Here's some questions to consider:
- What does freedom mean to you?
- Would you say “give me liberty or give me death”? (Patrick Henry, 1775)
- How often do you take a stand for what you believe in – at work, with friends, with family?
- How often do you “go along” with something just because you don’t want to draw attention to yourself, or you don’t want to make a fuss?
- How often do you exercise your “freedom” to say no when you really don’t want to do something you’ve been asked to do?
- Do you take on the opinions and perspectives you hear on the news or read in the paper? or do you investigate other sources and come up with your own opinion?
“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.”
Here’s a word-by-word interpretation of it from the late comedian and actor Red Skelton: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz2XDXaeqc
The First Pledge of Allegiance:
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.” – Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) written in 1892 for a school's 400th year Columbus Day celebration. (listen to more of it's history on my podcast: www.happy-seeds.org)
Other Sites of Interest:
- http://www.usflag.org/ - read "Lesson For Americans" by Mike Dalka (very moving!)
- http://www.poofcat.com/patriotic.html - various commentaries in many forms
- http://www.ushistory.org/documents/ - long list of historical documents
- http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bf.html - lots of flag history and information on many different flags
- http://www.ushistory.org/index.html - lots of info about lots of people and events
- and just for additional perspectives, try a google search on: "pledge of allegiance" socialist (did you know that Francis Bellomy was a Socialist Minister?) or pledge dispute or flag dispute
-Becky
