Free Republic

SURVEY Do you agree with Edgerton High School's decision to allow the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish? Yes, I agree with the decision. No, the policy should be changed. I'm not sure. I don't care. Other.

"At the mere mention of doing the pledge there were groans and boos. Then, when the district chair put the idea of doing the Pledge of Allegiance up to a vote, it was overwhelmingly voted down. One might more accurately say the idea of pledging allegiance to the flag (of which there was only one in the room, by the way, on some delegate’s hat) was shouted down."

They All Pledge Allegiance, For The School By JOE ELIAS   From left, Andrew Weit, Alex Beitzer and Jared Heisey of the AV Club at Susquenita High School producing a program on the school's closed-circuit TV network. The students recently recruited well-known locals to be filmed reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photo by John C. Whitehead)     DUNCANNON, Pa. — Michael Bruetsch has stopped being surprised every time the word "indivisible" is botched while someone recites the Pledge of Allegiance.Add a video camera, and he almost expects it to happen."If people are going to make a mistake, that's where...

Kim Jong-il in Baffling China Pledge North Korean leader Kim Jong-il caused some head-scratching when he unexpectedly pledged not to break faith with China in a meeting with a high-ranking Chinese official. Kim met Chinese President Hu Jintao’s special envoy Wang Jiarui, the head of the international department at the Central Committee of China’s Communist Party, in Pyongyang on Wednesday. According to China’s Xinhua news agency, Kim said his country “will not betray and break faith with China.” He told the Chinese special envoy that friendship between North Korean and China is a precious asset left by the two countries’...

The New Hampshire Union-Leader has a new term for Granite State voters who gave Hillary Clinton her surprise victory over Barack Obama: suckers. In a scalding editorial, the state's most significant newspaper rips Hillary for breaking a pledge she signed in New Hampshire not to campaign in states that broke the scheduling rules or to seek to have their delegates seated. They bluntly call her a liar: COURTING VOTERS in Iowa and New Hampshire, last August Sen. Hillary Clinton signed a pledge not to "campaign or participate" in the Michigan or Florida Democratic primaries. She participated in both primaries and...

I wrote this pledge about 7 or 8 months ago, and have made it into a video and posted it in a forum for people to sign. It's no Evil Empire Speech, but it solidly embodies what I believe. And what I hope my generation believes(though with our reaction to Obama I have my doubts). Watch the video here:Pledge of a Generation video Sign the pledge here if you wish:Sign the pledge

Mike Huckabee just left the university where I work. He gave a standard stump speech, which seems to be going farther to the right. (Thank you Jim Pinkerton!) However, after the speech Huckabee had a press conference on campus and made some significant news. He signed a "No Amnesty Pledge" from NumbersUSA.

As I watched the speeches of the victors in the Iowa caucuses, I was stunned at how vague the comments of the candidates were. "Unity." "Change." "Hope." "Faith." What do these words mean besides evoking vague memories of films of Der Fuhrer screaming "Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Fuhrer" to wild masses at Nuremberg? Mostly nothing, I suspect. So, from my safe little office in Rancho Mirage, California, I will start to offer some specifics of what government can do to redeem these vague phrases. A pledge that if the candidate is President, he will: Not allow there to be...

From the RPV website: The Republican Party of Virginia State Central Committee yesterday evening passed a motion requesting the Virginia State Board of Elections withdraw the “statement of intent” requirement before participating in the 2008 Republican presidential primary contest. While the committee did request the Virginia State Board of Elections to withdraw the requirement to sign a statement of intent for the 2008 primary, State Central re-emphasized their commitment to closed primaries by passing a resolution supporting party registration in Virginia. “The State Central Committee was very clear about including all Virginia registered voters that share our values and believe...

<p>BOULDER, Colo. — About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."</p> <p>The students say the phrase violates the constitutional separation of church and state.</p>

Waving signs and American flags, Boulder High School students this morning will stage the first of what could become many Pledge of Allegiance protests in the school courtyard. Members of the activist Student Worker club are inviting their peers to leave class every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. — when the pledge is recited over the intercom — and meet in the courtyard to say a revised version of the pledge that doesn't reference God. Club President Emma Martens, a Boulder High senior who's leading the protest, wrote this new version: "I pledge allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights...

