***Update***: The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent a letter to the District saying, among other things, that kids should not need parental permission to remain seated during the Pledge.

…

During a presentation at Midland High School in Texas last week, one slide told students it was “the law” to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. That’s a lie, of course. You can remain seated without penalty.

So what the hell were they thinking?

What’s unclear from the news stories about this incident is what the assembly was about, how school officials responded to the situation, and whether they made clear to students that standing during the Pledge is optional.

A local CBS affiliated quoted one person (without a title, though she apparently works in the HR department) saying that, “if students wish not to participate, their parents can fill out a form to remove them during the pledge.” But that’s wrong, too. You don’t need your parents’ permission to remain seated.

The same article quotes district officials saying this was all a “misunderstanding in context”… but it’s hard to know how this would make sense in any context. Unless the very next slide said “I’m just kidding!”

(Thanks to Scott for the link)

