Legion eyes Commandments display

RUPERT, Idaho – An American Legion chapter in this southern Idaho city says a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that in some cases allows displaying the Ten Commandments on public property bolsters its ambitions for such a monument at the local courthouse.

The effort to erect a marker engraved with the biblical laws stalled two years ago when Minidoka County commissioners ruled the sale of publicly owned real estate at the site would be illegal.

Now, it’s back, with supporters at the George E. Marshall American Legion Post basing their renewed bid on the high court’s May 27 ruling. This is at least the second effort in Idaho to erect a monument based on the court’s decision.

“I think it’s about time,” said Don Murray, an official with the veterans organization who promoted the effort in 2003. “I think it’s the right thing.”

With talk of reviving the Rupert effort, lawyers with the American Civil Liberties Union in Boise, located about 200 miles to the northwest, say they’ll likely sue if the Minidoka County Commission were to acquiesce this time around.

“If new monuments were to be placed in Idaho, there could be some litigation,” said the ACLU’s Marty Durand. “If the purpose is to promote religion, that’s something we would oppose.”

Despite claims by monument backers that the Supreme Court decision underpins their argument, some local officials aren’t so sure. County Commission Chairman Dan Stapelman favors a marker – but said the ruling is confusing.