Jesus Who?

I find it very strange how some people seem to think there are actually people escpecially here in the USA who have never heard of Jesus, and his "good news'. Please, Please if you think you have a closer relationship with Jesus than me and that you actually have something new or interesting to say that I have not already heard, please do not waste your time or mine.

By the way, I found Jesus in a Casino in Gulfport, Mississippi. Nice guy.

Guilty Plea Deal

A Maryland woman involved with a group described as a religious cult pleaded guilty in the starvation death of her son, but insisted the charges be dropped when he is resurrected.

Mr. More Gavelled for God Comments

Montana House Rep. More rose to speak on the bill, and began by saying a Judiciary Committee hearing that morning on a bill to define a person as beginning at human conception had been “cut short” by the call to begin House debate on HB645.Committee members had been discussing issues of God and conception, yet then were called to the House “to the sound of money falling from the skies, for all of us to roll over in and lap up,”

More said. “I have to ask, what of this question of God? What God do we serve? Is this all pretense? (YES) The pledge of allegiance, the invocation, every time we come to the (House) floor?” (YES!)

At that point, Rep. Dennis Himmelberger, R-Billings, who was chairing the debate on HB645, told More to make sure he stuck to the subject of the bill.“I am indeed,” More said. “If you can’t grasp that, Mr. Chairman, I-”“Representative More, you are out of order,” Himmelberger said curtly, as several other House members shouted out their displeasure with More’s behavior. As More tried to apologize and continue, Himmelberger twice told him to “be seated.”

Rep. Ron Stoker, R-Darby, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, then stood up to say the human conception bill had a full hearing before the committee, and that it hadn’t been cut short.

Atheist Billboards

Atheist billboards are popping up around the country.

They are a good tool for a membership drive and are not placed to upset people. But, of course it will raise hackles, thats ok.

Freedom-equality claims false per Lawrence

IR Letter to the Editor - 03/19/09
OMG. There are still people out there who believe in Ayn Rand. The letter from Joe Coco (IR, March 9) has all the markings of an adolescent, first-time libertarian. Coco falsely frames equality and freedom as a dichotomy, claims Democrats regard inequality as immoral, and through some neurological malfunction enlists the Christian theologian, C. S. Lewis, on the side of inequality.When we speak of “equality” in democratic theory, we do not intend that the continual life circumstances of all people be equal. The reference, rather, is to equal rights under the law and to public policy that results approximately in equal opportunity. Each of these is an essential part of “freedom.” To say that promoting equal rights renders Democrats against freedom is equivalent to saying that a fixation on “freedom” as they construe it makes Republicans prone to enjoy the freedom to gambol in an unregulated capitalism that greedily plunges the world into a depression.Contrary to Coco’s assertion, what Democrats regard as immoral is government policy that deliberately shifts resources from the poor to the rich, as has been the case in the United States since about 1980. Finally, when those who falsely claim to be the party of Jesus distort the writings of C. S. Lewis on the side of ignoring the teachings of Jesus, they simply compound their lunacy with hypocrisy.
L. Pettit

Buddhism

I have taken an interest in meditation recently and therefore learning about Buddhism. I am told one does not have to be religious to practice Buddhist meditation. Good thing, looks to me they are just as crazy as any other supernatural religion.

SIDBHARI, India – As No. 3 lama in Tibetan Buddhism and 17th incarnation, a 23 year old Karmapa Lama has spent his life immersed in the Buddhist arts of meditation, study and prayer, is set to replace the Dalia Lama when he passes away. Once the Dalai Lama is gone, the process of choosing a young boy as his reincarnation means decades may pass before the new Dalai Lama is ready to assume the leadership.

It's a role that the Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four streams of Tibetan Buddhism

Born in 1985 to a nomadic family in the vast Tibetan plateau, he was enthroned as the 17th Karmapa at the age of seven after mystical signs identified him as the reincarnation of the 16th Karmapa, who died in exile in India in 1981.

