Free Republic

I am looking at the front page, top center story in the Sacramento Bee for Friday, December 3, 2004, the gist of which is that a Christmas tree was erected in the rotunda of the Federal courthouse in Sacramento. Soon after, an attorney donated a Menorah to the display to commemorate Hanukkah, which almost immediately aroused a controversy, as a result of which both the Menorah and the Christmas tree were removed, which aroused another controversy, whereupon the Menorah and the Christmas tree were restored to the rotunda, and ever since a debate has raged whether it is permissible to...

Unfortunately, it isn't only nativity scenes and Santas that make an appearance every Christmas. The holiday season also heralds the annual return of Scrooge and the Grinch. Or, as they're known in Bellevue, Wash., these days, Sidney and Jennifer Stock. The Stocks are atheists who want Bellevue's city council to remove the Christmas tree from the lobby of City Hall. Since "it is impossible for everybody's religious belief to be displayed and nonreligious belief to be displayed," Sidney Stock told reporters last week, "no religious beliefs [should] be displayed." Jeff Jacoby's e-mail address is jacoby@globe.com © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper...

Posted on Mon, Sep. 01, 2003 Law lets firearms in more placesBy Anna M. TinsleyStar-Telegram Staff Writer STAR-TELEGRAM DEWUAN X. DAVIS CONCEALED WEAPONS Starting today, firearms go public.For years, local governments have been able to ban concealed handguns from many city halls, police stations, libraries, recreation centers, city and county parks and many other governmental facilities.No more.Today, a new state law takes effect allowing Texans with concealed-handgun permits to take their firearms into many public facilities.And that has rankled some city officials."I support the right to bear arms -- I'm a lifetime member of the NRA [National Rifle Association],"...