Risottia wrote:The Realm of Lordaeron wrote:
It's a public ritual that reinforces the basic principles of American democracy, allegiance to the United States and helps reinforce the values that hold us together as a nation despite our ethnic and racial differences.
I stood up every day when i was in school in Florida, placed my right hand over my heart every morning. They would play an old VHS tape with the US anthem and we would subsequently pledge allegiance to the Flag.
It should stay.
The principles of American democracy include respect for the individual and his opinions. Separation of the State from everyone's personal beliefs. A government that is banned from imposing limits on free speech. Having kids treated like troops and mandated to uniform themselves to a government-mandated speech, and go full Pascal with ritualism in the effort to create a para-religious myth about the State is NOWHERE near the basic principles of America and its democracy.
"I don’t care whether she ever memorizes the Gettysburg Address or not, but I want her to understand it, and since very few little girls are asked to defend their country, she will probably never have to raise her hand to that oath, but I want her to respect all who do. I guess that is what I want for my girl."
Not a quote by Ralph Nader or Bernie Sanders, you know.