The Pledge of Allegiance

Well, I started out posting my Friday morning school emails, but I've learned that they're really not that funny if you don't work at my school, and even less funny if you are not a teacher. So I'm back to blogging as needed.
Luckily, this week posed a question that ignites the flames of anger. This week a federal judge in San Fransisco ruled that the Pledge should not said in school because it contains the words "under God." I completely understand there is a separation of church and state and, as a teacher, I am very happy for that. I am also a Christian who has a strong faith in God. The thing that drives me more nuts than anything else is why does one little pinhead with nothing better to do than try and put his name out there for another 15 seconds of fame have to ruin things for the rest of us? Why do we as a country have to bow down to a minority? If you would put this up for an election, I would almost guarantee you would have 75% of the vote for allowing the phrase to remain. If you don't agree with Pledge, why do you just not say it? I could care less if I had a student whose parents didn't agree with the Pledge. He's more than welcome to use the restroom at that time or go in the hall and wait. I would never make anyone do something they don't want to do. But why, if one or two people don't like it, do we have to take it away for those of us who do like it?
Another source of ire is the Ten Commandments. Locally, there was a Ten Commandments monument in a local park, not much bigger than a head stone in a graveyard. Even in a town of 3,000, you don't have to walk by it and stare at it every day. I just cannot fathom being that arrogant that, just because you don't like something, you are going to sue or challenge the ability for that statue to be placed there or those words to be said. Groups similar to the ones that are challenging these issues just want to fit in and want to be accepted, but they ostricize themselves with inconsiderate actions. They want us to cater to them, when the only thing they are effected by is the reaction to their poor sob stories that they then get to relay through the media. It honestly infuriates me that I have to watch what I say and what I put up because some people take offense to it. And I'm not supposed to be offended when you take away my rights?
This guy in California that is leading the charge against the Pledge is an idiot. To quote my favorite morning radio peronalities here in Omaha, "If you don't like it, turn the channel." If you don't like the Pledge, don't say it. Don't be in the room when it's said. Show up late to school everyday. But don't come crying to me when you feel like nobody is treating you with respect. You've brought it all upon yourself.