At the time I filmed this Rant, I was concerned that our dear Republicans were attempting to make political hay over this tragedy.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
John Gibson goes a little too far
Fox News Radio talk show host, John Gibson said on his show today that he was "on the tiger's side," while referring to the mauling death of Carlos Sousa Jr., by a 9 year old Siberian Tiger at the San Francisco zoo, Christmas day.
The segment included sound bites (often heard on Gibson's show) of Tony the Tiger's tag line, "Therrrrrrre Grrrrrreat," as well as bumper music featuring Survivor's 80's hit "Eye of the Tiger."
Gibson was pointing out that San Francisco police think Sousa and his two teenage friends may have been taunting the tiger while the animal was in it's enclosure.
I will be the first to say that stupid should hurt. And if it's proven that the teens were provoking the tiger, even going as far as to dangle a leg into it's area, they probably had it coming.
But why parody this tragedy? Did Gibson parody the assassination of Benazir Bhutto? Nope... he said something to the effect that it was time for serious people to come forward.
While I doubt that Sousa's father (whose interview was also played on the show) heard any of this mockery, I would think Gibson should have been just a little more (dare I say?) sensitive.
Or at least more serious...
The segment included sound bites (often heard on Gibson's show) of Tony the Tiger's tag line, "Therrrrrrre Grrrrrreat," as well as bumper music featuring Survivor's 80's hit "Eye of the Tiger."
Gibson was pointing out that San Francisco police think Sousa and his two teenage friends may have been taunting the tiger while the animal was in it's enclosure.
I will be the first to say that stupid should hurt. And if it's proven that the teens were provoking the tiger, even going as far as to dangle a leg into it's area, they probably had it coming.
But why parody this tragedy? Did Gibson parody the assassination of Benazir Bhutto? Nope... he said something to the effect that it was time for serious people to come forward.
While I doubt that Sousa's father (whose interview was also played on the show) heard any of this mockery, I would think Gibson should have been just a little more (dare I say?) sensitive.
Or at least more serious...
Grocery worker fired for stopping shoplifter
BY DAVE GERSHMAN
The Ann Arbor News
John Schultz says he lost his job at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor after he tried to stop a shoplifter from making a getaway. But the company says he went too far and violated a policy that prohibits employees from physically touching a customer - even if that person is carrying a bag of stolen goods.
Schultz says he had just punched out for a break at 7 p.m. on Sunday when he heard a commotion at the front door of the store, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter. Schultz, the manager and another employee cornered the shoplifter between two cars in the parking lot.
Schultz said he told the shoplifter he was making a citizens arrest and to wait for the police to arrive, but the shoplifter broke away from the group and ran across Washtenaw Avenue and toward a gas station at the corner of Huron Parkway.
Before the man could cross Huron Parkway, Schultz caught up and grabbed the man's jacket and put his leg behind the man's legs. When the manager arrived at the intersection, Schultz said, the manager told him to release the shoplifter, and he complied, and the shoplifter got away.
Schultz said he was called to the store's office the next day, on Christmas Eve, and was fired because he violated a company policy prohibiting employees from having any physical contact with a customer.
Kate Klotz, a company spokesperson, said the policy is clear and listed in a booklet that all employees have to acknowledge that they received before they can start work.
"The fact that he touched him, period, is means for termination," said Klotz.
Schultz said he acted as a private citizen on property that isn't owned by Whole Foods, but Klotz said where the incident happened doesn't change the policy.
"He is still considered an employee of Whole Foods Market regardless of where he was and what was happening," she said.
The police report of the incident doesn't mention Schultz's involvement. It says police responded to the call of retail fraud at 7:09 p.m. and could not locate the shoplifter.
The thief was described as a thin white male, 5-foot-10, in his mid-20s, wearing a black jacket, tan pants and carrying a backpack.
The report says store employees were suspicious when the man walked into the store and they watched as he filled up a basket and then took it into a bathroom. When he came out, his basket was empty, but his backpack looked full. Then he filled up a canvas store tote bag with groceries, and walked
out the door.
The manager and the other employee told police they caught up to the shoplifter at the corner of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway. It says one of them grabbed the tote bag away from the shoplifter, and the suspect walked away. The bag contained $346 worth of food and other products.
Schultz, 35, of Ypsilanti Township, had worked at the store for five years, most recently as a fishmonger. He wants his job back.
"The fact that I worked at the store at (the time of the robbery) is coincidental," he said. "If I had went over to the book store on my break and they were being ripped off, I would have helped them."
Reporter Dave Gershman can be reached at 734-994-6818 or dgershman@annarbornews.com.
What a load of bullshit! This is why hoodlums think they can get away with what they do.
The Ann Arbor News
John Schultz says he lost his job at Whole Foods Market in Ann Arbor after he tried to stop a shoplifter from making a getaway. But the company says he went too far and violated a policy that prohibits employees from physically touching a customer - even if that person is carrying a bag of stolen goods.
Schultz says he had just punched out for a break at 7 p.m. on Sunday when he heard a commotion at the front door of the store, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. He said he came to the aid of the manager who yelled for help in stopping a shoplifter. Schultz, the manager and another employee cornered the shoplifter between two cars in the parking lot.
Schultz said he told the shoplifter he was making a citizens arrest and to wait for the police to arrive, but the shoplifter broke away from the group and ran across Washtenaw Avenue and toward a gas station at the corner of Huron Parkway.
