Swear To God or you don't graduate

[elchivito]

In my beloved state, legislating just gets funner and funner.

Introduced AZ House Bill 2467:

BEGINNING IN THE 2013‑2014 SCHOOL YEAR, IN ADDITION TO FULFILLING THE COURSE OF STUDY AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED IN THIS CHAPTER, BEFORE A PUPIL IS ALLOWED TO GRADUATE FROM A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS STATE, THE PRINCIPAL OR HEAD TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL SHALL VERIFY IN WRITING THAT THE PUPIL HAS RECITED THE FOLLOWING OATH:
I, _________, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THESE DUTIES; SO HELP ME GOD.

Nothing like being REQUIRED to take an obligation "freely".

[Skippy]

It won't pass. If it does pass it will be challenged and overturned real quick.

[Air&Road]

Yeah, this is 2013 USA. You would not expect too many people to have enough character to be held to the truth! Society is in a very rapid rate of decay, and the rate is accelerating every day.

[kmaysob]

not like it means anything anyways. the president took an oath, but wants to throw out said constitution.

[Air&Road]

Originally Posted by kmaysob

not like it means anything anyways. the president took an oath, but wants to throw out said constitution.

Valid point. Even today's POTUS backs up my statement.

[MagnumPI]

"I pledge allegiance, to the flag..."

[kerry]

Hmmmm? What about graduating non-citizens? Let's say an Iranian citizen for instance. Will they require the student to pledge allegiance to Iran?

[Botnst]

Pledges are meaningless. Public promises to god are empty.

Deeds, not words.

[kerry]

Not always. I'm reading a book on German resistance to Hitler. The resistance thought long and hard about the pledge to the Fuhrer that German troops took. They thought that if their coup, did not involve the assassination of Hitler, the fact that the troops took a pledge to Hitler himself would directly threaten their success. Hence their decision that any coup had to involve the death of Hitler.
Germans are not Americans.

[engatwork]

We are going to give them a run for our money though Kerry. Just watch how quickly things start to get out of hand during the prez's third term

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by kmaysob

not like it means anything anyways. the president took an oath, but wants to throw out said constitution.

[davidmash]

Originally Posted by kmaysob

not like it means anything anyways. the president took an oath, but wants to throw out said constitution.

I'm an atheist. Why should I be compelled to recite an oath and swear to a god I don't believe in? I paid my taxes and passed the classes. Give me my diploma.

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by elchivito

In my beloved state, legislating just gets funner and funner.

Introduced AZ House Bill 2467:

BEGINNING IN THE 2013‑2014 SCHOOL YEAR, IN ADDITION TO FULFILLING THE COURSE OF STUDY AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED IN THIS CHAPTER, BEFORE A PUPIL IS ALLOWED TO GRADUATE FROM A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THIS STATE, THE PRINCIPAL OR HEAD TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL SHALL VERIFY IN WRITING THAT THE PUPIL HAS RECITED THE FOLLOWING OATH:
I, _________, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THESE DUTIES; SO HELP ME GOD.

Nothing like being REQUIRED to take an obligation "freely".

Besides creating another waste of time and resources that could better be used elsewhere what do you suppose the Goal is in having the Students do it?
What is the News Media in your State saying about it?

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by kerry

Not always. I'm reading a book on German resistance to Hitler. The resistance thought long and hard about the pledge to the Fuhrer that German troops took. They thought that if their coup, did not involve the assassination of Hitler, the fact that the troops took a pledge to Hitler himself would directly threaten their success. Hence their decision that any coup had to involve the death of Hitler.
Germans are not Americans.

If one takes a pledge seriously then it is a serious pledge.

I doubt any students in school past the 6th grade give shyte about flags and pledges and prayers. They are more interested in finding out what it means to exist and to love and to have sex. If a pledge guaranteed sex they would be the most fervent of believers.

Do we believe teachers should be surrogate propagandists -- directing the mindless bastards on the proper way to think -- or are teachers people who encourage, help, cajole, plead, pray, threaten and guide students to develop the skills necessary to think for themselves?

One choice is the rule of the Taliban, the other is the rule of reason.

[kerry]

Originally Posted by Botnst

If one takes a pledge seriously then it is a serious pledge.

I doubt any students in school past the 6th grade give shyte about flags and pledges and prayers. They are more interested in finding out what it means to exist and to love and to have sex. If a pledge guaranteed sex they would be the most fervent of believers.

Do we believe teachers should be surrogate propagandists -- directing the mindless bastards on the proper way to think -- or are teachers people who encourage, help, cajole, plead, pray, threaten and guide students to develop the skills necessary to think for themselves?

One choice is the rule of the Taliban, the other is the rule of reason.

As I said, Germans are not Americans