mandated to participate in this exercise.”
“I urge you to have a conversation as a family to help your children understand why I will be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and to support them in feeling comfortable and confident in the decision on whether or not to participate,” Martinez added.
According to the Tab, it seems many parents aren’t upset that the school is requiring special permission to recite the Pledge, but rather they are concerned the slips could mean parents are imposing their beliefs on their children.
Superintendent Bill Lupini said that won’t be the case: no student will be compelled to participate or not participate simply based on how a parent filled out a permission slip.
“We’re celebrating diversity and including people… and then to be the one sitting there, waiting for the pledge to finish, [that] doesn’t feel inclusive,” said one parent who checked “No” on the slip. “Yeah, it’s weird. That’s the right word for it.”
The ACLU agrees. “I think that’s really strange that they’d do that… even children don’t lose their right of expression simply by walking into a schoolhouse’s doors,” said ACLU attorney Sarah Wunsch, who lives in Brookline.
“It suggests that this is a decision for parents alone. Are they going to enforce that?” she asked.
Also strange is a breakdown of the Pledge included in the permission slip. It explained every phrase, and what the school thinks it means. Next to the fragment “under God,” the school says, “there is one Supreme entity for every citizen.”
It was later revealed that the principal included that portion without official permission.
Read the full report from the Brookline Tab.
This story has been updated.
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Comments (324)
Country
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:42amStupid!
Report Post »Race
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:41amBetter that the PARENTS “impose their beliefs on the children” than the school system, right? That’s what parents are FOR, morons.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:45pmNot according to them, apparently.
“It’s uncomfortable. The pledge is a promise, and I’ve always taught my kids to think very carefully before making any promise. It’s not a decision I want to make for them,” parent Judi Puritz Cook, who has two sons at Devotion School, told the Brookline Tab.
Is this seriously the kind of thinking going on up there?
Report Post »EdgeOfForever
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:41amWhat the hell is wrong with this country?!?!?!?!?! The Pledge of Allegiance is CONTROVERSIAL????? Maybe controversial to people (and I use that term loosely) who want to “fundamentally transform America”! Enough is ENOUGH!!!
Report Post »TEIN
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:11pmI agree…when did having allegiance to your county become “controversial”?? One more time, if you do not like the country, do not want to defend the country, do not want the flag, do not want to have allegiance to the country of your birth and your citizenship, then LEAVE!! The rest of us want to continue on build and supporting the greatest country that has been, without hearing whiner apologize for the things that has made this country great. Libby/Progressives have made, by their ideology, polices that have tarnished this country..do leave and go to a nation that supports that ideology. There are plenty of them!!!
Report Post »Bearfoot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:03pmI heard somewhere that the average lifespan of all the nations throughout history is 200+- years. It would be unreasonable for any of us to expect the current international scene to continue on in a healthy state. What we see now is an accelerated rate of decay. Some want it to continue, others look to the future.
Matthew 6:9-13
Report Post »shocker
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:40amSome of you attribute this to a move by progressives toward socialism, and you may be right. But I just see it more as new culture of people who can’t stand to see one person upset or offended.
If I may, I just read a book called Gut Feeling by Jon Friesch that discusses this aspect of liberalism in a way I’ve not really seen before. The book’s about conservatives, who they are and why they think and believe what they do. An important read, I think. A lot in there I’d never seen before. Check out excerpts at gutfeelingbook.com.
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:40amMaybe the GOP needs a new image
Instead of looking like a bunch of well dressed manscaped metro sexuals who cowtow to the medias wishes.
They should all get Harleys with American Flags waving from the back and dress in leather biker jackets and all get the Constitution tatoo on thier arms.
Then maybe they can shake this cry baby image and start kicking some legislative ass.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:31pmI think Michelle Bachmann would look striking on a Harley! Our Governor elect(in Wisconsin) does a Harley ride every year to touch bases around the Whole state. It is a great idea! Two governors ago our republican gov. did a Harley ride to the state fair every year. I like this.
