Letter: Bill of Rights meant to protect

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 8:51 a.m.

Recently the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rendered one of the most politically incorrect decisions in U.S. history, deeming the words "One nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional. Though the court's reasoning was impeccable, its decision provoked outrage from every corner of the country.

Ostentatiously out front were the usual craven congressional panderers. The media proved to be an absolute disgrace, with journalists not even feigning objectivity, reflecting perceived public outrage with some of the most tendentious coverage I've ever witnessed.

A Sun editorial implied the decision was rendered to "please a handful of atheists (the author apparently overlooked the "handful" of agnostics and polytheists) and purists." Lance Morrow, writing for Time magazine, referred to the decision as "stupid," "fetishistic" and "wanton in its cluelessness about the American mood." Unfortunately, none of those ramblings even rose to the level of sophistry -- they were nothing more than smug derision.

Let me be very clear. The Bill of Rights was written to protect individuals and minorities from the tyranny of the majority, not to appeal to the "American mood."

Alexis De Tocqueville wrote: "In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion: within these barriers, an author may write as he pleases; but woe to him if he goes beyond them. Not that he is in danger of an auto-da-fe, but he is exposed to continued obloquy and persecution." These words illustrate a persistent character flaw of the American people.

KELLY KRIEG