Another Update on NM Photographer case:

I hope this is the last update until it goes up further in the appeal process. I have been praying for this women and her partner that they would come to the Lord thru all this in some way and that in some way God would be glorified in this. I say this just to encourage you all to not only get a little upset but to handle this with passionate prayer for the lost and that God uses this for good like He did the cross and that we act like Christ did when He was persecuted for His religious beliefs!!!!

Quick update concerning my complaint of KOAT and KOBTV report from the 04-11-2008 AP report on there web sites on my prior email on this subject which you can find here. Check out the NEW MORE ACCURATE AP release on 04-14-2008 www.CBNnews.com entitled: "Human Rights Commission: Christian Discriminated against Lesbians"-"The Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian organization that defends religious liberty"-04-14-2008. Much better!!!

Now, the facts:

The official 35 page briefing in defense of NM Photographer-Check out the Statement of Facts starting on page 3-7, And here is a key argument concerning motivation and quite enlightening..."At best, Willock has introduced direct evidence that Elane Photography does "not photograph same-sex weddings," Resp. Ex. B. at 5, but that does not inform the "ultimate issue" of the Company's motivation....Once a complainant establishes her prima facie case, that prima facie showing "may then be rebutted by evidence that the [complainant] was [refused service] based on a nondiscriminatory motivation."...Id. Here, both Jonathan and Elaine testified that they declined to photograph Willock's wedding-like, same-sex commitment ceremony because they refuse to use, and company policy prevents them from using, their talents and resources to promote a message with which they earnestly disagree, namely, that marriage can exist between anyone other than one man and one woman. Tr. at . Both Jonathan and Elaine testified that they did not refuse their Company's services because of Willock's "sexual orientation." Tr. at . In fact, they both acknowledged that they would offer their photography services to Willock or any other individual regardless of their sexual orientation, but they could not do so in the requested context of a wedding-like, same-sex commitment ceremony because of the message conveyed by that event. Tr. at . On the other hand, if Willock had asked Elane Photography to take pictures of her as part of, for example, individual portraits for a modeling portfolio, the Company would have been happy to provide its services in that context. In sum, then, Elane Photography's refusal to photograph Willock's ceremony was motivated by Jonathan's and Elaine's desire to refrain from furthering, promoting, or endorsing a same-sex "marital" relationship, and not from any soft of unlawful discriminatory animus. This is not some irrational, arbitrary, post-hoc justification for the Company's actions. Context and message are important to artists, and the legitimacy of Elane Photography's nondiscriminatory reason is demonstrated by a simple illustration. Suppose, for example, that a Ku Klux Klan..."-pg 16,17.

The Commission Opinion and Final Order-Documented Email conversation,
"17. On September 21, 2006, Ms. Willock contacted the website of Elane Photography to obtain information about its photographic services and pricing. Ms. Willock sent Elane Photography the following email inquiry: We are researching potential photographers for our commitment ceremony on September 15, 2007 in Taos, NM. This is a same-gender ceremony. If you are open to helping us celebrate our day we'd like to receive pricing information. Thanks [Testimony of Willock; Exhibit E at 1-2.] 18. Later on the same day, Ms. Elaine Huguenin gave the following response to Ms. Willock: Hello Vanessa, As a company, we photograph traditional weddings, engagements, seniors, and several other things such as political photographs and singer's portfolios. -Elaine— [Testimony of Willock and Elaine Huguenin; Exhibit 1; Exhibit E at 1, 3 & 43 19. Ms. Willock was not sure whether Ms. Elaine Huguenin's response meant that Elane Photography did or did not offer its services to same-gender couples arid sought clarification on November 28, 2006, as follows: Hi Elaine, Thanks for your response below of September 21, 2006. I'm a bit confused, however, by the wording of your response. Are you saying that your company does not offer your photography services to same-sex couples? Thanks, Vanessa [Testimony of Willock; Exhibit I; Exhibit E at 4.] 20. On November 28, Ms. Elaine Huguenin clarified her previous response to Ms. Willock in the following way: Hello Vanessa, Sorry if our last response was a confusing one. Yes, you are correct in saying we do not photograph same-sex weddings, but again, thanks for checking out our site! Have a great day. -Elaine"
Notice that she needed clarification 3 months later!!! Just a little odd...

