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School superintendents in the Kosciusko County area don't plan to change how their students recite the Pledge of Allegiance just because the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Pledge unconstitutional.
"I think it's crazy," said Wawasee schools superintendent Mark Stock of the ruling, which takes issue with the phrase "one nation under God."
"Do we go one step further," Stock said, "and say it's illegal for schoolchildren to use money for lunch because (the money) says 'In God We Trust'?"
Warsaw acting superintendent Dr. David McGuire agreed with Stock.
"I think it's ridiculous," McGuire said. "I've said the Pledge with 'under God' most of my life and I will continue to do it."
Diana Showalter, director of curriculum for Whitko Schools, said they will continue to say the Pledge unless they are directed not to.
"We live in a fairly conservative community, and I think most of the people think it's the right thing to do," she said.
Both superintendents said some parents in the past have objected to the Pledge on religious grounds. In those cases, the students affected are usually given some activity to do while the other students are reciting the Pledge.
However, the "students who don't participate are usually few and far between," Showalter said.
Most students in the county recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily, either led by classroom teachers or by the principal or other students over the intercom.
And those students will continue to recite the Pledge, with no changes, as they always have.
"These cases sometimes have a spillover effect," Stock said, "but Wawasee has no intention of overreacting. ... I do think it's interesting that this is on the tail end of the patriotic fervor in the country since 9/11."
McGuire said he thinks the Supreme Court will probably address the issue in the future, and Showalter said she thinks in time the decision may be overruled.
"We live in a free country and because of the things in the Pledge, it can remain a free country," she said.
School officials aren't the only ones who disagree with the ruling, and almost everyone has an opinion.
Two patrons of Courthouse Coffee, Warsaw, talked about the Pledge and the court's decision.
"I think it's stretching it," said Nancy Gast, Warsaw. "I'm not sure how offensive that can be to anyone. I think it's taking it too far."
Deb Carr, Warsaw, said, "I don't agree with that (ruling). I don't see anything wrong with the Pledge. What's next?"
Diners at Dig's agreed.
"I think it's ridiculous," said Terry Miller. "Right now when our country needs to keep strong we need the Pledge."
Janet Flannery, Warsaw, a waitress at Dig's, said, "Was it not an atheist father who filed it? What right does he have to say we have to believe like him?"
"It's a crying shame," said Cindy Hathaway, Warsaw.