Other monks of the sect championed another boy as the true reincarnation, but Dorje's status was recognized by the Dalai Lama and also by Beijing, which hoped he might emerge as a more malleable authority they could use to weaken the Dalai Lama.
But Chinese hopes were dashed when he escaped Tibet at age 14,

Beijing has long said it brought modernity to a region where monks and wealthy landowners had long ruled over huge tracts of land worked by slaves and serfs.

His reincarnation was recognized by the central government. (Strange)

The religion's second-highest figure, the still-teenaged Panchen Lama, is inside Tibet, presumed under Chinese control.

The Karmapa's sect is Tibet's oldest and was the most politically powerful until it was supplanted by the Dalai Lama's Gelugpa School, known as the "yellow hats" 350 years ago.

Sectarian strife will ensue once the Dalia Lama dies.

Capital Punishment Ineffective

No matter how many times one proves how ineffective the death penalty is, there are people who refuse to think otherwise, such a Mr. Grimes below.


Capital punishment is protection for society
By M. Grimes - IR letter to the editor - 03/11/2009
Idaho murderer Duncan: he beat two people to death with a hammer; kidnapped two children, then brutalized, raped and finally blew the head off the little boy, then burned his body in the campfire.

Our punishment: a room and free meals for life! Would this piece of junk hesitate to pull the trigger, saying to himself n “Oh wait, I might get life for this.”

This man has no friends, he has no future, no hope n life in prison probably sounds like a welcome change.

The man who built our cabin was murdered by two pieces of scum that tied him to a tree and shot him in the head. Montana’s legal system saw fit to let them out of prison — one of them murdered again. He killed a young woman whose family sued and received an “undisclosed” settlement because we failed to protect society.

That is precisely the point — we don’t execute people for the sake of revenge or out of anger; we do so to protect society. Outcries for leniency from victims’ families are heartfelt but have no more merit than feelings of rage; the ultimate penalty must be done with sound legal judgment and without emotion. Remember, there has never been a repeat offender.

Current rating: 4.5 with 44 ratings.
I thought this story was: Not very interesting (1) Slightly interesting (2) Somewhat interesting (3) Quite interesting (4) Extremely interesting (5)

Reader Comments
clancycoot
The Death Penalty in Idaho and Montana did not prevent the Duncan murders and did not protect that Idaho family.

Idaho Date Death Penalty Was Reenacted after Furman: 7/ 1/ 73
Year of First Execution: 1994 (only 1)
Does Idaho Have Life Without Parole: Yes

Sassyone wrote on Mar 11, 2009 12:24 PM:

" All great points! I have a hard time with those bleeding heart liberals who can justify abortion yet be against the death penalty. They won't protect the most defenseless, yet scream for protection after protection for the predators.
Also, looking at the bills fiscal note and the calculations they use, it actually would cost us more taxpayer dollars to allow these horrible murderers to live than to execute them today. But the anti-penalty folks won't want you to apply any basic fourth grade math to their logic. I also agree that the process should be shortened up, perhaps to 30 days in Deer Lodge at the most. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:39 AM:

" curly - again you've proven nothing. You've thrown out a set of numbers that don't have any basis in fact. I've already stated that the [public team] is on salary. Well guess what? That goes for [public defenders] as well. Now if someone in jail wants to [hire] a lawyer that charges $300 to $500 an hour...that is their bill. We don't pay it, they do. If they can't afford an attorney...as they say...one will be provided for you. A public defender who does not get $300 to $500 an hour for their services. "
Kelly Lee Lee wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Independent woman, I agree it shouldn't be drug out found guilty die guilty. It shouldn't take months & years for someone to be taken out of the picture.

