Think Progress

‘American Values Agenda’ off to a rocky start.

House Majority Leader Boehner (R-OH) yesterday released a package of bills called the “American Values Agenda” aimed at “energizing social conservatives five months before the midterm elections.” The first bill, to keep the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, has already failed. “Republicans could not muster a simple majority on the issue in a committee where they outnumber Democrats by six.”



56 Responses to “‘American Values Agenda’ off to a rocky start.”

  1. Seixon says:

    The first bill, to keep the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, has already failed. “Republicans could not muster a simple majority on the issue in a committee where they outnumber Democrats by six.”

    Haha, suckers.


  2. unbelievable says:

    Music to my atheistic ears…


  3. Amazed says:

    This so-called “American Values Agenda”, are code words for “if you don’t support this agenda, you have no values and are un-American”. Which is an insult to just about everyone in the country, including I would wager, a variety of Republicans (even some Bush Republicans too).


  4. Trizza says:

    Republicans have no shame. They will stop at nothing to divide this country for political gain. As Joseph Welch so eloquently stated…”Have you no sense of decency?”


  5. Grand Moff Texan says:

    Restore the Pledge to its original text. Adding “under God” to it just shows that the idiot who did it didn’t know what country he lived in.

    Corporate donors switching to Democrats, Republicans in Kansas and Kentucky switching to the Democrats, Republicans running away from their phony GOD!!! GUNS!!! GAYS!!! agenda, flat-earth Republicans getting their asses kicked all over the media, a phony ‘treason’ scandal blowing up in the administration’s face.

    Wow!

    It’s ok, guys. You can join us, too. We’ll let you pretend that you were with the good guys all along.
    .


  6. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    Music to my atheistic ears…

    Comment by unbelievable — June 28, 2006 @ 5:07 pm

    Mine, too.


  7. Ron says:

    One nation, under God…

    What nation would that be?

    The one that kills innocents in Iraq by the tens of thousands.

    That nation under God?


  8. For Truth says:

    Maybe the Boner can start working on issues that really matter, after his Viagra wears off.

    So is the assumption by these politicians is that dividing, riling up the base, and making issues out of piddly crap the way to be re-elected? What happened to serving the constituents, tackling real issues, and representing the population as a way to get re-elected?


  9. For Truth says:

    Grand Moff

    Thats very nice of you to let them in, pretending to be with the good guys all along. I would require one condition: That they hunt down Rush Limberger wrap him in a sheet, beat him, and leave him in the woods with nothing but underwear on. Happens in fraternitys all the time.


  10. Mark Howard @ News Corpse says:

    How on earth did they lose that vote? I can’t believe that Repubs didn’t pass that easily.

    Is there something we don’t know? I know they didn’t just grow some ethics.

    Seriously, can someone explain that outcome?


  11. Zookeeper says:

    Since highschool government class, I have never uttered the words “under god” while saying the pledge.

    Zoo Jr stood and turned his back on the flag during the pledge everyday of his senior year. Drove his teachers batshit crazy! The admin threatened to suspend him. They called me in for a meeting. They asked Jr to explain his reasons for turning his back (Iraq War, Katrina, illegal wiretapping, etc). I told them those sounded like good reasons for turning his back, and I supported his right to do so. They threatened to not let him participate in graduation. I told them they better get their attorney on the phone and tell me why. Through gritted teeth, he told them Jr had to be allowed to participate in graduation. It was a lovely evening. :-)


  12. yankeluh says:

    Way to go Zookeeper and Zoo, Jr. I salute you both.


  13. The Do Nothing Important Congress » Oliver Willis says:

    [...] Keeping “Under God” in the pledge of allegiance: it failed [...]


  14. For Truth says:

    Awesome Zookeeper, love the story, about the school. Schools are one of the three places in this country where people do not have all their rights. The other 2 are the military, and prison.

    I really am leaving for vacation tomorrow, I just found some extra time for blogging today. :)


  15. Zookeeper says:

    Comment by yankeluh

    Thanks!


  16. unbelievable says:

    Zoo – That is appalling! I can’t believe that pulled that shit. Then again, I can – The Elk Grove Unified School District used to be one of my clients when i lived in California.

    I never say the pledge. Many reasons. Very few of my students said it either. I never asked them why, but some of them seemed relieved to see me not saying it.


  17. Punchy says:

    It’s ok, guys. You can join us, too. We’ll let you pretend that you were with the good guys all along.

    Like hell we will.


