Re: CHAT: totalitarianism [was Re: Sexual terminology]

Thomas R. Wier wrote:


> When I was last in the public school system some five years ago
> in Texas, we were required to stand and say the pledge of allegiance
> every week or two, though in elementary school every day.

Note that this "requirement" has no force in law, being (as the
Supreme Court has decided) clearly violative of the First Amendment
prohibition on compelled speech.  (The right to speak includes
the right to be silent, short of a subpoena.)  While you cannot
*disrupt* the Pledge, you are neither required to recite it
nor to stand.

The NYC Schools Chancellor (the highest official) has attempted
to impose the Pledge once again after many years of non-use here,
and his order is being vigorously contested by many faculty and
students, including (quite without my intervention or even knowledge)
my daughter.


--
Not to perambulate             || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
    the corridors               || http://www.reutershealth.com
during the hours of repose     || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
    in the boots of ascension.  \\ Sign in Austrian ski-resort hotel

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