Montani Semper Liberi

Growing up in West Virginia, you hear every hillbilly joke ever told. Living in the only state completely in Appalachia, makes you a little different. The State Motto "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free) sometimes shows up in everyday life.

Today’s Herald-Leader gave me two reasons to be proud of my birth state.

First, there is settlement of Rank v. Jenkins.

CHARLESTON, WV – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced a successful resolution of the case of Jeffery and Nicole Rank, the young Texas couple arrested on the West Virginia capitol grounds on July 4, 2004 for peacefully expressing their opposition to President Bush. According to the settlement agreement, the United States government will pay the Ranks $80,000…..

“This settlement is a real victory not only for our clients but for the First Amendment. The outcome of the case speaks for itself,” said Andrew Schneider, executive director of the ACLU of West Virginia. “As a result of the Ranks’ courageous stand, public officials will think twice before they eject peaceful protestors from public events for exercising their right to dissent.”

Second, there is the decision by Ernie Fletcher to kill Ralph Baze Jr.

Why does this make be proud to be a born in West Virginia? Simple, West Virginia does not have a death penalty.

Maybe Ernie should pay a little more attention to the Kentucky Motto: "Deo gratiam habeamus" ("Let us be grateful to God").