Group says Vietnam veteran memorial is 'unconstitutional'
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COOS BAY, Ore. -- Should a Vietnam Veteran's memorial be removed from a Coos Bay park? One group thinks so.
A separation of church and state watchdog group wants the City of Coos Bay to remove the memorial from Mingus Park because they say it's unconstitutional.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent Coos Bay City Manager Rodger Craddock a letter saying the memorial itself isn't the problem, it's the cross resting on top.
They say it's an, "endorsement of Christianity over other religions and over nonreligion," and must be removed "immediately".
>>>Read the letter here
Craddock says the issue isn't unique to Coos Bay. "The city received it (the letter) and we passed it off to our city attorney to review that and relevant case law," he said. "Obviously these issues are happening around the nation."
The memorial was donated and placed in the park in 1972 by Western Bank and the Bay Area Jaycees.
Some people at Mingus Park told KCBY News that they have no problem with the cross.
Donna Marsh and Sharron Cox were at the park on Tuesday, and they think it should stay put. "Well, it's not unconstitutional, it just is not! God is in our constitution, and a cross, and if the city wants to put one up in a park I think they should be allowed to do that."
You can voice your opinion at a public meeting at the Coos Bay Public Library on April 2.
The attorney for the group asking for the memorial to be removed is scheduled to speak to KCBY News on Wednesday.
Do you think the memorial should be removed? Log in and leave a comment below:
That "Separation of church and state" watch dog group need to go back and re-read the constitution. The ONLY thing that "Separation of Church and State" means, is that the government cannot impose on the people one religion. Hence "Freedom of Religion."
amendment 1 of the constitution states ---freedom OF i Not Freedom from ..The constitution should be upheld in every court of the land.
The constitution states "freedom Of religion" Not freedom FROM religion. Where are the lawyers that believe in the constitution here to defend it?Â
It is separation OF church and state Not from.The law of the land should not be intimidated  by the the freedom FROM religion groups. Â
the ones offended should not look at it. no one is forcing them to look at it. most of us like it and want it.
I just wonder what those things are in Arlington Cemetery, ABOVE OUR MEN'S GRAVES?? Can you remind me what the wreaths are hung on?? Hmmm........."Get over it"!
"Separation of Church and State" appears NO WHERE in our founding documents... Those who lived during and shortly after the founding of this nation had no qualms about Nativity Scenes, Crosses etc on City, State or Federal Properties... Look at most of our Government land marks and buildings that have crosses, and references to religion, the Supreme Court building is covered in Religious symbolism... Now read again the 1st Amendment dealing with religion; "Congress shall make no LAW respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;".. Notice that the Government can not set any LAW recognizing any one religion over any other religion... But also note what Liberals don't want you to see, that it continues by Stopping Government from prohibiting the free exercise of religion.. ANY WHERE... There is no exceptions like in schools, publicly owned parks etc.. Government cannot stop the free exercise of religion ANYWHERE... It cannot tell you which religion to worship, when to pray or not pray or believe or not believe... The rights in the Constitution are to tie the hands of Government not the Governed... There is no LAW against crosses on City land and if there is, it is Un-Constitutional because no Law is to be written against or for any religion.... And any government is prohibited from prohibiting the free exercise of religion, ANYWHERE... The cross on top of the monument is not an endorsement because NO LAW says the Government endorses Christianity or any other religion... It is what it is a stone in the shape of a cross... If it offends some, to bad, there is no RIGHT in the Constitution protecting us from being offended, get over it.. And let it be noted that Government has to allow other religions to put up memorials also, could be next to this one.. Seems Christians were the only ones who found it appropriate to put up something in memory of the fallen.....
no, and I'm tired of the people who are offended by such monuments tring to get them removed. If they are so offended by them LEAVE! They weren't erected for your opinion anyway
sounds like a form of bullying to me. Those people need to go serve others in need because it sounds like they don't have anything to do that is worth while.
So what do they think about Arlington?
That group can go f--k themselves
I truly wonder what is happening to our world and some of mankind!!!
If they are so offended, collect some donations and put up one next to it that doesn't offend you! Leave it alone!
OMG What is this Country comming to???
Hang your hat -coat and rifle then neal and give thanks to the person for why it stands
Water it so it grows real big!!
It's been there since 1972! Why is it just now all of a sudden unconstitutional? This doesn't make since to me.
