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Incidentally, the "Pledge of Allegiance" was written by Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, he wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. He was a Christian Socialist. In his Pledge, he is expressing the ideas of his first cousin, Edward Bellamy, author of the American socialist utopian novels, Looking Backward (1888) and Equality (1897).

His Pledge was this:
'I pledge allegiance to my Flag and (to*) the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' He considered placing the word, 'equality,' in his Pledge, but knew that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans. [ * 'to' added in October, 1892. ]

In 1923 and 1924 the National Flag Conference, under the 'leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution, changed the Pledge's words, 'my Flag,' to 'the Flag of the United States of America.' Bellamy disliked this change, but his protest was ignored.

In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

http://history.vineyard.net//pledge.htm

Just another example of how some things we think of as sacred have actually been twisted to the gain of specific groups over time. Specifically how nationalist proponents were able to change, "my flag" to "the flag of the United States of America" - efecitvely taking away the flag from even those who pledge allegiance to it, instaed the pledge now states that the flag belongs to the federal government and not the people. The addition of "under God" is still a lukewarm political topic. and it clearly gives even more power to the federal governmetn in the pledge, implying that that God favors the United States of America.

If the Pledge's historical pattern repeats, its words will be modified during this decade. Below are two possible changes.

Some prolife advocates recite the following slightly revised Pledge: '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, born and unborn.'

A few liberals recite a slightly revised version of Bellamy's original Pledge: 'I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with equality, liberty and justice for all.'

Only one problem with that modified version: you can not have true equality with true liberty. It is an either/or situation. Either everyone is 100% equal, or everyone is 100% free.

I will state this: I do not approve of the phrase 'under God' being in the pledge because of the reasons for which it was placed in the pledge. When Eisenhower announced that change, he said "school children will now daily pledge their allegiance to the almighty." That IS violating the seperation of church and state, because it shows an intent by the government to force some religious viewpoint onto people. Had it been added as a tribute to some of the reasons behind our country's founding, or to our religious freedom, I would have no problem with that phrase.

Very Interresting. I did not realize the reason behind Eisenhower putting that in the pledge. Actually, I don't think I even *knew* he put that in....I should definately try finding more time to commit to reading my book:
"Don't know much about history" by Kenneth C. Davis

So far, a very interresting read...maybe the pledge thing is in there too.

Mrs. Muddy, that is one of my all-time favorite books. Very entertaining for a history book altough thin on some aspects of american history (not much history of women/minorities is covered and it seems to rush throu the 20th century).

Highly recommended.

Hey where is my credit??
I bought the blasted thing.

:-P

"Hey where is my credit??"

Through the roof! That's where *your* credit is :-P

Burn :-D (he, he, he)

Alright fine...*mrs. muddy pats Muddy on the back*

Thank - you, dear :-) Happy now?

OK so far one point for skywalker.
In france we tend to differenciate democraty and republic along different lines... But it's been along time since I read (learned) all this, so I'll check my sources... sorry my reply will take time.

Just as a starter what you describe as a republic is what we call in france a constitutional state.
For instance in 1900 France had no real constitution, yet it was a republic. Because there was no constitution, any law could be past, including ones depriving some minority rights or whatever (not that the US constitution has prevented segregation ... But one can guess that if the constitution formally state that all citizens are equal whatever the color of their skin or eyes, then it becomes more difficult for a majority of white colored people, let's say, to force segregation on blacks

AS far as I remember Republic vs democracy goes along the line between public good vs interest groups... is there something as a general interest that can be found out by the benevolent state, or is it interaction between individuals and their interest groups which can lead to some compromise between the interests at stake...

But I'll check my sources... And come back in some weeks or months... Don't know if you'll wait, but the debate in centuries old so I don't think there's a urge there.

by the way Thanks for the text of the pledge of alledgiance