Baptist Watch: Forum for religious debate and criticism

Top NASA scientist urges against global extinction

Tim — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:02:40 GMT

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-urged-to-veto-new-coalfired-generators/2008/03/28/1206207422577.html

ONE of the world's leading climate scientists, NASA's Professor James Hansen, has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, appealing to him to show global leadership on climate change by vetoing the construction of new coal-fired power plants, and phasing out the mining and export of coal unless it is used with technologies that can capture harmful carbon emissions.

In a plea for urgent action "a matter with ramifications for life on our planet, including all species" Dr Hansen says Mr Rudd has a limited opportunity to influence the planet's future.

"Global climate is near critical tipping points that could lead to loss of all summer sea ice in the Arctic with detrimental effects on wildlife, initiation of ice sheet disintegration in West Antarctica and Greenland, with progressive, unstoppable global sea level rise," he writes.

Further consequences would be the shifting of climatic zones, loss of plant and animal species, of freshwater supplies, and cycles of intense drought, violent storms and forest fires.

"There is still time to find that tipping point, but just barely," Dr Hansen writes. "If we continue to build coal-fired power plants without carbon capture, we will lock in future climate disasters.

Dr Hansen's letter, written as a private citizen rather than in his capacity as NASA's top climate scientist and Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University Earth Institute, is similar to the one he sent British Prime Minister Gordon Brown this year.

In 2006 he accused the Bush Administration of trying to gag calls for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and has urged colleagues to speak up in communicating their observations of the changing planet.

Western Australia has proposals for two coal-fired power stations on the drawing board, and NSW may build more to alleviate predicted electricity shortages.

Forum: General

Religious Freaks kill their 11-year old daughter

DocStrange — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:07:57 GMT

This is just sickening. Religious Freaks kill their 11-year old daughter.

Parents pick prayer over docs; girl dies

By ROBERT IMRIE, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 28, 6:16 AM ET

WESTON, Wis. - Police are investigating an 11-year-old girl's death from an undiagnosed, treatable form of diabetes after her parents chose to pray for her rather than take her to a doctor.

An autopsy showed Madeline Neumann died Sunday of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that left too little insulin in her body, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said.

She had probably been ill for about a month, suffering symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness, the chief said Wednesday, noting that he expects to complete the investigation by Friday and forward the results to the district attorney.

The girl's mother, Leilani Neumann, said that she and her family believe in the Bible and that healing comes from God, but that they do not belong to an organized religion or faith, are not fanatics and have nothing against doctors.

She insisted her youngest child, a wiry girl known to wear her straight brown hair in a ponytail, was in good health until recently.

"We just noticed a tiredness within the past two weeks," she said Wednesday. "And then just the day before and that day (she died), it suddenly just went to a more serious situation. We stayed fast in prayer then. We believed that she would recover. We saw signs that to us, it looked like she was recovering."

Her daughter who hadn't seen a doctor since she got some shots as a 3-year-old, according to Vergin had no fever and there was warmth in her body, she said.

The girl's father, Dale Neumann, a former police officer, said he started CPR "as soon as the breath of life left" his daughter's body.

Family members elsewhere called authorities to seek help for the girl.

"My sister-in-law, she's very religious, she believes in faith instead of doctors ...," the girl's aunt told a sheriff's dispatcher Sunday afternoon in a call from California. "And she called my mother-in-law today ... and she explained to us that she believes her daughter's in a coma now and she's relying on faith."

The dispatcher got more information from the caller and asked whether an ambulance should be sent.

"Please," the woman replied. "I mean, she's refusing. She's going to fight it. ... We've been trying to get her to take her to the hospital for a week, a few days now."

The aunt called back with more information on the family's location, emergency logs show. Family friends also made a 911 call from the home. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes and immediately called for an ambulance that took her to a hospital.

But less than an hour after authorities reached the home, Madeline a bright student who left public school for home schooling this semester was declared dead.

She is survived by her parents and three older siblings.

"We are remaining strong for our children," Leilani Neumann said. "Only our faith in God is giving us strength at this time."

The Neumanns said they moved from California to a modern, middle-class home in woodsy Weston, just outside Wassau in central Wisconsin, about two years ago to open a coffee shop and be closer to other relatives. A basketball hoop is set up in the driveway.

