In act of defiance and possible further cover up, Fullerton PD's unindicted co-conspirator Acting Police Chief Danny Hughes promoted accomplice and unindicted co-conspirator Sgt. Andrew Goodrich to Lieutenant.
Showing posts with label City of Fullerton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label City of Fullerton. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Is Fullerton Doomed?
by Darryl Jones for the Fullerton Sentinel
There are so many things that eat at me.
Sometimes its little; sometimes big. I guess I'm just wired that way.
Today I am upset with Fullerton. I conduct most of my business in Fullerton and contribute heavily to the tax base.
So, when I had a chance to sign the recall petition, I did. All three.
The Three Idiots, Three Blind Mice, Three Senile Imbeciles, whatever you call them, are on there way out.
And what is bothering me is knowing that there are at least three more well-funded, well connected insiders ready to step up and fill those seats. That scares the hell out of me and it should do the same to you.
When the signatures are counted, who will be throwing their hat into a race to manage and spend YOUR money. My money.
I learned my lesson and will never vote for another public employee to the Fullerton City Council. No more school teachers. No more cops. No firemen or retired city employees.
And NO attorneys! Nelson was good (though flawed) but no more. No more wills & trusts characters. No more real estate people either- trust me!
For crying out loud- can't we just get a good person to watch over Fullerton? Is it that hard?
I hope you will join me in supporting a moratorium on political hacks, banksters, public employees, and the city hall insiders.
Let's find someone who can do the job and not screw us over.
There are so many things that eat at me.
Sometimes its little; sometimes big. I guess I'm just wired that way.
Today I am upset with Fullerton. I conduct most of my business in Fullerton and contribute heavily to the tax base.
So, when I had a chance to sign the recall petition, I did. All three.
The Three Idiots, Three Blind Mice, Three Senile Imbeciles, whatever you call them, are on there way out.
And what is bothering me is knowing that there are at least three more well-funded, well connected insiders ready to step up and fill those seats. That scares the hell out of me and it should do the same to you.
When the signatures are counted, who will be throwing their hat into a race to manage and spend YOUR money. My money.
I learned my lesson and will never vote for another public employee to the Fullerton City Council. No more school teachers. No more cops. No firemen or retired city employees.
And NO attorneys! Nelson was good (though flawed) but no more. No more wills & trusts characters. No more real estate people either- trust me!
For crying out loud- can't we just get a good person to watch over Fullerton? Is it that hard?
I hope you will join me in supporting a moratorium on political hacks, banksters, public employees, and the city hall insiders.
Let's find someone who can do the job and not screw us over.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Fullerton City Hall Epicenter Corruption
Fullerton management closely resembles the 1989 Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder film Hear See No Evil, Hear No Evil.Whitaker tells of lies, falsified reports, and stonewalling department heads. Misinformation seems to be the order of the day.
What is it about our City Hall that attracts corruption?
For some reason, city staff seem to think they are in charge of Fullerton.
Long overdue, the City Council needs to begin systematically firing department heads beginning with City Manager Joe Felz.
If the City Council boobs wont do it, let's show them the door. A new City Council won't be so tolerant of corruption.
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| Fullerton Recall |
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Another Bar in Downtown Fullerton
by Darryl Jones for the Fullerton Sentinel
As if the dozens of existing bars in Downtown Fullerton were not enough, yet another is poised to open.
Last night, the Fullerton Planning Commission unanimously gave the green light to the nightclub which is taking over the old Spadra Restaurant next to the Slidebar. The owners plan to expand the patio and make minor interior changes.
The plans include having beer taps at several tables so that customers can pour their own drinks.
In a town where some of our greatest expense and liability is the direct result of providing college students and dropouts with alcohol, it might be time to re-think City plans to continue this growing trend.
City staff assert that the City has the resources to manage another watering hole. With as many as ten Fullerton Police Officers taken off patrol in recent months for varying degrees of misconduct it is unclear just how the City will manage another 200 drunks in Downtown Fullerton.
Good job Fullerton!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Face of Corruption
McKinley is responsible for hiring all six officers involved in the murder of Kelly Thomas.
