"one nation, indivisible" -- which meant a lot more in 1892 (with the shadow of the Civil War still present) than it does now.

I dunno - is Texas still threatening to secede because they're the Real Americans or something?

Everything I would have to say on pledge has been said.

Shir, your question on BDS: a book or movie not being sold in territories does affect royalties. Also in general the cultural part of the boycott is much more about moral pressure than economic. I think Israel is (in monetary terms) a larger customer for arts and literature and music than exporter. Probably a net exporter of technology though. (I know the former, the latter is a guess.) Weapons: Israel is a big exporter and importer, so not sure of net.

BDS globally really is costing Israel a little money. But in U.S. there is an important domestic component. For a long time any criticism of Israel no matter how mild was labeled anti-semitic and punished politically. J-Street as a 'respectable' Jewish U.S. peace group has helped as part of it. But it also sets up this weird paradox where there is more latitude for Jews than non-Jews to criticize Israel. BDS by setting up a movement where a large movement that includes a lot of non-Jews, than is not led by Jewish people takes action against the occupation and ends up not being punished for it moves the window of discourse to the point where Israel can be talked about in the U.S. just like any other country. Which is why we have things like the Israeli consulate involved in trying to get the local Olympia co-op to repeal its participation in BSD.

I'm sure they mean WIDOWS with children who would have stayed rich if their husbands hadn't tragically died, right? Because single mothers are obviously bad, and divorcees aren't much better. Clearly.

That was exactly it. Someone who has 4 kids (cheating the system!) vs someone "who's husband died or something" (totally deserves welfare!) I mean, a respectable widow wouldn't have 4 kids - that's a totally slutty number of kids to have!

I'm sure they mean WIDOWS with children who would have stayed rich if their husbands hadn't tragically died, right?

And of course then they got hit with the Death Tax.

I mean, a respectable widow wouldn't have 4 kids - that's a totally slutty number of kids to have!

Obviously.

4 kids - that's a totally slutty number of kids to have!

Hey! I'm totally slutty! Where are my 3 other kids??

Hey! I'm totally slutty! Where are my 3 other kids??

You're obviously not lazy enough. You fail at cheating welfare.

But that's what bugs me, Jesse. If I'm pledging allegiance, it's the the country and its ideals. The flag is just a symbol of that. So specifically saying one is pledging allegiance to the flag is a little weird to me.

Shir, your question on BDS

Interesting points, Typo, but I'm not sure it's understood here the same way as you see it. There's a difference between boycotting the occupied territories and boycotting Israel. These artists and lecturers aren't boycotting Israel and don't necessarily advocating it.

Hey society!! Want to decrease the number of teenage mothers? Allow birth control to be taught in public schools and STOP GLORIFYING TEENAGE PREGNANCY!

I just needed to see it again.

ION. There's nothing that can make me angry as watching the news for more than two minutes.

Hey! I'm totally slutty! Where are my 3 other kids??

You're obviously not lazy enough. You fail at cheating welfare.

GREAT! ONE MORE THING I FAIL AT. FUCK.