Report Post »the_ancient
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:38amI suggest we spend our limited tax dollars to buy one way plane tickets to anyone that does not pledge allegiance to the United States. If you dont want to be here, we do not want you hear, Hugo, Kim Jong-il or Castro will be happy to have you I am sure
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:38amObligatory
Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance
Report Post »http://youtu.be/TZBTyTWOZCM
cykonas
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:50amHow prophetic! I thought he was just a clown. Thanks, TJ.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:40pmMy dear friends, I personally miss the days when Red Skelton was here, in the fifties. But lets face it, that country that we knew is no longer functioning properly. It seems to be a strange place now. Many sincere people cannot bring themselves to pledge allegiance to a government that is so out of harmony with righteous principles, the principles that are found in the Bible.
Report Post »So, perhaps in good conscious, they turn their devotion to our Creator and his son, Jesus. Yes, they pledge their allegiance to God now, and not to a government of man’s malfunctioning designs.
Eternal Lucy
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:22pmTJ,
Fantastic find!
Why don’t you send that link to the White House. I’m serious!!
Report Post »borjwa2
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 6:42am@ TJ, I was going to post but glad someone else did. This was a great presentation by a great American. This should be required at every school, in this wonderful land.
Report Post »mck05002
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:37amYeah this is another reason I’m homeschooling. We say the pledge every day! And parents imposing their values on their children..wow maybe I‘m confused but isn’t that a large part of what parenting is? Teaching our children what values and principles are is one of our most sacred resposibilities as parents!
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:03amThank you for raising the next generation of Great Americans.
Report Post »ruffnex
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:16amMCK, My thoughts…only you stated them better Thanks.. GOD BLESS AMERICA
Report Post »JustJess
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:38pmAs an American citizen I am proud of our country and our freedoms and rights we have as individuals, however I feel that “The Pledge of Allegiance” is as important to know as our national anthem. It is important to know what the Constitution stands for and that the Bill of Rights mean. When I was a child I loved to say “The Pledge of Allegiance”, and still to this day when I hear “The Anthem”, I cry, not because I am sad, but what the colors raised to the song means to me and to my family. I just asked my daughter how she feels when she says “The Pledge of Allegiance”, and she said, “We should say it, because it is out of respect to our country that gives us our freedoms.” I couldn’t of said it any better.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:35amOnce a week?
Report Post »BigBadBud
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:34amLove it or leave it Progressive. If you can‘t say the Pledge of Allegiance in good con chance I for one don’t want you here, I’m sure Russia or China will take you in.
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:59pmThe irony is unbelievable. Do any of you even understand what you are actually saying anymore?
“I want to force you to pledge your allegiance to this country! If you won’t you should move to an even more aggressive nation who will also force you to pledge allegiance to their country! RAWR!”
Report Post »Bearfoot1
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:32amIf you don’t want your kids or youself to say the Pledge of Alligiance, maybe you should find another country to live in.
Report Post »Bearfoot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:27pmCould you not have found a more unique name. You are so original.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:43pmThere are many who want to capitalize on greatness. Don’t worry, there is only one true Bearfoot. The many pretenders have no chance of successfully challenging your superiority.
Report Post »Bearfoot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:02pmThanks for the compliment…. That was a compliment wasn’t it?
Ahhww, I think you are a making fun of me now.
OK bearfoot1, due to Blacktooth wisdom, I hope you enjoy your plagiarized name. I will get over it in a few years.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:35pmLooks like a gathering place for bears here, so I might as well get in on this.
Report Post »I would suggest anyone wanting to create a name avoid using a number after their name.
Stand alone, and distinguish yourself with a unique name. use some imagination.
norcalart
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:32amUnbelievable, but then it is Mass. Barneys state.
Report Post »True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:41amYea…the same Barney that wants all the gay people to shower together…..who elects this guy?
Report Post »PJ Droney
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:30amI feel like I’m in the flipping Twilight Zone here. Good God where is this country going?
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:29am“According to the local paper, it seems many parents aren’t upset that the school is requiring special permission to recite the Pledge, but rather they are concerned they could be imposing their beliefs on their children.”
