Students Suspended for Sitting During Pledge of Allegiance

Fourteen -year-old Bishop Edens was suspended from school Friday because he wouldn't stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, but he was quickly invited back once his principal learned that rule might be ...

[Stating the obvious]

This sounds a lot like NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by Avi. It's a multigenre text that uses different perspectives and formats to tell the story of a student "singing" the national anthem during the morning announcements (during which talking, singing and noise-making are not allowed). The student is concerned only with running track, but once his grades fall he is kicked off the team -- but later begs the teacher to help him pass (of course so he can get back on the track team). The story gains national attention, the student transfers to another school (which does NOT have a track team!), the teacher who started the disciplinary action is essentially fired, and in the end, at his new school, the student is asked to lead the class in singing the national anthem...and he bursts into tears after the request...because he doesn't know the words!

I realize that was a bit long-winded. From a legal standpoint, I think that a person has just as much right to NOT speak as they do to speak. I don't know if suspension was necessarily the right course of action, but it DOES seem like he was just trying to be difficult.

[GGQ]

Total lack of respect. When he turns 18, draft him and put his sorry rearend on the front lines in Iraq.

[Lonewolf]

That's right,let a 13 year old decide for themselves what they want to do.They have all the insight and judgement needed to make responsible decisions.Mom never taught this little snot any respect or manners evidently.

[Please]

This principal should never have backed down. As a teacher, I see it all the time--a student just doesn't feel like standing for the pledge (or "doesn't hear" the announcement), so they don't. It's not a question of agreement with the pledge, or freedom of speech, it's a question of agreeing with school policy. They (teens) frequently don't agree with school policies, like dress code, tardiness, assignments, etc., but they should still have to follow the rules. These students made a mistake by not following a school policy, and if we bow to those students who don't agree with a policy, we allow them to set the policy, and perpetuate a cycle of disrespect for authority. Whatever happened to admitting you did wrong, taking your punishment, and moving on? Instead of supporting a child's rebellion, these parents should let them take their punishment without interference so they will learn a lesson about respect for authority and not learn to thumb their nose at authority. This also makes me wonder how well these children obey at home.

[Nooze Nutt]

Yeah, that's a great lesson to teach about freedom of speech, land of the free, blah, blah, blah. Ring any bells?

[Brad]

I disagree, anyone able to stand should have to stand, this is AMERICA. If you don't like it LEAVE!!!

[goatfarmer]

Brad wrote:

I disagree, anyone able to stand should have to stand, this is AMERICA. If you don't like it LEAVE!!!

I agree 100%. America may have her problems but she is still the land of the free and home of the brave. While troops are giving their lives everyday to keep her that way, it is only right that every American respect her flag. If you choose not to then get your arse out, go to Iran where I'm sure you will be greeted with open arms.

[Nuttjob]

Our thanks to Obama for giving our students the courage to dishonor our country. Next we will start selling off large territories to the highest bidder. We are all so worthless, it just doesn't matter anymore.

[Sheila]

i don't agree that they should of let him back in it may be the land of the free however He should show some type of support for the land of free he has cause if it wasn't for our troops we may not have what we have today many don't see that people just see it as a flag and he should stood to honor the flag rule or not least show respect to it and our country....end of story

[youre-kidding]

It's a matter of respect. If you're in court, you stand when the judge comes in, if you don't, you can get hit with contempt. As others have said, America is a great country, even with all of her problems. DON'T DISRESPECT THE FLAG OR THE COUNTRY..PERIOD!!!!!!!!

[735stacey]

Whetehr you agree with it or not, it is their first amendment right to free speech. However, if they were disruptive or disrespectful while protesting this, they should have been suspended.

[735stacey]

That being said... I personally would have gone to the school and beat my kids arse if I found out he had done this. With several family members in the military fighting for our country, I would have found this to be a show of disrespect toward them. Patriotism is a dying character trait, folks.

[Jack Black]

I hope this kid gets his but jumped and beat down, and maybe even post it on Youtube.

[sc girl]

Nuttjob wrote:

Our thanks to Obama for giving our students the courage to dishonor our country. Next we will start selling off large territories to the highest bidder. We are all so worthless, it just doesn't matter anymore.

Obama didn't raise this boy, his parents did. If you have a affair in your marriage would you blame Bill Clinton? Do you think this disrespectful child knows any thing about politics? I wouldn't give him that much credit.

[old salt dog]

as they should be.

[ClownMan]

So, I guess this means the students learned that if they do not want to drive 2 in a school zone then we need to change the speed limit so they will not be offended. This is just as stupid. There is such a thing as respect of rules and the rule makers. Standing ain't that big of a deal. They are not making them recite the pledge. That is stupid too. That is respect of your country. Now if you do not want to say "under God", skip it and recite the rest. This is getting too mamby-pamby for me.

[clay boland]

If you can not stand for our nations pledge, then you do not belong in these United States. How could any parent say that their child did nothing wrong by not standing up for our pledge. May be the parent needs to take their family and and find a country that will take care of them. I would be very dissapointed in my child, because I have taught them to respect our country.

[clay boland]

735stacey wrote:

Whetehr you agree with it or not, it is their first amendment right to free speech. However, if they were disruptive or disrespectful while protesting this, they should have been suspended.

And just how far should that amendment go?I believe that a show of disrespect to our flag or country should be a crime with penalties. If you dont like our USA get out and stay out, cause we real Americans dont want you here.

[underhay]

interesting how most of these posts are vilifying the student for the same behavior that is being trumpeted, freedom. shall we require all americans to stand for the pledge of allegiance? should it be a law?

thankfully, and rightfully, there is not a law requiring americans to stand for the pledge of allegiance. it is a choice. as americans we have the freedom of choice in this matter. our constitution protects us.

as for me, i choose to stand for the pledge.(and for the national anthem.) but i also support any other american's decision to the contrary.

[Have Mercy]

How proud his parents must be to have a child disrespect the flag of our country that so many people died defending. What a loser!