San Diego Cross Update

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 7/27/05 | Matthew T. Hall

[HeadOn]

SAN DIEGO – A ballot measure to preserve the Mount Soledad cross on public land in La Jolla easily surpassed the two-thirds support it needed for approval Tuesday night. But the voters' decision on Proposition A won't be the final word. The controversy heads back to court next month.

Two court dates are scheduled in the next three weeks. A Superior Court judge will examine the ballot measure's constitutionality Aug. 12, and a federal judge will hear cross-related arguments Aug. 15.

The proposition calls for the San DiegoCity Council to give the 29-foot cross, a concentric set of granite walls and the land around them to the U.S. Interior Department as a national veterans memorial.

Tuesday night, three dozen Proposition A backers at the Westgate Hotel greeted the early returns with cheers. Among them was Phil Thalheimer, chairman of a group called San Diegans for the Mount Soledad National War Memorial.

"Holy cow," Thalheimer said, looking at absentee-voting results that showed three out of four voters backing Proposition A. "It is better than I expected."

Attorney James McElroy, whose client filed a lawsuit challenging the presence of the cross on city land in 1989, called the vote meaningless.

"It still doesn't mean a damn thing," he said. "Voters should have never voted on it. It's a waste of taxpayers' money."

McElroy insists the transfer violates the U.S. and state constitutions despite claims by Proposition A supporters it will survive court challenges.

"I think they've acknowledged this is the last chance to save the cross," McElroy said. "And when the court tells them this is not going to work, what else have they got?"

Charles LiMandri, an attorney for the Thomas More Law Center, which fights for Christian ideals in court, said a legal battle will last for years.

[HeadOn]

I DID A SEARCH, and found one post, from World Net Daily. This if from the local paper there. (read more at link) I know Roger Hedgecock has mentioned this today on the EIB.

[clintonh8r]

"It still doesn't mean a damn thing."

An attorney holding forth on the will of the people.

[Mikey_1962]

I wonder when they will sue to change the name to Diego?

[tflabo]

""I think they've acknowledged this is the last chance to save the cross," McElroy said. "And when the court tells them this is not going to work, what else have they got?"

DANGER...black robed 'lawyer' tyrants thwarting the will of the people. Fight these evil communists for thats what they are and practice. Give em Hell is what they deserve.

[EdReform]

Thomas More Law Center in the news ping

[HeadOn]

If "we" can stop crazy junk like this, maybe never!

[HeadOn]

We know that's what they've been thinking for years, but it's the first time I've seen it in print...

[clintonh8r]

They're more brazen now, expressing on the record their contempt for the will of the people.

[pointsal]

Seems like it is time for the citizens for form a redevelopment district to preserve cultural the heritage of San Diego.... wonder if eminent domain can work the deal out?

[longtermmemmory]

actually givent the AGE of the display, under the recent decision the cross should stay.

It is old. prior to 1989 nobody but this busybody objected so it is "institutional" as a memorial.

That lawyer is no lawyer.

[mewzilla]

"It still doesn't mean a damn thing," he said. "Voters should have never voted on it. It's a waste of taxpayers' money."

Oh, really? Who died and made you dictator, bub?

[TheDon]

They're reactionaries, what do you expect? They yearn for the days before "We The People".

[newzjunkey]

Yup. It's stood about 50 years in present concrete form and before that there was a wooden cross at the same location since the early 20th century. It's a landmark, a tourist attaction, a place where young people go, it's used by pilots for navigation.

If you want to see video of the lawyer behind the litigation admit his true agenda, go to the Prop A website.

[Round 9]

"It still doesn't mean a damn thing," he said. "Voters should have never voted on it. It's a waste of taxpayers' money."

This is a perfect example of the Creed of liberals and why they are so desperate to keep control of the over reaching courts. The will of the people be damned! They know what's best for us.

[TASMANIANRED]

Cross, federal property, (Arlington, VA). When are they going to demand that these be removed because they are offensive?

[HeadOn]

We visited Arlington a couple of years ago. Awesome, almost "holy". The air is different there. Thanks for the pic.