May 10, 2008
'I Pledge Obeisance'
Wikipedia is not quite correct in its chronology of the pledge, . . . at least from my experience. I began the first grade in the fall of 1941, and the pledge of allegiance was recited with our right arm extended, palm-down. This continued until sometime after the U.S. entry into World War II, when the pledge was recited as Wikipedia described it, with the palm turned upward. I don't know if our teacher told us the reason for the change, or if kids - being brighter than adults give them credit for being - figured out that the change occurred so that we would not appear to be emulating the Nazis. But prior to Pearl Harbor, the palm-down, extended-arm salute was the officially prescribed form at Prescott School in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Daily Loyalty Oath
Writes Farrell Nicholson: "The discussion on LRC's blog concerning the pledge (loyalty oath) is very interesting. From Wikipedia's entry, it states that similarities to Fascism were soon discovered: 'Before World War II, the Pledge would begin with the right hand over the heart during the phrase "I pledge allegiance". The arm was then extended toward the Flag at the phrase "to the Flag", and it remained outstretched during the rest of the pledge, with the palm facing upward, as if to lift the flag.
"An early version of the salute, adopted in 1892, was known as the Bellamy salute. It also ended with the arm outstretched and the palm upwards, but began with the right hand outstretched, palm facing downward. However, during World War II the outstretched arm became identified with Nazism and Fascism, and the custom was changed: today the Pledge is said from beginning to end with the right hand over the heart.'"
More Bestseller News For Ron Paul
His new book is #7 on tomorrow's New York Times bestseller list, #1 on the NYT list for May 18, and now #2 (up from #14 last week) on the Wall Street Journal's list.
Our Increasingly Totalitarian Regime
Reports the LA Times: "The Bush administration recently announced it will allow select members of Congress to read Justice Department legal opinions about the CIA's controversial detainee interrogation program that have been hidden from Congress until now. But as the administration allows a glimpse of this secret law -- and it is law -- we are left wondering what other laws it is still keeping under lock and key." Read the rest.
Of course, in a moral sense, these are not laws at all. Neither are the arrogant orders that pour out of legislatures and agencies. Genuine law, natural law, is unchanging, and we do not have to be told what it is by some politician: you shall not kill, steal, bear false witness, etc. What the state emits is anti-law.
Narcs as Accessories to Murder
Writes J.P. Lepez, who has been keeping me up-to-date on this outrage: "It turns out that the speculation was true. This girl was busted for being a low level pot dealer, and was coerced to provide information on her suppliers by the cops. The operation went horribly wrong."
This is also a reminder that when a product or service is outlawed by government, though the market cannot be abolished, legitimate businessmen are driven out, and criminals tend to dominate.
Now D.C. Cops Get AR-15s
It was only a matter of time. When the NYC and Chicago police departments get new toys, it's only a matter of time before others catch on. The latest (anyone surprised?) is the federal city, where the cops there are going to be getting 500 rifles. Don't tread on them.
Our Father, Who Art in Washington
Writes Greg Sutton: "The expert on the Pledge is Dr. Rex Curry. His website contains many disturbing photos of early pledge takers. Here is a sample."
Also, lots of good material here.
Thank Goodness for Government
"Man Accused of Providing Illegal Taxi Service."
Phil Donohue Redeems Himself
While Bush hides the caskets and puts funerals off-limits, Phil Donohue (Notre Dame, class of 1957) produces a movie to tell the truth about the war. For once, his estimable talents are put to good and fruitful use.
Republicans in Maine
From the Bangor Daily News, and thanks to Jesse Stewart.
Go Quietly Into That Bad Night?
Not the Ron Paul people in Utah. No kowtowing to the Republicans for them.
The Paulestinian Resistance
Ron Paul suporters continue to fight, much to the outrage of the Republicans.
The Red Army Chorus
Russian soldiers join with the Finnish rock band, the Leningrad Cowboys, to sing the Alabama national anthem.
(Thanks to Dennis Marburger.)
Does This Remind You Of Somebody We know?
"Whereas in 1960 22,000 people donated to John Kennedy’s campaign and 44,000 to Richard Nixon’s, in 1964 Goldwater had more than a million contributors. A mass movement was gestating, undetected by complacent celebrators of liberalism’s hegemony."
Rick Perlstein, cited in George Will's review of his new book, Nixonland.
The Revolution reviewed
My review of Ron Paul's book will appear in Sunday's Orange County Register -- but it's online now.
If you appreciate the review, you can click on the "Recommend" button at the top of the article. If enough people do this, it will become one of the "most recommended" articles at the OCR -- and then there will be a link to it from essentially every single page on the OCR's website, potentially making many more people aware of the book.
In other words, there could be free advertising all over a major newspaper's website for Ron Paul's book.
But only if enough of you find the review worthwhile and click "Recommend."
