New York Times
April 16, 2005
EDITORIAL
Bill Frist's Religious War
Right-wing Christian groups and the Republican politicians they
bankroll have done much since the last election to impose their
particular religious views on all Americans. But nothing comes close to
the shameful declaration of religious war by Bill Frist, the Senate
majority leader, over the selection of judges for federal courts.
Senator Frist is to appear on a telecast sponsored by the Family
Research Council, which styles itself a religious organization but is
really just another Washington lobbying concern. The message is that
the Democrats who oppose a tiny handful of President Bush's judicial
nominations are conducting an assault "against people of faith." By
that, Senator Frist and his allies do not mean people of all faiths,
only those of their faith.
It is one thing when private groups foment this kind of intolerance. It
is another thing entirely when it's done by the highest-ranking member
of the United States Senate, who swore on the Bible to uphold a
Constitution that forbids the imposition of religious views on
Americans. Unfortunately, Senator Frist and his allies are willing to
break down the rules to push through their agenda - in this case, by
creating what the senator knows is a false connection between religion
and the debate about judges.
Senator Frist and his backers want to take away the sole tool Democrats
have for resisting the appointment of unqualified judges: the
filibuster. This is not about a majority or even a significant number
of Bush nominees; it's about a handful with fringe views or shaky
qualifications. But Senator Frist is determined to get judges on the
federal bench who are loyal to the Republican fringe and, he hopes,
would accept a theocratic test on decisions.
Senator Frist has an even bigger game in mind than the current
nominees: the next appointments to the Supreme Court, which the
Republican conservatives view as their best chance to outlaw abortion
and impose their moral code on the country.
We fully understand that a powerful branch of the Republican Party
believes that the last election was won on "moral values." Even if that
were true, that's a far cry from voting for one religion to dominate
the entire country. President Bush owes it to Americans to stand up and
say so.
-----------------
"Heaven is open only to those who accept Jesus Christ."
- George W. Bush, Houston Post, 1993
---
http://www.ElmerFudd.US/ http://www.notserver.com/
Scientology crooks: http://sf.irk.ru/www/ot3/otiii-gif.html
http://PerkinsTragedy.org http://www.rightard.org/
"Bible scholar" is just a euphemism for "unemployed."
.
|
