(WTF!)Texas Gov. Rick Perry: Americans have no right to freedom from religion

[Playinghardball]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/13/texas-gov-rick-perry-americans-have-no-right-to-freedom-from-religion/

During an announcement of the signing of the so-called “Merry Christmas Bill,” Texas Gov. Rick Perry and state Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) said Thursday that freedom from religion was not included in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“I’m proud we are standing up for religious freedom in our state,” Perry said. “Freedom of religion doesn’t mean freedom from religion.”

The new law states that students and school officials have the right to use religious greetings like “Merry Christmas” and display various religious holiday symbols on school grounds.

“I think it was Thomas Jefferson who said the price of liberty is eternal vigilance,” Nichols remarked. “One of those freedoms is the freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and as the governor was saying the Constitution refers to the freedom of religion, not the freedom from religion.”

“So, challenges to these freedoms that we enjoy can come in a lot of different ways,” the state senator continued. “They can come in very large ways like the war on terror or our freedoms can be taken away in small ways like the removal of a Christmas tree from a classroom.”

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube, below:

[hatrack]

1. OK, so pentagrams and mandalas will be appearing outside the Waxahachie courthouse?

Oh, yeah, sorry - I didn't think so either.

What an asshole.

[LostOne4Ever]

2. These people have no clue what freedom means

I weep for my state

[muntrv]

3. 3 words: Treaty of Tripoli.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Tripoli

[reflection]

5. I use that all the time.

Every now and then I get a "well they just said that to make peace with the Muslims." So I reply "So basically we've been capitulating to terrorists since 1797." Silence.

[asjr]

4. The Republicans are using our Constitution

as toilet tissue and are rubbing it in our faces. Somewhere sometime someone will have to put on his or her battle jacket and stop this sort of thing. The House of Representatives was infiltrated by religious zealots we must contend with but this mess in Texas is over the top.

[angstlessk]

9. Yes, those that claim the 1st Amendment is NOT absolute

claim the 2nd IS

[silverweb]

6. Rick Perry.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Rick Perry says nothing worth saying.

[DFW]

7. At least his timing is getting better

According to astronomers, from what I've read, the confluence of celestial bodies that produced a phenomenon bright enough to be the one supposedly described in the bible around the time of Christ's birth was in April. June is a lot closer to April than it is to December, so Perry is getting there.

Of course, I'm assuming Perry knows the difference between April and December, and that may be stretching things a little.

[roamer65]

8. Yes the fuck it does.

The first amendment is freedom to choose, and some choose none.

Perry is a dickwad.

[TheBadWolf]

10. Their faith is so strong they have to shove it in everyone's faces.

Assholes. Gaping assholes.

[Niceguy1]

11. he is an idiot

And the law he is proposing is ill concieved.

However, there is no right to freedom from religion. The govt cannot estabish not prevent the free exercise of religion. So the crazy guy in the city park or bus stop that reads from the bible as loud as he can??? That is protected by law. Of course you are free to ignore him as I do. So far it hasn't hurt me.

[MNBrewer]

12. Dem VP Candidate Lieberman said essentially the same thing

shortly before the election, which is why I didn't vote for Gore. (MN went for him anyway, so don't even GO there).

[Arugula Latte]

15. Gawd what a worthless piece of crap Lieberman was/is.

Few people have ever sickened me like that creep. I'm so glad he's gone.

[hrmjustin]

13. Does anyone know if he is running again?

[Songflower]

14. Facepalm

It's comical.. It really only comical. Thanks Rick Perry for providing me with my laugh for the day. Where's the common sense? Face it, republicans.. The power behind your ignorant rhetoric is dying down,.. Continue grasping at straws.

[hrmjustin]

18. Welcome to DU my friend!

[Avalux]

16. How can anything Guv Goodhair says surprise anyone?

He's proven himself to be a complete moron time and again. He's a one-man spectacle every time he opens his mouth.

Did you know he's traveling to and campaigning in northern blue states to persuade corps to move to Texas? He's spent taxpayer money on advertisements that are aired in those states (particularly Illinois). Come to Texas, where everything's for sale and you can do whatever the fuck you want with it, no questions asked!

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Yup, that is exactly how the courts have interpreted the Establishment clause....

NOT