Before the man could cross Huron Parkway, Schultz caught up and grabbed the man's jacket and put his leg behind the man's legs. When the manager arrived at the intersection, Schultz said, the manager told him to release the shoplifter, and he complied, and the shoplifter got away.
Schultz said he was called to the store's office the next day, on Christmas Eve, and was fired because he violated a company policy prohibiting employees from having any physical contact with a customer.
Kate Klotz, a company spokesperson, said the policy is clear and listed in a booklet that all employees have to acknowledge that they received before they can start work.
"The fact that he touched him, period, is means for termination," said Klotz.
Schultz said he acted as a private citizen on property that isn't owned by Whole Foods, but Klotz said where the incident happened doesn't change the policy.
"He is still considered an employee of Whole Foods Market regardless of where he was and what was happening," she said.
The police report of the incident doesn't mention Schultz's involvement. It says police responded to the call of retail fraud at 7:09 p.m. and could not locate the shoplifter.
The thief was described as a thin white male, 5-foot-10, in his mid-20s, wearing a black jacket, tan pants and carrying a backpack.
The report says store employees were suspicious when the man walked into the store and they watched as he filled up a basket and then took it into a bathroom. When he came out, his basket was empty, but his backpack looked full. Then he filled up a canvas store tote bag with groceries, and walked
out the door.
The manager and the other employee told police they caught up to the shoplifter at the corner of Washtenaw and Huron Parkway. It says one of them grabbed the tote bag away from the shoplifter, and the suspect walked away. The bag contained $346 worth of food and other products.
Schultz, 35, of Ypsilanti Township, had worked at the store for five years, most recently as a fishmonger. He wants his job back.
"The fact that I worked at the store at (the time of the robbery) is coincidental," he said. "If I had went over to the book store on my break and they were being ripped off, I would have helped them."
Reporter Dave Gershman can be reached at 734-994-6818 or dgershman@annarbornews.com.
What a load of bullshit! This is why hoodlums think they can get away with what they do.
US police fatalities spike in 2007
By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer
A record number of fatal traffic incidents and a double-digit spike in shooting deaths led to one of the deadliest years for law enforcement officers in more than a decade.
With the exception of 2001, which saw a dramatic increase in deaths because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 2007 was the deadliest year for law enforcement since 1989, according to preliminary data released jointly by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors.
The report counted the deaths of 186 officers as of Dec. 26, up from 145 last year. Eighty-one died in traffic incidents, which the report said surpassed their record of 78 set in 2000. Shooting deaths increased from 52 to 69, a rise of about 33 percent.
"Most of us don't realize that an officer is being killed in America on average every other day," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Officer fatalities have generally declined since peaking at 277 in 1974, the report said. Historically, officers have been more likely to be killed in an attack than to die accidentally and shootings outnumbered car crashes. But those trends began to reverse in the late 1990s. This year, about six of every 10 deaths were accidental.
Floyd credited technology improvements with helping reverse the trend. Safety vests save lives and non-lethal devices such as electric stun guns prevent some fatal encounters, he said. He attributed the spike in shooting deaths to the increase in violent crime nationwide.
"Law enforcement is the front line against violent criminals," he said.
Of the 81 traffic deaths this year, 60 officers died in car crashes, 15 were hit by cars and six died in motorcycle crashes.
Police departments have worked to limit high-speed chases and only seven of the car crashes were attributed to such pursuits, Floyd said. Crashes involving a single police cruiser responding to a call were far more common, he said.
After traffic crashes and shootings, physical causes such as heart attacks were the leading cause of death, contributing to 18 fatalities. Other causes of death included smaller categories such as airplane and boating accidents, for an additional 18 fatalities.
Texas led the nation with 22 fatalities followed by Florida (16), New York (12), and California (11). The report includes the death of 17 federal law enforcement officers, including five Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents killed in two bombings in Iraq.
Source
Next time you meet up with a cop, show a little respect and appreciation... OK...
A record number of fatal traffic incidents and a double-digit spike in shooting deaths led to one of the deadliest years for law enforcement officers in more than a decade.
With the exception of 2001, which saw a dramatic increase in deaths because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 2007 was the deadliest year for law enforcement since 1989, according to preliminary data released jointly by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors.
The report counted the deaths of 186 officers as of Dec. 26, up from 145 last year. Eighty-one died in traffic incidents, which the report said surpassed their record of 78 set in 2000. Shooting deaths increased from 52 to 69, a rise of about 33 percent.
"Most of us don't realize that an officer is being killed in America on average every other day," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Officer fatalities have generally declined since peaking at 277 in 1974, the report said. Historically, officers have been more likely to be killed in an attack than to die accidentally and shootings outnumbered car crashes. But those trends began to reverse in the late 1990s. This year, about six of every 10 deaths were accidental.
Floyd credited technology improvements with helping reverse the trend. Safety vests save lives and non-lethal devices such as electric stun guns prevent some fatal encounters, he said. He attributed the spike in shooting deaths to the increase in violent crime nationwide.
"Law enforcement is the front line against violent criminals," he said.
Of the 81 traffic deaths this year, 60 officers died in car crashes, 15 were hit by cars and six died in motorcycle crashes.
Police departments have worked to limit high-speed chases and only seven of the car crashes were attributed to such pursuits, Floyd said. Crashes involving a single police cruiser responding to a call were far more common, he said.
