Flag Salute
Do you think people should be allowed to refuse to salute the flag? Or, do you think the American flag is sacred, and that refusing to salute the flag should be illegal?
Four Freedoms Expedition
How do ideas about freedom change over time? How do some freedoms get in the way of other freedoms?
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Ezra said,
October 16, 2006 at 1:07 pm
I believe that if someone’s conscience is against saluting the flag then they shouldn’t have to.
Dan said,
October 17, 2006 at 11:27 am
Jeeze people! its a freaking symbol! not some god that you are disrespecting if you dont bow down to it!
york8 said,
October 17, 2006 at 11:29 am
Well to some people, its ALMOST a God. Its the very symbol of freedom, and liberty and good ol’ America! God I make me sick….
-Marlowe
Dani said,
October 17, 2006 at 2:04 pm
marlowe, what do you mean by:God I make me sick….
i dont get it.
its a flag.
you should do what feels right
york8 said,
October 17, 2006 at 2:07 pm
I ment, Dani, that I was making myself metaphoricly ’sick’ by using Rebublican catch phrases and slogans.
Dani said,
October 17, 2006 at 2:15 pm
umm, ok you need to further explain
what if you dont support america, and you are underaged and live with you parents, so you cant do anything about it
i think that america is falling apart its sad, its killing us and others
Emma said,
October 17, 2006 at 2:22 pm
“Dan // Oct 17th 2006 at 11:27 am
Jeeze people! its a freaking symbol! not some god that you are disrespecting if you dont bow down to it!”
This comment… It’s un-justified. If you believe that you should be able to not salute the flag, say why. Simply shouting at us is doing no good.
Matt said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:09 am
I am completely against people being forced to salute the flag. I would say it is a kind of ‘hollow’ act. By this I mean, what exactly does saluting the flag do? I know it is a show of respect for the country, but it does not achieve anything. If you want to show how much you love this country, go out and do something with meaning. Help out your community, volunteer at an elderly home, do something that has positive results for America, even if one tiny fraction of it. I’ll salute the flag when it is necessary, and I don’t mind doing it, but I just think it’s kind of useless. Why force someone to do something without meaning?
Does anyone disagree? Actually, does anyone even understand what I am trying to say?
Dani said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:27 am
matt you are so right i mean how is pledging an alligence to the flag gonna do anything…..but then again, it only takes….like 15 seconds of your day to do it
you guys wanna know somrthing kinda sad anad ironic
my grandmas bible is right next to her tv.
=/
york8 said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:44 am
Yeah, america is falling apart. Pretty soon, it’ll be red states vs. blue states, another civil war will erupt, which will drag the whole world in resulting in the extinction of everything except cockroaches.
I’m a regular Nostradamus, huh?
-Tristan
Ezra said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:49 am
Yay cockroaches. But like what would be the cause of a civil war. kids not saluting the flag? I dont think so.
Dani said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:49 am
no tristan but it is true, and it horrible that all the children in the world that are being born are being born into this world
Dani said,
October 18, 2006 at 9:51 am
yeha ezra but what we/i am saying is that either way we are falling apart and yes it could happen because of not sauluting the flag
Marlowe said,
October 18, 2006 at 12:13 pm
After you read my ‘flag burning comment’ you see how I feel…
york8 said,
October 18, 2006 at 12:58 pm
Well, I didn’t mean that saluting or not saluting the flag will break us apart. But I’m sure all the hyperpatisans aren’t helping.
-Tristan
Tyler K said,
October 19, 2006 at 10:59 am
Dan D,
I highly disagree with you on this subject, you may just think that the flag is a symbol but somewhere deep down inside I feel that the flag is not just a symbol, it is something that our troops in Iraq salute, and I think its important to our nation. How would you feel if somebody came up to you and said something horrible about your most favriote possesion? The thing that you look up to the most? So what your saying about the flag, It can, and probably will backfire, to. So think about it.
John said,
October 19, 2006 at 11:12 am
DAN your first comment was horriable!!!!!! it’s a symbol of our freedom. I’m not saying you have to satnd up for it but dan comon. Tyler i like your comment=)
york8 said,
October 19, 2006 at 11:18 am
Dan, you could really offend some people by talking that way. Some people respect the flag more than others. This blog is for people’s opinions, not their rants.
-Tristan
Dani said,
October 19, 2006 at 11:20 am
wow tyler thats really true, but still what about the jehvahs wittnesses?
they see the flag as a graven image
Dani said,
October 19, 2006 at 11:34 am
Dan Says:
October 17th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Jeeze people! its a freaking symbol! not some god that you are disrespecting if you don’t bow down to it!
Dan, oh Dan, we are not bowing down to it, we are saluting it, get it right!
Oh yeah, and if people have a problem with my spelling I don’t mean to do it.
