State senator's post on Blue Cross board questioned
The Democratic leader in the state Senate was appointed to a $20,000-a-year post on a health insurer's board of directors, and government watchdog groups questioned whether the appointment would cause potential conflicts of interest. Read More
Ramaley news conference
State Rep. Sean Ramaley, a candidate for state Senate who is facing charges for allegedly accepting a no-work state job during his House campaign, will hold a news conference this afternoon at the office of his Pittsburgh attorney.
Mr. Ramaley, D-Economy, is holding a 2 p.m. news conference "regarding his Senate campaign," according to a news release from his office. He is running for state Senate against Republican Elder Vogel Jr. for the right to replace state Sen. Gerald Lavalle, who is retiring.
Mr. Ramaley, D-Economy, is holding a 2 p.m. news conference "regarding his Senate campaign," according to a news release from his office. He is running for state Senate against Republican Elder Vogel Jr. for the right to replace state Sen. Gerald Lavalle, who is retiring.
Habay to go directly
Former state Rep. Jeff Habay will report to the Allegheny County Jail tomorrow.
Mr. Habay, 42, of Shaler, has four months remaining on his concurrent sentences, and though Judge Jeffrey A. Manning ruled last week that he could spend that time in a halfway house, Judge Lester G. Nauhaus disagreed.
Earlier this month, Judge Nauhaus ruled that Mr. Habay would serve the remainder of his sentence in jail, after he had been under house arrest during his failed appeal process -- time that did not count against his sentence. Judge Nauhaus did not hear any new motions from Mr. Habay and is out of town this week. Mr. Habay has been ordered to begin to serve his sentence tomorrow, and any motions he files to contest the jail time would be heard Aug. 11, when Judge Nauhaus returns.
Story
Mr. Habay, 42, of Shaler, has four months remaining on his concurrent sentences, and though Judge Jeffrey A. Manning ruled last week that he could spend that time in a halfway house, Judge Lester G. Nauhaus disagreed.
Earlier this month, Judge Nauhaus ruled that Mr. Habay would serve the remainder of his sentence in jail, after he had been under house arrest during his failed appeal process -- time that did not count against his sentence. Judge Nauhaus did not hear any new motions from Mr. Habay and is out of town this week. Mr. Habay has been ordered to begin to serve his sentence tomorrow, and any motions he files to contest the jail time would be heard Aug. 11, when Judge Nauhaus returns.
Story
Vatican Seriously Considering Anglican Request for Union
Cardinal Says Congregation Giving "corporate union" Proposal of Traditional Anglican Communion" serious Attention".
The Holy See is following with "serious attention" the request from the Traditional Anglican Communion for "full, corporate, sacramental union" with Rome.
Story
The Holy See is following with "serious attention" the request from the Traditional Anglican Communion for "full, corporate, sacramental union" with Rome.
Story
Baked Alaskan
From the Family Research Council on the news that Alaska Republican Senator Ted Stevens is accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from oil executives:
The news of Stevens' indictment can undo any progress the party has made in rebuilding voters' trust. Instead of purging corruption, Stevens' debacle may do even more damage to the Republican brand. If Alaska's senator does resign, as some speculate, it will be no great loss for values voters. Stevens may be a Republican, but he's never been a conservative. In fact, he voted so often with the pro-abortion crowd last year that NARAL gave him a 75 percent grade. On FRC Action's scorecard, his departure on life issues earned him a dismal 57 percent.
The news of Stevens' indictment can undo any progress the party has made in rebuilding voters' trust. Instead of purging corruption, Stevens' debacle may do even more damage to the Republican brand. If Alaska's senator does resign, as some speculate, it will be no great loss for values voters. Stevens may be a Republican, but he's never been a conservative. In fact, he voted so often with the pro-abortion crowd last year that NARAL gave him a 75 percent grade. On FRC Action's scorecard, his departure on life issues earned him a dismal 57 percent.
Washington Presbytery Sues Pastor and Church Treasurer
From the story: In ongoing property litigation over Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, Washington Presbytery has filed a countersuit against the Rev. L. Rus Howard and a church treasurer, demanding return of all church property and rent for use of the buildings.
“They [the Washington Presbytery] can sue Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church. We have already filed suit against them. But to file a suit against two individuals, one of whom is a 74-year-old widower on a fixed income, is ... just an attempt to harass and intimidate and scare," said Ray Peterson, spokesman for the majority [of the congregants who voted to leave the denomination]. Read more….
Suing individuals in a church property dispute is a very bad move on the part of the Washington Presbytery. Should the Peters Creek U.P. Church now countersue individuals at the Washington Presbytery, starting with the Executive Presbyter and the Presbytery’s treasurer?
“They [the Washington Presbytery] can sue Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church. We have already filed suit against them. But to file a suit against two individuals, one of whom is a 74-year-old widower on a fixed income, is ... just an attempt to harass and intimidate and scare," said Ray Peterson, spokesman for the majority [of the congregants who voted to leave the denomination]. Read more….
Suing individuals in a church property dispute is a very bad move on the part of the Washington Presbytery. Should the Peters Creek U.P. Church now countersue individuals at the Washington Presbytery, starting with the Executive Presbyter and the Presbytery’s treasurer?
Gambling board -- No hasty decision on Bluhm
Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm could get the chance to prove whether he can guide Pittsburgh's stalled $780 million casino project as early as next week. Read More
Corbett faces tough race against Dem wave, Morganelli
The summer of 2008 hasn't been a bad one for Tom Corbett. For most of July, the Republican state attorney general grabbed the headlines and basked in the television lights thanks to arrests in the burgeoning scandal known as ''Bonusgate.'' Read More
Legal fees double taxpayers' cost in bonus scandal
Legal costs associated with the public corruption investigation of the Legislature have surpassed the cost of secret bonuses that prompted the probe. Read More
Ballot Question on Marriage Changed by California Attorney General - Prompts Lawsuit
The question on marriage scheduled to appear on this fall’s ballot was changed by California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
The original ballot initiative, signed by over one million people, stated "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." California Attorney General Brown changed the language to claim that the ballot initiative would "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."
Brown also inserted language alleging the state would lose millions of dollars if homosexual "marriage" is banned.
The story...
The original ballot initiative, signed by over one million people, stated "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." California Attorney General Brown changed the language to claim that the ballot initiative would "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."
Brown also inserted language alleging the state would lose millions of dollars if homosexual "marriage" is banned.
The story...
City, county support Bluhm over rebidding casino license
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said today they are prepared to support Neil Bluhm and his ownership group for the city's casino if they are financially capable and willing to honor the commitments made by Don Barden.
After meeting with state gaming control board officials, Mr. Ravenstahl said rebidding the slots license could take one to four years, including appeals, which could significantly delay millions of dollars in casino revenues to the city and county.
Given that, the mayor said he's willing to back Mr. Bluhm, assuming the board determines he's financially capable and if he agrees to honor Mr. Barden's pledge to help fund the new arena and neighborhood initiatives. Mr. Bluhm has said he would do so.
Story
After meeting with state gaming control board officials, Mr. Ravenstahl said rebidding the slots license could take one to four years, including appeals, which could significantly delay millions of dollars in casino revenues to the city and county.
Given that, the mayor said he's willing to back Mr. Bluhm, assuming the board determines he's financially capable and if he agrees to honor Mr. Barden's pledge to help fund the new arena and neighborhood initiatives. Mr. Bluhm has said he would do so.
Story
Catholic Pundit Robert Novak Has a Brain Tumor
A long standing pillar among the pundits in the Washington DC conservative political circles, Robert Novak has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The Associated Press reported that Novak was visiting with his daughter on Cape Cod, Massachusetts this past weekend when he felt ill. He was rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and diagnosed with the tumor on Sunday. It is not yet known whether the tumor is malignant and a biopsy will be performed.Novak is a devout Catholic Christian who openly shares about his conversion to Catholicism and subsequent Baptism (along with his wife)at St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1998.
Obamanomics Is a Recipe for Recession
From the WJS: What if I told you that a prominent global political figure in recent months has proposed: abrogating key features of his government's contracts with energy companies; unilaterally renegotiating his country's international economic treaties; dramatically raising marginal tax rates on the "rich" to levels not seen in his country in three decades (which would make them among the highest in the world); and changing his country's social insurance system into explicit welfare by severing the link between taxes and benefits?
The first name that came to mind would probably not be Barack Obama, possibly our nation's next president. Yet despite his obvious general intelligence, and uplifting and motivational eloquence, Sen. Obama reveals this startling economic illiteracy in his policy proposals and economic pronouncements. Read more….
The first name that came to mind would probably not be Barack Obama, possibly our nation's next president. Yet despite his obvious general intelligence, and uplifting and motivational eloquence, Sen. Obama reveals this startling economic illiteracy in his policy proposals and economic pronouncements. Read more….
Taxpayers to have a say on school projects
It is the first such referendum in Allegheny County mandated by the 2006 taxpayer relief law, which requires that if a school district wants to raise taxes beyond the rate of an inflation index, it must put it to voters -- though there are exceptions.
Story
Story
Radio Waves
Shaun Pierce "On The Beach"
The term "On the Beach" in radio means a person is out of a job. That's me right now. It's terrible having to write yourself in to the unemployment report!
In some ways it's refeshing. I've gotten a few things done around the house that I have been putting off. Yet still that cloud of unemployment looms.
I do thank all of you for your prayers and comments. Many have wanted to know what happened. All I can tell you is it came as a shock to me.
I was told they had hired Gary Dickson (Fromer 3WS moring man and KDKA Overnight host) as Operations Director/Show Producer/Promotions Director.
Gary announced it on his website this way:
The term "On the Beach" in radio means a person is out of a job. That's me right now. It's terrible having to write yourself in to the unemployment report!
In some ways it's refeshing. I've gotten a few things done around the house that I have been putting off. Yet still that cloud of unemployment looms.
I do thank all of you for your prayers and comments. Many have wanted to know what happened. All I can tell you is it came as a shock to me.
I was told they had hired Gary Dickson (Fromer 3WS moring man and KDKA Overnight host) as Operations Director/Show Producer/Promotions Director.
