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.

[Sabertooth]

The difference may be subtle, but the way you have it, religion itself is referenced (THE establishment of religion). The way it is written, it refers to any specific church (AN establishment), forbidding Congress to favor one church over another. Of course, neither way does it mandate a separation of church and state.

This may be picky, but to me the Constitution is a sacred document.

Sounds like we agree. Check out #196 for more.

IIRC something like seven of the original thirteen states had their own churches at the time Constitution was ratified. The First Ammendment ended none of them.

[Mo1]

And they keep play a clip of the kids reciting the Pleadge

Charlie Daniels is on now

[rustbucket]

We recited - "one nation, indivisible", -- all through WWII, & Korea, and it served the purpose just fine.

The "indivisible" part was a political statement by its Boston author after the Civil War and "under God" was added after a big effort by one of the churches or lay religious groups, I forget which.

As a Southern agnostic, I skip both "indivisible" and "under God" when I recite the pledge. Feel free to pledge what you want -- what I pledge is a matter of conscience with me.

[Humidston]

Judge Alfred Goodwin - 415-556-9800!!!

[mindprism.com]

So, the pledge was not declared unconstitutional (whatever that would mean), they simply struck the words "under god".

What about the above reasoning do you find unbelievable?

One flaw is that something as significant as the Pledge of Allegiance to Our Nation, has a legal weight comparable to a Constitutional amendment -- in other words it is INVIOLABLE BY ANY COURT. It is a PLEDGE taken under free will and has no true legal ramifications -- only moral ones.

A PLEDGE is like a ethical contract, designed by the author in TERMS HE DETERMINES FIT.

I do not support mandatory pledges. I am also meta-agnostic (I dont understand what I mean by God), but this ruling brings me more sadness and anger than the events of 9-11.

If I had a flag I would burn it right now, this ruling symbolically marks the spiritual death of a nation, and I will not recognise this zombie-America as my own.

Anyone who blames this on 'three silly judges' is willfully blind to the maggots on her corpse.

Finito.

[Dimensio]

I was just commenting on my opinion of the word flow. I would hardly try to make a federal case based on that...

[Mo1]

If that is true, Fox ought to be ashamed of itself. That is low-class and second rate.

Ask me if I care what yoy think

[whenigettime]

The ninth circuit court needs to be declared unconstitutional!!!!!

[Protagoras]

This ruling seems to benefit only the atheists...

And other groups. Like those who don't want governments telling them what their children must pledge alliegience to. It also benefits those who use it as another example of why government schools should be abolished.

[Triple]

my guess: Bellamy would call himself a democrat today, and so would Marx.

[Digger]

Every one of these Klintoon appointees should be ousted -PERIOD! But what do you expect in this "Two-Party Cartel". Did Bush do ONE thing to put these Klintoons on trial? Hell NO! It's just business as usual & you be dah fool - unless the sheeple decide to storm the bastille. Until then - you be dah fool.

[habs4ever]

If Rose Bird can be recalled, so can this turkey....and it has been done in CA. Maybe Bill Simon can drive a wedge here.....are you listening, Ed Rollins????

[demlosers]

LOL ... FOX NEWS IS GIVING OUT THE JUDGE'S PHONE NUMBER!!

Worth repeating Hahahaha

[phasma proeliator]

415-556-9800

Give the judge a call!!!!

[jwalsh07]

we see the dangers of what happens when the State entangles with religion

Did they mention the names Stalin, Marx, Pol Pot and Mao where you attended school?

[Humidston]

You belong back on DU where you'll find people who think like you. Bye!

[elbucko]

NIXON WAS A RHINO. A de facto DEMOCRAT!

Barry Goldwater told Tricky Dick to get the hell out of the White House or he'd be impeached.

[Howlin]

Was that film from today??? Did Bush go to a school today and say the pledge?

[sinkspur]

Sinkspur... ignoring a ruling like this could mean more lawsuits for public school districts and potential jail-time for teachers.

Maybe. And when juries simply nullify this law, what will you do then?

[Miss Marple]

Well, of course katya8, not everyone is as erudite as you. Perhaps you should realize that this reaction is so emotional because

1. Many people, strange as it may seem, actually DO believe in God.

2. The Pledge is a part of tradition for those of us who grew up in the traditional America that seems to be under assault everywhere.

3. This exemplifies why we need President Bush''s judicial appointments confirmed, rather than having them held up by Daschle and Leahy.

Your calling people "bible-thumpers" sort of lets us all know where you stand, so forgive me if I take your opinion with a grain of salt.