(Indiana) Lawmakers seek donations for prayer appeal

[Newsjock]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060905/NEWS02/609050451

The Indiana House of Representatives will soon start raising money to help pay for the cost of appealing a federal judge's decision barring prayers specific to any particular religion, including Christianity, in the legislature.

... House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said that a Washington, D.C.-based law firm, Winston & Strawn, will present the lawmakers' arguments in that hearing. So far, he said, the legal bills have come to about $67,000, but that does not include any of the work preparing for Thursday's hearing.

He expects money raised from the public to defray those costs, currently being paid for by taxpayer-funds out of the House budget.

... The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana after a minister led the House in singing, "Just a Little Talk With Jesus." The ACLU argued, and Hamilton agreed, that such religion-specific prayers violates the U.S. Constitution.

[PurityOfEssence]

1. The worst state north of the Mason-Dixon line

The work of the primitive is oh so tiresome. Don't they have REAL issues to deal with? Have they conquered poverty and healthcare issues?

Mortal life on earth is much more important than fantasy ravings about the grand supernatural retirement.

[rodeodance]

2. I would like to see them take turns--have representatives from ALL sects

denominations, religions, whatever you want to call them--Native American, Wiccan, Roman Catholic, ----ALL. Now that would be a real eye opener!

[Ex Lion Tamer]

3. I pretty much agree . . .

and I live in Indiana. This is ridiculous.

On the bright side, I saw Crosby Still Nash and Young play a packed venue located in very conservative Hamilton County (just outside of Indianapolis), and their anti-Bush stuff drew only a smattering of boos.

[Jokerman]

4. Generalize Much?

In case you haven't noticed many of these same "primitives" are currently in control of the federal government. Does that make the US the worst country in the western hemisphere?

Sure, I could leave Indiana. Hell, I could leave the country. I could also spend my time throwing stones at others while my glass house crumbles around me. Instead I've chosen to stay and fight these "primitives" right here at home.

[Tyler Durden]

5. "Does that make the US the worst country in the western hemisphere?"

Yes.

Seriously, we have fallen on some hard times here, integrity wise.

[Vidar]

6. Most dangerous, at least.