Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance

Apparently some members of the press corps are choosing not to say the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of those present in the Idaho House. The letter from Speaker Denney to the dean of the press corps says:

"Today we had media people on the Floor of the House during the Pledge of Allegiance. It was noted by several members of the Body and myself that they did not verbally participate in the Pledge.
"Please inform members of the press that if they choose not to participate in the Pledge they have ample time following the Pledge and before the 11th order to join us on the Floor."

My reactions are:

1. Perhaps the non-Pledgers aren't citizens of the U.S. (Not likely, but it is possible.)

2. Perhaps the non-Pledgers are showing us how they really feel about the U.S.

3. Perhaps the non-Pledgers regard the Pledge as a meaningless piece of symbolism.

If the answer is #2, I prefer the honesty of media people telling us where their loyalty isn't. If the answer is #3, they won't mind abiding by Speaker Denney's request, because it is just a meaningless piece of symbolism, right?

I am proud to say the Pledge of Allegiance (in spite of its socialist origins), but it is symbolism. It is part of the late 19th century and early 20th century's peculiar blending of jingoism and ritual into a pseudo-religious patriotism. Our elaborate procedures for how to display the American flag, and how to dispose of flags when no longer serviceable, are peculiarly ritualistic, with the flag treated rather like a religious icon.

I follow these rules because I do not want to offend others, and because there is an enormous amount about our nation that deserves respect--and therefore our flag and the ritual patriotism is also deserving of respect. But we should never forget that the symbols are not the nation, anymore than the map of Idaho is Idaho.