Al, If we actually executed people for murder and didn't let them live out a nice cushy lifestyle less people would be apt to get in trouble. How many people have been executed? Not many! Most judges give them life in prison, look at the two boys that killed that court recorder, they get to continue on living in prison. They didn't get the death penalty. If prison meant breaking rocks 12 hours a day or a bullet to the head that would make a point. Our court system is entirely to lenient. "

Danr wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:26 AM:

" It does not need to deter, just be justified! Speed up the process, like mentioned before, if the evidence is outstanding, fry em. I am so sick and tired of the sissification of America. These scumbags kill but have a following of supporters who believe in forgiving them. Well, I know this, my god does not forgive these murderers, he burns them, all I want to do is expedite the process!
If nothing else, let the family of the victim decide, not the corrupt justice system. You best hope you dont hurt my family, the state will not need to carry out the penalty. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:20 AM:

" " We have had the death penalty for a very long time, and it's pretty clear that it doesn't deter people from killing."

The above statement is one that the anti-death penalty croud has used for a long time. It's a bothersome statement in that it doesn't have any proof. It is based upon the [perfectionist view] that...since we have the death penalty, and since people still murder other people, it must not be a deterent.

It in itself is rather a short sighted and unprovable point of view. If even one person is prevented from being murdered by another [because of] the fear of being put to death themselves...then it works as a deterent. That is the same logic that is used in the anti-smoking, anti-drugs, anti-alcohol...anti-whatever approaches to any given situation. Which are often put forth by the same people that are anti-death penalty.

The real problem with the death penalty is the amount of time that some of these people are on death row before the sentence gets carried out. Limit the appeals process, and carry out the sentence swiftly, just like the [right to a speedy trial] there should be a [speedy conclusion].

As far as the [cost] issue that keeps getting raised...the prosecutor is a public employee, the judge is a public employee, the police are public employees. The point is they all get paid a salary. The cost of any given trial is part of their NORMAL PAY. They don't get paid EXTRA just because they have a trial to go to. So all these ficticious costs of appeals and everything else...are just that...ficticious. These people are paid a salary whether or not they are actively pursuing any given case or attending a trial. "

my2cents wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:52 AM:

" curly - I decided to do a little research on death penalty vs LWOP (life without parole). Nobody can exactly nail down that it costs more to put these people to death. From what I understood most of it was based on where you would house them (death row or max. security). But there were also some very good ideas - reusing the rope, asking for volunteer firing squads (who would bring their own gun and bullets) - none of them my idea but seem cost effective none the less.

http://deathpenalty.procon.org/viewanswers.asp?questionID=1000

There are also some arguments about LWOP being cheaper if you would like to look. Hope this helps! :) "

curly wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:46 AM:

" HakonMontag, you have provided no more evidence to your argument than I have. It does cost more to execute than it does to keep them in prison for life. These people get appeal after appeal with teams of lawyers charging $300 to $500 dollars an hour. You and I are paying for this because the criminal is in jail and has no source of income. I wish it were not this way but it is.

The cost of housing prisoners varies from state to state but the average seems to be around $25,000 a year when you include medical (some are way more than this). If a prisoner spends lets say 30 years in prison before he dies of old age he has cost the state about $750 thousand dollars. To execute a prisoner (with the cost of appeals and everything) costs in excess of two million dollars.

I'm not comfortable arguing against the death penalty because I really am undecided on this, but the fact is, it does cost more to execute. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 10:34 AM:

" al - WOW! What a contradiction of your own words.

I guess you're trying to say in your first paragraph that the [system] doesn't work. It doesn't deter people for the simple fact that [some people] are going to kill [murder] no matter what. Some people are going to murder because they think they will never get executed in our system. Some people are simply bad.

Then in your second paragraph you almost vote for [vigilante justice] with the most troubling aspect being that of the Police simply gunning down who ever they might [think] is guilty.

I know...they could apprehend or come upon a criminal [in the act]. "

independantwoman wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:39 AM:

" Curly I see what your saying, and understand it. I do believe in the death penalty under circumstances like that of Duncan. If the crime is as heinous as this, and no amount of DNA will clear him/her then the death penalty should be used. However I do believe that the death penalty should be carried out quickly. Why does it take so long? If we only use the death penalty for cases like the Duncan case and there is NO doubt of his guilt, then it shouldn't take years, it should take a few weeks to schedule, and have justice served. "

al wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:34 AM:

" We have had the death penalty for a very long time, and it's pretty clear that it doesn't deter people from killing. There is also the troubling matter of the State having the power to legally execute people.

