Norman Bates, Bates Motel (3/12/2009 2:49:06 PM)

Not a problem

Ponderer, (3/12/2009 2:57:52 PM)

I pledge allegiance to the legislature that passes a bill yesterday to remove state mandates from local schools, then mandates that schools to make all the kids pledge allegiance to the state.

Norman Bates, Bates Motel (3/12/2009 3:05:23 PM)

Except this is a mandate that doesn't cost any money. Something you liberals can't understand.

Joe Jones, (3/12/2009 3:09:36 PM)

Pledge allegiance to the flag of Oklahoma? This state gets a little stranger every day.

thehero, (3/12/2009 3:17:52 PM)

Every school I have been in has always recited the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements. What may be a problem is the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance "...one nation, under God..." and the fact it will now bw mandated. Although I have no problem with this, someone from a different religion might. Ponderer brings up a good point. If they take away most of the mandates, will this bill go away too?

Golden Sluricane, (3/12/2009 3:23:09 PM)

Alright I'm giving the writer, Randy Krebhiel, an extra 5 points for slipping in the word donnybrook. I will also give him 5 points if in future peices he can use the word or words, tomfoolery or shenanigans and an extra 7 points for the words obfuscate or benighted. Challenge on...

JKRichard, Tulsa (3/12/2009 3:34:31 PM)

I'm all about patriotism... but I have a hard time accepting a LAW that mandates our children stand up every morning, place their hand over their heart and chant empty pledges of allegiance in monotone unison. Can we have our children do something else other than recite the empty rhetoric of state and national identity?

Ponderer, (3/12/2009 3:40:14 PM)

I've always been partial to the word Brouhaha. Would you use "brouhaha" next, Randy?

Norman, I've never before been accused of liberalism, and still never of EMBALMING MY MOTHER! Just pointing out a bit of inconsistency. And the two measures are not consistent. Operation of local schools should either be left to the local community or it shouldn't. I happen to think that it should be, including whether they want the pledges or don't. Especially with that horrible Okie flag and pledge.
Which brings to mind another question...should that be "I salute the flag of the State of Oklahoma! Its symbols of peace unite all people!" ? Where are the exclamation marks!!??

joker5, (3/12/2009 3:46:12 PM)

I pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the red state of Oklahoma. And to my shotgun, for which it stands...one religion, one skin color, one language, many cows...and if you don't like it, Git Out! Oklahoma, OK!

Tulsa World Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa (3/12/2009 3:47:21 PM)

I don't understand the brouhaha over most use of donnybrook. There is just a lot of tomfoolery with these comments. Now I have to go back to watching the shenanigans of this benighted body.

born okay the 1st time, tulsa (3/12/2009 4:13:41 PM)

IM not christian, but I recited this every day of my childhood in school. I have no issue with it. I think its great.
Tho my youngest daughter already does this. They also sing America the Beautiful.

Ignatz, Broken Bow (3/12/2009 4:34:23 PM)

What's the Republican anthem? Isn't it that maudlin Lee Greenwood song about being proud to be a maccaroon or something? Kids should be required to sing that every hour on the hour and after forced praying to Jesus and listening to creationism "theory" hopefully at some point during the day there will be some time left to actually learn something useful in the real world.

susieq, broken arrow (3/12/2009 4:41:29 PM)

That's fine but they should not be forced to- no reason someone can't just be silent if they really object to saying it we said it everyday when I was a kid - the Lord's prayer also it just because like reciting the times tables though it might be better to spent time on reciting the abc's times tables or spellign words -at least it will show they can learn something

no1special, (3/12/2009 4:45:50 PM)

Why I think this is already done in almost every school, and that it is a good idea, I don't think it is something that should be legislated. Mr. Bates This liberal is smart enough to know that this did cost money. I am helping to pay these people to come up with legislation that benefits Oklahoma. This is the return on my investment. Now it will have to be formally passed, put into writing, saved in archives, enforced and possibly questioned in the court system, all of which will cost $$$$$. All mandates cost $$$$ even the "conservative" kind. Economics 101

tulsan09, Tulsa (3/12/2009 4:49:22 PM)

Yeah, force 'em to say the pledge of allegience...that'll make 'em patriotic. God, the idiocy of this state's legislature.

Joe E., Tulsa Metro Area (3/12/2009 4:50:51 PM)

I don't like being forced by the government to swear allegiance. What happens if a teacher chooses not too, will they be sent to jail? Or maybe just a re-education center.

tulsan09, Tulsa (3/12/2009 4:51:53 PM)

Something you liberals can't understand.

Wow--what a comeback. You really told em didn't you Norm. You people who are so obsessed with "liberals" and "conservatives" are exactly why this country is in the shape it is in.

tulsan09, Tulsa (3/12/2009 4:52:46 PM)

And so much for freedom of speech--something this country is supposed to stand for. But I guess that's only if you're a liberal or a conservative.

Joe E., Tulsa Metro Area (3/12/2009 4:53:36 PM)

susieq, broken arrow (3/12/2009 4:41:29 PM)

{That's fine but they should not be forced to- no reason someone can't just be silent if they really object to saying it}

No reason at all, if you don't count the teasing and bullying from the other kids.

James, Weatherford, Weatherford, OK (3/12/2009 5:09:22 PM)

I'd be a happier person if we would spend less time pledging allegiance to the flag and spent MORE time fighting for the freedoms and values which it represents. The flag is nothing if the American people do not value American ideals.

FWIW, I do not consider torture, denial of habeas corpus, selling a war on lies, and illegal wiretapping as "American values." The values are much more important than any pledge.

Bigbadbri, Broken Arrow (3/12/2009 5:14:29 PM)

I see that once again our lege has spent time on crucial issues like saying a pledge, and no time on things like class size, head start, educational funding, etc. But, I guess we have no one to blame but ourselves for sending these public school hating right wing zealots to make our laws. With baffoons like we have, we'll be lucky not to be dead last in EVERYTHING.

CPT Ron, Lawton (3/12/2009 5:15:28 PM)

This is rediculous. No one pledges allegiance to the State, only to the Nation.

What if I move to Texas? Will I have to start pleging allegiance to Texas? Can I be allegianced with Oklahoma and Texas? Am I being disloyal to Oklahoma if I pledge allegiance to Texas?

What about our county and City? What about Mom and the Family? How about our Political Party and our Church? Can we pledge allegiance to them too? Should it be mandatory?

I think we should forget about all this pledging and work on our grade point average instead!

Joe E., Tulsa Metro Area (3/12/2009 5:17:24 PM)

"I view the flag as nothing more than a symbol, and I am content to leave symbols to the symbol-minded." .... George Carlin

CPT Ron, Lawton (3/12/2009 5:20:32 PM)

I agree with Joe E. I don't like being forced by the government to swear allegiance. Next we will be required to wear brown shirts, hold out our right arm, and yell "Heil Obama!" as the correct greeting of the day.

Morris Hodgson, Mena (3/12/2009 5:20:54 PM)

Without rules and regulations in schools, there is no learning that takes place. Its funny just after a couple of hundred years, our country all of a sudden doesn't want to say the pledge of Allegiance. I remember as a little boy saying the Pledge of Allegiance and it made me and my 1st cousin feel so good. Its a shame that some folks just hate to say the Pledge. I wish he and I could still say the Pledge of Allegiance, but he never came home from VietNam, but he gave his life so we can have the right to say the Pledge. Think about it! His name is Cecil Joe Hodgson, and yes, he is on the VietNam Wall in Washington D.C.

Coach Morris Hodgson
Mena, Ark