Dismissal Order

Today I received the court order dismissing the case which I bought against CCGLA. It seems that when you withdraw your claim, it actually is taken as a dismissal – in this case without prejudice (which in legal terms means the case can be re-activated). It is nice to have this finalized.

Commentary: Rev. Al Sharpton

The Reverend Al Sharpton has a commentary on CNN today relating to the focus of black church leaders on sexually-based themes, rather than social issues like race-based inequality, poverty and voting equality.

Rev. Sharpton makes the following comment about Dr. Martin Luther Kings mission,

And he performed all of his acts under the banner of Christianity. The church was his home base. The organization he founded was the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was a man of piety who saw Christianity for what it truly is — a religion that promotes peace and equality above all else.

But it seems that some have chosen to ignore or have simply forgotten the big-picture vision promoted by Dr. King and his kin.

It appears that this may, in fact, be the case. Well said, Rev. Sharpton.

Marriage Good for Kids

According to a new report issued by the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics, the ability of same-gender couples having the ability to marry would not harm any children within the relationship. The report goes on to say that children could in fact benefit from the ability of their parents to legally marry (in the case of same-gender couples).

Original link: Good As You

Religious Equality: Wiccans

It appears that the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is skirting the boundaries of the Constitution by not providing a religious marker on a fallen soldier’s grave marker. The soldier, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, is believed to be the first Wiccan to have died in the line of duty, and his widow asked for his memorial plaque to have the Wiccan symbol inscribed, like many other markers around that are inscribed with other religious symbols. According to the Washington Post,

The department has approved the symbols of 38 other faiths; about half of are versions of the Christian cross. It also allows the Jewish Star of David, the Muslim crescent, the Buddhist wheel, the Mormon angel, the nine-pointed star of Bahai and something that looks like an atomic symbol for atheists.

The article goes on to say that an initial request was made to include the Wiccan Pentagram in the Department’s listing of approved symbols nine years ago. Since that time, eleven other symbols have been approved, but the Wiccan symbol is still pending.

Source: “Fallen Soldier Gets a Bronze Star but No Pagan Star”
(Washington Post, July 4, 2006: Page A02)