I read the article about the three South Portland High School students several times (“Freedom of speech, backlash of anger over four words at South Portland High School,” Feb. 24). They have taken up a cause to enforce a Maine law not requiring the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

At first, I was dismayed by their stand. After thinking about them, I realized they are young, idealistic and lacking in life experience. Our country affords its citizens the right to free speech, the right to think however they want to think, and the right to take up causes that many others oppose, so they are within their rights.

These students were identified as “top” students, leaders among their peers. I only hope their educators discuss with them the horrors going on in the “unfree” world: 89 young boys kidnapped to be used as soldiers in South Sudan, 21 Coptic Christians beheaded on a beach in Egypt and Nigerian children as young as 8 being used as suicide bombers.

It seems reciting a pledge of allegiance to a country that provides so much freedom to both its citizens and to those who come here from other countries is a small price to pay. Their cause appears injudicious.

Patricia Adams

Scarborough