Do you agree or disagree with the laws as they've been applied to the Pledge? How does the law support or go against your views on the Pledge? Is there anything you would change about the law or the Pledge itself? Be sure to use specifics from the article to support your ideas.
I agree with the law in Colorado in 2003 that required "daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by students and teachers." This law also included exceptions for religious reasons or if parents wrote notes to the principal. As I see it, no one is asking anyone to live in America, but if you do, in my opinion, you should want to say the Pledge. If we do not support our country, who will? I like the "daily" part of the law because repetition is important. I think that it makes the courts less credible when they are switching their minds so much, but on the other hand, it is a very timely and controversial topic so I can understand why they are flip - flopping on decisions. For example, it is easy to understand why "A resurgence of patriotism has swept the nation" after September 11, 2001. I would change the part of the Pledge that talks about God because it is true that the, "the pledge contains a religious phrase, and it is demeaning to persons of any faith to assert that the words 'under God' contain no religious significance". Personally, I have no problem with the word 'God' in the pledge, but many other people do and I feel like they would say the pledge if it was not in there. The pledge does not lose any significance without the word in there, so I think it is a good change if it were made. Overall, I think everyone should be obligated to say it, and proud to be an American.
Jamie, I think you bring up very valid points about being patriotic and reciting the pledge everyday. I think that it does show a level of camaraderie for the country in saying it. I agree with putting God in as well. Personally it doesn't make a difference to me either whether or not to recite it. I believe that people should have the option, which with all of the laws people should be able to. Though I think people who do not say the pledge of allegiance have a justification because they shouldn't have to say anything that they don't necessarily believe in or want to recite based on religious reasons. I think it would be better for people who want to say then make people do it begrudgingly. I think your post brings up a lot of good things!
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