"25. On November 29, 2006, Ms. Willock's partner, Ms. Collinswortb, formerly known as Ms. Pascottini, sought to verify Ms. Elaine Huguenin's refusal to photograph a same-sex ceremony by making a similar email inquiry about packages and rates to photograph a wedding, without any mention of same-sex. Ms. Collinsworth sent the following email to Elane Photography: Hi Elaine, I really like your photographs. I was wondering if you would be willing to travel to Ruidoso for my wedding? Can you send me a list of your packages and rates? Thanks!! [Testimony of Collinsworth; Exhibit E at 6.) 26. On November 29, 2006, Ms. Elaine Huguenin responded affirmatively by email to Ms. Collinsworth's inquiry and, at the same time, forwarded Ms. Collinsworth information about the company's photography pricing (base package, $1,450; deluxe package, $1,850; and royal package, $2,250), as well as information about the company's procedure for online proofing credits. The text of Ms. Elaine Huguenin's response to Ms. Collinsworth's inquiry was as follows: Hello Misty, Thanks so much for contacting us. I would definately [sic) be willing to travel to Ruidoso for your wedding. I have attached some information that should be helpful as far as prices and packages. There is also another attachment concerning "print credits" — it explains what online proofing is, because it's something that is a bit newer and not everyone may know what it is yet. Hopefully these items will help you sort some things out. Also, I would love to meet up with you sometime, if you are interested, to show you more of my recent book, along with an example of the "coffee table book" that included in all ofourpacicages. My place of choice is Satellite... Good luck with your planning, and I hope to talk with you soon -Elaine [Testimony of Collinsworth and Elaine Huguenin; Exhibit E at 7; Exhibit C & Exhibit E at 9; Exhibit D & Exhibit E at 10.] 27. On December 19, 2006, having not heard again from Ms. Collinsworth (then known as Misty Pascottini), Ms. Elaine Huguenin sent the following email to Ms. Collinsworth:
Hello Misty, I just wanted to check and see if you had any questions about the prices or packages that I could help answer. I hope that planning is going well for you. Have a great day! -Elaine [Testimony of Elaine Huguenin; Exhibit F at 8.]"

That's all the conversation that took place!!! Some how Vanessa Willock and her partner believed that Elaine had no other reason to not do photographs of there same-gender ceremony except for sexual orientation. It seems to me that if there is any discrimination going on here it would be: religious discrimination on the part of the Human Rights Commission (arbitrarily favouring one right over another)!!!!...This is a case of Religious Discrimination in the name of Sexual Orientation..."Gay rights have trumped religious rights in a New Mexico case."-04/14/2008 AP. I can understand maybe the confusion between Elaine and Vanessa in the email conversations but I have yet to agree with the Human Rights Commission Final Order and Opinion...

Here is an interesting commentary on this case:

The New Mexico Human Rights Commission Refuses to Consider Religious Freedom Objection:

The Breadth of the New Mexico Human Rights Commission's Rationale:

Photographers Denied the Freedom To Choose What They Photograph:
What does Bush have to do with all this:

Fighting religious discrimination: Bush administration's quiet campaign-"In education, for example, the DOJ reviewed 82 cases and conducted 40 investigations from 2001 to 2006. Compare this with the 1995-2000 time period, when the DOJ reviewed one case and made no investigations...As Judge Judy would say, these are real cases about real people. From attacks on houses of worship to incidents of discrimination at school and work, the DOJ over the past five years has investigated scores of cases involving the religious rights of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Native Americans and others."-When I read this I was reasoned, yep here is another one. I am hardly getting the whole story from ABC, CBS, NBC or PBS. Justifying the slogan below....

Yanking Back the Balance and Filling in the Gaps

P.S.-Concerning the media lack of coverage on these issues I wanted to submit a suggestion concerning motive of lack of coverage. And I do believe I have presented evidence of this unlike Vanessa and her partner. Not only is money and ratings a motive but may I submit that maybe just maybe liberal politics rooted in a liberal worldview is a big part of the pie, also, which highly favours one political party over another....

I always intend just to send a quick email but then I just can't help but to add a little and a little and a little until it is a little to much!!! :)

Take care all.

"When I watched him [former President Bill Clinton] at Mrs. King's funeral, I just have never seen anything like it....There are times when he sounds like Jesus in the temple. I mean, amazing ability to transcend ethnicity -- race, we call it, it's really ethnicity -- in this country and, and speak to us all in this amazingly primordial way."-MSNBC's Chris Matthews (Awarded "Quote of the year" at the 2008 Dishonors Awards)

Third update on Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Just in case you all missed the prior emails and for those who haven't but are interested in more related stories here we go:

In case you have heard of the controversy about an atheist being expelled from a prescreening of Expelled. Here is my comment. He hasn't been expelled from watching the movie. He's been invited. He just needs to come on the day he's invited like all the rest of us and get over it...April 18th!!!!!- Theatre locator here.

http://www.expelledthemovie.com/- for trailer and theatre information.

Ben Stein interviewed by Dobson on Focus on the Family radio program- Excellent interview that most have probabily heard but just in case you missed it here is another chance. Ben Stein is pro-life and makes some comments about Comedy Central and him wanting to send the money he won to the charity of his choice being the National Right to Life and how that was not favoured by producers of Comedy Central. Also, American Idol is doing shows for charity to fight aides I think, however, the donations are going to some charities that support ideals of International Planned Parenthood and we probably have a pretty good idea what they'll support!!!

The Expelled Chronicle- Stories like "Richard Dawkins crashes the party at a screening of "Expelled" and Breaking News: Iowa State Department Faculty Acknowledge ID Played Role in Gonzalez's Tenure Denial

The Expelled Playground -Some songs that were made as a songwriting contest for the movie.

Dr Richard Sternberg home page- web site of the Dr that is featured in the Expelled movie. "the OSC investigation concluded, "[i]t is... clear that a hostile work environment was created with the ultimate goal of forcing you out of the SI." SI short for Smithsonian Institution. "The Meyer paper underwent a standard peer review process by three qualified scientists, all of whom are evolutionary and molecular biologists teaching at well-known institutions."

Good News: Florida Senate Committee OKs Academic-Freedom Bill-"The Evolution Academic Freedom Act, which was approved 7-3 by the Senate Judiciary Committee, now moves to the full Senate." Yeah Florida!!!

