Yahoo! News - House Votes to 'Protect' Pledge of Allegiance

Yahoo! News - House Votes to 'Protect' Pledge of Allegiance

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal courts would be barred from striking the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag under a bill passed on Thursday by a House of Representatives split largely along party lines.
The Republicans in control of the chamber rejected Democratic claims that the measure was an unconstitutional bid to limit the power of the federal judiciary and an election-year ploy to rally social conservatives. It passed on a vote of 247-173.

Ah joy, another attempt by the republicans to make sure we live our lives the Right way (and as a bonus weaken the pesky judiciary branch). Yes, I am one of those who feel the under God crap should be taken out of the pledge. I know, I know, save all the ranting. I've heard it all already. Don't bother with any God arguments, I keep my religion to myself and wish everyone else would extend the same courtesy. And no, the court is not trying to "change the pledge." The under God part was added in 1954 to distinguish us from the "godless" communists. Not suprisingly, the change was spear-headed by a Christian organization (Knights of Columbus). So technically, the courts are trying to restore the pledge. As to the ever popular "this is a waste of time" response. Obviously, you are not a member of a minority religion in the U.S. There are several million people in this country who should be have the same right to express thier love and admiration of this country without feeling ostracized or violating thier religious precepts. Egads....that was horribly serious and depressing. Time to troll for something amusing.