That is one very liberal town! It sounds like this is an improvement.
Report Post »darlenekay
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:29amWe PROUDLY recite the Pledge at my school. When I took over the job, some of the students did not stand up and they kept on talking through it. I spoke to them about pride and what it means to be an American and let it go. A miracle happened. The next morning when it came time to recite the Pledge, everyone of my students stood up and participated. They do this every single morning! There is hope out there.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:39amGood for you! Thanks.
Report Post »True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:39amOutstanding! Maybe there’s hope for the younger generation yet.
Report Post »Bauervision
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:54amthanks for your service to our country
Report Post »TRUTHSEEKINGAL
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:07amThose students are blessed yo have you as their teacher..As Glenn reminds us they are watching us and you are leading by example. Thank you ,I hope parents do as well. Gives one a little hope in these uncertain times.. God bless &Merry Christmas..
Report Post »True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:28amI think it should be mandatory for public school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. American tax dollars are paying for their education, so if you want to send your child to public school, then you should be perfectly OK with being in Allegiance with America. If you don’t want to be in Allegiance with America; send your child to private school!
Report Post »Truth-Wielder
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:47amYou also have to consider the irony…I’ll bet good money that the private school would have kids reciting the Pledge of Allegiance–maybe even going so far and reciting the ‘Our Father’ BEFORE the Pledge–while the public school, funded by American taxpayers, WON’T.
Something fundamentally wrong with that…emphasis on MENTAL.
Report Post »chad_walin
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:23amIf parents, kids, or teachers are unwilling to pledge allegiance to our country they should leave, move to another country that they do support. We do not need such people.
Report Post »This also shows why Mass. has not grown as much as other states. The right think people in this state are moving out. I’m leaving as soon as I can sell the house. The census says the Republican states grew faster, with Texas leading. I like the Texas attitude: God, Guns, and Country.
Oldphoto678
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:36amSo you would force everyone to pledge allegiance to the US of A. Good luck with that.
Report Post »AZfreeman
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:44pm“So you would force everyone to pledge allegiance to the US of A. Good luck with that..”
Typical Progressive statement.
Marxists “appear” to misunderstand the statement… when actually they are “intentionally” manipulating the words to suit their twisted agenda.
The idea is, if you don’t want to support the country, you are a free citizen and can move to a country you would support. Man is that a radical idea !!!
“It takes a revolution to win FREEDOM, but only one generation to lose it”
Report Post »…rf
AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:55pm@TRUE AMERICAN66 Mandatory you say? Once you open the gates to allow a school or a school board or any BUREAUCRAT the ability to force you to say something or to pledge something or support something, you don’t see the danger in this at all? Or do you only see in Black and White, as long as it‘s YOUR team that’s doing the FORCING it’s ok. The other team can’t force me! If they do they’re socialist! You don’t understand they see YOU as fascist! Ironic, huh?
@CHAD_WALIN What would the founders think of you? Do you truly believe the founding fathers would have your back in this discussion? Not many people were very fond of fighting the British back then. I guarantee there were PLENTY of colonist telling them “Ya know, if you don’t like it, leave the colonies! Go to France!” but in that old English, Thomas Jefferson kind of way.
Where would we be if those founding fathers, that didn’t like how the colonies were being run, who were outraged by the act of their ruling government, would have just walked away. Never start the revolutionary war. Never free this country from British rule. According to you all, Thomas Jefferson and his buddies should have just packed up and left. If you don’t like it leave!
Sometimes I wonder who’s worse, the left liberal progressive or the right neo-conservatives…..
starman70
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:27amOnly in TAXACHUETTS!
Report Post »Spawnomite
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:33amMitt Romney wants to be President.
Good luck there Mitt.
Just smile and look pretty. That’s about all you can do these days.
Alvin691
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:38amNo to Mitt
Report Post »123abc
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:25amSchool adminstrators, teachers and the teacher unions are totally and completely out of control. They have literally gone off the deep end.
They, the mainstream media, the progressives & the communists are bff’s and America Haters.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:24amAgain – communists!!!
Report Post »patriot4ever
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:23amI 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.
