I don't care what the Supreme Court says....it should be obvious to anyone that they have judgement and ideology issues at times. And I think children should have respect for their school, their teachers and their country. When they are a child...they are learning that and don't have the freedom to choose to be disrespectful. Unless the parent wants them to be disrespectful...then they have that right as they are the parent.
However, it's the law of the land. So when you say minors don't have First Amendment rights, you're incorrect. And I wonder where you see in the text of the First Amendment that only adults are entitled to its protections - or are you one of those people that thinks you can just read extra words into the Constitution? Which has what to do with reciting a 31-word sentence written by a Socialist? How, exactly, is sitting quietly in their chair being "disrespectful"?
Minors don't have first amendment rights. Being law of the land....simply means the law is wrong. I'm sure that the kid could have stood up. Sitting in your chair while everyone else is standing is disrespectful and is making a statement...which I deem inappropriate. Non-participation and making a statement are two different things. If he was my kid he'd be grounded for making an obvious act of rebellion....but I'm sure some parents would have rejoiced.
I pledge my resistance to the flag of the racist states of America not to the public upon which they stand one hatred under all; divisive, with justice for none.
Can you show me where the Constitution states this? Sitting is nonparticipation. As is standing quietly. So you have no problem with standing quietly? You think sitting and not saying the Pledge is "disrespectful", but standing and not saying the Pledge is perfectly acceptable? That just strengthens the point that it's not about the meaning of the Pledge to people - it's about the ritual. Fortunately, people with actual power to deem what is appropriate and what is not are a bit more in line with how the Framers envisioned the country. Good thing you weren't the parent of any of our Founding Fathers, then, right? At the concept that my child can think for himself, and won't grow up being a simple-minded person who thinks that reciting a meaningless "pledge" is a great expression of patriotism? I would be happy, yes.
Wearing Sureno Blue is the safe move to make. It doesn't provoke the local gangsters. Looking stupid is irrelevant to me.
I seriously doubt that. I have never heard of any US school currently requiring the pledge from a student. I suspect you are exaggerating. It is possible that your teacher really is THAT uninformed. If your claim is real, you can probably sue the school for it. Neither do I. BFD. Thats even more reason you should be indifferent to the pledge. Not less. Why would it bother you to pledge yourself to a deity that you dont think exists anyway? What exactly are you losing? So what? Do you think the pledge will magically bring God into existence or something? If a cop asks you your name and you refuse to answer him, you will be arrested probably. No, Freedom of Speech does not necessarily mean you can refuse to say stuff. That being said I seriously doubt your school actually requires this and that you were actually suspended for it.
Actually, it does. A cop can't arrest you simply for not telling him your name. What would be the charge?
I believe its within the "Welfare Clause" Respectful, appreciative children are important for the welfare of this country. Sitting when the teacher tells the class to stand is participation in a rebellous statement. Correct. One is a brat demanding attention and the other is a student not participating. Its about expecting a child to have respect...for the teacher, the class and his/her country. I have no doubt our founders were respectful as children, appreciative of their Brit heritage as children. And made courageous well thought out decisions when they were mature. A child who believes the pledge "meaningless" is exhibiting simple-mindedness. And hasn't been educated well.
Good job OP on standing up for yourself. No one can force you to say the pledge of allegiance. I suggest you challenge this decision made by your teacher.
Yes, make sure you complain loudly about pledging to a God you dont believe in. It is totally worth the time and effort, and it has very very deep meaning.
Oh, I see, so you're one of those people who thinks the Constitution is a "living document" and should be "interpreted" liberally, instead of strictly construed? Fair enough. I disagree. I don't think it makes a difference, but perhaps you can explain to me how sitting vs. standing disrupts the class. Are other students somehow prevented from saying the Pledge if one child doesn't stand??? Which has nothing to do with saying the Pledge. Ooh, I know, like creating a Pledge of Allegiance, right? Oh, wait, they didn't do that... A socialist did that, a century later. In fact, they despised so-called loyalty oaths. If you think they would have sanctioned something like the Pledge, you should have spent less time in school Pledging and more time actually studying (and respecting) our Founding Fathers. So it's educating a child well to teach them to repeat a 31-word phrase without them possibly comprehending what it means? My son is vastly advanced in, among other things, his literacy skills. Yet he only vaguely understands the concept of the United States and certainly doesn't understand what the Pledge actually means. It's ridiculous. Anyone who thinks children gain any "respect" for the country by saying the Pledge is completely delusional, and has probably never spent more than 5 minutes around a 6-year-old.
It has nothing to do with the pledge. It has to do with the proper attitude of respect. Let me explain. If I was teaching....a Sunday School Class as an example, and I announced that we all would stand to sing a hymn, then I would expect my kids to stand. But if I noticed that some weren't singing..participating in song.....I don't view that as disrespect. Some kids have trouble singing, embarrassed..... But if I asked that the class stand to sing a hymn...and all stood except one kid, then that is an act of disrespect towards his/her teacher. There would be no other reason to ignore that simple request. I don't think you've taught any classrooms full of kids have you...
This is a poor analogy. Sunday school attending children are there because they wish to be, at least by parental proxy, and have a common goal in learning about their belief. Not the same in a public school with a diverse student body and where the pledge does nothing to further learning.
There is no difference between this analogy and a public school class room setting. Again...we aren't talking about the pledge...we are talking about a child who chose to be disrespectful to his teacher. If he stood and refused to recite the pledge...then he would have not participated and we would not be having this conversation. The teacher wouldn't be put in a position of how to handle the situation...including how to continue to hold the respect of the other kids who might be emboldened. The kid was rude....and I would hope that people don't want rude, disrespectful kids. Let them grow up and learn that. But the point was to bring attention to himself and show contempt for others.
I have. I do. I don't take it personally if a student doesn't stand for the pledge. The disrespect is not aimed at me but at the pledge. And if the disrespect is aimed at me, I'd be pretty dumb to further disrupt the class and teach the students that pulling my strings is as easy as sitting quietly.
