Tom Marsland
Wednesday, March 5, 2003

The gavel has come down, the nation's most 'overturned' legal eagles have struck again. Last year's 2-1 decision declaring our Pledge of Allegiance unlawful due to the 1950s congressional inclusion of "one nation under God" is final.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals would be well advised to duck every time they hear thunder and dance every time they hear "Three Blind Mice," the theme song of those other Three Stooges.

State and federal courts are often inhabited by a bench considerably left of the citizenry they serve. It's a near impossibility for any court to find moral turf left of 'San Francisco's community standards' (an oxymoron).

But when the ideologically impossible needed doing, the Left Coast called upon its '9th Circus Court of Schlemiels.'

Rumor has it that a new sign has been erected on the outskirts of San Francisco. It says "Put a flower in your hair, but leave God out there!"

Judges Goodwin and Reinhardt amended their 'affirmed' opinion on Friday to say it does not restrict the use of the pledge in all public settings, but applies only to public schools, where children might feel coerced to recite the words "under God."

Judge Fernandez, the "1" in last year’s 2-1 decision by the 9th Circuit, said "under God" has caused no real harm over the years, "except in the fevered eye of persons who most fervently would like to drive all tincture of religion out of the public life."

In case you're having a Dan Quayle moment, 'tincture' is a noun meaning "a slight stain, characteristic or quality." Yep, they don't want our children's character stained with religious qualities.

And I don't want my children's future stained with their leftist legal legacy.

Writing the latest dissent, Judge O'Scannlain noted that last year's decision provoked a public outcry across the nation. The judge said it defies common sense and "contradicts our 200-year history and tradition of patriotic references to God." Ya think?

I am a conservative, though not a Republican, but I also know where my bread is buttered. If I want religion driven out of public life, I'll vote Democratic. I don't. I won't.

That being said, Republican judicial appointments have been marred by horrific decisions from the bench far too often for my comfort. So I've learned to look at 'trends' versus perfection.

The trend of modern Democratic judicial appointments is about 5 to 1 leftist nonsense. The Republican trend of recent has been for 'common sense, moderate to conservative' judges 2 out of 3 times.

This is hardly perfection, though it is a substantial step up from the old 'lesser of two evils.' I remind you, too, there hasn't been a perfect man for 2,000 years, and if you're looking for a perfect judge, see God!

Leave it to me to find humor in this judicial quagmire, but it just occurr

ed to me that 'people are dying to see the perfect judge.' This is a play on words even San Francisco's 9th Circuit will understand someday ... some of you will get that later, though sooner is recommended.

Though Thomas Jefferson was not generally given to religion, he did say, "We are a religious people!" And I agree. Therefore, indulge me, please, whilst I share these sacred words regarding a nation's courts, from Amos and Zechariah, Old Testament prophets of renown.

Amos 5:12 & 15a: “For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy.”

Zechariah 8:16: “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”

The prosecution rests.

Hear Tom Marsland's talk show daily on the nationwide Salem Radio Network's AM 980 KKMS in Minneapolis, Minn., and weekly as U.S. correspondent on New Zealand's Radio Rhema. Former heavyweight wrestler and corporate CEO, Tom writes cultural, political and religious commentary for the Assist News Service, NewsMax.com, Minnesota Christian Chronicle and others.

E-mail Tom: tom@kkms.com

Editor's note:
"Let Freedom Ring" – Sean Hannity reveals how to triumph over the left