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Post by жSęph¤ñęж on Apr 14, 2007 18:33:23 GMT -5
You prolly have but you could always do it again
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Post by Invictus Janus on Apr 22, 2007 2:50:20 GMT -5
Kilted Yaksmen Anthem (to the tune of “My Country, 'Tis of Thee” / “God Save the Queen”) Our country reeks of trees Our Yaks are really large And they smell like rotting beef carcasses And we have to clean up after them And our saddle sores are the best We proudly wear women's clothing As searing sand blows up our skirts And the buzzards, they soar overhead And poisonous snakes will devour us whole Our bones will bleach in the sun And we will probably go to (loud farting noise) And that is our great reward For being the-uh Ro-oy-al Canadian Kilted Yaksmen! There. Now you know. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_anthem_of_Canadaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_anthemFor if you want all seriousness...
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Post by Listelle on Apr 22, 2007 12:18:04 GMT -5
If you want to say the pledge. Say the pledge. If you don't want to say the pledge. Don't say the pledge. It's that simple. This wont work if people are disrespectful about it. That's the only time the teachers should step in.
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Post by kaio999 on Jun 19, 2007 0:10:36 GMT -5
Truth is you shouldnt be forced to sing it, but you should have pride for the nation you are in. I mean I am more than willing to stand silent, I wont sing on a regular basis, but I would remove any hat I wear because it is out of respect for the people who have died to give me the freedoms I hold high. I think the younger generations of this free world are becoming rather ignorent, selfish, and from your reaction disgraceful. If your all so unhappy why dont you move somewhere else, how about China, or maybe Iran.
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Post by Mina on Jun 19, 2007 6:24:39 GMT -5
I have never sang in public, even in grade school. Though like Rob, I would stand silent with my hand over my heart, because I love my country, I just hate my Government...
We have a wonderful and diverse country, I understand many dislike us, but I am wondering if you hate us for beliefs or for our politicians?
P.S I am a christian...My husband is atheist with Buddhist morals. My child understands that God and the like are a personal belief. He knows mine and my husbands. He knows he can say god or not. Just like in high school, if he does not want to dissect, I will fight to keep him from doing so.
The best thing about this country is freedom of belief. Everyone is entitled to find their own path. As parents we should help not hinder. Not to fight some religious war in the name of our children. Fight it for yourselves. This country was founded on a set of beliefs.
If you think they were wrong, go back and tell them, oh wait you can't. Rob/Kaio has a point. If you do not like the freedoms America provides, try living in a 3rd world country.
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Post by ladypeacek on Jun 19, 2007 10:28:39 GMT -5
Hmm...interesting beliefs here. If i may speak as not only a military brat whos parents were both in armed forces and a military wife whos hubby is now leaving for his 2nd tour in Iraq...
There are sooo many military children and spouses and soldiers that do not believe in God. There are many that do not like the pledge that is forced. But...it IS a part of the history of our country and our military and for that should be respected.
With that said...there are other ways to embalm our history and respect it without thrusting it upon our rights as americans.
There are many other areas of our history that are not so loved and many chose to ignore...ex- the civl war and the confederate flag that represents it. It IS indeed, glamourous or not, a part of who we are, yet...to see that flag for many is an insult...and understandably. Because its very existance is an infringement on the rights of many americans. Do some still have it...of course...are they allowed to...of course...is it mandatory to acknowledge it...no.
Why is the pledge different? I know that the two are very different in meaning and very different part of our history but the value is the same...its a forced part of our past that infringes on rights given to other religions and beliefs that we have today.
You want to support those that go to war and fight for your freedom...you want to respect that many that have died in our name...
The pledge isnt the answer...because those men and women out there...arent fighting for God...they are fighting for us and our way of life, our rights to believe what we want.
Be true to who you are...bow your head every now and then for a moment to remember those that have died and those that are standing now in the line of fire...and find a close military base or recruitment office and find a way to send those boys and girls some wipes and cookies, with a sweet card...because THAT is what means something to them...to know that the ones left behind at home...are thinking of them.
