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Milwaukee Agrees To Move Ten Commandments Marker
Many local governments are starting to "Honor Thy First Amendment" instead of endorsing the First Commandment.
Symbolizing that change is a recent agreement initiated by the Freedom From Religion Foundation with the City of Milwaukee.
Following years of negotiation, the Foundation has persuaded Milwaukee officials to avoid a losing lawsuit by removing a Ten Commandments monument installed at the Municipal Building circa 1957.
The presentation of the tombstone-like decalog in Milwaukee was the kick-off of a national campaign by the Fraternal Order of Eagles, working in cahoots with "Ten Commandments" movie director Cecil B. DeMille, to erect the granite bible monument in as many public locations as possible.
"It is significant that the first such Ten Commandment Eagles monument ever placed on public property will be removed, in deference to the constitutional separation of church and state," said Anne Gaylor, president of the Foundation, a national watchdog association based in Madison, Wis.
"It is a harbinger of change. Courts around the country finally are acknowledging that the sacred text of one religion does not belong on public property.
"The First Commandment alone makes it obvious why government may not endorse these bible edicts. Citizens may worship whatever god they like, as many gods as they like, or none at all!" added Gaylor.
The Ten Commandments monument was presented to Milwaukee Mayor Frank P. Zeidler by Judge E. J. Ruegemer, chair of the Eagles' National Youth Guidance Commission, at the International convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles meeting in Milwaukee in 1955. The decalog dedication included an appearance by actor Yul Brenner.
In recent years the Ten Commandments marker has rested on a grassy plot by the Market Street entrance to the Municipal building.
Several years ago, the Foundation negotiated an agreement with the City of Milwaukee to remove the monument, if an appeal out of Indiana involving similar circumstances were lost.
In December 2000, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, which presides over Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, ruled that an Eagles Ten Commandments monument at an Indiana city hall was illegal.
Last May, the Supreme Court let stand that 7th Circuit ruling (Elkhart v. Books, May 29, 2001).
Milwaukee officials agreed last July to remove the monument. The resolution finally went before the city council on Jan. 22, which voted to abide by the city attorney's advice.
Bolstering the move to divest government property of Ten Commandment markers was a more recent action by the U.S. Supreme Court. On February 24, the high court let stand another recent ruling by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals barring Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon from placing a Ten Commandments marker in front of the Indiana State Capitol.
The bible edict is expected to be removed from the Milwaukee Municipal Building sometime in April, once the ground has "thawed," according to a spokeswoman at city hall. The monument will be returned to the Eagles, which will likely place it in front of a private hospital.
In related news, a federal court in Nebraska in February ordered removal of an Eagles Ten Commandments marker from a public park in Plattsmouth.
In March, a federal court in Philadelphia ruled that a Ten Commandments plaque on a county courthouse is impermissible, in a case brought by a Foundation chapter.
The Foundation is revisiting its legal challenge of a Ten Commandments monument donated by the Eagles to the City of La Crosse, Wis., in the 1960's. The Foundation's federal challenge of the monument in a public park in the mid-1980's was dismissed after trial on a technicality.
In March, La Crosse Mayor John Medinger, who had promised to fight to keep the monument, wrote a guest editorial for the La Crosse Tribune recommending that the city remove it to avoid a losing lawsuit. No action has been taken yet by the La Crosse city council.
The Foundation has also renewed its request that the City of Monroe, Wis., remove a monument donated by the Eagles, which is the centerpiece of its public park.
Only Christians Go Door to Door
During the entire month of December, the Foundation received a deluge of Christmas cards from well-meaning (and not-so-well-meaning) Christians. They weren't very imaginative in their messages--usually all that was scribbled inside the card was an assurance that "Jesus loves you!" or that "We're praying for you."
Included in one such card was a digitally remastered photograph of Jesus on a cross with his skin burned off. I'm still not sure how sending such a photo was supposed to inform us about the sender's loving and almighty God.
(Of course, if Jesus loves us so much, then we must be doing something right.)
The whole thing amused me, because back home, nobody would think of sending religious cards to those who didn't practice said religion.
"Back home" for me is Malaysia, a Southeast Asian country sandwiched in between Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. It's a small country with a population of 22 million, and this population consists of three main ethnic groups. There are the Malay and indigenous people, which make up 58% of the populace; the Chinese, about 27%, and the Indians at 8%. Other ethnic groups make up the remaining 7%.
After the country gained its independence from British colonialism in 1956, the ethnic groups conferred and agreed that Islam would be the official religion, but everyone would be free to adopt their own religion (or lack of) and not be persecuted for it. Therefore, even though Islam is the official religion, citizens are not expected to be Muslim. Buddhists are not expected to fast during the month of Ramadan, nonMalays are not required to wear clothes that cover their arms and legs, nor are there Hindus who try to convert the nonreligious.
(One thing that does strike me as interesting is that the few people who go door-to-door in an effort to convert others are Christians. I have yet to see a Buddhist or a Taoist try to sell his or her religion door-to-door.)
There's no denying that religion plays a big part in Malaysia--the main religions consist of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and to a smaller extent, Christianity. If you glimpse our calendar of national holidays, more than half of them are religious: Aidilfitri (Muslim), Vesak Day (Buddhist), Thaipusam (Hindu), Deepavali (Hindu), Christmas (Christian), etc. The holidays apply to all public/government operations, so even though Deepavali is a Hindu celebration, all public workers get the day off, no matter their religion (or lack of).
Before the main religious holidays, it is common practice to send greeting cards to friends or family who celebrate the event. If you were a Muslim, friends would send you Aidilfitri cards during the Ramadan season. If you were Chinese, you'd receive Chinese New Year cards in February (although Chinese New Year is actually more cultural than religious). The senders don't even necessarily share the same religion; a Muslim could send a Deepavali card to a Hindu friend, etc. The point of sending cards is to convey goodwill, not to cheerfully inform the recipient that "Jesus loves you and we'll be waiting to receive you with open arms once you decide to return to the true path."
During religious holidays, the celebrating groups have an "open house." A hosting family has all their friends and families visit, regardless of race and religion. Some Malays/Muslims restrict their visits during celebrations like Chinese New Year, since pork is often served in Chinese households and Muslims cannot eat pork. However, I know of several households that make the extra effort of cooking certain dishes separately, so that their Muslim visitors can partake in the feast without having to worry about eating something against their religion.
Winter Solstice isn't a celebration back home. This is partly because nontheists are such a minority in Malaysia, but another reason is due to the fact that our tropical climate is the same all year long. The days don't grow shorter or longer, so there is no symbolic representation of the sun's "rebirth."
Nontheists may lack a holiday on the calendar, but in my experience they could always tell friends about their nonbelief and not expect any backlash for it. When a friend of mine commented in passing that she was a freethinker, the most she got was an "Oh" from others before continuing the conversation. I suspect most people assume freethinkers just practice a different kind of "belief." They receive the same treatment of tolerance that others do.
Officially the government lists "belief in god" as a virtue for citizens. Pledges cited in schools, as well as the national anthem, include the word "god." Because of its "freedom to choose any religion" clause, though, the government cannot persecute citizens for their religious or nonreligious beliefs. For example, in rural parts of Malaysia, many indigenous tribes practice shamanism. The government cannot order them to convert to Islam, even though Islam is the national religion. Unless a person is from the Malay ethnic group (in which case that person is expected to be Muslim), there is no expectation of anyone being of a certain (or any) religion.
Religion weaves in and out of our daily lives (sort of like the U.S., you could say, whether we like it or not). We have both a justice system and a syariah court system; however, the latter only applies to Malays and Muslims, and tries them according to Islamic law. I've always been glad not to be subject to syariah law, because for one thing, if you are caught being in the same room (or enclosed space) with a person of the other sex, and both of you are unmarried with no chaperones around, you are committing a crime and can be tried for it. Even if you have a group of peers with you (sometimes that becomes even greater cause for scandal). Public spaces are fine for socializing, but heaven forbid a group of Muslim teens hanging out at home by themselves.
Religion maintains an uneven balance, sometimes intruding outright, sometimes not even an issue. Take the public school I attended, for example. As Islam is the "official" religion, the weekly school assemblies always include a minute of Muslim prayer read by one of the Malay students. NonMuslims were not required to say it, but we had to remain silent "out of respect" for our Muslim classmates. Unlike some U.S. schools (or like some U.S. schools), we didn't have the option of leaving the assembly while the prayer was being said.
Two or three times a week, classes are divided in two: the Muslim students would study Islam, and the nonMuslims would study (literally translated) "moral education." This essentially consists of the same old syllabus from primary school (grade school to Americans) to high school, with little variation in questions: "If you find a wallet with money in it, what would you do? If you turn the wallet over to the police, would this be an example of (a) honesty, (b) kindness, (c) purity of heart?"
So even though religion has a presence in public schools, these schools aren't considered "religious schools" because the religious education that takes place in the classroom only affects Muslim students. The other students were not required to study the subject. My high school class, by chance, had no Muslim students in it.
