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"I Pledge Allegiance"

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Who even knows what these words mean without having to think it over? Who could answer if you asked them? Certainly not the schoolchildren that are forced to say it.

I was visiting a church club about a week ago and the adult commander was leading the K-6th graders in the Pledge to the American Flag. Once it was over, he said "Freeze." He then walked around and reprimanded any child not properly saluting the country. Made me ill.

The United Stated adopted the hand over the heart salute after Hitler used what was our method, the hand straight out.

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Originally posted by Coconut
Who even knows what these words mean without having to think it over? Who could answer if you asked them? Certainly not the schoolchildren that are forced to say it.

I was visiting a church club about a week ago and the adult commander was leading the K-6th graders in the Pledge to the American Flag. Once it was over, he said "Freeze." He then walked arou ...[text shortened]... d the hand over the heart salute after Hitler used what was our method, the hand straight out.
Reprimanded how?

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Originally posted by Coconut
Who even knows what these words mean without having to think it over? Who could answer if you asked them? Certainly not the schoolchildren that are forced to say it.

I was visiting a church club about a week ago and the adult commander was leading the K-6th graders in the Pledge to the American Flag. Once it was over, he said "Freeze." He then walked arou ...[text shortened]... d the hand over the heart salute after Hitler used what was our method, the hand straight out.
What's the debate?

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Originally posted by Merk
What's the debate?
Good question.

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Your claim about the hand being extended prior to WW2 was unfamiliar to me, so I looked into it. Indeed, the "Bellamy Salute" was used until 1942. Here's a picture of schoolchildren using it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute

Not that it's any big deal, but it's an interesting historical sideline many people aren't aware of.

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Originally posted by torch71
Reprimanded how?
One was made to sit in the middle of the circle for the next portion of singing. Others were strictly, not kindly, reminded how to blindly give your life to the government.

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Originally posted by Merk
What's the debate?
The debate: Do you support the indoctrinating of our children that every public school does. They teach them the words, not the meaning, of the pledge.

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Originally posted by Coconut
The debate: Do you support the indoctrinating of our children that every public school does. They teach them the words, not the meaning, of the pledge.
Actually at some point they do go over the meaning of the words, I have seen posters with the pledge spelled out and explained in various schoolrooms.
As a school teacher myself, I don't have a problem with it. Do you?

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Originally posted by Coconut
The debate: Do you support the indoctrinating of our children that every public school does. They teach them the words, not the meaning, of the pledge.
They don't demand the students do the pledge in schools. Its unconstitutional.

And, I did the pledge when I was a kid. Nobody ever told me anything about dying for your country. I have no idea what you are talking about. Where did this happen?

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Originally posted by Coconut
The debate: Do you support the indoctrinating of our children that every public school does. They teach them the words, not the meaning, of the pledge.
I believe all children in the school system should say the pledge, learn why they are saying it, and what it represents.

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Originally posted by torch71
I believe all children in the school system should say the pledge, learn why they are saying it, and what it represents.
What if they learn what it means and don't want to say it?

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Originally posted by Coconut
What if they learn what it means and don't want to say it?
It's not required, that's been pointed out to you. In fact, before the morning pledge the announcement is "for those who wish to participate, please stand for the pledge".
Many don't nowadays, which is sad.

I think you're making an issue out of nothing.

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Originally posted by Coconut
Who even knows what these words mean without having to think it over? Who could answer if you asked them? Certainly not the schoolchildren that are forced to say it.

I was visiting a church club about a week ago and the adult commander was leading the K-6th graders in the Pledge to the American Flag. Once it was over, he said "Freeze." He then walked arou ...[text shortened]... d the hand over the heart salute after Hitler used what was our method, the hand straight out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Children%27s_Story

Excellent story.

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Originally posted by Coconut
Who even knows what these words mean without having to think it over? Who could answer if you asked them? Certainly not the schoolchildren that are forced to say it.

I was visiting a church club about a week ago and the adult commander was leading the K-6th graders in the Pledge to the American Flag. Once it was over, he said "Freeze." He then walked arou ...[text shortened]... d the hand over the heart salute after Hitler used what was our method, the hand straight out.
The Hitler salute was the Roman salute - palm down. The American one was the Bellamy salute - palm up. However you're right; it was indeed changed due to this similarity.

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they should adopt the fascist salute and the "white power" symbol