Flag, Pledge......Profound and utter disrespect

[Antelope08]

Youth rarely understand why we teach them things. With age comes understanding of what was taught earlier in life. Some grasp the meaning sooner than others but at least they have been exposed to a concept on which to form an understanding. This goes for teaching the "Pledge" at an early age. As a Scout leader I feel it is my duty and obligation to teach young boys about the flag and the associated rituals that surround it.

As a US Army vet, I am proud when these young boys spend hours practicing for a Veterans Day flag ceremony and then execute it as best that a group of 8 & 9 years olds can. I am honored that they take time to place flags on vets grave on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. I am honored to stand with them and recite that Pledge, even if they do not yet understand the concepts behind the words, someday they will.

Instilling values, pride, honor and duty in our youth is never a waste of time or energy. By layng a foundation we help create the Soldier, Sailors, Airman and yes Marines too, of the future. And if they choose not to serve or are unable to serve maybe these lessons will be used in other meaningful ways.

As a youth I recited the Pledge and never understood it. Oh it was explained, I knew what the colors represented but is was not until I was older that I really got it. So I do not find issue with children reciting something that they doe do understand, yet. That is all part of growing up and being exposed to different ideas.

Enough said, I am starting to ramble.

 

[JBusch8899]

......If I understand you correctly, you're saying that it is preferable to adjudicate the argument of fed power > states' rights than to simply end the association between the two. I might agree IF there was a neutral third party to arbitrate, but there is not. You're suggesting that the Federal courts resolve a difference between the state(s) and the Federal government, which in many cases tends to rule in it's own favor. IMHO, being party to the case, there is no federal or state judge who should not find it appropriate to recuse him/herself on the grounds of bias. No, I cannot think of any judge in our current system of law that would be truly unbiased, which indicates to me a failing in the system.......

Unfortunately, the Framers did not consider otherwise when drafting the current Constitution. As such, we are required to abide within the system we currently possess, save an amendment to it.

 

[Knife Lady]

If its not taught in schools anymore or at home what can one expect?? I see it more and more the younger generation simply does not have respect for much of anything or anyone. This is not new news. Sad but true. It is up to the parents to teach and how can they if they dont beleive.

 

[lashicoN]

If its not taught in schools anymore or at home what can one expect?? I see it more and more the younger generation simply does not have respect for much of anything or anyone. This is not new news. Sad but true. It is up to the parents to teach and how can they if they dont beleive.

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but perhaps it is because there ISN'T much TO respect anymore. The younger generation isn't raised by their parents. They go to public schools, then the TV fills in most of the gaps. It is just the way it is. I can't think of any good role models either, and apparently this generation of Americans is too weak to stand without good role models...or just too stupid.

 

[E5RANGER375]

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but perhaps it is because there ISN'T much TO respect anymore. The younger generation isn't raised by their parents. They go to public schools, then the TV fills in most of the gaps. It is just the way it is. I can't think of any good role models either, and apparently this generation of Americans is too weak to stand without good role models...or just too stupid.

Let me please fill in some gaps for you. heres just one to get you started.

Pat Tillman

 

[lashicoN]

Let me please fill in some gaps for you. heres just one to get you started.

Pat Tillman

I don't think many teens are reading about him, wishing they could be like him. Isn't that what we are talking about here? The current generation of young Americans and their lack of respect and honor? They worship people like Paris Hilton and Kanye West, not Pat Tillman.

The gaps I was referring to are the tiny bits of time where kids aren't being brainwashed by the state at their public schools. They usually spend that time watching TV, again, not reading about Pat Tillman.

 

[level.eleven]

It's hard to get too excited about pledging allegiance to an entity that takes half of all I earn.

I also think its difficult to separate a nation, at least when reciting the pledge, from its government. An act of government adopted the pledge. An act of government changed the pledge 4 times. An act of government dictates when and where it is recited. The Supreme Court has ruled on this very fact. A pledge "by the people" would not need such heavy government intervention.

Of course, we all know the pledge was written by a socialist minister who was ran out of his church for being too "liberal". He wrote it to help his buddy sell flags to government schools.

 

[Knife Lady]

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but perhaps it is because there ISN'T much TO respect anymore. The younger generation isn't raised by their parents. They go to public schools, then the TV fills in most of the gaps. It is just the way it is. I can't think of any good role models either, and apparently this generation of Americans is too weak to stand without good role models...or just too stupid.

