2
(THURSDAY,
MARCH 3,2005
THE CHRONICL.E
wor dandnation
Prof argues 10 Commandments case by Hope Yen THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON —With demonstrators shouting religious slogans outside, Supreme Court justices questioned, argued and fretted Wednesday over whether Ten Commandments displays on government property cross the line of separation between church and state. Back-to-back arguments in cases from Texas and Kentucky were the court’s first consideration of the issue since 1980,when justices ruled the Ten Commandments could not be displayed in public schools. Clearly reluctant to adopt a blanket ban, the current justices wrestled with the role that religious symbols should play in public
life—right down to the Ten Commandments display in their own courtroom. Several expressed support for a 6-foot granite monument on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol, but were less certain about framed copies of the commandments in two Kentucky courthouses. “If an atheist walks by, he can avert his eyes,” Justice Anthony Kennedy said in a
courtroom filled with spectators, many of whom could be seen glancing at the court’s frieze of Moses carrying the tablets. Banning the Texas display might “show hostility to religion,” he said. But Justices John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, while acknowledging the nation’s religious history, won-
dered where the line should be drawn. The court ruled in 1983 that legislative prayer is allowable, citing its historical significance, but in 1992 said prayer in public schools is not because students may feel pressure to participate. What if every federal court had a Ten Commandments display over its bench and opened with a prayer, Ginsburg asked, brushing aside Justice Antonin Scalia’s retort that the justices already open their sessions with “God save this honorable court.” The suit was brought by Thomas Van Orden, a former lawyer who is now homeless. Van Orden, who enlisted the help of Duke law professor Erwin Chemerinsky in the appeal, did not comment on the case.
Iran fears information leaked to U.N. by
George
Jahn
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Declaring some sites off-limits to U.N. inspectors, Iran said Wednesday it fears that leaked information gathered by them could help those planning a possible strike on its military installations. Meanwhile, the United States, which has not ruled out such an attack on Iran urged the U.N. Security Council to take action against Tehran, saying the Islamic Republic is "cynically" pursuing nuclear arms while hiding its intentions from the world, an allegation Iran denies.
Jackie Sanders, chief U.S. delegate to the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, called the lAEA report a "starding list of Iranian attempts to hide and mislead and delay the work" of agency experts, and urged other countries to support a U.S. drive to have Iran referred to die U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. Iran's refusal to grant lAEA inspectors renewed access to the Parchin military site after an initial, severely restricted visit last month was one of the issues raised by the agency's review. The United States says Iran
may be testing high-explosive components for nuclear weapons, using an inert core of depleted uranium at Parchin as a dry run for a bomb that would use fissile material. The lAEA says it has found no firm evidence that Iran’s nuclear program is intended for anything other than peacefully generating electricity. The agency also has not been able to support U.S. assertions that nearly 20 years of covert nuclear programs discovered more than two years ago were aimed at making nuclear weapons. Iran says these programs, too, were intended to generate electricity.
newsinbrief Jackson sex case progresses A Las Vegas public relations specialist who briefly worked for Michael Jackson gave damaging testimony against the pop star Wednesday, suggesting his associates arranged a smear campaign against the family who would accuse him of molestation.
Cancer treatments successful Cancer patients who tried experimental treatments are helped more than previously
thought. This latest and largest study found that about 11 percent were helped by experimental treatment, and in some cases as many as 27 percent were better off.
Syria must withdraw troops President GeorgeW. Bush increased pressure on Syria Wednesday, demanding it withdraw its troops from Lebanon. Overall, the American rhetoric was combative, reminiscent in some ways of the tough talk that preceded the U.S. invasion of Iraq two years ago.
Talks on Iraqi coalition falter Talks aimed at forging a coalition government faltered Wednesday over Kurdish demands for more land and concerns that the dominant Shiite alliance seeks to establish an Islamic state. The snag in negotiations came as dashes and two car bombings in Baghdad killed 14 Iraqi soldiers and police officers. News briefs compiled from wire reports
"Maybe ail one can do is hope to end up Arthur Miller with the right regrets."