Feisty… my azz is feisty not this wimp…
My question: obviously the FBI and the local police are investigating whoever threatened to commit a felony in the furtherance of trying to prevent people from voting.
Okay, fine.
For this election.
But between now and the next election, remove ALL polling stations from ALL houses of worship … as befits the separation of church and state in, you know, the U.S. Constitution.
It’s Bush v. Gore all over again, to paraphrase Yogi Berra.
Sigh. The bigots and domestic terrorists win another one.
That said, I’m not so sure that the decision wasn’t the right one. Public safety and all. Am I missing something?
Why would you have a polling place in a religious building of ANY sort? Don’t care if it’s Catholic, Protestant, Orthodontic, Judaic, Hindu or Muslim. I would feel uncomfortable voting in any of these locations.
I’m miscombobulated, is this article against Ms. Butcher or basically praising her?
She seems pretty rock solid to me, especially for a Florida Dem.
She may have been conflicted concerning the religiousness of the voting place or just truly knows the depths that the opposition will sink to.
I like her.
I suggest that what Ms. Butcher should have done is remove all voting from all religiously associated organizations and buildings.
To single out one mythology from the others is wrong. All delusions should be treated equally.
That is unnecessary, inconvenient, and not at all required by the Constitution, Sir. The reason that poling places which are also places of worship is simple. People who are very local to these places know exactly where they are. You will note that no voting takes place during religious services. Places of worship are also chosen for their ability to allow large groups of people to come and go easily. Schools are chosen partly for the same reason.
I am very familiar with the foregoing, having been an election judge, and a poling place worker over time in several places.
Your assertion that the Constitution requires separation of church and state on this occasion is wholly in error.
While classes may continue in schools used as poling places, no faith based activity, and no political activity can take place within a fixed distance of the poling location. It is usually between 50 and 100 feet in most places. Voters are also required to remove partisan buttons, stickers (cars accepted as most park beyond range) and any other form of political “flash” before entering the poling place proper.
Within a half mile of my house, the only buildings which could house voting stations would be schools, churches and the YMCA. Schools and the YMCA would have their operations disrupted by the process…churches would not. So either disrupt the education of minors, those seeking exercise (which is a christian organization), or place the polling station out of walking distance of the area…which makes it harder for poorer individuals to vote. Or you can feel slightly uncomfortable for the 45 minutes it takes to vote.
I give no more weight to christian fundamentalists than to athiest fundamentalist…and i’m an athiest.