Gary announced it on his website this way:
"Dear Friends,
I have some positive news to report. I have been offered and accepted a
position at WORD-FM (101.5) and WPIT (730) here in Pittsburgh. It all came
rather out of the blue, as I have not applied for any radio jobs since leaving
KDKA earlier this year. Kenny Woods, WORD/WPIT’s Operations Manager has decided to step down from his managerial responsibilities (his decision) to concentrate on his air-shift, production and other duties. Kenny was gracious enough to mention my name as a possible replacement as Operations Manager. After spending some time this week with WORD/WPIT’s General Manager, Chuck Gratner, I was offered the position. As Operations Manager, I will be responsible for all programming on the two stations, which are both Christian formatted Talk/Teach
stations. I start work on Monday, July 21st.Unless you’ve read my “About Gary Dickson” page, you would not know that I spent ten years in radio management a number of years ago, before concentrating exclusively on my on-air work. This job feels just perfect for me at this point in my life. Although I enjoyed my conversations with my After Midnight callers, you might (or might not) be surprised to hear that I have not been really interested in getting back on the air to host a radio program. Those feelings are tied to factors not associated with being on the air. As Operations Manager, I will not be doing an air-shift. Although it is possible I may, from time-to-time, do some fill-in on-air work on
WORD-FM for some of my staff when the need arises."I wish Gary the best in his new role.
As for Shaun Pierce, I'm currently looking for my next opportunity and I will keep you all informed as things develop.
Paulsen & Savaran head to 1250
After several weeks of filling in for Fred Honsberger at KDKA, Scott Paulsen is headed to Ardmore Boulevard. Paulsen will be part of a three-man team filling in the 3-7 p.m. slot emptied after Mark Madden was fired. Joining Paulsen are Eddy Crow who moves from the mid-days and former Steelers defensive back Mike Logan. The new programs should be in place, assuming contracts are finalized, Monday, August 4.
Should sex offenders be tracked?
State Auditor General Jack Wagner says a new proposal to track the movements of Pennsylvania's registered sex offenders using global positioning system technology is necessary to protect the state's most vulnerable citizens, but critics of the measure say it would be the first step down a slippery slope of Orwellian proportions. Read More
I'd like to know your thoughts????
I'd like to know your thoughts????
$1.7 million Pa. spam scam outlined
They cost only a dime each, but it added up quickly. Over more than two years, as they toiled in the minority, Democrats in the state House allegedly purchased millions of e-mail addresses to send campaign-related propaganda to Pennsylvania voters who were stuck paying the political tab -- $1.2 million. Read More
Concerns rising about bridges falling
Despite intensified public awareness and unprecedented funding brought to bear on bridge safety since the deadly collapse of a Minnesota span last August, the number of Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley bridges in need of repair has continued to rise. Read More
VICTORY: Last Abortion Clinic in South Dakota Closes
Planned Parenthood closed its doors after their abortionists, who are flown in from other states, refused to work under the new law.
More
More
SACRILEGE: Prof. Myers Desecrates the Eucharist
According to his statement on the subject, “I pierced it [the Host] with a rusty nail (I hope Jesus’s tetanus shots are up to date). And then I simply threw it in the trash.”
University of Minnesota professor Paul Z. Myers made good on his pledge to desecrate the Eucharist today.
Saying he did not want to “single out just the cracker,” Myers also tore pages from the Koran along with a few pages from Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion and nailed them to the Host. He then said, “They are just paper. Nothing must be held sacred. (His emphasis.) Question everything. God is not great, Jesus is not your lord, you are not disciples of any charismatic prophet.”
Aren't you glad this guy is teaching future generations? The question is exactly what is ha teaching?
More
University of Minnesota professor Paul Z. Myers made good on his pledge to desecrate the Eucharist today.
Saying he did not want to “single out just the cracker,” Myers also tore pages from the Koran along with a few pages from Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion and nailed them to the Host. He then said, “They are just paper. Nothing must be held sacred. (His emphasis.) Question everything. God is not great, Jesus is not your lord, you are not disciples of any charismatic prophet.”
Aren't you glad this guy is teaching future generations? The question is exactly what is ha teaching?
More
Bluhm gives slots panel one week to act
Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm told state gambling officials Pittsburgh's stalled North Shore casino project could go into bankruptcy if his takeover plan is not approved by July 30. Read More
Evans' calls stressed black casino ownership
State Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Mary D. Colins said she didn't feel "intimidated or threatened" by a 60-second phone call from state Rep. Dwight Evans, who stressed the importance of continued black ownership in a planned Pittsburgh casino. Read More
Double Down: Senators find Pittsburgh casino is in dire shape
Pennsylvania senators asking questions Thursday about the rescue of a financially troubled Pittsburgh casino project by other investors found the situation more complicated and dire than they originally thought. Read More
Nader wants feds to investigate state Democrats
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader called Thursday for a federal investigation of his removal from the 2004 Pennsylvania ballot, arguing a probe is justified because state House Democrats swept up in the Bonusgate scandal aided in the effort Read More
Bridge-work needs outweigh funds in Pennsylvania
this western Pennsylvania city known for the collection of bridges traversing its three rivers, the average motorist driving over the Birmingham Bridge has little indication of the deterioration under the span. Read More
‘A Citizen of the World’ Campaigns in Berlin
From the story - “This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet,” American presidential candidate Barack Obama told a crowd in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday.Obama was advocating efforts to alter the course of the planet’s weather, but his overall speech—entitled “A World that Stands as One” as transcribed on his official campaign website—was a sweeping call for global oneness. Read more....
“Global oneness”, I feel better already! And here I was concerned about the preservation of liberty, our country’s security and economic freedom, silly me! Can we have a group hug?
Sharpton Dodges Tax Bullet
Federal prosecutors have decided not to seek criminal charges against the Rev. Al Sharpton over his chronic tax problems. The investigation was disbanded only after the government received a down payment Monday topping $1 million on a tax debt.
More payments will follow as Sharpton clears up a decade's worth of delinquent tax bills related to his personal business interests and his Harlem civil rights group.
The IRS and New York state and city tax agencies claim that Sharpton and his organization, the National Action Network, collectively owe millions of dollars in back taxes and penalties.
The exact amount Sharpton owes has not been revealed by either the government or Sharpton's lawyers, but there is evidence the debt is sizable.
The IRS obtained a $931,397 lien against Sharpton. City and state officials said he owned them another $933,577. Separately, the National Action Network said in its most recent tax filing that it owed at least $1.9 million in payroll taxes and related interest.
Sharpton, who was defiant when the probe became public in December, claiming it was part of a government smear campaign, has since changed his tune.
"We learn from every experience to be more cautious, more accountable," he told The Associated Press.
More payments will follow as Sharpton clears up a decade's worth of delinquent tax bills related to his personal business interests and his Harlem civil rights group.
The IRS and New York state and city tax agencies claim that Sharpton and his organization, the National Action Network, collectively owe millions of dollars in back taxes and penalties.
The exact amount Sharpton owes has not been revealed by either the government or Sharpton's lawyers, but there is evidence the debt is sizable.
The IRS obtained a $931,397 lien against Sharpton. City and state officials said he owned them another $933,577. Separately, the National Action Network said in its most recent tax filing that it owed at least $1.9 million in payroll taxes and related interest.
Sharpton, who was defiant when the probe became public in December, claiming it was part of a government smear campaign, has since changed his tune.
"We learn from every experience to be more cautious, more accountable," he told The Associated Press.
Rob Milford held for trial
Former Pittsburgh radio reporter Rob Milford has been held for trial on charges that he brought a loaded handgun in his briefcase into a courthouse to cover a trial.
He is charged with possession of a firearm in a court facility and carrying a firearm without a license.
At his preliminary hearing Wednesday, his attorney, Wendy Williams, argued that the charges should be dropped because Milford didn't know the gun was in the briefcase. Milford, who resigned, has said the gun belongs to his girlfriend.
Milford worked at the station since 2006. He also worked at Fox News Radio and CBS Radio covering everything from hurricanes to the Iraq war.
He is charged with possession of a firearm in a court facility and carrying a firearm without a license.
At his preliminary hearing Wednesday, his attorney, Wendy Williams, argued that the charges should be dropped because Milford didn't know the gun was in the briefcase. Milford, who resigned, has said the gun belongs to his girlfriend.
Milford worked at the station since 2006. He also worked at Fox News Radio and CBS Radio covering everything from hurricanes to the Iraq war.
Rangel to file complaint against self
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday will formally ask the House ethics committee to investigate allegations that he misused his congressional office.
Aides to the powerful chairman of the Ways and Means Committee were putting finishing touches on the letter Tuesday night, according to Rangel spokesman Emile Milne.
Do we need more proof this guy is crazy?
The text of Rangel's letter to the panel and accompanying documents can be viewed here .
In an angry press conference last week, Rangel said he had asked staff how to write the complaint. He also attacked a Washington Post story about Rangel’s efforts to raise money for a New York City college center in Harlem bearing his name. The article alleged that Rangel had broken House ethics rules barring the use of congressional letterhead for financial solicitations.
Rangel said he didn’t believe he had violated any ethics rules and thought the ethics committee would agree with him. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week said she supported his request for a probe.
Aides to the powerful chairman of the Ways and Means Committee were putting finishing touches on the letter Tuesday night, according to Rangel spokesman Emile Milne.
Do we need more proof this guy is crazy?
The text of Rangel's letter to the panel and accompanying documents can be viewed here .
In an angry press conference last week, Rangel said he had asked staff how to write the complaint. He also attacked a Washington Post story about Rangel’s efforts to raise money for a New York City college center in Harlem bearing his name. The article alleged that Rangel had broken House ethics rules barring the use of congressional letterhead for financial solicitations.
Rangel said he didn’t believe he had violated any ethics rules and thought the ethics committee would agree with him. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week said she supported his request for a probe.
Arctic May Hold 90 Billion Barrels of Oil
Drill! That's what I say.
The Arctic may hold 90 billion barrels of oil, more than all the known reserves of Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Mexico combined, and enough to supply U.S. demand for 12 years, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
One-third of the undiscovered oil is in Alaskan territory, the agency found in a study released today. By contrast, a geologic formation beneath the North Pole claimed by Russian scientists last year probably holds just 1.2 percent of the Arctic's crude, the U.S. report showed.
The Arctic may hold 90 billion barrels of oil, more than all the known reserves of Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Mexico combined, and enough to supply U.S. demand for 12 years, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
One-third of the undiscovered oil is in Alaskan territory, the agency found in a study released today. By contrast, a geologic formation beneath the North Pole claimed by Russian scientists last year probably holds just 1.2 percent of the Arctic's crude, the U.S. report showed.
Beaver-Butler Presbytery Grants Dismissal to the Chippewa U.P. Church
By a 75% - 25% margin, the Beaver-Butler Presbytery approved the dismissal terms to release the Chippewa U.P. Church from the Presbyterian Church (USA) Tuesday evening.
The 175-member Chippewa Church requested a dismissal from the PC (USA) to the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In exchange for leaving the denomination, the Chippewa Church agreed to continue their current level of support for 5 PC (USA) missionaries for the next 3 years, and also agreed to pay 3-year's worth of per-capita to the Presbytery. In return, Chippewa keeps their church property.
