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Again, there is a difference between saying that saying the Pledge is
a waste of time and saying that it takes too much time. That was my
only point. I did not claim that saying the Pledge was like picking up
a penny.
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Why would anyone who wants to say the Pledge need to say it in the
Chamber in front of others? Why isn't saying the Pledge in one's own
place and on one's own time enough for those who want to say it?
Perhaps you, Donovan, think that saying the Pledge has some value.
Fine; I agree. Say the Pledge whenever you want. But what has that to
do with compelling others to say it on a regular basis? Note that this
is a general point that I am making. Personally, I share your view,
Donovan. Were I on council, I would come out BEFORE each council
meeting and say the Pledge. What I wouldn't do is try to inflict my
own ideas of patriotism on others.
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Also, it is unfair to suggest that the mayor and council were hiding
anything. When asked why the Pledge was not said two council members
and our wonderful mayor addressed the issue directly, in this very
forum.<br>--<br>Joe Campbell<br><br>---- Donovan Arnold <donovanjarnold2005 yahoo.com="#DEFAULT">
wrote:<br><br>=============<br>Joe,<br><br>Don Huskey was the one that claimed
John Dickinson made the argument, (I mistakenly believed him) it was a
waste of time to say the pledge. However, I disagree, and I think what
you get out of it, learning respect for your countrymen and women that
gave so much for what you now have, is well worth more than the penny
in your analogy.<br><br>What you should be asking is Joe, is why the
City Council and Mayor did not say anything before or after they made
the decision to ax the Pledge? Were they thinking it was not
important? Or just hoping we would not notice? Did it slip their
minds? Did they not care what the people they represent feel or want?
Either way, it should give you pause.<br><br>As for the "Those who
wish to recite the Pledge before council meetings can do so."--I do
not think so. Anyone that recites the Pledge will be ruled out of
order and can be removed from the chamber by law enforcement.<br><br>
Take Care,<br><br>_DJA<br><br><br><br>joekc@adelphia.net wrote: Roger,<br>
I don't recall anyone saying that council should not say the Pledge because it
takes too much time. Donovan posted that it was a bad reason to offer
but no one -- in my recollection -- every offered this as a reason.
Don Huskey claimed that saying the Pledge was a waste of time but this
is a different point. Picking up a penny is a waste of time -- in the
end you only have a penny for your efforts -- but it doesn't take a
lot of time.<br><br>I agree -- very much -- with the last point that
you made but one can support either side of the debate with that
point. For instance, no one is holding a gun to anyone's head and
requiring them NOT to say the Pledge. Those who wish to recite the
Pledge before council meetings can do so. I think they should do it
BEFORE council starts since council and the mayor have decided not to
say it on a regular basis. I find it interesting that some folks are
not satisfied with saying the Pledge or a prayer in private. They must
say it in front of others and must compel others to say it with them.
This indicates to me that saying the Pledge or praying is more of a
political gesture than it is a patriotic or religious one. For SOME
people, at least.<br>--<br>Joe Campbell<br><br>---- lfalen wrote:<br><br>
=============<br>Most of the comments for not saying the pledge are accurate
enough, except for it takings to long. It takes less than a minute.
That is not much time out of any busy schedule. It is true that
scoundrels would not have o problem saying the pledge. As samuel
Johnson said " Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel". None
of this is a justification for not saying it. That is like "throwing
the baby out with the bath water" The pledge serves a useful purpose.
It is good to reaffirm allegiance to our country. The continued
dropping of things patriotic eventually leads to a disrespect for the
country. There is enough revisionist history already that reminds
everyone of how many worts we have. No one is holding a gun to
anyone's head and requiring them to say it. Have it presented. Those
that want to recite it can do so. Any one who does not want to can
remain silent or leave out passages they don't agree with.<br><br>Roger<br><br>
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