Student refuses to recite Pledge of Allegiance, tells teacher to go jump off a bridge

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 08:07 AM

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/11/13...recite-pledge/

This kid really 'stands up' for his belief.

And, as a side story, another Principal doesn't know how to handle a situation, getting everything blown out of proportion.

Nosi · 17th November 2009, 08:41 AM

He knows his civics and thinks outside his iPod. Unusual.

kuroyume0161 · 17th November 2009, 08:44 AM

More power to him!

Since I became an atheist, if I do say the pledge, I omit the part 'under god'.

As far as I'm concerned, making it compulsory stands for everything that this nation isn't supposed to be about. Freedom of speech and popular dissent must necessilary extend even to pledges and patriotism.

Checkmite · 17th November 2009, 09:03 AM

"With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."??

Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself. If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on?

madurobob · 17th November 2009, 09:03 AM

If it were my kid, I'd make him apologize for "going 10 year old" and resorting to insult. But, I'd be mighty proud of him either way. Good on him. He stuck to his principles even though he surely knew it would cost him social capital at school.

His mother is right, too - the teacher is really the one who owes an apology.

ETA: and I hope I would feel the same about a kid who "stuck to his principles" and politely (more or less) refused to do something that went against his fundamentalist Christian upbringing.

Dancing David · 17th November 2009, 09:04 AM

Yup, can't force people to say the pledge or stand for it.

Mark A. Siefert · 17th November 2009, 09:06 AM

I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen!

Cainkane1 · 17th November 2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/11/13...recite-pledge/

This kid really 'stands up' for his belief.

And, as a side story, another Principal doesn't know how to handle a situation, getting everything blown out of proportion.

When I was a kid you said the Lords Prayer and or the pledge of allegiance or the punks in school would stomp you in the ground. I said the prayer and pledges because of intimidation.

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

"With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."??

Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself. If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on?

'Go jump off a bridge' is a common phrase for saying 'I don't care what you are saying' it was originally "you might as well go jump off a bridge for all I care."

Taking it literally is over-reacting to the situation. What would you have said after being hassled for a few minutes for doing something you had a right to do?

billw · 17th November 2009, 09:13 AM

The right of students to refuse to recite the pledge has been established in US law since 1943:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vi...on_v._Barnette

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Cainkane1

When I was a kid you said the Lords Prayer and or the pledge of allegiance or the punks in school would stomp you in the ground. I said the prayer and pledges because of intimidation.

Would they knock your slate tablet out of your hand too? hehe. bu-dump ding!

Mark A. Siefert · 17th November 2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

"With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."??

Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself.

Wow! Hyperbole much? If he told her to go "jump in a lake" would he be suggesting that she drown herself? What other vernacular phrases can you spin into a death threat because you don't like the fact that this kid had the guts, balls, and spine to stand for his rights.

Personally, I think the boy's response was far too gentle. The proper response to this fascist sow would require a four letter word that would make the Moderators cry.

Originally Posted by Checkmite

If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on?

Ah yes, RESPECT MY AUTHORI-TAY! Spoken like a true totalitarian.

drkitten · 17th November 2009, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

"With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."??

Little prick needs at least one day's detention.

Not at all. If the teacher is out of line and refuses to back off, you get to push back.

I agree with the student's mother. An apology is definitely in order. From the teacher..

Mark A. Siefert · 17th November 2009, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by billw

The right of students to refuse to recite the pledge has been established in US law since 1943:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vi...on_v._Barnette

Ah! Another example of liberal, activist judges spittin' our our "Merican values. Next thing ya know they're gonna let them thar "negros" into school with the white kids!

Soapy Sam · 17th November 2009, 09:23 AM

I recall my cousin's son refusing to recite this litany when the family moved to the USA.
As a non-US citizen he felt it would be wrong. The teacher , wisely I think, simply let him opt out.
He has since become a US citizen, a decision he made when mature enough to do so.

