Texas Court Clerk Could Face Jail Time After Standing Up for Pledge, Prayer
- Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:04pm by
Buck Sexton
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Before the Bowie County Commissioner’s Court in Texas begins its official business, it recites the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer. But a county judge wants to be sure the written record contains no mention of those pledges or prayers, and has ordered the local clerk not to record them. She refuses to go along and cover up what she believes is right. And now could face the consequences.
Last week, Natalie Nichols, a County Clerk in Bowie, stood up to a judge and refused to erase the pledge and prayer from the official minutes of the county commissioner’s meeting. For standing on principle, she could end up paying a fine, or even go to jail.
Ms. Nichols alleges that Judge Sterling Lacy physically crossed through and x-ed out the pledge and prayer in the official record of the minutes, and then lied about doing it. Apparently, the judge was afraid of possible lawsuits, and wanted all the participants in the meeting to pretend that no prayer or pledge was recited.
Fox News reports on what Judge Lacy allegedly said:
“…Purposely do not place items such as the pledge and/or invocation on the Agenda, and purposely perform them prior to to calling the meeting to order for fear of being sued by an organization such as the ACLU and do not want to give the impression that it is the court’s official stance.”
Nichols refused to do this, and now Judge Lacy has lodged a complaint with the County Sheriff, stating that Ms. Nichols disrupted the proceedings of the Commissioner’s meeting.
The Sheriff‘s Office states it will investigate the matter and present its findings to the Distict Attorney’s Office. The DA will then decide whether to put Ms Nichols before a grand jury.
Nichols, however, does not seem the least bit deterred by the prospect of criminal charges.
“If I need to go to jail for standing up this country and for God, I will do so,” she told Fox News in an interview Monday morning. “A lot of people bled and died for this country, I’m risking a little bit of jail time. I’m okay with that.”
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Comments (237)
commonsenseguy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:25pmjust another george soro,liberal judge, as to my fellow Texans, it is time to do what we do best,and that is to stand up for freedom and to call out the commies who are trying to destroy our country and our great state,we must call the or email the judge the D.A. and also we must stand with with Lacy Nichols,if we continue to stand back and let this left wing,Anti American,communist pushing,Mao loving,mud sucking bottom waddlers continue to push their liberal agenda,then we will suffer the ultimate price,the lost of freedom and the lost of our constitutional rights .so not just here in Texas, but in every state in this great nation we must stand up and take the fight to these commies and take our country back. we need more like Lacy Nichols.
Report Post »melmatmic
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:47pmYou mean Natalie. Lacy is the ahol.
Report Post »randy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:04pmI love this woman!
Too darn bad she is already married with a beautiful family.
And if you think you could not like her any more… head here:
http://www.natalie4bowiecounty.com/meet_natalie.html
and look at the books on the shelf behind her in the video.
She’s one of us :)
I bet she even frequents the Blaze.
Hopefully the County clerk is a political stepping stone for her.
God Bless you Natalie!
Report Post »1TrueOne55
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:05pmI think before you post you should put your writings into a Word Processor like MS Office or Libre and let it fix all your mistakes in grammar and spelling. Because if you are a graduate of the Public School system you are proving that the Department of Education should be de-funded and that money sent back to the states to fix what the Federal Education Czars have destroyed.
Report Post »19RANDY59
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:06pmWe really need to watch who we vote into these positions, we cannot continue to vote for our buddies buddy, just because everyone thinks their cool. The Good Ol’ Boys clubs have got to go!!! Take the time to study your local ballots.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:14pmCan you start a recall or impeachment. It is truly sad when our women have titian spines and our wimpy judges cower in their chambers.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:35pm““If I need to go to jail for standing up this country and for God, I will do so,” she told Fox News ..
___________________________________________________________________________________
That’s a noble but sucky attitude to have… THERE IS NO REASON TO GO TO JAIL! Last I read the 1A it is “Freedom OF religion…” so the judge should be going to jail for denying you this freedom and God given Right he/she SWORE to uphold! BTW, there is nothing in the Constitution that states “Freedom of religion except in federal buildings….”
This madness has to stop and the only way it will is by throwing these corrupt judges in jail!
Report Post »SaviorMachine75
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:45pmFrom One Texan’s to another God bless you. And may we always give Jesus the praise for our great country even when the enemy whats to steal the glory away. Its all because of the Americans that came before us that we have what we have and can say what we want to say!!! God bless you
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:54pmIf anyone gets in trouble, it should be the judge for messing with the records. It is the clerks duty to keep records, not the judge’s. Not only was Natalie performing her right of religion of freedom, but also her duty as a court clerk. It is a judge’s duty to interpret the law an apply it to cases before him, not maintain records, bully, and, interfere with the clerk’s job.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 2:23pmThis is kinda like the supreme court – no court house can display the 10 commandments yet it is displayed on their building face.
