SupremeCourtRuling

It's a very good article.
I didn't know that "under God" was not part of the pledge until the 1950's.
What do you think of the High Court's ruling?

Ame

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 07:30 pm:

Point of information. The Court did not rule on "under God". It ruled that the man who brought the suit did not have "standing", because he is not the custodial parent of his daughter, on whose behalf he filed suit - especially as the girl's mother, the custodial parent, did not want any part of the suit. The Court chose to not rule on whether "under God" is constitutional, choosing instead to rule on the "standing" issue. (Standing is whether a person has some actual involvement in the situation, in brief. For example, if you know someone is committing fraud you cannot file a civil law suit unless you are a victim of the fraud - you can, of course, file a criminal complaint or lay an information with a prosecuting or investigating agency, but that is not the same thing. Whistleblowers are in a special category and I have only a very loose idea of how that works, but I know it has to involve someone defrauding the government.) (The Court often rules on a fine point of law on something it has chosen to take up when the members of the Court decide, on further thought, that the matter is not "ripe" or the case through which the matter was brought to them is not clear-cut - or sometimes they just don't want to rule on an issue at a particular time.)

Yes, the phrase "under God" is fairly recent in the life of the pledge. Personally, I have always been a bit disturbed by the idea of pledging allegiance "to the flag", even though the phrase continues "and to the Republic for which it stands". I've never quite understood why we don't just pledge allegiance to the Republic. I am one who has tears in my eyes when the flag passes by in a parade, but I consider it a symbol, not the thing, and never quite understood that wording.

By Amecmom on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 08:55 pm:

Yes, Ginny - I read the article, too . I know they ruled on a technicality - that's why I found this so interesting and full of nuances. The whole case had many interesting facets. It really is just a matter of time before someone "with standing" brings a suit. I wondeer what they will do.

I personally have no problem with the Pledge. Anyone who wishes can opt out of saying it.

Ame

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 08:28 am:

I guess I should add that I do have a problem with the minority trying to dictate to the majority and asserting that no one should say it.
Ame

By Tunnia on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 10:42 am:

I am the Americanism Committee Chair for American Legion Auxiliary Unit 232 and I thought I'd post some history on the Pledge of Allegiance. Also there is a little bit of Flag history as to why we Pledge our Allegiance "to the Flag".

The Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and it was sent to schools through the country for children to learn and recite. The original Pledge was written: "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all". The Pledge was recited that way until 1923 when the words "my flag" were removed and replaced with "to the flag of the United States". The words were changed because it was thought that foreign-born people might have in mind the flag of the country of their birth instead of the United States flag. Then a year later (1924) the words "of America" were added. No form of the Pledge received official recognition by Congress until June 22, 1942, when the Pledge was formally included in the U.S. Flag Code. The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. The Pledge was changed on last time on Flag Day 1954, when Congress passed a law, which added the words "Under God" to give us the Pledge of Allegiance we say today.

Here is what the words of The Pledge of Allegiance means:

"I pledge allegiance" - I promise to be true

"to the flag" - to the sign of our country

"of the United States of America" - each state that has joined to make our country

"and to the Republic" - a republic is a country where the people choose others to make laws for them. The government is for the people.

"for which is stands" - the flag means the country

"on Nation" - a single country

"under God" - the people believe in a supreme being

"indivisible" - the country cannot be split into parts

"with liberty and justice" - with freedom and fairness

"for all" - for each person in the country

The Flag is a symbol of our country, the United States of America and basically, when you say the Pledge of Allegiance you are promising to be true to the United States of America. The flag represents a living country and is considered a living thing.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 01:36 pm:

Thanks for that history Stacy. It was very interesting. With your permission, I'm going send this to my husband. I think he'll like it, too.
Ame

By Tunnia on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 03:50 pm:

Ame, I'm glad you found the information of use and you are welcome to send it to your dh. Sharing information about our country is part of my job in the Auxiliary and I'm always happy to do that. The above information is my condensed version that I use when when I speak at schools about the Flag and Flag etiquette. If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will answer if I can.