Saturday, November 27, 2004

Don't like the plaques? Better check with Claude....

In case you thought the watchdogs at the ACLU, Freedom from Religion and other chronic hyperventilators of the left had better things to do; what with The Patriot Act, Airline Profiling, Intelligence reform and all; I thought I'd pass on the todoo that took place recently at the Grand Canyon.

Seems the moonbats, like boll weevils and deer ticks, are just about everywhere-heads swiveling around, note books at the ready, paranoia racing at mach speed; searching diligently for the faintest sign that somebody, somewhere might want to express their belief that there is a higher power at work in the universe.

Comfortable with their total destruction of the free speech values contained in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they have now apparently launched Phase 3 of their religious purge; sending out search/swat teams to find and eradicate any remaining vestiges of what they consider "government sponsored " religion in the country.

In this instance, it seems that one of their ferrets, hanging upside down off a precipice in the Grand Canyon, spotted a small rusted plaque that was placed there more than 3 decades ago by the Evangelical Sisters of Mary.

Once recovered from his understandable trauma at confronting a religious symbol, the moonbat's agonized screech could be heard to echo all the way back to New York and the headquarters of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

Buttressed by several tons of judicial court "writs" and an armada of FFR and ACLU gray suits with the local constable in tow, the moonbats were ultimately successful in prising the Sister's tiny plaque loose from it's hidden aerie in the cliffs-just in time to head off a ground swell of religious zealots demanding that the Grand Canyon be declared a church-state.

The FFR's only obstacle in the entire removal process, however, was a park ranger named Claude.

Claude carefully examined the tiny plaque, read it's message several times and confessed that he just couldn't figure out where the problem was.

So Claude put it back, right where the sisters left it 33 years ago.

"Didn't seem to hurt nobody all these years. Besides, it's got kind of a historical value. Visitors like seeing it and I ain't heard nobody complain until now. Can't figure out what the fuss is all about.."

But, of course, Claude failed to reckon with Annie Laurie Gaylor, the FFR and Nadine Strosser...

Religious plaques are back up at Grand Canyon
Mark Shaffer
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 23, 2003 01:34 PM

FLAGSTAFF - The Grand Canyon's religious plaques are back.

Park Service rangers reinstalled three bronze plaques inscribed with biblical passages at scenic overlooks on the South Rim on Wednesday, said Gerry Gaumer, a spokesman for the national Park Service in Washington.

The plaques had been taken down in early July after the national capitol chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union had expressed concern that the religious messages on federal property violate the U.S. Constitution and the separation of church and state.

Gaumer said that Don Murphy, deputy director of the Park Service, ordered that the plaques be returned to the Hermit's Rest, Lookout Studio and Desert View scenic overviews pending further legal review and analysis by the agency's attorneys. Gaumer said he did not know how long the review would take.

The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary in Phoenix placed the plaques at the sites 33 years ago. When the Park Service decided to remove them, the group said that it hoped a suitable alternative location could be found for them within the park.

Each of the plaques cites a verse from the Book of Psalms including Psalms 104:24, which, according to the King James version, reads,

"O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."

It's a pity,really.

If only the good sisters had inscribed their little plaques to read.......

" Oh, Larry Flynt, how manifold are thy works......

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Not in THIS Post Office, you don't!

You know how contracted post offices work, don't you?

If a town isn't large enough for the Post Office to build and staff a facility, they look to businesses or other organizations to contract the service out to.

Could be an office supply store, a grocery store, even a restaurant. Obviously the store owner continues to conduct his business the way he wants, within the city ordinances, and can decorate his store or office any way he danged well pleases.

In this case, the Post Office contracted with a company called Sincerely Yours, operated by the Full Gospel Interdenominational Church.

You can see it coming, can't you?

Some mistreated religionphobe spotted a picture of Christ on the wall or something, became extremely upset and ran screaming to the ACLU.

Briefcases at the ready, boys? Billing meter running? Got get 'em.......!!!

ACLU Files Challenge to Religion-Themed Post Office in Connecticut Town

October 3, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
HARTFORD -- The Connecticut Civil Liberties Union today filed a federal lawsuit against the United States Postal Service, saying that a contract postal unit in the town of Manchester is replete with Christian religious symbols, messages and images.

"Consumers have a right to use government services without being proselytized," said attorney Philip Tegeler of the CCLU. "In appearing to endorse the religious message of a particular church, the government is sanctioning actions explicitly prohibited by the Constitution." 

In addition to the United States Postal Service, the lawsuit also names the United States Postmaster General and the Postmaster of the Manchester Postal Office as defendants....."

As addendum , I went to our local "contracted" Post Office in a nearby shopping center recently to buy some stamps.

It's located in a small office supply/gift shop operated by an enterprising Jewish fellow named Lou.

Lou is a hard working, good natured fellow but his jaw dropped open when I told him about the contracted Post Office in New Hampshire that was being sued by the ACLU to remove all religious displays.

I pointed out some Christmas cards displayed in a rack near the window and told him that he was in direction violation of the constitutional mandate requiring the separation of church and state.

I also told him, good humoredly, that one day he'd likely receive a visit from the local ACLU chapter and he would be required to either take the Christmas cards out or give up his Postal contract.

He blinked and stammered for a moment and the customers in the store turned to see his response.

He finally said "Well I can tell you right now who I'd be "taking out"!!

The customers laughed and one black gentleman said "Amen brother"!

The ACLU is doing a wonderful job of bringing the American people together..........