Inside Politics – The Washington Times: Inside Politics – April 30, 2004
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, chastised Rep. Jim McDermott, Washington Democrat, yesterday for omitting the words ”under God” while leading the House in a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday. …
Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican, accused Mr. McDermott of ”embarrassing the House and disparaging the majority of Americans who share the values expressed in the Pledge.”
McDermott spokesman Mike DeCesare said his boss learned the Pledge without the phrase ”under God.” The two words have been in the Pledge since 1954; Mr. McDermott was born in 1936.
I want an apology. I don’t care what sentiment impelled you to chastise McDermott for leading the Pledge as it was for many, many years. You have exhibited religious intolerance in a public forum and, in a most unDemocratic manner, have punished someone for being different and taken pains to assure it never happens again. Shame on you. mjh
It is far more embarrassing, and alarming, how intolerant Americans have become. Your party has contributed much to this while reaping power from this ugliness. Shame on you, too. mjh
Thank you for saying the Pledge as it should be said. You and I are not the only other people in the country who believe that is the correct form. I imagine you’re getting beaten up right now — I want you to know you did the right thing. mjh
Contact these three and your own Representative:
United States House of Representatives – Member Website Listing – By State
Since the phrase was added in the 1950s, not one World War II soldier, sailor or flier had pledged allegiance to the nation ”under God.” Yet, somehow, they did what they had to so well that we call them the ”Greatest Generation.” The dead and the living both. May God save us from the religious.