Pledge of Allegience

[Jmurman]

This was in our paper today. What do you think?

Md. Teen Protests Foreign Language Pledge



By Associated Press

March 10, 2005, 7:26 AM EST

MILLERSVILLE, Md. -- A ninth-grader is protesting his school's decision to broadcast the Pledge of Allegiance in foreign languages as part of National Foreign Language Week.

Patrick Linton said he and other students at Old Mill High School sat down rather than stand Wednesday when the Pledge was read over the school's public address system in Russian. Linton's teacher told him if he had a problem he should leave the room.

He did, and did not plan to return this week.

"This is America, and we got soldiers at war," the 15-year-old said. "When you're saying the Pledge in a different language which nobody understands, that's not OK."

Charles Linton, Patrick's father, said the use of other languages is disrespectful to the country. "It's like wearing a cross upside down in a church," he said.

The pledge was to be read in Spanish, French, Latin, Russian and German. School officials said the activity will continue, with the English version of the Pledge being read first for the rest of the week.

"This is just a way to connect what's going on in the classroom and this daily activity where we say the Pledge of Allegiance," said Jonathan Brice, a spokesman for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

 

[Tory]

Given that this nation was BUILT by immigrants

AND that there is no national language, the translating of the Pledge of Allegiance seems entirely appropriate.

It seems this impressionable youth is being raised by a xenophobic father.

 

[Jmurman]

sorry I don't agree with you. I feel that the father is right.

 

[itgoesboom]

I agree with Tory.

No official language, and we are a multi cultural nation.

Be thankful that they are encouraging people to say the pledge.

I.G.B.

 

[VARifleman]

Last year for foreign language week at my high school they read grace in a different language every day at lunch. Spanish, French, German, Latin, and gee...can't think of the last one, it may have been Korean as we had a lot of students from South Korea there, but I don't remember.

Anyway, I don't see a problem with reading the pledge in another language as Tory said, we don't have a national language and there's really no harm in it.

 

[RealGun]

"When you're saying the Pledge in a different language which nobody understands, that's not OK."

The kid will make a fine liberal. He's just warming up.

 

[FeebMaster]

The kid will make a fine liberal. He's just warming up.

Or conservative. I'd say it's still a tossup.

 

[Bear Gulch]

The pledege is being read in English first. I think that it is only appropriate that we read the pledge in othe rlanguages as well. One of my best friends is a naturalized citizen from Switzerland. He is one of the finest and most patriotic men I know.

Sounds like the kid is throwing a fit because he didn't get his way.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...there is no national language...

That's what the leftist extremists want us to believe, anyway.

 

[Michigander]

Or conservative. I'd say it's still a tossup.

You know, if we had half-way decent education system (as opposed to an excellent endoctrination system), these kids would all know those various languages. I bet if they did, no one would be complaining.

 

[dolanp]

It'd be one thing if they read it in Spanish every day because a few kids couldn't be bothered to learn English, but since it is just being done as part a foreign language study I don't see what harm it does. It's not disrespectful. In fact if any foreigner said our pledge in the only language they know I would consider that an act of respect to our country.

 

[cropcirclewalker]

I wonder if Thomas Jefferson would have said the pledge in Russian.

Well, no, I seriously doubt that anybody could have forced him to say it in English.

So far we've come.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I think the kid is going to make a fine neo-con one day. Lets just hope he pays a little more attention in government classes and learn about freedom of speech. Maybe we can get him on the path to Libertarianism.

Just an anecdote, but I refused to say the pledge all through high school because of the "...under god" portion. Kinda bothered me that an atheist would have to profess a belief in something he finds ludicrous. I never got in trouble for my refusal simply because my teachers understood that it was my right to abstain from saying the pledge.

I'd tell the kid it is his right to be upset and believe the way he does. I'd also tell him its not his place to force others to believe the same way. Since all he did was walk out of class, I don't think he did anything wrong although I would have stood there quietly instead of making a scene.

 

[RealGun]

Maybe we can get him on the path to Libertarianism

Eeeegh! Please don't say "we". I and many others have no real claim to Libertarianism, certainly not in the context of the LP, and it is a sore point when a forum gets staked out as some political territory, all others treated as aliens. In this context, if you are pro-gun, you are a comrade.

 

[R.H. Lee]

It seems this impressionable youth is being raised by a xenophobic father.

That's right. When you disagree with someone's opinion, be sure to disparage them personally. That lends credence to your point of view.

 

[jefnvk]

I have no problem, especially when it is being read in English first.

 

[cracked butt]

Just another teenage screwhead who feels the urge to whine about something but doesn't know why. The boy's father isn't any brighter.

have a great life flipping burgers patrick, that's what people do for a living when they refuse to broaden their horizons or learn something new.

 

[nico]

People looking for something to complain about on both sides are rediculous. When I took Spanish in middle school and high school, one of the first things we learned was how to say the Pledge in Spanish. What next? Is the kid gonna complain about the school serving tacos in the cafeteria on President's Day because this isn't Mexico?

 

[cracked butt]

What next? Is the kid gonna complain about the school serving tacos in the cafeteria on President's Day because this isn't Mexico?

probably more likely he'll complain that he didn't get the grade he 'deserved' in math class because the teacher didn't agree with his answers

 

[Gordon Fink]

“This is America, and we got [sic] soldiers at war.â€

I didn’t know our troops were fighting to spread English to the linguistically oppressed peoples of the world.

“It’s like wearing a cross upside down in a church.â€

At least they said “under God†in their jabber.

~G. Fink

 

[Phil Ca]

As long as the pledge is read in English first I have no problem with it being followed with another language.

In our family we have members that speak French, German, Spanish and Tagalog. All are US Citizens and we have no problems about the use of language. My little grandson tries to put one over when he answers me in Spanish or French and I just reply in German.

 

[cuchulainn]

The kid misunderstood what was going on.

The antidote to over-the-top P.C. multiculturalism is not rejection of anything not mainstream American. Maybe the kid and his dad aren't xenophobic, but their overreaction certainly appears that way.

 

[CentralTexas]

Like the old joke

I think it was stand up comedian Paul Rodriguez, anyway he get's on an elevator in Los Angeles and he is annoyed with two chinese folks conversing in their native tounge. After riding several floors he can't take it anymore and says to them "Damnit! This is America and you in are in Los Angeles so speak mexican or get out!
CT

 

[spartacus2002]

CT --

I'm reaching back 25 years, but I think you are correct. I laugh about that often -- "This is America! Speak Spanish!"

 

[standingbear]

I agree with an earlier post. At least they are saying the pledge, its a start.