Supreme Court Weighs 'Under God' Reference in Pledge [Scalia Recuses Self]

Wash Post ^ | 10/14/03 | Charles Lane

[William McKinley]

The Supreme Court announced today that it will attempt to settle the legal battle over the Pledge of Allegiance -- but without the participation of one of its most conservative justices...

But, in a surprise move, Justice Antonin Scalia recused himself from the case, leaving only eight justices to hear arguments and reach a judgment. In the event of a 4-4 tie vote, the ruling of the San Francisco-based federal appeals court that struck down the pledge in schools would stand.

[madprof98]

Many Americans may be more concerned about the liberal judges on the bench than the conservatives that Bush would appoint.

I think that's very likely the intended outcome. And banning God from the pledge (for a while anyhow) would not rank anywhere close to the evils a liberal court has foisted on the country--chief among them being abortion-on-demand.

[RWR8189]

I just hope to God that Scalia knows this case will be dead on arrival.

[conservativefromGa]

I'm about flipping sick of the court system in this county.

[woodyinscc]

That he has done so pisses me the hell off.

Same here

If the Scotus upholds the 9th circuit decision, it will give the 9th credibility that they do not deserve. I have always thought of our Country as being blessed by God, and taking out these words, will be a sad, sad, day.

Mr. Newdow, who's questionable motives have been outed, should rue the day he filed this case.

[jwalsh07]

Bad idea prof. Think Roe. Think precedent. Think about how justices never return to the narrow meaning of the Constitution but build walls out of precedents that were not based on the Constitution but on "transcendent liberties". YOU CAN'T GIVE THESE CLOWNS AN INCH.

[davidosborne]

Very interesting.... We will all be following this one very closely...

David

[davidosborne]

BTTT!! Passing it on in prayer for our Nation..

[davidosborne]

[jwalsh07]

Christianity and God are not synonomous.

[Russ]

If the SCOTUS upholds the 9th Circus Court so be it. I will never stop saying "under God" in the pledge as long as I live. I'm sure millions of others will do the same. Why should an edict by four or five old fools matter one bit? Defy them, dammit!!!

[davidosborne]

I don't know, was the country renouncing God before 1954 (when "under God" was first added)? Does Christianity really need government endorsement in order to survive?

You have the question all wrong my FRiend...

Does this NATION need an acknowledgement of GOD in order to survive?....And to that my answer is a RESOUNDING YES !!

[Dialup Llama]

>If the SCOTUS upholds the 9th Circus Court so be it. I will never stop saying "under God" in the pledge as long as I live. I'm sure millions of others will do the same. Why should an edict by four or five old fools matter one bit? Defy them, dammit!!!

I suspect there will be a Constitutional amendment drive to overturn that decision.

[Montfort]

Exactly. No one will die from this particular decision going the wrong way, and it might actually wake up America.

Perhaps the outrage will cause the political reality to change so that we can stop the slaughter of innocents.

[davidosborne]

I concur

[savedbygrace]

Only the strict constructionists . . . as you know.

[DLfromthedesert]

So Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg should recuse herself in any case that the UN or Europe has an opinion about, since she spoke about the importance of adapting our laws to world views.

[nickcarraway]

If Scalia is recused why is the former ACLU president recused?