A Fanatic and the Pledge of Allegiance

[thedrifter]

A Fanatic and the Pledge of Allegiance
By JAY AMBROSE
Mar 28, 2004, 08:32

Something fanatical is at work in the war of Michael Newdow against the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and nothing points that up better than a comparison he made before the Supreme Court this week.
Excising those words from the pledge, he said, would be akin to the court's decision to end racial segregation in the schools in Brown v. Board of Education a half century ago.

"Aren't we better off because we got rid of that stuff?" he asked .

Why, yes, of course we are, because what was going on was a horror in which literally millions of children were treated as if the color of their skin would somehow contaminate children whose skin was of a different color.

In violation of the Constitution's pledge of equality under the law, black children were required to go to different public schools than white children went to _ and almost always to inferior schools. The youngsters themselves were made to feel inferior. School segregation was oppressive and hatefully ruinous. It had the consequence of limiting opportunities, of drawing a don't-cross circle around human potentiality.

So skip ahead to the case in which Newdow is now arguing that the Constitution has been abridged because his daughter recites the pledge in a public school classroom. The harm to her is what exactly? If she doesn't want to participate, she doesn't have to. Or she can say all the words in the pledge, skipping the two that upset her father. Is she thereby indoctrinated into some state-sponsored religion, as prohibited by the Constitution? Obviously not. Is she embarrassed? It seems unlikely.

And when you read his words and those of some of the justices interrogating him this past week, the issue turns out to be more about Newdow than about her.

He is her biological father. He never married the mother, who is a Christian with absolutely no objection to the child acknowledging God in the pledge. The issue is whether his child should hear two words that he does not want her to hear.

"I am an atheist," he said in court. "I don't believe in God. And every school morning my child is asked to stand up, face that flag, put her hand over her heart, and say that her father is wrong."

On this basis, then, the court should undo the work of Congress in 1954 to insert the words?

Newdow _ a physician and lawyer _ is offended, and although 90 percent of Americans say in a poll that they want the words to stay, he and those who support him believe the offense to him and others in like position is so significant that the court should rid the pledge of this phrase.

To me, that's fanaticism, and it's a fanaticism that was put into sharp relief when Justice David Souter responded to the contention that the pledge was much the same as a prayer.

"As a religious affirmation," said Souter, "it (the pledge) is so tepid, so diluted, so far from a compulsory prayer that in fact it should be, in effect, beneath the constitutional radar."

Amen.



Jay Ambrose is director of editorial policy for Scripps Howard Newspapers and can be reached at AmbroseJ@shns.com

© Copyright 2004 by Capitol Hill Blue


http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artma...cle_4305.shtml


Ellie

[namgrunt]

Yep. I agree with Jay Ambrose. If you put Mickey Mouse ears on this guy Newdon, he would look like a "Wingnut".

[GySgtRet]

Michael Newdow and people like him have been put on trial in the past for ties with the communist party. I grewup in the days of school segregation, desegragation and it wasn't very pretty for either side, if there were sides? When I went to school in Northwestern PA as a boy we had people in our rural community that would not do prayer or the pledge of allegence, they contently stood in silent respect and everybody still remained froends or at least were decent and respectful enough not to make a big deal out of things like this @$$hole is doing. People like him have rights too, however his daughter dosn't even know what is going on only that her father is making a fuse about it. It seems that the justices have to make a choice, and I hope it is to keep "UNDER GOD" in the pledge of our great nation.

Semper Fidelis

[mrbsox]

"I am an atheist," he said in court. "I don't believe in God. And every school morning my child is asked to stand up, face that flag, put her hand over her heart, and say that her father is wrong."


In a startling and unanimously simultaneous president setting moment, the setting justices all said in unison

WELL DUGHHHHH




Wouldn't it be great !!

[MillRatUSMC]

Well her father is wrong...in Star Trek,s the wrath of Khan spocks say;
"Sometimes the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many." Spock later on in another Star Trek, he says "Sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one."
These are times that the needs of the many out weight the needs of the one.
It makes no meant of which God or of which religion.
All faiths believe in God, it's how we interrupt our religion.
we must interrupt the Constitution in the time frame that it was written.
Many came to these shores because they couldn't practice their faith in Europe.
Now we're asked not to mention the word God, the very reason many came here in the first place.
These are the times that try men souls...
Thomas Paine
We could say those exact words now...

