164 Comments on monday february 20, 2006 : holiday
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talk about small podcast!! 0.55!!!
Cheap shot.
It’s always fun to make fun of the nazicons and thier 1950’s ‘under god’ junk. ya! lets spread the ORIGINAL meme that this is NOT a theocratic state! :-) and bob dole. eeek that’d have been horrid. now can you get the diebold election stealing machines to fall out of the picture the same way?
Without “under God” it isn’t the Pledge of Allegiance.
Go live in another country.
Very nice and proper arm angle.
Smartly done.
eye ball on you
Eh, I’m a Christian, and I kinda like it better without “under God.” Separation of church and state notwithstanding, it keeps people from getting the wrong impression about our country. (No seriously, I’ve run into more than one person who was under the impression that everyone in the United States was a Christian. That’s kinda problematic.)
Yes, well, I am GOD, and even I prefer the “original” pledge…
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
just sayin’
Bob Dole lost the use of his right arm, hand, and most of his right shoulder fighting in Italy during WWII; spent years rehabing. That’s why he always has a pen in his right hand. You’ve made jest of a true hero regardless of his political party. You owe him, and other veterans an apology. We are all benefiting by their sacrifice.
Thank you for leaving out “under God.” What can be more offensive than believing that God is waving an American flag and blessing the American way above all others. As if a corporate war machine, and a global economy that supports a counrty of glutinous consumers was God’s plan. Maybe the Right wing God.
Of course, if everyone voted in elections, and, whenever possible, bought only products that were environmentally friendly, localy produced, and manufactured under ethical conditions, God really would bless America.
Amanda and Drew,
Ha! Smooth move avoiding the “Under God” Stupid private schools not abiding to the states holiday rules…
Gotta go, 3rd period is starting!
David
Just wind ‘em up and watch ‘em run! Way to go, RB. Enjoy your day off. :-)
The Madeline Murray O’Hare Society is applauding loudly. Of course she cannot weigh in personally since she is too busy chatting with Jimmy Hoffa somewhere near a lot of concrete. I wonder how St. JFK would feel to be so honored. He didn’t seem to have a problem with certain words. But of course today everyobody seems to have a problem with everything.
$40,000 a spot for this? Lazy, uninspired and worst of all… unfunny. And I don’t even like Bob Dole!Bob Dole wasn’t even president! The whole thing might be provocative if it made sense!
Love you guys (but worried about you)
PJ
Possibly the only time I’ve ever actually wanted to watch someone recite the pledge.
During these trying, post-911 times, it’s increasingly important to keep things in perspective and reflect upon our founding fathers’ original principles: how about a baby-doll t-shirt for July 4th pledge?
Hé hé hé !!! (french laugh)
(give my flag back please)
Um, no where in the US Constitution, Articles of Confederation, nor in the Debates on the US Constitution will you find the phrase “Separation of Church and State.” That particular catch phrase comes from a Supreme Court decision. What was clearly intended by the founding fathers was a country without an officialy sanctioned or state sponsored religion. But they were all very religious men of their time. They didn’t advocate an absence of religion, only that all citizens be allowed to worship as they chose (or not). The US is a christian nation. It’s its history whether you accept it or not.
Ditto:
“Bob Dole lost the use of his right arm, hand, and most of his right shoulder fighting in Italy during WWII; spent years rehabing. That’s why he always has a pen in his right hand. You’ve made jest of a true hero regardless of his political party. You owe him, and other veterans an apology. We are all benefiting by their sacrifice.”
Your regrettable ignorance is, sadly, on view. We like you, we do. Try to be better.
This is the first time I have heard the Pledge without the “under God” clause. It was noteable and powerful. I have often said that if we have God’s name in our Pledge and on our coins, then we should live as God’s people. If we don’t live as God’s people after using God’s name so often, then to use God’s name on the coins and in the Pledge, and as often as President George W uses God’s name, then it is a blasphemy.
I don’t get the Bob Dole film clip. He was a candidate. He lost the race. He was wounded in World War II, losing the use of his left arm. The guy is a patriot. It made Mr Dole look silly, and he is not silly.
What am I missing?
I think we need to get rid of the pelage of allegiance all together. We should just stand and salute then point our fingers at the flag while winking and say Yo! Who Loves Ya Baby!
If you don’t believe in “one nation under God”, I need to know where to turn in my Rocketboom membership card….
Wow-what a rebel! You and some of your correspondents seem to ascribe to the 20th century concept of “separation of church & state” in the sense of promoting freedom FROM religion, not freedom OF religion. Secular humanism & atheism are religions, too, & I see you have no compunctions about proudly practicing them in public. Enjoy your freedoms, but never forget WHO gave us our inalienable rights!
Normally, I enjoy my comedy and my politics to be somewhat left of center. But I have to agree that the Bob Dole footage is a cheap, cheap shot.
For shame RB, for shame.
No gods. No flags. No borders. Some day we hope you’ll join us. Imagine.
An American flag made out of last weeks throwies would have been real impressive.
It seems like that little pledge is always a good way to instigate conversation (though unfortunately not usually inteligent conversation). So here is my suggestion for these comments. Could we please abandon the uninformed, party pleasing, I’m right and you’re wrong comments in exchange a legitimate conversation on the subject? Otherwise I don’t quite see how this acomplishes anything exect boiling blood. Thank you.
I’m psychic and junk.
When I saw ‘Manda doing the pledge, I knew she’d ditch the McCarthyist “under God” phrase.
And I knew the reds (I mean red states) would get bent out of shape. Seriosuly, why do you folk come here if they piss you off so? I’m going to go to Rush’s site and see if democrats pepper him with flames all the time.
One nation, under Dog.
We definitely need to get the “IN GOD WE TRUST” off our money too. In fact we should learn to speak Arabic so we can read the Koran and become Alah fearing suicide bompers. Yes that’s the ticket.
It is very fortunate for you that there are 4 or 5 God fearing patriots in this country for without them you would be eating oil from the spoon of those oh so benevolents you love so much.
“Secular humanism & atheism are religions, too, & I see you have no compunctions about proudly practicing them in public.”
Humanism, at a push, might be mistaken for something vaguely resembling a religion, but to describe atheism thus beggars belief (Ho ho!) You may as well insist that my refusal to believe in fairies is a religious act. Hogwash.
