Pastor gets 90 years for molestation

Anaheim clergyman videotaped himself molesting 13-year-old girl in church office, then delivering sermon on blasphemy. 

I don't make this stuff up.

An Anaheim pastor, who had videotaped himself molesting a 13-year-old parishioner in a church office, cried and clutched a Bible behind his back Monday as he was led from a courtroom in handcuffs after pleading guilty to 34 felony sex counts.

Raul Rosas Hernandez, 44, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno to 90 years in prison after he admitted molesting four girls and one boy over a 10-year span beginning in 1996.

Hernandez cried and clutched a bible... What a hypocrite. The bible is not going to save you now. 90 years is essentially life in prison. For a pedophile, 90 years is a death sentence, or at least he will wish he were dead.

Technorati tags: Hypocrisy, Clergy Sexual Abuse, Child Molestation, Pedophiles

A few thoughts from my day

The news of Jett Travolta dieing bothers me. As a father, I understand that the loss of a child would be devastating. I am not even sure how I would survive it. I've hesitated posting on Jett's death because it seems too personal, to intrusive. But something happened at work today which changed my opinion. I realized that the supportive stance of the news media has acted like a tacit endorsement of the Travolta's parental rights to withhold valid medical treatment for religious reasons. I actually heard a woman say that if her church said it was wrong to treat AIDS, then she would feel obligated to follow Travolta's example. I did not confront the woman. Work is not the place for it. So I'll vent here. Jett Travolta did not have to die. His death was senseless and irresponsible (if the stories are true). Do I need to say any more?

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In other news, I realized that I have a pet peeve which I was not fully aware of before. I don't like it when people don't know how to think. I'm tired of trying to talk about how to solve problems, conduct tests or do research, or even about how to explain things logically. It drives me nuts. I'll have to work on it.

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While driving on the freeway this morning (today it was 1:45 hours), I stopped in place for a few minutes because of an obstacle in the road. A CHP office stopped his motorcycle next to me. My window was down. He leaned over and said (in his best sexy voice), "So, do you come here often?".

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As part of my 2009 New Year's Resolutions, I've set my hand to writing poetry. I've already learned that it is much harder than I ever realized. I'm on my 9th revision of a three stanza poem. My total writing time is nearing 6 hours. This is going to be a tough task. Why did I set a goal of 12?

A new milestone

I just noticed that this post was number 3000. I find it hard to believe that I've written the equivalent of a novel by simply writing a few lines each night. Before blogging, I had always thought of writing a choir. I know that some of this stems from my poor spelling and grammar, and that some comes from the difficulty associated with the discipline of writing. I've developed skills that offset some of my obvious problems, and work habits that make the discipline of writing easier to manage. I write for pleasure now. I write because I love to write.

There will be many more posts to come.

Importing evil

What do you get when you mix religious authority, an immigrant population, and lack of oversight? It's simple really. You get abuse.

Representatives of the Latino community, however, said the lapse speaks more to what they called the victimization of a vulnerable population, one that is taught to respect members of the clergy and that fears ramifications — primarily deportation — of going to the police.

The priest in question is Rev. Richard Ordonez from Ecuador. He's alleged to have touched a woman sexually against her will. He pleaded not guilty. Ordonez has been suspended.

This case raises a few questions about oversight. I often wonder if there is any oversight at all. Who looks over the shoulder of the man representing god? Somebody should. And what about a code of conduct? When a priest requests time alone for private counseling with a woman (or heck, with priests it could be a man too), it should set off warning bells. But nobody watches a priest. People must come forward to speak against them. When victims come forward, they often find themselves speaking against the Catholic church too It is a perfect environment for abuse.

More than one woman has complained.

One woman told the case manager the priest forced her to have sex with him, and another said he tried to force her to have sex. A third said she left her husband after falling in love with the priest and entering a consensual sexual relationship with him, which she later deeply regretted. A fourth said the priest touched the top of her legs “in a very fresh way,” according to the case manager, who would speak only on condition of anonymity in order to protect the identity of her clients, some of whom are undocumented immigrants.

I’ll be following this case closely.

Hat tip Volly

Technorati tags: Catholics, Clergy Sexual Abuse, Hypocrisy

My son calls this shot Murder Hands

I shot this in a parking structure in Berkeley on January 2. As usual, my family gave me nothing but grief. I'm the kind of guy who will stop what they are doing when they see something to shoot. I tune the world out and focus on what I want to make. I shot this in two sessions. When we arrive I took a dozen shots. When we returned I took a dozen more. The difference was that I thought about the picture for 2 hours in between sessions.

I like it. I think it’s creepy. I need to work on it some more. I don’t like the tone on the pillar. I have quite a few other shots to work with. Hopefully I can get what I want from one of them.

