Posted on Wed, May 30, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
State House bill would require Pledge of Allegiance in schools each day
By Cindy Heflin
All public schools in Michigan would have to offer students the chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day under a bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, MLive reported.
A bill under consideration would require schools to conduct a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance every day.
The bill, HB 4934, sponsored by State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, requires schools to offer the pledge but doesn’t require students to recite it.
The bill was debated in the House Education Committee.
Roger Khan, R-Saginaw, sponsor of the Senate bill, said in the fall that Michigan is one of seven states without a law mandating the pledge be recited each day.
Comments
sports nut
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
I would like the schools to get back to the way I remember. We said the pledge and prayed and did our school work. These items show support to the country you live in and want to be in. If you don't want to do those items you have the freedom to LEAVE. This country's religion was based on God and the country has done well as long as that remained first. But we as a country are turning away from God and towards the freedoms that OUR troops have fought for and DIED for. There is nothing being forced you and you have the freedom to LEAVE.
Sue
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
This better not pass or there will be lawsuits which will cost Michigan taxpayers a lot of money
Sue
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.
Not unless they take "Under God" out and recite it the way it was originally written.
JRW
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.
So, now after 30 years, it's important to restore the Pledge to classrooms in Michigan? This is nothing more than the extreme right wingers trying to impose their fake "values" on everyone. I thought they wanted to keep government out of our lives....oh that's right, they want government IN our lives when it suits their extremist agenda.
Another Michael
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
Free people don't pledge their allegiance to government icons.
shepard145
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance should be said every morning at school before class begins and before every significant government meeting - such as the City Council. This is an excellent Bill and MICHIGAN VOTERS are very pleased to see ADULTS RETURN TO LANSING AFTER THE 8 YEARS OF THE "PLAY TIME" that made Michigan the laughing stock of the nation as Granholm's union catering incompetence and inability to make any hard decisions (hallmark of failing democrat party) nearly bankrupted the state.
kulanova
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
"The Pledge" is said before each school board meeting. I like this version better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPWpBxl_Ifo
Patriotism ForAll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 6:51 p.m.
11. Is patriotic lip-service in place of, even at the expense of, actual civic engagement and action. (Symbolic patriotism) 12. Is uncritical patriotism at the expense of maintaining oversight over government. (Blind patriotism) 13. Considered by many Christians idolatry, taking the name of God in vain, swearing oaths, serving two masters. 14. Divides the nation (and the classroom) along religious lines. Only those represented by the Judeo-Christian "God" need apply as patriots (Ironic that "under God", comes right before "indivisible.") 15. Is hypocritical on the part of adults, bullying little kids into doing something that adults themselves don't do. (You say the Pledge every day, do you, and on a government mandated schedule?) 16. And last, but not least, pledging allegiance to a flag is just stupid.
Patriotism ForAll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
Enough reasons here for anyone, liberal or conservative, religious or atheist to have the Pledge of Allegiance removed from public schools: 1. Meaning lost in endless repetition, no explanation given, no history provided. 2. Comprises an ideological viewpoint that is forced on little kids by authorities to whom they are dependent. 3. The two above, taken together, is the definition of brainwashing. 4. The absurdity of having to repeat a pledge daily that apparently is only good for 24 hours. 5. The conforming routine of it, which makes you feel like a brain-dead robot sheep as opposed to a citizen of a free country who enjoys individual liberty. 6. Subordinates the people to the government, which we are told on good authority was created by us, with allegiance to us, not us to it. 7. Exalts nationalism over federalism contrary to the basic principles of our Republic. Subsuming states and individual rights to central government is a necessary pre-requisite for a centralized, socialist government to gain traction. This was an explicit goal of Francis Bellamy, the socialist author of the PofA. 8. Encourages jingoism. Antagonistic tribalism. No other countries have their citizens swear a loyalty oath to their government (except Mexico and the Philippines, mimicking the U.S). 9. Concocted by a company that sold flags as part of a plan to compel schools to buy more flags while instilling socialist-style nationalism in American children. 10. Unsavory connection with Nazis. The Pledge originally featured the Nazi-style salute. In fact, Hitler got it from the Italian fascists who much admired, that's right, kids in America doing it while saying the Pledge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute (Man, if that doesn't give you chills)
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
I hope you never have to be in Judge Michael Warren's Courtroom in Oakland County, you might have an aneurism. He starts every proceeeding with the Pledge.
