SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 15) - An atheist seeking to strike the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools has won a major battle in his quest to force the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the issue again. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton sided with atheist Michael Newdow in ruling Wednesday that the pledge's reference to God violates the rights of children in three school districts to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God." Karlton said he was bound by precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in 2002 ruled in favor of Newdow that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools. The latest decision could set up another church-state showdown at a time when the Supreme Court is in flux. John Roberts, who would succeed the late William H. Rehnquist as chief justice, is undergoing confirmation hearings, and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is retiring when a successor is confirmed. --------------------------------------------- LOL, ain't life grand! Of course, the phrase violates the establishment clause! It's interesting to note that had it NOT been included in the pledge in 1954 (just 5 yrs before Eisenhower uttered the immortal words, "Beware the MilitaryIndustrial Complex") we wouldn't even be having this arguement. Another interesting note, many religious people object to the pledge per/se as they contend it amounts to enforced idolatry. I say, put a 7 years sunset clause on the entire pledge and piss everybody off equally! (It'll keep the HeapO'Sheep thinking). LeonardMatusik [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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