I have long considered this pledge to be perhaps the most alien aspect of US culture.
I actually find it rather shocking that anyone would ask a child to do this.

I sympathise with the teacher, because it is necessary to maintain discipline in order to teach and whether the cause is admirable or not, one prominent dissenter can cause a great deal of trouble- which is why I think simply letting him sit quietly during the procedure would have been best.
That said, it takes balls to make this sort of stand, especially for a kid, where peer approval is everything.
I got a kick out of his dad, too. Interesting family.

Checkmite · 17th November 2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

Wow! Hyperbole much? If he told her to go "jump in a lake" would he be suggesting that she drown herself? What other vernacular phrases can you spin into a death threat because you don't like the fact that this kid had the guts, balls, and spine to stand for his rights.

Bite me. I think it's completely admirable that he decided not to say the pledge.

But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like.

Mark A. Siefert · 17th November 2009, 09:37 AM

Even without the phrase "under the invisible man who lives in they sky" I think that we need to eighty-six the Pledge because it represents the very antithesis of what America is supposed to be about: freedom.

Free societies should not demand "allegiance" from its citizens. Such things are always conditional. Free societies respect dissent and don't demand conformity of thought or opinion; especially in matter of politics and culture. The Pledge is merely a mantra of open jingoism designed to reinforce mindless "patriotism" (sorry for the redundancy) while marginalizing those who have the courage not follow along with the rest of the flag-waving, "my-country-right-or-wrong" sheeple.

drkitten · 17th November 2009, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like.

Certainly they can. They should be encouraged to tell teacher to jump off bridges when the teachers attempt to do something actively illegal.

Mark A. Siefert · 17th November 2009, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

Bite me.

HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm!

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm!

Well played sir.

kuroyume0161 · 17th November 2009, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

Well played sir.

Brilliantly played!

Talk about pots and kettles and hypocrisy.

ETA: Wouldn't "Bite Me" be more a possible sexual advance?

thaiboxerken · 17th November 2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

Bite me. I think it's completely admirable that he decided not to say the pledge.

But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like.

You really want people to bite you?

Marduk · 17th November 2009, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

Ah! Another example of liberal, activist judges spittin' our our "Merican values. Next thing ya know they're gonna let them thar "negros" into school with the white kids!

anyone else ever notice how Merican is almost Mexican, maybe you guys should wear badges so we can tell you apart. (yes I know)

Sunray Breaker · 17th November 2009, 10:18 AM

That story made me a little teary eyed...That kids gonna go far.

Great story, thanks for sharing it!!!

brodski · 17th November 2009, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm!

Only if you think he may be highly toxic to you.

Cainkane1 · 17th November 2009, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

Would they knock your slate tablet out of your hand too? hehe. bu-dump ding!

HUH?

quarky · 17th November 2009, 10:47 AM

They should bring back "Duck and Cover" drills in public school. The little brats have no fear of authority these days.

Finster · 17th November 2009, 10:50 AM

If "go jump off a bridge" was the kid's first response I might say he was out of line but it sounds like he was being reasonable and the teacher escalated the situation, so - more power to him.

I stopped saying the under god part in 2nd or 3rd grade in the 70's and nobody even looked at me sideways. Of coarse I was in NJ, not Arkansas

Yoink · 17th November 2009, 11:00 AM

This is one amazingly mature ten year old. I wish I would have been capable of something like that at his age (of course, at that age I was in a country that would have regarded compulsory pledges of allegiance to the state as the sort of thing you'd expect to find in communist totalitarian states, not the self-described "land of the free").

Sugriva · 17th November 2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen!

The comments are the best part:

Quote:

This kid is obviously being USED by adults to further the gay agenda. What kind of straight 10 year old boy with two heterosexual parents just decides one day to disobey his teachers and face ridicule from every other classmate to support homosexuals?? He's being led into this and it's unfair to him.

