Another "Ten Commandments Judge" goes nuts

[KirkVining]

This is intolerable. Welcome to the Amerika.


Judge's Robe Bears Ten Commandments
Wednesday, December 15, 2004


MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A judge refused to delay a trial Tuesday when an attorney objected to his wearing a judicial robe with the Ten Commandments embroidered on the front in gold.

Circuit Judge Ashley McKathan showed up Monday at his Covington County courtroom in southern Alabama wearing the robe. Attorneys who try cases at the courthouse said they had not seen him wearing it before. The commandments were described as being big enough to read by anyone near the judge.

Attorney Riley Powell, defending a client charged with DUI, filed a motion objecting to the robe and asking that the case be continued. He said McKathan denied both motions.

"I feel this creates a distraction that affects my client," Powell said.

McKathan told The Associated Press that he believes the Ten Commandments represent the truth "and you can't divorce the law from the truth. ... The Ten Commandments can help a judge know the difference between right and wrong."

He said he doesn't believe the commandments on his robe would have an adverse effect on jurors.

"I had a choice of several sizes of letters. I purposely chose a size that would not be in anybody's face," he said.

The case raised comparisons to former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore , who was removed from office in 2003 for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building in Montgomery.

Moore said Tuesday he supports McKathan's decision to wear the Ten Commandments robe.

"I applaud Judge McKathan. It is time for our judiciary to recognize the moral basis of our law," Moore said.

Powell said if he loses his case, he expects the judge's wearing of the Ten Commandments robe to be part of an appeal.

[djugurba]

I propose a new homeland for agnostics. Let's call it... Agnosticstan? I'm running for President of Agnosticstan. I'll also serve as chief justice on the Agnosticstani superior court. I've called it superior, as supreme sounds more like a hamburger or oldsmobile than a court. As chief justice, I'll have the power to launch, via trebuche or catapult, anyone whom I choose. Most likely via trebuche. Tha-whunk-a-whoooosh! No more crackhead ten commandments judges. Problem solved. I'm gonna like it around here in Agnosticstan!

[shane]

Well at least the southern part of the united states is throwing off all those unwanted and unsubstantiated rumors about being backwards.

[KirkVining]

In other news from Amerika:


Recall Election Set For Trustee Who Won't Stand For Pledge

POSTED: 9:53 am MST December 15, 2004
UPDATED: 10:29 am MST December 15, 2004

DENVER -- A recall election is now set for an Estes Park Town trustee who refuses to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the Town Board meetings.

David Habecker sits while others stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I have not been standing for the Pledge of Allegiance due to a conflict I have with the wording of the pledge, specifically the words 'under God,'" Councilman David Habecker said.

Habecker said it's a violation of church and state to include the words in the pledge and for that reason, he won't stand.

The board began reciting the pledge before meetings earlier this year at the suggestion of Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark. She suggested it as a way to show respect for the country during wartime.

Jeffrey-Clark said Habecker is expressing his personal views, not representing townspeople, when he sits down.

Habecker, who's served on the Town Board for 12 years, said he doesn't oppose the meaning of the pledge, and considers himself a patriot.

But some other council members and residents are upset about his actions and have enough signatures to hold a recall election. That recall election will occur Tuesday, Feb. 15.

All residents will vote on whether or not to recall David Habecker and a choice for his replacement in the event the recall passes. The recall is expected to cost a few thousand dollars.

"I'm sad for the community, that there is that much intolerance in our community. But if the people want to have a voice in what's going on, this is their way of doing it. And I will respect whatever the wishes of the community are," Habecker said.

Estes Park, which has about 5,500 residents, is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver.



Copyright 2004 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[djugurba]

Note to Agnosticstan ministry of immigration: Send application materials to David Habecker, Estes Park CO. possible cabinet member.

Originally Posted by KirkVining

In other news from Amerika:


Recall Election Set For Trustee Who Won't Stand For Pledge

POSTED: 9:53 am MST December 15, 2004
UPDATED: 10:29 am MST December 15, 2004

DENVER -- A recall election is now set for an Estes Park Town trustee who refuses to stand up and recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the Town Board meetings.

David Habecker sits while others stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I have not been standing for the Pledge of Allegiance due to a conflict I have with the wording of the pledge, specifically the words 'under God,'" Councilman David Habecker said.

