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Post by austkyzor on Jan 30, 2011 2:24:15 GMT -5
In my opinion, symbols are only a distraction from what they represent. I mean, how often have you asked someone "why do you salute to the flag?" probably not very often. I just think out country has became more attached to the flag, rather than the actual meaning. *ahem* I would like give a brief lesson on the Suez Crisis and the Flag of Canada. You see, when Lester Pearson came up with the idea of setting up the United Nations Emergency Force, and using military peacekeeping representatives from countries not involved with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, nor NATO (those countries being Denmark and Colombia) Now, Pearson also wanted to send Canadian troops as well, seeing as it was our idea. Egypt refused because this was our flag: See that Union Jack in the corner? Yeah, that kinda represents England, who kinda started the whole thing, which is why, in light of that denial, we started the Great Flag Debate, and then the Canadian Flag - the unique symbol that represents Canada became this: Symbolization is very important, not because of the symbol itself, but the idea it represents. For example: the swastika. The symbol itself is meaningless, it's a stylized cross. What most people care about is the idea behind it. To a lot of people, it's the symbol that represents Nazism, to people who follow eastern religions or philosophies, like me, it represents light, life, love, and good luck. Seriously, most statues of The Buddha have a swastika included in them. A country's flag is the same principle - alone, it's just a piece of coloured cloth - but the idea it represents is a country, for better or for worse. When one salutes their flag, they are in truth, saluting their country. Your flag is your national identity. There is no country "distracted by it". Do military leaders get distracted by their insignia? Do Companies get distracted by their logo? Do leaders get distracted by their seals? Your argument is silly. Symbols are not a distraction from what they represent, they are the visualization of the idea behind them.
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Post by Ryan on Jan 30, 2011 3:01:13 GMT -5
Thank you for posting that Aust - I was going to wait till tomorrow to post something similar - but through you my sentiments are known!
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Flappy
Star
Grrr! But not really....
Posts: 577
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Post by Flappy on Jan 30, 2011 14:04:41 GMT -5
Yeah, you make a good point Aust. My argument was silly.
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Post by newschooled on Feb 3, 2011 13:16:52 GMT -5
I'll go one step further and say we abolish the whole damned thing. It's... kinda like brainwashing, if you ask me. You have a point. My thoughts exactly. I mean, there's nothing wrong with having loyalty to your country...But you shouldn't HAVE to promise to be a good little anatomic drone.
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Post by Ferrrrrre on Feb 3, 2011 15:23:58 GMT -5
I agree with Rob (^) and Aust/ryan.. Here in Belgium we don't have anything like a "Pledge of Allegiance" nor do people have to greet the flag etc.
(maybe a bit offtopic but back when Belgium was Catholic 'only', there were crosses, Jezus/Mary images/statues etc. in schools, libraries, .. but I think somewhere in the 80's/90's a law was made saying that no images of religion etc. may be displayed in public areas and I agree to that.
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Post by Alex on Feb 3, 2011 21:31:55 GMT -5
I didn't say it today. No problems yet. I'm going to keep my hand over my heart though, because I don't want to cause a scene.
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Post by SwimFellow on Feb 3, 2011 22:44:18 GMT -5
You won't. Unless you have crazy people in your school..
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Post by Freddy on Feb 3, 2011 23:35:53 GMT -5
One of the few things I've learned from school is that EVERYONE is crazy.
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Quinn
Star
[AWD:191c07]
The eye of compromise.
Posts: 580
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Post by Quinn on Feb 4, 2011 10:48:33 GMT -5
I think that it shows a loyalty and love for America, and just so ya know I'm very patrotic.
I think that the entire pledge is fine except for "under god"
I say it every morning except for "under god"... and some kids don't even say it at all.
Just a little fun fact: My town (Redlands, CA) was one of the first towns to have it said by schools in the morning.
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Flappy
Star
Grrr! But not really....
Posts: 577
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Post by Flappy on Feb 4, 2011 18:54:16 GMT -5
You're to blame then.
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Post by austkyzor on Feb 4, 2011 21:37:25 GMT -5
I wonder if the influence to say the pledge in America is similar to the influence to sing O Canada every morning
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Post by Lex on Feb 4, 2011 23:31:15 GMT -5
I wonder if the influence to say the pledge in America is similar to the influence to sing O Canada every morning We don't sing it every morning? Maybe its just a regional thing for you. We just stand for the anthem, but we're not required to.
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Post by austkyzor on Feb 5, 2011 0:50:24 GMT -5
I wonder if the influence to say the pledge in America is similar to the influence to sing O Canada every morning We don't sing it every morning? Maybe its just a regional thing for you. We just stand for the anthem, but we're not required to. Same case where I'm from - in elementary school we were actively encouraged to sing, if nothing else to improve our French. Not the case in high school, at least, not while I was there - according to my sister there's been an increased level of encouragement to sing the anthem.
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ryan
Moon
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Post by ryan on Feb 14, 2011 12:58:24 GMT -5
when i say it i say instead of under god i say under united states airspace
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luc
Meteorite
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Post by luc on Mar 8, 2011 19:10:10 GMT -5
This is should how it should go:
I pledge allegiance To the nation And the ideas it was founded on. 50 states, Many cultures, United as one.
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Post by SwimFellow on Mar 8, 2011 19:55:42 GMT -5
Nice, ryan!!! I haven't had to say the pledge in forever.. If I had to, I would skip Under God. Actually, I would state the 1924 version: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."
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Quinn
Star
[AWD:191c07]
The eye of compromise.
Posts: 580
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Post by Quinn on Mar 8, 2011 22:14:17 GMT -5
Nice, ryan!!! I haven't had to say the pledge in forever.. If I had to, I would skip Under God. Actually, I would state the 1924 version: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all." That is the version I say every morning at school.
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