I watch some interesting things today:
1. amanda replaced the world map with the usa map, advocating for the president’s day, and she read something as a patriotic prayer, this is expressing a wish…
2. we saw and old political leader falling down…
3. we make the intersection of 1 and 2 and what do we have: ??? yes, this is the beginning of amanda’s polical career, the usa empire will govern the world and the universe with rocketboom political party.
you have my vote amanda, now I go to sleep and I’ll wake up when your government begins
In a heartbreaking, yet well deserved sacking, TRM Corp. and Earthlink both withdrew their names from the EBay auction held last week. Both companies’ spokespersons stated “‘Under God’ and Bob Dole are two subjects that are beneath RocketBoom and we do not want to be associated with such doo-doo.”
Let’s get this straight: our veterans fought to protect our right to free speech, among all those other things we hold dear as Americans. For those that believe dissenters should move elsewhere, STFU and realize the moronic hypocrisy of your statements.
While I may personally disagree with the angle and execution of this particular episode, I respect RB’s right to spin this holiday in whatever way they choose.
IMHO, this episode is more of an execuse to sell RB t-shirts than make any sort of significant political statement. But hey, it’s a holiday…sometimes even the best need to mail one in every once in a while.
It seems strange that someone that has a site with the name “RocketBoom” would not take pause before publishing a piece like this to reflect that things (and people) who Rocket high in ratings and support can suddenly go…Boom. Not nice, not funny, and not appropriate.
Ammanda- Sweetie let’s put it to you this way. Only 16% of the country in the latest CNN USA Today Gallup poll said that they would vote vote for Hillary. 53% definitely would not. You need to look at this from a business perspective this liberal schitick is not going to allow you to win that 53% if you want to stay 16% then what you are doing is fine. You are not expanding your base. See you just lost advertisers.
One other thing just remember God could be a force mulitpler for your effort.Don’t knock him. Come on Ammanda.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
So beautifully worded. Thank you founding fathers for allowing us to all be who we want to be, regardless of what others think, believe, or say.
Keep up the great work Manda and Drew.
With liberty and justice for all,
Gregg
Try using a script if you can’t remember ALL the words of the Pledge! Shame on you.
I am truly sad you left out “Under God”…
God forgive us.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Gee, It’s just Rocketboom and Amanda doing what they do. Hitting some days, missing others and even stiring up a little controvesrsy once and a while. (My favorite part oh, and the dancing!)
Bob Dole’s imitation of Chevy Chase imitating President Ford, I thought was spot on. He even thought so himself when he appeard on SNL. And all of that God and State stuff. Well if you really are troubled by it: Refuse to be paid in good old US greenbacks and see how you do. (citizens only) Considering that they just redesigned all of the money except the Georges and STILL didn’t change the “In God We Trust” part doesn’t bode well for the future of the “scrap the God thing” crowd. But it is fun to hear from everyone that is all in a tizzy.
The Dole clip tells a lot about modern politics and the impact of TV. It does not matter what the ideas are, it’s the perception. When I saw that clip my first thought was Dole is done. Then when the comedians piled on I knew it. Dole lightened up, went on SNL/talk shows, and completely remade his image after the election. I am pretty sure I would have voted for him if he had lost the snarl during the campaign.
I wonder if those who are upset about the Dole clip were just as upset about the swiftboating of John Kerry’s war record?
Dole haters tell the story that he screwed up getting injured, similar to Max Cleland haters. That is the kind of talk that disrespects the honor of vets.
Since STL asked:
“I wonder if those who are upset about the Dole clip were just as upset about the swiftboating of John Kerry’s war record?”
So much so I refused to buy a house from the builder here in Texas who helped finance it.
And I probably will not think twice about doing so in the future.
As for Dole making light of the episode on STL - yes, he was trying to show he had a sense of humor about a current event. I don’t think that means he’d hope to see it brought back up years after he retired from the public eye.
But hey, if you want to make fun of a cripple, go ahead. I probably have a picture of my handicapped daughter around here falling someplace. Perhaps just because she laughs when it happens because she doesn’t realize she was hurting herself that would make it ok for you to post it on a public sight and point out how funny she looks, yes?
As long as I’ve known him, my best friend has simply remained silent during the “under God” part of the pledge and picked up on the other side. If you ask him why, he’ll say “because it’s not in the original.” I have never felt injured by this in any way; why should you?
It would appear we are divisable.
I guess I can throw in my 2 cents…
I can’t say that I like hearing the pledge said without “under God”, but I understand the arguments about it not being there originally.
I don’t understand the video with Bob Dole. What was the reason for showing this particular clip? Is there some significance to it?
With regards to the separation of Church and State, I have a question. Has anyone ever suggested going back through all the original documents such as the ‘Declaration of Independence’ and the ‘Constitution of the United States’ and removing all references to God from them? It just seems to me that if we, as a nation, are going to sanitize The Pledge (‘under God’), our schools (prayer or moment of silent meditation) and our government buildings (The Ten Commandments), we should not leave the job half-done.
May the Invisible Pink Unicorn’s desires be done.
Um, can anyone say “flamebait”?
Having already once been baited on RB (not by it but on it - you know what I’m talking about Manda) today’s episode leaves a poor and bitter taste in my mouth.
Of course, since it was so glaringly painstakingly blatantly obvious what you were doing, its really quite all right with me, even though I happen to disagree.
I support “It’s a free county”
:)
Part 1: Reciting the original pledge: Cool. Liked it. Provocative. Startling to some. Fuel for thought and intelligent debate.
Part 2: The fall of Mr. Dole: I’m confused. It’s kinda just mean. Not funny. Especially after Part 1 stoked some people’s fire. Did I miss something?
I support “it’s a free country” too.
;)
Maybe I’m just incredibly naïve, unbelievably stupid, or just plain “unpatriotic” (whatever that word means anymore…), but what’s the real problem here? All this time I thought that America was “so great” because we had the freedom of choice, but it seems that as soon as you voice your opinion all you do is get shot down and slapped in the face.
What happened to support? What happened to acceptance? Since when did we all become so intensely corcenred with being in the “correct majority” that we shoot down all who oppose our views and call them “wrong”?
So what if my ideals are different than yours; find a way to make it work rather than try and shoot me down and kill me. I’m sorry that we can’t agree on everything, but I’m sure we can agree on some things (like ice cream! I mean who seriously doesn’t enjoy some ice cream every now and then!) I support a free country as well.
