Mood:
irritatedTopic: Lib Loser Stories
Wienbaum is almost as big an ass as Newdow. How long till the lawsuit-morons sue the city to change their name? Las Cruces is Spanish for "The Crosses."
Lawsuit seeks removal of crosses from Las Cruces city logo
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The city of Las Cruces' official emblem has three crosses that a federal lawsuit alleges are unconstitutional religious symbols on public property. The lawsuit, filed Sept. 16 in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque, seeks the removal of the crosses. "The crosses serve no governmental purpose other than to disenfranchise and discredit non-Christian citizens," said the lawsuit filed by Paul F. Weinbaum, who lives in the Las Cruces area, and Martin J. Boyd of Las Cruces. Defendants include city officials, city councilors, Mayor Bill Mattiace, District Attorney Susana Martinez, state Attorney General Patricia Madrid and Gov. Bill Richardson. "We have had to defend ourselves before and we're ready to do it again," Mattiace said. "The crosses have a basis for being in our logo. We will hold course and will defend that," he said. Las Cruces is Spanish for "The Crosses." Fermin Rubio, city attorney, said the lawsuit did not raise any new issues since attempts were made in 2003 to prevent the city from using the logo. The state Highway and Transportation Department, now the Department of Transportation, had announced that the logos would be removed from two state highway underpasses.
But Richardson ordered the agency not to remove the logo from state roads, saying it represents a historical event and is a point of pride for Las Cruces residents.
Jon Goldstein, a spokesman for Richardson, said Tuesday the governor's office had received a copy of the lawsuit, but he declined comment until staff members and attorneys for the governor reviewed it.
The lawsuit alleges the emblem violates the First Amendment by placing religious symbols on public property and spending public money to promote religion.
The lawsuit also accuses the city of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by requiring prospective employees to sign job applications that include a religious symbol.
Weinbaum and Boyd accuse the city of invading the privacy of their homes with government-sponsored proselytizing.
Weinbaum and Boyd said they have been made to feel excluded from public participation in government activities.
"This symbol serves no governmental purpose other than to be divisive, to alienate, and disenfranchise Weinbaum, his minor daughter and Boyd," the lawsuit says.
Weinbaum said he just wants the city to quit using the logo.
"The point here is that this is not for profit whatsoever," he said of the lawsuit. "We want our First Amendment rights back, our full rights as citizens."
The City Council never has voted on adopting the symbol for official use, the lawsuit says.
City officials cannot provide any historical documentation to back its claim that the crosses represent the history and people of the city, the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. Magistrate Lourdes Martinez of Las Cruces. No court hearings have been scheduled.
Free New Mexican ~ Associated Press ** Lawsuit seeks removal of crosses from Las Cruces city logo
Posted by uhyw
at 12:51 AM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 1:24 AM EDT
chatty
Kerry's not-so-amazing race, on film
But people who've screened the documentary say it's compelling and revealing.
It features, among other not-ready-for-prime-time moments, Clinton scowling and rolling her eyes over an apparent Kerry gaffe during a presidential debate; Kerry pretending to interview himself and babbling in Italian while waiting for a real interview to begin; Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) cursing at reporters during a campaign stop, and Kerry message guru Robert Shrum confidently declaring a few days before the 2004 election: "Zogby [a prominent pollster] just announced who's gonna win. Us!"
Shrum told me he personally didn't cooperate with the movie, which captures him on camera only a couple of times.
Asked if he plans to see it, he answered: "Absolutely not."
As for media critic Michael Wolff - who severely slags off the Kerryites at regular intervals - "I refused to be interviewed by [Rosenbaum], even though at one point he called me from his bespoke tailor."
A press release claims the movie - which won't be shown publicly until Thursday - "turns a harsh but deeply revealing mirror on the campaign ... a disorganized, contentious, self-absorbed team that thought they could win by 'not making mistakes,' and keeping their candidate in the public eye without clarifying a position on anything."
Director Rosenbaum, meanwhile, told me: "I'm a lifelong Democrat and I supported Kerry. I think people will see the film as fair, and maybe searing."
d'oh
Cindy Windy Arrested During Anti-War Protest
WASHINGTON - Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who became a leader of the anti- war movement following her son's death in Iraq, was arrested Monday along with dozens of others protesting outside the White House.
Sheehan, carrying a photo of her son in his Army uniform, was among hundreds of protesters who marched around the White House and then down the two-block pedestrian walkway on Pennsylvania Avenue. When they reached the front of the White House, dozens sat down - knowing they would be arrested - and began singing and chanting "Stop the war now!"
