Should schools punish students for not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance?

Set as news: False

Set as news: True

i think this made headlines because it was so unusual, right? It doesn't seem like an isse on which people will really disagree

yeah, I have no problem with adding "Should schools punish..."

I think the question is really "should schools punish students" since that's where the decision making really is...

Recitation does not endorse a belief...however, having kids say it over and over is no different than the brainwashing you get from the TV.

The requirement to stand simply teachs respect, and provides the ability to exercise your right to free speech by sitting down during it when you feel rebellious against the US (which is also fine).  Sometimes governments need to be put in check.  I'm still waiting for it to happen....

There are a ton of politicians who voted to require the pledge of allegiance in public schools

On the issues

Require Pledge of Allegiance in public schools

* Signed legislation requiring the Pledge of Allegiance in Minnesota's public schools.
* Expanded access and increased funding for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs.
* Repealed the Profile of Learning and raised the bar on education with: Minnesota Academic Standards--rigorous academic requirements for math, reading, science, social studies and arts.

I don't know if one can directly interpret this as such, but seems to me that if a polticians believes the pledge should be required, not enforcing that requirement is punishable.

Is that too big a leap?

Either way, it's about not reciting the pledge.

Also here:

Student suspended then reinstated over the pledge of allegiance

Here ya go Brian:

Student suspended for refusing pledge

I like, "for not pledging their allegiance to the flag." Heh.

Good issue, but according to the story, the students were suspended for literally sitting out the Pledge:

The school's handbook says all students are required to stand but are not required to recite the pledge. The same is true for all four schools in the district, a school official said.

"These three [students] didn't, and they got caught," said Mel Olson, the district's community-education director.

Another instance:

North Country Gazette

BOYNTON BEACH, FLA---The Palm Beach County School Board is the target of a federal lawsuit filed Dec. 22 by a high school junior and the American Civil Liberties Union for allegedly punishing the student for refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance.

Should students be punished for not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance?

or

Should students be required to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance?

Seattle Times: 3 students suspended for sitting out Pledge of Allegiance