Back Talk

Given today’s popular culture, failure to teach respect for values, and lack of discipline in our schools, it is not that surprising that 12 or 13 year-olds might have a little fun protesting something or other. However, how did these young people chance upon the idea that pledging allegiance to their country is somehow objectionable? Back when teachers still taught kids honor, patriotism, love of country, that we are lucky to live in America, this incident, in the unlikely event that it happened at all, would have resolved itself instrantly. The teacher would have explained that standing for our Pledge of Allegiance was the honorable thing to do and a school board rule, the students would have cooled their heels for one day, and the incident would have been history. What has changed? Today, we have the ACLU to insure nobody’s rights are abridged – to watch that noone is asked to honor our flag and country or says a harsh word to child molestors, pornographers, terrorists, or traitors. On cue, the ACLU jumped in, declared the action unconstitutional, threatened lawsuit, and said the school's tradition must change. School kids now have contempt for traditional values. Another article about a Minnesota school appeared a couple of weeks ago which, in addition to possibly making a statement about Minnesota politics and schools, demonstrates what the overwhelming majority of liberal teachers have accomplished. A Forest Lake, Minnesota High School cancelled a scheduled visit by decorated war veterans making a national tour because it was determined “too political.” It is easy to see why more and more parents are home schooling their kids; of course, the California Legislature is doing their best to curtail that.