  18. unbelievable says:

    Mine, too.
    Comment by Wayne A. Schneider — June 28, 2006 @ 5:15 pm

    I don’t expect it to last, however… :)


  19. Zookeeper says:

    #14 – Thanks, For Truth. I saw your “phone message” on another thread, and was going to ask you what the heck you were doing here. I hope you have a great time.

    I hadn’t even known Jr was doing this. When the school called he had just turned 18, so I figured what the heck are they going to do about it? Jr knows he better stay out of prison, and unless the military starts taking recruits whose left shoulders dislocate if you look at it funny, he won’t be doing that either. He’s been telling them he’s gay anyway. He’s his mama’s mean little shit.


  20. Zookeeper says:

    Zoo – That is appalling!
    Comment by unbelievable

    What the heck, can’t bullshit a bullshitter, as my mama used to say.


  21. JP says:

    Kiss my fat ass wiht your American Values. How about ensuring a decent economy and get the hell out of our personal lives? THAT’s American Values.


  22. SKdeA says:

    Zoo Jr. rocks.
    I haven’t said the Pledge since I was 11, being raised by good atheist Americans. And got kicked out of the Girl Scouts that year too, for not believing in God. It didn’t hurt me a bit.
    Hey Unbeliveable, that was in Placerville! Bet you know the territory… I thought i would get lynched, but survived to tell the tale…


  23. e_five says:

    “American Values Agenda” includes: Pledge Protection Act, HR 2389; Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, HR 42; The Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679; Marriage Amendment, HJ Res 88; Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, HR 356; Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 1357; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) Reform, 5092; Internet Gambling Prohibition; Permanent Tax Relief for Families; Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, HR 5013.

    LOL. After they work on these pressing issues, they might eventually get around to debt, war, rising interest rates, 47 million uninsured, record high gas prices, Presidential spying on American citizens, torture, rendition, North Korean nuclear weapons, the rebuilding of New Orleans, and global warming.


  24. Krazny says:

    Damn of parts of this act sound pretty fishy. What the hell do they mean by public expression of religion act?


  25. TheToonGuy says:

    Remember, Republicans stand for Family Values.

    Democrats stand for Families.


  26. Zookeeper says:

    #25 – Well said, Toon Guy.


  27. unbelievable says:

    Hey Unbeliveable, that was in Placerville! Bet you know the territory… I thought i would get lynched, but survived to tell the tale…
    Comment by SKdeA — June 28, 2006 @ 5:55 pm

    I thought California was supposed to be liberal, but the school district hated Michael Newdow for trying to get God out of their classrooms. I used to have to bite my tongue whenever they cursed him. I supported his efforts 100%. Still do.


  28. Zookeeper says:

    #23 – Oh no! What about the human hybrids? Won’t someone please think about the hybrids?


  29. Pinky says:

    One nation “under siege” is more like it.


  30. moonbat patrol says:

    good old government run schools. Kids know all about the evils of homophobia and learn all about tolerance and diversity but they can’t spell or find Washington DC on the map. schools are not about learning anymore they are about social indoctrination and the leftists who pass a stone over the pledge or God forbid even a moment of silence have taken over the schools. The ACLU ( a communist lawyers union) and dirbags like that newdow fruit have taken control of kids minds for their own evil gain.
    I find it sickening that the progressives here could subvert and pervert even schools for their own socialist anti- American agenda. But you do one good thing- you solidify the opposition in ways that you cannot imagine to fight you and your twisted agenda.


  31. madashell says:

    you, are a moonbat! who’s kids are you referring to?


  32. d7000 says:

    Right – moonbat’s kids are too stupid to find DC on a map so he blames the schools.

    BTW, moonbat, the Newdow case was about a public school trying to indoctrinate kids into a particular religious view, and a parent attempting to stop the school from doing that.

    You claim you are against school being “about social indoctrination.” If so, you must support Newdow, the parent who didn’t want his kid to be indocrinated by the public schools. You do support him, right??


  33. doG God says:

    “One Nation UNDER God” , Not me, I’m no “bottom” .


  34. Grouchy’s Liberaltopia » Grand Old Paste Eaters says:

    [...] The “American Values Agenda” the GOP thinks will ride them to victory in November includes: Pledge Protection Act, HR 2389; Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, HR 42; The Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679; Marriage Amendment, HJ Res 88; Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, HR 356; Human Cloning Prohibition Act, HR 1357; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (BATFE) Reform, 5092; Internet Gambling Prohibition; Permanent Tax Relief for Families; Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act, HR 5013. [...]