PS- I hope that the lactose-intolerant-party doesn’t get offended by that ice cream comment…
Cheap shot at best. Low class more is how I would describe it.
Dole wasn’t even president…. If you are going to take a jab at a “President”… oh lets see there could be…
“I am not a crook”
“Read my lips - no new taxes”
“I did not have sex with than women - Miss Lewinski”
Or at least show Presidential blunders…
“Gerald Ford hitting people with a golf ball” or
“Cheney shooting someone”
Also - The pledge of Allingence has “under God” - don’t like it - don’t say the pledge.
Below is the “Pledge of Allegiance” adopted on 14 Jun 1954. I am sure you misquote is not your fault, the press does not know how to do anything else.
“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.”
I haven’t felt welcome in my own country for quite some time now, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
(thank you RB for reminding us America isn’t just for christians)
…I still conceal my beliefs from my family.
It’s all about money guys and gals. If Rocketboom can get a few cheap shots in, they will be loved by the TV networks and will be featured again. Read US history. The founders didn’t want one religion promoted by the govt. hence the “no establishment of religion” clause. Many founders were very religous.
Hey Roger, why attack Deutschland? He seems to know the constitution better than many do.
Liberals love free speech but attack anyone personally if they don’t like what someone says.
YEAH!!! Thanks for leaving out the “under god” line! It was only added a few decades ago anyway. Ignore the idiots who thought it was no longer the pledge… it is MORE the pledge without the line than with!
Another angle…
Maybe the choice to show Bob Dole falling is a larger metaphor. Maybe it’s analogous to how our once might country that has fought so long and so hard for such things as religious freedom across the globe, is now injured from those battles. Now, due to those injuries, we are forgetting the cause and falling down, making the same mistakes we fought so hard to correct in first our own land then in others. Bob Dole was mighty. The US was mighty. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Bob Dole got back up. Maybe there’s still hope for the US.
Then again, maybe it was just a cheap shot. No one is perfect. We must each come to your own conclusions (and allow others to do the same).
When I say the Pledge of Allegiance, I also leave out the “under god” part. I choose not to believe in any religion, and religious belief should not be a part of our government.
Good going, Amanda C.
The pledge is laughable.
Indivisible?
This country is divided on so many issues… its hard to list them all.
Race
Religion
Political Party
Abortion
Gun Control
War
Iraq
Evolution/Creation
Environmental Protection
Thats just skimming the surface.
Definately not one nation under God. Definately not indivisible. Definately not with real liberty. Definately not with real justice… unless you can afford it.
Yes, leaving out God is a good thing… because God has nothing to do with this country and its failures.
Geez, now that everyone’s finished…Amanda, after all the heat you got today, do you think this was just a bad episode, or do you think you’re just getting a backlash becauuse you’re finally getting some money for this.
It reminds me of when Oprah walked out on stage with her tight jeans and black t-shirt and got tons of hate mail from all the fat blobs that watch her show. They felt betrayed because Oprah wasn’t fat anymore.
Although I am one of the crazy liberals, I believe Bob Dole is both a great hero and a very honorable man. Mr, Dole was/ is an old style Rebublican, before Republicans joined forces with the Fundumentalist Right Wing Christians. He came from the days when the Republicans were more about achieving the American dream, than catering only to super /mega corporations and the richest and greediest of the billioneers. Right now, I would feel much better if Richard Nixon were president.
kind of sad that people get so worked up about ‘under God’ in the pledge…our country is more than welcoming to all religions, but keep taking God out of everything that our country was founded on and I’ll show you a society without morals…it’s not hard to see we’re almost there…please remind me again, what’s wrong with having faith and believing in a God who’s abounding in love, grace, and forgiveness??
Bully for you Amanda and everyone at Rocketboom! Well done indeed.
I’m glad we are one nation under God. Don’t you folks get it? According to our founding documents, our rights flow directly from God. Without the big guy in the picture, then our rights are given to us, (and taken away) by the government.
don’t let those right-wing conservatives get you down amanda. they know it is patriotic to hate the country and the republicans the way you and me do.
that’s right, we hate the republicans. gotta problem with that then don’t watch rb.
rb, is only for us democrats that love our country enough to mock people like dole. so he lost the use of his arm in war…big deal.
so dole got one purple heart. kerry got like 3 purple hearts, and you right-wingers never cut him any slack.
way to go amanda
They just came out with a new nickel and still didn’t put a number on it.
Take a look at your change, no numbers on there.
Might as well plug my web site which promotes putting numbers on US coins, Change for Change.
Thanks for taking the old school pledge. As in the old lyric where they told us to “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition,” I never saw what one had to do with the other.
That said, the Bob Dole clip was indeed a cheap shot. One of Dick “Armed and Dangerous” Cheney, the true and double-secret Prez of the USA, might have been closer to the mark.
As much as I am doubtful of Republicans, it pains me to see a war veteran with a paralyzed arm land on his face. He made a good recovery, I think. I feel the same for everyone in general, but for cruel people I feel I certain level of justice.
I love Rocketboom normally, but today’s Vlog left a poor taste in my mouth. I don’t know if you were trying to poke fun with Bob Dole’s fall…but when I saw him do that orignally, I didn’t find it funny at all. He’s an elderly man falling, and getting hurt. What part of that is funny?
As for the pledge without God, to each their own. I like it with God in it.
I love Rocketboom, despite of today’s vlog. I guess that’s what makes us American, the right to agree to disagree.
As a new fan to the site, since December 2005, today, I lost a touch of respect for the RB crew. I’m not a religious man, nor do I go out of my way to tell people I’m for or against God, but omitting “under God” from the United States of America’s “Pledge of Allegiance” is simply un-American. I wish I wouldn’t have tuned in and skipped today’s clip altogether.
Regards,
– STICKMAN
Of all the options you could’ve gone with on President’s Day, this one was probably the worst.
What is the point of making fun of a crippled, elderly man who never served his country as President?
This isn’t fun. It’s just mean.
Hmmmm, I grew up in the late 60s and early 70’s never saying ‘under God’ and eventually dropping the pledge. Never troubled me too much.
If it offended my religion, I’d hope my faith was strong enough to withstand someone’s not mentioning it.