Report Post »True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:30amI 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.
Report Post »AngryTexanFromAmarillo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:39amI 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.
Report Post »FarSideGuy
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:49pmI pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, once nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Report Post »Midwest Blonde
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:17pmI 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.
Report Post »Whatsizface
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:43pmI wish I could take part in your pledge but as a Canadian here’s what we have to deal with:
The current one is:
“I, [name], do swear, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
I think the military uses this one:
“I (Undersigned) do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors according to Law, so help me God.”
If you are not religious, you can make a “solemn affirmation. It’s my favourite (sarc).:”
“I, [name], do solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare the taking of an oath is according to my religious belief unlawful, and I do also solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
And, of course, you can also do it in French:
“Je, [nom], jure que je serai fidèle et porterai une vraie allégeance à Sa Majesté la Reine Élisabeth II.”
Our kids sing the national anthem before school starts as well as recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Report Post »TheFormerlyInvisibleMan
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:44pmI 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.
Report Post »Is you is o is you aint mah constituency
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:50pmI 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. HOOOAH!
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:46pmYou pledge for liberty FOR ALL but only seem to want to apply those liberty to yourself and those that support you views. Pathetic.
fiji259
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:22amThis is so sad.
Report Post »roadie5
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:20pmAgreed:(
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:22amAt least the kids in school can see who the TRAITORS are if they aren’t saying the pledge!
Report Post »True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:30amExactly!
Report Post »Spawnomite
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:32amTraitors are now hailed as heroes from above.
AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:44pmAnd what should the kids do? Execute the traitors behind the school bus after school?
Seriously, I’ve grown tired of the crowd here on the Blaze. You don’t see how hypocritical you are! You want a Government Institution (SCHOOL) to force the kids to pledge an allegiance to this country, regardless of how corrupt one might consider that country to be.
Like JZS and Mr Butler above me had said, in dictatorship forcing it’s citizens to pledge for that nation would be seen as acceptable. This is AMERICA. Last time I checked, it was about FREEDOM. That includes freedom from patriotism.
Report Post »TheLascone
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 8:19pmWhere they going with all this ?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630227@N06/5242517424/in/photostream/
Report Post »KEA
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:21amThis is at least a step forward to getting it back in the schools. I dont agree with the permission crap but we have to take steps to fix 100 years of destruction.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:36amThis is Cass Sunstein. It used to be opt out, now it is opt in.
Report Post »westfayetteville
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:56amWhat ever happened to having pride in your country, I wish these people would just go to another
Report Post »country where they might be finely happy.
KenInIL
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:33amMaybe they should combine the form with an opt-in to CAMP FEMA at the same time.
Report Post »brianmoc
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:39amHA! its Brookline! the letter was sent home to warn the parents there kids are about to learn about the outside world! WORST TOWN IN BOSTON!
Now you know why i fish so much in MA! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfkOJmllmEg
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:20amWrite to Rush Limbaugh, Palin… Ect… For their signature, permissio…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:18pmThey should not need a permission slip to say it … let the parents who object have to opt out!
Make the socialist/marxist parents out themselves.
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:19amHey Mass are you watching California better rethink this nonsense thru again.People of Mass who is controlling your state the few nut jobs or WE THE PEOPLE stand up and be heard fight the good fight.
DashRipRock
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:26amHow about getting a permision slip from parent before you give a kid a condom, or teach a kid Suzy has two dads, or that Islam is a peaceful religion???
Report Post »NoMarxist
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:35amThe children will be marked as enemys of the state (of MA) and possible future terrorists.. Er uh, I meant patriots.
Report Post »Muslim in Chief
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:43amI would really shutter to think what would happen today if the Revolutionary war was to be fought. You know the people of Concord would sue someone for breech of the peace. The people of Brookline would surrender to the Mexicans (even thought they are not involved). The people republic of Cambridge and all it’s Harvard elites would then pass a resolution to make Cambridge a freedom free zone. And Dyval Patrick would remove all police and Military from the state Budget.
