In God I Trust Why I'm standing up for the Ten Commandments in Alabama.

Wall Street Journal ^ | 8/27/2003 | ROY S. MOORE

[Paloma_55]

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--The battle over the Ten Commandments monument I brought into Alabama's Supreme Court is not about a monument and not about politics. (The battle is not even about religion, a term defined by our Founders as "the duty we owe to our creator and the manner for discharging it.") Federal Judge Myron Thompson, who ordered the monument's removal, and I are in perfect agreement on the fact that the issue in this case is: "Can the state acknowledge God?"

Those were the precise words used by Judge Thompson in his closing remarks in open court. Today, I argue for the rule of law, and against any unilateral declaration of a judge to ban the acknowledgment of God in the public sector.

We must acknowledge God in the public sector because the state constitution explicitly requires us to do so. The Alabama Constitution specifically invokes "the favor and guidance of Almighty God" as the basis for our laws and justice system. As the chief justice of the state's supreme court I am entrusted with the sacred duty to uphold the state's constitution. I have taken an oath before God and man to do such, and I will not waver from that commitment.

By telling the state of Alabama that it may not acknowledge God, Judge Thompson effectively dismantled the justice system of the state. Judge Thompson never declared the Alabama Constitution unconstitutional, but the essence of his ruling was to prohibit judicial officers from obeying the very constitution they are sworn to uphold. In so doing, Judge Thompson and all who supported his order, violated the rule of law.

[Paloma_55]

Where is G.W.Bush on this issue?

I am disgusted by the lack of involvement by our Congressmen, Senators, and our President on this matter.

If you read this mans article, it becomes clear that the federal judiciary is taking on more and more power... and even worse, our legislature and our executive branches are standing by watching the whole thing with a blind eye.

FAX G.W.Bush FAX your Congressman FAX your Senator

[Catspaw]

Judge Moore may want to turn on his TV. They're moving the monument now.

[TomServo]

Already posted here.

[The Duke]

I wonder if the elite of this country will ever get tired of poking that sharp stick in my side? Maybe they'll get lucky and I'll never bite the hand holding that ol' stick(?)

Maybe it is or is not against the law - but the reality is that our public "servants" have *MUCH* more important things to do.

[Ff--150]

it becomes clear that the federal judiciary is taking on more and more power... and even worse, our legislature and our executive branches are standing by watching the whole thing with a blind eye

Until somebody understands that judges are honored, noblemen and women, thus above the Constitution, we're just flapping our lips on this, or Roe Vs. Wade, or any other issue.

Sorry...

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Where is G.W.Bush on this issue?

Who cares where W is on this issue. This issue is not a white house issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SheLion]

I have a question:

If separation of Church and State is so important, do witnesses still put their hand on the Bible in a court room when they take the witness stand, and swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

I would like to know if this is still going on in a State Court Room?

I think it is immoral to have the Monument removed. When American's go to other Countries, we respect their way of life. When foreigners come into America, they, too, shoud repect OUR beliefs and OUR values.

Thank you.

[kjam22]

Where is G.W.Bush on this issue? Who cares where W is on this issue. This issue is not a white house issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime the U.S. Supreme Court rules it is a white house issue as well, because the white house is to enforce those rulings.

I'm disapointed with our president (but not surprised) as well.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Where is G.W.Bush on this issue? Who cares where W is on this issue. This issue is not a white house issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime the U.S. Supreme Court rules it is a white house issue as well, because the white house is to enforce those rulings.

I'm disapointed with our president (but not surprised) as well.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The US Supreme Court has NOT ruled it is a white house issue. Please show us Freeprs the ruling number, case number and when decided????

Here is a little history for you liberal, socialists.

Congress makes law, the DOJ enforces law, the white house can lobby for laws, changes in law, etc.

Presently the DOJ is lobbying for continuation of the Patroit law. Congress (democrats and republicans) can change the law, limit funding for a law, etc.


Besure you understand how our government works BEFORE you lay all blame on the door of the White house.

You can join the convervative cause when you realize that our rights and freedoms have been erroded for the past fifty years with more and more rights being removed by more and more regulation.


The partroit act basically consolidate terrorist law into a single enactment. One piece of the act section 215 regarding library snoping of records was included. Remember these laws in the partriot act have been on the book for 50 years to fight other crimes. The delayed warrant notification, delayed wire tapping have been around for years.


NOW THEY APPLY TO TERRORISTS INVESTIGATIONS. DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE 3000 PLUS DEATHS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER??

REMEMBER ALSO THE FIRST AMENDMENT "IS" BECAUSE THE SECOND AMENDMENT EXISTS.

