Insight From The Flagpole

Deborah Venable

07/02/02

The past week has certainly been filled with an in-depth debate about the role that God plays in America. Therein lies the problem! I’ve never heard such a bunch of back peddling in my life! On the one side we have the deeply devout rising up in justified anger that this out of control government, (even if this situation stemmed from a ruling gaveled down from the nuttiest court in our land, and not sanctioned by all of government), would dare try to outlaw the mere mention of God’s name. On the other side, we find an all-new activism rushing to cheer, in the name of everything from staunch support of the Constitution to falling in lockstep with advancing socialism. This disturbance was deliberate, but the consequences of last week’s ruling were not entirely known by the perpetrators.

In addressing the many different responses I’ve had for my opinion articles on the subject, let me begin by saying this: I am aware of the origin of the Pledge of Allegiance, the nuances of the word, “indivisible,” the timing of the addition of the words, “under God” to it, and know full well the “flag” is just a piece of cloth. I also “feel your pain” if you happen to be a self-proclaimed atheist or agnostic or whatever. Funny, I’ve had worse hurts in my eye and never even batted it!

From Old Glory’s position, high atop the flagpole that is anchored in American Heritage, may I just take a moment to deliver some observations? As I wave in the breeze that gently lifts my spirits or attempts to fray my edges, I notice that I still have the power to transfix the freedom hungry eyes of patriots and cause a flutter in the hearts of believers and non-believers alike. I am but a symbol – but, still, a symbol of hope that has a uniquely galvanizing effect on all those who recognize my colors.

I have flown over many places where, perhaps, I should have never gone, but I went following the path strewn with my sovereign country’s wealth, so I had an interest after all. My likeness has graced the ships that regularly slip the bonds of earth and keep watch from beyond the visible heavens. Likewise, it has marked some terrible death-dealing weapons that rained destruction on guilty and innocent people in other lands. I have been angrily yanked from my moorings and trampled, defiled, and even burned by citizens of my own country as well as others. I have a power, unequaled, to stir human passion.

I am a symbol, a piece of cloth depicting my country’s beginning and equally displaying a representation of her components – fifty sovereign states voluntarily uniting under one republic. Where does this still young republic figure in the grand scheme of things on the eve of her birthday? It depends on where her faith takes her. Will her citizens decree that she is no better or worse than the most tired and tried community of human failure, or will they recognize once more that she is unique and worthy of a faith in her heritage that may have been forgotten or ignored for too long? Is she but a mere spark from some ancient “big bang” that ignited a streak of good luck now run out, or is she a uniquely fashioned life form that was “endowed by her creator” with a heritage that will always be self-sustaining?

I am a symbol. As long as my image graces more sacred places than can be surrendered to the enemies of human liberty, I will continue to stir human passions. When I can no longer achieve their respect, the words of their Pledge will not matter.

Yes, it has been quite a week. I wonder – has it been the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end? Or has it merely been a snapshot of a period in time that needed some attention?

With the utmost certainty that these words injure no one, I say, Happy Birthday, and God Bless America!

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