[Vision2020] New pledge of alligance written by a 15 year oldinArizona

[Chasuk]

I love this country more than you are seem capable of understanding.
My love isn't blind and unconditional, but it is deep nonetheless.

I love Moscow.  I love it a lot.  It is the best place I have ever
lived.  However, even if it weren't, my love would not be diminished.

I don't need this country to be the best in order for me to love it.

I will eventually leave Moscow.  I love it here, but that will not
prevent me from leaving.

I will eventually leave the US.  I love it here, but that won't
prevent me from leaving.

Why will I leave?  There are many reasons, but none of them have to do
with a diminished love of country.

My love of country is the type that I like to think Barack Obama
feels, which he expressed eloquently when asked why he didn't wear a
flag pin.

"I'm less concerned with what you're wearing on your lapel than what's
in your heart.  You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow
Americans, especially those who serve. And you show your patriotism by
being true to your values and ideals. And that's what we have to lead
with, our values and ideals."

My love of country is the type that Det. Samuel 'George' Francisco
expressed in the movie Alien Nation.

"You humans are very curious to us. You invite us to live among you in
an atmosphere of equality that we've never known before. You give us
ownership of our own lives for the first time and you ask no more of
us than you do of yourselves. I hope you understand how special your
world is, how unique a people you humans are. Which is why it is all
the more painful and confusing to us that so few of you seem capable
of living up to the ideals you set for yourselves."

Det. Francisco is talking about the whole world instead of just the
US, but I am still just as moved the sentiment.

Love of country doesn't require flags, and pins, and pledges.  Those
are the outward manifestations that some people apparently need.  I
don't need them.  For complicated reasons, they pain me.  But I don't
love my country any less.

I would leave the US before I would be compelled to take a pledge.  It
isn't a trivial thing to me.  It is a matter of conscience.  Is it
fair to punish me, who loves my country deeply, because I live by my
conscience?  Isn't that partly what the US is about, the freedom to
follow one's conscience?

Chas