Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Friday, August 07, 2015

Ten Commandments Plaque Missing From NorCo Chambers Again

Mat Benol and the Decalogue

It's happened again. A Ten Commandments plaque has mysteriously disappeared from Northampton County Council's chambers. Council member Mat Benol, who placed it on a wall behind his seat on July 1, noticed it was missing last night. He reported the loss to his fellow Council members at the conclusion of business.

This is the second time that a Ten Commandments plaque has vanished from NorCo Council chambers.

When he was on Council, Ron Angle had hammered a plaque onto the wall behind his seat in 2002. That way he could check them off as he broke them.

When he left office at the end of 2011, the plaque stayed, with most of the Commandments checked off several times. This was Ron's parting gift. But not for long. Council Clerk Frank Flisser noticed it was missing just before Easter. Despite a $500 reward offered by Angle, it was never recovered.

Then Executive John Stoffa suggested that Moses must have them.

Angle's plaque lasted ten years. Benol's was gone in a month.

After the meeting, Benol indicated he will simply get another. He denied any interest in reporting a theft. "I won't waste the Sheriff's time," he meekly explained.

I don't believe in any display that might give the impression that one set of religious beliefs has some exalted position. That violates the first amendment. But when an individual council member chooses to adtertize his religion, it does not trouble me.benolacted on his own, and I think he has that right. But he also has no right to complain if someone purloins the plaque. It is not county property. Nor is it his. He abandoned it by leaving it on property he does not own. There really is no theft.