He interviewed each officer and approved all of their pay raises and promotions.
McKinley lead a department which fostered this corruption until he retired and was elected to the City Council where he continues to control the police department.
McKinley is a triple-dipper. He is set to receive a retirement from the LAPD, Fullerton PD, and the Fullerton City Council.
DO NOT REWARD HIS CORRUPT LEADERSHIP.
RECALL MCKINLEY!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Fullerton Councilmembers Statement of Economic Interests
The Political Reform Act requires elected officials to disclose their assets and income.Elected officials like Fullerton Councilmembers must disqualify themselves from making any decisions that they may benefit personally.
Form 700, which is known as "Statement of Economic Interests" (SEI) are for public review to ensure full transparency of elected officials to prevent any conflict that may arises.
This past Spring all five Fullerton Councilmembers have submitted their SEI:
Don Bankhead
Richard Jones
Pat McKinley
Sharon Quirk-Silva
Bruce Whitaker
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Prepare for Sunset of Redevelopment Agency
Not that this will happen in Fullerton, but it will happen in the City of Glendora, which is located in the San Gabriel Valley Foothills.The City of Glendora wants to prepare for the 2017 sunset of their Redevelopment Agency (RDA).
Why is this happening?
According to the proposed Glendora's 2011-12 Budget makes the key point that answer the question on page 32:
Reiteration of a critical policy matter facing the Glendora CRA is necessary. In 2017, the Agency’s Project Area #1, the economic engine of our redevelopment activities, will reach the end of its statutory existence. Tax increment collections beyond debt service obligations will cease. This translates into $1.9 million in lost administrative allocation for City services provided to the Agency. We believe that gradual, annual reduction in the $1.9 million allocation should be effectuated each year leading up to 2017, and for this reason have, under separate cover, presented the City Council/Agency Board with additional budget reductions beyond the scope of the attached Proposed Budget.
It is interesting to note that the Glendora RDA will "reach the end of its statutory existence".
Therefore, the City of Glendora is taking proactive steps in budgetary reduction and allocation that would eventually close the doors on their RDA.
Perhaps, Fullerton should look to Glendora as an example to get out of the Redevelopment Agency bureaucracy as a whole by making the free market work and not part of a municipal obligation.
When will the Fullerton City Council be serious by phasing out the Redevelopment Agency in the future like Glendora? Only time will tell!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fullerton Rapist in Jail
by Denisse Salazar for the OC Register FULLERTON – A man is behind bars on suspicion of raping an Orange County housekeeper he found on Craigslist, police said.
Michael Delgado, 27, of Fullerton was arrested Friday morning after a woman in her 40s reported that she was raped when she showed up to clean an apartment in the 1500 block of Brea Boulevard, Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said.
Delgado was booked on suspicion of rape, false imprisonment, rape with a foreign object and assault, Goodrich said. He is being held at the Fullerton City Jail.
Goodrich said Delgado contacted the woman after he found her information under the "Maid" section of the classified ad site. He then sent her an e-mail and asked her to come clean his apartment, Goodrich said.
Goodrich said the woman was reluctant to accept the job because she typically only cleans homes for families. But in this case, Delgado was extremely persistent and she accepted the job after he told her he needed the apartment cleaned because his father was coming home.
The woman showed up at Delgado's gated apartment complex shortly before 8 a.m. Friday. Delgado greeted the woman at the gate and took her through several security doors, Goodrich said.
Once inside his apartment, the woman felt uneasy and tried to leave, but Delgado wouldn't let her, Goodrich said. Delgado then sexually assaulted and raped the woman for over an hour, Goodrich said.
Delgado then walked the woman out of the complex. Once outside, the woman asked a passerby to call the police.
Detectives interviewed the woman, who was extremely emotional, and arrested Delgado at his apartment. The woman later identified Delgado as the man who raped her, Goodrich said.
"She was physically traumatized by the incident," Goodrich said.
"We want to remind everyone that they need to be extremely cautious when meeting people they don't know at their homes," Goodrich said. "This incident reminds us just how vulnerable we can all be at times."