The Trust Clause, which gives the local Presbytery the right to the property of the PC (USA) churches within the Presbytery, has been the source of more than a few court cases when churches decide to leave the denomination. Technically, when a church leaves the denomination, the Presbytery has the right to assume ownership of the property.
As a member of the Administrative Commission in charge of overseeing the dismissal process, I was very satisfied to see that the cause of Christ was placed first, and that an agreement that was “favorable to both parties” was reached.
The 175-member Chippewa Church requested a dismissal from the PC (USA) to the more conservative Evangelical Presbyterian Church. In exchange for leaving the denomination, the Chippewa Church agreed to continue their current level of support for 5 PC (USA) missionaries for the next 3 years, and also agreed to pay 3-year's worth of per-capita to the Presbytery. In return, Chippewa keeps their church property.
The Trust Clause, which gives the local Presbytery the right to the property of the PC (USA) churches within the Presbytery, has been the source of more than a few court cases when churches decide to leave the denomination. Technically, when a church leaves the denomination, the Presbytery has the right to assume ownership of the property.
As a member of the Administrative Commission in charge of overseeing the dismissal process, I was very satisfied to see that the cause of Christ was placed first, and that an agreement that was “favorable to both parties” was reached.
Now you can track your tax dollars
It's getting easier for citizens to track the spending of their tax dollars. You can search online to find out about state contracts for goods and services or grant awards worth more than $5,000. The online database includes any contracts or purchase orders executed since July 1. Read More
Bonusgate repayments by workers unlikely
Hundreds of legislative employees believed to have been illegally paid from state coffers for political campaign work, even an aide who collected a salary for a virtual no-show job, will probably not be asked to return any money. Read More
Gambler's luck takes bad turn at casino
A Lebanon man is the first patron to be arrested at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course for allegedly violating an agreement he signed with the state that bans him from casinos as a gambling addict. Read More
Roman Catholic Womenpriests... At it Again
Once a year they pop up in the news. Their chosen gives them away. It's like "Vegetarian Meat Lovers". It just doesn't work.I've written about them in the past. A few years ago they brought their circus to Pittsburgh. This time they are in Boston.
The Archdiocese of Boston has issued a statement in response to a group that planned and performed an ordination ceremony for three women in Boston on Sunday. In the July 18 statement the archdiocese’s vicar general, Father Richard Erikson, explained Catholic teaching on the male-only priesthood and said the group, which calls itself Roman Catholic Womenpriests, is “not an entity of the Roman Catholic Church.”
In its statement the Archdiocese of Boston said: “The Catholic Church is made up of women and men, equal in rights and diverse in gifts and ministries. Following our devotion to Mary, the Church is committed to, and sustained by the many important contributions of women each and every day.”
The statement said that women help shape the course of the Church as members of religious communities, lay members in leadership roles, educators, canon lawyers, and service providers in “many other critical areas.”
However, the archdiocese explained, “the ordination of men to the priesthood is not merely a matter of practice or discipline within the Catholic Church, but rather, it is part of the unalterable Deposit of Faith handed down by Christ through his apostles.”
You must ask yourself why these women would want to be part of something they disagree with. There are plenty of other denominations that accept women, yet they target the Roman Catholic Church.
The real reason is they don't wish to simply join the Church, they wish to undermine, weaken and destroy it. How can one claim to be obedient to the Christ if the disobey the very institution He founded?
Archbishop to Homosexual Bishop Robinson - 'Resign'
The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan today declared that Gene Robinson, the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, "should resign for the sake of the church." In a press conference at the decennial Lambeth Conference, the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul said that homosexual ordination "is not what is found in the Bible" and that it is "not the norm of the Anglican world."
Archbishop Bul decided to attend the Lambeth Conference because he says that he is unwilling to give up on the Anglican Communion just yet, hoping that the Episcopal Church in the U.S. will still reverse its present course. Thus far at Lambeth, Bul has not seen indications of genuine willingness to confront the troubles coming from North America. Referring to "indaba" discussion sessions among bishops, Archbishop Bul says "we have not seen a way out" of the church's divisions over sexuality.
More
Archbishop Bul decided to attend the Lambeth Conference because he says that he is unwilling to give up on the Anglican Communion just yet, hoping that the Episcopal Church in the U.S. will still reverse its present course. Thus far at Lambeth, Bul has not seen indications of genuine willingness to confront the troubles coming from North America. Referring to "indaba" discussion sessions among bishops, Archbishop Bul says "we have not seen a way out" of the church's divisions over sexuality.
More
Plan to Toll I-80 Will Need Major Overhaul to Gain Approval
It would appear that unless the Federal Highway Administration operates in a manner similar to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board—that is to say with only nominal regard for the laws it carries out—then permission to toll Interstate 80 must be deemed a remote possibility any time soon. It has been over seven months since the Highway Administration (FHWA) responded by letter (December 12, 2007) to the October 13, 2007 joint application from PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission to toll I-80 under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program (ISRRPP). Continue
Editorial: Time for a Prophetic Voice In the Anglican Struggle
The Lambeth Conference is the talk of the town in Canterbury, England. With all this talk, however, what is really being said?
Story
Story
McCain and Obama to Speak at Saddleback Church
The presumptive presidential nominees for the Republican and Democratic parties, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, respectively, will make a joint appearance on August 16 at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion at Saddleback Church.
The 22,000-member mega church, pastored by Dr. Rick Warren, is located in Orange County, California. Dr. Warren made the announcement on Monday, saying in a statement:
“We're honored that the candidates chose The Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion for their first joint appearance, an unprecedented opportunity for America to hear both men back-to-back on the same platform. This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart - without interruption - in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan 'gotcha' questions that typically produce heat instead of light.”
Oh I'm thrilled........ yawn
Planned Parenthood Fails To Open Doors
From the story: A state law that requires abortionists to inform women – before an abortion – that the procedure "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being" apparently has done what no other pro-life protest has been able to accomplish – the closure of Planned Parenthood's abortion facility.
Today was the day for a federal court ruling affirming the South Dakota law to take effect, and as usual pro-life protesters gathered from several different organizations at the Sioux Falls Planned Parenthood business, as did several women who apparently had appointments.
However, a spokesman for the protest groups said no abortionists arrived and the women left after being counseled by the pro-lifer sidewalk counselors.
"I think Planned Parenthood cannot figure out a way not to comply with the law," Dr. Allan Unruh, who with his wife has been integral in South Dakota's Vote Yes for Life campaign. Read more...
Today was the day for a federal court ruling affirming the South Dakota law to take effect, and as usual pro-life protesters gathered from several different organizations at the Sioux Falls Planned Parenthood business, as did several women who apparently had appointments.
However, a spokesman for the protest groups said no abortionists arrived and the women left after being counseled by the pro-lifer sidewalk counselors.
"I think Planned Parenthood cannot figure out a way not to comply with the law," Dr. Allan Unruh, who with his wife has been integral in South Dakota's Vote Yes for Life campaign. Read more...
PowerBlog! Update
With my recent departure from WORD FM my previous email address is no longer active. That has presented some problems since I posted to this blog via the now dead email. I have contacted Blogger and hope to have the problem fixed soon but I am at their mercy.
In the meantime my posts will appear under the name Jim since Jim has access to this blog. I know it's confusing but hopefully things will get back to normal.
I do appreciate all the kind words many of you have left here. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue my job search.
Shaun Pierce
In the meantime my posts will appear under the name Jim since Jim has access to this blog. I know it's confusing but hopefully things will get back to normal.
I do appreciate all the kind words many of you have left here. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue my job search.
Shaun Pierce
Bonus accusations against son test political family
Eric Buxton, with an assist from his father, state Rep. Ronald Buxton, D-Harrisburg, started working at the state Capitol in 1999 as an intern. Within six years, he secured a lucrative contract for information technology services with the House Democrats, far surpassing his father's pay. Now prosecutors say that contract was a cover for blatant political work on the taxpayers' dime. The accusations put one of Harrisburg's top political families in the middle of a corruption scandal that has rocked the Capitol. Read More
Rendell, lawmakers spar over property tax appeals
Pennsylvania legislators have pushed this year to close a loophole in state law that allows school districts and local governments to seek an increase in a property's assessed value if a sales transaction reveals a substantially higher market value. Gov. Ed Rendell dealt them a setback last week. Read More
Romeward Bound: Will More Anglicans become Catholics?
The global Anglican communion and its American expression, the Episcopal Church, has been beset with division arising over fundamental doctrinal issues which, to orthodox Christians whether they are Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant, derive from the very heart of the Christian revelation.
Pope John Paul II responded to the growing requests from priests, deacons and the lay faithful of the Anglican Communion, and its expression in the United States the Episcopal Church.
He instituted what is called the “Pastoral provision”, and placed it under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The “Pastoral provision” has provided a means for Anglican or Episcopal Priests, married or celibate, seeking to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church, to be considered for Ordination in the Catholic Church.
Though it has been in effect for almost three decades, most Catholics do not even know of its existence.That may soon change! The now annual "Anglican Use" Conference recently concluded in San Antonio Texas, the home of one of the most noted "Anglican Use" parishes, "Our Lady of the Atonement". In addition the effort has given birth to the "Anglican Use Society".
The “Pastoral Provision” also authorized the establishment of what are called "Personal Parishes". These are sometimes called “Anglican use” parishes. They have been constituted in several places in the United States and are thriving.
More
Pope John Paul II responded to the growing requests from priests, deacons and the lay faithful of the Anglican Communion, and its expression in the United States the Episcopal Church.
He instituted what is called the “Pastoral provision”, and placed it under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The “Pastoral provision” has provided a means for Anglican or Episcopal Priests, married or celibate, seeking to come into the full communion of the Catholic Church, to be considered for Ordination in the Catholic Church.
Though it has been in effect for almost three decades, most Catholics do not even know of its existence.That may soon change! The now annual "Anglican Use" Conference recently concluded in San Antonio Texas, the home of one of the most noted "Anglican Use" parishes, "Our Lady of the Atonement". In addition the effort has given birth to the "Anglican Use Society".
The “Pastoral Provision” also authorized the establishment of what are called "Personal Parishes". These are sometimes called “Anglican use” parishes. They have been constituted in several places in the United States and are thriving.
More
Dobson Shifts Positions, May Endorse McCain
(Newsmax.com): Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.
"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."
Dobson and other evangelical leaders unimpressed by McCain increasingly are taking a lesser-of-two-evils approach to the 2008 race. Dobson and his guest, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, spend most of the pretaped Focus on the Family radio program criticizing Democratic candidate Barack Obama, getting to McCain at the very end.
In an advance copy provided to The Associated Press, Dobson said that while neither candidate is consistent with his views, McCain's positions are closer by a wide margin. Read more…
"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."
