Crossposted from Stop The ACLU
Well it comes at no surprise to us at Stop The ACLU and Wide Awakes Radio that the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to passage of H.R. 2679, the Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005.
A review of the bill is as follows:
PERA would eliminate the ability for judges to award attorney’s fees compensation to groups like the ACLU in Establishment Clause cases only. These fees where originally authorized by CONGRESS so that good attorneys wouldn’t be dissuaded from accepting civil rights cases pro bono.
But in the hands of the ACLU it has become a source of income for the organization. In any other type of lawsuit, ie: personal injury, the attorney’s fee if any comes out of the settlement with their client if they prevail. But not under the law authorizing these fees.
The ACLU actively shops around for reasons to challenge any public displays of religion in order to collect these “attorneys’ fees”. This has led to a systematic removal of your Constitutional protections under the 1st Amendment to freely exercise your religious beliefs. They accomplish this by judge shopping. They shop for a district to present a case in. A district in which one of their “best buddies” activist judges will hear the case and more often than not, rule in the favor of the ACLU.
The ACLU prefers to bring these types of lawsuits against cities, towns, and states which are usually cash strapped. First it is a matter of sending a letter to the governing body recommending that they cease and desist from further allowing public displays of religion. That if they fail to do so, it will cost the city, town, or state massive amounts of money to defend against them in court. And usually, a city or town is likely to not challenge. They will capitulate to the will of the ACLU. But if it does come to trial and they prevail, the amounts awarded to the prevailing party are often compounded by the amounts awarded to the ACLU attorney(s) for fees that had they NOT prevailed, would have gone uncollected.
This is extortion. Do what we tell you or something bad is going to happen. Pure unadulterated extortion.
It is these practices that the Public Display of Religion Act of 2005 (H.R. 2679) promises to eliminate so of course the ACLU would be opposed to its passage. They aren’t interested in protecting your right to freely express your religious beliefs in public.
From the ACLU’s News Release on H.R. 2679 dated 07.26.06:
The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the House Judiciary Committee to reject H.R. 2679, the “Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005″ (PERA). The panel is expected to vote on the legislation today [meaning Wednesday - in committee]. The bill would bar the recovery of attorneys’ fees to citizens who win lawsuits asserting their fundamental constitutional and civil rights in cases brought under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
“If this bill were to become law, Congress would, for the first time, single out one area protected by the Bill of Rights and prevent its full enforcement,” said Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “Proponents of the measure claim that the bill is needed to protect religious freedom, when in fact, the bill would undermine it. We hope that the committee will stand for the Constitution and reject this unwise proposal.” emphasis mine
Hold the presses… Stop Stop Stop…..
Did they actually make an argument that if the bill becomes law, Congress would single out a Constitutional protection and block it from enforcement?
WRONG!
The only thing being discussed is a law written and adopted by Congress for the awarding of the fees. And the removal of the fees from a certain kind of cases in order to remove the ability for unscrupulous people like the ACLU to abuse it. In other words, shop around for cases in order to create a money making enterprise out of the award.
The so-call establishment clause only appears one place, in the first Amendment. The leftists at the ACLU are addicted to abusing the so-call protection of separation of church and state. Which is a fantasy created by people like the ACLU in order to have grounds in which to remove religion from the public sphere. Here’s what it actually says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Amendment I of the United States Constitution
Where is this phantom “separation of church and state”? I don’t see it mentioned.
I do see a provision whereby the Congress of the United States is preventing from making a law which establishes a religion in the United States. The founders were escaping a government that dictated that if you didn’t follow the Church of England, you were a criminal. This is what they were trying to avoid.
I fail to see how putting a nativity scene in the public square or a cross being present on a war memorial constitutes Congress making such a law. Because Erie, PA allows the erection of a nativity scene in Perry Square doesn’t constitute Congress taking any action what-so-ever to establish a national religion.
Democrats strongly opposed the bill yesterday.
A veterans’ group, the American Legion, has pushed for the legislation out of concern that war memorials and cemeteries could be cleansed of religious symbols. Mr. Nadler called the gravestone issue a “red herring” and submitted a letter in which the ACLU said it would “vigorously defend” the rights of veterans to use any religious symbol they choose on grave markers. The letter did not address the use of Christian crosses in publicly owned group memorials or tombs for unknown soldiers.
…..
After more than an hour of debate yesterday, the committee adjourned before taking an up-or-down vote on the bill.
But the ACLU would have you believe otherwise. Their press release continues:
The ability to recover attorneys’ fees in civil rights and constitutional cases, including Establishment Clause cases, is necessary to help protect the religious freedom of all Americans and to keep religion government-free. People who successfully prove the government has violated their constitutional rights would, under the bill, be required to pay their own legal fees — often totaling tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Few citizens can afford to do so. But more importantly citizens should not be required to do so where the court finds that the government has violated their rights and engaged in unconstitutional behavior.