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect was asked to call Detective Kathryn Hamel at 714-738-5327 or Fullerton police at 714-738-6715.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3709 or desalazar@ocregister.com
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| FPD Booking Photo, Courtesy of OC Register |
Michael Delgado, 27, of Fullerton was arrested Friday morning after a woman in her 40s reported that she was raped when she showed up to clean an apartment in the 1500 block of Brea Boulevard, Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said.
Delgado was booked on suspicion of rape, false imprisonment, rape with a foreign object and assault, Goodrich said. He is being held at the Fullerton City Jail.
Goodrich said Delgado contacted the woman after he found her information under the "Maid" section of the classified ad site. He then sent her an e-mail and asked her to come clean his apartment, Goodrich said.
Goodrich said the woman was reluctant to accept the job because she typically only cleans homes for families. But in this case, Delgado was extremely persistent and she accepted the job after he told her he needed the apartment cleaned because his father was coming home.
The woman showed up at Delgado's gated apartment complex shortly before 8 a.m. Friday. Delgado greeted the woman at the gate and took her through several security doors, Goodrich said.
Once inside his apartment, the woman felt uneasy and tried to leave, but Delgado wouldn't let her, Goodrich said. Delgado then sexually assaulted and raped the woman for over an hour, Goodrich said.
Delgado then walked the woman out of the complex. Once outside, the woman asked a passerby to call the police.
Detectives interviewed the woman, who was extremely emotional, and arrested Delgado at his apartment. The woman later identified Delgado as the man who raped her, Goodrich said.
"She was physically traumatized by the incident," Goodrich said.
"We want to remind everyone that they need to be extremely cautious when meeting people they don't know at their homes," Goodrich said. "This incident reminds us just how vulnerable we can all be at times."
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect was asked to call Detective Kathryn Hamel at 714-738-5327 or Fullerton police at 714-738-6715.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3709 or desalazar@ocregister.com
Monday, May 16, 2011
Hearing on 760-home development postponed
By LOU PONSI
for THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
FULLERTON – A public hearing on the proposed 760-home West Coyote Hills project originally scheduled to go before the City Council on Tuesday has been postponed.
The public hearing has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 12 in the Council Chambers at 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Chevron-owned Pacific Coast Homes, the project's developer, requested the postponement, city officials said.
The Orange County Land Use Commission, a county agency that ensures compatibility with land uses and their proximity to airports, wants more time to make sure there are no noise or safety issues affecting airport operations, project planner Joan Wolff said. The southwest tip of the project comes close to the air space around the Fullerton Municipal Airport.
Pacific Coast Homes proposes to build condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes along with 68,000 square feet of retail space on the 510 acres it owns in northwest Fullerton. Under its proposal, 283 acres would remain open or recreational areas, including the existing 72-acre Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve.
Last year, the City Council voted 3-2 against the development. Pacific Coast Homes sued.
Under a recent settlement agreement, the City Council will reconsider the same proposal that was denied last year. Following last year's decision, two new council members were voted into office.
for THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
FULLERTON – A public hearing on the proposed 760-home West Coyote Hills project originally scheduled to go before the City Council on Tuesday has been postponed.
The public hearing has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 12 in the Council Chambers at 303 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Chevron-owned Pacific Coast Homes, the project's developer, requested the postponement, city officials said.
The Orange County Land Use Commission, a county agency that ensures compatibility with land uses and their proximity to airports, wants more time to make sure there are no noise or safety issues affecting airport operations, project planner Joan Wolff said. The southwest tip of the project comes close to the air space around the Fullerton Municipal Airport.
Pacific Coast Homes proposes to build condominiums, townhomes and single-family homes along with 68,000 square feet of retail space on the 510 acres it owns in northwest Fullerton. Under its proposal, 283 acres would remain open or recreational areas, including the existing 72-acre Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve.
Last year, the City Council voted 3-2 against the development. Pacific Coast Homes sued.
Under a recent settlement agreement, the City Council will reconsider the same proposal that was denied last year. Following last year's decision, two new council members were voted into office.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Politically Correct Gone Too Far?
