No, it just wouldn't do to ask a roomful, or a schoolful, of smirking, hormone-infested teenagers to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day. They might roll their eyes. Their thoughts might wander to something else. And don't forget the dreaded "logistical problems."

Perhaps that's laying it on a bit thick -- all but the part about the logistical problems, which in fact were cited by a Wake County school system official (relaying the concerns of some principals) as a reason why high school students should not be asked to recite the Pledge as a daily activity.

But it's hard to pin down just what the substantive objections really are to con-ducting this brief civic ritual -- objections that in any event were found to be sufficiently persuasive that a school board committee has decided not to recom-mend a daily Pledge recitation involving all students.

Perhaps, deep down, they have to do with discomfort over organized participation in a school ceremony in which God is invoked (gratuitously, some would contend). No doubt there is cause to resist efforts to impose involuntary school prayer.

It's certainly not difficult, though, to distinguish the language of the Pledge ("one nation under God, indivisible...") from that of a prayer, even if draws rather awkwardly close to the line. In any case, that objection doesn't seem to have been atop anybody's list when the committee chose not to act.

As reported by The N&O's T. Keung Hui, the Pledge is now said each day in Wake's elementary schools, and weekly in middle schools. In high schools, it is recited at large public events. Nobody actually has to say the words, as the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, but non-reciters must conduct themselves respectfully during the ceremony. That loophole seems to allow for what could be called a high level of non-engagement, so long as it isn't disruptive.

Sentiment among high school principals is divided, and plenty of them see no problem with having the Pledge said each day. But others are troubled by the logistics, presumably meaning such brain-bogglers as who would actually conduct the recitation, or when it would take place. Why not in home room each day, or wherever attendance is taken -- led either by the teacher or by a student volunteer? Whatever the arrangements, it seems as though a little common sense could keep the process manageable.

Others say they don't think that having students in that age bracket recite a few lines from memory amounts to an effective teaching tool; they'd rather focus on more social studies discussions -- of issues surrounding the war against terrorism, say -- or other learning activities that would be more suitable for teens. As if there had to be a choice.

School board chair Kathryn Watson Quigg takes a stab with this rationale: "We can recite the pledge, but it's worthless unless we understand the significance of it." She seems to suggest -- inadvertently, one hopes -- that for Wake's high schoolers, the significance is too deep to grasp. Or that nobody should be bothered to explain it.

Let's make one thing clear: People can be skeptical about whether it makes sense to have the Pledge recited in high schools without undermining in the slightest their credentials as patriots. Maybe they sincerely believe it would amount to a needless disruption. And in fact, having the recitation take place just on Monday mornings, for instance, sounds reasonable enough.

But not even considering the fact that this country now finds itself battling against a sworn enemy, there is something to be said for a short, regularly conducted ceremony within a public setting that encourages young people to think about America's ideals.

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