After traffic crashes and shootings, physical causes such as heart attacks were the leading cause of death, contributing to 18 fatalities. Other causes of death included smaller categories such as airplane and boating accidents, for an additional 18 fatalities.
Texas led the nation with 22 fatalities followed by Florida (16), New York (12), and California (11). The report includes the death of 17 federal law enforcement officers, including five Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents killed in two bombings in Iraq.
Source
Next time you meet up with a cop, show a little respect and appreciation... OK...
What the talking heads won't tell you...
Fox News radio host, John Gibson was salivating. Sean Hannity's subbie, Kirby Wilbur (from Seattle) was wringing his hands with joy. Throughout the Conservative talk world, hosts were singing the praises of the latest Gallop poll that declared President Bush as the most admired man in America.
Now I'm not here to slam the results. I am not a card carrying Bush Basher. In my opinion, he's made some mistakes, but I like the fact that he's stuck to his convictions.
While all the talking heads I listened to did mention that former president, Bill Clinton was second in the poll, and former veep Al Gore was third, nobody mentioned how close the poling was.
I will...
Here were the top 4...
1 George W. Bush 10%
2 Bill Clinton 8%
3 Al Gore 6%
4 Barack Obama 5%
Those numbers tell you anything? They tell me that's far from a ringing endorsement. And while the con jockeys will all heap praise on our beleaguered president, fact is this poll seems to show the respondent's decided lean toward the left. None of the current Republican presidential contenders garnered more than 1% in this poll.
What's even more amazing (and not mentioned) is the fact that Hillary Clinton was voted most admired woman with a score of 18%. (She was... her score wasn't) Oprah came in second with 16%. Secretary of State, Condolizza Rice came in a distant 3rd with only 5%.
If this poll is any indication of which direction this country is leaning, the Conservatives are in big trouble. They have been looking for a charismatic leader since Reagan. None of these current candidates come close.
I'll bet Bill and Hillary are dusting off their old White House nick-knacks. Any takers?
Now I'm not here to slam the results. I am not a card carrying Bush Basher. In my opinion, he's made some mistakes, but I like the fact that he's stuck to his convictions.
While all the talking heads I listened to did mention that former president, Bill Clinton was second in the poll, and former veep Al Gore was third, nobody mentioned how close the poling was.
I will...
Here were the top 4...
1 George W. Bush 10%
2 Bill Clinton 8%
3 Al Gore 6%
4 Barack Obama 5%
Those numbers tell you anything? They tell me that's far from a ringing endorsement. And while the con jockeys will all heap praise on our beleaguered president, fact is this poll seems to show the respondent's decided lean toward the left. None of the current Republican presidential contenders garnered more than 1% in this poll.
What's even more amazing (and not mentioned) is the fact that Hillary Clinton was voted most admired woman with a score of 18%. (She was... her score wasn't) Oprah came in second with 16%. Secretary of State, Condolizza Rice came in a distant 3rd with only 5%.
If this poll is any indication of which direction this country is leaning, the Conservatives are in big trouble. They have been looking for a charismatic leader since Reagan. None of these current candidates come close.
I'll bet Bill and Hillary are dusting off their old White House nick-knacks. Any takers?
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
'Merry Christmas' greeting still tricky in age of political correctness
Delma Francis
Merry Christmas! The exuberant greeting of the season used to bring me such joy — both to give and to receive.
But I almost never hear it — or utter it — anymore. The fear of offending a non-Christian has taken this pleasure from the season. I have become PC on the issue, I'm afraid.
I believe I am pretty strong in my faith (I never write Christmas with an X) but I would never deliberately belittle anyone else's by wishing someone I knew to be of another faith a merry Christmas. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season, and to force my belief in him on someone who believes he was a great man, but not the Messiah, would be tacky and insensitive.
Sadly, holiday greetings have inspired violence this season. Almost two weeks ago, three Jewish subway riders on New York's Q train were attacked by a rowdy group of 10 after Walter Adler responded to a wish of "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Hanukkah." And who came to their rescue? Hassan Askari, a Muslim student from Bangladesh.
Unbelievable. To quote Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?"
How do non-Christians react to greeting?
Adler handled the Christmas greeting in a perfectly acceptable way by responding with his religion's greeting of the season. How do other non-Christians feel when they're wished a merry Christmas?
It depends whom you ask.
Marcia Zimmerman, senior rabbi of Temple Israel in Minneapolis said, "You feel clearly part of the minority population at this time of the year. It's a very important time for Christians, and I find beauty in the tradition." But how she feels when people wish her a merry Christmas depends on where she is at the time, Zimmerman said. "If I'm in a church as a visitor, OK, but if I'm in a grocery store or department store, there's an assumption there that we are all of one religion. We are of many traditions."
"My fellow Jews may or may not agree with me, but this is a huge, huge meaningful holiday for the majority," said Gail Rosenblum of Minneapolis, a former colleague of mine at the Star Tribune. "There is no meanness when someone says 'Merry Christmas.' It's an assumption (that I'm Christian). I just say 'Thank you. Have a happy holiday.' "
Rosenblum says she also doesn't mind receiving Christmas cards. "I have a love for the season." She's come by that honestly. Her father's love for Christmas carols saved his life during World War II. Stationed onboard the troop carrier Leopoldville on Christmas Eve 1944, headed for the Battle of the Bulge, 19-year-old Sidney Rosenblum joined about 200 other soldiers on deck singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "We Three Kings of Orient Are" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
A few minutes later, a little past 6 p.m., the bottom stern section of the ship was hit by a German torpedo, killing hundreds. If not for the lure of the Christmas music, Sidney Rosenblum would have been below deck, probably among the dead.