Police warned them three times that they were breaking the law by failing to move along, then began making arrests. One man climbed over the White House fence and was quickly subdued by Secret Service agents.
Sheehan, 48, was the first taken into custody. She smiled as she was carried to the curb, then stood up and walked to a police vehicle while protesters chanted, "The whole world is watching."
About 50 people were arrested in the first hour, with dozens of others waiting to be taken away. All cooperated with police.
Sgt. Scott Fear, spokesman for the U.S. Park Police, said they would be charged with demonstrating without a permit, which is a misdemeanor.
Park Police Sgt. L.J. McNally said Sheehan and the others would be taken to a processing center where they would be fingerprinted and photographed, then given a ticket and released. The process would take several hours, he said.
Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in an ambush in Sadr City, Iraq, last year. She attracted worldwide attention last month with her 26-day vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch.
The demonstration is part of a broader anti-war effort on Capitol Hill organized by United for Peace and Justice, an umbrella group. Representatives from anti-war groups were meeting Monday with members of Congress to urge them to work to end the war and bring home the troops.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush is "very much aware" of the protesters and "recognizes that there are differences of opinion" on Iraq.
"It's the right of the American people to peacefully express their views. And that's what you're seeing here in Washington, D.C.," McClellan said. "They're well-intentioned, but the president strongly believes that withdrawing ... would make us less safe and make the world more dangerous."
The protest Monday followed a massive demonstration Saturday on the National Mall that drew a crowd of 100,000 or more, the largest such gathering in the capital since the war began in March 2003.
On Sunday, a rally supporting the war drew roughly 500 participants. Speakers included veterans of World War II and the war in Iraq, as well as family members of soldiers killed in Iraq.
"I would like to say to Cindy Sheehan and her supporters: Don't be a group of unthinking lemmings," said Mitzy Kenny of Ridgeley, W.Va., whose husband died in Iraq last year. She said the anti-war demonstrations "can affect the war in a really negative way. It gives the enemy hope."
On the Net:
silly
STREISAND DECLARES 'GLOBAL WARMING EMERGENCY'
THE SUPERSTAR SONGSTRESS SERENADED SAWYER WITH STORM SEASON ASSERTIONS. BUT TO SOME SHE'LL SOUND MORE LIKE A WINDSOCK SINGING LIBERALISM'S GOLDEN OLDIES!
NEW YORK - This summer's back to back superstorms are proof positive we have entered a new period of "global warming emergency," artist/citizen Barbra Streisand warns.
Streisand is back on the scene to promote her reunion disc with Barry Gibb.
As hellstorm "Rita" churned in the Gulf, Streisand sat down for a promotional interview with ABCNEWS's Diane Sawyer.
"We are in a global warming emergency state, and these storms are going to become more frequent, more intense," Streisand urgently declares.
But Sawyer did not remind Streisand that a Category 5 hurricane struck the Bahamas with 160 mph winds -- when the singer was five years old, in 1947!
And when Streisand was 8 years old, a Cat 5 hurricane -- named "Dog" -- packing 185 mph churned-away in the Atlantic.
When she was 9, a Cat 5 storm named "Easy" ripped the seas with 160 mph sustained winds.
Streisand was 13 years old when "Janet" hit Mexico with 150 mph winds.
Streisand was celebrating her sweet sixteen as "Cleo" formed with 140 mph.
At 18, Streisand read news about "Donna" AND "Ethel" -- both storms carried 140 mph winds and formed 9 days apart in 1960!
One year later, when Streisand was 19, it happened again: Two Category 5 storms scared the world: "Carla" and "Hattie!"
"Carla" maxed out at 175 mph winds the year Streisand made her television debut on "The Jack Paar Show."
And who could forget Hurricane "Camille" -- which smashed into the United States with 190 mph, just as "Funny Girl" garners eight Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture and one for Barbra as Best Actress.
Up next on the weather warning watch, Streisand says to ABC: "There could be more droughts, dust bowls. You know, it's amazing to hear these facts."
special
I wanted to share a few lines from U.S. Grant's memoirs, as they are the simplest and most powerful words I've seen concerning Americans opposing wars that their nation is involved in. Grant said these words about America's war with Mexico. He, of course, fought valiantly in this war though he believed that America was wrong in its aggression towards such a weak foe in an attempt to gain territory.
"Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate "war, pestilence, and famine," than to act as an obstructionist to a war already begun. The history of the defeated rebel will be honorable hereafter, compared with that of the Northern man who aided him by conspiring against his government while protected by it. The most favorable posthumous history the stay-at-home traitor can hope for is--oblivion."