In the two decades since Americans for Tax Reform began asking candidates to sign a pledge not to raise taxes, no Republican has been nominated for president without doing so. That track record might end in 2008. While all of the top four contenders are talking about the need for low taxes, only former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has signed on the dotted line. The other candidates may feel they have enough stature to avoid signing the pledge. But two things are different about this election that might play into their decision. With the first baby boomers set to retire...

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine - President Bush, using all the trappings of his family's oceanfront estate, worked on a cozier relationship with France and its new president Saturday. Bush welcomed Nicolas Sarkozy, the French leader known for his fast-paced style who may also be this White House's last true chance for better relations between the two nations. "He's bringing a good brain, good vision and goodwill," Bush said from his parents' compound, which juts out like a finger pointing into the Atlantic Ocean. Bush called Sarkozy a friend who could be counted on to speak frankly. "We have had good disagreements —...

Bainbridge Council Still Unpledged to Saying the Pledge By Rachel Pritchett rpritchett@kitsapsun.com BAINBRIDGE ISLAND After being handed a decision on whether the Bainbridge Island City Council would precede meetings by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, the council exercised a bit of freedom — and sent the decision back to Mayor Darlene Kordonowy. Not that the issue is settled just yet. The mayor, in face of e-mail criticism that followed her order to council members to make the call, said she will make a statement at a Wednesday meeting in response. Kordonowy said she'll announce that if the members want...

Please note that Romney, Brownback, and Hunter are not even on this list from last year. Romney only signed after he heard the call of poltical expediency.

Some 500 people from five dozen countries pledged allegiance to the United States and became citizens Wednesday in ceremonies in St. Paul. They'll be joined by thousands of others in Minnesota this year. n Meanwhile, state DFL legislators began pushing a package of bills to make life easier for immigrants. n "This is a good-justice thing," Rep. Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, said Wednesday. "It's an American-dream thing." n The proposals call for: • A TAX BREAK: Tax credits for naturalization fees — the money people pay to become citizens — which increase from $400 to $600 this summer. • A...

"What Does The Enemy Think?" Posted by Hugh Hewitt | 8:20 AM My conversation with House Republican Leader John Boehner is posted here. The audio is here. The interview triggered a flood of angry e-mail as the impression grows that Republican leaders are not only not supporting the war, but pretending to do so even as they offer resolutions in both chambers that can only be seen as votes of no confidence in President Bush, Secretary of Defense Gates, General Petraeus and the troops. One exchange with Congressman Boehner: HH: What do you think the enemy thinks about your benchmark...

Hugh Hewitt, a blogger over at Townhall.com, has started a blogospheric campaign against any Republican Senator who votes against President Bush's escalation. As he writes: If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. The NRSC pledge, so...

Take the Pledge. After you have taken the pledge, please call Senator McConnell's office and urge a filibuster of Senator Biden's and Senator Warner's resolutions. Senator McConnell's office number is (202) 224-2541. The capitol switchboard is 202-225-3121. Senator McConnell's e-mail is here. Yesterday General Petraeus testified that the Biden/Warner resolutions and those like them encourage the enemy. What does it mean, "to encourage the enemy?" It means that the enemy gathers will and strength from the prospect of a collapsing political will to seek victory in Iraq and stability in the region. With that additional strength and will the enemy...

PHOENIX -- A Mesa City Council member refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance before a meeting to protest American involvement in what he calls an Iraqi civil war. "If you're not willing to stand up for what you believe, you don't belong in politics," Tom Rawles said. Rawles told Mayor Keno Hawker of his intention before Monday's meeting but surprised the other five council members with an announcement during a study session before the meeting. "Although I love my country and respect our flag, this is my way of protesting America's continuing involvement in the civil war in Iraq,"...

