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Peace Cross of Bladensburg ruled unconstitutional by appeals court
Washington Times ^ | 10/18/17 | Bradford Richardson

Posted on 10/18/2017 4:18:06 PM PDT by markomalley

A three-judge court panel ruled Wednesday that a World War I memorial in the shape of a cross in Bladensburg, Maryland, is unconstitutional, a decision that a legal scholar says could imperil other similar memorials.

In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit said the 40-foot cross erected 92 years ago violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.

“The monument here has the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion,” Judge Stephanie Thacker wrote for the majority. “The Latin cross is the core symbol of Christianity. And here, it is 40 feet tall; prominently displayed in the center of one of the busiest intersections in Prince George’s County, Maryland; and maintained with thousands of dollars in government funds.”

The Bladensburg World War I Veterans Memorial is dedicated to 49 servicemen who perished in WWI. The cross is owned and maintained by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which acquired it from the American Legion in 1961 due to development around the cross.

In 2014, the American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit asking for the cross to be demolished or altered, such as by removing its arms “to form a non-religious slab or obelisk.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; aha; culturewar; freemasonry; humanism; humanist; judges; judicialactivism; judiciary; memorials; obamaappointees; obamanominees; obelisk; religion; stephaniedthacker; stephaniethacker; thacker; veterans; waronart; waronchristianity; waronreligion; ww1
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I drive past this cross every morning on the way to work. It is in no way religious...it is simply a patriotic display.

I wonder when the "American Humanist Association" is going to sue to have all crosses removed from the headstones at Arlington.

1 posted on 10/18/2017 4:18:06 PM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

I am more offended by the ugly pawnshop in the background.


2 posted on 10/18/2017 4:21:49 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Gone but not forgiven.)
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To: markomalley

Enough of this.

Let the judge tear it down.


3 posted on 10/18/2017 4:21:55 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: markomalley

Time to start ignoring these frigging tyrants. The memorial does not endorse or promote religion.


4 posted on 10/18/2017 4:23:14 PM PDT by ex91B10
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To: markomalley

Good Grief! Get A life You Liberals!


5 posted on 10/18/2017 4:23:23 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: markomalley

Humanists being a-holes sounds like to me.
Not to mention two stupid judges.


6 posted on 10/18/2017 4:23:25 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: markomalley

Bet if there was a symbol of the muslim religion all these liberal idiots would keep their mouths shut


7 posted on 10/18/2017 4:24:12 PM PDT by ronnie raygun (Trump plays chess the rest are still playing checkers)
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To: markomalley

Does the Federal Government not maintain the Crosses and Star of David Headstones at Arlington?

Time to yank those puppies out of there I guess.


8 posted on 10/18/2017 4:24:18 PM PDT by Kickass Conservative ( Democracy, two Wolves and one Sheep deciding what's for Dinner.Does the Government)
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To: markomalley

“the American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit asking for the cross to be demolished or altered, such as by removing its arms “to form a non-religious slab or obelisk.”

these aholes need to get their asses kicked


9 posted on 10/18/2017 4:27:00 PM PDT by beergarden
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To: markomalley

It sounds like The American Legion should take it back. Or, maybe a church w/ deep pockets.


10 posted on 10/18/2017 4:27:41 PM PDT by Paul R. (I don't want to be energy free, we want to be energy dominant in terms of the world. -D. Trump)
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To: markomalley

How many divisions does the US Court of Appeals for the 4th district have?


11 posted on 10/18/2017 4:28:04 PM PDT by Hugh the Scot ("The days of being a keyboard commando are over. It's time to get some bloody knuckles." -Drew68)
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To: ex91B10

I am sick and tired of all this “anti-American” BS going around...

It seems the only way to stop it outside of outright war is by our votes...

I refuse to vote for any “incumbent” in 2018...


12 posted on 10/18/2017 4:32:17 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: beergarden

They will get them kicked permanently, when they meet their Creator! He will not do it but their lord, satan and his minions will, for eternity.


13 posted on 10/18/2017 4:34:00 PM PDT by A Formerly Proud Canadian (I once was blind but now I see...)
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To: markomalley

“the American Humanist Association filed a lawsuit asking for the cross to be demolished or altered, such as by removing its arms “to form a non-religious slab or obelisk.”

Yes, because its so threatening to their sensibilities.

Congratulations, sh**heads.


14 posted on 10/18/2017 4:36:01 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (Ignorance is reparable, stupid is forever)
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To: markomalley

Stick a muzzie moon star up and see how long it takes some liberal judge orders it down. 92 years?


15 posted on 10/18/2017 4:38:24 PM PDT by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~)
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>> A three-judge court panel ruled

AKA ISIS militants.


16 posted on 10/18/2017 4:43:50 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: ex91B10

Even if it did promote religion. Who cares??


17 posted on 10/18/2017 4:55:17 PM PDT by freepertoo
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To: markomalley

Charlottesville was only the beginning.


18 posted on 10/18/2017 5:29:33 PM PDT by Trod Upon (Government employees and welfare recipients are both net tax consumers. Often for life.)
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To: freepertoo

Judge Stephanie D Thacker
www.ca4.uscourts.gov/.../judges-of-the-court/judge-stephanie-d-thacker

Judge Stephanie D. Thacker. Born 1965 in Huntington, WV. Federal Judicial Service: Judge, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Nominated by Barack Obama.


19 posted on 10/18/2017 5:40:27 PM PDT by Bookshelf
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To: markomalley
It was found constitutional two years ago.

I guess a lot of legal fees have flowed under the bridge since then.

If the town gives or sells the land to a private owner, the monument will probably be able to remain.

Or you could post a 40 foot tall disclaimer.

20 posted on 10/18/2017 5:40:52 PM PDT by x
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