Common Sense prevailed in Manassas

MoonHowler

Despite a marathon sideshow of misinformation being paraded before the Manassas City Council, in the end, common sense ruled the day.  To make a very long story short, after enough discussion to sink a battle ship, Councilman Mark Wolfe offered up a motion that protected the process of good governance.  It was seconded by Councilman Harrover and supported by Councilmen Way and Randolph.  Clinics that offer abortion services will not have to jump through special hoops nor will those types of clinics be pushed ahead of others.

From insidenova.com:

Despite more than three hours of emotional testimony from about 85 speakers, two-thirds advocating against abortion, the Manassas City Council decided Monday against requiring special approval for new medical facilities – a zoning change some said could, in effect, limit access to abortion services.

Instead, the council voted 4-2 to proceed with a comprehensive review of the city’s zoning ordinance, which has not been substantially updated since the 1940s.

The decision will put to rest, for now, the question of whether Manassas would follow Fairfax city’s controversial decision to single out medical facilities with zoning rules that require a “special use permit” regardless of where they locate within the city.

Special use permits require a public hearing and separate approval by city or county officials, a process that can open applicants to public opposition. Abortion-rights advocates consider the process politically motivated and a means of “zoning out” women’s health clinics.

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Private school issues clarion call to swarm City Hall Chambers tonight

MoonHowler

 

Nooo, we aren’t singling out abortion clinics for special treatment.  Noooooo, we aren’t blurring the lines between church and state.  Found on the front page of  Sentinel, a weekly newsletter from Elizabeth Anne Seton School for parents and students:

Citizen Time

On Monday, March 10th at some time after 5:30 pm in City Hall Council Chambers, the Manassas City Council will vote on Marc Aveni’s proposal to require new medical facilities (to include abortion clinics) come before Council and the public before locating in the City. Your prayers, attendance and possible speaking during citizen time in favor of this effort are needed again.

I suppose that once again there will be a sideshow over at City Chambers where everyone will be strutting out their most pious behavior. Marc Aveni is getting himself some free advertisement for his cause.  (Will I get a thank you note for providing some coverage for him?)  I don’t think those of us in the County can pick up City channels so we will miss the show but I expect it will be a rendition of Brother Love’s traveling Salvation Show of Neil Diamond Fame.

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Virginia Creationism: Dickie Bell’s Bill

MoonHowler

HB 207

§ 22.1-207.6. Instruction in science.

A. The Board and each local school board, division superintendent, and school board employee shall create an environment in public elementary and secondary schools that encourages students to explore scientific questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about scientific controversies in science classes.

B. The Board and each local school board, division superintendent, and school board employee shall assist teachers to find effective ways to present scientific controversies in science classes.

C. Neither the Board nor any local school board, division superintendent, or school board employee shall prohibit any public elementary or secondary school teacher from helping students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in science classes.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to promote or discriminate against any religious or nonreligious doctrine, promote or discriminate against a particular set of religious beliefs or nonbeliefs, or promote or discriminate against religion or nonreligion.

I just wonder what all this blather means.  Since when do teachers need protection to cover the SOL objectives in science?  I am not sure that most students have the background to argue their point of view on a particular science theory.  Could it be?????  About…RELIGION?  [best Church Lady voice]

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Bush and the Jews for Jesus

MoonHowler

Motherjones.com:

Despite an uproar in the Jewish community, former president George W. Bush is still slated to deliver the keynote address to a fundraiser for the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute in Irving, Texas, tonight. The MJBI trains people to persuade Jews to recognize Jesus as their messiah. Followers of the group believe that if enough Jews are converted, Christ will return to Earth.

After Mother Jones broke the news about Bush’s appearance last week, “a small shitstorm…kicked up over the President’s decision,” writes Rob Eshman, editor of the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.

“I have yet to meet a Jewish person who hasn’t heard about this,” Tevi Troy, Bush’s White House liaison to the Jewish community from 2003 to 2004, told CNN Wednesday. Troy had high praise for Bush’s support of Israel and the Jewish community, but, he added, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.” A spokesman for the Republican Jewish Coalition did not respond to a request for comment.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas issued a statement Tuesday expressing their disappointment regarding Bush’s scheduled appearance: “Support of this group is a direct affront to the mutual respect that all mainstream religious groups afford each other to practice the principles of their respective beliefs.”

Not to say “I told you so” but Elena and I have discussed this very issue on several occasions.   The undying support of Israel during the last administration wasn’t just about loving people in the State of Israel.  It was about Christian prophecy.  It’s Christianity a little out of my league as far as concepts like the Second coming of Christ  go.  Maybe someone will come along and explain it far better than I can do.  However, many Christians believe that certain events must be in place for the second coming.

