Helena woman killed in I-90 crash
By The Associated Press - 08/23/06
MISSOULA (AP) — A Clinton man entered Interstate 90 going the wrong way early Tuesday, narrowly avoiding one vehicle before sideswiping another, killing a 31-year-old Helena woman, the Montana Highway Patrol said.The man’s pickup struck a car carrying a family of four at about 1:15 a.m. near Clinton.Brigette Ehlke, a passenger, was killed, the patrol said.Two children in the back seat, ages 4 and 5, were in car seats and suffered minor injuries. The driver, Ehlke’s husband, Matthew, was not injured.The pickup driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered serious injuries.He left the scene on foot but was apprehended in Clinton about an hour later, the patrol said.
I have learned and now agree with some, that alcoholism is not a disease. It is very controversial to say so, but I now think its true. Drunks are drunks becuase they have lost control. They do not understand they really do have the power to quit. For decades now people have been told it is a disease, therefore it gives them an excuse to keep drinking.
Yesterday, two little children have lost thier mother. Its unforgivable we continue to "treat" drunks. There is no such thing as treatment for a behavior. Look at the failure rate of AA. Its horrible. Only 5% stop drinking and only for awhile. Its disgusting people are sent to AA and are taught they can't quit, that they have a disease and so the drunk thinks ok, might as well keep drinking. They hang out with other drunks, talk about getting drunk, talk about things they did while they drank. This is supposed to help? They are not the victoms, these two little children are. Sorry about this, I normally don't write about such things, but being a mother of two this one really seemed to hit me hard today.
Aug 23, 2006
Aug 21, 2006
Timothy 1:43 ....she must be silent
This is one of many reasons I dislike religion. It bothers me so much women continue to go to church, do all the work.... and get no or very little respect by the clergy. These w0men have no respect for themselves? Of course not, they are taught from early childhood that women are not to be trusted. Thanks to Eve.
Read "Women Without Superstition: No Gods, No Masters" It was one of the first books I bought after becoming a humanist. It is written by Laurie Anne Gaylor. I met her at an American Humanist Convention. I have her signature on my copy. She is about my age and a very nice woman. A must read for all women concerned about thier civil rights. She writes about all of the women throughout American History who stood up and demanded respect.
WATERTOWN, New York (AP) -- The minister of a church that dismissed a female Sunday School teacher after adopting what it called a literal interpretation of the Bible says a woman can perform any job -- outside of the church.
The First Baptist Church dismissed Mary Lambert on August 9 with a letter explaining that the church had adopted an interpretation that prohibits women from teaching men. She had taught there for 54 years.
The letter quoted the first epistle to Timothy: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." (Watch Church Lady say her dismissal came without warning -- 1:43)
The Rev. Timothy LaBouf, who also serves on the Watertown City Council, issued a statement saying his stance against women teaching men in Sunday school would not affect his decisions as a city leader in Watertown, where all five members of the council are men but the city manager who runs the city's day-to-day operations is a woman.
"I believe that a woman can perform any job and fulfill any responsibility that she desires to" outside of the church, LaBouf wrote Saturday.
Mayor Jeffrey Graham, however, was bothered by the reasons given Lambert's dismissal.
"If what's said in that letter reflects the councilman's views, those are disturbing remarks in this day and age," Graham said. "Maybe they wouldn't have been disturbing 500 years ago, but they are now."
Lambert has publicly criticized the decision, but the church did not publicly address the matter until Saturday, a day after its board met.
In a statement, the board said other issues were behind Lambert's dismissal, but it did not say what they were.
Read "Women Without Superstition: No Gods, No Masters" It was one of the first books I bought after becoming a humanist. It is written by Laurie Anne Gaylor. I met her at an American Humanist Convention. I have her signature on my copy. She is about my age and a very nice woman. A must read for all women concerned about thier civil rights. She writes about all of the women throughout American History who stood up and demanded respect.
WATERTOWN, New York (AP) -- The minister of a church that dismissed a female Sunday School teacher after adopting what it called a literal interpretation of the Bible says a woman can perform any job -- outside of the church.
