One state under God

[Liar]

Does this mean that Texas officially recognise Oklahoma as God?

Students must remember 'God' in Texas pledge

By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Texas students will have four more words to remember when they head back to class this month and begin reciting the state's pledge of allegiance.

This year's Legislature added the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge, which is part of a required morning ritual in Texas public schools along with the pledge to the U.S. flag and a moment of silence.

State Rep. Debbie Riddle, who sponsored the bill, said it had always bothered her that God was omitted in the state's pledge.

"Personally, I felt like the Texas pledge had a big old hole in it, and it occurred to me, 'You know what? We need to fix that,' " said Riddle, R-Tomball. "Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under God, we are one state under God as well."

By law, students who object to saying the pledge or making the reference to God can bring a written note from home excusing them from participating.

But adding that phrase has drawn criticism from some who say it's unneccesary and potentially harmful to children who don't share the same religious beliefs. "Most Texans do not need to say this new version of the pledge in order to be either patriotic or religious," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "This is the kind of politicking of religion that disturbs many Americans, including those who are deeply religious."

The revised wording in the Texas pledge took effect on June 15, and the Texas Education Agency sent an e-mail reminding school districts about the change earlier this week.

Officials with Houston-area districts say they will notify schools and parents about the new requirement.

Rebecca Suarez, spokeswoman for the Houston Independent School District, said a letter about the change will be sent home to parents when their children return to school. And a flier with the pledge's revised wording will be sent to each campus before classes start.

Texas has had a pledge of allegiance since 1933. In 2003, the Legislature required all schools to pledge allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags and observe a moment of silence every morning at the beginning of classes.

Texas isn't the only state that has its own pledge of allegiance. Other states include Michigan, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky.

Mississippi and Louisiana mention God in their pledges. And Kentucky lays claim to being blessed with "grace from on High."

 

[Guest]

God help us.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I remember when we used to be called....the UNITED states.

 

[rgraham666]

I remember when we used to be called....the UNITED states.

That ended when the neo-conservatives started their rise to power.

They made it plain from the start that the only real Americans were those who believed as they did.

 

[Liar]

God help us.

Preferrably Ganesha. He's kind of cute.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

That ended when the neo-conservatives started their rise to power.

They made it plain from the start that the only real Americans were those who believed as they did.

Well we do have blue states and red states now.

I feel bad for my kids now.

 

[Guest]

Preferrably Ganesha. He's kind of cute.

So are you.


But you're right!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/ganeesha_gr.gif

 

[rgraham666]

Well we do have blue states and red states now.

I feel bad for my kids now.

Do you think that the person who came up with the terms 'red state' and 'blue state' had a profound sense of irony?

Me too.

 

[Liar]

So are you.

Why thanks. Only problem is, I lost my God-license in a game of Scrabbles last summer. I was one O away from QUIXOTIC all night but couldn't nail it.

 

[flavortang]

So are you.


But you're right!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/ganeesha_gr.gif

I agree! Ganesha rocks! It looks like Davy Jones in that pic.

Maybe states could have a 'Wheel O' Deities' to spin if they want to determine who they're under? Tennessee could be 'under Ra, The Egyptian Sun-God', Maine could be 'under Mercury, The Greek Messenger God'. No, Mercury would better suit FedEx. Maybe corporations could have deity associations? It'd be so much more fun that way.

 

[rgraham666]

I think the Fenris Wolf would be the perfect corporate deity.

 

[Guest]

Why thanks. Only problem is, I lost my God-license in a game of Scrabbles last summer. I was one O away from QUIXOTIC all night but couldn't nail it.

Damn.

 

[rgraham666]

Why thanks. Only problem is, I lost my God-license in a game of Scrabbles last summer. I was one O away from QUIXOTIC all night but couldn't nail it.

Isn't one of the perks of being a God being able to set the victory conditions.

You could have just declared yourself the winner and smote someone with a thunderbolt to make sure they paid attention.

Sheesh! They sure don't make Gods the way they used to.

 

[Just-Legal]

So does the excuse note mean they don't have to say it at all, or can insert their own deity?

"One state under the Goddess". I can see the reactions now. *sigh*

 

[Liar]

Isn't one of the perks of being a God being able to set the victory conditions.

Not when playing other gods. That's when things get messy. We do NOT want another Krakatoa eruption, Tunguska asteroid or Florida recount on our conscience.

And now, Loki's got a spare God card, the sneaky bastard.

 

[rgraham666]

Not when playing other gods. That's when things get messy. We do NOT want another Krakatoa eruption, Tunguska asteroid or Florida recount on our conscience.

And now, Loki's got a spare God card, the sneaky bastard.

Ah. Thanks for your consideration.

You know he cheated though?

 

[Guest]

Ah. Thanks for your consideration.

You know he cheated though?

Loki always cheats.

He really sucks at cards.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Does this mean that Texas officially recognise Oklahoma as God?

That's a hemispherist remark. Why shouldn't Oklahoma view Texas as God? We may have to institute a little spheroidal sensitivity training around here.

BTW, did anyone notice if the market went south again today?

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I remember when we used to be called....the UNITED states.

Right - doesn't it seem that pledging allegiance to a state is improper? I'm not sure the term "citizen" even applies to a state, properly speaking, although it's used that way all the time. One is a citizen of the USA, a resident of whatever state and locality you currently inhabit, and a native of wherever you were born, or perhaps where you spent your early years. If you are registered to vote in a state/community you are called an "elector."

What "allegiance" attaches to a state?

 

[flavortang]

Right - doesn't it seem that pledging allegiance to a state is improper? I'm not sure the term "citizen" even applies to a state, properly speaking, although it's used that way all the time. One is a citizen of the USA, a resident of whatever state and locality you currently inhabit, and a native of wherever you were born, or perhaps where you spent your early years. If you are registered to vote in a state/community you are called an "elector."

What "allegiance" attaches to a state?

Maybe it's in the event of a civil war? Gotta fight for your state!

 

[TheeGoatPig]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/ganeesha_gr.gif

Please stop offering my god a peanut - Apu, The Simpsons

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

If I were a god I would eat lots of peanuts. I love 'em, but they have too much fat.

 

[Liar]

That's a hemispherist remark. Why shouldn't Oklahoma view Texas as God? We may have to institute a little spheroidal sensitivity training around here.

BTW, did anyone notice if the market went south again today?

This is not about compass directions. Texas, the self proclaimed macho nacho of the south, is an obvious closet bottom, boy toy to Oklahoma, who hides a dominatrix' heart in that timid farm girl bosom, and a wide assortment of whips, shackle racks and cattle prods in the dark back corner of the barn.

Btw, carnivals move about. Markets stay put.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

This is not about compass directions. Texas, the self proclaimed macho nacho of the south, is an obvious closet bottom, boy toy to Oklahoma, who hides a dominatrix' heart in that timid farm girl bosom, and a wide assortment of whips, shackle racks and cattle prods in the dark back corner of the barn.

Btw, carnivals move about. Markets stay put.

Well, that's all right then, I feel better now, but be more careful in the future.

 

[cantdog]

Preferrably Ganesha. He's kind of cute.

Ganesha is my fave, better than Odin, even.