Nebraska State Senator Seeks Injunction against God
A state senator in Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against God, who he accuses of causing untold death and horror and threatening to cause more still. God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents, inspired fear, and caused “widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.” The Omaha senator, who skips morning prayers during the legislative session and often criticizes Christians, also says God has caused “fearsome floods . . . horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes.”
State Senator Ernie Chambers is seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty to make a point about frivolous lawsuits. Although the case that set him off doesn’t necessarily seem frivolous to me. Personally, I’d be pretty pissed of if I was involved in a rape case and couldn’t use the words “rape” or “sexual assault” when testifying.
Anyhow his point is the court is open to all cases regardless of their merits. In theory this should be a good thing so that we can all be free to seek redress of wrongs but is it a good thing? Should the courts indeed be open to all lawsuits? Are the million dollar drycleaning incidents the price to protect our rights?
Humanists should get to know a little more about Senator Ernie Chambers. Here is a man who could be a champion for me even if he isn’t a Humanist. He’s good on a lot of issues that make me wish he was a U.S. Senator or even a presidential candidate.
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Sen. Chambers seems like a great guy. He stands up for his rights and for minorities in Nebraska. One thing that surprised me, though, is from the linked Mother Jones article. “This is Nebraska,” he says. “It’s a terrible place to be. It is an ultraconservative, ultra-racist state. I would not advise anybody black to come here.” Very interesting thing coming from a state legislator. But I suppose if the system is rotting, the best way to change it is to get in it and upset it, which won’t necessarily mean that the system is any better when you leave…
Another interesting part of that story is the paltry pay of Nebraska State Senators. Sara Howard, my former intern from this summer at the AHA, is the daughter of Gwen Howard, a Nebraska State Senator. She also mentioned the poor pay, and the fact that most Senators are lawyers or real-estate developers, so that they can have some spending money. I can’t even figure out how on $12,000 one can eat and keep warm in those cold Nebraska winters…
I obviouly agree with your comments about Senator Chambers. But having grown up in a pretty conservative area myself. Montana is getting better I guess but I wouldn’t really recommend minorities move there just yet. It’s a beautiful state and I’d love to feel different about living there but…
At least Sen. Chambers stands for something that actually resembles a commitment to wrestling government into a shape that benefits those who aren’t already powerful or well-heeled vested interests. How rare is that!?! We could use about 500 more like him in Washington DC.
As for the “rape” case (sorry to speak inflammatorily… not!), I suppose the alleged victim will have to use language that graphically describes, in anatomically correct, clinically direct fashion exactly what happened in the attack. “He forced his … into my…” and so on. Let the judge try to forbid that. I hope her lawyer is on the ball. The trial becomes yet another trauma for her. May she fortify herself with courage and come out swinging, but with cleverness.
I definately agree with you about Chambers and I see where you are on the rape case. Actually, while it is more traumatizing for her it may also be more traumatizing for the jury to hear the actual details. Rape may be the least inflamatory word they hear