Posted by Loulou on Jul 3, 2013 | 2 comments

Mama just received the pledge of allegiance from her oldest friend, a friend she loves dearly who asked her to pass it on to other friends until July the 4th.

Mama read  the pledge to me, and I was moved to kitty tears, but it is not easy for anyone who wishes to be an American who comes from another world, or another culture, or another religion, or no religion to say “under God”, when in fact he or she may not even believe in that particular god (and there are many, believe me; there is even a kitty spirit—you can ask any kitty—nine lives? Hey, that’s a belief, no?). Francis Bellamy agrees with me. He’s the one who wrote it, after all.

In my view, and I observe this daily, I have not made it up: almost all of the problems of our small planet have to do with anthros beliefs that his or her religion (even the ones without a god!) is the ONLY one and that “god is on our side” (B. Dylan again) and no matter where I have looked, during my short kitty years, I have seen destruction, anger, torture, pain, ruthlessness, prejudice, judgement and unkind deeds, all in the name of someone’s god.

And when the pledge also states that our country provides “liberty and justice” for all—well, that’s not really the way it worked for many, many years. For example, we are just now realizing liberties for those who are not heterosexual, and I don’t have space here for that long period in history in which black Americans (and others) suffered horribly for want of liberty even while fighting for it themselves.

I think those who love kitties love the fact that kitties are free. They go where they please, they do as they wish (and mostly fastidiously unless they are stressed) and clean up afterward to boot! One cannot control a kitty, except by force, and if left to be themselves (unless they are mistreated by some uncaring anthro), they are usually loving, purring, contented kitties.

Kitties declare their independence daily.

Freedom is attractive. Freedom of spirit, freedom of the mind, freedom to choose.

And those who said “under God” for so long did not have a choice, other than to mumble at that point, even whilst believing in the rest of the very important pledge.

On a related subject—I was not a soldier, but mama’s brother was, and even though that life is not for everyone, the difficult, painful, excruciatingly rigorous life of an army person is to be lauded. Mama’s and papa’s country is free because of soldiers, sailors, air people, men and women who fought for our liberty.

On July the 4th, I’m lighting my little sparkler for all of those people who sacrificed for and believed in justice for all.

For all.