By now just about everyone has seen this picture.
A few GOP insiders who have a political beef with Marilyn Davenport because she represents the 72nd Assembly District (1 of 6) on the OC Republican Party's Central Committee and has been a staunch supporter of anyone willing to buck Ackerman, Schroeder, Fleischman, and Baugh have taken what would normally have been a nothing-email and turned it into a media circus.
Over the weekend it was reported to the Sentinel that it was the Ackerman, Schroeder, and Fleischman trio who leaked the email to R. Scott Moxley at OCWeekly.com.
You may recall that it was this same group which sought the audio/video recordings that lead to the resignation of former 72nd Assemblyman, Mike Duvall. Later that year, former State Senator Dick Ackerman's wife Linda Ackerman (a carpetbagger who was living in Irvine despite falsified voter registration documents) ran for the seat against then-County Supervisor Chris Norby. Norby beat Ackerman by a huge 2-1 margin. The Norby-Ackerman animosity dates back to the days when both men were on the Fullerton City Council.
As Sentinel friend Tim Whitacre has stated, Davenport is a kind woman.
The Fullerton Sentinel understands that some hypersensitive individuals might be offended by the image above. Just for you we have assembled some images sent to us by Orange County Republicans who think the image is fair political free speech.
Davenport told the Sentinel that she will not be resigning despite OCGOP Chairman Baugh's crying. A KABC News video shows a clown-like Baugh succumbing to the realization that he has no authority to remove a duly elected Central Committee member.
And in case you didn't get enough...
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| Now you know why no birth certificate. |
A few GOP insiders who have a political beef with Marilyn Davenport because she represents the 72nd Assembly District (1 of 6) on the OC Republican Party's Central Committee and has been a staunch supporter of anyone willing to buck Ackerman, Schroeder, Fleischman, and Baugh have taken what would normally have been a nothing-email and turned it into a media circus.
Over the weekend it was reported to the Sentinel that it was the Ackerman, Schroeder, and Fleischman trio who leaked the email to R. Scott Moxley at OCWeekly.com.
You may recall that it was this same group which sought the audio/video recordings that lead to the resignation of former 72nd Assemblyman, Mike Duvall. Later that year, former State Senator Dick Ackerman's wife Linda Ackerman (a carpetbagger who was living in Irvine despite falsified voter registration documents) ran for the seat against then-County Supervisor Chris Norby. Norby beat Ackerman by a huge 2-1 margin. The Norby-Ackerman animosity dates back to the days when both men were on the Fullerton City Council.
As Sentinel friend Tim Whitacre has stated, Davenport is a kind woman.
The Fullerton Sentinel understands that some hypersensitive individuals might be offended by the image above. Just for you we have assembled some images sent to us by Orange County Republicans who think the image is fair political free speech.
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| Arnold |
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| Al Gore |
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| Cruz Bustamante (or Bust-a-monkey) |
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| Dick Chaney |
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| Pres. Bush |
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| Dick Chaney |
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| John Kerry |
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| Pres. Bush |
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| Pres. Bush |
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| Jesse Jackson & Donald Rumsfeld |
And in case you didn't get enough...
Now that the hypersensitive visitors are livid and pounding their fists, maybe they will go and leave the rest of us to laugh it off. For decades political satire has equated political leadership to monkey business. Indeed it is.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Two Important Meetings for Fullerton Residents and Business Owners to attend
Below is an email I received from Greg Sebourn urging your help.
First, the Water Rate Study will be held at the City Yard (1580 W. Commonwealth Ave.) at 6:30PM tonight and at City Hall tomorrow morning (4/13/2011) at 7:30AM at City Hall.
Please attend the meeting, hear what City Hall has to say and be ready to offer up solutions that do not include doubling our water bill.
