Pepsi, god and cold hard cash.

[RICHARD]

By the way,

A few years ago there was a gent who played with the National Basketball Association.

He refused to stand for the National Anthem.

Now, I respect his right not to stand for it,
But I think the 'smart' thing to do would be to
keep his personal ideals to himself and go along with the program to humor us moron sports fans who took offense.

When asked WHY he didn't stand, he said that he was a Muslim and didn't exactly subscribe to the ideals of the Flag, and what it stood for.

But he didn't mind taking that piece of paper to the bank and trading it for ducats emblazoned with
IN GOD WE TRUST printed on it??

The thing that does REALLY ICE ME are the people who sanctimoniously (not exactly a secular word, forgive me........) stand on the soap box with an opinion then make exceptions for it.

All I am saying is that people have lost the ability to make exceptions for ANY belief they have.....The BB player wanted to make a statement
, and because of his belief he was dropped from the team soon after.

More power to him..he stuck to his guns! That is pretty rare in the sports world.

He lost a great job because he believed in his religious beliefs-But he didn't have common courtesy to stand for a few minutes for a song and
to look at a flag....

For that, I think he is a moron. He could not suspend his belief for a minute and it cost him..

Would I call him a hypocrite for standing?

NO, as a matter of fact I'd respect him more for doing it, even tho it's 'against his religion'.

It's not about whining...it's about people doing things and standing by their decisions, good or bad. But, it's also about thinking about your decisions before you make them...and which side of the brain you use.

[mugsy]

Sara, not trying to be cranky, just voicing an opinion...which...as you know, I do on a regular basis. That's why I'm not very popular!

Actually, in the grand scheme of things...does it truly matter? But, it sure is interesting to discuss.

I like BOTH Pepsi and Coke....ever the Libra! lol

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by RICHARD

Pepsi...
took two words, 'under God', out of the pledge...

Mugsy should be able to help with this...

*I* thought "someone" decided quite a while ago that the phrase
"under God" was to be removed when reciting The Pledge.


My Fuzzie Memorie tells me it was especially *important* that
it NOT be said by the School Kids at schools.
The old "Seperation of Church & State" argument -
same lane argument that ruled out any Prayers in school.

IS or is NOT the "under God" phrase being said in the schools???

Bout the only time *I* say The Pledge is when we open a Fire Department
Meeting - and us Dummie FireFighters ALWAYS include
the "under God" phrase!!
WE need all the "Help" we can get - and
sure don't want to leave The Big Man Upstairs out!

/s/ Phred

[moosmom]

Miss Edwina,

Now, let's all go take a nap. We're getting cranky.

I'm ready!! Where's my blankie???ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Phred,

WE need all the "Help" we can get - and
sure don't want to leave The Big Man Upstairs out!

AMEN to that!!!

[Edwina's Secretary]

where the majority took precedence

Welllll...if that were the case, George Bush wouldn't be sitting in the White House now would he????? I recollect a majority of those who voted did NOT vote for him!

[mugsy]

Too true Sara....that's the precise reason that I think that the Electoral College should become a thing of the past....it's worn out its welcome and usefulness.



Richard....if the guy doesn't prescribe to the ideals of the Flag, perhaps he should rethink his residence and not spend those evil American dollars.

Phred...I have not heard or been told about taking the words "under God" from the Pledge. Schools just don't say it anymore....sad....isn't it? We have NEVER said it at my school since I started here in 1995.

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by Edwina's Secretary
Welllll...if that were the case, George Bush wouldn't be sitting in the White House now would he????? I recollect a majority of those who voted did NOT vote for him!

Time to get Mr Peabody and the Way Back Machine..

http://www.toonopedia.com/peabody.htm


GWB is packing up his bags waiting for the next Tribal council.......Hopefully the next resident
will win in a more decisive manner......

The whole "stole the election" is SOOOOO yesterday.

[smokey the elder]

So yesterday? So LAST MILLENIUM!

[mahayana]

I really enjoy discussions of this kind. Let's see, the issue of separation of Commerce and State sounds interesting. And religion is always good, hah!

From last to first,

The voting machine thing is ongoing. Why not national voter registration for national elections? Is it really that difficult to vote with computers, print out two copies (one for the voter, one for backup ballots)? And why not a Constitutional ammendment for Presidential runoff elections in cases too close to decide?

Frankly, the appearance of impropriety in the 2000 election hurts the US worldwide, besides polarizing our citizens. That anger and guilty gloating still exists, witness this thread.

(second to last)
The phrase "under God" was added under McCarthyist fears about Godless communists. It does violate the Constitution to endorse any religion, on the money, in the "Pledge", plaques of Bible verse in courthouses, etc.

That said, if you check out world religious beliefs ( adherents.com is good) you will find that non-believers account for about 14% worldwide, athiests less than 1%. The question is, how serious are we about keeping religious strife out of democracy?

(third)
Standing for the national anthem was mentioned. Are you aware that some religions (Seventh Day Adventist for one) consider that only pledging allegiance to God is acceptable? That the flag is an idol...you can even live in America and think that nationalism and jingoism are problems. We allow unpopular opinions here.

(Finally) isn't it ironic that patriotic sell would backfire for Pepsi? I guess you can't please everyone! Maybe they should pick some more universal phrases from the Declaration next time. Is Pepsi still an american company, or are they multi-national like so many companies that started here?

Peace