Posted on 06/26/2002 4:17:34 PM PDT by bonesmccoy
REMARKS BY THE PRESS SECRETARY ON COURT DECISION
The Metropolitan Center
Calgary, Canada
2:37 P.M. (Local)
MR. FLEISCHER: You have a question about the court case?
Q The President's reaction?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President was informed at the G-8 Summit about the San Francisco court decision pertaining to the flag. The President's reaction was that this ruling is ridiculous.
The Supreme Court, itself, begins each of its sessions with the phrase, "God save the United States and this honorable court." 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."
The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision, and the Department of Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress.
Q The National Republican Congressional Committee is urging all Republican House members to tell school districts to ignore this decision. Does the President support that?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, of course, this decision is a decision of a circuit court, which has an impact in the area of the circuit court; it is not a national decision. And I think that people very naturally are going to react strongly opposed to this.
It's notable, yesterday when the President was in Arizona comforting the families who lost their homes in the fire, the thing he said that brought the most warmth and hope to those people gathered in that high school was "have faith in God Almighty." That, more than anything, brought a reaction from people who were looking for help. And I think this decision will not sit well with the American people. Certainly, it does not sit well with the President of the United States.
Q But does he support this call by the National Republican Congressional Committee to tell school districts, even in California and Oregon and in the 9th Circuit, to ignore the law?
MR. FLEISCHER: Terry, I don't think it comes down to what anybody is telling people. People are going to feel very strongly about this themselves and take the actions that they're going to take. I think most Americans have faith in God and they're going to express it in the Pledge, every day, that they can.
Thank you.
END 2:40 P.M. (Local)
Mr. Bush is NEVER, EVER, EVER reticent about expressing his belief in God, about invoking the blessings of Deity on this nation, nor about expressing his own personal faith, holding it up as something that is an essential part of his character.
To me, beside that fact all others are niggles.
WHEREAS, in just Punishment of our manifold Transgressions, it hath pleased the Supreme Disposer of all Events to visit these United States with a calamitous War, through which his Divine Providence hath hitherto in a wonderful Manner conducted us, so that we might acknowledge that the Race is not to the Swift, nor the Battle to the Strong: AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the Chastisements received and Benefits bestowed, too few have been sufficiently awakened to a Sense of their Guilt, or warmed with Gratitude, or taught to amend their Lives and turn from their Sins, that so he might turn his Wrath: AND WHEREAS, from a Consciousness of what we have merited at his Hands, and an Apprehension that the Malevolence of our disappointed Enemies, like the Incredulity of Pharaoh, may be used as the Scourge of Omnipotence to vindicate his slighted Majesty, there is Reason to fear that he may permit much of our Land to become the Prey of the Spoiler, our Borders to be ravaged, and our Habitations destroyed:
RESOLVED,
THAT it be recommended to the several States to appoint the First Thursday in May next to be a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those impending Calamities which we have but too well deserved: That he will grant us his Grace to repent of our Sins, and amend our Lives according to his Holy Word: That he will continue that wonderful Protection which hath led us through the Paths of Danger and Distress: That he will be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the fatherless Children, who weep over the Barbarities of a Savage Enemy: That he will grant us Patience in Suffering, and Fortitude in Adversity: That he will inspire us with Humility, Moderation, and Gratitude in prosperous Circumstances: That he will give Wisdom to our Councils, Firmness to our Resolutions, and Victory to our Arms: That he will bless the Labours of the Husbandman, and pour forth Abundance, so that we may enjoy the Fruits of the Earth in due Season: That he will cause Union, Harmony, and mutual Confidence to prevail throughout these States: That he will bestow on our great Ally all those Blessings which may enable him to be gloriously instrumental in protecting the Rights of Mankind, and promoting the Happiness of his Subjects: That he will bountifully continue his paternal Care to the Commander in Chief, and the Officers and Soldiers of the United States: That he will grant the Blessings of Peace to all contending Nations, Freedom to those who are in Bondage, and Comfort to the Afflicted: That he will diffuse Useful Knowledge, extend the Influence of True Religion, and give us that Peace of Mind which the World cannot give: That he will be our Shield in the Day of Battle, our Comforter in the Hour of Death, and our kind Parent and merciful Judge through Time and through Eternity.
Done in CONGRESS, this Twentieth Day of March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Nine, and in the Third Year of our Independence.
JOHN JAY, President.
Attest. CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED BY HALL AND SELLERS.
Putting education into the hands of government was a critical mistake and the consequences keep on building.
(Of course you'd have no trouble finding numerous examples of Congress or USSC recognizing God after ratification of the Bill of Rights.)
We live in a very different world.
Can someone explain how this works to dummies like me. The Constitution means different things to different circuits? How is this equal protection?
Luckily, George W. Bush withdrew us from the treaty and the president is actively fightly the ICC with no help from the liberals. This is as big as the war on terror and the Dems are on the wrong side.
Its an act. Ask anyone who knows Bush personally. It takes courage to support the 2nd Amendment or stand up to CFR or say no to the Steel lobby or to demand freedom for American citizens held prisoner by the Saudis. Politicians love issues like the pledge case. It offers an opportunity for costless grandstanding.
How fascinating that you have such keen insight.
Ask anyone who knows Bush personally.
Um, that's funny. I thought that a lot of people who know Bush personally were all in agreement during the campaign about how his life had change since he had committed himself to the principles of his religion.
People like you look at stuff like "gun rights" as God. They aren't.
Since you state this slander as a fact, it's up to you to prove it, which you cannot do. WE don't need to ask anyone anything as most of us think this is nothing but nonsense and an insult to the President, calling him a liar and a hypocrite. Hence, your remarks are invalid and based on nothing but personal opinion based, most likely, on hearsay.
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