You can find the City’s budget at: http://www.cityoffullerton.com/depts/admin_serv/budget/budget.asp
You can find the DRAFT Water Rate Study Report at: http://www.cityoffullerton.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=7063
Second, the Planning Department needs your help. I will share my personal feelings about this at a later date but until then, please help. If you don’t pitch in and speak up, imagine who will…
Here is the text of the message from City Hall to YOU:
_________________________________
First, the Water Rate Study will be held at the City Yard (1580 W. Commonwealth Ave.) at 6:30PM tonight and at City Hall tomorrow morning (4/13/2011) at 7:30AM at City Hall.
Please attend the meeting, hear what City Hall has to say and be ready to offer up solutions that do not include doubling our water bill.
You can find the City’s budget at: http://www.cityoffullerton.com/depts/admin_serv/budget/budget.asp
You can find the DRAFT Water Rate Study Report at: http://www.cityoffullerton.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=7063
Second, the Planning Department needs your help. I will share my personal feelings about this at a later date but until then, please help. If you don’t pitch in and speak up, imagine who will…
Here is the text of the message from City Hall to YOU:
Community Partners:
The City of Fullerton is inviting residents, property owners, business owners and community groups to help select a consultant for the Downtown Core and Corridors Specific Plan and Program Environmental Impact Report. The goal of the Downtown Core and Corridors project is to develop a vision and plan to guide the future development of the City’s downtown and its major entry corridors, or streets. By creating detailed standards that are aligned with the community-based vision, the design and review process for future projects will be improved as there will be more clarity and direction for the parties involved.
Selecting the right consultant for this project is extremely important, and the City has intentionally created a process where members of the community will be involved in the decision.
In January 2011, the City of Fullerton released a Request for Qualifications for the Downtown Core and Corridors Specific Plan and Program Environmental Impact Report. Twenty consultant teams responded and submitted Statements of Qualifications. On March 30, 2011, an Evaluation Committee (consisting of 10 members of the public appointed by the City Council and 7 City staff members) identified the top three consultant teams. These three consultant teams have been invited for interviews before the Evaluation Committee and the Fullerton community.
At the community interviews, members of the Fullerton community will have the opportunity to hear presentations from the three teams. They can also interact with the consultant teams and ask them questions. Community members will also have the opportunity to fill out evaluation score cards for each team. The score cards will be used by the Evaluation Committee to select the best consultant team for the project.
Details related to the Community Interviews are provided below:Monday, April 25, 20114:00pm – 8:00pmCity of Fullerton Maintenance Services Building1580 W. Commonwealth AvenuePlease participate in this important process and invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers do the same by forwarding this email to them. Together we can insure that the downtown and its entry corridors get the best consultant team for this important project.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Allen, Planning Manager: heathera@ci.fullerton.ca.us or 714.738.6884
Jason Jones, Project Manager: Jason@JonesPlanningandDesign.com or 408-310-7881
Al Zelinka, Community Development Director: alz@ci.fullerton.ca.us or 714.738.3347.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
91% Increase in Water Rates
(from Fullertontaxfighters.com)
This Tuesday night, March 1st 2011, the Fullerton City Council will direct staff on the implementation of a water rate study.
Based on the proposal from the City's consultant, the new rates will be increased by 10% for 5 years then 3.5% for another 5 years amounting to a 191% increase by 2021.
The reason for the tax hike is clear. The report says, "It should be noted that the planned spending on mainline replacement over the projection period is significantly more than the City has undertaken in the past. At a cost of approximately $190 per linear foot of line the City plans to replace approximately 6 miles of mainline per year at a cost of over 6 million per year. At this pace it would take the City 400 years to replace the entire system (which consists of approximately 420 miles of pipe)."
MFSG's proposal spells out how exactly we got into this mess in the first place. Unfortunately, this proposal and the implementation should have been undertaken decades ago. Oddly, the proposal notes that the City could just ignore the problem (like they have been doing for so many years).
"While the capital investments have a pronounced impact on rates the projects are vitally important to ensure the continued operation of the water system. The City could keep rates low initially by not maintaining the system but would pay a significant price later as system failures spike due to a lack of system maintenance, which would then result in increased costs and ultimately the need for even higher rate increases. Proactively managing of the water system through maintenance and capital investments allows the City to keep rates stable over time."
