Liberty Defense League

by Timothy N. Baldwin

September 17, 2009 not only marked the celebrated day of the approval of our Constitution by the Constitutional Congress in 1787 (which had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 STATES—not the majority of the PEOPLE), it also marked another, what I call, LAY case, reflecting the power and control of the federal government over individual, local and state affairs, and the submission of its lowly subjects, We the People.

Some of you may have learned of principal of Pace High School in Pace, FL, Frank Lay, who was charged with violation of an order entered by Federal Judge Margaret C. “Casey” Rodgers’, prohibiting him, the teachers and staff of Pace High from praying or holding any religious ceremonies at school or at school functions, which originated out of a lawsuit brought by the ACLU. As you have already likely guessed, sometime after the order entered (and was actually consented to by Lay), Lay had a prayer conducted at a Pace High staff function. Of course, this was deemed a violation of the court’s order and Lay was charged with violation of Judge Rodgers order in contempt of court.

Lay had a hearing on the contempt charges onConstitution Day, September

Frank Lay

17, 2009 at 9:00am. Hundreds of people stood outside of the Federal courthouse in Pensacola, FL, showing their support for Lay, their disgust with the government, or just their interest to see what would happen. (Some of even showed their protest against Lay.) It appeared as though it were a pep-rally of sorts with high-school kids chanting, “We Love Jesus, Yes We Do, We Love Jesus, How ‘Bout You!” and other effectively similar chants. Around 11:30am, much of the crowd began marching around the federal courthouse (which sits down town Pensacola, FL) seven times, to sort of re-enact and metaphorically demonstrate the judgment of God falling on the city of Jericho in the book of Joshua, as if to suggest that either they wanted God to condemn Judge Rogers or that Judge Rogers was attacking Lay and she was the sole evil presented in this case, or other similar theories to that effect.

It was obvious that most people present deemed the matter against Lay to be what they would classify as spiritual in nature; and by spiritual, I mean to say, that the issue to them did not regard constitutional government, federalism, the evils of centralized power over state power, the true meaning and sense of the Constitution, etc. Rather, it had almost a tone of “We believe in God, and you, Judge Rodgers, do not…We believe in prayer, and you, Judge Rodgers do not…We love Jesus, and you, Judge Rodgers do not…Lay should be allowed to pray in school, and you, Judge Rodgers, should let him.” It had very similar qualities to an “evolution verses creation” debate you would see at a college or university.

What most of these people fail to understand is that the matters of constitutional government, federalism, the evils of centralized power over state power, the true meaning and sense of the Constitution, etc. are just as spiritual in nature as the matter of praying in public and loving Jesus.

Do these people at the rally, most of whom would likely claim to be Christian, not understand that God created natural law (Thomas Jefferson called it “Nature and Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence) upon His creation of the world, a law that God Himself binds Himself to for His glory and for man’s benefit? Do these people not recognize that binding our government (state and federal) to their respective constitutions conforms to God’s natural law that men adhere to their agreements (i.e. a compact/constitution)? Are these people still ignorant of the principles of limited power, jurisdiction and self-government created by God and expressed by Him in His Word?–and that these principles apply even when their favorite political party is in office.

As I was at the rally, I had the opportunity to speak with a very experienced military and law enforcement Special Forces soldier, who was passionate about why he was there. He said a lot of good things about God, community and how great it was to see so many people present to support Lay, because “they obviously love him”. I happened to ask him a question regarding politics and certain political candidate. He immediately answered: “I do not get involved in politics.” In just a short period of time, I saw that this well-intentioned man was missing the truth completely regarding mixing “politics and religion”. It became very apparent that he did not think that matters of God, community, the constitution and freedom necessarily require those who love those things to “get involved in politics” and to know on what ground they stand, and why.

Lay Supporters

It is likely this type of person that would tell you why you must vote for anyone who is capable of winning just to beat Obama. It is likely this type of person would tell you that it is ok to go war without Congress declaring war even though the U.S. Constitution requires it. It is likely this type of person who would not dare suggest that a State use its reserved powers under the tenth amendment in the bill of rights to arrest federal tyranny, because “they lost their right to do that during the Civil War”. That type of person has ignorance written all over him–no matter what kind of intentions he holds. Good intentions never preserve anything of value, unless their actions follow their intent. Of course, his mindset was obviously (to me) the prevailing mindset of the crowd.

After several hours of waiting outside (even during serious downpour of rain), Frank Lay and his entourage exited the courthouse, with Lay’s wife giving the “peace sign” with both hands and the rest of the group with smiles on their faces, anticipatorily revealing that Judge Rodgers had found Lay “not guilty” of the contempt charges. It was as if a major victory had been won for Lay, his family, all those who were supporting him outside of the courthouse and for all “public-prayer-supporting” Americans. You can be certain that many felt this was a victory. I do not whether or laugh or cry at such a thought.

