I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE...

I have been sitting at my computer studying for an upcoming insurance exam and have been watching the news on a cable news channel. What has really stirred me is this latest controversy on the Pledge of Allegiance. How often we take our precious God founded nation for granted.

I watched a news clip where a congressman made a joke when the speaker asked the people in attendance of a meeting to say the Pledge of Allegiance. I sadly watched as others in the room grumbled and only half heartedly complied. I also swelled with pride when I think of several biker organizations I belong to starting their meetings with the pledge. CMA first says the Pledge of Allegiance to our nations colors and then to the Christian flag and then a prayer is given, Patriot Guard Riders starts their gatherings with the Pledge of Allegiance to our nation then a prayer over the days activities, ABATE of Florida local chapter starts their meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance and then a silent prayer and moment of silence for fallen soldiers and fellow bikers.

How awesome it would be if not only the Christian communities, but the secular communities as well could learn from many of our biker brothers and sisters. Many of our Parents and our children gave their lives to protect our nation. Who could have ever guess in the 1960’s and 70’s that there would ever be a possibility the Pledge of Allegiance would be considered offensive to AMERICANS and that something as simple cherished by our founders as a prayer would be as offensive as pornography in our schools.

Listen well to the few surviving members of our GREATEST GENERATION. They will tell you stories that have long been deleted from our children’s history books. Stories of faith and patriotism, of morality and decency and dependence on one another. We are slowly moving toward a time when there will be no one to lay down their lives for their nations, a time when your neighbor would be considered a revival instead of a neighbor. Webster’s dictionary says a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans: to be a neighbor to someone in distress.
That no longer describes the majority of neighbors next door to our homes does it?

The late great comedic American once said this about our flag and country. "Boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it appears that it has become monotonous to you or could it be you do not know the meaning of those words. If I may, I would like to recite the Pledge and give to you a definition of the words.
I----meaning me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge----dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
Allegiance----my love and my devotion.
To the Flag----our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job.
Of the United----that means that we have all come together.
States----individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that's love of country.
Of America.
And to the Republic----a republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands!
One nation----meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible----incapable of being divided.
With Liberty----which is freedom and the right of power to live one's life without threats or fear or any sort of retaliation.
And justice----The principle and quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all.----which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine."

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our nation, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance "under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That's a prayer" and that would be eliminated from schools, too? ~ Red Skelton

What is it going to take to get us back to that level of patriotism and Christianity? Do you remember those brief few days after 9/11 when we became one nation under God. When NO one threatened to sue you for invoking God’s protection and blessings? Surely the ACLU offices must have been closed. Do you remember how our only concern was for our fellow Americans in that rubble? The nations attorneys must have been on vacation. Do you remember everyone wanted to go to New York and Washington DC to help? The UAW must have gone on extended lunch. What is it going to take to make this nation whole again? It doesn’t have to start with a disaster; it can start with just a simple gesture of human kindness to a neighbor or even a complete stranger. One NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE with LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL. We have the power and God given authority. Will me use it or will we be used. We have the choice. God bless America.