I suppose Bush is a free citizen and can do what he wants.  I just don’t see why everyone is so surprised.    One group is always trying to evangelize another group.  It isn’t limited to just Christians.  I belong to the school of live and let live but I think that is a minority school.

Should Jewish groups be outraged?  Sure.  That’s their right also.  Do I think it is tacky to try to convert Jews?  Sure.  that’s my right.

Greece v. Golloway: How long before Greece comes to PWC?

MoonHowler

Why does Greece, New York keep popping up?  It seems to me that when government opens its meetings with prayer, regardless of what kind of prayer, it has endorsed religion for however long that prayer lasts.   Isn’t that what the Supreme Court has ruled against?

I don’t think its fair to ask Christians to give up mentioning Jesus at public meetings.  I don’t think Muslims should be expected to forego Mohammad.  I also don’t think non-Christians should be forced to pray to Someone who is not a deity in their faith.

This all begs the question why we have public prayer at meetings.  How about praying at home or on the ride over?   How about not forcing religion on those who want to do public business?  Enduring someone else’s religion should not be a prerequisite for doing business with state, local or federal government.

Church protest land use taxing

adultgirl

Washingtonpost.com:

Prince William County staff and the state of Virginia should find ways to allow for real-estate tax exemptions for religious institutions that own vacant land, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors directed Tuesday.

About 30 church leaders and congregation members told county supervisors during an evening board session that the tax assessor’s office was too strict when it comes to taxes on their charitable nonprofits, which are generally tax-exempt.

One of the prime examples is New Life Gainesville church, which is taxed on about half of its property that has only trees and streams on it. While the church building and parking lot remain exempt from taxes, the remainder of its wooded property is taxed about $1,000 per year, leaders have said.

Because it’s in the county’s protected rural area, the church can’t sell or subdivide the land. County officials say they are abiding by state law, which says that land can only be tax-exempt when it is used “exclusively” for religious use.

New Life’s situation, or a similar predicament, is shared by a total of 13 churches in Prince William, according to county officials. Other pastors said Tuesday they had run into the county tax collector when it comes to vacant land that they have bought and plan to build on in the future

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E. W. Jackson: Listen up, those who “are engaged in some sort of false religion”

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

At a morning sermon Sunday in Northern Virginia, Republican lieutenant governor  candidate E.W. Jackson, a Chesapeake pastor, said people who don’t follow Jesus Christ “are engaged in some sort of false religion.”

Jackson offered that view while describing a list of the “controversial” things he believes, and that must be said, as a Christian.

“Any time you say, ‘There is no other means of salvation but through Jesus Christ, and if you don’t know him and you don’t follow him and you don’t go through him, you are engaged in some sort of false religion,’ that’s controversial. But it’s the truth,” Jackson said, according to a recording of the sermon by a Democratic tracker. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me.’”

It is not the first time Jackson has weighed in with controversial comments on questions of faith and social issues. He has also said that gay people’s “minds are perverted. They are frankly very sick people psychologically and mentally and emotionally.”

The Web site of the Restoration Fellowship Church in Strasburg, where Jackson spoke Sunday, includes a recording of Jackson’s sermon. But a short section that included the “false religion” comment was missing from that part of the recording.

The church’s pastor, Jay Ahlemann, said he agrees with Jackson’s interpretation of scripture. He also said a member of his church staff told him nothing had been deleted from the recording.

People may believe what they want to believe, even snake handlers or those who practice Santeria.  However, how smart is it to make that kind of proclamation when you are running for lt. governor?

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Terry Jones: continues with the stupidity, endangers the troops

MoonHowler

 

Washingtonpost.com

MULBERRY, Fla. — Law enforcement arrested a Florida pastor Wednesday as he drove to a park to light nearly 3,000 Qurans on fire to protest the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Polk County sheriff’s deputies arrested Pastor Terry Jones, 61, and his associate pastor, Marvin Sapp Jr., 34, on felony charges as he drove a pickup truck towing a large barbecue-style grill filled with Qurans soaked in kerosene. He had said he was heading to a nearby park to burn 2,998 Qurans — one for every victim of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Sheriff’s officials said they would hold a news conference later Wednesday to discuss specific charges.

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Make no mistake–Cuccinelli sponsored birth control ban

MoonHowler

Washingtonpost.com:

While in the state Senate in 2007, Cuccinelli co-sponsored a bill to add a line to the Virginia Constitution declaring that “life begins at the moment of fertilization and the right to enjoyment of life . . . is vested in each born and preborn human being from the moment of fertilization.”