Leilani Neumann said she and her husband are not worried about the investigation because "our lives are in God's hands. We know we did not do anything criminal. We know we did the best for our daughter we knew how to do."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_re_us/daughter_s_death_prayer

Forum: Christianity

John Glenn(D-Oh) said:

PatPace — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:05:36 GMT

John Glenn said...

This should make you think a little:

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January.
In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January .

That's just one American city,

about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq .

When some claim that President Bush shouldn't
have started this war, state the following:

a. FDR led us into World War II.

b. Germany never attacked us ; Japan did.
From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost
an average of 112,500 per year.

c. Truman finished that war and started one in Korea
North Korea never attacked us .
From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost .
an average of 18,334 per year.

d. John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962.
Vietnam never attacked us.

e. Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost ..
an average of 5,800 per year.

f. Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent.
Bosnia never attacked us
He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three
times by Sudan and did nothing.

Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.

g. In the years since terrorists attacked us ,

President Bush has liberated two countries,

crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida,

put nuclear inspectors in Libya , Iran , and, North Korea
without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who
slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

The Democrats are complaining
about how long the war is taking.

But Wait

It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno
to take the Branch Davidian compound.
That was a 51-day operation..

We've been looking for evidence for chemical weapons
in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find
the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the
Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard
than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his
Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.

It took less time to take Iraq than it took
to count the votes in Florida !!!

Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB !
The Military morale is high!

The biased media hopes we are too ignorant
to realize the facts

But wait!

There's more!

JOHN GLENN (on the Senate floor - January 26, 2004)

Some people still don't understand why military personnel
do what they do for a living. This exchange between
Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum
is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive
impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one
man's explanation of why men and women in the armed
services do what they do for a living.

This IS a typical, though sad, example of what
some who have never served think of the military.

Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn):
'How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?'

Senator Glenn (D-Ohio):
'I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps.
I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions.
My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different
occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my
checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was
not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the
daily cash receipts to the bank.'

'I ask you to go with me . as I went the other day...
to a veteran's hospital and look those men ..
with their mangled bodies in the eye, and tell THEM
they didn't hold a job!

You go with me to the Space Program at NASA
and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans
of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee...
and you look those kids in the eye and tell them
that their DADS didn't hold a jo b.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in
Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends
buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch
those waving flags.

You stand there, and you think about this nation,
and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job?

What about you?'
For those who don't remember
During W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney
representing the Communist Party in the USA .

Now he's a Senator!

Forum: Politics

Repug Fundie's Anti-Gay Rant

DonCoates — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:36:30 GMT

Sally Kern, a Repug fundie state legislator from Oklahoma launched this anti-gay rant when she thought that only a small group of her "friends" were the only listeners. Oops!

She thinks gays are more dangerous to America than terrorists (Note: she represents the district that McVeigh blew up a Federal building in); refers to discredited statistical crap spewed out by the "scientists" at the AFA; laments gays in politics; compares gays to cancer. Well, you get the idea.

Forum: Politics

Another Democrat bites the dust.

PatPace — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:03:17 GMT

Posted: Monday, 24 March 2008 11:36AM

Criminal Charges In Text Scandal

Detroit (WWJ) -- Criminal charges were filed today against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty in connection with the "text message scandal" that has enveloped the Mayor's office.

There are 12 criminal counts in all, including obstruction of justice, conspiracy, misconduct in office and perjury.

"It is perjury if there is lying, and perjury is a crime," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in announcing the charges, "Even children understand that lying is wrong."

"Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, peoples lives were ruined," said Worthy, downplaying the arguments of those who claimed that the mayor's alleged affair with his chief of staff was a "private matter."

Worthy says their investigation has lead to other potential defendants, and they will continue with their investigation.

"We have taken instructions and orders from no one," said Prosecutor Worthy, who said they reviewed 40 thousand pages of documents, and talked to many witnesses.

"We started out with clean slates and clean minds," said Worthy, who told reporters they made a thorough decision, "Our decision is well reasoned, supported by the evidence and autonomous."

