Pledge of Allegiance Returns to NYC School After Parents Complain Daughter Has no Idea What it Is
- Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:49am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Imagine, for a moment, you’re sitting next to your child and video of a class reciting the Pledge of Allegiance flashes across the TV. Your child tugs on your shirt and innocently asks, “Mom, what are they doing? What are they saying?” Shocking, you might say. It would never happen. Guess what? It happened in New York City.
Joe and Winnie Fleischer of Brooklyn, NY were flabbergasted when they realized recently their daughter Brianna, 8, had no idea what the Pledge of Allegiance was. They thought it was common knowledge, especially in the classroom.
“I was shocked that she didn’t know the pledge,” Joe, a NYC firefighter, told the New York Daily News. “I thought she’d been doing it in school.”
They thought wrong.
So they went to the school, PS29, to change that. After spirited meetings with parents, teachers, and an “educational unit for kids,” the principal agreed to have the Pledge broadcast over the school’s loud speaker “for the first time in years.”
But here‘s what’s interesting. In New York, reciting the Pledge daily in schools is the law. The principal, then, isn’t doing anything revolutionary — she‘s just complying with what’s been mandated since just after 9/11.
Others, however, aren’t. The Daily News called 10 New York-area schools asking if they recite the Pledge regularly. Only half do.
Despite the law, not all of the school‘s parents share the Feischers’ affinity for the patriotic statement. One father told the Daily News he was worried his kids would be harassed for refraining and called it “social coercion.” Another branded it as unnecessary.
“One of the best things about New York City is the diversity, and I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.
But despite those objections, the city’s Department of Education affirms the recitation, and said they will work to uphold it.
“State law requires a daily recitation of the pledge, and New York City schools must follow state law,” a city Education Department spokeswoman.
That’s just fine with Drenda Galeotti, 44, who has a 5-year-old in kindergarten at another NYC public school: “I know the phrase ‘under God’ is what gets people’s panties in a bunch, but we need to keep instilling in our kids what makes our country so great.”
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Comments (252)
Stevsea
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:10pm—————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Report Post »“One of the best things about New York City is the diversity, and I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.
————————————————————————————————————————————————–Unsure of your place here? Ana Cecelia, if you’re unsure of that or worried about your children being unsure, maybe you don‘t want to be here or simply don’t belong here. I don’t even really understand that quote.
Conservative New Yorker
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:25pmI know! That statement got me too! My family and I had NO confusion of where or who we were. Americans- sons and daughters of LEGAL immigrants…
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 5:01pmE Pluribus Unom! (Out of many ONE!)
Report Post »If you cannot comprehend that Ana Cecilia go back where you came from. Take your son too.
You Ana Cecilia abet the destruction of the greatest country the world has ever known. You do it because you’re here…,but you’re not.
E Pluribus Unom Ana! We are ALL Americans! We ARE one nation under God.
Conservative New Yorker
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:10pmWe used to recite the Pledge everyday in my NY public school. Good for the parents to fight back.
Report Post »Yes a ConsvNY Mother
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:29pmGlad to see there is another “Conservative NY’er” and I am not the only one in a bastion of liberalism!!
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:07pmLOL- I know, me too! We are a rare breed!… Good to meet you!
Report Post »Pattondog
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:09pmlets understand this comment: “I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.
well if your from another country visiting \ staying in another country, what about the insane thought of respecting thier customs and culture standards and practice.
Report Post »you know when in rome do as the romans do.
If I where to go to some other country and my way of doing things wasnt inline with the customs of that geographic region, ill be darned if i tried to make them obide by my minority view. unforatunatley the PC in this country is out of controll and feel guilted to the point where we are loosing our way of life for a minority population who in turn dont like our way of life to begin with. when is enough enough?
dgrobs
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:05pmAdd your comments
Report Post »dgrobs
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:04pmAND WE WONDER why our children don’t have the same feeling we grew up with about what a GREAT COUNTRY we have the priviledge to live in… every day I went to grade school we said the Pledge of Allegiance and it made you think THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY AND WE ARE PROUD OF IT.