Christmas carols saved his lifeBut beyond that amazing story, Rosenblum says she is secure enough in her faith that she doesn't get caught up in all the political correctness of Christmas greetings, adding, "I feel sorry for my Christian friends who get bogged down in saying, "Happy holidays,' and calling parties holiday parties. They're Christmas parties. I can enjoy it without owning it."
I also worked with Mike Meyers, a Minneapolis atheist, who says he's unaffected by wishes of a merry Christmas. "It doesn't mean anything. It's become a secular holiday. It hasn't mattered to me since I wanted a red bike under the tree."
"It doesn't bug me because we celebrate Christmas, just not the Jesus part," said Nicole Bue, an 18-year-old senior at Brooklyn Center High School whose grandfather is a Buddhist shaman. "My family doesn't have an official religion...we kind of observe our grandfather's beliefs out of respect, but my dad said it's up to us to decide" what religion to embrace.
Is Shruti Mathur, a Hindu from Wilmington, Del., bothered by being wished a merry Christmas? "It probably depends on my mood that day," she jokes.
Mathur, who grew up in Minnesota and worked at the Star Tribune, said her family celebrated the secular side of Christmas, with a decorated tree and gift-giving, but Christmas greetings do bother her in the sense that "it brings that sense of 'otherness.' You're just trying to make your place in the world, and someone else's opinion means more. But you balance it like everything else. There's no need to berate a drugstore clerk for saying, 'Merry Christmas.' Just wish it back."
Source
Here's a unique idea...
If your not a Christian and someone wishes you "Merry Christmas," respond in kind with in what ever manner that's appropriate for your faith. What better way to share the joy of the season with people of all faiths.
Merry Christmas! The exuberant greeting of the season used to bring me such joy — both to give and to receive.
But I almost never hear it — or utter it — anymore. The fear of offending a non-Christian has taken this pleasure from the season. I have become PC on the issue, I'm afraid.
I believe I am pretty strong in my faith (I never write Christmas with an X) but I would never deliberately belittle anyone else's by wishing someone I knew to be of another faith a merry Christmas. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season, and to force my belief in him on someone who believes he was a great man, but not the Messiah, would be tacky and insensitive.
Sadly, holiday greetings have inspired violence this season. Almost two weeks ago, three Jewish subway riders on New York's Q train were attacked by a rowdy group of 10 after Walter Adler responded to a wish of "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Hanukkah." And who came to their rescue? Hassan Askari, a Muslim student from Bangladesh.
Unbelievable. To quote Rodney King: "Can't we all just get along?"
How do non-Christians react to greeting?
Adler handled the Christmas greeting in a perfectly acceptable way by responding with his religion's greeting of the season. How do other non-Christians feel when they're wished a merry Christmas?
It depends whom you ask.
Marcia Zimmerman, senior rabbi of Temple Israel in Minneapolis said, "You feel clearly part of the minority population at this time of the year. It's a very important time for Christians, and I find beauty in the tradition." But how she feels when people wish her a merry Christmas depends on where she is at the time, Zimmerman said. "If I'm in a church as a visitor, OK, but if I'm in a grocery store or department store, there's an assumption there that we are all of one religion. We are of many traditions."
"My fellow Jews may or may not agree with me, but this is a huge, huge meaningful holiday for the majority," said Gail Rosenblum of Minneapolis, a former colleague of mine at the Star Tribune. "There is no meanness when someone says 'Merry Christmas.' It's an assumption (that I'm Christian). I just say 'Thank you. Have a happy holiday.' "
Rosenblum says she also doesn't mind receiving Christmas cards. "I have a love for the season." She's come by that honestly. Her father's love for Christmas carols saved his life during World War II. Stationed onboard the troop carrier Leopoldville on Christmas Eve 1944, headed for the Battle of the Bulge, 19-year-old Sidney Rosenblum joined about 200 other soldiers on deck singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "We Three Kings of Orient Are" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
A few minutes later, a little past 6 p.m., the bottom stern section of the ship was hit by a German torpedo, killing hundreds. If not for the lure of the Christmas music, Sidney Rosenblum would have been below deck, probably among the dead.
Christmas carols saved his lifeBut beyond that amazing story, Rosenblum says she is secure enough in her faith that she doesn't get caught up in all the political correctness of Christmas greetings, adding, "I feel sorry for my Christian friends who get bogged down in saying, "Happy holidays,' and calling parties holiday parties. They're Christmas parties. I can enjoy it without owning it."
I also worked with Mike Meyers, a Minneapolis atheist, who says he's unaffected by wishes of a merry Christmas. "It doesn't mean anything. It's become a secular holiday. It hasn't mattered to me since I wanted a red bike under the tree."
"It doesn't bug me because we celebrate Christmas, just not the Jesus part," said Nicole Bue, an 18-year-old senior at Brooklyn Center High School whose grandfather is a Buddhist shaman. "My family doesn't have an official religion...we kind of observe our grandfather's beliefs out of respect, but my dad said it's up to us to decide" what religion to embrace.
Is Shruti Mathur, a Hindu from Wilmington, Del., bothered by being wished a merry Christmas? "It probably depends on my mood that day," she jokes.
