By Pledge editorial misses the point
Your July 3 editorial on the Court of Appeals’ recent decision re the Pledge of Allegiance made a good point, but only one: We shouldn’t be “fixing something not broken.” I would apply that logic to the original version of the Pledge, which had no reference to God.
It was only “fixed” in 1954 under pressure from religious zealots who thought the addition of “under God” would help us win the Cold War.
As a secular humanist, I resent NOT being able to recite the Pledge because of the recently appended “under God.” Thus, my right to pledge allegiance to my country is impaired. Others with religious views that might not incorporate your “God” are similarly affected.
Remember, this was designed as a unifying pledge when first written. The addition of “under God” makes us choose sides, and is a bad idea.
Your editorial points out that this is a “public pledge.” True, and by that measure, God has no place in it. Giving school children the option to stand silently during its recitation hardly is the answer.
Any way you slice it, group recitation of the Pledge in the classroom is coercive to kids who may not be comfortable with it. Though at the age of six or seven, how can children even make that choice? Maybe that is why many teachers just choose to skip the Pledge.
You say that the concept of God is the “bedrock of our very civilization.” If you are referring to civilization broadly, you speak gross nonsense. If you are referring specifically to the USA, wrong again. The Constitution of the United States is our bedrock, our guiding light, our democratic marching orders - with zero mention of God.
Let’s make the Pledge accessible to all - believers and non-believers.
That’s what the Court decision was about.
Ray SchusterLos Altos
Must Westwind become a victim of LAH’s egoism?
When, in the mid-1970s, Countess Margit Bessenyer donated Westwind Barn and the surrounding 13 acres of land to the town of Los Altos Hills, it surely was not her intention for the property to be sold at the whim of some future council that needed to boost its coffers!
Westwind is open to and used by the public, whether it is to bring small children to visit the horses, or as a staging post for tired cyclists to have a rest and a cool drink of water. The Westwind 4-H WRI recreational riding program, which serves children with disabilities, is full, with a waiting list.
Los Altos Hills is one of the wealthiest areas in the nation and, therefore, the world, so it is disappointing indeed that the town feels it necessary to sell this donated open space and beautiful historic barn in order to build a new town hall.
To anyone who has witnessed the full harvest moon rising over Byrne Preserve, watched a family of fox cubs romping at the bottom of the hill or witnessed any of the other vignettes of nature that occur daily on the property, this is indeed a very special place.
Once sold into private hands it will never be reclaimed for the general public.
Alison CollinWRI program manager
Leave Westwind the way it is
Dear person who is trying to sell Westwind:
I personally don’t like horses, but my sister does. She rides at Westwind and has a great trainer called Pierre. My sister, Bree Hill, is a famous dressage rider because of Westwind.
Why, you ask?
Because if Westwind weren’t there she would not have found Pierre or her horse, Cricket.
There is a program at Westwind called Riding for the Disabled. Children get to ride horses to help them, and it would be sad for those people if you took it away.
I myself like the horse shows there because I can help at the gate and I get to watch my sister win ribbons.
The Ohlone Indian camp is fun and educational, and I have made good friends up there and learned a lot about the Native Americans.
If you sell this land and the new owner builds a house on it, only those people will get to see the beautiful view; but if you leave it the way it is, thousands of people can see it forever. If you built a house on that land it would be like separating a child from his parents, because the Indians believed that the earth was Mother Earth and Mother Earth made this land for every living thing to enjoy, never to be used for selfish reasons. If some person buys this land and fences it the wildlife will be cut off forever.
Please leave Westwind and Byrne Preserve the way it is.
Tyler James Hill (age 11)
Test your knowledge of recent history
Here’s a short quiz for history buffs.
Who said he wanted whom dead or alive, and who said about whom that if he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies he will be sorely mistaken?
Who said that those who make war against the United States have chosen their own destruction?
Who said he would never engage in nation building, and then bombed which nation into oblivion to oust that nation’s government? Who then supported which nation’s replacement government with whose taxpayer money?
Where is the person wanted dead or alive and who could never hide or run from the United States?
Who said most recently that he was marginalized?
Hint: The answer to the last question is not Arafat.
Write your answer in 15 words or less.
Charles Halleck
Los Altos
