Can someone please tell me what is so wrong with
this text that we would ban it from public schools?
Public schools are run by the nation, the government, the states,
cities and so on... for Americans and those who live here. Is it a
silly assumption to make that everyone who lives here does so
because they chose the American way of life over some other way? If
at any time that fails to be true, move away.
So here is the pledge as my Grandparents knew it from 1892 to 1923:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it
stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."
Here's my parents' version.
"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."
Here is mine and most of yours
"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."
In the end, we ALL pledge allegiance to the Flag. At some point in
time it became wise to make sure everyone knew which flag. Not a
given even if we all are living in America. It might have been
important to make certain that it was the United States and not a
single state or group of states or the teamsters or other “nations”
existing within our borders, and there are a few.
“The republic for which it stands” is really nothing more than the
American dream, the acknowledgement of our government and its rules.
Anyone not willing to pledge allegiance to that should really take
their kids to another country and pledge that flag.
“One Nation”: Not two or three or some other number.
“Under God”: Ok, this must be the kicker. So now we have a problem
with God. Well I don't have that problem but I will accept the fact
that not everyone believes or wants their kids to pledge in that
way.
If you have never uttered the words Holy, God, Jesus, Allah, Heaven
or Hell, then you might have a legitimate argument to “Under God”.
If you have spoken these words alone or in any combination when
surprised angry, very happy or faced with some type of adversity,
then you must accept the fact that, when at the end of your rope,
you believe in something other than yourself.
If that is not true, then revert back to the “Republic” and make
sure you gather your supporters and work very hard to remove the
“Under God” portion. Still you must accept the ideal that we need to
pledge and that we will support this nation and honor its Flag. You
are not praying to it or recognizing it as a higher power. I submit
to you that our flag is more of an honored companion and symbol of
life in this land that we love.
“Indivisible”. We can't be torn apart, no matter how much
indifference exists between those of us who live here and call
ourselves “Americans”
“With Liberty and Justice for all”. We all want that and if we can
ever achieve it, we can all kiss the ground that is America because
that is why most people came here and certainly the reason that
everyone stays.
Forget the fact that most Americans are attacked by other Americans.
I would like to say that everyone living in America is an American
even though that is not true. What should be true is that you
believe in the American way of living – “With Liberty and Justice
for all”.
We need to stop attacking each other be it physically or verbally.
We need to live as if this pledge means something. It does. It means
that we will all stand together under that flag of these United
States and we all will strive to preserve liberty and justice by
following the laws of the land. |
