Originally Posted by: earthman buckYou're absolutely right, I am free to not stand. If I don't stand, however, I will be punished, most likely in a way that affects me for much longer than the period of time I did not stand for. And I cannot escape this school-sanctioned punishment, for I am forced to go. Free country indeed.
The school can legally punish you? Have you tried not standing to find out whether or not they will? Or are you just assuming?