leaguebus
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Republicans are the party of smaller government and the party of needless laws that restrict our freedom. The American Taliban.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
Maybe, we should also do away with the 4th of July and Public Fireworks displays which are also symbols of our Republic? I sure hope those potesting the pledge tell their employer they don't that day of and keep their kids home at nightwatching re-runsd of Family Guy.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:32 p.m.
I think I covered my agreement with you about legislating it early on. Instead, patriotism should be instilled. Sadly though, many people are taking their citizenship in the greatest country on earth for granted.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the Pledge. What is wrong is mandating children saying it in public schools.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:17 p.m.
I don't think it needs to be put into law, I'm just wondering what is so wrong with the pledge of allegiance.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
Only if the "less govt control of our lives" crowd mandates attendance would this be an equivalent issue.
Ron Granger
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
"The bill, HB 4934, sponsored by State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant. Roger Khan, R-Saginaw, sponsor of the Senate bill" When are the Republicans going to focus on jobs, instead of raising taxes on the working class, and other distractions?
leaguebus
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
They focused on jobs and just laid off thousands of teachers because the cut business taxes by $1.8 B. now we find out that the first thing a business does when it looks at building in a state is if they can find educated workers to staff their facilities. Michigan is 47th on Forbes state business climate because of the mindless state government that currently runs this state.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Again, I just cannot stop laughing over the fact that so many socialist hating, allegedly freedom loving people want to have the government mandate that kids recite a pledge written by a socialist! Too funny! Patriotism is not mandated, it is acquired by living, by seeing ones country for what it is and what it promises. Places that these same people claim to despise mandate patriotism and pledges. If you want your kids to say the pledge every day, have them do it with you at home, nobody will stop you.
walker101
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:25 p.m.
Hard to believe liberals are concerned with this and yet not one leftist has no idea that the current ruler has imposed two recent bills (HB 347)that will limit freedom of speech and NDAA which the government can arrest any US citizen and claim them to be a terrorist without the burden of proof, even the ACLU was taken by surprised by this ruling. And yet the liberalist are upset with children that may or may not have to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Careful what you wish for.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
Walker, once again you post inaccurate statements. The vote for passage of NDAA was 93-7. Obamas party, the deomcratic party, voted overwhelmingly for NDAA. So, again, with this new information are you able to change your opinion, or do you hold that opinion regardless of new factual information? First you charge that "liberals" are not upset with NDAA, then you say that liberals (conflating democrat with liberal) being upset with Obama is a reason he will lose. Which is it?
walker101
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
Clownfish: This is why Obama will not win another term, even his own party disagrees with him.
leaguebus
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Hey Clownfish, we know truth is optional when posting on-line and we also know that the right seems to believe this to the extreme. Thanks for the quote.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
I think this is one of those misinformation posts, like saying that men descended from apes. Many Liberals ARE opposed to the new NDAA rules and Obamas actions in regards to blowing up and arresting US citizens. "A federal district judge today, the newly-appointed Katherine Forrest of the Southern District of New York, issued an amazing ruling: one which preliminarily enjoins enforcement of the highly controversial indefinite provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama last December. This afternoon's ruling came as part of a lawsuit brought by seven dissident plaintiffs — including Chris Hedges, Dan Ellsberg, Noam Chomsky, and Brigitta Jonsdottir — alleging that the NDAA violates "both their free speech and associational rights guaranteed by the First Amendment as well as due process rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.">/i> - May 2012. So, evil liberals brought suit against the Obama administration, causing parts of NDAA to be struck down. Not the Heritage Foundation, not Lyndon La Rouche, not ALAC. Noam Chomsky did it! Now you have new information, does it change your opinion?
brb11
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
What an anti-American bill.
