Michele McGinty: May 2009 Archives

I'm not surprised they backed down because they were facing a lawsuit that they couldn't win, plus the media storm that descended on them was probably way too much:

Broyles said he's been fielding media calls nonstop.

"It's been hard to do anything else but to handle the phone calls and media interviews," he said. "It's been crazy, back to back to back to back."

As I mentioned yesterday, they might want to give remedial training on the constitution to their clerks to avoid such an embarrassing and costly mistake in the future.

They're blaming the whole thing on traffic issues but according to the lawyer for Pastor David Jones, the homeowner, that issue was never discussed:

Dean Broyles, president of the Western Center for Law & Policy, a nonprofit organization in Escondido that supports religious liberty, is representing the Joneses. He said traffic issues were not raised when the code enforcement officer first visited the Joneses in response to the complaint. The warning itself does not mention traffic or parking problems.

"Even though the county is saying it's about traffic and parking, it's a fake issue. It's a fabricated issue," Broyles said.

According to Broyles, the code enforcement officer asked a series of pointed questions during her visit with the Joneses - questions such as, "Do you sing?" "Do you say 'amen?' " "Do you say 'praise the Lord?' "

Clearly, they were targeting them because they were holding a Bible study. In this country, that's unconstitutional. And I'm thanking the Lord for that :-)

In a new study they found that certain anti-depressants (Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft) can wipe out the benefits of using tamoxifen:

Breast cancer survivors risk having their disease come back if they use certain antidepressants while also taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen, worrisome new research shows.

About 500,000 women in the United States take tamoxifen, which cuts in half the chances of a breast cancer recurrence. Many of them also take antidepressants for hot flashes, because hormone pills aren't considered safe after breast cancer.

[...]

Breast cancer recurred in about 7 percent of women on tamoxifen alone, and in 14 percent of women also taking other drugs that could interfere -- mainly the antidepressants Paxil and Prozac, and, to a lesser extent, Zoloft.

It seems that the lefties are finally waking up to the fact that Obama is just another politician who doesn't keep his promises. Ted Rall of all people is ticked that he isn't getting hope and change but more of the Bush administration:

We expected broken promises. But the gap between the soaring expectations that accompanied Barack Obama's inauguration and his wretched performance is the broadest such chasm in recent historical memory. This guy makes Bill Clinton look like a paragon of integrity and follow-through.

From health care to torture to the economy to war, Obama has reneged on pledges real and implied.

[...]

Obama is useless. Worse than that, he's dangerous. Which is why, if he has any patriotism left after the thousands of meetings he has sat through with corporate contributors, blood-sucking lobbyists and corrupt politicians, he ought to step down now -- before he drags us further into the abyss.

I agree with Matt Lewis that "Frank the Firefighter" is a useful tool for Republicans to fight emotionalism with emotionalism but they should also point out Sotomayor fails Obama's empathy requirement:

"I will seek someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a casebook; it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people's lives, whether they can make a living and care for their families, whether they feel safe in their homes and welcome in their own nation," Obama said. "I view that quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people's hopes and struggles, as an essential ingredient for arriving at just decisions and outcomes."

During the campaign, the president cited Brown v. Board of Education as an example where justices used empathy to right a legal wrong.

According to Lewis, Frank studied hard for the test to be promoted but was denied promotion because of the color of his skin. She fails at the very things Obama lists as qualifications. If I were a Republican Senator, I would be looking at all of her cases to determine just how empathic she is.

Surely Gehenna has frozen over. Do you think this is one of the signs of the apocalypse?

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships hosted adoption leaders from across the country Wednesday to talk about how to better serve the needs of kids in foster care.

Kelly Rosati, adoptive mother of four and senior director of Focus on the Family's Sanctity of Human Life department, was among those in attendance.

"The Obama administration is really listening," she said, "and wanted to know from those on the front lines what could be better done to serve the kids in America's foster care system."

