Dec 16, 2011
The Texas Attorney General has offered to defend a Texas county under attack by a group of Wisconsin atheists who are demanding that a Nativity located on the lawn of the Henderson County courthouse be torn down.
“Our message to the atheists is don’t mess with Texas and our Nativity scenes or the Ten Commandments,” Attorney General Greg Abbott told Fox News & Commentary. “I want the Freedom From Religion Foundation to know that our office has a history of defending religious displays in this state.”
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Abbott sent a letter to Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders offering whatever help he could provide in the event the county is sued. He also assured the judge that the county has no legal obligation to remove the Nativity scene from the courthouse grounds.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group based in Wisconsin, sent a letter to Henderson County explaining that a local resident had complained and they wanted the Nativity removed.
“It sends a message of intimidation and exclusion to non-Christians and non-believers this time of year,” FFRF co-founder Annie Laurie Gaylor told television station KFDW.
Athens Daily Review photo
She said the location of the Nativity — on the lawn of the courthouse in Athens, made non-Christians feel unwelcome.
“Anybody walking by that is going to say, ‘Hmmm. This is a Christian government building. I’m not welcome here if I’m not Christian,’” she told the television station.
Attorney General Abbott said the organization is trying to “bully local governmental bodies” and he said he wanted to make sure Henderson County knows “there is a person, a lawyer and an organization in this state that has their back, that has the law, that has the muscle and firepower to go toe-to-toe with these organizations that come from out of state trying to bully governmental bodies into tearing down things like Nativity scenes.”
Many residents and ministers in this east Texas community have vowed to fight back. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a rally on Saturday to show their support for the Nativity. Nathan Lorick, the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Malakoff is one of the organizers of the rally. He called on residents to gather peacefully and in a spirit of love.
“It’s time that Americans stand up and take America back for the faith that we were founded upon,” Lorick told Fox News & Commentary last week. “We’re going to stand up and fight for this.”
Henderson County Commissioner Joe Hall called the attack “stupid” and said he’s going to do whatever it takes to stop the group from removing the Nativity.
“I’ll tell you this — I’m going to fight this until hell freezes over,” Hall told Fox News & Commentary. “I hope and pray that we leave it up.”
Hall said he’s lived in the community for 35 years and as long as he can remember the Nativity has been erected on the courthouse lawn.
“It’s been up there for decades without any complaints,” he said.
Pastor Lorick said it’s time to draw a line in the sand — and start standing up for the Christian faith.
“Christianity is under attack in America,” he told Fox News & Commentary. “Our country is quickly heading down a direction which the Christian faith is taking a hit — it’s quickly becoming suppressed.”
The attorney general agreed with that sentiment.
“There has been an ongoing battle between the forces of atheism and the forces of those who are antagonistic to all things religious against those who recognize the religious heritage of this country,” Abbott said. “And by defending Nativity scenes, by defending the Ten Commandments and by defending students who try to say a prayer at a graduation ceremony, we’re trying to preserve, protect and defend what we know is perfectly legal.”
Greg Abbott God Bless you and Thank you for standing up to people who have no business telling us how to run our state when they don't even live here. I think you need to run for President.
I only wish I could "like" this one hundred times over…
Me too Roland. Me too
If people believe in illusions, they are delusional. You can believe or not believe in whatever you want, but you can't display via a dollhouse, a banner, a billboard, etc., that YOUR religion is THE religion. Try thinking of it this way: what if black people were and had always been the majority and you were the only white person in town. And you have to go to the county courthouse to get a document and you saw a display that showing that being black was was THE representation of that county court. How would you feel? YES, YOU'D FEEL VERY MUCH AN OUTSIDER AND DIFFERENT FROM ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE. That's definitely how you would feel, don't be mean. Be kind and inclusive of all in your community.
If people believe in illusions, they are delusional. You can believe or not believe in whatever you want, but you can't display via a dollhouse, a banner, a billboard, etc., that YOUR religion is THE religion. Try thinking of it this way: what if black people were and had always been the majority and you were the only white person in town. And you have to go to the county courthouse to get a document and you saw a display that showing that being black was was THE representation of that county court. How would you feel? YES, YOU'D FEEL VERY MUCH AN OUTSIDER AND DIFFERENT FROM ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE. That's definitely how you would feel, don't be mean. Be kind and inclusive of all in your community.
