Washington Votes

2008 House Bill 2974 (Including the study of the Pledge of Allegiance in high school graduation requirements)

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  • Introduced by Rep. Jim McCune, (R-Graham) on January 18, 2008, adding a requirement to study the Pledge of Allegiance as a high school graduation requirement.
    • Referred to the House Education Committee on January 18, 2008.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Jim McCune, (R-Graham) on January 18, 2008. New Comment

1) maybe we can look further [by Anonymous Citizen on April 6, 2008]
I agree that it might be a good idea for high school students to discuss the meaning (and origins, etc.) of the pledge, but I find it quite disturbing to have 6 year olds mindlessly citing "allegiance" to a "republic" when they don't learn even the basics of those words until at least about the fifth grade. It is very pre-war Germany (even down to the outstretched arm hail salute that had to be changed.)
wikipedia: Pledge of Allegiance, and Bellamy Salute, etc

Though, deciding how people must show their patriotism isn't one of the duties we gave to the federal government in the Constitution so maybe they need to spend a little more time on that as well.
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2) Stop Wasting Legislative time!! [by Jakryabre on February 14, 2008]
I am a Washington resident and serving in the war. Studying the pledge of allegiance as a graduation requirement is stupid! You pull the match WASL, but want the kids to study the pledge...can we have real priorities or frivolous junk?
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3) Say what? [by Tritium on February 2, 2008]
I'm shocked that kids don't already know the pledge of allegiance by the end of the 1st grade. I guess we should make it a requirement to pass an arithmatic test.

Patriotism, Loyalty, and Respect isn't something you can force upon someone. Make part of the graduation process something that will prepare them for entering the working world after graduation. And throw out their calculators.
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4) THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 2, 2008]
I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands... These words are encouraging, poetic, and of great importance to our country. I believe that everyone, old and young, should recite these wondrous words proudly out of respect for our dear nation and its loyal soldiers and veterans. If you do not think this is important, than you should learn about how Francis Bellamy made a great unknown (to many) discovery. In plain words, Teach the Pledge!!
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5) cool [by brynefainza on February 1, 2008]
this is an awesome bill to pass
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6) RE cool [by MJudd on February 7, 2008]
ya it is cool
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7) Meaningless Posturing [by Anonymous Citizen on January 25, 2008]
More style over substance and more absurd mandates for our underfunded school system IF History and Government classes had been properly provided we wouldn't have these meaningless displays of fake patriotism. How many hours of class time will this take up which could be used to teach the REAL truths of our great constitution
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8) Makaela [by Anonymous Citizen on January 28, 2008]
Hi this is Makaela. HI!!!! koolio! (thumbs up) Great idea! Go Eatonville Middle School 7th grade Honors Core!!
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9) 7th honors core [by Anonymous Citizen on January 28, 2008]
7th honors core, I think you misunderstood what the anonymous citizen was saying. He/she said "meaningless displays of fake patriotism", which doesn't mean that they think the Pledge is meaningless. They just think that other subjects, like the Constitution, are MORE important than the Pledge. So don't over react. You don't want people to think that you can't agree to disagree, do you?
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10) Not Meaningless [by EMS 7th honors core on January 26, 2008]
If this were in fact meaningless, then you would be saying that the meaning of the pledge would be meaningless! I want to honestly know if you know the meaning of the plede!
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11) Pledge [by Anonymous Citizen on January 23, 2008]
This is an awesome idea you guys! People definitely need to know what they are pledging to, and any patriotic citizen should agree. Keep working on it, and I hope it gets passed!
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12) this is a good idea [by Anonymous Citizen on January 23, 2008]
this is a wonderful idea
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13) this is a good idea [by MJudd on February 7, 2008]
that you my class and i think so too.

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14) THE PLEDGE [by SIDNY on January 22, 2008]
I learned this in the 1st grade. What am I missing here?
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15) Pledge! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2008]
We are talking about the meaning of the Pledge here! We were saying that we were saying the Pledge mindlessly. Thats why we made the bill in the first place! We want other people to have the same deep understanding as us!
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16) RE the pledge [by MJudd on February 7, 2008]
really you know what all of the word mean and why we say them sience the first grade. i didnt know that teachers taugth that at a very young age. interesting
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17) Me neither [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2008]
I didn't know that they taught it in first grade either! what school did you go to?
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18) RE the pledge [by MJudd on February 7, 2008]
really you know what all of the word mean and why we say them sience the first grade. i didnt know that teachers taugth that at a very young age. interesting
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19) Not just you [by Anonymous Citizen on January 24, 2008]
Not everyone learned it!!!
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20) Pledge [by Anonymous Citizen on January 23, 2008]
I believe that you are not thinking out of your learning experience. Just because YOU have learned this in the 1st grade, doesn't mean everyone has. I would like to know if you like the idea. From my personal experience, it was awhile until I understood or even cared (which is something they want to get at, CARING about the Pledge)what the Pledge meant, and it is obviously important if schools have to recite it every day and it has to be recited at all assemblies, as stated in RCW 28A.230.140. In addition, learning the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance in the 1st grade couldn't have been very affective at such a young age. It should be taught more than once, for it to stick in the brain.
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21) Teach Pledge to all students [by Luanne on January 19, 2008]
Teaching the pledge of allegiance to high school students is a very good idea. Who could be opped to this bill? Vote YES!
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22) Teach Pledge to all students [by Luanne on January 19, 2008]
Teaching the pledge of allegiance to high school students is a good idea. Who could be opposed to this bill? Vote YES!
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23) Yes! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2008]
AMEN to that!!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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