The crux of the “not guilty” verdict in fact demonstrates just how LAY lost, how America lost, how tyrannical our federal government is, how far gone and how ignorant we are. It showed just how the citizens of this country willingly LAY down when actual confrontation arises. Consider how Lay was found “not guilty” and supposedly victory was won in this case:

First. The Prayer Was “Unintentional”:
“Freeman was asked why he gave the prayer when Lay asked. ‘It was just out of reflex’, he answered.” The only way LAY could have “won” at this hearing was essentially to say, “oops, Judge, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to do it; it won’t happen again, I promise; please, pretty please, don’t put me in jail.” You call that a victory!?

Second. The Judge’s Order, Which Lay Consented To, Is “Constitutional”:
“Both sides also agreed that the constitutionality of Rodgers’ temporary injunction will not be up for debate, meaning today’s proceeding will focus on whether Lay and Freeman violated the order.” Not only did LAY have to metaphorically bow at the feet of Judge Rodgers to keep from going to jail, but also LAY had to literally admit that the order prohibiting him from praying at school or at school functions was constitutional and that he is bound to follow this “law”. Again, how is this a victory?!

Third. From Now On, He Will Comply With the Order Not to Pray:
In a 10:00 pm interview with WEAR, Channel 3 News, Lay admitted on live television that he will comply with “Consent Order” not to pray and that “changes will be made at Pace High School” to reflect this compliance. Just like a little child who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar and knows he is in trouble with his parents, LAY had to promise to be a good little boy and to do exactly what he was told by the federal government to get off the hook of punishment.

This is not victory! It shows every sign of defeat! This is once again precedent

Frank Lay with Attorney (left) and Wife (right)

to reaffirm and reestablish that the federal government is America’s god. (But of course, I guess we must submit to the federal government because Romans 13 says we must. Pah!) We will do what it says, when it says, and how it says. We will not challenge the issue on the philosophical and foundational merits, because to do would literally require Americans to accept a form of government that it has rejected over the past 100 years. Thus, we will only attempt to skirt around the matter, hanging out in the shadows, hoping not to be spotted by the tyrannical spot-light of Big Brother.

While I speak in irritation, I of course I am pleased that Lay was not found guilty and that he was not sentenced to jail and fined. I do not wish that on any person of any faith for simply praying. But what has to be recognized is that LAY did not win, LAY LAID down: the Federal Government showed their force and the people submitted. LAY can go home, but the “law” remains the same and tyranny is triumphant.

People–and particularly Christian people–repeatedly complain about the federal government when issues like this arise, and they proclaim that their “freedom of religion” is being denied. But do these same people stop to think about the reasons why? Are these the same people who think that by voting for John McCain America will be spared more federal tyranny? Was not Judge Casey Rodgers appointed by G.W. Bush in November 2003? Was not Alabama Attorney General, Bill Pryor, who removed Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench for acknowledging God removed from the highest judicial seat in the state appointed by G.W. Bush? Do they not stop to think that the people they elect for President, Congress, Senate, State House, State Senate, State Governor, County Judge, Circuit Judge, Sheriff, etc. all have a part to play in this equation? Do they not stop to think that the system (that is, the United States Government, as opposed to the United States of America under the Constitution) they criticize is the one they support through their taxes, their votes, their philosophy, their endorsements, their attendance at churches and organizations that hold to the same, their training their children to believe the same, and the list goes on.

To start with, the only way to become victorious in these matters is for the people to retake power usurped by the Federal government through the constitutional amendment process (revoking the 14^th, 16^th and 17^th amendments), abandoning the lesser of two evils theory, supporting state representatives, governors and sheriffs that will stand on the tenth amendment of the bill of rights to defend their citizens against federal encroachment, re-educate the masses into principles which founded our federal republic and begin taking responsibility for our own actions, training our children accordingly, and kicking the federal government out of our affairs. Are you not sick of this to the point that you are willing to listen to an alternative plan other than what you hear from Hannity and Limbaugh and Bortz every day?!

The reality is, this federal takeover did not happen overnight, and if things keep going the way they are, and people keep acting the way they do, you will never be free from the tyranny in your lifetime and your children will never be free from it in their lifetime. What is worse, the vast majority of people’s ignorance seems to be at a pinnacle, thus perpetuating the death grip of federal control over freedom. The result: LAY case after LAY case after LAY case; one person LAYing down after the other. Consequently, these cases are never victories for the principles of freedom in America. They only serve to remind us that the principles of tyranny prevail in this country. Yes, individuals like Lay may be let go from time to time–at least for now. But the time inevitably will come when EVERYONE will be forced to submit and lay down.