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Sarah Palin and the Wasilla Library
John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican ticket has led journalists and bloggers to the clip and web files, and a library connection--suggesting but hardly proving dubious behavior by Palin as mayor of Wasilla--has emerged.
Some commentators, like Atlantic blogger Andrew Sullivan, have made a big deal of Palin's 1997 move to fire Wasilla Public Library director Mary Ellen Emmons, who supported Palin's rival during the mayoral campaign. (We don't know exactly what "support" means--a small contribution, or active campaigning?) As the Anchorage Daily News reported 2/1/97, Palin gave letters of dismissal to both Emmons and the police chief, but relented when Emmons assured her she supported efforts to merge library and museum operations. (They apparently did not merge, as the city web site shows them as separate institutions.)
Is it legitimate for a mayor to fire a library director who supported her opponent? Well, libraries, in the ideal world, should not be partisan institutions and library directors should be judged on the way they run the library. Also, librarians do not take a vow of political neutrality as individuals. But we do know that small-town politics can get ugly. I'd steer clear from passing judgment until we know more about what exactly happened.
Then there's another report, from the local Frontiersman, as cited on Politico and then by Sullivan: "According to the Frontiersman newspaper, Wasilla’s library director Mary Ellen Emmons said that 'Palin asked her outright if she could live with censorship of library books.' Palin later dismissed the conversation as a 'rhetorical' exercise."
That drew a response from American Library Association critic Dan Kleinman, who asserted on his SafeLibraries blog that "it didn't take long for Mary Ellen Emmons, Past President of the Alaska Library Association, and Wasilla Public Library director to strike the first blow."
However, that quote from Emmons is several years old, she's no longer the director, and she hasn't been quoted since. It's not illegitimate for the press to dig up old quotes, but we'd be much better served if Emmons and others in Alaska elaborate on situations that, from my perspective, remain murky. John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the Republican ticket has led journalists and blo... more -
Sarah Palin's aggresive, oppresive political moves
This New York Times article printed September 3, 2008 gives solid facts showing Sarah Palin's abuse of political power. One example that particularly struck me was, when Ms. Palin took office in her small town in Alaska, she suggested to the town librarian that certain books with questionable subjects be removed and banned from the library all together. The librarian refused to agree to censoring the contents of the library, and shortly thereafter she was FIRED! It was suggested to many public workers of considerable stature, including the city planner and museum director, who had worked under the previous mayor for years, that they resign, and they did.
This to me is not a partisan issue. It is a human, moral, abuse of power issue which should gain considerable attention as this woman is the Republican Vice Presidential candidate.
We must raise awareness! This New York Times article printed September 3, 2008 gives solid facts showing Sarah Palin's abuse of political power. One examp... more -
Church exorcism protected by First Amendment
Laura Schubert Pearson's lawsuit accusing members of the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God Church of subjecting her to a two-day exorcism ordeal in 1996 that left her so distressed she attempted suicide was dismissed by the Texas Supreme Court last month.
The judges overturned a lower court's decision awarding her damages and ruled that because Mrs Schubert Pearson's claims of injury amounted to a religious dispute over church doctrine it would be "unconstitutional" for the court to get involved.
Religious freedom campaigners say the case strikes at the heart of the US Constitution's First Amendment, which prohibits government interference in the free exercise of religion, and were the US Supreme Court to rule in Mrs Schubert Pearson's favour, it would signal "the end of church independence and religious freedom" in America.
Mrs Schubert Pearson, 29, claims she was left bruised and traumatised after members of her church group allegedly kept her captive for two days so they could perform an exorcism in which was pinned to the ground and "pummelled".
The incident happened after fellow members of the church group became convinced she was possessed by demons. She was 17 at the time.
After the alleged ordeal, she dropped out of school and tried to slit her wrists.
She told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a Texas paper, that she was determined to seek justice from her alleged abusers after the Texas Supreme Court threw out her case claiming physical and emotional injury.
