I think you answered your own question. 
I would not be surprised if people who want a public pledge to precede assemblies (be they football games or condo meetings) tend to be on the conservative end of the political spectrum than those who do not want a public pledge to precede assemblies. It’s that lockstep mentality
Yes, I’m curious too. The threats of violence if the Pledge is discontinued, as recounted in the news item Procrustus quoted in post 48 - is that a typical response?
That pretty much sums it up.
Not a very good thing, IMHO, but it’s your country, from the condo meetings up to the POTUS.
Yeah, until they won’t join in our foolish and misguided wars. Then we rush to rename our fast food so they don’t accidentally get mentioned at the Mickey Ds drive-thru.
Fries are my second favorite thing that start with “French”.
Don’t even get me started on “Greek”.
Toast and yogurt, right?
Just got up for a cup of tea because I can’t sleep, so…can’t decide if that’s a joke or a proposition.
It’s presumably rare that anyone would even try to stop this ritual. So, there’s really not a “typical response.” It most places it either 1) doesn’t happen because no one sees the need, or 2) doesn’t stop because no one sees a problem. We really are two nations. (under god)
No, but my eyes did bleed a bit.
Have dynamite, will cultist.
I missed where it was required - could you point that out?
Regards,
Shodan
I personally, have taken a pledge to never utter the Pledge of Allegiance again in my life. I think it’s creepy as all get out, sort of what you see in Nazi Germany or North Korea. I don’t think children or anyone else should be asked or required to say it and the sooner we all forget the stupid pledge, the better.
This is something that right wingers really get their panties in a twist about. Many a time I’ve seen a Facebook post with the pledge followed by: “we used to say this in school but they no longer do for fear of offending someone”. Bull fucking shit. It’s the law in 45 states that children are treated like little Nazis and have to recite the stupid pledge. On top of that, nobody but nobody has ever in the history of the fucking planet ever said they were doing something or not doing something because they didn’t want to offend someone. Then there’s the “Pepsi” can outrage that comes up every so often. It goes “oh my God Pepsi put out a can saying One Nation…Indivisible. But they left out ‘Under God’ because they didn’t want to offend anyone. Let’s fix them, our money says ‘In God We Trust’, let’s stop buying Pepsi because our money might offend them”. Jesus. First of all, it wasn’t fucking Pepsi, it was RC. Secondly, does using three words from the pledge obligate you to use “under God” as well? How about one word? If I use the word “the”, do I have to say “Under God” because “the” is in the sacred Pledge of Allegiance?
I’m all for a constitutional amendment, ban the pledge and ban the anthem at sporting events.
And if someone else raises a big stink about you quietly not participating?
It’s not that we don’t see a need or a problem, it is a question as to whether it is worth the fight to change it. While we may not see it as a big deal, others do, and while we may not find it worthwhile to make a big stink to stop it, others very well may make a big stink about making you participate.
Then I lose the “quietly” part.
But, I assume that them raising a stink about your non participation in their jingoistic virtue signalling would not cowl you into submitting and joining in?
At some point, someone will demand to know from you, “Why are you making such a big deal of this? Why don’t you just follow along so we can talk about cigarettes in the entryway?” completely empty of their self awareness that it is they who are making a big deal about it, and they are the ones that are holding up talking about inconsiderate smokers.
Not just no, but hell no. I’ve never run into any oath/prayer type thing, but if I did I’d freak out.
The closest I’ve come was when I had to be “sworn in” two different times, once before testifying in court and once when I got my original passport (IIRC, it was at a govt building). In both cases I declined, explaining that I was an atheist. An affirmation was offered which left out the god part and all was well.
It’s seldom* technically required to participate, but there are places that require the bizarre ritual be performed. Sure, many of us just stand their quietly, but the sight of 20 deplorables** saluting a flag can ruin the evening.
*Some schools essentially require participation, despite Constitution, etc.
**I guess I’m in a sour mood today.
Yeah, that’s what I do. Especially that one where they ask you to stand for “God Bless America” at sporting events. Usually get a few stares but only rarely will someone say something. Observing that it is not the national anthem is all that it takes. Except once at the Indy 500 where someone persisted. A uniformed serviceman leaned and said to them, “He’s right, you know.” Fist bump followed.
Then it becomes their fight, not mine.
At best, I’ll not make a stink about them making a stink. Shrug and say “I choose not to recite it.” I owe no further explanation or argument.
At worst, I’ll just be 10 minutes late for meetings from now on, and avoid the silliness altogether.