Slog - Comments on God Finally Welcome in Texas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas How did the Lone Star State survive this long without acknowledging God in its state pledge? 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... Copyright 2008 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:40:45 -0800 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:32:47 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Gabriel So they say "one nation under God, one state under God"? I think they should add "on top of an infinite stack of turtles."

]]> Gabriel http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774137 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774137 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:57:02 -0800 Comment by The CHZA I hope some unfortunate Hindu Texan refuses to recite on the grounds that the pledge isn't specific enough.

]]> The CHZA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774138 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774138 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:02:58 -0800 Comment by Gabriel Sounds to me like Texans worship two gods.

]]> Gabriel http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774139 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774139 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:04:03 -0800 Comment by Matt from Denver I hate Texas, in spite of some of the fine people I've known who came from there. I understand that (back in the 80s at least) high school included two years of TEXAS history but only one of US. It's only natural that they'd have a fucking STATE pledge too. Which strikes me as a conflict of interest, or allegiance. That ought to be illegal.

]]> Matt from Denver http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774141 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774141 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:09:48 -0800 Comment by steph I think something else in the State of Texas has a big ol' hole in it...

]]> steph http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774142 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774142 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:14:21 -0800 Comment by Tizzle I used to be a Jehovah's Witness, and we refused to say the US pledge on principle that we worshipped god, not the flag...anyway, it is not illegal to have a pledge, but you can't require anyone to speak it. They are allowed to stand in silence. Since that was a supreme court decision for the country, it should even apply in Texas.

I would say 'only in Texas', but this could probably happen elsewhere, too. Let's hope not.

]]> Tizzle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774143 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774143 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:15:07 -0800 Comment by seattle98104 one county under god, one parcel under god, one square foot under good, one body under god, one cell under god, one atom under god, one quark under god, one vibrating string under god..

God needs chill out with all his damn appropriations.

]]> seattle98104 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774144 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774144 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:22:06 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe Texas sucks.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774145 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774145 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:22:15 -0800 Comment by Wild Bill Douglas State establishment of religion. Blatantly unconstitutional, just like the U.S. pledge and "In God We Trust". Crazy.

]]> Wild Bill Douglas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774147 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774147 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:22:28 -0800 Comment by Original Monique I hated the fact we had to say the pledge everyday in school, however my favorite thing to do is add at the end: ..and liberty and justice for all who can afford it.

I hope someone does that for the texas pledge, although I imgaine they'd get the death penalty for doing so.

]]> Original Monique http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774149 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774149 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:26:44 -0800 Comment by Kate I will always have a soft spot in my heart for my 7th grade English teacher. She told us that we were never obligated to say the pledge and from that day on I haven't. I think by high school they only did it once a week anyway.

]]> Kate http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774152 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774152 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:34:56 -0800 Comment by Judah I hope someone does that for the texas pledge, although I imgaine they'd get the death penalty for doing so.

Only if they were underage or retarded -- or both. Texans love killing those underage retards. How so many of them manage to grow up and get into politics is beyond me.

]]> Judah http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774160 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774160 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:42:12 -0800 Comment by Seth Know how I know you're gay? Because you're "under God."

]]> Seth http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774161 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774161 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:44:33 -0800 Comment by Christian C. And of course, when this gets litigated, the state will claim that it's only a metaphorical God that they're endorsing, not some specific one, and thus that this isn't an establishment of religion. Then the local lunatics will get back to complaining about Muslims instituting Sharia law.

The author of this bill, by the way, is opposed to public education: "Where did this idea come from that everybody deserves free education, free medical care, free whatever?" she demanded in a legislative hearing. "It comes from Moscow, from Russia. It comes straight out of the pit of hell. And it's cleverly disguised as having a tender heart. It's not a tender heart. It's ripping the heart out of this country."

]]> Christian C. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774163 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774163 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:46:46 -0800 Comment by Levislade As Richard Dawkins might say, they certainly filled a much-needed hole in their pledge.

]]> Levislade http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774165 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774165 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:52:39 -0800 Comment by SDA in SEA This begs the question: does Washington state have a pledge? I don't remember. All I recall is the national one. And if WA has a state pledge, do we also under god? Inquiring minds want to know.

]]> SDA in SEA http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774171 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774171 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:14:08 -0800 Comment by Original Andrew “Our Texas pledge is perfectly OK like it is with the exception of acknowledging that just as we are one nation under (Zeus), we are one state under (Zeus) as well.”

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774173 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774173 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:18:29 -0800 Comment by monkey I pledge allegiance
to the flag
of Halliburton and Blackwater
and to the corporation
for which it stands
one nation
under illegally elected corrupt rule
with liberty
and justice
for those with money and/or political connections

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774179 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774179 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:29:50 -0800 Comment by Jessica Washington didn't have a pledge, but we don't have that Texas-sized ego, either. I honestly don't think I ever whole-heartedly said the pledge once, because when you're in a crowded classroom of 35 high schoolers, you can just mumble along or shut up and pray that they can't tell you're high.

