Once a friend and I got called to fill in for the announcements and had an on-air argument about who would do the pledge because neither of us wanted to read it. We were not invited back.

High school in Arizona, post 9/11 - yes, they broadcast on the school wide morning announcements daily and buy-in was pretty universal. As a non-US citizen I didn't stand and didn't say it and that was usually fine but it depended on the teacher.

I'm not a superstition person but if I were into augury I would not be reassured.

Next there's a sudden fierce hailstorm, which I hear coming in a roar before it arrives, and lots of very close lightning strikes.