Other views

By Staff
We should all support the Pledge
Editor,
On Sept. 8, 1892, Francis Bellamy, (a socialist editor and clergyman), debuted the Pledge of Allegiance in a juvenile periodical, "The Youth's Companion". He wanted to reflect the views of one of his cousins, Edward Bellamy, who was an author of several novels.
The original version was as follows. "I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all".
On June 14, 1924, "Flag Day", the words "The flag of the United States of America" was substituted in place of "my flag." In 1942, our government officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1954, President Eisenhower joined religious leaders and sought to add the words "under God" to it.
I am just a dumb old country boy by heart, but for the life of me, I can't understand what's wrong with the two words, "under God". These 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has said that it is unconstitutional. If this is left to stand, nine states will immediately be banned from saying it at all. The states include Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Arizona, Idaho and Montana. I sincerely hope that our Supreme Court will have the decency to overrule the 9th Circuit Court of Idiots, oops, I mean, Appeals.
I may not be as close to our God as I need to be, but Jesus once said this. "Confess me before men, I will confess you before the father, deny me before men, and I will deny you before my father". These people do not believe in our Creator, nor do they in the Bible. One thing they cannot explain is that the Bible has been 100 percent authenticated. Yet they refuse to see or believe.
While our troops are trying to defend this nation, our courts are constantly attacking our freedoms. This is a slap in the face to all Americans that believe in the Pledge of Allegiance. I, for one, will defy any and all court orders that takes away my right to say what is justly right. So, stand up, put your hand over your heart and repeat after me. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation "under God" indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Mike Dowdy
Hartselle
Involvement is crucial to success
Editor,
In November 1999, a non-government volunteer committee formed to determine the optimum development of the I-65 corridor from Falkville to Priceville.
Supported by numerous donors, the group successfully contracted with a Nashville planner for professional services. This planner produced a corridor development plan that was presented to the public last May.
The plan, if carried to fruition, should impact positively and significantly the entire North Alabama region economically, socially, culturally, and with associated pride and stature within our communities.
A Decatur Daily editorial on Aug. 10, 2000 stated, "The plan has so much potential that it deserves the same countywide cooperation that built Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park and Port."
At the public presentation of the plan, Sen. Tommy Ed Roberts supported this assessment.
The plan is being actively used by Falkville, Hartselle and Priceville as the "backbone" of the respective interchange development. This is evidenced by development in progress and planned. This activity is consistent with the plan and gaining momentum.
Missing is the long range team planning involving Priceville, Hartselle, Falkville, Morgan County Commission, Morgan County Economic Development Association, and others necessary to assure optimum success in developing the mile wide corridor from Priceville to Falkville.
Paramount in this process is property owner involvement. They must be made fully aware of their necessary involvement and potential personal beliefs, thereby permitting objective decisions to participate.
Their involvement as team members is crucial.
Much good work has been accomplished by developing the plan; results through local implementation are visible; but so much more is needed to bring the 12-mile corridor development to fruition.
Potential benefits are enormous.
To accomplish great things one must not only dream and plan, but act. Who will lead?
Robert Francis, Jr.
I-65 Development Steering Committee
Member