OK, so after all the big smackdown, the Honorable Judge Goodwin decided to stay his ruling, thus, keeping it from going into effect.

Then Attorney General John Ashcroft said he will ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the three judge 2-1 ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional.

What else, umm, California Gov. Gray Davis is really upset (he should be, the whole nation is looking at his state for this). He claims he will "take decisive action to overturn this decision." Like what I wonder? Hmm? Please tell us.

Oh yeah, the Senate passed some worthless rulings standing behind the inclusion of "Under God" in the Pledge. Way to secure re-election there, gang!

Of all the recent news however, I think the request made by Ashcroft is the most disturbing. His suggestion would keep the case in the lower courts. That would prevent the case from going to the Supreme Court.

Whether you support the inclusion of "Under God" in the pledge or not, shouldn't the case go before the Supreme Court? To have a final decision on this would be groudbreaking. It seems to me, that simply sending it back to the lower court reduces the importance of the case.

And whether the ruling stands or not, this is certainly an historical lawsuit. It deserves to be treated as such.