ATF leader’s email could be Fast and Furious smoking gun and Holder admitted Obama can’t shield it

{Re-Post from The DC}

By Matthew Boyle

 

Rep  Issa	Rep Cummings
Sen Grassley	Pres Obama  &   AG Holder

 A single internal Department of Justice email could be the smoking-gun document in the Operation Fast and Furious scandal — if it turns out to contain what congressional investigators have said it does.

The document would establish that wiretap application documents show senior DOJ officials knew about and approved the gunwalking tactic in Fast and Furious. This is the opposite of what Attorney General Eric Holder and House oversight committee ranking Democratic member Rep. Elijah Cummings have claimed.  [Well you don't think Holder or Cummings would do anything to put the POTUS in any sort of bad light, do ya?]

It appears that email would also prove senior DOJ officials, likely including Holder himself, knew in March 2011 that a Feb. 4, 2011 letter from the DOJ to Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley falsely denied guns were permitted to “walk” into Mexico. The DOJ allowed that false letter to stand for nine more months, only withdrawing it in December 2011.  [Hindsight is a 20/20 picture of beauty, in this case.  What has casued me to lose all faith in ANY politician has been brought about in this case alone.  There was a time I truly believed there were a FEW good ole American Patriots still hanging around the watering holes in D.C., but that is simply a terrible assumption on my part.  As I read the history books about the men and women who worked so hard to get this new form of government going, my blood pressure starts lifting the skin on my bald head.  Our forefathers gave not only their lives to fight the British, the French and the Spanish to build this country, but many gave ALL their worldly possessions and wealth.  They sold what they had and gave the money to help finance out military.  They died as broke beggars.  Today, there isn't ONE politician that would do that.  Instead, they do everything they can, legal or illegal, to build their large bank accounts, portfolios, and lands.  How sad that so many gave all and today it's turned into get all you can while the getting is good.  It makes one want to go hunting and the trees in D.C., I hear, are full of squirrels.] 

During the June 24 broadcast of Fox News Sunday, House oversight committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa cited the email as a “good example” of a specific document his committee knows Holder is hiding from Congress.  [I've wondered.... doesn't the House Oversight Committee have the power to issue or have issued a search warrant?  If so, why wasn't that step put into place.  Rep William Jefferson of LA had a search warrant issued and they went through his D.C. office as well as his house and office in LA.  What's the difference here???]

“The ATF director, Kenneth Melson, sent an e-mail. And he had said to us in sworn testimony that, in fact, he had concerns,” Issa said. “And we want to see that e-mail because that’s an example where he was saying, if we believe his sworn testimony, that guns walked. And he said it shortly after February 4, and [on] July 4. When he told us that, we began asking for that document.”

But the details of it surfaced first when Grassley mentioned it for the first time publicly during a June 12 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where Holder was testifying.

“He [Melson] immediately sent an email warning others, ‘back off the letter to Sen. Grassley in light of the information in the affidavits,’” Grassley explained.

Ken Melson, now the former acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, purportedly sent that email to several DOJ leaders in March 2011. According to Grassley, Melson wrote that he had reviewed the wiretap applications — the same documents Cummings and Holder claim do not show senior DOJ officials knew of or approved gunwalking tactics in Fast and Furious.

“ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson described reading those same wiretap affidavits in March of last year,” Grassley told Holder during the Senate hearing. “He said he was alarmed that the information in the affidavits contradicted the public denial to Congress.”

It appears Republican congressional investigators first learned of the Melson email’s existence on July 4, 2011, when Melson chose to give a lengthy deposition on Fast and Furious without DOJ and ATF lawyers present. Grassley told Holder during the Senate hearing that congressional investigators first requested that the DOJ provide Congress with that email during July 2011, shortly after Melson made his then-secret trip across town to Capitol Hill.

The wiretap documents themselves are under federal court seal, leaving Grassley and Issa to tussle with Holder and Cumming about what they might show. Issa has said a whistleblower provided copies to his committee.

Holder has declined to ask the federal judge who sealed them to unseal them. The March 2011 Melson email, then, may be the only legal way — without violating a court order — to document the agreement of some senior Obama administration members with Issa’s and Grassley’s characterizations of the documents.

Melson’s email could also prove that although senior DOJ officials knew in March 2011 that the Feb. 4, 2011 letter was false, they chose to continue misleading Congress with gunwalking denials for several months. [And there is no perjury charges???  You mean if we're called before a Congressional hearing we can lie and suffer no consequences???]

“We need to see it [the email] to corroborate his testimony,” Grassley said during the June 12 hearing. “But the Department is withholding that email along with every other document after Feb. 4, 2011.”

