metlin's Journal: Kid Suspended for Reciting Star Trek Pledge

(Blatantly stolen off Boingboing)

Okay, now this is absolute bullshit. It's stuff like this that drives me crazy.

During the pledge of allegiance recital at school, a kid decided to recite the Star Trek Pledge of Allegiance.

Mind you - nothing vulgar nor inappropriate, in fact, the ST PoA is something that quite nicely encapsulates the spirit of humanity.

And what happens? The kid gets suspended and the kid's Mom gets called to school. Not to mention, the kid gets a punishment of having to write the pledge 50 times.

The Mom's got the story in her blog.

"So, anyway. What did he do?" I picked at the hem of my sweatshirt, looked just to the right of her face. I couldn't meet her eyes. I felt nervous. I felt underdressed. I wondered where 8 was.
 
    So she told me what he did. And as she told me, I started to laugh. I didn't laugh a little, either, but I belly-laughed and grabbed my stomach. My son stood with his class this morning, put small right hand over heart, faced the American flag, and recited his own personal pledge of allegiance:
 
    I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Federation of Planets, and to the galaxy for which it stands, one universe, under everybody, with liberty and justice for all species.
 
    "Mrs. Jaworski. This isn't humorous. The Pledge is an extremely important and patriotic moment each morning in the classroom. I am ashamed of your son's behavior, and I hope you are, too."

I'm at a loss for words. I hope that stupid principal and teacher get kicked out - if anything, that kid needs to be applauded for his spirit and creativity.

Damn!

I pledge annoyance

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

To the rag
of the divided fates of America
And to the Republican underhand
Stunned nation, a plundered mob
With visible injustice for all.

Nixon/Ford years we came up with that - just as timeless today.

I have said it before

[jawtheshark]

I always found this "Plegde" (the US one) something that belongs in a dictatorial state brainwashing their kids. Not in a country where free thinkers are born.

Of course, last time I pointed this out, someone corrected me that the plegde isn't mandatory. Seems it isn't mandatory, but you can be suspended for not really participating.

Re:I have said it before

[jawtheshark]

My point about "brainwashing" still stands. ;-)