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How do you feel about the pledge of allegiance proposal?

How do you feel about the pledge of allegiance proposal?

Poll

What response most closely reflects your feeling on the amendment to prohibit Ohio’s public school districts from passing policies against reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school functions?

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Updated 6:39 AM Wednesday, June 17, 2009

“They should have to say (the pledge of allegiance). That’s what (soldiers) died for and still do.”

Heidi King, who has a grandson in Madison schools.

“I think it’s fine. We ask our students to be respectful. No one is forced to say it.”

Kathy Wilson, a seventh-grade teacher in the Middletown City School District.

“They should never take it away. You don’t have to do anything [if you don’t want to], just stand there and be quiet.”

Kay Wilson of Middletown.

“I think it’s part of our heritage as Americans. It should be taught and mandatory to stand up and show respect for your country.”

Sandy Cobb, who has two boys in Creekside Elementary School in West Chester Twp.

“This country and our tax dollars pay for the schools. Kids get a free education because of the tax dollars, so therefore they should say the pledge of allegiance.”

Jennifer McLean, who has three children in the Fairfield City School District.

“I think (the proposal is) good. It’s an important part of [American] history and children need to learn that, its part of the respect for this country. If foreigners are coming to our country they need to learn that to respect all that.”

Nancy Miracle, who has grandchildren, nieces and nephew in the Fairfield City School District.

“I like (the pledge of allegiance policy) the way it is.”

Mark Richardson, who has children in the Lakota Local School District.

“Everyone believes in a God, it may be a different God ... but you still want to respect God and country. If you live in the U.S. then you should pledge to our flag.”

Kari Robinson, who has children in the Fairfield City School District

“Our constitution is built on in God we trust. It’s a shame we’re letting people dictate that to us.”

Trenton resident Pat Sageda, who has a grandson in the Lakota Local School District.

“I think they should have to say (the pledge of allegiance). I don’t see anything wrong with saying it.”

Jennifer Terry, Fairfield

— Everdeen Mason, staff writer

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We're seriously wasting time talking about this? It's part of our heritage and it's honorable. As one said above, do you have to say it? No, you can sit there and be quite, that is your choice and freedom.

Zach
12:05 PM, 6/17/2009

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In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge.

Bellamy's granddaughter said he also would have resented this second change. He had been pressured into leaving his church in 1891 because of his socialist sermons.

Bellamy would have been one of the guiding forces of the ACLU.

Alan
11:29 AM, 6/17/2009

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His original Pledge read as follows: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans.

Alan
11:26 AM, 6/17/2009

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"one of our Guiding blocks in the foundation of our country".....Really!?

Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Looking Backward (1888) and Equality (1897).

Alan
11:24 AM, 6/17/2009

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The Pledge is our bound to live in freedom and unity. If you can't say it you dishonor your self and your fellow person. If it is not maintained the next generation will drift further away from our principles. The Pledge is one of our Guiding blocks in the foundation of our country and should never be abolished. The ACLU are few and we are many. We must maintain vigilance when ever these issues arise.

Butler Red
9:31 AM, 6/17/2009

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