Middle America's Worldview

A complaint filed yesterday regarding the display of the Ten Commandments and Mayflower Compact. ACLU and James Green verses Haskell County Board of Trustees and Sam Cole.

I called the US Federal Courthouse in Muskogee, Oklahoma to find out the file is under ACLU of Oklahoma. The case number is O5CV4O6 (not zeros). As of noon today, it still was not on the shelf.

I also contacted Dan Boren's office asking for his thoughts on this. Dan Boren is the Congressman for the 2nd District. I was told my inquiry has been sent to him up in the D.C.'s office. I am still waiting for a reply.

Tina Izadi, staff attorney for ACLU of Oklahoma stated; "It's not approaching religion in a neutral fashion.. It's endorsing a specific religious text. We're hoping that Stigler will act accordingly but we're investigating." This is found online here.

Seems that has changed now that James Green stepped up. I am not certain why now or if ACLU approached him first. I will pursue this.

I do find it interesting back in November 2004, ACLU stated they would not sue over the Ten Commandments and Mayflower Compact monument. Another article is found here with ACLU stating they are waiting on the Supreme Courts decision.

Unfortunately dependant on which state your in, the Supreme Courts decided 5-4 differently. Texas says its ok and Kentucky says it's not. The difference appears to come down to if it is alone or part of historical documents.

The monument in Stigler has the Ten Commandments on one side and the Mayflower Compact on the other side. In addition, it is placed alongside three other monuments honoring people who died in the Civil War, the Trail of Tears, World War I and World War II.

The 8-feet, $2,500 monument, funded by efforts of Stigler-area residents and church members, was erected in November last year after approval from the Haskell County Commission.

I will keep tabs on this story. I am also still waiting for the ACLU of Oklahoma to return my call back 2 months ago. : )