Report Post »Thomas
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 2:46pmYes impeach that judge.
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:04pmWe have got to go after this judge. Recall him and put in a good conservative to run. If this woman has to go to jail, we get behind her and send some $$.
SUPPORT ISRAEL.
Report Post »Caniac Steve
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 3:36pmThe sad thing of this and any & all situations like this do and continue to happen because we, the people got too busy & distracted trying to keep their heads above water fiscally. And sadly while trying to live the American dream we all screwed up and allowed permited this kind of junk to happen on a almost daily basis. Then when we see this do we all go to the aid of that clerk or people like her ? No as we are too dang afraid we’ll lose our jobs,homes and etc…if we speak out too loud or strongly it reminds be of either a coal plant,or a prison that needs to built all want it but not in their darn neighborhood…we all want our rights but are very hesitiant to stand up boldly for them…then you wonder why Judges like that get away with junk like this. You want something done about ? what are you sitting and waiting for ? a gold plated invitation ?
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 4:19pmthe clerk disrupted nothing. furthermore,,,,her refusal to follow the judges orders of not recording the pledge is NOT a crime. Technically, as the recorder she is obligated to record ALL events. The judge actually committed a crime when he told he NOT to record the event,,,,.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:17pmFire her! Get her out of there.
You want to fix the problem? Get rid of the pledge and prayer! (Brainwashing!)
Report Post »lolokimo
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:57pmAMEN, and it is as simple as that, and it takes couage, and the time is right to do just that, becuase many will come to your aid, and in this way, shall we take the country back, if ya just say NO…well, they cant take away your birthday. All they can do is try to instill more fear, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, and the people who are trying to destroy this country. THEY WILL NOT SUCCEED. In JESUS name, AMEN..and AMEN
Report Post »parahairs
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 6:41pmWhat a Gal! Go on and make the Judge own up to his lies!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 7:04pmI want to know, if that judge is so ashamed of reciting the pledge of allegience, maybe he should move to another country, like Mexico or China.
Report Post »woodruff
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:13pmI thank God there are still men and women who are willing to put everything on the line for this country. More then likely she will end up in jail and be labled a terriorist but a true patriot she is. Courage America and stand for something!!!!!!!!
Report Post »agED
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 9:28pmFYI Lacy is a republican…..so this is not an issue of liberal or conservative….. and the county is named Bowie pronounced (BOO- E). Just saw the story on here, but it seems like to me there is more to the story than what is being told and probably a case of local politics and all the officials uses of petty power.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 10:40pmStand up for what is right and don’t waiver. We are behind you.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on July 26, 2011 at 6:53amremove the judge from office.
Report Post »txbigfoot
Posted on July 27, 2011 at 10:01amCommonsense… read the article and remove your foot from your mouth. The judge WANTS the pledge and a prayer.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:25pmThis is crazy., What in the heck is happening. We should bombard the courts to reinforce all the rights that are slowly being scratched out. God help us. Please
Report Post »muhamadhater
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:05pmI soo agree, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH…this country was built with God, blood and guts, How have we lost our faith and allegiance 2 this country, How is it someone can sue for saying the pledge of allegience and a prayer..I truly feel ashamed for the men and woman who have died for this country, people who have died knowing that we as AMERICANS always stand and salute GOD AND COUNTRY…HAVE WE FORGOTTEN WHAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN US? THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICED FOR US FOR THERE COUNTRY AND FOR GOD… Wow where have we gone wrong? And more impotantly, can we ever find our way back 2 the principles this country was built on?
Report Post »May God forgive us!! And I am sooo SORRY to the people that have given this country the ultimate sacrifice, I pray u forgive us also!!!
sWampy
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:30pmThis is what gets me, I have always believed it’s is impossible to be a Christian and a lawyer, I think it proves my point that there aren’t thousands of Christian lawyers out donating their time and money filing suites daily for the purpose of getting all these ungodly, unconstitutional rulings over turned. There should have been 3k cases a day filed in courts all over the nation all with a goal of getting roe vs wade reversed. 10K a day to get the insane separation of church and state ruling over turned.
Report Post »Edct
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:33pmThank God for real Americans….we need to remove this liberal judge from the planet.
Report Post »MrJones
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 8:51pmJesus:
Report Post »The myth that keeps on giving…
gobnait
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:24pmPolitical correctness gone insane and tyranny of the minority. There‘s that ’hope and change’ they wanted.