Sorry but I was raised with your parents being your role model. Not a make belive character on TV. I still beleive it is up to the parents to be the example. Respect should come naturally but to a lot of the younger generation it does not. Why?? Again I beleive it is set from examples from the home life. Just my .
Thank you.

 

[irishfan]

Sorry but I was raised with your parents being your role model. Not a make belive character on TV. I still beleive it is up to the parents to be the example. Respect should come naturally but to a lot of the younger generation it does not. Why?? Again I beleive it is set from examples from the home life. Just my .
Thank you.

You are very correct and many parents have let the TV take over as the role model.

 

[lashicoN]

You are very correct and many parents have let the TV take over as the role model.

Yes, that's exactly what I was saying. I think people keep taking it the wrong way though.

 

[JBusch8899]

It's hard to get too excited about pledging allegiance to an entity that takes half of all I earn.

One doesn't pledge one's allegiance to the government in this country.

 

[Antelope08]

Red Skelton's explanation of the Pledge.

I Pledge Allegiance -- By Red Skelton

 

[hornadylnl]

One doesn't pledge one's allegiance to the government in this country.

They don't? People = country = government. The people put this government in place. If the people weren't satisfied with the socialism and communism we now have, they'd work to change it. I see us moving nowhere but left. The majority of the people voted for Obama so therefore the majority like what they're getting.

 

[JBusch8899]

They don't? People = country = government. The people put this government in place. If the people weren't satisfied with the socialism and communism we now have, they'd work to change it. I see us moving nowhere but left. The majority of the people voted for Obama so therefore the majority like what they're getting.

People vote for a government, not pledge their allegiance to the same. Though I will state that the choices of a government this past election, have been virtually identical.

The form of government, however, remains the same, but the government itself changes occasionally with a fair election.

 

[level.eleven]

One doesn't pledge one's allegiance to the government in this country.

Like I said in the second paragraph that you didn't quote, I have a hard time separating the two when the actual pledge has been changed, legislated, etc....by the government. If its not about government, why have they, along with the Supreme Court, meddled in it so much? Have they meddled equally in pledges for the Free Masons? The Hippocratic Oath? I guess we could argue over that "and to the Republic for which it stands" part as well. You are pledging allegiance to the Republic - a form of government. Our current Republic takes half of my stuff.

These are all just word games though. Still, its fun to think about.

 

[flagtag]

I agree with Homeless and Fletch here.

We Americans have become the Jews who crucified Jesus Christ. We have become so steeped in tradition that we have forgotten what the tradition was for. Like the Jews who didn't recognize God in Jesus, we don't recognize the tyranny that many of us are complicit in bringing in.

Does the land that the Pledge and National Anthem represent still exist? I don't believe so. So what is the point of putting on a show when there is no longer any substance to it? We as Americans are good at talking the talk but the time to walk has long passed.

Maybe to remind others (especially the younger generations) what we are supposed to be about - NOT what "our" corrupt (treasonous?) government has done to our country. One tiny step to getting our country back.

 

[flagtag]

Red Skelton's explanation of the Pledge.

I Pledge Allegiance -- By Red Skelton

There is also a version given by John Wayne. It's just as moving!
But, the one by Red Skelton explains EACH word's meaning. That should be taught in all schools. (But those who are trying to destroy this great country won't allow that! The kids might just become patriots! )

 

[flagtag]

I just clicked on the link for the Red Skelton version thinking that it was the video version. It's much better.

 

[groovatron]

I have a real issue with the "one nation under God" part. It is painfully fake for me to recite the pledge.....let alone with my hand over my heart.

That being said.....I do consider myself a true patriot. I proudly fly the flag over my property and have a great respect for our nations armed forces.

The pledge is just far to poorly written and pigeon-holed for me to pay it much mind.

 

[JBusch8899]

I have a real issue with the "one nation under God" part. It is painfully fake for me to recite the pledge.....let alone with my hand over my heart.

The words, under God, were added to the Pledge of Allegiance in the 1950s, to differentiate this country from the Soviet Union.

Given the references to Deity in many of the more historical documents leading to, and governance of the Republic, having such a reference shouldn't be entirely disregarded. The Almighty God is in fact, a part of this nation's heritage.

This, despite all those who would otherwise choose to invoke an extreme thought of even banning the Scriptures from each and every government structure and event.