School must have say over students

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, November 19, 2006

As a refresher, the Pledge of Allegiance states: “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.”

Until recently, the pledge was part of each meeting of student leaders at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif., but no longer, since it was voted out, but not without strong, futile resistance. Strangely, the decision was supported by the Orange Coast College student trustees. A college spokesperson said the decision was up to the students: “They run their own show, so to speak.” Heaven help us, the students can offer constructive changes to policies and procedures, but it must be incumbent on the administration to evaluate and decide.

I can’t help but wonder what is offensive in the pledge. Could it be the flag, God, or America itself? Now, if in fact, the students get to run their own show, just watch the games begin -ending in chaos. Oh yes, we taxpayers subsidize these institutions and should hold administrators accountable.

RAY DORBOLO

Everett