10/28/06 - Letter below from:
Abel Quinones, American Legion Post 591, Seaside
The American Legion Department of California, District 28 Scribe
This appeared in the Monterey County Herald today in Letters to the Editor.
I didn't want anyone to miss-out !! | It’s almost time to fall back on our time pieces in California. For many who don’t drive too often after sunset, it means we have a choice of either curtailing our night driving and skip the evening activities or else find someone else to drive. It’s always difficult for me to accept asking someone else to drive.
There are also the glum of days will be getting shorter which brings some depression because the planning of the day does not always allow sufficient time to do everything we want to do. Those who do volunteer work find us going to work some after sun raise and coming home just as the sun is setting. We find ourselves starting a job one day and finishing it a day later. The adjustments of time management during the winter also take its toll in community affairs. Many of us find it difficult to work around the daylight time during fall and winter. We hurry getting as much done as possible during the light of day then get ready to go out to attend a meeting or a social affair. This is exhausting on the body as we get older!
Although, I must say the holiday season, which is nearly upon us does help over come some dismal, we undergo with Daylight Savings. It just makes us retired people feel like we have been on the-go all day without time to relax and enjoy living.
However, we’ll surely feel better when Spring and summer returns and we’ll have more daylight to enjoy our Monterey Peninsula.
Abel Quinones, Pacific Grove, CA | 2/13/06 - Letter below from:
Abel Quinones, American Legion Post 591, Seaside
Department of California, District 28 Commander
The American Legion | BUILDING A VETERANS CEMETERY
Published Sunday, Feb 12, 2006 in The Monterey County Herald, Monterey, CA
Veterans cherish pride, pageantry and respect, so the idea of a Central Coast veterans cemetery continues to be a great priority for many despite the results of a recent study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Rep. Sam Farr and state senators Jeff Denham and Abel Maldonado have pushed legislation making it clear that veterans on the Central Coast deserve a cemetery at Fort Ord.
The Department of Veterans Affairs' demographic study didn’t identify Fort Ord as a required site for a national cemetery. Why? Because veterans in the Fort Ord Area have the option of burial at the Gustine National Cemetery some 75 miles away, over Pacheco Pass. Area veterans appeal this option as unreasonable.
The VA stated that a national cemetery at Fort Ord will not increase the number of veterans served by a burial option. This VA critique is not understood.
The VA estimated the range of cost for starting a Fort Ord cemetery and the first year of operations at $16 million to $20 million. Since it is free land and the Fort Ord Reuse Authorityy may be obligated to share in the cost of as it did for CSU-Monterey Bay, we believe the cost estimate should be $8 million to $12 million. And when considering this cost, it’s good to remember both the national historical value of a Fort Ord site and the captivating setting.
Congress authorized national cemeteries to provide service to veterans and their families. This duty includes using the national debt expressly to honor veterans for the service they provided.
Congress recommends the VA use available resources by placing national cemeteries in locations with the greatest unserved veteran population. For Fort Ord, the VA has taken the position that their standards as applied across the nation should not be waived, no matter what the cost. I cannot believe this was the intent of Congress.
There has been some headway. The VA finally admitted, "A veteran cemetery at Fort Ord would provide greater convenience and easier access to a burial option for local veterans." But it also said that there are other areas across the nation that are in similar situations. The VA said it is sensitive to the concerns of familymembers who want to visit love ones and bestow the honor and respect that veterans are due. I say that if it's economically feasible, let’s do something about it.
A veterans’ cemetery at Fort Ord would cost far less than what VA has spent on other cemeteries, though the dry wasteland at Gustine was rather economical.
The VA said that as an alternative for a national cemetery at Fort Ord, it would most likely support a state grant program. That could possibly finance 100 percent of the cost of establishing the cemetery and associated buildings, including acquisition of initial operating equipment. However, California's budget crisis prevents the state from submitting the pre-application to cover annual maintenance.
The foundation created for maintenance has gone nowhere under non-professional management. The Veteran Service Officers Association proposal for a dollar fee on death certificates is viewed as a death tax. Using money from a new California license-plate initiative would only diminish the funding that supports other veteran programs. We keep looking for creative ideas.
