Judge Upholds Wording Of Texas Pledge
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2009
by Abigail Richards
Texans value few things in life and God and guns tend to be high on those lists. That is why it is no surprise that when an atheist tries to take God out of the state pledge of allegiance, it is quickly dismissed.
The Texas pledge is a simple pledge. In 2007, state legislators inserted the words, "one state under God" into the pledge. The words are as follows:
I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas, one state under God,
one and indivisible."
I have to admit, there was nothing more monumental to my day as a former Texas teacher then this practice. It starts with the United States pledge, then the Texas pledge, then a one minute of silence.
As a teacher, that was my time to refocus and remember why I did what I did. Keep in mind, no one was forced to participate, ever.
Enter parent David Wallace Croft, who feels that the 2007 insertion is unconstitutional and amounts to the violation of church and state.
U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade upheld the pledge as it is worded.
In his opinion, Kinkeade wrote, "A voluntary recitation of the Texas Pledge of Allegiance simply does not coerce students in the same way a school-sponsored prayer might."
He noted that the U.S. pledge and four other states have similar pledges that make reference to God or divine grace.
Attorney General Greg Abbott noted during the case that students have the right to be excused from reciting the pledge by form of a letter.
These cases to me just seem a waste of time, money and resources. No one is forcing these acts on anybody. As a teacher, I saw several kids just play during this time. It wasn't like they even realized what was going on around them.
No, this is a parent issue. This parent, in particular, has already brought one case against the state for the one minute of silence. It, too, was just rejected by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Despite these rejections, Croft and his lawyer are still appealing these issues. What is the point except to waste taxpayer dollars?
I am sure his kid did not even have an issue with taking part or not taking part. All these cases seem the same to me. Someone trying to get their 15 minutes of fame and in the end continue to drag it out when they are rejected.
Truth is, kids can just work during this time if it pleased them to do so. If anything, it gives them a chance to share to others what they believe and why. If they believe it, they should be able to defend it. If they don't, the same should apply.
So Mr.Croft with all do respect, you have rights-use them. Don't waste our tax money on your need for attention. Write the letter for your kid to be excused, home school or move your kid to a private school that does not exercise this practice.
If you have issues with Texas and their pledge, maybe Texas isn't the state for you. Use your rights and find a place that does make you happy. Quit wasting money over issues that really were answered years ago.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Abigail, good job and I know who you are relating to but do we know what God the state is referring to?
Abigail, so glad you wrote this! Your advice to opponents of the pledge is right on.
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