Kissimmee, FL Wants to Add "In God We Trust" to City Logo

[LaRae]

City Commission of Kissimmee, Florida, will vote to modify its city logo to include "In God We Trust" to voice objection to the “socialist” leadership of the country.

Commissioner Art Otero recommended this affront to the American Constitution. "This nation has been moving toward more liberal postures such as homosexuality, gay marriage, abortion and the legalization of marijuana. I'm against that way of thinking. Those are not the values upon which this nation was founded. I think we need to fight for the values we're losing."

The Mayor, Jim Swan said he would pay $250 of his own money to engrave it on the seal in the commissioners’ cambers. It turns out that $250 is how much Jim Swan is willing to spend to set the Constitution on fire and disenfranchise 15% of his constituency.

Oh, and the total estimated cost of changing the logo is $200,000. So, not only are they willing to put aside their duty to their country as elected officials, they are willing to sacrifice vital city services to do it.

This should upset non-Kissimmee citizens because they aren’t just spitting in the face of the Kissimmee citizens, but every American who hold the Constitution dear. They refuse to uphold their oath to the country that has granted them office through the process outlined in the document they willfully ignore.

Please, use your constitutional rights and write the Kissimmee Council and let them know how you feel about putting “In God We Trust.” Please take the time to write your own letter.
This is the letter I sent. It would mean the world to the citizens of both Kissimmee and the US. Please, bcc me at laraemeadows@gmail.com so I can see your letters. Pass the request on to like-minded friends.

Hello Elected Officials,

It makes me sad that we even have to have a conversation about how little a city like yours respects the Constitution of the United States. We were founded on the idea that governments, even little ones like yours, didn't have the right to impose a religious idea on anyone, and no one had the right to impose one on you. You seem to have a misunderstanding of the founding of this country or the the Constitution because I can't imagine that someone who took an oath to protect the Constitution would intentionally do something so blatantly against it.

Many of our founders were not Christians, in fact, the majority were not. More importantly than their own religious beliefs, they made it clear during their lifetimes that America was not a Christian nation, nor a nation of any other religion. Religion was to be left outside the doors of government, even a little one like Kissimmee.

"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

This quote, was part of a Treaty of Tripoli and was signed by President Adams. I think we can agree that there is no ambiguity in this statement, and Adams was certainly a founder of this country. So, what will you say to the memory of our founders, including Adams, George Washington, and Jefferson? Will you, in the face of your oath to all of the citizens of Kissimmee and loving citizens of America, spit on the Constitution and memory of our founders? Will you, as representatives of your citizens break the first law of this country, the country we share, as an officer of the government? Do you think so little of our country, or do you believe you should not be subject to her laws and appreciate her protections?

Additionally, you have $200,000 to waste on this project plus the court costs in the future? May I have some for your roads, schools, police and firefighters. That way all your citizens will have the benefit of their government.

LaRae Meadows
True American Citizen

http://ffrf.org/action/2009/KissimmeeActionAlert.php
Mayor Jim Swan
101 N. Church Street
Kissimmee FL 34741-5054
Phone: (407)973-5226
Fax: (407)847-8369
Email: jswan@kissimmee.org

Vice Mayor Jerry Gemskie
E-mail: jgemskie@kissimmee.org

Mayor Pro-Tem Cheryl L. Grieb
E-mail: cgrieb@kissimmee.org

Commissioner Carlos L. Irizarry
E-mail: cirizarry@kissimmee.org

Commissioner Art Otero
E-mail: aeotero@kissimmee.org
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The Miami Herald
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(Note: Include name, address and phone number. "Clear, brief letters on a single subject are most likely to be published. Please include your letter in the body of the e-mail. Attached files may not arrive intact. Your address and phone number will not be published.")

[charlou]

Unfortunately I can't join you in your petition, but good on you, LaRae, and all the best with it.

[Feck]

125th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Kissimmee Kowtown Festival
Mickey Mouse and the Mayor of Main Street U.S.A. pay a visit to the City of Kissimmee to honor Mayor Jim Swan, Commissioner Jerry Gemskie and former City Commissioner Jeanne Van Meter with a Proclamation for the City’s 125th Birthday.


In God we trust and Disney .

Do they think that if they join 'Homophobes are us ' then god will divert hurricanes ?

[RPizzle]

July 28, 2009

Important Update!
The Kissimmee City Commission, the night of July 28, voted (4 to 1) not to move forward with the proposal to change its city logo to include "In God We Trust." Commissioner Otero wanted to proceed with logo changes. Please thank the City Commissioners that voted to protect the separation between state and church in Kissimmee:

Kissimmee City Commission
101 N. Church Street
Kissimmee FL 34741-5054

Mayor Jim Swan, jswan@kissimmee.org
Vice Mayor Jerry Gemskie, jgemskie@kissimmee.org
Mayor Pro-Tem Cheryl L. Grieb, cgrieb@kissimmee.org

[RPizzle]

Seems like that terrible idea went down in flames.

[charlou]

GOod stuff.

[maiforpeace]

Can you believe this response I got from a city council member I emailed?

Thanks for your opinion,whoever,the city logo will not be change "In God we trust" will not be added,thanks
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-----Original Message-----

From: "Mai XXXXXXXX"
To: <cirizarry@sprint.blackberry.net>
Subject: Modifying your city logo to include "In God We Trust"

Dear elected officials,

I respectfully request, that you vote against modifying your city logo to include "In God We Trust". By making this a part of your city logo you are ignoring the establishment clause in the constitution as well as the civil rights of those who are of another faith that doesn't include God, or have no faith at all in God. You are doing this whenever you are displaying a logo that includes "In God We Trust",(which is consistent with only some religious beliefs), in venues that are secular, government owned, and public property. The right to practice religion, or no religion at all is among the most fundamental of freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. By voting against including "In God We Trust" on your logo you are ensuring that this essential freedom is protected by keeping your city government and symbols representative of it, in this case your logo, out of religion.

Sincerely,

Mai XXXXXXX

Aside from me having a name, instead of "whoever" they can't even write properly. "the city logo will not be change "In God we trust" will not be added,thanks"

What an illiterate, and unprofessional response. Is this what we can expect from government officials these days?

[RPizzle]

Can you believe this response I got from a city council member I emailed?

Thanks for your opinion,whoever,the city logo will not be change "In God we trust" will not be added,thanks
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-----Original Message-----

From: "Mai XXXXXXXX"
To: <cirizarry@sprint.blackberry.net>
Subject: Modifying your city logo to include "In God We Trust"

Dear elected officials,

I respectfully request, that you vote against modifying your city logo to include "In God We Trust". By making this a part of your city logo you are ignoring the establishment clause in the constitution as well as the civil rights of those who are of another faith that doesn't include God, or have no faith at all in God. You are doing this whenever you are displaying a logo that includes "In God We Trust",(which is consistent with only some religious beliefs), in venues that are secular, government owned, and public property. The right to practice religion, or no religion at all is among the most fundamental of freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. By voting against including "In God We Trust" on your logo you are ensuring that this essential freedom is protected by keeping your city government and symbols representative of it, in this case your logo, out of religion.

Sincerely,

Mai XXXXXXX

Aside from me having a name, instead of "whoever" they can't even write properly. "the city logo will not be change "In God we trust" will not be added,thanks"

What an illiterate, and unprofessional response. Is this what we can expect from government officials these days?

I'd have been happy to get a response at all.