Friday, February 08, 2008

Hello! ever hear of background checks?

The convicted pedophile killed by police in Florida has a name.  Geoffrey Schuab, 62, of Orange County, Florida. Schuab was an ordained minister, theological student, and the janitor at Oviedo Presbyterian Church where he also taught adult bible classes. 

Geoffrey Schuab had to convictions for child molestation. Yet somehow he still managed to become an ordained minister and work in a church. I don't get it.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Another "Devil made me do it" excuse

It cracks me up when a pastor offers the standard "the devil made me do it" excuse when caught with his pants down. It is particularly inane when the excuse is offered in writing to a judge who has the authority to send you away for a very long time. Yet, they continue to do it. Take the story of youth pastor Kaipo Cabanting of Hawaii. The devil made him do it too.
August said he takes Cabanting’s religious beliefs seriously but the explanation Cabanting gave in a letter blaming the devil is “not completely satisfactory to the court.” August said that people make conscious decisions in committing criminal acts.
Cabanting was sentenced on two reduced counts of second-degree sex assault, with additional prison terms for third-degree sex assault to run at the same time. The charges were for incidents in 2006 and 2007, when the victim was 13 and 14.
The age for a minor to consent to sexual activity in Hawaii is 16.
August said Cabanting could have cut off his relationship with the minor after being told to do so by police, family and friends after the first sexual encounter. If he had, the judge said he could consider probation and up to a year in jail.
But the second sexual contact nearly a year later called for prison time.



This guy has loser written all over him. 10 years in prison might teach him a lesson, but somehow I doubt it.

Pastor Sentenced To 24 Years

Another religious predator is off the streets. But in this case, not before inflecting massive damage on two innocent young girls. Pentecostal Pastor Modesto Reyes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for impregnating two young girls, aged 11 and 13. I posted on Reyes back in July of 07. 

As his family members and parishioners looked on, Pentecostal pastor Modesto Reyes was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting two young female members of his congregation.

One of the victims, who was 11 years old when Reyes first befriended her, bore a child in May 2006. The other girl, a 13-year-old, also became pregnant but subsequently miscarried.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Sandra Tullius said that when the second girl became pregnant Reyes suggested to her horrified family that she have an abortion and suggested homeopathic remedies that would cause the girl's pregnancy to be terminated.

Source: Pastor Sentenced To 24 Years -- Courant.com

Reyes still had the support of his church, even after he was found guilty. I can not understand why this happens. This man tried to convince the family of a 13-year-old girl to use homeopathic remedies to induce an abortion. How can anyone look at him without the desire to smash his skull in?

I'm not interested enough in Reyes to keep him in my news filter. When they find him dead in a shower with a shiv in his back, I will not morn (or post) for him.

Pedophile pastor shot

The stories of Christian hypocrisy keep getter stranger and stranger here at Deep Thoughts. An associate pastor and bible school teacher who also happens to be a convicted pedophile, was shot and killed by the police.

A 62-year-old convicted pedophile shot and killed while holding a flare gun Wednesday was a Sunday school teacher and assistant pastor at a Central Florida church, police said.

Sheriff's deputies and Orlando police officers were performing surveillance on the man, who was wanted on charges of capital sexual battery on a 7-year-old.

The man, whose name and age were not released, showed up at the house, and deputies moved in, Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary said.

Source: Convicted Pedophile Shot, Killed By Deputies Was Bible School Teacher - Orlando News Story - WKMG Orlando

Something tells me this might be an example of street justice.

I'll follow up with the predators name when they release an update.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Is the Ron Paul Revolution over?

Ron Paul

Every day I see the Ron Paul Revolution on street corners, on bridges, on lawn placards, on Digg, on youtube, and thanks to the nutball California libertarians, in my email. Now his days are numbered. Thanks to his 4.3% vote total here and in other Super Tuesday states, I think it's over. Somebody wake up the fat lady, it is time for her to sing.

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I did not waste a vote damit!