Public education controversies are more common than 100-degree days in the Arizona desert, due to school districts, state departments of education, and now the U.S. Department of Education issuing one-size-fits-all diktats on curriculum and the values that should be taught in public schools. In my home state of Arizona , the latest controversy is over how many years of math should be mandatory in high schools. Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano wants four years instead of the current two, and Republican State Superintendent of Education Tom Horne wants to keep the requirement at two, saying that increasing the years will result...

I, _________________________________, upon signing this document, do hereby swear and affirm under penalty of forfeiture of office and wages, that I shall: 1.) Make no public statement which demeans, denigrates, or defames any active member, unit, or branch of the U.S. armed services, or the military as a whole, except in cases where an individual soldier or group of soldiers has been tried and convicted of committing a criminal offense or offenses.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Student leaders at a California college have touched off a furor by banning the Pledge of Allegiance at their meetings, saying they see no reason to publicly swear loyalty to God and the U.S. government. The move by Orange Coast College student trustees, the latest clash over patriotism and religion in American schools, has infuriated some of their classmates -- prompting one young woman to loudly recite the pledge in front of the board on Wednesday night in defiance of the rule. "America is the one thing I'm passionate about and I can't let them take...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Student leaders at a California college have touched off a furor by banning the Pledge of Allegiance at their meetings, saying they see no reason to publicly swear loyalty to God and the U.S. government. The move by Orange Coast College student trustees, the latest clash over patriotism and religion in American schools, has infuriated some of their classmates -- prompting one young woman to loudly recite the pledge in front of the board on Wednesday night in defiance of the rule. "America is the one thing I'm passionate about and I can't let them take...

I need some help from those of you in pajamas. My husband and I heard on the Roger Hedgecock show the other day that the well-known litigious atheist Michael Newdow has died. Neither of us can find anything on this in any main-stream media outlet and are starting to suspect either another suspicious lack of reporting, or that both of us suffered simultaneous auditory hallucinations. Has anyone encountered any information on this? We are also contacting the show to follow up, but have not yet received a response. This may not be big news, but down here in San Diego...

CONTACT: Will Fine 202-393-1185 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2006 PLEDGE CALLS ON LAWMAKERS TO OPPOSE PRIVILEDGED WAGE SCALES FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS

The Pledge I’d Like to See Every Political Candidate Take I, ________________________________________, upon signing this document, do hereby swear and affirm under penalty of forfeiture of office and wages, that I shall: 1.) Make no public statement which demeans, denigrates, or defames any active member, unit, or branch of the U.S. armed services, or the military as a whole, except in cases where an individual soldier or group of soldiers has been tried and convicted of committing a criminal offense or offenses.

North Korea 'makes weapon pledge' The US has been monitoring activity at North Korean nuclear sites North Korea has said it plans to increase the amount of plutonium it extracts for use in nuclear weapons, according to a US scholar. Selig Harrison said North Korean officials had told him they would unload nuclear fuel rods from the Yongbyon reactor by the year's end. Mr Harrison said Pyongyang wants "to use Yongbyon as leverage" to get bilateral talks with the US. The US insists the nuclear issue can only be addressed in six-party talks. Pyongyang walked out of multilateral negotiations with...

Did anyone see tonights Hannity & Colmes show about this? I had the sound down, listening to the radio, and only saw the subject line of that segment. Did anyone caught what Texas city this was about?

Bainbridge Island, WA More people on the island are entering the debate about whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited at City Council meetings — something that hasn’t been done until recently. The local chamber of commerce, fearing widespread media attention, has sent out an e-mail urging city and chamber leaders to back Old Glory. And Council member Jim Llewellyn, who personally opposes the practice introduced by Councilman Bill Knobloch, doesn’t appear to be backing down. Last week, Llewellyn polled his colleagues via e-mail about whether the Pledge has a place at City Council meetings. He and at least...

