Student takes 'under God' out of pledge, feels the

[RPankn]

Student takes 'under God' out of pledge, feels the heat

MARTHA MODEEN; The News Tribune

A Spanaway Lake High School senior has been banned from TV production assignments for the rest of the year because he altered the Pledge of Allegiance during a student-produced broadcast.

The student, Kenny Hess, removed the words "under God" from the pledge, which is shown with an American flag background on classroom TV throughout the school. Hess also declined to recite the phrase and, instead read, "one nation ... indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

School officials said they've punished Hess for misusing school equipment to deliver a personal message.

"He made a poor choice," said Mark Wenzel, Bethel School District spokesman.

<snip>

School officials said Hess should have chosen to write an article for the school paper or produce an opinion piece for the school newscast.

Administrators said Hess' actions put the school out of sync with state law, though lawyers note that there is no criminal or civil penalty for not saying the pledge. State law allows students to remain silent during the pledge.

<snip>

"Our interpretation as a school district is that the law says we say the pledge," said Greg Eisnaugle, Spanaway Lake principal. "'Under God' is still in it. If the court says it comes out, that's what we'll do."

<snip>

Hess on Thursday sat in class but refused to read books until his punishment is reconsidered by school officials.


"I told them I wasn't going to read anything until I talk to the principal," he said.

Rest of story here: www.tribnet.com/news/story/4913718p-4848428c.html

[calabi-yau]

I lived and studied in Virginia for 5 years as a teenager and I NEVER stood up nor recited the Pledge of Allegiance during all those years.
I sometimes got funny looks from students and teachers but considering my 'foreigner' status, I presume no one ever dared challenge my position.

Today, I'd probably have it waiting for me in the schoolyard.

America and freedom of speech (or non-speech) has turned out to be an oxymoron.

[POA]

This is absolutely infuriating!

I wonder if the ACLU or any of the freethought groups have been contacted about this yet? If not, I'll send them the article.

I know that this is a controversial position, but if I had children now (and I could afford this) I'd be half-tempted to homeschool them so that way I'd be certain that they wouldn't be indoctrinated either with religio-patriotism or beat up (or worse) on general principles, and so I could guarantee that they'd actually learn evolution by the time that they reached college age.

POA