[old republic]

What do you mean by "cave so easily?" Who has caved? This case has already been granted certiorari to be heard before the Supreme Court or is pending isn't it, right? If the Feds get involved, the city will lose standing and the case will be declard moot and the whole process will have to be repeated all of the way back to the Supreme Court. This could be an opportunity for the Supreme Court to take a stand.

[newzjunkey]

The Feds have a much stronger position from which to defend the war memorial than the city. Most of the City's problem comes from language in the state constitution. Of course, we also have state law that specifically runs afoul of that and specifically protects Native American tribe's religious ceremonies and symbols on public lands.