Judge Orders Removal of Mount Soledad Cross

In its apparent never-ending campaign to eliminate Christianity from America, the American Civil Liberties Union has seemingly won another round. The War Memorial Cross on Mount Soledad is to be taken down.

From WND.com:

Ruling on a 15-year-old ACLU case, a federal judge today ordered the city of San Diego to remove a mountain-top cross within 90 days or face a fine of $5,000 a day.

U.S. District Judge Gordon Thompson said, "It is now time, and perhaps long overdue, for this court to enforce its initial permanent injunction forbidding the presence of the Mount Soledad cross on city property," the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Thompson ruled in 1991 the Mount Soledad cross violates the so-called "separation of church and state" but the case has remained in courts and become an issue of public policy for more than a decade.

ACLU lawyer James McElroy believes San Diego officials finally will give up their fight.

"I don't think the city has its heart in taking more action," he said, according to the paper.

A city lawyer argued during the hour-long court hearing today that citizens had voted for transfer of the land under the cross.

Proposition A, passed by 75 percent in July, called for the city to donate the cross to the federal government as the centerpiece of a veterans memorial.

The ballot initiative came about after the city refused to donate the cross and memorial to the federal government. A group called San Diegans for the Mount Soledad National War Memorial took just 23 days to gather 105,000 signatures.

In a ruling now on appeal, however, a Superior Court judge found the transfer unconstitutional.

The Union-Tribune said the group behind the public vote on transfer likely will appeal Thompson's decision.

A memorial cross has stood on Mount Soledad since 1913 and wasn't a problem until the ACLU decided that all symbols of Christianity should be eliminated from public property. And the ACLU takes advantage of every conceivable opportunity to sue because its lawyers are paid for by the American public. Ironic, don't you think? U.S. taxpayers are funding the leftist ACLU campaign to attack the culture and history of America. I think it's outrageous.

However, an effort by the American Legion and others has been launched to stop giving taxpayer funds to the ACLU to destroy the customs and institutions of America. Congressman John N. Hostettler (R-IN) has introduced H.R. 2679 to halt taxpayer funding of the ACLU. Engaged citizens are asked to sign the Petition To Stop Taxpayer Funding of the ACLU.

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[Update 1930EDT, 05/04/06]

As I prepare this update, six readers have been considerate enough to respond to the post. In the comments, I have been specifically characterized as:

1) a whiny wanker with a whiny ass playing the victimization game,
2) a member of the lunatic ilk,
3) a liar,
4) a person who makes Christians look bad,
5) a person who advocates for an "ugly cross," and
6) a bankrupt conservative.

I appreciate the comments. Thanks to all my readers. In all candor, though, I'm not sensing a lot of love.

With regard to an appropriate response, I'm drawing a blank. That is other than name-calling, which I don't believe contributes to intelligent debate. However, as an interested participant, I feel obligated to try. So, here goes:

"Oh, yeah? But you're a bigger one!"

How's that?


[Update 07/03/06]

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy grants stay of Judge Thompson's order.