Worthy's been investigating claims they lied under oath during a whistle-blowers' trial last summer when they denied having a romantic relationship. Published excerpts of sexually explicit text messages left on Beatty's city-issued pager in 2002 and 2003 appear to contradict their testimony.

Kilpatrick has said he expects to be vindicated.

A conviction of lying under oath can bring up to 15 years' imprisonment. Detroit's charter calls for the mayor to be removed from office if convicted of a felony.

Prosecutor Worthy says that she and her staff have poured over more than 40,000 pages of documents since late January when the Detroit Free Press published excerpts of the sexually explicit text messages left on Beatty's city-issued pager in 2002 and 2003.

The messages contradict statements Kilpatrick and Beatty gave under oath during last summer's whistle-blowers' trial when each denied a romantic relationship.

Worthy says her investigation has been ``all encompassing'' in terms of possible charges and individuals looked at for possible wrongdoing.

"Certainly, we looked at the coverage and the transcripts (of the trial), among many other things,'' Worthy said, prior to making the announcement, adding that copies of the text messages also have been reviewed. She refused to comment on their contents.

"There is nothing happy about this situation,'' Worthy said, "Something like this is just not good for anyone. It's tragic for the city, whether we charge or not. What happens in this city, county and region is very important to me.

"At the same time, it's still not going to stop me from doing what I think is the right thing to do.''

source

Forum: Politics

Stupid quotes by stupid people

PatPace — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:32:48 GMT

"I almost wish Jerry Falwell were alive to see this(Harvey Milk movie), Almost," Penn shouted to the crowd. After dropping some names of conservatives who are still with us - "Bill O'Reilly, who is too stupid to talk about," and "Sean Hannity, the butt boy of Rupert Murdoch," Penn said, "We know something more. We know their end is near."
Sean Penn

However as usual Penn is wrong:
Latest statistics:
CABLE NEWS RACE MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008
VIEWERS

FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,040,000
FNC HANNITY/COLMES 2,337,000
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Forum: News

Carbon polluters shouldnt get compensation because of their blindness.

Tim — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:13:09 GMT

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/03/17/1205602291182.html

They've had access to the same scientific data, they've also known which way the political winds are blowing too. The energy companies have sat on their hands listening to the same idiots that Pat has been tuning in to, and now, when as polluters they are going to be taxed for it, heavily think they can brazenly pass off their problems on to someone else.

They want to be compensated for what? Not being allowed to pollute anymore? All I can say is Al Gore tried to save them from this but they thought they could do the ostrich thing and then hold out their hands in exchange for their poor planning.

It might work, it might cost them though.

Tough luck if it does.

AUSTRALIA'S electricity generation industry is demanding massive compensation from the Federal Government in return for its co-operation in efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

In a challenge to the Government's climate adviser, Ross Garnaut, the power generators have warned of soaring costs to consumers and disruptions to supplies unless they are compensated for the costs of complying with anti-greenhouse laws.

With most of Australia's electricity coming coal-fired generators, the industry is the nation's largest producer of greenhouse emissions, and the main focus of efforts to curb them. A planned carbon trading system will force the industry to pay to emit greenhouse gas.

The National Generators Forum, in a submission to Professor Garnaut's Climate Change Review, has argued that failure to compensate the biggest polluters could, perversely, hurt the environment by directing industry funding away from clean energy research to maintaining baseload energy supply.

Climate Change Minister Penny Wong yesterday unveiled a timetable for drawing up carbon trading legislation. The scheme, to start in 2010, will involve carbon emissions being capped and pollution permits sold at a market-set price.

The push by power companies for a payout is at odds with an interim report from by Professor Garnaut last month, which argued against sweeping compensation.

Climate Institute policy director Erwin Jackson has rejected the suggestion that refusing compensation to power generators would hurt the environment, arguing a strong emissions cap would force the market to invest in cleaner forms of energy.

"We shouldn't be giving (compensation) to industries that have failed to respond to what the market has been telling them was on the way for a long time," he said.

The debate coincides with worsening predictions about the pace of climate change, including a UN report that found glaciers melted nearly twice as fast in 2006 as in 2005.

With growing evidence that Asia-Pacific will be severely affected by climate change "in our lifetime", the Australian Climate Group a collaboration between scientists, environmentalists and insurers will today release a report calling on the Government to stabilise greenhouse emissions by 2010.

