Ragbag Headliners

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Several hundred gay activists rallied Thursday afternoon in Puerto Rico to demand a robust prosecution in the brutal slaying of a gay teenager nearly a week ago.

Juan A. Martinez Matos was charged at a hearing Wednesday with first-degree murder and three weapons violations in connection with the killing of 19-year-old Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado. The teen's decapitated, dismembered and partially burned body was found Friday afternoon on a road in central Puerto Rico. Bail has been set at $4 million, court documents show.

The slaying has reverberated through the gay and lesbian community in Puerto Rico and the United States, where supporters started a Facebook page called "Justice for Jorge Steven Lopez -- End Hate Crimes." The group demands an investigation by Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno and prosecution of the case under the federal hate crime law.

Puerto Rico's gay community is asking authorities to investigate whether the slaying was a hate crime, said Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Serrano, a protest leader, said homophobia can be found among political and law enforcement officials on the island. One politician, he said, recently referred to gays as "twisted and mentally ill."

"We hold accountable authorities for promoting hate rhetoric that provokes violence," Serrano said after the rally.

Another suspect, Martinez Matos, confessed to the slaying, prosecutor Yaritza Carrasquillo said in a statement.

In an interview with Telemundo, Martinez Matos also admitted to the killing.

"What happened happened because I defended myself. I cut him and beheaded him and I accept it as a man."

The broadcast also showed an encounter in a courthouse hallway between the handcuffed suspect and a man identified as Lopez Mercado's father. In the video, Martinez Matos asks the man for forgiveness.

"The one you have to ask for forgiveness is God," the man says. "That's who can forgive you. On my part, you were forgiven a while ago."

Puerto Rico does not have a hate crime provision in its criminal code, but allows prosecutors to ask that actions that could be interpreted as a hate crime be considered at sentencing.

The United States does have a federal law on hate crimes, and a bill signed by President Obama last month extended it to cover crimes involving sexual orientation. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, which means federal laws and agencies can have jurisdiction.

If the U.S. attorney's office, in consultation with local officials and other agencies, decides to prosecute the case as a federal hate crime, it is believed it would be the first such case under the latest addition to the law.

The FBI is monitoring the investigation being conducted by local authorities but has not been asked to help, Agent Harry Rodriguez said Thursday. There have been no discussions on whether federal officials will ask that the slaying be classified a hate crime, he said.

Puerto Rican prosecutor Jose Bermudez said he believes the slaying was a hate crime.

"This constitutes a hate crime because [Martinez Matos] is angry with people who have sexual relations with persons of the same sex, but he goes out and seeks the services of people of the same sex in order to get angry and kill them," Bermudez said in an interview with Telemundo.

A spokesman for Lopez Mercado's family told Telemundo they were unaware the teen was involved in any kind of prostitution.

In separate footage aired on Telemundo, a reporter asked Martinez Matos if he is gay.

"No," he replied. "[Lopez Mercado] tried to kill me."

Martinez Matos, 26, was arrested late Monday at his home in the Mogote de Cayey neighborhood, said Wilson Porrata Mariani, a spokesman for the Guayama police district.

Police impounded two cars and were investigating a home in another neighborhood, Huertas del Barrio Beatriz de Cidra.

Lopez Mercado's body was found on Puerto Rico Road 184 in another part of town, Barrio Guavate de Cayey, police said. –CNN

Short Sermons

A truly good sermon is and must be
like a woman's mini-skirt.
It is short to arouse interest
and cover only the essentials.

Author Unknown

Bird Loves Ray Charles

Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the overhead luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight.

'I'm glad to have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap' --- I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats around me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're off to Afghanistan."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for $5.00. Since it would be several hours more before we reached the east coast, I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time.

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch.

'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait 'til we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None was buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a $50.00 bill.

'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.'

She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, and she thanked me.

'My son was a soldier in Iraq, it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like better - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning few minutes later with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is your thanks.'

After I finished eating, I went to the back of the plane again to use the rest room. A man stopped me.

'I saw what you did. . .Here, take this.'

He handed me $25.00.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the flight captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, he was looking at the rows and seat numbers on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seat-belt I stood and took the captain's hand. With a booming voice he said,

'I was a soldier and a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'

I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man in his 20s seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another $25.00 in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to depart. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.
Another $25.00!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them $75.00.

'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.'

'God bless you.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country.

I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little.

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A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,
wrote a blank check made payable to:

'The United States of America'

for an amount of
'up to and including my life'.

