Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ron Garrett · 08-02-2002, 11:27 AM

This is the response I received from David Price who seems to have kept above the ballyhoo. He's not on our side, but he's not joining the snake handlers either and I appreciated his response [especially after the crap I got back from Senator John Edwards, which totally hewed to the "Christian Nation" line. If Edwards runs in the Democratic presidential primaries have the sense to just say no to another weather vane politician.] Congressman Price's letter follows:

Quote:

Dear Mr. Garrett:

Thank you for letting me know of your support for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance.

On June 26, 2002, a three judge Appeals Court panel ruled in Newdow v. U.S. Congress that a school district's policy of starting each school day with the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional. In a 2-1 decision, the court overturned a 1954 act of Congress that inserted the phrase "under God" in the pledge, stating that it constituted an improper endorsement of religion, thus violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

I do not believe that the inclusion of this phrase represents an establishment of religion as it has historically been understood, and I expect the decision to be reversed. That does not justify the kind of opportunistic demagoguery some politicians have engaged in, however. This is an issue on which reasonable people can differ, and I would hope these differences could be expressed with civility and respect.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to stay in touch on issues of concern.

Sincerely,

DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress

Toto · 08-02-2002, 11:58 AM

That is about the best you could hope for from a politician who has to run for reelection outside of Northern California.

He has essentially said that the phrase "under God" is meaningless.

Stephen Maturin · 08-02-2002, 12:05 PM

Quote:

That does not justify the kind of opportunistic demagoguery some politicians have engaged in, however.

If nothing else, it's downright refreshing to see a House member giving an honest, accurate description of the shenanigans that took place on Capitol Hill after the Ninth Circuit announced its decision.

Toto · 08-02-2002, 12:55 PM

<a href="http://www.house.gov/price/biography.htm" target="_blank">http://www.house.gov/price/biography.htm</a>

He represents the Research Triangle in North Caroline. He has a BA in Divinity(!) from Yale (1964) and a PhD in Political Science (1969 - kept him out of Vietnam).

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08-02-2002, 11:58 AM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	That is about the best you could hope for from a politician who has to run for reelection outside of Northern California. He has essentially said that the phrase "under God" is meaningless.

08-02-2002, 12:55 PM	#4
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	<a href="http://www.house.gov/price/biography.htm" target="_blank">http://www.house.gov/price/biography.htm</a> He represents the Research Triangle in North Caroline. He has a BA in Divinity(!) from Yale (1964) and a PhD in Political Science (1969 - kept him out of Vietnam).

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