Also, in every public school, there is a surau, a Muslim prayer room. I used to think (with considerable amusement) that it was for "emergency prayers," when one would suddenly get the urge to pray and had to race to the surau in order to do it. However, as far as I can recall, none of my teachers or classmates ever missed a class "because they had to pray," nor would such an excuse have been acceptable. Also, considering that Muslim men and women are not allowed to pray together, it would have been more convenient for them to pray at home rather than suffer the hassle of reserving the room or creating a prayer schedule. Therefore, the surau was mostly used by those who were still in school during prayer time, after classes were done or before they had begun.
For the schools in my district, there were no classes during Friday midday periods, as that was one of the five prayer times for Muslims. School morning sessions had schedules ending around noon, and afternoon sessions wouldn't begin until after 1 p.m., allowing Muslim students to pray at home or in a mosque. This was easier than requiring students to pray at the school surau, since the room could only fit a few people at a time.
Aside from that, though, religion didn't pervade the classroom much. Everybody learned the same subjects, unless if it was a language class or the Islam/"moral education" class. We had no Christian, Buddhist, or Hindu religionists coming into the classroom to preach, and I'm certain that if any tried, the teachers would have been piqued (they guarded their allotted classtime jealously).
Neither did the teachers try to push their religious doctrine on the students, because of the tolerance and "everybody is entitled to their own beliefs" clause. Plus it would have been difficult for them to try to convert a class full of diverse races and religions.
At one point my high school class consisted of 80% Buddhists, so despite Islam being the official religion, my Muslim teacher would have definitely failed if she had tried to promote her religion to us.
We also have convent schools, and a long time ago its teachers were Christian nuns. Not anymore. These schools are now run by the government instead of churches. Despite still being called "convent schools," these schools have no classes on Christianity, and do not subject students to religious indoctrination.
In short, there are no public religious schools, other than privately owned ones. However, one instance in which religion was emphasized in the curriculum does come to mind. Students in Form 4 (10th grade to Americans) have to study a history chapter dedicated to Islam, learning its origins, various prophets, architectural influences, scientific contributions, etc. This chapter consistently bugged me during my school years, because in the rest of the textbook, other religions were only given a cursory half-page introduction. The only consolation I had was that it didn't try to push readers into converting, although it did do its best to highlight the wonders of the religion (I suspect they left out much of the unpleasant details).
The extent to which religion (Islam in particular) is practiced varies according to location. In urban areas, such as Kuala Lumpur, the nation's capital, not all Muslim women wear veils over their heads. Many wear T-shirts instead of clothes covering their limbs, as required by the Koran. In rural areas and villages, however, Malay traditions are strongly heeded, and the women cannot be in the presence of men without covering up appropriately. While not as restrictive and as much of a hindrance as the Arabic burqa, these veils and clothing can be stuffy in our hot and humid climate.
Fortunately, Malaysian women do not suffer a "second citizenship" status that some Islamic nations impose on the female sex. We work, we earn our education, and we are not confined indoors. However, Muslim women are subject to syariah law, which among other things, states that a husband can divorce his wife by telling her so three times.
Religious extremists do exist here, just like they exist everywhere else. In the state of Kelantan, the ruling political party is PAS, the Islamic Party of Malaysia. This is the group that wants Malaysia to be a "true" Islamic nation, instead of the moderate and modern kind of Islam practiced in other parts of the country. This is the group that wants the full syariah legal system in practice, meaning thieves would have their hands chopped off and adulterers would be stoned to death. They have already banned discos and karaoke clubs, and Kelantan women must wear a veil over their hair and not wear jeans.
I remember going to a Kelantan shopping center once, and standing at a check-out lane with my mom and other women. The other check-out lane had only a few male customers, but none of the women in our long line went to that one. My mother explained that here, men and women were required to stand in separate check-out lanes. The concept seemed inane to me, considering that at that time of the day, few men visited the shopping center. All those women could only use one particular lane until the male customers were gone from the other lane!
Another incident I recall was of a billboard poster of a locally made movie. I had seen that poster several times back in my hometown, and it appeared innocuous enough: a close-up of the hero and heroine's faces. In Kelantan, however, I saw the same poster, except a white cloth had been stretched and pinned over the heroine's hair to imitate a veil.
Kelantan's tourism revenue may suffer because of such growing extremities, as well as because of visitors' fears and discomfort. The BBC once reported that female tourists here felt uncomfortable being stared at when they wore shorts and sleeveless tops. I recall walking through a Kelantan town in a close-fitting top and jeans once, and although I was ready to stand my ground had anyone objected to my attire (which they technically had no right to do, of course, since I was not Muslim), I did feel a brief twinge of wariness.
As tolerant as my experience of religion has been in the past, sometimes I wonder how long it will be before some of PAS's right-wing mindset seeps into the federal government. It concerns me whenever my friends back home tell me about the dress-code specified by the local public universities. Students--female students, in particular--must wear clothing that covers their legs (and in some cases, their arms). This is an Islamic practice, but in Malaysian public universities, it extends to nonMuslims as well. Fortunately I attended a private college, otherwise I would have rebelled strongly against the dress-code.
I'd like to think the worst-case scenario would be that everybody would have to wear headveils, but I wouldn't count on it. Religion has a way of worming into our lives and making us think we're the better for it. Once governments start specifying a certain god to look up to and constructing its laws all around it, you know we're in trouble.
Catholic Church Still Offers "Sanctuary for Perverts"?
The question no longer seems to be if Cardinal Bernard Law will resign for his role in the cover-up of pedophile priests in the Boston Archdiocese, but when.
Another timely question: How many bishops will be felled directly by being exposed as pedophiles themselves? A.W. Richard Sipe, a former priest and author of Sex, Priests and Power: Anatomy of a Crisis, predicts future scandals will involve eight or ten bishops or other high church officials, according to the West Palm Beach Post. Sipe, who conducted a 25-year study of sexual misconduct within the church, maintains that in 1990, he had "validation of 16 bishops in the country who had been abusers."
The most shocking fallout of the Boston scandal to date has been the resignation of Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell of Palm Beach, Fla. Appointed to replace a bishop removed for pedophilia, O'Connell admitted he had abused a teenager 27 years ago at a Missouri seminary. A $125,000 settlement by the Diocese of Jefferson City in 1996 allowed O'Connell to guard his secret and become bishop.
Even more pressing: When will a prosecutor finally criminally indict a bishop for covering up these crimes?
Sixteen years ago, a confidential report to the Catholic Conference of Bishops predicted the church would pay out a billion dollars within a decade to victims of priest abuse. The authors warned the Catholic Church would be perceived as providing "sanctuary for perverts" if immediate reforms weren't adopted.
Associated Press in March estimated the range of mostly confidential payouts to victims is from $300 million to the prophesied $1 billion. The Palm Beach Post placed the total cost to the Catholic Church at $600 million to $1.3 billion.
The New York Times, quoting attorneys for victims, reported that in the past two decades, dioceses have reached more than 1,000 settlements in priest sex abuse cases, many of them sealed.
The revelation that the Boston archdiocese--and four other church officials besides Law who are now bishops--directly covered up for molesting priests for 20 or 30 years has set off aftershocks in diocese after diocese.
The Boston Globe's legal fight to unseal records over recently defrocked priest John J. Geoghan resulted in the release of 10,000 pages of damning documents in January. The archdiocese subsequently was forced to admit it has known about more than 80 priest-molesters. (The Boston Archdiocese revealed in March, in the midst of a $300 million fundraising campaign, that its insurance policies won't cover an estimated $100 million in settlements over priests accused of sexually abusing children.)
A few other dioceses followed Boston's example, such as the Diocese of Manchester, NH, giving prosecutors the names of 14 priests, and Philadelphia firing "fewer than 10" priests.
The Boston Globe reported on Feb. 25 that the largest dioceses "continue to allow priests who have abused children to return to parish work and keep accusations of clergy misconduct secret from police."
The diocese in Portland, Me., initially took no stand against two parish priests who are admitted molesters. Portland's new policy, according to the Globe, permits a priest who has molested a "single minor" multiple times to stay on the job, but not a priest who molests more than one minor once!
The Archdiocese of New York, publicly exposed by a New York Times columnist for its policy to keep such scandals in-house, announced in March that for the first time it would report new incidents of child sexual abuse directly to law enforcement authorities, if victims agree. The diocese ruled out reporting old cases.
The Diocese of Rockville Centre, on Long Island, NY, completed a review of 300 clergy files, but will not release the names or number of priests with allegations against them, claiming no one currently working in the diocese has been "credibly" accused. Long Island's bishop was named as a defendant in lawsuits by Geoghan victims. So was Bishop Thomas V. Daily of Brooklyn, newly under fire for ignoring three nuns who came forward in 1996 to report three priests sexually abusing boys, as well as allegations by a priest in New Jersey who told the bishop in 1998 that he was abused as a youngster by another priest.
"There have been 1,800 priests named in civil and criminal proceedings over the last 15 years, and there are 47,000 priests in the U.S. That approaches 4 percent, and that is a staggering number," says Catholic reporter Jason Berry, author of Lead Us Not into Temptation.
The pope included a one-paragraph apology to victims of clergy for "great suffering and spiritual" harm in a 120-page missive to Catholics in Oceania late last year. In January, it was learned the Vatican had issued secret rules ordering that accused priests must be tried in secret church courts overseen from Rome, without advising whether civil authorities should be informed if a priest is found guilty. The Vatican imposed a 10-year statute of limitations beginning on the victim's 18th birthday.
