California Supreme Court: Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

The California Supreme Court issued its long anticipated same sex marriage opinion this morning.  I will try and provide analysis and commentary on the opinion, not only my own, but from other, more knowledgeable sources as well.  The initial opinion is now out, and it appears, shockingly, that the California Supreme Court has struck down the same sex marriage ban in California.  Here’s the money quote from the end of the opinion:  (Read the full opinion here: same-sex-marriage-opinion)

 

Church Website Now Hosts MP3 Scriptures And Other Works

The Church website now hosts MP3 downloads of the entire Standard Works, and many other Church resources, including Preach My Gospel, Jesus The Christ and Teachings of the Presidents of the Church. I don’t know how long this has been up, but I just noticed it today; however, I admit I haven’t been by the Church’s website in a few days.  I’ve listened to a couple of offerings and they seem to work very well.  I haven’t yet tried downloading and transfering over to my iPod, but I will likely try that out over the weekend.  This is a great resource for listening to scriptures or other Church content in the car, or where ever else you might be with time on your hands, and your iPod available.  Great stuff!

 

The Bad Public Policy Behind The Texas FLDS Raid

This will be a rather short post, but the topic, I think is important, and worth mentioning.  I’ve posted numerous times on the problematic legal and Constitutional issues resulting from Texas’ raid on the FLDS community; however, I think the bad public policy behind this fiasco now emerges:

 

The Revisionist Timothy Egan

Sometimes, the faith of our fathers is better left to the revisionists.

Wow!  And, Mr. Egan ought to know.  His recent article in the New York Times is as revisionist as it gets.  While I responded briefly to Mr. Egan, by far the best (and most biting) response, far more eloquent than mine, was posted over at Nine Moons by fellow Mormon blogger Seth R.  Well done Seth, and thank you.

Previous FLDS Texas Raid Posts

Additional Coverage:

A Humble Reaction (Waters of Mormon by Paradox)

All The Prejudice Fit To Blog (Fair Blog)

Where The Lost Boys Go (Fair Blog)

The Salt Lake Crawler

 

The YFZ, FLDS Plight–Some Interim Thoughts . . .

This story continues to be riveting; but as many have pointed out, it is beginning to fade, and will continue to do so with time.  I will still continue to blog about it in the days, weeks, and possibly months to come, but probably not with the same frequency.  Many questions remain.  I have nothing profound to add.  I have read each and every comment on the various posts on this blog, and on many others to which I have linked.  Of course I do not have time to respond to them all; however, I have appreciated all the discussion, and have learned a great deal from many of the comments. 

 

Local Central Coast Talk Radio To Take Up FLDS Debate

Just a quick update–The Central California Coast talk radio station, KVEC 920 AM will discuss the events unfolding in West Texas and FLDS community.  KVEC has a website, where live streaming is available.  You can even call in and join the discussion on this number 1-800-549-5832. It will air on the Dave Congalton Show (Hometown talk radio).

The segment will begin at 5:05 p.m. California PDT.  (Disclaimer–I will be a guest on the show). So, if you have a thought or two on Texas’ raid on the FLDS community, call in and speak your piece.

Boy, that’s for sure (HT Bethie)

 

Texas Judge Refuses To Halt Forcible Separation of FLDS Mothers and Nursing Babies

Photo Eirc Gay, AP

Update 4/22/08 6:00 a.m.

CaptiveFLDSChildren.org (FLDS photos of the raid)

FLDS Truth.org (FLDS site of their belief system)

I had planned to take a break from blogging about this story; but, it seems each day Texas and its justice system sink deeper into depravity.  The trial judge, Barbara Walther, has refused to stop Texas CPS officials from forcibly separating FLDS mothers and their nursing babies.

 

Texas Judge Rules All 416 FLDS Children Must Remain In State Custody

Media outlets are reporting the Texas judge hearing the case has ruled all 416 children must remain in State custody.  Frankly I am dumbfounded.

 

Texas Rangers Investigating Call Resulting In FLDS Raid

The Denver Post, also picked up by the Salt Lake Tribune, reports that the Texas Rangers are now investigating the call prompting the FLDS raid by Texas law enforcement:

 

Texas FLDS Custody Hearing–Facts Day 1

The overnight media reports are beginning to bring into focus some very troubling aspects of Texas’ case against the FLDS mothers and fathers.  First, of course have to the be the reports that a 33 year old woman in Colorado Springs has been arrested for making prank telephone calls to police about false abuse claims.