Dave66
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
"With Liberty and Justice for all." HILARIOUS! The government forcing children to say they have liberty is just too ironic. So misguided. So backwards. So wrong. So... STUPID. I like my irony as much as the next guy, but this is just too much. I think we're teaching the wrong lesson here, unless we want our kids to know at an early age that government is run by hypocritical, ignorant ideologues who don't have access to a dictionary. lib·er·ty [lib-er-tee] noun, plural lib·er·ties. 1. freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control. 2. freedom from external or foreign rule; independence. 3. freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
The hypocrisy in this issue is too deep to wade through. Funny how the people that want to use the govt to force kids to do something suggest that if we don't like it we should move to countries where they force kids to recite pledges.
Daniel Pose
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
No one should stand for the Pledge of Allegiance - it was the origin of the Nazi salute and Nazi behavior (see the work of the historian Dr. Rex Curry). When stories such as the one above come out, the old news media will never mention the Pledge's putrid past, nor print a photo or video of the early American stiff-armed salute. If they did, then no one would stand for the pledge. The pledge continues to be the source of Nazi behavior wherein government schools (socialist schools) begin each day by teaching bullying and peer pressure and punish dissenters. The pledge is a daily repetition of the Milgram experiment and a demonstration of the banality of evil. It is sad to see that the news recently had two stories: an adult selectwoman politician in Falmouth, MA who cowardly caved in to bullying regarding the pledge, and a 13-year-old student in a government school in Brownsville, PA who is not a coward and who defied the pledge despite ongoing persecution from cowardly adults. Francis Bellamy is sometimes referred to as America's Leni Riefenstahl because of his earlier influence on spreading socialism (and the stiff-armed gesture) through government schools et cetera. Of course, Bellamy was very religious, a "Christian socialist" and his original pledge was a small part of a his much larger pledge program replete with hymns, prayers, references to the Bible and God, including the phrase "under God." That is why the original pledge program cannot be performed in government schools, only the pledge's tiny part (to which the deifiication was also added in 1954).
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
As someone so appalled by religion loving socialists, certainly you oppose the one now occupying the White House!? LOL Push your foil hat on a little tighter and relax - children affirming their devotion to their country, the greatest nation in the history of the world, will result in any of the serious mental injuries you and your googling imagine. Maybe the next generation will reject all the nonsensical anti American eco hysteria and get to work.
leaguebus
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Wonderful post! Maybe some day, on Sunday, we will have to swipe our drivers license at the Christian church of our choice or go to jail.
OLDTIMER3
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 11:52 a.m.
I agree there are more important things they should be working on, but I see nothing wrong with reciting the pledge every moerning. Maybe that is what is wrong with kids today. They don't take hats off or quit talking during the playing of the NATIONAL ANTHEM.
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.
That's the thing, when kids have something drilled into their heads, the learning is less and less important. Im not saying that the pledge is not important, but I refuse to say it as long as the words "Under God" are in it. I never have and never will believe in God or any other higher power.I had to say it in 6th grade and the kids then quit talking AND took their hats off
Patriotism ForAll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
11. Is patriotic lip-service in place of, even at the expense of, actual civic engagement and action. (Symbolic patriotism) 12. Is uncritical patriotism at the expense of maintaining oversight over government. (Blind patriotism) 13. Considered by many Christians idolatry, taking the name of God in vain, swearing oaths, serving two masters. 14. Divides the nation (and the classroom) along religious lines. Only those represented by the Judeo-Christian "God" need apply as patriots (Ironic that "under God", comes right before "indivisible.") 15. Is hypocritical on the part of adults, bullying little kids into doing something that adults themselves don't do. (You say the Pledge every day, do you, and on a government mandated schedule?) 16. And last, but not least, pledging allegiance to a flag is just stupid.
