Outrage Over Children Reciting The Pledge Of Allegiance To The Mexican Flag

Originally posted by Rockpuck
You can go on thinking your a ...earthian? .. earthite? ... earthen? ... I am an American, you will never get rid of the divisions between cultures, your idea is great if say... we where not human.

Huh?

Shots, read through your thread. I have seen both videos several times and read all the links.

1. This is a school in Texas. There are likely several Spanish-speaking children, some who may know the Mexican Pledge and were reciting along with the teacher. I live in New Mexico and there are plenty of Spanish speaking children here who I'm sure know the pledge to their native country's flag and may recite it at home with their parents. It's not against the law. If there were several little boys who wished to 'show off' their bilingual abilities, I don't see anything wrong with it.

Of course it was in Spanish! It was the Mexican Pledge, not ours.

How do you know that this is the same room where the kids were waving the flags? Two different videos. Even if it were, so what??? They were showing DIVERSITY. How other cultures do their thing. Does it matter if the flag was full-sized?

They weren't "pledging to the flag". They were having a diversity day and exploring another culture. Some of them were probably from that culture. Does intent matter at all?

I know some parents were outraged. I didn't mention that because that part wasn't misleading.

Originally posted by shots
Personally I think they could very well have accomplished the same in the homerooms, if they still have them in schools these days, or perhaps they could have mentioned it during social studies.

Sure they could have done it differently. But I'll bet parents would still have bitched.

I also find it odd that no one has mentioned the fact they were all reading their pledge or shall we say alleged pledge from a script.

Someone did mention it. Several times. Read your thread. Find out the facts.

Just thought of one more thing. Since it was an Americaqn School why were they speaking Spanish rather then English?

It's the Mexican Pledge. It was written in Spanish. It's not our pledge. To the English speaking students, it was a bunch of incomprehensible gibberish. You would rather they hear in English how devoted Mexicans are to their country?

This was a one day thing. To study diversity. What has our country come to when exploring other cultures and countries' practices threatens the very patriotism of its citizens???

This reminds me of some religious people being so threatened by a movie or a book. It's just a different point of view. Nobody's trying to raise a bunch of Nazis or anything. No one's trying to change these kids' minds. They're just educating them as to differences in cultures of people in other parts of the world.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

It's the Mexican Pledge. It was written in Spanish. It's not our pledge. To the English speaking students, it was a bunch of incomprehensible gibberish. You would rather they hear in English how devoted Mexicans are to their country?

Well as you put it; it was gibberish to English speaking children, so there goes the diversity right out the window wouldn't you say? I mean how are they going to know and understand what is said if they cannot speak the language?

If their intent was diversity then in my mind it should have been at least recited in both languages so all could understand and I did applogize if I had missed those post you claim exist.

now for your other question

How do you know that this is the same room where the kids were waving the flags?

Very simple I played the video in slo mo of the children that panned the shot around the room at the end you see a volunteer at the microphone at the end.

[edit on 10/21/2006 by shots]

If our nation weren't being invaded by a people whom this culture is native to, this would have been a non-issue. If this were an exploration into the tribal cultures of central Africa, noone would have cared. But, just as people have become sensitive to Muslim ideologies, they are going to be sensitive to Mexican symbolism. The outrage may have been misplaced due to misunderstanding, but it was quite justified in respect to the perceived significance.

Hmm anyone think this is part of a program to cause unstibility in the USA . More and more America is becoming devived . The end result wil be a police state .

1.) This was not the American pledge.

2.) They were not facing either flag.

3.) They were wearing traditional Mexican dress.

4.) No hands were over their hearts.

5.) If it was the Pledge, why would she have to read it from a script?

THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL, I remember having international festivals where we would learn about different countries and....sometimes a native would say a Pledge!!!!! Oh no, we're terrorists that are destroying America now!!
SERIOUSLY... NOTHING!!

Mod edit, all caps

[edit on 21-10-2006 by DontTreadOnMe]

I suppose I'm really not surprised that this non-issue has taken up four pages, thus far, of ATS space. I'm with the guy on the first page who regards pledging to a flag as thought control. I've also heard that Texans pledge to their own flag, not that of the US. Does anyone want to froth at the mouth over that?