The VA was created to provide dedicated services to ensure veterans are not turned down before every possible option is depleted. Congress intends to give veterans’ benefits, which include employment, housing, health care and burial. With increasing frequency, veterans find themselves struggling to deal with the VA at the federal, state, and sometimes at the local level.
We’ll continue to refine the work needed to develop a cemetery here, hopeful that we make headway one step at a time in the right direction. We solicit assistance and public good judgement to improve our position on the issue of a Fort Ord veteran’s cemetery.
Abel Quinones, Seaside
 | 7/23/05 - Letter below from:
Leo P. Burke, American Legion Post 16, Stockton
The American Legion, Past National Vice-Commander
Past State Commander, Department of California | Amendment Would Protect Flag
Old Glory has 'Special kind of personality'
Published Saturday, Jul 23, 2005 in The Record, Stockton, CA
I read with great sadness The Record's June 30 editorial, "An indestructible symbol," concerning the flag amendment pending before the United States Senate. The Record really doesn't understand the issue.
Prior to June 1989, there were laws prohibiting the physical desecration of Old Glory in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Flag Protection Act of 1989. That same court ruled this new law unconstitutional by the same 5-4 decision despite the judicial precedence.
In 1969, in Street v. New York, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren said, "I believe that the states and the federal government do have power to protect the flag from acts of desecration and disgrace."
Justice Hugo Black added, "It passes my belief that anything in the federalConstitution bars ... making the deliberate burning of the American flag an offense."
And Justice Abe Fortas wrote, "The flag is a special kid of personality. Its use is traditionally and universally subject to the special rules and regulations. The states and the federal government have the power to protect the flag from acts of desecration."
Most legal experts consider these gentlemen as First Amendment purists. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-S.F., is right on target, and her leadership on this issue deserves praise.
If The Record had read her remarks concerning this issue, the editorial would have been much different. Physical desecration includes burning and other such acts that would defile the national banner.
Just ask the citizens of Appleton, Wis., where a young man defecated on a flag and left it on the steps of a country club. Since then, bodily functions performed on Old Glory are now considered "speech," even if no audience is present.
Frequency of occurrences has never been criteria for legality. Since flag desecration is legal, it continues today uncontested. The best test of legality is, would you teach your children to physically desecrate Old Glory?
Leo P. Burke, Stockton
| 3/25/05 - Letter below from:
Rees Lloyd - Past Commander of San Gorgonio Post 428 of Banning, CA
(Author of Resolution 326 passed at National Convention calling for changing the law that enables the ACLU to collect tax dollars in litigation of cases against religious symbols). |
Resolution 326, Preservation of Mojave Desert WWI Memorial
I am very gratified that Commander Cadmus, when he met with President Bush on March 17 on Legion national legislative goals, included our Resolution 326, Preservation of Mojave Desert WWI Memorial which California sponsored at the National Convention 2004. The President kept a briefing book containing a full page on Resolution 326, according to Joe March, national public affairs director. Also, I am gratified that we are assured that a bill will be introduced by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind) to amend the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1988, to eliminate the authority of judges to award attorney fees to the ACLU in cases brought under the Establishment Clause against the Boy Scouts, all public manifestations of our American religious history and heritage, and, for the first time in history, a lawsuit to remove a religious symbol, the Christian Cross, at the Mojave Desert WWI Veterans Memorial here. Commander Cadmus also specifically referenced the outrage of the ACLU's attack on the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial in this month's nationally distributed DISPATCH. Resolution 326 was also cited specifically in the story sent out from National to media nationally on the American Legion's 86th Birthday, March 15-17. Further, of course, American Legion Magazine carried a piece on ACLU's a abuses in the February issue. We have also received strong news coverage from Joseph Farah's www.WorldNetDaily.com and "Whistleblower" magazine, which carried a piece on Resolutin 326 in the December issue. In addition, I have been doing radio interviews, thanks to the effective media relations work of Joe March. This week alone, I did: March 21 - America at Night with Ernie Brown out of Las Vegas; March 23 -- Joseph Farah's World Net Daily national radio talk show from Washington, D.C;. March 24 -- KGAB radio out of Cheyenne. I believe we are reaching people with our message on the need to rein in the ACLU, and the judiciary, through Resolution 