The Vatican sparked renewed anger when spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in response to New England sex abuse scandals, deflected blame from the church by equating homosexuality with pedophilia, and declaring gay men should not be ordained as priests, despite estimates that as many as half of priests are gay.
Wrote New York Times columnist Bill Keller ("Let Us Prey," March 9, 2002): "Every detail of this sordid story has had to be dragged from the reluctant archdiocese, mostly by the dogged investigative reporting of The Boston Globe."
"American Catholicism may not be a democracy, but it lives in one," added Keller. "And while the separation of church and state is a precious freedom, the First Amendment was never intended to provide sanctuary for criminals."--Annie Laurie Gaylor
Ten Commandments at Public Library Protested
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has asked the Cambridge Public Library, Massachusetts, to remove an eye-poppingly ostentatious Ten Commandments engraving and other religious verbiage on prominent display in the first floor of the main library.
"A public library simply has no business saying it was 'built in gratitude to God, to his son Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Ghost,' or to warn patrons, including children, that 'if you obey these commandments you will be happy. If you disobey them sorrow will come upon you,' " the Foundation wrote Cambridge Public Library Director Susan Flannery.
The city of Cambridge agreed in 1889 to post the Ten Commandments and additional religious proclamations (see photograph) in exchange for obtaining the building from a religious benefactor. Although it posted a "disclaimer" following a 1995 complaint, explaining that it considers the engravings to be "historic," the Foundation said the disclaimer "does not mitigate the effect of these religious orders, threats, and injunctions."
The city, which signed an agreement with the Massachusetts Historical Commission in 1985 to ensure preservation of the architectural and historical integrity of the library building, has taken no action on the Foundation's February complaint. Mayor Michael Sullivan's response to the Cambridge Chronicle was to ask: "Does this mean bibles should be removed from public libraries?"
"What civil power could the Cambridge Public Library invoke, which would supersede the dictates of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment?" wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor, Foundation staff member, in the letter of complaint. "Mere financial gain or advantage cannot justify a union between religion and a public library."
Now is an ideal time to rectify the violation since the Main Library will soon be renovated.
Ask the Cambridge Public Library to remove the religious displays.
Ms Susan Flannery, Director
Cambridge Public Library
449 Broadway
Cambridge MA 02138
Send a copy of your letter to:
Mayor Michael Sullivan
City of Cambridge
Office of the Mayor
City Hall
Cambridge MA 02139
Foundation's "Scopes II" Victory Halts Illegal Bible Instruction
Comparing a "Bible Education Ministry" program to "Sunday School," a federal judge in Tennessee issued a forceful decision on Feb. 8 declaring the classes in Rhea County public schools unconstitutional. The federal lawsuit was brought last April by the Freedom From Religion Foundation on behalf of parents with children in the schools.
"Rhea County, Tennessee, is no stranger to religious controversy," wrote U.S. District Judge R. Allan Edgar, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the opening of his 19-page decision.
"In 1925, the Rhea County Courthouse was the site of the well known 'Scopes' or 'Monkey' trial, wherein high school teacher John Scopes was tried for violating a Tennessee statute making it a misdemeanor to teach 'evolution theory' in the State's public schools. The trial pitted William Jennings Bryan, the 'Great Commoner,' representing the State, against Clarence Darrow for the defense. The legacy of that trial in some respects gives rise to this lawsuit," Edgar wrote.
The Foundation's lawsuit on behalf of John Doe and Mary Roe pitted the rights of the parents--under a protective court order in the hostile Dayton-area community--against an obdurate school system, which refused to honor more than five decades of Supreme Court precedent against religious instruction in the public schools.
The school board, which remains ineducable, has voted unanimously to appeal the decision. At the Rhea County School Board meeting on Feb. 14, only one community member spoke against appealing the decision. Another speaker called for the "impeachment" of Judge Edgar. (Federal judges are appointed for life.)
The audience of 300 erupted into applause when the school board voted to appeal.
School board member Bruce Majors said "we want to teach our children that the bible is the truth. Our only course is an appeal."
The Herald News, a hostile bi-weekly published in Dayton, quoted a local mother, Rebecca Jones, saying in support of the Bible Education Ministry class: "Whoever took it out should be strung up."
The bible instruction, carried out for 51 years in grades kindergarten through five in three Rhea County elementary schools, had been taught during regular school hours for 30 minutes each week without parental consent. The bible program, operated by students from Bryan College (a bible-based college founded after the Scopes trial) to help public school students become "exposed to the Bible," had no public school oversight.
An assistant professor who is Director of Practical Christian Involvement supervised the program, which Judge Edgar characterized as what might be found in "a Sunday School class in many of the Christian churches in Rhea County."
"The lesson plans retained by Bryan College," Edgar wrote, "reveal that the children are being taught that the Bible conveys literal truth about God and Jesus Christ reflective of the Bryan College 'Statement of Belief,' that the bible is literally true. Students are asked to memorize bible verses, act out skits of biblical stories, and sing [religious] songs. . ."
At oral argument, the judge's decision noted, counsel for defendants even admitted the bible is being presented "as the truth."
Aside from the content, Edgar said, "the wholesale delegation of the administration of that program to Bryan College, a decidedly religious institution, by itself results in an impermissible entanglement of government and religion."
". . . the government, through its public school system, may not teach, or allow the teaching of a distinct religious viewpoint," wrote Edgar, saying the BEM program has "both the purpose and effect to endorse and advance religion in the public schools."
"The Rhea County courses are being taught to the youngest and most impressionable school children by college students who have no discernible educational training and no supervision by the school system."
"This is not a close case," Edgar observed, pointing out that since 1948, when McCollum v. Board of Education was decided by the Supreme Court, religious instruction in public schools has been barred. The Rhea County practices do not differ substantially from McCollum, "except that, if anything, they make out an even stronger case for violation of the Establishment Clause," Edgar concluded.
Vashti McCollum, the Champaign, Illinois mother who brought the McCollum challenge, is now nearly ninety, and is an honorary officer of the Foundation. The Foundation recently reprinted a new edition of her acclaimed account of her dramatic lawsuit, One Woman's Fight.
"The Bible Education Ministry program was a flagrant and atavistic First Amendment violation. It's tremendously satisfying to see the wall of separation between church and state be reinforced by such a strong decision," said Dan Barker, public relations director of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The attorneys representing the Foundation and its plaintiffs are Joseph H. Johnston, Nashville, and Steve Doughty and Alvin Harris, Nashville.
The case, John Doe, Mary Roe, and Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Sue Porter, Supt. of the Rhea County School System, and Rhea County Board of Education, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Case No. 1:01-cv-115, is excerpted on pages 8 and 9. The entire decision can be found online at: http://ffrf.org/legal/rheadecision.html
Ashcroft . . . as quoted by conservative columnist Cal Thomas on his radio show on November 9 (and belatedly denied by a Justice Department spokeswoman): "Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in which God sends his son to die for you." Not to get too wound up in theology here, but if the Christian God sent his own son to die doesn't that make him, according to Ashcroft's definition, a Muslim?
--Katha Pollitt
The Nation, March 4, 2002
I think what you have to recognize is I've never gotten a death threat from an atheist or a Buddhist, only bible-quoting, true believers.
Most people don't know that there's this dark and hostile side of religion. I think they saw it on Sept. 11.
--Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong
Chicago Sun-Times, Nov. 23, 2001
No matter what you believe about abortion, a procedure that more than a million women choose in this country every year, those who believe in human rights have to be repelled by the notion of religious fanatics who believe they can harass, injure or murder people on the say-so of a direct pipeline to God, or Allah.
There's no real ideological difference between these people and the people who flew planes into the World Trade Center.
--Anna Quindlen
"The Terrorists Here at Home"
Time, Dec. 17 2001
Where has God been since 1973 regarding the New York Knicks? I'd like to know. If one wants proof that God does not side with someone who merely invokes his name frequently, take point guard Charlie Ward (please).
--Roger Rosenblatt
"God Is Not on My Side. Or Yours"
Time, Dec. 17, 2001
Utah is the nearest the western world gets to a functioning theocracy.
--Matthew Engel
"British Visitor to Utah Finds 'Strangest' State
[London] Guardian, Jan. 27, 2002
God almighty will give the United States a pill that will puke them to death.
--Brigham Young, late 1850s
New York Times, Feb. 3, 2002
Even in the valley of the shadow of death, two and two do not make six.
--Tolstoy on his deathbed
After being urged to rejoin the Russian Orthodox Church
("Passage," by Connie Willis)
So far, that list [of Roman Catholic officials who knew that an area priest was molesting and raping children for years] includes a cardinal, five bishops and several parish priests.
In the real world, we send guys who rape children to prison. In the world that is the Roman Catholic Church, guys who rape children get transferred to another parish. Again and again and again.
--Columnist Regina Bretta
Cleveland Plain Dealer, Jan. 31, 2002
The First Amendment in Serious Danger
Foundation member Donald A. Mosher was one of five people asked to write an essay about where they would draw the line on sacrificing personal freedoms for the sake of homeland security by the Post-Crescent, the daily newspaper in Appleton, Wis. Here is his response (originally appearing on Nov. 20, 2001).