I voted Libertarian again. Every time I do it makes me angry. I normally feel like I am wasting a vote. Plus, most of the candidates are either crazy or perennial losers who use their status as candidates to wield power and influence in the halls of Libertarian power (which can be found at the VFW Hall the first Thursday of each month).

These are the California election night results for Libertarian Presidential candidates. Honk if you've heard them mentioned during the past three months.

I voted for Christine Smith. Woohoo!

Why did I vote for her? Because of the people I know on the list, she was the least crazy. I doubt she would pass the not crazy snuff test in a public gather, she is typical in her radical approach to libertarianism. The moment she is elected (likely on when hell freezes over), she will embark on policies that the general public will recoil from. Like pushing abortion decisions down to the state level, neutering the power of the federal government, removing the government from public schools, and abolish the income tax. The list goes on.

I share some of her values, but I seem to be alone in understanding that none of them will gain public support if approached from the typical "immediate radical change" perspective my libertarian friends hold so dear. Instead, I suggest slow,incremental changes which moves us in the direction of increased personal liberty and a smaller government. I am often greeted with "man, you are insane!".

I did not waste my vote. I've done much worse. I've wasted 20 years voting for these idiots. And let me tell you, the national candidates seem positively normal when compared to the nutballs who run for local office. I'll post more on that later.

Here's a joke from a meeting I attended. The local party boss was trying to get me to run for office. When I told him I was an Atheist he said that would make me un-electable. Really? you mean the whole Libertarian thing makes me electable?

Is Ann Coulter Insane?

I try hard not to notice the sick bitch. She is on my list of conservative who need to fade from the limelight. Her hate filled rhetoric does nothing to help America, and often hurts innocent people. She acts like she is insane. Need further proof?  Her scorched earth policy towards John McCain.

Some Republicans may be rallying around Sen. John McCain as the GOPýs best hope of winning in November, but best-selling author and conservative firebrand Ann Coulter would rather stick to her principles and give up the White House to Hillary than to see the Arizona senator as the White House's new resident.

Source: Newsmax.com - Ann Coulter Vows to Stop 'President McCain

She has principles? I don't believe it for a minute. Coulter and the her fellow right wing conservative nutballs know the republicans have already lost the White House. She's just doing her part to make sure people who do not share her insane values are damaged as much as possible when her power base passes. McCain, if elected, will not put up her brand of hate filled screed. She's running scared. Maybe she will run to Canada?

Is Wicca America's fastest growing religion?

I hope not. I really hope not. Wicca is like D&D come to life. It is totally made up. How can this be true?

According to many figures, Wicca is the fastest growing religion in the United States by percentage. With many people attracted to its communion with nature, the number of adherents is doubling about every 30 months, and the following grew from 8,000 in 1990 to 134,000 in 2001. The online store site, unlike some Wiccan shops that are more insular, will provide useful information about this Pagan religion for people looking to learn more. Willow Grove Magickal Shoppe was founded by Anna Maples and Shannon Hansen, both of whom have extensive knowledge of the products from years of studying and practicing Wicca.

Source:  PR-USA.net - Willow Grove Magickal Shoppe Announces Opening of Online Store Selling Items for Wiccan Rituals

Not that I have a problem with Wiccans. They are almost like this generations hippie. Plus they apparently like to bake. How can you dislike tattooed earthy women who like to bake?

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More Haggard News

New Life Church Says Haggard's Restoration 'Incomplete'

More than a year after former pastor Ted Haggard resigned from his position at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Haggard has severed his official relationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team. The megachurch said Tuesday Haggard has prematurely ended a "spiritual restoration" process begun when he was fired for sexual misconduct. Haggard was the church's senior founding pastor.

Source: Church Says Haggard's Restoration 'Incomplete' - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Reading between the lines, I would guess this means Haggard is still gay. Go figure.

hat tip: This. That. No Other.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Pastors who kill

I guess pastors can kill too. Pastor Robert Lee Adam Reaves stands accused of the murder of Latrece Curtis. She was found dead by the side of the road after being whacked with stick.

Monday, Reaves clad not in a pastor's robe, but a Wake County Jail issued jumpsuit, made his first appearance.

