God Bless America  

 Here's a quote from a government employee who witnessed a recent interaction between an elderly woman and an antiwar protester in a Metro station in DC:

"There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America. I politely declined to take one.

 "An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young (20ish) female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined.

 "The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice said, 'Lady, don't you care about the children of Iraq?'

 "The old woman looked up at her and said, 'Honey, my father died in France during World War II, I lost my husband in Korea, and a son in Vietnam. All three died so you could have the right to stand here and bad mouth our country. If you touch me again. I'll stick this umbrella up your ass and open it."

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Constitutions

  A good friend sent this along and I thought it interesting enough to put on my website   Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the U.S. Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?
 
  THIS IS VERY INTERESTING! Be sure to read the last two paragraphs. All 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions:
 
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution
 
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land
 
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
 
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
 
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty ! God for our freedom
 
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
 
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy
 
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences  
 
Florida 1885,  Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty .. establish this Constitution...
 
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution....
 
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance . establish this Constitution.
 
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
 
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy! and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
 
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government.
 
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution
 
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges . establish this Constitution.
 
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
 
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
 
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.
 
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
 
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe .... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity .and devoutly imploring His direction
 
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom . establish this Constitution
 
Minnesota 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings
 
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
 
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We! , the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . establish this Constitution ..
 
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for! the blessings of liberty. establish this Constitution
 
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. establish this Constitution ..
 
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ....
 
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
 
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the! e State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors .
 
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty .
 
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
 
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those !
 
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
 
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
 
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty establish this .
 
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
 
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.
 
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
 
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina. grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
 
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil! and religious liberties . establish this
 
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI. III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
 
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
 
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution
 
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to . enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man
 
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI . Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator . can be directed only by ! Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
 
Washington 1889! , Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution ..
 
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia. reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God .
 
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for! our freedom, domestic tranquility .
 
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of! the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties . establish this Constitution .. 
 
 After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the federal courts are wrong!

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."

Posted: December 28, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Ron Strom
© 2005 www.WorldNetDaily.com

 An attorney who once worked for the American Civil Liberties Union has slammed the organization for "perverting" federal law by successfully threatening government officials into getting rid of public expressions of religion.

 Rees Lloyd made the comments in an online pod cast hosted by Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., in which the two discuss the congressman's legislation, the Public Expression of Religion Act, or PERA (H.R.2679). The bill would prohibit judges in civil suits involving the First Amendment's Establishment Clause from awarding attorney's fees to those offended by religious symbols or actions in the public square - such as a Ten Commandments display in a courthouse or a cross on a county seal.
Lloyd, a California civil-rights attorney, is an officer with the American Legion who wrote a resolution passed by the national organization supporting Hostettler's bill.

 As www.WorldNetDaily.com reported, Hostettler's proposal would amend the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. Section 1988, to prohibit prevailing parties from being awarded attorney's fee in religious establishment cases, but not in other civil rights filings. This would prevent local governments from having to use taxpayer funds to pay the ACLU or similar organization when a case is lost, and also would protect elected officials from having to pay fees from their own pockets.

 In the podcast, Hostettler explains that the 1976 statute was meant to help "the little guy" who is going up against a governmental entity so he won't be impoverished when working to guarantee the liberty to express or practice his faith. But, says the lawmaker, the ACLU has used the law to enrich itself at the expense of taxpayers and as a means to silence public officials who don't want to be sued personally.

 Hostettler says some organizations have created a new civil liberty - a right to be protected "from religion, which is found nowhere in the Constitution, nowhere in the Bill of Rights." The Indiana congressman blames "a very select group" for "perverting" the original statute, including the ACLU, People for the American Way and Americans United for the Separate of Church and State.

 "They use this statute to extort behavior out of individuals," the congressman said, citing the Indiana Civil Liberties Union threatening local educators. The group sent a letter to officials saying they would be sued and be forced to pay attorney's fees should any graduation prayers be offered at commencement ceremonies. The threat sent the message, Hostettler said, that individuals tied to school districts could be impoverished personally.

