News reports from March 1, 2005 stated that
an incident occurred at a government school in Brick Township, New Jersey.
A video of the shocking behavior is at http://rexcurry.net/pledge-of-allegiance-mantel.wmv
Similar to some other states, NJ has a morning paramilitary drill
in government schools that includes chanting the Pledge of Allegiance and
the "National Anthem." A videotape was made by a student in the class.
The class started out that morning with the teacher yelling “I don’t want
to hear a sound! Not a sound! Morning exercises will come on, you will stand,
you will stand quietly, you will pay attention! Any Questions!? ... Now
stand up and keep your mouths shut!” Students stood up as the national
anthem began playing. In the middle of the "The Star-Spangled Banner,"
the teacher demanded that Jay stand up. Jay silently refused, and Mantel
yelled again, “Stand up!” Jay then said “I don’t have to stand up.” Jay
was told “You have to stand,” and Jay said, “No I don’t.” Jay's
chair was pulled out from under Jay. Jay said “Are you serious?”, to which
the loud response was “I am damn well serious." |
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PLEDGE STILL PROVOKES VIOLENT SOCIALISTS TODAY Dear Abby: Would you please tell your readers that not reciting or participating in the Pledge of Allegiance does not mean that someone is a bad American? For religious reasons, I cannot say the Pledge. I sit quietly while it's recited, but unfortunately, others can't keep quiet about my silence. They make a scene and begin interrogating me - especially at sporting events. Others have better manners, but still insist that I stand in respect - but standing is participating. I have been punched, kicked, cursed at and spat upon, often in front of my children. People scream about their war records or their soldier relatives. Well, I have kin "over there," too. Please do not assume that non-participants are bad people. They might even be Canadian. - Silent Supporter, Benson, N.C. Dear Silent Supporter: Thank you for a letter that may educate those who do not understand that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance does not automatically make them more patriotic - or better Americans - than those who do not. Physically or verbally attacking someone because the person doesn't conform is not a sign of patriotism. It's a symptom of intolerance, and should get the guilty parties tossed out of the events. For anyone who may not already know, Quakers do not take oaths - even in courts of law - nor do they salute religious symbols. The person remaining silent (and seated) when the Pledge is recited could also be a member of a religion outside the Judeo-Christian matrix, or even a member of a certain sect of Buddhism. Dear Abby advice for the day: When in doubt, keep your mouth shut. Write Dear Abby at www.dearabby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. |