The First Amendment is in serious danger with the present efforts of the religious right to put "God" (whose version?) into our government.
The proliferation of "God Bless America" signs assures us that our God is bigger than their God. Should we have a right-wing Christian Taliban, based on Old Testament commandments, running our government and our lives? After all, the terrorist attacks were examples of "faith-based initiatives."
The attacks of Sept. 11 are characterized as political by our leaders. The attackers were (and are) religious fanatics who happen to be Muslims. Our own leaders fall all over themselves to stress that Islam is a religion of peace, and that the attackers have contorted the Koran.
Actually, the attackers hewed to the fundamentals of their Abrahamic-revealed religion. Their "how-to" manuals were laced with religion and prayer, not political writings. "Kill the infidel" is a key and prominent feature of Islam. Fortunately, most Muslims are not that zealous.
Jewish and Christian holy scriptures each advocate the same style of religious violence. The Old Testament is a litany of wars and terrorism in the name of God. The God-given commandments (not just 10 of them) are still there, calling good Jews and good Christians to perform the same gory executions of non-believers today.
Again, good thing most Jews and Christians are not that zealous. Jesus did not advocate changing "one jot or tittle" of the Old Testament: "Unbelievers should be brought hither and slain before me."
We should call on Muslims, Jews and Christians to disavow these violent writings of the past--but that is something they cannot bring themselves to do.
Voucher Ploy Makes No Sense
The day oral arguments on the Ohio school voucher case were heard before the U.S. Supreme Court, I was one of several guests invited to discuss the topic on arch-conservative Alan Keyes' TV talkshow "Making Sense" on MSNBC.
Barry Lynn, director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, joined me in one segment as an able advocate of secular public-funded schools.
Keyes asked what is wrong with giving parents a "choice" to send children to religious schools.
"It involves state funding of indoctrination," I replied. "And let's look who the big beneficiary is of the voucher programs in Cleveland and Milwaukee. It's the Roman Catholic Church. Two-thirds of these schools that are being used are Catholic. We're bailing out the failing Catholic church [schools] with this.
"It's something that could topple not only the wall of separation between church and state, but it could destroy our public school system, which is supposed to be the great melting pot.
"There's no virtue in religiously segregated schools. People shouldn't pat themselves on the back for wanting to segregate children on the basis of their religion. Church schools are not better schools. I think that the Supreme Court, if it approves this, could ruin our country. I think that Bin Laden would support the Cleveland program. Look where the terrorists came from: the religious schools.
"And they're divisive. Look at the example of Ireland, what was happening to the Catholic children last September, being assaulted on the way to school, because we have religiously segregated systems in that country where the Protestants and the Catholics never meet.
"I think that our public schools are the richness of our country, and we should be supporting them."
I could only shake my head for most of the rest of the discussion, which, contrary to the show's title, did not make much sense.
A pro-voucher guest, Caroline Hoxby, made the voucher movement's most disingenuous, dishonest and insincere case--that defunding public schools in favor of private (religious) schools actually helps struggling public schools.
Hoxby claimed her studies showed test scores had improved in Milwaukee Public Schools as a result of the voucher "competition" (ignoring the effects of Wisconsin's SAGE program to limit class sizes, for instance). The mind-boggling irony is that Milwaukee's voucher schools are exempt from such standardized testing! There is zilch accountability, with harsh standards for public schools and very few for voucher schools.
So much is at stake with the similar voucher program in Cleveland now before the Supreme Court. The facts are so damning. More than 99% of the approximately 4,000 students enrolled in the 6-year-old Cleveland voucher program attend religious schools.
If that's not enough evidence of state subsidy and endorsement of religion, look at the cozy set-up: Just as in the Milwaukee voucher program, state checks for vouchers of up to $2,250 a year are sent directly to the schools for parental endorsement.
Where public dollars go, public accountability should follow. Yet Cleveland voucher schools don't even have on-site inspection. Voucher schools can apply for exemptions from Ohio standards on open records, teacher certification and background checks, and fire, health and safety inspection laws.
A notorious case exposed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer involved the Islamic Academy School of Arts and Sciences, which operated under voucher funding for two years. Its 110-year-old building was a fire and lead-paint hazard, a majority of instructors lacked state teaching licenses, and one had even been convicted of first-degree murder. A state audit found misuse of $70,000 in tax dollars when the school claimed tax money for students who were not enrolled.
The Golden State Christian Academy, a parent-run school, taught students by videos provided by the Pensacola Christian Academy, "dedicated to serving the Lord through Christian education." After two years it was finally defunded for gross noncompliance, including keeping no immunization records, and safety lapses.
The tax money, of course, is raided from the Cleveland district's portion of the state Disadvantaged Pupil Impact AID program, with Cleveland schools losing up to $11 million a year in such aid (and estimated to climb to as much as $22 million this year).
Voucher schools can exclude many disadvantaged students, such as those learning English as a second language or severely handicapped children. About the time the voucher program started, all-day kindergartens in many Cleveland public schools were cut--due to lack of money. Tax money could be used for reading programs Cleveland schools would like to inaugurate, and to keep class sizes smaller, a proven method for improving learning. The predictable effect has been that the operating costs of the Cleveland public schools have continued to climb, while it is losing significant state aid.
About a third of the children in the Cleveland program, ballyhooed as helping low-income children, were already enrolled in private schools by their families. The U.S. Court of Appeals, in ruling the program unconstitutional, noted that almost 40% of students receiving vouchers in the 1999-2000 school year were above the poverty line.
A state-ordered audit found that $1.4 million was spent on transportation in the first year, mostly in funding $15-$18-a-day taxi rides, compared to average nonvoucher transportation costs of $3.33 per day. More than $419,000 in overbilling by taxi companies since 1997 was uncovered in January 1999.
Study after study has found no statistical difference in scoring for students in public versus voucher schools. Studies have found lower grades for voucher students attending new start-up schools, according to People for the American Way.
Of course, while these problems with voucher schools are maddening, they are not the point. The issue is whether, under our Constitution, taxpayers can be forced to subsidize religious schools. Many of the remarks by Supreme Court Justices at the Feb. 20 oral argument strayed distressingly far afield of this essential question of law and principle.
Did you know the Catholic Conference of Bishops first began campaigning in the 1880s to force the government to fund its parochial schools? More than a century of lobbying has finally paid off.
If religious prayer and worship in taxpaid public schools are unconstitutional, as the Supreme Court has held since 1948, how then could it be lawful to coerce taxpayers to support and maintain religion-based schools that conduct daily prayer sessions, masses and religious proselytizing that are at the very heart of their religious missions?
And how can we taxpayers possibly afford to fund two systems: one secular, the other religious? It would bankrupt the country, and eviscerate the very heart of the First Amendment.
"In God We Trust" Epidemic
A fundamentalist campaign to post "In God We Trust" in every public school classroom--an idea floated before state legislatures by rightwing religionists for at least a decade--has gained steam in the religion-equals-patriotism backlash following the Sept. 11 faith-based terrorist attacks.
While Sept. 11 is being bandied as the rationale for forcing a captive audience of schoolchildren to eye a religious slogan every day, the American Family Association announced its campaign to put " 'In God We Trust' in every classroom in America" back in May 2001.
The American Family Association, based in Tupelo, Mississippi, is run by Donald Wildmon, notorious for leading rightwing boycotts, especially against the entertainment industry, attacking everything from "All in the Family" and Harry Potter to "The Last Temptation of Christ." He served as co-chair of the Buchanan for President campaign.
It is no coincidence that the first (and to date) only state requiring "In God We Trust" to be posted in every classroom is AFA's home state, Mississippi, which passed such legislation last year.
Michigan saw passage of a law "encouraging" the posting of "In God We Trust" in all public buildings on Dec. 31. Some Michigan public schools are already posting the slogan.
Bills in various state legislatures appear to be tailored to make use of the AFA campaign, which is selling 11 x 14" "In God We Trust" posters. Many of the proposals require that the "In God We Trust" posting be 11 x 14" or larger, and contain wording that the motto was adopted by Congress in 1956, which just happens to appear on the AFA poster.
Congress had adopted the "In God We Trust" slogan at the behest of the Knights of Columbus, which undertook a national lobbying campaign during the height of 1950s zealotry. The original U.S. motto, chosen by a distinguished committee of Jefferson, Franklin and Adams, is the Latin E Pluribus Unum (From Many, [Come] One).
A direct challenge of the religious motto has never been heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, assisted by Colorado attorney Robert R. Tiernan, filed a federal lawsuit in 1994 challenging both the law adopting the religious slogan (1956), and the law requiring it to appear on all U.S. currency (1955).
An appeals court upheld a federal judge's decision not to hear the case, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Foundation's appeal asking for its day in court. Evidence of the unconstitutionality of the motto which the Foundation sought to take before a court was a national opinion poll by Chamberlain Research (900 adults, May 18-23, 1994), finding that 61% consider the motto "religious," 71% believe it endorses a belief in God, and a majority regard the motto as preferring religion over nonreligion.
