Student sits during pledge of allegiance; gets chair kicked out from beneath him

[SteelCurtain]

I'm a veteran. I can't be bothered to stand for the pledge, or any other coerced display of patriotism. Am I disrespectful to veterans?

Me too. I served so that people have the freedom to do what they wish with their free time and person, so long as they do not hurt other people. This idea that the pledge (especially in a school setting) has anything to do with the military or veterans is just a forced connection you've made in your brain, C_L.

Also, I don't think anyone truly just "can't be bothered." With backlash like this chair kicking possible (and maybe probable), I'm pretty sure anyone remaining seated during the ritual is doing so for a reason. I do have a reason(and so, I would say, does CD)---I think coerced acts of patriotism are foundationally un-American. They smack of Soviet propaganda rituals or Hitler Youth ceremonies. Having everyone perform this rite is odd, and the fact that Republicans, the people who are supposed to dogmatically prefer freedom over anything else should tell you that it is only divisive political doublethink that gets us here.

It's really just the can't be bothered attitude. If it's a form of protest/disagreement or even a religious thing, I wouldn't take issue with it.

I can't imagine someone being too lazy to stand for the pledge but then wanting to join the military, but if someone did I'd find it disrespectful just the same. Even if they had their veteran family's support or w/e. Which would also be strange bc I can't imagine anyone supporting their kid being lazy about something.

(emphasis is mine))

I knew guys in the Army who would run (yes, run) to get inside before reveille or retreat so they wouldn't have to stand and salute. In all cases I knew of, it was pure "can't be bothered" that drove them.

Jaysus if this isn't the truth. Sailors and Marines in my departments/squads would plan their movements just so they didn't have a chance of being caught outside during TAPS. I had sailors in my office 2-3x a week with excuses to get out of Colors duty, which should be an honor. These attitudes are pervasive in the military.

Ironically, the same guys that are running when they hear the call to TAPS are probably the ones who are the loudest ones about 'disrespecting the flag.'

It is perfectly okay to take a step back and examine these traditions and decide for yourself (not what you've always been taught) how to move forward. No one owes their country anything but taxes. My country doesn't need respect. I love some parts of this country, but others need serious work. I'll withhold dogmatic patriotism until I feel it has paid what it owes me---liberty and justice for all.