Susanj,
You have so rightly hit the nail on the head. What you wrote is what I consider the biggest problem with America as it is now. It is the hate and intolerance that people like you so openly express towards others that disagree with your views.
This problem is not limited to just Democrats such as you. It is found in the Republican Party as well. It is in the Libertarian Party and the Green Party. It can be found in all groups, regardless of political orientation, of religious (dis)beliefs, of gender, of sexual preference, of age, etc.
It is great that you and I can disagree on things. The fact that we live in a country that allows us to do so is a wonderful thing. I truly believe that it is with the different viewpoints that we all contribute that helps keep the United States a place that I am proud to call ‘Home’.
The problem is when we allow our personal intolerances for different viewpoints to become hatred. When has hatred for others ever produced a positive result? Disagreeing with a general belief held by a group is one thing, but to proudly embrace hatred for the group and the individuals within said group is quite another.
I am a Republican. It is a simple fact. It is based on the logic that my personal beliefs run along a similar line as the Republican Party. Does that mean I believe everything the party does or supports? No. Does this mean that I only vote for Republicans? No. Do I automatically hate Democrats? No. I have a lot of respect for many people who have been/are Democrats.
Would I prefer to see “under God†remain in the pledge? Yes. I found it slightly unsettling to hear Amanda (or anyone for that matter) say it otherwise. Will I boycott RB over it? No. Does this mean I now HATE Amanda because she did it? No. Fact is, despite Amanda’s political views, I find her to be a totally wonderful person and I love watching RB.
Instead of spouting hatred for others, why not try looking at the individuals and learning the reasons they believe the way they do. It isn’t (usually) a ‘good versus evil’ issue. It often turns out to be generated by a sincere belief that what they think is the way things should be and not a desire to ruin the lives of others. Of course there are plenty of people who do only think of themselves at the expense of others, but I don’t think that is true of everyone.
RB hardly has enough weight to effectively throw political punches.
I mean you all are just a cople of gen-Xers with a video camera right?
Wow, in the few weeks I have been watching RB, this is the most controversy I have seen.
While many of us are bewildered and dismayed at the response by Muslims to the Danish cartoons, it seems that when you mess with God and patriotism, you come face-to-face with American intolerance.
Or could it simply be the hypocrisy of supporting free speech against Muslims but not against America? Is not the whole point of RB the individual’s right to their opinion? Vlogging is an example of what free speech means, versus the tyranny of a fundamentalist intolerant religion.
As long as RB is cute and trivial, everybody likes it. But once RB expresses an opinion contrary to some people’s beliefs, then it’s lets flame the hell out of them.
Personally I am not offended by today’s RB but I am offended by many of the intolerant commenters. If you do not understand the concept of freedom of expression then go to Iran and join the chanting, flag burning Muslim mobs.
“Intolerant people unite…”
What if instead of “under God” the pledge said “under Allah” or “under Vishnu” or “under Yahweh” or “under Buddha”? And imagine that same deity’s name on your money, in your courts, and coming out of your president’s mouth on a regular basis.
Would you feel welcome in your own country?
Whom is the United States for?
Well said, WhatIf.
It’s great that Rocketboom isn’t afraid to be edgy. I’m so sick of watching network news tread the fine line of keeping their advertisers happy with “news stories” about the importance of using lots of toothpaste.
Great story, good point, well done.
Using the clip of Bob Dole was just not nice. It was really not worthy of you.
Hey Guys, Bob Dole wants you all to chill! It was a funny moment in Reno back in 96. Like I said on the trail after the fall, “I fell for Reno.”
Now, sit back, drink some pepsi, pop the “little blue pill” and get busy!
Bob Dole likes Rocketboom!
Henry,
you are right and so is susanj.
all thoughts are right…or rather, there is no right there is no wrong.
live in peace…do not hate one who is republican. live in peace…do not hate one who is serving their country…live in peace.
there is no right, there is no wrong…but take away a sponsor’s funds and we’ll see how peaceful these people really are.
live in peace
Oh, now I get it. It was supposed to be “One nation under BOB!”
amanda…
You ARE free to express your political views.
and, as American citizens we have the right to dissagree with you and have the freedom of choice to not watch you.
You were soooooo much more interesting and “edgy” when you where NOT doing the politcal speak.
As a regular viewer since December - I have enjoyed most of your political barbs at Bush and the current administration. Fun Stuff.
Please tell me that THIS is NOT where video blogging is going. Political cheap shots and debates about where or not to have “under god” in the pledge of alligence.
I was hoping YOU would be above this “inside the beltway” BS.
I guess you are no better than a left wing version of FNC.
Yeah, I echo a lot of the comments already here, I watch Rocketboom for a snarky video version of ./ headlines. It’s a good idea like a nice dinner to avoid politics and religion.
All great Empires fall/fail eventually…look at the history or mankind or rent a Mel Brooks video; Part 1 & 2
Also, start taking Chinese lessons in school and send the bill to Wal-Mart.
Are you ready to be a planetary citizen?
Then called it God, The Universe, The Absolute, The Higher Self, The Field…life as we know it became manifest from the unmanifest. Flags mean absolutely nothing, at least that’s the way it should be.
Looking in the mirror and knowing “who you are” is really far more important than flag waving and falling presidents. Can you say “I love you!” while stark naked?.
I HATE NATIONALISM!
And belief in God has nothing to do with religion, each of which which was transcribed by man to man to man; generation after generation leading to the degeneration any TRUTH they once contained.
So do the hokey-pokey and look forward to Amanda’s next dance on….Mars.
Lights, cameras, action!
Yeah, today’s crack was pretty good. (puff, puff, but don’t inhale)
Fantastic episode! And the weird thing is, I do not even understand why it is so great!
But perhaps you should set up the comments section so that people can respond from their own vlogs. And if you had a Rocketboom flag that they then can spit on or burn in their vlogbacks, that would be the best.
Why can’t we just leave God out of politics ?
I’m glad you omitted “under God” and stayed with the original pledge of allegiance… very controversial move on your behalf, but I completely support it.
Comment #126: Wasn’t that a nice T-shirt Amanda was wearing today. Or did anyone notice?
The problem with government is religion. Point in question are the “Islamic Republics”. These are neither democratic, free nor tolerant of other beliefs (even non-belief).
Theocracies demand strict conformity to their views with the option of defiance equaling a rather nasty and expeditious death. NOT a great place to call home. The psuedo-Communist states of the past are mere reflections on another theme of government as religion with the power of the oligarchical Party caste paramount.
Man only thrives with real freedom. A rare commodity, perhaps growing more scarce by the week. Freedom can only be equated with enlightenment and a shared belief in the dignity of all humans who will abide by the code to do no harm.
One must decide personally where they reside on the spectrum of religion and the state.
Americans seem to be obssessed with God, Flags, Guns & Janet Jackson’e left nipple.
While the real issues are ignored for Super Mario XXXIII
Get a grip: the are 100s of millions out there who would be happy with some insect covered Mcfries.
Appreciate the life you have.
The t-shirt should have read
BOO!
I’m gonna reach into my pocket to check on my rocket… whew, still there!
I caught that pledgae — took me back to my childhood when that is what i said — before they made me begin to feel i didn’t belong! Thanks amanda — we love you for it!
And they just keep going, and going… :-)
ive always read the bible as historical narrative and god as a metaphor. additionally, who even knew it was president’s day? I wasn’t aware.
No “under God”? I guess you don’t realize what the United State is really about! Our founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves.
Amanda & Drew,
Don’t even try the “but I was only doing the original version” crap. If you truly were aiming doing the original version, you should’ve said “…to my Flag and to the Republic…” — as in the version of 1892. The version you did was of 1923 which differed only with the “under God” phrase. It’s clear what you were aiming at of omitting, and you wouldn’t even have the guts to admit it but instead putting up such poor excuse of “going with the original.”
And that was a really cheap shot at Dole. Not cool, RB, not cool at all.
Why do you people watch this crap?
Is it my imagination or are you leaning to the left for 55 seconds?
“Don’t Make Me
Come Down
There”
Geeesh. What a lot of fuss. Good thing you didn’t show a cartoon of God wrapped in an American flag, eh? Don’t ever tell where your studio is or, for sure, they’ll come and burn it down!
I always think it’s more like one Universe of Godliness anyway. Nations are up for grabs by history, but God (or how about The Force?) just is.
Go Amanda, Go Drew!
No more Rocketbom for me. I’ve never been partial to your politics. I realize tolerating your extreem left slant is not worth the good on your site. Time to delete the bookmark.
What happened to you have your opinion, and I have mine. I am amazed at the people who say they won’t watch anymore over something as small and inane as this. Personally, I don’t care if you wish to add “under God” or not when you say it (and you means everyone else… not just Amanda). I don’t say it when recite the pledge because I don’t believe in god. I believe that a pledge is a matter of integrity. If you want to think about it this way, it is because I respect other people’s gods that I don’t say it. I won’t falsely pledge to something I don’t believe in. Oh well. I still enjoy and will watch… as I am sure many others will. I still find RB funny and relevant, and besides if you can’t occasionally tweak the controversial topics then where is the fun in that? In fact, now that I think about it… if you don’t periodically throw stones at various golden calves… then your blog would no longer be worth watching. Let’s not become a nation so afraid to offend that we never say what we feel. ‘Nuff said.
I wonder if The Daily Show gets this kind of flak over their choice of (ir)reverant news. If it is really that significant, take the $123 you earned ($40K / 260 days - 20% corp. tax) for today’s episode and contribute it to a worthy cause. If not, keep it up - you make my mornings.
COME ON… ARE YOU PEOPLE SERIOUS?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
EVERYONE NEEDS TO LIGHTEN UP, I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW HUFFY SOME OF YOU GOT OVER THIS (petting your heads to calm you all down).
Keep up the good work Amanda and Drew!
Jen in Colorado
One Nation, Under the Flying Spaghetti Monster…
hee hee
Well, if success of an episode is measured by the controversy created, this one was a home run. A little more fuel?–
As an outside observer, I have noticed your separation between church and state has been quickly disappearing. Witness George Dubya’s comments about God which, of themselves, are alienating to those who do not hold similar beliefs in his own country:
http://www.economist.com/world/na/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3502861
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/06/bush.shtml
One of the creepiest experiences I’ve had in the U.S. (and I’ve had a few) was last year visiting the Statue of Liberty and seeing a white Christian choir dressed in the colours of the U.S. flag, gathered around the flag and filling the island with the sound of songs fervently espousing God and America.
Nothing wrong with that if they were in their own church. But this was juxtaposed with thousands of visitors from around the world, of all colours and religions, on the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour, trying to find their own meaning from the experience. Moreover, many of those people were visiting Ellis Island to see where their ancestors had first arrived in North America. This little choir “show” was IMHO extremely alienating, and could even be taken as intolerant of other religions. Not to mention making those of us from other countries feel like we were not welcome there.
Iran was once a progressive country, allowing a wide range of viewpoints. The people were surprised how things suddenly became oppressive. Leaders with fundamental religious beliefs are dangerous. Please take care, yourselves, in engendering a “we are right and everyone else is wrong” point of view. As I say, extreme views can be dangerous. If you truly believe in freedom, try to accept views that may be different from your own.
Happy Presidents Day, friends.
Namaste,
Connie
Man, “political correctness” is not a disease only restricted to the left! According to many of our correspondents today, it is NEVER acceptable to question the role of God in our country or EVER to make fun of a veteran.
Look, I’m a Christian, and there are sound theological reasons for keeping the state’s hands out of religion. (I recommend reading the magazine “Liberty,” if you can find it in a local library. It’s published by the 7th Day Adventists, but the content is not focused on that. It’s focused on the importance of keeping church and state separate to protect the church.) The Supreme Court ruled that we can have “In God We Trust” on our money because the phrase has been used so often that it “…has no religious signficance.” Do we really want to take the name of God and remove any “religious significance” from it?
Lastly, one earlier poster (who I can’t find in the voluminous stuff above) wondered sarcastically about revising the Declaration of Indendence and the Constitution to remove any mentions of God. If he were to actually read the documents, he would find out that God is mentioned once in the Declaration, with an additional reference to the Creator and one to Divine Providence. God was never mentioned in any form, directly or indirectly, in the Constitution. This was done purposefully, despite lobbying by the clergy of the day. The writers of the Constitution may not have included the phrase “a wall of separation” in the document itself, but they clearly, intentionally left religion out of the structure of government. Again, this was to protect religion, not denigrate it.
After all, look at the states in Europe that have official state churches. Are they particularly vibrant spiritually?
One other thing - the term “one nation, indivisible” was the heart of the original pledge. Remember that it was written less than 30 years after the end of the civil war, and that tens of thousands of men had given their lives to keep the nation united. The indivisible nature of our country was the most significant political and philosphical issue of the first 150 years of our existence. Whatever the motive, wedging “under God” into the middle of the phrase robs it of its original meaning.
And besides, no matter how many times people say the pledge, it doesn’t make us a Christian country. We will only be a Christian nation if everyone freely elects to become Christian. Making people recite a religious statement they don’t believe in does not honor God or do anything to promote our faith.
Oh, and as far as beating up on Amanda and Drew, for Heaven’s sake (I mean that literally), stop it! First off, leaving “under God” out of the pledge doesn’t make someone a non-believer. Secondly, please spend some time re-reading the New Testament. Jesus never criticized non-believers, only religious leaders and an occasional rich person. And Paul wrote in I Corinthians 5:12, “Who am I to criticize those outside the church?” Do you see many examples in Acts of the Apostles making converts by verbally abusing people? We demonstrate the power of the Gospel when we act like Christ.
People need to calm down about the omission of “under god”. It hardly expresses hatred or intolerance of religion but rather a personal choice. it seems to be typical of those “right wing warriors” to take things to the extreme as many have today by calling RB unpatriotic, evil, extreme left wing and other such rhetoric. I hardly realized Rush Limbaugh’s followers watched RB.
“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.”
Amanda…F*%^#* em if they can’t takle a joke.
Who is this God person everyone is talking about? Is he the one that caused Bob Dole to fall down? Well if he is then he isn’t very nice.
you 4 got 2 say under god
Marcius (again): Good show with reference to the Flying Spaghetti Monster! I was considering using FSM in my earlier post, but I decided to stay with the Invisible Pink Unicorn as it existed first. (MHHABS)
Edtekker: I was the one who asked if anyone ever suggested revising documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to remove any religious references. Thank you for pointing out the lack of reference to any diety in the later. I realized after I made my post that it wasn’t a good example.
Look, either you say the Pledge of Allegiance or you don’t. But you don’t leave out “under God” while standing in front of the America Flag. I’m totally out on you guys!!!!!!!!!
Amanda has been covering up more since she got her eyes fixed. Today, she revealed all. You have really screwed the pooch as we say down south. You will loose a lot of viewers. Good thing you sold out early on ebad.
Larryboy wrote “…please let Earthlink and TRM hear of your pleasure or displeasure of today’s Rocketboom religious and political views.”
That would be great, if I knew what they were! Somehow, many people seem to be able to ascertain, with great accuracy, what RB’s religious and political views are by (1) the omission of two words from the Pledge of Allegiance, and (2) showing an old video. There can be many reasons, motives and explanations for these two things, and anyone that is convinced that they know what they are (without actually asking Amanda and Drew) is simply being foolish.
Most of the correspondents today are reading volumes of imaginary information into the scant 55 seconds of today’s posting, and are providing far more insight into their own thinking and beliefs than we can ascertain about Amanda and Drew’s.
roger:
I’m also a TSgt in the United States Air Force. So either signup or…
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. â€â€Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The signers of the Declaration represented the new states as follows:
New Hampshire
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts
John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
As we say in the UK “If you can’t take a joke you shouldn’t have joined”.
Amanda you should come here to the UK where we find everything funny!
Keep it up old girl.
I want you all to know that I (generic poster) am ashamed and embarrased of you. I liked the show when you only posted on things I agree with. You lose my viewership. America, you can love it or leave it! love it or leave it! LOVE IT OR LEEAAAVE IT! (God is the reason why America is the best)
Good for you guys for going with the original pledge that most Americans, regardless of their beliefs, could come together and say together as one country. I admire your courage! E plurbus unum!
Final word. It seems America is going through an immense “Spiritual Crises”
Unfortunately the word God has been usurped by fundamentalist right wing religious groups who think they own the Creator of All that is. Fundamentalists around the world should take some lessons from the great mystics and avatars throughout history who had direct experience which led to true enlightment. They all would be amused by today’s rants/ discussion of an anthropomorphic God. I AM THAT I AM means for eternity, in all dimensions and Universes.
Just one hypothetical question to Drew and Amanda:
If you were to go to the doctor tomorrow and he told you had cancer and only 6 months to live, would you pray? To whom? Would you pray to God? Or some other Higher Power that fits your sensibilities?
I’d be curious to hear both of your responses.
Instead of a pledge of allegiance that seems so devisive, I think there should be a Pledge to Respecting The Dignity of All Human Beings.
B-man
I don’t say the Plege at all. And I’m an American. Been so all my life.
I also don’t take any other oaths. Period. Not even in court. Why? Because it is against my religion. Does this make me unpatriotic?
My religion tells me that taking an oath, to anyone but God, is misplacing my oath. We are all human and all capable of misjudgements and misdeeds, purposeful or otherwise. Because of this, we have to be careful not just as oath takers, but also of those pressing oaths upon us. By telling Amanda that she must recite the amended Pledge of Allegiance, you are forcing her to take a Loyalty Oath based on YOUR sense of loyalty and duty, not HERS. That is BACKWARDS. If any oath is to be taken at all, it must be given freely, and not coerced, because in the end, it is up to the heart of the one TAKING the oath to fulfill it.
Our Founding Fathers built a big tent. Why are so many trying to push everyone else out of it?
Eric
Does the posting of the dole video mean it was a shot against the character or even the person? I think all these nay sayers may have something right if they cut off before the part where he stood up and walked it off, waving to the crowd, I think it was fine to show the way it was, I didnt hear any laugh tracks or anything but people see what they want to see.
As always A&D, you rock. I’m actually looking forward to subscribing. (Although, I hope you allow for subscribers to see the ads, if they want, since I’ll bet the ads will be worth watching.)
Hey, if it’s tasteless political statements you like, maybe tomorrow you can make fun of those guys who are sick and dying of AIDS.