Actually, you CAN display something that says YOUR religion is THE religion. But, you can't restrict others from doing the same. Again, I'll say that the courthouse could eliminate the problem by just letting anyone display their information about their religion or lack thereof. Problem is that the only difference between christians and muslims is that christians don't make it a common practice to kill non-christians.
Actually, you CAN display something that says YOUR religion is THE religion. But, you can't restrict others from doing the same. Again, I'll say that the courthouse could eliminate the problem by just letting anyone display their information about their religion or lack thereof. Problem is that the only difference between christians and muslims is that christians don't make it a common practice to kill non-christians.
Whatever happened to religious freedom? I refuse to back away from God because of a few jerks that want to start trouble. If you hate religion why don't you move to a country that doesn't allow such things & leave us alone.
OUR COUNTRY was based on christian beliefs and the faith..If you don't believe, get the hell out!
So what you're saying is you want a theocracy in America? That's pretty frightening, and the complete antithesis of what the Founding Fathers envisioned.
from what you said..you're one that needs to GET OUT!!! love the U.S. or leave it
Michael Huckabee I love my country and the principle of freedom to practice whatever religion, or lack thereof, a person chooses that it was built on.
Christian Americans stand up and be counted! Way to grow, Attorney General Abbott!
Christopher Hitchens is the Real Jesus. At least Christopher Hithcens was alive and verifiable.
The Hitch is the light and the way… one can only get to reason through Hitch.
I have one question, did any of these atheist buy any presents for their kids? Excuse me, Christmas presents. If they did then they are celebrating Christmas.
God Bless TEXAS and those who are standing up for her! I've just returned from San Antonio and just fell in love with it. The Christmas Spirit is alive and well there. Texas knows how to "do up Christmas". Good for them! (Wish we didn't have to leave early, or I would have been at this rally to show my support.) "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!" LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!
I'm an atheist, but I don't understand why people would have a problem with the nativity scene? Especially when they are in Wisconsin and the scene is in Texas. Honestly, who cares? People believe what they want, why should anyone try to change that? I hate these scum bags that say "you can't put a cross there" or "you can't pray over here" People should just mind their own business. I mean, people have the right to complain about what they want and protest, but don't try to make others do something they don't want to do.
When a person claims to be atheist, yet fights so hard to remove "offensive" materials from courthouse lawns, the better label he/she should hang onto is Hypocrite.
When a person claims to be atheist, yet fights so hard to remove "offensive" materials from courthouse lawns, the better label he/she should hang onto is Hypocrite.
God Blessed Texas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP3cl8K9B2A&feature=related
Love It…
@ James Here is a news flash……. According to the US Supreme court Atheism is a religion. And defined as the official religion of the old soviet Union. So before you call people morons maybee you should try reading. Your Arrogance makes me wonder if you aren't a teenie bopper. If not your attitude is sure Prepubescent.
God bless Texas and those who support the foundation from which we built such a wonderful county. "In God we trust".
OmG! the site is glitching right now and Sending out Ipads free!! @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holidayipads/309273549112667/?mmjaatlo I received mine 3 days ago hurry while it continue
tell that bitch I will give her intimidation, come over here and see what happens.
any of you so called atheists whimps porch monkeys want to find out what intimidation is come on down.
you will meet your maker satan first hand, as for virgins you illegal muslims, they are nuns with shotguns.
waiting for you.
You might want to re-read Jesus' teaching, since this post makes it clear that you really missed the message.
no you re read
when you re read, just don't read, interpret it and understand it
SHAM ON YOU. I'm from Wisconsin and I am not like you. You forgot what the meaning of Christmas is.
I will stand tall for the Nativity scenes to STAY right where it is…. I FOR ONE AM DRAWING THE LINE.. I also have one at my house…. and will always have one… and my Ten Commandments are hanging on the wall… where it will stay.
