One of the frustrations of being a journalist happens when you originate what you are sure is an interesting and maybe even important story, only to have it completely ignored by the rest of the media. One of those incidents in my own life happened around 2000 when I was with APT. The whole Judge Roy Moore/10 Commandments controversy was brewing. I noticed in a little pocket park at the foot of Dexter Avenue in Montgomery a glass display case holding an open bible. Huh? Here we were fighting over public displays of the 10C and right down the street was a bible on public land.
We did the story, discovering what information we could about the man who originated the display and why, and I waited for another outlet to pick it up. Nada. Not a word. I even sent a copy of our story to an editor and pitched it. Nothing.
Today, in The Montgomery Advertiser, the headline is "Bible Mystery Solved"" in a prominent story in the paper. Yet there's not a word about the display on public land violating the separation of church and state, or a word about the Roy Moore controversy down the block a decade ago.
Amazing--not only that it's still on public property, but that apparently the book is in at least readable condition after being open for so many years.
ReplyDeleteOkay... what seems to be the problem?
ReplyDeleteThe story doesn't specifically say the article is on public property.
But what if it is?
Suddenly, we should demolish all art that mentions any type of faith, or mention of God?
The front of the Nevada state capitol in Carson City, NV has the opening words (preamble) of the Nevada State Constitution, on the grounds in front of the Nevada State Supreme Court Building embedded in cement: "We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution."
Should it be torn up? Should the constitution be rewritten?
And what about that star on our state's capitol building marking the point where Jefferson Davis stood to take the oath of office of President of the Confederate States of America on February 18, 1861?
Should that be removed?
Maybe we should pretend it never happened... you know - kinda' help out history by eliminating it. That way, we could pretend it never happened.
The story you referenced stated that it is "displayed near Court Square."
And while you call it a "pocket park," you haven't demonstrated that you investigated whether the land upon which it sets is public or private.
Would you rather see a Koran?
Naaah... I didn't think so.
What's your point, Tim?