-Caveat Lector- On 22 May 2002 at 7:53, Dale Stonehouse wrote:
> Even when joining the U.S. Army I was not required to recite or > memorize the pledge. Rather an oath of loyalty was recited one time > and not memorized or repeated. But most Americans do not even recite the oath ONCE. Being in the Army, you had certain subtle reminders to keep you focussed on your obligation. One was the uniform, the one that stated in woven cloth tape, "US ARMY". You also had to learn certain customs and courtesies that you were obliged to follow day in and day out, testifying to your allegiance to the U.S., the Army and to the oath that you voluntarily agreed to, to supporting and defending the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic and to obey the orders of the officers appointed above you. You may have only said the words of the oath once, but you fulfilled the obligations daily through deed. What Seaman Jesse is ignoring is there is a great deal of American customs and courtesies denied even the most loyal and patriotic American because of underexposure. One such thing is the flag burning issue, with people being told that it's wrong whereas it is correct. When the flag is soiled or desecrated in any manner, it is the citizens' responsibility to destroy it by fire. THIS is the free speech issue: whether the person burning it has determined it has been sullied or soiled and needs destroying. Another one that came up during the terrorism crisis was the employers who told their underlings they couldn't have flags at their workstations. The larger issue is something anyone in the military for any length of time learns is how to identify and to respect the symbols. True, there are the citizens and there are the religious who mouth the words but there may be a day that comes when they were glad they did rather than having nothing to spur their emotions in a time of crisis. One thing about all this 11th September hoopla is all the people who acted like the symbols were some things were just marketed. And they were, turning tradition into a fad and that's where the problem is. It's not about indoctrination any more than the times tables are. Or the verb conjugations. Or the rules of the road for driving. Or keeping one's mouth closed while eating slowly. Customs and courtesies. A<>E<>R <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
