Freedom Indiana opposing 'religious freedom' bill By Tony Cook
Freedom Indiana is a grass-roots coalition that helped defeat a constitutional same-sex marriage ban in Indiana last year and they are trying to do so again. They are trying to mobilize a "grass-roots army" against Senate Bill 101, which is intended to increase legal protections for those with strong religious beliefs. Freedom Indiana thinks that this bill would allow discrimination against gays and lesbians. Supporter however think that this bill would offer legal protections to business owners who don't want to provide services for same-sex marriages.
I found a more recent story today stating that Indiana did indeed pass the 'religious freedom' bill, click here for article. I am surprised that Freedom Indiana was not more successful in helping defeat this bill due to their success last year. Now that this bill has been passed, it will impact other states who may copy or create similar legislation, and it will raise many questions about the dividing line between discrimination and religious freedom. I think that there will be strong opposition to this bill and that they will not remain silent for long. I am interested to see this legislation will be challenged in the near future.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Please come back butterflies
Imperiled monarch butterfly to get $3.2 million boost By Todd Leopold
The monarch butterfly has been hurt by habitat loss, environmental problems, and crop changes in recent years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is launching a campaign to save the butterfly. They are partnering with other groups such as the National Wildlife Foundation to raise awareness of the butterfly's problems. The Fish and Wildlife Service has begun its campaign with $1.2 million and will also provide $2 million to fund conservation projects. They plan to encourage "responsible gardening" and chemical pesticides. This effort couldn't have come at a better time because the amount of butterflies migrating has declined from 1 billion in 1996 to 33 million.
The Fish and Wildlife Service's campaign will drastically help the monarch butterfly population in the U.S. I think it is weird that they waited so long to conserve the butterfly population because it has clearly it has been in sharp decline for awhile. They could have prevented the decrease in monarchs if they had acted sooner. Also, I think its crazy how it takes millions of dollars just to raise awareness, but I still think it is a great cause. The Fish and Wildlife Service's efforts will hopefully help cultivate a rebirth of monarchs in the U.S.
The monarch butterfly has been hurt by habitat loss, environmental problems, and crop changes in recent years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is launching a campaign to save the butterfly. They are partnering with other groups such as the National Wildlife Foundation to raise awareness of the butterfly's problems. The Fish and Wildlife Service has begun its campaign with $1.2 million and will also provide $2 million to fund conservation projects. They plan to encourage "responsible gardening" and chemical pesticides. This effort couldn't have come at a better time because the amount of butterflies migrating has declined from 1 billion in 1996 to 33 million.
The Fish and Wildlife Service's campaign will drastically help the monarch butterfly population in the U.S. I think it is weird that they waited so long to conserve the butterfly population because it has clearly it has been in sharp decline for awhile. They could have prevented the decrease in monarchs if they had acted sooner. Also, I think its crazy how it takes millions of dollars just to raise awareness, but I still think it is a great cause. The Fish and Wildlife Service's efforts will hopefully help cultivate a rebirth of monarchs in the U.S.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Bakery Discrimination
Christian bakers face government wrath for refusing to make cake for gay wedding By Todd Starnes
A judge in Oregon ruled that the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa did discriminate against a lesbian couple in 2013 when they declined to provide a wedding cake because it would have violated their Christian beliefs. The discriminated couple knew that the laws were on their side because Oregon state law bans discrimination against LGBT people in places that serve the public. The bakery owners received heavy backlash after the incident and after several protests and boycotts by LGBT activists the couple was forced to close up shop. There is another court date set for March 10 in which the owners could be ordered to pay $200,000 in fines and damages.
This case marks an increase of the enforcement of legislation against discrimination of those in the LGBT community. It raises questions of religious liberty and discrimination. I think that it is interesting that the bakery owners declined the couple even though there was legislation in place that specially states that they can not discriminate based on sexual orientation. I know this is not the only incident of discrimination, so I think it will be interesting to see how each state will handle the situation.
A judge in Oregon ruled that the owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa did discriminate against a lesbian couple in 2013 when they declined to provide a wedding cake because it would have violated their Christian beliefs. The discriminated couple knew that the laws were on their side because Oregon state law bans discrimination against LGBT people in places that serve the public. The bakery owners received heavy backlash after the incident and after several protests and boycotts by LGBT activists the couple was forced to close up shop. There is another court date set for March 10 in which the owners could be ordered to pay $200,000 in fines and damages.
This case marks an increase of the enforcement of legislation against discrimination of those in the LGBT community. It raises questions of religious liberty and discrimination. I think that it is interesting that the bakery owners declined the couple even though there was legislation in place that specially states that they can not discriminate based on sexual orientation. I know this is not the only incident of discrimination, so I think it will be interesting to see how each state will handle the situation.
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