As Foundation president Anne Gaylor says, the religious motto isn't even accurate: "To be accurate it would have to read 'In God Some of us Trust,' and wouldn't that be silly?"
Historically, the incursion of religious slogans and symbolism on public imprimatur or property has been the result of crusades by religionists.
"In God We Trust" appeared for the first time on a U.S. coin in 1864, directly as a result of a campaign by Baptist minister Mark R. Watkinson, who suggested the motto to "relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism" during the Civil War.
It gradually became customary to use the slogan. By 1938 it was on virtually every coin (but not dollar bills). In 1955 Congress mandated that it appear on all U.S. coins and currency. A $1 silver certificate bearing the legend first appeared in October 1957.
Similarly, the presence of most Ten Commandments monuments on public land, including many city halls, courthouses and a few state capitols around the nation, is due to a joint campaign by the religious Fraternal Order of Eagles, in cahoots with movie-spectacle director Cecil B. DeMille. The desire of Judge E.J. Ruegemer, an Eagles member, to see the Ten Commandments in courthouses (and to patriotically promote the granite industry of his home state of Minnesota) turned into a public relations coup for DeMille's 1956 epic, "The Ten Commandments."
Religionists, thwarted in attempts to force school prayer and place the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, see the national motto campaign as a back-door ploy to finally get "God" into classrooms.
"Friends of the First Amendment should take alarm at this campaign," warned Anne Gaylor. "We would hate to see any precedent created to force government-endorsed belief in a deity upon a captive audience of schoolchildren."
Some current legislation:
• Virginia is facing three separate "In God We Trust" bills. One, requiring "In God We Trust" to be posted in every courtroom, passed the House of Delegates and moved on to preliminary approval in the Senate Courts of Justice committee on Feb. 13 in a 10-3 vote. Dissenter Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, demurred: "I believe in God, but there are others who don't." Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Reston, objected that the bill's intent is to permit one religion to dominate others. Another bill requiring Virginia's public schools to post "In God We Trust" was approved 30-10 by the Virginia Senate. A similar bill passed the state's House of Delegates. (Each house needs to consider the other's bills.) Only Senate Democratic Leader Richard L. Saslaw spoke against this bill, saying it trivialized the word "God." Yet a third Virginia bill would require "In God We Trust" to be posted in other public buildings.
• Arizona: A bill encouraging the posting of "In God We Trust" in Arizona public schools was killed in committee in early February. Still pending action is a bill promoted by state Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, a Mormon legislator who wants to require the motto be displayed in every classroom, school auditorium and school cafeteria. The Arizona Republic (Feb. 13, 2002) editorialized against the bills: "The Arizona Legislature does not need to cram patriotism and religion down the throats of schoolchildren," saying if the bill survives, supporters "should be condemned for a shameless, election-year promotion of their religion in public schools."
• Utah's house passed a bill in late January making it mandatory for all public schools to display "In God We Trust." The bill will now go to the Mormon-dominated state Senate.
• Florida's House Council on Lifelong Learning in mid-February unanimously passed a bill requiring school superintendents to allow "In God We Trust" to be posted prominently in schools. The bill now goes before the full House. Editorialized Florida Today (Feb. 13): "More than two centuries ago, British satirist Samuel Johnson astutely observed that patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.
"Were Johnson alive today, and aware of the goings on in the Florida Legislature, he might well conclude that public piety serves the same function. . . . the idea of posting 'In God We Trust' in public schools should go no further . . . Just because Congress long ago ignored the Constitution in approving the motto for some U.S. currency notes and coins, that's no reason for the Florida Legislature to repeat the mistake."
• Indiana's State Senate voted in February to put the motto in 60,000 classrooms across the state. The bill goes before the Indiana house.
• Connecticut Rep. Art O'Neill, R-Southbury, introduced a bill in February to place "In God We Trust" in every public classroom. Countered Senate President Pro Tem Kevin Sullivan, D-West Hartford: "I don't trust politicians who come up with ideas like this to make headlines."
• Louisiana: The Tangipahoa Parish public schools voted in February to distribute the AFA "In God We Trust" placards with a recommendation, but not a mandate, to display them. State Rep. Almond Gaston Crowe, Jr., R-Pearl River, donated 100 posters and claims 600,000 AFA posters have been given to the nation's schools.
Dr Pepper Keeps Nation Indivisible
The Freedom From Religion Foundation contacted Dr Pepper's consumer relations department to thank it for keeping a patriotic design on its cans secular, after Christian groups targeted the company. The can, featuring an image of the Statue of Liberty, displays the words "One Nation . . . Indivisible."
The company distributed more than 41 million special edition cans to regions in a dozen states starting in November. Mike Martin, director of Dr Pepper's communications office, told the Dallas Morning News the design reflects "our pride in this country's determination to stand together as one" after September 11.
A bible academy in Iowa, soon joined by Donald Wildmon's American Family Association, recently targeted the company for "leaving out God on the cans."
"It wouldn't have been practical to print the entire pledge in the area available on the can," Martin reasonably pointed out.
Martin said many of the thousands of emails Dr Pepper received revealed confusion. Some complained Dr Pepper had "changed the words in the Declaration of Independence" or believed the entire Pledge of Allegiance was written in the can with the phrase "under God" deleted.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation received media coverage for asking its members to thank Dr Pepper "for not tying patriotism to a belief in a god in their marketing campaign." You can still email your thanks to them to:
The phrase "One nation, indivisible," ironically was turned divisive when Congress, in 1954, belatedly inserted "under God" into the secular Pledge.


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See video player above for full interview
The FA's new Advanced Youth Award aims to develop specialist coaches adept at working with young players.
The course, launched in December, is the latest addition to The FA's suite of dedicated youth coaching courses and is the equivalent of the UEFA A Licence in the youth domain.
Fundamental to the course content is social development and how young players learn.
"If we can give coaches an understanding of how learning happens and how behaviour is managed, I think we will get more out of the technical corner," explained Merfyn Roberts, The FA's consultant and tutor for the social corner.
The social corner makes up one part of The FA's four-corner player development model, from which the course is structured.
Traditionally, coaching courses have focused on the technical and physical aspects of player development, whereas The FA Advanced Youth Award gives equal weighting to all four corners.
The importance of the social and psychological corners is stressed throughout.
Roberts has two specific messages which arise from the social corner:
He said: "One is about learning and one is about behaviour.
"If we can give coaches a deeper understanding about how the learning works in their sessions they will be more productive in the technical side."
The social corner, which has a four-day dedicated programme in February, examines the many varied social interactions which occur in the coaching environment.
Coaches will learn the ingredients of a secure coaching environment, as well as how to model the behaviours they seek to develop with their players.
Developing a more holistic understanding of young players is central to the 165 guided learning hours which make up the course.
Understanding behaviour, and not just that of the children, but of parents, is another core focus.
"[If we can] give coaches an understanding of how they manage behaviour, then I think they will be more prepared to take some risks with their coaching and really push the boundaries with their learning," added Roberts.
Each aspect of the course does not operate in isolation but integrates to support the practical football (technical) element of player development. Roberts also provides a reminder that the social development of young players is not a new concept.
"I have worked with professional clubs and people in the professional game for a number of years now, and I think there are a number of clubs out there who have already taken this on board and have come up with some really innovative styles of working.
"There are a lot of coaches out there who do it intuitively. The aim of the course is to try and help them understand what it is they do and once you have an understanding of what it is and why it works then you are going to be even better at it," he added.
The FA Advanced course runs over an 18-month period combining practical sessions, distance learning and individualised support.
Listen to thoughts of FA Coach Education Manager and Course Director, Steve Rutter, here.


text: More videos from this episode Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers We discovered a technique for producing soft, tender peppers that are still firm enough to hold simple but flavorful fillings. Black Pepper Once a peppercorn is cracked, its volatile components begin to disperse, resulting in loss of flavor. The good news is that whole peppercorns are often less expensive than ground. Pepper Mills Pepper mills come in a vast range of styles and materials, but what really matters to us and other serious home cooks is performance. Twice-Baked Potatoes with Cheddar Cheese and Scallions Double bake the potato shells, choose the right dairy for the filling, and finish under the broiler to make this common side dish even better.