Kyle said,
October 19, 2006 at 1:31 pm
We shouldn’t salute it at all, in school. Like Dani said “It’s a piece of cloth”. You can worship anything you want at your own house but bringing what you believe into school. The result is you can get in a fight with someone who doesn’t believe what you believe. ex: You believe that the devil exists and you want to worship him. Well, there are a lot of very religious people who believe that the devil is the worst thing that could exist. Obviously you will get some people mad at you.
Dani said,
October 20, 2006 at 9:58 am
omg people we are not worshiping the flag or bowing down to it
we are giving repsect to those to died to protect its meanings nad under god is not a religous refrence it is a refence to the gettsburgs address and even if it was it is not stating which god
society has brain washed to automaticly think about the christain god
Elizabeth said,
October 21, 2006 at 12:33 pm
You are absolutly right Dani!
John said,
October 22, 2006 at 1:44 pm
dani that comment was great!!!!!
John said,
October 22, 2006 at 6:05 pm
MARLOWE do you not like america or somthing or just everyone that lives in it?
york8 said,
October 24, 2006 at 8:45 am
John said,
October 22, 2006 at 6:05 pm
MARLOWE do you not like america or somthing or just everyone that lives in it?
Just because someone disagree’s with you doesn’t mena they don’t like America. Marlowe is more American then anyone one this part because he is sticking up for what he believes in nad not shooting others down like you guys.
I actually Agree with everything Marlowe has said.
Andrew
Fazal said,
October 24, 2006 at 9:47 am
I’m Completely against people forced to salute the flag. Because it say that its unconstitutional to force people to salute the flag. Each person in this whole world has a religion right? So why do you force them to salute a piece of “cloth?” If you went to another country and they did the same thing would want to salute it? What I’m saying is, if you want to salute the flag that’s your business, if you don’t you have the right to choose to or not. Just like the Barnette children they didn’t salute the flag because they thought Gods law was more superior then the laws of the state. Or If you love america so much go and do something for a meaning just like what Matt said ” If you want to show how much you love this country, go out and do something with meaning. Help out your community, volunteer at an elderly home, do something that has positive results for America.”
york8 said,
October 24, 2006 at 9:52 am
Wow Fazal. This is true. Very good point.
Andrew
JEnni said,
October 24, 2006 at 1:03 pm
i think that yes you can burn a flag if you want but if you follow the ways of an american then you shouldn’t because then that is like a person aying that she dont like anything then she eats it i wouldn’t burn the flag but if i did it wouldn’t burn it near a graveyard.
John said,
October 24, 2006 at 2:08 pm
first of all Andrew you shouted just butt in to a conversasion me and Marlowe are having in argure ment!!
Barb said,
October 24, 2006 at 2:17 pm
John, this isn’t AIM. Everyone’s allowed to write on this at any time.
John said,
October 24, 2006 at 2:19 pm
I’m not saying that am I if you read my comment me and MARLOWE are tying to use this blog to discuss thing GOD
Andrew said,
October 24, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Well John, sorry to burst yor bubble but im going to say what i want to say when i want to say it. Yay me!
Travis said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:17 pm
I won’t salute the flag, but I would salut the people who fight for our freedom every day.
Sheldon said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Good
Dani said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Fazal said:
Each person in this whole world has a religion right?
what do you mean by that?
the only religion ive heardof so far thta has to to with flag salute so far thte the jw
under god is not a refernce to god it is a reference to the gettsyburg address
and even so which god would they mean? like i said society has brainwashed us to think the christian god
Sheldon said,
October 25, 2006 at 6:11 pm
MARLOWE!!!
YOU… NEED… TO… LISTEN!!!
Sheldon said,
October 25, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Sorry, I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost it and broke my promise to Tristan.
Sheldon said,
October 25, 2006 at 7:55 pm
I think that we should salute the flag to exspress the way we feel about patriotic things.
nick said,
October 26, 2006 at 11:26 am
i think you shouldnt have to salut the flag just stand up to show respect for all who died to make this great contry.
Sheldon said,
October 26, 2006 at 11:30 am
OK
Travis said,
October 26, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Nicely put nick!
Celie said,
October 28, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I was “forced” to say the Pledge of Allegiance in kindergarten, and did it from habit in the first and second grade. When I got into the third grade, my teacher said we didn’t have to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and I didn’t. In fourth and fifth grade I chose not to do it again. My friends said it was rude not to and I was offending our country, but I had a choice, and I took advantage of it. Now, in middle school, my homeroom teacher said that we didn’t have a choice. Some might say it is unconstitutional to refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance, but it is even more unconstitutional to force someone TO say it. Sure it’s respectful and all, but I respect the things that actually do something to help the country. The American Flag is a symbol, a piece of cloth. Why don’t we just take a trip to Iraq, and hold our hands over our hearts and say something patriotic and respectful to our troops there. I know someone who joined the armed forces in Texas to be a mechanic, and a while ago he was shipped to Afghanistan, and now he’s in Baghdad.