  35. dot says:

    Kids know all about the evils of homophobia and learn all about tolerance and diversity but they can’t spell or find Washington DC on the map.

    Whose kids can’t spell Washington D.C.?

    and dirbags like that newdow fruit

    Which kids’ parents can’t spell dirtbag?


  36. moonbat patrol says:

    # 32- talk about indoctination!!?? I guess allowing kids is evil but pushing the gay acceptance thing and other liberal causes is ok right? The government run schools indocrinate to the tune of the ultra-liberal NEA. The government has a monopoly on schools and kids minds. I do want kids to have respect for their country! what is wrong with that?? oh escuse me if forget sometimes that I am on an anti-American pro socialist website.
    American schools today are more worried about teaching politically correct indoctrination than academics. Liberals constantly fight against vouchers for schools beacuse they get upset that tax dollars might actually might be used to educate kids within the parameters of their parents wishes and beliefs.Todays schools have become not much more than liberal indoctrination encounter groups and are more worried about kids “self esteem” rather than true knowledge.
    Thus the culture wars- the operative word being “war”. their is a war being wgaed for kids minds and as it stands now the government and the NEA have a monopoly.
    which brings me to #34
    every issue you mentioned is a viable and important issues to most Americans. In case you missed it in ‘04 that is the main reason that democrats LOST. Until the democrats shake off the influence of the kook ultra liberal fringe they will continue to lose.
    #33 you are on the bottom in terms of intelligence and common sense, your incoherent mumbling speaks for itself.
    #35 maybe I had a typo but you know I meant dirtbag but obviously you are recent graduate from public school and unabel to read that my post said:Kids can’t spell OR find Washington DC on a map. But thanks you just made my case for me. good job!
    oh and # 31 I am refering to most kids in the government run public schools.


  37. Above the Clouds says:

    Moonbat–you should know by now that if any “conservative” school reformer could have turned a profit by getting into the education business they certainly would have by now. There’s a “conservative” radio talker in my area that has been spouting about the monopoly the government has on education AND the postal service. Clearly, if ANYONE–conservative or otherwise, could do either cheaper and better, they would have already. I’ve been a teacher for 23 years and I have seen neither the “liberal” nor “gay” agenda and/or teaching lessons. We are spending all of our school dollars and time keeping No Child Left Behind. I’m sure you’re an expert on that topic, too.


  38. JPark says:

    #37 That is because righties don’t relate to anybody either rich enough or stupid enough to agree with them.


  39. JPark says:

    That should be “but”, not “either”


  40. Marie says:

    Zookeeper, Your son is courageous and principled. :)


  41. doG God says:

    moonbat is a “bottom” fur sure


  42. Jay Randal says:

    No values in the GOP, just 100% corruption now!


  43. Porlock Junior says:

    Figure out at age 8 that the Pledge was pretty silly. Went on saying it because I’m a social conformist.
    Drew the line in 1957 or whenever that Eisenhower crap went in; knew I’d never say “under God” there.

    BTW if you leave out the u.G., you’ve got a bit of space to fill. One thing I didn’t know about till recently: just go on talking, get out of phase for a moment as you recite the draft version that somehow never got adopted.
    “…one nation indivisible, with liberty, equality, and justice for all.”
    Are you willing to trade God for equality? I thought so.

    God doG states his refusal to be under God. Does anyone remember The Realist’s poster of One nation under God”? Yeah, you’ve figured it out: two bearded guys, the one on the bottom wearing a striped hat, that’s the general idea.


  44. PLC (PatrioticLiberalChristian) says:

    I don’t say “under God” either because only individual people through their personal convictions can be “under God”, not nations. Further, the original intent of the pledge (written by a socialist Baptist minister) was to provide a common ground of assimilation in this melting pot of ours, to unite us. Thus, the words were “one nation, indivisible” and now “under God” comes between “nation” and “indivisible”, symbolically and in reality dividing our country. I would like others to be people of faith, but, “by God” I DEMAND that we be a nation of secular government.


  45. eblair says:

    10 “How on earth did they lose that vote? I can’t believe that Repubs didn’t pass that easily.

    Is there something we don’t know? I know they didn’t just grow some ethics.

    Seriously, can someone explain that outcome?”

    My understanding is that some of the Republican members of the cmte simply didn’t make it to the vote (some or all of these were out of town). One switched sides–he had supported the bill but decided during debate that he would vote against–he made a statement saying he trusts the current federal courts, including the Supreme Court.


  46. eblair says:

    10–more

    and the Republicans on the cmte made a procedural move to try to have a do-over today–a 2nd vote where they hoped to get more of their members there for the vote and maybe flip back the one who switched his vote..