Report Post »StevenL1955
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:24pmI have a new hero to add to my short list
Report Post »1. Jesus Christ
2. Natalie Nichols
Oh My God
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:47pmAmen!!
Report Post »agameofthrones
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:51pmBlessed are you which are persecuted for my sake!
Report Post »Virgil_Lance
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 1:27am“Nichols met her husband, and soul mate, Chet, on Match.com” – I’m signing up!
Report Post »BuzzardSays
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:24pmI am convinced that Democrats continually exhibit at least two of the following habitually poor etiquette displays while in public; 1) eat dung, 2) howl at the moon, 3) find an MSNBC, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC news camera to hurl vicious verbal attacks on serious conservatives.
I have not seen any Democrat, in public, howl at the moon as I am usually in bed sleeping when these night creatures come out to feast on innocent citizens purses, pocket-books, and wallets. Their howling frightens the average citizen who toss down their money holding mechanisms to keep these ravenous dogs chewing them into kibble. Remember!!! Tossing the money belt aside is NOT the only means to slow down the pursuing Democrap monsters, akin to throwing steaks to allude the pursuing wolf pack. Democrats should be voted out of office ASAP and with extreme prejudice.
Citizens of America stop sending monsters like “Knuckle-Head” Reid, “San Fran” Pelosi, “Bubble Head” Boxer to Washington just to get them the hell out of “your” neighbor hood. Deal with your problem locally and stop afflicting your other united states with these monsters. Use the standard pitch-fork, torches, and barking Rotteweillers to chase these B-Movie monsters to some high, sheer, cliff where they can fall to their demise and rid this… One Nation, Under God, Indivisable with liberty and justice for all”… from them.
Wake up America!
Report Post »Signed “A Patriot”
Jim in Houston
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:39pmI completely agree with your comment. Why do people always think their representative are great, but all others are crooks? Could it be because they bring home the pork? It is time to do exactly what Nazi Poofluzi failed to do – DRAIN THE DAMNED SWAMP!!!
Report Post »They SMEAR what they FEAR
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:49pmAfter we take back Congress…the courts will be next!
Report Post »Dale
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:55pmI watched an adjacent legislative district turn out a sitting rino. Since it was not my district, I didn’t follow it closely; even though I wanted the rino out. Utah replace rino, bob bennett with Mike Lee. There is hope, but to turn the national tide we must retake our local offices. There is REAL trouble in these local races.
Report Post »republic2011
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:23pmGod Bless you, Natalie! Thank you for your courage.
Report Post »Toss the judge to the curb. Judge Lacy is a disgrace to our Country.
Wayne
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:35pmAMEN, so are a lot of our judges just like him, no backbone and their oath of office don’t mean a thing. But this judge should be disbarred. Thank GOD for a women like Natalie, keep up the great work and God will bless you, and I will pray for you.
Report Post »sherlockdo
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:23pmThe judge lied about crossing out the stuff in the first place…cast the first stone, for Pete’s sake! The judge should be held in contempt!
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:22pm“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:09pmGod Bless this sweet lady and if she is sent to jail i pray thousands will accend to that area and demand she be released and that judge disbared and kicked out of his office,kick him out of Texas,even better kick him out of this nation
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 5:34pmShe’s on facebook, friend her.
Report Post »jeff.cooper
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:20pmI wonder if the ACLU will represent her in court? This case is right up their alley. ;)
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:40pmThat would be deliciously ironic, wouldn’t it. The judge didn’t want to get sued for doing what was right. Now he’s going to get sued for doing what was wrong.
There should be a site where we can keep track of all these cases that are yet to be resolved: Thus case; the woman sued by the city for growing a garden in her front yard; homeowners fighting to fly flags on their lawn, et cet.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:20pmCOURAGE, AMERICANS. STAND and FIGHT FOR GOD AND FOR OUR COUNTRY. We are lost forever if we do not stand NOW.
May GOD BLESS US MIGHTILY AS WE STAND IN HIS NAME and in HIS BATTLE! In the name above all names, JESUS THE CHRIST, amen.
Report Post »santacary
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:19pmhow then can we trust the judges if they ask their people to lie in the offacal records .. nataile i wll be and have prayed for God to bulid a hedge of thorns up to protect you from the unGodly Judge . know nataile that God will hold him accountable for his actions , and as the bible says seven time hotter than others. God Bless you . hold to God unchaning hand .