Dobson and other evangelical leaders unimpressed by McCain increasingly are taking a lesser-of-two-evils approach to the 2008 race. Dobson and his guest, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, spend most of the pretaped Focus on the Family radio program criticizing Democratic candidate Barack Obama, getting to McCain at the very end.
In an advance copy provided to The Associated Press, Dobson said that while neither candidate is consistent with his views, McCain's positions are closer by a wide margin. Read more…
NAACP Urged to Help De-Fund Planned Parenthood
From the story: Dozens of pastors and pro-life activists attending the 99th annual NAACP conference in Cincinnati this week are calling on that organization to help de-fund the nation’s largest abortion provider.
“Racism lives at Planned Parenthood,” said Dr. Alveda King, pastoral associate of the group Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during a rally on Monday. “I say to my fellow NAACP members: It's time we tell the government to stop funding racism.
"Planned Parenthood will gladly accept donations for the specific purpose of aborting only black babies,” King said. “It locates its clinics in or near minority neighborhoods. It has led the way in eliminating African-Americans to the point where one-quarter of the black population is now missing because of abortion.” Read more…
Like the National Education Association advocating for abortion when abortion eliminates about 52,000 NEA union teaching positions per year, this call to the NAACP is long overdue.
“Racism lives at Planned Parenthood,” said Dr. Alveda King, pastoral associate of the group Priests for Life and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during a rally on Monday. “I say to my fellow NAACP members: It's time we tell the government to stop funding racism.
"Planned Parenthood will gladly accept donations for the specific purpose of aborting only black babies,” King said. “It locates its clinics in or near minority neighborhoods. It has led the way in eliminating African-Americans to the point where one-quarter of the black population is now missing because of abortion.” Read more…
Like the National Education Association advocating for abortion when abortion eliminates about 52,000 NEA union teaching positions per year, this call to the NAACP is long overdue.
The End of One Thing Is the Begining of Another
I'm sad to report that I am no longer with WORD FM. After 6 years and 3 talk-shows we have parted ways on the best of terms.
Change is the only thing guaranteed in the media. I have some great friends at the station and it's been a pleasure to meet and share things with all of you.
I do know that God has a plan. I'm just not sure what that is yet....
I will still do my best to keep things going here, although only time will tell. I do ask for your prayers and if you know of any opportunities please email me at sands555@hotmail.com
Shaun Pierce
Change is the only thing guaranteed in the media. I have some great friends at the station and it's been a pleasure to meet and share things with all of you.
I do know that God has a plan. I'm just not sure what that is yet....
I will still do my best to keep things going here, although only time will tell. I do ask for your prayers and if you know of any opportunities please email me at sands555@hotmail.com
Shaun Pierce
DeWeese expects vindication
House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese said yesterday that he was confident he would be vindicated in the legislative bonus investigation and intended to remain leader of the House Democratic caucus. Read More
So, we're still talking reform
Reverberations from Attorney General Tom Corbett's prosecution of 12 current and former state House Democratic members and staffers hit the Capitol on Wednesday, and it sounded a lot like 2006.
Read More
Read More
LIFEPAC Endorses John McCain for President
John McCain has a stellar 25-year pro-life voting record in Congress
* John McCain believes that Roe v Wade was a tragic decision that must be overturned
* John McCain and his wife Cindy are the parents of an adopted daughter, Bridget from Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh.
* John McCain would appoint judges in the mold of Scalia and Thomas
* John McCain voted to confirm Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court
* John McCain believes that the moral authority of our judiciary depends on judicial self-restraint. He believes judges should strictly interpret, not legislate, the law of the land.
* John McCain has been involved in virtually every foreign policy decision of this nation for the past 25 years.
* John McCain believes that a parent's role in education must be respected.
* John McCain, as a former prisoner of war under a communist regime, has fought for human rights around the globe wherever human rights have been violated.
* John McCain believes that marriage must be protected as a sacred institution of a man and a woman and co-chaired the Arizona Marriage Protection Amendment campaign in 2006.
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· His opponent has a solid pro-abortion voting record both as a state senator and in Congress.
· His opponent believes Roe v Wade was a good decision and would uphold it.
· His opponent condones infanticide as he voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act as a state senator from Illinois
· His opponent would confirm judges in the mold of Ruth Ginsberg and other pro-abortion judges.
· His opponent does not believe that marriage must be protected as a sacred institution of a man and a woman. He supports so called "civil unions" and laws passed by MA and CA
Information on LIFEPAC: http://www.LIFEPAC.net
Information on John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com
* John McCain believes that Roe v Wade was a tragic decision that must be overturned
* John McCain and his wife Cindy are the parents of an adopted daughter, Bridget from Mother Teresa's orphanage in Bangladesh.
* John McCain would appoint judges in the mold of Scalia and Thomas
* John McCain voted to confirm Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court
* John McCain believes that the moral authority of our judiciary depends on judicial self-restraint. He believes judges should strictly interpret, not legislate, the law of the land.
* John McCain has been involved in virtually every foreign policy decision of this nation for the past 25 years.
* John McCain believes that a parent's role in education must be respected.
* John McCain, as a former prisoner of war under a communist regime, has fought for human rights around the globe wherever human rights have been violated.
* John McCain believes that marriage must be protected as a sacred institution of a man and a woman and co-chaired the Arizona Marriage Protection Amendment campaign in 2006.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
· His opponent has a solid pro-abortion voting record both as a state senator and in Congress.
· His opponent believes Roe v Wade was a good decision and would uphold it.
· His opponent condones infanticide as he voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act as a state senator from Illinois
· His opponent would confirm judges in the mold of Ruth Ginsberg and other pro-abortion judges.
· His opponent does not believe that marriage must be protected as a sacred institution of a man and a woman. He supports so called "civil unions" and laws passed by MA and CA
Information on LIFEPAC: http://www.LIFEPAC.net
Information on John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com
JACKSON’S OBAMA TIRADE INCLUDED N WORD
Also from the story:
MANY UNITED METHODIST PASTORS IN CALIFORNIA CONDUCTING GAY MARRIAGES
Against church policy. From the story: "I'm tired of being part of a church that lacks integrity," said the Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen of Santa Monica's Church in Ocean Park, who plans to conduct weddings for two gay couples in August and September. "I love my church, and I don't want to leave it. But I can't be part of a church that is willing to portray a God that is so hateful. I would rather be forced out." (LA Times)
In October, the church put its stamp of approval on a transgendered minister. (FOX News)
In October, the church put its stamp of approval on a transgendered minister. (FOX News)
CONGRESS EVALUATES OIL DRILLING
They moved an inch but Pelosi and other Democrats are still in the way. (CNN)
From Hewitt: I understand the immense reluctance of Democrats to do anything to help the economy in advance of the fall elections, but this refusal to act is shameful. It is causing enormous harm to real people, and eating away at the foundations of the economy. When you hear Democrat after Democrat on television to intone "we can't drill our way out of it" without explaining why, when you hear Democrat after Democrat intone the nonsense about the oil company's unused federal leases --truly the stupidest talking point of all time-- and when you hear about the need for new sources of energy in the far off future, know that you are actually hearing a chilling resolve to crater the economy for the perceived benefit of Obama and other Democratic office holders. (Townhall)
Meanwhile, Al Gore is preparing another sky-is-falling speech in
San Francisco’s Intellectual Cowardice
Two years ago, the San Francisco city and county board passed a resolution that officially labeled the Catholic church's moral teachings on homosexuality as "insulting to all San Franciscans," "hateful," "defamatory," "insensitive" and "ignorant". This resolution will be challenged today (July 17th) in court for violating the Constitution's prohibition of government hostility toward religion.
The city's resolution stated that the church's teaching on homosexuality reflected, "Such hateful and discriminatory rhetoric is both insulting and callous, and shows a level of insensitivity and ignorance which has seldom been encountered by this Board of Supervisors."
Really?
If this is true, where is the resolution which condemns the homosexual teaching in Islam? (Long pause here for silence as “progressives” gulp for air, but say nothing.)
One can imagine the fallout if San Francisco passed a resolution labeling the teachings on homosexuality in Islam as "hateful," "defamatory," "insensitive" and "ignorant".
If the San Francisco city and county board truly believed in their resolution, they would also include all religions that condemn homosexuality. But then again, that would take intellectual honesty, something which is sorely missing.
The city's resolution stated that the church's teaching on homosexuality reflected, "Such hateful and discriminatory rhetoric is both insulting and callous, and shows a level of insensitivity and ignorance which has seldom been encountered by this Board of Supervisors."
Really?
If this is true, where is the resolution which condemns the homosexual teaching in Islam? (Long pause here for silence as “progressives” gulp for air, but say nothing.)
One can imagine the fallout if San Francisco passed a resolution labeling the teachings on homosexuality in Islam as "hateful," "defamatory," "insensitive" and "ignorant".
If the San Francisco city and county board truly believed in their resolution, they would also include all religions that condemn homosexuality. But then again, that would take intellectual honesty, something which is sorely missing.
Radio Waves
Foul Ball
Pittsburgh had it's own "Heidi"game. In 1968, with 65 seconds remaining in their American Football League game, the New York Jets took a 32-29 lead over Oakland on Jim Turner's fourth field goal. The Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff to their 23-yard line. NBC, televising the game, went to a commercial break and came back not to the end of the game, but with the children's movie "Heidi". Never has a little swiss girl been so hated.
Now picture this.... You are gathered around your radio. It's two men on base for the American League. No outs and in the bottom of the tenth. The Major League All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium reaches a dramatic high point and WEAE (1250 ESPN), switches to regular ESPN programming and never goes back to the game. Yep, that's what happened.
By the way, the American League won 4-3, in 15 innings.
Madden Returns
Sports-talk host Mark Madden is set to return to radio later this year. Madden will join 105.9 WXDX and fill in the afternoon drive-time slot, at either 3 to 6 p.m. or 3 to 7 p.m, if contract details can be finalized.
Bettis on Radio
Meanwhile, on Ardmore Boulevard, rumors have been floating that Jerome Bettis might be a part of the team taking over where Madden left off.
Pittsburgh had it's own "Heidi"game. In 1968, with 65 seconds remaining in their American Football League game, the New York Jets took a 32-29 lead over Oakland on Jim Turner's fourth field goal. The Raiders returned the ensuing kickoff to their 23-yard line. NBC, televising the game, went to a commercial break and came back not to the end of the game, but with the children's movie "Heidi". Never has a little swiss girl been so hated.
Now picture this.... You are gathered around your radio. It's two men on base for the American League. No outs and in the bottom of the tenth. The Major League All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium reaches a dramatic high point and WEAE (1250 ESPN), switches to regular ESPN programming and never goes back to the game. Yep, that's what happened.
