Here’s the bottom line: my guess is that most people pay not one whit to the various statues, monuments and plaques in various government buildings. Indeed, it is isn’t a guess as much as a certain fact. As such, if people didn’t bring attention to these things, who would notice?
On the other hand, even though I am a professed Christian, I see no magic powers inherent in having the Ten Commandments on display. I suspect that if one went to any given church, most of the attendees on a given Sunday couldn’t even name all ten.
As such, simply from the point of view of outcomes (I haven’t read the decisions) I see nothing problematic about today’s rulings. That the Ten Commandments are sometimes displayable and sometimes not doesn’t get me upset even a tad. Despite this fact, I know that numerous conservatives have been up in arms about the Kentucky case, and I suspect that Michael Newdows of the world aren’t happy about the Texas case.
However, for me, I just don’t see the point of getting upset over either.
So, for this issue at least, I guess I am the perfect Mr. Moderate Centrist.
This does, of course, make for boring blogging.
If you need me to be upset with the Supremes, refer to my Kelo posts.
I will say that I am dissappointed that there have been no retirements. The poligeek in me was looking forward to the spectacle of it all (not to mention the blogging fodder).
Everything, no matter what it is, is offensive to someone, and in our society, that gives us the right to sue.
Comment by ericl — Tuesday, June 28, 2026 @ 8:22 am
I agree with much that you write but I would say that 10 commandments have become a shorthand way of saying that the Courts have gone too far in taking religion out of the public square. The moderate middle does not get the importance of symbolic politics but politicians (Roy Moore?) understand that on both the left and right symbols Mare what votes are created from.
Comment by Mark — Tuesday, June 28, 2026 @ 2:03 pm