I am against all unauthorized searched in the library, and of my personal property without significant cause.

In the month of July 50 sneak and peeks, and 250 delayed notification of search warrants have occurred.

bottomline: is you are a president basher. You did not recommned a single solution to the terrorist problem? Nor did you offer a single constructive solution to removing the section 215 portion of the Patroit act?

You need to offer solutions to your bitching.

[kjam22]

Lower federal courts are an extention of the Supreme Court. And when the supreme court refuses to hear a case or overrule one of them... they have in effect "rulled".

The executive branch headed by our president is 1/3 of our federal government. The enforcement 1/3. With the stroke of a pen our president can decide how that supreme court ruling is to be enforced. That's the balance of power. That is the "check and balance". Our federal courts have taken to much power because the other two branches of government have let them. Period.

And for the record... I've suggested several ideas and or solutions.

[kjam22]

Who do you think the department of justice reports to?

[Paloma_55]

From the official court order "The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, made binding upon the States through the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, provides that government "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.""

Find the error in the above statement

As for G.W.Bush, this is an issue for ALL Americans. He is A.W.O.L on this issue. As a conservative Republican, I am dismayed that he is hiding out and not using the bully pulpit to stop the federal court from using false logic to remove this monument.

Did you find the error in that statement which was used as the prelude to the federal judge's decision???

Hint: The part outside the quotes.

[Lurking Libertarian]

If separation of Church and State is so important, do witnesses still put their hand on the Bible in a court room when they take the witness stand, and swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Use of the Bible and of the words "so help me God" are customary (in some places; many courts no longer even have Bibles) but voluntary; they are absolutely not required by law as part of an oath.

[katya8]

Question: what if, next year, an Islamic Judge installs a monument with excerpts from the Koran in some Midwestern courthouse

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> would we be for or against that sculpture being there?

[kjam22]

Question: what if, next year, an Islamic Judge installs a monument with excerpts from the Koran in some Midwestern courthouse

If he's a state judge he'll most likely be voted out of office during the next election.... by the people. That's the way the system is intended to work.

[kjam22]

In oklahoma city.... recently... the aclu sued the city and had a cross removed from the state fair grounds. The cross had been there since the 1950's. Not huge... just one of a bunch of other things that are at the fairgrounds.

The part that really bugs me is that it was ordered by a federal court. The person that the Aclu represented lives in Wisconsin. Has never been to Oklahoma City.

We've got people surfing the internet for opportunities to use the aclu and sue cities that they have never been to and will never go to.... much less be offended by.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Who do you think the department of justice reports to?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


The readers can see that you do not know how the various branches of the govt work.

Go down to the local library and check out govt 101.

[Paloma_55]

From the official court order "The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, made binding upon the States through the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, provides that government "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.""

FYI... the constitution states that "Congress shall make no law... and says absolutely nothing about the right of individuals who are employed by government to practice their religion other than that little "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." part.

Some people ask "What if some judge posted the Koran on the steps of his courthouse?", I say.. "So what?" If the people in that district don't want it, they can have it removed or have the judge impeached. But having a federal judge re-define the constitution to fabricate a fake law and then order its removal is a dangerous way to operate a government.

[sadamerician]

I agree with your post..."congress shall make "no law" respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"..then where did Myron Thompson get his law from for his ruling?..don't hand me this "precedent" stuff. If government cannot make a law regarding religion, then there never has been a law to rule or govern by..our forefathers seen to that when they addressed this matter first, in the first amendment, not to leave God out, but to keep the Church of England from dictating to the states..No one can claim to know our forefathers minds, but references to there writing, and what they had to say should be evidence enough to know that "Almighty God" was and still is a part of our great nation. It amazes me how the majority is overruled by the minority.. We as American citizens have a right to exercise our beliefs, Christian or non Christian, where ever and whenever we please, to include our state houses, or federal building. If there is a law that gives us a right against a particular matter, then this same law also gives us the right for a particular matter.. In this case the Ten Commandments...Also "Government by the people", We hired the officials, our tax dollars pay them and for the building they are in. If the majority wants it, then the majority gets it.. We own it, not the Federal Judge.. Judge Moore was an elected official by the majority of the voters in Alabama, elected for what he stood for, and lost his job for the same. "Hired by the People, Fired because of a FEDERAL JUDGES ruling"...not the people..If Myron Thompson had done his job,that is "no law no ruling", then Judge Moore would still be our Chief Justice...
I want to thank you for allowing me to post. I am a proud Alabamian, and voted proudly for Judge Roy Moore, and for what he stood for. I do not disagree with separation of Church and State, but do disagree with the removal of God from our country. Thanks again And MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA.