« Patriot Guard Riders | Main | Have You Seen My America? »
October 10, 2007
"God" Missing In Congressional Flag Certificates
Capitol flag policy assailed
washington times
A group of Republican lawmakers is demanding the architect of the U.S. Capitol reverse a policy that bans the use of the word "God" on flag certificates sent to constituents.
Rep. Michael R. Turner of Ohio said one of his constituents, Paul Larochelle, recently requested to receive a flag that had flown over the Capitol. Mr. Larochelle's son had hoped to present the flag and the accompanying certificate to his grandfather, an Army veteran.
The Larochelles wanted the certificate's inscription to read, in part: "In honor of my grandfather, Marcel Larochelle, and his dedication and love of God, country and family." However, when the flag and the certificate arrived at Mr. Turner's office from the architect of the U.S. Capitol's office, which handles the Capitol flag program, the word "God" had been eliminated.
Mr. Turner said he requested an explanation from the architect's office, which cited one of its 14 Flag Office Services rules. The rule states, "... religious expressions are not permitted on flag certificates."
The bureaucrats at the Architect of the Capitol's office, which is controlled by Speaker Pelosi, removed the word God from the certificate. They have apparently, without the proper legislative authority, created new rules to prevent the word God from appearing on their certificates.
Mr. Turner — along with fellow Republican Reps. Steve King of Iowa, Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado, Randy Neugebauer of Texas and Steve Pearce of New Mexico — complained in a letter this week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the architect's office had "informed several congressional offices that the use of the word 'God' violates the rule."
"This is an abuse of power, plain and simple," Mr. Neugebauer said. "Using the nonpartisan position of maintaining the Capitol to decide what citizens can have written on their flag certificates is unacceptable."
Stephen T. Ayers has been acting architect of the U.S. Capitol since February, when his predecessor, Alan M. Hantman, retired. Mr. Ayers' spokeswoman was unavailable for comment yesterday.
The lawmakers are asking Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, to review the authority under which the architect's office made the rules and that the policy "which censors our citizens' right to expressions of their faith" be reversed.
They also point out that as the custodian of the Capitol, the architect is responsible for a building inscribed with many religious references, including "In God We Trust" in the House and Senate chambers.
"The architect's policy is in direct conflict with his charge as well as the scope of his office and brings into question his ability to preserve a building containing many national religious symbols," the lawmakers stated.
A spokesman for Mrs. Pelosi said a Democratic proposal may help solve the problem.
The proposal would have the architect certify that the flag was flown, and then a member of Congress could add the constituent's message separately, Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said.
"It will be resolved in the near future," he said.
Lawmakers receive more than 100,000 requests from constituents each year for flags that have flown over the Capitol.
Wild Thing's comment........
Several years ago, BEFORE Pelosi was in charge, I got one of these Flags for Nick on the anniversary of his service in the Navy. It has meant a lot to him.
This Congress and those in charge are so horrible. Recognizing the muHAMadan time of Ramadamadingdong is a farce. Not including all of the text of the flag honor is sick. They have turned their back on God and this country.
They are all pandering to a bunch of deep rooted anti-Christian muggers. Look at the organizations that represent the Moslems in this country and you will see that they are nothing but terrorist front groups. Not saying that every member is a terrorist but that the groups themselves present a danger to this country.
Posted by Wild Thing at October 10, 2007 12:47 AM
Comments
Nazi Peelooser is a moron. I believe she would do something like that-remove the word God from the Certificates.
But someday she will meet with God and he will ask her why and she will have no response.
It is out of spite and fear that she did it.
We might offend someone. That's not caring, that's not love--
She's offending me.
The whole lot of Dummycraps are and it's getting worse every day. I can't believe they want Hillary in the white house.
Say bye-bye to America if she wins.
Posted by: Lynn at October 10, 2007 06:30 AM
Love your 'That Ragged Old Flag' feature on your blog WT! Old Glory will cover my casket when I check out for Heaven, and the sight of Heaven,& the red, the white and the blue will be ... death defying! These left-wingbats burn and crap and sprrinkle on her, but most of US do not. Try disrespecting the US Flag in a southern red state! - 'Don't Tread On Me' Defeatocrat Scumbags
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 10, 2007 07:10 AM
So who gave Nancy the right to remove God from the certificates!! Her personal whims don't run America. What if she decides she wants Old Glory to be green and only have stars for the red states? This is socalist dictatorship. Oh yea, I forgot. We are entering the phase of Progressive government!
Posted by: TomR at October 10, 2007 12:34 PM
Unbelievable:
This from Pelosi, yesterday during a talk with reporters when asked about a Republican congressman's complaints that the word "God" was removed from certificates accompanying congressional flags. "I don't know what his point is," Pelosi volleyed.
Posted by: Kenb at October 10, 2007 08:31 PM
I am really surprised by the comments here. If these responders love God, country and the flag as I do, perhaps they could take their outrage with Mr. Ayers and Ms.Pelosi and write them from a civil point of view and let them know how they feel. From what I have read, Mr. Ayers position does not give him athority to delete God from anything. Let's put our freedom of speech/vote to work and contact the above offenders and stand up for our American/Christian rights!
Posted by: vicki at October 10, 2007 10:29 PM
My flag was presented to me when I retired from the USAF in 1999. I checked the certificate and their's no mention of God. All it says is that it was flown in honor of me at the request of my congressman.
Posted by: BobF at October 10, 2007 10:54 PM
Lynn that's right, one day she will meet God and she will be asked about all of this.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 10, 2007 11:52 PM
Darth, thank you.
Your right, when the two teens burned Flag at peoples homes here in town every policeman, even the Attorney was a Veteran. They really let those teens have it big time.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 11, 2007 12:00 AM
Tom,exactly so much for Progressive government.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 11, 2007 12:03 AM
Kenb, those that do this kind of thing go against everything this great country of our was founded on.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 11, 2007 12:04 AM
vicki, you assume that no one on here has written, faxed and called our representatives. It would amaze you just how many of us have done just that. I hope you do as well.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 11, 2007 12:07 AM
IN GOD WE TRUST is on our US currency Vicki and Mark Twain said that the French are governed by prostitutes. We are governed by pimps, prostitutes and power-grabbing conscienceless represenatives of WE THE PEOPLE!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at October 11, 2007 12:07 AM
Bob that is interesting, thank you for telling me.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 11, 2007 12:07 AM
This is just the start. Wait until this Christmas season.
87% of the US Americans are Christians but yet our Religion has been attacked for the last 10 years.
Remember to say "Merry Christmas" this year. You wont hurt the feelings of Jewish people. Jesus was Jewish.
Carl Slicer
Posted by: Carl Slicer at October 18, 2007 04:45 PM
