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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This is once again proven. Thanks for taking the time to get the facts out, correctly, about WHO the two judges were that made the ruling and the one judge who dissented. ;-) Deej
The ruling says that teachers can't recite it with "under god".
So you are saying that teachers do not have the right to free excersize of religion.
Of course they do! They just don't have the right to do it in a state classroom, as part of their state job, subjecting their students to it against the parents will.
Your right to free excercise does not grant you a license to impose your beliefs on others through the state. What is so hard to understand about that?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain vowed Monday to block confirmation of all Bush administration nominations until a replacement is installed for a lame duck Federal Election Commission member who helped approve controversial campaign fund-raising rules.
Yep two were.... But the Bush appointee didn't vote for the decision as you kept insisting.
It is a natural assumption, given the fact that he put David Souter on the SC--and really wasn't all that enthusiastic about fighting for Clarence Thomas (who was brought in by Reagan) during his hellish confirmation hearing; if you remember it was Republican senators like McCain, Hatch (and another good Republican FReepers love to trash) Arlen Specter who really stood up for him against Anita Hill's lies. I am by no means a liberal (rather a progressive conservative who, like many FReepers I voted for Algore's Republican opponent) but unlike many on the far-right I keep my eyes open to the facts. And one clear fact is that George I did not make that many good judicial appointments and I remain dubious that the apple will fall far from the tree when it comes George II's turn. As I write this I note that a SC vacancy will come open soon, so let's see how he does--whether or not he really stands up for folks like Judge Gonzales, et al, or whether they just become more liberal cannon fodder who are left to twist in the wind.
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