That is love for and honor to America,
and there are too many people in this country
who no longer understand it.

Author Unknown

Christmas Pipes by Celtic Woman

Grateful Are We?

As we approach Thanksgiving Day,
please take a few minutes to look
at this presentation by clicking here.

Happy Thanksgiving
to you and your family!

Marvelous Innocence

It was the day AFTER Christmas at a church in Wichita.

The Pastor of the church was looking at the manger scene, when he noticed that the baby Jesus figure was missing from the cradle.

He immediately turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon walking down the street. And in the wagon, was the figure of the infant Jesus. So he walked up to the boy and said, "Son, where did you get that little baby Jesus that's in your wagon?"

The little boy replied, "I got him from the church."

And why did you take him?" asked the pastor.

The little boy replied, "Well, about a week before Christmas, I prayed and I told Jesus if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride in it!"

Author Unknown

In Everything Give Thanks ...
For We Are Truly Blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving

Ragbag Headliners

Texas—A polygamist sect member arrested following last year's raid of a west Texas ranch was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting an underage girl, authorities said.

Raymond Jessop was found guilty last week of assaulting a girl under 17, with whom he had entered into a "spiritual" marriage, said Jerry Strickland, a spokesman for the state attorney general.

Jessop also received an $8,000 fine, said Sheriff David Doran, of Schleicher County, Texas.

The victim in the case was one of 400 children seized from the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, in April 2008 by state child welfare workers. The children were returned after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the state had no right to remove them and lacked evidence to show that they were in danger of abuse.

Jessop belongs to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church -- a 10,000-member offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church -- openly practices polygamy on the ranch, as well as in Arizona and Utah.

Critics of the sect say young girls are forced into "spiritual" marriages with older men and are sexually abused. Sect members have denied any sexual abuse. –CNN

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Islamabad, Paksitan -- Life is slowly getting back to normal at the women's campus of Islamabad's International Islamic University.

The young women who study here chatter on the school's well-manicured lawns, their brightly-colored scarves and Pakistani dresses blowing in the wind on a sunny autumn day.

Barely three weeks ago, this quiet place of learning was the scene of a nightmare. On October 20, two suicide bombers launched near simultaneous attacks on both the men's and women's side of the campus.

Afsheen Zafar, 20, is in mourning. Three of her classmates, girls she describes as "shining stars," were killed on that terrible day.

Still, she says the carnage could have been much worse if not for the actions of a lowly janitor, who was also killed.

"If he didn't stop the suicide attacker, there could have been great, great destruction," Zafar says.

"He's now a legend to us," says another 20-year-old student named Sumaya Ahsan. "Because he saved our lives, our friends' lives."

The janitor's name was Pervaiz Masih. According to eyewitness accounts, the attacker approached disguised in women's clothing. He shot the guard on duty, and then approached the cafeteria, which was packed with hundreds of female students.

Masih intercepted the bomber in the doorway, however, and the bomber self-detonated right outside the crowded hall, spraying many of his explosive vest's arsenal of ball bearings out into the parking lot instead of into the cafeteria.

"The sweeper who was cleaning up here saw someone outside and went towards him," said Nasreen Siddique, a cafeteria worker who was wounded in the head, leg and arm by the blast. "[Masih] told him that he could not come inside because there were girls inside. And then they started arguing. And then we heard a loud blast and all the glass broke."

"Between 300 to 400 girls were sitting in there," said Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, the rector of the university. "[Pervez Masih] rose above the barriers of caste, creed and sectarian terrorism. Despite being a Christian, he sacrificed his life to save the Muslim girls."

Masih was a member of Pakistan's Christian minority, traditionally one of the poorest communities in the country.

When the attacker struck, Masih had been on the job for less than a week, earning barely $60 a month.

Masih lived with seven other family members, in a single room in a crowded apartment house in the city of Rawalpindi. Until the attack his mother, 70-year old Kurshaid Siddique, worked as a cleaning lady at a nearby house to help make ends meet. Now, she makes a daily pilgrimage to the cemetery where Masih is buried.

Siddique is inconsolable. Asked if she was proud that some people were calling her son a hero, Siddique waved a hand in the air dismissively, answering, "My hero is dead now."

She pulls out a framed photo of her son, pictured wearing a button down white shirt and a thick mustache. When Masih's three-year-old daughter Diya sees his photo, she reaches for it, saying, "Mama, I want that picture."

From time to time, Diya turns to her mother and repeats one word, "Papa."

