Howard's Musings: Saturday, June 29, 2002

Howard's Musings
Wherein we learn of Howard's mind

Saturday, June 29, 2002

The Pledge of Allegiance: Why we're not one nation

That the founders made erecting a church-state wall their first priority when they added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution reveals the importance they placed on maintaining what Isaac Kramnick and R. Laurence Moore have called a "godless Constitution." When Benjamin Franklin proposed during the Constitutional Convention that the founders begin each day of their labors with a prayer to God for guidance, his suggestion was defeated.

Given this tradition, it's not surprising that the original Pledge of Allegiance—meant as an expression of patriotism, not religious faith—also made no mention of God.

via TAPPED

11:49:23 PM comment []

Muslim chooses Jewish partner

On Friday, Hadad and Qureshi beat the 11th-seeded team of Ellis Ferreira of South Africa and Rick Leach of the United States 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. It makes Qureshi, 22, the first Pakistani to reach the third round at a Grand Slam event.

But he's not being praised in Pakistan for his historic success. Instead officials are considering imposing a ban.

"Although he is playing in his private capacity, we officially condemn his playing with an Israeli player and an explanation has been sought from him," Pakistan Sports Board director Brigadier Saulat Abbas told the BBC. "Since Pakistan has no links with Israel, Qureshi may face a ban."

8:33:16 PM comment []