Politics: Onward from New Hampshire

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)

What's particularly troubling to me is that the words "under God" were added after the original creation of the pledge, which suggest they are wholly unnecessary to the purpose of the pledge, which they are. Same with "In God we Trust" on coins.

This is my feeling as well.

[leagleaze]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
Isn't the very concept of Pledge Alligence sort of un-american in the sense you mean. "I pledge alligence to the flag." There are people who like to burn the flag- should their kids have to hear the Pledge?

It is absurd to pledge allegiance to a flag. A flag is a piece of cloth. The pledge should really read as follows.

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Or perhaps, if we are to be honest, it should read as follows:

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 the majority.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by leagleaze
It is absurd to pledge allegiance to a flag. A flag is a piece of cloth. The pledge should really read as follows.

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Or perhaps, if we are to be honest, it should read as follows:

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 the majority.

My kid's class had an assignment to rewrite the pledge to reflect what they believed was important about the United States.

The best reference to God I heard about was a reference to freedom of religion rather than to being "under God". But people came up with a lot of important things the pledge misses, ranging from family and community to Democracy (I don't think "liberty" covers Democracy).

Not a bad exercise. Maybe we should have a nationwide contest of school children every ten years to come up with a new pledge. I'd bet we get better material.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
Maybe we should have a nationwide contest of school children every ten years to come up with a new pledge. I'd bet we get better material.

Good idea. Although I'd do it state by state.

[SlaveNoMore]

leagleaze
Or perhaps, if we are to be honest, it should read as follows:

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 the majority.

Thank you, Al Sharpton.

While you're at it, please tell all these rich white folk to leave Sister Condi alone.

[Secret_Agent_Man]

Originally posted by Tyrone_Slothrop
It wasn't discussed at all, oddly enough. I'm with Safire. "The only thing this time-wasting pest Newdow has going for him is that he's right. Those of us who believe in God don't need to inject our faith into a patriotic affirmation and coerce all schoolchildren into going along."

I think its harmless, and not worth fussing about. I also have much less objection to generic "God" references in public life than to almost anything designed to press or present a particular religious viewpoint. (Although I hear some wiseass in the 9th Circuit said that the words "under God" impermissibly promotes monotheism -- at the expense of Hindus, Krishnas, etc.)

I hope Newdow loses, in an innocuous opinion -- because if he wins the social conservatives will be hopping mad and turn out in force in November.

S_A_M

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
I think its harmless, and not worth fussing about. I also have much less objection to generic "God" references in public life than to almost anything designed to press or present a particular religious viewpoint. (Although I hear some wiseass in the 9th Circuit said that the words "under God" impermissibly promotes monotheism -- at the expense of Hindus, Krishnas, etc.)

I hope Newdow loses, in an innocuous opinion -- because if he wins the social conservatives will be hopping mad and turn out in force in November.

S_A_M

prediction: they'll punt on the custody issue

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
prediction: they'll punt on the custody issue

Agree in part. They'll punt on the custody issue if there are 5 votes to reverse (that is, hold pledge is constitutional). If not, a couple of middlers will find lack of standing. No way there's a ruling for unconstitutional.

[leagleaze]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Thank you, Al Sharpton.

While you're at it, please tell all these rich white folk to leave Sister Condi alone.

Oh please.

As far as Condi, I could give a fuck. She made her own bed, she can lie in it.

[SlaveNoMore]

leagleaze
Oh please.

Post hyperbole. Get it back.

[leagleaze]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
Post hyperbole. Get it back.

Wasn't hyperbole. If you think it was, come hang out on the PA hill with me for a few days next week.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
I hope Newdow loses, in an innocuous opinion -- because if he wins the social conservatives will be hopping mad and turn out in force in November.

S_A_M

Interesting point. Not sure this alone will do it though. Gay marriage is a much bigger issue to them.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Interesting point. Not sure this alone will do it though. Gay marriage is a much bigger issue to them.

What if all the Gays getting married incorporated "under God" into their vows? Would that satisfy them?

[sgtclub]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ress&printer=1

[GOP to declassify Clarke's testimony to prove lied under oath]

They are retarded. Let this die a quiet death.

[leagleaze]

Originally posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
What if all the Gays getting married incorporated "under God" into their vows? Would that satisfy them?

No, that would make it worse.