Patriotism ForAll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
See nothing wrong? Enough reasons here for anyone, liberal or conservative, religious or atheist to have the Pledge of Allegiance removed from public schools: 1. Meaning lost in endless repetition, no explanation given, no history provided. 2. Comprises an ideological viewpoint that is forced on little kids by authorities to whom they are dependent. 3. The two above, taken together, is the definition of brainwashing. 4. The absurdity of having to repeat a pledge daily that apparently is only good for 24 hours. 5. The conforming routine of it, which makes you feel like a brain-dead robot sheep as opposed to a citizen of a free country who enjoys individual liberty. 6. Subordinates the people to the government, which we are told on good authority was created by us, with allegiance to us, not us to it. 7. Exalts nationalism over federalism contrary to the basic principles of our Republic. Subsuming states and individual rights to central government is a necessary pre-requisite for a centralized, socialist government to gain traction. This was an explicit goal of Francis Bellamy, the socialist author of the PofA. 8. Encourages jingoism. Antagonistic tribalism. No other countries have their citizens swear a loyalty oath to their government (except Mexico and the Philippines, mimicking the U.S). 9. Concocted by a company that sold flags as part of a plan to compel schools to buy more flags while instilling socialist-style nationalism in American children. 10. Unsavory connection with Nazis. The Pledge originally featured the Nazi-style salute. In fact, Hitler got it from the Italian fascists who much admired, that's right, kids in America doing it while saying the Pledge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute (Man, if that doesn't give you chills)
Real Life
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 11:03 a.m.
Wait a minute. Do you mean the kids DON'T say the Pledge every day?? What the Devil happened? I certainly remember saying it everyday. It's about time something to simple and basic is expected. I suppose you should start with teaching it to the teachers and administrators.
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
I said it in middle school in 6th grade and then I didn't believe in God. I still don't believe in God. After the 6th grade, at least at Tappan the Pledge was no longer said.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
I would guess that somewhere around Bill Clinton, the flags were quietly removed by Anti American leftist crank teachers and administrators during a summer break. This is typical of the "hate America, anti business, avoid competition but everyone gets a trophy" crowd now instructing this nation's children. ...and as the occupier cranks demonstrate, they've created quite a generation. LOL
davecj
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 4:42 a.m.
Not sure what all the hoopla is about. I sub in the Ann Arbor school district, and about half the schools in the District start each day with the pledge and announcements already, so nothing will change.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 4:34 a.m.
Everybody opposed to the reference to "God" please meet me tomorrow at 8:oo pm on main and liberty and give me your US currency that has the word "God" on it. I would hate for you to have to spend that when it is against your inclinations.
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
The people of the U.S. have no say on what the govt prints on the money. I don't believe in God or any other higher power, and there is nothing wrong with that. I will recite the pledge of alliengence as long as the words "under God" are taken out
Sue
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
I think we should all just start blacking the phrase out with a permanent marker before we use it, that would solve the problem.
Doug
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Right on, treetowncartel!
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
I don't discredit any of what allsay, just put your " money" where your mouth is.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
Show me in the constitution the word "God". There is ONE mention of The Lord, and that is a calendar mention. The Founders never printed the word "God" on money. There is a pyramid on the money, should kids accept R'a as The God? Maybe Thoth or Amun would suit you better? There are Roman numerals on money, should we mandate only the use of Roman numerals in accounting?
Enso
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
I'll also give you a copy of the Constitution. You can you it as toilet paper. This is the US. I don't have to believe in Allah if I don't want to.
sh1
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 10:55 a.m.
That's a non sequitur. People have no choice in what the government prints on the money.
Chase Ingersoll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:57 a.m.
