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#11 | |
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If they have any questions, they can come back after they had done their reading. |
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#12 | |
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Nevermind my other post... I just figured out the answer to my question.
![]() Right now I just want to know if you guys think this will do okay if I hand it to my Algebra teacher on Monday (she's really nice, but she told us that we HAD to stand even if we don't recite the Pledge) .... right now I'm kinda scared ![]() Quote:
[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: trustno1 ]</p> |
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#13 | |
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![]() Two minor points. I'd run it through a spell checker first. And "allow me" makes it sound like she gets to decide. How about "I hope you understand why I'll be sitting during the pledge"? |
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#14 | |||||
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trustno1:
The thread <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=59&t=000722" target="_blank">on the flag salute</a> has some stuff I wrote which covers the issue of standing/sitting. You'll see that you not only have the backing of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (which you've found), but also the ACLU and the Supreme Court. Your stance is stronger than you suspect. And, addressing some of the observations Alonzo Fyfe brought up: Quote:
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Finally, the questions raised by ReasonableDoubt: Quote:
There is no "testing of the waters" here. The battle for opting out of the Pledge and remaining seated has already been fought, won, and is a matter of settle law. And it is from this informed view that I have trouble with trustno1's asking permission from a government employee for a constitutional right that no one can take. I realize he is writing it in a particular manner as a kindness to his teacher. But if she says "no", and he stands on his rights, he may cause more anger or hurt feelings than if he wrote more assertively to begin with. Quote:
trustno1: In the first sentence, I would change "I would like to remain" to "I intend to remain". The remainder of the letter lays out the support for your intention. I like beejays ending: "I hope you understand why I'll be sitting during the pledge" I would also change "Thanks a whole lot" to "Thank you for respecting my position." And don't forget to check out the thread I linked at the top of this post. |
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#15 |
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Thanks a lot, gravitybow and beejay. I'm going to fix the letter now
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#16 |
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Jehova's witnesses are not mandated to even attend the Pledge of Allegiance. So I am not sure how the school can justify forcing any student to stand.
Any student if able to show that any activity is offensive to their belief can ask to not attend that particular activity. If you do not feel like standing, just talk to your school principal and you can obtain the permission to not be in the class at the time of the Pledge which usualy takes place as mandated school time starts. My kids never were forced in any way to partake or participate in a celebration in their classroom which is defined as offensive to their spiritual belief. But mom instructed them on their constitutional rights. Anyone has a constitutional right to choose to not honor a Pledge they feel is offensive to them. I try to avoid Pledge of Allegiance situations as I am simply a legal alien and I would feel quite dishonest recitating words I do not mean. It is not offensive to me though. But it requires a level of sincerety I cannot reach for the time being. There is always a bathroom trip to rescue me from such situations! Even though I am a christian I do agree that the term " under God" should not be there because this country is indeed a pluralistic democracy. The God notion should be contained in the heart of an individual without being forced fed on anyone. Same with prayer. |
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#17 |
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I am honored that you have decided to quote me in your letter.
I like your "anti-atheist" paragraph in particular. It is short and to the point. Well said. A few quick comments: (1) The paragraph that begins Some things that I found out at.... Add a few words to identify the site and to impress the teacher with why it is a legitimate authority that she should respect. It is always best to assume that the reader is going to be a bit lazy, and looking for any excuse to read into your letter what she wants to see. Opportunities to dismiss your writing out of laziness and of projecting into it things you do not mean should be avoided. (2) I agree with those who say that you should not ask for permission to do that which you have every right to do. (3) Take care. |
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#18 |
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Trustno1: How did it go?
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#19 | |
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In the original post to start this thread Alonzo wrote:
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Any suggestions from current high-school students? Maybe somebody who posesses the gift of rational thought AND is popular with most of his/her peers? There must be somebody like that reading this forum. |
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#20 | |
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How about this: "You stand there and say that those of us who do not support 'one nation, under God' are just like than those who do not support 'liberty and justice for all' And you want me to stand and show respect for this insult? Show me respect, and I will show you respect in return. Dis me, and I will do the same in return. Screw you, sister, I will not stand." [Note: Upon reflection, it seems possible that a person may interpret the above as something fitting for the intelligence of a high-school student. Which would be an insult. This was intended to demonstrate how I write when I disable text Vulcanification -- a macro I have that translates all my writing into Vulcan.] [ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: Alonzo Fyfe ]</p> |
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