April 29th, 2010

Inspired by Decision on cross highlights high court’s church-state rift (Washington Post 4/29/10).

“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.” – The First Amendment

 

“The cross is not a universal symbol of sacrifice. It is the symbol of one particular sacrifice, and that sacrifice carries deeply significant meaning for those who adhere to the Christian faith.” – dissenting Justice John Paul Stevens.

A propos freedom of religion,

The Supreme Court has made another 5-4 decision.

The Mojave Cross can remain on public land, the Court announced,

Which the “Restore the Constitution” crowd then roundly denounced.

Oh wait, I accidentally got that reversed

(Sorry, consistency-seekers, your bubble to burst).

The Constitution-restorers actually took the opposite position,

Supporting the Court’s decision.

As every Constitution restorer knows,

It’s only “activism” if you oppose.

Their version of the Constitution stops at Amendment Two,

And even Amendment One is read in that light too.

Allowing free exercise of religion only refers to Christianity,

So it’s OK to have crosses on public property.

And the right to assemble peaceably

Means bring weapons to intimidate those with whom you disagree.

The cross at issue honors American soldiers who died in World War I,

A worthy cause, if it weren’t for that pesky Amendment One.

If only there were another symbol that we could utilize

That the Constitution wouldn’t brutalize.

Something that would represent what those soldiers died for

That the Constitution wouldn’t have to be defied for.

Something that would symbolize their cause

Without triggering that annoying Establishment Clause.

Sorry to be such a constitutional nag,

But why don’t we just use the American flag?

And Restorers, just remember that the rest of the Constitution gets lonely

When you talk about the Second Amendment only.

***

Here from a live 1969 performance is your theme music for today, One by Three Dog Night.

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