In many ways my political consciousness was shaped in the sixth grade.  That year I was expelled from morning exercises (just for the year) and rejected Christ as my personal savior (forever).

They don’t really have that much to do with one another in my mind, but I’ll let you be the judge since today I’d like to talk about “Under God”.  (more below)
Ticking time bomb that I am, I was set off by this story at dailypress.com.  In case the link ages you could try searching on the author, Robert A. Strong; title, “Original pledge was heartfelt”; or syndicator, The Baltimore Sun.

That lead me to Francis Bellamy here where I learned some surprising things.

Bellamy was a Mason.  I am a Mason.  So were Washington, Jefferson, Madison…

“Under God” was an initiative of The Knights of Columbus, an anti-Masonic organization.  Conspiracy?  If you want to pursue that you might want to look here and here .

But that pales besides the revelation that Bellamy was a, a, a, Socialist, (shudder).

Now it all makes sense to me.  No wonder the DAR and the American Legion were all over him.

Am I free or not free?  During my moment of silence can I read my history book?  Maybe out in the hall.  Can I show up for choir practice, but blow off Sunday School?

Godless communist that I am what I really wonder is this-

Life on earth is supposed to be suffering, damnation is separation from God.  Perfect your soul any way you want to, but lift up your feet.

I want to spruce the place up a bit (earth that is, what were you thinking?).