OK, unlike my last couple of rants, I will make an attempt to contain myself regarding the use of "strong" language. No promises, though. My sarcastic sense of humor might not allow it.

First, let's start with a link to a news article concerning today's subject. Some atheist fellow in California appealed to some court because he doesn't want his daughter to listen to other kids say the Pledge of Allegiance in school. (I just hope someone is around to call him a hypocrite on the occasion he decides to say, "God d*** it!") After a certain bit of evolution, the courts are at odds with "under God" in the Pledge, citing separation of church and state. Granted, "under God" wasn't added to the Pledge until 1954 and, therefore, isn't an original part of it. However, "under God" doesn't necessarily imply religion. "God" is simply a reference to a supreme being that may or may not exist in or around this universe. At some point, it was asked, how fast would it be changed if it said Allah? Ah, a clear indication that we are dealing with unenlightened induhviduals (Dogbert rocks!). Allah is just one of many, many names for "God" (the previously mentioned "supreme being"). Anyway, fine, let's say we remove "under God" and restore the Pledge to it's original state. What about the rest of the "United" States of America's traditions and founding principles? So help me God, "God" is mentioned innumerable times throughout the collected documents and practices of these "United" States.

I am not a religious person. I follow no sacred deity or doctrine, only what I feel in my core to be right. Having "under God" in the Pledge makes perfect sense to me. It shows a bit of humility, stating that this country is not, itself, trying to be the supreme authority on what is right in the world, but that it, too, can be below a higher power, whether that power be a "supreme being" or simply an ideal of morality. Wow, I know I had to have broken a couple rules of grammar with all those commas.

The only point I wish to make here, aside from the fact that people are demonstrating their aptitude for stupidity again, is that "under God" seems, to me, to be doing more good than harm. At least, it would if people would stop acting like uneducated children and look at things in a more logical and informed manner. Oh, for anyone who may be curious, I put united, in "United" States of America, in quotes because we are more divided now than we have ever been. Even when we were at civil war our ideals were more coherent, more united. We've become greedy and selfish to our own personal wants and refuse to be open to the needs and opinions of others. It makes me wonder how we can aim to "help" other countries with their stupidity when we can't seem to get a handle on our own problems.

Anyway, here are two more links, both relevant and opinionated:

I Pledge Allegiance: by Red Skelton, One of my comedic heroes.
Restore Our Pledge of Allegiance: I don't agree, but it's a valid point.

Woo hoo! I didn't swear this time! I'm so proud of myself. Of course, my sarcastic sense of humor almost influenced me to place a few colorful words in this last statement. Self control, look into it........

Oh, and may you go with the sacred deity, or lack thereof, of your choosing.