As I was walking to my guidance councilors office I heard a guy say "Come over here, Poe." So I walked over to where this teacher was sitting in the hall way, I do not have him as a teacher but he usually comes into my Business Law class to use the computers and I have debated with him before so we have been acquainted.
I do a pretty good job avoiding trouble so I figured he wanted to just ask my opinion about something but it turned out to be bigger than that.
So anyway, Mr. Cogdail says:
"Poe, I heard you do not stand up for the pledge of allegiance. Is this true?"
Upon me affirming that the gossip going around amongst the teachers (apparently) was true he immediately asked "Why?"
So I explained to him, aside from me having the right to remain seated while The Pledge is being voiced over the loud speaker, I do not believe in certain parts that are being said so I do not feel the need to stand up and mindlessly repeat something every day that I do not believe in. I also assured him that I do not mean any disrespect by it.
But then he said said "By sitting down you are insulting the very founders and fighters of this country and everyone other citizen. You are saying that you do not believe in liberty or justice for all, you are saying that you do not support or recognize your individual rights. I would think that you of all people would support such ideals!"
... Bla bla bla. And, "The pledge is not saying that THERE IS liberty and justice for all it means that in this country fulfills it's
I said "I do believe in liberty and justice, I just do not believe that it is given to all. By sitting down I do not mean to insult/offend YOU, or anyone else."
Then he started talking about capitalism and how capitalism equals democracy and how BECAUSE of capitalism we are free and the political ideology that I like is made to oppress people.
He also made a point I had to think about. He said that the pledge is not stating that there is liberty and justice for all but it is the recognition of it and that is is a "belief statement". But now that I think of it that is not what it's saying! The pledge says "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL" it does not say "THE IDEAL OF" or "IN THE FUTURE ESSENCE OF". [rolleyesgifhere]
Then he went on about soldiers and how they died for our freedom, how I'm disrespecting them by sitting down and my intention on not offending anyone is not what matters.
Well I defended my point and I'm not ready to stand up just because I'm offending him. I'm quite sure that there are things he stands for that offends me but his opinions and what he stands for is a matter of his personal conjecture. Besides I respect him standing up, I don't talk about how blind I may think he is or how stupid he is for believing the words being said, so he should respect my decision not to stand.
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Dear Sergio,
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x3 SuGarr CoOkiie
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x3 SuGarr CoOkiie Community Member 
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Jebriloni
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x3 SuGarr CoOkiie Community Member
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I R Literit
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Tell that guy to ******** off. :]
or better yet!! Tell him by asserting your views upon me your the one who is insulting our founding fathers as they believed in Freedom of beliefs and speech. :]