June 28, 2002
Friday - 12:50 am

Alaska Congressman Don Young:

"This is just another example of why the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals does not serve the people of Alaska. I have been trying for years to split the Ninth Circuit into two separate circuits - separate from Alaska. This just reinforces my belief that justice isn't served by its liberal bias. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals obviously doesn't understand the meaning of God."

Richard J. Santos, National Commander of The American Legion:

This decision is ridiculous.

If the word 'God' makes the Pledge unconstitutional, aren't the oaths taken by witnesses in the very same courtrooms also unconstitutional?

Do these judges believe that United States currency, which has the statement 'In God we Trust' engraved on it, somehow violates the Constitution?

Each session of Congress starts with a prayer. What would they have us believe, that our elected representatives who took an oath are also in violation of our Constitution?

Are these judges saying that millions of American schoolchildren are to be deprived of the privilege of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance because one person and two judges are offended by the mention of God?

If the pledge is unconstitutional, so is the Declaration of Independence, since it refers to 'nature's God,' a 'Creator' and the 'protection of divine providence.'

The American people know this is wrong. They will not be swayed by the twisted logic of judges who have taken prayer out of schools and ruled that burning our nation's flag is speech.

This decision cannot stand. We believe the American people will not allow it to stand. And The American Legion will stand with the American people all the way to the Supreme Court.

Glen A. Tobias, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director:

The decision is wrong. It goes against the culture and traditions of this country, which was founded on principles respectful of faith. The statement, "one nation under God" does not proclaim nor endorse any religion. And we hope that it will be reversed on appeal, to return to the American people a constitutional ability to express themselves in a Pledge of Allegiance which includes a recognition of God.

The controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance is unfortunate. It threatens to trivialize church-state separation issues and divert our attention from much more important First Amendment challenges - such as vouchers, school prayer initiatives and "charitable choice." At this time of national crisis, it is important to keep perspective. We believe there are more important challenges where our efforts should be focused.

Sandy Rios, President Concerned Women for America (CWA):

The Ninth Circuit must not be allowed to force their damnable arrogance on the rest of us.

The United States is no longer a nation 'under God,' says the San Francisco-based ninth circuit court. I wonder if those judges expressed that on September 11th when most of us were brought to our knees, acknowledging there is a power greater than ourselves.

While this court has demonstrated quite clearly that THEY are indeed not 'under God,' let us here and now declare that they must speak for themselves and not for this nation. All of the convoluted decisions of all of the manmade courts in history will never be able to diminish the omnipotent power of the Creator over all mankind. While they may be under the foolish notion that we
have surpassed the need to honor or acknowledge Him, they must not be allowed to force their damnable arrogance on the rest of us.

We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal. And that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.' So penned the founders of this great nation and it was their acknowledgement of that Creator that drove their passion to create the freedom these "free-thinking" activist judges are now exercising.

This ruling portrays the Left's agenda as clearly as it can be portrayed. This is why it is imperative for the U.S. Senate to proceed with confirming President Bush's nominees to our federal courts and why Democrats must stop holding these judges hostage to petty politics ... such as the not-so-petty politics that drove this ruling.

I can't imagine there will be a single Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee who will agree with this ruling. It's time for the political gamesmanship to stop and to proceed with the confirmation of good men and women to the federal bench who will honor the Constitution and not declare it 'unconstitutional'. Our very foundation is now at risk."

 

AMVETS National Commander Joseph W. Lipowski:

We stand solidly behind the president and Congress on this issue and I think the vast majority of Americans feel the same way.

The reference to God in the Pledge is part of our heritage. As veterans, we have fought to preserve that heritage. One has only to look at the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution to see similar references.

The 9th Circuit had ruled that the phrase "under God" inserted in the Pledge by Congress in 1954 violated a constitutional clause requiring a separation of church and state. The ruling is abhorrent to any self-respecting citizen of this country.

If some individuals object to living in a nation 'under God,' I would say to them that nobody is forcing them to live here. America was founded on religious principles, and they have guided our destiny for more than 225 years. May God continue to bless America.

Richard A. Gephardt, House Democratic Leader:

The Pledge of Allegiance is a simple, eloquent statement of American values. For more than four decades, school children have recited it in classrooms and scout meetings across the country.

Today, I see no reason to change the time-tested, venerable pledge that is such a central part of our country's life and our nation's heritage.

Our legal system allows for other courts to review this decision, and I hope it will be overturned by another federal court.

 

James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman:

Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals treated the word 'God' as a poison pill. Rarely has any court - even the notoriously liberal Ninth Circuit - shown such disdain for the will of the people, an Act of Congress, and our American traditions. What's next, a court ruling taking 'In God We Trust' off of money?

In truth, today's ruling is the latest in a string of rulings by misguided courts misinterpreting the U.S. Constitution's establishment clause. In this case, children were not compelled to say the pledge and under West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, individuals cannot be compelled to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We recognize the right of those who do not share the beliefs expressed in the Pledge not to recite the pledge, but this ruling treats religious speech as inherently evil. This is an attempt to remove religious speech from the public arena by those who disagree. In essence, it's a heckler's veto.

Unfortunately, the continued obstruction by the Senate to appoint common-sense judges only ensures more rulings like today's. I'm confident today's ruling will end up as merely the latest in a long stream of misguided rulings from the Ninth Circuit. We in Congress will do whatever it takes to void this laughable ruling.

Source : News Releases

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