the irish lass

The Pledge

Tomorrow, a dingdong from Elk Grove, is asking the Supreme Court to declare that the pledge of allegiance infringes on his right to be free from the horrors of religion. Hope they tell him to stuff it.

Have you ever heard the pledge recited by John Wayne?

Pledge of Allegiance
by John Wayne



I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS--
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE
FOR ALL.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag"

What do those words mean to you? To me they say, "Thank you, America, for your strength, your courage and your freedom...which has been a beacon to the world for two hundred years."

"Of the United States of America"

Whose bright stars are fifty states...each bearing its own stamp of individuality. People...two hundred million strong...people who have come to her from all corners of the earth.

"And to the republic for which it stands"

A land of laws...with an ingenious system of checks and balances that allows no man to become a tyrant...and lets no group prevail...if their power is not tempered with a real concern for the governed...A land where the right of dissent and of free speech is jealously guarded...wheere the ballot box is the sword...and the people its wielder.

"One nation under God"

A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her being...A land graced with temples and churches, synagogues and altars that rise in profusion to embrace all the religions of the world.

"Indivisible"

A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage...and formed forever...by the awful crucible of civil war.

"With liberty"

Where man in pursuit of an honest life will not be denied his chance...where her citizens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance or fear...A land brimming with opportunity...where freedom of choice is the guide for all.

"And justice"

The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of justice grind for all couses...all people. They look to every avenue for justice...every concern of the law...and they temper their reasoning with mercy...

"For all!"

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.