"Based on the circumstances of this situation, I will issue a 'no bond' at this time, you'll be held without bond," said the judge.

Still Reaves is no stranger to being on the other side of the law. He faced a conviction on sex charges while the pastor of a church in South Carolina, charges for financial card theft, motor vehicle theft and fraud.

Source: Pastor denied bond in student's death

How does Reaves lead a church if he's already been up on sex charges while a pastor at another church? Can somebody explain that to me? It just does not make any sense. Where is the much vaulted Christian morality?

A comment from his friend:

"This is not the man that I know and most of us that are involved with him, this is a good man," said Reaves' friend and pastor of Tehillah Church Ministries, Bishop Anthony Slater. This is a shock to all of us. We send our prayers to the family of the victim that something else will come out of this.”

It's called a secret life. It's called a lack of judgment. It's called a lack of discernment. Reaves has a history - what the hell are you good old boys down at the Tehillah Church Ministries doing? Why would you put a man in the ministry if he had already proven himself untrustworthy as a pastor? Let him serve as the pastor of lawn cutting if you must, but keep him away from the women and children.

Brad in B&W

brad

I played with the Black and White capabilities of the Nikon D300. I enjoyed some surprisingly good results. My net take off of the 30 pictures I shot today was higher than before. I took 30, deleted 8, adjusted two, and kept the rest as is. I'm starting to get a limited feel for how the D300 works now. Things are looking up.

About this picture. This is my friend Brad Hightower, a former Christian blogger no less. We've known each long enough that he noticed my four month dry spell after I broke my D70. No whe enjoys sitting for portraits (or not).

You can see another shot of my friend Kenny here.

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Monday, February 04, 2008

Nutball Alert: Jan David Clark

I had trouble classifying this post. It is clear that Jan David Clark if a nutball. But the incident occurred in Texas. I wanted to throw it into the "Only in Texas" category simply because of the high religiosity rate in Texas. Who knows, It might have had some influence on this horrible crime. You see, Jan David Clark murdered his wife during an exorcism. That makes him a nutball, right?

Jan David Clark, 60, of Odessa, was arrested Friday after authorities went to his home and found Susan Kay Clark's body wrapped in a bed sheet with a cross and sword on top of it.

Dead with a cross and a sword? WTF?

A man accused of killing his wife says he was trying to exorcise a demon from her when the devil entered his body and killed her, cops said.

The devil killed his wife? I thought his wife suffocated?

Susan Kay Clark was apparently not strangled, Ector County Sheriff Mark Donaldson said of results of a preliminary autopsy that showed she died of suffocation.

In an ominous development, no pillows were found in the bathroom. The devil is wanted for questioning. I understand he lives in Del Rio.

Hat tip: Jersey Speaks

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Electrical towers from the freeway

Towers

I started the process of learning my new camera today. I shot about 40 pictures. Only this one was interesting. So far I've managed to over expose a dozen shots, blur a few more, and screw up the white balance on a few more. I'm not used to the level of control the D300 offers. Well, more practice is required.

About the photo - I shot this on the 405 freeway near the 605 interchange. On the horizon are the snow covered San Bernardino Mountains. You can't really see them in the photo, but they are visible on the hi res. We can only see the mountains for a month or two in each winter - and even then they remain obscured by smog.

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Saturday, February 02, 2008

Feed the Muse: sculptor Jennifer Maestre

I have got to ge me one of these! Jennifer Maestre does amazing work in pencils. Seeing her work reminds me of the feeling I get when Isee a talented photographers work. You know the feeling  - the "how did they do that" feeling that makes one feel like they have no talent at all.

I can barely write with a pencil.

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My new camera has arrived

Frist Signs of Spring 2008

I picked up my new Nikon D300 this morning. This is one of two shots I took while picking up lunch today. I used default settings. The solid thunk sound of the shutter gave me shivers. This is a nice camera.

About the picture - yes, it is spring already here in Southern California. Flowers are blooming all over.  I took this in front of the Panda Inn in La Palma. Winter lasts a month, Spring lasts until July, and Summer lasts until late October. If there were not so many people here, it would be paradise.