My 30-Day "Pledge"

The Pledge of Allegiance is almost forgotten in American culture today. For most grown Americans we probably remember reciting it each day in the classroom at school and then never saying it again after graduating. It is my hope that this will change.

I would like to propose a challenge to each and every person reading this to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day for 30 days. I will be putting out my flag each day, putting my hand over my heart and reciting the Pledge; and if I see others watching while I do it, I will invite them to join me.

Below is what the Pledge means to me. It was inspired by the comedian Red Skelton and an on stage performance he did explaining what the Pledge meant to him.

The Pledge of Allegiance

~I pledge allegiance~

“I” – me, myself, individually, not you, they them or us collectively
“pledge” – promise, agree, obligate, ‘cross my heart and hope to die’
“allegiance” – my love, fealty, obedience, devotion and honor.

~To the flag~

The Stars and Stripes, the Red, White and Blue, Old Glory, with 50 stars for each state on a field of Blue and 13 red and white alternating stripes for the 13 original colonies.

~of the United States of America~

NOT the United States of Mexico, Canada, England, France, Germany or even the United Nations. If you are in this country and want to assimilate and become an American Citizen and follow the appropriate rules to become one, then we welcome you with open arms. If you have come here illegally to take American jobs and abuse our welfare, healthcare, and education systems then GO HOME! We don’t want you here!

~and to the Republic~

“Republic” – We are a Representative Republic. We are not a Democracy, a Tyranny or a Dictatorship. “We the People” elect delegates to “represent” us. Delegates who take and oath, and I quote “ to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that (they) will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that (they) take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that (they) will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which (they are) about to enter. So help (them) GOD. And if they fail in that sacred duty it is our Right, no, it is our DUTY to vote them out of office and elect someone who will.

~for which it stands~

“It”, our Flag and our Constitution. Those Rules and laws by which we are guaranteed “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

~One Nation~

Not 50 nations. ONE nation. Working together to provide a more perfect Union.

~Under GOD~

Under Christ, under Mohammed, under Buddha, or under Odin. It doesn’t matter, take your pick; and for you Atheists, it’s STILL under GOD, and don’t worry. Even though you don’t believe, we will still be praying for you.

~Indivisible~

United, joined, permanent and inseparable.

~with Liberty~

Freedom, independence, and the right to live life without fear of threats or retaliation.

~and Justice~

We are ALL created equal, under the law and in the eyes of GOD. Our Constitution gives us equal rights and opportunities in order to prosper and pursue our individual happiness.

~for all~

Which means, in the immortal words of Red Skelton that “This is as much your country as it is mine”.

This is the Pledge of Allegiance to this “United States of America” and this is what the pledge means to me. It should be said each day in every classroom throughout the country and each citizen should say it each day, with hand over heart and in the presence or The Red, White and Blue. Hopefully, the next time you recite it you will think of these things, and it’s meaning will become imbedded in your heart and in your soul.

For those of you who refuse or don’t want to take this pledge, feel free to come and visit Disneyland, our Capital, and our beautiful scenery, and then go back home.

Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior

We have come a long way in todays society. In technology, science and the arts the advances have been tremendous since the founding of our country. There is one area however where we have definitely NOT progressed, and in fact some would say, including myself, that we have regressed to the point where it seems that we, as individuals only care about ourselves. We can blame our culture, progress, technology or what have you, but it really comes down to one thing. Individuals today have thrown away the rules of common decency, manners and in general what we all learned as kids: "The Golden Rule". Paraphrased, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Todays kids just don't seem to be taught that anymore, and it is all too apparent when you look at some of the actions of their parents.

This doesn't have to remain that status quo however. Our founders taught us a better way and all we have to do is learn those lessons, do the research and start behaving the way we know we should. One of the earliest manuscripts from George Washington was written when he was just 16 years old. At 16 years of age Washington copied 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. These rules are as relevant today as they were when Washington copied them onto that piece of parchment more than 260 years ago. To see the full transcript of all 110 Rules you can find it at: http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/civility/transcript.html

I encourage you to follow the above link and read through these 110 Rules. It is time to start setting an example by our own behavior, and what better role model than George Washington and the rules that he lived his life by. I won't recite all of them here but let's hit on a few of the key ones. Hopefully they will give you a starting point and be a guide to how each one of us should start leading our lives.

1. Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

6. Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.

17. Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.

19. Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20. The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.

21. Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22. Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

25. Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

32. To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

35. Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

38. In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39. In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40. Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

43. Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44. When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

49. Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50. Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparag[e]ment of any.

51. Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed tha[t] you approach not to any Uncleaness. (or . . . don't be a slob).

54. Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely. (avoid vanity)

56. Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

58. Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sig[n o]f a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion [ad]mit Reason to Govern.

62. Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63. A Man o[ug]ht not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qua[lities of wit; much less of his rich]es Virtue or Kindred.

64. Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause.

Anyway, you get the picture. Personally, it would do the world and our society good if we could just "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and follow that Golden Rule. To conclude my diatribe I'll leave you with Rule 110. It's a rule that, if followed, will enable everyone to enact the other 109.

Rule 110. Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.

The American Herald - Beginnings

Education and history are our countries greatest assets. I grew up with what I thought was a very good education. I wasn't a poor kid by any means and I thought that the education I was receiving was top notch at the time.

What I didn't realize was the History I was being taught was incomplete, many times biased and often times just plain wrong. I have always had a deep curiosity for this countries history. I am a former teacher myself and I am ashamed to say that even I taught our American History to my students incorrectly. I didn't know it at the time because I was following my schools mandated curriculum and the assigned textbooks. Basically, I taught what was given to me and did what my department heads told me to do. Eventually, I grew tired of towing the Party line and decided that our educational system was not for me. It was at about that time that I decided to continue my education and do my own research. I decided that my research would contain ONLY the original documents and writings from our American History.

I decided to READ and STUDY our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. I've read the Federalist Papers, Poor Richards Almanac, the writings of James Madison. Then, do you know what I did? I decided to compare it to what I was taught and what I was told to teach to my own student.

My conclusion? Much of what we know of our history has been re-written to fit into the Social and Political framework of the times and our society. How did that make me feel? Used, suckered and REALLY, REALLY, REALLY PISSED OFF! Here are just a few of the things that have pissed me off, which I will elaborate on in future posts:

1. Almost ALL of our Black Founding Fathers have been eliminated from our American History. Did you even know that there were black founding fathers?

2. How about that before the Revolutionary war there really wasn't any segregation between Blacks and Whites? Churches had mixed congregations and some even had Black Pastors and also that Blacks and Whites fought SIDE by SIDE on the battlefield for independence from Great Britain.

3. Did you know that our Constitution mandated an END to Slavery in the Year 1808 and that our National Holiday of Thanksgiving was supposed to be celebrated on January 1st starting in 1808 commemorating that same end to the institution of slavery?

4. Did you know that from the signing of our Constitution it was the Conservative North and then the Republicans that created ALL Civil Rights legislation for the Emancipation and equality of African Americans and that from 1834 to 1964 it was the Southern Democrats that either blocked ALL Civil Rights legislation or had it repealed?

These are just a very few things that have set my blood to boiling since I have started educating myself on this countries GREAT history. My future posts will pick individual topics that will help bring to light some of our forgotten or re-written history. I hope you enjoy some of my ramblings. It is with great pleasure that I write these words.

Sincerely,

George W.