Friday, July 30, 2004

An Excerpt from John Kerry's Speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention
"I don't wear my own faith on my sleeve. But faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday. I don't want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side. And whatever our faith, one belief should bind us all: The measure of our character is our willingness to give of ourselves for others and for our country."

Thursday, July 29, 2004

FALWELL MISLEADING RELIGIOUS LEADERS ABOUT TAX LAW, AMERICANS UNITED TELLS IRS
Church-State Watchdog Group Urges Tax Agency To Crack Down On Virginia TV Preacher's Disinformation Campaign

The Rev. Jerry Falwell is misleading religious leaders about the rules governing churches and partisan politics, and the Internal Revenue Service should take immediate steps to clarify the situation, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"Falwell is misleading America's religious leaders about federal tax law," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. "His distortions could have serious consequences for any pastor foolish enough to take his advice. The IRS should step in now."

In a July 28 letter to the IRS, Lynn accused the Lynchburg, Va.-based TV preacher of launching a disinformation campaign.

Earlier this month, AU filed a complaint with the IRS about Falwell's use of his tax-exempt Jerry Falwell Ministries to send out an e-mail and post a website message endorsing George W. Bush for president. In response, Falwell issued another alert to supporters telling religious leaders that they do not need to worry about federal tax law.

Under the headline, "NO CHURCH HAS EVER LOST ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS," Falwell wrote, "Every American pastor, as a tax-paying citizen, is free to express his views and opinions."

Falwell included an analysis by Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, a Religious Right legal group affiliated with Falwell, asserting that the IRS rarely enforces the "no politicking" rule and implying that churches should not worry about it. Staver wrote that "the IRS has almost no teeth."

Lynn said Falwell and Staver are urging churches to play a dangerous game. He noted that in 1995, the IRS revoked the tax-exempt status of the Church at Pierce Creek in New York for partisan politicking. Other churches accused of politicking have undergone lengthy audits or their pastors have been have been visited by IRS agents.

Falwell, Lynn noted, is in no position to advise churches in this area. In 1993, his Old Time Gospel Hour was required by the IRS to pay $50,000 in back taxes for diverting charitable contributions into a political action committee that sought to elect congressional candidates. The ministry also had its tax exemption revoked retroactively for the years 1986-87.

On two recent occasions, Falwell has denied on national television that the Old Time Gospel Hour's tax exemption was revoked. But Lynn noted that the IRS sanction is a matter of public record and noted that it was widely reported at the time.

In AU's letter to the IRS, Lynn sent documents supporting its charge that Falwell is misleading pastors. Lynn urged the tax agency to take action against Falwell and clarify tax law for religious leaders.

"Looked at in conjunction with the material I sent on July 15, I think it is obvious that Falwell is working assiduously to skirt the Internal Revenue Code and urging other religious leaders to do the same. Such a brazen challenge to our nation's tax laws must not go unanswered," wrote Lynn.

He continued, "I also urge you to immediately initiate an investigation into Falwell's apparent misuse of a tax-exempt organization for partisan politics and issue a public statement of some sort to refute his misinformation campaign."

Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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BACKGROUND - Church Electioneering
Houses of worship and religious leaders may address political and social issues, but federal tax law bars most non-profit groups from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office. Churches, temples and mosques must refrain from outright electioneering. It is not the job of religious leaders to tell people which candidates to vote for or not vote for.
Logo spat spurs claim of racism
St Petersburg Times Letter to the Editor
-- by George Shaughnessy

In a wonderful spirit of generosity the magnanimous City Council of Pinellas Park has created a legacy for themselves in the creation of their Angel Fund.

“The fund is patterned after Pennies from Heaven, created by the Sumter (County) Electric Cooperative. Customers who want to participate round their monthly electric bills up to the next dollar and the extra money is put into the SECO Angel (sic) Fund. It's then used for humanitarian purposes.” (SPT 7/28/04)

SECO is a for profit utility company that overcharges willing customers on their monthly utility bill in order to pay for other customers who can’t make their own payments. Their employees recognized it as "Pennies from Heaven" not "the Angel Fund."

