Boise will be first city to vote on public 10 Commandments display

[Bluebear]

Boise, Idaho to Become the First City in the Nation to Vote on the Public Display of the Ten Commandments


Swindell

Contact: Brandi Swindell, Keep the Commandments Coalition, 208-867-1307

BOISE, Sept. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- On November 7, 2006 the citizens of Boise will vote on replacing a Ten Commandments display that was removed from a public park by the Boise City Council in March of 2004.

The text of the Boise Ten Commandments Initiative is available at: http://www.earnedmedia.org/btci.htm

This past August the Idaho Supreme Court ruled 4-1 that the citizens of Boise had the right to hold a voter initiative on the public display Ten Commandments after city officials initially refused to put the question on the ballot.

This historic vote will profoundly impact the national debate on the public display of the Ten Commandments as it empowers voters, for the first time, to be involved in the decision making process.

Brandi Swindell, Co-director of the Keep the Commandments Coalition and a plaintiff on the lawsuit, comments, “We are thrilled that the citizens of Boise will have the right to vote on the nation’s first initiative on the public display of the Ten Commandments. This is an historic vote for all those who cherish liberty and the democratic freedoms our country was founded upon.

We believe it is the right of the citizens to publicly decide what kinds of values best represent their communities. Not government officials. And, the principles and values enumerated by the Ten Commandments make all our communities stronger, saver and healthier. Regardless of a person’s faith tradition, we are all better off when we do not lie, steal and commit violent acts against one another.

It is our hope that communities across the nation will soon hold similar such Ten Commandments voter initiatives.”

For more information or interviews call: Brandi Swindell at 208.867.1307

http://www.earnedmedia.org/cdc0921.htm

[bobbolink]

1. What would happen if we had a public vote on the Constitution and

Bill of Rights?

My guess: they would both go down in flames.

:nuke:

[Bluebear]

2. Those documents are only "quaint" reminders of America. nt

[bobbolink]

3. Wish I could laugh at that.

I can only :cry:

[Selatius]

5. The Constitution almost did go down in flames, actually

The Bill of Rights, ironically, was inserted into the document in order to convince the remaining state legislatures to ratify the document. This helped to satiate the concerns of Anti-Federalists like Thomas Jefferson, but they were still concerned about federal power.

[CBGLuthier]

4. It isn't up to the voters

Now, if voters want to start petitioning to change the constitution, OK, go for it.

But voters can not change basic tenets of the constitution. Otherwise, Kansans could have just voted for segregation back in the 50's.

And every state could just vote abortion away.

Of course, I imagine the OP understands this fact. :-)

[bobbolink]

6. Well, "Brandy" or whatever is basically saying, "Don't need no

stinking government"

Very enlightened, she.

[Realityhack]

7. What I don't get is...

what made the court decide to allow the inititive. Anyone got a link to the decision?

The only thing I can think of is if the court was basicaly saying people could vote on just about anything (to show they want it) but doing it would still be illigal.

I just can't see a court thinking a 10 commandment statue would be constitutional just because people voted for it.

[Realityhack]

13. Found it.

http://www.isc.idaho.gov/opinions/keep.pdf

Looks like what I suggested might be exactly what they did.

[Bluebear]

16. Let's let, oh, Alabama vote on mixed-race marriages, too!

After all, "majority rule"!

Most people I speak with these days, by the way, think exactly that. Rights are not protected anymore if the "majority" vote otherwise.

[Realityhack]

17. Yes very stupid.

And I think the same of their "Albanese v. Bannock County" decision (sited in the petition). The court appears to be actively attempting to find a 'back door' to violate the separation of church and state.

The argument seems to be that letting people vote on it is ok. But if they vote in something that would be un-constitutional then Boise could chose to fight it or not do it (or something).

They are saying that because it might be voted down it is ok to let them vote on it.

What we really need is a Supreme Court ruling smacking down this 'but we are saying it in a secular way' fucking bullshit.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Hey! Why not a display of the Koran to make sure no one's left out?

[niallmac]

9. This is so schizo.

Boise fundys all hot about the Ten Commandments on display and yet
you know they never met a war they didn't support. What's that sixth
commandment say again?

[shadowknows69]

10. One of these shows up in my hometown

and I'm going to jail for vandalism.

[dkofos]

18. Me too

[kineneb]

11. time for giant Buddha on city hall lawn

equal time, guys! Give one religion space, must make space for all!

[bobbolink]

21. THat's the idea! Give 'em all equal time.... got acreage? ^_^

I've suggested that instead of fighting the whole nonsense on "creationism" (and whatever their current euphemism is), support it enthusiastically, then give equal time (and textbook space!) to the various Native American creation stories, plus the Polynesian creation stories, then the African creation stories... etc., etc., etc.

It would actually be a good education for kids to see all of the compared.

See what us leftist fringe wackkos can do?

:rofl:

[Swamp Rat]

12. break out the spray paint!

just kidding! ;)

[Auggie]

14. Something you'd expect Rove to be behind...

It energizes their type of voter to come to the polls. First gay marriage, now this.

[Chipper Chat]

15. The Taliban didn't want this one:

Maybe Boise could re-erect it beside their 10 commandments idol.

[dkofos]

19. I think you should have to recite the 10 commandants

before you can vote yes.

AND NO CHEATING

god will know

[bobbolink]

22. Exactly! One of those fundie pastors was asked in an interview

to recite all 10, and got about 3 right.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[kcass1954]

20. Well, the Keep the Commandments Coalition can keep their commandments

anywhere they want, just not on public land. This group, and others like it, refuse to acknowledge that a very good number of the people who oppose their public displays are not opposed in any way to private displays, and in fact try to live their lives in accordance with the Ten Commandments.

On edit -
Note to Brandi Swindell - I do "cherish liberty and the democratic freedoms our country was founded upon". I also remember the part about separation of church and state. I have a deep and profound desire to not force any part of my religion or its teachings onto anyone else.