Sioux City Journal

Thinking independently

Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008

SIOUX CITY -- I have a suggestion for all City Council members. The next time you feel a need to pray to a mythical cosmic being, do so in the privacy of your home or place of worship. When you come to a council meeting, be prepared to think in a logical and rational manner in addressing the problems facing this city.

Is it any wonder why people in eastern Iowa, Omaha, Sioux Falls and elsewhere see Sioux City as a laughable backwater when you have a council member worrying about satanic prayer at council meetings? In my opinion, what he said was not only nonsensical, but embarrassing.

When are conservative Bible thumpers going to understand that we all do not walk in lockstep behind their beliefs, their religion or their God. It's called thinking independently. It is called living in a democracy. -- Patrick Harrison

Story Comments

maRk wrote on Mar 6, 2008 5:34 PM:

" Well, JG, that's why it is such a big deal when judges get appointed. But, relax... the only way that "separation of church and state" really gets intricate is when $$ starts getting involved. "

Counselor wrote on Mar 6, 2008 12:43 PM:

" No, JG, not just any idealogically tendentious (I.T.) judge--it has to be at least a plurality of five. So do you believe that they are all I.T.? "

JG wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:20 AM:

" MaRK, so the Constitution doesn't mean what it says--it means what any ideologically tendentious judge decides what it means? Unfortunately, that's been the state of affairs for some time. "

Counselor wrote on Mar 6, 2008 8:16 AM:

" Mark is correct. The 'bare bones' of the Constitution don't cover every conflict that has arisen since time immemorial. The Supremes, for better or worse, interpret what the Constitution means. Their precedents become incorporated by reference into the Constitution and add meat to the 'bare bones.' The 'separation of church and state' becomes part of the Constitution via a precedent such as Everson. "

Dick wrote on Mar 6, 2008 1:21 AM:

" Jose', you display as much bigotry as anyone. Can you say hypocrite? "