Actually, I think it's a very good idea for Christian organizations to work with the president in areas in which they agree as long as he doesn't use them for propaganda purposes (as he did with the Cole and 9/11 families). I'm just shocked that Focus on the Family would do it :-) And since the Christians have been praying for the foster care system, it's smart to be part of the talks involving the adoption of the kids in the system. Better to be part of the discussion than sitting on the sidelines criticizing.

You'd think the commander-in-chief would know about such things. If this was Bush, the lefties, Leno and Letterman would be howling about how clueless the president was but they'll ignore it since it's Obama: Obama: What do you do Walter?...

She makes a good case for why the Tea Parties are not a personal attack on Obama just because he's black. (via)...

So, what happened to our right to assemble and to practice our religion? I think this clerk needs a remedial course on the Constitution. Broyles said, "The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said,...

Back from the brink? And yet we had the biggest drop in tax revenue since 1981: Federal tax revenue plunged $138 billion, or 34%, in April vs. a year ago -- the biggest April drop since 1981, a study released...

All of the citizens of California, lefties, the rightwing and the gay community, should be thankful for the California Supreme Court's decision concerning Prop 8. Democracy prevailed! As the SF Gate notes: California's voters, not its courts, are the final...

So, I wasn't able to blog. I wanted to blog about the prop. 8 decision but I didn't get the chance (my mother-in-law and I talked too much this morning) and now I have to go to the rehearsal for...

Doesn't sound that interesting: The show would harness Twitter to put players on the trail of celebrities in an interactive, competitive format....

Apparently, it contains the coca leaf which is used to make cocaine: "The [Health Institute in the state of North Rhine Westphalia] examined Red Bull Cola in an elaborate chemical process and found traces of cocaine," Bernhard Kuehnle, head of...

They're calling it a relaunch but Joss Whedon isn't involved so why bother? A new incarnation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" could be coming to the big screen. "Buffy" creator Joss Whedon isn't involved and it's not set up at...

Mike Tyson's 4-year-old daughter is on life support: The girl's 7-year-old brother found her on a treadmill with her neck on a cable attached to the exercise machine at their Phoenix home, police Sgt. Andy Hill said, calling it a...

When I saw this tweet from Mark Knoller: WH says Pres. Obama paused for a moment of silent prayer at 3pm on the golf course to honor America's fallen military personnel. I thought of this: ESV Matthew 6:1 "Beware of...

I hope everyone is enjoying their day off and at least pausing long enough to remember those who gave their life so that we can live in freedom. We thank them for their sacrifice and appreciate their love for this...

OK, greenies. Here's the situation, you have to switch from lambs to cows (or chicken and pork), Even though they are smaller, they generate more CO2 than cows. Also, you have to give up Hot House tomatoes because they generate...

So did the cute singing ballerina. I cried through the whole video! (via)...

This man is either clueless or is so on message that he'll answer any question with "health care costs:" SCULLY: You know the numbers, $1.7 trillion debt, a national deficit of $11 trillion. At what point do we run out...

From Obama's Memorial Day weekend address: "Our fighting men and women - and the military families who love them - embody what is best in America," Obama said. "And we have a responsibility to serve all of them as well...

So, who knew Obama would be such a pro-gun president? Everyone is out buying guns because they think he's going to confiscate them but here he is signing a bill that allows gun owners with carry permits to carry loaded...

There is no reason to legislate a special year for the Bible, the government has no say over it's importance in history or in our lives. That history, literature and society has been impacted by it, is quite evident. The...

Someone looking for something (or someone -- I was just watching "In Plain Sight") or a kid hacking? Law enforcement computers were struck by a Mystery computer virus Thursday, forcing the FBI and the U.S. Marshals to shut down part...

If you haven't read his article go read it. It will be amusing to both the left and the right. It's about his reaction to protesters who passed by a fancy restaurant that overlooked the beach they were marching on...

He suggested I have the port removed from my chest as soon as we are done with the treatment and I will only need to see him every three months. I think he suggested I take out the port because...

Yes, it's certainly an Internet wide phenomenon: Most people are adamant: They would never do it. Ever. Never deliberately inflict pain on another person, just to obtain information. Ever artificially inflate the value of some financial product, just to take...