The Islamic University offered to give Diya a free education and employ Masih's widow, Shaheen Pervaiz.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has promised to award Masih's family 1 million rupees (about $12,000) for his bravery.

"He is a national hero because he saved the life of many girls," said Shahbaz Bhatti, minister of minorities in the Pakistani government. "As a Christian, a person of minority, he stood in front of the Taliban to protect the university."

But the grave of this national hero is a sorry sight. It is located in the poorer, garbage-strewn Christian half of a neighborhood cemetery, less then three feet from a muddy road.

Masih's mother and widow visit every day. One of his sisters crosses herself, then stoops down to pick up an empty pack of cigarettes someone threw onto the little mound of earth.

The family had to borrow money to pay for Masih's funeral and they are now behind on paying the rent. If the government money comes through, Masih's mother would like to decorate her son's grave.

"I would like him to have his name in cement with a nice poetry verse," she says. "And there should be a fence surrounding his grave." -CNN

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NASA said Friday it had discovered water on the moon, opening "a new chapter" that could allow for the development of a lunar space station.

The discovery was announced by project scientist Anthony Colaprete at a midday news conference.

"I'm here today to tell you that indeed, yes, we found water. And we didn't find just a little bit; we found a significant amount" -- about a dozen, two-gallon bucketfuls, he said, holding up several white plastic containers.

The find is based on preliminary data collected when the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, intentionally crashed October 9 into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus crater near the moon's south pole.

"The discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of the moon," the space agency said in a written statement shortly after the briefing began.

"If the water that was formed or deposited is billions of years old, these polar cold traps could hold a key to the history and evolution of the solar system, much as an ice core sample taken on Earth reveals ancient data," NASA said in its statement.

"In addition, water and other compounds represent potential resources that could sustain future lunar exploration." -CNN

Thank You Lord by Don Moen

A Time To Give Thanks!

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, please take a few minutes to look at the presentation in the link below.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Click Here

"You've Got a Friend" 2009 - Sand Fantasy

An Unusual Mugging Story

Julio Diaz is a 31-year-old New York social worker. Every night, it is his routine to end his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx by getting off one stop before where he usually gets on the train on his morning commute to work. He does this just so he can eat in his favorite diner, a few blocks from his house. But one night, as Diaz stepped off the Number 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn. Below is Diaz's personal story of what happened.

"I was walking toward the stairs when a teenager approached and pulled out a knife on me. He wanted my money, so I gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go.'

As the thief began to walk away, I told him, 'Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat, too, to keep you warm.'

The teen gave me a "what's-going-on-here" look and asked, 'Why are you doing this?'
My simple reply was: 'If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. You know what, I was just on my way to dinner. Why don't you join me? You are more than welcome, you know?'

Somehow I just felt that perhaps he really needed help. Surprisingly, the teen accepted the dinner invitation. We then went into my favorite 'watering hole', and we sat in a booth. The manager came by, the dishwashers came by, the waiters came by to say "hi".

Taken aback by the warm welcome, he commented, 'You seem to know everybody here. Do you own this place?'

'No, I just eat here a lot.'

'But you're nice to even the dishwasher.'

I 'Well, haven't you been taught that you should be nice to everybody?'

'Yeah, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way,' he retorted.

As we ate, I asked him what he really wanted out of life. He didn't answer---or he didn't want to. However, the question elicited a combination of a somewhat ache-filled, bewildered, and sad look on his face .

When the bill arrived, I told him, 'Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for the meal since you have all my money; But if you give me back my wallet, I'll gladly pay for the meal. . .it is my treat for you.'

Surprisingly, the teen readily and unhesitatingly handed me back my wallet. I paid the bill and I also gave him $20---thinking that perhaps he really needs help. Additionally, I asked him for one thing in return—his knife. Again, to my surprise, he readily gave it to me, too, without any delaying tactic or protest whatsoever. We then walked out of the diner, and then we parted ways.

After I got home, I told my mother what had happened. She told me, "You're the kind of fellow who would give your watch if someone asked you what time it is'
I figured, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world.

By Julio Diaz to Michael Garofalo, a reporter for New York's Morning Edition

Thank You For Loving Me by Bon Jovi

I Believe

I Believe …

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe …

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe …

That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe …

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe …

That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe …

That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe …

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe …

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe…

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe …

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe …

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe …

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe …

That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe …

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe ...

That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe …

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe …

That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe …

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe …

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe …

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe …

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe …

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe …

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe …

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe …

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything!

Author Unknown

In Theater's Nov 13th.