The First Baptist Church dismissed Mary Lambert on August 9 with a letter explaining that the church had adopted an interpretation that prohibits women from teaching men. She had taught there for 54 years.
The letter quoted the first epistle to Timothy: "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." (Watch Church Lady say her dismissal came without warning -- 1:43)
The Rev. Timothy LaBouf, who also serves on the Watertown City Council, issued a statement saying his stance against women teaching men in Sunday school would not affect his decisions as a city leader in Watertown, where all five members of the council are men but the city manager who runs the city's day-to-day operations is a woman.
"I believe that a woman can perform any job and fulfill any responsibility that she desires to" outside of the church, LaBouf wrote Saturday.
Mayor Jeffrey Graham, however, was bothered by the reasons given Lambert's dismissal.
"If what's said in that letter reflects the councilman's views, those are disturbing remarks in this day and age," Graham said. "Maybe they wouldn't have been disturbing 500 years ago, but they are now."
Lambert has publicly criticized the decision, but the church did not publicly address the matter until Saturday, a day after its board met.
In a statement, the board said other issues were behind Lambert's dismissal, but it did not say what they were.
Aug 18, 2006
BBC Interview
I was surprized to get an email about a month ago, asking if I would mind being interviewed. At first I didn't know if it was for real or not. Then she said she was with BBC and I relaxed and replied yes. She and another person from the BBC were coming to Montana in August and they wanted to meet with me. I was excited and worried. What kind of questions would they ask? What it be positive? I have seen so many athiests on T.V. shown negatively. But after a few emails I was comfortable. The nice lady from BBC said it was going to be a documentary on "Atheism in America"
They arrived at my house about noon August 10th. It lasted about half an hour or 45 minutes. I felt comfortable and I think it went well. Of course, afterwards I think back and thought, I should have worded an answer this way or that way. Maybe I should have not said this or that at all. They may or may not even use any of it or maybe some parts I will like or not. It is kind of scary. I hope they let me know if they do use any of my interview. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction there will be from family, friends, nieghbors and the public overall. I don't know when it will air if ever. But overall it was nice someone actually found me, was interested in what I had to say and it felt good to be recognised. Not that I like publicity. I may regret it later. Who knows.
The questions asked were not threatening, so I have a good feeling about itl. What was my background. Why or how did I become one. How I was treated overall by the community, family. Asked about my being a Humanist Minister. What did I say during the wedding ceremonies..... I did talk about my immediate family abit. My husband knows nothing about this interview. He is a Catholic. I will tell him only after I find out if I will be on T.V. or not. Or my kids may bring it up. They are 10 and 12. It's not that my husband doesn't know what I am or seems overly concerned about it. He and I just don't talk about things like religion or politics. We are opposites on everything. Even how we mow the lawn. Its weird but it seems to work for us anyway.
They arrived at my house about noon August 10th. It lasted about half an hour or 45 minutes. I felt comfortable and I think it went well. Of course, afterwards I think back and thought, I should have worded an answer this way or that way. Maybe I should have not said this or that at all. They may or may not even use any of it or maybe some parts I will like or not. It is kind of scary. I hope they let me know if they do use any of my interview. It will be interesting to see what kind of reaction there will be from family, friends, nieghbors and the public overall. I don't know when it will air if ever. But overall it was nice someone actually found me, was interested in what I had to say and it felt good to be recognised. Not that I like publicity. I may regret it later. Who knows.
The questions asked were not threatening, so I have a good feeling about itl. What was my background. Why or how did I become one. How I was treated overall by the community, family. Asked about my being a Humanist Minister. What did I say during the wedding ceremonies..... I did talk about my immediate family abit. My husband knows nothing about this interview. He is a Catholic. I will tell him only after I find out if I will be on T.V. or not. Or my kids may bring it up. They are 10 and 12. It's not that my husband doesn't know what I am or seems overly concerned about it. He and I just don't talk about things like religion or politics. We are opposites on everything. Even how we mow the lawn. Its weird but it seems to work for us anyway.
