Vanity: The Pledge of Allegiance is Unconstitutional - If That Doesn't Convince You What Will?

June 26, 2002 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

This is your wake-up call

My friends, I've been taking a lot of flak lately because of my stand on President Bush and the Republicans. Well, my thinking is that the coming elections are so critical that the very continuation of America as we know it may be at stake.

All of our institutions are controlled by liberals. Both houses of Congress are awash in liberals and socialists and moderates and very few conservatives. The Courts are infested with liberal activist judges. Our media and entertainment industries are overrun by liberals. Our universities are overrun by liberals. Our public education systems are overrun by liberals. The liberals control public opinion through their controlled nightly news programs and their daily liberal newspapers. My God, the whole damn country is run by hordes of mushy headed liberals and socialists in biblical proportions! And now they even have the audacity to openly attack patriotism and even God Almighty Himself!

A United States Federal Appeals Court in California has declared the

Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional! And this simply because it contains the phrase, "Under God." I'm speechless! I just sit here and shake my head. Don't even know what to say.

Wake up America! We've been saying that for years. The far right-wingers have been shouting it for decades. Wake up America! Wake up America, the socialists are coming!

And now it's here. The Republic is in grave danger. The liberal activist judiciary has tested the waters. If America does not wake up and not only say no, but hell no to this abomination, then what will the emboldened court take next? Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna sit around on my butt doing nothing while we find out.

Call to action: Get off your Butts! Call or write your reps! Voice your opinion. Demand that they do something about this. Tell them that America will not allow this outrage to stand! Demand of your Senators that they move President Bush's judiciary appointments through the Senate! The Democrat controlled Senate is holding up his appointments, hoping to delay as many as they possibly can until Bush appoints judges more to their liking, or possibly even until they can get Gore or Hillary elected in 2004. God forbid!

And, I'm convinced more than ever, that we must have a complete turnover of the judiciary in the next decade. This is critical. The liberal activist judiciary is getting more and more aggressive. If we do not get some conservative judges in there pretty soon, this game is going to be over.

How do we get conservative judges? Well, I can guarantee you that we will not get them as long as the Senate is controlled by Democrats. We must have a Republican President to appoint conservative judges and we must have a Republican majority so they will be moved through the Senate. This is one of the primary reasons why I want to push so hard to help elect Republicans to the Congress and especially to the Senate. And this is why I want to push so hard to help re-elect President Bush in 2004.

Wake up America! And wake up right-wingers! Vote out the Democrats. Vote in a huge Republican majority so we can retake America from the liberals!

We cannot afford a loss or even a squeaker in the next couple of elections. We must have Reaganesque landslides! Send them to Washington with a mandate from the American people! We want a complete turnover and makeover of the judiciary and all of the government. Give is back our Liberty!

This is not the time for sending a negative message. It does us no good for conservatives to sit on their hands or to vote third party. The only message that sends is to say you don't care if we have wall-to-wall liberals forever. The Democrats will love you. The liberal activist judiciary will love you.

The message you should send is one by pen and ink, or by phone calls and personal meetings. Send a message now to your congressmen and to the Republican Party. Now is the time to send the message. Tell them what we want them to run on and what we want them to do when they get in there. Send them a positive message filled with patriotism and love for God and Country. Tell them that we are fed up with the liberals and we want our country back and we want our rights back. Tell your relatives and your friends and neighbors. Tell them to write and call and visit. And tell them to vote for the Republican in their districts. We must do this if we want it back. We cannot afford to fail.

God bless you all and thank you for bearing with me. I love my country and I love my freedom more than life itself. I don't care what anyone says about me, or what labels they pin on me. From this day forward I am a Bush-bot and proud of it! I am going to help turn this thing around or I'm going down in flames trying.

FReegards,

Jim Robinson

[lavaroise]

"Under God."

What else do they want us to worship then? Them? Their findings? Someone's interpretationi of the natural world's wish?

NO THESE PEOPLE ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR SUBVERTING THE US GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTING THEIR OWN FINDINGS AS TO BE WORSHIPED

What are the AMerican liberals thinking? This is calling for self-worshiping tyranny aka NorthKorea, China and what not.

[UncleJeff]

It makes no difference what the guy who brought the action believes. I would oppose any Government promotion of Athiesism, because that too would violate the First Amendment.

If promotion of a single belief system is NOT intended, what's the problem with reciting the Pledge as originally written?? Or as modified in 1923-24??

[Sandy]

The soundbite repercussions will make this a R issue if they play it right.

"Keith in Iowa" made an interesting point up in reply #61. I don't know if he's correct, but if he is, then that's the point that needs to be hammered.

[Keith in Iowa]

Check out the guy's bio here. He's 80...being a Senior Judge usually indicates retirement. Newt Gingrich was on FoxNews Channel and made the point too.

[rwfromkansas]

I considered making a new thread, but think I will piggyback onto this one since it is JR's and should get tons of responses also...:)

Here is my collection of ideas of what we should do and say in response to the ruling based on what I have seen on FR.

