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Clem Kadiddlehopper, Red Skelton's country bumpkin character

Clem Kadiddlehopper, Red Skelton’s country bumpkin

Clem Kadiddlehopper – Red Skelton’s country bumpkin character

Clem Kadiddlehopper was one of Red Skelton’s most popular characters, portrayed on radio and television for decades. He was a country bumpkin, slow-witted and big-hearted. Although never intentionally hurtful, he would often cause clownish harm.  Often to his long-suffering father. (“When the stork brought you, Clem, I should’ve shot it on sight!” )

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Red Skelton and Mark Anthony with the Cole Brothers circus

Red Skelton’s poem, The Circus

Red Skelton’s The Circus – a poem in honor of Red’s father, by Red Skelton

Red Skelton, one of America’s great clowns, talks about an American tradition – the home of the men of mirth.  The Circus is an ode he wrote, and recited on his television show. Actually, the poem, The Circus, is  a tribute to Red’s father,  a  clown, whom Skelton never knew, since his father died two months before Red was born. But the love of clowning, the love of mime and of the Big Top with all its magic for everyone, is an innate thing with Skelton

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The banning of the Pledge of Allegiance

The banning of the Pledge of Allegiance



Back in 1969,  Red Skelton on his television show presented the  Pledge of Allegiance. He presented it as he said he’d been taught it in the fourth grade by his teacher, a Mr. Laswell. It’s a powerful presentation, and I urge you to follow the text link above. Read it for yourself or listen to Red present it.

On June 26, 2002, the Pledge of Allegiance was banned from the public schools. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that, since the pledge contains the phrase “under God,” it is an unconstitutional establishment of a religion. The court, shocked by popular outrage, put a stay on the order until the entire 9th Circuit Court could review it. As of March 28, 2003, the 9th Circuit Court has done so — and upheld the original judgment. Attorney General John Ashcroft condemned the decision. He said the Justice Department will “spare no effort to preserve the rights of all our citizens to pledge allegiance to the American flag.”

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