The Liberal Left Freaks have won another battle. Our Pledge of Allegiance has been deemed "Unconstitutional" by the federal courts. That evil three letter word is the culprit, they say. Apparently, even though this GREAT country was founded by people with strong Christian beliefs it has become unhip to use the word "God" anywhere. First, they cry that it's on our dollars, then the walls of our public buildings, now our Pledge to our Country. Give me a break. Just who are we protecting? The word "God" can mean any god you choose. And if you're atheist then it can't possibly offend you because you don't believe anyhow. This isn't about "God". This is about the outlandish belief that anything American and filled with pride could potentially offend the weak souls who infiltrate our borders. Sorry if I sound a bit unfragmented, but I just can't recall my school chums becoming Jesus "freaks" because of the morning Pledge. And I don't remember the Budhists and Jehovas being burned at the stake during recess. We've got to stop feeling sorry for everyone else and start worrying where our loyalty has gone to.

absolutely right ... I'm sure no religious fanatic ... in fact, those who attend church with any regularity at all would think I was a total newcomer if I were to show up, but to me, the whole PC thing has become not just a bit too much, but a total crock of sh** ...

GOD BLESS AMERICA...or (IMO) at least those who believe in A god, but hopefully THE God that this country WAS founded on! Let them bring it on! I'll stand firm in MY beliefs.

This was a stupid ruling. I say that even though I would prefer the pledge not contain the words "under God". This ruling is so divisive and over something wholly symbolic. Aren't there more important issues for the courts to tackle? This will stir up real hatred, the last thing we need. For years, when I said the pledge, I simply didn't repeat those two words, but I never felt violated when others did. Idiotic, divisive, and most of all- it violates free thought and expression.

Please, don't fling "geezer" comments in my direction (e-Chick, that includes you), but I remember quite well when the pledge did NOT contain "under God" ... the phrase was added near the height of the "cold-war" to emphasise the contrast between ourselves and the Soviets, who were, of course, officially an atheist state ... with that phrase just sort of jammed in, the revised pledge has always sounded a little awkward to me and would not be harmed in any way by the deletion .... HOWEVER ... it absolutely pisses me off that some little sh**-head doctor in Sacramento gets a weed up his a** and gets the Supremes to go along ... this same dork failed in his attempt to get "In God We Trust" removed from our money and now revels in his accomplishment in getting the pledge ruled unconstitutional ... small wonder he says in the paper this morning he fears someone will toss a brick through his window ... if it were me in his spot, I'd feel pretty good if it were ONLY a brick ...

This is a complete sham and slap in the face by the idiots who feel that it is their "right" to protest the use of God, Jesus, etc, Crosses and any other religious symbol in our daily life! If you don't like it or do not believe in a "God" then don't participate, but why go through this trouble and cause this much grief just for a little publicity. This farce will be overturned and ignored one way or the other. It had all 99 US Senators up in arms yesterday and might help to reunite them in a just cause! God Bless America is not a hollow phrase and should mean that much more to each and every American after 9/11! Charlie

First: I think the guy who filed the suit is just too damn smug. I don't like him. Second: Take out the words "under God" and the pledge is still an affirmation of American patriotism. It is also more inclusive. This is no longer a monotheistic society. We need to bring our Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and all Americans of diverse faith brothers and sisters into the fold. I see his point. But I don't like the way it was made.

That guy is a first class nut case and will bask in his 15 minutes of shame and when the Supreme Court throws him out on his ass, we will never hear of him again...........I feel sorry for his daughter! Charlie

I can't even talk or write about these idiots without getting really pissed off!

Right after 9/11, there were patriotic banners and flags everywhere. I had noticed one near Miramar MCAS that simply said in bold r/w/b/ letters, "God Bless America." Well, a few days later, someone had changed it by covering up the 'B' in Bless. Now it said "God-less America" which I think pretty much sums up the whole kit and caboodle.

If that prick is offended by the word God, I wonder if he's okay with the evolution theory that is taught (much to my chegrin) in our public schools...does he agree or does he think he just exists? I don't get that whole evolution, big band theory. I'm sure that those here with scientific backgrounds may want to enlighten me, but save it.

But that aside, does he agree with the further teachings in our public schools regarding the homosexual community, i.e., books titled MY 2 DADS and so on? And what about public holidays such as President's Day, MLK Day, here in CA - Cesar Chavez Day? If his 'views' aren't the same as those that are honored, does he just send his daughter to school anyway or does she get the day off in honor of it?