It was just an educational event at a school. The overreaction is pathetic.

OK, one question shots. I'm at the ACC for a hockey game, I sing YOUR national anthem, yes I know it entirely, just out of respect, is that wrong?

Originally posted by intrepid
OK, one question shots. I'm at the ACC for a hockey game, I sing YOUR national anthem, yes I know it entirely, just out of respect, is that wrong?

In that case there is no right or wrong.

I would do the same if I attended a US Canadian Event myself, but that is hardly the same as taking it inside a school assembly.

Frankly I love Canada but hate their beer

I even like you yet I never would go into your school system and start saying our pledge of allegiance or sing our anthem at one of your school assembly's on the 4th of July. :shk:

[edit on 10/21/2006 by shots]

Originally posted by k4rupt
Freedom of speech? This is an AMERICAN PUBLIC elementary school.

Oh right...I forgot 'Freedom of Speech' only applies to private institutions and not federal, public, or government institutions. Next time anyone holds a demonstration, maybe it should be in someone's home, considering it shouldn't allowed in anywhere public, as you suggest.

They DEMAND equal rights for ILLEGAL mexicans, then they go and have the nerve to pull this off?

Amazing! So you can back your claim by showing us proof that the school wants equal rights for illegal mexicans? Just to note, wouldn't an illegal mexican actually be an American who is an illegal immigrant in Mexico?

Unbelievable, what has our nation come to?

No kidding! I mean how dare any other culture exist in the US. After all, US has never had any other etnicities and cultures in all of its history. Everyone who has ever entered the US has always been born with the "US" culture, and anyone who teaches any culture of their own should be considered Un-American, right?

[edit on 21-10-2006 by DJMessiah]

So if you as an american were forced to live in another country due to work commitments, necessisty, etc, etc would you pledge allegience to that countries flag? Yeah right...

I live in Brasil cause I married a Brasilian hottie and she's rich... but I come from New Zealand... and I tell you now I would not pledge allegience to Brasil, just cuase you live somewhere doesn't mean you have to pledge any allegience, especially in the case of children, they can do what they want...

Most Mexicans would probably rather live at home in Mexico than put up with fat assed bigot yanks, but basically they need to make money so they just use you to do this, they don't love you, they are just using you - just like US corporations use other countries...

Actually, It doesn't really matter - lets get back to looking at the more interesting things, like death in Iraq or N.Korea's nukes...



[edit on 21-10-2006 by sobolwolf]

I don't personally see anything wrong with this. I think there is a different issue here though. They lied about what they did. They should have known there would be objections. Why did they lie if they were not trying to hide this from parents? They should have asked for permission from the parents before involving their children. Since they lied it is apparent they felt they had something to hide. That means they were taking away these children's parents right to make decisions about how their children are raised. This is happening way to often in this country. Should a parent make the decisions regarding their child's welfare and upbringing? Or, should educators push their biased political beliefs behind the parents backs? The fact they lied means they knew they were doing wrong.

Talk to your kids. Make sure you know what is going on in their schools. Explain to them that their teachers are not always right and discuss what they are being taught with them. Your childs future depends on it. Or better yet, if you can afford it, put them in a decent private school that has not been taken over by one political party and a corrupt union.

Originally posted by sobolwolf

fat assed bigot yanks

[edit on 21-10-2006 by sobolwolf]

Everyone take a look at this statement. This person obviously believes they are not a bigot themselves. This person hates the entire population of a country because they don't agree with their governments politics. I think that qualifies this person as a classic bigot. What do you think?

You should let your wife read your post. If she is wise she will send you packing.


[edit on 10/21/2006 by Blaine91555]

Originally posted by sobolwolf
So if you as an american were forced to live in another country due to work commitments, necessisty, etc, etc would you pledge allegience to that countries flag? Yeah right...

I live in Brasil cause I married a Brasilian hottie and she's rich... but I come from New Zealand... and I tell you now I would not pledge allegience to Brasil, just cuase you live somewhere doesn't mean you have to pledge any allegience, especially in the case of children, they can do what they want...