CJJAKENS
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:45amEverytime someone rips on Cali on here I always feel like that “ginger have souls” kid. Instead its “I’m not a *******” I love California I really do. I’ve been to a lot of places around the world and it is still my favorite place, and I aboslutly hate having to hang my head in shame saying I’m from Cali because liberal big wigs high jacked the state. It really makes me sad
Kaen
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:54amHere is an idea schools…how about getting a permission slip from only those who DO NOT want to recite the pledge…then they can be sent outside to play with the other un-American children while the patriotic children stand proud…
True American66
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:58amExactly Kaen. They should have an OPT-OUT form like they make parents fill out if they don’t want their children to participate in sex-ed class.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:00amIf you read the above letter, the school adopted the policy that the Pledge can be recited weekly, not daily. It also states that this has nothing to do with honoring thier country, it is about fulfilling the madate, and ensuring that children can identify the words of the Pledge – basically it is just a learning tool.
What a joke. If nothing more, the Pledge was taught to me to be a sign of respect for your nation. These mamby-pamby libs want us to show respect to all nationalities, customs, cultures, etc… but when it comes to our very own flag, our pledge, and our National Anthem, they teach our children it is ok to be disrepectful and not, at the very least, stand and be quiet during the Pledge or Anthem. You shouldn‘t be forced to participate if you don’t want to, but you should show respect to those who do.
I was at a ball game the other day. When the announcer asked everyone to stand and remove thier hats, there were several people in the crowd who did neither. Some talked all the way through. A couple of kids were playing, oblivious to what was going on, while their mother sat in her seat, texting on her phone. The father was standing, yet wouldn’t tell his kids to stop and pay attention or at least be quiet. Completely disrepectful.
I am one who gets a little choked up during the National Anthem, as it is something that is very powerful to me. It reminds me everytime of those who gave thier lives for my freedom, and reminds me how lucky I am to live in the greatest nation on earth. To see those people in the crowd with no understanding of how blessed they are just broke my heart.
We are now raising a new generation of these clueless people, who have no real understanding of what this nation has given them, and the sacrifices of those who protect what we have been given.
krispy01
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:00amIt’s an embarrassment to live in this state. God forbid we ‘brainwash’ these kids so they become patriotic. Next they’ll be changing the name of the football Patriots because it makes these weenies uncomfortable. I gotta move out of the Northeast.
Cobra Blue
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:04amMuslim and Chief….That pretty much sums it up and will explain everything from this point forward.
Report Post »ald0901
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:05amI am from massachusetts(sorry to say) and as the only state that sent ALL there liberal congressmen back after the elections, I am not suprised by this. Revolted maybe but not suprised
Report Post »Curator_JDR
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:12amThis is disgusting. Shouldn’t there be a permission slip to opt out of the Pledge of Allegiance and not the other way around?
Demoralize, Remove God and Destroy country. All from the Progressive-Dada playbook.Understand the submerged part of the Progressive iceberg, the Dada Manifesto and how the Progressives adopted every word of it to take down America from within.
Progressive-Dada Video Expose: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada2.ivnu
Israel National Radio Interview: “Revising the Revisionists of Ancient History — Understanding the Progressives’ Ancestors who caused the first recorded wars of history” http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu
Report Post »Highland
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:17amThe sane people still living in Massachusetts are invited to move to our state. Perhaps we should just let Massachusetts die the lingering, horrible death they seem to want to bring upon themselves.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:28amDoes anyone know if this is the same school that took the kids on a field trip to a mosque and had the boys participate in the prayers where the field trip permission slip made NO mention of the destination or what the kids would be doing once they got there?
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:31amFor one of the states that started the American experiment, they have now moved on to the American Marxist experiment.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:48amAnyone in Mass that don’t like the U.S., please go to Mexico or any other country and live.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:19pmMass. is as bad or worse than California. It’s just a tiny state with a tiny population and a tiny economy. They don’t have 12% of the countries population and represent 13% of the U.S. economy. If they fail and collapse they won’t drag the entire coutry down with them. Nobody would even notice other than Red Sox fans.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:45pmHow about IF your kid doesn’t say the pledge YOU must pay for YOUR kids education..?? American education only goes to those American’s who are legal and pledge to this country..