Aug 17, 2006
Foxholes/Newsweek
I am a Desert Storm Veteran, so I too feel slighted when people slam atheists in the military. At that time I did not call myself one, but I was agnostic. From the people I worked with in the Navy, very few were religious in the sense they went to church or even talked about it. Of course that is pretty typical of the age group. It seems people in their 20's are not really interested in such things. Most just want to party. But, when they grow up, get married then most go back to church. I remember the female chaplin on our ship was in trouble for messing around with a younger sailor. Religion was the last thing on our minds. Of course there are no Foxholes on a ship. What this "snap" means to me, is when things get rough and you may die, people automatically call on God to save them, or promise God they will change thier ways if they make it through alive. This may be true for some agnostics, but most dedicated unbeleivers would stand up and fight for their one and only life. I would rather have an athiest fighting along side me than cowereing at the bottom of a foxhole on thier knees, with their eyes closed tight. That person would have to drop thier gun to pray properly! There are many more unbelievers or maybe even a better description would be doubters out there in Iraq right now than people realize. They keep it to themselves.
Beliefwatch: Foxholes
Newsweek
Aug. 21-28, 2006 issue - There are no atheists in foxholes," the old saw goes. The line, attributed to a WWII chaplain, has since been uttered countless times by grunts, chaplains and news anchors. But an increasingly vocal group of activists and soldiers—atheist soldiers—disagrees. "It's a denial of our contributions," says Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, who founded the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and who will be deployed to Iraq this fall. "A lot of people manage to serve without having to call on a higher power."
It's an ongoing battle. Just last month Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said, "Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line." Atheist groups reacted swiftly, releasing a statement that "Nonbelievers are serving, and have served, in our nation's military with distinction!" The National Guard said it received about 20 letters objecting to Blum's statement, and said his comments were "intended to clearly illustrate the positive spirit of camaraderie, human understanding and inclusion of our fine men and women in the National Guard."
In the past several years, atheists have organized letter-writing campaigns against Katie Couric, Tom Brokaw, Bob Schieffer (who issued a public apology) and other news anchors for repeating the "no atheists in foxholes" line on TV. And on Veterans Day 2005, several dozen atheist veterans paraded down the National Mall bearing American flags and signs reading ATHEIST VETERAN—WE SHARED YOUR FOXHOLES! Johnson says atheists in the military face prejudice. "Before I got to be the rank I am I had to keep my head down and my mouth shut. I had commanding officers who made it clear that they wouldn't tolerate atheism in their ranks." Military leaders deny any discrimination. "Service in the military is open to people of all creeds and religions," says Michael Milord, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. Officially, the Department of Defense considers atheism a creed like other faiths. New recruits can choose ATHEIST, AGNOSTIC, or NO RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE for their dog-tag identifications. And an atheist symbol, which resembles an atom, is among the dozens of "approved emblems of belief" that can appear on the headstones of fallen soldiers in military cemeteries. Would a soldier really die without faith? Bowling Green State University's Ken Pargament, a professor specializing in the psychology of religion and coping, says: "If someone is a committed atheist, they're likely to stay a committed atheist."
—Rebecca Phillips
Beliefwatch: Foxholes
Newsweek
Aug. 21-28, 2006 issue - There are no atheists in foxholes," the old saw goes. The line, attributed to a WWII chaplain, has since been uttered countless times by grunts, chaplains and news anchors. But an increasingly vocal group of activists and soldiers—atheist soldiers—disagrees. "It's a denial of our contributions," says Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, who founded the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and who will be deployed to Iraq this fall. "A lot of people manage to serve without having to call on a higher power."
It's an ongoing battle. Just last month Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said, "Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line." Atheist groups reacted swiftly, releasing a statement that "Nonbelievers are serving, and have served, in our nation's military with distinction!" The National Guard said it received about 20 letters objecting to Blum's statement, and said his comments were "intended to clearly illustrate the positive spirit of camaraderie, human understanding and inclusion of our fine men and women in the National Guard."