326. The appearances on Ernie Brown's show and KGAB were return invitations which resulted, they said, from strong response to the first programs where many of the listeners learned for the first time that they, as taxpayers, have been paying ACLU attorney fee requests by order of unelected, judges-for-life. Ernie Brown said on the air that they had never had as strong a response as they had after the first program. In each, when asked for a contact, I have included www.calegion.org along with www.legion.org as the best sources for information, and to support the Legion. I have been getting supportive e-mail inquiries and responses at USCRUSADERS@aol.com, (with no apologies to Osama or other sensitive Islamist terrorists for the name), from as far away as Alabama and Tennessee where the broadcasts have been heard. As for print media: The Record-Gazette, our local paper in the San Gorgonio Pass, which is one of the most supportive of veterans and the Legion (editor Charles Ferrell is the son of a D-Day Normandy Landing survivor and a member of our SAL), ran (1) the entire Legion 86th Birthday story sent out by Joe March; (2) A follow-up op-ed piece by me on the Legion's founding and its growth to become the largest vets organization in the world; and (3) a letter-the-editor with 86th Birthday greetings to San Gorgonio Pass Legionnaires from Joanne Evans, 5th Area Vice Commander. Vice Commander Joanne's letter, localized, was sent to the leading papers in all five Southern California counties. Willy Wilkin, former Department Commander and NEC-man, sent an 86th Birthday greeting which was published in the San Bernardino Sun letters column. (In future, perhaps we should consider setting up a mechanism to get out 87th Birthday greeting letters to all the media in California.) All of this is important in this crusade (again, no offense to Osama for use of the word, of course), but, perhaps the most important are the articles on Resolution 326 published in California Legionnaire and what National has published in The American Legion Magazine, as those news articles reach the what I consider the "V.I.P.'s" of America, i.e., the veterans in the American Legion, still serving America. If our more than 100,000 Legionnaires in California, and the more than 2.7-million Legionnaires nationally, move together on this issue of Resolution 326, we can move the nation. Thank you for all your efforts. Audacity, audacity, audacity. FOR GOD AND COUNTRY FOREVER; SURRENDER TO THE ACLU -- NEVER! --Rees
| 06/05/05 - Letter below from:
Rees Lloyd - Past Commander of San Gorgonio Post 428 of Banning, CA
(Author of Resolution 326 passed at National Convention calling for changing the law that enables the ACLU to collect tax dollars in litigation of cases against religious symbols). |
PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF RELIGION ACT FILED
TO STOP ACLU ABUSES OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
The Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005 (PERA) , H.R. 2679, has been introduced in the 109th Congress by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), who was the principal sponsor of the Defense of Marriage Act in the 108th Congress. American Legion National Commander Thomas Cadmus immediately issued a statement calling for support for passage of the Act on behalf of the Legion's 2.7-million members. PERA amends the Civil Rights Attorney Fees Act of 1976, 42 United States Code Section 1988, to withdraw the authority of judges to award attorney fees, or damages, in Establishment Clause lawsuits brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), or anyone else, against the Boy Scouts, the Ten Commandments or other public displays of America’s religious history and heritage, such as the Los Angeles County Seal, and religious symbols at veterans memorials. Thus, it does everything called for in American Legion Resolution 326, Preserve Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial, which was initiated at San Gorgonio Pass Post 428 in Banning and adopted at the 2004 American Legion Convention by unanimous vote of delegates. “The American Legion believes the Public Expression of Religion Act will restore sanity in the judicial process,” Legion National Commander Cadmus said. “With this bill, we take a giant step to stop an abuse of the Civil Rights Acts. I thank Rep. Hostettler and urge every member of Congress to sign on as a co-sponsor of this extremely important legislation.” While most Americans believe that the ACLU acts pro bono (without fee) in bringing cases under the Establishment clause, the ACLU in fact profits greatly by these suits. For example: The ACLU received $940,000 in attorney fees from the City of San Diego when it settled the ACLU’s lawsuit to kick the Boy Scouts out of Balboa Park; the ACLU received $500,000 in the Ten Commandments case involving Alabama Judge Roy Moore; it received $108, 000 from Portland Schools regarding Boy Scout recruiting; It received $90,000 in its lawsuit in Illinois to drive the Boy Scouts out Chicago Public Schools; it has received $63,000 so far in its attack on the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial and all veterans memorials are now subject to attack by the ACLU, or others following its precedent, including Islamist terrorist sympathizers. “Exorbitant