Rep. Ackerman: Pledge Ruling Had 'Tremendous Merit'

NewsMax.com ^ | 6/28/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Congressman Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., stepped into a political hornet's nest Friday morning while explaining why he voted "present" yesterday on a House resolution to keep the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Asked about Wednesday's bombshell appeals court ruling that the Pledge was unconstitutional, Ackerman said he thought the decision had a "tremendous amount of merit."

"I think there was a tremendous amount of merit in what the court decided," the liberal Democrat contended to WABC Radio's Curtis and Kuby.

"Some of the people I represent and some people in America are nonbelievers," Ackerman added, then joked, "God bless them."

"But I don't think that God needs my help or needs to be put into a country's affirmation that He's out there - or She's out there - in order to exist. God's doing fine without the Congress of the United States endorsing Him."

So why didn't he vote his conscience instead of "present"?

Ackerman said basically that he thought the court ruling was none of Congress' business.

"Every time there's some wacko - not that this is wacko; people have very strong feelings, but we can't do anything about [the court decision]," he said. The New York liberal predicted that the ruling would be overturned by the Supreme Court no matter what Congress did.

Ackerman was one of just 11 Democrats to vote "present" on the Pledge resolution. His New York colleague, Jerry Nadler, initially voted against it but then changed his mind at the last minute and also voted "present," according to the New York Post.

The only actual no votes on the pro-Pledge measure came from Reps. Bobby Scott, D-Va., Mike Honda, D-Calif., and Pete Stark, D-Calif.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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[kattracks]

N.Y. POLS TURN BACKS ON FULL-FLEDGED PLEDGE

[Williams]

Someone told me Rep. Payne of NJ said he cannot bring himself to say the pledge in "what used to be the United States of America." Why don't these commies in congress have to recite the pledge like the confederates did to get back in the Union?

[laconic]

He's in a district thats probably 90 percent Democratic and it won't make the slightest difference with the vast majority of his constituents. Its sad, but since this clown has NO aspirations to a higher office (he couldn't be elected toilet warden in most jurisdictions) it will have no impact on his obnoxious career.

[Illbay]

"God's doing fine without the Congress of the United States endorsing Him."

It is very typical that these types don't get it.

Congressman, it is not and has never been about US endorsing GOD. It is and always has been about GOD endorsing US.

[Catphish]

That's my representative in Washington. :( It wouldn't be that bad if I didn't have to see his fat face on TV every time I look.

[stop_fascism]

some people in America are nonbelievers

and some are communists and anarchists. Should we overthrow the government so they don't feel left out?