From: Gary L. Bauer
President, American Values
Date: Friday, November 14, 2003
In the midst of a marathon debate in the United States Senate over the proper role of the federal judiciary, Judge Roy Moore learned his fate for refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument he placed in the Alabama Supreme Court. The Alabama Court of the Judiciary issued the harshest penalty possible - expelling Roy Moore from his position as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
I know there is some disagreement as to whether or not Roy Moore did the right thing by not obeying the federal court order to remove the monument. But consider this: If a judge had refused to comply with the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery as a constitutional right, in retrospect that judge would have been hailed for his moral courage. I believe history will look favorably upon Judge Roy Moore for resisting an ideology that is hell bent on stripping every vestige of faith from the public square.
After his trial ended, Moore raised a few eyebrows when he stated he would make an announcement soon that "could alter the course of this country." Some think he may run for public office, perhaps even president, as a protest candidate.
Stay tuned - this issue isn't going to go away any time soon. In fact, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling yesterday that seemed to vindicate Moore -- it held that a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas state capitol is not in violation of the Constitution. So, a Ten Commandments monument in Texas is okay, but not in Alabama?
Though the media is ignoring it, there is a growing sense of frustration sweeping Middle America. Spontaneous rallies in defense of the Ten Commandments have been popping up attracting hundreds, sometimes even thousands of people. If you think there is a backlash brewing now, we may well be on the verge of a movement the likes of which this nation hasn't seen in generations.
I am finding more and more legal scholars here in Washington who are concerned that the Supreme Court may well tie 4-to-4 on the upcoming Pledge of Allegiance case. A tie vote would uphold the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because it mentions God. If that happens, I suspect America's "silent majority" will once again find its voice.
So many people are sick and tired of having their most cherished beliefs and values trashed by our "public servants" - the government bureaucrats and federal judges whose salaries we pay and the elected politicians who hold public office at our pleasure.
If the people of California could recall Gray Davis over blackouts and car taxes, men and women of faith should do no less in defense of the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance and the sanctity of traditional marriage!
