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Tomorrow's spam today

Posted at 3:45 PM on May 10, 2010 by Bob Collins (7 Comments)
Filed under: Crime and Justice

The fastest-spreading story on the Internet today is the one from Georgia where -- allegedly -- senior citizens have been told they can't pray aloud before their meal because the food is provided courtesy of the federal government.

The Associated Press kicked things off last week with a story that the agency that runs the senior center -- Senior Citizens Inc. -- told the seniors they couldn't pray aloud because praying over food that is paid for with federal money violates the separation of church and state.

The agency claimed it's in the federal guidelines, according to the Associated Press.

FoxNews got in on the story today, featuring a politician who's taken up the cause:

"I told them they're not fighting this alone," Eric Johnson, a Republican running for governor, told FoxNews.com. "To heck with the federal government -- we can't stop people from free practice of their faith."

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

There is no evidence such a guideline -- as interpreted -- exists in any federal contract, however. And there's no indication there's anything involved here other than an official of a senior citizen center who doesn't quite understand the Constitution.

Nothing infringes on the right of people to pray. But a government agency cannot force someone to pray, lead a prayer, or sponsor a prayer. Praying to oneself is not any different than praying aloud and if the senior center official believes a silent prayer is acceptable under the Constitution, a verbal prayer would be as well.

But it's too late. The story is already spreading. "Oppressive Government: Feds Tell GA Old Folks They Can't Pray Before Meals," screamed one Web site headline.

Expect to find this story in your INBOX on a regular basis for the next several years.

Update 4:10 p.m. - From Georgia Public Broadcasting:

"There are no guidelines or policies set by the Division of Aging Services that would prohibit public prayer," says James Bulot, head of the Division of Aging Services at DHS. "We serve over four million me

(h/t: Julia Schrenkler)

Comments (7)

Thanks for the heads up. I expect Rep. M.B. will have a fundraising letter out later today.

Posted by BJ | May 10, 2010 4:00 PM

Wonder how long it will take the kind folks at snopes.com to address this one...

Posted by Heather | May 10, 2010 4:58 PM

Reminds me of the robot insurance scare.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/2340/saturday-night-live-old-glory

Posted by Jim!!! | May 10, 2010 5:03 PM

I addressed this today in my own blog and my own way. It's just another example of (CowPuckey) or the lack of concern whether something is actually true or not taking over our lives.

This is the political equivalent of a con. If it sounds too stupid to be true, it probably is.

Posted by Erik Hare | May 10, 2010 8:02 PM

Gosh! Spreading false stories to make political points!!

You mean like rumors of racism at Tea Party Rallies?

Posted by GregS | May 11, 2010 5:54 AM

Finally. Someone has stepped forward to defend the comparison of an African American as a chimp as non-racist. This should be illuminating.. Go ahead.

Posted by Bob Collins | May 11, 2010 6:05 AM

I heart Bob!

Posted by Heather | May 11, 2010 10:04 AM