Mathur, who grew up in Minnesota and worked at the Star Tribune, said her family celebrated the secular side of Christmas, with a decorated tree and gift-giving, but Christmas greetings do bother her in the sense that "it brings that sense of 'otherness.' You're just trying to make your place in the world, and someone else's opinion means more. But you balance it like everything else. There's no need to berate a drugstore clerk for saying, 'Merry Christmas.' Just wish it back."
Source
Here's a unique idea...
If your not a Christian and someone wishes you "Merry Christmas," respond in kind with in what ever manner that's appropriate for your faith. What better way to share the joy of the season with people of all faiths.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Bus driver allegedly asks decoy for sex
Thu Dec 20, 8:09 PM ET
A Detroit school bus driver taking children to class is accused of trying to buy sex from an undercover officer posing as a streetwalker. Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans didn't identify the 30-year-old driver.
Evans said the man stopped twice Wednesday to talk with the officer posing as a prostitute. The first time he had one child aboard and the second time he had four children, ages 5 to 9 on the bus.
The sheriff said the driver gave the officer a paper with his phone number and told her he wanted to rendezvous after delivering the children. Instead, deputies arrested him and delivered the children themselves to McKenny Elementary School.
The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press said prosecutors are considering what charges to bring.
With kids on board? What a sick son of a bitch. Has our society really dropped this low?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Political Correctness Watch - When is a mosque not a mosque?
When it is funded by US taxpayers, of course. After all, the 1st amendment does not mention "separation of MOSQUE and State", does it?
A Minnesota community college has "a Muslim place of worship" featuring "a schedule for Islam's five daily prayers," according to a local newspaper columnist who visited the campus. Tax-supported Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn., also has a "sign requesting that shoes be removed" and a barrier that divides men's and women's "prayer spaces," writes Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
College officials denied it was anything more than a "meditation" room available for "all faiths." The description of the facility, however, led one faculty member to tell Kersten the room is "unprecedented" and "goes beyond religious toleration." "For all practical purposes, this meditation room is essentially a Muslim prayer room," said Chuck Chalberg of Normandale's history faculty.
WND has reported on "accommodations" for Muslims in public institutions, such as schools and airports, and the outrage triggered by the expenditure of public funds on a religion-specific facility. At Normandale, Kersten reported, an "arrow informed worshippers of the direction of Mecca, and literature urged women to cover their faces." She reported college officials converted a racquetball court into a "meditation" room during remodeling of some school facilities, which held another "meditation" room for students' use. Her description continues:
A row of chest-high barriers splits the room into sex-segregated sections. In the smaller, enclosed area for women sits a pile of shawls and head-coverings. Literature titled "Hijaab [covering] and Modesty" was prominently placed there, instructing women on proper Islamic behavior. They should cover their faces and stay at home, it said, and their speech should not "be such that it is heard." "Enter into Islaam completely and accept all the rulings of Islaam," the tract read in part. "It should not be that you accept what entertains your desires and leave what opposes your desires; this is from the manners of the Jews." "
[T]he Jews and the Christians" are described as "the enemies of Allaah's religion." The document adds: "Remember that you will never succeed while you follow these people."
A poster on the room's door advertised a local lecture on "marriage from an Islamic perspective," with "useful tips for marital harmony from the Prophet's ... life." Other fliers invited students to join the Normandale Islamic Forum, or participate in Ramadan celebrations. One thing was missing from the meditation room: evidence of any faith but Islam. No Bible, no crucifix, no Torah.
Normandale President Joe Opatz did not take a reporter's call with questions, instead deferring to college spokesman Geoff Jones, who said the article is "not accurate." Jones said the school is open to "diversity in terms of beliefs, values and cultural backgrounds." The room, he said, was "created for use by any person for meditation purposes." Jones confirmed it does have a partition that partially divides the room "that is something that was placed there." But he denied there are any brochures, information or religious symbols or representations in the room. "When I visited the room . there were no postings other than announcing it was a meditation room," Jones said. "We've always sought to have persons of all cultures and backgrounds welcome here. As such we have student clubs and speakers from the community . that promote the dialogue and the discourse," he said. "As a public institution, we have a responsibility to allow freedom of speech and freedom of religion. This is America," said Jones. But he also confirmed there is no set schedule for the various groups to use the room. "It's just been the ebb and flow [of meetings]," he said.
Opatz, on his website welcome to the school, called Normandale the "crown jewel" of the community college system. He suggested the "clubs, student government, recreational sports and other organizations" provide "a winning combination for a lasting success." The school website lists the Baha'I Club, Campus Crusade for Christ, College Democrats, Dental Hygiene, Ethiopian Student Union, Gay & Straight Student Alliance, Latter-day Saint Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Oromo Student Union, Somali Student Association and other special interest groups active on campus.
Ralph Anderson, dean of student affairs, told Kersten the college not only prepared the room but also posted signs at the room's entrance asking students to remove their shoes, which is a Muslim custom. Anderson called it, "basically a courtesy to Muslim students." He also told her the room is divided by sex, because "Muslim students prefer that. ." Anderson refused to respond to questions about such segregation in a public facility. "I don't want to comment on that," he said.
Chad Lunaas, a former student at the school, told Kersten he frequently on Fridays would discover that "every sink and toilet stall had someone washing his feet." He said he was intimidated by Muslims who "seemed to be in charge." The student also said Muslims took over the meditation room. "They made people who are not of the Muslim religion feel very uncomfortable, especially if they were female," he said.