This Weeks Sound Off

“Carrie Prejean 'sex tape' spurred pageant settlement.”

My dear Carrie, if you’re morally inept don’t throw stones cause when everything comes out in the wash, you’re the one that looks totally stupid. Sure taints that Christian hallow you once wore! Perhaps your new mission will now be to promote adult entertainment such as porn? I’m sure you’ll do well in that line of work!

Ragbag Headliners

PORTLAND, Maine — Voters on Tuesday repealed the state’s same sex marriage law after an emotionally charged campaign that drew large numbers to the polls and focused national attention on Maine.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting, the campaign to overturn Maine’s same-sex marriage law won with 53 percent of the vote vs. 47 percent opposed to Question 1, according to unofficial results compiled by the Bangor Daily News.

Gay-marriage opponents claimed victory shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“Question 1 has passed,” Frank Schubert, campaign manager of Stand for Marriage Maine, announced in Portland. “It has all come together tonight and the institution of marriage has been preserved.”

About 40 people who worked on the Yes on 1 campaign cheered as they heard the announcement by computer hookup at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. –For the complete story see Bangor Daily News

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ROME, Italy -The Italian government is vowing to fight a European court ruling that crucifixes in classrooms violate students' right to freedom of religion.

The European Court of Human Rights found unanimously Tuesday that the display of a particular religious symbol -- such as the Christian cross -- in a classroom "restricted the right of parents to educate their children in conformity with their convictions, and the right of children to believe or not to believe," a court statement said.

The case was brought by an Italian woman, Soile Lautsi, who objected to the crucifixes on the walls in her two sons' classrooms.

Italian courts had ruled earlier that the cross was a symbol of Italy's history and culture, prompting Lautsi to take her case to the European court in Strasbourg, France.

It awarded her 5,000 euros ($7,400) in damages Tuesday.

The Italian government said it would appeal the European Court's verdict and leading Catholic figures expressed astonishment and anger.

The ruling "is cause for bitterness and many perplexities," the Italian Conference of Bishop said in a written statement.

The bishops said they were still studying the ruling, but it appeared to result from "ideological bias" and a lack of understanding of "the multiple significances of the crucifix."

"It does not take into account the fact that in Italy the display of the crucifix in public places is in line with the recognition of the principles of the Catholicism as 'part of the historical patrimony of the Italian people,' as stated in the Vatican/Italy agreement of 1984," the bishops said.

The Vatican in Rome, which has been the seat of the Catholic Church for most of its 2,000-year history, did not officially respond to the ruling.

But Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told the leading Italian daily La Repubblica he could not understand it, and that no one with common sense could have expected it.

"When I think that we are talking about a symbol, the crucifix, an image that cannot but be the emblem of a universally shared humanity, I not only feel disappointed but also sadness and grief," he said.

"The crucifix is the sign of a God that loves man to the point of giving up his life for him. It is a God that teaches us to learn to love, to pay attention to each man ... and to respect the others, even those who belong to a different culture or religion.

"How could someone not share such a symbol?"

Italy has three months to file a request for a new hearing, court spokesman Stefano Piedimonte told CNN. A five-judge panel will examine the request, officially known as a referral, to determine if it raises sufficiently important issues for a 17-judge Grand Chamber hearing.

Only the Italian government can appeal the verdict, but other interested parties can file briefs if the case goes forward, Piedimonte said.

The European Court of Human Rights was set up in Strasbourg by the Council of Europe Member States in 1959 to deal with alleged violations of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. –CNN

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LOS ANGELES, California - The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials was prompted by the revelation of a "sex tape," according to a source familiar with the lawsuits' settlement.

Prejean was fired in June after lingerie-modeling photos of her emerged that pageant officials said were a breach of her contract. Prejean sued the pageant in August, arguing her firing was religious discrimination because of her opposition to same-sex marriage.

Pageant officials countersued last month, demanding their former beauty queen repay $5,200 in pageant money spent for her breast implants and give them all proceeds from a book she's written.

A settlement of both lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. Lawyers and parties for each side were bound by a confidentiality pledge, according to the source.

The veil of secrecy was partially lifted Wednesday after celebrity gossip Web site TMZ reported the deal was sealed after pageant lawyers presented an "extremely graphic" home video involving Prejean.

TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin said during a webcast Wednesday that he obtained the Prejean video during the summer, but found it "too racy" to post on his site. He indicated Prejean was alone in the video.

The source with knowledge of the settlement talks told CNN those details were accurate. –For Complete Story see CNN

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Washington -- President Obama will meet with members of the House Democratic caucus Saturday in a rare visit to Capitol Hill as he works to push forward proposed health care legislation.

