THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE

'Miranda warning' for Pledge of Allegiance?

First Amendment advocates say law compels educators to inform kids of 'right to remain silent'
--Fox News

Pledge of Confusion? Schools Wrestle With Flag Policy in Classroom
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

It's a new school year, but an old fight is brewing in American classrooms. Teachers and administrators around the country are scratching their heads once again over the Pledge of Allegiance.

The courts have consistently ruled that students have the right not to recite the pledge in public schools. But now some First Amendment advocates are taking it one step further, arguing that the law compels educators to inform kids at the beginning of school that the decision is entirely up to them.

They're advocating a "Miranda warning" for the Pledge -- an administrative notice to students that they have the right to remain silent.

“The Pledge of Allegiance creates a constitutional problem. You have to tell students they can opt out,â€