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Allegiances are Challenged in Debate Over Reciting Pledge
Monday, March 18, 2002
By Doug Grow
The Star Tribune

"I just so passionately believe what we've had in our country is dying," Sen. Mady Reiter, R-Shoreview, said. "I believe we've stopped teaching our children our history. All I wanted was a simple, straight-forward bill that standardizes the pledge across Minnesota. It mystifies me that we have this horrible debate."

Sometimes even patriots can't get along.

For three hours last week, state senators battled passionately over whether Minnesota schoolchildren should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Words often were harsh. "What would the troops fighting in Afghanistan right now think of this debate?" Sen. Charlie Berg, R-Chokio, said at one point. "I can't believe what I'm hearing from the DFL side. It almost makes me ashamed to be a member of the Senate."

Days after the fray, those who argued different nuances of the subject said feelings still were bruised.

"It feels very heavy around here," said Sen. Mady Reiter, R-Shoreview, who draped a red, white and blue scarf around her neck as she pushed for a bill that would require the pledge to be said.

The heaviness may be because the Pledge of Allegiance was only a symbol. The real passions driving the debate may have been about the changing faces of the country.
(More: The Star Tribune News Source)
2002 © The Star Tribune.

Without the tradition, the heritage and the ceremony -- what do we, as a nation, become?

The above question is a fundamentalist poser generally ascribed to religion and cross-religion marriages, as well as interracial relationships, and the offspring of such unions. The concern is real for the sanctity of religious and cultural foundations, but holds equally true for nations and the children of nations. Should we forgo our heritage -- for the sake of the shallow-minded, politically-correct of the nation?

The Pledge of Allegiance is as much a part of our heritage as the hunt and slaughter of the Dakotas and the widespread race riots of the late 50s, the 60s, & the early 70s. As much a part of America as the Union Pacific Railroad, Dodge City, and Plymouth Rock. As much a part of me as is my family, my dreams, and my accomplishments.

Or maybe I just thought it was...

Dan