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 12:53pmFor what it’s worth, I think this is silly. But here’s my problem. The title of the article is “School requires permission slips to recite Pledge.” That’s false. That’s a lie (the favorite word here). Nobody here read the memo. It states explicitly that participation is up to the student. It’s asking the parents to discuss the issue with their child and decide what to do, giving the parents, not the government, responsibility for making that choice.. The form DOES NOT require a parent to sign form in order for them to recite the pledge, which is what the Blaze title deceitfully states. Read the thing.
Now, if you live in North Korea, yes, THE GOVERNMENT forces you to pledge your loyality to the state. If you won’t, you’re punished or killed. The United States doesn’t force your child to do this.
Keep your Nanny State ideas about the governement forcing children to do or say anything. I think that decision should be left up the family, not the governement.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:14pmKinda reminds me of the persmission slips my parents signed back in 1969 to allow the school to paddle me if I was out of line. 99% of parents authorized this and the 1-2 kids whos parents did not give permission were the most unruly children in the school.
Report Post »bama54m
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:28pmYou are correct,,time to fight,,the way I would do it,,is get parents out and demand perission slips,,have someone organize to collect them all,,,and dump them on this moron’s desk,,,just sayin’ if thtas what thye want,,we give it to them,,give them something to do,,to read and compile,,and asign permission,ot those kids,,and find out who doesnt want to,,and give them excuse slips,,,isnt thta how government works ?
Report Post »hologram5
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:38pm@DashRipRock:
Report Post »Good call but that just takes too much common sense and there aint enough of that here anymore ya know what I mean?
Ronbo
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:44pmAmen
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 1:51pmWhat should be a embarrassment to those who would call themselves educated professionals is the return by date. Jan 3, 2010 located at the bottom of the approval form. As you can see they are already close to a year late. Is this how they demonstrate to the parents their professionalism.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:28pmWeird? No!
This is just plain stupid!
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 2:54pmGovernment Schools! If you are not home schooling then you are part of the problem.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:12pmThey should not need a permission slip to say it … let the parents who object have to opt out!
RECOVERING-LIBERAL-IN-WOODSIDE-CA
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 3:15pmI grew up in Mass. in the 1950s-60s. It was a very patriotic state at the time. Even though the unions ran most things, the people were always very patriotic and loved being Americans. It was also OK at the time for our parents to teach us their ideals…. and it was OK for the schools to teach us love of our country. But it seems that my generation, Baby-boomers, have lost sight of the ideals that our parents tried to instill in us. Some of us must have been spoiled somewhere along the line… and we are passing that “entitled” attitude along to our children. If we don’t wake up soon, we will have lost our western culture and ideals to those who would harm us and our way of life. WAKE UP!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!!
Report Post »wethepeople
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:53pmI just simply cannot understand how a proud and noble country like America can tolerate these left wing nut jobs. these people want to destroy this country; that is treason. Every state or city that is controlled by democrats is in trouble, California of course is the best example and then they elect a known looser for governor , why? it’s not just coincidence: you don’t want to pledge allegiance to the USA. Why Not!? forget all of this left wing subversive psychobabble, the reason won’t be good for the republic, that’s the bottom line. It’s time to stand up to these subversives, union thugs and the George Soros crowd .
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:08pmI guess they need permission to indoctrinate kids into being patriotic Americans who love their country. Better to just teach them all about Mao, while handing out free condoms and welfare applications……how much longer do we have to take this putrid crap?
Report Post »Al Otto
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:17pmLets Talk Sex ED… no permission slip required. and lets not forget Harry and Barney live together as a couple.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:21pmyou folks do know that the Pledge was written by a socialist don’t you?
Francis Bellamy. look him up.
Ironic ain’t it?
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 6:34pmAs a soldier, I pledged my allegiance to my country. I did so willingly. The act of reciting a pledge daily I think is a bit much for school. It just seems so…. USSR. We all have to be good little boys and girls and pledge an ALLEGIANCE to the motherland, I mean homeland, I mean America.
