The World Around You

TalkLeft notes that Virginia Pilot will provide real-time reporting of the Sniper Trial in a blog format. Impressive!

Daily Kos notes The Supreme Court has chosen to take up the “under God” case from the 9th Circuit. And interestingly, Justice Scalia has recused himself from the case.

Atheist Michael Newdow sued in 2000 and claimed his daughter, who attended the second grade at a public school near Sacramento, had to listen to the teacher-led pledge and that it constituted a “daily indoctrination” with “religious dogma.”

The Supreme Court said it would consider whether Newdow had the legal right to challenge the school district policy. He did not have custody of the child when he brought the lawsuit. The mother, Sandra Banning, who has custody, says she wants the girl to say the pledge.

…

Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the court’s most conservative members who normally votes for government displays of religious phrases or symbols, did not take part in the pledge case.

Newdow had urged Scalia to remove himself from the case. In a speech in January in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Scalia questioned whether courts should remove religious symbols and phrases from public life.

“We could eliminate ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance. That could be democratically done,” he said. But he added that would be “contrary to our whole tradition.”

The high court agreed to hear an appeal by the California school district. The school district argued the appeals court improperly found the pledge was a profession of religious belief.

The high court turned down a separate appeal by Solicitor General Theodore Olson of the Justice Department (news - web sites), but said he could file a brief in the case expressing the views of the U.S. government, which defends the use of the phrase “under God.”

The high court also rejected a separate appeal by Newdow, who is acting as his own lawyer, and who wanted the justices to uphold the initial broader ruling of the appeals court.

Too bad Rush isn’t available to weigh in on this one. I expect Hannity and O’Reilly will pick up the slack.

UPDATE: Steven notes the development as well. No word on Roy’s Rock yet.

Municipal elections are being held in Montgomery and Birmingham today. The Montgomery Advertiser published a quick reference to its endorsements today. The Birmingham News couldn’t make up its mind in a field of 18 for Mayor, so they have endorsed two candidates.

If you’re a citizen of Montgomery or Birmingham, get out and vote. Every vote counts. Be an American!