Posted on 06/26/2002 3:17:41 PM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - The White House Wednesday called a California appeals court ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance "wrong," and announced that the Justice Department plans to take action.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the pledge is unconstitutional and should not be recited in schools, because the phrase "under God" violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
"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," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
"The Declaration of Independence refers to God as the creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer and our currency says 'In God We Trust,'" he said.
Fleischer emphasized that the decision is one from a circuit court that only affects nine states and not a national court decision.
"I think that people are very naturally ... going to react strongly opposed to this," he said. "I think this decision will not sit well with the American people and it certainly does not sit well with the president of the United States.
"I think most Americans have faith in God, and they are going to express [their faith] and the pledge everyday that they can," he said.
Meanwhile, Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition said the ruling should be a wake-up call for President Bush to appoint more conservative court judges -- even if it means bypassing the Senate.
"We can expect more anti-God decisions like the one just handed down by the judicial tyrants in San Francisco, if we don't get good conservative judges on the federal bench," Sheldon said. "Senators Daschle, Leahy, and McCain need to get out of the way and confirm Bush's nominees quickly.
"We're sick and tired of Tom Daschle blocking the confirmation of God-fearing judges like Charles Pickering," he continued. "Americans want men like Pickering on the bench who respect America's religious heritage and understand that we truly are a nation under God.
"If Senators Daschle, Leahy, and McCain don't get out of the way this week, I think it's time for President Bush to begin making recess appointments of his judicial nominees," he said. "Enough is enough!"
Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, vowed to go a step further if needed.
"If necessary, I will offer a constitutional amendment to ensure Americans can voluntarily say the [Pledge of Allegiance] in public and private settings without being in violation of the law," said Graham.
"The reference in the Pledge to being 'one nation under God' is in no way the establishment of religion by the government. If America ever needed God's blessing and guidance, it's now," he concluded.
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Only at public school, a place they shouldn't be to begin with. Real conservatives wouldn't even be conceding that public schools have a right to exist, much less what should and shouldn't be recited in them.
This ruling is about what the teacher says, not what the students say. I guess you missed that distinction in all the emotional ranting going on.
Perhaps you will see to it that they are not required to learned the preamble to the declaration of independence either. I'm sure you will do all you can to protect them from eternity in heaven with a God who loves them so.
That is your superstition, not mine. You have a right to it, but you do not a right to have it promulgated by a state institution. This decision is about that difference. It should not be such a difficult concept to understand.
How's that gonna show 'em? Radio stations are privately owned.
This ruling makes the debate about judgeships very graphic to me....IMO it's more the liberal judges making rulings like this that are destroying the culture than it is the Congress....(no, I'm not saying Congress is perfect, but I don't think they are destroying our culture brick by brick like judges are.)
We need to get the Senate back & get those judicial appointments moving.
Of course they have the right to their beliefs. They do not however have the right to suppress the expressions of the beliefs of others because they claim that they are somehow injured by hearing people around them utter the name of God.
The decision says there is harm. If I have to come down on one side or the other I say it is right.
Let's turn it right back on you: what kind of nonfaith do you have, that a so called "superstition" can rouse you so? Were the teacher to lead a recitation about the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus would you be so upset? Maybe the "superstition" is rousing things in your conscience you don't want to hear?
Rouse me? It's not me talking about how enraged I am, that's the other side. I'm only arguing my views on an issue I hadn't given a second thought to before today. Trust me, I'm not riled. My arguements are valid though. It is those you should address.
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