House votes to prevent court review of Pledge
By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff | September 24, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The House yesterday voted to strip federal courts of the authority to hear cases challenging the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance, a dramatic move meant to thwart what the bill's sponsors call "activist" judges on the federal bench.

The measure, approved 247 to 173, is part of an effort by Republicans to restrict the courts' actions on several hot-button issues. In July, the House approved a measure that would limit the courts' ability to review cases involving the legal definition of marriage. Another bill pending in Congress would restrict the courts' authority to rule on cases involving the display of the Ten Commandments.

"This is the beginning of a trend, and it's unprecedented in terms of the breadth of what they want to do," said Terri Schroeder, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the measures.

I understand this is political grandstanding at this point. And were it up to me, Democrats would simply move to take an immediate vote every time these asshole bills are introduced. Go on record saying Democrats see discussing this issue is a waste of time in the face of the vital issues we should be addressing. Since Republicans set the agenda we must waste the time but let's waste as little time as possible because we all know how we will vote already.

But I feel compelled to take this first serious step toward a theocracy seriously. It is an error.

Actually, a better word might be "abomination." I'm hoping it's not, that the word is too strong.