What, does someone want you NOT to be proud of your country and grateful for its people and blessings…. WHY WOULD ALL SCHOOLS NOT BE DOING THE PLEDGE; I was astounded when I worked with Dare in the early 90′s when my children attended school that many had never heard of the “GOLDEN RULE” –do unto others as you would be done unto.
FIRST NO GOLDEN RULE, no PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, no God, no Country……
Report Post »Pezman
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:04pmI always tell the ‘Under God is religion” people that they can always, remain silent for those two words, or campaign to have them removed, just like the Knights of Columbus campaigned to have them added after WWII. I’m sick and tired of the “Hate America/Hate Religion” crowd damaging our society. I‘m for the most part a non’beleiver, but I still attend a church. I observe that people who attend a congregation regularly, are far more apt to help others in a direct and emphatic way, than those who don’t. Most who don‘t attend regularly are far more likely to call for ’Symphatic collectism,” in lieu of actual charity.
Report Post »ilovethiscountry
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:03pmMy neices don‘t know patriotic songs like America and The Battle Hymn of the Republic to name only two of them that they don’t know. People don’t know the National Anthem either.Why do you think that so many people screw up when they are trying to sing it before an athletic event. If they know it as they should, they wouldn’t mess it up.
Report Post »Firebrand
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:20pmI went to public school, and we had to recite the Pledge and sing one of those songs every morning before announcements. We only had to sing one verse. Monday was the National Anthem, the longest of the songs. I remember liking the Anthem because it meant less class time. Kind of made Monday mornings bearable… =o)
Report Post »TheLascone
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:03pmThank you for doing the right thing Joe and Winnie Fleischer !
Report Post »Joe and Winnie Fleischer
navychick
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:03pmgood for them. Keep it up. but should’ve done it in the first place.
Report Post »wildbluyonder11
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:03pm“One of the best things about New York City is the diversity, and I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.” Well, Ana, if they are attending our public schools, “kids from other countries” are there because their parents decided that they wanted to become citizens of this country and, in turn, make their children citizens of this country. And if you are a citizen of this country, it is only natural that you should “Pledge Allegience to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands”. Diversity doesn‘t have to mean that you can’t assimilate into the national culture.
Report Post »LB
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:19pmWell said, and until we start demanding this (respect America) to be done it will continue to get worse. If you live here, you live buy American ideals or leave….or just shut up.
Report Post »mkwisner
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:02pmTheir 8 year old daughter did not know what the Pledge of Allegiance is? Shame on her parents for waiting for the government to educate her!
Report Post »Yes a ConsvNY Mother
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:21pmAgreed. My daughter at two knew the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem. We recited it daily. Sometimes several times even while out shopping or playing in the sand, etc. People just don’t want to “parent anymore” and take an active roll in educating their children. Parents first and foremost should be the “primary teacher” in their children’s life not teachers. Teachers are only the “assistant teachers” are only there for a short time in that child‘s life while parents are by their children’s side forever.
Report Post »Paleo2k
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:02pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jf3MQpffBc&feature=related
Report Post »Paleo2k
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:01pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM
Report Post »rojotx
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:29pmDang, ya beat me to it! So good though!
Report Post »nbarendt
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:01pmI saw this before but forgot about it. Thank you. What insight he had saying what they would take out “one nation under god” how sad that we have become what we have become.
I pledge alligence to the flag of the United States of Amercia and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:01pmYou are un-American if you refuse to recite the pledge . If you disagree with me you’re a traitor .
Report Post »ProgressiveLiberalMarine
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:13pmThe rate that people throw out the word “Traitor” here is astounding.
Report Post »capecodsully
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:11pmIt’s astounding that progressive liberal bull crap says there is no such thing as a traitor. Hatred for American ideals is OK because America needs fundamental transformation.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:50pmTransform back! OMG = Obama Must Go
Report Post »ItsallaboutJesus
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 9:07amOMG- I like that!