18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885)
I love this quote. I intend to memorize it and use it against the numbskull stay-at-home traitors that infest this great Republic.
cheeky
New Opportunity For Air America - Bumvertising
Far be it from me not to want to assist Air America in their effort to pay the bills. When Air America found that taking money from underprivileged children and the elderly wasn't enough to cover Al Franken's salary and Randi Rhode's private jet expenses, they resorted to the tried and true Liberal method, 
$100 Get three I'm Building Air America Radio bumper stickers, plus the stylish tote.
$250 Get three I'm Building Air America Radio bumper stickers, the stylish AAR tote plus personal thanks on AirAmericaRadio.com.
Although I am tempted to get the three "FREE" bumper stickers for a mere $50.00 I have another suggestion.
How about 
A 22-year-old economics major who tore through the University of Washington in three years, Rogovy packed his knapsack with cash, a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and three professionally printed posters advertising his venture, PokerFaceBook.com. Then he hit the streets.
This is just my little donation to the cause. If we all pitch in I'm sure we can get AAR through this rough spot. 
Side Note: We had homeless under Reagan, Bush. Then under Clintax the homeless disappeared then they returned under Goeorge W. Bush. So when does anything change under the usual lying journalist scum?!
don't ask
These fuckers really need to go to Hell.
Hamas To Convert Synagogue to Weapons Museum
WASHINGTON - Emboldened by Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank, Hamas yesterday announced its plan to turn a synagogue in Netzarim into a museum that would display weapons employed by the terrorist group's members against Israeli civilians.
A statement issued yesterday by Hamas said, "Qassam rockets and other locally made arms will be exposed, since it is the legal weapon that evicted the occupation forces." The Middle East Media Research Institute yesterday reported that recent sermons delivered by Hamas leaders pledged to resist efforts from the Palestinian Authority to disarm the organization ahead of upcoming elections.
The standoff between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, which has claimed credit for numerous suicide bombings in Israel, could scuttle parliamentary elections in January as Israel has insisted that no armed terror groups participate in the vote. If Hamas fends off demands that it relinquish its weapons it could set a dangerous precedent in the region as Lebanon moves closer to asserting its sovereignty - and includes Hezbollah in its ruling coalition.
So far, America and its allies have accepted that there is little Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas can do to tame Hamas. On Tuesday the Quartet, a diplomatic group comprising America, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations, released a statement that envisioned the disarming of Hamas in phases and not necessarily as a precondition for its participation in parliamentary elections on January 25.
"We also agreed that ultimately those who want to be part of the political process should not engage in armed group or militia activities," the joint statement said. "For there is a fundamental contradiction between such activities and the building of a democratic state."
The inclusion of the modifier, "ultimately," could pave the way for Hamas to run candidates and join the government even if it keeps its weapons. Israeli officials have been pressing America, Europe, and the United Nations to require the Palestinian Authority to disarm Hamas and the Palestinian Arab armed terrorist organizations.
Prime Minister Sharon in his meeting with President Bush and later to journalists said that Israel would not support any Palestinian elections that included participation from an armed Hamas that advocated a terrorist platform.
"We will never agree that this terrorist organization, this armed terrorist organization, will participate in the elections," he told reporters on September 18. "I don't see how they could have elections without our help."
Secretary of State Rice suggested in an interview published this week in Time magazine that the Palestinian Authority focus on disarming Fatah-based militias for now and suggested that Hamas be dealt with later.
"I understand that there are complications with Hamas and there are questions about how capable they would be of actually insisting on disarmament of Hamas," Ms. Rice said.
Mr. Bush has not specified whether Hamas must disarm. Speaking to the Jewish Republican Coalition yesterday, he said that the Palestinian Authority was unifying its security services.
"The policy of this government is to streamline the security forces so there's only one authority with security forces, and that's the authority that campaigned based upon a peace platform," Mr. Bush said. "The policy of this government is to help entrepreneurship flourish, to help small businesses start. The Arab world needs to help right now. They need to step in and help the peaceful democratic forces within the Palestinian - within Gaza, to thwart those whose stated objective is the destruction of Israel."
Libtard bias included - from The Village Voice
Cindy Sheehan keeping a vigil in Senator Bill Frist's office with another activist. >>>>>
What Hillary Told Cindy
Sheehan and company get face time with senators Clinton, Reid, Lieberman. McCain's next.
Cindy Sheehan and the other members of the 
"No, I think they're playing a very important role," Clinton said. "This is a democracy, thank God, and people should be speaking out. It helps keep the debate flowing and creates the conditions for better decision-making, which makes for better policies, so it's very important.
