Bill aims to put flags, Pledge back in Oregon classrooms
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PORTLAND, Ore. - Six Republican members of the Oregon House have introduced a bill that would put an American flag in every public classroom and give students an opportunity to read or recite the Pledge of Allegiance each school day.
Currently, Oregon public schools are only required to have an American and Oregon flag near the school building. Schools are also required to give students a chance to salute the flag, but only once a week.
But House Bill 3014, which was introduced Thursday, would change that if passed. Six of the 26 Republicans in the Oregon House are sponsoring the bill.
The bill would mandate US and Oregon flags "of a suitable size" in classrooms and "provide a time at least once daily during school hours for an employee or a student of the school to lead students in the salute of the United State flag by reciting: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1943, students cannot be legally compelled to say the Pledge or stand while it is being read or recited.
KATU News took to the street to get feedback on the bill - and to see who knew the Pledge by heart.
"As long as they explain to the kids what they're saying I think it'd be a great thing," one person said.
"It shows respect for your country and people that came before you," another man said.
Controversy still surrounds two key words in the Pledge: "under God."
"I don't think you should make that mandatory," one man said. "That was added, it was not part of the original pledge."
The words "under God" were added to the Pledge in 1954 during the start of the Cold War against communism.
"Don't most people generally believe in God?" another man asked. "I mean, I don't know, is that a big deal?"
"I guess I just don't believe in forcing my beliefs on someone else," another person said. But one man who said he was an atheist said he didn't mind keeping the words "under God" in the Pledge.
Many people who talked to KATU News struggled to recite the complete Pledge of Allegiance.
There are 34 Democrats in the House but so far, it is unclear exactly how much support the bill has.
With Progressives running the entire state, this is going to be dead on arrival. For those who wish to make fun of our flag, God and Country, I say why don't you go out and put your life on the line like our troops are doing now so that you can help your fellow demagogues maintain their right to try to bring this country down.
@souptonuts you mean like all the chickhawks service dodgers in the bush administration who sent them to war? my patriotism is not sending young men and women to die for needless wars for the rich. and there also many soldiers who agree with me, so your argument does not stand up. come back to reality any time!
"I fudge a legions to the flack of the enlightened skates of a merry cup. And two derrick public, four witches dance, one Asian, underground, in the visible, with liver tea and just us for owl."
-- Ralph WiggumMany will blindly say yes to this. The irony of forcing someone to do something in the name of freedom-is obviously lost on most. Wanna truly honor our country and those who serve? Either financially, or through efforts such as sending care packages to soldiers serving far away, TRULY honoring Memorial Day- by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes. The list is long- check out this site for LOTS of ways to truly honor our men and women who serve :http://www.ngat.org/pubsforms/General/101WaystoSupportOurTroops.pdf
@LifeisGOOD007 Rather than prevent the people that like the pledge of allegiance from doing it, how about something novel like telling those who do not wish to participate to leave the room temporarily, what would that hurt? Diversity?
As an atheist and citizen of Earth, I don't really care about this. As long as kids are not required to give militant oaths, especially including religion, I'm fine that other people may want to. As long as kids have it explained to them that all of it is optional.Â
Now can we please decriminalize marijuana and allow same sex marriage?
I have no problem with having federal and state flags in classrooms, we can be proud of our flags and our country. But the Pledge? Not so important. I remember many many (ok many) long years ago, we all stood and said the Pledge and had no real idea what it meant and we all fidgeted and there was no "under dog" (lol I just saw Arcano's post).
as an atheist and a patriot, my children will recite the pledge with the phrase "under dog" in place of the religious reference. Â I've raised them to think DOG whenever anyone references "god". Â Our own inside joke. Â
Oh! I get it!
"dog" is "god" spelled backwards! That is =SO= creative!
How did you ever think of that?? Golly, you atheists are so gosh darn more intelligent than them there stoopid reelijiuss peeplez!
A dorky simple-minded palindrome certainly proves that.