posted on August 29, 2001 10:55:15 AM new....."the expressions of a judge in public proclamation even by implication should not have a greater privilege than other expressions in a public domain, particularly one in which justice is the goal."
posted on August 29, 2001 05:09:42 PM new
I've been reading quite a bit about Moore; his ties and associations read like a Who's Who of the radical religious right. I saw several references to a poem that he had written and finally located the text:
"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL"
America the Beautiful, or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.
Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty, your house is on the sand.
Our children wander aimlessly poisoned by cocaine,
Choosing to indulge their lusts, when God has said abstain.
From sea to shining sea, our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love and a need to always pray.
So many worldly preachers tell lies about our Rock,
Saying God is going broke so they can fleece the flock.
We've kept God in our temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool, and Heaven is His throne.
We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges who throw reason out the door,
Too soft to place a killer in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby before he leaves the womb.
You think that God's not angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait before His judgment comes?
How are we to face our God, from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do, but stem this evil tide?
If we who are His children, will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face and mend our evil way:
Then God will hear from Heaven and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land and those who live within.
But, America the Beautiful, if you don't then you will see,
A sad but Holy God withdraw His hand from Thee.
Yes, and in his case, I would venture that both politically and artistically, the shorter the better. It brings a whole new meaning to the term "poetic justice."
"I'm glad they're not here with us to see the mess we're in,
How we've given up our righteousness for a life of indulgent sin.
For when abortion isn't murder and sodomy is deemed a right,
Then evil is now called good and darkness is now called light.
While truth and law were founded on the God of all Creation,
Man now, through law, denies the truth and calls it "seperation."
No longer does man see a need for God when he's in full control,
For the only truth self-evident is in the latest poll.
But with man as his own master we fail to count the cost,
Our precious freedoms vanish and our liberty is lost.
Children are told they can't pray and they teach them evolution,
When will they learn the fear of God is the only true solution."
Good Grief!!!
Helen
[ edited by Hjw on Aug 29, 2001 06:29 PM ]
It does help in answering one univeral question, however; about whether or not good poetry results from divine inspiration. And perhaps makes a statement about its intended audience.
posted on August 29, 2001 06:51:23 PM newThe Alabama Ethics Commission voted 5-0 that there was probable cause to believe Moore violated state ethics law, which prohibits public officials from using their offices for private financial gain. Director Jim Sumner said members believed Moore spent money on more than legal expenses and used the "mantle of his office" to solicit funds.
posted on August 29, 2001 07:01:47 PM new
Good line, snowy.
I saw many references to the big money certain groups had raised for defense funds, prior to his election (which pretty much lets you know that he intended to make separation an issue and explains why he moved the monument to a more public position when it wasn't challenged in his office). Apparently money was raised to pay for the monument itself and investigations are still underway about ethics in campaign fund disclosures. Didn't find this specific action however.
posted on August 29, 2001 07:23:42 PM new
Thanks, snowy. Lots of great people here. I've seen most now but keep missing Rawbunzel.
Yes, he falls short of Blake artistically and politically. Now there was a religious poet who had his head in the right place. Of course, he wasn't wealthy or powerful, but he did have a significant impact on helping bring about social reforms, especially the mistreatment of children.
posted on August 29, 2001 07:39:56 PM new
I just got back from vacation and I haven't seen her either.
She started a thread with your name on it before I left.
I discovered Blake by his artwork first, then got a copy of Songs of Inoocence and Experience. WOW!
The Metropolitan did an exhibition in early summer. Wish I could have gone.
Hope your vacation was great.
Starting a thread was very thoughtful of rawbunzel.
Blake's theory of natural innocence and the necessity of experience to lead to a state of higher innocence is one that has long fascinated me and its relevance isn't dependent upon the religious context. The lyrical beauty and simplicity of his poems is awesome.
"plague"