Toward a Practical Theology of Peer Review-"Critics of creationism and Intelligent Design (ID) often note that creationist or ID research does not appear in peer-reviewed literature (e.g., Crawford 1982; Scott and Branch 2003; Max 2004; Bottaro et al. 2006). Creationists complain that we are excluded from the peer-reviewed literature (Anderson 2002; Kulikovsky 2008; see also Tipler 2004) and are therefore required to publish in our own peer reviewed-literature (Morris 2003). Critics view creationist peer review as not "real" peer review. For example, recent attempts to launch new creationist peer-reviewed journals have been met with scorn or dismissal (Sparks et al. 2007; Brumfiel 2008).The irony of this conflict over peer review is that peer review is poorly understood and criticized even in conventional journals." This paper provides an interesting biblical perspective on this process. Some may argue why a Practical Theology of Peer Review and why even get involved in the science debate. I think one of the most grandest responses to this objection can be made by a comment of Martin Luther, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

Warning!!! Below are many run on sentences and missed puntuations!!
But please do skip thru this if this is intolerable to the 3rd update on indoctrinateu and don't miss the Michael Moore interview!!!
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Quick comment, however, is that there are many areas in which the enemy of Christ is at work and so we have to keep that in mind not just here in the sciences. But this is indeed one of the many. And remember that the fathers of many a scientific fields were christians but there has been a recent hijacking of creation since Darwin being redefined to anything but a creation and this is God's work we are discussing. So it is a major issue for it says in Revelations that "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.". Let's not take away the pleasure of God by allowing His work to be hijacked into some other gods' non-existent hands or into the hands of atheism!!!! Science is a moral issue if the above scripture is true!!!! So let us in love and by His grace "take it back" for His pleasure and look at creation in the light of His Truth as revealed in the scriptures that Christ upheld Himself with utmost authority. To not endeavor into this adventure is to allow the current status quo to remain which is not a very God honouring status quo thus I argue that creation science is justified so long as we don't forget that God came to earth to die for our sins and that is ultimately the only way back to a sound view/understanding of His creation. The ultimate reason why we don't glorify God for His awesome creation and we hijack it into Darwinism or some other false gods hands is because we have gotten off the right track in our thinking somewhere, so ultimately we are not going to see creation rightly until we confess our wrong thiinking that leads to our own lack of gratitude toward Him and then trust in the Son He sent to earth to die for our sins which message He gave to His disciples as recorded in the New Testament and Providentially has miraculously survived to this day despite many odds/enemies. In comparison to any other book the Bible is amazingly preserved and maintains its influence like no other book has in ancient past literature and in modern times. It's almost as if God has made it clear what book is His. His actually stands out!!!!!!!!! And what a a message at root it contains. That God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son and to make that clear beyond any excuse He does so by dying on the cross. No other message from any other god has that message been so well published in many different forms and preserved except in the Old and New Testament of the Bible!!! We may find fault with people of all faiths and atheisms but never in God. Any percieved fault we may seem to have in God is but a percieved fault for God to be God there is no fault thus all faults we percieve are just our perceptions unless of course we want to assume the opposite. By why? He has called us to faith!!!! Not unbelief. Why should we simply assume unbelief? Why not assume false perception? To be open minded, why not? And some circular argument proceeds with no real good reason for its circularity ending in the inevitable finite, fallible (sure scientifically/logically/philosophically/morally minded but none the less) Man as ultimate in authority!!! To be biblically minded, why not? And a somewhat circular argument proceeds but with a twist at the bottom that justifies itself: Cause God is ultimate in authority!!!! Now this assumes that God does indeed exist but why should we assume otherwise? We've been taught to have faith by God and Jesus and all the Old and New Testament so why should we not have faith and secondly the other options are but biases of unbelief against what God is teaching us so again why should we take an antiGod bias with no justification for its circular reasoning!!!! Is this not similar to what Satan did to Eve in his opening line. "Did God really say....." I mean who else but to God should she have gone too to answer the temptatious questions of Satan. Looks like going to her own mind and pleasures and self didn't do her nor Adam nor the human race and all creation thereafter much good. They should have gone to God's "say so" like Christ did in contrast in His temptation, He responded to the devil with a simple "It is written.....". So the first Adam brought death and the second Adam (Christ) brings life. So we have set before us life and death in these 2 examples. And in matters of the intellect in apologetics we too can be tempted to sin in our thinking. We will either reason the truth of the gospel assuming that God is God or we will reason the truth of the gospel assuming that God is not God. There is no in between. If there is feel free to reason it!!! Assuming nothing or whatever you want to fill in the blank with is not assuming God is or God is not. And to not assume either is to assume God is not for God to be God He most definitely is and to not assume God as ultimate in authority is to assume God is not for if God is He surely is ultimate in authority and thus must be assumed in order for anything to be determined either way for to not do so would be to assume God is not ultimate in authority which again is to assume God is not and on and on and on.... Maybe I am flawed in my reasoning here at the end but that's ok. I type it for argument sake I suppose.

P.S.- My wife is soon to aide me with my running on sentences and such. So in the future my paragraphs may be more tolerable!!!! :)

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Third update on Indoctrinate U

http://www.indoctrinateu.com/ -For trailer and to download movie and to watch deleted scenes online for free.

