Bipolars dealing with Alcoholism Group

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COMMENTARY ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

by RED SKELTON

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

"I -- me, an individual, a committee of one.

PLEDGE -- dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.

ALLEGIANCE -- my love and my devotion.

TO THE FLAG -- our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

UNITED -- that means that we have all come together.

STATES -- individual communities that have united into 48 great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION -- one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"

INDIVISIBLE -- incapable of being divided.

WITH LIBERTY -- which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.

AND JUSTICE -- the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

FOR ALL -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine."

"And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:"

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

"Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD"

"Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?"

- Red Skelton

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O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

-- Francis Scott Key, 1814

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No poem, song, limerick, or other writing captures the American fight for Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness better than � The Star-Spangled Banner. � Originally written as a poem while Francis Scott Key was in the midst of securing the release of a prisoner, the Star-Spangled Banner is one of the richest poems ever penned.

Bear in mind the history behind this 4-stanza poem. According to Info, please:

On Sept. 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured after the burning of Washington, DC. The release was secured, but Key was detained on ship overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore. In the morning, he was so delighted to see the American flag still flying over the fort that he began a poem to commemorate the occasion.

Let�s have some fun and break it down.

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

When you got up this morning, did you see what I saw? I looked up, and the flag was still flying. Did you even bother to look this morning?

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Before the sun went down, we saluted with pride, knowing that battle would soon ensue, praying we would be victorious.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

The most beautiful, brilliant flag on earth, distinguished as an original, was remaining through the heat of combat, facing, as we are, the overwhelming odds against an enemy bent on our destruction.

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

Ramparts? What�s a rampart? Go look it up. We kept our watch on that beautiful banner while we protected ourselves and our fellow citizens. Our flag showed the bravery of our troops by staying right where it was.

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Danger all around. We�re not talking about fireworks. We�re talking about extreme peril.

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

But the light from the explosions lit up our flag to show our brave warriors were holding their ground

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Does that same flag still fly over that same country? Are its people still brave and free?

Every time I hear that song, I get goose bumps, unless it�s being scratched out by the likes of Rosanne Barr or some other discontented celebrity with a political ax to grind.

This song has meaning. Note that it is phrased as a question? Ask yourself the questions it asks. It can be a reality check for you -- if you let it.

As Independence Day approaches, listen to it once more, and take in its full meaning. Then remember to thank God for our Freedom and pray for our troops.

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Post edited by: sarahtroy, at: 06/30/2012 09:18 AM

What did King George think of the American colonists?

He thought they were revolting!