SCOTUS, circa WWII:
“We think the action of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control.
We set up government by consent of the governed, and the Bill of Rights denies those in power any legal opportunity to coerce that consent. Authority here is to be controlled by public opinion, not public opinion by authority.”
Sadly, I don't reall think that is true anymore. I want to be very clear here, I am not saying put a gun to anyones head to say the Pledge, but I believe the Country has suffered greatly by not saying the Pledge. We have allowed everyone else to be more important (feelings) wise than ourselves.
First, it was praying in scholl because it might "offend" someone, then a hundred little paper cuts later, we might "offend" someone with the Pledge.
Where does it stop? When we have "faired" ourselves into non-existence? If you cannot give your loyalty to your nation, under God, who can you give it to?
scholl = school.
Sorry the lightbulb blew out and I was typing in the dark.
We are talking about school children,who are not of majority age and possibly many of whom are not citizens of this country.
We,the adult citizens of the United States of America,do not have to tolerate minors and/or citizens of other countries,disrespecting our laws,traditions and language,including the pledge of allegiance,which has become a part of our popular tradition. We should contact our representatives right away and voice opposition.
Students in this country should never give pledges to any other nation while in public school. I understand learning in foreign language classes,but there are other ways to learn the language and traditions of other countries,rather than pledging to their nations.
As I understood the article,the controversy was about pledging to Mexico,a foreign country, in an American public school.