June 13, 2006
NEW DUH:
U.S. court tosses lawsuit over "In God We Trust" (Reuters, 6/13/06)
A U.S. district court judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a California atheist against the U.S. government for its use of the phrase "In God We Trust" on its coins and currency.Michael Newdow, the Sacramento, California lawyer and doctor who had previously launched a court challenge on behalf of his daughter over the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance said in schools, had argued that "In God We Trust" on monetary instruments violates his rights.
Newdow claimed that by using coins and currency bearing the phrase, he is forced to carry religious dogma, proselytise and evangelise for monotheism.[...]
"The case is really straightforward. The history is overwhelmingly on my side," Newdow said.
He's right, of course, it's just the history is France's, not America's. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 13, 2006 5:20 PM
The law is on his side. The history is overwhelmingly against him.
Posted by: David Cohen at June 13, 2006 5:53 PM--Newdow claimed that by using coins and currency bearing the phrase, he is forced to carry religious dogma, proselytise and evangelise for monotheism.[...]---
Seems debit/credit/gift cards and traveler's checks should take care of that.....
Posted by: Sandy P at June 13, 2006 7:33 PMNewdow claimed that by using coins and currency bearing the phrase, he is forced to carry religious dogma, proselytise and evangelise for monotheism.[...]
Although our legal system occasionally tells him to take a hike, it does keep allowing him to file cases. Does that mean it's operated by egomaniacal nitpickers?
Posted by: Matt Murphy at June 13, 2006 8:10 PMThe law is most certainly not on his side. Other circuits have already approved the language in question. For example, the 4th Circuit Davidson County case upheld the words not just on coins, but carved prominently over the County building.
Where can we send contributions to finance this litigation? This is exactly the sort of thing we want to churn up before the '06 and '08 elections.
The Rovian agents provocateur strike again.
Posted by: Lou Gots at June 13, 2006 9:35 PMLou: Of course the courts dismiss these lawsuits. With the exception of the 9th Circuit, the courts aren't nuts looking to start a new revolution. The even use a perfectly rational exception to modern establishment clause jurisprudence, the "adults can be relied upon to make up their own minds" or the "get your head out of your a**" exception.
But that doesn't mean that Newdow isn't right on the law.
Posted by: David Cohen at June 14, 2006 8:12 AMMr. Bumble said it best, "The law is an a$$?"
Posted by: erp at June 14, 2006 9:22 AM