Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

[SUBMAN1]

Interesting.



-S

[Sailor Steve]

I've heard it, and read it, many times before. It's a great summation and explanation, but the pledge has always made me cringe. Not because of the words themselves - I think they're great; though a lot of them were added and changed long after the original was written.

What I object to is the very thing the site putting up that version says: "On behalf of politically incorrect Americans everywhere." Conservatives have their own versions of political correctness, they just hide it by calling the other side names.

What exactly is a government-mandated loyalty oath if not political correctness?

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

]

What I object to is the very thing the site putting up that version says: "On behalf of politically incorrect Americans everywhere." Conservatives have their own versions of political correctness, they just hide it by calling the other side names.

Excellent point! People talk about "political correctness" as if it were this static finitely defined concept. Political correctness seems to be only what the other guy does when he disagrees with me.

After all, if people do what I agree with, they are not being politically correct, they are just using common sense. :rotfl:

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

...What exactly is a government-mandated loyalty oath if not political correctness?

Strength. PC it is not. In this country, you have the right to not say the pledge as well. Has nothing to do with PC.

Political Correctness is a form of weakness. You wouldn't say it to your brother, but you would say it to an enemy or someone you really don't care about.

-S

PS. Steve - sounds like you don't care for your country? The pledge is something you want to say, not something you have to.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

you have the right to not say the pledge as well.

But how many children know that? We are brought up learning a one-sided dictum: "If you love your country you'll say it." "If you love your country you'll do things the way I tell you." Both sides do indeed have their own PC.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

PS. Steve - sounds like you don't care for your country? The pledge is something you want to say, not something you have to.

So caring for the county can only be done if a certain pledge is spoken?:hmm:
If one refuses he can't be a good American?

Sounds to me like "everybody has to be in the party, otherwise he is an enemy of the people..." like the Nazis/Communists said.

[mrbeast]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

So caring for the county can only be done if a certain pledge is spoken?:hmm:
If one refuses he can't be a good American?

Sounds to me like "everybody has to be in the party, otherwise he is an enemy of the people..." like the Nazis/Communists said.

Good point there Schroeder.

That kind of mentality is not exclusive to any country or political system.

[XabbaRus]

Yea Subman that's a bit unfair. That's like Bush saying you are either with us or against us and if you don't agree with us you are against us.

AFAIK steve served in the US armed forces so his opinion is valid.

I think what you said is a cheap shot.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

PS. Steve - sounds like you don't care for your country? The pledge is something you want to say, not something you have to.

Not quite. I care for what America stands for: Liberty and Justice for all.

Back in 1970 the strongest supporters of the Vietnam war came up with a bumper sticker: America - Love It Or Leave It. Soon the war's opponents came up with a counter: America - Change It Or Lose It. Which group was right? Both of them, in their own way.

When Bill Clinton was president I saw a bumper sticker: I Love My Country - But I Don't Trust The Government. Once we went to war in Iraq the supporters of that war started saying that if you were against it you were "UnAmerican".

What I don't care for is one group or another saying that their vision of America is the "right", "true", or "correct" one. As to the right not to say the Pledge, Barack Obama exercises that right, and look at the flak he's getting for it. And don't construe that to mean I support Obama - it's just an example.

I agree that the liberals have taken America far down the wrong road. The problem I have with saying so out loud is that I'm not so sure the one the conservatives are steering toward is the right one either.

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

AFAIK steve served in the US armed forces so his opinion is valid.

I thank you for the defense, but I disagree with the sentiment. I don't think military service validates one's opinion on these matters. It's a funny thing, but when Clinton was running for president his detractors pointed out his draft-dodging and opposition to the Vietnam war. I was pushed toward the Republican side mainly because of his "hemming" and "hawing"; his prevarication. He tried to deny it and push it aside. If he had stood up and said "You're damned right I opposed that war! It was wrong for us to be there and I'd do it again today!"; well, if he had done that I might have voted for him. I like someone who says what he means, even when I disagree.

[Platapus]

well said

[mrbeast]

As always, a thoughtful and intelligent reply from Sailor Steve

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by mrbeast

As always...

Well, not quite always. I'm still kicking myself for biting off August's head a couple of weeks ago for no good reason.