First, we need to contact the White House. This is what the press secretary said today:

"MR. FLEISCHER: The President was informed at the G-8 Summit about the San Francisco court decision pertaining to the flag. The President's reaction was that this ruling is ridiculous.

The Supreme Court, itself, begins each of its sessions with the phrase, "God save the United States and this honorable court." The Declaration of Independence refers to God or to the Creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer. And of course, our currency says, "In God We Trust."

The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision, and THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS NOW EVALUATING HOW TO SEEK REDRESS."

This is good....but let's keep the pressure on to show Bush he can do a lot even in this situation from the judicial branch.

Here is the switchboard for the WH: 202-456-1414
Here is the comment line: 202-456-1111
Here is the fax number: 202-456-2461

In contacting the White House, I think we should say the following:

1. The President should address the nation and demand his judicial nominees get voted on, since this ruling would not have happened if his nominees would have been put on the bench instead of having a judge come out of retirement to fill the vacancy.
2. The President should call a joint session of Congress, calling for a Constitutional Amendment. No, we don't need one, but the judges aren't able to understand plain language, so let's make it plain. Bush should demand an amendment that will protect the right of God to be in the public schools and that will also restrict the authority of judges in making rulings. They should be required to cite precedent clear back to the founding period on issues that go back as far.
3. The President should publicly call for the impeachment of the two judges in this case.
4. The president should publicly call for a radical changing of the 9th circuit or a defunding altogether.
(Both numbers 3 and 4 could be dealt with heavy-handedly in a joint session of Congress as well).
5. The President could even take a more extreme approach by arresting the judges for arousing disturbance in a time of war.
6. The President should encourage the use of the Pledge by using it more often in public appearances.




As for Congress, we should call for impeachment of the judges in the House. In the Senate, we should call for VOTES ON BUSH'S NOMINEES!

U.S. Capitol numbers (thanks to Mo1):

HERE'S THE TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR THE CAPITOL: 1-800-648-3516

US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121




We could freep the judge that wrote the opinion (thanks WakeUpChristian). Call Federal Judge Alfred Goodwin and demand
that he immediately resign... (415) 556-9800



Also, an idea of mine:

Are there Freepers from California that are teachers?

I seriously think we should consider encouraging them to violate this ruling when school starts up if they want to. Do we have any money left over from the legal defense fund? We could even support them with that if they have to go to court.




Idea for FReeper Activism (thanks to Spiff for this idea):
Independence Day is coming. In my area, and I'm sure in many other areas, the fireworks display includes some sort of pre-fireworks programs. In my town, we have the 36th Army Band play a brief concert, have a few fireworks and cannons go off during the 'Overture of 1812' and then we have someone sing the National Anthem right before the fireworks begin.

The program has never included a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance before. In light of the disgusting, anti-American decision by the 9th and in my patriotic desire to resist tyranny, I called the director of the fireworks display and suggested he add the Pledge to the program. He loved the idea and the reason behind it! So, in my town thousands of people are going to celebrate their independence on Independence Day by asserting it and reciting the Pledge on city property at a city-sponsored event. You can rest assured that we will emphasize the "under God" portion of the Pledge.

Independence day is fast approaching. Many FReepers plan on attending various 4th of July events to include fireworks displays, etc. Get on the phone now and do as I did and get the full Pledge of Allegiance to be recited at the events in your area.

[lavaroise]

Under the First Amendment, anyone is free to exercise practically any religious belief they choose; they may not use the power of Government to impose it on anyone else. What's so complicated about the concept??

Because this court just codified a state religion. Atheism.

Hail #39 INDEED!!! IF WE ARE FORCED TO WORSHIP THOSE BASTARDS, THEN THEY CAN GO TO HELLLL!!! Time for revenge.

[nunya bidness]

It's true. We'll see if the R's take advantage of it. Time is short.

[Mo1]

Home schooling may be the only way to produce a generation which will rise up and call today's liberal nonsense damned

I am NOT saying the school system is the best and there are many reasons for the problems

But take a good look at the GENERAL public that you think should educate their kids at home ..

Do you REALLY think they could homeschool their kids properly ???

[Boucheau]

QUESTION:

If religion is not kept seperate from state. What would happen to your stance if Muslims somehow become the majority in our great country?

Would not then a complete seperation of church and state appeal to you?

[Texasforever]

If a politican in any party is wrong on a matter then scream it so, demand change, and most important don't defend it. Do not tolorate it from either side of the isle. Tolorance and compromises with the enemy {Liberals} has been a losing proposition. It's time to stop. It has to stop. The GOP must understand this has to stop.

No it is a numbers game. It makes no difference if Rino's are elected to the Senate. It makes a WORLD of difference in who chairs the Judiciary committees however. Look, those "RINO's that you find so distasteful come from districts that WILL NOT elect our brand of conservatives. It just is NOT going to happen. Ronald Reagan understood this an is the father of the "big tent". He did not do this to destroy the GOP but to make sure that the GOP was in a position to create a governing majority. Purists can "feel good" by defeating RINO's BUT 9 times out of 10 that defeat turns out to be a victory for the liberals. There are no longer any of the old conservative democrats in government, there are only rabid socialists. We do not have the luxury to defeat RINO's at the expense of electing socialists.

