What is THIS?????

[sugar and spice]

Actually, I think this is a great thing.

Right after I graduated, my school district (the one where I attended high school) had a big controversy right after 9/11 because the school district tried to establish a rule where every school in the district had to either recite the Pledge of Allegiance or play the Star-Spangled Banner everyday. A number of parents (and students) were trying to overthrow this ruling because they didn't think it was right for the Pledge to be forced. National media found out about this, made a huge deal over it (since it was just post-9/11), and basically the media attention influenced the district to keep the ruling in place.

Basically, forcing students to say the Pledge of Allegiance does more harm than good. If they don't believe in the things the pledge mentions (most likely the "Under God" part), forcing them to say it will only make them even more angry. It can cause divisions between students, and in a political climate like today's, a student's decision to say or not say the pledge can be used against him or her, s/he can get teased or even threatened because of it. Situations can get ugly. And while I have nothing against the voluntary saying of the Pledge of Allegiance, I don't see why those who feel THAT strongly about it can't just say it on their own time. If you really believe in the ideals the pledge is about, it shouldn't matter WHERE you say it -- school, home, walking on the street -- they will mean just as much to you no matter what.