attorney fees awarded by Courts to be paid by American taxpayers has become the newest ‘Sword of Damocles’ strategically employed by organizations like the ACLU to coerce settlements by cities, counties, states, and large organizations like the Boy Scouts of America and the Department of Defense by suits and threats of lawsuits against any public expression of America’s religious history, heritage, and values,” Cadmus said. “Enough is enough!” Cadmus declared. “The Public Expression of Religion Act will remove the chilling effect on constitutionally protected free expression of religion in public areas by ending court-ordered attorney fees, or damages, in Establishment Clause cases – but only those cases. It does not bar anyone from filing an Establishment Clause lawsuit. It merely follows the general American rule that each party bears its own attorney fees in lawsuits, and removes the threat of court-ordered attorney fees or damages in Establishment Clause claims only. No other civil rights claim will be affected by this legislation” The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the world. It is also the largest sponsor of Boy Scout Troops in the U.S., and has had as its motto since its founding in 1999 "For God And Country," from which it has not retreated. Cadmus stated the Legion intends to fight for the Public Expression of Religion Act, and against the ACLU or anyone else who would exploit the Civil Rights Act for profit. “Using taxpayers’ dollars to pay these court-ordered attorney fees, especially when attacking established, traditional American values is absurd,” Cadmus stated. “The list of victims continues to grow - Los Angeles County, the cities of San Diego and Redlands in California, the school boards in Chicago, Ill., and Portland, Or., the Village of Castleton, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Defense, Ten Commandments cases in Kentucky, Texas, and Alabama, and even a Veterans’ Memorial in the Mojave Desert.
Who will be the next victim?”
 | 06/06/05 - Letter below from:
Loree Kowalis, resides in Orland Park, Illinois
Loree holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing and was the Operating Room Clinical Educator of a local hospital before the birth of her sons. She has contributed as a feature writer for a nursing magazine, and her professional writings have been published in nursing journals. |
Religious challenges hurt nation
Watching the National Memorial Day Celebration last weekend, it was remarkable to hear every song, anthem and tribute proudly and passionately mention God and our unyielding desire for divine blessings on this land, our military and its people.
This was clear, overwhelming and truly American, since God and faithfulness is deeply rooted in our country's history in spite of repeated legal attempts to destroy this fact. Regardless of personal religious denomination, God is undeniably embedded in American society even with our cultural diversity. Our governments declaration of inalienable rights, bestowed not by man but by a supreme power, our Creator — God — is exactly what distinguishes us from other nations.
The organic laws of the United States Code and the constitutions of every state, using various expressions, recognize God as the source of the blessings of liberty.
Yet, attacks on any expression of faith and religion in the U.S. are increasing, and any mention of God has turned into expensive court battles. Towns and communities all across the country can't pay the expensive litigation costs and wealthy organizations claiming the Constitution as their anvil are pounding away at every expression of faith ... with a dogged determination to repel what's good and morally sound, especially if it's a Christian doctrine. Money that can and should be spent on worthy causes are instead going towards eliminating the pledge of allegiance, eliminating the Bible and oaths in courtrooms, not allowing nativity scenes to be displayed, taking away Boy Scouts' rights to gather in public parks, ridding public displays of the Ten Commandments, attempts to eliminate the national motto "In God We Trust," disallowing public servants to from wearing a cross or other religious symbol. The long list of expensive legal battles against the faithful goes on and on.
Why would the few non-believers have such a strong repulsion and need to diminish those who believe, and deny what is an absolute truth about faith in America?
What is their agenda?
Non-believers are never forced to believe otherwise, just as any person of faith is never forced to change his religious belief or denomination. Whether deliberate or not, those individuals and organizations harboring such strong anti-religious and anti-God sentiments via lawsuits are undermining the cornerstone of our government and a truly positive influence in our society. Morality and faithfulness, in fact, have always been a fundamental core in a civilized and humane society. These are things that must remain, and are not just a fleeting ideology that requires change with the times. Without high standards of behavior, mostly based upon religious and faith based doctrines, it is easy for man to give into selfishness and desires, and rationalize destructive behaviors to fit the declining moral climate of a society, from whatever influence or cause.