Well, Biden has outdid himself this time. This is one gaffe that might just get him killed. He just revealed the location he might have to go to if his life is threatened. According to a report, while recently attending...

Why do they always cancel the really excellent shows like "The Terminator" and leave the crappy ones like "Howie Do It?" I haven't seen the last three episodes and now I'm wondering if it's worth it. And I can't understand...

While I agree that it's a good idea for us to pray for these kids in the foster care system and for the men and women who work with the kids, I think we should also encourage our state representatives...

Now instead of getting more money from this guy, NY loses over $13 thousand a day in revenue. Really silly to tax the wealthy beyond what they are willing to pay when there are states like Florida that do not...

You be the judge. How many times has this happened at the NY Times? Can't they keep their writers in line? Dowd's excuse? A friend told her the line but didn't mention that it wasn't original: i was talking to...

OK, I'm just not buying that it should cost the same amount for an e-book as it does for a hardcover book. David Baldacci, the best-selling thriller author, learned what some of his fans think when "First Family," his latest...

How cool is it that the an Atlantis crew member is tweeting from space as they fix the Hubble telescope: Massimo said in posts earlier this week that he was enjoying the magnificent views in space. Massimo's message appeared on...

Lefties, it's time to rejoice! You have won, Dobson has thrown in the towel: I want to tell you up front that we're not going to ask you to do anything, to make a phone call or to write a...

I completed my final final this morning. I'm done and I'm so thankful I never have to study for another Hebrew quiz or an OT final ever again. Yes! I was going crazy this week studying for this final, I...

Apparently they don't want him speaking at Notre Dame. Read about it here. I'd be surprised if they pulled the plug since it's rather late for them to be canceling. I don't think they want to be rude to the...

Over her lies on not being informed about waterboarding. Pretty funny! I have to admit that I laughed the hardest over his grammar humor: The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10cWaffle Housethedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesEconomic CrisisPolitical...

He wants people prosecuted for torture? Well, he approved of it (transcript here): Here's the video where he calls for prosecution: Looks like Eric Holder is going to be very busy....

If she has the same position as the president of the United States, it really isn't that far out of the mainstream, hmmm?"It's the same answer that the president of the United States gave," Trump said. "She gave an honorable...

Drink up, lefties. You want, you pay for it: Senate leaders are considering new federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system. The taxes would pay for only a...

It seems that Obama's stimulus plan isn't very stimulating when it comes to jobs, 2.055 million lost in his first 100 days and now the states are going to add to that total by laying off workers despite Obama's attempts...

His reaction when asked about it by the WH press corps (i.e., the Obama lapdogs): Gibbs said "a lot of topics are better left for serious reflection rather than comedy. I don't think there's any doubt that 9/11 is a...

Here. Vanhoozer is moving to Wheaton College and Graduate School. If you don't know who Vanhoozer is, go read his book :-)...

Dr. David Powlison on long term suffering including his own. He's statement that we look at suffering as a moment and not a condition is incredibly insightful. We look at suffering as just something we have to get through until...

To all the moms out there, I hope you enjoy your day and get to relax and be pampered by your children. I plan on studying for my final, which is how I celebrate it every year since I started...

It is absolutely amazing to me that anyone would be shocked by Obama's desire to even the playing field, to end this "unfair system" where the rich get richer and the poor never get a break. Maybe they thought he...

You better check out the new CSPC Publication #254 for violations that you might commit selling your stuff to your fellow citizen: This handbook will help sellers of used products identify types of potentially hazardous products that could harm children...

So, I've been studying the Song of Songs and thought I'd share what I've been learning. I've been reading various articles about the Song of Songs and the various ways that it's been interpreted over the years. C. Lloyd Carr's...

The money shot ($357,012 to be exact): Louis Caldera, the who supposedly was in charge of the shoot has resigned: "I have concluded that the controversy surrounding the Presidential Airlift Group's aerial photo shoot over New York City has made...

