I Pledge Allegiance

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I grew up in a small town 23 miles South of the City of Buffalo: North Collins - and I am forever proud of that fact.

Well, mostly forever proud of it. A couple of fine police officers were killed there. Recently, there was a gruesome murder of a disabled woman there, and every once in awhile there is news made there that upsets me and spoils my idyllic remembrances of what a wonderful place that it is.

Yet a story making rounds in the last few days really makes me shake my head.

It seems at the North Collins Elementary there is a story brewing because the Pledge of Allegiance is said over the loud speaker, but is cut off after one line - so that the students can finish saying it in their own classrooms at their own pace.

Fine. Smart. Responsible.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!

But the school board is up in arms, claiming that the school is being run by the unpatriotic Taliban.

THAT'S NOT THE FACT, JACK!

Being that I'm a master debater (that's spelled right) I must step in here.

Fox News is running with the story. It's been topping the Buffalo news. Made the paper.

IT'S NOT A STORY!

I know some of the people in leadership at the school - I have an idea...

...let the world know that North Collins is as patriotic town as they come. Sing the pledge, show tune the pledge, stand on the roof and shout it to the water tower across the street. Moonwalk the pledge, raise the world's biggest flag. Pump the pledge over the town's loudspeaker, and wave the flag until your arm hurts.

The official news story:

NORTH COLLINS LOVES AMERICA! NORTH COLLINS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP IS IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM ANTI-AMERICAN!

THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE KIDS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND LEARN THE WORDS AT THEIR OWN PACE.

STOP FIGHTING.

GET A REAL PASSION IN A REAL STORY.

ALL TOGETHER NOW...

I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

I LEARNED THAT IN NORTH COLLINS!

Comments

clayboggess said…
It is very hypocritical for the students to be asked to say the character pledge but not the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. All of the excuses that are given, like students saying it at a different pace, are ridiculous because they are able to tolerate students saying the character pledge at a different pace. The reason we say the Pledge of Allegiance together is so that we can all be unified in our commitment to defending the flag and the American way if life. Stop making excuses and start dealing with the real issues here. There are obviously people on the school board who have different views about what patriotism really means.

Clay Boggess
http://www.BigEventFundraising.com
11 November, 2010
John said…
Clay,

This is how the story got distorted. Students only hear the character pledge, they are NOT expected to recite or memorize it. They ARE expected to recite, memorize, and learn the Pledge of Allegiance. If you know anything about learning, 3 year olds and 12 year olds learn best at their own pace. Veteran's visited the school this week to explain the meaning of today. The entire school celebrates Flag Day in June with the Legion Color guard. Memorial Day also has visits from veterans to the school. The school teaches patriotism throughout the year. Is it better for children to hear the Pledge or learn it?
11 November, 2010
Larry L said…
Well said Cliff and John
12 November, 2010
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