Some interesting posts from producer of indoctrinateus' website:

Starbucks vs. Laissez Faire-"Laissez-faire. It's a policy that made Starbucks vastly successful. But don't try to put that phrase on a customized Starbucks Card."

Watch a video of Michael Moore's Call to Arms-"While Michael Moore was delivering his infamous speech at the Academy Awards, every single documentary filmmaker nominated for an Oscar stood behind him in solidarity. The fact that liberals dominate the industry is even more significant given the recent changes in CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS. Moore and his fellow filmmakers ARE FREE to embed their opinions in movies, but CITIZENS WHO WANT TO FINANCE POLITICAL ADS WILL DISCOVER NEW LIMITS TO THEIR FREEDOM OF SPEECH. What would Mr. Moore have to say about this? To find out, I staked him out over the course of four days."

Recent happenings of related matter:

ADF sues UNC-Wilmington on behalf of conservative pundit and professor Mike Adams-"Adams, hired to teach at UNCW in 1993, and an associate professor since 1998, generated an impressive record of productive research resulting in 10 peer-reviewed publications, the number UNCW department chairs had stated as "safe" to merit promotion to full professor. Adams applied for full professorship in 2004, but the then-interim chair of the department, Dr. Diane Levy, known as an outspoken feminist with leftist political leanings, raised concerns about Adams' "political activity" and reprimanded him for his weekly nationally syndicated column. Contrasting him with columnist William F. Buckley, Levy requested that Adams change his writing style so that it would be less "caustic" and more "cerebral." In 2005, Dr. Kimberly J. Cook became chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at UNCW. Cook, an outspoken atheist who openly criticized Christianity, described to a recruitment committee her ideal candidate for a teaching position as "a lesbian with spiked hair and a dog collar." Adams completed his 11th peer-reviewed publication in 2006 and applied for promotion to full professorship. But during a closed-door meeting on Sept. 14 (My birthday, how dare they. Just kidding.), Cook and senior faculty members decided not to promote Adams."

Actual complaint filed with District Court- on 04/10/2007

Court refuses to dismiss professor's discrimination suit against UNC-Wilmington-"Adams frequently received accolades from his colleagues after the university hired him as an assistant professor in 1993 and promoted him to associate professor in 1998 when he was an atheist. However, interrogations, accusations, and refusals for promotion followed his conversion to Christianity in 2000, even though the quality of his work and conduct at the university never wavered....The University of North Carolina-Wilmington must face a lawsuit brought against it by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of Mike Adams"

The order denying UNCW most of its motion to dismiss- on 03/31/2008.

Not just in America- "The British Columbia College of Teachers won a court decision against me in 2006 for "conduct unbecoming a member....The college's lawyer stated categorically that "everything you have written, in its entirety, is derogatory and discriminatory." I continue to find that a bewildering statement, because I was quoting peer-reviewed research data, including research done by investigators who are homosexual themselves. Furthermore, I have never had a human rights complaint laid against me."

Not Just in Colleges: ADF attorneys defend Wis. high school student facing religious discrimination-You all may have heard of this one. It made FoxNews and the Sean Hannity show on CNN and MSNBC. "The teacher cited a document that the student and all other students in the class had been required to sign at the beginning of the semester which prevented them from creating artwork with the prohibited depictions. After the teacher said that the student had "signed away his First Amendment rights," the student respectfully protested by tearing the signed document in half...Citing a policy prohibiting depictions of "blood, violence, sexual connotations, [or] religious beliefs," officials penalized a Christian student for his artwork depicting a Bible verse and a cross but did not penalize students who included demonic illustrations in their artwork."

Complaint filed with District Court-On 03/28/2008.

Picture of artwork that got a zero

Copies of artwork depicting demonic images created by other students in the class. Picture 1 and Picture 2.

Watch video of the attorneys Cable TV appearances here.- On FoxNews, CNN Sean Hannity show, and some MSNBC show. Now the links took a while to pull up. But this video didn't take as long as the others on google streaming. Click here for the CNN Sean Hannity show coverage of the story as the 2 lawyers on either sides discuss this.

For alternative to video here is a 10 minute discussion on Jerry Johnson Live available here.

Yanking back the balance and filling in the gaps

"He said, "He who is not for Me is against Me," Just so you know where He's coming from."-Bob Dylan (Gonna Change My Way of Thinking)

Third Update on NM Photographer case:

Finally KOB and KOAT did a report on the christian photographer case. Here it is...

N.M. Human Rights Commission: Photographer Discriminated- It is a rather quick AP report. I think a fair AP report except on the discription of the attorneys handling the case for the photographer. The description reads, "The group handles legal cases aimed at defending the Bible." You'd get the impression that these attorney handle cases aimed at defending the Bible, right. Which makes the attorneys defending the photographer rather strange which then makes the legitimacy of the defense of her position rather strange and doubtful. Let me quote a quote from the attorneys group web site, "ADF was founded for a unique purpose: to aggressively defend religious liberty by empowering our allies, recognizing that together, we can accomplish far more than we can alone." Not to mention that "ADF and its allies has defeated the ACLU and its allies 3 out of every 4 of the hundreds of cases funded and litigated to conclusion- including 33 wins before the US Supreme Court recorded for the past 13 years" as of 2007. And they do it for their clients for free in many situations!!! So let us put the two discriptions of ADF side by side and see how you think this may effect the unknowing readers of the article and thus the credibility of the photographers side of the issue:

AP description of ADF: "The group handles legal cases aimed at defending the Bible."

