We did that stand-and-say-the-pledge thing every morning in elementary school; I don't think it went on into jr. high but I'm not positive since I think I've blocked out most of those years.

But, I know many people who feel if you don't recite it then you're not a good American and you're not patriotic and all that vitriol

I always wonder if people like this have heard of this amazing thing called "lying." I've said the pledge many times; I've never meant it.

These folks also tend to get very indignant when you say they've been "lucky"; they see themselves as having worked hard for everything they've gotten.

Yeah, I vividly remember a kid at camp declaring, "Well my dad works REALLY HARD" and my replying, "Harder than a ditch-digger? Ditch-diggers work hard too. So do people pulling double shifts at McDonalds. None of their kids have what you have."

He was sort of amazed. It had never occured to him poor people work hard.

We had the pledge every morning over the loud speaker all the way through school. I think I first heard the words in seventh or eighth grade and stopped saying them. In High School I'd just sit quietly. Only one person ever gave me shit and I told him, "I don't pray to pieces of cloth."

It offends me equally as a religious person and as an American.

She was big national name during the campaign and daughter of one of the biggest media and political figures of the time, it doesn't at all seem odd to me she'd be considered a celebrity.

backatcha, Amyth!!

She was big national name during the campaign and daughter of one of the biggest media and political figures of the time, it doesn't at all seem odd to me she'd be considered a celebrity.

I think that she was a name only because she got pregnant. Otherwise, she just would have been Sarah Palin's eldest daughter.

I think that she was a name only because she got pregnant.

Absolutely.

She was on that ABC Family teen pregnancy show as well.

Here is an excellent description of all the contestants: [link]

She was on that ABC Family teen pregnancy show as well.

Was the lesson, don't get pregnant unless it'll make you famous?

She's got good representation. Whomever is taking care of the Palins is a champ. Wish they'd sign me.

She was on that ABC Family teen pregnancy show as well.

This just makes me roll my eyes forever.

Teenage pregnancy happens, and I want to be clear that I'm not demonizing the girls - shit happens. If it didn't I wouldn't be here.

But it seems to be that as a society, we are glorifying the "perks" of teenage motherhood a little much these days. Forget the pregnancy - follow those girls around when they're 22 and struggle every single day to finish school/work/pay bills/care for a child/have a life/get some actual sleep. Instead of all the BS they actually show.