I have no problem with individuals, even school teachers, being free to participate as citizens of this nation, particularly in dissent. Really. I may disagree with your drivel, but I’ll defend to the death your right to, er, drivel it.
I do have problems with teachers dragging their kids into the debate. I also have problems with token gestures that aren’t really all that meaningful.
I have a BIG sign saying “President Bush: How many people did you kill today? I am going to work tomorrow teaching first grade, but I will stand on a main street with my sign for 1/2 an hour before I go to work. I quit saying the pledge of allegiance a couple of weeks ago. I told the kids that until my government says that it will not drop bombs on children, I will not say the pledge. I respectfully face the flag, standing while those who with to say it do so.
One, if I found out Katherine’s teacher had told her kids, “I won’t be saying the Pledge until my government says it will not drop bombs on children,” I’d be all over the principal like a cheap suit. Make political statatements, hold up signs on Main St., send all your paycheck to ANSWER, whatever, that’s your right. Political propagandizing to first graders? That’s not your right.
(And I’d feel the same way, at least philosophically, if she were saying, “The French helped us in the Revolutionary War, but now they’re slimy weasels who are jealous of American power.”)
More importantly, what’s up with I told the kids that until my government says that it will not drop bombs on children, I will not say the pledge. I respectfully face the flag, standing while those who with to say it do so. You’ll “respectfully” face the flag, standing, but you won’t say the Pledge? I’m not sure I understand the statement you’re making here. Are you respecting the kids? How? Respecting the flag? I thought the point was that you didn’t, at least to the point of pledging allegience to the flag, and to the Republic.
I just don’t get it.
(via A Small Victory, who doesn’t have a link, but cites Indymedia)