Patriotism is great. I have pride in my patriotism for my country. If others don’t they have that right not to be. Forced patriotism isn’t really patriotism. Just like taxes for social programs isn’t really charity.
Report Post »ozz
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:11pm@CJJAKENS I’m from Cali too, born n raised. It disgustes me the way san fagfrisco and Lost Angels holds the rest of the state hostage. The gun control issues alone are enraging. This is the case with many states. 2 or 3 big cities drown out the voice of the rest of the state because of the illegals and welfare recipients all voting for the candidate with a D beside their name. On the bright side when the revolution begins and the shooting starts, I wont have to travel far in order to find enemy combatants :D
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 7:55pmOut of control.
Report Post »TotallyBelievableGuy
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:31pmOkay, I‘m gonna use you guys’s logic here. Pledging allegiance amounts to nationalism, and the nazis were “Nationalist Socialists”… so does that mean both the right AND the left support Nazism!?
OH NOEZ
Report Post »FreedomMissMeYet
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 9:42pmI was born in Brookline and have audio tapes of my father teaching me to recite the Pledge when I was 2 1/2 years old – months before he died in 1969.
It’s sad to see a community that now attracts ACLU and their lawyers to encourage peeing on our Flag. Even in that, do they show any conviction or pride in their position? It‘s like the party of ’don‘t’. How many times have you heard unions say ‘don’t’? Don’t stand for anything, Don’t be unique, Don’t commit, Don’t be American, Don’t stop spending, Don’t question us.
Don‘t is Idleness and idleness is the devil’s workshop.
Are our kids issued a permission slip to opt out of George Soros’ video brainwashing series “The Story of Stuff”?
Report Post »jzs
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:15pmAMERICANSOLDIER, thank you for your service to our country and thank you for your post. I too recited the Pledge growing up and will do so without hesitation any time it’s appropriate. I place my hand over my heart – and frankly get just a bit emotional – whenever the National Anthem is played (at every High School football game, 5K etc). But as you said, government required, rote recital of the Pledge is more like the USSR than the US.
Report Post »American_Woman
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 10:48pmCALL TO ACTION: Let’s all go back to college and become the (history, etc.) teachers of the future!
Report Post »Snapperhead
Posted on December 22, 2010 at 11:38pmIf we don’t teach allegiance to this country, flag and people, Who will they have allegiance to?
If not for God and Country, Then to Who’s God and Country?
This should not be an option, this should be a Requirement for ALL Citizens. Of Course when you have a school district that is dominated by illegal aliens and subversives, I guess it would be offensive to them.
If you do not provide basics educational respect for the exceptional ism of this country it will no longer be exceptional. If you do not provide the basic educational concept of national loyalty and pride it will no longer be a nation to be proud and loyal to.
Report Post »Better_Red_than_Dead
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 12:16amMan, even I think this is silly.
Although, maybe that’s because the pledge was written by a socialist.
CONSPIRACY!?
Report Post »*************************
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:26am“We’re celebrating diversity and including people.”
Include “bronze star with valor” decorated Sgt. Timothy J. McVeigh. He’d like to deal another blow to other enemies of America.
“Collateral Damage”
http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/reflections-on-mcveigh.html
“Now I don‘t have to tell you good folks what’s been happening in our beloved little town. Sheriff murdered, crops burned, stores looted, people stampeded, and cattle raped. The time has come to act, and act fast. I’m leaving.” – Rev. Johnson, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »JKN
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 9:20amWhatever happened to patriotic pride? What are our troops fighting and dying for if not for the freedom to salute the American flag and all that she represents?
Report Post »getalong
Posted on December 23, 2010 at 1:57pmCommunism is coming to your local elementary schools soon – if it is not already there. Children as young a 5 years old are being indoctrinated under such techniques as “Responsive Classroom training” Scarey stuff considering almost all the reference books on this type of training and suggested reading materials are written by communist and socialist idiots. Check it out for yourself. Google “Responsive Classroom techniques” and check out the reference books and the authors.
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