I do not understand, at all, the impulse to mark the exact spot where a loved one died. It seems so empty and ultimately meaningless. You already have a marker--the grave. Unless the person was cremated and their ashes scattered right there at the spot where the accident happened, it just seems completely pointless to mark that spot in any way. What if they died on the way to the hospital? Would you erect a cross in the ambulance? What if your loved one was killed during a convenience store hold up? Would you expect to be able to erect a monument in front of the Fritos display? It's a silly gesture completely lacking in any coherent meaning (even a religious one).

Pocket Ninja: I do not understand, at all, the impulse to mark the exact spot where a loved one died. It seems so empty and ultimately meaningless. You already have a marker--the grave. Unless the person was cremated and their ashes scattered right there at the spot where the accident happened, it just seems completely pointless to mark that spot in any way. What if they died on the way to the hospital? Would you erect a cross in the ambulance? What if your loved one was killed during a convenience store hold up? Would you expect to be able to erect a monument in front of the Fritos display? It's a silly gesture completely lacking in any coherent meaning (even a religious one).

FTFA: A three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the 14 large crosses would be viewed by most passing motorists as "government's endorsement of Christianity."

"We hold that these memorials have the impermissible effect of conveying to the reasonable observer the message that the state prefers or otherwise endorses a certain religion," concluded the Denver, Colorado-based court. The state of Utah and a private trooper association have the option of appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Have these judges ever visited Arlington National Cemetery? Following their logic, the grave markers (most of which are crosses) should all be taken down, as the US government placed them there.

I'm all for separation of church and state, but here's a point where the judicial system, in a pedantic exercise, is confusing state endorsement of a particular religion with societal norms or culture. Yes, the cross symbolizes Christianity, but it also symbolizes a memorial to those who've passed on. When you see a road-side cross you also understand that it's a memorial. I'm not offended by the idea of a memorial, even if it's put there by the government.

I'm always leery of governmental erections.

Fark Me To Tears: Have these judges ever visited Arlington National Cemetery? Following their logic, the grave markers (most of which are crosses) should all be taken down, as the US government placed them there.

I'm all for separation of church and state, but here's a point where the judicial system, in a pedantic exercise, is confusing state endorsement of a particular religion with societal norms or culture. Yes, the cross symbolizes Christianity, but it also symbolizes a memorial to those who've passed on. When you see a road-side cross you also understand that it's a memorial. I'm not offended by the idea of a memorial, even if it's put there by the government.

Actually, the markers at Arlington are your standard tombstone shape with an engraved indicator of the deceased's religion. You're thinking of the graves at Flanders. Don't worry, Cheney made the exact same mistake, so you're in good company.

This is a use of the word "sad" with which I am not familiar.

They are also a distraction, drivers do not need more distractions along the roadside.

I thought the "Chicken" crossed "The Road" by turning state's evidence.

Yeah_Right: This is an example of political correctness run amuck. I don't care for religion ... but putting a marker on the side of the road to mark a location of a loved one's passing, it shouldn't be a big deal. It's more then likely that these monuments were placed there by family and friends - and not by a church or a religious organization.

The policy is that private citizens are not allowed to put permanent displays along the roadside of any sort. That is a good policy. The government isn't supposed to erect religious displays, this is also a good policy. Together they mean no roadside crosses. Put up one of those historical markers like you see for all the civil war battle sites if you want to mark the spot.