Forcing children to recite "...one nation under god..." in schools where they are taught that people descended from apes, is only serves to undermine their respect for any authority that is involved in perpetrating this contradiction. Chase Ingersoll
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
Not there IS a god!
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
Kids are not taught that. Don't know where you get that information. God does not care about nations, she drew no lines on the Earth.
Dave66
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.
I don't think we're "descended" from apes. We ARE apes. I think homo sapiens is just a specific breed of ape.
sh1
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
Who is teaching that "people descended from apes"? Where are you getting your information? Though people and current-day apes share a common ancestor, your misunderstanding of evolution only proves schools need to do a better job of teaching it.
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 4:47 a.m.
Our religion is football last time I checked
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:35 a.m.
Relax - science is your friend. Creationism and evolution easily live together if you don't get hung up on the time frame referenced in the bible, which was after all written by men. Lighten up.
Sparty
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
The reason they can't mandate it is because the Supreme Court ruled that is unconstitutional decades ago. So why pressure any student or employee to do so now? Who is paying for the flags in every classroom in every school in the State under this plan?
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
Every classroom in every school already has an American Flag in it.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.
yeeeaaaa... and you misunderstood that ruling. Even better, the nation is not ruled by the Supreme Court. This is a suburb bill long over due.
TLBeadle
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
If this bill is ever signed into law, I imagine some right-minded reasonable folk will file law suits and take up the court's time when it could have been avoided if these (keep government out of our lives) Repubs would have focused on more important things. How about instead of signing this into law, we mandate schools to teach critical thinking skills.
Lola
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:06 a.m.
Where is the money supposed to come from to buy all of these flags? One would think that money could be better spent elsewhere in the school systems. I thought the purpose of schools was to teach our children and prepare them for careers not to force patriotism down their throats.
shepard145
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
..so considering that American Voters were not fooled into electing an underground socialist until obama (with the help of a corrupt US press), how well do you think that "socialist" plan worked out? LOL I'll help: it didnt and the Pledge you so fear has nothing to do with socialism in the context it's made. You haters are so intent on bending common sense to your bazar opposition that your arguments combined with those random googlings yield only noise. You're just wrong so admit it, apologize to us all and move on. ...and as far as "proof" - it would be very interesting to track down the removal of classroom American flags to the year, day and individuals who actually carried out that moral crime. I would like to see pictures, their bios and interviews with each one of those responsible. ...something I'm sure AA dot com will jump on any day now.
Patriotism ForAll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
The Pledge was originally written buy an employee of a company that wanted to make schools buy flags. He was also a socialist who thought the Pledge for school-age kids would be the best way to indoctrinate a nationalist-socialist attitude in Americans.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Do you have any proof that it was some leftist plot? Any proof that it was leftists that removed the flags? Is it the "failed agenda of the last 40 years" that brought us the worlds largest economy? Oh well. I guess having the government force kids to recite a pledge written by a "leftist" will re-enforce freedoms and reduce government control.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:33 a.m.
They should not need to buy any flags. ...they need to go find the flags that were up on the walls before Anti American leftist teachers unions took over and removed them. GO FIND THEM! ...and while returning the flags to the classroom, teachers should apologize to the students and explain their absence and the failed leftist agenda of the last forty years that lead to their removal in the first place. Glad to see adults back in office in Lansing......FINALLY!
amlive
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
I wonder how supporters would feel if the pledge also included pledging support and loyalty to our Commander in Chief.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:37 a.m.
You don't have to wonder because it doesn't. Work harder to understand what the Pledge is.
Dennis
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
It's a shame that people want this type of force nationalism in our schools. This is the kind of thing you see in fascist countries. Politicians need to stop all the grandstanding and address the real issues in michigan.
Dennis
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
@shep At no point did I mention Obama, or the federal government. You do have a lovely soapbox though.
Enso
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
@ Shep. Stop reading those emails your friends are sending you.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:43 a.m.
