U.S. Supreme Court Justice Delays Mt. Soledad Cross Order

Today' Los Angeles Times reports that on Monday the U.S. Supreme Court gave San Diego, California officials a reprieve from a federal court order to remove the Mt. Soledad Cross or else pay a $5000 per day fine. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy ordered a delay until he or the entire court issues a further order. The city claims the cross is a war memorial, and thus does not violate the Establishment Clause. Prof. Carl Tobias of the University of Richmond said Kennedy's order is "fairly typical'' when justices want some time to further review an issue. (See prior posting.)