Posted on 06/26/2002 3:17:41 PM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - The White House Wednesday called a California appeals court ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance "wrong," and announced that the Justice Department plans to take action.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the pledge is unconstitutional and should not be recited in schools, because the phrase "under God" violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
"The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision and the Department of Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
"The Declaration of Independence refers to God as the creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer and our currency says 'In God We Trust,'" he said.
Fleischer emphasized that the decision is one from a circuit court that only affects nine states and not a national court decision.
"I think that people are very naturally ... going to react strongly opposed to this," he said. "I think this decision will not sit well with the American people and it certainly does not sit well with the president of the United States.
"I think most Americans have faith in God, and they are going to express [their faith] and the pledge everyday that they can," he said.
Meanwhile, Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition said the ruling should be a wake-up call for President Bush to appoint more conservative court judges -- even if it means bypassing the Senate.
"We can expect more anti-God decisions like the one just handed down by the judicial tyrants in San Francisco, if we don't get good conservative judges on the federal bench," Sheldon said. "Senators Daschle, Leahy, and McCain need to get out of the way and confirm Bush's nominees quickly.
"We're sick and tired of Tom Daschle blocking the confirmation of God-fearing judges like Charles Pickering," he continued. "Americans want men like Pickering on the bench who respect America's religious heritage and understand that we truly are a nation under God.
"If Senators Daschle, Leahy, and McCain don't get out of the way this week, I think it's time for President Bush to begin making recess appointments of his judicial nominees," he said. "Enough is enough!"
Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, vowed to go a step further if needed.
"If necessary, I will offer a constitutional amendment to ensure Americans can voluntarily say the [Pledge of Allegiance] in public and private settings without being in violation of the law," said Graham.
"The reference in the Pledge to being 'one nation under God' is in no way the establishment of religion by the government. If America ever needed God's blessing and guidance, it's now," he concluded.
E-mail a news tip to Jim Burns.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
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.
I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance: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
No it isn't, and it's a silly idea.
To those who are tortured by the "under God" of the Pledge... why? The reference, logically, should be of no more impact to them than would a reference to Smokey the Bear.
And well they should be.....What next......make people black out "In God we trust" on all our money?
Did you see Fox News at 6PM? Hume ended the show by saying:
Stay tuned to FoxNews...fair, balanced, and UNDER GOD!
It was delicious!
He may not have appointed any of them but he (& Hillary) are responsible for the insane 'political correctness' that is wrecking havoc with our country!
Sad but true. This now-hot issue will be forgotten eventually and no one will care much. Vacations, the World Series, football season, Britany Spears, whatever; they all push out the political/moral issues and the humanists know it.
The atheists/humanists will win another round and all in the name of tolerance and fairness, of course. Can't be promoting that bad old religious superstition in schools you know. Someone might be offended. They may be exposed to a word that they don't 'believe' in. Oooooh.
Well then, let the other 99.7% of us just shut up and go away. It's only fair - the only tolerant thing to do (aren't religious people supposed to be tolerant?) and, well, sooooo darned constitutional, too. 'Separation of Church and State', right? It's in the constitution, I'm sure...you can probably look it up. /sarcasm>
Oh yeah, this ruling will probably hold - with more to come. Always more to come. It's diversity America. This diversity is obnoxious but it won't be the last we see. This kind of diversity is destroying the fabric of our country but then, there's a pennant race looming so this political stuff will just have to wait. What's for dinner, anyway?
mlo, why is it such a silly idea? You might also peruse #140. Our Founding Fathers obviously intended for this to be a nation "under God" - one need only read the Declaration of Independence to know that.
Illbay, sounds like you & I are on the same wavelength this evening.
No...
It's more like "We have the tyranny of the MINORITY."
(One Athiest v. millions of Christians/Jews/Etc.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.