At the beginning of every meeting at my condo, we are asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Although patriotic, this ritual seems childish since we were all compelled to recite this in school. The National Anthem is too long, and not everyone wants to sing. Is there something else we could say or do?
Light calisthenics.
Bellamy salute, in silence.
“No gods, no masters”
Have you considered just getting on with the busienss of the meeting? I’m not seeing any need to say or do anything at all by way of patriotic display. It hardly seems the time or the place, to be honest.
A throwback to the good ole’ days? I’m sure it’d be a hit! They might even make the news!!
Well, since you called it a Bellamy Salute, I can’t legitimately suggest doing that (which was the first thing that came to mind) along with a hearty “Hail Caesar”.
Hmmm. Reciting the Code of the Sith?
Okay, fight my ignorance. Bellamy salute?
You could always take a knee.
It’s named for Francis Bellamy who designed what to do with your hands during the Pledge of Allegiance. We changed the gesture in the Flag Code in 1942.
I bet you cansee why.
It was old man Bellamy’s idea, and a good ‘un, until that Devil Adolf ruined it forever more.
Agree with UDS.
Shouldn’t the meeting just begin with the chair asking if everyone’s got the agenda and calling the meeting to order?
Where on earth do you live where adults feel the need to proclaim their loyalty to the US of A? Is this like a deep south thing?
Only if they’re using the Southern Pledge of Allegiance, which contains the additional line “for two hundred and thirty-eight out of two hundred and forty-three years.”
Nope, it’s New York. It’s just the way things have been done here apparently.
This. I find it ridiculous that we make our children recite a loyalty oath in school. Is forced patriotism real patriotism? And the anthem before sporting events is equally dumb. Except maybe for international matches.
Not just NY; I’ve hit it in PA and IN as well at various clubs, meetings and other things. I never minded much as long as people realize that not participating is an option I may select.
From Sir Terry Pratchett’s Nac Mac Feegle, we have this gem: “Nae King! Nae quin! Nae Laird! Nae master! We willna’ be fooled agin!”
Do a prayer. At my city’s council meetings, they do a prayer and then the Pledge. :eek::eek: It’s uh…well, I am present at least.
Do a prayer, but a prayer that has nothing to do with the actual tasks at hand, such as a prayer for burial of the dead (earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust).
And I agree with both of these posters. It’s a condo meeting, convened to discuss business related to the condominium, nothing else.