Regarding school districts and individual teachers that punish and even assault students who do not stand during the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem, a reading of West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette is in order. That decision, way back in 1943, established that no American can be required to participate in a patriotic or religious ritual. We might all take heed of that if we had a president who reminded the citizenry of their right to refuse instead of inciting retaliation.
ROBERT S. PINGREE
Concord