10 Commandment monuments in Idaho no big deal

Sokane Spokesman ^ | 09/01/03 | Erica Curless

[bedolido]

COEUR d'ALENE-- They lurk on the lawns, usually near a tree or the corner of a building.

But nobody seems to notice the Ten Commandments chiseled into granite monoliths at many county courthouses, city halls and public parks in Idaho.

And residents aren't demanding that Kootenai County, Post Falls or Hayden remove Western civilization's oldest rules for life from public property.

‘‘There are so many other things to worry about in our nation other than 10 sentences that say be nice to each other and don't cheat on your wife,” Kootenai County Commissioner Gus Johnson said. ‘‘It's a historical document, if nothing else.”

The Ten Commandments are displayed at public buildings all over Idaho, thanks largely to efforts over the years by Eagles lodges. Most of the monuments aren't prominently displayed: Federal courts have used that as a key criteria in determining the constitutionality of such monuments. The display of the Ten Commandments, which are inextricably tied to the JewishChristian narrative, have become a firestorm in Alabama and rekindled the debate about how much religion can legally be a part of government.

[cake_crumb]

For the zillionth time: ALABAMA IS NOT THE ONLY ACLU/OFFENDED CITIZEN LAWSUIT TO REMOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FROM COURTHOUSES CASE OUT THERE.

Keep writing articles about the courthouses the ACLU hasn't filed suit against. Then the ACLU will know about them, find a convenient "offended citizen" and file against them too.

[cruiserman]

I see the lighted cross on Table Rock driving to work every morning in Boise. IIRC there was a controversy about that.

[bedolido]

I see the lighted Cross on Table Rock driving to work every morning in Boise. IIRC there was a controversy about that.

I see the Table Rock Cross as well. Isn't that on private property? I think that's why they were able to keep it up there.

[cake_crumb]

"I see the Table Rock Cross as well. Isn't that on private property?"

Wasn't it MOVED to private property as the result of a lawsuit?

[ilsalund]

Beware of the ACLU, Morris Dees' Southern Poverty Law Center and the turkeys from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. These are the disloyal jerks and jerkettes that started the whole 'bama issue.

[bedolido]

Wasn't it MOVED to private property as the result of a lawsuit?

Not sure.

[azhenfud]

"These are the disloyal jerks and jerkettes that started the whole 'bama issue."

Agreed! Those same idiots should have to personally endure a court where none of the Ten are observed - but the opposite is rule, then let them cry for "justice". We'll see which they'd prefer fairly quickly....

[Noachian]

...and rekindled the debate about how much religion can legally be a part of government.

How much religion can legally be a part of government? You have to shake your head at prose like this, and wonder at the naivete` of the writer. I didn't know there was a quota on religion posed by the government. Perhaps someone can educate the writer about constitutional law.

[sasafras]

ping

[cake_crumb]

"How much religion can legally be a part of government? You have to shake your head at prose like this, and wonder at the naivete` of the writer. I didn't know there was a quota on religion posed by the government. Perhaps someone can educate the writer about constitutional law."

The author probably also believes that disenfranchizement of military voters is legal, while possible the disenfranchizement of an unknown theoretical number of black voters is ILlegal, and also that Democrats can glom voter intent by banging a pregnant-chad-laden ballot on their foreheads a hundred times is a valid method for counting votes to choose a president.

[cruiserman]

It was slightly before my time, but I believe there was some controversy about how the land sale was handled. Only 1 bid, etc.