Establishment of Religion
"France has one thing the U.S. doesn't have: a president who speaks fluent English." -- Joseph Sobranand:
"Operation Iraqi Liberation" = OIL
Unknown News - Remedial Constitutional Studies - a short prayer and a copy of the first amendment. I sent the following feedback:
First off, I loved the prayer. The U.S. armed forces leaving Iraq with their tail between their legs would do the world good, though I doubt it would teach the hawks the lesson they need to learn, that America's military exists for one and only one reason, to defend the homeland against foreign invasion.
But mentioning of the first amendment in relationship to Congress asking Bush to set aside a day of prayer repeats the big mistake the ACLU makes every day, and that has made it imposssible for me to continue to support them (that they exclude the second amendment from the individual rights they defend is also a big issue for me).
As you quoted, the first amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
This means that there will never be a Church of America, an official state religion, as there was in England, and that no one will be persecuted for exercising his/her religious beliefs or non-beliefs. It does NOT mean that prayer is banned in schools, or that the ten commandments may not be displayed in a court room. As long as you are not forced to pray when and how others do, as long as you are not forbidden to pray in the way that you desire, there is no violation of the first amendment.
I no longer consider myself a Christian. I practice a form of Raja Yoga. I don't believe anything that I have not personally experienced (well, I try to live that way, and sometimes succeed in part).
But America is a Christian country. It began as a Christian country and it remains a Christian country. Yes, there are Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, Satanists, and all manner of practicioners of other religions and non-religions here. Praise the Lord! Allah Hu Akbar! Blessed Be! But we should expect Christian icons and practices to predominate in public places. Forbidding that is just plain wrong.
Let us rejoice in all manner of celebrating life and love!
-Bill St. Clair
R. Lee Wrights at Rational Review - Lost friend - Mr. Wrights has lost a friend to the war on Iraq. No, he wasn't killed in battle, but their friendship couldn't weather their differences in opinion on the war. [smith2004]
Learn to separate politics and philosophy from personal feelings. Learn that some times it is okay to agree to disagree; and, think about what a dull, boring place the world would be if we all agreed on everything. And, when you reach the point where you cannot agree to disagree, try not to allow the impasse to become the chasm into which a valued friendship falls to an early death.
John Lettice at The Register - Use a firewall, go to jail, and send Bill Gates too - legislatures should stay away from technology they do not understand. [smith2004]
Vote Hemp - DEA Final Rule on Hemp Foods Challenged - the drug enforcement agency goons are still working towards banning all foods containing any measurable micro-amount of THC. On March 21, they published a "final rule" basically matching the "interpretive rule" issued in October of 2001 in banning all foods made from hemp. The hemp industry is pushing for another stay. Remember folks, hemp seeds cannot make you high. They are, however, a wonderful source of vegetarian protien and high quality food oil. [drugsense]