U.S. Supreme Court keeps pledge wording in limbo

U.S. Supreme Court keepspledge wording in limbo
Scripps Howard: The words under God can stay in the Pledge of Allegiance, says the Supreme Court, whose Monday ruling actually resolves next to nothing.
Instead of taking on the substance of the issue, the court ruled on whether the man who brought the case in the first place had proper standing. He doesn't, the court said. He has "insufficient custody" of a daughter who has to hear the words he doesn't like when the pledge is recited in her classroom. The mother, who cares for the child most of the time, thinks it's OK for the girl to hear or recite the pledge with its reference to God.
Three justices took side
Three justices did indicate that they see no violation of the Constitution in the pledge's language. Good for them. The First Amendment aims to keep Congress from establishing a state religion, which would require a great deal more effort from Congress than inserting a couple of words in the pledge a half-century ago. Children cannot be compelled to recite the pledge or even listen to it if they don't wish to.
It would have been a relief if the court had gotten this issue done with in its decision.
Because the ruling didn't go to the heart of things, the debate will continue, courts will argue it again and the Supreme Court will sooner or later have to excise the phrase or else rule in its defense, an action requiring only this: respect for constitutional language and a modicum of common sense.