Does your country have a "pledge of allegiance"?

[Ryanamur]

Canada does have a pledge of alliegeance... to the Queen of Canada {read England). However, that practice is totally "OUT". To my knowledge, only members of parliament, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Military still say the pledge.... I almost forgot that immigrants also have to say a pledge. But I think that one is to Canada, not to the Queen.

I personnally think that a national pledge (not a pledge to a foreign monarch) is a good thing. If anything, it strenghtens national pride. However, one must be carefull that national pride doesn't become national arrogance.

[DJG]

Originally posted by Ryanamur: one must be carefull that national pride doesn't become national arrogance.

Nice point Ryanamur! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by Donut: In theory Ronn. Just try to make a point by not saying it when everyone else is. [img]smile.gif[/img]

That's not the point I want to make though.

Really, it's not just voluntary in theory. It is voluntary in everyday practice as well. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I know some people think I'm a rabid Republican, while others think I'm a rabid American, and some even think I'm just rabid, but the truth is, I've skipped the pledge on more than one public occasion, especially when I was younger and cared nothing for what it meant. No one is forced to do it, it is voluntary, completely voluntary, and the people who don't do it are not stoned or even spit upon by normal Americans. Don't believe the hype.

Can a news story be found were some lunatics acted out against someone who didn't participate in the pledge? Of course, but is that the norm? Absolutely not. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 06-10-2003, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

[Leonis]

Australia probably has something similar to Canada's pledge to the Queen, but I've never heard of one. We have two verses to our anthem but many Aussies struggle to get through the one verse that is usually sung.

But come any sporting event where there's even a whiff of an Aussie, and I reckon we'd give Americans a run for their money in the national pride stakes...

[frudi_x]

well, we (specially the young) used to get pumped full of political and patriotic sh** in the 'old days' in the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia; singing patriotic songs at celebrations and commemorations, national holidays, special occasions, taking vows, honoring the 'beloved' (dead) leader... blah blah blah, just a load of crap. luckily those days are now in the past and i doubt public opinion would allow any such habits to be reinstated any time soon [img]smile.gif[/img] . obviously though, my personal opinion on such matters is rather negative, also because i'm not much into nationalism and patriotism anyway.

[Bardan the Slayer]

We tend to steer clear of institutionalised brainwashing in the UK

[Spelca]

Originally posted by frudi_x: well, we (specially the young) used to get pumped full of political and patriotic sh** in the 'old days' in the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia; singing patriotic songs at celebrations and commemorations, national holidays, special occasions, taking vows, honoring the 'beloved' (dead) leader... blah blah blah, just a load of crap. luckily those days are now in the past and i doubt public opinion would allow any such habits to be reinstated any time soon [img]smile.gif[/img] . obviously though, my personal opinion on such matters is rather negative, also because i'm not much into nationalism and patriotism anyway.

I was too young then so I really don't remember much of that. I was in the last generation of "pionircki", so there were only a couple of instances of that. But, yea, from what I *do* remember, all of that was way too much. I mean, these people were like gods to us - don't you dare say anything against them, because if you do you're a traitor! So I guess that's also why I wouldn't like to have the whole pledging thing... I'm just afraid it would lead to something like that again... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Sir Taliesin]

We don't really have to worry about stuff like that in the US though. Since we have elections every 4 year, no one group ever has power for very long. There is always a dis-affected group as well. When Bill "got a cigar think I'll stick it here" Clinton was in power, all the Republicans were rabid dogs who couldn't wait to get rid of him. Now that Dubya is the head cheese the Democrats are foaming at the mouth. So we go back and forth. Don't like the present system wait 4 to 12 years and the other group will be in power and the country will swing the other way. To me that's the real checks and balances in our government.

Most Americans don't think of the government, one party or a person when they say the Pledge of Allegience, but of the Country. I think that's the difference between what you all experienced in Yugoslavia (did I spell that right?) or anywhere else and the US.

[WillowIX]

Originally posted by Ryanamur: Canada does have a pledge of alliegeance... to the Queen of Canada {read England). However, that practice is totally "OUT". To my knowledge, only members of parliament, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Military still say the pledge.... I almost forgot that immigrants also have to say a pledge. But I think that one is to Canada, not to the Queen.

I thought they gave that up years ago. Apparently not then. As Ryanamur stated we don't pledge our allegiance to anything besides our favorite hockey team up here. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]

Since I still don't understand the American fascination with a piece of cloth I have no understanding of the pledge of allegiance as well. Why not pledge to the country instead? Of course I guess that is implied huh.

[Djinn Raffo]

Originally posted by WillowIX: I thought they gave that up years ago. Apparently not then. As Ryanamur stated we don't pledge our allegiance to anything besides our favorite hockey team up here. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]

I pledge allegience to the Vancouver Canucks, and to the dream of the Stanley Cup for which they stand, one hockey team, indivisiable, with goals and assists for all.