Pacifist Patriot is being a troublemaker

[LostinVA]

In GDP of all places! I mean, who the hell does she think she is, posting something intelligent, thoughtful, and rational -- it's GDP, not an after-service UU coffee meet and greet.

I believe she has an ulterior motive.

[flvegan]

1. "intelligent, thoughtful and rational" in GD: P is crazy talk.

There's a football (soccer) match going on between two even teams but all I see are hooligans.

[LostinVA]

2. I think she's lost her damn mind

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. It's really depressing for those of us who are fans of teams that didn't make the playoffs.

Both of them have been so thoroughly trashed I am utterly depressed about entering the voting booth come November. You know, I may very well vote absentee and go on vacation that week. Hide in some resort that doesn't have cable or WiFi.

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. BWAAA! You cannot imagine the restraint it took.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" was my initial reaction to the flap over a turn of phrase. I'm glad I didn't see the one that claimed 'periodically' was a sexist word. Then again, periodically I'm a real bi....biohazard.

Damned right I have an ulterior motive. If I can get just one person to shut the hell up before they go airing their ignorance on a discussion board at the expense of someone else's reputation I'll have accomplished my goal. I so totally have an agenda.

I am condescending elitist intellectual. Here me pontificate!

So there. nyah!

[LostinVA]

5. I think getting people to stop airing their ignorance in GDP is a lost cause

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Just one person. That's all I need to reach to feel fulfilled. On an unrelated note...

I got a call from the Florida ACLU today. They wanted a prepared statement that could be read at the meeting of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission tomorrow. Always one for making new enemies I obliged.

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TEXT:

As a member of the clergy, I am compelled to counsel the members of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission to please vote no on CP0020. I am startled this proposal is under consideration as it directly contradicts the guarantee of religious liberty granted by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and would overturn a 140-year precedent of religious independence in our state.

In the Florida State Constitution, ARTICLE I (DECLARATION OF RIGHTS), SECTION 3 Religious Freedom, requires no alteration. Allowing the public treasury to aid churches, sects, religious denominations or sectarian institutions would most assuredly introduce rancor and controversy from the moment the first religious organization receives public funds. When the government allows for the funding of religion, they by default take on the responsibility of allocating those funds. The people relegated this task maintain their own personal beliefs and denominational affiliation assuring discrimination will inevitably ensue whether it is real or perceived.

Democracy cannot long survive when religion intrudes upon the will of the people or the state dictates the acceptability of beliefs through preferential treatment. Please do not give serious consideration to such an ill-advised measure. Discrimination has no place in either our state constitution or any of our legal statutes if we are to hold ourselves as a paragon of democratic principles and human decency.

Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.