On Bainbridge, Reciting Pledge Makes Some Edgy City council finds itself divided and digging in on both sides of the dispute.More people on the island are entering the debate about whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited at City Council meetings -- something that hasn't been done until recently. The local chamber of commerce, fearing widespread media attention, has sent out an e-mail urging city and chamber leaders to back Old Glory. And Council member Jim Llewellyn, who personally opposes the practice introduced by Councilman Bill Knobloch, doesn't appear to be backing down. Last week, Llewellyn polled his colleagues...

Israel rejects Syria's arms embargo pledge By Patrick Bishop in Beirut and Tim Butcher in Jerusalem (Filed: 02/09/2006) Israel last night rejected Syria's pledge to Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, that it would prevent weapons being smuggled to Hizbollah across its border with Lebanon. Syrian soldiers on parade at Riyyak airbase President Bashar al-Assad of Syria told Mr Annan during talks in Damascus that he was prepared to deploy his military forces along the Lebanese border to enforce the arms embargo on Hizbollah demanded by security council resolution 1701. Mr Assad has previously warned that Damascus would take...

Listen While You FReep! LIVE Programs every day and each one playing for 24 hours, on weekends or download via iTunes to your computer or mobile device! Listen when it’s convenient for YOU! Call In Number - 866-884-TALK (8255) Heating the EDGE of a New Media! 1pm est- The Right Hour Description: Republican Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado, now in his fourth term, has long been a strong voice in opposition to illegal immigration. He also has ideas for reforming the entire immigration system that are controversial and distinctly conservative. Tancredo is probably the best-known voice in the House on...

WASHINGTON — The House, citing the nation's religious origins, voted Wednesday to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from federal judges who might try to stop schoolchildren and others from reciting it because of the phrase "under God." The legislation, a priority of social conservatives, passed 260-167. It now goes to the Senate where its future is uncertain. "We should not and cannot rewrite history to ignore our spiritual heritage," said Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. "It surrounds us. It cries out for our country to honor God."

WASHINGTON - House debate on a bill to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from legal challenges because of the "under God" phrase erupted in heated rhetoric Wednesday with lawmakers from both parties using religious references to support their side. "We are making an all-out assault on the Constitution of the United States which, thank God, will fail," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in opposition to the bill barring most federal courts from ruling on the pledge. The pledge protection act, expected to pass over mainly Democratic opposition, is part of the House GOP's "American values agenda" that House Speaker Dennis...

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was almost a thing just for children to do at the beginning of the school day for the 50 years prior to June 22, 1942, when Congress approved the pledge as part of the U.S. Flag Code (Title 36). A year later the Supreme Court ruled no child could be forced to recite the Pledge. But it was on Flag Day, June 14, 1954,...

Has YOUR Congressman signed the "Border Security FIRST" Pledge, to oppose ANY "immigration bill" that includes ANY "guest worker" or "path to citizenship" amnesty provisions? Doesn't he or she NEED to... NOW? Download the pledge: http://www.rightmarch.com/media/pledge.pdf Until the federal government is willing to enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books, Americans will be highly skeptical of any additional promises to enforce a new and deeply flawed approach -- and rightly so. If recent history is an accurate guide, so-called "guest worker" proposals will only encourage new tidal waves of illegal aliens -- and make America's uncontrolled and...

US Senate (Oath or Affirmation) (Same Rule III Oaths The oaths or affirmations required by the Constitution and prescribed by law shall be taken and subscribed by each Senator, in open Senate, before entering upon his duties.) Oath Required By The Constitution And By Law To Be Taken By Senators: "I, A__ B__, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of...

Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America Oath: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; -- that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; -- that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; -- that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; --...

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; or that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when...

Why the Pledge of Allegiance Matters--Speech by Tom McClintock There is a reason behind the movement to strike the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance--and from our national customs, and our currency, and our public ceremonies. It has very little to do with atheism. It has a great deal to do with authoritarianism. The philosophy of the American Founding is unique among the nations of the world because of a bedrock principle that was given expression with words in the Declaration of Independence that are old and familiar, and yet not often pondered these days. In the American...

