When
I was young …. No, you're yawning already. I'd better start
again.
الله
أكبر Allahu
akhbar. There.
That opened your eyes! (Note to anti terrorist operatives
and their computers: This is not a personal sentiment. I
don't agree with it or its implications at all. It was only
intended to get the attention of the reader.)
They're
words that inspire fear under certain circumstances – situations
marked by violence. But the words also contain a message for the
rest of us. They're often accompanied – either in person or on a
video – with a pledge of allegiance to ISIS, another terrorist
group, or to Islam in general. And they're said by people who know
they will die in the action in which they are participating. In that
regard they recall the words of Nathan Hale, who, in 1776 at the age
of 21, about to be hanged by the British for spying, said I only
regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
There
was a time when Americans saw something as more important than their
lives and comfort – a time when they valued their country and its
ideals. And that view persisted for centuries. Perhaps there were
dissenters, but our national perspective was one of confidence and
determination. Frances Bellamy, a minister, wrote The Pledge of
Allegiance in 1892 (adopted from a pledge by Colonel George
Balch) and it was almost immediately incorporated into school
curricula. Indeed, after it had been in use for fifty years, the
pledge was adopted and a Flag Code was adopted by Congress, and
within it was the following:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
The
pledge was considered a unifying act, and it solidified the patriotic
attitude of Americans, especially the children. Not everyone agreed
with the practice however, and in 1943 the Supreme Court ruled that
children could not be forced to recite it. Half the states have not
accepted statutes encouraging its recital – and there has been
considerable controversy about it since 1954 when the words “one
nation, under G-d” were added. (Balch's original pledge included
mention of G-d.) Nonetheless the courts have decided that the First
Amendment bars its banning by opponents from the classrooms. Despite
that, the Supreme Court has also expressed the opinion that burning
or otherwise desecrating of the American flag is simply a
manifestation of free speech, and is protected.
Perhaps
liberal Americans, including the courts, motivated by guilt,
self-doubt, or the inspiration of political correctness didn't
recognize the importance of love of country, but Islam, and
especially its jihadist offshoots, did. Using mosques
and clerics, the schools, television and the internet, it has
convinced adherents that their faith superseded secular law. It
emphasized the Koran and Islamic traditions and denigrated
other cultures. And the violence inspired by such teachings has not
only involved lands in the Muslim world, but has spilled over into
nations previously unaffected, often as the result of individual
actions. Though only a small minority, whether born in the land
where they pursue jihad, the children of immigrants, or
immigrants themselves, there are many who seem to be predisposed to
behave in a manner contrary to the principles of the country in which
they act. We may choose to view them otherwise, but they are members
of a community – we are all members of several communities, often
with conflicting values – that has taught them to take action
against those who believe differently from them, and to be willing to
die in order to eliminate those infidels. They are united.
Their view of right and wrong is not the same as ours. Yet, in the
name of diversity and multiculturalism, we try to understand their
feelings and to justify their actions without openly identifying the
causes of those actions and the nature of the perpetrators.
And
it all starts at home. Members of a family are likely to defend each
other against the outside world – even when we know they are wrong.
We protect those close to us – those who have similar backgrounds.
They are our family. They are like us. So if we are a minority, or
if we are different in outlook from our neighbors who may have values
other than ours, or if we are new – even if we have not been
infiltrated in order to do violence – there is an increased
possibility that we will favor our own ways over those of the society
in which we find ourselves. (See The Price of Prosperity by
Buchholz for a discussion of the problem and some suggested
remedies.) Family loyalty is strong, especially when individuals are
taught from birth about the primacy of an ancient culture and its
teachings, about loyalty and honor.
The
existence of higher values themselves is worthy, though the
particulars are misguided, and the nature of ours differs. Imbuing
our values in our children, however, requires our teaching them of
our nation's history; of explaining the context of acts in the past
which may differ from current ideas; of emphasizing commonality and
our love of country and its symbols. And it requires the open
questioning of values contrary to our own, rather than simply
accepting them as moral equivalents protected by the Constitution.
We can permit the expression of contrary views as protected by the
Bill of Rights, but our rights to express disagreement with them are
equally protected, and the refusal to defend our ways is a lesson
that our children will learn from us. If we disparage the actions of
our government and those who defend us, so will they.
America
has many faults. But, I believe, far fewer than most other
countries. And we have mechanisms to correct them. The mechanisms
may be cumbersome, but they should be followed rather than acts to
promote other cultures and destroy our own. Patriotism may be out of
style – it may be politically incorrect – but if our nation is to
survive we must take steps to promote it. If we burn our symbols, we
hurt ourselves.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under G-d, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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