PHOENIX —About 250 mostly armed anti-Muslim demonstrators — many wearing T-shirts bearing a profanity-laced message denouncing Islam — faced-off against a crowd of roughly the same size defending the faith in front of a Phoenix mosque Friday night.
Demonstrators yelled and taunted one another across a line of police separating the two sides but violence did not break out.
Jon Ritzheimer, the organizer of the protest, called it a patriotic sign of resistance against what he deemed the tyranny of Islam in America.
“I would love to see more of these events pop up in other states,” Ritzheimer said. “I want fellow patriots standing right here next to me. This isn’t about me. Everybody’s been thinking it, I’m just saying it.”
Americans are becoming more socially liberal
Americans are becoming increasingly more liberal across several moral issues. According to a new Gallup study, a record high percentage of Americans are now accepting of same-sex relationships, having a baby outside of marriage and premarital sex between men and women.
Sixty-three percent of Americans now say they are accepting of same-sex couples. Only 40 percent felt that way in 2001. The 23-point jump in just 14 years marks the greatest shift in opinion to the left out of any issue Gallup measured in the survey.
Substantial progression to the left has also occurred on having a child out of wedlock. Today, 61 percent report that they are comfortable with the idea, a 16-point increase from when Gallup last asked the question in 2001. When it comes to premarital sex between men and women, 68 percent of Americans now see it as morally acceptable, compared to 53 percent in 2001.
Moral acceptance of divorce and stem cell research has also jumped by 12 points, reaching 71 percent and 64 percent respectively. By slightly lesser margins, Americans have also grown more accepting of issues such as polygamy and cloning humans. Still, these issues are seen as morally acceptable by less than one-sixth of the population.
Americans aren’t just growing liberal on specific issues, they are becoming more liberal in general. For the first time since Gallup began asking the question 16 years ago, an equal number of Americans now identify as socially liberal and socially conservative. This reflects a trend since 1999 of a growing number of Americans self-identifying as liberal, according to Gallup.
Gallup surveyed 1,024 adults between May 6-10 via live interviews on landlines and cell phones.
Fewer immigrants entering the US illegally
As the Department of Homeland Security continues to pour money into border security, evidence is emerging that illegal immigration flows have fallen to their lowest level in at least two decades. The nation’s population of illegal immigrants, which more than tripled, to 12.2 million, between 1990 and 2007, has dropped by about 1 million, according to demographers at the Pew Research Center.
A key — but largely overlooked — sign of these ebbing flows is the changing makeup of the undocumented population. Until recent years, illegal immigrants tended to be young men streaming across the Southern border in pursuit of work. But demographic data show that the typical illegal immigrant now is much more likely someone who is 35 or older and has lived in the United States for a decade or more.
Homeland security officials in the Obama and George W. Bush administrations — who have more than doubled the Border Patrol’s size and spent billions on drones, sensors and other technology at the border — say enhanced security is driving the new trends.
“We have seen tremendous progress,” said R. Gil Kerlikowske, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. “The border is much more secure than in times past.”
The issue of border security is central to the broader debate over immigration reform that has roiled Washington in recent years and is emerging as a flash point in the 2016 presidential campaign. Congressional Republicans have insisted on greater border security before they consider legalizing any immigrants who came to this country without proper documents.
US Appeals Court rules against Obama immigration plan
New York Times email:
A federal appeals court on Tuesday denied the Obama administration’s request to lift a hold on the president’s executive actions on immigration, which would have granted protection from deportation as well as work permits to millions of immigrants in the country illegally.
Two of three judges on a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, left in place an injunction by a federal district judge in Brownsville, Tex. The ruling comes in a lawsuit by 26 states against actions President Obama took in November. Many of the initiatives were scheduled to take effect this month.
The appeals court found that Texas and the other states did have sufficient legal grounds to bring the lawsuit and that the administration had not shown it would be harmed if the injunction remained in the place and the programs were further delayed.
I am sorry that the Court ruled against the President on this one. We have illegal immigrants living in this country who pay their taxes and are productive members of society. Leave them alone.
The nation should be spending its limited resources on deporting criminals. There are plenty of those to go after. Let’s leave decent people alone.
