A California lawyer has persuaded a judge to decide to eliminate the Pledge of Allegiance from public schools because of the phrase "Under God..."(source)

Funny thing is, the Grump agrees with this... in principle.

If I didn't believe in God, the phrase would make me very uncomfortable and I wouldn't want to say it. I'd feel like beliefs were being forced on me and I wouldn't like it one bit. But the part that kills me is that the solution is to eliminate the pledge entirely. I personally think it's important to teach children the value of patriotism and, in this day and age, to uphold their loyalty to this country, its principles, and most importantly its people. Eliminating the pledge is a bit like curing a disease by killing the patient.

I pledge allegiance to the flag
And to the United States of America
One nation, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.

The rhythm works; there's no rhyme scheme. I don't see why this couldn't work. Or if you want, say "Under all." America is, after all, but the sum of its peoples' hearts.

Besides, the Pledge is one of my earlier memories from my schoolboy days, and I just feels sad to see it begin to die.

Video games just can't get themselves out of the spotlight. From the Mortal Kombat versus Joe Liebermann to GTA versus Hilary Clinton and Jack Thompson, video games just can't catch a break. Now the state of California wants to put a video game bill into effect. The bill, which has passed through the state legislature, would require any video game with "violent" or "objectionable" content to bear a 2" by 2" sticker notifying the consumer that the game is for adults only.

Some believe Gov. Schwarzenegger will veto the bill, due to his ties with the entertainment industry and his previous appearances in certain video games. Others, however, say that he will try to please his constituency by taking a stand against such garbage. I say this whole issue is garbage.

I mean, I've ranted on this before, but video games are no more violent, sexual, gory, or objectionable than most of the stuff kids see in movie theaters or on cable televison... or for that matter, network television. And besides, if a twelve year old wants to get their hands on GTA, they will. I think the government is trying to please their consituency by using the video game industry as a scapegoat. If you don't want your child to be playing a video game you find objectionable, then get off your butt, do some parenting, and make sure he or she doesn't! I don't see why the law has to step in and regulate something to this extent. Frankly, it's a waste of the government's time and money.