With Town of Greece v. Galloway still to be decided by the Supremes, and while we are doing whatever we do on our "Winter Holiday," a few items to show that truth is sometimes stranger (funnier?) than fiction. Who knew (I didn't) that the headquarters for the group that got the Florida Capital "reclaimed" by a Nativity Scene only to be countered by a Festivus Pole, is one of Chicago's Very Own.
Festivus Pole in State Capitol
The case of Nativity scenes being "secular" and not to be off-limits to government display was established in the 1983 Establishment Clause case, Lynch v. Donnelly.
7 comments:
On Dec. 23, to celebrate Festivus, Sen. Rand Paul used Twitter to air grievances. By my count, 20 of the 30-35 were serious with the government. This exchange was no, but was my Top Tweet exchange:
Senator Rand Paul @SenRandPaul 23 Dec
One more Festivus grievance about bipartisanship. @CoryBooker doesn't RT me enough.
Cory Booker @CoryBooker 23 Dec
U, me & "feats of strength:" Senate floor, name the time MT @SenRandPaul A Festivus grievance re bipartisanship. Booker doesn't RT me enough
I don't see an issue with having holiday decorations in state capitol buildings. There will never be an absolute separation of church and state because the vast majority of people working for the state have personal ties to a religion, and naturally that will influence them in some way. Decorations in a state building should not be a high priority issue that people are concerned about. As long as EVERYONE has the chance to be represented in these decorations (even Festivus) then I don't have a problem with it.
I honestly think the most beneficial solution to this problem is to make holidays illegal. Save for the 4th of July (to pay homage to our glorious nation), I don't see any reason why we needlessly slow productivity by taking time off for days like Christmas, Easter, the New Year, and Thanksgiving. In fact, if anything, we should be working twice as hard during these times of the year to ensure prosperity for the nation and all its people. The reason our economy is failing us is because of this very fault in our culture. We have slowly become a nation of sloth, inviting in the opportunity to take time away from our work so that we may while away this time doing unimportant things like "spending time with the family" or "be thankful for all that we have". If we begin to illegalize not only participation, but the very existence of these so-called "national holidays", not only will this pesky issue of holiday decoration in capitol buildings disappear, but productivity will increase, prosperity will flourish, our economy will rebound, and our nation will rejoice as it ascends to its rightful place as the most powerful nation on Earth.
Also we should increase military spending by 50%.
I too believe that putting up holiday decorations in state capitol buildings shouldn't be an issue as long as everyone can represent themselves in the decorations. I agree with Grant especially when he talks about the separation of church and state. So that's why I think that it isn't an issue to have holiday decorations in state capitol buildings as long as every religion has the opportunity to be represented in a way it isn't imposing beliefs on anyone. As for the second comment here (below Grant's), I'm amused. Making a person's religious beliefs illegal? What have people become…robots? I'm appalled at the fact that by disregarding national holidays and religious holidays, some believe that our nation's productivity would increase. As for "our economy is failing us because of this very fault in our vulture", I'd ask this person, what IS our culture? Clearly culture holds a completely different meaning to you.
Also, as for that last line there, increase military spending by 50%? The only thing I have to point out (to not touch upon political views and boundaries) is that looks like someone has the wrong idea about our national debt. So let me inform you! As of this very second, our national debt is $17,232,333,851,537 approximately. That's about $54,299 just for you. So for the sanity of all mankind, please reevaluate your views of increasing military spending through a realistic lens.
Personally, I think a decoration in the State Capitol isn't truly a huge issue. We are a nation that has been brought up with religiously tainted secular standards. Keeping that in mind, I do believe that if the decorations personally hurt anybody, they should be taken down. I think that spectrum is often overlooked, and should be enforced. Often times those who are hurt by the decorations are the ones that make a big deal about it. Therefore, the decorations should represent everyone, or be neutral in nature.
Our nation is supposed to be based of off separation of church and state. This is how it is theory, but not in practice. This article clearly illustrates this. Personally, I believe that holiday decorations up in the capital are fine, as long as every winter holiday is represented. No holiday should have a dominate presence in our capital. And currently Christmas does.
Our nation is supposed to be based of off separation of church and state. This is how it is theory, but not in practice. This article clearly illustrates this. Personally, I believe that holiday decorations up in the capital are fine, as long as every winter holiday is represented. No holiday should have a dominate presence in our capital. And currently Christmas does.
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