“The Pledge” The old man shuffled along as he approached the dias.  Stooped by years, hair whitened by experience, as he approached the podium some will swear they saw a definite twinkle in his eye. He positioned himself, straightened a bit taller, bent the microphone just so, and spoke, “It says on the program I am to lead us in the Pledge.  But actually those words belong to brigands, tyrants, thieves, and thugs who would have you pledge to do their bidding without exercising your obligations of review and oversight.  They are not patriots.  As current circumstances prove.” “Instead,” he went on, “we need a new think about what we pledge and to whom we owe allegiance.  Let me show you a new - actually a much older - oath.  One that is more in keeping with our Patriotic duties in these trying times.”  Then his face grew more serious, the lines more pronounced, and he said in his old Drill Sergeant’s voice, “On your feet!”  We all dutifully rose. In a voice that had to have come from that man decades back we heard, “Repeat after me: I (say your name),” we repeated as he instructed.  “Do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” we dutifully caught up to him.  “That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of a United States Citizen.” “You may take your seats.” he said.  As we sat down he continued, “That is very similar to the oath we have asked our Military Officers to take upon their commissioning since the time of General Washington.  It seems only right and proper that we too should be re-focused and re-dedicated to our fundamentals.”  He paused a bit, then, “We seek Leaders not Rulers.  No person needs a Master, but some can be swayed by those who would become a Master.” Now his voice was raising to almost a shout, “It is our bounden duty to preserve, protect, and defend our Constitutional rule of Laws not of men!” The silence was strong, you could almost taste it.  Then he left the dias.  The shuffle was gone, he stood straight and tall.  His eyes were on fire!  He was fully alive!