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:34pmYou are speaking about Obama, right? HE IS A TRAITOR.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:35pmOf course you are, silly me. The man has told more lies than a prostitute. Silly me…..he is a prostitute for foreign leaders that are anti-American.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:43pmMaybe that’s because there are so many who are proud of their treason. it’s that fashionable.
Report Post »bloptop
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:50pmHey this is for all of you nutty hyper nationalists out there: the POA was written by (drum roll please) …….A SOCIALIST! To top it off, it was created in 1892 and added “God” in 1954. This fascist voodoo chant should be taken out of our schools forever. It has NOTHING to do with what our founders envisioned and it’s frankly something resembling kids in north korea chant. You’re defending socialist literature hahahaha
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:01pmHey Joe and Winnie Fleischer, my son learned the pledge from me before he started school. If you depend on union teachers to educate your kid, your kid may not get the education you want for him. Education starts at home America.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:06pmShe is only 5 years old. I think the fireman and his wife more than made up for not teaching her the pledge at home by correcting the problem for all of the children in her school.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:09pmMy mistake, she was 8. Still the family should be commended for fighting back and changing it – in NYC no less!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:12pmGood, maybe they can wait for the teachers to tell their kid about God now and they’ll fix the whole school system. If you want your kid to know something teach it, take responsibility.
Report Post »ProgressiveLiberalMarine
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:16pmIf you want your kids to learn religion, it’s not the teachers responsibility.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:21pmOf course you teach duty to God, Family and Country at home … and I have. But I still pay huge taxes to the schools so I like to see errors corrected and not just tolerated.
Report Post »ProgressiveLiberalMarine
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:01pmThere isn’t really any place in public schools for religion. That’s what private schools are for.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:27pmProgressiveLiberalMarine:
Report Post »Before I begin, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!
HOWEVER, there is no such thing as separation of church and state – NADA. Show me in the Constitution or Bill of Rights where it states this? GOD Himself founded America, so IT BELONGS TO HIM – not you, not liberals. And, because WE, the American people (most of us) believe in God and this principal, WE, the People will fight tooth and nail to get it back from people like you who have corrupted our society with your false teachings, your lies, your atheism, and your deceit. So, get out of the way – WE ARE COMING THROUGH. No more will we be silent. No more will we allow the minority to overtake the majority. No more will we sit by in a corner and do nothing. NO MORE.
Kalshion
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:31pmI’m actually in agreement with ProgressiveLiberalMarine here, (never thought that’d happen), even though I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, I don‘t think it would be right to teach him in our public schools since there ARE kids who aren’t part of the Catholic/Christian religion and thus may not believe in god.
You shouldn’t force religion onto children in school, unless it’s a religious private school (after all, it’s a religious school, so you obviously knew what you were getting into)
Report Post »Yes a ConsvNY Mother
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:00pmConfirms even more of why I send my children to a catholic school and not public no matter how much we have to sacrifice ourselves financially in order to afford the tuition.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:15pmGood for you, and even better for your children. Thank you!
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:59amNow I can’t wait for the ACLU to get involved in this one….
Report Post »leary1
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:59amI would like to think this is rare,but:probably not,our gov`t is trying to make everything p.c. Make sure the pledges words have not been changed, this is a tactic used to dumb down or desensitize the children so they become drones of the state
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:59amExcellent catch!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:59amNow to find out what sort of American history is being taught — or changed — in their schools.
Report Post »GardenoftheGods
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:59amMy proudest moment: My 4 yr old grandaughter & 5 yr old grandson standing with their hands over their hearts, saying the Pledge of Allegiance!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:58amFirst, break down tradition by not teaching it to children……..that is the way of the FASCIST LEFT!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:04pmWhat else can you expect out of New York?!
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:06pmThe Pledge of Allegiance has always felt like a form of brainwashing to me. No different than what Communist nations do.