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has warned that such a law might “deny women access to the full spectrum of preventive health care including contraception.”

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Those Georgians and Creationism!

MoonHowler

Huffingtonpost.com

A new Public Policy Polling (PPP) poll finds that a majority of Georgians believe in creationism over evolution.

Entitled “Georgia Miscellany,” the Thursday item surveyed a pool of 520 voters on 32 questions. On the issue of creationism vs. evolution, 53 percent believe more in the former, compared to 29 percent choosing the latter, and 18 percent voting not sure.

When that question was transferred over to party lines, Republicans had a staggering split — 70 percent for creationism, 17 percent for evolution and 13 percent not sure. Democrats split along closer lines — 43 percent for creationism, 33 percent for evolution and 24 percent not sure. Independents held an even narrower divide — 46 percent for creationism, 40 percent for evolution and 14 percent not sure.

Back in June 2012, a Gallup poll recorded some national growth among Americans believing in creationism. Among a sample of 1,012 adults, 46 percent said that they were believers, marking a two percent jump over the past three decades.

UFB! Surely this many people don’t still think that Darwin is a bad word? I can’t believe that many people in Georgia missed science class. I went to school in Georgia a few years and I am pretty sure we studied the origins of the earth and man from a scientific point of view.

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Boston College bans handing out free condoms

MoonHowler

boston college

fox43.com:

Boston College is cracking down on condoms. According to the New York  Times  the Jesuit University is threatening a group, the Boston College  students for sexual health,  with expulsion for handing out free condoms.  Something they’ve been doing since 2009. But last month the group received a  letter from the dean of students that stated,

“The distribution of condoms is not congruent with our values and  traditions….”  Boston College is a Jesuit College.

So why are students giving away free condoms?  According to newyorktimes.com:

NEWTON, Mass. — Chelsea Lennox, a junior at Boston College, the Gothic university overlooking this natty Boston suburb, picked up a bouquet of brightly colored condom packages and put them into the envelope that she views as a tiny beacon of sexual health resources at the deeply Catholic institution.

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Governor Ultra-Sound Strikes Again!

MoonHowler
aka Governor Ultra-Sound
aka Governor Ultra-Sound

Email from NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia:

Dear XXXXXX,

Gov. McDonnell won’t rest until abortion access is completely eliminated in the Commonwealth.

Late last night, Gov. McDonnell added an anti-abortion amendment to SB921 and HB1900, bills to implement Virginia’s new health-insurance exchange as set out under the Affordable Care Act. McDonnell’s new amendment seeks to ban abortion coverage from all private plans sold in Virginia’s federally run health-insurance exchange, and if passed, will block thousands of Virginian women from purchasing comprehensive health care with their own private dollars.

Contact your state senator and tell him/her to stand strong against McDonnell’s latest anti-choice attack!

By banning women from using their own money to purchase private insurance plans that include this one common benefit, Gov. McDonnell is attempting to restrict Virginians’ personal economic decisions as well as their access to affordable comprehensive health care. Let’s be clear – despite what you will hear from anti-choice groups, this amendment is not a matter of eliminating public funding for abortion. Instead, McDonnell’s amendment would block Virginia women from spending their own private dollars to purchase an insurance policy with abortion coverage. In addition, the governor’s amendment would take away basic coverage currently included in a vast majority of Virginia’s private insurance plans.

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Clifton Republican women draw criticism because of Hijab lecture

MoonHowler

Laurie Jaghlit, Share the Quran project

Washingtonpost.com:

The notice in the Fairfax Station Patch on Tuesday was brief, but to Laurie Jaghlit it felt like a punch in the gut.

At the next meeting of Republican Women of Clifton, a guest speaker would discuss “the treatment of women in Islamic society and how she believes the Hijab is a catalyst for Islamic terrorism.” The Feb. 20 meeting would take place at Fairview Elementary School, five miles from Jaghlit’s house.

Jaghlit, a 52-year-old grandmother who raised nine children in Fairfax Station and Herndon, wears the hijab, or Islamic head covering. She had heard about talks like this in other parts of the country but had never confronted the issue so close to home.

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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reject latest compromise on contraception

MoonHowler

bewareofdogmabillboard_jdean

Politico.com:

Catholic bishops on Thursday rejected the White House’s latest attempt at  compromise on contraception, saying it did not adequately accommodate religious  organizations that object to covering free contraception in employee health  plans.

“Throughout the past year, we have been assured by the administration that we  will not have to refer, pay for, or negotiate for the mandated  coverage,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president  of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement. “We remain  eager for the administration to fulfill that pledge.”

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