Posted on 06/27/2002 2:04:36 PM PDT by AgentEcho
The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program (1951 - 1971)as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.
Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of these words.
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"
I -- me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge -- dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity. Allegiance -- my love and my devotion. To the flag -- our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!
United -- that means that we have all come together. States -- individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and
purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to
a common purpose, and that's love for country.
And to the republic -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the
people to govern. And government is the people
and it's from the people to the leaders, not from
the leaders to the people.
For which it stands, one nation -- one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"
Indivisible -- incapable of being divided. With liberty -- which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of
retaliation.
And Justice -- the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others. For all -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country
and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...
UNDER GOD
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said
that is a prayer
and that would be eliminated from schools too?
God Bless America!
'I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG'
What do these words mean to you? To me they say, "Thank you, America, for your strength, your courage and for your freedom....which has been a beacon to the world for two hundred years."
'OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'
....Whose bright stars are fifty states...each bearing it's own stamp of individuality. People...two-hundred million strong...people...who have come to her from all corners of the earth.
'AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS'
A land of laws...which an ingenious system of checks and balances that allows no man to become a tyrant...and lets no group prevail...if their power is not tempered with a real concern for the government...a land where the right of dissent and of free speech is jealously guarded...where the ballot box is the sword...and the people its wielder.
'ONE NATION...UNDER GOD!'
A land where freedom of worship is a cornerstone of her being. A land graced with temples and churches, synagogues and alters, that rise in profusion to embrace all the religions of the world.
'INDIVISIBLE'
A land forged by the hot steel of raw courage...and formed forever...by the awful crucible...of civil war.
'WITH LIBERTY'
Where man in pursuit of an honest life will not be denied his chance...where her citizens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance of fear...a land brimming with opportunity...where freedom of choice, is the guideline for all.
'AND JUSTICE'
The courts of our land are open to all. Its wheels of justice grind for all causes...all people. They look to every avenue for justice...every concern of the law, and they temper their reasoning with mercy...
'FOR ALL'
MIDI rendition of this can be found here scroll down to find it: http://www.wavethemes.org/~usa/index.html
'I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG'
What do these words mean to you? To me they say, "What the hell do you mean I can't have a flag on my fire engine???"
'OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'
....Whose bright stars are fifty states, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of the federal government. People...two-hundred million strong, and another two hundred million weak in the head...people...who have come to her from all corners of the earth. Especially Saudi Arabia.
'AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS'
A land of laws...Many of them incredibly stupid laws, with an ingenious system of checks and balances that can be neatly sidestepped if you have the right FBI files...and lets no group prevail, except the politically correct...a land where the right of dissent and of free speech is looked at cross-eyed...where the ballot box is the sword, except in Florida, where it is a mystery.
'ONE NATION...UNDER GOD!'
Oh no, you don't!
'INDIVISIBLE'
A land forged by the hot steel of raw sewage, and the cold mush of Oprah...
'WITH LIBERTY'
Where man in pursuit of an honest life will be crushed like a bug...where her illegal aliens move freely within her vast borders without hindrance of fear...a land brimming with Al Queda operatives...where freedom of choice, is the guideline for all. Except you over there.
'AND JUSTICE'
The courts of our land are open to all of our goofy idiots with goofy attorneys. Its wheels of justice grind exceedingly slowly for all causes, no matter how squirrelly...all people, no matter how disturbed. They look to every avenue for justice, and end up in the alley...every concern of the law, like too-hot McDonald's coffee, and they temper their reasoning with sheer idiocy...
'FOR ALL'
No one escapes! No one! Ha! Haaaaaaa!
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