The recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at the commencement of gatherings, including at the Vermont Legislature, is a ritual without merit.
The Pledge is to a flag, not to the principles upon which our state and nation are grounded. What is needed instead is a fervent commitment to those principles, evidenced not by a recitation of words, but by daily conduct.
It is sad that Sen. Becca White has had to justify her choice to not join in unison recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by citing her religious beliefs in an attempt to rebuff attacks against her because of this choice. Having taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, all Vermont lawmakers should be defending Sen. White’s choice.
The failure of her colleagues to do so is evidence that their recitation of the Pledge is hollow, at best.
Sasha Thayer
Plainfield