@10 and 12: only if you're a gay, black, retarded kid.

]]> Jessica http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774196 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774196 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:43:59 -0800 Comment by Dianna I remember one day in fifth grade I was walking in the hall to deliver a message to another teacher when the Pledge came on. A teacher who was walking made me stop and say it with her. I remember thinking the "under God" part was wrong, but it was also wrong to force alleigance in a supposedly free country. I still feel that way.

]]> Dianna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774207 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774207 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:57:19 -0800 Comment by COMTE I hate to disabuse Ms (Mrs.?) Riddle of her deeply held convictions, but putting the word "God" into the Texas Pledge of Allegiance is NOT going to mean that shitty weather they've been getting down there for the past several months is likely to just suddenly stop any moment now.

But, I guess they had to try something...

]]> COMTE http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774211 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774211 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:01:59 -0800 Comment by reverend dj riz at bryn mawr elementary in chicago not only did we have to sing the anthem AND say the pledge..the 8th grade girls choir would sing 'bless this house'
EVERY DAMN DAY..
with all that patriotism and religion i felt like we should play ball, have a bbq and take up a collection..
but by the timw i was in high school they stopped becuase they got tired of all the black kids standing up and giving the black power salute..
sigh..

]]> reverend dj riz http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774237 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774237 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:19:36 -0800 Comment by scary tyler moore i love you, reverend dj riz!

]]> scary tyler moore http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774258 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774258 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:47:09 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle As a native Texan born less than a mile from the Alamo, I am upset at this new perversion of our heritage.

If I wanted God to be in charge of Texas, I would have asked that the state not be the biggest.

Why do you hate Texas so, God?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774264 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774264 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:54:58 -0800 Comment by Sam Machkovech To clarify, this is the state pledge, not the typical Pledge of Allegiance:

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

This was added to classrooms in 2003 to be spoken after the national Pledge. Much like the state of Texas gets its own history classes, specially labeled beers and "official Ford truck months," it has its own pledge. Nothing new there.

The ending line has now been changed to "one state under God and indivisible," which would be a big deal if the state didn't ALREADY require the phrase "one nation under God" in the national Pledge. It's a dumb bill, but really, it's more redundant than offensive.

]]> Sam Machkovech http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774277 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774277 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:08:40 -0800 Comment by Gitai No matter how welcome God may be in Texas now, I think he's smart enough to keep away.

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774279 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774279 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:11:07 -0800 Comment by Algernon There is a point to "one nation under god:" the U.S. is a sovereign nation of many sovereign states. There is no point to "one state under god." Oh, there's stupidity. That's a point.

]]> Algernon http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774291 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774291 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:19:09 -0800 Comment by Original Andrew Did you see last Sunday's Family Guy where the Griffin family went to Texas, the F*^k You State?

I loved their new Texas neighbors:

"Hi, I'm DeWayne. I'm a gay chaser and basher, and this is my wife Charlene, she's a homemaker."

You also get a free gun with liquor purchases. Awesome.

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774316 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774316 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:52:15 -0800 Comment by jhell @ 13, I was hopin' Jesus was a top...

]]> jhell http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774317 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774317 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:56:29 -0800 Comment by Geni Why, oh why, don't we allow the Texan separatists to secede? Pretty please?

]]> Geni http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774430 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774430 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:18:04 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @30 - because then I'd have THREE passports.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774508 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774508 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:24:31 -0800 Comment by Dougsf I don't really get the whole Texas pride thing. It seems like there's a bizarrely unfounded sense of bad assed-ness coming from a state that's need more help remaining in this country than any other.

And if they're proud just to be huge and weird, Alaska has got them beat two-fold.

]]> Dougsf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774587 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774587 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:19:26 -0800 Comment by NickD Now they're all under God and God made everyone equal, perhaps they'll do something to help all Texans and introduce a state-wide universal healthcare system?

]]> NickD http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774648 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774648 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:51:24 -0800 Comment by Gitai @32 I think they should be more ashamed because they're the sole state in the Union that's fought for their independence, not once, but twice, in order to keep slaves.

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774668 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c774668 Politics Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:09:44 -0800 Comment by gxlmrufy ymcbgxv kdvlz tsuqgv rofgkdj wnpmosqlk quazojvrs uyhlrfvi hwkia

]]> gxlmrufy ymcbgxv http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c777533 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c777533 Politics Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:32:08 -0800 Comment by kgftioasv xyidjshz prmkublet egzicoqkj aobufhl nqlujy ufkhylp nlkmsz qjuiydfl http://www.spkw.maow.com

]]> kgftioasv xyidjshz http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c777535 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/god_finally_welcome_in_texas#c777535 Politics Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:32:47 -0800