Prodigy, product of propaganda, or....? 10 yr old refuses to say Pledge of Allegiance

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

...and we're certainly giving CNN what they are looking for: controversy in a clip.

Where's the controversy? Has there been widespread public response or outrage that I have missed?

This isn't news worthy but it is perhaps worthy of a 2 page thread where people nod their head to it. Nothing deep or controversial there.

[PeppyGPhiB]

I remember when I was in elementary school there was a boy in my class who refused to stand up for the Pledge. He was a Jehovah Witness, and though he explained to the teacher that his religion prevented him from pledging anything to anyone other than God, the teacher wouldn't let it go and sent him to the principal's office. The kid must have won that fight, because the next day and the rest of the school year he remained seated during the Pledge.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

I remember when I was in elementary school there was a boy in my class who refused to stand up for the Pledge. He was a Jehovah Witness, and though he explained to the teacher that his religion prevented him from pledging anything to anyone other than God, the teacher wouldn't let it go and sent him to the principal's office. The kid must have won that fight, because the next day and the rest of the school year he remained seated during the Pledge.

I'm sort of surprised the teacher was that ignorant.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vi...on_v._Barnette

But I guess someone has to point it out to you for you to know. I feel like I learned that in high school, though.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Where's the controversy? Has there been widespread public response or outrage that I have missed?

This isn't news worthy but it is perhaps worthy of a 2 page thread where people nod their head to it. Nothing deep or controversial there.

I agree that it's not super-inflamatory, but why do you think it got picked up as a national news story? Is CNN just in the business of congratulating the youth of American when they refuse to say the pledge? Will there be a new feature about Kid Stand of the Day? It's hard to make the case that it's a particular important story to be a national story.

In terms of importance, Progressive Kid Notices U.S. Hypocrisy is about on the level of 10 year-old Newly Christian Kid Talks a Lot About Being Nice to the Disabled Girl Because It's What Jesus Would Do. Annoying Parents Suspected in Both Cases could be the subhead.

I think they ran it because CNN anticipated people discussing the points in the OP here. It would yield back and forth and trips to the CNN websites.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Where's the controversy? Has there been widespread public response or outrage that I have missed?

This isn't news worthy but it is perhaps worthy of a 2 page thread where people nod their head to it. Nothing deep or controversial there.

I was simply musing as to whether or not typical a 10 year old has the insight to develop and stand up for a strong conviction on an issue as complicated as the application of the Pledge of Allegiance to gay rights to marriage.