Washington, DC - In 1892, Benjamin Harrison introduced the Pledge of Allegiance in our public schools. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower proposed adding the phrase, "Under G-d" to the pledge. Not since then has there been any changes to the salute nor had there been any prior to its writing in 1892. President Bush, seeking to rally his base as he leaves office and avoid being blamed for the political implosion of his party, directed all public school children to adhere to the new pledge effective immediately. It reads, "I pledge allegiance to the flag the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under G-d, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all those who support the war on terror." In a statement from the Rose Garden, Bush remarked, "Either they're with us or against us. If they're with us, they'll say the new pledge. I don't negotiate with terrorists." When asked what Bush would do if middle school students refused to say the new pledge, Bush replied, "We'll smoke 'em out of their homeroom classes and bring 'em to justice."
