Judge in Wisconsin orders removal of Ten Commandments monument in public p

[Whoa_Nelly]

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.

<snip>
"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.

<snip>
The American Center for Law and Justice, founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson and representing the Eagles, said it would appeal.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/02/03/national2329EST0940.DTL

[Gasolinedream]

1. Hmmmm...

I am very very freedom of religion, but doesn't this seem a bit anal?

[DavidDvorkin]

2. Far from anal

This is holding the line against the fundies who want to finish the destruction of the wall of separation.

[ret5hd]

3. i agree 100%...

but this looks like the next tactic that we will probably see more of.

If the small lot (the 20x30 lot that the monument actually sits on) is sold to the FOE, how can the gov't order its removal?

I predict a lot of "sales" of small pieces of school yards, playgrounds,
courtyards, etc to fundy groups.

[truthspeaker]

5. Good. Maybe then they'll understand the important distinction

Government owned property: no religious displays, because the government may not endorse a religious belief

Privately owned property: display whatever you want, because American citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of religion

It is so simple. The establishment and free exercise clauses are two sides of the same coin. The only way every individual American can have true freedom of religion is if the government does not have an official religion.

It's so simple it should be self-evident, but apparently it isn't.

[sendero]

4. You might have missed...

... the fact that they are trying to transfer ownership of a tiny portion of the park, the part with the plaque - so they can claim it is not part of the park.

There is no end to the shennanigans that will ensue once someone is allowed to get away with that.

Tell them if they wish to make a deal with the city to buy the whole park at fair market value. well that's another story - if the city wishes to sell.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

12. The locals tried the same scheme in Boise

The Table Rock cross was erected by the Boise Jaycees in 1956 on land owned by the Idahoa Department of Corrections. In 1972, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision pertaining to religious symbols on public land, the group purchased a less-than-an-acre sliver of real estate on which the cross stood for $100.

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/idaho3.htm

[LiberalFighter]

13. And it needs to include a sign that can be read as you drive by

that states:

1) This monument is on private property.
2) This park is not a public park maintained in any way with taxpayer money.
3) The city will not and can not endorse or support any religion or religous purpose represented by the park.

[goddess40]

6. That's what they did in Marshfield WI

They had a religous statue and they sold the small plot of land to some religious group. Freedom From Religion Foundation also offered to buy the land but they wouldn't sell it to them.

[flamingpie2500]

7. So now this particular piece of land is tax free?

What a great way to expand their investment. Should be outlawed.
Let them build a church around the statue--then I wouldn't have a problem with it.

[Bandit]

8. The GOP has found a way to sell off America's treasures.

I consider our parks and resources to be our treasure and the GOP can not sell it off quickly enough. Rape and Pillage is what is going on in America today. If piecces of our Parks are for sale I want my piece also. What is fair for this religious organization is fair for all citizens. I want the same deal they got.

[ellie]

9. Agreed!

I would like to buy a piece of Arches, the Grand Canyon, and the Badlands. Particularly the Badlands where I will turn them over to the Native Americans. Where do I sign up? Oh, that's right. I'm not a wealthy mining concern. What a crock!

[lumpy]

10. At least 50% of the people in this country

don't follow God's edicts, at any rate, let alone Christ's advice to "love thy neighbor". The religious right should quit yelling and singing, ranting and raving, and operating a religious circus fund raiser. It is on a parallel with a frantic sex orgy. Christ knew what he was saying when he advised going into a closet(meditation) to communicate with your God.

[callous taoboy]

11. Give it up,

god boy!

[yellowcanine]

14. Good. The Judge wasn't fooled by their dishonesty.

It is dishonest to sell a sliver of public land to a private group for the purpose of allowing the construction of a sectarian display. Furthermore, most jurisdictions require public hearings before public land is sold to private groups - and normally there would also be some type of bid process so that other groups who might want to buy that piece of land have an opportunity to do so. The public officials who did this should be investigated for ethics violations.