ANN ARBOR, MI – The Branch County Tea Party is a volunteer group of concerned citizens calling themselves “The Common Sense Patriots of Branch County” who gather several times each year for speeches at the Four Corners city park in Coldwater, Michigan. As it had with other groups in the past, the City allowed the “Patriots” to place a sign at the Park entrance announcing their meetings. Last week that suddenly changed. Without giving any specific explanation other than the City had received some complaints, the City Manager informed the group that they could no longer put up their signs.

This is when the Thomas More Law Center stepped in.  Last week, one of the group’s members asked for help.  Their next meeting was scheduled for July 31, 2010, and they wanted to announce it with a sign. The Thomas More Law Center is a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Robert Muise, the Law Center’s Senior Trial Counsel, immediately prepared and faxed a letter to the City explaining it had violated the group’s Constitutional right to free speech. [Click here to read letter]

Within a few hours of receiving the letter, the City reversed its refusal. The sign will immediately go up announcing the Patriots’ meeting on Saturday July 31.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “The Tea Party movement is one of the only remaining means of getting our Nation out of the mess it’s in.  I’m pleased that we were able to help this group get out its message.  And I’m pleased that the City so quickly responded to our letter.”

Thompson concluded with a word of caution, “We were successful in getting the City to change its position this time, but the situation has not been permanently resolved.  That’s because the City’s attorney informed us that they are developing a formal written policy dealing with displays in City parks.  The Law Center will make sure that the City doesn’t attempt to prevent the display of the Patriot’s signs indirectly through this written policy.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center has been deluged with requests for information by concerned parents about what they can do about President Obama’s planned speech and classroom lesson plan to all the children’s public schools in the nation.

As a result, the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan suggested today that families who object to this form of indoctrination ask their children to wear black arm bands to school, the same type of student protest of the Vietnam War that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The White House has come up with a curriculum designed by the “White House Teaching Fellows,” a group that includes several activist educators, in what the Secretary of Education calls “the first time an American President has spoken directly to the nation’s school children…”

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “Many Americans view the President’s speech and the distributed lesson plan as an attempt to foster the cult of personality.  It provides a pretext for liberal teachers to engage in political indoctrination.  Students should not have to miss school because of the President, but can teach him a lesson in Constitutional protesting by wearing the black arm bands.”

This curriculum asks students to listen to the speech and think about the following:  What is the President trying to tell me; What is the President asking me to do; and What new ideas and actions is the President challenging me to think about?  The students are also encouraged to record parts of the speech and ask themselves what the President is asking them to do.  Is he asking anything of anyone else?  Teachers, Principals, Parents?  The American People?  After the speech, teachers will ask students:  What do you think the President wants us to do?  Does the speech make you want to do anything? Are we able to do what the President is asking of us?  Further, the White House is asking students to: Create posters of their goals. 

Children were also encouraged to write letters to themselves asking what they can do to help the President.  (This has been recently changed to how students can achieve their short and long term goals.)

Abraham Lincoln said that the philosophy of the classroom in one generation is the philosophy of the government in the next.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center is honored to have Admiral Jeremiah Denton as our Advisory Board Chairman.  Today Admiral Denton turns 85 years of age. 
 
Admiral Jeremiah Denton was a Vietnam POW for nearly eight years.  Suffering severe mistreatment, he became the first U.S. military captive to be subjected to four years of solitary confinement.  He first came to the public’s attention in 1966.  After being tortured and threatened with more torture and even death if he did not “correctly” answer the questions posed, he was televised in front of Communist dignitaries with the purpose of having him admit to American atrocities.  Instead, Admiral Denton replied, “Whatever the position of my government is, I believe it, I support it, and I will support it as long as I live.”  Years later, Admiral Denton authored, When Hell Was In Session, a reflection on his time as a POW.
 
Admiral Denton commented on attaining 85 years, “I am happy to say that I just celebrated my 85th Birthday.  While you won't find me jumping out of an airplane like Bush, Sr. did on his 85th earlier this year, you would find me on the golf course with my sons and ready for the challenge.  I am even happier to say that I was able to enjoy my Birthday in good health, with family, friends and the Blessings of God who has kept me around.  The Good Lord must render some things I have to say as valuable.  Recently, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at an important conference at the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, FL.  Shortly after that, I was invited to attend a Dedication Ceremony of the DOD Humanitarian Relief Corridor at the Pentagon.  Also, I have been invited by the Secretary of Defense to be the keynote speaker at the 2009 National Celebration of POW/MIA Day at the Pentagon on 11 September this year.  And reportedly, the book I have been working on is at its completion.  The contract has been signed and we will keep you updated on what I feel is an important piece of work regarding an accurate account of the Vietnam War (scheduled to be released Veteran's Day).  Incidentally, I recently wrote a book review of Ride the Thunder, by Richard Botkin (another great work on the Vietnam War).  The review was published in The Washington Times (July 13th).”
 
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center commented, “Admiral Denton represents everything good about America — a heroic patriot, a devoted husband, father, and a faithful Christian.  The Law Center is proud to have him as the Chairman of our Citizens Advisory Board.  Honoring him on his birthday is a small tribute to a man that is literally a living legend.”
 