Tyler K said,
October 30, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Good comment, Celie. & where are u from? windsor???/or York???
dani said,
October 31, 2006 at 10:23 am
ok well what about fazal?
Dani said,
October 25, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Fazal said:
Each person in this whole world has a religion right?
what do you mean by that?
the only religion ive heardof so far thta has to to with flag salute so far thte the jw
under god is not a refernce to god it is a reference to the gettsyburg address
and even so which god would they mean? like i said society has brainwashed us to think the christian god
ok so yeah
gah.
**NiMO** said,
November 1, 2006 at 4:56 pm
i believe that saluting the flag should be a law. And if your religion doesn’t allow it or you are just against it then you should atleast STANDUP! and show respect to the soldiers and the people that died for the sake of this country and protect you. And also the flag represents AMERICA….. the place where you LIVE….. so it doesn’t really make sense for u not to respect the land that you live in…….
Well thats just my point of view
PeAcE……
Sheldon said,
November 1, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Tyler she might not go to this school! Dah!
Sheldon said,
November 1, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I think that we should salute the flag to exspress the way we feel about patriotic things!!!
$~*NImO*~$ said,
November 2, 2006 at 10:01 am
believe that saluting the flag should be a law. And if your religion doesn’t allow it or you are just against it then you should atleast STANDUP! and show respect to the soldiers and the people that died for the sake of this country and protect you. And also the flag represents AMERICA….. the place where you LIVE….. so it doesn’t really make sense for u not to respect the land that you live in…….
Well thats just my point of view
Caitlin said,
November 2, 2006 at 10:07 am
I’d be fine and dandy with the Pedge of Allegiance, if only they didn’t add the phrase “under God.” What if I don’t think we’re “under God?” In elementary school we had to say the Pladge of Allegiance. We weren’t made to or anything, but it was just done. In fifth grade I decided to change it a bit, but still said it. Instead of saying “under God” I’d substitute things like “under Buddha”, “under the Gods”, and “under Goddess.” Do you think this should be allowed?
Caitlin said,
November 2, 2006 at 10:07 am
Sorry, I meant to say “Pledge”, not “Pedge.”
$~*NImO*~$ said,
November 2, 2006 at 10:11 am
***BUT STILL YOU SHOULD AL LEAST STAND UP!!
*** i wouldn’t care if you didn’t say the actual pledge…… but just show respect and standup for the country that you live in….. and hundreds of soldiers are dying for the sake of “america”…
Caitlin said,
November 2, 2006 at 11:03 am
I did stand up, but I don’t think you should have to.
dani said,
November 2, 2006 at 11:16 am
but cat, under is a refernce to the g. address!!
gah!
Emma said,
November 2, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Why should I even show respect to a country that is killing thousands and denying help to others. I don’t like this self centered country and should not have to show respect for it.
Caitlin said,
November 3, 2006 at 10:57 am
True, you aren’t physically hurting anyone by refusing to salute the flag. You are merely making a valid point that should be respected.
John said,
November 3, 2006 at 11:02 am
Emma how are we self centerd please explain. So by donating Millions of dollars to the tsnami victems?
patrick said,
November 3, 2006 at 12:18 pm
I think people can salute what ever they want it really doesnt bother me if someone doesnt salute the falg personally I do salute the flag
york8 said,
November 3, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Emma how are we self centerd please explain. So by donating Millions of dollars to the tsnami victems?”
As opposed to the billions we could have given.
~Marlowe
Barb said,
November 3, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Yes, this is true. We are either not self-centered enough on ourselves by helping people in the country or too self-centered so we are refusing help to others outside of our country.
Elizabeth said,
November 4, 2006 at 11:12 pm
so wait, giving money to darfur, getting an evil dictator out of power, and giving money to the tsunami victims we are too self centered? that does not seem right to me…hmm can anyone tell me how much other countries donated to us after katrina?
Barb said,
November 5, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Elizabeth, i disagree with what you said about Darfur
This is a little off topic but oh well
We certainly are NOT giving enough money or help to Darfur. Where do people hear about it in the news? You don’t. We have to dig around to find out about it. It’s hidden, a genocide, a holocaust, from the media because the feds know they’ve done nothing good about it! I LOVE the USA, but i can see how others wouldn’t want to salute the flag. So, unless we become a perfect country, let ‘em not salute.
Elizabeth said,
November 5, 2006 at 3:20 pm
The President JUST gave a bunch of money to the people over there
amin said,
November 6, 2006 at 11:23 am
Elizabeth,
What do you mean when you say that Bush just gave money to the people? Which people? Where did you get this informantion?
