Backers guard Ten Commandments monument

AP | 8/22/03 | BOB JOHNSON

[kattracks]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — About 40 supporters of an Alabama judge's Ten Commandments monument stood watch over it early Friday, hoping to keep anyone from removing it from the rotunda of the state judicial building.

Chief Justice Roy Moore went home after spending much of Thursday vowing to do everything within his power to keep the monument in place. His eight colleagues on the state Supreme Court had ordered the monument taken out early in the day after a federal judge's midnight removal deadline passed.

Moore's supporters kept vigil Friday morning from their sleeping bags and bedrolls strewn across the rotunda floor.

The Rev. Herman Henderson of Believers' Tabernacle in Birmingham opted to nap on the concrete with his head resting on sheet music for the song, "I Shall Not Be Moved."

They remained quiet throughout the night, prompting police to retreat to their post across the street.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson set the midnight deadline after deciding that sitting in the public rotunda, the monument violated the Constitution's ban on government promotion of a religious doctrine. Thompson has said it could be moved to a private place still within the building.

The judge had threatened $5,000-a-day fines if Moore left the monument in the rotunda.

Building manager Graham George was instructed by the state's high court to "take all steps necessary to comply" with the removal order, justice Gorman Houston said. George declined to comment when asked when, how or where the monument would be moved.

Moore condemned his fellow judges for their orders. In their ruling, the Alabama justices stated they were "bound by solemn oath" to uphold the law.

"I will never deny the God upon whom our laws and country depend," Moore said Thursday in defending the 5,300-pound granite marker, which he installed two years ago and contends is representation of the moral foundation of American law.

"Not only did Judge Thompson put himself above the law, but above God as well," Moore told supporters.

The chief justice had appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency stay of the removal order, but the court rejected it Wednesday. Moore said Thursday he would file a formal appeal with the high court soon "to defend our constitutional right to acknowledge God."

"I cannot forsake my conscience," he said.

Richard Cohen, an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center — which sued along with the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State — praised the eight justices.

"Their courageous actions reflect that Justice Moore is a disgrace to the bench and ought to resign or be removed from office," Cohen said.

Still, protesters outside the building said they were willing to stand in the heat and risk arrest for days or weeks to keep the monument inside. Twenty-one were arrested Wednesday night on trespassing charges.

Stephen Hopkins, pastor of Burnet Bible Church in Burnet, Texas, was one of those arrested. He said he was willing to be arrested even though he has 10 children.

"This is a great hypocrisy," Hopkins said. "This is an assault on God. They're saying we're going to cover up God."

[c-b 1]

Do I detect some hypocracy here? These same Ten Commandments are etched in the walls of the U.S. Supreme Court Building, how is it that it is ok in the highest court building in the land, but not ok in Alabama?

Maybe one of the bash Judge Moore crowd could explain that.

[Commie Basher]

As I recall...Athena from the Roman Pantheon is already prominently displayed.

Athena was a Greek goddess, the patron goddess of Athens (as well as goddess of wisdom). Her Roman counterpart was Minerva.

[Commie Basher]

I've been in two Communist countries. All too many conservatives are way too loose in tossing the accusation of being "a Communist." Similiar to liberals who so easily call their enemies Nazis.

[Maelstrom]

I've been waiting for that correction.

Thank You.

[Maelstrom]

Ah well, you're easily fooled by little things.

You don't even understand why it's removal is a violation of the 1st Amendment in more than one way, nor why it's presence wasn't any such violation.

[Maelstrom]

It doesn't happen overnight.

Pre-conditions need to be set in place before Communism is acceptible.

The US is far closer to accepting all the necessary conditions than you dare dream.

1 generation away.

[Texas_Dawg]

One of the demonstrators, retired Birmingham school teacher Murray Phillips, said she knows the monument will probably be gone from the rotunda soon.

"I'm upset, but I'm not surprised. At least I am going to be able to say to my grandchildren that at least I tried to do something," Phillips said.

I at least appreciate this lady's honesty in admitting this whole protest is all about earning brownie points with God and doing something simply to feel good about herself.

After reading a little more and reconsidering this whole issue, I've changed my mind. What Roy Moore and his followers are doing is a far bigger embarrassment than I had previously thought.

[R. Scott]

In general, I do believe in the Separation of church and State. I would not want to see this country become a theocracy. I do however, believe some limits should be placed on the separation doctrine.
Our Congress has, for too many decades, shirked it’s responsibility by allowing the Supreme Court free and unfettered reign. In it’s collective effort to curry favor from the electorate and not lose any voter support they have simply shrugged their collective shoulders and said, “The Supreme Court has ruled, what can we do about it?”
They can do a lot about it. They can enact clarifying laws. They can add another amendment to our Constitution if that is what is needed for clarification.
In these cases I don’t blame the Supreme Court – they have only been doing what bureaucracies do. Filling a power vacuum.

[Maelstrom]

You're reading comprehension is deplorable...unless you're claiming that she's the Messiah's grandmother.