"You can't use your religious beliefs to get away with harming a child," the mother of two who now lives in Georgia told the paper. "This is so much bigger than myself, This is about not allowing the cover of religion to permit physical abuse in a church, and particularly to a child."
In the Texas Supreme Court ruling, Justice David Medina, writing for the majority, said that were the court to get involved and dictate a church's religious activities it would have "an unconstitutional 'chilling effect'".
The decision was opposed by three dissenting justices. Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson said it was "inconsistent with US Supreme Court precedent and extends far beyond the protections our Constitution affords religious conduct."
"The First Amendment guards religious liberty; it does not sanction intentional abuse in religion's name," he wrote.
Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Legal Institute, a non-profit organisation representing litigants in religious freedom cases, said the separation of church and state prevented government interference in religious practices except in extreme examples such as sexual abuse.
And while this might mean "certain harms may go unaddressed", he said, "the larger protection of the church and religious freedom is the overriding concern."
Mrs Schubert Pearson's claims were largely emotional and "so interwoven with religious practices" there was no way for a court to get involved, he added.
"The government can't get involved in overseeing religious practices. The best way to say it is it's not American.
"If she did prevail that would erase about 150 years of law in this country from the Supreme Court saying the government does not get involved in the internal affairs and operations of the church. It would effectively be the end of church independence and religious freedom in our country." Laura Schubert Pearson's lawsuit accusing members of the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God Church of subjecting her to a two-day exo... more -
Parents: Teacher silenced son on hunting: Rutland Herald Online
BENNINGTON — Saying their son was "silenced" by his teacher for talking about hunting in the classroom, the parents of a fourth-grade student at North Bennington Graded School took their son out of school and have taken their case to the local school board.
Jared Harrington's mother, Wendy Bordwell, and his father, Martin Harrington, removed their son from school with 10 days left in the school year and home-schooled the 10-year-old boy.
"We are aggressively pursuing Jared's right to free speech," Bordwell said.
The couple addressed the local school board Monday night to air their grievance.
Bordwell said in a telephone interview that she believed her son was "singled out" by Kathleen Backus, Jared's teacher, while talking about hunting with a schoolmate.
Bordwell said that, during snack time, Jared was discussing the recent spring turkey hunting season with a classmate when Backus interrupted the conversation, insisting that there be no talk of "killing" in her classroom.
Reached through a relative, Backus declined to comment.
At Monday's board meeting, Bordwell read from a prepared statement.
"I believe that Ms. Backus' perception of hunting and hunters have led her to treat Jared in an inappropriate manner, singling him out unfairly," she told the board.
"The breaking point for us, his parents, came when Jared was sharing a conversation during his free period snack time at school. He was talking with a friend about the recent spring 2008 turkey season. Both boys had been out hunting with their dads and Jared was asking his friend where he had gotten his first turkey.
"Jared's teacher covered her ears, trying to block the conversation, and singing 'la la la la.' When asked by another school employee about her odd behavior, the teacher claimed she did not want to hear about the boys and their 'killing.' The boys were left feeling that they were not legitimate hunters, but 'killers' in the eyes of an important authority figure in their lives," Bordwell said.
Jared "has a working knowledge of firearms, archery and the sport of hunting," Bordwell said.
In an interview, Boardwell said that while Backus told her and Jared's father "emphatically that she had no problem with hunting," her comments made it clear that she did, in fact, deplore sport hunting.
Bordwell said that after the incident at school, Jared's father approached Backus, questioning the teacher about her "reprimand" of his son.
"The confrontation ended with Ms. Backus demanding that Marty leave the classroom, screeching, 'I went hiking this weekend and saw a moose and a bear, and I will never tell you where they are because you might kill them," Bordwell said.
Bordwell suggested to the board that a decision by Backus to eliminate all free snack periods in the classroom, changing them to "working" snack time for the remainder of the school year, was designed to stop the flow of free conversation among Jared and the other students.
Bordwell said in the interview that the "working" snack time was designed by Backus to intimidate Jared.
"In this way, she would have control over any conversation," Bordwell said, "and we felt that kind of management plan would single Jared out among his peers. It was created and designed to silence him."
