Sam Brownback: “I would like to applaud the decision by the Supreme Court yesterday dismissing the Pledge of Allegiance Case and…”

“I would like to applaud the decision by the Supreme Court yesterday dismissing the Pledge of Allegiance Case and affirming a student's right to say the pledge with the phrase ``One Nation Under God.'' The majority decision concluded that the Court lacked jurisdiction over Mr. Newdow's claim of injury since Mr. Newdow is merely a noncustodial parent with no decision-making authority over his daughter's education. The Court, of course, chose to sidestep the larger issue presented by the case. If you recall, Mr. President, the Ninth Circuit's stunning decision was deeply troubling to many Americans when it was first announced in 2000. The Ninth Circuit, unable to legally address the issue of relationship between the father and the daughter, simply decided that Mr. Newdow had a fundamental right to have his child shielded in public school from religious views that differ from his own. Never mind that such a right has not been articulated before, and certainly not within the context of a noncustodial relationship, but more importantly, a right of such magnitude has breathtaking implications for the future relationship between the Federal judiciary and public education.”