Fascist Countries!?! How amusing that the closest President to a true fascist we have every had is occupying the White House today and he's your hero! How did you feel about the Bush Halliburton lies? Where you outraged even though not one charge was ever brought, let along proven? ....and how do you feel now that mr hope-n-change is sending 2/3 of all GOVERNMENT GRANTS and TAXPAYER GUARANTEED LOANS (Solyndra) to those who bundle money and pay for his campaign? Yes - DOCUMENTED BY NOT REPORTED BY YOUR OBAMA LOVING PRESS!! LOL ...yea, fascists are the problem!! LOL
AAProgressive
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
What was it about conservatives trying to reduce government control?
ruminator
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
Another step towards becoming the Peoples Republic of Michigan. Thanks go to Chairman Snyder and the rethuglican party for yet another colossal waste of time.
a2girl
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Exactly, because we were so much better off under Chairman Stabenow!
hail2thevict0r
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
I'd be fine with forced patriotism if it didn't involve religion.....
sh1
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:37 a.m.
Why isn't it good enough for those who want to say the pledge to say it at home in front of their own flag?
Mike S
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
Is it that time again?
brimble
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Schools are required to display flags, which means they'll have to buy them. Sounds like an unfunded mandate.
Enso
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
@ shep... If you want to live in a nationalistic theocracy, I'm sure Iran/Saudi Arabia/North Korea would be glad to have you.
shepard145
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
They won't need to buy them - just go find those that were taken down by the leftest cranks who now run our schools AND PUT THEM BACK UP. While at it, they should also APOLOGIZE TO THE STUDENTS for promoting their anti American nonsense.
Brad
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
"Roger Khan, R-Saginaw, sponsor of the Senate bill, said in the fall that Michigan is one of seven states without a law mandating the pledge be recited each day." And, being a Republican, he is incorrect and/or lying. The correct statement would be "Seven states have no laws regarding requirements for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools". That's quite a distance away from "mandating the pledge be recited each day", isn't it? Michigan should remain one of the states with no laws and take that two minutes per school day to actually teach the children something useful. If you want to teach them to memorize the pledge then fine. Once that's accomplished then teach them something else. I doubt that many potential employers will be testing them on their "pledge skills".
Topher
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
I taught in Virginia where this is also mandated. It's a joke for high school students. How about we mandate something useful, like patriotism in action? What does patriotism look like? Perhaps community service, beautification projects, all 18 year old registering to vote, having active democracies within schools. This is just a start to a list. Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance, while perhaps symbolically patriotic, is weak and acts as a facade for those who wish to pretend that repeating a mantra must prove that you love your country.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
Isn't there a company that makes flags in Michigan? Perhaps, they have been lobbying for this legislation. Acknowledging the liberties and freedom accorded to us, through our government, by paying respect to symbols such as the flag is a noble thing in my mind. Sure we all can point out flaws that are mostly due to our partisanship or religious views, but by in large we should all be able to take pride in our Country and these little things like saying the pledge of allegiance are our reminders to do just that. it also helps put these kids on the path to good citizenship and a recognition that America, even with its flaws, is a damn good place to be and also to support. I do not understand why we have to legislate what seems like the right thing to do in general.
Ed Kimball
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Ann Arbor - love it or leave it!
treetowncartel
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 4:45 a.m.
I'm glad the neo liberals are voting me down, as a libertarian I have always hated having to be assocaited with them.
Robert Katz
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
This must be part of the smaller government Republicans are always talking about, having government stay out of our lives.
A2James
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
I am for it, as long as the kids don't have to say "Under God" (which wasn't part of the original pledge to begin with, and would violate church/state separation laws). Something tells me that some people want the pledge in our schools just for the religious part in it, though...
Classof2014
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
I totally agree! I don't believe in God and a lot of kids at in high school don't. I'll say it only if the words "Under God" are taken out
Hume
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 8:49 a.m.
