As a high school student, I can definitely confirm that kids (even at voting age) do not fully understand the meaning behind the pledge. Many of them either mumble it or simply repeat words. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with the full meaning behind the pledge, doing without understanding is unjustifiable.

I dislike the presence of "indivisible" in the pledge. Makes it anti-American.

Great article. Interesting site. Thanks.

You've solidified my point actually. Your grandparents knew the hell silence can cause.

My grandmother was born in 1930 just after my great grandparents had moved from Germany. She speaks her mind, and she knows why that is important.

My parents were born in the early 30's, but definitely were of the "children should be seen, but not heard" variety. They didn't have in depth discussions for fear of arguments either.

Plus, it's a chant that kids memorize but don't understand and are not taught properly about. They are required to stand, put their hands over their hearts, and recite in unison like little socialist minions.

And this line of thinking might sound like I'm going astray but I honestly think there's a link between all of these subtleties. As I read this article I wondered, "Is this when America took a fast turn to the left?"...(40's) this would have been my parent's generation and one thing I've noticed about their generation is they avoid having in depth discussions with friends, neighbors etc about anything political, as it might start an argument, someone might get offended, it's too personal.... I think NOT talking has made subsequent generations mentally complacent about all things freedom related. And the ability to even engage in such a conversation is a skill that is next to dead these days. We've shushed ourselves to death. :( But the little ones still "pledge their allegiance". To what.??

I always thought the "under God" sounded shoehorned into the Pledge. It's not just b/c I'm atheist. It's just the insertion of the the words changes the meaning and sounds like an afterthought to be sure God got in there somewhere.

I have never been a fan of the pledge of allegiance, but now even moreso because we no longer have a republic, we are no longer one nation, we are divided, we have liberty for none, and justice only for those of opposite politics to my own.

Kindle!!!

Whoa. Very interesting! I wondered when in our "hstory" it first came into use. ;-)