I Ratant · 17th November 2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Dancing David

Yup, can't force people to say the pledge or stand for it.

.
Or do anything.

I Ratant · 17th November 2009, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen!

.
My e-mail Inbox most days.

See the above photo of Obie.

Trystero4 · 17th November 2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by quarky

They should bring back "Duck and Cover" drills in public school. The little brats have no fear of authority these days.

We still have them.

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Trystero4

We still have them.

Wow, where do you live? Do they use the alert sirens too? have they updated that '60s film on what to do in an air raid emergency?

Cayvmann · 17th November 2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

Even without the phrase "under the invisible man who lives in they sky" I think that we need to eighty-six the Pledge because it represents the very antithesis of what America is supposed to be about: freedom.

Free societies should not demand "allegiance" from its citizens. Such things are always conditional. Free societies respect dissent and don't demand conformity of thought or opinion; especially in matter of politics and culture. The Pledge is merely a mantra of open jingoism designed to reinforce mindless "patriotism" (sorry for the redundancy) while marginalizing those who have the courage not follow along with the rest of the flag-waving, "my-country-right-or-wrong" sheeple.

I reserve the right to agree with this statement, but I'll not pledge allegiance to any future causes we may or may not agree with.

ToddH · 17th November 2009, 12:21 PM

This child is obviously part of the vast gay liberal agenda to turn this county into a commie loving socialist state.

Careyp74 · 17th November 2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Cainkane1

HUH?

Remember this?

Yoink · 17th November 2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

Remember this?
http://alliecasey.com/wp-content/upl...ate_tablet.jpg

The screen's blank. I think you forgot to turn it on.

ToddH · 17th November 2009, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

Remember this?
http://alliecasey.com/wp-content/upl...ate_tablet.jpg

So THAT'S the new Apple tablet! I thought it would be shinier.

JoeTheJuggler · 17th November 2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Careyp74

'Go jump off a bridge' is a common phrase for saying 'I don't care what you are saying' it was originally "you might as well go jump off a bridge for all I care."

Taking it literally is over-reacting to the situation. What would you have said after being hassled for a few minutes for doing something you had a right to do?

I agree. When I was a kid, I might have said "Go fly a kite".

This kind of response is far less problematic than forcing a kid to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

17th November 2009, 08:07 AM	#1
Careyp74 Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Trevose, PA Posts: 1,656	Student refuses to recite Pledge of Allegiance, tells teacher to go jump off a bridge http://www.parentdish.com/2009/11/13...recite-pledge/ This kid really 'stands up' for his belief. And, as a side story, another Principal doesn't know how to handle a situation, getting everything blown out of proportion.

17th November 2009, 08:41 AM	#2
Nosi Muse Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 679	He knows his civics and thinks outside his iPod. Unusual.
Nosi Muse Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 679

17th November 2009, 09:03 AM	#4
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	"With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."?? Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself. If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on?
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

17th November 2009, 09:03 AM	#5
madurobob Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Blue Heaven, NC Posts: 4,146	If it were my kid, I'd make him apologize for "going 10 year old" and resorting to insult. But, I'd be mighty proud of him either way. Good on him. He stuck to his principles even though he surely knew it would cost him social capital at school. His mother is right, too - the teacher is really the one who owes an apology. ETA: and I hope I would feel the same about a kid who "stuck to his principles" and politely (more or less) refused to do something that went against his fundamentalist Christian upbringing.
	__________________ A well made Martini has more often been my true friend than any two-legged creature - me I only get drunk when I'm shot by yaquis - Eastwood. Last edited by madurobob; 17th November 2009 at 09:05 AM.

