POINT OF VIEW. Cont'd.
A cover-up of
biblical proportions
Judge puts cloth over
plaque of Ten Commandments during murder trial
A copy of the Ten Commandments hanging in a North Carolina
courtroom has been covered up after the attorneys for an admitted killer on
trial claimed the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," might sway jurors
against their client. Andre Edwards is on trial for killing a young mother,
Ginger Hayes, and has admitted to the crime, reported WTVD-TV in Durham, N.C.
His lawyers convinced Judge Clinton Sumner to put a beige cloth over a plaque
of the Decalogue that hangs in the courtroom. According to the report, the
attorneys argued the prohibition against killing might prejudice the jurors
toward giving Edwards the death penalty. Since the judge's decision, hundreds
of people have protested the action. "To me, it's offensive," Charles Dudley,
pastor of Nashville Church of God, told the station. "To me, it is as if
saying that what God set down no longer stands." Edwards allegedly raped and
murdered Hayes before leaving her infant son to die in scorching 90-degree
heat, WTVD reported. Linda Hart is collecting hundreds of signatures on a
petition against the judge's decision. "Why should we give up our rights for
him to have all the rights? Why should that young girl that got killed – her
rights, nobody thinks about her. She's not here to speak for herself," Hart
said. Besides circulating the petition, which will be delivered to the judge,
Christians have planned to stage a protest outside the courthouse in Nash
County where the trial is taking place. WorldNetDailyNews.
Kerry-McCain ticket shocking possibility.
Republican senator stuns many: 'Obviously, I would entertain it'
By John Kovacs
What started out as a humorous suggestion by radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has turned into real-life political intrigue as Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain says he'd entertain the idea of being Democrat John Kerry's running mate. "John Kerry is a close friend of mine. We have been friends for years," McCain said today when pressed for comment about a Kerry-McCain ticket. "Obviously, I would entertain it, but there is – I see no scenario, no scenario, no scenario where – I foresee no scenario where that would happen." "When you say, 'I'll entertain it,' that means something," Limbaugh explained today. "How many denials do we hear before people accept things?" The Arizona senator, who once ridiculed Barbra Streisand by slaughtering her songs on "Saturday Night Live," stressed on ABC's "Good Morning America" how unlikely the whole concept was. "It's impossible to imagine the Democratic Party seeking a pro-life, free-trading, non-protectionist, deficit hawk. ... They'd have to be taking some steroids, I think, in order to let that happen." There's been plenty of speculation in recent weeks about Kerry's choice for a running mate, now that he's the expected Democratic nominee. Limbaugh was among the first to jokingly suggest McCain could be the choice for the No. 2 spot on the Democrats' ticket, due to the "maverick" positions the Arizona senator has taken on some issues in the Republican Party. "McCain will make Kerry more electable," said Limbaugh. "Stop and think of that. You've got to go outside the party and get McCain, who lost to Bush in the 2000 [race], to make your guy more electable!" But the mention of McCain's name has taken on a life of its own, making the rounds on many political shows.