@ MichiganMan Money did not have the word God on it untill the 1950's and it was put there by the McCarthy red scare. Do you really have to scare people in to believing something and then stamp it on the money and force school children to repeat it every day? Or is it better that they have the freedom to choose to decide. Our money is the best reminder that we are NOT free. We will never be FREE until people can get over forcing school children to recite some pledge or having to have "In God We Trust" printed on each piece or currency. If people have to have this kind of compulsion they should move to North Korea.
Michigan Man
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 3:19 a.m.
A2James - Money has the word God on it. If you are opposed to the word God on your money - send me all your money. I will gladly take it!
obviouscomment
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
The kids can say whatever they want or nothing at all because the schools would be required to offer it but the students won't be required to do anything.
Krista Somers Boyer
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
I am proud to say that my kindergarten class recites the Pledge every day!
SEC Fan
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
@Mike. They teach in Michigan schools that we descended from Apes? What the heck? I've never heard that before. Down South the argument is always about whether to teach Creationism or Evolution.
clownfish
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
If you learned that humans descended from apes in school either you were not paying attention or your teacher was following a curriculum set forth by the clueless . No evolutionist would ever teach humans descended from apes.
Enso
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:24 p.m.
@ Chase We didn't 'descend from apes.' No evolutionist believes this. This is a belief the theocrats put forward and then strike down and then say they were right.
MIKE
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 4:51 a.m.
Chase, in reality, nobody is claiming we descended from apes. In addition, whose to say how God(if he exists), may have created humans? Maybe he used evolution, surely it's in his power?
Chase Ingersoll
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
...and then after reciting "one nation under God" it is explained to them that they descended from apes. One of the reasons I began losing respect for public schools at a very young age.
sh1
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
Why are you proud?
lynel
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
and I'm sure they understand every word of it.
denniso800
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
and I kinow someone in that class....... although you seem to be in the minority, keep up the good work.
Phil
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
The pledge as well as a prayer would be alot more approiate every day!. And we do not need to vote on this as we did this in school back in the 50's & 60's with out issues.
Sue
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
Okay, as long as the prayers are said to different deities each day so no religion is excluded.
YpsiVeteran
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
Keep your prayers to yourself. Who are you to drag religion, yours or anyone else's, into public schools?
sh1
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
Whose god should our diverse student population pray to?
Kristine
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
When I was a kid in the sixties and attending a Parochial school in Oakland County, I remember having to say the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Back then, they were just words and had no relevance to me. When I grew into adulthood and came to understand what the words meant, I learned to appreciate their meaning. No child should be forced to say words they don't even understand. It smacks of something other than democracy.
bobslowson
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
More useless garbage coming from the right in Lansing...no thanks.
Rork Kuick
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:25 p.m.
Let's everybody grandstand for your fundamentalist supporters in an election year. It's just the constitution that'll suffer, and who cares about that. Nothing like a mandatory creed to prove how great we think freedom is.
ChrisW
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
I'll agree to the pledge if it's restored to its original wording. And let's not forget the original Bellamy Salute that went with it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute
E. Manuel Goldstein
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
While you're at it Chris, how about we restore the flag to its original material: hemp - otherwise known as marijuana!
E. Manuel Goldstein
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
What a waste of taxpayers time! This action creates not ONE JOB! The current Michigan legislature is an epic failure.
bobslowson
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
That was a good one Mike!
Enso
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
@ Mike... your comment is laughable.
Mike
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 11:01 a.m.
This action creates children who become patriotic citizens. If you don't like it then pledge your allegiance to another country of your choosing.
Hume
Wed, May 30, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
The pledge followed by 3 sieg heils! Michigan will win! For the Father Mitten!
Daniel Pose
Thu, May 31, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
The Pledge actually was the origin of the Nazi salute and Nazi behavior (see the work of the historian Dr. Rex Curry). That is how Michigan used to do the Pledge of Allegiance.