Missing facts: Pledge faux pas a curious example, perhaps, of a lack of perspective

It caused a bit of a stir, NBC Sports' decision to cut out a line of The Pledge of Allegiance during the U.S. Open.

Those who spoke about the omission of the words, "under God," said the piece was a bit showing how patriotism was a part of the Open, which was held near Washington, D.C.

Too bad what it ended up being was a slap in a majority of the country's face.

There has been a bunch of spinning over this one -- much shock and surprise in connection with what can only be termed one of the dumbest decisions ever.

And while NBC has apologized, it still makes one wonder -- why in the world would anyone think that was the right thing to do?

In recent years, Christians have been under attack from those who think religion has no place in government. They say references to religious symbols of one faith over the other are in direct opposition to the principles of religious freedom so many people attribute to this nation's beginnings. They are trying to eradicate religious references from many aspects of public life.

And it is time that it stops.

We are so busy these days honoring everyone else's belief system that we forget to cherish and protect our own. We cater to the minority and insult the majority.

There is nothing wrong with the words from the pledge. In fact, it is a part of our history, the first writings of a people yearning to be free.

What has become more than a little obvious is that too many people have lost their respect for the words and artifacts that tell our story as Americans.

Maybe it is time for a little more history and a little less editing.

Published in Editorials on June 22, 2011 11:18 AM