The pledge of allegiance may be constitutional, but requiring it to be recited isn't. I believe that's what's really being contested here, in spite of CNN's spin.
The pledge is not a part of the consitution, it's just an easy way to remind us what the country is meant to be. I say ditch it if the reminder gets in the way of the message.
Instead, have every child in America recite the Preamble every morning.
It's simple, purposeful, and meaningful to all Americans.
"Cyanide is a dangerous chemical. That's why it is a crime to possess it without a peaceful purpose," said U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald.
"I pledge alligence to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands."
I think our founding fathers would have some problems with these words. In fact, this is the kind of blind alligence that they refused to accept.
I pledge my alligence to the ideas set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
We've got a great country here. And it was built on great ideas. Not a piece of fabric with some stars and stripes.
The idea of the pledge is good but the wording is all wrong. Reciting the preamble would be way better.
You may flame me now.
"one Nation, under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
This line is hypocritical at best. The word liberty suggests that I am free. Free to believe in god or not to believe in god if I so choose. So the words, "under god" and "liberty and justice for ALL" just don't work together.
It should say:
"one nation, under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for rich, white, christian, males."
There, now that is more accurate.
But here is the idea of that phrase as seen in the Preamble
"and to insure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterities..."
I'm sure that usage has changed over time, but where do blessings come from? The founders left no doubt about the sources of freedom in the Declaration.
"assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, "
The framers, wisely, noted thier respect without the assertion that we were one with God.
"Cyanide is a dangerous chemical. That's why it is a crime to possess it without a peaceful purpose," said U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald.