Thread: США и амер. политика, общество, люди. О жизни + всякое смешное

What would happened to an American child who was disillusioned with wars, drones, NSA etc and refused to participate in the "pledge of allegiance" in US schools every day?
For example if the child asked to be excused on conscientious grounds?

I always see Americans put their hands on their heart and look very serious when the US national anthem is played. However, I only know expats and saw it on TV - may not be "real" situations. Is it ok for somebody to not sing along and just stand passively, or even talk while the song is being sung?

I always see Americans referring to the "Founding Fathers" as if they were some semi-divine people, always right, always well intentioned. If you do not know who they were and are interested, list is here .

Please note that from a British perspective at the time, many of these people were illegal insurgents and terrorists. Worth bearing in mind when the US is pointing fingers and announcing to the world whose freedom fight is legit and democratic and who are terrorists.

Is it socially acceptable to criticize these people? In US talk show, the "founding father" argument is often pulled out to discredit opponents. "that's not what the founding fathers would have wanted!".
It's like they are Christians quoting Jesus or Communists quoting Marx. What if somebody responded with "I don't care what those old codgers thought! Have you got any real arguments or just old fairy tales?"
Is it ok to question their motivation and characters?

And doesn't it go without saying that anyone from the 18th century would be disgusted at the moral degradation of the US today? Hipocricy?

US Pledge of Allegiance (repeated every day in school)










One of the Founding Fathers allegedly "never told a lie". Is it ok to question the validity and motivation of these people?

The USA is the only country that has morally degraded since the 18^thcentury? Really?

I’ve never sang the US national anthem. Why? I stink at singing. I’ve never had a problem not singing. It is rude to talk during the singing of it though. I’ve never seen anybody not participate in the pledge of allegiance but am many years removed from going to school.

“That’s not what the founding fathers would have wanted” could be used when not having a valid argument, I guess, but to me is used mainly against those that believe that the ends justify the means and that the constitution is inconvenient and to be trampled on.

We in the USA, not like other parts of the world, are free to criticize our government. We are also free to criticize the founding fathers. My response to anyone (slavery is vile and never should have been allowed to continue when the constitution was written - women should've been allowed to vote) who criticizes the founders would be to ask why are you here? I’ve never had to ask though.

My great great great great great grandfather was in the very first battle of the American Revolution:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_lexington

and was injured. I’m proud that he was a part of the fight for freedom. For all the warts that the USA has, I hope to pass freedom down to the next generation.

All IMHO,

Scott

Originally Posted by Hanna

What would happened to an American child who was disillusioned with wars, drones, NSA etc and refused to participate in the "pledge of allegiance" in US schools every day?
For example if the child asked to be excused on conscientious grounds?

I always see Americans put their hands on their heart and look very serious when the US national anthem is played. However, I only know expats and saw it on TV - may not be "real" situations. Is it ok for somebody to not sing along and just stand passively, or even talk while the song is being sung?

I always see Americans referring to the "Founding Fathers" as if they were some semi-divine people, always right, always well intentioned. If you do not know who they were and are interested, list is here .

Please note that from a British perspective at the time, many of these people were illegal insurgents and terrorists. Worth bearing in mind when the US is pointing fingers and announcing to the world whose freedom fight is legit and democratic and who are terrorists.

Is it socially acceptable to criticize these people? In US talk show, the "founding father" argument is often pulled out to discredit opponents. "that's not what the founding fathers would have wanted!".
It's like they are Christians quoting Jesus or Communists quoting Marx. What if somebody responded with "I don't care what those old codgers thought! Have you got any real arguments or just old fairy tales?"
Is it ok to question their motivation and characters?

And doesn't it go without saying that anyone from the 18th century would be disgusted at the moral degradation of the US today? Hipocricy?

US Pledge of Allegiance (repeated every day in school)










One of the Founding Fathers allegedly "never told a lie". Is it ok to question the validity and motivation of these people?