This marks a crucial time of awakening for all Americans with faith. Unfortunately the fight is against those with an enormous amount of wealth and legal power, so the battle will be great. But what has happened, fortunately, is that those of faith are being awakened, forced to become soldiers and fight for what they believe. All believers, regardless of religious denomination, must refuse to be silenced.
Throughout history, the depth of morality as well as faith/religion have been great indicators of a society and its people. Societies that have self-indulged, not allowed religion/faith to be expressed or recognized and have lived otherwise, have failed to prosper and have eventually been destroyed. I pray America sees the dangerous direction this can lead us, and we swiftly conquer this enemy that wishes us to take the path of immorality and faithlessness that could lead to our ultimate destruction.
Loree Kowalis, Orland Park, email: lorelikow@aol.com
| 06/07/05 - Editorial by The Record Gazette
The Record Gazette has been the leader in local news for the Pass Area since 1908.
The Record Gazette and the Record Gazette EXTRA reach over 19,000 homes each week in the communities of Banning, Beaumont, Cherry Valley and Cabazon, CA. |
Profit over religious symbols
Much discussion, much disagreement, heated and emotional disagreement, all rear their often ugly heads when the subject turns to "separation of church and state." What did our founders really mean when they designated "freedom of religion" as one of the principles for which our nation would stand?
It's long been known that a conversation is approaching dangerous territory when the topic turns to religion or politics because for so many of us our core views on either are not in the least way flexible. This issue combines both and passions are running high.
At issue, among many, is a key question of the meaning of "separation of church and state."
Was it written to protect religion from interference of the government, such as blocking any attempt by the state to declare one national religion, as is done in many, less free societies?
Was it written to protect the government from the influence of religion or religious views in the way it operates the business of the United States of America?
The current issue focusing attention on the overall issue regards the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and its recent concentrated legal attacks on religious symbols in public places.
Religion has from the beginning been a significant part of what America is about. Our nation prints "In God We Trust" on our currency, veteran's graves in national cemeteries are marked with crosses and Stars of David, public meetings and the start of the school day begin with the Pledge of Allegiance which includes the phrase Šone nation under GodŠ"
Religion has also been reflected in the logos of cities and counties and that's where the ACLU is focusing its attention these days.
The group has been filing suits against public agencies nationwide, that have held up in court, forcing cities, counties, etc. to redesign their logos to remove any religious symbols, particularly crosses.
What many if not most people did not understand was that when the ACLU files a suit against a public agency, the public agency has to use public funds to defend itself. Then - and here is what was a surprise to most - the ACLU is then able to file a claim with the government to recover its own legal fees. The bucks have been rolling in.
Rees Lloyd, a Banning attorney, a veteran, American Legion leader and a former ACLU attorney, finally decided that was enough.
Believing that the ACLU was filing these suits, not for any ideological concerns, but as a simple fundraiser he set a goal to remove the profit from the practice. Filing a suit and collect from the government has been lucrative for the ACLU in recent years and Lloyd, with the full backing of the national American Legion, began a movement that would continue to allow the ACLU to file such suits but would deny them any public funds to do so.
Rep. John Hostettler (R-Indiana) and has submitted to the U.S. Congress a bill, House Resolution 2679, the Public Expression of Religion Act, which would deny public funds in the form of attorney fees to the ACLU or anybody else for suits regarding "public displays of America's religious history and heritage."
This has now become a national issue and it started right here in the San Gorgonio Pass Area with Rees Lloyd. The Record Gazette supports this measure.
The right to worship or not to worship must never be infringed in this nation. To require or deny someone their religious beliefs is against everything for which America stands.
A private organization should not be able to profit, with public funds, from the kind of lawsuits the ACLU has been filing. This measure will not prohibit the lawsuits, just the profiting from them with public funds.
A cross or a Star of David in a public cemetary or on a city/county logo or the mere mention of the word "God" in a public place or on a coin damages no one. There is a primary difference between being damaged and offended. If anybody is forced to worship or not to worship in the way they desire, within the law, let the lawsuits begin. If somebody is offended by three tiny crosses on the Los Angeles County logo or on a monument built in the desert by World War I veterans, public funds shouldn't be spent on both sides of the issue.
|
|
|
