posted on February 3, 2004 09:56:45 PM newJudge in Wisconsin Orders Removal of Ten Commandments Monument in Public Park The Associated Press
Published: Feb 3, 2004
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A federal judge Tuesday ordered the removal of a Ten Commandments monument in a public park because it unconstitutionally promotes a particular religious view.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote she was not swayed by the city of La Crosse's move to sell the 22-by-20 foot plot to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, which donated the monument in 1965.
La Crosse, a Mississippi River city about 110 miles west of Madison, sold the land after a lawsuit was filed in 2002 that argued the display violated the separation of church and state. The city also put up fences and signs disclaiming endorsement of the commandments.
"No matter how many fences or signs the city and the order build, it is impossible to defeat the impression that the monument is still part of the city's property," Crabb wrote.
She issued a similar decision in September but agreed to set it aside to hear arguments from the Eagles.
The American Center for Law and Justice, founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson and representing the Eagles, said it would appeal.
posted on February 3, 2004 10:33:06 PM new
The same groups that get offended when something controversial is shown on TV. People are going to push these laws in the name of what's "religiously correct" until nothing can be written in public places except graffiti.
posted on February 3, 2004 11:21:42 PM new
"People are going to push these laws in the name of what's "religiously correct" until nothing can be written in public places except graffiti."
posted on February 4, 2004 07:27:37 AM new
I essentially agreed with the earlier decision that the ten commandments had no place in Judge Moore's courthouse. It was inappropriate to have it there. Justice is supposed to be blind, not biased with Christian-centric beliefs.
But this is a public park. There is no one that is going to be intimidated or concerned about fairness or bias. It's a freakin park! Let them have their statue. Let the Muslims and Buddhists put up their statues too if thaey want.
I know in the public park near here, they have some really god-awful sculptures that make me scratch my head and go "huh?" At least the commandments MEAN something.
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posted on February 4, 2004 10:53:13 AM new
So the park is not a serious venue so it doesn't mean anything?
How silly. The flag pole and Nation's flag flying there don't have any meaning then since it isn't in front of a courthouse?
Symbols mean a great deal anywhere you put them.
That they insist on bringing their religion out of their private lives into the public view is an attempt to endorse them as superior with the power of their public office.
If it is a custom by such things as a prayer before a legislative session that is an error that should be corrected - not license to compound the error by deepening the intrusion.
How can a non-Christian stand at a court with the ten commandments or a cross on the wall and expect justice? He is already served notice he is there as a second class not as a peer. The reality is that even if a person is religeous there are so many deep divisions that if you are not the particular sect in official approval you might as well be a heathen. Anyone who has tried to do business in Utah and found out how welcome you are if you are not a Mormon in the Community can tell you about that. How happy these self righteous bigots would be if there were a big cross on their passport and their priests themselves sitting on the bench of justice instead of secular persons. The end though is always repression and even more enrichment of those with power when you add more conditions for even being allowed to play the game of power.
posted on February 4, 2004 10:59:47 AM new
It is my understanding that this is on PRIVATELY owned property. Just another case of the ultra-lefties working against American's practicing their 'freedom of religion' by saying it's now the "impression" that counts.
"No matter how many fences or signs the city and the order build, it is impossible to defeat the impression that the monument is still part of the city's property,"
