---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:02:10 -0400
>From: Jeff Southmayd <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: Re: Virginia and the Pledge of Allegiance  
>To: [log in to unmask]

>You forgot the "under God" part of the pledge in your recitation.

Well, actually, no.  I did not "forget" this part of the pledge at all.  I chose, quite self consciously, not to include it.  I did this not because I am hostile to religion, nor because I am critical of the notion that theism, and especially Christian theism, has some bearing on our political and constitutional culture.  Rather, I omitted these words because the remainder of the pledge, including the words "under God" as well as "with liberty and justice for all," has little bearing on the topic under question.

Only a fool would presume that because I omitted the words "with liberty and justice for all," I am hostile to the ideals of liberty or justice.  

A little self-discipline, Mr. Southmayd, would go a long way towards making your contributions to this list serv more credible.  Let's try to stay on point, shall we?  Take a deep breath and repeat to yourself "I will write about Virginia history."  There, doesn't that feel better?

All best,
Kevin
Kevin R. Hardwick, Ph.D.
Department of History
James Madison University

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