French is fine, old school communist Russian is fine, saying it with the very first Euorpean language to invade and conquer the western world is fine, saying it when you're high is fine too. It is a neat party trick. But no one is reciting it at school it in those languages, or (probably not) when they are high. It is said daily, starting at a young age, to ingrain in a persons mind an oath of fidelity to the USA. We have said it over and over again so many times that no one can ever forget it. It is said to instill in a person a sense of nationalistic pride and duty, which may be good or bad. To some even saying it is bs, no matter which tounge it is spoken in. No one is required to say it. It is one of those pieces of the USA like the Star Spangle Banner. Do we learn it in school in each language as we welcome all those who come to this country from all parts of the world and beyond? I was wondering why it is learned in spanish. I didn't mean this to be a referendum on intelectualism.
Living in Florida now I wish I would have taken Spanish, even a little bit would help me now. I am trying to learn it now but I am finding it seems harder to retain stuff these days, maybe because of everything else I have on my mind. But I figure working in a mainly spanish speaking profession, I will have to pick up something sooner or later.
1. Español es muy buena. 2. Pledges of Allegiance are meaningless anachronisms. One need neither to be honest nor loyal to say some words.
I think that if allegiance has meaning, then pledging allegiance, regardless of your intent, also has meaning. Symbolism is important.
It is also fleeting. I don't think things like allegiance can be pledged. Like trust and respect, allegiance is a quality that must be earned, not claimed.
Do you think that saying it through the younger years at school is an indoctrination process? For some I think it sets an example to live by in their older years while others grow and question those things. Much like religious training in the early years. Get them when they are young.
Sure, not that it is a bad thing. Arithmetic is also an indoctrination process at that age. Children must be taught some civics and to understand national loyalty. In a country without a monarch, the flag is just a symbol of government that they can easily understand. I can also understand a pledge of allegiance if a foreigner wants formally relinquish his former citizenship and become a US citizen. That requires a formal statement. But it seems silly for adults to open public council meetings with a pledge of allegiance.