But the contentious issue of abortion is threatening to delay Saturday's scheduled vote on the nearly $1.1 trillion health care bill by the full House of Representatives and possibly push it back to Sunday, according to two Democratic sources.

In a late night development, anti-abortion Democrats scored a major victory by persuading Democratic leaders to allow them to offer an amendment during the House health care debate Saturday that would ban most abortion coverage from the public option and other insurance providers in the new so-called "exchange" the legislation would create, three Democratic sources told CNN.

The prohibition would exclude cases of rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger.

House Democratic leadership sources said that win or lose, they hope giving abortion foes the opportunity to vote will clear the way for passage of their health care bill.

To read the House bill HR 3962 click here. (PDF File)

Several anti-abortion Democrats will offer the amendment, including Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, and Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, who are scoring a major victory in convincing Democratic leaders to allow this vote. –For complete story see CNN

Family Research Council --
Gays Die Young Anyway!

Who Is “We”?

In a speech in Turkey, President Barack Obama in reference to the USA said: "We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation...We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."

However, either the Preamble of the Constitution --or-- the Bill of Rights of each State in the USA clearly indicate as follows:

Alabama 1901 We, the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution....

Alaska 1956 We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land....

Arizona 1911 We, the people of the State of Arizona. grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution....

Arkansas We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government....

California 1879 We, the people of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom....

Colorado 1876 We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe....

Connecticut 1818 The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy....

Delaware 1897 Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...

Florida 1885 We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777 We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution....

Hawaii 1959 We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance...establish this Constitution....

Idaho 1889 We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings..

Illinois 1870 We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors....

Indiana 1851 We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government....

Iowa 1857 We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution....

Kansas 1859 We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution....

Kentucky 1891 We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties....

Louisiana 1921 We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy....

Maine 1820 We, the People of Maine, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.…

Maryland 1776 We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty....

Massachusetts 1780 We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction....

Michigan 1908 We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution....

Minnesota, 1857 We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings....

Mississippi 1890 We, the people of Mississippi, in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work....

Missouri 1845 We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness....Establish this Constitution....

Montana 1889 We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution.…

Nebraska 1875 We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution....

Nevada 1864 We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution....

*New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I Sec.. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience....

New Jersey 1844 We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors....

New Mexico 1911 We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846 We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings....

North Carolina 1868 We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those....

North Dakota 1889 We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain....

Ohio 1852 We, the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common....

Oklahoma 1907 Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this.…

*Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences....

Pennsylvania 1776 We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....

Rhode Island 1842 We, the People of the State of Rhode Island, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing....

South Carolina 1778 We, the people of the State of South Carolina, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution....

South Dakota 1889 We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ....

*Tennessee 1796 Article XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience.…

Texas 1845 We, the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God....

Utah 1896 Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution....

Vermont 1777 Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man....

*Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other....

Washington 1889 We, the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.…

West Virginia 1872 Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God.…

Wisconsin 1848 We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.…

Wyoming 1890 We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution....

With the Constitution and Bill of Rights' of each and everyone of the 50 States of the USA clearly indicate that "WE" acknowledge (and are "grateful to the Almighty") God, one has to wonder where the ACLU, the US courts, and Barack Obama, the supposed incumbent President of the USA, got their idea & inspiration to either publicly ban the use of God's name or that the United States is "not a Christian nation".
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*State Bill of Rights; [all others without an asterisk indicate State Constitution Preamble]

"On Eagle's Wings by Michael Joncas

The Weekend Camp-out

A group of women decided to arrange a weekend camp-out as a "treat" for their mothers-in-law and to hopefully get to know and understand each other better. Two buses were hired to transport the group, one for the mothers-in-law and another for the daughters-in-law.

Unfortunately, on the way to the campsite, the bus carrying the mothers-in-law was involved in a terrible accident, and everyone in that bus died.

The daughters-in-law shed tears [like women would usually do], but there was one particular woman who quite puzzled the rest of the group. She wailed, sobbed, boo-hoo-ed, and bawled uncontrollably and seemed inconsolable by the ones who sat nearest to her.

Finally, someone from the rear of the bus approached the distraught woman and very solicitously said, "Forgive me for asking, but were you and your mother-in-law really that close?"

The wailing one replied, "Actually, we are not close at all."

"So what's with all the howling and keening and tears then?"

"She missed the bus!"