I remember the Pledge as “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.” Even had a poster on the wall next to the blackboard so we wouldn’t forget. That was 1955. It was years later (the ’60s) I began to wonder what it meant.
Patriotism is taught just like everything else. Others are proud of their country whether they like who is incharge or not. I am very proud to be an American citizen and am glad I had to say the pledge.
If you think the Pledge is indoctrination, you should see the “history” videos non-candidate Mike Huckabee is pushing for the home-schooled market. Ronald Reagan saved us from dark-skinned muggers with knives, and “DISCO” tee shirts.
Enough Anti-Americanism already. I really liked your comic, now I’m getting disgusted with it!Go back to the wife and kid, and let the homeless guy keep begging…he could stop depending on everyone else’s generosity. If he doesn’t like our way of life, let him go elsewhere. I hear that Cuba has a good health plan, and all of its people are “well off”.
well….i wouldn’t call it un-american or anything. i remember very clearly, 1st grade, 1973, trying to say the pledge and having NO CLUE what the words were or what they meant.
WaPo has a list of alternative pledges, as well as the various versions through the years:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinion/2005/pledge/altpledge_main.html
I was relatively neutral toward the pledge until I moved to a district that also forced us to stand through the national anthem before saying it. (Gosh, that song is long.) That is honestly what drove me to resent the pledge. NOW I dislike it because of aspects like its unnecessary use of “under God”, a phrase which seems unfair to someone who’s had friends who, as children, had to sit through the pledge solely because of the religious aspect. Has this chant ever benefited from a later addition? If it weren’t for the pointless, mind-narrowing changes the only complaint I’d have with this chant would be a vague weirdness.But now I’m babbling as badly as the strip.
The Pledge was written by Francis Bellamy, who was a Baptis minister and a socialist. Bellamy intended it as “…an ‘inoculation’ that would protect immigrants and native-born but insufficiently patriotic Americans from the ‘virus’ of radicalism and subversion.” – read "indoctrination, there. It was published in the magazine “Youth’s Companion” as part of a marketing scheme to “…instill the idea of American nationalism by selling flags to public schools and magazines to students.” – in other words, a sales pitch. The original form of the pledge was:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” He had intended to add “equality” and “fraternity” to “liberty”, but decided against it – knowing that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans.
In 1923, “my Flag” was changed to “the Flag of the United States”, and a year later to “the flag of the United States of America”. “under god” was added in 1954 to make sure that there was no possibility that anyone reciting the pledge was a godless commie.
In the article in the “Youth’s Companion” in which the Pledge was first published, reciters were instructedas follows: “At the words, “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.”
This was known as the “Bellamy salute” and it was discontinued in 1942 because it made all those patriotic schoolchildren look like hordes of little Nazis.
So there you have it: a piece of nationalistic propaganda, written by a socialist as part of a pitch to sell flags and magazines that go more and more jingoistic and religious as time went on.
x_Tech over 13 years ago
I remember the Pledge as “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.” Even had a poster on the wall next to the blackboard so we wouldn’t forget. That was 1955. It was years later (the ’60s) I began to wonder what it meant.
Charles Brobst Premium Member over 13 years ago
Sooner pledge allegiance to this Democracy and the principles of humanity for witch it stands. But that’s just daydreaming, John Lennon style.
lewisbower over 13 years ago
People no problem reciting, “I have not worked and have looked for work these past two weeks.” They swear to that quick enough.
I'll fly away over 13 years ago
Patriotism is taught just like everything else. Others are proud of their country whether they like who is incharge or not. I am very proud to be an American citizen and am glad I had to say the pledge.
BLUEBONNETS Premium Member over 13 years ago
I really like this this strip, but I hope it’s not going “political,” …that’s always the kiss of death to anything entertaining.
Lary Youngsteadt over 13 years ago
I remember during the General’s Presidential reign when the words, “one nation under God” were added.
^edowens: political humor is a joy!
Dirty Dragon over 13 years ago
If you think the Pledge is indoctrination, you should see the “history” videos non-candidate Mike Huckabee is pushing for the home-schooled market. Ronald Reagan saved us from dark-skinned muggers with knives, and “DISCO” tee shirts.
PapaBill888 over 13 years ago
Red Skelton did the best explanation of the Pledge ever. You can find it on YouTube.
noreenklose over 13 years ago
Enough Anti-Americanism already. I really liked your comic, now I’m getting disgusted with it!Go back to the wife and kid, and let the homeless guy keep begging…he could stop depending on everyone else’s generosity. If he doesn’t like our way of life, let him go elsewhere. I hear that Cuba has a good health plan, and all of its people are “well off”.
bradbennett over 13 years ago
well….i wouldn’t call it un-american or anything. i remember very clearly, 1st grade, 1973, trying to say the pledge and having NO CLUE what the words were or what they meant.
RaiseMoreHell over 13 years ago
WaPo has a list of alternative pledges, as well as the various versions through the years:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinion/2005/pledge/altpledge_main.html
chaosandcake over 13 years ago
I was relatively neutral toward the pledge until I moved to a district that also forced us to stand through the national anthem before saying it. (Gosh, that song is long.) That is honestly what drove me to resent the pledge. NOW I dislike it because of aspects like its unnecessary use of “under God”, a phrase which seems unfair to someone who’s had friends who, as children, had to sit through the pledge solely because of the religious aspect. Has this chant ever benefited from a later addition? If it weren’t for the pointless, mind-narrowing changes the only complaint I’d have with this chant would be a vague weirdness.But now I’m babbling as badly as the strip.
Mary McNeil Premium Member over 13 years ago
The kids usually asked me who “Widget Stans” was.
runar over 13 years ago
The Pledge was written by Francis Bellamy, who was a Baptis minister and a socialist. Bellamy intended it as “…an ‘inoculation’ that would protect immigrants and native-born but insufficiently patriotic Americans from the ‘virus’ of radicalism and subversion.” – read "indoctrination, there. It was published in the magazine “Youth’s Companion” as part of a marketing scheme to “…instill the idea of American nationalism by selling flags to public schools and magazines to students.” – in other words, a sales pitch. The original form of the pledge was:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” He had intended to add “equality” and “fraternity” to “liberty”, but decided against it – knowing that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans.
In 1923, “my Flag” was changed to “the Flag of the United States”, and a year later to “the flag of the United States of America”. “under god” was added in 1954 to make sure that there was no possibility that anyone reciting the pledge was a godless commie.
In the article in the “Youth’s Companion” in which the Pledge was first published, reciters were instructedas follows: “At the words, “to my Flag,” the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, toward the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.”
This was known as the “Bellamy salute” and it was discontinued in 1942 because it made all those patriotic schoolchildren look like hordes of little Nazis.
So there you have it: a piece of nationalistic propaganda, written by a socialist as part of a pitch to sell flags and magazines that go more and more jingoistic and religious as time went on.