17th November 2009, 09:04 AM	#6
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 18,357	Yup, can't force people to say the pledge or stand for it.
	__________________ Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blast on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us.- Walt Kelly wow Mr.Philospher, you need some custard poured over your head mayhaps? -kittynh "Exhibit 1338A as to why the Politics forum is "where rational thought goes to die."-Carlitos

17th November 2009, 08:44 AM	#3
kuroyume0161 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Calhan, CO, USA Posts: 1,233	More power to him! Since I became an atheist, if I do say the pledge, I omit the part 'under god'. As far as I'm concerned, making it compulsory stands for everything that this nation isn't supposed to be about. Freedom of speech and popular dissent must necessilary extend even to pledges and patriotism.

17th November 2009, 09:06 AM	#7
Mark A. Siefert Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,169	I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen!
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold"

17th November 2009, 09:07 AM	#8
Cainkane1 Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 2,566	Originally Posted by Careyp74 http://www.parentdish.com/2009/11/13...recite-pledge/ This kid really 'stands up' for his belief. And, as a side story, another Principal doesn't know how to handle a situation, getting everything blown out of proportion. When I was a kid you said the Lords Prayer and or the pledge of allegiance or the punks in school would stomp you in the ground. I said the prayer and pledges because of intimidation.
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

17th November 2009, 09:12 AM	#9
Careyp74 Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Trevose, PA Posts: 1,656	Originally Posted by Checkmite "With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."?? Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself. If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on? 'Go jump off a bridge' is a common phrase for saying 'I don't care what you are saying' it was originally "you might as well go jump off a bridge for all I care." Taking it literally is over-reacting to the situation. What would you have said after being hassled for a few minutes for doing something you had a right to do?

17th November 2009, 09:13 AM	#10
billw Thinker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Far North Glendale Posts: 155	The right of students to refuse to recite the pledge has been established in US law since 1943: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vi...on_v._Barnette
	__________________ I may be going to hell in a bucket But at least I'm enjoying the ride. -- John Perry Barlow

17th November 2009, 09:18 AM	#11
Careyp74 Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Trevose, PA Posts: 1,656	Originally Posted by Cainkane1 When I was a kid you said the Lords Prayer and or the pledge of allegiance or the punks in school would stomp you in the ground. I said the prayer and pledges because of intimidation. Would they knock your slate tablet out of your hand too? hehe. bu-dump ding!

17th November 2009, 09:20 AM	#12
Mark A. Siefert Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,169	Originally Posted by Checkmite "With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."?? Little prick needs at least one day's detention. You don't want to recite the pledge that's fine, but you can't tell your teacher to kill herself. Wow! Hyperbole much? If he told her to go "jump in a lake" would he be suggesting that she drown herself? What other vernacular phrases can you spin into a death threat because you don't like the fact that this kid had the guts, balls, and spine to stand for his rights. Personally, I think the boy's response was far too gentle. The proper response to this fascist sow would require a four letter word that would make the Moderators cry. Originally Posted by Checkmite If he's allowed to simply get away with that without any consequence at all, how is the teacher supposed to maintain control of the educational setting in the classroom from that point on? Ah yes, RESPECT MY AUTHORI-TAY! Spoken like a true totalitarian.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold"

17th November 2009, 09:22 AM	#13
drkitten Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wits' End Posts: 17,338	Originally Posted by Checkmite "With all due respect ma'am, go jump off a bridge."?? Little prick needs at least one day's detention. Not at all. If the teacher is out of line and refuses to back off, you get to push back. I agree with the student's mother. An apology is definitely in order. From the teacher..

17th November 2009, 09:23 AM	#14
Mark A. Siefert Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,169	Originally Posted by billw The right of students to refuse to recite the pledge has been established in US law since 1943: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Vi...on_v._Barnette Ah! Another example of liberal, activist judges spittin' our our "Merican values. Next thing ya know they're gonna let them thar "negros" into school with the white kids!
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold" Last edited by Mark A. Siefert; 17th November 2009 at 09:25 AM.