 Said the lawmaker: "When officials see the potential threat of a lawsuit, they stop allowing children to write papers for English class - when they're asked to write about the most important person in their life and they decide to write about Jesus Christ."

 Hostettler's bill would allow cases to move through the courts without public officials worrying about being held personally liable for thousands in attorneys fees.

 "Let's let these cases go forward; let's let the courts decide what's constitutional and what's not, and let's not leave it up to the ACLU," he said.

 Hostettler explained that while government entities can pay attorney's fees charged to individual elected officials, they don't legally have to, which puts the politicians on the hook.

 Saying most taxpayers are in favor of allowing public religious expression, the congressman noted the irony of those same taxpayers being forced to pay the ACLU to sue their local governments.

 "The current threat to public officials is very real; it's ongoing," Hostettler stated. "It's been the case for several years that public officials are scared to death to suggest any type of public recognition of our Christian roots. It's a problem that needs to be addressed in Washington, D.C."

 PERA would prohibit damages, court fees and attorney's fees from going to plaintiffs in establishment-clause suits while keeping the original purpose of the civil-rights law, Hstettler says, to provide a means for those whose religious liberties have been blocked to find justice.

 The congressman wonders why the ACLU would oppose his legislation since it still provides for "injunctive relief" - e.g., a court can rule in the ACLU's favor and force the removal of a Ten Commandments display - but takes out the monetary incentive for lawsuits.

 "If they're not out for the money but are really out to preserve our civil liberties ... then the ACLU should not be opposing my bill," Hostettler commented.

 Hostettler mentioned the case of Judge Roy Moore in Alabama, whose colleagues on the state Supreme Court ordered the removal of a Ten Commandments display because, the congressman says, they didn't want the state's taxpayers to have to pay anymore than they did - $500,000 - to the ACLU as a result of the case.

In the podcast, Lloyd decried the "terrorizing litigation tactics of the ACLU."

 Said Lloyd: "Not only can the ACLU brings these suits and compel taxpayers to pay them to destroy the public display of our American history and heritage, but so can Islamist terrorists or Islamist sympathizers in our midst.

 "All they have to do is walk into court, make their claim that they're offended by the sight of a cross or other religious symbol, and they're going to win the case because judges follow one another under stare decisis," or deference to precedent.

The judges would then order that fees be paid to the Islamists, Lloyd contends.

 Lloyd said this issue came into focus for him when he witnessed the fight in San Diego, Calif., over a cross on a veterans' memorial on public land in the Mohave Desert.

 "For me, that was the one step taken too far," Lloyd said. "Now, for the first time, the ACLU was attacking the very veterans who secured their freedom."

 A civil-rights activist since the '60s, Lloyd worked with the ACLU in the '70s and was "very supportive" of the 1976 Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Act because it was a "noble attempt to assure that people who had legitimate civil-rights violations and injuries could secure legal representation."

 Stated Lloyd: "The ACLU has perverted, distorted and exploited the Civil Rights Act ... to turn it into a lawyer-enrichment act."

 Lloyd says the American people are "oblivious" to how many millions of dollars in taxpayer funds are going to the ACLU each year.

 The attorney pointed out many attorneys in cases brought by the ACLU are volunteers, so the fees the group is awarded normally do not go to reimburse an attorney but rather directly into the organization's coffers.
Lloyd also mentioned the case in Los Angeles County, where threat of litigation caused the Board of Supervisors to have the county's seal redesigned to eliminate a tiny cross.

"They would have fought the ACLU but for one reason: the threat of attorney's fees," Lloyd said.

 As WorldNetDaily reported, in October the Center for Reclaiming America announced it had 100,000 signatures on a petition in support of PERA. Since then, another 60,000 have been collected.

 Hostettler's bill, which was introduced first in 2003 without success, currently has 35 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and sits in the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Stated Hostettler: "If we're successful in Washington, D.C., it will be because the American people have had enough. ... This is a war worth fighting."

Ron Strom is a news editor for www.WorldNetDaily.com

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One Reporter's Opinion,

George Putnam
Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005

 It is this reporter's opinion that the ACLU and its members obviously do not think the rules of ethics, morality and fairness apply to them. All one has to do is watch their behavior when either the phrases "Under God" or "In God We Trust" or patriotism is involved.