ADFs' description of ADF: "ADF was founded for a unique purpose: to aggressively defend religious liberty by empowering our allies, recognizing that together, we can accomplish far more than we can alone."

One may wonder why a Bible defender is defending a religious liberty case here. Even in the words of the APs' own writing, "The photographer contends the ruling violates her right to freedom of religion."

And feel free to check out the facts as to whether or not ADF handles legal cases aimed at defending the Bible. Just look on the ACLU's and ADF's web site and see the many many cases they are involved in that are not aimed at defending the Bible.

It is very possible that this is evidence of bias to be so misinforming from a journalist organization that should be held to higher standards then the average me....

Here is a story from the Washington Times that reported on this case way back 02-25-2008 that did a far better job describing ADF. "Jordan Lorence of the Alliance Defense Fund, a "legal ministry" that is representing the Huguenins and defends religious freedom and traditional values.."-Much better. I've noticed that the Washington Times picks up stories like this earlier on then most other media outlets. I don't know if they are conservative or not but I do remember them reporting a very fair report on the Promise Keepers that my dad and I attended in Washington DC many years ago when most other reports were very unfair. So if they aren't conservative at least they have some fairness...

Maybe I am being picky.....you decide.....

Check out the comments made by New Mexicans on this report on KOB. So far there is 76. Now I only read thru the first 20 and it seems alot of New Mexicans are not happy about this as compared to thsoe that are. At least out of those who made a comment to the story.

I have a feeling that KRQE will do a more in depth story on this then the above stations. I sent an email to Dick Knipfing about this story. I don't think it will be a better story casue I sent the email but I do think it will be better because I think that is why they have yet to air a story on this case. My hope is that they are gathering more info to make a more in depth report on the case and actually have a video of it on their web site. KRQE is the only local news channel that reported on the Planned Parenthood situation so maybe they will actually do a little better job on this story then the other stations who didn't report the Planned Parenthood story. This story did also make the Abq Journal finally. I don't know if it made the headlines or if it was stuck somewhere else. This story has made the headlines in every conservative news media outlet that I am aware of and is a hot topic on many national conservative media outlets ever since January. It will be interesting to see if the national non conservative media picks up on it!!!!!!

Some other very interesting information concerning this case I found not even on conservative news sources but on blog sites with the following citations as documented proof...

Background info on lesbian to give revealing info and a face to pray for:

Vanessa Willock has been with UNM since 1997 and is currently an EEO Compliance Representative with the Office of Equal Opportunity where she investigates claims of discrimination and sexual harassment."

She is a committe Member at UNM under Strategic Directions Committe and found under one of the sections titled "Value and benefit from the creativity, innovation, insight, and excitement generated by the many dimensions of diversity that are the essence of the University and the State. (Diversity)."-If one claims diversity then live it!!! Diversity for all except this christian photographers conscience???!!! In the name of diversity must we force those of opposing view points to not only promote ours but be actively involved in the promotion???!!! This discrimination law needs reinterpretation to uphold principles of diversity. Unless diversity doesn't include men and women of conscience/principle. And if it doesn't then is diversity itself a principle of conscience and if so then diversity refutes itself. And if it is not then why so much energy being put into diversity training. Thus to be truely diversified you must include in your diversity training men and women of differing principle and conscience then yourself!!!!

Here are actual official documents:

Original Charge of Discrimination and Notice of Charge of Discrimination sent to photograph company. Plaintiffs own words, "I contacted Elane Photography to inquire about...commitment ceremony. I received an email back which stated that the company only photographs traditional weddings....I wrote back to ask for clarification...and I received an email back....which state "we do not photograph same sex weddings"....I believe I have been discriminated against because of my secual orientation..."

Determination of Probable Cause-06/05/2007. "The evidence reflects the emails where Respondent denies you service. The evidence shows that your partner requested services without telling Respondent that it was a same sex cermony and Respondent agreed to photograph....Respondent also told the Human Rights investigator that she does not perform same sex cermonies...I find there is sufficient evidence to believe that discrimination has occurred."

Just another letter of no added consequence except for realism sent from The State of New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to attorney handling cas for photographer.

My first reaction is to get frustrated about all this but when I saw this photo of the accuser I thought that this is a lost sinner as much as I am and I should also pray for her that she comes to know Christ as her saviour. So to give you a face to pray for click here. She is on 2nd picture. And a close up here.

Let's pray for her!!!

Yanking back the balance and filling in the gaps

"The last time the Senate waited this long in a presidential election year to confirm federal judges, James Polk, the 11th president, was in the White House." -Sen Orrin G. Hatch (R)-Utah

Update on NM Photographer case:

Some time ago I sent an email about a local Albuquerque, NM photographer who would not photographs of a same sex ceremony since she believed it was wrong and was taken to the NM Human Rights Commission and not one report anywhere in any local media outlet that I am aware of here in NM. I could be wrong but I can't find anything but on conservative media outlets everywhere!!! Either NM doesn't care about these issues or either they don't care cause they don't know!!! But either way some do and here is the breaking bad news....