Obviously, I could continue to pick it apart...but this guy has no rationality and is making a complete fool out of our judicial system. That this is even an issue is ludicras.

As for the word "God", doesn't religions other than Christianity call their deities God? If you happen to be an Athiest, a fraction of the world's populus, just refrain from saying that phrase or perhaps insert your own words like "one nation, under seige...or one nation, I don't respect...or one nation, that I hate..."

The terrorists that are getting this news must be ecstatic that our moral fabric is tearing away even further...we can not and must not let people like this get away with it! Too many of our fellow "Americans" and their families have sacrificed immensely defended our rights to enjoy our freedom and yes, remember what we were taught back in school - our religious freedom.

Personally, I think we should bring back the public gallows....

I used to think I was conservative till I started reading cigar bulletin boards! I feel like Ralph Nader over here. 😉

P.S., Don't flame me e-chick, but being an atheist or an agnostic doesn't make you unpatriotic. Ever heard of Thomas Paine?

public executions ... now THERE's the topic of a really hot thread ... you might be onto something that will really spark some response now ... I, by the way, am not at all sure you're wrong ... there is potential merit in that suggestion ...

at the risk of being repetitious, I remind all of you again that until the mid-50's, the phrase "under God" was not part of the pledge ... removing it will not hurt the pledge at all and will apparently satisfy the judicial interpretation of the constitution ...

Very true, Steve. To quote Cervantes "Beneath my cloak, I kill the king". Whether I say "under God" or not, it has no bearing on what I believe.

As for public executions, I believe those are popular in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Atheists and agnostics shouldn't even concern themselves with religion...to them, it doesn't exist. Right?

What they should concern themselves with (IMO), is being patriotic and upholding our heritage as Americans.

From the inception of our government, "God" was always included in the wording of documents, prayers envoked at meetings, etc...YES, it was later determined that a seperation of Church and State was necessary, however, I believe that was due to the education process (get your religion at home and/or church, not school), and that in fact the existing word and recited word "God" was if you will a generic catch-all for everyone's belief in some sort of 'higher being'...Leave it alone or go found your atheistic/agnostic country where you can be damned and be happy all at the same time!

I don't know what effect that has on their crime rates, but it seems that they would certainly be greater deterrants if implemented on a timely and public basis ... as it is, few of us can even recall the events that (finally, in a few cases) result in capital punishment ... there is pitifully small conection between crime and punishment the way the system works (or doesn't work) now ....

Don't put words into my mouth...I NEVER said 'public execution.' What I DID say was 'public GALLOWS.'

I was inferring that if such things were continually before the public, there may be a certain FEAR that if you commit a heinous crime, you will pay. Just as if we are continually reminded of "God" in our daily lives, we may FEAR any punishment for our transgressions...

How many people/kids do you know that have little to no respect for authority? If you say none, you're lying.

Our country as a whole, in recent decades, has flipped it's nose at being united. Everyone wants their own seperate title. I think we should bring a lawsuit against our kids having to lie when they say The Pledge of Allegiance. To use the words UNITED and INDIVISIBLE is a joke in this day and age. Who are united with? It sure ain't each other! And indivisible? I can't think of any other country with more division and diversity...

oh, my ... this IS getting interesting now ... the founding fathers, some of whom were quite religious men and some of whom were not (good call on Tom Paine, Jim) were not concerned about freedom FROM religion, but freedom OF religion ... they wanted to preclude the possibility of a state IMPOSED religion, which is what England at the time had done. They rightly wanted to be free to choose their own expression, which is not a bad thing at all ... the addition of the "under God" phrase did not change the essential meaning of the pledge, nor would it's removal do so now ... but the over-legislation of all these issues IS the underlying destruction of our societal fabric ... we need fewer laws and less government, not more ... goverment should do that which can be done no other way and nothing more ... those who choose one religion over another should have that option, including those who choose "none" ... e- is right in saying the terrorist crowd is no doubt smiling at all of our in-fighting ... that is the precise intention of their terrorism ... they cannot beat us, but will win if they can induce us to beat ourselves ... without the "under God" phrase, the essential element and intent of the pledge is, in some ways, made more clear ... "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" ... if divisible, we cannot win, but if indivisible, we cannot fail ... I hereby take the pledge.

Believe me, I'm not a so-called Bible thumping fanatic, but I will always stand up for MY God and MY country and if anyone is offended...bring it on.

There's certainly enough out there that is offensive to me, but I'm a big girl and I can handle it!