It’s probably time to start thinking of a new name for our government for when it gets completely turned into a theocracy. Taliban has been taken.
House passes bill shielding ‘under God’ from court rulings
The House, citing the nation’s religious origins, voted Wednesday to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from federal judges who might try to stop schoolchildren and others from reciting it because of the phrase ”under God.”
The legislation, a priority of social conservatives, passed 260-167. It now goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain.
”We should not and cannot rewrite history to ignore our spiritual heritage,” said Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.). ”It surrounds us. It cries out for our country to honor God.”
Opponents said the legislation, which would bar federal courts from ruling on the constitutional validity of the pledge, would undercut judicial independence and would deny access to federal courts to religious minorities seeking to defend their rights.
”We are making an all-out assault on the Constitution of the United States which, thank God, will fail,” said Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
The legislation grew out of a 2002 ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools.
Well, you know, American style freedoms are so “pre-911.”
Hmm, considering the original version of the pledge, by Baptist minister Francis Bellamy, didn’t include the phrase “under God” (it only being added in the 1950’s), wouldn’t it be best to put it to judicial revue for constitutionality? Wow! Thank you, Religious Right!
Isn’t that special.
Sadly, we’ve strolled through a few generations since the McCarthyite thought-control Kongress passed all this crap. Our politicians haven’t yet had enough backbone to repeal it. Younger generations don’t know squat about how any of this came to pass — and probably could care less about knowing this part of our history as any other.
Hopefully, the ever-increasing (and natural) revulsion with theocracy by a somewhat-educated society will eventually result in pushing Tweedledeedum in DC to do something besides collect unearned paychecks from taxpayers.
Welcome to Facism.
This is just how Hitler started out in the 1930s.
People don’t read history any more, so we are going to repeat it.
Anyone who is not a “christian,” and who does not believe in a “christian” version of “god” shall be purged. Mark my words, if we continue along this line, this is what is going to happen.
#4 I agree. I think the founding fathers would be appalled at the concept of forcing our children to pledge unquestioning allegience to the state.
“Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”
and
“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.”
(To Abigail Adams, 2/22/1787)
Thomas Jefferson
“Well, you know, American style freedoms are so “pre-911.” “
Lol, just ask John Adams about that one.
Funny how each side talks about freedom when something they consider sacred is under attack, but the second they have a desire to ban something all thoughts of freedom are gone. Case in point is Pelosi’s vote to ban internet gambling. It may be fascism to protect the pledge but Republicans aren’t the only fascists these days.
Why is it always a zero-sum game when we discuss these things?
Why can’t the Right simply answer a question and address an issue without creating a democrat straw-man arguement?
I think the Democrats are as bad as the GOP, personally. Yet I also think putting God in everything ius fascist. Do you have an answer for me that does not reference the Democrats?
BHK, good point. Radicals on both sides of the aisle (not just in congress but media, blogs, etc… too) complain about these things left and right (no pun intended).
I’m pretty sure the religious “Far-Wrong” would prefer us to believe that schoolchildren started reciting “under God” as part of their pledge clear back in the beginning, as the musket fire outside and the bombs bursting in air inspired them to respect their teachers and grow up to build a moral, heterosexual, godly beacon of democracy and capitalism for the world.
Since slumbuzzle quoted Thomas Jefferson, I’ll throw in another quote from him. Writing specifically about Christianity, Jefferson said…
Can we put something in the pledge of allegiance to reflect those thoughts? Maybe “one nation, with rich mythological traditions, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” It throws the rhythm off a little, but I’ll sign off on this new version right now 😉
Or, we could just throw out the pledge altogether, then the phrase “under God” becomes a non-issue. Then the government can get back to what really matters like flag burning, gay marriage and blocking judicial oversight of unconstitutional domestic spying ;).
All government symbols must be worshipped and adored. Next they will be maked you kowtow and bang your forehead on the sidewalk when you pass a federal office building. “Praise the Decider.”
The federal government is the new god.
And since, supposedly, 20%-25% of americans are authoritarian personality types, I guess the politicians are on to something.
>putting God in everything ius fascist.
Fascism is about serving the state. Those countries usually prefer leaving God out since it means there is something higher than the state. There’s a reason China cracks down on religion.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
-From the U.S. Declaration of Independence
J/P=?
Yeah, let’s scrap all the currency and coins in circulation too, while we’re at it to get rid of that “In God We Trust” nonsense. God knows THAT must be infringing on someone’s rights too. Ooops, I said “God”.
Actually, I don’t find “under God” or “In God We Trust” the least bit offensive until I start hearing the arguments of the people who fight so fiercely to cling to these feeble phrases. That’s when we see American history being revised to more clearly reflect Christian foundations.
“In God We Trust” could easily refer to Apollo. At my lattitude on the globe, he truly has never let me down, rising to create each new day with faithful regularity.
17 Actually, I don’t find “under God” or “In God We Trust” the least bit offensive until I…
..imagine school-aged children being expected to stand, place their hand over their heart, and state it aloud – in unison.