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Another horror of the pro choice movement
Since the infamous Roe vs Wade decision, our country has gone into the business of killing human beings. To date, over 30 million innocents have been butchered all in the name of choice. I could put up the numerous videos and pictures depicting this atrocity, but we have all seen them. Those of us with any morals recognize the genocide that has occurred in this | Read More »


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John Deere Helping Illinois Andrew Bauer Oregon High School, Oregon Teacher: Sara Werckel It took a strong man and a team of oxen ninety-six hours to plow one acre of land in the nineteenth century, but John Deere developed a new plow that sped up the plowing process and is still affecting the lives of people in Illinois. John Deere was a hardworking man. Deere developed the plow that turned into a farm-equipment establishment of today. His works benefit people worldwide, but also the area in which I live. Deere was born on February 7, 1804 in Rutland, Vermont. He became an apprentice to a blacksmith at the age of seventeen. His apprenticeship ended in 1825. He immediately became a blacksmith and opened a shop in Vermont. He went bankrupt because there were too many blacksmiths in his area. He sold his shop to his father-in-law and moved to Grand Detour, Illinois. He arrived with his tools and seventy-five dollars. While in Illinois he soon learned that the people, much like the people in Vermont, had problems plowing fields. In Illinois the sticky soil made the problem greater. To plow well in Illinois, farmers had to use eight yoke of oxen. This was very expensive and the farmers of the area could not afford these oxen. Deere set out to develop a faster and more effective way to plow. Deere visited the sawmill of Leonard Andru and saw a broken saw blade. Deere took the blade and chiseled off the teeth, heated, then shaped the blade to the proper shape. The blade, from its use at the mill, had a very smooth, slick polished surface. This kept the sticky soil from clinging on the blade. Deere finished his first plow in 1837. This plow was more effective than the other modern plows. Deere made two more plows in 1838, which he gave to friends in the Grand Detour area. Deere made ten plows in 1839, which he sold for ten to twelve dollars. In 1840 he made forty plows, in 1841 seventy-five, in 1842 one hundred, and in 1843 he made four hundred plows. Photograph Courtesy of the Illinois State Historical Library 1


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How can I connect two VGA monitors to my macbook pro for simultaneous use? ?
- Asked by Darryl W from Crestline
- Dec 21, 2009
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I use a VGA splitter to use a monitor & a projector in a classroom. Make sure you get the correct male/female for your usage.
- Answered by Ken P from Sacramento
- Dec 25, 2009
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It Depends on use, do you want to not use your macbook pro's monitor and two others? Or have three?
for three you'll need another graphics card and an output adapter, another Processor would be a good idea. to not use your macbook's monitor you just need a output- Answered by Tryx C
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Julia daughter of Margaret Kuczmanski. Joey Kuczmanski son of Hank and Jenny Kuczmanski. Grandchildren of Kathy Kuczmanski, Great Grandchildren of Louise and James McPartlan. Enjoying the hot weather at the fair and watching dancers in the Indian Village.
Kids enjoying hot weather at the fair.
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These are the first spy shots of a completed prototype for the next Smart Fortwo, the third generation of the Mercedes mini and the first to be developed with another... read more October 9, 2013 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Smart will be providing us with our best look yet at its third-generation Fortwo with the unveiling of the Fourjoy concept car at next week's 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show... read more September 5, 2013 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Smart's third-generation Fortwo is a year behind schedule, which means it might be some time still until we see the car finally unveiled. To keep interest alive, Smart... read more August 5, 2013 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Renault has unveiled a racy new concept car at the Monaco Grand Prix that the French automaker is using to preview its next-generation Twingo minicar, more specifically, the... read more May 24, 2013 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
Smart has teamed up with Danish interior design company BoConcept to create a new special edition ForTwo Cabrio. Called the Smart ForTwo BoConcept Signature Style, the... read more March 1, 2013 by Viknesh Vijayenthiran


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Working Out (side the box)
Multiple opportunities to compete in sports
In case you haven't heard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that a staggering 67 percent of Oklahomans are either overweight or obese.
As children, most of us had little difficulty finding activities that harnessed our attention as well as provided the exercise necessary for a healthy life. Whether joining a little league baseball team or simply organizing a neighborhood game of kickball, physical fitness was rarely an issue until we reached adulthood.
Unbeknownst to many, quite a few of those same activities are still accessible to us as adults. Though traditional favorites like softball, golf, and bowling are as readily available as they've always been, there are a number of other sporting leagues and organizations in the Tulsa area that cater to people with a wider variety of interests, skill levels and desire of impact.
In addition to offering participants a great physical workout, the numerous athletic organizations in town also offer the benefits of social interaction and an opportunity to break away from monotonous daily routines. After spending countless hours wading through paperwork in a cubicle, the idea of spending an hour or two a week engaged in a competitive event can become something to look forward to.
While jogging and weightlifting are widely regarded
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It's a new year, and with that comes the all-too-familiar resolution to become more active.
Hell on Wheels
With a troupe of intriguing characters, roller derby became one of the most watched sporting events in the nation during the 1970s, filling prestigious venues like Chicago's Comiskey Park and New York's Madison Square Garden to near capacity.
Over the next few decades, oversaturation and the lack of a mainstream league saw the sport's popularity diminish, but in the mid-2000s, a revival of sorts began, and women's derby leagues began forming once again across the country, with as much flamboyance as ever. Women took to circuit tracks sporting colorful derby aliases like "Michelle O'BamYa," "Punky Bruiser," and "Ally McBrawl," once again making roller derby one of the most fascinating sports to watch. The sport's popularity quickly grew in a number of major U.S. cities, and Tulsa was no exception.
Roller derby's resurgence in Tulsa began around 2008, when Huntington Beach, Calif. natives Court and Jenny Collier purchased Skates roller skating center in Sand Springs. The couple, which had been competitive skaters since childhood, founded the Tulsa Derby League with junior, men's, and women's roller derby teams, bringing a once familiar sport back to the Tulsa area.
Currently, the league is home to about 45 local derby enthusiasts -- 35 of whom are women -- engaging in one of the most exhilarating sports exhibitions on the planet. With speed that rivals that of professional hockey and NFL-style ferocity, it's no wonder roller derby continues to be one of the most popular activities among local adults. Collier said the league has garnered much interest from not only participants, but spectators as well, gathering audiences as large as 300 at any given time.
"It gets pretty intense," Court Collier said. "There are a lot of big hits; there are injuries. It is really exciting. Once people come and watch it, they're usually hooked."
While roller derby may seem like a daunting activity for those seeking casual athletic undertakings, the truth is that the Tulsa Derby League welcomes skaters of all proficiencies, from seasoned veterans to those who've never so much as laced up a pair of skates -- or "fresh meat" as they're known in the slang-heavy derby world. Collier and his staff welcome novices with open arms and strive to cultivate proper technique regardless of experience or skill.
"Myself and my assistant coach have a really strong background in teaching roller skating," Collier said. "When fresh meat comes in and they can't skate at all, we spend a lot of time on basic skating technique and positioning. Surprisingly, within a month or two they're playing roller derby.
"There are no prerequisites at all," he added.
An added benefit of roller derby is the phenomenal workout the sport's participants receive. Roller derby offers a virtually nonstop cardiovascular workout, which often produces quick, healthy results.
"I've had girls come in and start up and within about six months they've lost 50 or 60 pounds," said Collier. "Roller skating is considered one of the best athletic sports there is as far as muscle tone and training."
Bryan DuVall Nicole Vance |
"It really teaches centering your core, focus; we do a lot of strategizing for games," Collier added. "Most of the [people] that join are hooked. They stay with it for years."
While the costs associated with competitive roller derby may seem a bit high -- a $100 annual fee, $30 monthly dues to the USA Roller Sports Association and equipment costs around $200 -- the expenses are similar to those often found with a typical gym membership. The sport's major benefit over a traditional gym is that, while offering equally as satisfying a workout, strapping on a pair of skates and competing in a high-energy sport like roller derby can be one of the most exhilarating athletic experiences around.
Whether you're looking to lose a few pounds, maintain an already healthy lifestyle, or just looking to release some pent-up aggression, roller derby can make for a phenomenal extracurricular activity.
In a short while you may even become the next "Susan B. Agony."
Visit the Tulsa Derby League's website at derbystrong.com for more information or contact Collier at 918-241-2342.
Fun at the Ol' Ballpark
Bill Hayward has a motto for baseball: "It's all for the love of the game."
There's no denying that baseball has been one of the most historically popular sports for youth athletes. For decades, children have spent many a summer's day idolizing and re-creating the greatness of heroes from America's pastime. Children would gather in vacant fields across the country, mimicking the talents of legends like Mantle, Mays, and later Bonds and McGwire.
Some time after high school, however, the game becomes less accessible. Memories of daylong pickup games and months of little league begin to fade as adulthood sets in, leaving many baseball-starved men surrendering their passion to nights of third-rate, beer-league softball.
But the flamboyantly striped pants and oversized fluorescent yellow ball isn't the only alternative.
Thankfully, there's the Metro Tulsa Baseball Association.
The Metro Tulsa Baseball Association is a unique organization allowing baseball fanatics the opportunity to continue playing the game they love at a competitive level.
File Photo |
Founded in 2005, MTBA is a unique organization. The league was a rebirth of sorts for the former Men's Senior Baseball League of Tulsa. After 15 years as a player, Hayward -- along with current league president John Beaver -- took their concept of a men's league founded on little more than a desire for improved quality of play and passion for the game and made it a reality.
"[MTBA] was a vision of what we wanted and what we wanted to do with baseball in Tulsa," Hayward said. "And it did turn around the level of competition."
Since then, the league has provided amateur baseball players of all ages the opportunity to play the game well beyond high school or college. Currently, the league is home to players with a variety of skill sets, ranging in age from their twenties to mid-sixties. Former high school, college, and even inexperienced players all take part to make MTBA one of the most interesting adult athletic experiences in Tulsa.
