Friday, February 28, 2003

Court Won't Reconsider Ban on Pledge of Allegiance. A federal appeals court rejected a request to reconsider its decision that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion when recited in public classrooms. [New York Times] I'm not sure why Christians are so up-in-arms over this issue in the first place. If public schools are allowed to force their students to recite a pledge which proclaims a monotheistic God, what would prevent them from teaching their students the tenets of witchcraft, or Satan-worship, or any of a number of other viewpoints which would shock Christians? As a follower of Jesus and a parent, I would much rather have my child's school be a religion-neutral environment, allowing my wife and I to decide how to educate him in spiritual matters. If I want my son to receive teaching from a Christian viewpoint, I'll send him to a Christian school.   3:22:50 PM

Iraq to Destroy Missiles Within 24 Hours Iraq agreed Friday to begin destroying its Al Samoud 2 missiles within 24 hours, Iraqi sources said. Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix, who set the Saturday deadline, called the decision "a very significant piece of real disarmament." [AP World News] Proving my assertion that at least one of the two camps in the Iraq war conversation is not concerned with the truth (the pro-war side), the United States is rejecting the idea that this clear evidence of Iraqi cooperation should have any effect on their timeline for war. In the end, Iraq may not cooperate. In the end, war may be the only way to disarm them. But if there is any chance that by continued pressure we may convince the Iraqis to disarm without war, we should take it. I continue to wonder why Mr. Bush seems to be in such a rush. And yes, I am still convinced that the anti-war camp would be just as willing to disregard the truth if the facts were to go against its position.   2:19:03 PM