Comments on Kersten's column blog were vehement. "Each and every time this topic comes up I see my former Liberal friends compromising their principles of 'Separation of Church and State' by supporting the open display of religion in public places when it concerns any religion other the Christianity," said on. "Again, if you are against the public display of religion you are against ALL public displays of religion, PERIOD."
Another poster asked, "Why is a publicly funded instituion (sic) providing any accomodation (sic) for any religion on its campus? If you want religious accommodation (sic), go to a private educational institution that will accomodate (sic) this religion." WND also has reported on a decision by officials at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., to appoint a practicing Hindu to head the college's religion department.
The issue of Muslim accommodations in public facilities such as airports already has attracted attention in Indianapolis, Phoenix and several other locations.
In a letter to Indianapolis officials, Rev. Jerry Hillenberg of Hope Baptist Church asked for a meeting over plans being developed by the airport authority to install footbaths on the airport property. "I still desire to speak personally with you about this issue. It cannot go unchallenged and unattended to," he wrote. "It remains a concern of the public at large, and certainly is a concern of this pastor and our congregation. "All of the input that we have received from the citizens of this city, county, surrounding counties, across the country, and around the world; has run 10 to one against the installation of these religious implements," he said. "Most realize that public property, owned by the taxpayers, cannot be used by Christians for religious displays or implements of their religiosity. Then, the question amongst them becomes: Why can it be used for Muslims?"
Source
Playing devil's advocate here, but either we have seperation of church and state, or we don't. We can't expect to allow public prayer for Christians and not for Muslims.
That said, the Muslim, or any other, students should not be able to expect a special room set aside just for prayer.
A Minnesota community college has "a Muslim place of worship" featuring "a schedule for Islam's five daily prayers," according to a local newspaper columnist who visited the campus. Tax-supported Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn., also has a "sign requesting that shoes be removed" and a barrier that divides men's and women's "prayer spaces," writes Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
College officials denied it was anything more than a "meditation" room available for "all faiths." The description of the facility, however, led one faculty member to tell Kersten the room is "unprecedented" and "goes beyond religious toleration." "For all practical purposes, this meditation room is essentially a Muslim prayer room," said Chuck Chalberg of Normandale's history faculty.
WND has reported on "accommodations" for Muslims in public institutions, such as schools and airports, and the outrage triggered by the expenditure of public funds on a religion-specific facility. At Normandale, Kersten reported, an "arrow informed worshippers of the direction of Mecca, and literature urged women to cover their faces." She reported college officials converted a racquetball court into a "meditation" room during remodeling of some school facilities, which held another "meditation" room for students' use. Her description continues:
A row of chest-high barriers splits the room into sex-segregated sections. In the smaller, enclosed area for women sits a pile of shawls and head-coverings. Literature titled "Hijaab [covering] and Modesty" was prominently placed there, instructing women on proper Islamic behavior. They should cover their faces and stay at home, it said, and their speech should not "be such that it is heard." "Enter into Islaam completely and accept all the rulings of Islaam," the tract read in part. "It should not be that you accept what entertains your desires and leave what opposes your desires; this is from the manners of the Jews." "
[T]he Jews and the Christians" are described as "the enemies of Allaah's religion." The document adds: "Remember that you will never succeed while you follow these people."
A poster on the room's door advertised a local lecture on "marriage from an Islamic perspective," with "useful tips for marital harmony from the Prophet's ... life." Other fliers invited students to join the Normandale Islamic Forum, or participate in Ramadan celebrations. One thing was missing from the meditation room: evidence of any faith but Islam. No Bible, no crucifix, no Torah.
Normandale President Joe Opatz did not take a reporter's call with questions, instead deferring to college spokesman Geoff Jones, who said the article is "not accurate." Jones said the school is open to "diversity in terms of beliefs, values and cultural backgrounds." The room, he said, was "created for use by any person for meditation purposes." Jones confirmed it does have a partition that partially divides the room "that is something that was placed there." But he denied there are any brochures, information or religious symbols or representations in the room. "When I visited the room . there were no postings other than announcing it was a meditation room," Jones said. "We've always sought to have persons of all cultures and backgrounds welcome here. As such we have student clubs and speakers from the community . that promote the dialogue and the discourse," he said. "As a public institution, we have a responsibility to allow freedom of speech and freedom of religion. This is America," said Jones. But he also confirmed there is no set schedule for the various groups to use the room. "It's just been the ebb and flow [of meetings]," he said.
Opatz, on his website welcome to the school, called Normandale the "crown jewel" of the community college system. He suggested the "clubs, student government, recreational sports and other organizations" provide "a winning combination for a lasting success." The school website lists the Baha'I Club, Campus Crusade for Christ, College Democrats, Dental Hygiene, Ethiopian Student Union, Gay & Straight Student Alliance, Latter-day Saint Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Oromo Student Union, Somali Student Association and other special interest groups active on campus.
Ralph Anderson, dean of student affairs, told Kersten the college not only prepared the room but also posted signs at the room's entrance asking students to remove their shoes, which is a Muslim custom. Anderson called it, "basically a courtesy to Muslim students." He also told her the room is divided by sex, because "Muslim students prefer that. ." Anderson refused to respond to questions about such segregation in a public facility. "I don't want to comment on that," he said.
Chad Lunaas, a former student at the school, told Kersten he frequently on Fridays would discover that "every sink and toilet stall had someone washing his feet." He said he was intimidated by Muslims who "seemed to be in charge." The student also said Muslims took over the meditation room. "They made people who are not of the Muslim religion feel very uncomfortable, especially if they were female," he said.