We don’t need it. GIVE ME FREEDOM!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:13pm@ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:06pm
The Pledge of Allegiance has always felt like a form of brainwashing to me. No different than what Communist nations do.
We don’t need it. GIVE ME FREEDOM!
Report Post »~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I understand you can buy a one-way ticket to Cuba now at any airport.
smithclar3nc3
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:19pmJust looking at your online title says all we have to know about who and what you are.
Report Post »The Flag of America is the symbol of Freedom it‘s isn’t freedom you desire it collectivism in palin white generic wrapper like government cheese
That’s it from now on anyone responding Zombie Jes. should start refering to“ it” as Government cheese
GRedmonds
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:20pm@zombie Jesus love me. Don’t like it? Want freedom? Feel free to leave this great nation. There’s your freedom. The pledge is an oath that educates a person on their responsibilities to our nation. We need to stop catering to the minority and stand as a majority. If we did we could retake and restore this nation.
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:28pmhey zombie dumb ass, w/o that Pledge, what would this country be like? No one would have any patriotism, no one would fight our wars! You are a pathetic amoeba – a zombie communist!
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:40pm@ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME,
Report Post »It seems like brain washing because maybe your mind is dirty and needs a good scrubbing.
hologram5
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:59pmHey dumbass, the first amendment says freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM. And you are free to leave any old time you like. Let me be the first to donate to your one-way ticket to Iran hmmkay?
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:15pmZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME, with the possible exception that Communist countries aren‘t a Republic and don’t believe in God. You may feel it’s brainwashing, but the rest of us simply see it as an expression of love for our country. Do you love your country? Whatever country that may be…
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:17pmI can understand these reactions from non-regulars in here but from you Showtime?
I’m even more disappointed. Although you are usually inline with the majority of Neocon agenda, still fully supporting any Republican out there, I gave much stock into you. I thought you were beyond saying something like this.
Leave the country, huh? Move to Cuba, you say?
I bet if you were alive during the American Revolution, you’d tell our founding fathers to leave? “Oh you don’t like the Crown, well then leave! Go live in Spanish colonies see if you like it better!”
Pathetic. Utterly pathetic. Not many in the colonies wanted to fight against the British. Freedom is suppose to be our ultimate goal yet you don’t see the problem with FORCING someone to pledge to something. Would you be upset if schools decided to have a “Pledge to Obama” recited every morning? You’d be furious! Let’s leave out all the indoctrination, whether it’s from the left or the right, and just teach our friggin’ children, what do you say?
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:20pmReciting the Pledge of Allegiance is NOT socialism………how absurd can you be?
IN NO WAY does it force you to do anything against your free will.
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the national flag and the REPUBLIC of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892. The Pledge has been modified four times since then, with the most recent change adding the words “under God” in 1954. Congressional sessions open with the swearing of the Pledge, as do government meetings at local levels, meetings held by the Knights of Columbus, Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Freemasons, Toastmasters International and their concordant bodies, as well as other organizations.
The Pledge of Allegiance reads:[1]
I 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.
According to the United States Flag Code, the Pledge “should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute”.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:22pm@GREDMONDS
I find your comment ironic. You want to teach the responsibilities of our nation yet fall flat in understanding what our Government is. As a Constitutional Republic, rule by law, was established SPECIFICALLY to protect the minority from the majority.
If the framers of our Government wanted the overwhelming majority have their way, they would have just created a straight out Democracy rather than waste time with a Republic.
So tough luck. As long as we have a Republic, the minority will be protected from the whims of the majority.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:25pm@DEMOCRATGIRL
You failed to mention that Francis Bellamy was a devout socialist. Makes you ponder what his intentions were for the pledge.
Let me take a peek into your logic. Having a mandatory mass recital of the pledge in school is not forcing the kids to say the pledge? I’m not following your logic here.
