Posted on 02/07/2009 3:04:08 AM PST by Evil Slayer
'This isn't like a convenient oversight, this is intentional'
President Obama's proposed economic stimulus plan makes a deliberate – and unconstitutional – attempt to censor religious speech and worship on school campuses across the nation, according to a lawyer who argued related cases before the U.S. Supreme Court 20 years ago and won them all.
"This isn't like a convenient oversight. This is intentional. This legislation pokes its finger in the eyes of people who hold religious beliefs," Jay Sekulow, chief of the American Center for Law and Justice, told WND today.
His was the organization that decades ago argued on behalf of speech freedom on school campuses, winning repeatedly at the U.S. Supreme Court. Since then, the 2001 Good News Club v. Milford Central School District decision was added, clarifying that restricting religious speech within the context of public shared-use facilities is unconstitutional.
The problem in the proposed stimulus bill comes from a provision that states: "PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS. - No funds awarded under this section may be used for - (C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities - (i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission."
The wording that specifically targets religious speech already has been approved by the majority Democrats in the U.S. House – all GOP members opposed it. In the Senate, Jim DeMint, R-S.C., proposed an amendment to eliminate it, but again majority Democrats decided to keep the provision targeting religious instruction and activities.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
Enough with these people.
Sorry, but taking peoples money by force to redistribute as a “stimulus” is a basic violation of the Bill of Rights.
The party has been over for some time now.
I know quite a fwe people, including myself, who have a little ore mettle than that.
Just telling you like it is.
The point being, some are missing the forest for the trees.
There are far more fundamental violations of our freedoms that have now been accepted as normal. That wide spread acceptance is why the “party is over”. Now we are just trying to hold the current line - when in fact the current line is way past what should have been acceptable and makes a mockery of us all who value such freedoms.
Sweet of you to assume that you know so much more than poor little ol' me, though.
Have a nice day.
I am ready to do battle. Sharpen up the swords, polish the armour.
The party is over friends
Sorry you feel that way.
Have a nice day as well.
I think Barry needs to read Article 4 as well, and recognize that it does relate to Article 3.
I have been ready. It looks like this is the only way we can take our country BACK! ! ! ! !
Any criminal understands that laws apply to the sheeple that obey.
Maybe, I’m missing it, but all this seems to say is that they can’t spend Stimulus $$ on religious institutions. It is not restricting religious speech. Saying it does is analogous to the Artists that claim the NEA censored their speech ‘cause it wouldn’t fund obscene artwork. Again, if I’m missing something, clue me in.
Actually, with BHO in office, if this clause were removed, I’d be concerned about the funds being used to build new Mosques—I wouldn’t put it past him.
This is the impetus behind states declaring their independence, per your other post. This is the truth about why a massive federal spending spree is not ‘stimulus’ but a power grab.
I don’t mean to offend you, but I have no idea what the symbol in your reply is. Forgive my ignorance, but can you fill me in?
Me, too. That symbol looks like a martini glass inverted over an unsuccessful attempt to count to five.
Does it mean “the party’s over”?
;^)
Texas does have an enviable and noble independent streak. The Republic of Texas... I am a Texan...
Sounds a whole lot better than ‘ich bin ein Marylander!’
I’m jealous.
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