That being said, I never feel bad for killers and other violent sorts who, when cornered, meet their end via armed citizen or police action. "

barest wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:02 AM:

" I don't understand how it could cost "more" to execute a person. How much does sodium chloride, or drain cleaner or any other posionous substance cost. Look under the sink...I'm sure bleach could do harm too. Or better yet; stand the guilty up and shoot them with a bullet....costs what....50 cents? Cheap. Easy. Solution SOLVED. Maybe with this solution we might not have to build so many prisons (which are much nicer than the house I live in...and I follow all the RULES.) These people don't deserve a "free ride" with cable TV, weight rooms, free time to learn an educational trade (that they would NEVER use in prison) and never have to pay for, and get free rent and board. You commit a crime: work till you die without benefits and no luxuries or you die quickly with a bullet. Pretty simple to me, so why does everyone have to make it so complicted. Prisoners, murders and anyone in these PRISONS HAVE NO FREEDOM...hence the reason why they are locked up. Apparently prison and jail just isn's scary enough to NOT want to go there. "

HakonMontag wrote on Mar 11, 2009 7:56 AM:

" curly -

Number one - No it doesn't. You've been lied to by tainted statistics. People want to believe statistics.

Number two - That is a problem with our Judiciary/Prosecutorial and Police Investigative systems. Once they get their minds set on [who] is guilty, they quit looking for other people. They [find] the evidence they need to convince the Jury that the person before them is guilty. And don't [allow] evidence to the contrary.

Case in point. Look at how many people who are still in prison where the DNA [or other] evidence has been brought forth and the PROSECUTOR still refuses to admit they have the wrong person in prison. Even after some of these people have been let go, the PROSECUTOR still wants to find the evidence they need to put them back in prison. It's a mind set that they simply can't let go of. Admitting they were wrong. It's a black mark on their spotless records of wins. It's all about winning the case. Not finding the guilty person doesn't enter into the picture. Innocent until proven guilty...yea right. "

curly wrote on Mar 11, 2009 1:53 AM:

" I'm not for or against the death penalty, I admit that I just don't know the answer. But two things I would like to add:

Number one-- it costs more to execute a person than it does to keep them in prison for life.

Number two-- The death penalty is final, and there have been hundreds of people who were on death row that were later found not guilty by DNA evidence. "

Kelly Lee Lee wrote on Mar 11, 2009 1:10 AM:

" I agree with you ONE HUNDRED Percent. I do not believe that people who kill with out remorse or reason (such as self defense) should not get a free ride. They should not get to live out the rest of their natural life in a cell with three meals a day. They should be executed, removed from this world. The tax dollars that would be used to feed these people could go to some one who would use it, such as the VICTIMS family. Sadly the world doesn't think that way, and we waste tons of money keeping the wrong people alive. Start killing the killers & less people will be likely to kill. "

Homeless Shelters & Alcoholics

he had committed the robbery but claimed he did not remember doing so. At first, the man told investigators he only recalled leaving God's Love shelter to go to an alley to drink wine


Do homeless shelters enable alcoholics?

Free Speech Advocate

Free speech advocate
By Sherri Schofield - IR letter to the editor - 03/10/2009
I was so pleased to see that Canyon Ferry Baptist Church won their appeal in the 9th Circuit. It was a great victory for freedom of speech that will set the precedent for the future. It gives freedom to pastors across the state to speak out on the real-life political issues we face that could dramatically impact our families.

The only thing that disturbed me about this cast was that it took the 9th Circuit of Appeals to recognize the real issue: freedom of speech, and the harassment of our community establishments, such as churches, by people who want to shut down all competition.