Report Post »Progessives=Fail
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:31pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bellamy
Bellamy commented on his thoughts as he created the pledge, and his reasons for choosing the careful wording:
“It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution… with the meaning of the Civil War; with the aspiration of the people…
Report Post »“The true reason for allegiance to the Flag is the ‘republic for which it stands’. …And what does that last thing, the Republic mean? It is the concise political word for the Nation – the One Nation which the Civil War was fought to prove. To make that One Nation idea clear, we must specify that it is indivisible, as Webster and Lincoln used to repeat in their great speeches. And its future?
“Just here arose the temptation of the historic slogan of the French Revolution which meant so much to Jefferson and his friends, ‘Liberty, equality, fraternity’. No, that would be too fanciful, too many thousands of years off in realization. But we as a nation do stand square on the doctrine of liberty and justice for all…”
Bellamy “viewed his Pledge as an ‘inoculation’ that would protect immigrants and native-born but insufficiently patriotic Americans from the ‘virus’ of radicalism and subversion.”
Progessives=Fail
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:35pmBellamy was a Christian Socialist[2] who “championed ‘the rights of working people and the equal distribution of economic resources, which he believed was inherent in the teachings of Jesus.’”[4] but He was forced to leave his Boston church the previous year because of the socialist bent of his sermons.
Bellamy’s views on immigration and universal suffrage were somewhat less egalitarian. He wrote that “[a] democracy like ours cannot afford to throw itself open to the world where every man is a lawmaker, every dull-witted or fanatical immigrant admitted to our citizenship is a bane to the commonwealth; where all classes of society merge insensibly into one another.”
Why is your screen name American Soldier, surely you are not in the US military with your disdain for the pledge.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 9:53amZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:06pm
The Pledge of Allegiance has always felt like a form of brainwashing to me. No different than what Communist nations do. We don’t need it. GIVE ME FREEDOM!
Okay Zombie – And how much time have you served in prison for not saying the Pledge, or how many jobs have you lost for not participating? Promotions denied? Disciplinary actions taken? Maybe rocks through your window? Okay, vandalism?
Trust me, if you lived in Communist China or the Soviet Union, at least one of those things would have happened. So, please tell us all how you were punished for not saying the Pledge.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:43pm@PROGESSIVES=FAIL
Because I am an American Soldier, well, I’m separated now, but I am proud of my accomplishments. I’m proud that I stood up and volunteered to go to war, leaving my family behind not knowing if I’ll ever return. How much have you sacrificed for the country you say you love so much? I never said I have a disdain for the pledge. I do, however, have a strong disdain for how our country is being run. By both Republicans and Democrats. Why would I want to pledge my allegiance to this country as jacked up as it’s doing business these days?
And it’s not the pledge or the words I care about. Other than being an Agnostic and not appreciating them adding “Under God” in the 50′s, I have no problem with an individual willing to pledge an allegiance to our country. I just don’t believe school children should be forced, indoctrinated, brainwashed into reciting it every day. Each child will discover their level of patriotism on their own time.
FORCE is the antithesis of FREEDOM.
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on March 28, 2011 at 5:51am@American Soldier: Children learn by repetition … that’s the way it has always been done. If they are not taught loyalty when they are young, do you think all will turn out as you did? I’d hate to rely on your premises. To teach a child anything you must expose them to it, explain it and REPEAT IT OFTEN!!!
Report Post »quarter horseman
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:57amAhhh some good news! in a world of bad.
Report Post »TexasHillsPatriot
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:26pmIt is some good news, and not to be a downer, but how many other school principles are ignoring state law and not reciting the pledge? I have to believe that this wasn’t the only principle ignoring the law.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:03pmsince they are breaking the law by not having the pledge then maybe these principles should be prosecuted????
Report Post »HairRazor
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:08pmone small step forward.. now watch for resistance, whining about offending one or two.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:57amThank you Fleischer family for being proactive!
