Bill Clinton: “I am surprised and offended by the decision of the Appeals Court of the Ninth Circuit and hope that it will be promptly…”

“I am surprised and offended by the decision of the Appeals Court of the Ninth Circuit and hope that it will be promptly appealed and overturned. I believe that the Court has misinterpreted the intent of the Framers of the Constitution and has sought to undermine one of the bedrock values of our democracy, that we are indeed "one nation under God," as embodied in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. While our men and women in uniform are battling overseas and defending us here at home to preserve the freedom that we all cherish for our country and its citizens, we should never forget the blessings of Divine Providence that undergird our Nation. That includes the freedom to recite the pledge of allegiance in our Nation's schools. I can only imagine how they will feel about this decision as they risk their lives for our values. And the children of America, who share a bond with each other and with our Nation by reciting the pledge each day, what effect will a decision like this have on them? It will cause them to wonder about the ways in which our beliefs can be stretched, our heritage can be assaulted. It is the wrong decision, and it is an unfair decision, especially unfair to those who defend our Nation, and to the young people who will inherit our Nation's future. Ours is a Nation founded by people of faith.…”