Thread: The Case Of The Pledge.

Demon
10-2 Language Arts
November 14, 2003
Summary of all articles

Before
I pledge allegiance to my flag
And to the republic for which it stands:
One nation, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all

After
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.

If and when the court bans the phrase in question, "under God", from the Pledge of Allegiance it will effect 9.6 million public school children in California (Micheal Newdow's daughter is one of them), Oregon, Nevada, Washington Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Hawaii and Alaska, plus Guam. It was not in the original pledge, but was added in 1954 by the Knights of Columbus and by other religious leaders who thought the Pledge needed to be distinguishable from the "godless communists". Theodore Olson, a Solicitor and a parent to a public school student, said, "It is far-fetched to say such references pose a danger of imposing state-sponsored religion." The court banned school children from praying on school properties and said that the children don't have to recite the Pledge.

Newdow has been fighting a long hard battle for custody of his daughter. To make matters worse, Sandra Banning (Newdow's ex-wife and also of California) said she does not have a problem with the Pledge or her daughter reciting it.

Newdow talked with a CNN reporter on the radio talk show Talkback Live. The interview is between Micheal Newdow and Arthel Neville by phone.

When asked what he thinks of the trial, Michael Newdow said, "I think the constitution has been upheld and I will fight to keep it that way."

Neville implies that Newdow's daughter was punished but Newdow says otherwise. Neville asked Newdow why he did not just tell his daughter "you don't have to say the pledge if you don't want to." Newdow responded with "I believe the constitution says that the government isn't supposed to be infusing religion in school, and I ask to have it upheld."

Newdow feels no anxiety towards filing this case. He says "If the constitution is violated you can bring up a case on what's bugging you about it."

When an audience member talked with Newdow, he said in short, "We are talking about the greatest flag to the greatest nation in the world; Americans will not let this go without a fight, and I can't believe the court gives you (Newdow) the time of day."

Newdow responded with, "I agree, this is the greatest nation in the world and the reason it is great is because of the Constitution…If Mike from Alabama would not mind saying, "One nation under Buddha" every day, or "One nation under David Koresh," or "One nation" under some religious icon he does not believe in... If he doesn't understand the difference, then we have a problem."

Newdow is getting support from some theorists and some friends. When asked if "In God We Trust" should be taken of the currency he said "Absolutely."

"Even if it costs a lot of money?"

"It cost a lot of money to put it on there and no one complained then. The issue is whether or not the government should be infusing religion into schools…. I choose to worship in NOT believing in God and the government should not thrust a religious idea down my throat. I was looking at my change one day and saw [that phrase] on them, and I thought, 'I don't trust in God.' And I did some research and found something in the Constitution that forbids that"
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If the court finds the Newdow does not have proper legal ground, it could resolve the matter without hearing the case on its merits. Newdow is representing himself in the case number Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow, 02-1624.

This is a link to the opinion of the courts in this case; newdow's appeal as it were b/c his original case was dismissed without prejudice.

Newdow v. U.S. Congress, et al. (.pdf)