Elizabeth said,
November 6, 2006 at 11:27 am
he just gave a bunch of money to the Darfur people
amin said,
November 6, 2006 at 11:35 am
I think that people should salute the flag only if they want to. I don’t think that there should not be a law that says that we should salute the flag because some of the people are against the United States flag because maybe they have relatives that disagree with the USA and live in different parts of the world, or they think that what the United States is doing to other countries is wrong.
dani said,
November 6, 2006 at 11:45 am
but half the time it only seems like we donated money to get reconized…so
gah
nick said,
November 6, 2006 at 2:22 pm
marlowe how many billions could we have affored to donat while we are in way over our heads in det and we are in a war buying oil from all over and trying to fix poverty in our very own country shall i go on about what we are also doing at this time
Emma said,
November 6, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Elizabeth, we have promised 300 million dollars to Darfur victims. We have so far only given them half. Nick, we are in debt because we are starting wars with other countries that we knew in the first place we couldn’t afford. We are in debt because we are spending all our money on guns, tanks, and other weapons when we could be saving our country from poverty, and others as well. True not many other countries donated money towards the tsunami situation, but we are, at the moment, the most powerful country in the world. We have the power to save people, but we do not!
Barb said,
November 6, 2006 at 5:22 pm
Nick, we (as a country) need to get our priorities straight. Would you rather have less people use cars or have billions of people die?
Elizabeth said,
November 6, 2006 at 8:00 pm
So Emma {and everyone else who thinks we are not doing enough} you want to go over and start another war to help the people of Darfur? what happened to “we are not the worlds police”?
john said,
November 7, 2006 at 9:43 am
what does this have to do with FLAG SALUTE.
Barb said,
November 7, 2006 at 10:35 am
Well, if you disagree with what America is doing or not doing, than you shouldn’t have to salute the flag.
Aknot said,
November 7, 2006 at 11:46 am
“Do you think people should be allowed to refuse to salute the flag? Or, do you think the American flag is sacred, and that refusing to salute the flag should be illegal?”
Yes they should have the right NOT to salute the flag. then arrest them and throw them in jail.
(im kidding)
By not saluting you are showing you do not support or believe in what it stands for. A lot easier then burning it.
Barb said,
November 7, 2006 at 2:56 pm
either way, people should have the right to burn or not salute. If you don’t allow it, next thing you know it’s a dictatorship.
dani said,
November 7, 2006 at 3:18 pm
no!
nick said,
November 8, 2006 at 9:42 am
i would rather have less cars but that is for a whole different reason
nick said,
November 8, 2006 at 9:47 am
but we tried to save iraq from an evil dictator ship but that got people more angry because taxes went up family died so there is no way to save all the countrys with out becomeing 3rd world our selves and rebellions rising up all over how about that emma
Emma said,
November 8, 2006 at 9:58 am
I’m pretty confused about what you are trying to say, but I think I get the general idea. I don’t know how to solve the problem in Iraq, that is the presidents job and apparently he doesn’t know either. What I ask is, what are we going to win through this war if we are not defeated? Land? The only thing war brings is death and a feeding for greed.
Elizabeth, we definitley should not start a war in Darfur, that’s not what I’m saying. What I meant is that these people are starving, they have to go out to get food in fields where they will be either killed, abused, or raped. If we give them the aid we had promised, 300 million, then they would have to sacrifice themselves less, and be able to eat and drink without being in fear of these type of cruelties being afflicted upon them.
We can see the difference here, we can walk over to McDonalds and get processed, ready to eat meals for a couple bucks that our parents made. They have to go get the food them selves, be raped, come back, make it, and hope there’s enough to eat for themselves after they sell it to survive. We have money to give to them. We can save them. But we’re not helping.
Explanation??
There isn’t one.
nick said,
November 8, 2006 at 10:15 am
there is i realy simple one and i hate to say this but we dont want to get involved in of going broke and have ing to raise taxes and starting a civil reavolt because we are in a war that i have no clue what the reason is but i still suport it although it is runing america dry so we cant give them money and anyways what does darfur have to do with flag salute and any ways i dont think they would want mcdonalds because it would clog there arterys and make them have a haert attack
Emma said,
November 8, 2006 at 10:24 am
See my comment, nick, in Darfur questions.
DanD said,
November 16, 2006 at 1:23 pm
this topic is the flag salute, not darfur or taxes. please try to keep your trains of thought on track.
Barb said,
November 16, 2006 at 3:11 pm
well, dan, if you disagree on these issues than you wouldn’t want to salute. i think our trains of thought were totally on track, if you ask me. These are big issues that affect many people in america today.
Caitlin said,
November 16, 2006 at 3:17 pm
I think people should be able to choose whether or not they salute the flag. The person who actually wrote the Pledge of Allegiance was for the seperation of church and state. If he was still alive when they added the ‘under god’ part so we wouldn’t sound like the ‘godless communists’ (really reason!) I bet he wouldn’t have been happy with the addition at all.