Report Post »TheLascone
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:05pmThank you Joe and Winnie Fleischer
Report Post »http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630227@N06/5544103007/in/photostream/
TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 11:57amGood, one small step in the right direction. I explained the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to my kids, word for word. As a kid I used to say it without really knowing the meaning.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:03pmMy school taught us the pledge and explained it word by word. I think that might have been while I was in a private school, but I’m not sure. North Carolina does have excellent schools — or they did while I was a student.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:07pmNever should have been taken out in the first place .. but this is a good start– bringing it back. How about we get rid of the “politically correct” history books next and teach REAL history .. especially American History.
Report Post »LB
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:12pmDon’t get too excited “they” will try and change the law
Report Post »Miguelito
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:21pmGood, parents lets take our country back! Don’t let the elite dumb down our kids!
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:24pmScrew NYC and their socialistic morons living there! If they can’t recite the Pledge, then go the hell to Russia – traitors!
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:29pmI still dont get why they werent doing it in the first place? The article states “The principal, then, isn’t doing anything revolutionary — she‘s just complying with what’s been mandated since just after 9/11.” and thats it. Who in their right mind would tell schools NOT to recite the pledge AFTER 9/11???
I’d like to know who mandated this and hear their ridiculous reasoning then see them fired. There is nothing more destructive then starting children out like this that they dont learn patriotic customs. Thats indoctrination IMO as it cites a father saying “One father told the Daily News he was worried his kids would be harassed for refraining and called it “social coercion.” Another branded it as unnecessary.”
What happened to these ppl to think this way? When did being patriotic to your country become offensive? We all grew up learning the pledge and in my school we went a step further singing ‘My Country Tis Of Thee’. Disgraceful what is happening in this country and its coming from those on the left either from the aging hippy generation or their children who are now educators etc. Liberalism is evil and dangerous if they have their way our history will be rewritten to say the Founders were terrorists and forgotten!
Report Post »ruffnex
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:31pmConern about kids from other countries feeling out of place. If they don’t want to be AMERICANS, WHY are they HERE?
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:31pmThank You, Winnie and Joe Fleischer, For Standing Up On Behalf Of America and America’s Children!
More Of This, All Across Our Great Country!
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:31pmThere is an excellent piece by Red Skelton where he does exactly that. Explains the Pledge word for word. See it on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:34pmShowtime
North Carolina…..great place. Am new here from Iowa. So far, am loving it. Gastonia area.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:53pmPanties in a bunch????
Report Post »because of GOD being mentioned?
We used this in AA: Good
Orderly
Direction
WhatTheHuh
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:58pm“One of the best things about New York City is the diversity, and I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.
This quote, in a nutshell, explains what is wrong with our country (and our education system) today. There is no longer any desire to teach our kids what it means to be American. Suddenly it has become “offensive” to ask/require people from other countries to assimilate. “Having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here”? What does that mean? On the contrary, it would clarify their place in our country (You are an American!) I am so tired of all this PC junk. If you don’t want your kid to say the Pledge, then why did you even come to this country? I hate to use this old, somewhat indelicate saying but, “America, love it or leave it.”
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 12:58pmWhile I was teaching, the first thing we did every morning was to say the Pledge of Allegience! Have no idea when it stopped, but it is a disgrace that it hasn’t been said for quite sometime! No wonder our kids are so oblivious to so much of what I was responsible for teaching! Our education system has been so dumbed down it is truly sad and pathetic—it is the explanation of why our kids of today do so poorly on the SOL’s, even though the teachers teach the test! I pray for our society of the future!
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:05pmCharlie Daniels had one he did quoting Red Skelton on the meaning of the Pledge of Alliegence. It’s actually pretty good, I would suggest looking it up.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:07pm““One of the best things about New York City is the diversity, and I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here,” Ana Cecelia, whose son is in kindergarten at PS 29, told the Daily News.”
More than likely it will make him feel more like an American. What convoluted thinking from these immigrants. Why are they here, and what happened to the time when immigrants wanted to become Americans?
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:14pm“But here‘s what’s interesting. In New York, reciting the Pledge daily in schools is the law. The principal, then, isn’t doing anything revolutionary — she‘s just complying with what’s been mandated since just after 9/11.”
