Am I the only one annoyed by this picture?

[Diamond]

Here it is:


To me, this seems like just another piece of patriotic propaganda meant to poke at people's emotions, making them feel bad if they don't want to do something as trivial saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

And, by the looks of it, the kid in this particular cartoon appears to be in middle school (around 12 or 13 years old), so I imagine he's probably sick of saying the pledge and decided to sit this one out, given that he has probably said it every morning since he was 5. Even if that isn't the case, I'd say bringing a disabled veteran into the classroom is just too much (the main reason I find this picture annoying).

What do you guys think? Does this cartoon make a point or is it just something to evoke guilt and nothing more?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Offended? No. Angry?


Put is way;if that kid was my son,and he was treated like that at his school, I would rip the dopey twat's tit's off (metaphorically speaking)

That kind of bullying surprises me not at all. The truly ignorant and stupid will always fearfully attack the dissenter.

[Diamond]

I'm not offended. I just find it annoying.

[Minimalist]

I still keep wondering what our soldiers are dying for in fucking Afghanistan.

It sure as fuck isn't freedom or the flag.

[The Grand Nudger]

It's an odd one, for sure. I personally don't know too many vets (disabled or otherwise) who would give a shit whether or not Kevin decided to stand for the pledge of allegiance. I think that's probably the kind of chest thumping patriotism reserved for people who wouldn't put skin in the game. It's easier to be offended by Kevins refusal to say a pledge than it is to make a pledge oneself- specifically, an oath of service (especially since you ca just invoke the effigy of one who did-convenient-). Now I can't speak for eveyone on this, and I know it;s just a cartoon..however...If we're doing the whole patriotism and vets thing, for my part, I'd be more than a little bit pissed if there was no one exercising their right to sit out something like the pledge of allegiance. I put very very little into this country compared to some of my buddies, to imagine that there isn't anyone excersizing those rights which might go against the flow (or that they would be intimidated or pressured for doing so)...well, if I served to "protect those rights" (which would be a hell of a stretch in my case), that would seem really shitty to me.

Do I get to be angry here, that the image of a disabled vet is being invoked in such ridiculous hyperbole?

(someone should tell the cartoonist that a great many Joes are wounded in pursuit of a paycheck btw)

[Cato]

Both! How do you know that the kid with his feet up ins't dealing with the fact that his dad died in the same conflict? Doesn't this put a different twist on the 'how dare you not stand up for the pledge' bullshit?

WWII was the last war (last legally declared war in the U.S. by the way) where Americans could reasonably be said to have defended 'our' freedom. There is a memorial in Washington D.C. honoring over 50,000 men that breathed their last breath in Vietnam. In what manner did Vietnam threaten the ability of children to give non-considered feliance to a flag for ideas that they could not possibly understand?

The cartoon displays a sentiment held by those that are nationalists, and devoid of thought.

[Ryantology]

I would thank the Marine for fighting for my right to refuse patriotic indoctrination.

Edit: And, if I was that Marine, I would wheel myself right the fuck out of there, because it would offend me to be used in such a manner.

[CliveStaples]

Here it is:


To me, this seems like just another piece of patriotic propaganda meant to poke at people's emotions, making them feel bad if they don't want to do something as trivial saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

And, by the looks of it, the kid in this particular cartoon appears to be in middle school (around 12 or 13 years old), so I imagine he's probably sick of saying the pledge and decided to sit this one out, given that he has probably said it every morning since he was 5. Even if that isn't the case, I'd say bringing a disabled veteran into the classroom is just too much (the main reason I find this picture annoying).

What do you guys think? Does this cartoon make a point or is it just something to evoke guilt and nothing more?

I think it's important to recognize and respect the values of the Constitution and liberty in general. Whether this should occur in government-mandated schools...that's a lot more sketchy.

Schools are having a difficult enough time teaching kids math and science. Requiring them to also teach kids about the value of liberty...well, I'm not sure I want a government employee at a government-mandated education facility to be instructing my kids about liberty.

[Tiberius]

Reminds me of that kind who refused to stand for the pledge because he noticed that there wasn't "freedom and justice for all" in the US, esp. with the whole gay marriage issue.

[jonb]

Generally it is the way of this sort of argument to represent the conflicting view as being in the minority.
In particular about the flag I am English and like the majority of my fellow citizens resent having to pay any respect to anybody or any thing. Our flag (the southern French cross) is only seen as something to do with football, or used as a banner by racists.
Personally as a natural rebel who even as a child refused to stand when a teacher entered the class, its not that I am afraid of what they will do to me for not being part of their circle, that is my validation, bring on the consequences, that is my joy.
Don't feel sorry for the kid with the powers of the state being used to control him, he's enjoying every moment of it.