Perhaps the most alluring aspect of Tulsa's adult baseball league is the professionalism with which the league operates. Unlike the loose dress codes associated with amateur softball, the MTBA requires each team to have a distinct uniform, lending proper respect and appreciation for the sport. Additionally, top-notch umpiring crews officiate games, which are held at quality, local high school fields.
Joining MTBA is much easier than it may seem. The league currently offers open enrollment via an annual workout. While the setting of the workout is formatted much like a tryout, the main reason for the event is to accurately assess and place prospective players on the proper teams. Once drafted, players are responsible for a league fee of about $200 per player plus any additional team costs (uniform, equipment, etc.).
Existing and newly formed teams are also welcome to participate in the league, but their approval is subject to review from the board of directors.
For more information check out metrotulsabaseball.org or contact the league at firstname.lastname@example.com. Who knows, in a short time you too may be reliving your glory days on the diamond.
Throwing Stones
Three years ago, the 2010 Winter Olympics captivated much of the world. Unlike most Olympics enthusiasts, Tulsa's Eric Vardeman wasn't engrossed with the figure skating, bobsledding, or luging taking place in Vancouver. He wasn't on the edge of his seat, waiting to see if Apolo Ohno would set the record for individual speed skating medals or if Bode Miller would continue to dominate the alpine skiing ranks. Instead, Vardeman's focus was a lesser known sport that more closely resembled frantic housekeeping than a competitive tradition. His heroes weren't the silver medal-winning U.S. hockey team, but rather a cast of characters bidding for Olympic gold in the sport of curling.
In the months that followed, Vardeman sought ways to participate in the sport himself. After a friend informed him of a league in Oklahoma City, Vardeman immediately decided to try his hand at the sport. A short while later, Vardeman found himself continually traveling back and forth between Tulsa and Oklahoma City to support his new obsession.
Weary from the 100-plus-mile treks, Vardeman decided to propose the idea of a curling club to the brass at Oilers Ice Center in Tulsa. Early last year, his vision was realized as he was granted the opportunity to create what is now the Tulsa Curling Club.
The Derby League CASEY HANSON |
Feeling that many wouldn't share his newfound love for the sport, Vardeman's goal was to form a small recreational club. What was initially intended to be a simple means for a few friends to get together quickly became something even Vardeman couldn't foresee.
"All I was really looking for was seven other guys so we could play matches together," Vardeman said. "Then last January we had an open house just to gauge interest, let people try it out, and see what it was all about. I was expecting 20 or 25 people. We had 67 people show up."
As a result of the unexpectedly high number of prospective curlers, the Tulsa Curling Club was an immediate success, and the league's inaugural season began with 16 teams -- 14 more than Vardeman had hoped for. A sustained interest in the sport led to three ten-week seasons of curling during the club's first year, and with a rapidly growing interest, prospects for 2013 are even brighter.
"One of our players calls curling the softball of winter sports," Vardeman said. "Anybody, really, can play and anybody can get involved. There's no height or weight requirement; you don't have to be a tremendous athlete. Anyone can play. Not everyone can go out and play soccer; not everyone can play softball."
Another alluring fact about curling is that it's a rather inexpensive sport to partake in. Outside of a $160 season fee and annual dues of $30, the only other necessary expense is a slider -- a device that goes over a shoe to help participants slide on the ice -- that can be purchased for around $20. With the annual dues, the club aims to expand into intercity competition and ultimately have affiliation with the nation's standard for the sport, the United States Curling Association.
"When we [join the USCA], then we can play in what's called the National Playdowns, which is how they choose the Olympic teams," Vardeman said.
Currently, the Tulsa Curling Club has participants from a wide variety of age groups as well. Because the sport's broad appeal, Vardeman said the club's members range in age from 19 to 66.
"There's more cardio involved that what can be seen with the naked eye," said Vardeman. "The first couple of weeks, your core hurts. There's a lot more activity than just sliding down the ice."
Though curling is a sport more commonly associated with folks who dwell in more northern regions, there's no denying the growing popularity of the sport in Tulsa. Like Vardeman, many have taken mere curiosity and turned it into an enjoyable way to spend a few hours each week. It doesn't take much experience to get involved, and the skills required for the game can all be acquired in a reasonable amount of time.
According to Vardeman, there are two simple guidelines to heed in order to enjoy the sport of curling: "At some point you will fall, and at some point you will look stupid on the ice. ... But if you can get past that, you will definitely enjoy the sport."
For more information, visit tulsacurlingclub.com or email Vardeman directly at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Pedaling with Purpose
One of the most popular sports among active adults, cycling gives its participants the opportunity to enjoy the many sights of the city and its surrounding areas, all while receiving some of the most exhilarating aerobic training possible.
If you need further convincing, just ask Bryan DuVall.
For nearly two decades DuVall has been at the front and center of the cycling community in Tulsa. Currently the road-racing captain of local cycling club Team Soundpony, DuVall took to cycling as an alternative to a childhood of competitive running that saw little chance for continuation once he finished college.
DuVall's love of competition and desire for speed made cycling the perfect substitute.
"I've always been a little bit of a speed freak," DuVall said. "Once I figured out how much faster you could go on a bicycle, it was instant love for me.
"If you enjoyed any kind of competitive athletics in high school or college, you typically run out of options pretty quickly the day you graduate. [Cycling] is a nice avenue to continue [satisfying] that competitive nature," he added.
Competition, however, is only a small portion of what cycling has to offer those interested in taking on a new activity. While several local clubs often compete in cycling events throughout the nation, the heart of these clubs is the vast amount of casual enthusiasts that encompass them. Currently, Team Soundpony has 94 members ranging in age from 14 to 60. While many choose to compete in nationally ranked events, the majority are simple hobbyists.
"Enthusiasts are the driving force of the cycling community in Tulsa," DuVall said. "If the community was made up purely of racers it would be a fraction of the size that it is. We welcome with open arms any person to our club whether it be a full-blown racer or an enthusiast."
And while many sports offer little in terms of recreational level activities, casual cyclists in Tulsa enjoy a multitude of noncompetitive options throughout the year. Events like Tour de Cure -- a charity event benefiting the American Diabetes Association -- and the widely popular Oklahoma Freewheel draw hundreds of participants from neighboring cities and states, making Tulsa a prominent regional hub for cycling enthusiasts.
Perhaps it's Tulsa's rather impressive cycling infrastructure that has created such a devout local following. In 2010, Bicycling magazine ranked Tulsa the 35th most bicycle-friendly city in the nation. With intertwined trails stretching to all corners of the city, it's no surprise Tulsa is so highly regarded. In recent years, the city has gone to great lengths to help promote cycling, creating a continuing path around the Arkansas River and adding paths along the Creek Turnpike that extend well into the city's eastern limits. Because of these luxuries, Tulsa's cycling scene is hard to beat.
Another benefit of cycling is the relatively low startup cost. Outside of initially purchasing a bike and safety equipment, cycling can be enjoyed for one of the smallest expenses in the amateur sporting world. Joining a cycling club involves an annual fee, ranging from $50-$100 -- Team Soundpony's fee is $50 -- and most recreational rides are free. Cyclists wishing to compete in races are responsible for acquiring an annual license from USA Cycling for $75.
In addition to DuVall's Team Soundpony, there are also a number of other organizations prospective cyclists can choose from, and most cater to cyclists of all skill levels. Tulsa Wheelmen and the team at Tom's Bicycles are a couple other clubs that always welcome new members and provide cycling events for competitors and leisure cyclists alike.
For more information on joining Team Soundpony, or for advice on equipment and cycling in general, contact DuVall at T-Town Bicycles, 918-492-8696.
These are just a few of the local sports leagues available to adults seeking participation in amateur athletics. There are literally dozens of amateur athletic activities available in Tulsa and its surrounding communities. Throughout the city, bowling leagues, basketball leagues, even dodge ball leagues can be found with ease. Whether you're a former professional athlete or someone who's simply looking for a new hobby, the amateur sports scene in Tulsa has something unique to offer most anyone.
So, grab your bat and glove. Dust off and lace up those old skates. Or try something completely different.
There's a lot of fun to be had throughout Tulsa, and with a little help from the city's multitude of sports organizations, maybe we can start improving on that all-too-concerning problem of obesity that continues to plague our great state.
If playing sports isn't your thing, don't worry.
There will be plenty to watch live over the next few months.
Put on your shoes, buy a ticket, and soon you'll be calling for the beer man with the rest of us. Here are just a few options.
Drillers -- The Colorado Rockies -- the major league team the Drillers are associated with -- is set to start spring training the second week of February. "Some of the minor league prospects will be with them ... as well as some that will be here," said Heath Hicks, marketing/public relations assistant. "There's a lot of changes going on in the Drillers organization." While Hicks didn't elaborate on what those would be, it appears that the Drillers still aren't sure who will be in their lineup. Let's hope they get that figured out soon; the home opener is scheduled for April 11.
Conference USA -- Conference USA is bringing the tourney to Tulsa. That's right. You can see the TU men's and women's basketball teams (hopefully!) bring home a championship without ever leaving town. The CUSA tournament takes place March 13-16 at the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center.
