Francis Bellamy

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America was written by a fucking socialist! Francis Bellamy was the first cousin to Edward Bellamy, famous author of the utopian socialist narrative Looking Backward that I had to read (and enjoyed reading) in my history of social thought (or something along those lines) class in college. This is an interesting history, and pretty fascinating to read about considering the assault on our sense of self as Americans this administration is inflicting on us with its distortions and perversions of our laws and documents it is attempting to put through.


Oh, none of this whining needs reiteration. I just can't keep my mouth shut over the cauldron roiling in my gut over these people (because it's not just the president; he's probably the least of our concerns) who are trying to irrevocably take us back to the middle ages in social issues. But, take heart, self and all who feel the same, and read the original feelings behind the pledge. Because despite all my bitching and criticism (because this joint has never, ever been perfect or lived up to the promises it has romanced us into believing on paper--but that's what is so great: sometimes the love affair turns into a really great marriage), I love this country; it's the defiling of what I love about it that makes me feel like a bayonet is scratching at my back, right behind my heart.


http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm