The Patriot … Newdow

As the son of two Bronx-raised parents, naturally, I've always loved baseball -- especially my favorite "evil empire," the Yankees. Of all the thrilling moments -- World Championships, high-profile off-season acquisitions, and the merciless taunts of blue-collar road-warrior Bronx Bomber fans showered upon traumatized Jacobs Field patrons -- the two most memorable had little to do with baseball. \nOne sunny New York day, I listened from my left field seat as Yogi Berra and other Yankee greats honored Joe DiMaggio. Afterward, Paul Simon sauntered onto center field and transfixed the sellout crowd with his timeless "Mrs. Robinson" while classic images of the Yankee Clipper played in the background. I thought my memory of that moment would never be overcome.\nTragically, the dust of the fallen twin towers overwhelmed all past perception.\nYet, at the World Series after Sept. 11, former NYC policeman Daniel Rodriguez lifted the nation's spirit with his moving rendition of "God Bless America," an unforgettably uplifting and patriotic moment. \n"Patriotic" is a term few would associate with Michael Newdow, the vilified father who sued to remove "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, and won. Soon thereafter, members of Congress -- in a flurry of bipartisan fervor -- rushed the Capitol steps and recited the full Pledge, proclaiming their allegiance to God and most of their constituents, but not the Constitution. Their priorities were unwittingly confirmed by Iowa Senator Charles Grassley who stated, "(This) decision is so much out of the mainstream of thinking of Americans and the culture and values that we hold in America, that any Congressman that voted to take ("under God") out would be putting his tenure in Congress in jeopardy at the next election."\nThroughout elementary and secondary school, I never pondered the Pledge's language much, reciting it as a weary automation, with the same lack of focus with which I recited the "Our Father" at Sunday Mass. Nonetheless, the pledge lyrics were repeated so frequently, they have remained branded in memory years after high school, despite few recitations since.\nI can only imagine a Pepsi advertising executive's colossal glee if granted the right to broadcast over the morning public address system a quick "by Pep-si!" at the conclusion of the Pledge. How much would be paid for those mere three syllables reverberating within impressionable young minds every morning, every week, every semester, every year, from K-12? Big money I presume, because, as experience teaches, repeated exposure creates familiarity, and familiarity usually breeds comfort and acceptance. \nThis rationale applies with greater weight to a synchronized group pronouncement of "under God." It is hard to believe that the recitation of any phrase daily for 13 years wouldn't make a child more receptive to the implied idea, including that of a single God. \nIf Senator Grassley believes that "mainstream" thought should dictate whether the "under God" phrase is constitutional, perhaps he should try to envision an America where the "mainstream" religion becomes Islam, and "under God" is replaced with "under Allah." How many Christian parents would smile and sit idly by while their child chants "under Allah" every morning? An equivalent scenario exists today for atheists, Hindus and others who are equally entitled to protect their children from government imposition of monotheistic religion. \nNewdow has demonstrated considerable courage despite political adversity and death threats. His fearless persistence, in the face of an overwhelming majority, is further example of why our nation is great, and why Daniel Rodriguez's rendition of "God Bless America" inspires. \nGod will always bless America, even without the homeroom loudspeaker.