It's the time we ask the question -- what's the matter with Missouri? Seems a little library there has decided to revive the witch hunts of the dark ages:
"A federal judge has ordered a small library in southern Missouri to stop blocking access to websites related to Wicca and other minority religions, calling it a violation of patrons' First Amendment rights."U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber issued the ruling Tuesday in St. Louis in a case involving the Salem Public Library.
"'Even libraries that are required by federal law to install filtering software to block certain sexually explicit content should never use software to prevent patrons from learning about different cultures,' Tony Rothert, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, said in a statement Wednesday.
"Library director Glenda Wofford declined comment. A message seeking comment from the library's attorney was not immediately returned.
"The ACLU sued last year on behalf of Salem resident Anaka Hunter. Salem is a largely Christian community of 5,000 residents in the Missouri Ozarks.
"Hunter was researching death and death rituals in minority religions in an effort to get more in touch with her Native American roots through spirituality, the ACLU said."
Not as disturbing as Pat Robertson's dire warnings of demonic double-kints, but it'll do.
And the Rev. Fred Phelps has long preached that "God Hates Fags," but now we learn that Jesus hates flowers!? At least, gayflowers, that is.
"Rob Ingersoll and his partner have been using the same florist, Barronelle Stuzman of Arlene's Flowers, in their home of Richland, Washington for years, but now that they are engaged to be wed, Stuzman says she can't do the wedding. Her explanation for denying them service was her 'relationship with Jesus Christ.'"STUZMAN: 'And I just took his hands and I said I'm sorry I can't do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ.' We hire gay people. I have friends that are gay, that wasn't the issue. The issue is that I just didn't want to participate in the marriage. [...]
"Because of public outcry, Stuzman posted a response on the Facebook page for Arlene's Flowers:
"Since that day, we have received many comments on same sex marriages. I believe, biblically, that marriage is between a man and a woman. That is my conviction, yours may be different.I have hired all walks of people in different circumstances, and had the privilege of working with some very talented people that happen to be gay. I'm sure there are many places you can purchase flowers, if you choose not to purchase them from Arlene's, because of your beliefs, then I certainly understand."
Oh, my...God Hates Gay Gladiolus?
