Fun fact: the Pledge of Allegiance was written by an avowed socialist [0] and was intended to counter the individualistic and capitalistic tendencies he saw in American culture.
FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
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Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#62When I was in sixth grade I found out (I am not sure how actually) that I didn’t have to say the pledge if I didn’t want to. I didn’t (and don’t) believe in God, and I didn’t believe in the “under God” part of the pledge, so I decided that I wouldn’t stand for the pledge anymore.
This was an extremely conservative area, and so my teachers were very upset. I told them I don’t have to say the pledge if I don't want (and I believe I had even memorized the specific court case with the Jehova's Witnesses about it). This went on for a week, until I was eventually sent to the principal's office for it.
The principal asked why I wouldn't just say it, and I told him because I don't believe in God and I don't have to. He said "well let's just see what your parents see about that". He picked up the phone and called my house, and my dad answered.
The situation was explained, and then my dad said "why is he in trouble again? I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to say it if he doesn't want to."
The principal responded back with "well sir, it's very disrespectful if he--".
My dad interrupted and said "it doesn't matter if it's respectful, if he doesn't have to say it then he doesn't have to say it. You should probably send him back to class". I went back to class and nothing that day came from it at school.
I was slightly afraid that I would get in trouble when I got home. I knew my dad had fought for me but I thought that he might have just wanted to make sure I don't get into any official trouble, so when I got home I was prepared for a lecture and maybe being sent to my room.
My dad sat me down and said "You're not in trouble, you did what you thought was right, but why does it really matter if you have to say the pledge? It'd probably be easier if you just said it" and I quickly responded back with "because I don't believe in God and I don't think I should be forced to say it."
My dad basically said that if this important to me, then he will support me. He wrote a note explaining that he doesn't have an issue with me not saying it if I don't want to, signed it and put his phone number if they have any questions, and he said to keep it in my backpack and show it to teachers if there's ever an issue.
I love America most of the time, but I think America can be great even if there isn't mandatory indoctrination. I look back and feel grateful that my parents were pretty cool with this.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#63Mandatory state ideology is very worrisome.
This seems like something the current SCOTUS would shut down very quickly, but I could be wrong.
The current SCOTUS has, so far, given the Trump administration a lot of rope to hang us by. If they use it to hang themselves remains to be seen.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#64Does the pledge of allegiance actually do anything? I can't even remember if I did it in school. I first thought "oh, my State must not have done the pledge in school", but after more reflection I think I did but just doing remember.
I went to a grand total of five schools in Florida: one grade school, two middle schools, and two high schools. The first two were in upstate conservative Florida, the last three were in Orlando (which is comparatively more progressive).
Every school expected me to say it every morning.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#65Fun fact: the Pledge of Allegiance was written by an avowed socialist [0] and was intended to counter the individualistic and capitalistic tendencies he saw in American culture. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bellamy
Regardless of who wrote it I've always kind of thought it was weird. If America is a great country then it should be self-evident and we don't need to try and indoctrinate children with it.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
> This feels a little excessively cynical, you still might hate it, but it's specifically for the 250th Anniversary of America. > I don't know that "pledge" should be the right word, just maybe like encourage? The article addressed this. Although it’s described as voluntary, Carr said broadcasters can meet their public interest obligations by taking the pledge. This is notable because Carr has repeatedly threatened t…
The FCC has no jurisdiction over podcasters and no regulatory oversight on cable content. Over the air content is something they have power over. Oddly enough, this is the FCC staying on their lane… kind of
A request without power is a request. A request with power and context of threats may be a threat.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think it’s incredibly important to have active and engaging conversations about the FCC on HN, regardless of political ideology, because of our shared identity as those deeply involved with tech. We should be openly discussing whether freedom of speech and information is being infringed by governments around the world in ways which can and do infringe upon our world.
So how might a campaign such as this be advanced or advertised in ways that don’t infringe upon Democratic values?
It simply shouldn’t be? Nationalistic and forced religious belief (i.e., which is what the altered Pledge is) are antithetical to the US Constitution and are NOT in the public interest.
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
This has been a thing in the USA for a long time hasn't it? Iirc, they have (legally not mandatory, but functionally mandatory) pledges at the start of every school day right?
Some schools do it some don’t. Participation is never mandatory and retaliation or forcing the pledge is an invitation for an expensive civil rights suit.
Wait, which schools don't do it? I've never heard of a school not doing it. Are there states that don't do the pledge?
Even if it's not strictly "mandatory" there can be substantial pressure in conservative areas. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47095381
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#69Mandatory state ideology is very worrisome.
Nothing mandatory, so no worries
Re: FCC asks stations for "pro-America" programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance
#70Let's start with some readings of the Declaration of Independence. They promised us another American Revolution. They neglected to mention that they were planning on taking the position of King George and the redcoats.
No, they didn't neglect to mention it at all: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/16/project-2025... “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.” Almost all of history's greatest, most-destructive conspiracies were not concealed in smoke-filled rooms, they were published and advertised to great fanfare. This one included.
> Almost all of history's greatest, most-destructive conspiracies were not concealed in smoke-filled rooms, they were published and advertised to great fanfare. This one included.
I agree, and I've always found it kind of amusing. There is a conspiracy of elites that are actively trying to bring you down to enrich themselves, and they exert absurd amounts of control on the government, tax policy, and actively use their platform to move public opinion in their favor.
We call that group of elites "billionaires", and it's not really even hidden. Elon Musk was the CEO of like five companies while still heading a government "department", but for some reason Alex Jones and Paul Joseph Watson aren't going on long tirades about how utterly inappropriate that is. Instead they go on about "satanists" and "child sacrifices" and then their listeners will replace those with "Jews".