Another Apology for Pledge Debacle Only Raises More Questions for NBC
Posted by Jay Sekulow
For the second time, NBC has issued what it says is an apology for editing out the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance (twice) in a televised tribute at the U.S. Open golf championship outside our nation's capital. I first reported about this on Monday.
The problem: this apology raises more questions than it answers. This time, NBC admits that the deliberate editing was a "bad decision" that was made by a "small group of people." What? Bad decision? That's an understatement. Removing the words "under God" from the Pledge approved by a "small group of people." Who? Why?
Instead of admitting that the network made a mistake and announcing that it is putting in place a new policy to prevent this from ever happening again, NBC's new apology really rings hollow.
For the second time, NBC even refuses to use the words "under God" in its apology, which we now know were deliberately edited out of the segment.
Within hours after NBC committed this on-air gaffe, we mobilized and crafted a Letter of Protest to NBC – demanding answers and urging the network to put a corrective policy in place – a Letter of Protest that has been well covered by the media and attracted more than 35,000 signatures from Americans in just a couple of days.
And, now another call for an explanation – this time from a U.S. Senator. Sen. Dan Coats (R-Indiana) has sent a letter to NBC requesting much of the same information that we're asking for. Sen. Coats is asking NBC to provide a written account of its decision-making process and what actions the network will take to prevent a similar occurrence from happening in the future. His complete letter is posted here.
As Sen. Coats puts it, "I am disturbed with NBC's decision to modify the Pledge. . .I remain concerned that such a decision to selectively edit the Pledge could be made in the first place. . ."
We agree.
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A blog that examines the people and the cases behind the intersection of faith and public life. A look at the ever-growing challenges facing Christians and the action taken to protect religious freedom in America and abroad. Faith & Justice: Standing up for the rights of Christians - featuring leading constitutional attorney Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice.
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Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization that focuses on constitutional law. He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ).
Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories.
In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb's Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks.
Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation.
Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ's weekly television program.
Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles.
Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of "The 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years" and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers" in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America.
Jay Sekulow's legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel's right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, "Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda."
Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea.
Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C.
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