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

[Betty]

Traipsing along the internet in a click on this and that sort of way, I came upon a youtube video about a girl that refused to stand for the pledge in school.

She was physically forced to stand, suspended, sent to principal's office, etc.
She did this every day...

Checking out various other youtube video's on this guys page, I'm inclined to think we have differing viewpoints on many things. But this one I can't help but agree with.

On the one hand, it seems very disrespectful or unpatriotic to not recite the pledge. I've found that as an adult, especially in very large groups, saying the pledge can be a strangely emotional experience.

On the other hand, if she doesn't get up, others might not get up. What if they're just "lazy, dumb teenagers" and none of them get up and make a mockery of the pledge?

Does that matter?

I don't think they should have physically forced her to stand for the pledge. They made it into such a big deal that it really blew it way out of proportion and by doing so, made others sympathetic to her beliefs.

They could have have a learning experience by discussing the pledge, her viewpoints, it's history and had a great debate about it.

Back to the strangely emotional experience I've sometimes had when saying the pledge with others - It's interesting isn't it? You say it in school and don't give it much thought. At least I never did. Just recited the words. But as an adult, you pledge that your on this country's side, all together - indivisible - and then - with liberty and justice for ALL.

Is it true? Or is it just an altruistic view that's really nice but isn't the way our country actually works. I think what makes my heart swell like that is all those people hoping for the same as one voice. It's just wishful thinking though - I know that many if not most just recite it like I did in elementary school.

Things to ponder on a rainy Monday afternoon.