"And even though I Haven't Seen the Sun since August, Here, in Seattle, I Want to Thank You for Not Creating a Suitable Job for Me in Georgia."

A federal judge has struck down a decades-old state law that allowed sales tax-free Bible purchases.

The law, which was created in 1971, was struck down because it treated some religious and philosophical works more favorably than others, U.S. District Judge Richard Story ruled in Budlong v. Graham.

Story ruled on Feb. 6 that the 'unique and preferential treatment the state provides to 'religious' literature raises serious constitutional concerns.'

He cited the 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Regan v. Time, Inc. that said laws that permit the government to discriminate on 'the basis of the content of the message cannot be tolerated.'

The law exempted from sales tax 'Holy Bibles, testaments and similar books commonly recognized as being Holy Scripture.' . . .


But Sadie Fields, state chairman of the Christian Coalition of Georgia, denounced the decision.

"It does not reflect the will of the people in Georgia. . . .," she said.

Which is, of course, why we have a federal constitution in the first place, to protect the rest of us (and those cursed with the misfortune of geography that is living within the legal reach of the Georgia Legislature) from the will of the people in Georgia.

So, tonight, when you hit your knees to pray (or use the pee can, whichever), toss up one or two for Federalism and the American way of life.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I feel a few bars of "This Is My Country" coming on.