Back-to-school lesson No. 1: How to recite the Texas Pledge | Houst Chron

[Ediacara]

Aug. 18, 2003, 12:04PM

Back-to-school lesson No. 1: How to recite the Texas Pledge
Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - For thousands of schoolchildren heading back to school today in the Houston area and around the state, the first lesson of the year is learning how to recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance.

A new requires students to recite the pledge to the Texas flag and observe a moment of silence. Supporters say it helps promote patriotism and build character, but some critics argue that the new state measure violates the First Amendment. They also note the requirement will stretch already thin budgets because a Texas flag must be present in every classroom.

Those who bring a note from home can be excused from the pledges. But Pam Parker, an attorney with the Association of Texas Professional Educators, is concerned about how school districts will implement the rules.

More at the Houston Chronicle

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Another sign that our country is disuniting.

No surprise that this is coming from Texas.

[Avalux]

2. Don't remind me

of this horrible waste of congressional time and school district money. I'm still very ANGRY about the whole thing. How much could 50K buy in my district (the cost of the flags)? How about some paint to cover up the peeling buildings?

My daughter went to school today with a note.

[Rose Siding]

3. I say, spend less time learning pledges,

more time learning that sentences needs nouns.

"A new (insert noun here) requires students to recite the pledge to the Texas flag and observe a moment of silence."

a. dictator

b. hero

c. lunatic

d. fanatic

e. law

[griffi94]

4. i wonder how long

it will be before the lawsuits start
my children will get a note from home

[jsw_81]

5. Sigh

No wonder we've fallen behind Japan, China, and virtually every other advanced nation in math and science. Half the class time is spent saying a stupid oath or pledge! What is this, Nazi Germany?

[tom_paine]

11. Not Nazi Germany, but of the same family

Some new rough beast, it's hour come round at last...

Perhaps it will look like "Farenheit 451" or "1984" or some grotesque fusion of the two

(to paraphrase Yeats)

Although, by Imperial Amerika 2100, it could look much more like Nazi Germany than previously envisioned, I am only speaking of the next Two Generations of Bushevik Emperors, which should carry us to 2030 or so.

After that, all bets are off in what will very likely be an impoevrished diseased Third World Nation.

[Galley_Queen]

6. The Wall

"Supporters say it helps promote patriotism and build character". WTF? I say it promotes sheeps and builds empty minds.

Teacher! Leave those kids alone!!

[RapidCreek]

7. How have Texans allowed this to occur?

To me this is tantamount to forced instruction in subordination and the unquestioned acceptance of authority. Why should children be indoctrinated in love of state or country? When exactly should children lover either? All the time? Even when the functionaries who represent that state or country are willingly engaged in immoral or illegal acts and wrap themselves in the very flag children are forced to pledge allegiance to? Whose version of patriotism do supporters of this pledge seek to instill? How does loyalty to Texas equate to loyalty to ones country?

It seems to be the aim of such a law is to quell a childs interest in critical thinking as it relates to his or her country or state. Clearly, instructing a child that he or she whould not think critically is contrary to the goals of any true educator. It is also and impediment to free, objective debate, an essential element of any democracy.

RC

[tom_paine]

12. How have the Imperial Subjects of Amerika allowed ALL of it to occur?

From the Attempted Coup of 1998 to the Bloodless Coup of 2000 and everything thereafter right up to our playing Nazi Germany to Iraq's Poland.

How did we allow it to happen? And what is GOING to happen?

Ask the Germans. Ask the South Africans (circa 1947). Ask the Romans of 50 BC.

[yellowcanine]

8. Where does it stop?

What nonsense. What is next? County pledges? Pledges to the school mascot? Aren't there some 1st amemdment issues here? A kid should not need a note from his parents. Youth does not negate 1st amendment rights. Doesn't pledging allegiance to your state set up a conflict to pledging allegiance to your country? Just asking.

[otohara]

9. I Hope There Isn't A CO Pledge

we received an injunction to prevent "the pledge" from being said starting today for many school districts, including mine. Watch some wacko GOP'er like Scott McInnis come up with a CO pledge to also be recited when the wingnuts fight the ACLU & Judge injunction. Well golly gee, TX has one, home of our great * GWBush...

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

10. texas, the fruitcake state

the moment of silence gives the students time to ponder just how fu*king stupid their leaders are. btw, how long is a moment?

[tsipple]

13. Let's Push for a Pledge to the Constitution...

...Two sides can play at this game.

[SilasSoule]

14. I am a 44 yr old Texan who's lived in Texas for 43 of those years

and I did not even know Texas had it's own pledge. We never recited it at any of the public schools I attended. I had to look it up to see if sounded familiar but it did not. It is very brief:


Honor the Texas flag;

I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas,

one and indivisible




Agreed that time spent on pledges,flag oaths, and moments of silence would be better spent on math & science. Read my sigline

[sandnsea]

16. No God?

Oops, gonna have to fix that in a hurry!!!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. holy crap!...no this ain't real...this is a joke right?

stop the world i wanna get the fuck off!!!!

[MissouriTeacher]

17. Ridiculous.

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I don't even have an American flag in my classroom. Not that I would object to having one, but they've never given me one, and since we don't say the pledge I never thought it too pressing an issue.

[scarface2004]

18. pledge to state,

county, city, subdivision, street, zipcode, area code, bank, supermarket, walmart, chevrolet, cnn, american express (unless its not accepted at that school) and key map square. then class can begin!!