So, is the principal going to be punished for breaking the law?
@SAVINGTHEREPUBLIC.COM
Report Post »I think you read it backwards, read it again.
TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:18pmBloody Sam, I just watched it. It’s very good. I’m confused though. He said 48 states, as there likely were at that time. How did we get all the way to 57? Maybe President Obama can enlighten us.
Report Post »Gerrymanderer
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:28pmOh no! The Cold War tool of making everyone recite the ‘pledge’ is back. True Libertarians know that no child should be forced into such submission. Liberty is also the ability to not have to recite such socialist ideals that one has to pledge themselves. The pledge is a socialist tool to conform one to an allegiance of submission. Liberate your mind and fight Socialism.
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:52pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance
check it out
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 1:58pmOne small step towards reclaiming America’s heritage, and that’s a good thing. No doubt at all that it was a progressive/lib who made the decision to discontinue the Pledge (thus breaking the law) in the first place.
The parent that complained it will confuse newer students coming to the country is way out of line. She doesn’t want her child to assimilate and become an American. If that is the case, by all means show her the door. I’m sure her former country will welcome her back with open arms. She needs to be reminded that America is a country, not an international hostel for foreigners who want to take all the perks but not the responsibility of being an American citizen.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:06pmWhen I was in high school, we recited the pledge as well. I didn‘t see any harm in it yet I didn’t put much stock in it either. Growing up and having served my country, knowing and saying the pledge has meaning to me. So does the national anthem. The point that I’m trying to make, though, is that it has special meaning to me because of what I believe and hope for in my country. I have make a commitment to my country in serving to defend it in the armed forces. I do not believe it should be MANDATORY to be recited, especially at school. It should be taught, just as any part of history is taught, just as the Constitution should be taught, but not mass recital.
It’s too reminiscent of a totalitarian regime to me. A lot of you worry about indoctrination at school, this is the same thing. School should be a place of hard facts to gain knowledge. The child will learn to either love and respect our country on their own or not. To have a mandatory, mass recital is the antithesis of a free society, IMHO.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:11pm@GERRYMANDERER
I agree with you. I’ve almost got into fist fights when I had a little debate with a Marine buddy of mine about flag burning. He couldn’t stand my stance, nor could he comprehend how I could possibly believe, in allowing flag burning.
Plain and simple, I fought for freedom not just for the symbol of freedom. If we destroy freedom to preserve the symbol of freedom, what is the point of maintaining the symbol of freedom when we’ve destroyed what it represents? I’ll let a flag burn but I will not stand by while actual freedom is taken away.
Report Post »democratgirl
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:16pmNow you KNOW some foreign diverse group (living in our great country) will scream FOUL and take this to the Supreme Court….you all know that, right?????
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:24pmIt’s time we all take the time to see IF our kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews/great grandkids/ cousins etc. say the pledge in school each morning.. and it wouldn’t hurt to include “My country tis of Thee” for the lower grades and the “Star Spangled Banner” for the upper grades.. this should go RIGHT THROUGH High School.. all those with kids in school in America shouldn’t feel left OUT they should be eager to learn them to feel NOT just the patriotism of this country but the COMMUNITY these things bring to EACH and EVERY citizen.. Just doing this will bring the kids CLOSER as they realize they are part of the biggest family and community in the world.. no matter what religion.. color or other difference we are ONE..
Report Post »chubbzbar
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:28pmI still think that Obama doesn’t have the “insides” to make American decisions because he was in a Muslim school and never said the Pledge on a daily basis.
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:36pm@Americansoldier(separated)
Having children recite the Pledge is a reminder of why they are lucky to live in America. It is in no way comparable to a totalitarian state. Do you think it is more productive for children to chant “We love Obama” in a song caught on tape not so long ago?
You said you didn’t need the Pledge to remind you of your loyalty to America and the freedom we have here, but everyone’s need is different. Children should hear the reaffirmation of what America offers us…..”one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”.
