READERS RESPOND

I am outraged that apparently Orange Coast College’s administration and the college district’s board of trustees have said nothing about the student government board’s voting to remove the Pledge of Allegiance from its meetings.

The easy thing to do is for the school’s taxpayer-paid leaders to remain silent and to allow these students, who are receiving an education predominately funded by the taxpayers, to show what appears to be a disloyal attitude toward our country.

This decision smacks of not wanting to make some people uncomfortable, the minority, at the expense of the majority.

LU MATOS

Balboa Peninsula Point

It is wonderful that we live in a country that allows students to be in a learning environment to work on their skills. Also, it is a great privilege to have the media help in the education process for the community.

Leadership is a hard skill to learn especially when it involves changes.

The Orange Coast College student leaders are beginning to learn what’s involved in being a leader.

Suggestion: If you are uneasy about something in your life, work it out with people who care and are involved before making a change. This gives people value when you include them and helps ease the change because you have built support through consensus. Who knows? Through this process you might not have to change anything but yourself.

The statement in the Pilot article about “If it’s the majority of students …” demonstrates that the leaders made a change that affected the school and community without knowing or valuing their people. This can be a good learning opportunity for all involved.

T. L. MONTGOMERY

Costa Mesa

Student body leaders refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a school where their free education is subsidized by my tax dollars should be kicked out of school. Period. Their behavior is absolutely unconscionable.

CHRISTINE COOK

Newport Beach

I think it sets a poor precedent, and I think those liberal students ought to learn to grow up and accept the norm. This is still a great country, and they’re not helping to make it.

ROBERT BERG

Balboa

I believe the Pledge of Allegiance must be in the schools. If the children don’t like the Pledge of Allegiance in the schools perhaps they should study in another country and try to change that country’s policies, beliefs and history.

SUZANNE CEAVATTA

Newport Coast

I couldn’t agree with the students at Orange Coast College more about stopping the Pledge of Allegiance. I have said it in the last few years as “one nation under siege with liberty and justice for some.”

LYNN MERLES

Costa Mesa

My message to the students at Orange Coast College who have stopped reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is this: Shame on you. And shame on your parents for not enforcing what a privilege it is to live in America and to be born in a free country.

I applaud the ones who stood up for their rights and brought in the flag as they have learned respect for everyone. Thank you very much.

JOANNE FRAKE

Cosa Mesa