Join me at City Hall this Tuesday at 6:30PM to tell the Fullerton City Council that higher taxes won't fix decades of mismanagement and waste.
Thank you,
Greg Sebourn
Husband, Father, Educator, Professional Land Surveyor, and Local Activist for Limited Government.
GregSebourn@yahoo.com
http://fullertontaxfighters.com/
http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/2011/91-water-rate-increase-wtf-is-next/
http://gregsebourn.blogspot.com/2011/02/fullerton-water-rates-to-double.html
This Tuesday night, March 1st 2011, the Fullerton City Council will direct staff on the implementation of a water rate study.
Based on the proposal from the City's consultant, the new rates will be increased by 10% for 5 years then 3.5% for another 5 years amounting to a 191% increase by 2021.
The reason for the tax hike is clear. The report says, "It should be noted that the planned spending on mainline replacement over the projection period is significantly more than the City has undertaken in the past. At a cost of approximately $190 per linear foot of line the City plans to replace approximately 6 miles of mainline per year at a cost of over 6 million per year. At this pace it would take the City 400 years to replace the entire system (which consists of approximately 420 miles of pipe)."
SHOW UP AND BE HEARD
at the Fullerton City Council Chambers
6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 1st, 2011.
303 W. Commonwealth
Fullerton, CA 92832
at the Fullerton City Council Chambers
6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 1st, 2011.
303 W. Commonwealth
Fullerton, CA 92832
"While the capital investments have a pronounced impact on rates the projects are vitally important to ensure the continued operation of the water system. The City could keep rates low initially by not maintaining the system but would pay a significant price later as system failures spike due to a lack of system maintenance, which would then result in increased costs and ultimately the need for even higher rate increases. Proactively managing of the water system through maintenance and capital investments allows the City to keep rates stable over time."
~Managing through maintenance and capital investment.~
That is a sentence that has been long missing from Fullerton. The City council has pushed tax bonds to provide low-income housing and park facilities while ignoring the streets, sewers, and water lines. And now Fullerton taxpayers must pay the high price of municipal mismanagement. Compounding our financial civic woes is that if the proposed rate hikes were approved, the City would have to borrow heavily through bonds to cover the actual costs of replacing the aging system.Join me at City Hall this Tuesday at 6:30PM to tell the Fullerton City Council that higher taxes won't fix decades of mismanagement and waste.
Thank you,
Greg Sebourn
Husband, Father, Educator, Professional Land Surveyor, and Local Activist for Limited Government.
GregSebourn@yahoo.com
_____________________________________
Sources:http://fullertontaxfighters.com/
http://www.fullertonsfuture.org/2011/91-water-rate-increase-wtf-is-next/
http://gregsebourn.blogspot.com/2011/02/fullerton-water-rates-to-double.html
Friday, February 18, 2011
VICTORY: Planned Parenthood loses funding in House vote
(from CBSNews.com)
The House voted on Friday in favor of a proposal to ban all federal funding for Planned Parenthood and to eliminate a program known as Title X, which provides aid for family planning and reproductive health.
The amendment, which was put forth by Indiana Republican Mike Pence, passed with a vote of 240 to 185, with eleven Democrats voting for the amendment and seven Republicans voting against it. One Congress member voted "present." The amendment will now proceed to Senate as a part of the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through September.
Abortion rights activists immediately condemned the amendment as an "extreme and dangerous piece of legislation" and an "assault" on millions of Americans.
"The outcome of this vote is not a surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values and it is out of line with the issues voters want Congress to focus on," said Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, in an e-mailed statement.
"In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an outrageous assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, family planning visits, birth control, HIV testing, and more."
Anti-abortion rights activists, however, have lauded the proposal's passage on Friday as an "historic vote."
"We are very grateful to the House of Representatives and its leadership for listening to the American people," said Penney Nance, CEO of the anti-abortion group Concerned Women for America. "Now it's time for the U.S. Senate to follow suit and finally cut off all federal funding to an organization that thumbs is willing to aid and abet sex traffickers."