In a way, the Pledge they recite is also America’s pledge to them. It also unites them with a sense of pride in our country, something that the progressives are trying to erase.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 2:55pmPerhaps it is time to replace the teachers who are offended by the Pledge(case in MA recently) with people who know what it means to be American and are proud of it.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:14pmI had this fight this year with my sons school. Certain teachers were muting it from morning annoucements. Now all teachers must notify the office daily which password was given during announcements to verify that each class was ALLOWED to hear the pledge.My son is in first grade and his teacher feels the pledge is offensive to some students. She didnt care about most of the parents being offended by their children NOT being taught the Pledge.
Report Post »Progessives=Fail
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:19pmThe girl in red is doing it wrong….lol
Report Post »UncleBuck
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 3:47pmWhat is really scary are the parents who are worried that we may offend those who are from other countries. If they are here, then they should stand and be respectful of our country, the country they are living in and are receiving the benefit of our public school system, not to mention the rest of our public services. No wonder there are people living in our country who want to make it more like their country.
Report Post »colonial10
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 4:14pmWhat people don’t understand about the Pledge of Allegiance and our history is that it represents the true spirit of liberty. No matter what country you come from In some time in their history they were oppressed with tyranny. My kid will feel violated or different. That is what makes America great and the Pledge. It helps people realize that tyranny and despotism is everywhere. I wonder why these progressives can’t figure out why the world is on fire? People are oppressed and have no rights. Are the Mexicans free, no? Are the Muslims free, no? Why then do both of these ethnic groups come here along with people of all races? They came because it’s a land of opportunity. People can stand up now without violence and stupidity because of our Founders. Good job. These parents are awesome and the schools that follow tradition.
Report Post »SouthernBorn
Posted on March 25, 2011 at 5:16pmIn 1969, Red Skelton also explained the Pledge.
Report Post »Check it out: http://vodpod.com/watch/762989-red-skeltons-pledge-of-allegiance
Taquoshi
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:08amI’m always amazed at the level of angst that the Pledge creates.
It is not a vow, nor is it a test of citizenship. It’s a pledge. Those who object to their children reciting it merely have to instruct their children to respectfully stand and remain silent during the 15 seconds or so it takes to say those words.
For those who do wish to participate, they should respectfully leave the non participants alone.
Of course, there will be questions from one student to another about why they do or do not participate, just like there have been questions asked of Jewish students as to why they don’t celebrate Christmas or Easter. It’s not an attack, it’s not a confrontation, it’s a question. And it would be a good thing for the student to have an actual answer ready.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:29amEvery morning in Communist China, all students also pledge allegiance to the State. But that’s different. That’s brainwashing.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 5:35am…”I think having the pledge in school could make kids from other countries unsure of their place here”…
Is this woman insane? Having the pledge in school would make kids from other countries understand their place here!
If you’re not willing to pledge allegiance to America, then why are you here?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 10:37amWhat if they have no idea what our founders had in mind?
Report Post »rappini
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 11:01amTeachers should probably inform their students where the hell their heart is first.
Report Post »Mee the People
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 12:55pmwe are not going to need that silly pledge when obummer and his friends are done taking over
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on March 26, 2011 at 1:38pmI’m sorry, I didn’t realize continued residence in America requires you to pledge an allegiance to it. I believe in an America that has freedoms, even freedoms to not be fully in alliance with America. I would honestly be hard set to pledge an allegiance to it now. With all the crap that our Government is doing at home and over seas that I disagree with, why would I pledge my allegiance to that today?
I’m proud of my service to my country, although I now believe what I participated in was a waste of lives, time and money.
I wholeheartedly disagree with a mandatory citation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Patriotism isn’t something you can force or brainwash our kids into. They have to discover it on their own. That’s the basis of FREEDOM. If they can’t appreciate what they have on their own, then let them be. No one forced me to believe in, and fight for, my country. I don’t believe anyone else should be forced to either.
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