The ability of the ACLU to collect attorney’s fees in establishment clause Cases does not protect your religious freedoms, it attacks them. The ACLU actively shops for these types of cases because in the hands of judges like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Chief Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union and former National Board member, the ACLU will prevail every time. And it becomes a business.
It is time that these types of abuse be brought to an end. Call, write, email, fax, and visit if you can , your Congressman and urge him to vote for the Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005 (H.R. 2679), and put an end to the abuse and prostitution of our Constitution and our Judicial Branch of government.
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This bill is nothing more than a foot in the door for warmongering theocrats who already have blood on their hands.
And you know it.
I believe the professor was right on every point made. Twisting the words in the constitution for their benefit has become quite a profitable game for “those who know whats best for us” for too long. I can think of another group of people who do the same thing…criminals.
Liberal prof, you’re like a cartoon! Do you say “man” a lot and skip bath time? Shine on you crazy diamond!
“Liberal prof, you’re like a cartoon!”
Ummm…no, not really.
“Do you say “man†a lot”
No.
“and skip bath time?”
Nope. I shower every day (save an occasional lazy weekend day when I laze around at home).
Your kidding right? Warmongering theocrats? When a Christmas display is put up on the town hall lawn that must be the work of theocrats. Where the “Warmongers” fit in you’ll have to explain.
I was wondering, are a Liberal Arts Prof?
“Your kidding right?”
No, I’m not.
“Warmongering theocrats?”
Yep.
“When a Christmas display is put up on the town hall lawn that must be the work of theocrats. Where the “Warmongers†fit in you’ll have to explain.”
Xmas displays are irrelevant. I’m talking about stopping the vast amount of progress that you theocrats have made in the past 20 years.
“I was wondering, are a Liberal Arts Prof?”
…? You mean am *I* a liberal arts professor? If so, then no. My discipline isn’t considered by many to be a liberal art. In fact, I’m more or less surrounded by conservatives here.
_____________________
First things first. I am indeed a Warmonger… Theocrat? No.
Respecting your academic disipline. I was simply curious, and yes that was a typo which you diciphered correctly.
What progress is it exactly that has your nickers in a twist? And why do you think such progress has been made. I haven’t had theocrats ram a bible down my throat lately. So, I’m not to worried about the Inquisition these days.
Good luck with your conservative co-workers. When I was in school I was pretty much in the company of Liberals. So, I have certain amount of empathy for your circumstances.
“I am indeed a Warmonger”
Well, at least you admit to it.
“Theocrat? No.”
I doubt it.
“What progress is it exactly that has your nickers in a twist?”
Like I said, progress towards a theocracy. Atheists are second-class citizens in this country. In fact, the University of Minnesota recently released a study concluding that atheists are *by far* the most distrusted minority in the country.
Call me crazy, but I’d like to live in a society where I’m not put to death for my lack of belief…maybe if I’m lucky, I can live to see the US turn into a place where atheists are not spat upon nor threatened with death merely for being atheists.
“And why do you think such progress has been made.”
Simple: the theocrats wield a large amount of political power and seem to be gaining power with each passing day.
“I haven’t had theocrats ram a bible down my throat lately.”
Of course not! You’re a xian. You’d be part of the ruling class of a xian theocracy. Isn’t that obvious?
“Good luck with your conservative co-workers.”
Thanks. With any luck, I’ll have tenure very soon…then I can sound off about the repugnant theocrat propoganda that frequently surrounds me.
Professor,
I think it might be useful to define Theocrat. Theocrat - Someone who believes they rule through or by divine authority. I know of no public officials (GOP or otherwise) anywhere in the US who fit that definition.
Perhaps I’ve been watching to much FOX News. I was completely unaware that atheist were being put to death. Or, maybe you are crazy.
I had no idea that I was a member of ruling class. Now I’m drunk with power!
At this point I can only come to 3 conclusions:
1. You are not serious, but playing around.
2. You are indeed crazy. Maybe schizo paranoid.
3. Or, finally you are simply bitter about a lack of acceptance for your far out views.
Athiest and Leftist in general have not been able to convince the public that their views and stances make sense. Therefore, everyone else is out to get them (you), stupid or a religious bigot.
At any rate, chatting with you has been somewhat bizarre, but enjoyable.
P.S. Don’t worry. I’m fairly certain no one will execute you for views (unless of course you live in Texas).
Hi all,
As an atheist I can comfortably tell you that we are in fact not being put to death as policy anywhere in the United States.
I cannot speak for other cultures or the occasional random fanatical crazy.
I am also personally uninjured in any way by religious memorials. I wouldn’t even object to being buried under one, as being dead I wouldn’t care.
I suppose I’m a part of the conspiricy then, how exciting! I wonder when I’ll get my EAC black helicopter?
Jetgirl,
Well I’m glad to hear no one is being excuted for being an Atheist. Oh, by all means please join the Conspiracy. Ruling the Nation as a “Warmongering Theocrat” is loads of fun. I wouldn’t trade my Black Helicopter for anything.
Well, if you’ll please excuse me I have some political prisoners to oppress and torture. Work work work…