Well you know, everyone has a right to disagree. Just because one lives in America does not mean that he or she must pledge their undying loyalty to said country. (Although treason is punishable by death...)
*shrug*
Interesting viewpoint though.

-Amiot

*sigh* This is a rather naive way of looking at things. Oh, I support our troops, I feel awful that they have to die for our 'freedom'. Most of our troops didn't expect to go to war, and it is awful that they ended up doing just that.

You really shouldn't be disgusted that people refuse to say the pledge. I think I have a pretty good reason not to say the pledge. I'm Bohemian, I doubt you know what that is so I will put it in simpler terms. A 'Gypsy' (which is actually a racial slur) from eastern Europe. Dark skin, dark hair, you know what I'm talking about. In 1879 and pretty far into the Twentieth Century we weren't allowed into America. If we were to come to America we had to pretend to be African or Indian because Bohemians were hated by America.

Most Bohemian Children do not even know about their own culture, since it had to be given up to come to this country. I understand that all humans are supposed to be equal, yet gays and lesbians are also persecuted by America. Why should I pledge my alliegence to a country that hates me? I do not love any country, nor do I hate America, but I see no point in pledging my alligence to any one country.

While I do not pledge, I think that it is fine that I can enjoy at least a few freedoms that America has offered me. I don't hate America, which is what everyone seems to think, nor do I have this thing against God, even though Bohemians are historically Goddess worshiping or Jewish/Muslim. I am an Atheist, but I have no problem with the 'Under God' part of the Pledge of Alligence. This country is historically Christian, and I see no problem with going along with this country's history.

Troops do not fight for everyone's rights. They aren't even fighting for our rights at the moment. They are fighting to restore Iraq, while I do not agree with it, I sympathize with the troops and their families. I really am not a terrible ungrateful person simply because I do not praise the flag.

Wow, I ranted. Well, either way, think about the information I have given you, it might change your views about those who do not say the Pledge.

Cynically Yours,

T.F.O.

I make a small personal alteration to the pledge. Most people never heard the difference, but I drop out the words "to the flag of."

My allegiance is not to a flag, but to the awesome republic in which we live. A piece of cloth means nothing, but the people of our nation and the words of our Constitution mean nearly everything.

I haven't said the pledge since I started igh school, but because I don't believe it's the truth. I understand what it's supposed to stand for, so I do stand up and put my hand over my heart, but I refuse to let the words pass my lips until they're the truth. ("With liberty and justice for all." I haven't seen that yet.)

That's not to say that people shouldn't say the pledge. If people are just plain lazy, I can understand being disgusted with them, because quite frankly, I'm disgusted with those people. It bothers me sometimes that the word God is in it, because I myself am agnostic and the majority of my friends aren't Christian, either, but I don't see a reason to go to the Supreme Court over the use of God's name in it. That's not the point of the pledge.

I do think their are other ways to express your patriotism, though. I mean, I don't go around waving a flag or anything, and I don't think we should be in Iraq, but at the same time my dad's in the military. I've been surrounded by the military all my life, most of my friends' parents are in the military. I do support the troops. They've fought and died for our rights and continue to do so. And voting? Don't even get me started on that. If you don't vote, you shouldn't be complaining.

-end rant-

Some people are just too lazy to say the pledge.. others complain that the word "God" is in it. But I bet a lot more people would say the pledge if they read this, even if they have to omit the "God" part. I love how you ended it saying that this is why you're disgusted by them.. you know what? I'm disgusted too lol Great Job on this.

Now that I think about it, I'm the only one (besides my teacher) in my homeroom who actually says the pledge :(