Alfred T. Goodwin is a wise man.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge who wrote the 2-1 opinion that schools can't have students say the Pledge of Allegiance, has suddenly changed his tune.

Goodwin hasn't given a reason why he's preventing the ruling from taking effect. But you can't help but think that when the U.S. Senate votes 99-0 to condemn the ruling -- plus throw in a few similar remarks from President Bush -- common sense is going to kick in.

The person who filed the lawsuit against a California school district said he was challenging the phrase "under God," because didn't want his second-grade daughter exposed to religion in school.

Puh-leaze.

Ari Fleischer, Bush's spokesman, matter-of-factly explained religion's importance in this country's history.

"The Declaration of Independence refers to God or to the creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer, and of course our currency says, 'In God We Trust.'"

Pride is a difficult thing to swallow. However, it's a wise move by this particular court to reconsider its decision.