Moderately Confused by Jeff Stahler for April 10, 2023

Forced Patriotism is not instilling love of country in our youth it is indoctrination.

I had to do it when I started grade school in 1954., and it should still be required today.

“. . . one nation, indivisible.” Congress added “under God” to show them d-mned Godless Commies. So much for Separation of Church and State.

Who’s being forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day? What tripe to complain about something that isn’t happening.

The First Amendment guarantees the freedom to speak as well as the freedom not to speak. Students have the right to withhold from reciting the Pledge. In my experience, it was done in elementary school. Elementary students should be taught civics. I don’t think it’s in their mind at that age to decline from reciting a pledge because it’s forced freedom.

He says after being forced to attend school each day for hours.

Blame the parents for not raising their kids and not teaching them scruples, compassion, responsibility, faith, love, respect, truth, loyalty to America!

I started grade school the September before Pearl Harbor. The ‘Pledge’ had a lot more meaning over the next few years. So did our prayers for our troops., many of whom were our framily, our neighbors, our coaches and our teachers, and our ministers. That, at least, has not changed.

Prayers for the fallen, the injured, their families, and their caretakers.

The phrase “under God” was added to the pledge in 1954. Members of congress wanted to emphasize a difference between the USA and the evil empire.

Move to Russia.

You can always leave the country or did you cross in illegally?

unlike taxation without representation…repeal the 16th amendment…

Well,you could always “take a knee”……

Forced? How about randomly fortunate? Blessed? Grateful?

I now realize when I look back, I was being ’groomed".

Nothing says freedom more than to be force to live by someone else’s religious principles – MAGA.

Then, buh bye-ee

I always hated this. Being an American is not about doing the same thing as everyone else.

More and more I find myself wondering exactly what “freedoms” y’all have any more? (Other than carrying guns that kill kids, I mean.)

When I say the pledge, I always leave out the “under god” part. It was not in the original pledge and I am an atheist. I have no desire for some fictional god to play a role in my country.

Saying the pledge doesn’t make one a patriot. Being a patriot doesn’t make one a decent person. Being a chauvinist doesn’t make one a real patriot; patriots can quiet and unassuming and not screaming about how patriotic they are.

“West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943), is a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protects students from being forced to salute the American flag or say the Pledge of Allegiance in public school.”

Odd, when a short Austrian did this it was considered evil.

If having an expressed allegiance to a country is a bad thing, then those who do not align with the patriotism of where they live, should be free to move to and live in the country that promises the best alignment with their beliefs.

For me, I choose the republic of the United States of America, and I also embrace immigrants who come to the USA with intentions of patriotism to our flag. My forebears were immigrants. I am lucky to be here.

…& to a FLAG?!!! How about to the principles of equality under the law, etc.?

My understanding is that our “pledge” is the result of a campaign by a flag company – to sell more flags!

Or forced to have a baby, or forced to take a vaccine, or wear a mask, or wear a seat belt, etc., etc.

Stahler’s Woke Returns and the lefty diatribes are revulsive

If this place is so bad why are there thousands of people trying to come here? How many are going to China, Russia, South America, Africa and the list goes on and on. If you believe it is a terrible place I suggest you try another country and tell me how that works out for you. I was an Army M.P. in Berlin, Germany. That was not built to keep people from getting in but getting out.

And what makes you think other countries don’t do the same thing?

Funny, I graduated from High School in the south in 1976. In all of those years, we were never compelled to do it everyday. Usually, just a few times a year. Maybe a half a dozen per year.

But did you do the Bellamy Salute, as was originally required? To stretch out your right arm with the fingers outstretched and the palm downwards.