By the way, the American League won 4-3, in 15 innings.
Madden Returns
Sports-talk host Mark Madden is set to return to radio later this year. Madden will join 105.9 WXDX and fill in the afternoon drive-time slot, at either 3 to 6 p.m. or 3 to 7 p.m, if contract details can be finalized.
Bettis on Radio
Meanwhile, on Ardmore Boulevard, rumors have been floating that Jerome Bettis might be a part of the team taking over where Madden left off.
Barden, Bluhm reach agreement on casino financing
The agreement still needs blessings from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and from the banks, which will provide the financing not offered up front by Mr. Barden, Neil Bluhm's Walton Street and their new joint venture, Pittsburgh Gaming Holdings L.P.
In a statement released this morning, Pittsburgh Gaming Holdings said that it had signed an agreement "with PITG Gaming, LLC to purchase preferred equity and 75 percent of the common equity in the Pittsburgh casino. Pittsburgh Gaming Holdings is a joint venture between, High Pitt Gaming LLC and Don Barden."
Democrats Are Weighing More Tax Rebates
Congressional Democrats are considering a second round of rebates to taxpayers, saying the benefits of the first checks sent to more than 100 million households this year are being eroded by rising energy prices.
``We will be proceeding with another stimulus package, and we once again hope we will work in a bipartisan way,'' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after House Democratic leaders met with a group of economists to discuss the spreading housing crisis and rising gas prices.
Pelosi and other House Democrats said that in addition to more rebates a second stimulus package would probably include additional spending for roads and other infrastructure, expanded unemployment benefits, home-heating assistance for low-income families and aid for states struggling with budget deficits.
Bloomberg.com
``We will be proceeding with another stimulus package, and we once again hope we will work in a bipartisan way,'' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after House Democratic leaders met with a group of economists to discuss the spreading housing crisis and rising gas prices.
Pelosi and other House Democrats said that in addition to more rebates a second stimulus package would probably include additional spending for roads and other infrastructure, expanded unemployment benefits, home-heating assistance for low-income families and aid for states struggling with budget deficits.
Bloomberg.com
Todd Bently: The Lakeland Delusion
I've had a few people email me about events happening down in Lakeland, Flordia. In a nutshell a guy by the name of Todd Bentley has been conducting a "Revival Healing Conference". The claims range from people being healed, and angels visiting the meetings, to a 3 year old being raised from the dead. Someone wanted to know my thoughts on this. Let's start with the ring leader of this circus Todd Bentley.
Watch this clip of Todd Bentley and you tell me if you think he is a man of God?
Watching Bentley do his circus act is nauseating. He sells the theatrics of "professional wrestling" to gullible fools who think they are Christians.
So here's my take. This guy is not a pastor and he is not a man of God. The fact that he credits the Charismatic Catholic church for getting him started is disturbing to me and should be a warning to everyone who falls for that trap. It does not take a Bible scholar to know this guy is violent and does not follow God. Yet we have churches opening the doors and welcoming this man. It's a buffet for a wolf.
If you buy into this then you need some serious Godly counsel. We should not for a moment let this freak show designed to attract ratings and money be passed of as anything close to Christianity.
Bentley's history includes drug & alcohol abuse as well as more than one instance of sexual molestation. Bentley has admitted to Charisma Magazine that the charges are true. His past mistakes can certainly be forgiven, but Bentley's theology must be suspect for any true believer.
Todd Bentley was guest preacher at Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida, for a 5-day healing revival starting on April 2, 2008. It was extended to the end of the month because of the crowds coming to get healed and to get "drunk in the spirit." The church's pastor is Stephen Strader, the son of Karl Strader, formerly of Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland where Rodney Howard-Browne made his holy laughter debut back in 1993. That phony "outpouring" went on to spark the Toronto and Pensacola drunken revivals. We have quite a collection of red flags going here!
Bentley claims to have an angel named Emma working for him. He met "Emma" at a church in 2001. Bentley stated that the female angel gave him a vision of gold dust, and afterwards he received a breakthrough in terms of financial stability. Why did this never happen to any of the apostles?
Todd's money-gathering angel's Emma, also is a good friend Bob Jones (discredited "prophet" who was disciplined for using his prophetic office to get women to undress for him). Jones credits Emma with birthing the discredited Kansas City Prophet movement of the late 1980s. In Bentley's own words:
"Twice Bob Jones asked me about this angel that was inBentley claims that his angel also assisted William Branham in his healing ministry in the 1960s. Branham called the Trinity a pagan doctrine! This same Emma is credited with showing up in revivals spreading gold dust and dropping gems around. But who is Emma, if she exists at all? The Encyclopedia Britannica identifies Emma-o as a demon ruler in hell.
Kansas City in 1980: 'Todd, have you ever seen the angel by the name of Emma?'
He asked me as if he expected that this angel was appearing to me. Surprised, I
said, 'Bob, who is Emma?' He told me that Emma was the angel that helped birth
and start the whole prophetic movement in Kansas City in the 1980s. She was a
mothering-type angel that helped nurture the prophetic as it broke out. Within a
few weeks of Bob asking me about Emma, I was in a service in Beulah, North
Dakota. In the middle of the service I was in conversation with Ivan and another
person when in walks Emma. As I stared at the angel with open eyes, the Lord
said, 'Here's Emma.' I'm not kidding. She floated a couple of inches off the
floor. It was almost like Kathryn Khulman in those old videos when she wore a
white dress and looked like she was gliding across the platform. Emma appeared
beautiful and young - about 22 years old - but she was old at the same time. She
seemed to carry the wisdom, virtue and grace of Proverbs 31 on her life. She
glided into the room, emitting brilliant light and colors. Emma carried these
bags and began pulling gold out of them. Then, as she walked up and down the
aisles of the church, she began putting gold dust on people...Within three weeks
of that visitation, the church had given me the biggest offering I had ever
received to that point in my ministry. Thousands of dollars! Thousands!---
During this visitation the pastor's wife (it was an AOG church) got totally
whacked by the Holy Ghost - she began running around barking like a dog or
squawking like a chicken as a powerful prophetic spirit came on her. Also, as
this prophetic anointing came on her, she started getting phone numbers of
complete strangers and calling them up on the telephone and prophesying over
them... Then angels started showing up in the church."
Watch this clip of Todd Bentley and you tell me if you think he is a man of God?
Watching Bentley do his circus act is nauseating. He sells the theatrics of "professional wrestling" to gullible fools who think they are Christians.
So here's my take. This guy is not a pastor and he is not a man of God. The fact that he credits the Charismatic Catholic church for getting him started is disturbing to me and should be a warning to everyone who falls for that trap. It does not take a Bible scholar to know this guy is violent and does not follow God. Yet we have churches opening the doors and welcoming this man. It's a buffet for a wolf.
If you buy into this then you need some serious Godly counsel. We should not for a moment let this freak show designed to attract ratings and money be passed of as anything close to Christianity.
OBAMA PURGES CRITICISM OF SURGE FROM HIS WEBSITE
The excuse? “Campaign aide Wendy Morigi said Obama is "not softening his criticism of the surge. We regularly update the Web site to reflect changes in current events." (NY Daily News)
From McCain: “It is pretty clear that Senator Obama is … directly contradicting the statements that he made concerning the surge and the war in Iraq for a long period of time. And today we know Senator Obama was wrong. The surge has succeeded.” (FOX News)
Meanwhile, John McCain reacts to Obama’s decision to create Iraq war strategy before meeting with military leaders: "In my experience, fact-finding missions usually work best the other way around: first you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy." (ABC News)
BUSH SAYS “DRILL” AND OIL PRICE DROPS
From the story: Traders took a look at a feisty and aggressive George Bush and started selling the market well before a single new drop of oil has been lifted. What does this tell us? Well, if Congress moves to seal the deal, oil prices will probably keep on falling. That’s the way traders work. They discount the future. Psychology and expectations can turn on a dime. (NRO)Newt Gingrich offers 3 ways to drop the price of oil:
Check out American Solutions for Winning the Future, a unique non-partisan organization designed to rise above traditional gridlocked partisanship, to provide real, significant solutions to the most important issues facing our country.
Poll: Voters Don't Know Barack Obama Pro-Abortion, John McCain Pro-Life
(LifeNews.com): A new poll finds half of voters don't know that presidential candidate John McCain is pro-life on abortion or that Barack Obama is pro-abortion. The survey shows that, when pro-life voters know that information, they support McCain by a three-to-one margin.
A new poll from the Pew Research Center finds voters are more interested in the 2008 election than they were the 2004 election, but they are less informed on where the candidates stand.
Pew finds that just 52 percent of voters rightly identify Obama as pro-abortion ("pro-choice" in the poll's terminology") and only 45 percent know John McCain is pro-life on abortion.
Among pro-life voters who know where the two candidates stand, McCain trounces Obama by a whopping 70-24 percentage point margin. Surprisingly, Obama has a one percent lead (43-42 percent) among pro-life voters who are uninformed about their abortion positions.
I personally witnessed this same issue while manning phone banks and working the polls for Pat Toomey in 2004 - a surprising number of pro-life voters were not sure of the abortion position of Pat Toomey and Arlen Specter. This frustration was also echoed by the former Chairman of the Butler County Chapter of the PA Pro-Life Federation. He mentioned that people would walk up to the Pro-Life booth at the Butler Farm Show expressing their pro-life support, while carrying campaign materials for pro-abortion candidates.
A new poll from the Pew Research Center finds voters are more interested in the 2008 election than they were the 2004 election, but they are less informed on where the candidates stand.
Pew finds that just 52 percent of voters rightly identify Obama as pro-abortion ("pro-choice" in the poll's terminology") and only 45 percent know John McCain is pro-life on abortion.
Among pro-life voters who know where the two candidates stand, McCain trounces Obama by a whopping 70-24 percentage point margin. Surprisingly, Obama has a one percent lead (43-42 percent) among pro-life voters who are uninformed about their abortion positions.
I personally witnessed this same issue while manning phone banks and working the polls for Pat Toomey in 2004 - a surprising number of pro-life voters were not sure of the abortion position of Pat Toomey and Arlen Specter. This frustration was also echoed by the former Chairman of the Butler County Chapter of the PA Pro-Life Federation. He mentioned that people would walk up to the Pro-Life booth at the Butler Farm Show expressing their pro-life support, while carrying campaign materials for pro-abortion candidates.