17th November 2009, 09:23 AM	#15
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 18,092	I recall my cousin's son refusing to recite this litany when the family moved to the USA. As a non-US citizen he felt it would be wrong. The teacher , wisely I think, simply let him opt out. He has since become a US citizen, a decision he made when mature enough to do so. I have long considered this pledge to be perhaps the most alien aspect of US culture. I actually find it rather shocking that anyone would ask a child to do this. I sympathise with the teacher, because it is necessary to maintain discipline in order to teach and whether the cause is admirable or not, one prominent dissenter can cause a great deal of trouble- which is why I think simply letting him sit quietly during the procedure would have been best. That said, it takes balls to make this sort of stand, especially for a kid, where peer approval is everything. I got a kick out of his dad, too. Interesting family.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 18,092

17th November 2009, 09:29 AM	#16
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Third in line Posts: 8,648	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert Wow! Hyperbole much? If he told her to go "jump in a lake" would he be suggesting that she drown herself? What other vernacular phrases can you spin into a death threat because you don't like the fact that this kid had the guts, balls, and spine to stand for his rights. Bite me. I think it's completely admirable that he decided not to say the pledge. But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like.
	__________________ Nuclear energy is GREEN energy.

17th November 2009, 09:37 AM	#17
Mark A. Siefert Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,169	Even without the phrase "under the invisible man who lives in they sky" I think that we need to eighty-six the Pledge because it represents the very antithesis of what America is supposed to be about: freedom. Free societies should not demand "allegiance" from its citizens. Such things are always conditional. Free societies respect dissent and don't demand conformity of thought or opinion; especially in matter of politics and culture. The Pledge is merely a mantra of open jingoism designed to reinforce mindless "patriotism" (sorry for the redundancy) while marginalizing those who have the courage not follow along with the rest of the flag-waving, "my-country-right-or-wrong" sheeple.
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold" Last edited by Mark A. Siefert; 17th November 2009 at 09:44 AM.

17th November 2009, 09:39 AM	#18
drkitten Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wits' End Posts: 17,338	Originally Posted by Checkmite But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like. Certainly they can. They should be encouraged to tell teacher to jump off bridges when the teachers attempt to do something actively illegal.

17th November 2009, 09:42 AM	#19
Mark A. Siefert Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,169	Originally Posted by Checkmite Bite me. HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm!
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold"

17th November 2009, 09:53 AM	#20
Careyp74 Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Trevose, PA Posts: 1,656	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm! Well played sir.

17th November 2009, 09:57 AM	#21
kuroyume0161 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Calhan, CO, USA Posts: 1,233	Originally Posted by Careyp74 Well played sir. Brilliantly played! Talk about pots and kettles and hypocrisy. ETA: Wouldn't "Bite Me" be more a possible sexual advance?

17th November 2009, 10:08 AM	#22
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 13,315	Originally Posted by Checkmite Bite me. I think it's completely admirable that he decided not to say the pledge. But I'm sorry, 10 year olds can't be allowed to tell teachers to jump off bridges just because the teachers say something the kid doesn't like. You really want people to bite you?
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

17th November 2009, 10:14 AM	#23
Marduk Dragon Killer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 3,073	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert Ah! Another example of liberal, activist judges spittin' our our "Merican values. Next thing ya know they're gonna let them thar "negros" into school with the white kids! anyone else ever notice how Merican is almost Mexican, maybe you guys should wear badges so we can tell you apart. (yes I know)
	__________________ Senno Ecto Gama ĝae haš dug zae ama kibid "Stupid humans" (Wollery) "Kill all humans" (Bender) "for while heaven may be closed I am always open, even on Christmas." (Lucifer)

17th November 2009, 10:18 AM	#24
Sunray Breaker Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Denver Posts: 448	That story made me a little teary eyed...That kids gonna go far. Great story, thanks for sharing it!!!
	__________________ "There are times, however, and this is one of them, when even being right feels wrong. What do you say, for instance, about a generation that has been taught that rain is poison and sex is death?" - HST If you really believe that death leads to eternal bliss, then why are you wearing a seatbelt? - Doug Stanhope

17th November 2009, 10:23 AM	#25
brodski faceless bureaucrat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough and Burnham Posts: 11,789	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert HELP! HELP! Moderators! He's threatening physical harm! Only if you think he may be highly toxic to you.
	__________________ ...and the story does suggest a part 2 to the Turing Test: 1. can machines behave like humans? 2. can we?

