An omission in the Pledge of Allegiance had NBC issuing an on-air apology Sunday during the U.S. Open.
The network opened its broadcast with a montage that included children reciting the pledge, but the words "under God" and "indivisible" were omitted. (The Associated Press)
Here's some of the reaction from around the country.
The Washington Post: Religious Right Now blog: NBC’s selective patriotism at the U.S. Open
In what was billed as a patriotic expression to celebrate the final day of the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club near our nation’s Capital, NBC opened their coverage with a montage of military personnel, American flags, great golfing moments and children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The problem is that, for some inexplicable reason, NBC – or at the very least an NBC Sports producer – omitted the phrase “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. Twice!
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This cannot be chalked up to an editorial decision made for timing purposes. It was clearly intentional.
NPR, The Two-Way blog: NBC: Cutting 'Under God' From Pledge Was Mistake
If you haven't seen or heard about it, when NBC Sports began its coverage of the U.S. Open on Sunday it opened with one of those video montages that are meant to stir emotions.
It sure did.
NewsBusters, Dan Gainor's blog: MRC's Gainor to NBC: Fire Employees Responsible for Removing 'Under God' From Pledge of Allegiance
NBC has unquestionably committed an act of religious bigotry designed to offend Christians. Removing ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance in a piece they aired yesterday during the U.S. Open – not once, but twice – was absolutely not accidental.
It's an affront to the ideals of inclusiveness and democracy for such a belligerent phrase to be a part of the Pledge of Allegiance. NBC did the right thing by omitting the religious words from the pledge of a secular nation.
