'spellbinding,' godless performance
Antidote client Michael Newdow presented his arguments before the Supreme Court Wednesday. The Times called it a "spellbinding performance" ("Atheist Presents Case for Taking God From Pledge"). See excerpts of the arguments from both sides.
Most legal experts (and most journalists) agree that Newdow is correct. Even the Times' William Safire acknowledges the technical merits: "The only thing this time-wasting pest Newdow has going for him is that he's right. Those of us who believe in God don't need to inject our faith into a patriotic affirmation and coerce all schoolchildren into going along."
Some of them, however, don't believe it's worthy of debate. An oft-cited statistic is that 90% of Americans don't believe the words "under God" should be removed from the pledge. But perhaps those statistics would change now that Newdow has encouraged people to question the meaning of what millions of children are pledging to each morning (as this sampling of letters to the editor of the Times show).
Regardless, the court is trying to dodge the matter -- lest they rile the culture wars during an election year. A decision is expected by July.
Most legal experts (and most journalists) agree that Newdow is correct. Even the Times' William Safire acknowledges the technical merits: "The only thing this time-wasting pest Newdow has going for him is that he's right. Those of us who believe in God don't need to inject our faith into a patriotic affirmation and coerce all schoolchildren into going along."
Some of them, however, don't believe it's worthy of debate. An oft-cited statistic is that 90% of Americans don't believe the words "under God" should be removed from the pledge. But perhaps those statistics would change now that Newdow has encouraged people to question the meaning of what millions of children are pledging to each morning (as this sampling of letters to the editor of the Times show).
Regardless, the court is trying to dodge the matter -- lest they rile the culture wars during an election year. A decision is expected by July.
responsible journalism
What's an ethically minded journalist to do when he's ensconced in a culture of Jayson Blairs, Fox "journalism" and embedded war reporters -- and he sees no way out? Turn to a hotline, of course: Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists.
one nation, "under god"?
On Wednesday, March 24, two little words could shake the country. I'm not referring to "I do" and gay marriage but "under God" and the Pledge of Allegiance.
That day the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case questioning whether the phrase, added to the pledge in 1954, represents government-sponsored religion, thus violating the First Amendment. This case will decide whether the pledge should be banned from public schools. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in February 2003 that it is unconstitutional and should be banned. It stayed its decision, pending the Supreme Court case.
Antidote Collective is currently helping with the media surrounding Michael Newdow, the California physician/lawyer/father who brought the case against his daughter's California school district and is arguing the case before the Supreme Court.
Whatever happens, it's already ignited debate about the religious roots of our country and that infusion into government. As ReligionLink notes (here): "Is the United States really one nation, under God? Is the phrase a religious statement, or a symbolic one? If nine out of 10 Americans say they believe in God (see poll), should the pledge include 'Under God'"?
One journalist has even proferred that if Newdow wins, Kerry will surely lose the election, as the Christian right comes out (excuse the pun) in full to challenge the liberal decline of our country, what with gays being given marriage rights, barring the pledge from public schools or even removing those two words from it, etc.
Stay tuned.
Background event
"Under God? A Discussion of the Constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance"
(sponsored by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)
Friday March 19 in Washington, DC
More info
Michael Newdow's site
Pledge of Allegiance Resource Page from the Pew Forum
That day the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case questioning whether the phrase, added to the pledge in 1954, represents government-sponsored religion, thus violating the First Amendment. This case will decide whether the pledge should be banned from public schools. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in February 2003 that it is unconstitutional and should be banned. It stayed its decision, pending the Supreme Court case.
Antidote Collective is currently helping with the media surrounding Michael Newdow, the California physician/lawyer/father who brought the case against his daughter's California school district and is arguing the case before the Supreme Court.
Whatever happens, it's already ignited debate about the religious roots of our country and that infusion into government. As ReligionLink notes (here): "Is the United States really one nation, under God? Is the phrase a religious statement, or a symbolic one? If nine out of 10 Americans say they believe in God (see poll), should the pledge include 'Under God'"?
One journalist has even proferred that if Newdow wins, Kerry will surely lose the election, as the Christian right comes out (excuse the pun) in full to challenge the liberal decline of our country, what with gays being given marriage rights, barring the pledge from public schools or even removing those two words from it, etc.