On the other hand, all the immigrants can’t be deported. They will have children and those children will vote against those who tried to make life more difficult for their families. I guess that is what Republicans are afraid of.
The Cooch had better stick to oyster farming…
Is anyone else horrified with this rhetoric? Family values is a dog whistle for something, I am just not sure what. I can’t even figure out these people’s hidden agenda. I think they think about sex or not-sex entirely too often.
Politicians who align themselves with these kinds of people will find themselves jobless in the public arena. Cuccinelli needs to stay with his oyster farming. He will get no where in politics if he associates with people like this.
Good grief, and to think people have been worried about Bill Ayers. Domestic terrorists or incestuous child molesters. What a choice.
Captain George Harris: Memorial Day 2015
Our own poet laureate of Moonhowlings, Captain George Harris, has once again agreed to shared his thoughts with us for this Memorial Day.
MEMORIAL DAY 2015
This year marks the 147th anniversary of the first Memorial Day, known to many as Decoration Day and it is just six weeks past the 150th anniversary of the assassination of the president who led this nation through this great war to knit our nation back together again. This day was originally set aside to decorate the graves of those valiant men who gave their lives in the greatest and most divisive war our nation has ever experienced-our Civil War or as it was known in the Confederate states, the War of Northern Aggression. We have fought many wars since but none as divisive or as malevolent as this war.
The Duggars need to dig a hole and crawl in it
ABC News Videos | ABC Entertainment News
The Duggars seriously need to disappear off the center stage and go do whatever it is they do away from the public eye. How do you forgive child molestation? I am all for second chances. The fact that this young man isn’t in prison is his second chance. He shouldn’t be held up as an uber-Christian.
The American public has been deceived.
I have never watched the show. I have heard about it and these people. There is something seriously wrong with these people and they do not represent any Christianity I want to be associated with.
Skeeters and critters in PWC
Animal control in PWC is almost non-existent if you aren’t a dog. If a raccoon or skunk moves in and decides to live under your porch or in your shed, you are on your own. If a rattlesnake takes over your patio, you had better hope you can outrun it or knock it in the head with a big stick. You had better not shoot it, that would be illegal in some parts of the county.
Mosquito control is really sketchy if you live in my neighborhood. I have been told again and again that the spray truck cannot come on my street because the speed limit is 35 mph. In the first place, the speed limit hasn’t been 35 for at least 20 years. Secondly, if it comes to cars going to Splashdown or me getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, I am going to vote for my own personal comfort first. They can just follow the mosquito truck that is going 25 mph.
Mosquitoes are horrible in Sudley and Westgate. It is impossible to go outside in warm weather without spraying up with Deep Woods OFF. We live very close to Bull Run, as the crow flies. News flash, Prince William County: Rivers and creeks attract and breed mosquitoes–millions of them!
Memorial Day marks the beginning of my annual fight with the country over mosquito control. Once more I will insist that my street get sprayed. I expect I will get told no, once again. Maybe this is an area where my supervisor can help. Maybe the county will be commanded to spray my street. I am not counting on it, however.
While they are at it, the County can start providing animal control services again, especially for wild animals. During the recession, it was decided that the citizens were on their own. Animal services other than for dogs was simply not affordable. I think it’s time to provide some assistance with larger animals that are places they shouldn’t be, especially as the danger of rabies increases.
What services do other localities provide with skeeters and trespassing critters?
Wish me luck! I will be reporting back.
A twitter account and the racists will come
Isn’t this just a damn shame! Regardless of what thoughts are in a person’s head, haven’t most of us been raised to have good manners? Calling someone, anyone, the N word, is just bad manners. Calling the President of the United States anything other than (to date) “Mr. President” or “Sir” is just ill-mannered and a tremendous breach of protocol.
Maybe the First Amendment just isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Can we at least take away people’s Twitter account for just being low class?
Open Thread………………………………………….Sunday, May 3
It’s almost time for iris to bloom. I think they are my favorite flower of all. They are tall, regal, and majestic.
This iris used to be in my garden, before it got “changed.” I made the unfortunate discovery that if you plant different iris too close together, their colors will blend. This pink lady was beautiful the first year. The second year she was yellow. I know this because I took pictures.
