Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for September 04, 2019

Mrs. Wormwood probably called on Calvin knowing it will give her a reason to send him to the principal’s office.

tomorrow: Calvin — after “voluntarily” clapping the erasers — returns to the principal’s office sighing it’s not 8:30 yet

Mr. Spittle is in for a long year.

Calvin has a right to be in a panic. The Pledge of Allegiance is basically propaganda if you think about it.

Not being American, the thought of a pledge of allegiance in the morning is vaguely creepy. I’d be equally reluctant. It’s not something I’d want kids doing in school; Any such pledge should be something made by mature, consenting adults if they wish.

That said, it’s amazing how a simple (but awkward) social situation can send Calvin into a melt-down…. I could imagine him running around like a chicken with his head cut off… he just lacks calm in these situations that surprise him (which usually means he wasn’t observing and thinking ahead).

First trouble of the school year already. New record I’m guessing?

Good for you Calvin. Stand up for your right. Though it might help if you were a bit better informed about them in the first place.

After reading two of the negative comments above it makes me even more prouder of those who do respect our country and it’s wonderful traditions. God Bless America.

Well, Calvin, for a start the Bellamy salute is no longer used.

Calvin, at your age the only right you have is to say yes. Anything else will see you in some sort of trouble.

I think the Principal could have the same line as Calvin in panel 4.

I still love when he did it, “I pledge allegiance to to Queen Frag, and her mighty state of hysteria…”

Ah, Pledge of Allegiance. Because nothing says “Freedom” more than forcing kids (through peer pressure now) to say how free they are.

I can believe it, Calvin. You’re always first in line for trouble.

“If you’re looking for trouble, you’ve come to the right place……”

Having gone to a religious high school, each class was started with a prayer led by the teacher until senior year. At the senior level anyone could begin a prayer or add a prayer. On test days several students added prayers continuing until the teacher turned and gave a glaring look……oh, by the way, those prayers didn’t help me much.

We had a recording. It was scratchy. When they upgraded, it was a serious surprise to actually be able to hear all the words.

I’m staying far away from this one. I’ll talk to you all tomorrow.

“… with liberty and justice for all.” Uh, yeah.

“… With Liberty and Justice for All White Males who are Rich, “Christian”, Straight, and Conservative! Anyone else, not so much!"

The best example of why we say the Pledge of Allegiance was given by Red Skelton. He broke down each phrase with a very clear explanation starting with we honor the flag and what it stands for. Some have forgotten the message, others never understood it and still others want to disavow it. We’ve become a divided nation filled with hate and anger.

I’m Icelandic, but I grew up in Oklahoma. One day my mother asked me “Do you say the pledge of allegiance every morning”. When I told her I did, she pointed out to me that I wasn’t an American and that it wasn’t my flag. After that I always stood up for the pledge but didn’t put my hand over my heart and didn’t say anything. After a while, one of the other kids pointed out to the teacher that I never said the pledge of allegience. I still remember the teatcher’s answer: “He’s Icelandic, so it’s not his flag, but he shows it more respect than any of you. At least he stands at attention.”

Hi Principal Bob. How was your summer? And how are the wife and kids? Hard to believe it’s the start of the new school year already.

I was on a first name basis with every principal my school ever had when I was a kid. I didn’t go to the office for a week at one point and he called my house to make sure I wasn’t sick.

If this is suppose to be the first day of first grade why would the teacher assume Calvin would know the pledge?

This comic strip is decades old. Do kids even say the pledge anymore? Probably some parent complained if offended them or something.

Red Skelton explains the Pledge of Allegiance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJNL_rhGDq4&t=4s

I remember a kid in my class who was a Jehovah’s Witness and was “excused” from saying the pledge. He was told to go outside the classroom and wait until the rest of us were finished. Nothing like state-sanctioned ostracism to make a child feel accepted.

If you look at videos of school kids saying the Pledge prior to WWII, you will see them using a Nazi like salute. This was called the Bellamy Salute and was what was intended by Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute

I’m Canadian. Is this still done in America?

I seem to remember something about “one nation, indivisible,” I guess those days are long gone.

I like pledging allegiance to a country that doesn’t require me to pledge allegiance to it.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Amerika and to the Republicans for which it stands, one nation, under Trump, highly divisible, with liberty and justice for all white males with AR-15s.

I loved this one. Calvin’s overly dramatic response cracked me up.

I would rather have kids pledging to defend the Constitution.

Love it or leave it.

I hear Canadia has some openings …

Back to Calvin…remember Calvin? He looks like he just came out of a Frosted Sugar Bombs induced hallucination or something.

As always, if you look for trouble you will find it. The trouble is that sometimes other people looking for trouble find you.

And the day is off to a “rocking” start…!!

If Irving Berlin and Kate Smith were still around, he’d have written for her to sing, “God Help America.”

Really, he lasted that long?

Poor Calvin is stuck in an endless “Groundhog Day” scenario where he has to constantly re-live 1st Grade. No wonder he has such a large vocabulary!

Calvin must not live on the East Coast if his school day starts that early.

The whole pledge thing shows a basic insecurity created by the invention of a country out of so many different states. This may have been fine when America was new, but one would think everyone must know what country they are in by now!

Hey kid, when I’m done with you both eyes will be swelled shut and you can participate in our double-blind test.

I don’t even want to get started. See You-All tomorrow. You-all Be Safe and Have a Great Day !

He made it all the way to 8:15?

An absolutely classic look of terror in panel 2.

He’s picking up right where he left off.

No one in my class wants the lead the pledge of allegiance in my class either :/

Is it possible that when this comic was drawn, it was actually funny? The replies I see today would most likely make all of the men and women who died in previous wars for this country roll over in their graves.

This boy will grow up to become a strong leader knowing all the judicial laws. He has a knack for individual rights.

I’d gladly do the honors, ma’am. But I’d leave out the part about “under god”.

So if you aren’t willing to pledge allegiance to America what country are you allied with? The way I see this comic is that Watterson was mocking the way you people think

Why the pledge is important:

https://youtu.be/nDnXcw6euIE