In the past several years, atheists have organized letter-writing campaigns against Katie Couric, Tom Brokaw, Bob Schieffer (who issued a public apology) and other news anchors for repeating the "no atheists in foxholes" line on TV. And on Veterans Day 2005, several dozen atheist veterans paraded down the National Mall bearing American flags and signs reading ATHEIST VETERAN—WE SHARED YOUR FOXHOLES! Johnson says atheists in the military face prejudice. "Before I got to be the rank I am I had to keep my head down and my mouth shut. I had commanding officers who made it clear that they wouldn't tolerate atheism in their ranks." Military leaders deny any discrimination. "Service in the military is open to people of all creeds and religions," says Michael Milord, a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard. Officially, the Department of Defense considers atheism a creed like other faiths. New recruits can choose ATHEIST, AGNOSTIC, or NO RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE for their dog-tag identifications. And an atheist symbol, which resembles an atom, is among the dozens of "approved emblems of belief" that can appear on the headstones of fallen soldiers in military cemeteries. Would a soldier really die without faith? Bowling Green State University's Ken Pargament, a professor specializing in the psychology of religion and coping, says: "If someone is a committed atheist, they're likely to stay a committed atheist."
—Rebecca Phillips
Aug 14, 2006
Fleecing the faithful
By The Associated Press - 08/13/2006
Randall W. Harding sang in the choir at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, Calif., and donated part of his conspicuous wealth to its ministries.In his business dealings, he underscored his faith by naming his investment firm JTL, or “Just the Lord.” Pastors and churchgoers alike entrusted their money to him.By the time Harding was unmasked as a fraud, he and his partners had stolen more than $50 million from their clients, and Crossroads became yet another cautionary tale in what investigators say is a worsening problem plaguing the nation’s churches.Billions of dollars has been stolen in religion-related fraud in recent years, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association, a group of state officials who work to protect investors.Between 1984 and 1989, about $450 million was stolen in religion-related scams, the association says. In its latest count — from 1998 to 2001 — the toll had risen to $2 billion. Rip-offs have only become more common since.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Randall W. Harding sang in the choir at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, Calif., and donated part of his conspicuous wealth to its ministries.In his business dealings, he underscored his faith by naming his investment firm JTL, or “Just the Lord.” Pastors and churchgoers alike entrusted their money to him.By the time Harding was unmasked as a fraud, he and his partners had stolen more than $50 million from their clients, and Crossroads became yet another cautionary tale in what investigators say is a worsening problem plaguing the nation’s churches.Billions of dollars has been stolen in religion-related fraud in recent years, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association, a group of state officials who work to protect investors.Between 1984 and 1989, about $450 million was stolen in religion-related scams, the association says. In its latest count — from 1998 to 2001 — the toll had risen to $2 billion. Rip-offs have only become more common since.
This is only the tip of the iceberg.
Aug 13, 2006
Islamic Animosity/Letter to the Editor
Islam’s problemIslamic animosity towards Israel has always been grossly disproportionate to the amount of land, water or people involved.The crisis in the Middle East goes all the way back to 622. That’s when the Prophet Mohammed moved from his home town of Mecca (where he had been heckled a lot) to Medina, where within a few short years he achieved supreme political power, exiled two of the city’s Jewish tribes, and exterminated the third.If many Muslims hate Israel, it’s because Jewish control and sovereignty over Jerusalem (especially the Temple Mount) is seen as a symbolic and real world refutation of Islam’s implausible but nonetheless central claim to be the legitimate culmination of — and replacement for — Judeo-Christian monotheism.Do Middle Eastern Muslims really care about the Palestinians? I’m skeptical. If they can watch fellow Muslims (to say nothing of non-Muslims) being treated worse in larger numbers by other Muslims, (in Sudan, for example) without lifting a finger ...No. What heats their hate is that in the religious caste system that has long characterized Islamic rule, it is an “affront” when any non-Muslim, and especially a theologically uncooperative Jew, demands to be treated as an equal.Greg CaffreyP.O. Box 1485
The LeBaron Clan
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) -- Houston's FBI office has placed the fugitive daughter of a deceased Utah polygamist on the agency's "most wanted" list after getting a tip about the woman from a relative in prison.
