Supreme Court Slams Courthouse Doors Shut on Taxpayers in Religious Liberty Case

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0625-01.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 25, 2007
8:17 AM


CONTACT: People For The American Way
Josh Glasstetter or Drew Courtney
202-467-4999 / [e-mail]

Supreme Court Slams Courthouse Doors Shut on Taxpayers in Religious Liberty Case


WASHINGTON - JUNE 25 - In response to the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision today in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation severely limiting the standing of individual taxpayers to challenge government expenditures that violate the Establishment Clause, People For the American Way Foundation President Ralph G. Neas released the following statement:

“It’s a bad day for the First Amendment. The Supreme Court just put a big dent in the wall of separation between church and state, and a big smile on Pat Robertson’s face. Robertson’s American Center for Law and Justice and allied Religious Right groups have long called on the Court to restrict the right of Americans to challenge government expenditures that unlawfully mix church and state. That is exactly what the Court did today.”

“Today’s ruling will make it more difficult for citizens whose tax dollars are being unlawfully spent to subsidize religion to bring a complaint in court. It is also consistent with a broader strategy by right-wing judges and activists to restrict standing for average Americans to challenge powerful government and business interests.

“The increasing willingness of the Court to undermine our rights and legal protections should be a wake-up call to Americans about the importance of the Court and future nominees.”

# # #

Click here for additional background on Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, including the amicus curiae brief filed by PFAWF and four of the country's other leading religious liberty organizations.

[krispos42]

1. Yet Democrats don't want to add a couple of Supremes in '09

<sigh>

What are we keeping our powder dry for again?

[atreides1]

2. The SCOTUS can't be trusted

So now they have 2 of the 3 branches of government singing Cumbaya, if the Democrats don't get off their asses and play a little hard ball, the religious whackos will get their trifecta.

Not to cause a flame war but aren't the 5 all Catholic, and these are the same 5 who were the majority in the latest abortion case as well. I guess those people who were worried about JFK should have waited!!!!

[BlooInBloo]

3. Vote 3rd party!! This kind of thing doesn't matter at all!

:rofl:

[Beelzebud]

4. Never filibuster! Save it for something important!

[Firespirit]

6. The damage has been done already

Unless one of the Five is old, sick, or considering retirement, we're screwed.

The Democrats could've supported the filibuster of Alito in word and deed, but oh no, that was "hopeless." Instead they talked it down, marginalized it, implied that it was bad politics, and killed it before the vote even happened. There were enough "no to confirm" votes to sustain a filibuster, but the cowardly sh*ts wouldn't put their money where their mouth was and vote to filibuster, which was what really counted.

[Rex]

5. And they call the left 'extremists'?

What horseshit. I wonder if Pat will run for the SCOTUS now? Laugh at your own peril.

[fasttense]

7. Woo hoo

Now I can get the federal government to pay for that temple to Athena I wanted to build.

Also I might as well stop paying tithing since my tax dollars are going to fund religion anyway. Why should I double pay?