A flap over reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in court has resulted in a Gwinnett County judge's recusing himself from a case. Late last year, Magistrate Judge Mark A. Lewis was assigned to preside over a civil contempt case in Gwinnett Superior Court. Judge Mark A. Lewis has recited the pledge before every court session since the attacks of Sept. 11. As he does each time he begins court proceedings, Lewis turns to the flag behind his bench and recites the pledge. He invites those in the courtroom to stand and join in but does not require it. He began...

Here is an excellent video of the Pledge of Allegiance as recited by Red Skelton. It's on YouTube and I hope you'll enjoy it. http://youtube.com/watch?v=a6Kt_D4MegM

WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats promise to "eliminate" Osama bin Laden and ensure a "responsible redeployment of U.S. forces" from Iraq in 2006 in an election-year national security policy statement. In the position paper to be announced Wednesday, Democrats say they will double the number of special forces and add more spies, which they suggest will increase the chances of finding al-Qaida's elusive leader. They do not set a deadline for when all of the 132,000 American troops now in Iraq should be withdrawn. "We're uniting behind a national security agenda that is tough and smart and will provide the real...

Karzai 'gives pledge' to save Christian convert from execution By Isambard Wilkinson in Islamabad (Filed: 25/03/2006) President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan is reported to have given assurances that an Afghan convert to Christianity will not face the death sentence for apostasy. Mr Karzai is under growing pressure from his western allies to resolve the case of Abdul Rahman. Abdul Rahman converted to Christianity Mr Rahman was arrested last week for converting to Christianity from Islam 16 years ago and could face the death penalty if he refuses to become a Muslim again. The case prompted expressions of concern from President...

SENECA FALLS NY--Former Seneca County lawmaker Richard Ricci said Thursday "that's a bunch of baloney" to criticism that he was grandstanding when he led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at a public hearing Wednesday night. At the close of his prepared remarks, Ricci called on the crowd of about 300 at the New York Chiropractic College to stand with him and recite the pledge. Many in the crowd stood on cue, but a scattering of people didn't. They included Clint Halftown, the New York Cayuga Indians' federally recognized representative, and Syracuse lawyer Daniel French, a former U.S. Attorney...

The controversy over the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance overshadows an old, long-forgotten issue regarding the Pledge. When it was first published in 1892, the Pledge did not contain the words “under God.” Congress added these words in 1954 as a Cold War response to atheistic communism. Nevertheless, many Americans originally viewed the Pledge with suspicion. Why? Because of the then-foreign concept of pledging allegiance to one nation. To Americans of the late 19th century, “allegiance” was a feudal concept denoting subservience to a master. Americans considered themselves sovereigns, not subjects. They feared that the natural supremacy...

Two words brought 200 people to a Knights of Columbus hall in Milford on Saturday. The words, "under God," as contained in the Pledge of Allegiance, attracted flag wavers and protesters to a rally outside the Bridgeport Avenue building. Those in favor in keeping "under God" in the pledge said it was more than a battle over words. "Under God is what we all fought for in Vietnam," said Al Beck of West Haven, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He and other veterans attended the rally, organized by Tinto Knights of Columbus Council No. 47, to support...

MIM: The New Horizons School of Pasadena California has just been awarded a Blue Ribbon for Excellence from the United States Department of Education. Had the USDE done their own homework,(in the form of a cursory Google search) they would have seen that New Horizons is funded by the Wahhabist Islamic Society of North America whose goal is to turn the US into a United States of Allah. The first link on the Islamic School of Pasadena's website, to the Bureau for Islamic and Arabic Education in Los Angeles amply attests to their Islamist educational goals.The BIAE provides the textbooks...

Residents will get a chance to make their views known about the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance during a demonstration and counter-demonstration in Milford Nov. 5. The two demonstrations will offer residents a perfect opportunity to hear both sides of this controversy. The Pledge of Allegiance has been under attack because it contains the phrase "One nation under God." Certain groups charge that this phrase violates the constitutional separation of church and state. A recent California Court ruling stated that the phrase is unconstitutional. The case likely will reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The Knights of Columbus...