Most Mexicans would probably rather live at home in Mexico than put up with fat assed bigot yanks, but basically they need to make money so they just use you to do this, they don't love you, they are just using you - just like US corporations use other countries...

Actually, It doesn't really matter - lets get back to looking at the more interesting things, like death in Iraq or N.Korea's nukes...



[edit on 21-10-2006 by sobolwolf]

TROLL ALERT!!!!

Folks...

This is the AboveTopSecret NEWS Network. A place for discussing events of great importance in current news.

Not celebrity deathmatch.

You are officially requested to keep it civil.

Thank you.

you will never get rid of the divisions between cultures, your idea is great if say... we where not human.

Well, in the short term you're right, but it still does'nt mean you can't
have a single world civilization, I mean just look at America, not only
do we have different culture roots in eac area, IE North-West, South-
East, but each state has it's own unique culture as well, and even with
so many cultures, we are one people.

It's not hard to imagine a one world civilization of Terrans/Earthans,
being united does'nt mean you have to have monoculture.


Oh, and who says we're all human?

Naturally. However, we will never be "one world" until there is a reason. A good reason. And the best reason for unity, is a common enemy.

So not until the Reptilians descend upon us and start blasting our capitols with their death-rays will the world come together as one.

Ergo, if our countries don't dissolve in defensive cooperation in 2012, I think we can expect to still have well defined national borders by the time all of our genetic enhancements give way to nature and we place ourselves into cryogenic storage. Or die... whichever comes first.

Originally posted by Blaine91555
This person hates the entire population of a country because they don't agree with their governments politics.

Nope, but maybe the mexicans do

Originally posted by Flighty
well, here in Australia we are pretty proud of our flag.
(which incidentally has the union jack in the corner

If that were to happen in an australian school, I'm sure there would be
an outrage. As we also focus on INTEGRATION. I dont know what purpose making
children swearing allegiance to countrys flag when they dont live there , is meant
to achieve.
I'm sure mexicans would be equally upset if their kids were forced to swear allegiance
to belgium and its flag on a hypothetical BELGIUM INDEPENDENCE DAY too.
To promote DIVERSITY.

If the shoe was on the foot, would mexicans be outraged and upset?
Or course, they would.

Right, I have a couple of things to say to this post.

I am an Australian, a Sydney-Sider to be exact. I have to say that I DON'T GIVE A HOOT about being an Australian. It means NOTHING to me when the Australian Flag is raised in front of me. As stated by another poster, a Flag is nothing more than a nice piece of material with a logo emblazoned upon it.

Sure, I am happy that I live in a Country where violence and mayhem is kept to a minimum, but as for being proud, well, my government is full of idiots (Morris Iemma for instance) who DON'T care what happens to the rest of us.

I was let down in school because the system here grades on a curve. Schools here are allocated a certain number of A's, B's, C's and D's. It isn't up to the grades you get, rather it is up to the Principal to hand them out.

I hate sport, preferring to read or do somethinig creative. Sport out here is a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG part of the country. Put it this way, I'd rather watch a group of WOMEN running around after a football.......you see?

Anyway, the notion of a flag and pledging allegiance to it confuses me.

But if I was asked, as an American, (whom I hear are VERY patriotic) to basically bow down to a Mexican Flag, I would find it offensive.

But think of it this way, a Flag isn't going to feed you, or make you any better or worse. A flag is JUST a symbol.

I'm a Satanist by Religion. My Fiancees mother got married for the second time last week in a Church, a Catholic Church.

I acted politely and didn't make a fuss. It is up to the individual as to how much fuss they make. I wonder, did any of the children in this Texan school feel bad?
Did their parents kick up a stink?

Let's face it, the world is changing, and not necessarily for the better.

But when somebody recites an Age Old Pledge to a Flag of another Country, it makes me think "So What".

I'd be more worried if the kids started drinking Tequila instead of School Issued Milk.....

Simply amazing! They wander over here to the US to suck on its teat and then when it's empty they go back.

Below is interesting look on illegal immigration:

Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.

Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.

Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).

According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay,you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).

If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there.

It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for well, you know.

And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America.