Here's something for the Quotes: I agree with Scaeagles. No one should be forced to say the Pledge, and no one should have to say it in school without at least a rudimentary understanding of what it is and means. At the same time, I don't think anyone should be forced to not participate. Personally, I don't have a problem with it, but should my kid decide she does I would support her taking a stand, provided she knows it might be a lonely one.

I wouldn't say I like the pledge more as an adult - I would say it means something to me now instead of just reciting the words.

I liked E's description of "communal chanting" actually. That was a very interesting way to word it that really made sense to me.

I also agree on the "under god" part of the pledge. I doubt it will ever happen though for sort of the same reason it was put in there. "Those godless (insert whichever group you prefer) will be the death of us all" type of thought that would make it political suicide for any major policital party to get behind it.

Well, the Pledge of Allegiance was written specifically as something for children to say which is part of why I find it creepy for adults to puppet it. But yes, I generally find simple mindless displays of patriotism to be a distasteful thing (and so do most of us which is why when patriotism is expressed in other countries we generally refer to it with the more loaded term "nationalism").

It is too bad, though, that we switched to the hand over the heart instead of the original salute that went with it:

Wait, really?? They really saluted like that??

Wikipedia, which led me to the Bellamy salute:

Even without the Nazi connotation it still seems a little creepier...but only because I didn't grow up with it I guess.

ETA - the original pledge was written by a Socialist. Heh.

I know! Those stupid Nazis ruined everything!

I agree.

Patriotism is a great thing; however forced, blind patriotism is extremely dangerous, and there is a fine line between the two.

The Pledge and National Anthem means more to me as an adult then they ever did as a kid.

Should children be forced to stand and say the Pledge of Allegience?
 

Yes

Are you sure?

I totally agree.

Nobody should be forced to participate in anything. It sounds like the teachers involved panicked and didn't deal with it appropriately. By having an open class discussion the teacher would have had the opportunity to explore the meaning behind the pledge. Giving the student an opportunity to give her point of view is not something to be feared either. If she "converts" other students to her cause then they have made that decision with more information instead of just in rebellion to unjust authority.