  47. eblair says:

    14 “Awesome Zookeeper, love the story, about the school. Schools are one of the three places in this country where people do not have all their rights. The other 2 are the military, and prison.”

    The fourth is Texas….

    just kidding–that post just set me up. not all that funny, though I’m just kidding around. cracked myself up


  48. eblair says:

    Moonbat–you’re making a big generalization and I think it’s really hard (impossible) for you to prove your argument about the socialist plot to subvert public education.

    But let me make a common sense based observation (which also can’t be proved, but maybe it will make sense). do you really think public schools in Mississippi are ga-ga over political correctness and homophobia? what about Texas? how about Kansas, where the state Board of Ed (last year) held hearings aimed at changing how evolution is taught in the state (board members want to teach “intelligent design”)? I can think of a lot of other red states where your arguments don’t make much sense (whether they do in blue states, I don’t really know).

    What I hear from teachers is that education today is focused on teaching to standardized tests. I don’t think that’s so great, but I don’t think it has to do with being pc–it has to do with programs like No Child Left Behind which focus on testing, arguably creating a narrow tunnel vision approach to teaching.

    be logical though—I don’t think commies from the NEA and ACLU have infiltrated Murfreesboro, TN or Mobile, Alabama for example–or a thousand other places.

    you also lump the government in with the NEA. which government? the feds? Is Bush part of this commie conspiracy? state govts? plenty of them are controlled by red blooded Repubs–are they on board with the socialist plot?

    be reasonable–generalizations of any kind are hard to prove. I won’t pretend to know with certainty what is going on in schools around this huge nation of 300 million people. But I will trust my common sense to reject your theory that schools have been subverted by a socialist agenda

    one more thing–the govt has a monopoly on kids’ minds? we have lots of private schools, including many parochial schools. It’s true that not everyone can afford these (though I don’t like the voucher idea unless you can tell me every kid who wants to attend a private school will be guaranteed admission)


  49. d7000 says:

    moonbat #36:

    Answer the Question: Do you support Newdow, who fought to stop public schools from socially indoctrinating his kids? YES or NO?

    If you say NO, then obviously, you’re in favor of public schools socially indoctrinating kids, because that is what the entire case was about.


  50. eblair says:

    Moonbat–”escuse me if forget sometimes that I am on an anti-American pro socialist website.”

    schoolyard insults are beneath you. I can’t speak for anyone else (and I don’t think anyone needs to prove their bona fides), but I am a proud American and not a socialist. The only posts that seem to mention socialism are those, like yours, that are spewing venom.

    Sometimes people confuse criticism of politicians with being anti-American. Just as those (which may include you) that criticized Clinton and may criticize Dems in office now are not necessarily anti-American, those of us who criticize Bush are not necessarily anti-American


  51. Lora says:

    The only “American values” I associate with Boehner is handing out tobacco lobby checks on the House floor.


  52. Piper says:

    God you people are so entertaining and enlightening.
    It’s so fun to see you whacky liberals chatter away.
    The reason why the readership is going up on this site is because the moderates out here in mainstream America love to watch you guys get all worked up over things. Believe me the goofy right is just as entertaining so don’t think you are alone or that I’m picking on just you.
    Keep up the drivel; were watching both of you.


  53. Jay Randal says:

    Post 52 Piper > go find some other amusement other than TP! The only drivil posted on here is yours! So-called Moderates are the most clueless fools in the United States bud!


  54. Someone says:

    The American Agenda Values Bill should have been passed along time ago. What is wrong with the country’s elected officials? I don’t think there’s a backbone between all of them! I would like to see the Senate and the House swept clean of all those liberal, weak-livered officials in Washington. Thank God we have a president who stands up for what he believes (and the majority of Americans believe) and sticks to his guns no matter how much mud is thrown at him. America is a nation UNDER GOD! Homesexuality is WRONG!!!! Burning the Flag is DISRESPECTFUL and WRONG!!!! And my prayer is that it forever will be!!!!!!


  55. roberto gordo says:

    Gawd® will smite us as a nation if we DO NOT BAN HUMAN CLONING RIGHT NOW. This is what the Republicans feel is an important and timely issue? Not the war in Iraq, the President’s unilateral power grab and disrespect for the constitution, crime, or the economy? Okay…


  56. Distance Learning Teachers Having Sex With Students Very Hot School Girls says:

    Distance Learning Teachers Having Sex With Students Very Hot School Girls

    I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view



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