I’m a fan of Rocketboom. This wasn’t one of your better episodes, but I’m guessing it’s nearly impossible to come up with a clever episode every day. I liked that you didn’t mention under god, and I don’t see why people are so upset about that. And I’m very liberal, and opposed to most wars. But showing a disabled war veteran falling down was a bit over the line. That was in very poor taste, regardless of your intentions. I wasn’t the slightest bit impressed by this episode. Still, I’m a fan, and assume you’ll do much better in the future.
God is dead.
I would figure someone as intelligent as you Amanda would forget how to say the Pledge. That was so pretentious. Gag.
Sly refinery of an existing inculcation. (I wonder why it is that heels aren’t clicked after each recital.) Yes, the words are taught, but not the meaning; and everyone knows kids say the darndest things.
PS Curious, this erosion of theological support. Why did 200 years pass before irony elicited due attention. Perhaps we weren’t so revolutionary after all, but ill-fated to act out our nation’s past under a new King George?!?!
PPS Curiouser still how the pledge omits the Declaration’s “pursuit of happiness.” I suppose it’s difficult to explain to a kindergarten class that your right to get your rocks off ends when you infringe on another person’s liberty.
Go easy on Dole! He gave his right arm for this country! At least the interns would have been safe had he won!
Hey Eric W. When in court you do give an oath to god. You give an oath to tell the truth before your fellow man. That is why you put your hand on a bible, then the guys says, “do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, So help you god” Then you say “i do.” Also i have to agree with Jeremy when he said :
“It seems that a majority of commentors disagree with todays broadcast, which I am glad about. I can’t say anything new, so I’m just going to say that I agree that it is a very low shot to play the video of Bob Dole, and a very partisan shot to misspeak the Pledge of Allegence. Stick to the news and comedy, and I’ll keep watching.”
Stay tuned for the June 14th episode, where Amanda will burn a copy of the Texas v Johnson court decision and heads across the nation explode in confusion!
This time I’m going to be serious. As a theatre professional I have always enjoyed watching the easily offended when they get all riled up over something like this, and welcome the chance to chat with the occasional protesters that may come to object to a particular play with which I may be involved. The type of reactions we are seeing here, however, disturb me greatly. It’s the same knee-jerk, ‘my preacher told me to’ mentality that gets people all worked up over things like civil rights, women’s rights, gay marriage, and many other issues that have no direct effect on those objecting so vociferously. I thought of myself as a Christian, until I spent three years at a Baptist college in Central Louisiana. It wasn’t the students, or my fellow instructors that disillusioned me, nor was it the pastor at my church. It was the actions of those in power over the school, and the LA Baptist convention that left me far more agnostic then ever. People who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and yet have a hair trigger on their intolerance of others cast a pall over the silent majority of true believers. I never doubted that such people were out there, but it constantly appalls me at how easily they step to the fore and claim to speak for all. If as many of them stop watching, and posting their billious rhetoric, as are threatening to, I cannot but think it is a good thing. Let them put their blinders back on, turn down the color settings on their televisions(so everything will still seem black and white to them), and stop raining on the parades of those who choose to think for themselves.
Hope tomorrow’s vox pop is really short and offensive. If you could find the Giovanni Ribisi guy and broadcast him saying something sweary, blasphemous and anti-American I might just die laughing. Seriously, if you can keep the episode under thirty seconds the world will shift on its axis. I have a very limited span of a…
Well my rocketboom stock on alexadex made me some virtual cash. Thanks rocketboom!
OMUG so many comments!
Amanda, Drew, I thought I was smart. I don’t get it [the Bob Dole bit]. I believe it’s some sort of joke. Is it? Isn’t it?
Os recomiendo uno de los mejores videoblogs de España… http://www.cosadedos.de
Adán y Eva, en la sociedad moderna…
Un saludo
Not that anyone will read this tidbit this far down, but aren’t you all missing the point? Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion. Everyone who has bashed RocketBoom for their views should sit in judgement of themselves. This after all is a FREE country and the freedom to state whateve we want should be applauded, not shunned!
And I believe she/they did it to make people more aware that that the pledge was originally written without the “under god”.
Hello?
God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we, murderers of all murderers, console ourselves? That which was the holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet possessed has bled to death under our knives. Who will wipe this blood off us? With what water could we purify ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we need to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we not ourselves become gods simply to be worthy of it?
#201: Wow, Not bad!
I love you when you entertain - I hate your politics..
Jay Koenig,
This is freedom of speech. Rocketboom has the right to say whatever they want, and everyone else has the right to say what they want about about what Rocketboom said. Now you are trying to keep everyone else from their free speech.
“I love you when you entertain - I hate your politics..” Well said.
Amanda,
You have been very receptive to my wishes, ever since you had your “soul faxed over” to me on Friday, February 10.
You’ll do anything I say. I never thought you would be so easy. What a pity, I do admire a challenge.
Still, keep on your path and you will reach me.
See you, soon, in Hell,
Satan
GOODNESS - NO WONDER DEMOCRATS CAN’T GET ELECTED!
Amanda,
Great job. Funny video of Bob not realizing that the fencing was a prop. Reminds me of W trying to exit out the fake doors at a press conference.
Everyone needs to lighten up. RB has been making fun of politicians, religion, MACs, etc. for a long time now.
Where can I get a T-shirt?
Ferreter
RB, you deserved all the lashing comments you got for this episode.
Not because you were wrong or right, but the way this episode was written, indirectly touching on a sensative topic in an inflammatory manner (and you even did it twice)….you might as well have just written 1,000 hate mail letters, written them all slightly differently but all about the same thing, and sent them to yourself instead of publishing this episode.
I mean really, you were just BEGGING for it.
I could go on … but just please try to be a little more savy in the future about the effect your show will have on its viewers.
For all our sakes.
Ok then
Quite short today. I know it’s a holiday there but…
P.S.: Thank you for not saying “under God”. I still have to recover from the advertisment trauma. I wouldn’t know what to do if it started becoming religious.
The fundamental issue here is that this episode of RB is nonsensical. I mean, RB usually is, but even more so this time.
I’m a relatively informed person, both in matters creative and cultural, and I can’t figure out how reciting a slightly edited form of the pledge followed by a video of Bob Dole falling communicates anything…
Well, what it *means* to communicate I can’t say. What it *does* communicate is an impression of snideness and creative laziness.
