I know, I know, many pundits wiser than I think we should let the pig thing go already. Blame it on my recent surgery, or my age, or the fact that I've always liked lipstick. Whatever the excuse, I'm not about to let it go yet. It's not over till it's over! I say!
To wit, herewith, and withwith, I present you another variation from the recently recorded Symphony of the Pig: Porky Pig and Old Glory which came out in 1939. There's a little history lesson here and Porky learns it from Uncle Sam.
However, something missing from today's version of the Pledge. Know what? And when and why it was added? I'll be back with more later. But I'll bet you know the answer.
I know! I know! It was added in 1954 during the Cold War.
ReplyDeleteSomeone on a presidential ticket was asked about the phrase when she was running for Governor:
11. Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?
SP: "Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me and I'll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance."
Apparently the Founding Fathers said the Pledge - even though it was written *by a Christian Socialist* in 1892! And used a phrase introduced 178 years *after* the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress!
Now that's change we can believe in!
For those who doubt political celebrity and crowd generator (both negatives w/respect to Obama, of course) Sarah Palin's answer, go here:
http://eagleforumalaska.blogspot.com/
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). Bellamy had originally hoped the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
ReplyDeleteIn its original form it read.
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read:
"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."
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration.
Today the Pledge is:
"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."