In a Thursday night debate preceding the vote, conversation quickly moved to the topic of abortion rights and women's rights, as well as the relative merits of Planned Parenthood and Title X - a program that provides low-income families with aid toward family planning and reproductive health.
New York Democrat Louise Slaughter called the proposed cuts to family planning "the opening salvo in an all-out war on women's health."
And in a moment that commanded solemn attention on the House floor, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) discussed her own experience with abortion.
The House voted on Friday in favor of a proposal to ban all federal funding for Planned Parenthood and to eliminate a program known as Title X, which provides aid for family planning and reproductive health.
The amendment, which was put forth by Indiana Republican Mike Pence, passed with a vote of 240 to 185, with eleven Democrats voting for the amendment and seven Republicans voting against it. One Congress member voted "present." The amendment will now proceed to Senate as a part of the Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through September.
Abortion rights activists immediately condemned the amendment as an "extreme and dangerous piece of legislation" and an "assault" on millions of Americans.
"The outcome of this vote is not a surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values and it is out of line with the issues voters want Congress to focus on," said Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, in an e-mailed statement.
"In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an outrageous assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, family planning visits, birth control, HIV testing, and more."
Anti-abortion rights activists, however, have lauded the proposal's passage on Friday as an "historic vote."
"We are very grateful to the House of Representatives and its leadership for listening to the American people," said Penney Nance, CEO of the anti-abortion group Concerned Women for America. "Now it's time for the U.S. Senate to follow suit and finally cut off all federal funding to an organization that thumbs is willing to aid and abet sex traffickers."
In a Thursday night debate preceding the vote, conversation quickly moved to the topic of abortion rights and women's rights, as well as the relative merits of Planned Parenthood and Title X - a program that provides low-income families with aid toward family planning and reproductive health.
New York Democrat Louise Slaughter called the proposed cuts to family planning "the opening salvo in an all-out war on women's health."
And in a moment that commanded solemn attention on the House floor, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) discussed her own experience with abortion.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Today's Reading
Acts 9
Saul’s Conversion
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Aeneas and Dorcas
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ed Royce
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Representative Ed Royce
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Why “Sanctity of Life” Matters
by Jim Litchfield
Last Saturday, January 22, was the 38th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision which opened wide the door to the killing of our unborn babies. We asked one of our church’s strongest proponents of Right to Life issues to write about what keeps him and his wife Carolyn in the fight.
Abortion.
It is worse than you can imagine.
Abortion. The word itself elicits emotions across the entire spectrum of human feelings. Abortion. Our response to the scope and severity of this issue will undoubtedly be what our generation is judged for in the history books.
Abortion. An act of violence that kills a child. Abortion. Approximately 50,000,000 deaths in the United States U.S. U.S.
With the 38th annual commemoration of the Roe v Wade decision this month, Christians are once again confronted with the question about what we should do, both as individuals and as the church, in response to the killing of innocent children in our society. What should we do? What does Scripture say we should do?
There are numerous Scriptural references to the sanctity of life, to the fact that life begins at conception, and that we should defend the innocent.
For instance, consider the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Is an unborn child our current neighbor (as opposed to merely being a future neighbor) in the sense meant by Jesus when He commanded us to “love our neighbor” in the parable?
If the unborn child is our current neighbor, what is our response supposed to be? The priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side of the beating victim may have felt pity for him but the Samaritan took pity on him. The Samaritan took risks and made sacrifices (a good definition of “love”) to save someone he didn’t know and to whom he owed no obvious duty (an extreme definition of “neighbor”). Even more importantly, if the unborn child is our neighbor now, we should be sobered by the fact that the Parable of the Good Samaritan is Christ’s answer to the question “. . . what must I do to be saved?” (Luke 10:25) Jesus said we are to love God and love our neighbor and then explained who our neighbor is and what real love looks like. How can this parable not apply to abortion?
Good works can’t save us but they will be judged as evidence that our faith is a saving faith. Jesus prophesied that He would judge faith by examining works: “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite Me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me . . . Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of
these, you did not do it to Me.
