An appropriations bill that was passed by the House had an amendment attached that is a serious attack on our courts and the separation of powers. From a
New York Times editorial
The amendment was introduced by Congressman John Hostettler...from his website:
...Hostettler's amendment, which passed 242-182,
prohibits any federal funds in the bill from being spent to enforce the judge's opinion. [...]
"This decision is inconsistent with both the clear intent of the Framers and the Christian heritage of the United States, which was recounted by the Supreme Court in 1892.
"While it is true this opinion is consistent with more recent Supreme Court decisions, it is time that Congress exercise its authority to end the practical effect of this judicial misunderstanding...
WTF?!?
More...
Judicial misunderstanding? I believe that is called the Judicial Branch of the government interpreting the law in a case where a federal district judge ruled that a Ten Commandments monument amounted to a government establishment of a religion.
After correctly saying that the judiciary is the weakest branch, Hostettler apparently explains why and how the "weak sister" should be killed:
`The judiciary ..., has no influence over either the sword or the purse; no direction either of the strength or of the wealth of the society, and can take no active resolution whatever.
It may truly be said to have neither force nor will, but merely judgment ...'
"Mr. Chairman, given the fact that the judiciary has neither force nor will, it is left to the executive and the legislative branches to exert that force and will.
And he finishes with this:
"After this vote, Mr. Chairman, our constituents will ask us,
`Congressman, do we have a voice in these most fundamental decisions, or are we condemned to wait on a new Supreme Court Justice who may or may not inject common sense into the judiciary's opinions?' [...]
...My amendment would prevent any funds within that act from being used to enforce the erroneous decision in Russelburg v. Gibson County. I ask my colleagues to support the amendment."
Inject common sense? We can translate that as common sense as defined by the religious rightwing. Once again the GOP is attempting to trash the Constitution...and this is on its way to the Senate. This is a truly scary development in their ongoing war against what America is supposed to stand for when a United States Congressman calls for the government to ignore or make meaningless, federal court orders.