Though I really don't care but-- Call me a pledge "originalist"

[underpants]

I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[TwilightZone]

1. But, I thought we all agreed that the pledge needs to be banned?

:sarcasm:

Disclaimer: while I'd prefer that it go away entirely, I could probably live with it being optional and the "under God" part being removed.

However, I also don't think that we should commit political suicide by publicly demanding that those changes be made. We have much larger fish to fry.

[underpants]

2. I couldn't believe that was the lead on ABC last night

Not only had I not heard anything about it (surely it was RW radio tearfest material) but I really don't give a rip. It was a stupid waste of time when I was in school and it is REALLY a stupid waste of time now. What we need is a Pledge of Math or Pledge of Science*.

*that is from a joke here about Va.'s "Moment of Silence" you can figure out the joke.

[TwilightZone]

5. It's a wedge issue, of course.

It's one of those issues that the RW talking heads use to lather up their listeners.

Unfortunately, it tends to lather us up as well, and we waste a lot of time arguing about it.

I'm all for the Pledge of Science! :)

[Blackwater]

9. Since congress added the words "under God,"

it is clearly unconstitutional.

But there are far more important things that the government does that are also unconstitutional. This one is a red meat issue that’s best left alone.

[niyad]

3. pledge is a loyalty oath, not permitted under constitution

[NightOwwl]

4. That's the perfect way to frame it.

A "pledge originalist." I'm sure most of the people ranting the loudest don't even know the history of the pledge. Use that term the next time someone blows a fuse, and who knows, they might learn something that will make them rethink their position.

[Atman]

6. Wow! What a great talking point!

I love it..."original intent." The righties claim to be all about it. Except when they're not.

[teenagebambam]

7. Maybe I just don't get it...

....when I was a lad, there was a girl in our school who was Jehovah's Witness. Her parents didn't want her saying the pledge, so she didn't have to ever. No one made a big deal out of it - she just stayed seated, or stepped out of the room while it was being said. So what's the big deal? No one is FORCED to say it, right? If everyone had the right to opt out, why would this suit have ever needed to be brought to trial?

[Jeebo]

8. Isn't it idolatry to pledge allegiance to a piece of cloth?

And is this country really "indivisible"? No, that issue wasn't settled in the Civil War. All that happened then was the states that were trying to secede were forced back into the Union literally at gunpoint. The issue of whether any state has the legal, constitutional right to secede has never been settled.

And is this really a country that has "liberty and justice for all"? HAH! Don't make me laugh!

Leave out the "under God" part and the pledge of allegiance is STILL just a piece of pure propaganda, start to finish.

Ron

[underpants]

10. Written by a Christian Socialist for a magazine

You probably already know that
http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm

Check out the possible changes.

Some prolife advocates recite the following slightly revised Pledge: '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, born and unborn.'

A few liberals recite a slightly revised version of Bellamy's original Pledge: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all.'

[BringEmOn]

11. You forgot the original salute