Patriotism

Saturday, October 24, 2009
By JARED JERNAGAN, Assistant Editor

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Richard Flint, left, made a gift to Putnam County Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges last winter, just after Bridges took office. On Jan. 2, Flint donated replica copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to the judge for display in his courtroom. Bridges had the documents framed, and Flint saw them on display for the first time on Friday. "They are the instruction manual for a nation, and nobody knows what they are," Flint said. "They should be everywhere in all public buildings."

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I agree with Mr. Flint. "No one knows what they are." Remember when we had a Republic government?

-- Posted by Xgamer on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 7:41 AM

What does that mean? Who took it away? Bush and Cheney and their lies? They are gone.

But isn't it unethical for a judge to accept gifts from private individuals?

-- Posted by Benedick on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 8:00 AM

Unethical? Yes, but Bridges really, really needs these particular items. Rather than a gift, think of it as a polite reminder from Mr. Flint to the judge of what we expect from our public servants.

-- Posted by westforty on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 10:46 AM

Hey Arnold, not a gift to the Judge but maybe it is a gift to the Court and the people who Upholds the message. I don't mean the Donkeys or the Elephants but We The People-!!

-- Posted by macvrod on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 10:50 AM

Our government has long strayed from its orginal ideas. Our four fathers would be rolling in thier graves if they knew how politcs are raping the people!!!

-- Posted by 1stamendrights on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 2:30 PM

Republicans and democrats have both strayed away from the constitution like it was never written. Bush and Obama have both signed off on unconstitutional laws.

By definition, Bush was not a republican.

I voted for Ron Paul. He was right.

-- Posted by hoop2077 on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 8:41 PM

Hey, help me out "1stamendrights" it's: 1) Father, 2) Son, 3) Holy Ghost, but who is the fourth one?

-- Posted by reckman on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 9:58 PM

He rode a pale horse and his name was death...

-- Posted by westforty on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 10:27 PM

It had nothing to do with the political parties.Greed, avarice, apathy,irresponsibility,and pure laziness has signed the death knell of the greatest experiment on earth.

-- Posted by bondsman on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 12:56 AM

WOW!

"Unethical? Yes, but Bridges really, really needs these particular items."

Terrifically unfair and absolutely wrong on both counts, westforty.

-- Posted by Lawyerman on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 10:44 AM

I see this as a donation. Every court room should have a set of these!

Maybe if "WE THE PEOPLE" stood up for what is right and reminded every elected official of our rights we would be better off as a country. These belong in the court room no matter who gave or donated them!

-- Posted by Fallgirl09 on Tue, Oct 27, 2009, at 7:54 AM

So, how would you like to be in a lawsuit with Mr. Flint on the other side? Or his friend or relative? Could you give the judge a new gavel or flag to "even up"? This is why there should be strict rules against judges receiving things of value from other people.

Don't you think he has read the Constitution and Bill of Rights? He has other copies in his court room. And the Declaration, though significant and inspiring, is not a legal document at all.

-- Posted by Benedick on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 5:23 PM

Yes, that is accurate, Stilledick. The best way to all judicial favors is to donate copies of the bill of rights and the declaration.

It's a good thing Mr Flint has been exposed for his attempt, he could have really boiled up a huge crime spree by now.

-- Posted by Xgamer on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 4:29 AM