‘Pledge’ still rings true, clear today
Published 5:00 am Thursday, June 27, 2002
“I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States ofAmerica and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation UNDERGOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Those thirty-one simple words have been learned by every schoolchild since the pledge was first used in public schools on Oct. 12,1892. Since that time those words have rung true and clear fromfootball games to service club meetings or wherever groups meet toshow their devotion to our country and our creator.
In 1954 the words “under God” were added by religious leaderswho felt that the pledge needed to be distinguished from similarorations used by “godless” communists. At the height of the coldwar, President Dwight D. Eisenhower directed Congress to add thetwo words out of his fear of nuclear war between Russia and theUnited States.
“From this day forward, the millions of our school children willdaily proclaim in every city and town, every village and everyrural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people tothe Almighty,” Eisenhower wrote at the time.
Yesterday, in a 2-1 vote by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals inCalifornia, those two words, “under God” were declared a violationof the United States Constitution, and the recitation of the Pledgeof Allegiance in public schools in nine western states covered bythe court was effectively stopped.
Considering the events of Sept. 11 — when individuals attackedthe United States in honor in their god — it is unbelievable thata group of individuals could even conceive of such a ruling. In atime that is as frightful as the days of the Cold War, PresidentEisenhower’s words are even more true, and it is important the weas a nation show that dedication to our nation and to theAlmighty.
Otherwise, we do not need to fear Osama bin Ladin and hisal-Qaida. Members of the California Court of Appeals areeffectively just as dangerous.