I do not know Ms. Bean nor her opponents. I have no agenda here other than an attempt to learn the truth. From what I can tell, it was the League of Women Voters who left the Pledge of Alliegance out of the program. Democrat Melissa Bean and Republican Joe Walsh stood and recited the Pledge. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer did not.
I agree with BOR. I've never liked, nor felt patriotic pledging allegience to the flag. The flag is an object, and a symbol. The Constitution is also a symbol, but much more.
I also have a slight problem with the "under God" phrase. While I accept and understand that the Constitution does't require a wall of separation between church and state, I think it's a pretty damned good idea.
Wow... I think some of you are really reading too deep into this. I think the people are sick of being told by politicians what they cannot do. I think the 'spontaneous' recital was how those people stood up to bureaucracy and those politicians attempting to dictate against their will.
I am also a patriot to this country. PERIOD. She has flaws, she makes mistakes but she is my country. I think I can recite the Pledge without being labeled a misinformed conformist. I think the more we, as Americans, can rally around a common purpose for the good of us all, the better.
I think the speaker in the video was Ms Bean, was attempting to reign in the people with her supposed 'position' in government. Which elected public figure has a right to order you around?
Wow... I think some of you are really reading too deep into this. I think the people are sick of being told by politicians what they cannot do. I think the 'spontaneous' recital was how those people stood up to bureaucracy and those politicians attempting to dictate against their will.
I am also a patriot to this country. PERIOD. She has flaws, she makes mistakes but she is my country. I think I can recite the Pledge without being labeled a misinformed conformist. I think the more we, as Americans, can rally around a common purpose for the good of us all, the better.
I think the speaker in the video was Ms Bean, was attempting to reign in the people with her supposed 'position' in government. Which elected public figure has a right to order you around?
I agree with BOR. I've never liked, nor felt patriotic pledging allegience to the flag. The flag is an object, and a symbol. The Constitution is also a symbol, but much more.
I also have a slight problem with the "under God" phrase. While I accept and understand that the Constitution does't require a wall of separation between church and state, I think it's a pretty damned good idea.
...
We got along pretty well for 180 years with religion in our public life; it's only been since the 70's (and the influx of 60s radicals into our education and political systems) and the introduction of "political correctness" that we've started to have all these perceived problems with religion in government. The "Religious Right" didn't form until confronted by such concepts as legalized abortion and removing the most innocuous of prayers from schools and the public. It was those asserting their "right" to not be offended who began this slide, not those who wanted to practice their religion.