Posted on 07/13/2004 12:04:37 AM PDT by ladylibertyok
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arnold un-Reagan-like
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: June 21, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
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.
"This really troubles me too folks!! I don't think something like this should be over looked. There is absolutely no reason why he shouldn't be saying the Pledge of Allegiance. He's the governor of "Culifawnya" for pete's sake. Last time I looked at a map, it was still part of the USA. Like the author, I find him to be lacking in political beliefs and I think he only ran for governor because he is so obsessed with power. Am I off the mark on this or what?? I noticed no one else in the media picked up on it. Not surprising!!!"
Yep, most of you folks vote third party anyways... that's why you are marginalized. Deservedly so in many cases.
That's strange. Your post 25 is addressed to my post 21, the one in which I asked you why you would refuse to pledge your allegiance to your flag and your country with your tongue. Take a look at your own post, Quzar. It's addressed to post 21.
And, btw, why are you so squeamish about answering a simple question? Why would you refuse to pledge your allegiance out loud?
There is really no need to insult me. Your accusations are completely out of line. I'm waiting for an apology, though I really don't expect one from the kind of person that would say such foul things.
Someone with your screenname should know better than to chant the DNC talking points about Schwarzenegger. But hardline "conservatives" did glory in those LA Times/NYT's smears about him....
It was my bad, i hit the wrong reply.
To answer your question, Because you dont have to if your still pledging with your right hand. I sometimes say the pledge and sometimes i dont just so i can hear others say it out loud. Understand it is not disrespectful if you dont say it as long as you have your right hand over your heart.
An understatement!
Welcome to Free Republic and thank you for your service :-)
That's fine, but Arnold is one of the best California has ever had. He's been exceptionally surprising in CA and honestly i think he's one of my fav's in the political platform for everything he's done and is doing.
You can't hear and speak at the same time? I ask this because I sure can hear and speak at the same time. Whenever I recite the pledge with others, I hear them. Are you telling me you can't?
Because saying the Pledge is unpatriotic. Dissent is patriotic. I guess you haven't read the DU talking points.
you were questioning patriotism which you were out of line.
Same here. I think some folks here just had their brains go numb from sitting on them for so long ;-)
What a disgusting Neo-Liberal post against a fellow Republican and great American like Arnold.
You really should feel ashamed, and trying to carry that name..
Obviously you're confused. Since when is refusing to say The Pledge Of Allegience more patriotic than saying it? Your buddies at DU may buy that, but I don't.
Don't twist the facts, troll. A quick review of the thread will reveal your lie.
But your saying that if you dont say the pledge your not patriotic. Thats not right to question someones patriotism.
Please point out to me where I said not saying the Pledge was more patriotic? Didn't think so... strawman debating tactics are typical for your sort.
Standing there with your hand over your heart while it is being spoken IS patriotic, however, and you and your fellow malcontents look silly trying to create scandal where there is none.
You attacked my patriotism, not the other way around. You're fresh from DU. I can smell it.
So because i have an opposing idea, i get what communist told you that and now i am a troll?
Why did the myriad of foreign dignitaries attend Reagan's funeral?
I see nothing odd about him attending the funeral of the Austrian President.
There were many, many, many people here on FR that were horrified that France and Russia weren't sending anyone to Reagan's funeral.
Perhaps Arnold went as a representative of the US.
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