Gov. Henry signs Ten Commandments monument bill
By Michael McNutt
Published: May 18, 2009
http://newsok.com/article/3370555
Gov. Brad Henry today signed a bill that places a Ten Commandments monument
on the state Capitol grounds.
He signed House Bill 1330 without comment. The measure easily passed both
chambers: 83-2 in the House and 38-8 in the Senate.
The bill was filed by Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow.
Ritze, a freshman legislator, said the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a
similar monument's existence on the Texas Capitol grounds.
Ritze, who was not at the Capitol today, has said his family would pay for
the design and construction of the 6-foot monolith as well as maintenance
costs. He estimated the statue’s cost about $10,000.
The State Capitol Preservation Commission is authorized to find a spot for
the monument, according to the bill.
Monday, May 18, 2009
2 comments:
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Holy Moses
ReplyDeleteHenry signs Commandment bill
By World's Editorial Writers
Published: 5/20/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 5/20/2009 4:11 AM
http://tinyurl.com/orro2g
Tulsa World
Gov. Brad Henry's approval of a plan to place a Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol makes us mad enough to smite him. Where did we put that jawbone of Randy Brogdon?
Rather than going Old Testament on the chief executive, we guess we'll stone him with rebukes.
If built, the monument will violate both the U.S. Constitution's ban on the establishment of religion and the state Constitution's prohibition of using public property to benefit and support a system of religion.
(SNIP)
I've been contacting Demoratic candidates, elected state officials and legislators for a lot of years. There have been many church & state issues. It has been my experience that most are pragmatic political office holders. The separation of church and state principle has become a "profane concept" in Oklahoma.
ReplyDeleteThat reality of political life makes it difficult for many officials and candidates to "do" and even "say" what their views really are. Then there are those officials and candidates who are really unconcerned about the separation principle and only "mouth" support and have no real convictions on the principle.
It's not easy determining the real convictions of many Demo candidates and officials. It's very clear with the Repubs Kerns,Keatings,Cargills,Reynolds,etc. If Dems can't get elected, the candidates are stopped at the outset from dealing with any of the issues that I value.
I understand these poltical complexities. But, it critical to CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AND OFFICE HOLDERS. The social and political issues and future community environment of Oklahoma is at stake.
I offer NO DEFENSE of Govenor Henry and those Democrats in the legislative houses who present a weak defense of SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. Each office holder must explain their "votes" to the citizens of Oklahoma.
I do raise the issue that NOT ALL SEPARATION ISSUES ARE OF THE SAME VALUE. The Ten Commandments Monument is an affront to the state and national constitutions, but it IS NOT OF THE SAME SIGNIFICANCE AS THE "OKLAHOMA OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES." The OFBCI is far more serious. It involves tax dollars, religious influence deep in the governing structure and it is BELOW THE PUBLIC RADAR.
It's my hope that the zeal and concerns about the unconstitutional Ten Commandments monument WILL BE APPLIED TO THE EXISTANCE OF THE OFBCI IN OKLAHOMA. It's a lot later than most Oklahomans realize.
JAH