July 05, 2004
Kerry Violates Himself, Ignores 1st Amendment
John Kerry is planning to willfully violate the 1st Amendment tomorrow (July 6, 2004). Kerry will campaign Tuesday morning at the 30,000-member (AME) African Methodist Episcopal Church convention at the Indiana Convention Center.
Previously, John Kerry has outlined his stance on church/state issues with the catch-phrase, "I am not a spokesperson for the church, and the church is not a spokesperson for the United States of America."
Kerry's position based on this and other past remarks seems to be that political leaders should not be involved in political matters with religious figures. Kerry recently made this clear as he objected to President Bush meeting with Catholic leaders. The presidential hopeful seems to have decided to violate his own standards of religious/political purity by a direct campaign appeal to a recognized body of organized church leaders.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), a potential vice-presidential candidate on the Kerry ticket, defends Kerry's planned actions.
"It's a good thing it's a religious organization he is addressing," Bayh said. "It shows his respect for people of faith and for the role of faith in our society."
This "respect for people of faith" is lacking on the politician's official campaign website, where no mention is made of religious citizens in the list of community subgroups the Kerry campaign is interested in and fighting for.
John Kerry's respect for the political engagement of people of faith only exists as far as will personally benefit him. His understanding of the separation of church and state is to invoke a stringent principle that far exceeds the Constitution when making charges against political enemies. He will look the other way when the situation affords him another speaking engagement in his quest for Liberal power.
How could we trust someone who so flippantly violates his own position for personal gain?