Technorati tags: Photography

The kindness of strangers

I am a strong believer in helping people. I try to help people when I can. It is a deeply held belief that has been with me my whole life. It has roots in my family. Most of the men I grew up around were firemen. They helped people for a living. I saw the good they did and wanted to be like them. And then there was my grandfather. He was an ace auto mechanic who was gruff and stern, but taught me to help people in need. I think he developed his help-your-fellow-man mentality from his time in the WPA. He once told me to help people even if they don’t ask because one day you may be in the position of needing help yourself. His core message was, always reach out to help your fellow man, especially when they are down. Between my grandfather and my firemen relatives, I was left with a strong sense of social responsibility which has stayed with me to this day. This is a good thing, because today I need help, and two strangers answered the call.

I5 is a long boring stretch of highway the runs the length of California. There is a five hour stretch through the central valley which is particularly boring and desolate. There are occasional gas stops, three rest stops, and two or three little towns along the way. But for most of the drive, you are on your own.

I had a blowout today. At 75 miles per hour, a blowout is a scary experience. In this case, the blowout was catastrophic. I went from tire to rim in a few seconds. I nearly lost control. We were lucky. I made it to the side of the road safely. We were stranded on a stretch of I5 far from any help. Our cell phones were out. It was cold and windy. And for added measure, every minute or so a fully loaded semi truck raced past at 80 mph. We did not even know where we were.

I started the task of changing our tire as my family stood back in the brush along the road. I hate to admit it, but it had been 20 years since I last changed a tire. I was a bit rusty, I had to get out the manual to figure out how to lower the spare. I persevered, but it was slow going. My wife was worried about my safety. Each truck shook our truck as we were experiencing a mini earthquake.

Shortly after I started, a mini-van pulled to the side of the road ahead of us. Two Hispanic men in Oakland Raiders caps ran up to offer help. One jumped under the truck to help lower the spare, the other broke the lug nuts. We scrambled about for a few minutes getting everything ready, and then they quickly changed the tire for me.

I noticed that their wives and children were in the minivan, waiting for their men to finish the job. We spoke briefly and exchanged names. They were traveling to Los Angeles like me. They had been up to Oakland to catch the last Raiders game of the year with their family. The Raiders were not even in town.

They refused a tip. They waived it off as if the very idea was an insult. They had stopped to help without any expectation of reward. They stopped to help me simply because I needed help. This is the way the world should work.

They smiled and waived as they left. I did the same in return. As scary as the whole event was, it made me feel pretty damn good too.

Technorati tags: Stories, I5, Driving

Flying Spaghetti Monster sighting

I am besieged by bumper stickers promoting Christianity everyday. I see them on the backs of trucks and cars as I make my daily commute. I respond with my camera and sarcasm... Lots of sarcasm. But not today! I was blessed by the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Me! He blessed me! I mean, how many atheists carry cameras while walking city streets on New Years Day? It must be a sign. 2009 is going to be a good year.

My family was mortified. As we walked up Park Street in Alameda California, I noticed the FSM on the back of a parked car. As I moved into position for a better shot, my family shouted warnings. My oldest son, who is always courteous and polite, was worried that I might upset the driver. I though, "Relax son, I probable know the guy".

I tried to explain about the satirical nature of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Their response was bemused bafflement and that look I get when I rant on about atheism. They did not understand my excitement. No worries. I enjoyed my special moment without them.

Technorati tags: Photography, FSM, Alameda

If only there was a hell

If there was a hell, this bitch of a bus matron would have a special reward waiting for her.

Ed Rivera, 22, spent New Year's Eve night in 15 degrees Fahrenheit (minus nine degrees Celsius) temperatures strapped into an empty bus after the overseer allegedly decided to leave him behind, police said.

The bus matron left Rivera sleeping in his seat "because she was late for church," the Daily News quoted sources as saying. "She knew he was there. She was hoping one of the other workers would notice him."

I just love Christians. It really is all about them.

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Mahjong at BAM

I got a good start on one of my 2009 resolutions by visiting the Berkeley Art Museum (BAM) today. We caught the last days of Mahjong, Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection. It was a spur of the moment visit as our other plans were canceled due to rain.

In 141 works by ninety-six artists, the exhibition Mahjong: Contemporary Chinese Art from the Sigg Collection represents the historical span of art from the 1970s to today in China and demonstrates the dramatic evolution that has occurred, with artists exploring new materials and concepts far from what might have been imagined by even the most clairvoyant. As Chinese art emerged from the boundaries of state-sponsored and state-defined aesthetics to the complex initiatives of individuals with new intentions and motivations, it is possible to see the growth and development not only of art but of a nation.

My family had a lively discussion after the visit. We all agreed on our least favorite piece. A scroll painted in menstrual blood. I could not read the Han characters. They meant nothing to me.

