Community Update

Who Do You Trust?

Regular
readers of my blog know that I always try to inject a bit of humor and if
possible, stray away from controversial subjects.  In fact, several years ago I wrote a column
about topics I would not comment on which included Presidential elections, pit
bull dogs, government bailouts, immigration and unions to name just a few.  Yes, I am retired and politically incorrect
and bullet proof when it comes to criticism but why upset some of my loyal
readers with topics that are sure to engender angry feedback? On the other
hand, every now and then a controversy comes up that is difficult to ignore and
thus I feel compelled to wade into the swirling waters of discussion.

Back in the
‘50’s, Johnny Carson hosted a TV program entitled “Who Do You Trust”?  It pitted husbands and wives against each
other in a question and answer format. 
The contestants had to determine who had the best chance of answering
the question.  As with most game show TV
programs it was entertaining.  With that
format in mind, permit me to wade into the latest controversy that is making my
blood boil.

Seems the
State of Michigan along with other states have decreed that the Pledge of
Allegiance should be recited every day by students before the start of the
school day.  To us senior citizens who
recall this practice being a part of our day when we were in school, it seems
like a rather innocuous practice.  Why
would anyone who lives in this country refuse to recite the Allegiance!

Well,
evidently there are students and parents who object to the words “under God”
being recited.  Some of the recalcitrant
are atheists while others just don’t want their offspring expressing support of
their country in this fashion.  Lawmakers
anticipating that there may be some push back have indicated that students do
not have to utter the words “under God” and are even allowed to leave the
classroom during the recitation of the pledge. 
To me that seems like a reasonable solution.  However, there is still an amount of
resistance.

Now, using
my politically incorrect stance, here is my take.  If you live in the greatest country in the
world where the majority of the people are Christian, then on an everyday basis
you will encounter situations where the Creator is acknowledged.  Heck, sports players on a regular basis
acknowledge God after a successful play. 
All of our courts in the nation have a notation on the wall stating “In
God We Trust”.  Our currency is
emblazoned with those same words. 
Perhaps people who object to those words on paper currency and coins
should revert to paying their debts in wheat as we did during Feudal times!

Frankly, I
am tired of our adjusting our opinions and laws to placate some myopic
sniffling, splinter minority group of whiners. If the laws and social norms in
our country don’t compliment your short sighted practices, then it might be
time to move to a country that would welcome and tolerate your thought
process.  And guess what?  Such a country other than the United States
does not exist!  So in the meantime the
answer to the question “Who Do You Trust” remains clear with me – it remains in
the words of the Pledge of Allegiance (under God) which I will proclaim without
hesitation!  And if that makes me
politically incorrect, so be it!

Bill Kalmar