Habecker said it's a violation of church and state to include the words in the pledge and for that reason, he won't stand.

The board began reciting the pledge before meetings earlier this year at the suggestion of Trustee Lori Jeffrey-Clark. She suggested it as a way to show respect for the country during wartime.

Jeffrey-Clark said Habecker is expressing his personal views, not representing townspeople, when he sits down.

Habecker, who's served on the Town Board for 12 years, said he doesn't oppose the meaning of the pledge, and considers himself a patriot.

But some other council members and residents are upset about his actions and have enough signatures to hold a recall election. That recall election will occur Tuesday, Feb. 15.

All residents will vote on whether or not to recall David Habecker and a choice for his replacement in the event the recall passes. The recall is expected to cost a few thousand dollars.

"I'm sad for the community, that there is that much intolerance in our community. But if the people want to have a voice in what's going on, this is their way of doing it. And I will respect whatever the wishes of the community are," Habecker said.

Estes Park, which has about 5,500 residents, is the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver.



Copyright 2004 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

If the only part of the pledge he objects to is the "under God" part, then why not stand and recite the rest and remain silent during the objectionable part? That is what was allowed in school when I was a kid and it seemed to work fine.........

[KirkVining]

Jesus Land - Nutters
Posted by Jeff (Sunday November 07 2004 @ 08:49PM EST)
(sung to the tune of Dixie)
Oh, I wish I was at a NASCAR event
Or nailin' gays to my back fence
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land
My mama tol' me 'twas an act of sin
To jerk one off or drink some gin
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land


[chorus]
Oh, I wish I was in Jesus! No gay! Parades!
In Jesus Land the Lord commands,
"Convert a Jew to Jesus!"
[Hurrah no gay parades down south in Jesus]

Ol' Pastor Billy is handlin' snakes
To cleanse our sins and bad mistakes
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land
I send my money to the P.T.L.
'Cos those who don't'll burn in hell.
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land

[chorus]

Excitement mounts 'cos today's the day
For my weddin' to cousin May
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land
With guns a firin' and banjos pickin'
We'll "Hee Haw!" 'n' really kick it!
Hate the gays! Kneel and pray! End of Days! Jesus Land


[chorus]

[GermanStar]

Nice to know we have such sound people on the bench, consistently displaying good judgment in the exercise of their sworn duties. Duhhhhhhh......... This should be grounds for instant dismissal or commitment to a mental health facility.

[Rick Miley]

Remember he's in Alabama, it's a whole different world than the one you know. Get more than 20 miles from the coast or Orlando, and Florida is just the same.

[KirkVining]

I pledge allegiance......

[kerry]

Our beloved Republican governor, Bill Owens, has recently appointed all new members to the governing board of the community colleges of Colorado. One of their first decrees was that at all official meetings of community colleges, the pledge would be recited. This means board meetings, faculty meetings, committee meetings etc.
I think there's real potential for a good filmmaker to step into the shoes of Leni Riefenstahl.

Off topic I know, but KE, do you know of a web site or other resource for information on the Atomic 4 flathead engine?

[GermanStar]

Originally Posted by Rick Miley

Remember he's in Alabama, it's a whole different world than the one you know. Get more than 20 miles from the coast or Orlando, and Florida is just the same.

I'm sure you're right, but a judge should show better judgement than to do anything to draw undue attention to himself, no matter where he is from.

[KirkVining]

Originally Posted by Jake

If the only part of the pledge he objects to is the "under God" part, then why not stand and recite the rest and remain silent during the objectionable part? That is what was allowed in school when I was a kid and it seemed to work fine.........

It's freedom of speech. The guy should just do what he feels best for him, it's his right. This whole "pledge" thing has always been coercion and forced religious chanting.

[KirkVining]

Originally Posted by GermanStar

I'm sure you're right, but a judge should show better judgement than to do anything to draw undue attention to himself, no matter where he is from.

Not only that, but what if a case comes before him with a Christian on oneside and a Muslim or Athiest on the other? If the judge sides with the Christian, isn't his judgement immediately suspect? Anything that undermines the law is bad for this country. Both of these cases show a coming tyranny of the majority over the rights of conscience and equality before the law. I government can no longer protect us from it because the Executive Branch is controlled by these nuts. Time for civil disobedience and protest.