It was interesting to visit a show where much of the writing was in Chinese Han characters, but they were not translated, so some of the meaning was lost. It was later, during our discussion, when I realized my son and his fiancee could read the symbols. They were able to help me understand the meaning behind some of the more esoteric installations.

My favorite was a large infrared picture of Shanghai, China, 15–16 October 2004 by Shi Guorui. Partly because of visited the spot myself, and partly because the size of the picture and its scope draws you into the image. I also found Dialog, another work by Guorui, subversive and hilarious.

So, one museum down, eleven to go.

Foodgasm: Burma SuperStar

I'm up in Northern California visiting my son in Alameda for the New Year's holiday. We had a chance to visit a restaurant called Burma SuperStar today for lunch. The link takes you to the San Fransisco version of the restaurant. It has been a foodie favorite for years. The restaurant we visited is their new location in Alameda. It has the same menu as the more established venue, but like our server said, "It has no line".

I noticed Burma SuperStar while walking off a late breakfast on New Year's Day. It was closed at the time. We looked it up on Yelp. Based on its Yelp rating, and a positive review of the San Fransisco restaurant from my son and his fiancee, we decided to give it a go. It was amazing. In fact, the meal is one of the best I've had in many years. I wrote a review for it on Yelp. If you live in the area, you must give it a try.

Fundie basic training - Angel Heaven

Evangelism takes many forms. The one I find most objectionable is when they focus on children. Their "Hook them young" marketing strategy is just creepy. I would rather teach my kids how to think. Angel Heaven - Unique Christian gifts for Kids, is a classic example example of Christian propoganda mixed with crass commercialism.

Angel Heaven(TM) World stands apart with its entertaining and wholesome online neighborhood where kids (ages 3-11) can help their angels earn wings, fly & chat in a safe and secure Angel Heaven(TM) park, play online games with the many characters of Angel Heaven(TM) and Shop for guardian angel dolls and other Angel Heaven(TM) creations. The site can also help kids learn basic skills like memory building, reading and creative thinking in a safe, secure web environment. In 2009, AngelHeaven(TM)World.com will be adding Angel Heaven cartoons, books and more!

for just $34.95 you can start you child on the path to fundiehood. But that's not all, if you act now, your child will get his or her own angel doll. What are you waiting for?

Excuse me, I need to vomit.

RICO used against Catholic church

RICO is the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Attorney Robert I. Reardon filed suit against the Catholic diocese of Norwich of behalf of a Jane Doe who alleges child sexual abuse and a systematic cover up.

The lawsuit also alleges that the church successfully concealed allegations of child sex abuse for more than 25 years, maintained confidential files on sex assault claims without informing parishioners and took part in a national scheme to conspire and defraud and conceal the molestation of minors.

Source: Reardon accuses Norwich diocese of racketeering in sex-abuse case

I hope this case is successful. The priest at the heart of these accusations escaped any accountability for his actions. Rev. Thomas W. Shea is alleged to have molested 16 young girls in 11 parishes. The catholic church is alleged to have covered up Shea's crimes. Somebody must be held accountable.

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Priest's appeal rejected

The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in Rev. Gerald Robinson murder conviction. Robinson is a catholic priest convicted of murdering sister Margaret Ann Pahl. The murder took place in 1980. Robinson was convicted in 2006. The basis for his appeal was that it had been too long between the murder and his conviction.

Robinson's crime is documented in Forgive Me, Father. A True Story of a Priest, a Nun, and a Brutal Murder by John Glatt

2009 New Year's Resolutions

2008 was a good year for me personally. I achieved all of my resolutions except one. I feel good about the the resolution I missed. I made enough progress to feel confident that it is withing reach. My most significant accomplishment was weight loss. I dropped 72 pounds against a goal of 50 pounds.

2009 will be a challenge. I've set some tough goals.

• Lose 50 pounds.
• Par the disc golf courses at La Mirada and Huntington Beach.
• Play four consecutive rounds of disc golf without dropping dead.
• Read 12 non-fiction books.
• Visit 12 museums or galleries.
• Write 12 poems.
• Add 12 pictures to my photography portfolio.
• Learn to take better HDR photographs.
• Build the Atheist blogroll to 1000 members.
• Write an average of 50 blog posts per month.

I may add more. What are your resolutions?

Christians for Fair Witness

I came across Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East via a press release in my morning reading of the news. What struck me is that the website title (and content) it is completely disingenuous. The website should be called Christians with a totally pro Israeli bias.

I don't get the thinking. Why bill yourself as fair if you are in fact unfair? One would expect a christian organization to at least attempt truthfulness. But no...

I am reminded of a Christian relative who calmly told me that stealing music was OK... on Christmas no less. I explained I had a moral problem with stealing, so I don't steal anything, even music. He laughed at me.

At least I live my values.