Posted on 08/14/2006 4:45:21 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
U.S. govt gets giant cross in San Diego
By ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago
A giant cross in San Diego that's been contested for 17 years by an atheist became the property of the federal government Monday with President Bush's signature.
Supporters hope the legislation transferring the 29-foot cross and war memorial it's a part of to the federal government will protect it for good. A series of court decisions have deemed the cross unconstitutional because it stands on public property.
"Just because something may have a religious connotation doesn't mean you destroy it and tear it down," said Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif., after an Oval Office signing ceremony attended by other cross supporters and Republican House members from San Diego who sponsored the bill.
"It's a great victory for our veterans," said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.
But the legal fight that began in 1989 when atheist Philip Paulson sued San Diego over the cross is not played out yet.
Paulson's attorney, Jim McElroy, said he filed papers in federal court in San Diego last week to void the transfer and declare it unconstitutional.
"I don't think anybody really thinks the cross is going to remain on Mt. Soledad. It's been 17 years of litigation, and every court, every judge who's ever looked at it has ruled it's unconstitutional," McElroy said.
The bill signing "smacks of election-year politics," he said.
Paulson, a Vietnam War veteran, contends that the cross, dedicated in 1954 in honor of Korean War veterans, excludes veterans who are not Christian.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
This is a very limited victory, unfortunately. The fundamental right to exercise religion on public property has not been defended; the cross was saved by a property-rights maneuver.
Thank God! The ACLU is a communist outfit and was from the
beginning. They are trying to destroy our traditions and
long held beliefs.
Hey ACLU, the Washington Monument is a "Christian" symbol. The obelisk is on top of most Christian churches. Let's see you go after that one.
And no cross excludes us Christians.
It seems The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington DC excludes you Christians since it has no cross.
Washington DC = Arlington
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