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dcrot1 wrote:We are talking about New York..... is it really that far fetched?

Yes it is. The world's largest free flying American Flag flies over the George Washington Bridge in NYC.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/ ... 34x424.jpg

dale blanker wrote:

G26ster wrote:[ ...what is wrong with asking those native born Americans who might have never taken an oath of allegiance to so state, and those that have, to reaffirm, with the Pledge of Allegiance

Because they shouldn't have to?

Taking an oath for citizenship or civil or military service is a whole different ballgame.

Why is it different?

dale blanker wrote: The kids can get patriotism from history and social studies class and, hopefully, from reinforcement at home. They have plenty of incentive to be patriotic without the need to chant something on command like they do in North Korea. Ask some kid what the pledge means to them...

It's awfully hard to use common sense and not go off on tangents or get personal, isn't it?

The following is the oath taken by those about to become naturalized citizens of the United States. One time, sure, but what is wrong with asking those native born Americans who might have never taken an oath of allegiance to so state, and those that have, to reaffirm, with the Pledge of Allegiance?

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

RicoTX wrote:Dont mean to hijack, but Im curious... when I was a kid we removed our hats during the national anthem but did not put our hand over our heart. I have since learned the etiquette was changed before then to suggest that motion, but we never did that in my area. Now some people are calling others out because they don't do it either. I don't care one way or another, I still don't do it because that's not how I learned it, but what are yalls thoughts and how did you learn it?

On a side note, I did not know the original salute to the flag during pledge until recently. PC even way back in the 1940s. Germany and Italy did it that way too... so we changed.

Placing your right hand over your heart is actually a civilian salute - to the flag - not to the anthem. A flag is usually present when the anthem is played, but may not be. If a flag is not present it is still a salute to the flag. Same is true for the Pledge of allegiance. A recent change to the flag code gives veterans, in civilian clothes, the option of rendering a military salute.

It always makes me wonder why when "God Bless America" is played at ball games in the 7th inning, folks place their hands over their hearts. True there's a flag present, but it's not our national anthem (which is all about the flag), and I don't think a salute is appropriate. If it were, we'd be standing and saluting every patriotic song.