At that point, Bordwell said, it was decided to home-school Jared.
"And since we decided to remove Jared from school for the last 10 days of school, we've learned that the "working" snack time has never been imposed," she said.
After Jared's parents decided to take up the matter with the school board, Backus assigned 137 pages of homework for the boy.
"That led us to believe he was being singled out," Bordwell said. BENNINGTON — Saying their son was "silenced" by his teacher for talking about hunting in the classroom, the parents of a fou... more -
McCain Hates the Free Exchange of Ideas
The video shows former librarian Carol Kreck being thrown out of a John McCain "town hall" meeting before she even got inside. The meeting was supposed to be an open and free exchange of ideas, but Kreck's small sign which simply said McCain = Bush was enough to earn her a ticket and a court date.
Kreck's story has made the rounds on the internet, but as this blogger tells us, it is not an isolated incident. Much like Bush saw too it that he only spoke in front of and took questions from people already on his side, McCain is making sure to stifle dissent.
You can read the full post here: http://stonecipher.typepad.com/the_stonecipher_report/2... The video shows former librarian Carol Kreck being thrown out of a John McCain "town hall" meeting before she even got insid... more -
Court: Exorcism is protected by Law
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a jury award over injuries a 17-year-old girl suffered in an exorcism conducted by members of her old church, ruling that the case unconstitutionally entangled the court in religious matters.
Laura Schubert testified in 2002 that she was cut and bruised and later experienced hallucinations after the church members' actions in 1996, when she was 17. Schubert said she was pinned to the floor for hours and received carpet burns during the exorcism, the Austin American-Statesman reported. She also said the incident led her to mutilate herself and attempt suicide. She eventually sought psychiatric help.
But the church's attorneys had told jurors that her psychological problems were caused by traumatic events she witnessed with her missionary parents in Africa. The church contended she "freaked out" about following her father's life as a missionary and was acting out to gain attention.
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, in a dissenting opinion, stated "The First Amendment guards religious liberty; it does not sanction intentional abuse in religion's name." The Texas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a jury award over injuries a 17-year-old girl suffered in an exorcism conducted by members... more -
Freedom of Assembly/Speech - yeah, right!
That is the name of the video.
Liberal_Extinction - if you view this video, this is a blatant attempt to disassemble this peaceful protest. The agent provocateur in the white t-shirt is used to somehow make the protest "look" violent so the officer has a reason to take charge. Now, I do want to say, that I agree about the excessive force used by police is, at times, justified. This time, however, is not one. That is the name of the video. ... more -
Dan Rather's speech on free press
Dan Rather addresses the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, on June 7, 2008.
He talks about freedom of the press, big media, and news coverage. Dan Rather addresses the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, on June 7, 2008. ... more -
Justified CCW w/o Permit
Hi I'm 19 years old and my name in Michael F. Robinson. Last october I bought my own property in the over-the-rhine nieghborhood of Cincinnati, OH. That same month my friend Tim and I where shot in a robbery. I was hit in the chest and he was hit in the leg. We'll last tuesday I was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon while on my own property, the same location I was shot at. Also, I am testifying agaisnt the two that shot me and my freind on June 5th, Michael Davis and Michael Zanders. And one of there families live not but a 5 or 10 minute walk from my property. Becuase I am 19 I was unable to recieve a permit to carry a weapon in ohio. On my way to the detention center I told the officer my window was open and the crack heads would break in. His response was, "so." Now at the detention center the same device that I held sacred to protecting myself as a witness from the associates of the people that robbed and shot me, brought me to the same place they where. I had no choice but to stay the night in jail and wait for my bond in the mourning. Bond was set at $25,000 dollars flat, no ten percent. My grandfather put a lein onto his property to bail me out. As I return to my home, the crack heads of the neighborhood did break into my home, stealing an AK-47. So then I hit the street and some investigating. Within a couple minutes I found out who did it and where they where at. Then I call the police, and they're is no arrival until 40 minutes later. Within that 40 mintues I'm watching these people leave with my stuff. I would have stopped them but I was unarmed. I get most of my stuff back except for the AK-47. And the police where actually mad at me for having one. They should have never locked me up knowing my circumstances. Then they should have listened about the window being up. As I clean my place up, I do not find my keys for work. So they next day I report to work early to explain why I wasn't there the day I was arrested. But as soon as I mention the keys being stolen, she fires me. It was a brand new job that I could walk to and it paid $12 dollars an hour. Just shows how one thing can lead to another, but it could have easily been avoided if there where only some rightgeous police. Hi I'm 19 years old and my name in Michael F. Robinson. Last october I bought my own property in the over-the-rhine nieghborhood ... more
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Is There A Constitutional Right To An Orgy?