Unconstitutional is not the same thing as offensive. There is absolutely nothing offensive about this but it may be unconstitutional.
You've got to be kidding! Leave their memory alone
I agree with Lilly Baker in a lot of ways. I had relatives who served in Vietnam, some were Native Americans and some were White who followed the catholic religion and some not religious. Just because a few may have been Christian, does mean Christian over rules! Back then, people of not White were lower people or considered to be not part of society until now days. Who says one religion is more right or wrong over the other? I say set up more memorials for the vets for all religions, then that should stop all the religion dispute! Besides "In God We Trust" can be interpreted for any religion because to say it was Christian, then it should say "In Jesus Name We Trust", right? Hate me all you want, blah, blah, but again, who decides whose religion is more right or wrong over the other? I loved reading everyone's hatred over other people, especially the Christians ones, so christ-like, right?
It is not the cross that offends,, it is the sin in the hearts of those who find it offensive. The cross still stands!!
What happened to our rights; the rights of Christian Americans? Leave it where it stands.
OH MY WORD....I am so sick of people trying to take away religion because it doesn't suit them for whatever selfish reason! Pitiful....just pitiful!!!
they are sick!
Ditto...leave it alone--REALLY!
Really???
Take it down? no, but a more universial American symbol should be used in the future especially if the marker is for many vets. imo..
I just find it encouraging to see so many mentally handicapped people voicing their ideas. The special education programs in the high desert have really done wonders for literacy among the functionally retarded citizens of the area. I'm glad that KEPR opens this kind of dialog to help these people understand that just because you lack any ability to use the higher reasoning portion if your brain..... doesnt mean you lost the the right to speak you mind.
Honestly wtf is this world coming to? This is so petty let the man who served his country RIP with whatever headstone his family sees fit. Really starting to dislike slot of people in the country.
How about a penticle for Wicca? Or a Star of David for Judiasm? Come on now...they should have a unversial symbol for the Vets, say an American Flag?? etc.
I'm grateful to live in a country that has the framework in place to allow us to believe what we want without discrimination. This is one of the things these vets died protecting. Sadly, from the lack of tolerance expressed here on both sides of this issue, they to a degree died in vain. True respect for their heroic efforts would be to uphold this ideal of tolerance for other ways of thinking. To remove this memorial would be disrespecting the sentiment it was created with. But as we move forward, we should consider how to be more inclusive and tolerant of all ways of being. Otherwise our troops are not protecting freedom and tolerance, but a one-sided ideal.
If you have such a problem with it, just think if it as a "t" and move on.
Leave it alone... it has been in the park since the 70's.. really people... just because others dont believe in a higher power we dont ask them to stop breathing so why should they have the right to ask that this be taken down..
No leave it up
This isn't about religion. The cross came centuries before the christian profit named Jesus. Read about history and research the group that is 'demanding' the removal of the memorial.
Really. So where in the constitution does it say we can not honor our service men?
^^^Patty...Really? smh!
I wonder how these people react when they pull up to a four way stop in a road ........ a cross is a cross .....
I do not believe in God, but this is not offensive. It is for beliefs others have, likely those of the veteran. He served his country, and deserves to have as he desired and believed for his memorial.
Why is it ok to fight for non-religion, but not ok to show your faith in religion? Freedom of Religion is what they fought for!
Plus everyone should just be happy and proud to see "any type" of memorial for our troops!!! People need to stop hating on religions, spirituality, the lack of, and just cherish those men and women that the memorial was intended for!
NOT all vets are Christians so why use the Cross for a memorial?? You don't want another religions symbols used, do you?
Is this a freaking joke??????
They need a COEXIST sign! :P
John O says "If someone finds a cross offensive then they don't dare go to Arlington. " really? So if you dont believe in Allah, don't GO TO the Middle East..not right at all. IMHO! Geez...
Freedom OF religion and Freedom FROM religion. (other ones than your own) Think about it!
i think it looks beautiful..the unreligous is going to far
What about a islamic symbol? There are probably some Islamic Vets? Now would that be right? no....
A group says it's fine!
I don't think it should be concidered Offensive or Unconstitutional but it is true, not all Veterans are Christian. Maybe they could represent other religions as well? If you don't believe in god or Jesus that is fine but do not tell everyone else what to believe and do not tell them they can not show their belief, that would be unconstitutional! On another note from some comments above I am sad so many "Christians" are not being very Christ-like.