<p>A Republican appointee was one of three federal appeals court judges who yesterday ruled it is unconstitutional to ask school children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and vow loyalty to one nation "under God."</p>
<p>Judge Alfred T. Goodwin, who wrote the 33-page opinion, was appointed to the bench by President Nixon in 1971 and is listed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals records as a senior member of the court.</p>