White House Says Court Ruling On Pledge Is 'Wrong'(Graham: Constitutional Amendment If Necessary)

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 6/26/02 | Jim Burns

[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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[DoughtyOne]

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join the contest to win your registration fees to the FRiva Las Vegas Conference
it's easy, just follow the directions - shouldn't take more than 10 - 15 minutes per night

[goodieD]

funny how all these anti religious (read anti christian/anti jew) people miss the part about "nor prohibit the FREE EXERCISE thereof".

[JulieRNR21]

Good will come of this....this a major 'wake up call'..... Americans will not stand for this ruling!

[VOA]

White House Says Court Ruling On Pledge Is 'Wrong'(Graham: Constitutional Amendment If Necessary)

I know this is my amateur "devil's advocate" position, but I can't help wonder if this
ruling isn't the beginning of the end of the public school system.

If the secularists/jurists truly fortify the "wall" between church and state...
some innovative attorney will file (and win) a decision that citizens can't be forced
to pay taxes to fund a "G-d Free" environment in public schools.

I know that's a long-shot (or DOA), but can't help wonder if it's a possible
"unintended consequence" this legal panel didn't forsee.

[Mat_Helm]

"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!"

I have never been so whipped up mad before in my life. These liberal people have gone to far and beyond the last straw. This is precisely the point why the senate should not hold judicial appointments back just to stack the courts with liberal fanatics destroying our country. They burn old glory, murder babies, defile the oval office, and even dare to turn their back on the Almighty God. The founding fathers are calling for justice agaisnst the evil of liberalism.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Exactly what’s the name of this government religion? Where do I go to worship, it must be on public property, right? How exactly did Congress bring this religion into existence?

[LiteKeeper]

Bump

[WakeUpChristian]

Call Federal Judge Alfred Goodwin and demand
that he immediately resign... (415) 556-9800

[JulieRNR21]

PROTECT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

A court ruling today by leftist, Clintonite judges is the latest example of
political correctness and judicial tyranny run amok. The 9th Circuit Court
of Appeals in California has ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is
“unconstitutional” and cannot be recited in schools because it contains the
words “under God.”

George Primbs, an advisor to CitizensLobby.com and a
former Reagan appointee, is launching an on-line effort to defend the
Pledge of Allegiance at www.SayThePledge.com (website coming soon
-- bookmark this page).

If you’d like to join this effort, which
CitizensLobby.com is co-sponsoring, and receive special e-mail alerts,
please send name and e-mail address to saythepledge@usa.com .

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I see this as possibly the last straw before the people rise up and really take back their country from the America-haters and atheists who control it.

[BJClinton]

...appoint more conservative court judges -- even if it means bypassing the Senate

It's been a few years since I had a civics class. How does the President go about bypassing the Senate?

[goodieD]

So anyone wanna go over to DU and see what they have to say about this? don't look at me.. that place makes me sick.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

God will not be mocked. He can leave the United States of America a smoking ruin in an instant. If ever leaders of a country have mocked God so blatantly, this country's leaders have done so.

[kattracks]

Recess appointments.

[steve50]

All groups twist the Constitution to mean what they want it to. We need to support a strict reading at all times, not just when it suits our particular interests.

[kattracks]

Pledge Started to bring back the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to America's public schools...

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

[Sid Rich]

"I can't help wonder if this ruling isn't the beginning of the end of the public school system."

I understand the emotional uproar surrounding this issue, but frankly, if people want to truly start to roll-back socialism in this country, they need to start with the public-school system, as you allude to. Socialism, progressivism, etc. got their foothold in this country, imho, when mass public education was mandated. Withdraw your children from the public schools and have them homeschooled (is this even a verb?) or educated in a private school. I think a mass exodus from the public schools will be the first step in the long march back from socialism.

[mlo]

"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.

As much as I respect Mr. Graham, this is stupid. The court ruling did not make it illegal for Americans to say the pledge, in public or private, on their own.

It said public school teachers (agents of the state) can't lead the class with it including the words "under god". Why this is so difficult to grasp I do not know.