Reply #127: there's a difference between persuading and demanding [View All]

I see where you are coming from, and I think its my fault for not being clearer; while I can see that this bothers you and I am telling you to do it anyways, its appears I am saying that so that you appear as a good person.

1)I don't really care if you do appear patriotic, just as I expect you not to care when you tweak someone's nose that they don't like or respect you. People aren't going to like you for your beliefs, no matter how right you feel you are, that's just part of growing up. But I am asking you for something, the one popularity contest that matters;voting. We have been assumed to be an Athiest party, which is fine, but we are also associated with being anti and intolerent of the religious. I would say we agree that this stance is crossing the line between seperation of church & state to oppression.

I view this pouting during the pledge to be the same PR disaster. Now we could have another misunderstanding, if you are saying that you are not refusing the pledge, just agreeing with those who do in principle then I understand. Its just the act itself that I was argueing against, not the opposition to the wording. If you want to change it though, don't go the 5 year old route though, you won't be scoring any points, use reason.

If you are holding your breath to turn blue until somebody agrees with you, I'd recommend the saying "don't hold your breath"