--- Dan Minette wrote: <big snip> > Actually, the pledge dates back to 1892. > > http://www.vineyard.net/vineyard/history/pledge.htm > > According to this site, the pledge was inspired by > socialist utopian > novels, and did not include equality becasue the > school superintendent who > had to approve the pledge didn't believe in equality > for blacks or women. > > Also, it was the Knights of Columbus who pushed to > get "Under God" > included. That is a facinating social tidbit.
I find it ironic that so many of our founders and subsequent leaders had such difficulty with this concept of equality: that race, creed and gender have no bearing on 'self-evident truths.' I find it marvelous and amazing that they nevertheless created one of the most tolerant and democratic societies in history - one that is arrogantly proud yet scathingly self-critical. Our book club recently finished Joseph Ellis' _Founding Brothers_ - talk about the right men at the right time in the right places...mirabile dictu! (if my HS Latin recall is correct) Thanks for the site link! Pride of Humility Maru __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes http://autos.yahoo.com