 Their endeavors often extend to the ridiculous. Take the recent example of a 17-year-old student in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: Nudged on by the local Civil Liberties Union chapter, he refused to stand while the rest of the class recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. He's now bringing a suit, which the ACLU says is not about the Pledge of Allegiance, but about the right to choose not to stand to recite the Pledge, and they are citing the First and Fourteenth amendments. The kid says, "Patriotism is more than going along with everybody else and saluting a flag; it's about such things as helping hurricane victims."

 Now and then we see a glimmer of hope, such as the case of an attorney who once worked for the ACLU and criticizes the organization "for perverting federal law by threatening government officials into getting rid of public expressions of religion."

 He is Rees Lloyd, a civil rights attorney and an officer with the American Legion who is supporting the Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA, HR 2679). The bill would prohibit judges in civil suits involving the First Amendment establishment clause from awarding attorneys' fees to those offended by religious symbols or actions in the public square, such as the recent Ten Commandments display in a courthouse.

 The bill is put forth by Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., who says some organizations have created a right to be protected from religion, which is found nowhere in the Constitution, nowhere in the Bill of Rights. Hostettler's action was inspired by the case of Judge Roy Moore in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court ordered removal of a Ten Commandments display because it didn't want Alabama taxpayers to have to pay any more than they did ($500,000) to the ACLU, which brought the case.

 Rees Lloyd decries "the terrorizing litigation tactics of the ACLU." Says Lloyd: "Not only can the ACLU bring these suits and compel taxpayers to pay them to destroy the public display of our American history and heritage, but so can Islamist terrorists or Islamist sympathizers in our midst. All they have to do is walk into court, make their claim that they are offended by the sight of a cross or other religious symbol and they have a good chance to win their case."

 Attorney Lloyd is furious over the San Diego, California, case over a cross on a veterans memorial on public land. "That was one step taken too far," says Lloyd. "For the first time, the ACLU was attacking the very veterans who secured their freedom."

 Lloyd worked with the ACLU in the '70s but he now says: "I have parted with them. The ACLU has perverted, distorted, and exploited the civil rights act and has turned it into a 'lawyer enrichment act.'" He says, "The American people are oblivious to how many millions of dollars in taxpayer funds are going to the ACLU each year."

 He points out that many attorneys, in cases brought by the ACLU, are volunteers, so the fees the group is awarded normally do not go to reimburse an attorney but rather go directly into the organization's coffers. Lloyd cites case after case in which local governments across the nation have knuckled under to threats of litigation brought by the ACLU.

 The ACLU picks a target, usually an organization with little, if any, money. It threatens a lawsuit and brings in volunteer (unpaid) lawyers, and the case becomes an unfair contest. Rather than sustain tremendous court costs, the victim opts for a quick payoff.

 Congressman Hostettler says, "When officials see the potential threat of a lawsuit, they stop allowing children to write papers for English class that might be threatened by the ACLU."

 Also, you may recall that the ACLU chapter in New Mexico suspended an entire chapter of its local organization because it discovered that a member of the board of directors is leading the state's Minuteman group. The ACLU has suspended the entire chapter. But there still might be hope: Congress is actually now being asked to probe the ACLU.

 One can only recall the words of the ACLU's founder, Roger Nash Baldwin, who stated: "We are for socialism, disarmament, ultimately for abolishing the state itself. We seek the social ownership of property, abolition of the propertied class, and sole control of those who produce wealth - COMMUNISM IS THE GOAL." Baldwin has left behind an institution that is fundamentally un-American and subversive to the principles upon which America was founded.

 Congressman John Hostettler's Public Expression of Religion Act (PERA, HR 2679) would cut off the attorneys' fees and would stop supporting the terrorist tactics by the ACLU. For years, public officials have been scared to death of ACLU lawsuits. PERA would prohibit damages, court fees and attorneys' fees from going to the plaintiffs while keeping the original purpose of civil rights law.

Gaylord Herald Times (MI)

Posted on Wed, Dec. 28, 2005
Military honor guard struggling to meet demand
Dwindling ranks, red tape not helping
BY JOHN MYERS
Duluth News Tribune

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