Getting the kids warmed up

Apparently it's not enough to have the President speak directly to the nation's K-6 kids during school hours. No, some schools have to adopt the theme of "service" for the year, and show an agenda-driven video to their assemblies.

Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies.
Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks, smiling more, and caring for the elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as "to never give anyone the finger when I'm driving again," "to sell my obnoxious car and buy a hybrid" and to
advance stem cell research cross the line, some say...

Ruzicka said she contacted local media about the video after receiving complaints from several parents. Ruzicka said she worried the video's messages would confuse children whose parents might choose to use plastic bags when shopping or who want their children to flush the toilet after every use. Also she said she didn't like a pledge "to be of service to Barack Obama" as he is here to serve Americans, not the other way around.

And to think, when I was in school all we pledged allegiance to was the flag, and to the Republic for which it stands once stood. Of course, even that was a relic of the mid-19th Century uptick in socialist nationalism ("one Nation... indivisible" being a direct slap against the concept of State powers and sovereignty). But at least it didn't veer toward a personal loyalty oath.