On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate took a bold step toward making the Keystone State safe… On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate took a bold step toward making the Keystone State safe from the dangers of independent thought. By an unanimous vote, the Senate approved a bill that will require all public and private school students to say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the National Anthem each morning before classes start.

This measure is long overdue, and it paves the way for badly needed “Students must carry guns” legislation. Furthermore, it may be the deciding factor that keeps Pennsylvania’s children on the right path – and off the road to truancy and terrorism.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Allan C. Egolf, R-Cumberland, also requires schools to keep an American flag in every classroom. Students – under the watchful, hawk-like eyes of their teachers – are required to pledge their allegiance on a daily basis. If any child chooses to refrain from pledging because of personal conviction or religious belief – obvious veils for harsh anti-American sentiment – the administration is obligated to call the child’s parents – and so they should.

Certainly this bill will draw its fair share of criticism. No sooner will it be passed by the House than the bleeding hearts will start crawling out of the woodwork, rambling on and on about how it is wrong to force children to take part in an act that is beyond their comprehension under penalty of a much-dreaded call to the parents. But any such opposition is ludicrous. Undoubtedly, little Johnny Smith will be happy to learn the pledge is mandatory and he is obligated to pledge his support – unless, of course, little Johnny has something to hide.

Most people would be shocked to learn that until this point, some schools did not require students to take part in the pledge. At those institutions, it was a choice that students were trusted to make for themselves after consulting their own hearts, minds and values. After proposing his revolutionary bill, Rep. Egolf elaborated on the silliness of letting students make their own choice.

“It’s getting away from teaching about what our country stands for,” he said, “what our founders did, and why we have the country we have.”

Damn straight, Allan.

If little Johnny Smith wants to talk to Teacher about his personal convictions, he deserves to have his name on a list and his butt in an interrogation chair. Put him under the lights for a while and find out where that little bastard’s loyalties lie.

This is a free country with a legacy of freedom, and the children of that country must be free to be required to pledge their allegiance. It’s time to get back to teaching about what this country stands for.