I honestly didn't know that anyone pledged allegiance to the flag, anymore. I was actually surprised and quite pleased.

I didn't know if any of the young people understand the concepts conveyed or not, whether they understand what it means to be a part of this nation, whether they know the sacrifices made in order to stand in the spot they were in with the freedoms they have.

As this all flashed through my mind, I put my hand over my heart, faced the flag, and pledged to the flag, the symbol of my country, my allegiance. As always, my heart swelled with pride, pride to be a citizen of the United States of America.

It was the pride felt when I volunteered for the military and, later, for Viet Nam duty. It was the pride I still feel when I think of the friends who sacrificed the most precious of gifts in defense of our nation's beliefs - their lives.

If I were physically capable of it, I would still take up arms to defend what this country stands for should the need arise. I would do so willingly because I believe the world needs a leader of peace.

I pray the need never arise.

But, we do have a need for the people to rise up and defend what the nation stands for. And, so, two years ago I took up arms in a sense. My weapon I hope one day will speak loudly enough for all to hear, should they choose to do so.

You see, my weapon is my pen. That is, it would be if it were years of old. As it is not, my pen has been replaced with a computer. Regardless, I have taken a weapon in hand, never minding its impotency at this time.

One day, should I live long enough with an intact mind, it will be a viable force. Why has the need arisen?

As I pledged allegiance to the flag, to all this nation stands for, one part of my mind was churning, throwing up bits of what I do not pledge allegiance to.

I do not pledge allegiance to politicians who are self-serving.

I do not pledge allegiance to politicians who take advantage of their positions, who use their power for their own gain and the gain of special interests groups who have used their power to buy the politicians.

I do not pledge allegiance to politicians who allow themselves to be bought and end up serving special interests instead of the people they represent.

I do not pledge allegiance to politicians that operate outside of the laws that the rest of us must obey. They do not have the right to do so.

I do not pledge allegiance to politicians who must, by their actions, consider themselves above the rest of us. They are civil service employees hired through elections to do the job of representing the masses in our representative democracy. They, of all people, should and must abide with the laws of the land.

I do not pledge allegiance to a justice system in which the victim is victimized by the so-called justice that is meeted out by our courts.

I do not pledge allegiance to a system of justice that will base a person not being guilty of committing atrocities against society because of the neighborhood he grew up in, because of the lack of parental involvement, because of his warped parents, because of his friends, or due to pressure from a spouse or whatever.

You see, for every one of those who do not learn respect for others, who do not become socialized to the degree necessary to maintain a society, there are thousands who grow up under the same conditions to become productive, balanced members of society.

I do not pledge allegiance to attorneys who know a person is guilty but use every manipulation of the laws possible to get him off.

I do not pledge allegiance to courts which will allow attorneys to manipulate the minds of jurists not with facts, but with emotions. Emotions have absolutely no place in the courtroom. Facts must speak the truth or we simply do not have a system of justice.

I do not pledge allegiance to those who continue to be prejudiced against other races and creeds. We are all human beings and all must treat the other with respect and the dignity deserved.

I do not pledge allegiance to those who obsessed with the rights of one group over another. Anti-discrimination groups are the worst. As I have observed the movements for many years, the rights of one group are invariably given up for the other.

Those are a few of the things I do not pledge allegiance to. I do, however, still pledge allegiance to this nation and will do all I am capable of in seeing to it the people know there are alternatives, that the people understand the complete meaning of being a citizen of this country.

I do pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and will do all I can to see that its interpretation is clear enough it may no longer be manipulated by attorneys who are getting known felons set free, including those that are in our Congress.

I do pledge allegiance to the words so often used to expressd our nation's basic governing principle, that of being 'of the people', 'by the people', and 'for the people'.

And, so here I sit at 3 AM Sunday morning ready to do battle with the forces of government that abuse power, ready to strike out against any who are in opposition to the basic precepts of this nation and the well-being of our people.