CrossRoads Farm

I Must Have Had That LOOK

29 June, 2005 - 10:38 am

The worst part of my new job with the town is the Board meetings. These are indicated on the calendar as “Bored Meetings.” The three members of our esteemed Selectboard do about 20 minutes of Town business and gossip and complain for the other hour we are there. The meetings start at 7:30 and I haven’t been home from any meeting before nine o’clock. At least I get paid for the time.

When I arrived at the office this past Monday night, the conversation was about the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Ten Commandments being on display in front of public buildings. Our Town clerk, Jenny, wants to post the Ten Commandments on the clerk’s board in front of our office just to make a point. Jake, one of our Selectboard members told her to wait until the day after Town Meeting so we would have plenty of time to prepare for our court case. Then I said, “Well, I’m not a Christian, but I really have to ask. Who can really argue with ten simple rules of conduct to live by. It doesn’t matter to me where you believe those rules come from. Seriously, who could be against the Ten Commandments.”

Jenny turned to me and said, “Jewish people.”

I must have had that look on my face that I get just before I blurt out something inappropriate and/or hurtful because Jake hurriedly cut in and said, “OK, town business. That’s why we are here.”

Jewish people? How mind-boggling. I really wanted to ask if that’s what she really thought or was it the first non-Christian religion she thought of, because Jenny is a pretty smart woman.

Me? I don’t care. I’ve read the Constitution and the words “separation of church and state” do not appear anywhere in the document. Those words were written by a Supreme Court Justice, I think his name was Hugh Black – who happened the be a Klansmen. I don’t care what’s displayed on the front lawns of public buildings as long as I’m allowed to conduct my religion as I wish.

Like it says in the Constitution.

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