“Council members were so impressed by a SECO fundraising idea that they may copy it to help financially strapped children's programs in Pinellas Park.” (SPT 5/29/04) But the only similarity is that funding comes from overcharging utility customers—estimated by Pinellas Park employees to start out at $7,800 a year before reaching a potential $52,000 or more yearly.

The Pinellas Park City Council has managed to misappropriate the value of the labor of city employees and attorneys to create a city owned and operated 501(c)3 agency within the city government without the counsel of City Voters.

They compounded their misappropriation of City funds when they agreed to allow “Boulder Venture to deposit the fee that Pinellas Park charges to remove dirt - which Sabow estimated at $28,000 in this case - into the city's Angel fund, which is for residents who need one-time help.”(SPT 5/16/04)

Please notice that a plan “to help financially strapped children's programs in Pinellas Park.” is now intended to be a welfare agency giving handouts to “residents who need one-time help.”

Who is paying the cost to maintain this City owned Non Profit agency? My calls to the City of Pinellas Park seem to indicate that City employees are being paid to do the work of this public welfare agency without a separate accounting for the value of their time.

When Randy Heine showed me a City of Pinellas Park water utility newsletter with the picture of a perfect and beautiful, blindingly white child I asked him if this was the child to whom Council members were giving their one time handout. How appropriate for this group!

And how appropriate too that when Ms. Snook was fishing for a response she chose an image from a New York ghetto sometime in the last century where a child who showed an aptitude for playing piano was given a one time handout for a violin lesson.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Sudan Genocide: Our Win in Congress Pressures Bush
by Andrew Greenblatt
Online Organizer for TrueMajority.org

Two weeks ago, TrueMajority members urged Congress to name the atrocities in Sudan “genocide” and call on the Bush administration to take strong action, including a military intervention if necessary, to stop it. Within days, we delivered over 150,000 messages, and just before they adjourned until September, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate both unanimously passed the resolutions.

This was an important win, because international treaties signed by the United States require serious responses to any identified genocide. Congress is now unanimously on record on this issue, putting pressure on the president to act and to act now. His attempts to get the Sudanese government to turn against the Janjuweed militia, which it armed and encouraged to kill, aren’t working and simply can’t work in time. But as every Member of Congress — including all of those from the President’s own party — agrees, we must take whatever action we can to stop this genocide. You can read the resolutions and relevant press coverage here: www.darfurgenocide.org/success.htm.

Over 160,000 people already have died; another 500,000 of our fellow humans are at grave risk of dying in the coming months unless this genocide is stopped.

We are now working with our partners on a fast plan to really push this issue and force Bush to do whatever it takes to stop the genocide. We’re trying to rescue some Sudanese leaders who can come to America for a media tour and describe firsthand the genocide that’s taking place beyond the media’s attention. Amazingly, the State Department is dragging its feet on issuing the necessary visas. While we put that together, we’re working to set up satellite video hookups in refugee camps so that refugee spokespeople can be interviewed directly by American television. And Ben and his old friend Jerry will join a long list of notable elected officials, entertainers, human rights activists and others who have chosen to get arrested outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington to protest the genocide. We all need to do what we can.

Once we have a full plan together, we’ll let you know what it is and how you can help. In the meantime, know that your pressure on Congress worked as a critical first step and that further opportunities for you to take action will be coming soon.

PS: For more information on Darfur, or to get involved in local activism, please visit www.darfurgenocide.org.
A Word To U.S. Residents About Voter Registration
Let me also say an important word to all MCC friends in the United Sates. It is vital that you register to vote in the upcoming November elections -- and vital that each of us makes our voice heard by going to the voting booth in November. And don't stop there. Please, please encourage your friends to register and vote.

-- The Reverend Dr. Troy D. Perry
Office of the MCC Moderator

Editor's note: KOP,MCC will have a table set up for Voter Registration and Equality Florida petitions for people attending Thursday and Sunday services. Information will also be available at the reception desk Monday-Thursday from 9am to 5pm.

Monday, July 26, 2004

Help Us Mobilize 350,000 Fair-Minded Florida Voters!