Black and Goldman Sachs: $elling A Pittsburgh Legacy
After this season Yankee Stadium in New York will disappear. Closer to my home base, after 75 years of Pittsburgh Steelers ownership, the Rooneys' days of running the family business are over. Sorry Chief.It seems we don't value things much any more. There was a time when owners and players got into professional sports for the love of the game. Now it multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements, scandals, cheating, drugs and higher costs of doing business. Fans endure rising ticket prices and player strikes. It big business instead of a game and it's not fun. We are losing much more here.
When the gentlemen of the game exit and the investors take over, a bit of our culture is lost. Owners fight internal battles over revenue-sharing and the human side of it all gets lost. Dan Rooney has been a respected leader among NFL owners. That position is now fading and it's sad to see it go.
NFL teams are now required to interview at least one minority candidate for head coach openings, and that is known as ``the Rooney Rule.'' Dan Rooney was born the same year as the Steelers, in 1933, and grew up around such early NFL legends as Curly Lambeau of the Green Bay Packers and George Halas of the Chicago Bears. Those were the guys that brought football and the NFL to life.
``In some ways I think of myself as the Last Steeler, the last of the founding generation of the NFL,'' Rooney wrote. He's right. His family is trading in their piece of the team for gambling and fainacail interests. It's seem like a classic deal with the devil.
Dan Rooney only owns 16 percent of the team. His four brothers -- Timothy, Patrick, John and Art Jr. -- also each own 16 percent. That totals 80 percent of the Steelers, with the other 20 percent owned by the McGinley family.
This is no family handshake deal. The four Rooney brothers hired Goldman Sachs as an adviser. That firm values the Steelers at $800 million to $1.2 billion.
As far as Dan Rooney's role in the team once all the checks are cashed. That remains to be seen. Could we be bidding farewell to the "Last Steeler".....?
Wimps and Whiners
By Shaun Pierce
Former Senator Phil Gramm took some heat for saying the United States was only in a “mental recession” and that it had become a “nation of whiners.”
How dare he? We are not a nation of whiners. We are a nation of wimps AND whiners who want the government to ride in and fix everything. I have news for you, they can't fix the problem they created.
I don't like paying more for groceries. I don't like $4.00 a gallon gas. It makes me mad, but I have to eat and there are places that I must drive, so I pay the bill and watch my money in other areas.
The old saying "what goes up must come down" is true and it applies to the economy. I'm no expert, but I do understand that there are "market corrections" and every bubble at some point will pop. What that means is, if times are good enjoy them, but do so knowing that the winds of change will blow and you better be ready.
There was a time when every office had a typewriter. The typewriter guy was on top of the world. How many of those things do you think they sell today? Was the government expected to bailout the typewriter industry?
The majority of people losing their homes are people that bought beyond their means. They dove in to dangerous loans and got bit. The banks gave money to people that are not able to pay it back. They bet and lost. Boo hoo Uncle Sam save me.
That fact is, despite all the doom and gloom, we have it pretty darn good here. I may not have prime rib every night, but I do have food to eat and I bet you do as well. Yes, some of my wants have been pushed aside for needs, but I do have a roof over my head. I bet you do as well.
Politicians always want to "feel your pain". My pain is a minor cramp and not an axe in the head like some would have you believe.
President Bush just lifted the ban on oil drilling. Great, but why was there a ban to lift and why did it take so long? We had a gas shortage in this country in the 1970's. We should have been pumping oil for the past 30 years. There never should have been a ban in a free market economy. They handcuffed American companies. The blame for high oil prices goes back to every congress and presidential administration since Jimmy Carter.
Years ago we decided it was easier to write a check for oil then to get our own. The middle east gang pumped oil to us and we pumped zillions of dollars out of our country. Now that OPEC has by the gonads and threatening to raise prices to unthinkable levels if we drop a bomb on the head of wacko Iranian president Yaba-Daba-Do, people gasp. Well good morning Rip Van Winkle!
Put the American poor next to the poor in any third world county and we look like royalty. You have food stamps, shelters, subsidized housing, disability, welfare, job training & education, medicare, the list goes on. Working people pay for all this and it's stifling. Some really need help, others curl up to the federal mammary gland and never leave. That's destructive and wrong.
It's time we stopped moaning and groaning. If you want things to change stop bowing before the tree-huggers who would like to eradicate human kind so our flatulence doesn't upset the spotted owl. Stick a pipe in the ground in Alaska and let the polar bears fend for themselves. Plunge a drill into the sea bed and wave goodbye to OPEC. Don't vote for any person who won't get of their buttocks and get out of the way of American ingenuity and enterprise. The government is almost always the problem, not the solution.
The American people are the solution. We invented the car, the computer, space travel, the light bulb, telecommunications. We need to realize that government represents us, but they do not control us. When we forget that, we cease being productive and our dependence becomes lethal to the American Way. So let's get back to work and stop being a nation of wimps and a whiners.
Thank you Sen. Gramm for the reminder.
Former Senator Phil Gramm took some heat for saying the United States was only in a “mental recession” and that it had become a “nation of whiners.”
How dare he? We are not a nation of whiners. We are a nation of wimps AND whiners who want the government to ride in and fix everything. I have news for you, they can't fix the problem they created.
I don't like paying more for groceries. I don't like $4.00 a gallon gas. It makes me mad, but I have to eat and there are places that I must drive, so I pay the bill and watch my money in other areas.
The old saying "what goes up must come down" is true and it applies to the economy. I'm no expert, but I do understand that there are "market corrections" and every bubble at some point will pop. What that means is, if times are good enjoy them, but do so knowing that the winds of change will blow and you better be ready.
There was a time when every office had a typewriter. The typewriter guy was on top of the world. How many of those things do you think they sell today? Was the government expected to bailout the typewriter industry?
The majority of people losing their homes are people that bought beyond their means. They dove in to dangerous loans and got bit. The banks gave money to people that are not able to pay it back. They bet and lost. Boo hoo Uncle Sam save me.
That fact is, despite all the doom and gloom, we have it pretty darn good here. I may not have prime rib every night, but I do have food to eat and I bet you do as well. Yes, some of my wants have been pushed aside for needs, but I do have a roof over my head. I bet you do as well.
Politicians always want to "feel your pain". My pain is a minor cramp and not an axe in the head like some would have you believe.
President Bush just lifted the ban on oil drilling. Great, but why was there a ban to lift and why did it take so long? We had a gas shortage in this country in the 1970's. We should have been pumping oil for the past 30 years. There never should have been a ban in a free market economy. They handcuffed American companies. The blame for high oil prices goes back to every congress and presidential administration since Jimmy Carter.
Years ago we decided it was easier to write a check for oil then to get our own. The middle east gang pumped oil to us and we pumped zillions of dollars out of our country. Now that OPEC has by the gonads and threatening to raise prices to unthinkable levels if we drop a bomb on the head of wacko Iranian president Yaba-Daba-Do, people gasp. Well good morning Rip Van Winkle!
Put the American poor next to the poor in any third world county and we look like royalty. You have food stamps, shelters, subsidized housing, disability, welfare, job training & education, medicare, the list goes on. Working people pay for all this and it's stifling. Some really need help, others curl up to the federal mammary gland and never leave. That's destructive and wrong.
It's time we stopped moaning and groaning. If you want things to change stop bowing before the tree-huggers who would like to eradicate human kind so our flatulence doesn't upset the spotted owl. Stick a pipe in the ground in Alaska and let the polar bears fend for themselves. Plunge a drill into the sea bed and wave goodbye to OPEC. Don't vote for any person who won't get of their buttocks and get out of the way of American ingenuity and enterprise. The government is almost always the problem, not the solution.
The American people are the solution. We invented the car, the computer, space travel, the light bulb, telecommunications. We need to realize that government represents us, but they do not control us. When we forget that, we cease being productive and our dependence becomes lethal to the American Way. So let's get back to work and stop being a nation of wimps and a whiners.
Thank you Sen. Gramm for the reminder.
Gambling Mess
Gambling board slammed for ignoring red flags
State lawmakers on Monday demanded that the Gaming Control Board revoke the license of Don Barden for a North Shore casino because the majority ownership soon could change hands.
Revoke Barden casino license, senators urge
Two Pittsburgh-area legislators are urging state gaming regulators to revoke Don Barden's slots license and award a new Pittsburgh casino license based on "a competitive process that will include new applicants," who would complete what's already been started on the North Shore.
Mayor wants fast resolution to Pittsburgh slots license
Whatever happens to the troubled Pittsburgh casino project, the facility should remain on its under-construction North Shore site and all promises to the city, Penguins and neighborhood groups must be kept, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a wide-ranging press conference this morning marking his return from vacation.
State lawmakers on Monday demanded that the Gaming Control Board revoke the license of Don Barden for a North Shore casino because the majority ownership soon could change hands.
Revoke Barden casino license, senators urge
Two Pittsburgh-area legislators are urging state gaming regulators to revoke Don Barden's slots license and award a new Pittsburgh casino license based on "a competitive process that will include new applicants," who would complete what's already been started on the North Shore.
Mayor wants fast resolution to Pittsburgh slots license
Whatever happens to the troubled Pittsburgh casino project, the facility should remain on its under-construction North Shore site and all promises to the city, Penguins and neighborhood groups must be kept, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a wide-ranging press conference this morning marking his return from vacation.
Bonusgate tied to campaign against Nader
The tentacles of the Bonusgate scandal have spread to past presidential politics. Buried deep in the grand jury report, released last week, that led to the indictment of 12 people are details of what is described as a "massive" effort by House Democrats to oust the independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader from the ballot in 2004.
Read More
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A Plea for Help
I don't often ask my readers for financial support on things. From time to time I let you know about ministries that partner with our station.
I received an email from Fr, Frank Pavone from Priests for Life. He does great work on the part of the unborn and I had that pleasure of working with him and Sen. Rick Santorum a few years ago.
I'm going to post that email and ask you to prayerfully consider his request.
I received an email from Fr, Frank Pavone from Priests for Life. He does great work on the part of the unborn and I had that pleasure of working with him and Sen. Rick Santorum a few years ago.
I'm going to post that email and ask you to prayerfully consider his request.
Would you please click here to help Priests for Life today with a generous donation?
A short time ago the heralds of the culture of death touted the results of a poll conducted by Knowledge Networks, Yahoo and the Associated Press.
Did you see it? Or hear about it? Whether you did or didn’t doesn’t really matter right now because I’m to tell you all about it.
But before I do, there are two things I have to stress right now:
1. For all its faults, one thing the survey made very clear is the fact that we still have a lot of work to do if we are to WIN our fight over abortion.
2. Fortunately, Priests for Life has just come up with the very weapon that could ultimately bring about that much-anticipated victory.
To help get this weapon onto the field of battle, simply click here and follow the instructions.
Now here’s the Yahoo/AP survey ... and the weapon Priests for Life has developed.
