Should the pledge be said at debates?

Amen and kudos to the audience. Thank God that some Americans understand what is happening to our country and our eroding freedoms. Thank God there are still true patriots in this country. We will soon have to rise up literally and physically as the audience did in this video in order to reclaim our country. How small-minded and ignorant of the League of Women Voters showed themselves to be. How disdainful of the will of We The People. How liberal and facist in their leanings. Since when can we not say the Pledge of Allegiance in our own country at their dictatorial command? The woman speaking showed herself to be a useless human being and a useful idiot to those who oppose liberty and a free America. Shame on her/them.

Unlike some, when I say the pledge of allegiance, I'm not just reciting words. I mean it. And so did my uncles, aunts, father and mother who fought and served in World War II. By the way, they don't call themselves German-Russian-Americans, nor do I, we're Americans and proud of it. And tell me what's wrong with that? I'm tired of the political correctness cr*p, and it's about time Americans start standing up for what they believe.

Honestly, I really don't like nationalism in general. This whole idea that we must agree with our country and that we must pride ourselves in its values is nauseating. Not to mention, the whole concept of being "under God" just seems arrogant and disrespectful. It just too naive and simplistic if you ask me. As George Bernard Shaw said, "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it." Sure, you can be glad to belong to a certain culture and like the fact that you live in a democratic system, but to feel pride in that? You didn't participate in it; you just happened to be born on that chunk of land. So I really don't give a damn if people say the pledge or not. However, to feel the need to force others into it just comes across as conceited: "Look at me! Look at me! I want everyone to say the Pledge! This definitely shows I love my country and am pro-American!" It's a bit like those that feel the need to brag about how they've donated to charity. If you love your country, then that's good for you. It's not reciting a couple of memorized words that is going to change anything. Sorry, I've rambled on, but it's just one of those things that gets on my nerves.

Sure, they can say the pledge at the debates if they want to - but not in the middle of the debate. They interrupted the woman with their flag-waving patriotic display. That's just rude.

Even though the mediator said she has nothing against saying the Pledge, her tone said she does. This seems odd to me. I would have thought the League of Women Voters would have insisted on saying the Pledge.

"Should," sounds like an order. If the organizers of a debate ask the audience if they would like to say the pledge, that would be nice.

I think my favorite cartoon guys laid it out as good as it can be. Dr. Weird: "Am I invisible?" Steve: "Umm... no." Dr. Weird: "Why not!?"