Comments on Kersten's column blog were vehement. "Each and every time this topic comes up I see my former Liberal friends compromising their principles of 'Separation of Church and State' by supporting the open display of religion in public places when it concerns any religion other the Christianity," said on. "Again, if you are against the public display of religion you are against ALL public displays of religion, PERIOD."
Another poster asked, "Why is a publicly funded instituion (sic) providing any accomodation (sic) for any religion on its campus? If you want religious accommodation (sic), go to a private educational institution that will accomodate (sic) this religion." WND also has reported on a decision by officials at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., to appoint a practicing Hindu to head the college's religion department.
The issue of Muslim accommodations in public facilities such as airports already has attracted attention in Indianapolis, Phoenix and several other locations.
In a letter to Indianapolis officials, Rev. Jerry Hillenberg of Hope Baptist Church asked for a meeting over plans being developed by the airport authority to install footbaths on the airport property. "I still desire to speak personally with you about this issue. It cannot go unchallenged and unattended to," he wrote. "It remains a concern of the public at large, and certainly is a concern of this pastor and our congregation. "All of the input that we have received from the citizens of this city, county, surrounding counties, across the country, and around the world; has run 10 to one against the installation of these religious implements," he said. "Most realize that public property, owned by the taxpayers, cannot be used by Christians for religious displays or implements of their religiosity. Then, the question amongst them becomes: Why can it be used for Muslims?"
Source
Playing devil's advocate here, but either we have seperation of church and state, or we don't. We can't expect to allow public prayer for Christians and not for Muslims.
That said, the Muslim, or any other, students should not be able to expect a special room set aside just for prayer.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Owner Says Stolen Dog Slaughtered For Food
HONOLULU -- The owner of a stolen pet said his dog may have ended up slaughtered for a meal in Moanalua Valley this weekend.
Cady was a 50-pound German Shepard, Labrador mix. He got his name from being his owner's golf buddy. Frank Manuma said Cady was stolen at Moanalua Golf Club on Sunday.
"He was gone, and the leash was gone, and all that was left was his dish plates and his water," Manuma said.
Manuma said he left Cady on a long leash with food and water. He said he never imagined something bad would happen to the pet.
"They said they saw these two people force the dog into the car and took my animal away," Manuma said.
Two men were brought back to the golf course for questioning.
"He killed the dog because he had to feed his family. What I heard about the abduction is what I just said, they abducted him, and took him, and, and they slaughtered him," Manuma said.
Cady's dog house sits empty. Manuma said he and his wife are reeling over what happened.
"It hurt us a lot, my wife and I. She wasn't here when it happened. She just flew in last night. I had to break the news to her. Needless to say we lost a lot of rest time over this," Manuma said.
Two golf course employees were arrested for second-degree theft. The golf course manager said both employees have been fired, and that Moanalua Golf Club is cooperating with police.
Source
And to think there are blissfully ignorant folks out that that think this kind of thing dosen't happen.
Cady was a 50-pound German Shepard, Labrador mix. He got his name from being his owner's golf buddy. Frank Manuma said Cady was stolen at Moanalua Golf Club on Sunday.
"He was gone, and the leash was gone, and all that was left was his dish plates and his water," Manuma said.
Manuma said he left Cady on a long leash with food and water. He said he never imagined something bad would happen to the pet.
"They said they saw these two people force the dog into the car and took my animal away," Manuma said.
Two men were brought back to the golf course for questioning.
"He killed the dog because he had to feed his family. What I heard about the abduction is what I just said, they abducted him, and took him, and, and they slaughtered him," Manuma said.
Cady's dog house sits empty. Manuma said he and his wife are reeling over what happened.
"It hurt us a lot, my wife and I. She wasn't here when it happened. She just flew in last night. I had to break the news to her. Needless to say we lost a lot of rest time over this," Manuma said.
Two golf course employees were arrested for second-degree theft. The golf course manager said both employees have been fired, and that Moanalua Golf Club is cooperating with police.
Source
And to think there are blissfully ignorant folks out that that think this kind of thing dosen't happen.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
A question for the Barack Obama campaign
Because I support dramatic changes to the heathcare system, I have been leaning towards a Democrat for President. Hillary is out of the question, as far as I'm concerned, and I don't care much for Edwards either.
I like the energy that Barack brings to the campaign, as well as his unwillingness to engage in the mud slinging that his opponents are all too willing to do.
With this in mind, I still have some Conservative values, and a Democratic President with too liberal of a Congress scares the hell out of me.
I sent this message to the Obama campaign, lets see it I get a reply.
*********************************
I want to support Barack in the worst way. However, it's been my experience that whenever there is a Democratic president and/or majority in Congress, society seems to come down with the political correctness disease.
Hyphenated-Americans, No reference to God allowed, the consistent fear of offending someone with words, out of control multi-culturalism just to name a few, all dividing this country almost to the point of no return.
As a leader, what will Barack do to encourage all Americans to pull together for the greater good of this country?
I like the energy that Barack brings to the campaign, as well as his unwillingness to engage in the mud slinging that his opponents are all too willing to do.
With this in mind, I still have some Conservative values, and a Democratic President with too liberal of a Congress scares the hell out of me.
I sent this message to the Obama campaign, lets see it I get a reply.
*********************************
I want to support Barack in the worst way. However, it's been my experience that whenever there is a Democratic president and/or majority in Congress, society seems to come down with the political correctness disease.