Montana prides itself on freedom issues. Why was this subject not seen in the first place in our courts? Are Helena politics so crushingly controlling that politics overrides freedom of speech here?

Thank you, Canyon Ferry Baptist Church, for the good fight you put up in defending freedom of speech!

Sherri Schofield


Reader Comments:

Clancy Coot (me)
Then the Churches should pay taxes if they insist on being political machines and not only providing spiritual guidance to their flocks as they supposedly do. I do not belong to this church, and as an individual tax payer, do not think group/mob religious opinions should overly influence the political process.

al wrote on Mar 10, 2009 8:30 AM:
" I disagree with the court's ruling. Organized political activity should not be magically exempt from election law just because it takes place in a building with a cross out front. As evidenced on their website (http://www.cfrbc.net), Canyon Ferry Baptist Church is one of many that promotes something called "Spiritual Battle", calling anyone who does not agree with the Baptist agenda "Satan". This strategy is primarily a means to keep tithers riled-up and focused so that attendance will stay up and money will keep coming in. The ultimate goal, of course, is political power and all the worldly things that come with it. Naturally, these divisive tactics make enemies in the secular world where previously there were none. I think believers should ask themselves: is that really what Jesus would do? "

VRC wrote on Mar 10, 2009 6:13 AM:
" The front group that our now Public Service Commissioner put up to this failed effort to surpress free speech failed completely and cost a lot of money. How long will actions that are clearly in violation of our civil rights granted in the Constitution go on without being totally rejected by the first line of the judicial system. "

purple wrote on Mar 10, 2009 1:29 AM:
" Dems and libs only believe in free speech when it is THEIR speech which should be the only one heard.They proved that when they wanted a return to the fairness doctrine - they wanted conservatives to give while exempting liberals. "

1 of 4 Reject Religion

America is a less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago, and Christianity is not losing out to other religions, but primarily to a rejection of religion altogether, a survey published Monday found.

Survey finds percentage of of Americans identifying themselves as Christian has fallen over two decades.

Three out of four Americans call themselves Christian, according to the American Religious Identification Survey from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1990, the figure was closer to nine out of 10 -- 86 percent.

Non-believers make up the largest 'religious' minority in the United States.

Mean spirited Republicans

Nothing makes me more mad than when someone I know sends me really nasty emails about 'liberals'

This week alone, I have had to ask nicely two acquaintances of mine to remove me from their email contact lists. This type of behavior makes me lose complete respect for that person. Don't they realize that it makes them look very immature? It seems to me, Republicans are the most mean spirited people on earth, each and everyone of them.

They say us atheists are cynical, give me a break!
I don't forward nasty emails about conservatives to my Christian friends or Republican friends. I don't do it all for that matter. Hello!!!!! Such miserable people.

I have removed myself from contact with at least 4 negative people in the last year.
And another thing, Republicans are not funny
Politics suck!!

Montana's Death Penalty

I have always thought how strange it is that the Catholics I know are for the death penalty and pro-life?

Rome’s Colosseum lit to mark Montana death-penalty bill
By The Associated Press - 03/03/09
The ancient Colosseum in Rome was lit up Monday night to mark an event on Feb. 16 in Montana: The state Senate voted to end the death penalty in favor of life in prison with no parole.

The chamber supported Senate Bill 236 on a 27-23 vote.

The bill is now before the Montana House.

Rome’s Colosseum, once the arena for deadly gladiator combat and executions, has become a symbol of the fight against capital punishment.

Since 1999, the first-century monument has been bathed in light, on the initiative of the peace activist Community of Sant’Egidio and the Council of Rome, every time a death sentence is commuted somewhere in the world or a country abolishes capital punishment.

Porn and Montana

The purchasers of Porn?
I found this interesting

The biggest consumer, Utah, averaged 5.47 adult content subscriptions per 1000 home broadband users; Montana the least with 1.92 per 1000.

Eight of the top 10 pornography consuming states were red states, while six out of the lowest 10 buyers favoured Obama.