04/09/2008 order of the NM Human Rights Commission-"IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the respondent, Elane Photography, LLC, shall pay to the Complainant, Vanessa Willock, an award of attroney's fees and costs, in the amount of $6,637.94." Attorney fees and costs sure are expensive for ONE day before a COMMISSION that issued a ONE page finding. I wonder how much ONE day would cost be before a Court and Judge and the 20 plus pages they usually issue there. Thank the Lord and ADF that this company doesn't have to pay on top of that for their own attorney's fees.

ADF to appeal N.M. commission's ruling against Christian photographer-"Could the government force a vegetarian videographer to create a commercial for the new butcher shop in town? American business owners do not surrender their constitutional rights at the marketplace gate."

Fact sheet that I emailed you all in the past in case you missed it.

Other NM related news from ADF since January of 2008 mostly about this case: but some interesting bills going thru the House and Senate like domestic partnership.

04/05/2008 Racism alleged against Planned Parenthood: Have to give credit to Channel 13 for covering some controversial issues concerning Planned Parenthood as of late. Irene Gray of Planned Parenthood in Albuquerque, NM was recorded by a pro-life investigator to see if they would take donations specifically for black babies so that whites would not be disadvantaged because of affirmative action and she did. You can click here for that story and then click on Racism alleged against Planned Parenthood. And it made the 04-05-2008 edition of the Albuquerque Journal but I have no link cause you have to subscribe.

Yanking back the balance and filling in the gaps

"I would agree with St. Augustine that an 'unjust law is no law at all,'" wrote King. "Now what is the difference between the two? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law."-Rev Martin Luther King Jr. (From his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" 1963)

Breaking Good News

Blacks and Whites reconciling in Jena, Louisiana. One of the infamous "Jena 6" becomes saved and family members of Jena 6. Close relative of one of the "Jena 6" reconciling with DA involved in the Jena 6. 7th week of revival this week being currently held at the very site of the protest of the infamous Jena 6 lead by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Keep this in prayer, it is going on this week.

Other Good News throw ins:

Alveda King Video 8 minute video interview. (Dr Martin Luther King Jr's Neice) excellent interview yesterday. Click on link and then click on AFN News Extra. She answers a question of what would Dr Martin Luther King do if he were hear today?? Find out the answer!!!! For a more in depth radio interview click here that goes into more detail of her difficult upbringing/having an abortion and giving/receiving forgiveness in/thru Christ.

EW Jackson interview today. Concerning recent concerns brought up by Jeremiah Wright (Obamas' Pastor). Controversial but informative.

Update from prior email (Darfur, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Namibia: Americas' Approval Ratings Soaring in Africa):

Renewal of PEPFAR- Renewal report from AP google here. "The House voted Wednesday...expanding a program credited with saving more than 1 million lives in Africa alone in the largest U.S. investment ever against a single disease....To advance the legislation, conservatives had to give up a provision in the 2003 act requiring that one-third of all HIV prevention funds be spent on abstinence programs. Instead it directs the administration to promote "balanced funding for prevention activities" in target countries. Liberals, in turn, had to accept some restrictions on family planning groups participating in AIDS programs. Conservatives, concerned that money might be diverted to abortion promotion, pushed for a provision that allows the use of funds for HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services in those family planning programs supported by the U.S. government. A measure in the 2003 act requiring groups receiving funds to have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking, opposed by some health groups as impeding efforts among sex workers, was also left intact...It expands the program, originally focused on 15 mainly sub-Saharan African countries, to include Caribbean nations as well as Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho in Africa."

"This will be remembered as the single most significant achievement of President Bush's two terms in office," said Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J., chairman of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa.

Now it's off to the Senate!!!

Yanking back the balance and filling in the gaps

Yanking back the balance one click at a time!!!

Encouraging stories of men/women of faith and what they are doing about a dire situation in Africa that is postiviely effecting how Africa views America!!! Again stories that are largely missed in mainstream media. However, an exception will be noted below. Credit must go where credit is due and below you will find a link to a documentary out of Hollywood that apparently is a must see. My sister and brother in law told me about it and I found a very positive review on the movie down below. I have yet to see it myself, though. But my wife and I are going to put it on our next movie to rent list and are looking forward to seeing it.

South/New Sudan and Northern Uganda

Rev Sam Childers

One of two recent interviews that inspired me to make this email- Interview with a Machine Gun Preacher Literally!!!! Click on above link then scroll down to 03-27-2008 and click listen. 2nd Interview that inspired this email scroll down to Zambia.

Missionary Will Go to Jail before Paying Fine- "The FAA refused to retract its fine charged to the missionary for transporting motor oil, WD-40 and diesel treatment, which were to be used to run a generator that would power the showing of The Jesus Film."

WEB EXTRA: Saving Sudan's Children.- "Watch this video, which orginally aired in 2005 on Christian World News. WARNING! This story has disturbing images and should not be viewed by children."

MSNBC Interview of Sam Childers- "Now, supported by contributions from the American evangelical community, he goes on military-style rescue missions for abducted children. He even joins with local African militias to hunt Kony down."