2013 Bassmaster Classic -- "It's essentially the Super Bowl of bass fishing," said Heather Miller of South Carolina-based Full Circle. And it's coming to Tulsa. More than 50 fishermen are coming from across the U.S. -- and one from Zimbabwe -- to compete in the Bassmaster Classic Feb. 22-24. While all the fishing will take place on Grand Lake, the weigh-ins will occur and the champiwonship will be awarded at the BOK Center. Three Okies are scheduled to compete: Edwin Evers of Talala, Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, and Jason Christie of Park Hill near Tahlequah. Will they be able to bring the championship home? "Right now everyone seems to think they're the frontrunners," Miller said. "Is [Grand Lake] truly going to be considered home field advantage?" Only time will tell.
Tulsa Oilers -- Rob Loeber, the Oilers' broadcaster, made no bones about it. "This season hasn't really gone as well as we hoped it would," he said. But there is a silver lining: "What I've really liked is the loyalty of our friends and our supporters. ... I've also liked that we have a really good group of guys in our locker room." With 25 games left through the end of March, don't count the Oilers out of the playoffs just yet. "We're still very much in contention. We're not even close to being mathematically eliminated," Loeber said. And he said there are reasons to hope. "One of our goalies -- a guy named Shane Madolora -- is really starting to play well the last few weeks. ... Ever since he's come to us he's provided a really consistent, solid presence between the pipes."
Tulsa 66ers -- Ben Coldagelli -- PR manager for the 66ers -- is particularly proud of the relationship the team has with the Oklahoma City Thunder. "We are a direct affiliate and are owned and operated by the Thunder. So far this year we've seen five different Thunder players play at least three games with us ... Reggie Jackson, Perry Jones, DaAndre Liggins, Daniel Orton, and Jeremy Lamb," Coldagelli said. "We've received the highest number of assignments of any D-league team so far." Because of this relationship, the 66ers practice the same plays as the Thunder. "Kind of the main focus of the team is to develop our players," Coldagelli said. The idea is to make good D-League players into great Thunder players. About halfway through their season, the 66ers can be seen at the SpiritBank Event Center in Bixby.
File Photo |
URL for this story: http://www.urbantulsa.comhttp://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A56442


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on 21-04-2012 04:11 AM
on 21-04-2012 07:17 AM
Im having the same problem its been doing that all day i cant even get on ps home for 5 minutes i also restored my ps3 and its still doing that my internet is the same as its been for 2 years idk whats going on can someone please help?!?!?!?
on 22-04-2012 01:10 AM
on 23-04-2012 08:45 AM
Does anyone know why Playstation Home is not working? Did they get hacked again and don't want to tell us. Someone tell us what is going on? Keep getting an error code. Can get on for a few minutes then get booted off.
on 23-04-2012 11:12 AM
on 28-04-2012 07:29 PM
D6021 is net to me D5021 im familiar with i hope you get it sorted anyway fellow PSN user
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Posada San Eduardo is a wonderful place with outstanding, virtually gourmet dinners in a beautiful dining room, plus it has charming rooms, a peaceful pool, and the rooms are built around a charming courtyard. The owner speaks excellent English and is very helpful. For a person with a vehicle this is a five-star stop but it's out of the way... More
- Also Known As:
- Posada San Eduardo Hotel
- Posada San Eduardo Hotel San Juan


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Sam Alavi Sam Alavi is a senior at Aragon High School and the president of her school's GSA. In previous years, Sam has helped lead the GSA through many successful events and campaigns including Ally Week, Harvey Milk Day, and the annual GSA Castro Field trip. She is also Deputy Director of Bay Area Youth Summit (BAYS). Sam has interned for San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's office and has served on the Teen Advisory Board of Break Through the Static, a mental health organization in Palo Alto, California. Previously, Sam has worked with GSA Network as a Youth Council member and Activist Camp trainer, she is thrilled to be a member of the Board of Directors and Statewide Advocacy Council. Sam enjoys the triumphs and challenges that come with being a straight ally and is looking forward to an exciting year. Outside of activism, Sam enjoys photography, Aragon Outlook Newspaper Staff, and stage managing her school's theatrical productions. |
Ruhi Bhalla, Secretary Ruhi Bhalla is an active student and President of Santa Monica High School's GSA. She is responsible for organizing many events on and off campus such as Project Safe Zone, which is an all day retreat that focuses on issues of sexism, homophobia, and transphobia in our daily lives. She is the Southern California Coordinator for the Bay Area Youth Summit (BAYS) and also works with GSA Network as a Statewide Advocacy Council Member, youth trainer, and Youth Council member. When Ruhi isn't working on making a difference, she is either making films or volunteering at her local aquarium. |
Richard Cain Richard is a Managing Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he leads the Northern California Emerging Company Services tax practice. He has his Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University and his undergraduate degree in Finance from Georgetown University. Richard co-founded PwC's San Francisco GLBT Diversity Circle and has participated in AidsLifeCycle for the past six consecutive years. In addition to cycling, Richard enjoys reading, cooking, working out, trying new restaurants and traveling. |
Benji Delgadillo |
Martha Ehrenfeld Martha is a former elementary and middle school science and technology teacher. She has taught in New York City, Cambridge, Massachusetts and San Francisco, California. She has also been an outdoor educator as well as a technology consultant to help teachers integrate technology into their teaching. She is currently very involved in community tennis where she works with the United States Tennis Association Northern California chairing the diversity committee. Other organizations that are close to her heart are the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Federation (former board vice president) Federation of Gay Games (steering committee for Cleveland 2014) and the San Francisco Bike Coalition. She is a graduate of Emerge California, a pro-choice democratic group that trains women to run for office. She loves to cook, plan events and spend time with her family in Maine. |
Sophie Fanelli |
Elizabeth Gill Elizabeth is a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California and the ACLU's Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project. Elizabeth works on cases and campaigns around the country that aim to ensure equal treatment of LGBT people by the government; equal rights and protections for LGBT couples and families; protection from discrimination in jobs, schools, housing, and public accommodations; and fair treatment by the government of people living with HIV/AIDS. Prior to the ACLU, Elizabeth was a litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco, and at WilmerHale in Washington, DC. She graduated from Columbia College and Harvard Law School. |
Keanan Gottlieb In 10th grade, Keanan decided it was time for a GSA at his school. His GSA, The Rainbow Coalition, has become the biggest club with over 25% of the high school participating. They have put on many successful events such as No Name Calling Week, Day of Silence, and Harvey Milk-shakes. After attending a GSA Network Leadership Summit in October 2010, Keanan became interested in advocacy work. After attending GSA Network's GSA Advocacy and Youth Leadership Academy and Queer Youth Advocacy Day in the spring of 2011, he was hooked. Keanan became involved with Statewide Advocacy Council as well as the Board. When he is not finishing homework, he enjoys playing and coaching soccer, participating in martial arts, playing, listening, and writing music, going to concerts and the theater, studying medicine and forensic science, Harry Potter, and traveling. Keanan graduated high school in 2013 and attends Pitzer College. He plans on becoming a medical examiner and working with healthcare rights and accessibility, specifically in the transgender community. |
Isaias Guzman |
Brianna Luna Brianna's journey began when her mother encouraged her to join her school's GSA club freshman year. By sophomore year she had been so inspired by the club and the safe environment that she became President. Her club participates in Transgender Day of Remembrance, Day of Silence, and Harvey Milk and Cookies Day. The summer after her sophomore year she found out about GSA Network's Activist Camp and decided to go. That was the major kick off to her activism and after that she became a trainer of Central Valley GSAs, leading workshops around the Valley and at the next year's Activist Camp. She also went to GAYLA/QYAD, and then finally decided to apply to the Board of Directors. Aside from GSA, she is also active in Lighthouse Christian club, Roots and Shoots environmental club, and swim team. In her free time Brianna enjoys drawing, painting, reading, playing video games, and spending time with her boyfriend and friends. |
Jenny Pardini |
Andrew Uehling, Board Chair |
Bert Vander Meeren, Treasurer |
Calen Valencia Calen Valencia is a senior at Tulare Union High School in the South-Central Valley. He is currently a GSA president as well as a peer educator to his classmates and peers on stereotypes and problems that youth face. Attending his first GSA Network event in April, he was quickly inspired by all of the youth who attended Queer Youth Advocacy Day and decided to take it back to the Valley. He then continued the only GSA in his city, as well as inspired other high schools to form one. He has been involved with GSA Network ever since and has reached out to various youth in the valley and encouraged them to make a change. When not doing activism in the LGBT community, Calen runs a blog that targets issues that marginalized groups face, as well as attempts a positive connotation to end stigmas. He also enjoys DIY crafts, good food, and learning new ideas and skills to further the enjoyment of life. |
Mario Vasquez, Vice-Chair |
Contact the GSA Network Board via email: firstname.lastname@example.com [1]
[1] mailto:email@example.com


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News & Events
Bethany Lutheran College | www.blc.edu
Art Westphal inducted into MAYBA Hall of Fame
Art Westphal gained induction into the Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association Hall of Fame.
Don Westphal named new Director of Athletics
Bethany Lutheran College announces the hiring of Don Westphal as the new Director of Athletics.
President Bruss to chair Minnesota Private College Council
President Dan Bruss will chair both will chair the Minnesota Private College Council as well as the Minnesota Private College Fund as of July 1