According to the Yahoo/AP survey ...
... 66 percent of Americans want Roe v. Wade to remain in place, while only 32 percent want it overturned.
You read that correctly. 66 percent ... or two out of every three Americans. And the reason behind that result is painfully simple. Unlike you and me ...
... most of our fellow Americans do not know that Roe v Wade allows abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy ... and for any reason.
That, my friend, is abortion-on-demand. Period.
On the plus side, whenever Roe v Wade is put in those stark terms, the vast majority of our fellow Americans reject its extremist abortion policy.
Still, the fact remains that a significant number of Americans are under the false impression that all Roe v Wade did was make abortion legal in the first trimester of pregnancy.
In fact, that’s precisely what a 2006 study conducted by “the polling company” found. Their data shows that although 65% of participants said they were familiar with Roe v Wade, only 29% were able to select the most accurate description of the ruling from a list of four options. Their conclusion:
“Many Americans do not understand the full implication of the Roe vs. Wade decision – a fact many pro-choice groups choose to interpret as support for their cause. ... Simple information may be the first step in gaining the public’s support to change America’s abortion policy.”
I highlighted that last sentence because it dovetails perfectly into the new weapon I told you about at the beginning of this email.
You’ve heard me say that America will not end abortion until America sees abortion.
Well, Priests for Life has produced a series of videos that show America exactly what it is that Roe v Wade allows abortionists to do to defenseless unborn babies.
... and I need your immediate help so Priests for Life can get as many of our fellow Americans to see it as possible!
To be part of this historic undertaking ...
... just click here and follow the instructions!
Each video shows viewers exactly what happens to the child in the womb during three abortion procedures: (1) Suction Curettage; (2) Dismemberment D&E; (3) Prostaglandin. The videos are scientifically accurate. They are eye-opening. They are dramatic. And they are convincing.
And to those who support abortion, we ask, “When you say ‘abortion,’ is this what you mean?”
In just its first few weeks of release, over a quarter of a million people have watched one of the three videos in the series. And the response has been even better than I was expecting.
One man wrote:
“My God, before this video I was completely lost.... I was an ex-Catholic turned agnostic but this has changed me.”
Those who watch these videos are shocked. They are outraged. But most important of all ...
... they are energized and willing to help us WIN the fight to end abortion because they now understand how barbaric and unjust abortion truly is!
If you haven’t already seen one of these videos, I urge you to do so right now. Just click here and you will be taken to the “Is This What You Mean” site. Each video lasts about three minutes.
But it’s even more important that you help Priests for Life get millions of your fellow Americans to
watch these videos. That’s because, as the Yahoo/AP poll shows, when people hear the word “abortion” they think “right to choose.” They’ve been co-opted into the culture of death mentality. They’ve forgotten that “abortion” means the brutal tearing apart of an innocent unborn child in the womb.
Our task is to make sure that as many Americans as possible SEE what happens in every single abortion so that they will come to understand the full horror of abortion and join us in our fight to WIN the war to end abortion.
And what makes our work even more urgent is the looming November elections. Never was there a more critical time for our unborn brothers and sisters – or for our nation – than right now.
Priests for Life is going all out to make sure voters know exactly what’s at stake this November, ... especially regarding the Supreme Court where at least one vacancy, and possibly as many as three, will likely open up over the next four years.
Those elected to the White House and the US Senate will be responsible to fill those vacancies.
And as you will see for yourself when you watch “Is This What You Mean?”...
... this is the best way to bring voters over to our pro-life position!
At the same time, our video puts candidates on notice that they can no longer hide behind their morally bankrupt “personally opposed but” position on abortion. We will show these videos and ask these politicians, “Is this what you mean by abortion?”
Priests for Life is in urgent need of your help so we can maximize exposure of our cutting-edge “Is This What You Mean?” videos.
We have the ability to promote our video nationwide because we have full access to all the various means of communication:
a) On TV ... both on EWTN through our “Defending Life” series and on Sky Angel with our weekly “Gospel of Life” show. Combined, these programs are pumped into right around 100 million homes here in the U.S.
b) On radio ... PFL has its own “Life on the Line” program which is carried by Protestant radio stations in the top markets and has a potential listening audience in the tens of millions! We also produce special pro-life broadcasts that air on EWTN, Relevant Radio, Immaculate Heart Radio, and others ... that’s another 100 million plus potential listeners!
c) On the Internet ... not only our own award-winning website – www.priestsforlife.org (which attracts 200,000 visitors each month), but other pro-life websites that carry our resources. Plus, our bi-weekly e-newsletter is sent to over 50,000 readers ... and we send liturgical resources to priests and pastors around the country.
But it is extremely expensive to carry on all that work.
Your financial help is urgently needed RIGHT NOW so Priests for Life can press forward with this vital project, tear the mask off Roe v Wade, swell the ranks of our pro-life movement, and launch yet another frontal assault on the gates of hell.
So please click here to help support this vital initiative!
There is no more important or more worthy pro-life project for you to support at this critical time than Priests for Life’s “Is This What You Mean?” videos.
In just the short time these videos have been on the Internet, they’ve produced abundant fruit. Hearts are softened. Minds are changed. Eyes are opened. Spirits are uplifted. And people are energized to help us WIN the fight to end abortion.
That said I urge you to be as generous as you possibly can today. Hold nothing back. 2008 marks the moment of truth for America.
And you have a leading role to play in guiding your fellow Americans out of the darkness of the abortion lie and into the light of God’s loving Truth. So again I ask that you support our work here at Priests for Life with the largest gift you can ... and that you do so today.
Thank you again for your faithful support – both your prayers and your financial gifts. In grateful thanks to God for you, I remember you at each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that I offer; as do all the priests of Priests for Life. God bless you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
National Director, Gospel of Life Ministries
If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Priests for Life and send it to us at PO
Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314. If you have any questions, you may call us toll-free at 888-735-3448
ALL Report
In continuing our coverage of the scandal in Richmond, VA where four employees of a Catholic Charities actually helped a teenaged Guatemalan immigrant obtain an abortion, the latest ALL Report provides the latest details.
WHY WALL STREET FEARS OBAMA
OBAMA EXPLAINS IRAQ PLAN IN OP-ED
He claims “those responsible for the greatest strategic blunder in the recent history of American foreign policy have ignored useful debate in favor of making false charges about flip-flops and surrender.” (NY Times) The McCain campaign took apart the op-ed. (McCain)
Obama likely sees his flip-flopping image is hurting him in the polls. (Washington Times)
Obama likely sees his flip-flopping image is hurting him in the polls. (Washington Times)
BUSH LIFTS EXECUTIVE BAN ON OFFSHORE DRILLING
Now it’s up to congress. (FOX News) From another story: Democratic leaders have refused to schedule even a single hearing on the topic. House Appropriations Chairman David Obey recently shut down the annual budget process rather than allow Republicans to offer drilling amendments. He and the Speaker know that if they allow a vote, moderate Democrats are sure to defect and the offshore moratorium could end. (WSJ)
From Obama’s camp: “It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen fromWashington
From Obama’s camp: “It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from
Can You See Me Naked Now?
From the story: One of the largest cell phone companies in the nation is asking young people to perform videotaped stripteases to music and broadcast them across the world for charity.
Virgin Mobile's "Strip2Clothe" website displays the campaign slogan, "You take off yours, we donate ours" and "Somewhere someone out there needs clothes more than you." It promises to make a clothing donation to homeless youth every time five people watch the striptease videos.
The website asks that there be no cursing or full nudity. "Think bathing suit, not birthday suit," it says. However, several entries feature young women dancing in bras and panties. Read more…
Sounds like a pedophile marketing campaign if there ever was one!
Virgin Mobile's "Strip2Clothe" website displays the campaign slogan, "You take off yours, we donate ours" and "Somewhere someone out there needs clothes more than you." It promises to make a clothing donation to homeless youth every time five people watch the striptease videos.
The website asks that there be no cursing or full nudity. "Think bathing suit, not birthday suit," it says. However, several entries feature young women dancing in bras and panties. Read more…
Sounds like a pedophile marketing campaign if there ever was one!
Obama’s Catholic Refuses To Be Interviewed
According to the Catholic News Agency: “Mark Linton, director of Catholic Outreach for the Obama Campaign, refused to appear on a Catholic radio show to explain Obama’s views regarding abortion and address his accusations of supporting infanticide.”
Ferlo, Orie ask for new Pittsburgh casino bids
Two state senators from the Pittsburgh area want the state Gaming Control Board to revoke the license issued to Don Barden and reopen the Pittsburgh casino license "to a competitive process that will include new applicants."
Sens. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, and Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, sent a letter today to board Chairwoman Mary D. Colins urging the board not to hastily approve a refinancing plan being sought by casino license holder Don Barden, who is ceding control of his Majestic Star casino project to an investors' group from Chicago.
Ms. Orie and Mr. Ferlo called the potential transfer of the slots license to the new group a "last-minute bait and switch," and "unacceptable."
They called the Barden refinancing request "a blatant attempt to force this board into hastily approving a financial bailout without any public scrutiny or input."
They maintained that the Barden casino license, due to his ongoing financing problems, "is no longer financially viable. The proper response of this board is to revoke the license issued to (Mr. Barden)" and then "re-open the license to a competitive process that will include new applicants."
Mr. Barden defeated two other applicants, Isle of Capri and Forest City, when he won the slots license in December 2006.
Board spokesman Doug Harbach said the board "has the power to revoke, suspend or add further conditions to" a license, but said the Barden situation is still under study and he couldn't comment further.
Barden still is trying to finalize a deal with a group headed by Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm and could ask the gaming board for approval of the license transfer later this week.
Story
Sens. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, and Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, sent a letter today to board Chairwoman Mary D. Colins urging the board not to hastily approve a refinancing plan being sought by casino license holder Don Barden, who is ceding control of his Majestic Star casino project to an investors' group from Chicago.
Ms. Orie and Mr. Ferlo called the potential transfer of the slots license to the new group a "last-minute bait and switch," and "unacceptable."
They called the Barden refinancing request "a blatant attempt to force this board into hastily approving a financial bailout without any public scrutiny or input."
They maintained that the Barden casino license, due to his ongoing financing problems, "is no longer financially viable. The proper response of this board is to revoke the license issued to (Mr. Barden)" and then "re-open the license to a competitive process that will include new applicants."
Mr. Barden defeated two other applicants, Isle of Capri and Forest City, when he won the slots license in December 2006.
Board spokesman Doug Harbach said the board "has the power to revoke, suspend or add further conditions to" a license, but said the Barden situation is still under study and he couldn't comment further.
Barden still is trying to finalize a deal with a group headed by Chicago billionaire Neil Bluhm and could ask the gaming board for approval of the license transfer later this week.
