Pledge 'under God' uproar dividing Estes residents (RMN)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

By Deborah Frazier, Rocky Mountain News
December 9, 2004

In Estes Park, there's discomfort on all political sides that the flap over a town trustee's refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance is redefining the community.

"Estes Park is becoming known as a town that wants to recall someone instead of as a tourist attraction," said Linda Wagner, a 12-year resident.

>snip

In September, Trustee David Habecker said he would stay silently seated during the pledge because the founding fathers wanted to separate church and state.

The pledge was written in 1892, but the words "under God" weren't added until 1954 during Sen. Joe McCarthy's witch hunt for godless communists, Habecker said.

>snip

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3386066,00.html

MKJ

[goddess40]

1. God lovers need to get over themselves

I don't stand for the pledge and I won't until the word's 'under god' disappear. It's my right as an American and as a individual anyone that objects and tries to force someone to adhere to there wishes is the one that is about as un-American as one can get.

Of course I'm talking about only those that love god that try to force their beliefs on others. Those that keep it to themselves are fine with me.

[meegbear]

4. I do the pledge, but I don't say "under God" ...

I keep my mouth shut at that part.

[jakefrep]

2. I don't understand...

Since when are the words "under God" essential to the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance? The Pledge is an oath of loyalty to one's country - what does God have to do with it?

Not to mention the irony in the fact that the debate over the Pledge is being waged by people who probably haven't recited it since grade school.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

3. Per the article, another trustee arranged for the pledge to be recited

at the council meetings, apparently to highlight the Godlessness of this particular trustee. MKJ

[Rob H.]

5. Then that other trustee is a dick

Kudos to David Habecker for taking a stand--or in this case, having a seat.

[jakefrep]

6. If I were Habecker,

I would stand and loudly say "UNDER ALLAH" when they got to the "under God" part, just to be an even bigger dick.

[TahitiNut]

7. It's a pretty weak 'God' that needs such a rabid marketing campaign.

It doesn't even begin to resemble the 'Almighty' in which my faith resides.

[Ian David]

8. It's One Nation UNDER CANADA!!

I wish they would just look at a damn map.

[TahitiNut]

10. Well, Canada is to the south of me.

The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel runs almost directly north-south, with Detroit at the northern end.

[annabanana]

9. The flag as idol...

They complain of desecration, but leave neglected rags to flap and mold away on the car antenaes..

Burning the flag to make a point is to honor the power of the symbol, letting it shred is the real insult.

I can't pledge to a piece of cloth.. I want to change it to pledge to the Constitution, like the President does (he WILL burn in hell).

edit:speling

[AllegroRondo]

11. Make them recite the pledge, but only in its original form

"under god" wasnt added until 1957

[KingChicken]

12. The "Under God" part was added durning the last Christian revival in 50s

I think it should be taken out eventually, however we stand the chance of alienating a lot of people who believe in god and think it right that the word(s) should be kept in our government.

They can keep the words, if it makes them feel better, I'm concerned with the fundamentals of our society, from discrimination of gays to our scientific base. The fundies are trying to rewrite science in this country to support their claims, like the beginning of humanity 10,000 years ago.

Keep them out of the textbooks first!