Crapo: 9th Circuit Appeal Decision "Fundamental Error"

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo issued the following statement in reference to 9th Circuit Court of Appealsâ?? decision to not accept any other petitions to reconsider last year's ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional when recited in public classrooms.â??Todayâ??s decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is unfortunate. The courtâ??s refusal to rehear the case illustrates the fundamental error in the courtâ??s interpretation of the Constitution. From the beginning of this great nation, we have ascribed to the idea of a functional separation of Church and state. This deliberate separation allows a unique and useful religious freedom to exist and prosper in the United States. It is important to note that the separation of church and state is not a separation of God and state. Those who would disavow a supreme being of any kind also deny the Declaration of independence, the Constitution, our federal currency, the Pledge of Allegiance, and numerous acts of Congress for both the House of Representatives and the Senate have the words â??In God We Trust,â?? engraved on walls in each chamber.â??The U.S. Supreme Court is now the only body that can overturn this decision that so many Americans oppose. I strongly encourage the Bush administration to support the Department of Justice in appealing this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.â??Senator Crapo continues to support legislation that would divide the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, likely by creating a new 12th Circuit Court of Appeals.# # #