Evolved

Here's what I got in reply to my letter asking him to please help in removing 'Under God' from our Pledge:

Thank you for contacting me about the Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeal's ruling that stated that the words "under God" made recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools unconstitutional.

Judge Alfred Goodwin, who wrote the original opinion, issued a stay on this ruling, which means that the ruling has been suspended until the full panel of the Ninth Circuit reviews the case. My view is that in this case the judges got it all wrong, which is why I supported a resolution on the Senate floor that stated that the Senate strongly disapproved of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision and authorized the Senate Legal Counsel to seek to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.

I also voted for a bill, S. 2690, that restated the existing law regarding the inclusion of the words "under God." I have always beleived that we need to use common sense in public policy, and this time the court did not do so. We will have to agree to disagree on this issue, but I appreciate hearing from you. This is an issue where there are strong views on both sides.

Thanks again for contacting me.


I wonder what Conrad will write...

[ July 30, 2002: Message edited by: Evolved ]</p>

GaryP

It sounds as if his staff at least separated the letters into pro & con stacks.

Darwin's Finch

Yet another claim that the court got it wrong without explaining exactly why the ruling was wrong. I know a politician is a politician is a politician, but I actually have some respect for Dorgan and it disappoints me to see him ducking the issue with such a weak response.