Journal guttentag's Journal: Letter sent to Sen. Feinstein on the Pledge 2
As a California resident who voted for you in the 2000 election, I find your recent comments on the Pledge of Allegiance embarrassing, cowardly and ill-informed.
In your press release of June 26, 2002, you stated:
"This nation from its foundation has had a belief in God, and has a long tradition of expressing that belief."
In 1791, the first amendment added the following to the Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In 1954, 163 years later, Congress passed a law adding the words "under God" in response to lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, a religious group that proudly states its purpose as "Protecting Catholic Families for Generations." (see http://www.kofc.org/index_eng.cfm) The bill was forced through the legislature at the height of Senator Joseph McCarthy's reign as a statement to distinguish America from "Godless Communism" and signed by President Eisenhower (who was under direct attack by McCarthy at the time) just five months before Congress censured McCarthy (see http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/60.htm).
The individual's right to pursue his own religion without the pressure of government-imposed religious tenets is one of the oldest of American traditions. The profession that all true Americans believe in God is a modern, flawed tradition born of fear and political terrorism. The words "under God" must be stricken from the Pledge to preserve the basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
I find it hard to believe that you truly believe it is Constitutional to require public school educators across America to teach children that this country is "one nation under God." It is a government endorsement of religions that believe in a God. I suspect it is more likely that you fear the backlash of the uninformed masses who believe that this ruling is an attack upon their religions.
Your comments on this subject only serve to perpetuate the cycle of fear and misinformation, heralding a return to the political climate of Sen. McCarthy. In an era where the Justice Department has declared that President Bush has the authority to arrest and hold American citizens ("enemy combatants") indefinitely without evidence, review or trial, our country cannot afford the kind of acquiescence you have demonstrated.
In your press release, you stated: "The words 'Under God' were added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, and I have never heard a single comment from anyone in half a century objecting to that." Now you have heard an objection, and you heard an objection in the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court justices, who are California voters as well.
If you cannot reconsider your statements on this subject, I must reconsider my vote. I will be vocal and precise in explaining that I cannot vote for you again because you have failed to serve your country in your capacity as a United States Senator.
Excellent! (Score:2)
I think I'll write my two scumba-- er, Senators a letter along the same lines.
I'm sure (since this is the South) that they came down on the side of crushing the minority view in favor of the majority... thereby forgetting what the original point of this whole democracy thing...