"The ongoing migration of
persons to the United States in violation of our laws is
a serious national problem detrimental to the interests
of the United States." -
Ronald Reagan, 1981
"Tis our true policy to
steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of
the foreign world.." -
George Washington (1796)
Theodore Roosevelt's
ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.
"In the first place, we should insist that if the
immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an
American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be
treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it
is an outrage to discriminate against any such man
because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is
predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an
American, and nothing but an American ... There can be
no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an
American, but something else also, isn't an American at
all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag
... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language ... and we have room for but one
sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American
people." - Theodore Roosevelt 1907
Posted 10-19-2007
The Pledge of
Allegiance
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.
When I was a kid, I remember seeing the Red Skelton Show
where he described the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. It
was probably the first time I had ever really understood the meaning
of the words. Therefore, please allow me to share this with
you.
There is audio of the program and the controls are here.
I
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's respect because your loyalty has given
her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!
United
that means that we have all come together.
States
individual communities that have united into 48 great states.
Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and
purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to
a common purpose, and that's love for country.
And to the 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
one nation, meaning "so
blessed by God"
Indivisible
incapable of being divided.
With liberty
which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's
own life without threats, fear or some sort of
retaliation.
And Justice
the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all
which means, boys and girls, it's as much your
country as it is mine.
After reciting this older version of the pledge, Red Skelton
continues ...
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country
and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...
UNDER GOD
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said
that is a prayer
and that would be eliminated from schools too?
God Bless America!
Some History
about the Pledge of Allegiance (Source: www.USHistory.org)
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the
socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was
originally published in The Youth's Companion on
September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be
used by citizens in any country.
In its original form it read:
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which
it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all."
In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of
America" were added. At this time it read:
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times,
President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under
God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Today 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."
Section 4 of the Flag Code states:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "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.", should be
rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the
right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should
remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and
render the military salute."
Here in Texas, we have THE TEXAS PLEDGE (Version in
effect 06-15-2008).
The Texas
Pledge
Honor the Texas flag;
I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas,
one state under God,
one and indivisible.
