sarettah
10-15-2003, 08:32 AM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...e_of_allegiance (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20031015/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_pledge_of_allegiance)
Justice Scalia to Stay Out of Pledge Case
Wed Oct 15, 3:02 AM ET
By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Antonin Scalia will just be a spectator when the Supreme Court tackles the emotional Pledge of Allegiance case next year, sidelined apparently by one man's questions about the justice's impartiality.
The court, minus Scalia, said Tuesday it will decide if the regular morning classroom salute to the American flag is unconstitutional because of the reference to God.
Scalia did not explain why he will not take part in the most watched case of the term.
The announcement surprised court watchers and even Michael Newdow, the California parent and atheist who wants the words "under God" removed from the pledge. He sued on behalf of his 9-year-old daughter and won.
Newdow asked Scalia to stay out of the case at the high court because of comments the conservative justice made during a speech at a religious event. Scalia criticized the appeals court ruling in Newdow's favor.
"I think that was an amazingly courageous and upstanding thing for him to have done. He was right to do it. I didn't expect that he would," Newdow said.
Justice Scalia to Stay Out of Pledge Case
Wed Oct 15, 3:02 AM ET
By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Antonin Scalia will just be a spectator when the Supreme Court tackles the emotional Pledge of Allegiance case next year, sidelined apparently by one man's questions about the justice's impartiality.
The court, minus Scalia, said Tuesday it will decide if the regular morning classroom salute to the American flag is unconstitutional because of the reference to God.
Scalia did not explain why he will not take part in the most watched case of the term.
The announcement surprised court watchers and even Michael Newdow, the California parent and atheist who wants the words "under God" removed from the pledge. He sued on behalf of his 9-year-old daughter and won.
Newdow asked Scalia to stay out of the case at the high court because of comments the conservative justice made during a speech at a religious event. Scalia criticized the appeals court ruling in Newdow's favor.
"I think that was an amazingly courageous and upstanding thing for him to have done. He was right to do it. I didn't expect that he would," Newdow said.