The Hydra of the Ten Commandments
A Monumental Mistake
By: “Prison Bob”
The Ten Commandments
Before the display was ruled Unconstitutional, the Reed Secular Alliance’s prisoner correspondent, wrote about the Oklahoma law that would allow the display at the State Capitol. Prison Bob is an actually-incarcerated prisoner in the Oklahoma State penal system. Here is what he had to say on May 27th. We think that it is an interesting read.
The latter portion of Prison Bob's letter
On the 18th of May, 2009, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed legislation allowing a monument bearing the Ten Commandments a place at the State Capitol.
In another case of simplistic redneck politics, this state will fall into line with other “koolaid sipping lemmings”. The politicians are not actual lemmings. It would probably be safer for us if they were.
The bill, penned by Representatitive Mike Ritze (R), Broken Arrow (Prison Bob’s homeland), will allow a monumnet to be placed in a location wiht other monuments at the Capitol.
Amazingly, these dolts do not feel it will be challenged legally. Ritze said, “The monument will simply re-emphasize the history and heritage of our country’s legal system.” Really, Mr. Ritze? Really?
Oh yeah, Ritze is paying for the monument. Ritze is either from or representing the City of Broken Arrow. Rhema Bible College and at least two other multi-thousand person congregations are located in this city.
The City Council of Broken Arrow is controlled by Ultra-Christian Fanatics, whom we locals lovingly call Rhemites (ray-mites).
The thought crosses my mind that Mr. Ritze may be one of those fundamentalist types holding a bake sale to fund his artful decoration of igneous rock.
Even if there are no public monies used in the commissioning of the atrocity – I mean, Biblical monument – how long can our under-funded state afford the legal battles certain to ensue?
Didn’t we learn anything from Georgia or Alabama? One of those states tried something like this recently. Oh yeah, it was outside of a Courthouse. That’s nothing like a Capitol.
Mostly, I am curious which version of the Ten Commandments they will use. Will it be the eleven, I mean ten from Exodus 20: 3-17? Those are the most commonly accepted version, even though a pissed off Moses “broke the tablets”.
He was probably just drunk or clumsy. What are you going to do? Or will it be the elevent, oopsy again, “ten” lesser known re-print commandments of Exodus 34: 12-27? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
The co-author of the legislation, one Sean Brogdon (R) Owassso (another semi-affluent city less than 40 miles to the north of Broken Arrow) said, “I believe it is something the people of Oklahoma would like to see at their State Capitol.”
Unfortunately, many people will feel fulfilled, pleased, and all warm and fuzzy about the unnecessary and trite monument. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the “Dueling Banjos” in the background.
Prison Bob's signature