17th November 2009, 10:24 AM	#26
Cainkane1 Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The great American southeast Posts: 2,566	Originally Posted by Careyp74 Would they knock your slate tablet out of your hand too? hehe. bu-dump ding! HUH?
	__________________ If at first you don't succeed try try again. Then if you fail to succeed to Hell with that. Try something else.

17th November 2009, 10:47 AM	#27
quarky Title Free Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,077	They should bring back "Duck and Cover" drills in public school. The little brats have no fear of authority these days.
quarky Title Free Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,077

17th November 2009, 10:50 AM	#28
Finster Scholar Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 93	If "go jump off a bridge" was the kid's first response I might say he was out of line but it sounds like he was being reasonable and the teacher escalated the situation, so - more power to him. I stopped saying the under god part in 2nd or 3rd grade in the 70's and nobody even looked at me sideways. Of coarse I was in NJ, not Arkansas
Finster Scholar Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 93

17th November 2009, 11:00 AM	#29
Yoink Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,701	This is one amazingly mature ten year old. I wish I would have been capable of something like that at his age (of course, at that age I was in a country that would have regarded compulsory pledges of allegiance to the state as the sort of thing you'd expect to find in communist totalitarian states, not the self-described "land of the free").
Yoink Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,701

17th November 2009, 11:14 AM	#30
Sugriva Scholar Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 87	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen! The comments are the best part: Quote: This kid is obviously being USED by adults to further the gay agenda. What kind of straight 10 year old boy with two heterosexual parents just decides one day to disobey his teachers and face ridicule from every other classmate to support homosexuals?? He's being led into this and it's unfair to him.
Sugriva Scholar Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 87

17th November 2009, 11:17 AM	#32
I Ratant Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,588	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert I love the comment section. A truer cross section of popular American political thought--ignorant hate-filled, jingoistic, hypocritical American political thought--I have never seen! . My e-mail Inbox most days. See the above photo of Obie.
I Ratant Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4,588

17th November 2009, 11:18 AM	#33
Trystero4 Scholar Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 91	Originally Posted by quarky They should bring back "Duck and Cover" drills in public school. The little brats have no fear of authority these days. We still have them.
Trystero4 Scholar Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 91	__________________ Let's dance to joy division, and celebrate the irony. Everything is going wrong but we're so happy.

17th November 2009, 12:11 PM	#34
Careyp74 Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Trevose, PA Posts: 1,656	Originally Posted by Trystero4 We still have them. Wow, where do you live? Do they use the alert sirens too? have they updated that '60s film on what to do in an air raid emergency?

17th November 2009, 12:19 PM	#35
Cayvmann Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 136	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert Even without the phrase "under the invisible man who lives in they sky" I think that we need to eighty-six the Pledge because it represents the very antithesis of what America is supposed to be about: freedom. Free societies should not demand "allegiance" from its citizens. Such things are always conditional. Free societies respect dissent and don't demand conformity of thought or opinion; especially in matter of politics and culture. The Pledge is merely a mantra of open jingoism designed to reinforce mindless "patriotism" (sorry for the redundancy) while marginalizing those who have the courage not follow along with the rest of the flag-waving, "my-country-right-or-wrong" sheeple. I reserve the right to agree with this statement, but I'll not pledge allegiance to any future causes we may or may not agree with.
Cayvmann Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 136

17th November 2009, 12:21 PM	#36
ToddH Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Heart of the bible belt Posts: 172	This child is obviously part of the vast gay liberal agenda to turn this county into a commie loving socialist state.