Should the Kirkland City Council Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? (Poll)

By on July 1, 2010 in Archived, Headlines, Opinion, Polls

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

A Kirkland City Councilmember recently raised the question, “why doesn’t the council start each meeting with the pledge of allegiance?” It seems that most of our neighboring cities’ councils stand for the pledge prior to each council meeting, yet Kirkland does not. Should it?

There are many differing views on the pledge of allegiance as it has engendered much controversy.

As the spouse of a soon-to-be newly-minted United States citizen, I find the pledge of allegiance, and the controversy surrounding the subject, of particular interest. The pledge of allegiance is more than just words. To some its words represent a solemn vow to protect and defend our country. To others, the pledge is dismissed as jingoistic, or because it contains the words under God.

Next week, my lovely wife will take her citizenship test to become an American citizen. Since Mrs. Butcher was born in Great Britain, for her to become a citizen of the United States she must first pledge her allegiance to this country.

Is allegiance to our country too much to ask?

Our children stand for the pledge in school. Our congress stands for the pledge before each session.

Should the Kirkland City Council start its meetings in the same way? What say you?

About Rob Butcher

Editor and Scribbler of Kirkland Views.
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  • http://kirklandviews.com Rob Butcher

    I almost didn't post this poll because I received quite a bit of push back from people who say Kirkland is “too progressive” to have the pledge read before council meetings or that the pledge would somehow alienate someone. I find these reasons to be interesting and they are a part of why I posted this poll. If indeed, Kirkland is “progressive,” how does standing for the pledge of allegiance conflict with what is Kirkland? Who would be alienated by the reading of the pledge of allegiance? These are questions I have. Happy Fourth of July to all!

  • http://www.jeffheinz.com/ Jeff Heinz

    Thank you Rob for posting this!
    Coincidentally, over the last few days, i have re-read, “The Declaration of Independence”, “The Gettysburg Address”, and “The Pledge of Allegiance”.
    All three of these documents have been controversial since the time they were written and spoken, yet to this day, they are all three very meaningful. Some brief excerpts that got me sitting up straighter in my seat…

    Declaration of Independence
    Congress, July 4th, 1776
    “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

    Gettysburg Address
    November 19, 1863
    “—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

    The Pledge of Allegiance
    1954 – present version
    “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

    I voted Yes to the Pledge at City Council meetings.

  • Ann

    I voted yes and cannot believe that the question even arose. Since when is love for our country and respect to our flag unacceptable by repeating our pledge of allegiance?

  • Pam

    How sad that this would even be a question. We seem so concerned about “political correctness” but in truth we cannot lose sight of the freedoms that allow us to enjoy the diversity that calls for this in the first place. Are these people truly “progressive” or simply pretentious? Their attitude seems one of dogged determination to thumb their noses… and for what? Come on, we're not the United City of Kirkland, we're proudly part of the United States of American and at the risk of NOT being “progressive” , God bless us all this 4th of July!

  • Bill Henkens

    OMG!! My head is about to explode. Too Progressive? You must be kidding me. Every one on the council has there parents to thank for the privilege of being on any elected city council. That generation died by the thousands, so we might have this discussion.
    Stand for the Pledge? Absolutely!

  • Pam

    Today I was at the Pro Club which was closing at noon to observe Independence Day. As I was walking out at 11:55, I overheard a little girl asking why they had to go. Her father remarked, “Oh because it's the weekend.” I turned around and said not all that quietly – “No sir, they are closing in observation of Independence Day and I'm sorry you don't feel compelled to tell your daughter that…” If that too is ” progressive”, I'll pass… Since when did if become politcally incorrect to be proud of our country and of our ancestors who fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy?

  • Jim Hitter

    And next we can dig back into the past and re-activate loyalty oaths. How about oaths of allegiance from those citizens who want to make comments during Council meetings?

    I appreciate the fact that Mrs. Butcher is (or will be) a newly minted citizen and so she and Rob are particularly sensitized to the meaning of the Pledge but what does this have to do with carrying on the business of the City? (Do you even have to be a US citizen to serve on the City Council?)

    I would vote for a pledge to put Kirkland's interests (rather than personal interests) first in any and all Council considerations.

  • Bill Henkens

    Jim,
    Please explain what a loyalty oath has to do with standing for the “pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. Are not the city council members of Kirkland part of the American government?
    Are you anti- American? Anti-Government? Or what?