Oh yes for the record. I now live in Texas. The State of the Nativity Scenes in public places…
Now stop trying to put you (Atheism) on me.
Why do I have to tolerate the intolerant. BY CLYDE A. PERRY
Why do I have to tolerate the intolerant. BY CLYDE A. PERRY
The Texas AG fails to mention a little fact, yes they do defend, they have also lost 95% of the cases like this one.
I live in Wisconsin…and that group can blow it out of you know where…tell them to go crawl back in the hole they came from.
Jen??? This morning you racked me up for a sarcastic comment….now you give it a "like"…..whats up?
To those representing yourselves here as Christians, and calling others names like moron and idiot, may I suggest you stop saying you are Christians and ACT like Christians? As I understand the Great Commission, it is to be as lamps set on a hill, to draw others toward the faith, not shine a spotlight on the so we can shoot them. And before someone says well they fired the first shot, isn't it written that we not return evil for evil? Peace.
athiests are not a religion mr morrision, you best start looking up what your talking about, they don't believe in anything and obviously you must be one of them. what the hell do you think you live on,
did it just appear, the trees, the enviornment, you must have come from the asses of the monkies…
your time will come.
it is time for the christans to stand up and take a stand for our lord jesus christ. our country was founded on god. let us keep it that way. lets take back our country we are a christan country.
Ya know, iffin' I felt uninvited to some place that was a gov'ment building, I'd go just for spite. These people have NO spine to stand up on their on for what they want/don't want. Personally, I believe in live and let live.
http://townhall.com/columnists/douggiles/2011/12/18/when_did_atheists_become_persnickety_litigious_antichristmas_whiners
Go General Abbott!
Thousands showed up in support of the town of Athens' right to display the nativity scene on THEIR courthouse lawn. Praise God for his inspiration to stand up for what these people believe in. Joy to the world! The LORD has come!
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
Lovin' on Texas right now!
I say keep it up all year long!
Christians need to stand up for our rights just as the atheists do. If we don't band together we may no longer be able to worship in our own country. Stand up for Jesus!
FFRF demands removal of the Nativity from the courthouse lawn? As taught by the Christ in Matthew 5:37? No.
If FFRF does not accept? Then how about some purely secular USA/Texas history? "Come and Take it".
I PRAISE GOD for the attorney general of TX. God bless!
I am reminded of Ernie Pyle in the South Pacific when he said "There are no atheists in foxholes" These atheist will also call out to God for help when they are in mortal danger. Phonies!
America is Christianity, not Atheism or Muslim. If we of christian faith don"t start standing up for Christ, Christ will surely deal with our nation, just as he did Rome. People had better wake up. Teaching our children that homosexuality and abortion is ok, but Christ is not. Wake up people.
Ok, let me get this straight…. "Non Christians" are feeling unwelcome in a Courthouse? Isn't a Courthouse used to punish criminals, lawsuits, divorces, and jury duty? And they don't feel welcome. Maybe we should put a Christian emblem at the Jail, bars, strip clubs, liquor stores, and adult video stores.
LOL!
effin bible belt bs….religion is like a penis, its fine to have one, its fine to be proud of it, but please dont whip it out and start waving it around, and PLEASE dont try to shove it down our children's throats….thank ya ma'am
effin bible belt bs….religion is like a penis, its fine to have one, its fine to be proud of it, but please dont whip it out and start waving it around, and PLEASE dont try to shove it down our children's throats….thank ya ma'am
Ashley Omen you are so cute! That Bullard High School and your parents are doing a nice job, such an articulate, informed young woman! Perhaps you should think about a career as a pornographic novelist. I would hate to see your remarkable creative talent to communicate the perspective, depth and passion of the low class skank just go to waste at the strip club.
wow…someone has stick stuck in her cunt :") its called as joke sweetheart….im sure YOUR parents would have taught you that word seeing how they birthed a troll like you….
wow…someone has stick stuck in her cunt :") its called as joke sweetheart….im sure YOUR parents would have taught you that word seeing how they birthed a troll like you….