The National Generators Forum, representing 22 power generators, has estimated that Australia's electricity costs will soar from $78 billion to $150 billion if the Government target of a 60% cut in greenhouse emissions by 2050 is met.

Ms Wong said details of the emissions trading legislation would be released in December, preceded by a public discussion paper in July.

Professor Garnaut will release a report on emissions trading on Thursday.

Forum: General

Whither Trent?

DonCoates — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:08:37 GMT

I don't know if Pat's seen Trent's "challenge" but looks like there was a near miss for having a full blown, mud covered, wrasslin' match between a bona fide "whore of Babylon" and our own fundie friend. Ah, what could have been.

Forum: Christianity

Dern Global Warming

PatPace — Thur, 13 Mar 2008 21:00:52 GMT

Weather.gov Forecast
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NOAA: Coolest Winter Since 2001 for U.S., Globe

March 13, 2008

The average temperature across both the contiguous U.S. and the globe during climatological winter (December 2007-February 2008) was the coolest since 2001, according to scientists at NOAAs National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. In terms of winter precipitation, Pacific storms, bringing heavy precipitation to large parts of the West, produced high snowpack that will provide welcome runoff this spring.

A complete analysis is available online.

U.S. Winter Temperature Highlights

+ High Resolution (Credit: NOAA)

In the contiguous United States, the average winter temperature was 33.2F (0.6C), which was 0.2F (0.1C) above the 20th century average yet still ranks as the coolest since 2001. It was the 54th coolest winter since national records began in 1895.

Winter temperatures were warmer than average from Texas to the Southeast and along the Eastern Seaboard, while cooler-than-average temperatures stretched from much of the upper Midwest to the West Coast.

With higher-than-average temperatures in the Northeast and South, the contiguous U.S. winter temperature-related energy demand was approximately 1.7 percent lower than average, based on NOAAs Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index.

U.S. Winter Precipitation Highlights

+ High Resolution (Credit: NOAA)

Winter precipitation was much above average from the Midwest to parts of the West, notably Kansas, Colorado and Utah. Although moderate-to-strong La Nia conditions were present in the equatorial Pacific the winter was unique for the above average rain and snowfall in the Southwest, where La Nia typically brings drier-than-average conditions.

During January alone, 170 inches of snow fell at the Alta ski area near Salt Lake City, Utah, more than twice the normal amount for the month, eclipsing the previous record of 168 inches that fell in 1967. At the end of February, seasonal precipitation for the 2008 Water Year, which began on October 1, 2007, was well above average over much of the West.

Mountain snowpack exceeded 150 percent of average in large parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon at the end of February. Spring run-off from the above average snowpack in the West is expected to be beneficial in drought plagued areas.

Record February precipitation in the Northeast helped make the winter the fifth wettest on record for the region. New York had its wettest winter, while Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and Colorado to the West, had their second wettest.

Snowfall was above normal in northern New England, where some locations posted all-time record winter snow totals. Concord, N.H., received 100.1 inches, which was 22.1 inches above the previous record set during the winter of 1886-87. Burlington, Vt., received 103.2 inches, which was 6.3 inches above the previous record set during the winter of 1970-71.

While some areas of the Southeast were wetter than average during the winter, overall precipitation for the region was near average. At the end of February, two-thirds of the Southeast remained in some stage of drought, with more than 25 percent in extreme-to- exceptional drought.
Drought conditions intensified in Texas with areas experiencing drought almost doubling from 25 percent at the end of January to 45 percent at the end of February.

Global Highlights

+ High Resolution (Credit: NOAA)

The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the 16th warmest on record for the December 2007-February 2008 period (0.58F/0.32C above the 20th century mean of 53.8F/12.1C). The presence of a moderate-to-strong La Nia contributed to an average temperature that was the coolest since the La Nia episode of 2000-2001.

While analyses of the causes of the severe winter storms in southern China continues, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory scientists are focusing on the presence of unusually strong, persistent high pressure over Eastern Europe, combined with low pressure over Southwest Asia. This pattern directed a series of storms across the region, while northerly low level flow introduced cold air from Mongolia. Unusually high water temperatures in the China Sea may have triggered available moisture that enhanced the severity of these storms.