Jacqueline Tarsa LeBaron is wanted in connection with four 1988 murders in Houston and Irving, Texas, according to a wanted poster on the agency's Web site. She's been a fugitive since 1992.
A telephone message left by The Associated Press with the Houston FBI office was not returned Saturday.
LeBaron is a daughter of Ervil LeBaron, the former leader of the Church of the Lamb of God, a polygamist sect with enclaves in Mexico.
The elder LeBaron ordered the executions of rival polygamists in the 1970s, investigators have said. In 1972 he was convicted in Utah of ordering family members to kill his brother, who was said to have disobeyed church laws.
Ervil LeBaron died in the Utah state prison in 1981. Before his death, he reportedly wrote a "bible" which included a commandment to kill disobedient church members.
Jacqueline Tarsa LeBaron is wanted in connection with four 1988 murders in Houston and Irving, Texas, according to a wanted poster on the agency's Web site. She's been a fugitive since 1992.
A telephone message left by The Associated Press with the Houston FBI office was not returned Saturday.
LeBaron is a daughter of Ervil LeBaron, the former leader of the Church of the Lamb of God, a polygamist sect with enclaves in Mexico.
The elder LeBaron ordered the executions of rival polygamists in the 1970s, investigators have said. In 1972 he was convicted in Utah of ordering family members to kill his brother, who was said to have disobeyed church laws.
Ervil LeBaron died in the Utah state prison in 1981. Before his death, he reportedly wrote a "bible" which included a commandment to kill disobedient church members.
Aug 8, 2006
Supposed Satanist Executed
The news article below talks about a convicted murderer who claimed to worship satan. At the end of the article it states some people believe he said it only to ensure he got the death penalty. Of course the title to the article didn't call him a supposed Satanist, but a Satan Worshipper. Was there any proof he did before he committed the murders? There is no mention of his lifestyle beforehand. The title caught my eye, so I am sure that is why they printed it that way. You never see "A Jesus Worshipper Committed Triple Homicide" Though recently I saw "Preacher's Wife Kills Husband" Believers kill people everyday, but a supposed Satanist makes headlines. Not that I am defending Satanism, it also is a supernatural belief system therefore not my cup of tea. Real Satanists are probably upset over this article, because they claim they do not worship the devil. If your interested in what they believe google Satanist. I did long ago and was surprised what I found. A "true Satanist" is not what this fellow was.
Finally I can't forget to comment that because I do not believe, I and others like me must worship the devil, work for the devil, or unknowingly do the devil's work. Ridiculous. I remember meeting a Gay man from Lousiana who had never met an Athiest before. He pretty much asked me right out "Do you worship Satan?" I laughed and said noooo. He was funny about it, but he really though us people did. It was because he grew up in a fundamentalist family. His father was a pastor, minister or something like that. He was taught as a child that Athiests are evil and worhip the devil. I thought it was amusing coming from a Gay man. I am sure his father is horrified his son is Gay. Maybe his being Gay is better than being a Humanist.
LUCASVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- A man who said he worshipped Satan and enjoyed killing three people, stabbing and beating them and stomping on them with steel-toed boots, was executed Tuesday.
Darrell Ferguson, 28, the youngest person put to death in Ohio since 1962, died by injection at 10:21 a.m. at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
He had asked for the death penalty and chose not to pursue appeals, which could have delayed his execution for years.
Ferguson was the second inmate executed using the state's new lethal injection protocol, adopted after an execution in May was delayed while prison staff struggled to find a useable vein on that inmate, who asked them to find another way to kill him.
Officials said Ferguson's veins were closely examined before his execution, and the guidelines called for two injection sites to be prepared plus a new method of ensuring veins stay open.
He was convicted of three counts of aggravated murder in the Christmas Day killing of Thomas King, 61, in 2001 and the deaths the next day of Arlie Fugate, 68, and his wife Mae, 69. King was disabled and used crutches, Arlie Fugate had cancer and Mae Fugate took meals to wheelchair-using neighbors.