and i have never worked at a strip club, my mom has though….seeing how your her friend i thought you would have known that…but dear heart THIS apple didnt fall far from that tree
now next time you wanna go all bitch with some lame ass comebacks, get to know your friends a bit better….i feel sorry for those ugly little children you spawned…with tight-wad bitch for a mom, im sure they will slit there wrists a time or two in their lives…i would if you were my mother…but my mother is a hella lot better than you cause she doesnt troll people on the internet like your doing…she has class
and i have never worked at a strip club, my mom has though….seeing how your her friend i thought you would have known that…but dear heart THIS apple didnt fall far from that tree
now next time you wanna go all bitch with some lame ass comebacks, get to know your friends a bit better….i feel sorry for those ugly little children you spawned…with tight-wad bitch for a mom, im sure they will slit there wrists a time or two in their lives…i would if you were my mother…but my mother is a hella lot better than you cause she doesnt troll people on the internet like your doing…she has class
Ashley Omen Of course she does! Look what a fine job she has done with you. Such a lovely girl who expresses her deepest thoughts with a "stimulating" lack of self respect and such passionate disillusionment. You absolutely ooze "class" from every pore in your being.
Take care and don't let that apple rot right where it has fallen….
finally a true american hip hip hurry, if I can donate to the cause of this attorney general please post a address all americans are behind you 100 percent…..god bless texas god bless america.
Amen wish more government , and legal officials would stand up for our freedom of religion for a change They seem to fight for everything but Christians.
Amen!
Maybe, just maybe it's because Christians are the ones constantly trying to shove their religious beliefs down non-Christians' throats!
My two cents on the matter- #1-I love my state, where hanging a man is still on the books in the event they steal your cattle. #2- very legal to shoot someone stealing your property…I know I've taken a couple pot shots at a few trespassers, then laughed. #3- We have people like this that still fight for our freedom from pushy pesimists that want nothing more than everyone to be as miserable as they are #4- We still have the option to part company with the rest of the United States (and God knows there are thousands of us that wish they would) as we wouldn't have to risk the chance of people like James Kormanec potentially infecting our blessed state. Now on a personal note…james…seriously? Go back to your bong you bunny humping, berkinstock wearing tree hugging freak- and do the rest of us a favor that are serving our country honorably…remove the US. Air Force from your name, take the time and educate yourself about what you're saying, think about it, write it down, have someone proofread it to make sure you don't sound like a complete moron (oops too late there) and get back to me, hold your breath waiting for a reply and in the anticipation take a nice walk, off the top of a very tall building perferably. P.S. Real Crew Chiefs Don't crew a "bus"- Real fighters have 3 wheels, 2 wings and 1 pilot- NOW you can go back to your crack pipe hippie.
Sincerly
TSgt, USAF Active Duty.
F-16C Crew Chief.
Lots of macho words coming from someone who is too afraid to sign his real name.
Martin Miller lame…..you obviously don't understand military protocol and social media. I doubt he is "afraid" to post his "real" name, he is just smart enough not to risk his whole career just to post a hilarious slam-dunk. You and James should get together and string some love beads and play emo music until you cry. You are obviously the sensitive type.
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin- Thank you, God Bless you and your family and have a happy New Year. @ Martin Miller- I hate to inform you the "He" you are referring to is in fact a "She". And while I would love nothing more than to proudly post my name for all to see as I am proudly finishing my 20 yrs of honorable service, I will take all privacy measures necessary to protect my family as there are people in this world that are so easliy offended by a comment that would seek to harm others. And while I would also love to display my expert marksmanship skills to any individual that would like to cross into my domain, until that time where a comment is pushed to the point that I MUST defend to the death what is mine, I shall remain nothing more than…anonymous. (- My husband on the other hand is not as nice as I and his comments cannot be posted!) To all others…GOD Bless (Texas), Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin- Thank you, God Bless you and your family and have a happy New Year. @ Martin Miller- I hate to inform you the "He" you are referring to is in fact a "She". And while I would love nothing more than to proudly post my name for all to see as I am proudly finishing my 20 yrs of honorable service, I will take all privacy measures necessary to protect my family as there are people in this world that are so easliy offended by a comment that would seek to harm others. And while I would also love to display my expert marksmanship skills to any individual that would like to cross into my domain, until that time where a comment is pushed to the point that I MUST defend to the death what is mine, I shall remain nothing more than…anonymous. (- My husband on the other hand is not as nice as I and his comments cannot be posted!) To all others…GOD Bless (Texas), Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all
The Athiests already have a day to celebrate and be happy- no one protests their day so why don't they just be happy? What day is theirs you ask? Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Which makes their day…1 April- April Fools day! GOD Bless (Texas)!