Report Post »evenhand
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:19pmKeep up the good fight, Ma’am. I just got back from a County Commisssioner’s meeting where a Prayer and Pledge was said before starting. The four white County Commissioner’s were there on time, as usual, and as usual the one black Commissioner was late, coming in after the Pledge of Allegiance. Makes a person wonder if he was late on purpose. We need to fight as hard and harder against those who are stipping our society of all decency and propriety.
Report Post »RocktheCasbah
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:19pmIt is truly disheartening to see how much our country has changed in the past several years. When did Christianity and the Pledge become “four letter words”.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:17pmWhat a brave woman.. what we call a Patriot.. We should remember her name for our history books. All such people should be remembered, and the judge also, who has a yellow stripe down his back! That way his family can read it and see what kind of man he really was. A chicken! Afraid to get sued.. my arse!
Report Post »pandora
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pmMark Levin should represent her in court.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pmI think I went to sleep a few years ago and just woke up in Nazi Germany dubbed in English.
Report Post »When are we going to vote ALL of these a-holes out of office????
mlebates
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pmGood for her!! We need more people in this conuntry willing to stand up for God and this country. We need more people willing to go to prison/jail for supporting God and this country. I support this woman.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pmI agree. This lady is a true patriot with moxie. The judge should be ashamed for hiding like a coward. That is, IF she were hiding. If more people stood up to the ACLU and groups like them, we would not have to hide in this country to freely exercise OUR religious beliefs.
Report Post »Brents Torts
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pmThank you Natalie for taking a stand. We have to stop this PC insanity.
Report Post »nanabee
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:15pmCould she, would she run for office? I’d vote for her, on her character alone. Imagine that! Someone with character that is eloquent & succinct. Thank you Ms. Nichols.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:13pmWhy do democrats insist on tearing down America? Natalie Nichols I support you.
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:16pm“Not recording prayer which is, however, being performed” = “Tearing down America”.
Gotcha!
Report Post »nannyatnannydotgov
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:31pm@I_Hate_Libs
Erabin=simpleton
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:37pmFirst I would like to say that I do not think the prayer is appropriate at an official government function but if that is acceptable locally its fine with me. The clerk was absolutely correct to include the prayer in the minutes and would have broken the law if she did not. The judge IMO should be charged with obstruction and falsifying records.
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:12pmGood for her. Civil disobedience, this country could use more like her in Gov.
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:17pmDisobedience to.. what exactly? They are reciting a prayer and the pledge, it’s just that they will not be recorded.
That’s not called disobedience, that’s called small-mindedness and spite. Also, idiocy.
USACommoner
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:18pmHIFI74: I like your take on obama’s seal…much closer to the truth.
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:25pmERABIN, do you own a dictionary…? If so, you should look up the meaning of disobedience. You may be a bit surprised…
Report Post »BuzzardSays
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:26pmThis reply is for Erabin,
Report Post »You are a fool.
USACommoner
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:32pm…and ERABIN, look up the word “principle”, too. That’s p-r-i-n-c-i-p-l-e. That one will also knock your socks off!
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:54pmErabin, apparently the intent was lost on you. She made a peaceful stand for what she believes in and is willing to take the punishment if it comes down to it. Civil disobedience, much like what MLK did during the 60′s.
Report Post »HumbleCitizen
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:10pmGod bless this lady. Please remember her in your prayers and hold her up before God for strengthening. “We The People” need many, many more just like her.
Report Post »truthncharity
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:20pmAmen! In agreement with your prayer.
Report Post »texrubarts
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:05pmThis courageous woman will be lifted up in my prayers!! God will truely bless her and protect her! As for the Judge he will be judged by a higher court – GOD! Heaven help him!
Liberal democrats are destroying our country – PRAY for them —- to go away!
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:10pmWhat a disgrace! Anyone who would censor the pledge should be arrested! Screw the ACLU! Good for her!
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:19pmI agree. Censuring the pledge should be treason. It’s our country, and we can pledge allegience to it if we want to. You’re supposed to.
Report Post »quarter horseman
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:09pmO we so need more of this patriotic stuff in our country! Good for her and all that will stand up and fight, I’m with you!
Report Post »Shawn-GA
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:15pmSilent no more… our previous position of live and let live has to come to an end. They are stepping on our liberties and using our freedoms against us.
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 12:17pmWill you marry me?
Report Post »Dale
Posted on July 25, 2011 at 1:19pmShawn, I am reminded of Pogo’s “We have met the enemy and he is us.” We ASSUMED that American’s were united. It is a sad situation – but you, and slowly the rest of us, are finding that the enemy is, indeed, US. Stand for what is right, don’t let the radicals intimidate you – they do so from weakness!
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