Purging Religious Symbols
It's been in place for more than 50 years. Now, San Diego city council has voted to take down a cross on display on Mount Soledad in La Jolla, CA. It's been at the center of a legal battle for some 16 years and now it appears the cross will come down. I am disappointed but not surprised by this development. As you know, there is a concerted effort to remove any religious symbol from our landscape and we are seeing that play out in San Diego. This development comes just one week after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases involving the public display of the Ten Commandments in Kentucky and Texas. I remain optimistic that the high court will draw a line that permits these time-honored displays to remain in some fashion. I want you to know that these legal challenges will continue -- the ACLU and other organizations like Americans United for the Separation of Church and State will not rest until they remove every reference to our faith -- even though it is imbedded into the history and heritage of our nation.
More court action in the case of Terri Schiavo. A Florida judge could decide today whether it will permit a Florida agency to intervene in the case to investigate allegations of abuse. The same judge rejected a request by Terri's parents that would have cleared the way for more medical testing of their daughter. And, on the legislative front, efforts continue to find a way to put off the scheduled removal of Terri's feeding tube still set for March 18th. In the Florida legislature, a bill has cleared a House committee that requires physicians to provide nutrition and hydration to incapacitated patients unless a living will directs otherwise. The measure has the support of Governor Bush and as you might expect is opposed by the ACLU. Also, efforts continue in Washington, D.C. to move forward federal legislation proposed by Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida and Congressman Dave Weldon of Florida designed to protect Terri. I will be talking with Congressman Weldon about this important piece of legislation next week on my radio program.
And, final preparations are underway to dispatch members of our Washington legislative team to Florida next week to assist in efforts to find a way to keep Terri alive. I want to thank the thousands of people who have said they support Terri and her parents by urging the Governor and legislature to act in this case. I am in touch with Florida officials on a frequent basis and continue to update them regarding the support for Terri. I want to encourage you to sign our petition which is posted online.