This Is Not A Democracy, It's A Republic........
As an athiest, I believe I look at religion objectively. I graduated from a Jesuit school and had to take two courses in upper-division religion in order to graduate. So, why is it that so many athiests take it upon themselves to fight for the removal of religious expressions?
If the voters want the cross there, so be it. It doesn't hurt of offend me. I'd suggest this individual look at the concept of freedom of religion and ask himself if removing the cross supports that concept.
Live and let live.
I know how to stop the drama. I have a buddy with a long rifle...
LIBERALS TAKE NOTE:
The previous comment was sarcastic, biting HUMOUR.
I suggest you all pop a chill pill. I do not advocate violence as a solution; I do, however, advocate the use of the COMMON SENSE YOU WERE BORN WITH YOU FLIPPING MORONS.
a HEM. Pardon me. We now return you to the regularly scheduled comments...
What's so sad Cary is that these days you have to spell it out. I had one crazy stalker who, after I suggested, tongue in cheek, that we throw a maltov cocktail at a sign, went nuts and started posting about me ceaselessly. It was crazy.
I must respectfully disagree with the article of this post. What I disagree about is the sheer principle of the whole thing.
I admit I probably don't know all the details, but I believe this is a war memorial paid for by private funds, not public monies. The argument that it's on public land doesn't wash with me. If you can have Buddha and Hindu Elephants in public parks I don't know why you can's have a cross on a war memorial.
I guess the thing that bothers me most about this is the dangerous precedent it will set. That ONE man and any number of activist judges can thwart the will of the voting public disturbs me. Even as far as a judge blocking the purchase of the land, to make it private property, in order to satisfy any vague perceptions of the law is, in itself, a blatant act of judicial activism (tyranny).
I imagine the next step will be to remove the crosses from all war memorials and then on to our memorial cemetaries. Will they also deface the cross on my father's grave marker at Arlington?
Wit,the cross has been there for about 50 years. Just the Mt. and the cross. Many years ago they put up the black fence around it. That's all.Oh and there are brick steps leading up to it.
Now, the war memorial, which is a series of long rounded walls that have individual placards for service members to be memorialized. That is not at issue. There is absolutely NO issue whatsoever with the memorial itself, which was completed only a couple of years ago. Totally seperate.
At issue is the cross that stands in the middle. If this cross was in any way architechturaly significant, or even slightly interesting, I could see the hullabaloo. It's just plain ugly. It is literally a few cement blocks glued trogether and painted white.
Like I said, you can move it down the street, throw up a Torrey pine or a flag pole and within weeks the issue would be forgotten. And we wouldn't have to spend another dime on it.
I mean between the Chargers, and the pension crisis... we've got bigger fish to fry. We're about 10 seconds from filing bankruptcy.
The 1st amendment has been misread, mischaracterized, misquoted and misinterpreted, at least in my humble opinion.
"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."
The only body specified is Congress.....as the legislative arm which has the power to make law.
It doesn't say states, cities, towns, counties, fairs, zoo's, your neighbor and especially doesn't say anything with regard to public vs private displays.
Essentially it says Congress shall keep it's nose out of ALL religious matters whether for or against.
The second fragment is the most important part, which most people bent on removing something that "offends" them forget:
"...or prohibiting the free exercise thereof: ..."
That means you can't stop the guy next door from practicing or showing support for his religion anymore than he can prevent you from showing yours.
I think most people should know that the initial years the people of NYC HATED the WTC. They called them ugly, and said they destroyed the NY skyline. All I am saying is that just because you don't see any architectural value, does not mean there is none. I am catholic, but to me I do not see a religious symbol when I look at that photo. I see a memorial, a monument, a “thank you.” The cross is used so often today the only cross I really think has religious significance are those around peoples necks and ones hanging in churches.
For those in the service, regardless of religion, I would suggest to you it has plenty of architectural value.
Why not ask the military families of the area what their feelings are. It is supposed to be dedicated to them, why not see what they think and go from there. And come on... you don't want your money wasted on this? Because you know the govt. would spend it so wisely otherwise? My ultimate question to you:
If it wasn't impacting you pocket, say there was a legal fund by private donation to defend it... would you then just let it be?
One thing that still bothers me terribly is that when private citizens stepped in to buy the land and make it "prvate" (which should have solved everything - legally) the judge actually stepped in, blocked the sale, and had the nerve to say something like "you're only doing this to keep the cross." Well DUH! Ya THINK!
CIR, you fail to understand the fact that it was not built as a war memorial. The war memorial was just built in the last couple of years.I watched it being built.
I don't care about the cross. I don't like it, I don't hate it. Frankly, I'd be happy if it stayed. I like seeing it from my house. And obviously not for religeous reasons.It is very ugly....The WTC, had it's redeeming values, and I liked dining at The Windows. This cross.....
I understand what you are saying, but the wall, they built to honor our service men and women is great, and would remain just as wonderful if they planted a large tree or a flag pole.
This county can't take any more frivilous spending.
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