Who: Michael Newdow
What: Newdow wants to strip all references to God from President-elect Barack Obama’s January inauguration. The California atheist, along with 17 others and humanist and atheist organizations, filed suit in D.C.’s District Court to make it happen.
Why It’s a Bad Idea: Asserting a higher power is not the same thing as making your belief in one the religion of the United States. And since the First Amendment only prohibits the government from establishing a religion, Newdow’s argument does not stand. Besides, he’s already sued twice to remove references to God and lost. He should let it go — and stop forcing his beliefs on the rest of us.
Where to Vent: Call Newdow at 916-427-6669.
Bright bulb: Captive carpenters
At least something in this state is self-sustaining: Maryland Correctional Enterprises — a business run by the prison system. The business is ninth among prison businesses in the country in gross receipts. Inmates make furniture for state offices, American flags for state buildings, uniforms and signs, among other things. Not only are inmates getting valuable job skills they can use upon release, but those who work for the MCE are half as likely to come back to prison for a second time.
Quote of the day
“Once the police say she’s no longer at risk, we no longer provide assistance. … Quite frankly, we even extended her additional time to sell her house. We can’t ask taxpayers to continue to take care of her while she tries to sell her house. … She was not found to be in grave danger.”
– Cheron Porter, spokeswoman for Baltimore housing, on a woman removed from city-funded protection a year after police said her family was in imminent danger from the Bloods gang.
