White House Reaction to 9th Circuit Court Ruling

The White House ^ | 26 June 2002 | White House Press Office

[PhiKapMom]

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 26, 2002

White House Reaction to Circuit Court Ruling

REMARKS BY THE PRESS SECRETARY ON COURT DECISION The Metropolitan Center Calgary, Canada 2:37 P.M. (Local)

MR. FLEISCHER: You have a question about the court case? Q The President's reaction?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President was informed at the G-8 Summit about the San Francisco court decision pertaining to the flag. The President's reaction was that this ruling is ridiculous. The Supreme Court, itself, begins each of its sessions with the phrase, "God save the United States and this honorable court." The Declaration of Independence refers to God or to the Creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer. And of course, our currency says, "In God We Trust." The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision, and the Department of Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress.

Q The National Republican Congressional Committee is urging all Republican House members to tell school districts to ignore this decision. Does the President support that?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, of course, this decision is a decision of a circuit court, which has an impact in the area of the circuit court; it is not a national decision. And I think that people very naturally are going to react strongly opposed to this. It's notable, yesterday when the President was in Arizona comforting the families who lost their homes in the fire, the thing he said that brought the most warmth and hope to those people gathered in that high school was "have faith in God Almighty." That, more than anything, brought a reaction from people who were looking for help. And I think this decision will not sit well with the American people. Certainly, it does not sit well with the President of the United States.

Q But does he support this call by the National Republican Congressional Committee to tell school districts, even in California and Oregon and in the 9th Circuit, to ignore the law?

MR. FLEISCHER: Terry, I don't think it comes down to what anybody is telling people. People are going to feel very strongly about this themselves and take the actions that they're going to take. I think most Americans have faith in God and they're going to express it in the Pledge, every day, that they can. Thank you.

END 2:40 P.M. (Local)

[PhiKapMom]

FYI!

[PhiKapMom]

FYI!

[deport]

The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision, and the Department of Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress.

Maybe we can get the perpetual lawsuit king to become involved and take on this action.

[syriacus]

The Supreme Court, itself, begins each of its sessions with the phrase, "God save the United States and this honorable court."

Good point.

[PhiKapMom]

I tell you I am shocked, I am shocked that he hasn't put out a press release as yet!

[da_toolman]

Gotta wonder if the judge folks in the 9th Circuit realized that they were hypocrites... Notice the 10 commandments on the left side of the figure.

[Nateman]

This ruling actually has a grain of truth to it. Public schools themselves
are unconstitutional. The constitution gives no authority to create such
schools and any state run school necessitates teaching some doctrine which
is offensive to somebody at their own expense. Vouchers or tax credits
are closer at least to being acceptable.

[PhiKapMom]

NEWS RELEASE | Media Contact: Jeff Mascott (202) 226-9000

Pledge Of Allegiance Ruled Unconstitutional By 9th Circuit

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jun. 26— House Republican Conference Chairman J.C. Watts, Jr. (R-Okla.) issued the following statement on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to rule the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional:

"The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is California Dreaming if it thinks it can overturn the Pledge of Allegiance.

"This ruling is a disgrace to the judicial branch of government. We can thank God the insane decisions of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are usually overturned.

"This decision highlights an alarming need to appoint judges who will not rewrite our Constitution and Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate needs to quit blocking President Bush's judicial nominees and replenish our courts with sane judges."

Representative J.C. Watts, Jr., Chairman Republican Conference, U.S. House of Representatives Privacy & Security Statement

[Digger]

LEADERSHIP - It's defined by taking hard, possible controversial decisions. So what does GW do? He has the press agent say that the people will handle it. Well, thank you very much, GW - Then move out of Washington & WE, the people will run the country. As like your predecessor, hauling his wife out for cover.

[Lizavetta]

As Michael Savage would refer to them, the Ninth Jerk-it Court of Schlemiels.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

I think W is (Word deemed uncontsitutional by the 9th Circuit) damn pissed.

[PhiKapMom]

Take your Bush bashing and vamoose. President Bush was in the middle of a G-8 conference with heads of states when this happened. You know -- doing his job as President! What is he supposed to do -- go punch out the 9th Court two judges. Or how about the the guy that brought the lawsuit. Grow up -- he has his plate very full with this G-8 meeting and he gave his comments! Now what part of that do you not understand?

[Paulus Invictus]

How many of the justices on the court are Clinton appointtees and socialist, Godless RATS? That's a great point that could change some minds at election time---the RATS hate God! Have we heard from Dashole yet on the matter?

[Paulus Invictus]

What did you expect him to do? He cannot toss the idiot Justices out of the Court without becoming a dictator with infinite powers. We elected a Constututional prez, not a dictator.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

This decision needs to boomerang back on the Judiciary Committee and the Democrats in Congress. These judges and their decision,must be the Willie Horton of the 2002 midterm elections .

[PhiKapMom]

I couldn't believe it when I heard Newt on Hannity say that this judge was brought back BECAUSE the Senate had not approved Pres Bush's nominations. The court was so backed up they brought him back!

We need to keep repeating that!

[Miss Marple]

Oh, sit down and eat your peas. President Bush was very plain about his opinion of this decision.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

This could be the vehicle for JC to reconcile with the House leadership and reassert himself, into the national limelight.

[finnman69]

Michael Savage called in from his vacation tonight because he found this decisions so shocking and egregious.