(02-19-2016, 03:44 AM)Vlad Wrote:  
Lancaster Oh. fire fighters disciplined for doing something nice.

However well-meaning the sign was, its "Merry Christmas" greeting violated the separation of church and state provision in the U.S. Constitution, city officials said. Governments may not show religious favoritism or partiality, city Law Director Randall Ullom said in a letter to Fire Chief Dave Ward.

Aside from the fact that there is no separation of church and state provision in the Costitution, do the the actions of these firefighters endorse a religion? 
Do you believe that was the intent of these men...to endorse a religion?
I don't.
 
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/02/08/Firefighters-Christmas-discipline.html

(02-19-2016, 03:44 AM)Vlad Wrote:  


Aside from the fact that there is no separation of church and state provision in the Costitution, do the the actions of these firefighters endorse a religion? 

Quote:Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

(02-19-2016, 01:15 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Somehow:


Has become:

Government Officials cannot profess their belief.

(02-19-2016, 01:17 PM)Au165 Wrote: My biggest issue is "Christmas" has become a commercialized holiday that has very lose or no affiliation with religion anymore. I celebrate Christmas with my family but none of us are religious. If we get a day off for Christmas, then why can't you say Merry Christmas as in "Merry day off work!"?

(02-19-2016, 01:19 PM)GMDino Wrote: Sure they can. 

(02-19-2016, 01:17 PM)Au165 Wrote: My biggest issue is "Christmas" has become a commercialized holiday that has very lose or no affiliation with religion anymore. I celebrate Christmas with my family but none of us are religious. If we get a day off for Christmas, then why can't you say Merry Christmas as in "Merry day off work!"?

(02-19-2016, 01:17 PM)Au165 Wrote: My biggest issue is "Christmas" has become a commercialized holiday that has very lose or no affiliation with religion anymore. I celebrate Christmas with my family but none of us are religious. If we get a day off for Christmas, then why can't you say Merry Christmas as in "Merry day off work!"?

(02-19-2016, 02:06 PM)Millhouse Wrote: Exactly. Who the **** cares if they had a Merry Christmas sign up. Its not like they had the 10 commandment sign up or anything, just something that a vast majority of Americans celebrate, religious or not. Just a few whiney bitches out there anymore causing stupid crap like this.

(02-19-2016, 08:57 AM)BmorePat87 Wrote: I don't want the local government conveying any religious message, whether it is "Merry Christmas" or "Eid Mubarak"

(02-19-2016, 02:45 PM)Benton Wrote: Agreed.

On the other hand, if the firefighters put something up not using taxpayer funds, doesn't bother me. But that opens the door if somebody wants to hang a Happy Kwanza sign on the door, too.

Quote:The constitution aside, there were other issues with the sign: The firefighters did not have permission to use city time and equipment to pose for it, Ward said Monday, and that is why he disciplined them.

"They were on city time, with city property, with no authority," he said. "We have well-established policies and procedures. They were well aware of it. They chose to do this. They have to ask for permission to use city property for non-city purposes. They didn't."

Quote:A captain was suspended without pay for 48 hours and put on probation for 12 months; three lieutenants were suspended without pay for 24 hours and put on probation for 12 months; and 13 firefighters received written reprimands. The fire chief and the union president agreed to the discipline.

(02-19-2016, 02:52 PM)bfine32 Wrote: What makes you think Hillary works at this Fire Station?

(02-19-2016, 01:26 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Not according to the ruling in the OP.

(02-19-2016, 03:15 PM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: In an unrelated note, what got Vlad banned?  Forgot to mask his IP or something he wrote?

(02-19-2016, 03:53 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Snitches