Thanks, Atheists!

[SeattleUte]

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...99&postcount=2

Actually, that might solve the problem. I'm sure you wouldn't see all crosses either.

[UtahDan]

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...99&postcount=2

That wouldn't work.

[il Padrino Ute]

Actually, that might solve the problem. I'm sure you wouldn't see all crosses either.

Agreed. The family would be able to decide what they would want to use as a memorial.

That wouldn't work.

Why?

[SeattleUte]

I don't know what's complicated about "no religious symbols on public property".

It's really NOT a close call. Per the Constitution the government is supposed to be religion neutral. (There was good reason for it; back then theocracies were what was totolitarianism.)

[SeattleUte]

Agreed. The family would be able to decide what they would want to use as a memorial.



Why?

Probably because highway shoulders are inherantly public places like court houses. It wouldn't work for the USA to sell the Mormon church a small plat for a statue of Christ in front of the federal court. Highways are public thoroughfares since ancient Rome.

[Jacob]

The ruling is hilarious. How can anyone believe that Utah is endorsing christianity? I mean, wouldn't you have to be a christian...

[il Padrino Ute]

Probably because highway shoulders are inherantly public places like court houses. It wouldn't work for the USA to sell the Mormon church a small plat for a statue of Christ in front of the federal court. Highways are public thoroughfares since ancient Rome.

That makes sense and I can agree with that. Perhaps they could move the memorials farther from the highway onto land that is sold for each memorial, as was suggested by northwestute?

[RobinFinderson]

I wonder if American cemeteries don't qualify as federal property:

As SU points out, the symbols are the choice of the deceased. As I will now point out, the ACLU sued the government to EXPAND the number of religious symbols that are available for service members to choose from.

[Jacob]

I don't know what's complicated about "no religious symbols on public property".

It's really NOT a close call. Per the Constitution the government is supposed to be religion neutral. (There was good reason for it; back then theocracies were what was totolitarianism.)

Where does that quote come from?

[UtahDan]

Probably because highway shoulders are inherantly public places like court houses. It wouldn't work for the USA to sell the Mormon church a small plat for a statue of Christ in front of the federal court. Highways are public thoroughfares.

Basically yes. It would not change the character of the highway as a public place and so the analysis would not change, especially if it was contrived to avoid the 1st amendment issue. Now you could put them on private property that is outside of the public right of way. People do that all the time.

[RobinFinderson]

'Sell' the ten square feet of land around each cross to the UHP or families of the deceased troopers for $1 for a 99 year lease. Problem solved.

Here it the problem with this... those signs could kill a person in an accident. If I get killed by a posted speed sign, I could accept the need for posting speed signs, but if I get killed by a state-sponsored roadside memorial... there will be hell to pay.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Here it the problem with this... those signs could kill a person in an accident. If I get killed by a posted speed sign, I could accept the need for posting speed signs, but if I get killed by a state-sponsored roadside memorial... there will be hell to pay.

You atheists sure love to talk about things hell will have to do, freeze, pay.

[SeattleUte]

Where does that quote come from?

It may be a paraphrase but it's a precise statement of the law. What's your point? Do you believe I've misstated the law? I haven't. You might read the Ten Commandments case. Give up. You're kicking against fifty years of well established Supreme Court jurisprudence. The Supreme Court didn't take the case because it's not a close call and it's not interesting. Crosses in public places are not allowed; it's not close.

Regarding your other point, the motivation doesn't matter. It's a religious symbol. How many Mormons do you know put crosses on their families' graves? The rule is simple.

[CardiacCoug]

Atheists.

This thread title is hurting my eyes.

[RobinFinderson]

And btw, I don't want to look at freaking crosses on roadsides. They are annoying. Not painful, but if given the choice between crossless roadsides with prairie and farm land, and having to look at crossful roadsides, I'm going to choose the open prairie.