In Woodbury, VT, the Pledge of Allegiance, something that students have said for years, was not being recited for reasons unknown. Efforts to have the Pledge restored have brought controversy. In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schoolchildren could opt out of saying the Pledge for religious reasons (…one nation under God). I was unaware of that ruling…and in the middle of WWII, no less. Regardless, the move to reinstitute the Pledge of Allegiance is tearing apart little Woodbury, VT (pop/810).

The controversy seems to hinge on when and where the children should say the Pledge. A sixth grade student has been going around from class to class to gather those who wished to say the Pledge. They would then go up wooden steps to an old gym to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The controversy now is that isn’t good enough. Many parents feel this is disruptive of the classroom routine and the Pledge should be recited where it has for generations; in the classroom. Last Friday, the routine changed again. ALL students were gathered into a cramped foyer and the Pledge was recited. I have to say, this is ridiculous.

I don’t think students should be forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they don’t want to. If they don’t want to, I think that is more of a reflection on their parents then it is on them. I guess it is just the patriot in me that thinks all students should want to say it. It’s a sad commentary that this controversy even exists. They took God out of the classroom. They are taking the Pledge of Allegiance out of the classroom. What’s next? The American Flag? You betcha it is! It will be offensive to some “minorities” is what the excuse will be. Political correctness is run amuck in this country