Posted on 06/28/2002 7:26:19 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
The courts suddenly decide to care about our constitutional rights, and this is where they start?
Many atheists, leftists, rightists, and even more annoying, those with no ideology whatsoever who get off on being just plain pesky were busy swimming in their own happy this past week after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. The ruling, if upheld, would apply to nine states. Ten if you count "shock."
Since the Pledge is an important part of any student's education, I thought it might be a good idea to try to come up with a Pledge that is satisfactory to everyone. It's a true challenge if there ever was one. As of now, Judge Goodwin has issued a stay pending further appeal, so this should buy us some time to come up with an alternative in case the ruling stands.
It's becoming increasingly clear that the courts are hell-bent on keeping the church away from the state, so much so that doing it has become a religion in and of itself. The state sees to it that it is separate from the church, but is ever so careful to keep it close enough so they can still smack it on the nose once in a while. With swift legal punches to the face and groin of anything that displays the smallest sign of being a religion (with the exception of atheism), this new zealous movement of "Fistianity" is becoming too big for it's own good. Like a highly functioning robot programmed to eliminate anything that displays human emotions that one day starts crying, and in the confusion it's head sparks and sputters until it finally explodes, hopefully so goes the liberal courts once they realize that they've become everything they loathe- A religion.
How will the atheistic state ensure its continued success in keeping itself and the church separate? Easy- By making "the state" so big that any movement by a religious organization, even the recitation of something as traditional as the Pledge of Allegiance, is an encroachment on that mythical "separation" that they love to talk about. They're in our restaurants telling us that we can't smoke. They're in our backyards telling us that if we want to build a deck we first must complete a thousand page environmental impact study describing in painful detail how many June bugs will be displaced. Is there now any question that the next big encroachment is on religion? Just ask any Branch Davidian- if you can find one that's still alive.
To put things into a little perspective however, the "G word" was added to the Pledge in 1954. That means that for 178 years, citizens of the United States were pretty much a solidly religious people who threw the Brits out on their powdered wigs, freed slaves, cured diseases, kicked butt in two World War's, learned to fly, and enjoyed six years of "Howdy Doody" before the "G word" was even added to the Pledge. We did pretty well without it in there. Some could argue that we did better back then with less petty bickering and more focused effort.
The Pledge of Allegiance doesn't make this a great country. The freedom to recite it, or not to, does. That freedom is slowly and methodically being taken away by the terminally annoying who have nothing better to do than be offended, and 'drunk with power' judges. The judicial bench is becoming nothing more than hell's on-deck circle. Better make sure those robes aren't flammable, guys.
Since I go to church about as often as Marlon Brando bellies up to a salad bar and my legal experience consists of concocting ways to get out of jury duty, maybe I'm not the most qualified person to be discussing this issue. That being said, I'd like to put forth some options for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. I think I'm safe in saying that a majority of Americans are incensed at the court's ruling. The court would be wise to put into effect a temporary Pledge of Allegiance until this issue is hashed out.
I've put together a website with some samples of generic, non-offensive Pledges, and I encourage you to send in your own. With all of us working together, I'm confident that we can find a Pledge that won't offend even the pickiest of atheists. In a few days, after all the suggestions are in, we'll forward them all to Michael Newdow, who brought the lawsuit. If he's cool with it, we can start having kids recite it every morning. Then we'll then leave him alone so he can go and lead a charge against something else we do that bothers him-breathing.
If it offends anyone, TOUGH SH!T. It's ours and we love it as it is.
(cough)BS(cough)
The pledge is a ritual that requires nothing from those reciting it..except the 'courage' to be a part of a group activity. It proves nothing, teaches nothing, and requires nothing of the participants. Does anyone really think that every perons living in a marxist regime really believes the words that they are 'forced' to recite or else be held up to public ridicule or worse?
"What? You don't like our loyalty oath? You won't voluntarily particpate in our loyalty oath? There must be something wrong with you..."
I am offended at your statement. I happen to take my words very seriously. I guess then your words mean nothing to you or others.
If I state in court that I will tell the truth then I will with the grace of God. If I state that I will honor my wedding vows then I will with the grace of God. If I state that I will pay my bill then I will with the grace of God.
If I state I pledge my allegiance to God and my country then I will with the grace of God.
Put all things under subjection of Christ. My first allegiance is to God then to this country.
Those who don't believe in conservatism already tried to get Dr. Laura off the air.
Those who don't believe in guns want those rights taken away.
You don't believe in........
Homosexuality.........shut the hell up!
Welfare...................shut the hell up!
Minority rules.............Shut the hell up!
Political correctness............Shut the hell up!
Lies by liberals.............Shut the hell up!
Independence by judiciary.................Shut the hell up!
Seat belt laws!.........Shut the hell up!
SL
I think this "declaration" much more appropriate for a culture that was presumably founded on such principles as freedom of speech, hence freedom of thought, individual liberty, and self-government than the century old "Pledge of Allegiance" loyalty oath. Though I doubt that bible-thumpers or Unionist Socialists would find it "acceptable".
Then Family
Then Country
Then self.
This nation is "under God". If you disagree with that you should be honest and get out of this country and take your seed with you.
The "Constitution" is the LAW OF THE LAND. Support it. (If you can find any of it left in the shreds of it that appear on the Capitol steps. And if you have never read it it's only three pages, for Christ's sake. READ IT!)
How do these creeps like this a.hole who stirred this up "survive"?
This doesn't solve the problem. The ideals of the DOI is that, as creatures of God, we have been given all of our rights by God.
This would still be offensive to some.
But then someone would complain that such was a state endorsment of Gumbism.
It's tough to be green, but one should strive to be flexible........
I pledge allegiance to the Constitutuion of the United States Of America; and to the Republic, that which was intended by the Founding Fathers, one nation comprised of 50 sovereign states, under God, with the liberty guaranteed by the constitution to the people or the states, with tightly restricted, constitutionally mandated powers for the Federal government, and equal justice under the law for all.
Howz dat? Make it better if you want!
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