The victims let Ferguson into their homes in Dayton because they knew him. Ferguson's mother had been married to King's brother, and Ferguson's family had once lived near the Fugates.
Ferguson committed the murders after getting a two-day pass from a drug treatment program he had been ordered to attend following a burglary conviction.
At his sentencing, he taunted the victims' families, saying he worshipped Satan, enjoyed the killings, had no remorse, and, if released from prison, would pick up where he left off.
Defense attorney Victor Hodge said Ferguson's behavior might have been a ploy to make sure he was sentenced to death so he could avoid spending the rest of his life in prison.
Finally I can't forget to comment that because I do not believe, I and others like me must worship the devil, work for the devil, or unknowingly do the devil's work. Ridiculous. I remember meeting a Gay man from Lousiana who had never met an Athiest before. He pretty much asked me right out "Do you worship Satan?" I laughed and said noooo. He was funny about it, but he really though us people did. It was because he grew up in a fundamentalist family. His father was a pastor, minister or something like that. He was taught as a child that Athiests are evil and worhip the devil. I thought it was amusing coming from a Gay man. I am sure his father is horrified his son is Gay. Maybe his being Gay is better than being a Humanist.
LUCASVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- A man who said he worshipped Satan and enjoyed killing three people, stabbing and beating them and stomping on them with steel-toed boots, was executed Tuesday.
Darrell Ferguson, 28, the youngest person put to death in Ohio since 1962, died by injection at 10:21 a.m. at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility.
He had asked for the death penalty and chose not to pursue appeals, which could have delayed his execution for years.
Ferguson was the second inmate executed using the state's new lethal injection protocol, adopted after an execution in May was delayed while prison staff struggled to find a useable vein on that inmate, who asked them to find another way to kill him.
Officials said Ferguson's veins were closely examined before his execution, and the guidelines called for two injection sites to be prepared plus a new method of ensuring veins stay open.
He was convicted of three counts of aggravated murder in the Christmas Day killing of Thomas King, 61, in 2001 and the deaths the next day of Arlie Fugate, 68, and his wife Mae, 69. King was disabled and used crutches, Arlie Fugate had cancer and Mae Fugate took meals to wheelchair-using neighbors.
The victims let Ferguson into their homes in Dayton because they knew him. Ferguson's mother had been married to King's brother, and Ferguson's family had once lived near the Fugates.
Ferguson committed the murders after getting a two-day pass from a drug treatment program he had been ordered to attend following a burglary conviction.
At his sentencing, he taunted the victims' families, saying he worshipped Satan, enjoyed the killings, had no remorse, and, if released from prison, would pick up where he left off.
Defense attorney Victor Hodge said Ferguson's behavior might have been a ploy to make sure he was sentenced to death so he could avoid spending the rest of his life in prison.
Aug 4, 2006
Cpl. Baucas, Nephew of Senator Max Baucus
Westboro Baptist Church condemns Sen. Baucus, plans picket at newphew's funeral
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - IR Staff Writer - 08/04/06
Less than a day after the Baucus family announced its funeral plans for Cpl. Phillip Baucus, who was killed in Iraq this week, the Westboro Baptist Church announced its own plans to picket Sunday’s service.
The group listed the Sieben Ranch near Wolf Creek on its Web site Thursday, including the ranch’s address and the time of 1:15 to 2 p.m. No effort was made to reach the church for comment.The church, based in Topeka, Kan., has gained headlines for its religious-based rhetoric bashing gays and, more recently, fallen U.S. servicemen whom the church believes are fighting on behalf of a “sinful nation.”While the comments posted on the church’s Web site were unfit to print, the text condemned Sen. Max Baucus for a variety of issues and accused Cpl. Baucus of “disobeying” his creator by serving in the U.S. Marines.“Sunday is about mourning Phillip and celebrating his life and his service to our country,” Sen. Baucus said Thursday evening. “And that’s what we are going to do.”The church was last in Helena in February 2005 to picket the Montana Supreme Court and its ruling that gay and lesbian partners of the Montana University System have the same right to health insurance benefits as everyone else.
