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December 11, 2003
Under God
"There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue in his outward parts"
-- Wm. Shakespeare
Like most Americans, I have a great deal of respect for the Constitution, a document I could not begin to recite were it not for 'America Rock' on Saturday morning cartoons. When the issue of the phrase 'under God' came to the 9th Circuit, I pledged that I would do something about that ignorance of mine. And now that the case has come to the Supreme Court and I find that I have not. Accordingly, I deserve to suffer for my lack of diligence.
If the Pledge is a creed, then it is a pledge to support the Republic. But the Constitution says we are to be afforded equal treatment without regard to our creeds. Thus the Constitution guarantees protection those who fail to recognize the Constitution. This makes perfect sense, for the law of the land is in effect whether or not we recognize it or bow down to worship it at regular intervals. The Constitution derives its power from the consent of the governed, not the loyalty of the governed. You don't have to be a patriot to get the benefit of the law. You don't deserve or earn your rights, you just get them. What's important is whether or not those rights are defended. Inasmuch as the Pledge of Allegiance is a loyalty oath ot America and thus the Constituion, Constitutional law doesn't require that oath.
Parents of teenagers probably understand what none of the complainers are willing to admit. It doesn't matter how seriously and soberly words such as the Pledge are meant, they will go in one ear and out the other. The only punishment for listening to the pledge is discomfort and anyone moderately radical enough to be offended by the implications (which in any context are slight) needs to be more radical indeed. This is an example of being gay when one needs to be queer.
In my laziness I see clearly how guns and money are an ignorant and lazy defense. As I write this I know very well that I'm not really interested in memorizing or reading the Constitution. I am just daring someone to come and make me recite the pledge. I'll spend money to have somebody shoot them or shoot them myself if it comes to that.
One of the scariest episodes in my life happened a couple years ago. A friend and I went to the Shrine Auditorium to audit a meeting of Scientologists. Believe me, there is nothing so frightening as being in the center of a crowd of thousands on their feet shouting idiotic slogans. This counts doubly when those around you are looking at you and wondering exactly why you are sitting down with a look of disgust on your face. This counts triply when you realize you could never make it to the door if you had to.
I am inclined to believe that Americans are not so foolish that they would not persecute people for not reciting the 'proper' Pledge of Allegiance. But I should know better. The foolishness of humanity doesn't respect the Constitution by default, and those Americans bent on forcing loyalty oaths and pledges only proves that.
I'll say it simply. Constitution or Pledge of Allegiance. Pick your priority.
Posted by mbowen at December 11, 2003 01:11 AM
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Comments
Bravo!
Posted by: John Aspinall at December 11, 2003 07:32 AM