The Athiests already have a day to celebrate and be happy- no one protests their day so why don't they just be happy? What day is theirs you ask? Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Which makes their day…1 April- April Fools day! GOD Bless (Texas)!
Cgk King I respect your service and your reasons for privacy, Cgk King. What i fail to comprehend is why folks don't want to discuss the base issue here. Everybody wants to bible-thump and God bless this and that. I realize that it is difficult to use facts and objective reasoning in a religious discussion and, apparently, even harder to maintain an objective understanding of our Constitution as it pertains to religious freedoms but the base issue is WHERE this nativity is displayed…not if it should or why it should. Fortunately or not, we don't live in a pure majority rules society. Ms. Brackin, the fact that Christians may make up a majority in this community has absolutely nothing to do with who should be able to erect religious displays. The fact is NOBODY should be able to put up religious oriented displays on public property. Period.
Martin Miller again……lighten up! Nativities have been displayed on public property for a very long time and for very good reason. Our country and our laws are built upon the foundational principles of the biblical teaching. You want all the benefits of living in a country that has afforded you all the benefits of these principles, while trying to deny the very source of those benefits. There is a whole generation that is sprouting up that seems to believe that they themselves authored the principles of freedom and fairness and that if they diminish the true source, they can get all the glory for themselves.
Everyone here gets the point, they just don't agree with you. For now we are predominately a Christian population and we still have the freedom to have a voice in these ridiculous assaults. We can argue all day about the appropriateness of "public displays", but the truth is that no one, NO ONE has ever been irrevocably injured by one these displays. It has been a representation of the majority of population and our heritage as a people. There was a time when people just enjoyed this time of year for whatever their background was. Even if you do not believe, it is a beautiful time of celebration of redemption and self sacrifice that is valuable for teaching and emulation. Multi-culturalisim is a sham and so is completely secular government, our government was shaped by biblical principles, just like the Middle East is shaped by principles of the Koran…….the misguided interpretation of "separation of church and state" may very well get you what you want…..but it will not be what you expected. Period.
http://proofthatgodexists.org/index.php
just a little something to challenge your ideas regarding your self admired "objective reasoning"…….consider the Source of your unparalleled powers.
Warning, A little humility will be required to maintain an objective understanding.
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin Yeah well, there's been tax fraud and robbery for a very long time but that doesn't make it any more legal that what you are defending. You keep telling me to "lighten up" like my point holds no merit. In your way of thinking it holds no merit simply because you don't want it to. Just because YOU don't want to give it any validity doesn't mean it has none.
So we live in a society where majority rules? Since most residents are(allegedly)Christians, their way rules over all other citizens? So Christainity IS the preferred religion of that(your)community. Their way rules because there are simply more Christians than Jews or Muslims or Wiccans? To hell with the constitution right? Christians should rule because they out number the other tax payers in the community?
BTW, the only person in this discussion ignoring objective reasoning is you.
Martin Miller Actually, I think I am the only person in this discussion that has even given you the time of day! 18:55 on Fri 30DEC11, by the way. No good deed goes unpunished….sheesh! You seem so small and angry ;-( I've just been toying with you a bit, lighten up! Oopps! sorry….just, uh, uhmmm…..never mind.You just stomp your way into that TX town and demand that they give you the portion of land that is yours (according to your tax contribution) and then put up an anti-nativity to make it "fair", you know, just like in kindergarten!
The Christian way rules because it is the the WAY through which you have been afforded the freedoms that you so casually take for granted without ever considering the Source of your good fortune. Same Source as the Jews by the way, just so-ya-know.
If you think that the Muslim "way" would make you better off, by all means, buy a one way ticket to any number of Muslim countries and live it up!