The group’s arrival that year prompted a flurry of town meetings. Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger attended one such meeting at Carroll College. The church then placed both the college and Bohlinger on its radar as future protest targets.The Westboro Church, led by Fred Phelps, has gained headlines for its “God Hates Fags” campaign, a less-than-tactful approach that has come to include picketing military funerals.Twenty-five states and the U.S. Congress have passed laws that prohibit picketing at funerals. Similar bills aimed at or inspired by the Westboro group have been proposed in 10 more states.The Westboro group and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Missouri last month, claiming that state’s anti-funeral-picketing law was unconstitutional.Memorials in Phillip’s name are suggested to the Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o First Interstate Bank, 3401 North Montana Ave.; Helena MT 59602 or to an organization or charity of the donor’s choice.
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - IR Staff Writer - 08/04/06
Less than a day after the Baucus family announced its funeral plans for Cpl. Phillip Baucus, who was killed in Iraq this week, the Westboro Baptist Church announced its own plans to picket Sunday’s service.
The group listed the Sieben Ranch near Wolf Creek on its Web site Thursday, including the ranch’s address and the time of 1:15 to 2 p.m. No effort was made to reach the church for comment.The church, based in Topeka, Kan., has gained headlines for its religious-based rhetoric bashing gays and, more recently, fallen U.S. servicemen whom the church believes are fighting on behalf of a “sinful nation.”While the comments posted on the church’s Web site were unfit to print, the text condemned Sen. Max Baucus for a variety of issues and accused Cpl. Baucus of “disobeying” his creator by serving in the U.S. Marines.“Sunday is about mourning Phillip and celebrating his life and his service to our country,” Sen. Baucus said Thursday evening. “And that’s what we are going to do.”The church was last in Helena in February 2005 to picket the Montana Supreme Court and its ruling that gay and lesbian partners of the Montana University System have the same right to health insurance benefits as everyone else.
The group’s arrival that year prompted a flurry of town meetings. Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger attended one such meeting at Carroll College. The church then placed both the college and Bohlinger on its radar as future protest targets.The Westboro Church, led by Fred Phelps, has gained headlines for its “God Hates Fags” campaign, a less-than-tactful approach that has come to include picketing military funerals.Twenty-five states and the U.S. Congress have passed laws that prohibit picketing at funerals. Similar bills aimed at or inspired by the Westboro group have been proposed in 10 more states.The Westboro group and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Missouri last month, claiming that state’s anti-funeral-picketing law was unconstitutional.Memorials in Phillip’s name are suggested to the Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o First Interstate Bank, 3401 North Montana Ave.; Helena MT 59602 or to an organization or charity of the donor’s choice.
Aug 2, 2006
Again, Again and Again
TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- Conservative Republicans who pushed anti-evolution standards back into Kansas schools last year have lost control of the state Board of Education once again.
Control of the school board has slipped into, out of and back into conservative Republicans' hands since 1998, resulting in anti-evolution standards in 1999, evolution-friendly ones in 2001 and anti-evolution ones again last year.
Control of the school board has slipped into, out of and back into conservative Republicans' hands since 1998, resulting in anti-evolution standards in 1999, evolution-friendly ones in 2001 and anti-evolution ones again last year.
Aug 1, 2006
Gingrich continues to warn of World War III
If our enemies get a nuclear or biological weapon, they are going to use it," he said. "This is not the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was a tired, atheist, bureaucracy.
"If you are an atheist and then you become a suicide bomber you don't get to go anywhere," he added, referencing the religious glory some suicide bombers are promised for sacrificing their lives.
Gingrich, who was forced to step down following the 1998 elections, is now considering a run for president in 2008.
Strange comment, wouldn't atheists go straight to hell, is Gingrich conceding there is no hell ?
"If you are an atheist and then you become a suicide bomber you don't get to go anywhere," he added, referencing the religious glory some suicide bombers are promised for sacrificing their lives.
Gingrich, who was forced to step down following the 1998 elections, is now considering a run for president in 2008.
Strange comment, wouldn't atheists go straight to hell, is Gingrich conceding there is no hell ?
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