Tracy Hightower
Member
The Pledge of Allegiance
A few days ago my five year old granddaughter, asked me if I would like to hear her sing, the song “It’s A Grand Old Flag†and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? She did a wonderful job of singing this beautiful old song and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. While I listened to her recite the pledge, it made me realize that she had been taught the words and she had learned them well, but did she really know the meaning of what she was saying? Consequently it made me wonder just how many of us really do understand those words we have spoken so many times?
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I pledge: A declaration that one will or will not do a certain thing: Assurance, covenant, guarantee, promise, vow, solemn word, my word of honor.
Allegiance: Loyalty, or the obligation of loyalty as to a Nation, a Sovereign or cause. In this case it is loyalty to our flag and the nation our flag represents. The United States of America.
And to the Republic: A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and is usually a President. A political order in which the supreme power lies in its body of citizens ability to vote for officers and representatives Responsible to them, the citizens. ONE NATION, Our Nation
Under GOD: This nation was founded by religious men who new in their hearts and minds that we as a nation and people could never willingly submit to a king or monarch and could only survive and prosper in our dedication to and under the guidance of GOD. There are many people who would seek to remove the words “Under God†from our pledge and obliterate God from the many monuments and symbols that permeate our lives and history. While I respect the opinions of those that seek to remove GOD from our society, I disagree for many personal reasons but must take issue with those that use our Constitution as an argument. Specifically the 1st amendment, which first sixteen words say: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; The first amendment protects all citizens rights to freedom of religion, which includes my right to say “Under GOD†and others rights to refrain from doing so. Congress cannot make a law saying that I cannot say “Under GOD†anymore than it can make a law saying that anyone must say “Under Godâ€.
Indivisible: That which cannot be separated. This concept is best demonstrated in the times that our country has faced crisis, such as War or more recently the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This country, its citizens, have always set aside our differences and come together as a nation in these times and it is in these times of crisis that makes me even prouder to be an American.
With Liberty: The condition of being free from restriction or control. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.
A right or immunity to engage in certain actions without control or interference.
These words mean a lot to me and I think many citizens fall into what I call the “Liberty Hypocrite Trapâ€. For me to deserve that liberty I must also extend and protect the rights of others to say and do things that I may disagree with or even find offensive. For instance, for me to hear fellow citizens speak ill of my country as a whole hurts me. To see a citizen burn the flag of our nation brings out a hurt and a rage that comes from a deep love of my flag and my country. But I must realize that my fellow citizen lives in a country that affords him the RIGHT to burn my flag. As I said it hurts and I disagree but I am so proud that I live in a country that allows us the freedom to do and say things that others may find offensive and in other countries would not only be offensive to its citizens but would lead to a loss of that precious Liberty we all hold so dear.
And Justice for All: The principle of moral rightness; equity. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
When my granddaughter is a little older, I will take pride in explaining these words and their meaning to her for now I think she is still a little too young to fully understand them. I am so proud to be an American and to live in a country that affords us the freedoms that so many other of our fellow Human Beings may never know. I hope when you say the Pledge of Allegiance that you too will feel the pride I feel to say and mean those words. I wish you and your loved ones all a Happy Independence Day and my God bless you all.
A few days ago my five year old granddaughter, asked me if I would like to hear her sing, the song “It’s A Grand Old Flag†and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? She did a wonderful job of singing this beautiful old song and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. While I listened to her recite the pledge, it made me realize that she had been taught the words and she had learned them well, but did she really know the meaning of what she was saying? Consequently it made me wonder just how many of us really do understand those words we have spoken so many times?
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I pledge: A declaration that one will or will not do a certain thing: Assurance, covenant, guarantee, promise, vow, solemn word, my word of honor.
Allegiance: Loyalty, or the obligation of loyalty as to a Nation, a Sovereign or cause. In this case it is loyalty to our flag and the nation our flag represents. The United States of America.
And to the Republic: A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and is usually a President. A political order in which the supreme power lies in its body of citizens ability to vote for officers and representatives Responsible to them, the citizens. ONE NATION, Our Nation
Under GOD: This nation was founded by religious men who new in their hearts and minds that we as a nation and people could never willingly submit to a king or monarch and could only survive and prosper in our dedication to and under the guidance of GOD. There are many people who would seek to remove the words “Under God†from our pledge and obliterate God from the many monuments and symbols that permeate our lives and history. While I respect the opinions of those that seek to remove GOD from our society, I disagree for many personal reasons but must take issue with those that use our Constitution as an argument. Specifically the 1st amendment, which first sixteen words say: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; The first amendment protects all citizens rights to freedom of religion, which includes my right to say “Under GOD†and others rights to refrain from doing so. Congress cannot make a law saying that I cannot say “Under GOD†anymore than it can make a law saying that anyone must say “Under Godâ€.
Indivisible: That which cannot be separated. This concept is best demonstrated in the times that our country has faced crisis, such as War or more recently the terrorist attacks of 9/11. This country, its citizens, have always set aside our differences and come together as a nation in these times and it is in these times of crisis that makes me even prouder to be an American.
With Liberty: The condition of being free from restriction or control. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.
A right or immunity to engage in certain actions without control or interference.
These words mean a lot to me and I think many citizens fall into what I call the “Liberty Hypocrite Trapâ€. For me to deserve that liberty I must also extend and protect the rights of others to say and do things that I may disagree with or even find offensive. For instance, for me to hear fellow citizens speak ill of my country as a whole hurts me. To see a citizen burn the flag of our nation brings out a hurt and a rage that comes from a deep love of my flag and my country. But I must realize that my fellow citizen lives in a country that affords him the RIGHT to burn my flag. As I said it hurts and I disagree but I am so proud that I live in a country that allows us the freedom to do and say things that others may find offensive and in other countries would not only be offensive to its citizens but would lead to a loss of that precious Liberty we all hold so dear.
And Justice for All: The principle of moral rightness; equity. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
When my granddaughter is a little older, I will take pride in explaining these words and their meaning to her for now I think she is still a little too young to fully understand them. I am so proud to be an American and to live in a country that affords us the freedoms that so many other of our fellow Human Beings may never know. I hope when you say the Pledge of Allegiance that you too will feel the pride I feel to say and mean those words. I wish you and your loved ones all a Happy Independence Day and my God bless you all.
