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

[Catholic_Lady]

I moved to the United States from Brazil when I was 7 years old. I am quite aware. I remember my first day of school in the US when everyone stood up, put their hand over their hearts, and recited something while facing the flag. I remember assuming it was some kind of special day for the country, like independence day or something. But once it happened every day, I caught on that it was just something Americans did daily. 

I remember thinking it was dumb ever since I was that young. I would stand up but I didn't put my hand over my heart or say anything. I just stood there without doing or saying a word, and thought I was so cool for it. I was actually like that all through school, and it wasn't until I started getting a little older and more mature that I really started to reflect and appreciate this country and the fact that I'm lucky enough to have moved here from a 3rd world country. America isn't perfect by any means, but no place is. But having seen and lived in other parts of the world, and having many family members still living in other parts of the world and hearing about it and visiting it, I realize how fortunate I am and am humbled by it and by all those who work so hard at making this place what it is. Anti American sentiments really irk me. 

No one should be forced to stand, or bullied in any way shape or form for not standing. But am I going to think it's cute when they don't? No. I was one of those kids at one point. And I look back at myself and think my dismissiveness was ungrateful and disrespectful.

(edit to add - also it's not 2 minutes, it's more like 15 seconds. not sure why i said 2 minutes)

Yeah, but.... is it really being disrespectful or ungrateful to not recite some words at the flag of your host country?
Not many other countries in the World "force" their kids to do that... and their people seem to enjoy their own countries quite well.
And I offer myself as an anecdotal example: in spite of Portugal's many problems, I don't think I'd ever say the US is a better country.
Some things are better in the US, certainly, others are worse... and, from my (very likely biased) perspective, the worse things outweigh the better ones.

In my opinion, yes. I think it is disrespectful unless you have some kind of legitimate reason or cause.

As I said, I don't think anyone should be forced to stand. Just don't expect me to like it when someone doesn't, is all I'm saying.