The Bill of Rights is a document that describes the fundamental liberties of the people of the United States.  It also forbids the government to violate these rights.  It also guarantees to everyone the freedoms of speech, of religion, and of the press, and the right of assembly.  They protect a person’s right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  The government has only limited powers delegated by the people.   For effective self-government, a citizen needs fundamental human freedoms so he may vote intelligently and can hold public offices and govern.  In addition to this Bill of Rights is the pledge to the flag which is a solemn promise of allegiance to the United States.  It reads:  “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.  Public school children first recited the pledge as they saluted the flag during the National School Celebration held in 1892.  President Benjamin Harrison had called for patriotic exercises in schools to mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America.  Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) of Boston, an associate editor of the Youth’s Companion, wrote the original pledge.  In 1942, Congress made the Pledge part of its code for the use of the flag. In 1954, it added the words “under God.”  It seems that some atheists in Massachusetts are going to court so that their children will not have to say the Pledge in school.  It is my understanding that any child who does not believe in God does not have to stand and repeat the Pledge and a lot of schools have the Pledge recited at the beginning of the school day in the court-yard when the flag is raised.  And, those not wanting to say the Pledge do not have to attend the ceremony  or stand.  So what is the deal with these parents?  I wish the courts would throw this lawsuit out.  How many times do people have to go to court to solve this problem?  The majority should rule!  We continue to take up the court’s time with frivolous lawsuits.

kommonsentsjane