DON’T TREAD ON ME
Don’t Tread On Me
Number 16
June 27, 2002
"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; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances." - Article
I of the Bill of Rights
Yesterday a Federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled the "Pledge
of Allegiance" unconstitutional in a two to one decision, which has in turn
sent the media, the right, and the left into a complete frenzy. My first
thought is that the timing is very suspect - not of the ruling but of the
media blitz. It’s a distraction and is diverting energy from real issues
like W199I. However, many of those around me have asked my opinion so I guess
I’ll throw in.
The ruling was aimed at the compulsory saying of the pledge in public
schools, and as a person who would lick Rosie O’Donnells hairy armpit before
I sent my children to public school, I can safely say that this decision
is a moot point as far as I’m concerned. However, I’m a bit surprised at
the reaction of some of our so-called "intellectual elite." We’ll touch on
that later.
Now, I’ve got a bit of a problem with any type of compulsory group
reciting of anything. It always seems to bring to mind images of those rallies
the Nazis used to throw where 10's of thousands of brainwashed lemmings would
stand at attention and shout "sieg heil" over and over again. I would also
point out that pledging allegiance to a "flag" is moronic behavior; it’s
an inanimate object. If you feel the need to vocalize your beliefs - fine,
but any flag can have its meaning bastardized at any time. Bill Clinton and
George Bush (one and 2) both have propagated a lot of evil on this world
while waving the Stars and Stripes, so remember, what our forefathers fought
under that flag for and what is fought for today can be polar opposites.
As for the "under God" issue- most of you will remember that the phrase
"under God" was added to the pledge in 1954 at the urging of the Nights of
Columbus (a shady organization at best), and with Eisenhower’s help, pushed
it through Congress. The argument was that it would help separate America
from the "godless commies" and has obviously paid-off in spades. Nope, not
a single sign of communism in our "homeland" - let’s keep shoutin’ that pledge.
Anyway, they inserted the phrase "under God" and everyone went home
happy. No one thought to point out that "god" is a completely generic word.
Whose god? Is it Jehovah God? Is it Yehweh? Is it Thor, god of thunder? Allah?
Most Americans worship government as god, so it kind of makes sense
that children would be required to say it in public school, which leaves
this decision even more confusing when you think about it. Thou shalt have
no other gods before Me. . . Hmm?
The original pledge did not contain the words "under God" which I
find much less offensive because of the multiple meaning of the words, and
any clearer definition would be an outright violation of Article I- a certain
attempt at "establishment of religion." Be honest, tax money in the
form of public school class room time, being used to have children pledge
allegiance to Budda or even Jesus is unconstitutional. If you don’t agree,
then don’t bitch next time they ask for your finger prints when you want
to carry a gun. And I hate to break it to you but you cannot force a person
to believe in anything. But what’s more, if you honestly think that our nations
well being rests on whether or not the phrase "under God" is recited in the
a.m. by school children, then you need to seek professional help. The insinuation
that if a child says the pledge daily that somehow he’ll grow up to be a
fine up-standing conservative is the type of trite expounded by those who
think George Bush is actually a Christian. Ostrich burgers, anyone?
Our nation is doomed for much BIGGER reasons, not the least of which
is the fraud we call the Federal Reserve. I would also point out that the
Supreme Court ruled on the 27th that any students involved in any extracurricular
activity (Future Farmers of America, chess club, choir, etc...) are eligible
for random drug tests. No Article VI problem there. Perhaps we could reach
a compromise: students would be allowed to recite the pledge while pissing
in a cup. There - liberty preserved.
You have to realize that this is all meant to seek and destroy any
individualism that may be left in America. When Bey Buchanan, and a host
of other "conservative" mouth pieces, suddenly are allowed air time by CNBC,
it should raise a blood red flag with you. And have you ever noticed that
when these type of people get on live TV, they never attempt to change the
subject to something more important?
"Bey, what do you think about this flag mess?"
"Well Flavor O’Day, I think we have much bigger issues in this country,
such as a president who ordered the FBI not to investigate Al Queda, and
F-16's that were ordered to stand down when it was known that 4 planes had
been hijacked. And, we should probably be discussing the Bin Ladin/Bush family
business ties."
The reason you’ll never see that is simple: It’s all controlled. It
is a TV SHOW. They call it PROGRAMING
for a reason - snap out of it.
America, as it was intended, has ceased it exist. Get over it, and
put your effort into taking it back.
They can require the kids to pledge whatever they want as far as I’m
concerned. The "flag" has lost its meaning to me, much like the way the Union
Jack had lost its meaning to Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock in 1775 (never
really thought about that before, did ya?) That’s why this forth of July
I’ll be flying the Gadsden flag. You may remember seeing it; it is a yellow
flag with a coiled rattle snake on it, and the phrase "Don’t Tread On Me"
inscribed below. The rattle snake is representative of a species indigenous
exclusively to North America and strikes only when its space is invaded -
something I can relate to. I also won’t be saying any pledge, to any flag
, at all. But, for those of you out there that just can’t live without one,
try The Freedom Pledge. It’s being promoted by Jews for
the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and it goes like this. . .
I pledge my honor to the Bill of Rights, our precious national
treasure.
As the Bill is a fortress against tyranny, I will battle all
tyrants.
As the bill protects liberty, I will live free.
As the Bill guards rights born with all humanity, I will defend
the freedoms of future generations.
With my life, my words, and my daily deeds, with a vision of
what can be, I honor all of the Bill of Rights for all mankind.
Not perfect, but its point is well taken.
"... there was a time when a man stood strong. Right was right
and wrong was wrong..."
Keep your powder dry
-Frank
