In today's pages: Charter schools, missile threats and Prop. 8 boycotts
The Federal Communications Commission needs a makeover--an updated look, or at least attitude, for our time, the editorial board writes. That's especially true of the time and attention it gives to enforcing decency rules:
The FCC also showed an alarming willingness to use government power to impose ineffective and discriminatory decency rules on broadcasters in the name of shielding children from profane or violent programming. More relevant to a bygone era's media environment, such rules reflect how poorly the commissioners seem to understand today's technological realities.
The Obama family hasn't even had time to pick a puppy yet, and already President-elect Barack Obama is confronted with missile threats from Russia. Missile defense threats are rattling their own sabres, but Obama "should not react to the rhetoric from either quarter, but he should reconsider missile defense on its merits -- or lack thereof. The president-elect rightly is skeptical of the defense shield, given that it doesn't yet work and it's intended to defend against nuclear-tipped Iranian missiles that don't yet exist," the board advises. It also calls on federal immigration authorities to be open about their rules for deportation of detained illegal immigrants and to inform potential deportess of their rights.
On the other side of the fold, Los Angele Unified school board member Tamar Galatzan wants a more consistent system for approving and assessing charter schools:
Charters should not be rewarded for simply out- performing their underachieving LAUSD counterparts. The philosophy of charter schools is based on accountability, and the district must hold them to their promises. Lack of accountability is not uncommon in the school district, but we cannot let it seep into the charter movement as well.
Arguments about the genocide in Rwanda are at the heart of a court case in which the African nation seeks to shake itself free of French influence. And Joel Stein calls for a "No Gays for a Day" day, in which the gay and lesbian community would display its financial clout by staying home from work and shopping.
Illustration by Signe Wilkinson/Philadelphia Daily News
This is gone far enough; this outraging gay movement has exceeded all legal boundaries of civil protection and crossed over into outright criminal behavior.
We evidence assaults, property damage, terrorist activities, personal and religious discrimination, hate crimes, blacklisting which poses threat to life and property, extortion of money by intimidation, organized racketeering , etc. Yes on 8 people, in no compromising terms, must petition the US Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute these subversive so-called "gay" [rights] organizations NOW!
Whether you people understand the machinations of your government or not, the actions of these groups is in sedition to the established laws of this nation. The activist lawmakers and jurists as well are clearly in violation of their oaths of office by ignoring or encouraging these criminal activities.
Posted by: Archangel | November 15, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Let’s not forget what the Yes on 8 people did:
http://crooksandliars.com/julia-rosen/mormons-and-prop-8-lies-and-blackmail
……the the Prop 8 campaign -- after first denying it -- admitted to sending certified letters to companies that donated to "No on 8" and Equality California (one of the major funders of the No campaign) demanding that the companies provide a matching donation to Yes on 8, or they would be "outed."
ProtectMarriage.com, a group that includes Mark Jansson, a self-described member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
sent a certified letter this week asking companies to withdraw their support of Equality California, a nonprofit organization that is helping lead the campaign against Proposition 8.
"Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarriage.com which will help us correct this error," reads the letter. "Were you to elect not to donate comparably, it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage. ... The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published."
Ballsy no? And verging on illegal. Unfortunately, it is just the latest in a series of lies, smears and distortions from the Prop 8 campaign and in particular the Mormon Church.
Posted by: Marianda Ruiz | November 15, 2008 at 07:31 AM