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[tophor]

If this newdow moron doesn't like the word God in the pledge, then maybe he should take his daughter out of public school and put her in private school, if he is a physican and a laywer he can afford it and that he won't be offended by the pledge anymore and if he don't want to do that, he should just keep his jibs closed.

[sgt.lane]

here here...............

[CplDawson]

Newdow claims his ex-girlfrien raped him on a camping trip, and stated he could never love his ex-gf. The judge in the case against his ex was thrown out the case, not for lack of evidence but because it was not believable........His ex-gf and daughter are both Christian and do not have a problem with the under God in the pledge. He is not even the custodial parent in this regard and the court is looking at if he can even press this issue.

What next spend millions to erase it off the money or how about the oath of office for president did you know that So help me God was ad-libbed by George Washington at his inagural and has been there ever since.

If you look at all of the 50 states the refere to God or a higher power/creator in there state constitutions.......This Micheal Newdow is a putz and I wish someone would just drop him.

[Phantom Blooper]

Can All 50 States Be Wrong?

Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the U. S. Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?


THIS IS VERY INTERESTING!

Be sure to read the last two paragraphs. America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions:

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution ...

Alaska1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ...

Colorado1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty. establish this Constitution...

Georgia1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... establish this Constitution.

Idaho1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government.

Iowa1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings. establish this Constitution

Kansas1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges. establish this Constitution.

Kentucky1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine. acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity. and devoutly imploring His direction ...

Michigan1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom ... establish this Constitution

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings

Mississippi1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness. establish this Constitution.

Montana1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution.

Nebraska1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. establish this Constitution.

Nevada1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...

New Hampshire1792, PartI.Art. I.Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.

New York1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those.

North Dakota1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this.

Oregon1857, Bill of Rights, ArticleI.Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance

Rhode Island1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina. grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ... establish this

Tennessee1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...

Virginia1776, Bill of Rights, XVI. Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator ... can be directed only by Reason. and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.

Washington1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties do ordain this Constitution ...

West Virginia1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia. reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility ...

Wyoming1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties. establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."- William Penn

[DebSantos]

worth printing ! Thanks

[snipowsky]

I really hope Michael Newdow burns in hell for his lack of belief in "God" and doing this! Some people have entirely to much time on their hands! He should just do us all a huge favor and leap off a tall building or bridge. I wouldn't urinate on this man if he was on fire! I would toss gasoline on him though!

IN GOD I TRUST...

SEMPER FI

[Tracker]

So, he is an atheist, well Thank God, the Supreme Court of the United States of America decided that he didn't have any standing in this matter.

I wonder what an atheist does if just before that last few heart beats the thought passes through their feeble mind... just maybe, just maybe...could there be a God???and then thump thump....dead, Oh well...bye, bye fool.

[Joep]

Originally posted by tophor
If this newdow moron doesn't like the word God in the pledge, then maybe he should take his daughter out of public school and put her in private school, if he is a physican and a laywer he can afford it and that he won't be offended by the pledge anymore and if he don't want to do that, he should just keep his jibs closed.

I agree with you, this fool just want some free publicity

[cjwright90]

Well said all. Thanks, Phantom Blooper, for your post of the 50 states preambles. It is simply amazing how people could go through such great lengths to make such fusses. Well, that is what makes our country so great. We allow that type of thought process, but still base our constitution and other "official" documents like the Pledge on God. But for the love of God, don't try to change the entire country's philosophy because you don't believe in God. How crass! Note the last three letters of that word, and you have what I think that guy is. My opinion.

[ese4mc]

THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE SUPREME COURT---THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ONTHE BASIS OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION--EVERYTHING FROM THAT DAY FORWARD TILL NOW IS WITH A RELIGIOUS BASE---IS THE WILL OR BELIEF OF THE MINORITY TO RISE ABOVE THE MAJORITY IN THIS COUNTRY--DID WE SWEAR AN OATH OF ALLEGIENCE WHEN WE ENLISTED--SOME BODY DRAG THESE PEOPLE BY THE BACK OF THEIR NECKS & SOLIDLY,YET VERY FIRMLY,BOOT THEM IN THE ASS & SEND THEM ON THERE WAY--ANYWHERE IS PREFERABLE THEN NEAR ME