2 posts tagged “christians”
George and Sharlee McNamee bought their home 32 years ago in Corona del Mar, California. In 2001 the California Coastal Commission decided to tell George and Sharlee how and under what circumstances they could use their property which amounts to constructive eminent domain without just compensation. In fact no compensation what so ever, only threats.
The Coastal Commission creates policy, rules and regulations that carry the weight of law, with fines and punishment, but do not follow the 'rule of law.' In this case fines of six thousand dollars per day. This is a clear violation of the 'seperation of powers' doctrine. That is; to make policy (legislate) with the weight of law and enforce the same policy with the force of law (judicial) by the same agency.
If there was ever a time for the City of Newport Beach to step up to the plate for a citizen, that time is now! The City should do whatever it can thru legal action or otherwise to deal with the Coastal Commission in defense of George and Sharlee. Especially, since the Coastal Commission is accountable to no one. Not the County of Orange, The City of Newport Beach and especially not mere senior citizens in their 70s.
If the City of Newport Beach can not or will not go to bat for one of its own we have elected the wrong people. People who can not tell right from wrong and have no respect for the 'rule of law. These seem like strong words and they are intended to be so regarding the Coastal Commission that acts like the King or a Banana Republic with the force of a dictator. And, I do realize Newport Beach is between a rock and a hard place with few options because the Coastal Commission treats the City no better than the McNamee's. But that can be overcome, if we as a people, support efforts by the City to retain control by local government for local citizens. Yes, this could cost lots of money, blood, sweat and some tears. But to rid the community of an un-elected king, tyrant or dictator will always be worth the cost.
I think John Phillips of KABC Radio said it best, "Joseph Stalin is back in charge."
NEWS STORY - LA Times - Daily Pilot Gay-rights activists plan to picket the Mormon temple in Newport Beach on Sunday to protest Mormon support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California. Another protest is planned Saturday at South Coast Plaza.
“I think it is a registering of how upset we are about it,” said Sandra Hartness, a member of the board of directors for the Human Rights Campaign, a national group that lobbies for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. Hartness is one of the organizers of the Sunday protest planned at the Newport temple.
“It reinforces that we are not going to go away, and we’re going to continue to seek equal rights,” she said.
Hartness said she and other opponents of Proposition 8 are angered at claims by the Proposition 8 campaign that homosexuality would be taught in public schools if gay marriage were to remain legal.
“It’s not so much the fact that they donated but the manner that the campaign was conducted and the misinformation that was spread,” Hartness said. “To not expect people to be upset when you take away a right from a group of people is probably naive.”
Protesters have swarmed Mormon churches and temples across the state after the passage of Proposition 8 last week. Opponents of the ballot measure claim members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bankrolled the Proposition 8 campaign. A website created by gay-rights activists tracked campaign finance records during the course of the Proposition 8 campaign and claimed Mormons donated more than $20 million in support of the ballot measure.
Another anti-Proposition 8 protest also is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Bear Street and South Coast Drive near South Coast Plaza as part of a nationwide day of protest against Proposition 8.
Many Mormons feel they are being singled out from the numerous churches in the state that supported Proposition 8, said Joseph Bentley, Orange County director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church leaders encouraged Mormons in California to donate to the Proposition 8 campaign on a voluntary basis, he said.
“We’re shocked,” Bentley said. “Everyone I know is really quite surprised, and we find it quite deplorable that these are more than peaceful protests.”
Michigan Protests
Church members across the state have been subjected to vandalism and threats after the passage of Proposition 8, Bentley said.
“We have gay friends we love and care about and support in every way, but we don’t understand why there has been such a horrific backlash,” Bentley said.
The protest is planned for 10 a.m. Sunday, but the Newport Beach temple, 2300 Bonita Canyon Drive, is usually closed on Sundays, Bentley said.
“We usually try to keep the gates open so people can walk peacefully through the grounds,” Bentley said. “We try to keep it beautiful and inviting, but whether they will be able to do that this weekend, I don’t know.”
