The Pledge Of Allegiance's, 'One Nation Under God'

I remember reciting the Pledge while Rosa Parks was sent to jail, DNA exonerates unjustly convicted where the system would fail...

Okay! Americans are in an uproar, “One Nation Under God,”
And yet just like, “In God We Trust” on money I find this odd,
Since so many had much to say about the Trayvon Martin case,
3 Blacks give 1 White kid 2 black eyes then shoe print his face.

Nada! Those who were vocal in retaliation, “boycott the state,”
Australian Baseball Player Christopher Lane killed due to hate,
Likewise, Delbert Belton 88, beaten to death by 2 Black teens,
Chris was only 22 as racism by gunshot snuffed out his dreams.

In 1892 for a magazine contest it pledged allegiance to the flag,
U.S. Supreme Court, “burning it is not a crime” makes some gag,
Whereas, not the whole nation because of those choosing to burn,
Are born & raised in this country, working here a living they earn.

I remember reciting the Pledge while Rosa Parks was sent to jail,
DNA exonerates unjustly convicted where the system would fail,
McDonald’s, WalMart, billion $$ corporations, workers get paid,
Lest than pennies on a dollar but it is our Nation’s minimum wage.

President Eisenhower & Congress added the phrase way back in 1954,
While Colored Folk had to enter establishments through the back door,
Then there were the separate drinking fountains, places to eat & sleep,
Tests had trick questions on job applications Blacks couldn’t complete.

Sorry! This matter is not about discrimination against Atheist’s Rights,
Nor the law firms that represent these individuals in a courtroom fight,
Both students and teachers alike in the classrooms can be, "openly gay,"
While, “One Nation Under God” the "Ten Commandments" we cannot say?

“One nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" is another fallacy,
Indigent innocent people are incarcerated everyday as guilty rich go free,
Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do right, seek justice, relieve the oppressed…”
Mortgage Companies & Collection Agencies garner $$$ based on a guess?

Celebs’ like Tiger Woods & many others chant to Buddha on a daily basis,
Openly ignoring talented gifts bestowed upon them by God’s good graces,
“Under God” mourned the loss of the passing of Rev. George M. Docherty,
A godless pledge could easily be for Communist Russia, what a mockery.

A point he argued during a sermon preached in 1954 in honor of, “Honest Abe,”
His birthday celebration and a national holiday we recognize to this very day,
o Under God “omits the definitive character of the American Way of Life."
Hate crimes, political scandals, drug use and human trafficking, “Yeah Right!”

By Luke Easter

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com

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Anonymous September 10, 2013 3:09 pm (Pacific time)

"If he was in, "so much danger" how could have written, "more than 20,000..." There is tempting danger/fate, and there is, thanks to America's "Founders," (and to the endless blood and sacrifice of patriots) 'exercising ones rights' as per the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I could care less about the NRA, for sometimes they go over the top, but we all have to be vigilant when individuals/organizations move towards compromising our rights, regardless of which ones. Many of our rights are already being slowly diminished if one takes the time to review the legislative process on all the different government levels since our founding. "When people fear the government you have Tyranny, when the government fears the people you have Liberty." Thomas Jefferson

Luke Easter September 8, 2013 4:21 am (Pacific time)

Ever been in a court of law? If so, you'd know how many defense attorney's get guilty clients off quoting, "our founding fathers" as does the NRA with the, "right to bear arms." A correct interpretation is correct when written, now or any time in the future. And, of course we have the right to criticize and the lack thereof is one of the main reasons Brits departed from King George & founded this country in the first place. And, with all the taxes we pay we should have the right to speak on any subject known to man w/o fear of reprisal. But as you said (in slang here) "it ain't happening" Bro. BTW, "Voltaire was a versatile writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. He was an outspoken advocate, despite the risk this placed him in under the strict censorship laws of the time." If he was in, "so much danger" how could have written, "more than 20,000..."

Steve Moylet September 7, 2013 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

To apply contemporary interpretations of the U.S. Constitution [when written] simply demonstrates one's inability to understand the historical flow of events since it was created. It was a different time, and thank God for the Founders, their families, and all those that provided support to their vision. Go to most any other place in the world that has a democracy (about 40% of the world's governments) and compare and contrast them with other countries in the world. Go to any country in Africa and see if you would like to live there. Go to any muslim country and observe their human rights. Get real people, you can protest here because of those Founders so many of you demonize. "If you want to know who rules over you, find out who you are not allowed to criticize." VOLTAIRE

Luke Easter September 6, 2013 5:31 pm (Pacific time)

LT: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/january042011/money-trust-le.php As for the, "Constitution" when it was originally written, Blacks & Women were not included re:rights of said Constitution. It's challenged so much in court with various, "Interpretations" even many Supreme Court decisions are 5-4 on its meaning. Therefore: we are not, "One Nation" under the, "Constitution" either.

Anonymous September 6, 2013 5:19 pm (Pacific time)

Revelation 18:12 Babylon is Fallen, Fallen (The U.S. is representative of Babylon & the fact that Fallen is said twice means it cannot be reversed) 1) After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. 2) And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. 3) "For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality."…

LanceThruster September 6, 2013 8:51 am (Pacific time)

Great piece. As an atheist, I've always been fond of the revision, "One nation, under the Constitution..." "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the money has always bugged me, because it is either a lie (as I have no trust in any god or gods), or it does not include me in the "WE."

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