There are many tendrils to this pledge and/or loyalty question.

A boss at a Corps of Engineers office in Central Texas went further than having new employees read and sign the loyalty oath--he administered it in person and had you read it out loud. You have the option to "so help me" to someone's god or to "so affirm." I chose "so affirm" and his eyebrows went way up on that one.

I can't help but think that the folks who want this flags firmly in place are the same ones who want school prayer to be part of the curriculum. When I can I sit out the pledge, or if pushed to rise, I just stand with my hands at my side, and when they get to the prayer (which they invariably do at public meetings down here in Texas) I just sit, or I stand looking forward with no gesture or indication that I'm participating. And I usually see several others practicing a similar form of non-participation.

The pledge doesn't make the U.S. any stronger or smarter or make kids and more likely to grow to be loyal subjects or patriotic citizens. It just makes a few people feel good to see everyone else have to go through their little routine.

SRS