Stay tuned.
Background event
"Under God? A Discussion of the Constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance"
(sponsored by The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life)
Friday March 19 in Washington, DC
More info
Michael Newdow's site
Pledge of Allegiance Resource Page from the Pew Forum
Spain's 9/11
From the Times: Spain Struggles to Absorb Worst Terrorist Attack in Its History.
"The government declared a three-day period of mourning but said that general elections would proceed on Sunday as scheduled."
It's interesting to note that immediately after our own worst terrorist attack in US history, our government (federal and NYC) declared a period of consumerism as usual.
"But the attacks, which Spaniards were quick to call the country's '9/11,' clearly took [Prime Minister José María] Aznar, his government and the Spanish people by surprise. In an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Aznar, who survived an E.T.A. attack years ago, boasted that terrorism 'is a lot weaker than it was.'"
Was this Aznar's version of Bush's "Bring 'em on!"?
"But Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the banned Basque separatist party Batasuna, which Spanish courts link to E.T.A., said the group probably wasn't behind today's attacks, saying that they could have been the work of 'Arab resistance.'
"Despite overwhelming popular opposition, Spain was one of the most fervent supporters of the American-led war in Iraq, and there are 1,300 Spanish troops on Iraqi soil."
Is the world a safer place since the US began its "freedom" operations?
"The government declared a three-day period of mourning but said that general elections would proceed on Sunday as scheduled."
It's interesting to note that immediately after our own worst terrorist attack in US history, our government (federal and NYC) declared a period of consumerism as usual.
"But the attacks, which Spaniards were quick to call the country's '9/11,' clearly took [Prime Minister José María] Aznar, his government and the Spanish people by surprise. In an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Aznar, who survived an E.T.A. attack years ago, boasted that terrorism 'is a lot weaker than it was.'"
Was this Aznar's version of Bush's "Bring 'em on!"?
"But Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the banned Basque separatist party Batasuna, which Spanish courts link to E.T.A., said the group probably wasn't behind today's attacks, saying that they could have been the work of 'Arab resistance.'
"Despite overwhelming popular opposition, Spain was one of the most fervent supporters of the American-led war in Iraq, and there are 1,300 Spanish troops on Iraqi soil."
Is the world a safer place since the US began its "freedom" operations?
dalai lama documentary
An email from The Nation magazine today:
"What does one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders have to say to an America that many claim has lost its moral direction? Last September in New York’s Town Hall, the Dalai Lama told a capacity-filled crowd that nothing less than an 'ethical revolution' was critical in the US today. [I agree.]
"Addressing a series of public panels with special invited guests — including Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel, Susan Sarandon, [Democracy Now's] Amy Goodman, Dennis Kucinich, Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons — the Dalai Lama gave his audience a rare glimpse into his enlightening teachings, peaceful nature and surprisingly sharp sense of humor.
"This Sunday, March 7th, a documentary about this remarkable, day-long conference will air exclusively on Link TV, a national satellite television network available in more than 21 million homes, offering millions of others the opportunity to witness this extraordinary event."
Program details for "Ethics and the World Crisis: A Dialogue with the Dalai Lama" here.
Nation editor vanden Heuvel's October 4, 2003 account of the event is also posted to her blog here.
"What does one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders have to say to an America that many claim has lost its moral direction? Last September in New York’s Town Hall, the Dalai Lama told a capacity-filled crowd that nothing less than an 'ethical revolution' was critical in the US today. [I agree.]
"Addressing a series of public panels with special invited guests — including Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel, Susan Sarandon, [Democracy Now's] Amy Goodman, Dennis Kucinich, Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons — the Dalai Lama gave his audience a rare glimpse into his enlightening teachings, peaceful nature and surprisingly sharp sense of humor.
"This Sunday, March 7th, a documentary about this remarkable, day-long conference will air exclusively on Link TV, a national satellite television network available in more than 21 million homes, offering millions of others the opportunity to witness this extraordinary event."
Program details for "Ethics and the World Crisis: A Dialogue with the Dalai Lama" here.
Nation editor vanden Heuvel's October 4, 2003 account of the event is also posted to her blog here.
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