Alert: Bill To Stop Taxpayer Funding Of ACLU Up For Vote Tuesday

Stop The ACLU ^ | 25-Sep-06 | John Stephenson

[GOPJ]

Please add me to your ping list. Thanks.

[Cicero]

I have been getting a lot of mail on this subject from a variety of organizations.

It's definitely time to put on the pressure. I believe the majority of Americans would oppose taxpayer funding of the ACLU if they were familiar with the details. All it needs is publicity and pressure on vulnerable politicians.

A lot of legislators are lawyers, and lawyers stick together, so this will certainly need pressure.

[mugs99]

I agree with you. The law may be struck down on this basis. The question is: should it? The Establishment Clause doctrines have so little to do with original intent that a future court dominated by originalists will, I hope, roll back those absurdities.

Our chances of getting a court of originalists are very slim, but I agree with you.

Whether or not Muslim symbols that have relevance to American history can be affected by this proposed legislation is irrelevant since there aren't any

Today's court doesn't allow history to play a role. Government can't can't favor one sect or creed over another. I know that's a stretch in the case of landmarks, but the SCOTUS does alot of stretching these days.
.

[cgk]

BTTT

[cgk]

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2006
109TH CONGRESS - SECOND SESSION

H.R. 2679:

to amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to eliminate the chilling effect on the constitutionally protected expression of religion by State and local officials that results from the threat that potential litigants may seek damages and attorney's fees

2:36 P.M. -

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2679.

[azhenfud]

"This legislation will stop your taxes from paying the ACLU to attack our Christian heritage and symbols."

Fair is fair - there should be equal tax dollars expended for the defense as is expensed for the plaintiffs.

With that said, Christians are due hugh backpayments!

[cgk]

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2006
109TH CONGRESS - SECOND SESSION
3:38 P.M. -

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2679:

to amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to eliminate the chilling effect on the constitutionally protected expression of religion by State and local officials that results from the threat that potential litigants may seek damages and attorney's fees

3:35 P.M. -

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

[cgk]

The page was just edited, it now reads this:

3:35 P.M. -

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of the debate on H.R. 2679, the Chair put the question on adoption of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until later in the legislative day.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

[Jay777]

So, what does that mean? That it is postponed until later today but it looks likely to pass?

[Jay777]

Just got this in the email:

Comrades, Colleagues, and Patriots:

Debate in the House of Representatives today on the Public Expression of Religion Act, HR 2679 has concluded.

A roll call vote will be taken at about 6:30 EDT (3:30 PDT).

We have approximately two hours to call, e-mail, and fax Members of Congress to
vote for PERA and stop ACLU's profiteering through taxpayer-paid attorneys ordered by judges in Establishment Clause cases against veterans memorials, including Mt. Soledad National War Memorial; the Boy Scouts; public display of the Ten Commandments or other symbols of our American history and heritage which have a religious aspect.

Please, call, e-mail, or fax Members of the House to urge them to pass PERA, HR 2679.

Contact is very easy: just go to www.Legion.org, click "Legislation" on the home page, and it will take to a director of all pending legislation, and Members of the House. You can send an e-mail directly through the Legion website. Telephone numbers and fax numbers are also available there.

American Legion National Commander Paul Morin issued a strong call on Congress to enact PERA, HR 2679 (and S. 3696, in the Senate) in a statement issued today from the National Headquarters in which he urged passage of PERA to end "judicial blackmail." (See the statement at www.Legion.org).

Also, two of America's most decorated war heroes, former Senator Jeremiah Denton, Rear Admiral (USN, ret.), who spent seven years and seven months as a POW in Vietnam, and Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady (USA, ret.), Medal of Honor recipient, issued a joint statement which was delivered to all Members of the 109th Congress yesterday calling for urgent action to pass PERA. Their statement, as eloquent as it is powerful, is attached for your consideration.

Time is running out: Please call, e-mail, or fax now to your representative in Congress to urge them to vote for PERA.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY FOREVER; SURRENDER TO THE ACLU --NEVER!

--Rees

REES LLOYD, Attorney
Commander, American Legion District 21 (Cal.),
Director, Defense of Veterans Memorials Project
of The American Legion Department of California

[EdReform]

BTTT

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

I emailed my Rep. Prayers up.

[ga medic]

"The law would not apply in a general way to any symbol without relevance to American history. How would it affect a Muslim?"

Have you read the actual law? It is not limited to American history. It also includes the phase "included in but not limited to"

The question of how it affects a Muslim, is this. Suppose your town has a judge who is Muslim and wants verses from the Koran on the wall of his courtroom. (because of the history of Justice in the Koran -sarcasm) Citizens sue to have it removed. After a long battle it is removed, but you cannot make him pay damages or your legal fees. Meanwhile another Muslim who is high up in the school district, wants a monument to Muslims who died in 9-11 on his school grounds, complete with Muslim symbols and quotes from Mohummad. You sue.....same story. Without recourse for legal fees, and damages, it is impossible to get them to quit.
It sounds good to some if it is the 10 commandments, but not if its the Koran. Problem is that it is impossible to legally distinguish between the 2. The ACLU will not be stopped by this measure, and it stands to hurt Christianity as much as benefit it.

[NutCrackerBoy]

Have you read the actual law? It is not limited to American history.

No, I have not read it. I cannot find a link. I trusted the text above that said "veterans memorials, the Boy Scouts, or the public display of the Ten Commandments of other symbols of America’s history with a religious aspect."

OK I'll stipulate your interpretation "that it is impossible to legally distinguish between the 2." What's the worst case? Your "nightmare scenario" is not even that big of a deal. For every 99 cases where the ACLU not only conducts legal terrorism but also reaps court costs (STOPPED!), there might be one of the type you mention.