Boyerspond-"The Sudanese staff at the Children's Village primarily are orphans and widows themselves. We've found that no one understands the needs of our children better than those who have shared their experiences."

Orphans of War video library

Angels of East Africa- "built the first playground in South Sudan."

US pastor rescues Uganda Children- "Sam Childers remembers his first visit to the region, seeing a boy who had been killed by a landmine. He said, "As I stood over the child, I cried and wept and I told the Lord Jesus, I'll do whatever I can do to help these people."

Darfur

John Dau

God Grew Tired of Us- National Geogrpahic Documentary. Featuring refugee John Dau and others. (Angela, I think this is the one you were telling me about.)

Review of "God Grew Tired of Us"- "Since Christians are usually the first ones to complain and get indignant over all of the "junk" coming out of Hollywood, I thought it would be a nice change to give some good news. When a film boasts Brad Pitt and Dermot Mulroney as executive producers and Nicole Kidman as the narrator, the eyebrows of the pious naysayers are sure to be raised. I must admit that I was a bit skeptical myself as the opening credits of God Grew Tired of Us began to roll, but by the middle of the film, I was completely in awe of what I was watching. In an effort to tell the stories of the "lost boys" of Sudan, these Hollywood high-rollers have given the world a great glimpse into the cultural mandate of Genesis 1 and the Great Commission of Matthew 28."-Eric Rauch...the Director of Communications for American Vision.

Interview with John Dau- For video of this interview click here.

Church of the Week- Elon Baptist church honoured for support of Darfur.

Rwanda

Immaculee Ilibgiza

Immaculee Ilibgiza: The Real Life of a Refugee (part 1)- "When she got to the pastor's home, he hid her in a tiny bathroom tucked away in his bedroom. By the end of the day, there were six other women clinging to one another on the cold bathroom floor."

Immaculee Ilibgiza: The Real Life of a Refugee (part 2)- "How did Immaculee not hate the people who killed her family?"

Hotel Rwanda- Official web site of movie. Prepare to be disturbed.

Zambia/Namibia

Benedict and Kathleen Schwartz

2nd interview that inspired this email- Click on link to left and scroll down to 03-17-08 and 03-18-2008 entitled Village of Hope click on 03-17-2008 first. "In 2001, Christian businessman Benedict Schwartz heard the call to begin creating orphan villages in Africa. God moved mightily, and soon the Children of Zion Village was built in Namibia. Today on the broadcast, Benedict and his wife, Kathleen, talk to Dennis Rainey about their work and ministry in southwest Africa. Find out how your church or business can join in God's effort to save the orphans around the world."

One Church, One Orphanage- "Africa: Many churches budgets include funds for missionaries, and many individual Christians donate to large international relief agencies-but one church decided to do more....(30 families in the church of 650 have adopted children)" But now, over hundred children have been adopted by this church. All starting with one woman in the church who had adopted 9 herself according to the most recent interview above.

All Kids Can Learn International- "AKCLI is a founding member of the Voice of the Orphans Coalition. The coalition was organized in 2006 by Family Life Ministries, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope....In 2006 we purchased a 230-acre farm in Zambia, and are planning to build children's villages there for 200 children."

2 Videos concerning orphans that AKCLI serves.

Partners Worldwide- "Christian Business People Transforming Lives". Check out this quick fact sheet they have produced. This is indeed encouraging though in its beginnings. They have partnered with AKCLI.

Cry of the Orphan

Focus on the Family/Family Life Ministries/Supporters

Cry of the Orphan- "The Cry of the Orphan campaign represents a group of Christian organizations and churches that are joining voices to make caring for every orphan a reality."-Cry of the Orphan is an alliance of Focus on the Family, FamilyLife and Shaohannah's Hope.

A Vision for Church Orphans Ministries -Commercial found on GodTube.

Christian Alliance For Orphans announces 4th annual summit- "This annual gathering presents an opportunity for believers to unite their voices in speaking up for those who have no voice, and their passions in motivating other believers to ask God how they might engage in the lives of orphans around the world. Churches as well as other interested individuals are encouraged to attend. Main session speakers at Summit IV include: Jedd Medefind, Special Assistant to President George W. Bush & Deputy Director of the White House Faith-Based Initiative; John Fuller, of "Focus on the Family" Radio and VP of their Audio & New Media Division; Kay Warren, author and wife of Pastor Rick Warren, and Executive Director of Saddleback's HIV Initiative; Pastor Bob Coy, Sr. of host church Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale; Howard Dayton, co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries; and Dennis Rainey, best-selling author, president and co-founder of Family Life and host of "Family Life Today" radio program."

Christian Alliance For Orphans- "Official web site of the Summit above."

Letter from White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives sent to Cry of the Orphan.

PEPFAR

George W. Bush

PEPFAR- "The five-year, $15-billion plan, the largest commitment ever to combat a single disease..." But is now being highjacked claiming some Republicans in congress "They object to new proposals by Democrats that would end requirements to fund abstinence education programs, give greater funding access to family planning groups, like Planned Parenthood that promote or provide abortions, and would drop the requirement that groups getting money must take a stand against legalized prostitution and human trafficking. Some argue legalizing prostitution would slow the spread of AIDS. With broad bi-partisan support for the fight against AIDS, insiders are hopeful a compromise will be reached." It seems to me here an argument can be made for a need for Americans to be working hard in America to bring attention to these social ills within our society so that we don't spread our ills globally.

