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The battle over America's Pledge of Allegiance continues. On Wednesday, a federal judge in California ruled that having children recite the pledge in school "impermissibly coerces a religious act." The phrase at issue: "one nation under God."
Yet here's the kicker. Last month, a federal court in Virginia reached the opposite conclusion, saying that the pledge is a patriotic exercise, not a religious affirmation. Which court has it right? That's for you--and, in all likelihood, the Supreme Court--to decide.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." --official version since 1954
Congress officially recognized the pledge, in its near-current form, in 1942, and called for the now-familiar hand-on-heart pose to replace an earlier straight-armed salute, which looked embarrassingly close to a Nazi one. The words "under God" were added in 1954, in an effort to distinguish the country from "godless communism."
Commedian Lewis Black says the children do not know the significance of the words they are saying and that the pledge serves merely as a cup of coffee would for an adult, something to jump start their day. We have already seen the original intent for Congress' change in the wording. Where do you stand on this issue?
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WORD of the day: afflatus \uh-FLAY-tuhs\, noun: A divine imparting of knowledge; inspiration.
ALBUM of the day - The RZA - Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (2000)
5 comments:
This is going to be an interesting debate. However, it seems you PURPOSEFULLY avoided giving your opinion.
What is my opinion? Well, it's mine, and that's what it is. It isn't yours or anyone else's. How do I feel about this whole pledge thing? Maybe we should revert to the pledge from before 1954 or whenever it was changed. Even the founding fathers referred to Creator instead of God. Do I like this idea? No. Tough call.
okay kyle I just want to say thanks for putting me first on your links list. I know that it is in alphabetical order but that is beside the point. I tried to tell Zachary that I should be first on his list but he said no that is the place for his sister. How nice of him.
Hey Kyle! I didn't know your lyndsay was pregnant too! CONGRATS!!
As far as the pledge...I think that Lewis Black might be on to something (unfortunately!). I remember saying it every morning when I went to public school but not really thinking about what the words meant. When I was in 7th grade there was this Jehovah's Witness chick in my class and she refused to participate...said it was against her religion. But that's a whooooole 'nother story! :)
That is just what I would expect to see on your blog. Can you ever have a day without a political statement.
Are you taking care of your fabulous new wife? You better be or your big sis is coming to kick you!!!!
Wow, ya'll didn't wait long. Congrats on the new addition. By the way, I did not make it through the whole post even with the picture.
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