My husband had to watch every single day as they brought more off planes to the bases that had been killed and he carried countless number of coffins in his fancy blues. But the one thing that got him through all of that...was getting all the letters from home and from strangers telling them they were grateful.
The last thing he thought about...was the pledge of allegiance....and they are forced to hear it every single day...most...never uttered a word...just stood and remembered their buddies and what they had been through...and why they were there...which is to make sure we can continue to believe what we want. Many may not have even agreed with the war or the basic reasons they were there...but they believed enough in the country to do as they were told and to make sure at the very least we remained safe.
The pledge deserves its place in history...its what we were founded on..but lets not cloud that by defeating everything we have worked for... here and now.
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Legion
Local Legend
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Posts: 37
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Post by Legion on Aug 7, 2007 3:23:07 GMT -5
I stopped standing for the pledge when I got older, and learned about government. Now...I love my country, but I strongly dislike the image it has, and the government.
I dislike the people who vote these pricks in more though...
Haha, I got harrassed for my views alot...never forced to stand though.
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Post by Mina on Aug 7, 2007 8:10:55 GMT -5
I have been quoted as saying "I hate my government, but I love my country."
I went to private catholic school however was never made to say the pledge. Understand that this country was founded on the search for religious freedoms. If you do not think you have them try going to some other countries and say you do not believe in God. After your family claims your body they may recognize you. That or they might be too afraid to speak out.
I am a listener to N(ational)P(ublic)R(adio) and I hear what is happening to the world. What Fox New does not want you to hear. Try it some times. It is on the AM stations.
We all have opinions of what is correct with Government and what is just fucked. If you do not like it, run for a Government Seat and make the changes. My son does does not go to church but I do. He has expressed interest and after a long talk he has decided, at the age of 9 to pursue a theological course.
I was not going to be the one to influence his decisions. I will be the one to guide him but not to make the choices for him. Now as for God, say it or don't I understand there are Muslims, atheists and many other cultures that God is another name or meaning. I am one of those open minded Americans that feel you should have the same freedoms, that I was brought up with.
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Legion
Local Legend
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Post by Legion on Aug 7, 2007 17:18:35 GMT -5
* gives Mina a shiny karma point * Well said...
I wish tolerance, and acceptance like that was wide spread.
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Post by Rykoth on Aug 19, 2007 9:22:06 GMT -5
Should you be forced to say it? No.
Should you say it when its called for? Yes.
One can hate the government all they want, or be atheistic all they want but the fact is... you cannot rewrite history and thus... one should not say something because "God" is in the Pledge. Some now might not believe in God, others might believe in other names for it, and others might believe in Buddha, but the fact is... the -nation- was founded under God.
Hell if the pledge said "One Nation under ElephantMan" I'd say it cause if we were founded over a man-phant who am I to deny that?
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Wings
Aspirant Elder
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Post by Wings on Aug 19, 2007 11:18:28 GMT -5
I don't believe in borders and nationalities and have had problems with such right from the start journeying through this world. I can see (or believe to understand) where the need to 'identify' one's self with a larger group/tribe, now nation, derives from, but find no echo of such within myself and never have.
I am an agnostic (which is not the same as an atheist) but I would 100% refuse to speak words that basically mean I am promising (as a pledge is a promise) allegiance to something that I do not as such believe, exists. As an agnostic I am also not saying a god doesn't exists, but I surely could not pledge allegiance, and yes, I do feel just one word or sentence can matter that much, as well as that I find it highly worrying if someone is forced or expected to speak words they are not wishing to speak. That in my view is not freedom, but dictatorship, and although maybe not a physical violent from of dictatorship, not comparable with other dictatorships in this world - it is a seed which could lead to more growing from it.
I feel tolerance is of ultimate importance. Respect is not a one-way street, or at least it should not be in my view. You wish others to respect your belief and stay silent during such a pledge - I definitely agree - but please show the same respect in return through not expecting others to join you if this infringes on their own belief systems.
('you', btw used here in detached context, not addressing any of the posters in this thread individually)
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