Admiral Denton’s character and courage was epitomized in a North Vietnamese televised interview, Admiral Denton feigning sensitivity to harsh camera lighting, looked into the camera lens and blinked his eyes in Morse Code spelling out the message ‘T-O-R-T-U-R-E.’  Thus, he provided Naval Intelligence the first confirmation that American POWs in Vietnam were being tortured.  Further, as spokesperson for the first group of returning POWs in 1973, as he stepped from the plane he was asked to make a statement on behalf of the group.  He turned to the microphones and said, “We are honored to have the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances.  We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and our nation for this day.  God bless America.” 
 
Richard Thompson further commented, “One of my favorite memories of Admiral Denton is when he was honored by President Ronald Reagan.”  In his 1982 State of the Union Address, President Reagan stated, “We don't have to turn to our history books for heroes, they're all around us.”  The President then looked into the audience and singled out Jeremiah Denton.  “One who sits among you here tonight epitomized that heroism at the end of the longest imprisonment ever inflicted on men of our armed forces.”  Admiral Denton has been a member of the Thomas More Law Center Citizens Advisory Board since 2005.  He is responsible for developing the Law Center’s national strategy. 
 
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center applauded today’s 6-1 ruling of the California Supreme Court upholding a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.  However, the Court decided that the estimated 18,000 homosexual couples who got married before the law took effect would stay married.

The main holding of the court stated, “In summary, we conclude that Proposition 8 constitutes a permissible constitutional amendment (rather than an impermissible constitutional revision), does not violate the separation of powers doctrine, and is not invalid under the ‘inalienable rights’ theory proffered by the Attorney General. We further conclude that Proposition 8 does not apply retroactively and therefore that the marriages of same-sex couples performed prior to the effective date of Proposition 8 remain valid. Having determined that none of the constitutional challenges to the adoption of Proposition 8 have merit, we observe that if there is to be a change to the state constitutional rule embodied in that measure, it must ‘find its expression at the ballot box.’”

Click here to read the entire ruling.

Charles LiMandri, the Thomas More Law Center’s West Coast Director, also acted as the General Counsel to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the organization spearheading the California ballot initiative to amend the California state constitution to define marriage between one man and one woman only.  

LiMandri commented, “Today is a great day for the people of the State of California and the United States.  By upholding the validity of Proposition 8, the California Supreme Court has not only vindicated the will of the voters, but it has helped preserve the bedrock institution of our civilization.  In keeping marriage as the union of a man and a woman, the Court has done what is best for children and all of society. Although the struggle to protect traditional marriage goes on throughout the nation, this tremendous victory in our most populous state is of incalculable value.  It serves to clearly prove that democracy still works if we only care enough to exercise and protect our precious liberties.” 

Homosexual activists have already indicated they will go back to the voters as early as next year to repeal Proposition 8.  The Thomas More Law Center will vigorously oppose those efforts.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

ANN ARBOR, MI – A government official has informed the Thomas More Law Center that the government will not seek to appeal the recent unanimous decision by the Navy Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA) in favor of LtCol Jeffrey Chessani, USMC. 

The decision makes permanent the ruling by the trial court judge, Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, dismissing the charges against LtCol Chessani – without prejudice – due to Unlawful Command Influence.  The government could have sought an appeal to the civilian Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces (CAAF), and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Because Col Folsom’s dismissal of charges was made without prejudice, the government could still seek to re-charge LtCol Chessani. 

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, along with detailed military attorneys LtCol Jon Shelburne, USMC, and Capt Jeffrey King, USMC, have represented LtCol Chessani throughout the criminal process.

In order for the government to start the process of recharging LtCol Chessani, the Commandant – General James Conway, USMC – would have to appoint a new convening authority (the rank of General) that was not precluded by Col Folsom’s ruling, which was based on Unlawful Command Influence.

Col Folsom precluded the commands of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT), and General James Mattis, USMC in particular.  Whoever is named the new convening authority (the new General) would have to make an independent decision on whether or not to bring new charges against LtCol Chessani.  If the General did desire to bring charges, LtCol Chessani would be subject to a new Article 32 Hearing.

On March 17, 2009, the 3-judge panel of NMCCA unanimously vindicated the ruling by Colonel Steven A. Folsom, USMC, dismissing all charges against LtCol Chessani on the grounds of Unlawful Command Influence.  LtCol Chessani is the senior-most officer criminally charged as a result of the much-publicized and ill-described “Haditha massacre.”

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “LtCol Chessani devoted over 20 years of his life to his country and the Corps he loved.  His reward: criminal prosecution and ridicule by the mainstream media.  Sadly, insurgents, with the complicity of the media, were able to remove one of our most effective combat commanders in Iraq by unfounded allegations of a ‘massacre.’  The immeasurable damage to America by the prosecution of this loyal and patriotic marine officer can never be rectified.  Nevertheless the decision not to engage in any further appeals is welcome news.  We hope that the Commandant will now say ‘enough is enough’ and allow LtCol Chessani, his wife, and six children get on with their lives.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.