Record Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in January was followed by above average snow cover for the month of February. Unusually high temperatures across much of the mid- and high-latitude areas of the Northern Hemisphere in February began reducing the snow cover, and by the end of February, snow cover extent was below average in many parts of the hemisphere.

While there has been little trend in snow cover extent during the winter season since records began in the late 1960s, spring snow cover extent has been sharply lower in the past two decades as global temperatures have increased.

Forum: News

Support A Great VT Business

DonCoates — Thur, 13 Mar 2008 14:17:57 GMT

Bush's Last Day.

Forum: Interesting Websites

Progressive liberal caught

PatPace — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:38:50 GMT

RESIGNED TO DISGRACE

Eliot Spitzer Steps Down Following Biggest Scandal In Modern New York Political History

Lt. Gov. David Paterson Will Become State's First Black Governor

U.S. Attorney: No Plea Deal

By STEVE FINK, WCBSTV.COM

NEW YORK (CBS) Eliot Spitzer's tumultuous tumble from the zenith of a promising political career to the nadir of a shocking sex scandal came as no surprise Wednesday as the bright, bull-headed governor announced his resignation, effective Monday, under bloating pressure from state lawmakers and the public.

Lt. Gov. David Paterson will become the 55th governor of New York and the state's first black governor.

There were rumors that the once-heralded Democrat had negotiated a plea deal to avoid jail time in the case, but U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia squashed those rumors. "There is no agreement between this Office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter," he said in a statement to CBS 2.

That leaves Spitzer open to being indicted and facing prison time.

Spitzer's extraordinary demise came after reports Monday that he had been linked to a high-profile prostitution ring busted last week by federal investigators.

"I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me," he said during the 11:45 a.m. announcement. His wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, stood by his side in a similar fashion to his first public comments Monday, appearing tired and visibly upset.

"To every New Yorker and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, I sincerely apologize," he said. "There is much to be done, and I cannot allow for my private failings to disrupt the people's work."

Once known as "Mr. Clean" for his tenure as an attorney and attorney general, and, ironically, his promise to sweep corruption up and out of Albany, he'll forever be known as "Client 9," which he was referred to in wiretaps of the busted call girl agency, Emperors Club VIP.

Financial transactions showed Spitzer spent thousands on prostitutes through the agency. In a transcript of the wiretap, it appeared that "Client 9" was willing to pay nearly $3,000 for just a few hours last month with call girl "Kristen," and even pay up to $2,000 in advance for future flings.

"I think it's the end of an era of confrontation, of accusation of moral division, of name calling," N.Y. Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) told CBS 2.

During a 10:45 a.m. news conference, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, the governor's political rival, addressed Spitzer's announcement.

"There is no pleasure in what is going on in this state in anybody's life, and there shouldn't be because this is serious," Bruno said. "My heart goes out to his wife and family at this time. He must deal with his own problems in his own way, but it is now time for us and all New Yorkers to move forward."

Paterson, who is legally blind, will abecome the state's 55th governor and its first black governor. He issued a statement soon after the resignation became official:

"Like all New Yorkers I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days. On a personal level Governor Spitzer and Silda have been close and steadfast friends. As an elected official the Governor has worked hard for the people of New York.

"My heart goes out to him and to his family at this difficult and painful time. I ask all New Yorkers to join Michelle and me in prayer for them.

"It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us."

Bruno expressed optimism in Paterson's ability to run the state after he is sworn in.

"We are going to partner with the lieutenant governor when he becomes governor to govern. David has always been very open with me, very forthright ... and I look forward to a positive, productive relationship as soon as possible," he said.

Bruno will assume the duties of lieutenant governor, according to the New York Constitution.

Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 HD for the very latest in this developing story.

Forum: Politics

Another Fundie Sexual Hypocrite Dead

DonCoates — Thur, 06 Mar 2008 15:45:33 GMT

Lawyer Behind Anti-Gay Initiatives Dead at Age 79
EdgeBoston.com
Kilian Melloy
March 4, 2008

A conservative lawyer who helped write the anti-gay Colorado initiative Amendment 2 has died at age 79.

Robert Skolrood headed up Pat Robertsons National Legal Foundation, reported The New York Times today.

