Posted on 06/21/2004 7:13:51 PM PDT by Kuksool
Now that a decent interval has passed since the moving tributes and funeral of the late Ronald Reagan, maybe it's time to comment on something unseemly that took place before the late president was laid to rest.
There was Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister of Great Britain, standing next to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Thatcher recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America – not her own flag.
Schwarzenegger, an American running the executive branch of government of the largest state in the union, did not.
I didn't notice it when it took place. It was brought to my attention by a caller to my radio program. I had to go back and check the tapes. Sure enough, the caller was right.
Since then, other people who witnessed the funeral have told me they noticed it right away.
I wonder how many millions of people around the world took notice?
This troubles me.
I always liked Schwarzenegger's movies. But I've never liked him as a politician. I don't think he has any principles, any deeply held convictions, any beliefs beyond what the pollsters and the media advisers tell him.
Most of the positions he has taken are wrong. And when he takes the right position on an issue, you never know if he will reverse himself the following week.
Now this.
How can one explain why the governor of California, of all people, would not say the Pledge of Allegiance at an internationally televised funeral for Ronald Reagan? What was he thinking? Was it an oversight of some kind? Was he so in awe of the event that he lost himself? Is it possible he doesn't know the words? Maybe it's time for a crash course.
I've tried to think about this in ways in which I could give him the benefit of the doubt.
But I'm deeply troubled by it.
How embarrassing for our nation.
On the one hand, Lady Thatcher says the pledge though no one would expect her to do so. She's a British citizen who should not be expected to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. But she did. And she is standing next to a man who has chosen America as his adopted homeland – a man in a high-profile elected office – and he refuses to say it.
To me, this is more egregious than Bill and Hillary Clinton apparently dozing off during the eulogies at the National Cathedral. That bit of rudeness should be expected from a couple of cheap politicians. But I can't even imagine Bill or Hillary failing to say the Pledge of Allegiance – not when they know the whole world is watching.
I think Arnold Schwarzenegger needs to explain himself.
After all, Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah, has introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress to amend the Constitution so that the foreign-born Schwarzenegger could someday run for president. I don't expect that amendment to go anywhere, but, nevertheless, it has been introduced.
And Schwarzenegger is still the governor of California – the state, ironically enough, from where the latest challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance, and its "under God" phrase, went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
He needs to explain himself and apologize for the poor etiquette and unpatriotic attitude he displayed during the Reagan funeral. It was a slight not only to the United States of America, but to the late president.
Comparisons have actually been drawn between Schwarzenegger and Reagan. Reagan, an actor, launched his political career as governor of California. But, as far as I'm concerned, that's where the comparisons stop.
We all knew Ronald Reagan. And Arnold Schwarzenegger is no Ronald Reagan.
Well, is this really true?
But Farah has always been a huge fan of Arnolds!
Did Arnold claim to be a "Reagan" at any time?
Maybe he was too moved for words. Maybe Farah is running out of writing ideas.
It sounds as if Farah checked it. I don't always agree with his views, but I doubt he would lie about it.
Arnold is a big fan of Milton Freeman. So much so that he introduces one of Milton's videos himself. He's very much a believer in the free market. So much for the claim that he has no principles or ideas to follow.
Well no sh** Arnie is no Ronald Reagan. Look, I'm no Arnie kiss-ass but let's lay off the guy. The terminator did more good in one day than Davis did in his 5 yrs. in office. He single-handedly has saved the avg. 2-car family at least $300 or $400/year.
Is he the ultimate fiscal conservative? Certainly not...look at the makeup of the CA legislature, how could he possibly accomplish much except to prevent the excesses of a greedy left-wing legislature? The only power he has is to threaten by referendum and/or veto. He does have the power to influence the legislature somewhat and he appears to be making strides in getting the legislature to pass a budget that may end up being better than any that have been passed since Deukmejian held office. His true test will come when it's time to fish or cut bait on drivers' licenses for illegal aliens. Too bad the voters won't ever be able to decide this issue unless somebody like Ron Unz or Darrell Issa bankrolls a statewide initiative.
Until Arnie screws up, people should lay off the guy. Besides, at least he isn't raising taxes like many GOP governors have done the past few years.
Can't help thinking what would happen on this forum if the non-pledger was Clinton instead.
Well everyone knows I am no fan of AS.
I couldn't believe it when I saw it but I was so upset with the loss of Reagan and so heartened by an absolutely beautiful and respectful funeral, I didn't want to spoil everything by bringing it up when it happened.
But it was very disrespectful of AS to not recite the pledge.
Do you live, work and/or pay taxes in CA?
Hell yes, I live, work and pay taxes in CA.
Well then you should know that the bond issue that AS promoted does nothing more than the bond issue the dimwit Davis promoted but delay and enlarge a debt.
Second, AS has not made any cuts in the state budget.
In fact he has raised fees.
Third, AS has said he wants a bill to give illegal aliens the privilege of obtaining a driver's license in CA.
Fourth, AS failed to have the attorney general promptly go into SF and arrest the mayor for granting marriage licenses to gays.
In fact, over three thousand marriage licenses were handed out before AS instructed the attorney general to put a halt to it!
Now, you can sleep in shit and call it clover but don't try pissing in my ear here and call it rain. LMAO
Farah has simply run out of things to bitch about.
What are you talking about?
Joe Farah has written several columns on how he thinks Kerry will be horrible and very damaging for this country, yet he(JF) will never vote for President Bush, the country be damned.
Since he jumped the shark, his barking is quite hollow these days.
"What are you talking about?"
Lots of things...LOL
Do you have a specific question?
Thatcher recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
Had I the opportunity to listen to something as beautiful as Margaret Thatcher reciting our Pledge, I would have been silent, too.
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