As much as the whole issue irritates me and reminds me why I want to move out of this damn state, I have been enjoying watching state officials like Bill Pryor and Gov. Riley trying to split hairs speaking out in favor of following Judge Thompson’s order to remove the monument while saying Alabama citizens have the right to protest or that they feel there should be a place for God in government. Way to avoid endorsing contempt of court while at the same time trying not to alienate all those fundamentalist voters. Riley’s going to need every vote he can get for his tax plan so he really has to watch his mouth.
I keep hoping the other eight state Supreme Court Justices will use their ability to overrule administrative decisions of the Chief Justice to have the monument removed, as has been mentioned in the local press. All but one are Republicans, so they could avoid any claims of political partisanship by acting. Between the controversy and the fines and the massive weight of Moore’s ego, these are all burdens the state could do without.
What puzzles me is this: Assuming this Commandment-spammer judge is right :eek: and there IS a big bearded angry Guy In The Sky keeping tabs on us, why hasn’t Moore been struck by lightning yet?
The critical difference here is that the school does not sponsor that expression and there’s an equal opportunity for everyone to express themselves in the cafeteria or the hallways during breaks.
An honor student singing in front of the entire school during a graduation ceremony, and that song just happens to “acknowledge” God? That’s a horse of a different color.
Only a limited number of students get to speak at a graduation ceremony, so if the school chooses someone who spouts off about Jesus and rejects someone who wants to sing the praises of Vishnu or of Atheism, we’re going to have problems.