Story
Rendell pressed to call Legislature to session on ethics
A state senator from Harrisburg will ask Gov. Ed Rendell today to call a special session of the Legislature for September-October to revise General Assembly ethics and try to restore public confidence in the wake of the widening "bonusgate" scandal. Read More
How did the state bonus scandal happen?
The payroll bonus scandal, which boiled down to state employees being dragooned into working political campaigns on state hours, then being rewarded with millions of dollars in year-end pay bonuses from the state coffers, also unfolded as a textbook case of fevered political atmospherics amid a breakdown in the managerial system that oversaw the operation of the Democratic caucus, say insiders now assigned to fix what is broken. Read More
Dem Blocks Cross-State Child Abortion Act Hearing
From the story: Republicans held an “unofficial” hearing on a bill that would make it a crime for minors to be transported across state lines for an abortion without parental consent after the committee chairman blocked a hearing on the measure.
The legislation makes it a federal offense, punishable by a fine or prison term of up to one year, if a physician performs an abortion on an out-of-state minor in violation of parental notification requirements. It provides an exception for an abortion necessary to save the life of a minor.
“We are here today at a Republican forum, rather than at an official Judiciary Committee hearing, because the Democratic majority has refused to address an issue that polls show greatly concern parents nationwide,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. Read more…
The legislation makes it a federal offense, punishable by a fine or prison term of up to one year, if a physician performs an abortion on an out-of-state minor in violation of parental notification requirements. It provides an exception for an abortion necessary to save the life of a minor.
“We are here today at a Republican forum, rather than at an official Judiciary Committee hearing, because the Democratic majority has refused to address an issue that polls show greatly concern parents nationwide,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. Read more…
Kenneth Copeland Ministries / Eagle Mountain International Church Responds to Senator Grassley
Eagle Mountain International Church/Kenneth Copeland Ministries (the "Church") has reviewed Senator Grassley's July 7, 2008, "Memorandum to Reporters and Editors" on the status of the responses and level of cooperation received from the six church ministries who are the subject of the Senator's investigation that began in November 2007.
The Church's position continues to be that it has responded to the request of Senator Grassley in good faith and to the greatest extent possible without compromising the privacy, confidentiality, and freedom of association rights and protections afforded to the Church by the United States Constitution and the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").
As stated in the Church's letters of December 6, 2007, and March 31, 2008, to Senators Grassley and Baucus, and in discussions with Committee staff members, the Church continues to believe that the most timely and efficient way for the Committee to obtain the requested confidential information -- without compromising the universally recognized fundamental constitutional and statutorily based rights of this Church and all religious institutions -- is for the IRS to request and obtain the information through a "church tax inquiry" under section 7611 of the Code. At the completion of the 90-day inquiry period provided by section 7611 of the Code, the IRS would have in its possession and available for disclosure to Senator Grassley all of the confidential information, including financial data, Senator Grassley is seeking from the Church.
Through this well-established statutory process, Senator Grassley and his staff could then obtain all of the information they seek through a request made under section 6103 of the Code, which would provide the Church with the confidentiality protections to which it is entitled. Had the Senator pursued this course suggested by the Church back in December, he would have the information he is seeking available to him at this time. The Senator's suggestion that the Church or its attorneys are being uncooperative or seeking to prolong the process is simply untrue.
Indeed, in an effort to expedite the process, in April the Church took the unprecedented step of pledging its cooperation to the IRS should the IRS undertake a church tax inquiry of the Church. Church and KCM CEO John Copeland said in a statement following his delivery of the letter to IRS offices in Dallas: "We told the IRS that we welcome them to come and make inquiry of us and we will provide answers to the IRS regarding questions that Senator Grassley has. The Church desires to protect its and all other churches' First Amendment rights, and by this action, we believe we are doing just that."
The Church respects the oversight role of the Senate Finance Committee and specifically the many efforts of Senator Grassley to provide oversight of tax-exempt organizations. Indeed, the Church has voluntarily adopted and adheres to policies and procedures that the Senator has publicly suggested over the years are appropriate governance practices for tax-exempt organizations.
However, the Church respectfully disagrees with Senator Grassley's position that churches are no different from any other tax-exempt organization. Any government inquiry into the affairs of a church raises serious constitutional issues that must be carefully balanced against the government's need to evaluate the effectiveness of the laws of the land. To ensure its constitutional rights are not unnecessarily infringed upon, the Church firmly believes that it must be given the protections from disclosure afforded by the federal tax laws and the benefit of the processes and procedures that apply to inquires of churches made by the IRS. Without such confidentiality and due process of law, the potential exists for the information to be used in an effort to damage or attempt to embarrass the Church, its pastors, and its members. Any such use of the information provided interferes with, and ultimately threatens, the religious liberties of this Church, the thousands of other Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches who preach the "Word of Faith" message, and all other churches -- irrespective of their particular doctrine or faith.
DICAPRIO CRITICIZED FOR WASTE IN GLOBAL WARMING CAMPAIGN
Irony many of those on the left face. From the story: The package contains a one-page letter from DiCaprio; two pages from Frances Beinecke, president of the NRDC; a flyer for a free Save the Polar Bear! bag; a donation form and petition to have the animals listed as an endangered species; and a return envelope. The star has been criticised for the waste of paper and the hypocrisy of the situation - because he helped to spearhead the national Do Not Mail Registry campaign to ban junk mail earlier this year
OBAMA SLIPS IN POLLS
12 face charges in bonus scandal
Grand jurors cataloged what they described as a culture of corruption that allowed former state Rep. Michael Veon, current Rep. Sean Ramaley and 10 current and former Democratic staffers to divert millions of dollars in state resources, including more than $1 million in illegal pay bonuses. Read MoreCitizen activist Gene Stilp said it doesn't make him happy to find out his suspicions were well-founded. Mr. Stilp, head of Taxpayers and Ratepayers United, asked Attorney General Tom Corbett in late January 2007 to investigate whether nearly $4 million in taxpayer funds were paid out in 2005 and 2006 as "illegal bonuses for political campaign work." Read More
A Losing Bet: The Pittsburgh Casino Game
Something stinks in Pittsburgh and it's coming from a half built casino. It's also coming out of Harrisburg.Whatever your stance on gambling, it's approved, it's here and I don't see it going away. When this whole thing started, Pittsburgh had some big names with deep pockets bidding for the chance to bring the one armed bandits to town. The problem is two armed bandits from Governor Rendell to the Gaming Board members stuck their greedy little fingers in the deal.
Both losing bidders were better known and well-financed. Isle of Capri was going to build a $300 million dollar casino gambling facility in Pittsburgh and toss in a free arena for the Penguins. In a letter to the state Gaming Control Board, the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force said the Isle of Capri proposal stood out among the three competing for the coveted casino license. No thanks said the state.
Harrah's also bid and was turned down. Only to later lend money to Don Barden. Apollo Strategic Value Fund LP, which has committed $150 million toward the slots parlor's financing, is part of Apollo Management, one of two private equity firms that acquired Harrah's for $17.1 billion. Harrah's owns a 50 percent stake in Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, near Philadelphia.
So Barden won the prize. Just that fact is puzzling. Don Barden has borrowed money to the hilt. He just defaulted on a $200 million dollar loan. That's not good for your FICO score Don. Yet our government officials placed a big bet on him. Why? What's their payout? They gave him approval despite several concerning facts. Barden was part of a federal investigation in the mid-1990s. That's just the beginning.
In 2005, a federal appeals court ruled Barden's casino in Mississippi committed reverse discrimination by firing a white human resources director and replacing him with a less-experienced black employee.
In 1996, Detroit newspapers reported that a federal elections commission investigation determined that Barden co-signed an illegal loan for $50,000 to a Detroit congresswoman.
In Gary, IN city officials expressed anger when they learned that Barden negotiated a deal with the outgoing mayor to cut his casino's monthly payments to the city. Following those negotiations, former Gary Mayor Scott King went to work for Barden.
I could not help but wonder if Mr. Barden helped fund the gubernatorial campaign for a certain Philadelphia Mayor? From what I found, it doesn't appear that Barden has made any contributions to Pennsylvania politicians. However, he is friendly with Bill DeWeese who is the Democrat Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. DeWeese reportedly was Barden's guest at the Super Bowl in Detroit.
Now after construction has stopped because of lack of payment, Don Barden has been forced to give 75% control of the half built casino. So who's rides in to scoop up control here? Chicago real estate billionaire investor Neil G. Bluhm.
Bluhm's group is scrambling to keep their own financial backers after failing to earn a license for a planned racetrack and casino in Lawrence County. Still, to rescue Barden, Bluhm and his partners plan to invest $120 million.
Why would a guy with his own financial issues dump $120 million into a volatile project already under scrutiny? Because the gaming board begged him to. Board members urged Bluhm to move quickly to get construction started again. "Come through for us," board member Kenneth McCabe told him.
Bluhm's group Centaur has a financial agreement with a consortium of banks. That agreement stipulates that the Lawrence County project get a $50 million license by July 15, 2008 or risk violating the terms of the loans. Centaur already holds a state harness-racing license for Valley View Downs racetrack and casino, which is planned about 55 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
That's potentially one guy controlling 3 possible casinos in the area. But wait, there's more!
Bluhm is majority owner of Walton Street Capital who is listed as an investor in the proposed SugarHouse Casino on the Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia. Construction on the project has been stalled by legal issues and neighborhood opposition since December 2006, when Bluhm and his team won one of two city licenses to build a stand-alone slots parlor in Philadelphia.
Now we are up to one guy having 4 casinos in Pennsylvainia and the main one just happens to be in Philadelphia. How nice for Gov. Rendell. Under Pennsylvania's gambling law, a majority owner of one casino site can have up to a 33.3 percent equity stake in another project. This is shady at best.
Dan Onorato & Luke Ravenstahl issues a statement on Majestic Star Casino:
“We are concerned about the recent issues regarding the casino, its ownership and finances. The residents of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County deserve to be informed about any changes in ownership or commitments made by the licensee. Therefore, we are requesting a presentation by the Gaming Control Board to explain the proposed changes and whether they will affect the casino’s construction timeline and opening date, as well as the funding of the new multi-purpose arena.”
There are a ton of questions and very few answers. Harrah's and Isle of Capri should be sent a note of apology and invited back to the table. Make this wide open for all to see. Forget these sleazy back door deals that leave you guessing as to who's getting paid.
The state has already placed a huge bet with our money and it's looks like they picked a 3 legged, blind horse to run their race. It's time for an investigation into all this.
There was concern about the tie between organized crime & gambling. That concern should include our elected officials in charge of this mess and the gaming board. We will be watching.
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