Interesting Standing Decision

I haven't read the opinion yet, but here is a newspaper account from the Indianapolis Star:

"All prayers, including those to Jesus, once again can be given from the podium of the Indiana House.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled today to overturn the decision of a U.S. district court judge who ruled that sectarian prayers could not be offered from the floor of the Indiana House.

The initial decision, rendered by U.S. District Judge David Hamilton in November 2005, ruled that opening prayers in the House could not mention Jesus nor endorse a particular religion. Then House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, appealed that decision and current Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, decided to continue it.

The lawsuit challenging the House prayers was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of four citizens.

In a 2-1 ruling today, the appeals court said those plaintiffs did not have the standing to sue because public tax dollars could not be linked to the practice of prayer.

Bauer applauded the decision this afternoon.

"While we do need more time with the Indiana Attorney General and the House staff counsel to examine all the ramifications of today's decision, I am delighted that the court has left alone a tradition that has been a part of House proceedings for nearly 190 years," Bauer said."