"Nobody has a greater right to make that criticism," Clinton said of Sheehan and the other military families who feel betrayed by the war. "But I happen to think that fighting for freedom is a noble cause. There are lots of things 
Noting that he had traveled to Iraq three times, Lieberman said: "I have supported this war and I still do. I'm not a big fan of Bush's foreign policy and believe we could have done much more to win the support of other countries before we went in. But I do think the world is safer without Saddam Hussein."
Lieberman pointed out that in 1988, he and Senator John McCain called for the overthrow of Saddam after Iraqi troops massacred more than 100,000 Kurds and attacked Iran with chemical weapons,
"But the evidence? The whole reason we went over there?" demanded Hart Viges, a 29-year old Army specialist who filed for conscientious objector status after serving a year in Iraq. "We never found any weapons of mass destruction. The whole reason we went was a lie."
Lieberman said he thought the idea that Saddam possessed WMD's had been "overplayed" by the Bush administration and wasn't the only reason for invading in any case. Sounding very much like Bush, who defended the war 
a-ok
Co-chairmen Thomas Kean, left, and Lee Hamilton discuss the Sept. 11 commission's report. >>>>>
'Able Danger' Will Get Second Hearing
WASHINGTON - The 
9/11 Commission members Bob Kerrey, right, and James Thompson, left, attend a public hearing.
Committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., had suggested that the Pentagon's refusal to allow the testimony "may be an obstruction" to the committee's work. Specter is the judiciary committee chairman.
The second hearing will focus on what happened with pre-attack charts and information allegedly destroyed at the behest of military leaders.
The committee held its first hearing Wednesday, after which senators still had questions.
"I think the Department of Defense owes the American people an explanation about what went on here," Specter said. "The American people are entitled to some answers."
Shaffer's attorney, Mark Zaid, also said that the Pentagon prevented testimony from a defense contractor that he also represents.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the Defense Department had a representative at the hearing and that it had provided sufficient information to committee members.
"I think there are aspects of this as a classified program that we have expressed some concerns with respect to the appropriateness of some things in an open hearing," Whitman told reporters after the first hearing on Wednesday. "We are working very closely to provide all the information that [committee members] need to assess Able Danger."
Zaid fielded questions from committee members on behalf of Shaffer and contractor Smith. He testified that Able Danger, using data mining techniques, identified four of the terrorists who struck on Sept. 11, 2001.
Zaid said Shaffer would have testified about charts his team created dealing with Al Qaeda and a grainy photo on file of Atta.
"Shaffer remembers it specifically because of the evil death look in Mohamad Atta's eyes," Zaid said.
Pentagon officials had acknowledged earlier this month that they had found three people who recall an intelligence chart identifying Atta as a terrorist prior to the Sept. 11 attacks.
Specter asked the official representing the Department of Defense at the hearing, William Dugan, the acting assistant to the secretary for intelligence oversight, if the department had any information about an Al Qaeda cell and Atta.
"I don't know," Dugan replied.
Specter asked Dugan to "find out the answers to those questions" relating to what the department knew about the workings of Able Danger.
Able Danger personnel have said they tried to give the FBI information three times, but Defense Department attorneys refused, citing legal concerns about investigations run by the military on U.S. soil, Zaid said.
Former Army Major Eric Klein Smith also testified that he was instructed to destroy data and documents related to Able Danger in May and June of 2000, in accordance with Army regulations that limited the collection and holding of information of U.S. persons.
Klein Smith said the order to destroy data was not hostile or aggressive, it was a matter of policy. Asked if this information could have prevented Sept. 11, the major said he could not speculate, but believed it would have been significant and useful.
Klein Smith said that he did not remember seeing a picture of Atta, but said he believed "implicitly" claims by Shaffer and Phillpott that they had seen Atta's picture.
Zaid told committee members that some of the secret unit's records were also destroyed in March 2001 and spring 2004.
Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., was the first lawmaker to come forward with claims that the Sept. 11 commission that investigated pre-attack intelligence failed to accept offers from Able Danger staff about the data it had before the attacks.
Weldon said their refusal to hear from Able Danger's members makes the government record of intelligence incomplete.
An Election Not to Be Ignored
*
Given the size of the country and the low-tech voting system, the results will not be known for several weeks. It is difficult to make predictions because political parties were banned and all 5,800 candidates ran as individuals. There were some reports of irregularities, but a six-member European Union observer team said that the election was free, fair, and transparent. The