Beware if you plant premium iris. Spread them out real well.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev gets the death penalty
From New York Times email:
A federal jury on Friday condemned Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a failed college student, to death for setting off bombs at the 2013 Boston Marathon that killed three people and injured hundreds more in the worst terrorist attack on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001.
The jury of seven women and five men, which last month convicted Mr. Tsarnaev, 21, of all 30 charges against him, 17 of which carry the death penalty, took more than 14 hours to reach its decision.
I am not sure how I feel about this one. I think I would be more comfortable with life in prison with no chance of parole. I think his age has something to do with it. He is young. He would be around for a long time. I felt the same way about Malvo. I was glad he got life.
For the record: Generally speaking, I am not opposed to the death penalty as long as there is absolute certainty of guilt.
How do the readers feel?
Moonhowlings aka Lone Wolf makes the Daily Show
Good bye Patriot Act. Sure, there are things that people don’t like abut it. Why not fix it rather than all the histrionics and drama.
I am all in favor of spying on people who could do our nation harm. Screw their “rights.” I grew up in the 50’s. “Rights” was a relative term.
Store my meta-data. See if I care.
Imprisoned man receives unconditional pardon from McAuliffe
washingtonpost.com:
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) on Wednesday granted an absolute pardon to a convicted sex offender, ending a decades-long campaign by an imprisoned man whose claims of innocence were eventually joined by prosecutors and police.
Final proof that Michael Kenneth McAlister, 58, was wrongly convicted came when another man — a serial rapist who bore an uncanny resemblance to McAlister — recently confessed to the 1986 attempted rape and kidnapping in Richmond, the governor said.
The unconditional pardon wipes away a prosecution that has haunted officials familiar with the investigation for decades, and came days before McAlister faced what his attorneys called the “Kafka-esque prospect” of being locked away for years more under a Virginia law that allows the civil commitment of sexual predators after they complete their criminal sentences.
“A number of individuals in the law enforcement community . . . have concluded that this crime was committed by another individual, and that Mr. McAlister should be freed to return to his family and his community,” McAuliffe said in a written statement. “I have reached the same conclusion, and I have acted in accordance with the law.”
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Conflict of Interest? Marilyn Mosby appears on stage with Prince
In what universe is this behavior appropriate? More to the point, how can the 6 police officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray possibly hope to get a fair trial?
Prince told everyone at his concert to wear gray to honor Freddie Gray. I am not sure why Freddie Gray deserves to be honored. What did he do honorable? [Crickets] It sounds like 50 Shades of Gray has come to Baltimore.
Mosby needs to step back and take a look at herself. Her integrity has already been questioned because of various alliances. Is she trying to be a professional prosecutor or is the media attraction to stardom seducing her away from justice. Right now, she isn’t making a very pretty Lady Liberty.
Prince may do what he wants. He is an entertainer. A prosecutor must put him or herself far above question and stop listening to the sirens of stardom. So far she has failed.
Demonizing the Poor
I think the Foxies are confused. I believe the goal, in this case, is to feed hungry children. No one in America should be hungry.
It seems like too much talk and too much legislation is aimed at decreasing the number of people on food stamps not because America is more prosperous but because some people see think the poor are getting something for nothing. There is a general tendency, especially among the Faux News types, to stereotype those who receive food stamps as being lazy. Sure, some people are lazy. That adjective really doesn’t fit the majority of people who receive assistance.
Maybe it makes the accusers feel better to belittle those on assistance. I feel badly for those who don’t have enough to eat. There are all sorts of reasons why people don’t have enough food. Probably the most ubiquitous reason is that there is unemployment in the home. Others might have physical or emotional issues that make it impossible for them to work. Still others are in school, have huge child care bills, or are just down on their luck.
Perhaps its time to take some pride in America and rewrite the food stamp script. How about deciding, as a nation, that we have no hungry people? Hungry people don’t work well and they don’t learn well. Cutting off food stamps is simply mean and vindictive in most cases.
Good for President Obama for calling out Faux News. Faux News just has to have someone to hate.
