NO Flap Over Ten Commandments {yet}

ALBERT LEA, Minn. -- A few evergreen trees partially conceal the stone Ten Commandments monument in this southern Minnesota town's Central Park.

It might be hard to find, but it's nearly identical to a monument that has caused citywide controversy in Duluth. They are both on city-owned land.

Duluth city council members recently voted to remove their monument after the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a lawsuit claiming the monument was an unconstitutional violation of church and state.

There no similar lawsuits planned for the Albert Lea monument because no plaintiffs nor attorneys have been lined up by the ACLU's Minnesota chapter.

But if a lawsuit did arise, some Albert Lea council members said the monument should stay.

``I don't see where there's a problem with it being there,'' said Councilman George Marin.

``We could use a little more religion in the world,'' said Councilwoman Mary Kron.

Councilman Randy Erdman was neutral. ``It really makes no difference to me either way,'' he said. ``I can understand both sides.''

Great, here we go again. Why don't I just summarize the following thread for everyone's convenience.

F1: The ACLU are just a bunch of communists and SATAN's minions by trying to prevent us from having the county government endorse one particular religion! We must all drive up there immediately and hold a reading of the New Testament in Our Lord's original English!

F2: LOL, religion sucks and you people are sheep. Also, the First Amendment was specifically written to protect the rights of Zoroastrians, so shut up, because you just worship a minor Middle Eastern weather deity anyway.

We now return you to your regular browsing.

After purchasing an old house, I found some yellowed, coal-dust-covered Congressional Records from 1935. There's a lot of interesting information therein. In 1935, Congress was debating what to do with the evils of the chain stores: Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards. On May 9, 1935, the country was dealing with trade issues and Secretary Morganthaeu had given a radio address the day before on the gold standard, trade, and related issues. That same day, the House opened with the following:

Thursday, May 9, 1935 The Chaplain, Rev. James Shera Montgomery, D.D., offered the following prayer; Infinite God, we rejoice that in the midst of selfishness and the disordered condition of this life the fountain of Thy mercy is accessible and open to all. They that put their trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be removed. Though our infirmities be as the sands of the seashore, Thou art our bountiful Father. We pray that we may have in initial leaning toward goodness, virtue, and truth. When different avenues of duty are before us, do Thou help us to accept the worthiest and the most excellent. We ask Thee to give us the right angle of vision of the needs of our country, and may we make our survey in the light of the teaching of the Man of Galilee. Holy Spirit, purify our dispositions and give enrichment to our personal pleasures. As we view the field of purpose and duty, of life and destiny, we beseech Thee to appoint us to a place in the vast design. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You could find opening prayers for the last four or five years at the following, should you care to compare, then and now: There may be an easier way to do it, but I typed in h3000, for example, and went forward or backtracked to get to the beginning of the legislative day.

Congressional Record: Retrieve a Page

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