Posted on 06/26/2002 7:33:23 PM PDT by kattracks
CNSNews.com) - In a quick response to Wednesday's ruling by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which declared the Pledge of Allegiance "unconstitutional," the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution expressing its disagreement with the ruling, and allowing the Senate's Counsel to act on its behalf when the case goes to the Supreme Court.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) called on all senators to gather at 9:30 a.m. in the Senate chamber so that they can recite the Pledge of Allegiance together in a show of disapproval of the appeals court's decision.
"I am pleased with the unanimity this Senate has expressed itself with this afternoon. It's the right thing to do," Daschle said. "It sends a clear and unequivocal message as we are capable of sending. We strongly disagree with the decision made today.
"It's the right thing to do," he added.
Other senators were quick to comment on the court's decision.
"I find this opinion an outrageous example of judicial activism and overreaching," said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). "The Constitution of the United States is not hostile to God and religion.
"Clearly, this court's outrageous decision demonstrates the importance of nominating and confirming qualified and learned judges who understand the role of the law and will not legislate from the bench. President Bush has done his job and has nominated fine judges," he said.
Hatch added that there are plenty of places in American government where the word "God" appears.
"Mentioning 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance is no different in kind than allowing government salaried Chaplains for the military or for the Congress, or including the official motto, 'In God We Trust,' on our currency," Hatch said.
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) called the judgment "embarrassing."
"From the beginning of our country, God has always played a role," Boxer said. "All you have to do is look at some of the churches in the thirteen colonies to know that God has always played a role in the foundation and continuation of our nation.
"For the ninth circuit to suddenly say that it is unconstitutional for the Pledge of Allegiance to make reference that we are one nation under God is incomprehensible to many of us," she said.
See Related Stories:
Pledge of Allegiance 'Unconstitutional,' Court Says (June 26, 2002)
White House Says Court Ruling On Pledge Is 'Wrong' (June 26, 2002)
E-mail a news tip to Jason Pierce.
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For those folks, they just realized that the pile of dung they are stepping in just got deeper, as their comrades in the Ninth Circuit just backed up a dump truck and are proceeding to fertilze.
I'm betting that the 100th Senator not voting today was Jesse Helms -- still recovering from open heart surgery. Save the torches, tar, and feathers for those SF "Judges."
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