Freethought & Rationalism Archive

galiel · 07-04-2002, 08:27 AM

AP Report in NYTimes of Bush's speech in Ripley, W. Va:

Quote:

"The American people, when we pledge our allegiance to the flag, feel renewed respect and love for all it represents, and no authority of government can ever prevent an American from pledging allegiance to this one nation under God," Bush said.

In the heart of small-town West Virginia, a crowd of thousands recited the pledge and shouted for emphasis the passage cited as unconstitutional by a federal appeals panel in San Francisco. ``One nation, UNDER GOD!'' they said.

The reporter neglects to mention whether the crowd then held their right hands out stiffly and shouted "Heil!"

<a href="http://nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush.html" target="_blank">http://nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush.html</a>
(subscription required, blah blah)

Krieger · 07-04-2002, 11:51 AM

Quote:

The reporter neglects to mention whether the crowd then held their right hands out stiffly and shouted "Heil!"

Maybe the crowds response was so expected that it didn't even need mentioning in the article.

d'naturalist · 07-04-2002, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by galiel:
<strong>In the heart of small-town West Virginia, a crowd of thousands recited the pledge and shouted for emphasis the passage cited as unconstitutional by a federal appeals panel in San Francisco. ``One nation, UNDER GOD!'' they said.</strong>

Ahhh, but remember, they're NOT trying to force their religion on anybody.

One of the last sane · 07-04-2002, 06:10 PM

Not to worry, it was WV, so they were probably all members of the same family.

Starspun · 07-04-2002, 10:15 PM

I saw part of this speech. Every time dubya said something about gawd, he would pause for effect. And, just like the lemmings these people are, they would cheer him on like a keg drinker at a frat house.
Was it just me or did he seem to have that fundie fervor burning in his beady little eyes?

Thor Q. Mada · 07-04-2002, 10:21 PM

Yes, he has beady cunning little eyes, and so has Putin!!!

Thor Q. Mada · 07-04-2002, 10:23 PM

One of last of the sane,
Well, surely in-breeding is taking its toll lately.

McDiggy · 07-05-2002, 08:02 AM

Interestingly, the rest of the speech was surprisingly less fascist as he made several references about how "we are a diverse people with more than one race and more than one relgion, but with only one creed." Mind you that isn't an exact quote.

galiel · 07-05-2002, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by McDiggy:
<strong>Interestingly, the rest of the speech was surprisingly less fascist as he made several references about how "we are a diverse people with more than one race and more than one relgion, but with only one creed." Mind you that isn't an exact quote.</strong>

That is a consistent and unsurprising theme which he, his administration, and other opportunistic politicians like Joe Lieberman have been pushing, especially since 9/11. The idea is to disarm opposition to the introduction of religion into politics and education by claiming to support diversity *of religions*, and to claim that the establishment clause addresses the right to worship *god* as you see fit, but does *not* support nonbelief. For example, Joe Lieberman falsely (and knowingly falsely) claimed that the Constitution protects "freedom OF religion but not freedom FROM religion". It is a clever way of weakening the traditional coalition of civil libertarians, which included jews, religious blacks, and minority sects such as jehovah's witness, who shared a common cause of blocking fundamentalist Christian attempts to take over. The goal hasn't changed, only their tactics have. Do not be fooled. There is no renewed tolerance for nonbelievers, merely a sham support of the diversity of beliefs in God.

Grumpy · 07-05-2002, 08:45 AM

GWBush has, on at least two instances in the past year, specifically mentioned people "of no faith" as further examples of religious diversity. Frankly, I was surprised when he made the second reference, as I was certain the speechwriter responsible for the first would have been fired.

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07-04-2002, 06:10 PM	#4
One of the last sane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: hereabouts Posts: 734	Not to worry, it was WV, so they were probably all members of the same family.

07-04-2002, 10:15 PM	#5
Starspun Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 334	I saw part of this speech. Every time dubya said something about gawd, he would pause for effect. And, just like the lemmings these people are, they would cheer him on like a keg drinker at a frat house. Was it just me or did he seem to have that fundie fervor burning in his beady little eyes?

07-04-2002, 10:21 PM	#6
Thor Q. Mada Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Asia Posts: 3,558	Yes, he has beady cunning little eyes, and so has Putin!!!

07-04-2002, 10:23 PM	#7
Thor Q. Mada Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Asia Posts: 3,558	One of last of the sane, Well, surely in-breeding is taking its toll lately.

07-05-2002, 08:02 AM	#8
McDiggy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 623	Interestingly, the rest of the speech was surprisingly less fascist as he made several references about how "we are a diverse people with more than one race and more than one relgion, but with only one creed." Mind you that isn't an exact quote.

07-05-2002, 08:45 AM	#10
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	GWBush has, on at least two instances in the past year, specifically mentioned people "of no faith" as further examples of religious diversity. Frankly, I was surprised when he made the second reference, as I was certain the speechwriter responsible for the first would have been fired.

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