Did Bush violate the constitution?

Factual Questions
1

Isn’t it a violation of the separation of church and state to declare a “National Day of Prayer and Remembrance”?

2

Nope.

By sticking in the word “remembrance” he’s acknowledged both the sacred and the secular, so it’s okay.

3

It still pisses me off. Keep in mind, when he was governor here in Texas, he made June 10 “Jesus Day.”

http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/outrage/jesusday.htm

So, he may try to pass it off as being secular, but we know where his intentions are.

4

And the fact that the First Amendment only prevents Congress from playing favorites with religion. Dubya has been doing prayers and bible studies with his cabinet all year long. Nuthin’ new.

5

It’s certainly possible that declaring a national day of prayer (even with “remembrance” stuck in as an afterthought) violates the First Amendment, but who’s going to try to sue over it? Who would even have standing, especially now that the day is over?

It’s just one more suck-up to the Jesus people, without whom no one can be elected to any office in this country.

6

The President declaring a National Day of Prayer and Mourning does not constitute Congress making a law “respecting an establishment of religion” or “prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

He didn’t need to add “rememberance” if he didn’t want to. A National Day of Prayer would be just as dandy, since it means nothing legally.

7

I suppose if he had served longer, they’d have a Esteban Day and a Miguel Day too… :wink:

I am getting sick of the religious symbol spewing too. I’ve noticed that Jorge Bush has been seen in recent photo ops on the occasion of meetings of the National Security Council, with a hideous green leatherbound and gilt bible in front of him. Ronnie Reagan’s jar of jelly beans seems positively charming in comparision. I don’t want a president who goes into NSC meetings with a bible, I want an president who goes into NSC meetings with a sheaf of top secret CIA, NSA, FBI, and DoD documents.

8

Well now, Chas. E, do you really think They would allow the press to take pictures of that? :wink:

9

Since we try to keep things factual over here in GQ, I feel I should point out that Bush’s first name is George, not Jorge.

10

The question is debatable, which is why it has been debated in the Great Debates forum. I’ll close this thread and direct any remaining comments to the GD thread National day of Prayer and Remembrance - no separation of Church and State?

bibliophage
moderator GQ