Call it what it is! It is a sign of disrespect to the traditions of this country. Agree or disagree – that’s what it is.

This is the common thread that started with Obama – who chose to not put his hand over his heart when the national anthem was played or to not wear the flag lapel pin. This, of course, is no longer the case since he caught to much flak to continue with what he believes. Wise choice if you want to be considered the President of the United States!

Rob, our govt is for and by the people with our core tenants in the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution. My take is we periodically voice solidarity with others of like mind, a very large, diverse, band of brothers. People can opt out at will but it’s nice to know who has your back.

A commenter over at Hot Air wondered if they would have stood for a moment of silence for Michael Jackson.

I think they would. Petulant children are running this country.

Truth

Remember… the pledge was written by a socialist.

Obviously, being a Socialist, like being a Democrat, just ain’t what it used to be.

Anyone familiar with NY state politics knows this was just a stunt. Both sides play these idiotic games back and forth. It has to with manipulating procedural rules to disrupt the session and gain control of the floor. Nothing whatsover to do with the pledge itself (I.e., it was used as a proceedural tactic in this case). Whatever side you are on, it’s shameful to see the pledge abused for political gamesmanship.

It’s not a matter of the right not to do so. It’s sort of an obligation.

This shows the mindset of the left.

I am not a “left” thank you very much. My husband served and sacrificed for almost 21 years(2 before I married him) and my children for sure spent their entire childhoods sacrificing. They sacrificed so people could make a CHOICE, and that WAS how the founders intended things to be….freedom from tyranny and freedom to live your life as you choose. This is the oath that I support, and it is the one my husband took when he enlisted and every time he re-enlisted:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

The Constitution in the end is the ONLY thing that is truly worth defending.

Now, do NOT get me wrong. I LOVE the Pledge. I LOVE my flag. I cry whenever I see a flag raising ceremony, particularly if it involves the National Anthem. It irritates me to see people not do the same, as it seems disrespectful. I get outraged when I see a flag being disrespected, because that flag means something to me. My family says the pledge because we *believe* in it. We fly the flag at our home because it means something to us. Those that have flag draped coffins believed the same, but the true belief is in the Constitution and the freedom that the Constitution guarantees.

If they were to tweak the Pledge, and you found it offensive, would you still say it? Or, would you say that the Constitution allows me the freedom to “just say no”?

I take freedom seriously, because over the years I have watched our best and brightest be willing to die to defend it. The Constitution is what I would fight to defend, so while I find it offensive about the Pledge and the way some treat the flag, in the end, that is what the Constitution and the sacrifice guarantees the right to do.

Badlands4,

There is a difference between that which is legal and that which is right. Being an ass, not respecting the Pledge of Allegiance falls into this category, may be legal, but it is certainly no less morally reprehensible. Especially if the action is willful, and by an elected officeholder to boot… one who represents more than just the other asses in society. Your dh would have understood.

You should see troops run for cover to avoid having to stand at attention outside as the flag is bugled down.

Probably true… back in your day… among the draftees… the ones with a chip on their shoulder and a for-shit attitude most commonly found in 13 year olds.

OH MY GOD… THEY DIDN’T STAND FOR THE PLEDGE!!!!! KILL’EM!!!!

Probably true… back in your day… among the draftees… the ones with a chip on their shoulder and a for-shit attitude most commonly found in 13 year olds.

I’m sorry, I don’t mean to keep belaboring this, and I know you are not talking to me, but my dh retired in 2007, well after draftees(entered in 86). There was no disrespect or malice intended. It was a pretty simple rationale, and it went from officers down to the lowest enlisted. NOBODY wanted to get stuck outside in the weather, be it summer or winter. Did it mean they had no respect? No. If they were outside they stood at attention, but frankly, if you can avoid standing in the middle of a parking lot when it is over 100degrees, most people will. These are people willing to spend extended periods of time in incredibly uncomfortable heat and threat. I don’t begrudge them for not wanting to come out of the Commissary and not quite make it back to the car.

I never heard anybody begrudge standing before the movie started in the base theater, nor any of the ceremony going on in the rest of military life, but sometimes you just want to get your milk and get home so you can relax. They are normal humans.

I don’t know many people who love this country more than my husband, but I can guarantee you that he would contort like a pretzel to make sure he was NOT outside at 4:30 in the afternoon

they said by their actions “we are more important, involved in bigger issues, don’t need to acknowledge the flag that gives us our power and our freedoms, the pledge is for lesser folk than us”

that is not childish, not a mistake, not local politics at play…it is anti-American because it denies the reality that ALL these arrogant bastards have was purchased by others at a price that they now don’t want to bother acknowledging.

anti- Americanism is denial of our country and the freedoms she alone provides…these NY Dems are a national disgrace. I have sent this VIDEO to every news outlet. Let’s see if it goes national or if lib media aborts the story.

I don’t pledge allegiance to the flag. I don’t pledge allegiance to the ‘Republic’ or to America.

I pledge allegiance to the Constitution from which all good things flow. All the ‘symbols’ of this country are but window dressing. The more we disrespect the Constitution–a continuing downward spiral caused by both political parties–the less I like this place.

Remember… the pledge was written by a socialist.

My dh used to tell me that he served so people had the right for many things, including being an ass.

Sometimes over his career, it was difficult for me to see that statement, but after an almost 21 year marriage, I can tell you that I can finally see the right of it.

He served, and others still serve for the right of people to not stand at the pledge of allegiance, as disrespectful as it is to many of us. That is why he served, so the person who wants to hate his country or the values is free to do so.

This is what makes us different than North Korea where you see the zombies all trotted out to praise their dear leader. They have no choice.

There is a difference between that which is legal and that which is right.

Exactly! This is where the moral relativists show their allegiance to their ideology above their country.

Sig, I’ve never been one to make a big deal out of it. I’ve just thought about it some and maybe it’s just my contrarian nature to bristle a bit at being sort of compelled to pledge my allegiance.

But again, it’s not a big deal. I don’t really care that much about the pledge of allegiance one way or another.

I guess I’ve always found the Pledge to be mildly disagreeable. As you might guess, the “one nation under god” bit bothers me being an atheist. But also the idea that we’re pledging allegiance to the government.

I am allegiant to the values of freedom and liberty and the Constitution…but not the government.

That’s just me though. I usually don’t make a big deal out of it, because I think most of the people who say the pledge don’t see it as pledging allegiance to the governemnt. I think most don’t even really think about it.