It is Scriptures like these that motivate me to respond to the abortion holocaust. Theologian Francis Schaeffer wrote that if Christians won’t stand up against something as evil as killing a baby—then the world has the right to ask whether Christ is real. I want the world to know that Jesus is real. I want the world to know that He is alive. And I want the world to hear the gospel, as it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Ephesians 5:1 commands us, as believers in Christ to expose the deeds of evil and darkness. The world is watching the Christian Church’s response to the abortion holocaust and deciding what they think about Jesus as they do. If Jesus’ people aren’t doing anything about abortion, a very clear statement is being made about Jesus!
There are many, many ways that Christians can respond to the evil of abortion. First and foremost, educate yourself about abortion. There are numerous websites with all kinds of facts and figures and research (abortionNO.org and abort73.com). Once you have a better understanding of abortion and the enormity of the abortion problem, draw near to God and ask Him the same three questions that Pastor Steve Osborn taught in his sermon in the Sanctuary (January 16) and the Commons (January 23): Where does the Father want me to deploy the finite resources of my life to stop abortion? Who does the Father want me to work with to help stop abortion? And last, specifically what does the Father want me to do to stop abortion? Ask these questions in faith and, as you listen for His answer, pray that the Father answers you just as Jesus prayed the Father would answer
Him (Luke 22), “nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.”
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Proverbs 25
Proverbs 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
Footnotes:
- Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. /
Do not go - Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots
Monday, January 24, 2011
Prayer for a Monday
As we begin our day today let us praise the Lord for a new week and a new opportunity to begin again. We ask you Lord to be with us as we dust ourselves off and begin again. Help us to have eyes to see all the gifts you provide each day. Help us to see the sign posts that point us to you and your will. Give us courage to follow you, even if it is unpopular to do so. We thank you Lord for making every day new. Please bless everyone in our community, mostly those most in need of your loving care, Amen.
God of new beginnings, we are walking into mystery.
We face the future, not knowing what the days and months will bring us or how we will respond.
We face the future, not knowing what the days and months will bring us or how we will respond.
Be love in us as we journey.
May we welcome all who come our way.
Deepen our faith to see all life through your eyes.
Fill us with hope and an abiding trust that You dwell in us amidst all our joys and sorrows.
Thank You for the treasure of our faith life.
Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance of Your walking through the day with us.
God of our past and future, we praise you.
May we welcome all who come our way.
Deepen our faith to see all life through your eyes.
Fill us with hope and an abiding trust that You dwell in us amidst all our joys and sorrows.
Thank You for the treasure of our faith life.
Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance of Your walking through the day with us.
God of our past and future, we praise you.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Body Parts on Shelves at Gruesome Abortion Mill
This is painful to read. With abortion clinics being widely available throughout the United States since Roe v Wade, babies are being murdered every day. This is but one story of the millions of children murdered at the hands of "doctors". God help us all.
(CBS/AP) PHILADELPHIA - A doctor accused of running a filthy "abortion mill" for decades in an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood delivered babies alive, killed them with scissors and allowed a woman who had survived 20 years in a refugee camp to be overmedicated and die at his clinic, prosecutors said.
Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, was charged Wednesday with eight counts of murder for the deaths of seven babies and one patient. Nine employees also were charged, including four with murder.
Prosecutors described the clinic as a "house of horrors" where Gosnell kept baby body parts on the shelves, allowed a 15-year-old student to perform intravenous anesthesia on patients and had his licensed cosmetologist wife do late-term abortions.
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(CBS/AP) PHILADELPHIA - A doctor accused of running a filthy "abortion mill" for decades in an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood delivered babies alive, killed them with scissors and allowed a woman who had survived 20 years in a refugee camp to be overmedicated and die at his clinic, prosecutors said.
Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 69, was charged Wednesday with eight counts of murder for the deaths of seven babies and one patient. Nine employees also were charged, including four with murder.
Prosecutors described the clinic as a "house of horrors" where Gosnell kept baby body parts on the shelves, allowed a 15-year-old student to perform intravenous anesthesia on patients and had his licensed cosmetologist wife do late-term abortions.
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