9TH CIRCUIT COURT: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Fox News ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

UNBELIEVABLE. BREAKING ON FOX: SF APPEALS COURT SAYS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ENDORSES RELIGION, AND IS THEREBY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

[hattend]

The prophetic words of Red Skelton have probably been posted a dozen times already but I am not going to search through 1000+ posts to find them:
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Commentary on the Pledge of Allegiance
by Red Skelton
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As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.
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I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - - That means that we have all come together.

States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - - One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - - For All--which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?

Red Skelton

[PJ-Comix]

I just checked the DUmmy forum and I thought you would like to see some of their commentary over there to see how far out of the loop the lefty loonies are on this issue:

denverbill: Find me an opinion poll, ANY OPINION POLL EVER, that suggests forcing kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is something that Americans DEMAND ACTION ON. Americans DON'T GIVE a SHIT about this. Don't fall for the Repuke's trap and worry about something that is stupid.

IndianaGreen: You might as well pray to a dog it will have the same effect as praying to a mythical figure, especially one that is a WHITE MALE!!!!!!!!!! If GAWD is male, how big are His cojones?

marshmellow: It is for soccer mom's. It is for vouchers, it is for old people that get emotional about the pledge. The pledge thing is an emotional issue that can be picked up by demographics of voters that are key for republicans.

There are a lot more nutty comments over on the DUmmy forum on this issue. I can post those also for your amusement.

[PhilDragoo]

All circuits are busy.

I just called the offices of my two Senators and my Congressman and gave them the benefit of my long version of why they should publicly object to this ruling.

Nothing clears the mind like a swarm of bee-like callers, insistent, not yet stinging.

They listened with such good will.

[Recovering_Democrat]

ATHEIST WEB SITE/CONTACT

The web site for the organization leading the charge to alter the Pledge, JUST in case any FREEPers want to contact them:

Atheists and other Free Thinkers
(URL: http://www.rthoughtsrfree.org/aof.htm)

From the web site, a contact number:

For information on upcoming meetings and activities, or to inquire further about AOF association, or to request informational resources on atheism and freethought, please call AOF's Voice-mail number (916) 920-7834.

[Kaslin]

I just received this email from a friend

I hope you all are as mad about the ruling as I am....because one athiest decided his 2nd grade child shouldn't be saying "Under God"....what a sad commentary for our country. Isn't this why the Pilgrims left England...so that I can say things like "Thank You God"? I say we should all stand up and be counted!!!!!

I bet when the planes hit the twin towers there wasn't one athiest that didn't say "Oh God" Help me!!!!! Hopefully you will all get as angry about this as I am...I'm tired of Athiest, Muslims etc. telling me who I can worship........STAND TALL AND BE COUNTED........

Name omitted by me

[Captain Beyond]

"There is no sound basis for today's 9th Circuit desision." You got that right Sabertooth!

Too many people neglect the writings and the original intent of the Founding Fathers. Washington, Adams, and others of that time understood the inherent evils that would erode our freedom. It like Rush said "If liberals read the 2nd. Amendment the way they read the rest of the Constitution gun ownership would be mandatory". The left will always distort the Declaration and Constitution through judicial activism for political means. This is the only way they can achieve their goals. Because public debate of their proposals would always defeated.

It is also guaranteed that at the end of the day liberals and the main stream media will be using this as a hammer to declare "God is dead".

[AmishDude]

Never mind, I got it! Now I'm watching the house honor Jack Buck. Changing to CSPAN2.

[Recovering_Democrat]

There is an old law school joke that says that when the Supreme Court overturns a ruling, they cite one of two reasons for doing so:

1. Precedent
2. It was decided by the 9th circuit.

lol! :) I hope so, mrs9x!

[rohry]

"nor am I against the US constitution as a living document."

You see, that's your problem, the Constitution is not a "living document," it is the blueprint for how our country should be run to avoid the growth of a strong central government. Only leftists want the Constitution to be a "living document" that way they can say that it means whatever they want it to mean. Strict interpretation of the blueprint for our country is absolutly necessary for its survival.

The screen name that you have chosen reflects your Fabian prediliction...

[pby]

I believe you are referring to a letter from Thomas Jefferson to some Baptists.

If separation of church and state, as now defined, is what Jefferson was referring to in his letter, then why when Jefferson established the public school system in Washington, DC did he require the Bible and the Watts hymnal as textbooks?

Only serious historic revisionism allows the current definition of seperatation of church and state.

[floriduh voter]

Then HE CAN CALL THE SENATE AND COMPLAIN TOO. If he's a salesman, he'll think he's got alot of new business when he checks his voicemail tomorrow. Why do you think I am called flori-duh? LOL

[CecilRhodesGhost]

THE UNITED NATIONS PLEDGE FOR PEACE

I pledge in my daily life, in my family my work, my community, my country and my region, to:

Respect all life
(Respect the life and dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice)

Reject violence
(Practice active non-violence)

Share with others
(Share my time and material resources to put an end to exclusion, injustice, and political and economic oppression.)

Listen to understand
(Defend freedom of expression and cultural diversity)

PRESERVE THE PLANET
(Promote responsible consumer behavior)

Rediscover Solidarity
(Working together as one unified world)

[Tired of Taxes]

Of course, it is perfectly OK for the nonreligious to impose their religious beliefs upon those of others, yes?

If a teacher were leading a classroom in the recital of an anti-religious pledge - that is, if the pledge recited "one nation, without a god", for example - then you would have a point.

But, no, the teacher is leading the class in a pledge that says "one nation, under god."

Furthermore, this pledge is NOT just a pledge to the flag and to the republic, as you assert, but also, as it currently stands, to an unknown entity that not everyone believes exists, nor does every parent want their children indoctrinated in such a belief.

Your comments are indicative of someone who does not want government to be limited or smaller. Rather, they are indicative of one who would like a big government that promotes his/her own personal beliefs and indoctrinates our children in them. And that is socialist AND anti-American.

[NeoCrusade]

That's all well and good but I think the UN is full of crap. I like our Pledge of Allegiance. The original, pre-1954 one.

[CecilRhodesGhost]

Notice the UN pledge mentions "my religion" in the opening lines?

[Mo1]

Then HE CAN CALL THE SENATE AND COMPLAIN TOO

ROFL ...

[DrCarl]

>or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

You may freely practice your religion. However, I do NOT want your Bug-A-Boo imposed upon me or my children.

What is it that the religious are so afraid of anyway? Is it "The Emperors New Clothes" syndrome, as in if we don't all make believe there's a huge ghost in the sky watching what we do, we might have to come to grips with the fact that one day, like my dog, we will die? Grow up. Practice your religion if that's what you want to do, but keep this nonsense away from me. Why are you so afraid to do that?

[NeoCrusade]

? No, I don't, unless "my region" is a typo or I'm dense and missing something... (which is highly likely)

[taxcontrol]

Boy that UN pledege shoulds a lot like something that would come from a communist.

I would rather see a pledge along the lines of:

I pledge to work hard and acheive my highest possible performance in my religion, my family, and myself while supporting the rights of others to do the same.

I think that would be a MUCH better UN pledge.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

The real test will be how ABCNBCCBS reports this story ... If not portrayed as an outrageous decision by an out-of-control court, this nation is doomed.