Sunday, September 24, 2017

THE FLAG. Do We Stand or Not?

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY OF JUSTICE FOR ALL.
So reads the pledge of allegiance, which is obligatory learning in all the public schools of America.
Sounds simple doesn't it?  And why, may we ask, would any patriotic, true blooded American object to standing with hand upon heart when the pledge is called for?
Until last year it appeared that there was no reason, that is until the black quarter-back of the San Fransisco 49 rs defied the call and chose to drop on one knee instead. His particular resentment? The treatment of black people at the hands of "White Injustice" in America.
Now to add to the bonfire of grievances, real or perceived, President Trump has called such acts of defiance "A disrespect of the American Flag and the Republic for which it stands."
I can safely say that this is a conflict that will only continue to grow, along side the one that I wrote of last week, namely the pulling down of civil war statues.
Freedom to ignore the flag or respect and patriotism to be shown by all who shelter under the security of the Stars and Stripes?
Seems to me that the choice is clear but, there again, I came from a generation where the whole game would have been lost had it not been for the men who provided the red of the stripes with their own life blood.

Jubilate.

Ian

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