FLORIDA: Commandments Rock To Be Unveiled In Polk Building

local6.com ^ | September 10, 2003

[Liz]

The national debate over the placement of religous symbols in public places will likely find its way to Polk County this week when a controversial monument containing the Ten Commandments is unveiled in a Bartow building.

A 7-foot granite monument etched with the Ten Commandments and other historical documents is scheduled to be unveiled in the county administration building's rotunda Thursday.

The "Foundation Rock" will be dedicated just two weeks after a federal court ruling ended a standoff over a Ten Commandments monument in the Alabama Judicial Building.

Residents already predict the monument will bring controversy to the area and that a lawsuit would be filed after the monument's unveiling seeking its removal from county property.

"However, placing it in the rotunda violates the establishment clause of the Constitution," Polk resident Donald Micklewright told polkonline.com. "The First Amendment establishes that government must be neutral to all religions. Displaying the commandments in a prominent spot on county property constitutes an endorsement of this Judeo-Christian symbol above all other religions.

Groups on both sides of the battle over separation of church and state are monitoring the situation closely.

The black granite monument was built in Minnesota and weighs close to 6,000 pounds.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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[Mr. Silverback]

Heh-heh!

Alright, let's all sit back and watch the panic.

[reasonseeker]

It depends on context -- if it's shown in the context of other historical documents, that's fine. If it's made the centerpiece -- that's a different story.

[taxcontrol]

I grew up near Bartow!!!!! Tiny place by comparison to most major metro area but filled with good God fearing people.

[GladesGuru]

Being a native of nearby Tampa, I should like to advise the assorted Liberalism impaired loonies and bottom feeders - beware of Bartow!

Those folks may look like Bubba to y'all, but they are intelligent; so much so that they even cut their county leaders salaries. Rumor has it that the Sheriff is next. So chopping legalisms out from under a few scrawny Liberals will be the region's 'fun for all'.

PS Their children go to public school in uniform. And they even practice a little remembered cultic belief system called "courtesy". That means they say "Sir" when reading their verdict convicting you.

[livius]

LOL! I live in Liberalandia (aka Gainesville), but as soon as I set foot outside of Alachua County, I know I'm back home again among kindred spirits. Go Polk County!

[varina davis]

Go Polk County indeed! Deo Vindice!

[taxcontrol]

I'm closing in on 40 and have not been back to central Florida for any extended time for almost 20 years. I still say Sir, please and thank you.