4th Annual Report 2008- (The power of partnerships) "it is the first large-scale effort to tackle a chronic disease in the developing world...The success of the Emergency Plan is firmly rooted in partnerships between the American people and the people of the countries in which we are privileged to serve — governments, non-governmental organizations including faith- and community-based organizations, and the private sector. Together, we are building systems and empowering individuals, communities and nations to tackle HIV/AIDS. And in just four years, it is working." Stats galore...

Helping Africa: Bush's Greatest Legacy?- Article and video to click on. This is where I got the above quote from concerning the Democrats attempting to high-jack PEPFAR.

Case study of the campaigns leading to The Presidents' Ermergency Plan for Aides Relief (PEPFAR)- "While the Presidents's announcement came at a suprise to many, this fundamental policy change did NOT occur in a vacuum...unanticipated events and partnerships played a significant role in leveraging Global HIV/AIDS. The emergence of evangelical Christian groups in HIV/AIDS advocacy was critical and particularly powerful with the Bush Administration and the Republican-led congress." Scroll down to page 6 of the report titled "Evangelical Christian Groups"..."According to GAAN, the call from conservative Christians for a greater US response and commitment to providing ARV treatment was the "decisive civil society voice on Global Aides issues and...effectively ended political opposition to the expansion of these programs.""- This case study presents many other factors besides just the evangelical christians like the UN, Clinton and Gore but this email is more focused on what the media usually misses namely that Bush, Republicans and Evangelicals are involved, also. Not here to report what most already know but rather to report some missing gaps of most media groups.

White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Director Jay Hein to Lead Delegation to Africa- "The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) today announced that Director Jay Hein will lead a delegation to Rwanda and Zambia from March 30 to April 5, 2008...Pastor Rick Warren and President Kagame will be among the featured speakers...Both conferences will explore best practices and train indigenous faith and community organizations to partner with the U.S. to combat disease and spur economic growth...During his visit, President Bush highlighted the importance of faith-based and community organizations to help the people of Africa deal with the health crises and development issues."

Bush of Africa- "Mr. Bush hasn't gotten much credit for this among the American public, but, as a BBC interviewer noted yesterday, his approval rating in Africa is in the 80% range, which is astonishingly high. The numbers are borne out by the Pew Global Attitudes survey. Critics of Mr. Bush seize on the low numbers in that survey for people's opinion of America in the Europe or in parts of the Arab world. But a 2007 Pew survey found 88% of those in the Ivory Coast view America favorably, 87% of those in Kenya, 80% of those in Ghana, and 79% of those in Mali. These numbers top the Pew charts."

Pew Global Attitudes Project- Latest report as of as of 06-27-2007 that was used in above article. 129 page document with many stats of interest in other subject to!!! But those concerning the subject of Africa and to save you some time check out the portion entitled Anti-Americanism: Deeper but not Wider on page 3, U.S. Remains Popular in Africa on page 13, and Bush Ratings Sag on page 61 but go to the last paragraph of that section on page 63 just before Putin Also Viewed Skeptically. There were some interesting survey questions that partain to this subject. They are: Please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable....opinion of the US and check out Africas' opinion on page 88, Please tell me if you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable....opinion of Americans and Africas' opinion on page 89, In making international policy decisions... and Africas' opinion on page 97. Actually there is to much to report. Just check out the surveys from pg 83 to 129 for yourself!!!! This report, also reports what everybody knows namely that Bush is not popular in most countries nor is the US but again I am here just to fill in a gap that is missing in most media groups namely Africa's view of the US and Bush.

Lastly, some added comments about The Church at work

The Bride of Christ may not be perfect but beautiful. Some may be at work in their own homes. Some have been enabled to branch out to their communities. Some have been enabled to branch out to her own nation. Some have been enabled to branch out to other nations. And yes some have even branched out into space. Some may be this and that in almost all areas of human life. Some may be the eyes and some the hands and some the feet but one thing is for sure that when the Body of Christ is seen as a whole she is beautiful even though she is not perfect. But she is certainly balanced as a whole though not individually but may I ask: Was it ever God's intention for individuals alone to be looked at as the whole?

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."-1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

An attachment to this email is a song from Derek Webb of an artistic expression of Christ love for the church called "The Church". One of my favorite christian singers!!! Lyrics to the song are here off of the album She Must and Shall Go Free-"After ten years in a Christian band, backstage in the music industry and in the hallways of church buildings across America, my attention as a songwriter has turned to a fresh affection for the Church. It seems we know all too little of who She is, how She should dress, or what She was made for. I have found that Scripture is provocative when it comes to these issues and so these songs are not for the faint of heart. Truth is, God would rather die than be without Her, and She is both wretched and radiant. I'm convinced that there is only one righteousness suitable for Jesus's bride, and He is jealous for Her love. For the believer, truth is freedom. Even truth that is hard to hear. May these songs stir all of us to see, as if for the first time, that we have (still) a great need for a Savior, and a great Savior for our need.— God bless, derek

One of my favorite lines of lyric is from this album.
"The truth is never sexy
So it's not an easy sell
You can dress her like the culture
But she'll shock 'em just as well"-Nobody Loves Me