[HiTech RedNeck]

They'd do it a **** sight better than the public schools do.

[Jim Robinson]

That's why we've got to do more than just vote. We've got to write, call, and visit their offices. Now is the time to send them the message. Tell them what we want from them Tell them what we expect of them. Admit to them that we're scared out of our wits because the country has moved so far to the left and we're afraid we're gonna lose it all. Tell them that we need their help to turn it around and that we're sending them up there to do job for us. And spell it out what we expect them to do. They're hearing just the opposite from so many sources now. We've got to over come all that. All of America should be riled up with this one. The Pledge of Allegiance ruled unconstitutional even has the Democrats in the Senate up in arms. This is outrageous! Heard the Senior Democrat say this is STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!

[HiTech RedNeck]

The kind of God that is generally acknowledged... Jesus Christ or Allah... does make an immense difference. But I'd rather risk getting Allah than to shut out Jesus Christ.

[Jim Robinson]

No.

[goodieD]

Oh, I do not underestimate them..especially not now.. I'm just saying no matter what truly unconstitutional (and unBiblical) laws are passed, I have no plans on obeying them

[gracie1]

Actualy, any child can be excused from reciting the pledge for religious reasons. The Jehovas Witnesses have had this excemption for years. What this man (and the liberals who are egging him on) is trying to do is shove his brand of religiousity down everyone elses throat. Well I think they've all bit off more than they can chew. People are very po'd and the back lash is going to be enormous.

[TatieBug]

This is a huge WAKE UP CALL and everybody I've come in contact with today is on your same page...LET'S ROLL...God bless America! Let's stay united and accomplish our mission...TAKE BACK THE SENATE first!

[Texasforever]

Nor I.

[Mo1]

I'm am NOT knocking homeschooling ..

If I could do it I would .. but I can't so instead I send my children to private school

But my point was and still is .. take a look at the Public in GENERAL

[rwfromkansas]

You know, this tired old argument gets very old. You have no factual support for your view, so this is all you people come up with.

Here are some facts you may be interested in:

1. Jefferson, a guy who wrote about a "wall of separation of church and state," attended church in the Congressional building 3 days after writing that phrase.
2. Jefferson gave federal money to missionaries.
3. Madison, the father of the Bill of Rights, supported, alongside with Jefferson, a bill to "punish Sabbathbreakers" while in the Virginia Legislature. Keep in mind these were two of the most liberal founding fathers.
4. The U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled the public display of the Ten Commandments is wrong, has a statue of Moses and the Commandments in its chambers.
5. It was not until the 1940's when the current radical view of the separation of church and state came about. In fact, previous rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as state supreme courts, ruled in favor of things as far as blue laws mandating the closing of stores on Sundays.
6. The Northwest Ordinance, which was needed to become a new territory since I think 1787, required that schools support religion and morality.

Furthermore, here are some interesting quotes from Jefferson:

In the Thomas Jefferson Papers at the Library of Congress, the Kentucky Resolution includes this little interesting portion:

"3. Resolved, That it is true as a general principle, and is also expressly declared by one of the amendments to the Constitution,that "the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people"; and that no power over the freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or freedom of the press being delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, all lawful powers respecting the same did of right remain, and were reserved to the States or the people: that thus was manifested their determination to retain to themselves the right of judging how far the licentiousness of speech and of the press may be abridged without lessening their useful freedom, and how far those abuses which cannot be separated from their use should be tolerated, rather than the use be destroyed. And thus also they guarded against all abridgment by the United States of the freedom of religious opinions and exercises, and retained to themselves the right of protecting the same, as this State, by a law passed on the general demand of its citizens, had already protected them from all human restraint or interference. And that in addition to this general principle and express declaration, another and more special provision has been made by one of the amendments to the Constitution, which expressly declares that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press": thereby guarding in the same sentence, and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press: insomuch, that whatever violates either, throws down the sanctuary which covers the others, and that libels, falsehood, and defamation, equally with heresy and false religion,are withheld from the cognizance of federal tribunals. That, therefore, the act of Congress of the United States, passed on the 14th day of July, 1798, intituled "An Act in addition to the act intituled An Act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," which does abridge the freedom of the press, is not law, but is altogether void, and of no force."

Letter to Samuel Miller:

"I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the States the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in any religious discipline has been delegated to the general government. It must then rest with the States."

Letter to Elbridge Gerry:

"I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another."

The Works of Thomas Jefferson---Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush:

"The successful experiment made under the prevalence of that delusion on the clause of the Constitution, which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered also the the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment OF A PARTICULAR FORM OF CHRISTIANITY THRO' THE U.S.; and as every sect believes its own form is the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalians and Congregationalists. The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, and they believe that any portion of power confided in me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly."

(notice that this one indicates a view of the Establishment clause that is of a modern conservative, that it strictly refers to a legal establishment of a faith).