Of course, in this country (and many others) we’re all delightfully free to say whatever we want (the “misery of democracy,” a wise man once said), so there’s nothing stopping RB from espousing whatever it wants. And of course (this is where it gets delightful), people who disagree have an equal right to voice their viewpoints. Around we go! This is wonderful and is truly the right way of doing things, but in practice the proceedings can take on a decided aura of absurdity.
In the end I’m not so much interested in what people say. I care about how it’s said. A point can be communicated eloquently or it can be the intellectual equivalent of a kick in the shin. Masochists the world over can delight in having their sensibilities abused, but it’s not for me. (Nor I see is it for many other people who have posted here.)
AMANDA< YOU PROBABLY WONT EVEN READ THIS BUT, THIS WAS AN UNSUCESSFUL ATTEMPT OF SHOWING HOW YOU ARE “REBELLIOUS”. YA REAL REABELIOUS ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT FOR ALL YOUR FANS TO WATCH. I HOPE YOU REALIZE EXACTLY HOW YOU HAVE CAUSED CONTROVERY JUST FOR THE SAKE OF BEING DIFFERENT. NOT COOL
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
u just look like an idiod trying to be “rebellious”. hope you got a laugh out of this stupid controversy that must have taken a whole 2 min to record. ur lucky u had any fans to start with.
(WILL NOT WATCH RB FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER FEW WEEKS) UGHH
Sigh. I really hope you don’t let all of the backlash from those who feel their view is the only view get you down. I appreciate the sentiment and hope it was an honest one.
As to the amazing rebuttals BR received. First, why is this such a big deal to all of you? It’s the pledge as it stood (more or less) for 62 years. And i’m glad you can all copy+paste comments from your favourite religious websites about the founding fathers and all, but give it a rest, most of them are laughable anyway. Speaking of laughable, my personal favourite comment has been to “throw away all ur money! it has god on it!”… While you do bring up a good point that this certainly needs to change, i fail to see how this is relevant besides the fact that it too was only added around 50 years ago. These are not things this nation does or ever has stood for, and as others have said it is something we should seek to change as it reflects poorly on the u.s. as a nation. The nation who claims to be ’spreading freedom’ across the globe should certainly not be doing so under any form of religious banner.
i’m a new visitor and this just happened to be one of the first broadcasts i watched. i’ll have to go back and check out some of the other stuff. try to stay cool under all the fire you’ve drawn.
- geoff
ps: while we’re on the topic of history - spell check was first introduced in the late 1970’s.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spellchecker#History)
One more direct rebuttal just because i can’t leave some of these alone.
‘A friend’ writes: “Let’s got back to the orginal for everything in our history. No Bill of rights, right? Ok, keep those. None of the other amendments right? Slavery is ok because we are going with the orginal. Women can’t vote because we are going with the orginal right?”
Just because it was approved by the current party with a system of beliefs contemporary to their time does not make it a good idea. After all, we tried to outlaw alcohol which only lead to worse problems. This is no argument at all. And in fact if you read the article amanda linked to you would notice that the first appearance of the pledge was in 1892, 101 years after the bill of rights was ratified (point one), and 27 years after the 13th amendment was ratified (second point), and finally 22 years after the 15th amendment was ratified (third point).
And really if you really listen you notice that she is reciting the version of the pledge as it was amended in 1929, which only makes that a little further down the road.
Change is good, sometimes. But we should always be cautious. And it never hurts to check facts.
cheers,
- geoff
218 comment for 55 seconds of video. That’s just under 4 comments per second of footage.
I’ll also chime in on the bad form on the Dole clip. Regardless of if you would have voted for him in ‘96, that man did more to serve his nation that probably anyone involved with RB on either side of the camera.
And as soon as I heard the start of the Pledge of Allegiance, I know “under God” was going to be left out. Rather predictable.
I do so enjoy the shows so much more when politics is left out.
Wow:
“bjohns:
Go live in another country.”
I’m surprised by the number of those flaming RB for omitting the statement about that made-up supernatural entity.
USA is much closer to Iran than I expected.
The clip was poor, but damn!
I’ve been trying to get this new, shorter version spread around to appease the ever-oppressed Radical Christianist minority in this country (aka the Theocrats):
“I pledge allegiance to George W. Bush, Jesus’ earthly representative, and to the corporations for which he stands. One nation, divided into the righteous and the damned, under a very specific God, with liberty and justice for those who can afford it. Amen.”
[ducks quickly]
Shallow as usual.
What a shit episode.
Hey Amanda:
Way to go! Yoiu said it the old fashoned way, the way it was written and said until Eisenhower changed it in the 50’s. Good show! Stand up for separation of church and state.
like a fart it was vile and disgusting and unfortunately when it dissipates we’re left with noithing but the asshole it came from
Robert, learn to spell.
sounds silly:
Actually, the founding fathers were mostly Deists. In other words, spiritual, but not loyal to any one faith.
Want evidence? Google “Jefferson Bible” and see just how fundamentalist Thomas Jefferson was. He rewrote the dang bible, keeping the ethical teachings while taking a chainsaw to the fairy tale nonsense. By the standards of modern Radical Christianist cultists, he should’ve been burned as a heretic.
(Oh, also look up “Philadelphia Bible Riots” for a fine example of what “christian brotherhood” does when it’s injected into schools.)
I remember that incident with Dole. He later joked that two injury attorneys called him on his cell phone before he hit the ground. The man had a great dry wit that did not show until after the election was over.
Recall that he lost the election that year to Clinton. Final tally:
Clinton 49% [never > 50%]
Dole 41%
Perot 8%
I’m left sad…
Not because you said the pledge from the original scroll, but rather for my apparent self dilution that this simple preposition - one that conflicts with one of our most coveted governmental beliefs - had been simply a cold war leftover that no one was taking the time or political risk to clean up.
I’ve been shown the light by so many now.
My friends and neighbors, try to imagine having to send your child to school to repeat each day, “…one nation, with no god, …â€Â
Do unto others…
Well, at least we still have freedom of speech where everyone can be heard… er, wait, is it is freedom of speech if you’re forced to say something that opposes your view or forces you to shun other’s beliefs?
Hmm, I think it was one George Washington (even he!) who said all those years ago:
“The United States is in no sense founded upon Christian Doctrine.”
Cheerio!
Nice site,
great concept, nice presentation.
i think i’m falling in love with Amanda! :)
congrats to Amanda & team at rocketboom.
Greetz Spike