ex-idaho

Mr. Simpson, I heard you on the Doug Raper show earlier today. You suggested that the decision regarding the Pledge of Allegienace was somehow flawed. The vast majority of legal scholars agree with the decision and feel that the 9th circuit made the right call.

The attempts of yourself and other members of Congress to intimidate the court into overturning this ruling is un-American to say the least. Upon hearing that the decision had been handed down Congress quickly adjourned to the steps to recite the pledge and condemn the ruling. This was done without taking a moment to even read the decision much less consider the process at which this decision was arrived at.

You mentioned the Declaration of Independence and it's mention of God or a Creator. While it does inclued mentions of God or a Creator in four seperate instances, the Declaration of Independence has no legal authority. Only the Constitution and the Bill of Rights carry legal weight in this country. Neither of these two documents contain a single mention of any divine entity.

The establishment clause clearly states that the government and religion should be kept seperate. Including mentions of God or any other supernatural entity is a clear violation of this clause.

We have enough issues dividing this nation. We do not need our government playing favorites when it comes to our personal beliefs.

To be an effective leader you must sometimes make the tough decision regardless of how unpopular it may be. This is one of those times. Just because the majority of Americans believe in God and think that the pledge should remain as it is does not make it right. The Bill of Rights guarantees the rights of the minority. It is your sworn duty to uphold those rights.

Thank you for your time,
Rick D. Boyd

ex-idaho

Here's a copy of a letter to Bob Novak of CNN. he suggested to a person in the audience tonight that if she did not like the reference to God in the pledge to just not say that part.

Alonzo Fyfe

I would suggest something like this.

"Anybody who says the Pledge of Allegiance, as written, states that atheists are the moral equivalent of those who would divide the nation, of tyrants, and of the perpetrators of injustice.

As a defender of the freedom of speech, I would defend any individual's right to say such things. But I hold that the First Amendment as well as simple decency prohibits the government from making this an official doctrine to which all students are encouraged to pledge.

If, per chance, some great nation were to declare as its motto that all Christians are morally bankrupt, would you find solace in the fact that they claim that they do not require Christians to give that oath?"