Yeah, that’s freedom.
I guess there must be some advantage to having God around for those who die for their country.
RBG
People only began to fight so fiercely when the phrase came under constant attack in the courts. If the people do not begin to fight back against these attacks then they allow a minority to dictate to the majority.
I suppose you’re right, Mike #18 — any mention of God in America’s official loyalty oath is questionable, but as long as the God is wholly unspecified, I’m not offended, although I would allow for those who are. I’m the guy who grew up going to church three times a week, and was indoctrinated by singing songs like Onward Christian Soldiers. By the standards set in my childhood, “under God” seems tame indeed.
The really weird thing about the “pledge” is that the US is the only “democracy” I know of that has this sort of communist/facist style rote indoctrination in place.
#22 – saying a “pledge ” to one’s country hardly merits the term communist or facist; it barely rates on the scale of loyalty. I’m always amazed at how people always throw out those two words whenever they’re asked to remain faithful to the same country that has so graciously provided for them. I believe that “patriot” would be a better term.
21 …America’s official loyalty oath…
22 The really weird thing about the “pledge”…
That is my problem with requiring it to be recited.
I was never required to recite it – in unison or solo – during my entire US Navy career. Every time I re-enlisted I swore an oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the uniform code of military justice. So help me God.
I wasn’t pledging allegiance to a flag – which I consider ludicrous – nor an “indivisible” country.
And I was able to end it with “So help me God” without smirking…
i vote for the name “bong hits for jesus” …thats if we still get to vote…
#23 – Stiffler – “I’m always amazed at how people always throw out those two words whenever they’re asked to remain faithful to the same country that has so graciously provided for them.”
I’m not trying to be smarmy here. I’m honestly asking. What, exactly, has this “country” actually “provided” for me?
I mean, it surely didn’t provide me with food or shelter. I took care of that. It isn’t providing health care (even if civilized countries do). It isn’t roads, police protection, essential services, etc., we pay for that, and it isn’t much of a bargain either.
I don’t disagree, per se. “communist” and “fascist” are two highly misused words in heated debate, often used by people who can’t even begin to imagine what those words (especially fascist) really mean in practical terms… and I have been guilty of that in the past.
But propping up Americanism on a pedastal, as if this nation were a utopian beacon of light and all others were full of strife and misery isn’t really realistic. The land of the free, at the end of the day, isn’t quite as free as we are lead to believe. And as far as opportunity goes, that seems more true for some than for others…
It isn’t like I have a better idea, but to me, patriotism and so-called America bashing are really just two sides of the same coin. Reality is in the middle where we acknowledge both our strengths and our weaknesses.
‘’We are making an all-out assault on the Constitution of the United States which, thank God, will fail,’’ said Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Uummm, Pelosi is a Representative, not a Senator.
#22 – What about Israel?
#23 – I concur! It amazes me how the very ideas of “pledging allegiance” or “doing one’s civic duty”, etc. gets people rabidly calling America a communist/fascist regime. God forbid (oops, said it again) you do any damn thing of loyalty or service to your country without demanding something ($) in return, other than a great country.
Imagine how freaked out they would get to hear of Israel’s compulsory military service – for men AND women over 18. Surely Israel can’t be a democracy either! Heavens no! (Oops. Wait, I didn’t say God)
I’m sure most of these right wing nuts have no clue what patriotism is really about. For sure, it isn’t being forced to recite a “pledge” every day. Nor is there about waving a flag that confirms one’s loyalty. And the line about if you aren’t with us then you’re a traitor is full of air.
No, being a loyal American is doing what is right. And if your country is wrong, then stand up and say so. And if 2/3 of American think the President is wrong and 3/4 think Congress is wrong, then I guess he and the other leaders should pay attention.
“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.”
Seems to me that instead up getting worked up over “under God,” we should be asking ourselves whatever happened to the vision?
“Republic”? Hardly. State’s rights come in a distant second behind federal power. And UN/WTO rights threaten to move state’s right into third.
“Under God”? Just read this blog to see what liberals think of this passage.
“Indivisible”? When the animosity and HATE between political parties is so great that “compromise” and “middle ground” are dispised, then “indivisible” must apply in some other universe.
“Liberty”? I don’t think the anyone connected with Homeland Security remembers this word is in the pledge.
“Justice”? When lying to a federal investigator is a federal crime, when moving dirt from one section of your property to another gets you 18 months in a federal prison, when you are arrested for being drunk and disorderly within your own home . . . then “Justice” has a hollow sound.
The problem isn’t that we force children to recite it every day; it’s that adults almost never do. At a minimum, every civil servant should be required to recite it each day as a condition of employment.
30. what does “State’s rights” have to do with being a republic? As long as you don’t have a monarch, you are a republic. and I imagine the neo-Confederates must just hate that “indivisible” bit.
and, with apologies to an old ‘Life in Hell’ cartoon, I replaced the invocation of the divine with:
“one nacho underpants”