Hey get a JOB. Hey if you don’t like me harassing you, GET OFF THE INTERNET. Hey if you don’t like the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance, YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE HERE.
That last item of ignorant bullying is from a Fox News personality, Dana Perino. She really did say that.
Massachusetts’ highest court is currently hearing a case against the Pledge brought by atheist parents, who feel that due to its religious wording, atheist children “are denied meaningful participation in this patriotic exercise.” The case specifically involves the phrase, “under God,” which was not actually a part of the original phrasing of the Pledge.
Regarding atheists, Perino said during a live segment, “I’m tired of them.” She continued, “I remember working at the Justice Department years ago when I first started right after 9/11 and a lawsuit like this came through, and before the day had finished, the United States Senate and the House of Representatives had both passed resolutions saying that they were for keeping ‘under God’ in the pledge.”
“If these people really don’t like it, they don’t have to live here,” she concluded.
That’s the way to deal with minority rights all right – just tell the minorities to leave if they don’t like it.
Dave Silverman, not surprisingly, sees it differently. He did a Facebook post to explain his view of the “just get out then” ideology.
What’s with Dana Perino? Dana Perino is an ‘equalophobe’- she is afraid of ONLY being equal. We see this often, and here’s a perfect example. She will say this is a free country, and that freedom means being able to make a choice, but when that yields a loss of the special status afforded her religion, she becomes aggressive and demeaning. “We are free to choose” becomes “They can just leave if they don’t choose to agree with my majority”.
Christians in this country (and other religions in other countries) use the government to protect their perceived special status, and most are too afraid to see past their privilege in favor of freedom. They are hypocrites, and they need to hear about it, so they can learn that freedom must, by definition, include equality for those with whom they disagree.
From my book: “If someone claims to be offended by the truth, it’s because they are used to privilege and social superiority and actually fear “just” being equal (Equalophobes). Do not let, “I’m offended” silence you.” #iatheist
He even used the word “privilege.”
Claire Ramsey says
Dana Perino is tired of atheists? I was tired of her back in the Bush administration. Also, I am tired of Fox. What an arrogant ignorant empty celebrity. And she clearly does not have much grasp of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, or the history of civil rights legislation and decisions. How long before we hear “I’m tired of Negroes.” “I’m tired of Poor People.” “I’m tired of not hearing from the Spanish Inquisition lately.”
left0ver1under says
People should tell Perino and her ilk to move to Russia. Russia is predominantly white, nearly all christian with christian-based laws, there’s open gay hating and racism is rampant. It’s their paradise.
Cuttlefish says
But, but… the Fox people are “opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, and worship.” So they can’t be intolerant bigots who want government to enforce religious views and deport those who don’t share them.
really.
So, you see, atheists are every bit as free. Free to leave any time they want.
https://proxy.freethought.online/cuttlefish/2013/09/06/fox-newss-the-five-debate-ha-the-pledge-lawsuit/
Al Dente says
Hey Perino, it’s my country too. In fact, since I’m older than you, it’s been my country longer than it’s been yours.
David Hart says
I don’t think ‘equalophobe’ is an elegant word. If you’re going to use a Classical Greek suffix, you should at least try to come up with a good Classical Greek stem. In this case, I reckon ‘isophobe’ is about the best you’re going to get.
[/pedantry]
skemono says
Around 1876. Probably earlier.
Pen says
As a matter of fact, I think it’s very likely they do have to live there. Since when has getting a residence visa for another country become easy? Does she naively believe the world is open to Americans because they’re Americans?
MaryL says
“…with liberty and justice for all.” Too bad she doesn’t want the pledge to be all-inclusive, as it was originallly written.
dmcclean says
If people didn’t like not having the words “under god” in the pledge of allegiance, why couldn’t they have just left instead of trying to cram those words down the throat of every public school student? Nobody ever explains that part.