You know, I like Tennessee. I like living here. Utilities are inexpensive, the water is good (trust me, this is important, especially if you've ever had California water on tap. UGH), it has a rich history, there's lots of green, etc.

But I do read the newspaper, every day. And this budget thing is fucking nuts. What the hell is wrong with these people? Do they WANT a state full of fucking morons? If they do, they are seriously working on it if they pass this BS. I am so SICK of the way education gets shafted in this country, especially in THIS STATE. It's like a fucking conspiracy. Jesus. Help us. ><

As for the Pledge of Allegiance being declared unconstitutional... I think it was only a matter of time. But I don't see any need to do away with it completely. Near as I can tell the only offensive part of it is the 'under God' bit, which as we all know was added later anyway. Actually I'm against doing away with it completely. Despite how sorry this country is sometimes (like, for example, with regards to our general education system), it is, in many respects, a damn fine country. People HAVE died to give us this place to live. I respect the US. I love living here, even if some of it sucks. But you know what? Stuff sucks everywhere, and in a lot of places it's worse.

I think saying the pledge--or at least, believing in the pledge (which in my opinion is not literally meaning you pledge TO THE PIECE OF FABRIC, but to the country--come on, I think it's figurative, using the flag as a symbol for the US)--is a way of showing that respect. But I don't think people of different religions, or of non-religions (like atheists), should be forced to include the Under God portion or made to feel ostracized because they do not want to.