Do you have the constitutional right to have a sex party in the privacy of your own home?
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Justice Department Launches Web Site to Attack “Media Shield” Bill
The Justice Department has set up a web page at this link http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/media-shield.htm
were “the Bush administration has outlined its concerns with proposed media shield legislation. This page provides letters, testimony, public statements and views from officials throughout the government expressing their concerns with the proposed media shield legislation.” This was quoted from the Department of Justice’s web page.
Problem: This is a taxpayer funded Department of Justice web page that the Bush administration is using to quash S.2035, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, aka, the Media Shield Law.
A quote from the Society for Professional Journalists http://www.spj.org/
"A federal shield law has become essential now that prosecutors appear less constrained about hauling journalists before courts and grand juries," said SPJ President Irwin Gratz, a radio news anchor with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. "Courts are proving little help either, setting aside the partial protections recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in its Branzburg v. Hayes ruling."
Leahy, Specter Urge Senate Action On Media Shield Bill http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200803/030608e.html
To contact the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs / 202-514-2007
The 1st Amendment is under attack by the Bush Administration!! The Justice Department has set up a web page at this link http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/media-shield.htm ... more -
Dixie Chicks not ready to make nice
Ten days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, lead vocalist Natalie Maines publicly criticized U.S. President George W. Bush. The ensuing controversy cost the group half of their concert audience attendance in the United States as chronicled in the 2006 documentary Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing.
At the 49th Grammy Awards Show in 2007, 'the Chicks' - as they are informally known - won all five categories for which they were nominated, including the coveted Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year, in a vote that Maines interpreted as being a show of public support for their advocacy of free speech. Ten days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, lead vocalist Natalie Maines publicly criticized U.S. President George W. Bush. The ensuing... more -
Welcome to the Project for the New American Century
This website is full of the stuff nightmares are made of, but here's some that stood out to me.
"DEVELOP AND DEPLOY GLOBAL MISSILE DEFENSES to defend the American homeland and American allies, and to provide a secure basis for U.S. power projection around the world."
"CONTROL THE NEW INTERNATIONAL COMMONS OF SPACE AND CYBERSPACE, and pave the way for the creation of a new military service U.S. Space Forces with the mission of space control."
"Further, the process of transformation,
even if it brings revolutionary change, is
likely to be a long one, absent some
catastrophic and catalyzing event like a
new Pearl Harbor."
Be afraid, be really afraid. Actually, don't, that's just what they want.
But if you want to know what the plan for your future is, this makes for compelling reading. This website is full of the stuff nightmares are made of, but here's some that stood out to me. ... more -
JFK Speech on Secret Societies and Freedom of the Press
Don't tase me bro.
*Note, I had to remove the YouTube video link as it would no longer play. The full audio recording is better anyway.
Sorry about that, Cove Don't tase me bro. ... more -
This Is Our Final Hour
This speaks for itself. thanks EMINEM, for saying something.
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Portsmouth Ice Cream trucks can play music again...
I'm not sure if I'm down with this, I always thought they were annoying, even when I was a kid, but rights are rights, and I'm glad they were upheld. I'm not sure if I'm down with this, I always thought they were annoying, even when I was a kid, but rights are rights, and I... more
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People suing police who forced them to stop taping
Cops claim camera was a weapon, citizens cry foul
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1st Amendment
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1st Amendment