Skolrood has served in the Army as a younger man, attaining a Sergeants stripes before returning to civilian life. After a stint at the University of Chicago Law School, Skolrood maintained a private practice for over two decades, until 1980, when he took up a teaching position at the law school at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.

After serving in the capacity of Roberts own attorney, Skolrood went to work at the newly forming National Legal Foundation. In the following years, he used his legal skills to protect the rights of Christians. Skolrood also fought against protections and equality for the GLBT community.

In 1987, the Times reported, Skolrood made a name for himself by leading an effort to ban over 40 books from the libraries of public schools in Ala.

That effort, initially successful, was based on a claim that that books in question promoted "secular humanism."

But a later court ruling reversed the earlier decision to ban the books, reported the Times. Federal judge W. Brevard Hand ruled that, "For purposes of the First Amendment, secular humanism is a religious belief system, entitled to the protections of, and subject to the prohibitions of, the religious clauses."

Continued Hands opinion, " is not a mere scientific methodology that may be promoted and advanced in the public schools," reported the article.

The New York Times article called the 1990 Supreme Court decision that religious student groups could not be banned from schools "One of Mr. Skolroods biggest victories," and cited his other accomplishments in ensuring that Christian symbols had a place in the public square, including a role in the attempt by Roy Moore, the chief justice of Alabamas Supreme Court, to install a Ten Commandments display at the states court house, and an eventually successful campaign to see a nativity scene returned to a public park in Ottawa, Ill.

As a result of the nativity scene case, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit found unanimously that religious expression must be allowed in public spaces.

Skolrood went on to help author the Colo. constitutional amendment that sought to outlaw municipalities from offering anti-discrimination protections to gays and lesbians. Though the amendment was voted into the Colo. constitution by voters in 1992, in 1996 the Supreme Court ruled, in Romer vs. Evans, that the amendment was unconstitutional because, far from simply preventing gays from receiving "special rights," as the state claimed, the amendments "sheer breadth is so discontinuous with the reasons offered for it that the amendment seems inexplicable by anything but animus toward the class that it affects; it lacks a rational relationship to legitimate state interests," as Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority.

Kennedy also observed of the amendment that it "imposes a special disability upon those persons alone. Homosexuals are forbidden the safeguards that others enjoy or may seek without constraint."

Skolrood also helped write a similar provision meant to be amended to the city charter of Cincinnati, which voters passed in 1993 and which, despite the Colo. amendment being struck down, was affirmed by a federal appeals court, with the Supreme Court declining to hear an appeal to the case in 1998.

In 2002, Skolrood allegedly made sexual overtures to a male police officer who was working undercover.

At his trial, Skolrood denied making any sexual overtures, but he did plead no contest to a lesser charge, that of disorderly conduct.

The New York Times cited the newspaper The Roanoke Times in quoting Magistrate Judge Glen Conrad as saying, "That area has been notorious for problems of an unsavory sort," and, "theres no question that you shouldnt have been there."

The New York Times said that according to his son, Skolrood, 79, died of kidney cancer.

Forum: News

Bush Job Approval

DonCoates — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:11:16 GMT

A New Low!

19%

Forum: General

Another Reason For Bush To Stay Outa VT

DonCoates — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:58:06 GMT

Vermont Towns Vote to Arrest Bush and Cheney

March 5, 2008

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Voters in two Vermont towns on Tuesday approved a measure that would instruct police to arrest President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for "crimes against our Constitution," local media reported.

The nonbinding, symbolic measure, passed in Brattleboro and Marlboro in a state known for taking liberal positions on national issues, instructs town police to "extradite them to other authorities that may reasonably contend to prosecute them."

Vermont, home to maple syrup and picture-postcard views, is known for its liberal politics.

State lawmakers have passed nonbinding resolutions to end the war in Iraq and impeach Bush and Cheney, and several towns have also passed resolutions of impeachment. None of them have caught on in Washington.

Bush has never visited the state as president, though he has spent vacations at his family compound in nearby Maine.

Roughly 12,000 people live in Brattleboro, located on the Connecticut River in the state's southeastern corner. Nearby Marlboro has a population of roughly 1,000.

Forum: Politics

Oh, Really?

DonCoates — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:52:08 GMT

Forum: Christianity