“It is easier to ask forgiveness then permission. However, in a system where this method is abused, the contrary is true.”
To me, it's all those people in the middle saying, "Look, I don't know. Sometimes the idea of a creator seems so ludicrous and other times so right. I don't know. I don't really believe, but neither do I disbelieve." Then after some thought and perhaps years of struggle, they realize. "You know what, it really doesn't matter. I will live my life. I will be kind to others. I will try to leave my space better than I came into it. I will try to ease the suffering of others. I will make a difference here and now... and I WON'T do it just because I will get into heaven(if such a place exists). And I won't not do wrong, not because I DON'T want to go to hell (or other such nonesense).... but because, and here comes the revelation... because we are ALL here together going through this thing called life. We all hurt. We all cry. It's difficult. We are all lost and fearful, and if we stick together we just might be okay.
Have the "Under God" or don't have it... it doesn't really matter. If you truly have no fear, then it shouldn't matter. Not worrying about "Under God" is not apathy, it is something that makes you strong. People will recognize it and will search for a way out of the dark. The dark can be a lot of places... not just non-belief in God. It is fear and uncertainty which leads to selfishness, anger, hate.
The Message was simple. Have no fear. If you don't fear, you will find your salvation, which is to say, don't worry about your salvation. The problem with people who try to insert "WORDS" and "SYMBOLS" into the collective conscienousness, is that they truly show their fear. Same goes for those who fight to take them out You know what, like I said, it doesn't matter if the world is Godless. They might just kill you.... but that wouldn't change the Truth, would it?
The common theme is to just relax and be the kind of person that God (insert your diety here) wants you to be... gentle but strong and calm but firm. People recognise a person of principles and will emulate accordingly. Jesus, didn't wage lawsuits in Roman court to get "Under God" placed in Roman children's education.
He said, give to Cesaer what is Cesaer's. That's synominous with, dude, look, fight over words if you want, I've got work to do.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...
wha!? No way dude, @!#$ the flag. I would never pledge my allegiance to stinking piece of cloth. Hell, if they pass an ammendment prohibiting flag burning, I'll be the first one on the steps of the capitol burning the sucker. I don't put my life on the line for a damn piece of colored cloth. What kind of fool do you take me for? That line belittles everyone who has ever served their country. It should be stricken. Now if by "flag" you mean the ideals of the country, freedom and liberty... well that's cool, but never never never confuse the two. One you can destroy with fire, the other you can destroy with apathy.
...and to the Republic for which it stands.
...Well kinda the same rant as above, but a little less strenuous. USofA is a great place to live, but it still feels weird pledging my allegiance to it as if it was a person or something.
...One nation...
Okay, no problems here. Although, "one nation" raises my hackles a bit as if we weren't ONE nation that would just be horrible. If someday, say, California wants to secede... well let 'em. No use spilling blood over it or anything. America isn't great because it's got a lot of land, has some kind of cohesive ONE NATION kinda thing going on. We are a diverse people whose strength comes from the fact that we disagree on EVERYTHING. ONE NATION almost becomes a kind of ONE TARGET. Well, it's a small point. One nation is okay, I guess, I mean, that's what we actually ARE at the moment, but it's not ALL we are.
...under God...
Hey, this isn't anything new or specific. God is just a word used for All Mighty Creator. It could be sentient, or tied to us all, or an abstraction... who knows, but there's something bigger than ourselves, our collective lifeforce, our collective will, something... and for lack of a better word we call it God. No problems there. You can take or leave it... doesn't change the ways things are though.
Indivisible...
hmmm, sounds like Lincoln again. We all know how many people died the last time we tried to enforce this point. I say, if they want to go, let 'em. Leadership isn't called "draggership." You can't force people to follow you. If you want them to follow you, to maintain a cohesive country, you have to be the kind of state that people want to be a member of.
...With liberty and justice for all.
Well, now that's a nice ending. Maybe if we just used that part, thought about it a bit more, and practiced it a bit harder, we would actually HAVE it.
I guess only one line is really worth keeping, eh?
Our company is in the midst of moving to a new office. It's been difficult, with all the papers, clutter, furniture, and computers. To top it all off, we are moving to a smaller space. I don't have the faintest idea how we are going to fit all this shit. It's pure chaos, something which I don't handle well.
"I'm being pushed beyond my specifications!" I cry in despair to Laura. "I'm sorry I'm not good enough to manage all this!" I continue my rant, out of desparation, venting my feelings of frustration and hopelessness. "I wasn't built for managing chaos. I can't deal with this. Give me something simple to do, and I can do it. I just need something simple that my mind can handle!"
Olaia, looks my way, thinks for a moment, and informs me, "Daddy, you can put my shoe on."