Individual Liberty — Individual Responsibility

For those we lost, We will not forget 09/11/2001

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)

“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008

<< A Muslim In Congress... So What? | Main | Dem's getting ready to pull a fast one? >>

A menorah, but no nativity...

Published Thu, Dec 21 2006 2:28 PM
Technorati Tags: Political Correctness, ACLU, Annoyances

From the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

OLYMPIA -- Holiday trees are a longtime tradition in the rotunda of the Washington state Capitol, and this week the governor also lit a menorah.

Now a Nativity scene has been ruled out on the advice of the state attorney general's office.

...

Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky of Chabad Lubavitch in Seattle, whose request led to the nationally publicized uproar at the airport, was delighted Monday afternoon when Gov. Chris Gregoire lit a menorah in a ceremony with singing from the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder School choir.

The menorah, a candelabrum lit by Jews to celebrate Hanukkah, was added to the rotunda in response to a request Bogomilsky made more than a year ago, officials in the governor's office said.

...

Ron Wesselius, a real estate agent in Olympia, then proposed a creche, a display depicting the birth of Jesus that is the religious basis for Christmas.

"I had been thinking about it, but it's one of those things -- you don't want to create waves," Wesselius said Wednesday, "but when I saw the menorah was there, I thought, `Hey, why don't I ask?'"

He said he didn't know whether he would seek to change the state's decision.

...

Steve Valandra, a spokesman for the Department of General Administration, officials were concerned that in comparison with a tree or menorah, a Nativity scene might carry a stronger impression of government endorsement of religion.

In addition, since Wesselius made his request only this week, lawyers for the state felt there was insufficient time to fully research the issue, Valandra said.

"Based on that, without having more time, we had to say no," he said.

I think it's shameful that because of the ACLU we have to be so careful to avoid any type of religious display in the public square. Acknowledging the religious roots of our national holidays isn't the same as the creation of a state religion, which is what the establishment clause in the first amendment is all about.

I think it's too late for this year, but hopefully next year we'll see the nativity as well as the menorah.

Trackposted to Rightwing Guy, Perri Nelson's Website, The Random Yak, The HILL Chronicles, The Uncooperative Blogger ®, Pirate's Cove, The Right Nation, Stuck On Stupid, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.