Of course Perez Hilton won't be calling Obama a dumb *expletive deleted* for his position: Yesterday we asked White House press secretary Robert Gibbs about Maine's new same sex marriage law, to little avail. Gibbs reiterated President Obama's support for...

I (via)...

This shouldn't surprise anyone with Obama and the Democrats spending trillions of dollars in deficits for years to come and now it just became more expensive for them to do so: Weak demand at a Treasury bond auction touched off...

Yet another campaign promise broken:Leading disease experts said President Barack Obama's 2010 budget proposal for global health falls far short of what is needed to combat the deadly twin epidemics of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Details on global health spending were...

Since you can get the ESV for free on the Kindle, why pay $16.75? I have both but prefer OliveTree for the reasons listed here plus the fact that I'm eventually going to buy (when I get more iTunes cards)...

Check out the pictures of a "1:100-scale model of Herod's Temple" that took 30 years to build. I like interior photography....

How about he starts with his own? How big is his car? What type of house does he own? How many houses does he own? How much money does he drop in a week for his toys? Does he go...

Sorry, lefties it looks like you won't be getting your pound of flesh: The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility is recommending that two Bush administration lawyers who wrote memos authorizing harsh interrogation methods against detainees be disciplined by state...

That's the name of Michael Horton's forthcoming book and the series of lectures based on it that he gave at the Spring Theology Conference of the Reformation Society of Oregon. You can listen to the MP3s here....

If I were this reporter, I would be so embarrassed by this article. It is the most banal reporting I've ever read: The two leaders waited in line and then went right up to the counter where the meat was...

Excuse me while I engage in a little Schadenfreude: Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! The Senate dealt a blow tonight to Sen. Arlen Specter's hold on seniority in several key committees, a week after the Pennsylvanian's party switch placed Democrats on the precipice of...

OMH! How funny is it that they actually banned Michael Savage in the UK? They let in radical Islamist imams but not a talk show host: Talk radio host Michael Savage is considering legal action against Britain's top homeland security...

On a variety of topics: Satan, women in ministry, heaven, the pomo movement, etc. (via)...

House Democrats have dropped funding because Obama doesn't have a plan in place. If this was such a priority, you'd think Obama would have planned what to do with the enemy combatants. Must not be too high on his priority...

For those making a big deal about the press standing for Obama when they didn't for Bush, here's an explanation. (via)...

I haven't commented on the Pew torture survey yet because I couldn't figure out why Christians who attended church regularly were more likely to favor torture. My guess is that there probably isn't one specific answer to that question (check...

I would find this so distracting and I'm not sure how edifying it would be to read what other people are saying while I'm trying to listen to the sermon. Can't we just sit and listen for a change and...

OMH! This is so wrong on so many levels. There is nothing about America in the Bible and this is clearly a confusion of the kingdom of this world with the kingdom of God. Save your money, rightwing Christians!...

Wow! Pretty honest of them to admit it. It's smart to admit the weakness of your arguments and abandon them so that you can focus on those that are more robust. (via)...

Jake Tapper, one of the few reporters covering the White House who you could trust to actually ask the tough questions, is reporting that the White House denies the claims of the attorney who claimed his client was threatened with...

He had been diagnosed around the same time I was told I had a tumor. I haven't been able to find out what type of cancer he had but it had spread to several locations when it was discovered. Here's...

If they didn't back down from their demands. This according to an attorney representing some of the Chrysler bondholders: Lauria: Let me tell you it's no fun standing on this side of the fence opposing the President of the United...

Here's the extra credit question for an Introduction to Computer Applications for Business course:Bonus Question 02 - What Book in the Bible describes the End Times (i.e. The Seven Seals, Tribulation, Armageddon, etc.)? A. Revelations B. Joshua C. Galatians D....

Wouldn't all weapons be a "direct affront to God's dream of shalom?" Why only nuclear weapons? "Nuclear weapons are a direct affront to God's dream of shalom for the world," Bell said Tuesday. "Life is beautiful, and nuclear weapons are...