This page was last updated on July 1, 2012.
Respect Founding Fathers’ wishes; Stephen F. “The Onion” Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; July 1, 2012.
Most of Mr. Kislock’s 65+ letters over the last eight years have been Republican-bashing exercises, though he sometimes goes after Democrats for his pet causes. Sometime during 2009 Mr. Kislock became an in-house commentator for Beaver County Reds. Please follow this link to learn more about Beaver County Reds. You may also remember Mr. Kislock appears to believe “The Onion” is a real news source.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“Ellwood City Council, before voting on the amendment to the borough’s parks ordinance, please read the ‘Establishment Clause.’”
[RWC] Keep in mind Mr. Kislock has a history (going back to at least 2006) of having a problem with deity-based religion, or at least Christianity. Some examples are here, here, here, and here. In another letter, Mr. Kislock appeared to indicate he wanted “the Catholic Church … brought to its knees.” It’s not clear if Mr. Kislock also has a problem with the religion of atheism.
Since this letter is mostly a regurgitation of Mr. Kislock’s most recent previous submission, “Waging a crusade?”, please read my critique of that letter for most of my comments.
“What the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause does is prohibit government (Ellwood City Council) from making any law ‘respecting and establishing an official religion.’ What council wants is a Christian Nativity display. This is illegal under our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”
[RWC] If you “read the ‘Establishment Clause’” as Mr. Kislock requested, you will find the portion he conveniently omitted from his quote. The First Amendment also says “Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].” Further, the First Amendment doesn’t say “except ‘on government property or any property associated with government.’”
“Respect our Founding Fathers’ wishes.”
[RWC] Would these be the same Founding Fathers who took their oaths of office with their hand on a Bible and who began every session of Congress with a prayer? Except for 1855-1861, there’s been a Chaplain of the House since 1789. Likewise, the Senate has a chaplain. At the end of the chant beginning each Supreme Court session, the Marshal says, “God save the United States and this honorable court.”
© 2004-2012 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.