[Miss Marple]

Regarding the battle lines being drawn, I can see how this is shaping up. First of all, they are trying the "strict constructionist" line. Second, the leftists also said that the plaintiff is being threatened for "following his conscience." (My opinion on that was on yesterday's thread.) Third, they are trying to portray those who are appalled at the ruling (and no doubt will do so in Virginia when this is litigated as well) as evil, Taliban-like fanatics who are intolerant of any non-Christian.

The only thing is, I don't think this will work. I think something changed September 11, and although we seem to be regressing on the surface to our former sleepy ways, whenever something like the Pledge or something similar is attacked, people become enraged all over again. I think the former arguments of the ACLU and other groups are not working. Same with the envirals and the NOW gang.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

The only thing is, I don't think this will work. I think something changed September 11, and although we seem to be regressing on the surface to our former sleepy ways, whenever something like the Pledge or something similar is attacked, people become enraged all over again. I think the former arguments of the ACLU and other groups are not working.

There is an opportunity for us. I agree this is unlike other assaults by the left, because the right has decided there is actually a war for the hearts and minds of the American people.

But we must prepare, and we must be vigilant. And we must deal with things with good, long-lasting solutions so we don't have to keep revisiting things again and again.

If that means putting things like the Pledge and the Motto in the Constitution, then so be it.

Sample Amendment for the Pledge:

Article 1: There shall be allowed a Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and it will take the form:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, with liberty, and justice, for all."

Article 2: Congress shall enact the necessary legislation to effect the language of this Amendment.

Article 3: This Article will become a part of the Constitution of the United States with the concurrence of three-fourths of the several states within seven years of its submission thereto by the Congress.