Students have varying degrees of allegiance

Every morning, barring the occasional administrative slip-up, a voice is heard crackling over the public address system at Moscow (Idaho) High School asking the students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Many comply willingly, others grudgingly, and many simply refuse.

The Pledge of Allegiance Bill was passed by the Idaho State Legislature earlier in the year and has been in effect since the first day of the current school year. Every student, kindergarten through 12th grade, has the option of standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Many students feel that because it is optional, there should be no objections to the law. However, other students claim that many teachers force their students to stand and say the pledge.

"If people force you to say the pledge, it isn't patriotism," says 16-year-old Brittany Tifft of Moscow.

Eric Edwards, also 16, added, "Why should I pledge my allegiance when the school tells me to?"

One strong objection that some students have is the phrase which says "... one nation, under God." Amanda Klowden, 16, chooses not to stand for the pledge "because I don't like the words `under God' in it. Religion does not belong in public schools."

Another common grievance is the idea of forced patriotism. Many students feel that if they choose not to say the pledge on their own, then it means nothing if they are forced to do it.

Mary Fellman, 16, says, "I resent the idea that forced patriotism will make us good little citizens."

Others argue that the reading of the pledge is simply an act to support patriotism, not to lead students blindly to it.

Dario Machleidt, 17, thinks saying the pledge is not a big issue, and therefore he sees no reason not to. "Who cares, support your country a little. You live here."

Out of the sampling of Moscow (Idaho) High School students polled, 52 percent said they did not stand for the pledge, 37.5 percent said they did, and 8.3 percent said they did sometimes.

No matter how many people argue this issue, it seems that the pledge is here to stay, as no organized attempt to repeal the bill has been mounted. Some students suggested a revising of the pledge, but that does not seem likely to occur anytime soon, either.

Copyright 2000 Cowles Publishing Company
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.