San
Francisco, June 26, 2002 -- A United States
federal appeals court ruled that the Pledge of
Allegiance cannot be recited in public schools if
it contains the words "under
God". The decision was announced one
week before the July 4th Independence Day
holiday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
said the phrase violates the so-called
Establishment Clause in the Constitution that
requires a separation of church and state.
"A profession that we are a nation 'under
God' is identical, for Establishment Clause
purposes, to a profession that we are a nation
'under Jesus,' a nation 'under Vishnu,' a nation
'under Zeus,' or a nation 'under no god,' because
none of these professions can be neutral with
respect to religion," Judge Alfred T.
Goodwin wrote for the three-judge panel.
 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.
The
last I knew, the United States was a nation
of ALL faiths.
This country was founded on the belief of God,
"one nation, under God." Changing the
Pledge of Allegiance would be a crime - a stab in
the back of each and every one of our nations
forefathers! There are so many things that have
God on them - our money for one! What are we
going to do, change everything?
REMEMBER
ME!
I am your flag. Remember me?
They still use me to start ballgames.
They still use me to sign-off television
stations.
They still use me to drape caskets of American
martyrs.
I am your flag. Remember me?
My endurance under fire inspired Francis Scott
Key
to scribe a new nation's anthem to an old British
tune.
I am your flag. Remember me?
I was tearfully surrendered at Bataan and
Corregidor.
I share an ocean grave with brave sailors on the
U.S.S. Arizona.
I was raised to emotional heights at Iwo Jima.
I am your flag. Remember me?
Children pledge me their allegiance in school
rooms.
Immigrants still view me as the answer to their
prayers;
their dreams of freedom.
I am home to the expatriate.
I am your flag. Remember me?
Patriots still rally by my colors.
Rascals still hide behind my glory.
Parades still start with me ... though they're
fewer in
number -- and not so well attended.
I am your flag. Remember me?
Betsy Ross tailored me from a dream.
And in his Viet Cong cell, an Air Force Colonel
named
Dramesi stitched me in secret -- from parts of a
white
blanket, pieces of a blue jacket and strips from
red underwear.
I am your flag. Remember me?
I fly proudly -- full time -- under God... from
Pike's Peak and atop memorials in Massachusetts
and Virginia.
And from the U.S. Capitol -- and from the moon.
I am your flag. Remember me?
I am a fixture in our nation's embassies.
And a concept in the hearts of freedom-loving
people
throughout the world.
I am your flag. Remember me?
I still create awesome shivers.
I still inspire artists.
And Olympic athletes.
And great acts of heroism.
I am your flag. Remember me?
I am the picture of America.
And I deserve to be remembered.
I am your flag. Remember me!
Today. Tomorrow. And forever.
-- Ron Gold
Links
The
Pledge of Allegiance - A Short History
Guideline
for displaying the Flag
Lawmakers
blast Pledge ruling
The
Pledge of Allegiance
Printable
Worksheet on The Pledge of Allegiance
 
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