"Anti-gay politicians have placed a target on our community. They've taken aim at our families for political gain. Now we must vote. We must make our voices heard. We must TurnOut Florida and show that there are consequences to the politics of gay bashing

--Nadine Smith, Equality Florida



With 100 Days left before the Nov 2nd Election, we are offically launching TurnOut Florida, an unprecedented campaign to mobilize 350,000 members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

With the participation of over 30 local, state, and national groups, TurnOut Florida represents the nation's largest coalition working to mobilize the LGBT vote. National and statewide debates on issues ranging from marriage equality to Floridas anti-gay adoption ban have galvanized the LGBT community.

The national spotlight is once again on our state in this close election and Floridas LGBT community has a unique opportunity to be the deciding factor in November. No matter what issue touches your life, your vote is the most effective way to make your voice heard in Tallahassee and in Washington DC.

We Need Your Help to Show Our Strength.
In order to reach our goal, we must raise $200,000 in the next 30 days. We can do it with your help. Your tax-deductible gift of $35, $50, $100 or more will register new voters, help us get unlikely voters to cast a ballot and provide information about where candidates stand on our issues.

Donate Online Today
Our success is made possible by people who care enough to contribute. EVERY contribution matters. Together we will energize and mobilize our community to vote like never before. Together we will make Florida a state that values equality and fairness for all.

Be sure to select your giving level and then click the PayPal donate button or you can mail your contribution payable to:

Equality Florida
1302 South Dale Mabry #652
Tampa, FL 33629
County Supervisor Booted from Bush Event for Wearing Hidden Kerry Shirt
by Matthew Rothschild at The Progressive

President Bush came to Wisconsin on July 14 and gave a speech in a town called Ashwaubenon, and Jayson Nelson wanted to hear him.

Nelson is an elected official. As an Outagamie County supervisor, he says he was notified that there were extra tickets for the event if he wanted one.

He did, and after giving his ID and Social Security number, he received a VIP pass a few days before Bush came to town, he tells The Progressive.

But Nelson never got to hear Bush speak.

On the morning of Bush's visit, Nelson, a Democrat, attended a Kerry rally and was wearing a "Kerry for President" T-shirt.

Then when he went to the Bush rally, he says he buttoned up a blue denim shirt over the Kerry one.

As he approached the final screening point, Nelson says a Republican event staffer demanded that he step out of the line and take off his top shirt.

"At first, I thought she wasn't even talking to me," he recalls, "because who tells you that stuff? So I ignored her and kept going forward and then she told me again, 'You, you, you, step out of line. You've got to take off your shirt.' "

When he did so, the screener pounced.

"She must have though I was bin Laden or something because her eyes got big and she lunged at me and grabbed the ticket and tore it up," he says. "Then she called the Ashwaubenon police department on me, and they came over and said, 'What's the problem here? Do you have a ticket?' And I said, 'I had one but they just took it!' "

She told the police to look at his T-shirt, and the police told him he couldn't be there and to get going, Nelson remembers.

"It was apparent to me that if I was going to debate it, I was going to get arrested," he says.

On his way out, the Secret Service also stopped him. "They took my driver's license and wrote down my Social Security number and telephone number," he says. "I started to ask, 'What's going on here? Is a T-shirt illegal?' And they said, 'No, we do this for all of the events, even Kerry's.' "

The Bush-Cheney campaign did not return a phone call for comment. But Merrill Smith, the Midwestern regional spokeswoman for the Bush-Cheney campaign, did talk to the Associated Press, which broke this story.

"These events are for people who are going to get out and support the President and who are going to work on his behalf between now and November 2," Smith told AP, though she said she wasn't familiar with the particular incident.

The Ashwaubenon police minimize their involvement. "There was no report on that and no arrest made," says Margene Roshak of the police department. "The Secret Service asked him to leave and escorted him out."

For his part, Nelson is still angry about this. "I was almost treated like a criminal," he says.

He thinks his working class background had something to do with the treatment he received. "One reason I feel that I was really selected out is because I was dressed as a working man," he says. "We were subject to extra scrutiny. Others were mostly business types."

Nelson finds it ironic that he was excluded from the Resch Center, where Bush was speaking. "I was a foreman and superintendent in building that building, and to get kicked out of it just because I had a T-shirt on-I don't see it. No one asked who I was voting for when I built it."

But there is a larger issue involved here, as well, he says. "We got people over in Iraq getting killed for the Iraqis' rights," says Nelson, "and I think we're going to have to start fighting for our own."