Oklahoma is state that respects the rule of law, contends Governor Mary Fallin, but when the decision isn't what they desire, apparently the rule of law can be put aside.
Oklahoma had undergone a lawsuit surrounding a monument erected to the 10 commandments that resides on Government property. Governor Fallin issued this statement:
http://m.christianpost.com/...
Governor Mary Fallin released a statement Tuesday noting that the Decalogue will remain on public property during an appeals process following a state supreme court decision concluding that the display violated Oklahoma's constitution.
"The monument was built and maintained with private dollars. It is virtually identical to a monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol which the United States Supreme Court ruled to be permissible," stated Gov. Fallin.
"It is a privately funded tribute to historical events, not a taxpayer funded endorsement of any religion, as some have alleged."
Fallin also expressed her support for Attorney General Scott Pruitt's filing of an appeal against the ruling made as well as legislative efforts to keep the monument on the capitol grounds.
"Oklahoma is a state where we respect the rule of law, and we will not ignore the state courts or their decisions. However, we are also a state with three co-equal branches of government," continued Fallin.
"During this process, which will involve both legal appeals and potential legislative and constitutional changes, the Ten Commandments monument will remain on the Capitol grounds."
Governor Fallin commentary is easily dismissed as anything prior to the HOWEVER," moment is largely set aside.
At the heart of this stand off is a 7-2 court ruling at the Oklahoma Supreme Court in regards to the placement of the monument.
Oklahoma lawmakers, incensed with the idea of removing the monument, have decided to work on an amendment to the state constitution that would allow the monument to stay.
http://www.koco.com/...
“(The 10 Commandments) are symbolic of our system of law and our American principles,” Ritze said. “The history is clear about the roots of our nation and our legal system.”
Jordan said he wants to reverse the Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling because it may cause problems in the future.
“Ten Commandment monuments are commonplace in the United States and a widely understood historic basis for our system of law,” Jordan said. “It is important that we do not let the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision end this tradition in Oklahoma.
For an excellent breakdown of the problems with this argument, strongly recommend more people read
Phil Plait's rundown on Slate.
For now, though, Oklahoma is stuck in a constitutional crisis in which their state Supreme Court is openly being defied by the executive branch, as they prepare to appeal this case to regions unknown as of yet.