Hyphenated-Americans, No reference to God allowed, the consistent fear of offending someone with words, out of control multi-culturalism just to name a few, all dividing this country almost to the point of no return.
As a leader, what will Barack do to encourage all Americans to pull together for the greater good of this country?
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Roids and HGH... Did it give these guys some unfair advantage?
These are players on the Mitchell Report that I've never heard of. Have you?
Paxton Crawford
Marvin Bernard
Bobby Estalella
Armando Rios
Mike Carreon
Jack Cust
Matt Franco
Ryan Franklin
Tim Laker
Mike Lansing
Nook Logan
Josias Manzanillo
Cody McKay
Bart Miadich
Hal Morris
Daniel Naulty
Jim Parque
Adam Piatt
Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph
Adam Riggs
Brian Roberts
Ricky Stone
Ron Villone
Fernando Vina
Jeff Williams
Todd Williams
Kevin Young
David Bell
Paul Byrd
Jay Gibbons
Darren Holmes
Ismael Valdez
Steve Woodward
If this stuff was supposed to aid your performance, what happened to these less than lackluster carrers?
Paxton Crawford
Marvin Bernard
Bobby Estalella
Armando Rios
Mike Carreon
Jack Cust
Matt Franco
Ryan Franklin
Tim Laker
Mike Lansing
Nook Logan
Josias Manzanillo
Cody McKay
Bart Miadich
Hal Morris
Daniel Naulty
Jim Parque
Adam Piatt
Todd Pratt
Stephen Randolph
Adam Riggs
Brian Roberts
Ricky Stone
Ron Villone
Fernando Vina
Jeff Williams
Todd Williams
Kevin Young
David Bell
Paul Byrd
Jay Gibbons
Darren Holmes
Ismael Valdez
Steve Woodward
If this stuff was supposed to aid your performance, what happened to these less than lackluster carrers?
Friday, December 14, 2007
YouTube a valauable tool
I've always had a problem when posting on this blog, my mind races much faster than I can type. Hell... sometimes it races faster than I can speak.
I have found that recording my "rant" then uploading it to YouTube to be a valuable tool when I just don't feel like typing.
Concequently, I've also developed a small (very) following on YouTube's site, with some viewers posting their comments directly on the video's home page.
As I learn more about making videos, I hope to make my point come across much clearer than it is at this time. In the mean time, I appreciate you watching the "rant," and hope to hear your input in the future.
I have found that recording my "rant" then uploading it to YouTube to be a valuable tool when I just don't feel like typing.
Concequently, I've also developed a small (very) following on YouTube's site, with some viewers posting their comments directly on the video's home page.
As I learn more about making videos, I hope to make my point come across much clearer than it is at this time. In the mean time, I appreciate you watching the "rant," and hope to hear your input in the future.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
A little more on Joe Horn
I was a little worked up list night when I cut that Rant, so I don't think I got my point completely over.
While I don't think Mr. Horn used very good judgement, you can't blame him for his actions. Unfortunately, I think the court of public opinion, and more importantly, the court of justice seem ready to convict this man of murder.
If you agree with Mr. Horn's actions, he's going to need your help. This man is going to need the best legal team money can buy. I'd like to see someone (a lot more prominent than me) set up some kind of defense fund.
I also haven't heard from the residents of the house that was broken into by these hoodlums. I wonder if there has been any expression of gratitude directed toward Mr. Horn by these folks. I sure as hell hope they aren't condemning his actions.
While I don't think Mr. Horn used very good judgement, you can't blame him for his actions. Unfortunately, I think the court of public opinion, and more importantly, the court of justice seem ready to convict this man of murder.
If you agree with Mr. Horn's actions, he's going to need your help. This man is going to need the best legal team money can buy. I'd like to see someone (a lot more prominent than me) set up some kind of defense fund.
I also haven't heard from the residents of the house that was broken into by these hoodlums. I wonder if there has been any expression of gratitude directed toward Mr. Horn by these folks. I sure as hell hope they aren't condemning his actions.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Omaha mall shooter wanted to go out in style
Police: Nine killed in shooting at Omaha mall, including gunman
Well jackass, your 15 minutes is up. Now you're just dead.
I would almost hope he don't get a funeral or a public burial. Chunk him into the incinerator, for all I care, then flush his ashes down the toilet. How's that for style?
The worst thing that news outlets could have done is plaster his picture all over the place. Hell... I wouldn't have even released his name. (won't be mentioned here)
Fuck the tears for his wasted youth. You want to kill yourself, rock on, jump off a fuckin' bridge or somethin'. Leave the innocent alone.
Well jackass, your 15 minutes is up. Now you're just dead.
I would almost hope he don't get a funeral or a public burial. Chunk him into the incinerator, for all I care, then flush his ashes down the toilet. How's that for style?
The worst thing that news outlets could have done is plaster his picture all over the place. Hell... I wouldn't have even released his name. (won't be mentioned here)
Fuck the tears for his wasted youth. You want to kill yourself, rock on, jump off a fuckin' bridge or somethin'. Leave the innocent alone.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Three Points to Ponder
Can't take credit for this.. Still right on the nuts...
Three Points to Ponder
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments
C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
________________________________
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.
________________________________
T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment
Three Points to Ponder
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments
C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
________________________________
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.
________________________________
T H E 1 0 C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment
Sunday, December 2, 2007
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