Wiccans? Really? There is some "objective reasoning" to puff your chest up about
Take care Martin, have a blessed New Year
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin Well Vivian, thanks alot for that Texas hospitality. I hope you find peace and joy in your ignorance both religiously and constitutionally.
Martin Miller LOL! Thanks Martin…..
Martin Miller- This isn't a bash, this is what I know- For too long we as the people have let the few overrule the majority- and that's what this whole thing is about. In this entire town there is one maybe two athiests and because they are offended they demand it come down. I understand the location is a problem in some ppls eyes, but seriously? This has been erected for so many years and SUDDENLY someone is offended? This protest is about as assinine as the woman who sued McDonalds over spilling the hot coffee on herself. We the ppl have allowed the few that are offended take God out of our schools by dismissing the pledge of allegiance. We allowed the few that were offended to remove the 10 commandments from the federal court houses. What this whole thing is about is a town, a community, a family in essence standing up and saying no more will we bow to the few that are offended and dictate how we operate. This is one case of someone standing up to say if you don't like it…move, or keep your mouth shut. My first comment was stemmed by one that was so opinionated about everything anyone on here had to say his true ignorance shined through and freely advertises the military while doing it, and that offended me. But in the whole of this debate it simply says what Vivian stated: live and let live. I have not traveled to far off countries to impose my beliefs on them, I have gone to defend their rights to believe what they want- in the same, no one should be treading in my back yard telling me or mine what, when and where we can practice ours. Nothing more. As I said this is one small part in the world where ppl are taking a stand saying no more. If they (the offended) win, where does it stop? I can see a world with no Christmas lights, no caroling, no joy or gifts- a world full of emotionless Emo kids all grown up and frankly I'd rather die than live in a world with no joy. If ppl keep taking God, which ever God they believe in out of the world, this is what we're destined for and I pray neither me nor my family are here to see that day.
Right, because the Constitution only matters when it hurts the majority.
Atheists should visit with their belived C Hitchens. Where everHe is now.I hope that He thinks that God is great now. Maybe God will forgive them all.
Alot of you posting here completely miss the point. It doesn't surprise me because many are too busy calling each other names and disrespecting each others' religious beliefs. The main issue here is not Christianity or what kind of displays or even Christmas. The main concern is WHERE these displays of a religious nature are being erected. Many of you feel that the ONLY place you can put up this type of display is on public property. The fact is you can place it anywhere you so choose EXCEPT on public property. Public property is owned by taxpayers of all religions not just Christian. Christians have no more valid claim to that property than any other religion. If a Christian nativity is put up on the court house lawn at the exclusion of other religions, it amounts to a formal endorsement of that religion by the local gov't.
Think about it…that nativity could and can be displayed anywhere you want…anywhere…except where you seem to insist on putting it.
yawn……public property is most likely owned by more Christians than any other taxpaying group. Let's do it this way, count the number of Athiests paying taxes and count the number of Christians paying taxes in that town, divvy up the property accordingly……and the Athiests can lay claim to the corner where the dogs take a leak and the Christians can have the rest for their Nativity! Problem solved!
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin Spoken like a true Christian.
Vivian Jaramillo Brackin Spoken like a true Christian.
Martin Miller ouchie! Was that to hurt my feelings? Cause I am crushed, just crushed I tell you!……;-D You need to lighten up dude.
There were thousands of us there, and most of us were armed. Just incase someone tried somethang. Even some of the " PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS" were there too. Someone would have been in a hell of a hurt to try to risrupt us. Pastor Lorick is our preacher. My cousin (retired preacher) gave the last of many prayers.
There were NO disruptions.
Thanks for sharing Paul. Merry Christmas
AMERICA! F*CK YEAH! HERE TO SAVE THE MUTHA F*CKING NATION!
ignorant christians…if you take a look at the GREEN ACRES BABPTIST CHURCH in tyler texas you will notice the the giant stained glass window in the front of the building clearly has the ILLUMINATIi emblem on it…i for one hope that corrupt town burns down to the ground along with all the filthy religious trash in it…j.b. smith being the first one to go