Judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.

“In fact, it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual’s decision whether and when to pray,” Crabb wrote.

Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2008 arguing the day violated the separation of church and state.

President Barack Obama’s administration has countered that the statute simply acknowledges the role of religion in the United States. Obama issued a proclamation last year but did not hold public events with religious leaders as former President George W. Bush had done.

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The Forbes Fictional 15

Forbes has updated their 15 richest fictional characters with the top spot going to some dude in the Twilight series, but here’s #5:

No. 5 Clampett, Jed

Net Worth: $7.2 billion
Source: Oil & Gas, Banking

Price of crude oil nearly doubles in past year and value of Clampett’s “Texas Tea” soars. Finally fulfills threat to fire longtime banker Milton Drysdale amid allegations of double-dealing; Granny snipes Drysdale is “such a liar he has to get someone else to call his dog for him.” Extended clan thriving: Jethro parlayed sixth-grade education, family fortune into hit reality television drama L.A. Shore; Elly May heading “treat the critters right” campaign for PETA. Member since 1962.

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