Grassley pressed Holder on the question of how DOJ had the authority to withhold Melson’s email from Congress, a full week before President Obama indicated that he would invoke executive privilege to shield requested documents. At that time, Holder claimed the Melson email would not be protected by executive privilege.  [And you believed him???  Sen Grassley and Rep Issa seem to be a couple of bricks short of building a brick wall, sometimes.  Obama, Holder, Napolitano, all the Obama administration are liars and it's such a well known FACT.  The 'word' of a man used to be something that was held is honor because many times a man's word was alll that he had.  Today a man's word is less important than a septic tank that's over running.  And even more so when it comes to the clowns in government.]

“On what legal ground are you withholding that email?” He asked. “The president can’t claim executive privilege to withhold that email, is that correct?”

“Well, let me just say this: We have reached out to Chairman Issa to work our way through these issues,” Holder filibustered. “We have had sporadic contacts and we are prepared to make – I am prepared to make – compromises with regard to the documents that can be made available. There is a basis for withholding these documents if they deal with the deliberative …”  [Having watched, on CSPAN, all of the proceedings that was available to me, I never one time saw Eric Holder answer a question forthrightly, that was asked to him, in regards to any important document, meeting, or exercise.  NEVER!!  The republican committee members were always stone-walled and had to stop him and move on to another question.  Of Course when a democrat member had their turn, they never asked any truth seeking questions.  Especially Cummings and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton.  It was pure racism whenn they were interviewing Holder.  They spent their time telling Holder just how great of a job he was doing (but didn't add the great job he was doing was covering Obama's behind).  They never asked any 'hard' questions that would uncover a truth.  But then Holder and Obama are pure liars and they, I do believe, think they are telling the truth when they are lying.]

“But not on executive privilege?” Grassley interrupted.

“No,” Holder responded.

Holder spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler wouldn’t answer when The Daily Caller asked her if the DOJ was planning to provide the Melson email to Congress.

Here's a case that has been going on for almost two (2) years.  Sen Grassley and Rep Issa have, in my opinion, NOT done all they could have done or done what they have done in a timely manner.  They've let Holder and Obama run them in and out of the rabbitt hole and avoid doing what they should have done just to 'get-a-long'.  Patheic!!  If we ever find one politician who truly has any backbone, it will be a day that the whole world should stop what they are doing and celebrate.  There were a few new congress critters who were voted in during the 2010 elections

{Re-Post from WND}

 

FED-UP CHRISTIANS GO TO WAR AGAINST FOOD GIANT

by BOB UNRUH

                      '

Ho, ho, ho' turned to 'No, no, no' over same-sex marriage

A Christian ministry has launched a boycott targeting the Green Giant brand name of canned vegetables because of General Mills’ advocacy for homosexual marriage.

WND recently reported the Minnesota food giant whose Honey Nut Cheerios Bee, Lucky the Leprechaun and Trix Rabbit are familiar to children is now publicly supporting homosexual marriage.

General Mills CEO Ken Powell announced at a homosexual pride event his company opposes a proposed amendment Minnesotans will vote on in November that protects traditional marriage.

Same-sex marriage is illegal in Minnesota, but supporters of the marriage initiative say the constitutional amendment would keep marriage safe from activist courts and legislators who may attempt to overturn or change the law.

Already, a case in Hennepin County effectively has put the Minnesota Defense of Marriage Act on trial, and Minnesota pro-traditional marriage groups say the November ballot measure is crucial.

At the On the Box with Ray Comfort website run by the Living Waters ministry, contributor Tony Miano announced the targeted boycott of the company’s Green Giant vegetable brand name.

“To General Mills, I say, ‘No, No, No Green Giant!’” he wrote.

Miano explained that broad and general boycotts seldom accomplish their stated purposes, and the Bible neither commands nor prohibits such actions.

So, he said, the launch of a specific and short-term project seems best.

“A case in point is the boycott against ‘The Last Temptation of Christ,’ a blasphemous movie released in 1988. The boycott was specifically targeted against a particular movie. The boycott garnered a great deal of media attention at the time, because of the passion and widespread participation of the Christian community. And while the movie continues to be cherished by the secular Hollywood elite, it ranks as little more than a cartoon before a feature presentation when compared to movies like ‘The Passion of Christ’ or the Narnia films.”

While Living Waters is a Christian organization, “which exists to inspire and equip Christians to fulfill the Great Commission,” the column explains there are times “when it is important for us to talk about issues – not at the expense of gospel preaching, but in keeping with our visions of bringing the gospel to the entire world.

“With the above in mind, Living Waters is asking the Christian community to join us in a boycott of General Mills products. Living Waters will focus on the Green Giant vegetable brand. The boycott will run from the posting date of this article, until Labor Day 2012 (September 3).”

The campaign, which urges consumers to contact the company, explains its effort  is not about “winning and losing.”

“Standing up to be heard, standing up to be counted is, at times, enough,” the column explains.

“Additionally, and more importantly, there is more at stake than simply winning and losing a fight over gay marriage. Souls are at stake. And more important to us than the outcome of any social debate or boycott is where people will spend eternity. As with everything we do at Living Waters, loving God, loving people, and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ is of first importance.”

Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said the General Mills position in Minnesota “will go down as one of the dumbest corporate PR stunts of all time.”

“Marriage as the union of one man and one woman is profoundly in the common good, and it is especially important for children,” Brown said. “General Mills makes billions marketing cereal to parents of young children. It has now effectively declared a war on marriage with its own customers when it tells the country that it is opposed to preserving traditional marriage, which is what the Minnesota Marriage Protection Amendment does.”

NOM points to U.S. Census Bureau data indicating there are more than 100,000 same-sex households in America with children under the age of 18. The group contrasts that figure with the more than 35 million traditional American households with children under 18.

“It’s ludicrous for a big corporation to intentionally inject themselves into a divisive social issue like gay marriage,” said Brown. “It’s particularly dumb for a corporation that makes billions selling cereal to the very people they just opposed.”

NOM recently sent a letter to Minnesota’s 50 largest corporations urging “neutrality” regarding the November ballot measure.

Minnesotans for Marriage, a broad coalition of supporters of the Minnesota marriage amendment, sharply criticized General Mill’s outspoken opposition to traditional marriage.

In a statement, marriage coalition chairman John Helmberger said it’s “very disappointing that General Mills has decided to play PC politics by pandering to a small but powerful interest group that is bent on redefining marriage, the core institution of society.”

“[The General Mills position] thrust the company into a war against marriage that goes against the beliefs of an overwhelming majority of their customers and the best interest of their shareholders,” he continued.

“Marriage is more than a commitment between two people who love each other. It was created by God for the care and well-being of the next generation. The amendment is about preserving marriage and making sure that voters always remain in control over the definition of marriage in our state, and not activist judges or politicians.”

 

Granddaughter Accuses TBN of Rape Coverup

{Re-Post from WND}

Granddaughter Accuses TBN of Rape Coverup

  

Paul and Jan Crouch

A granddaughter of Trinity Broadcasting Network founders Jan and Paul Crouch filed a lawsuit Monday alleging that she was plied with alcohol and raped by a TBN employee when she was just 13 — and that her family covered up the incident, rather than report it to authorities, to protect TBN’s reputation.

According to the complaint, Carra Crouch claims says she was 13 when Stephen Smith drugged and raped her in a hotel room while she was attending a Trinity fundraiser and telethon in Atlanta, in April 2006.

The complain continues stating:

"During the telethon one evening, Smith approached plaintiff in the hotel and began talking to her about the telethon in general and how she thought everything was going. Smith coerced himself into plaintiff's hotel room in order to further discuss the telethon and other relevant Trinity Broadcasting business activity. ...
     "Once in plaintiff's room, Smith ordered a bottle of wine from room service on Trinity Broadcasting's account. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that Trinity Broadcasting makes a regular practice of providing alcohol to its employees during business meetings. Smith proceeded to coerce the plaintiff to drink the wine in an attempt to get her intoxicated and plaintiff, in fact, drank the wine under duress and became intoxicated.
     "Plaintiff began asking Smith to leave her room and he responded by giving her a glass of water to 'help her feel better.' Plaintiff drank the glass of water and passed out immediately. Plaintiff believes the water contained a date rape drug which caused her to pass out.
     "Ms. Crouch awoke the next morning with Smith laying next to her, blood on her bed sheets, and severe pain and soreness in her body in places which indicated she had been molested and raped.
     "Ms. Crouch locked herself in the bathroom and screamed at Smith to leave her room, which he eventually did. Ms. Crouch boarded a flight later that day back to her home in CA."

The complaint continues:
     "The Report of the Battery and Sexual Battery by Plaintiff
     "Ms. Crouch was distraught over what happened, and upon the advice of her mother, decided to talk with Jan and John about what happened.
     "Plaintiff had a meeting with Jan in Jan's TBN affiliate-owned mansion located in Newport Beach, CA where she told her everything that had happened. In response, Jan became furious and began screaming at Ms. Crouch, a thirteen-year-old girl, and began telling her 'it is your fault.' After being told by Jan Crouch that it was her fault she was raped, plaintiff approached John Casoria about the incident.
     "John Casoria also became agitated at plaintiff and told her he did not believe what she was saying to be true. He elaborated by stating he further believed she was already sexually active 'so it did not really matter' and he 'believed she may have propositioned him.' Ms. Crouch, a thirteen-year-old girl, had not been sexually active and was absolutely devastated about what happened and about how John and Jan responded to her."
     The complaint continues with a section subtitled: "The Subsequent Cover Up of the Battery and Sexual Battery by Defendant.
     "Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that Paul, Jan, and John actually did believe her accusations despite what they told her and fired Smith the next working day. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that Paul, Jan and John came up with a plan to lie to about their beliefs about what happened in order to intimidate Ms. Crouch so that they could 'cover up' the incident and make sure it was never reported to police authorities or to the media, which would have brought negative publicity to Trinity Broadcasting during their annual fund-raiser.
     "Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that John fired Smith over the telephone in which he stated: (1) the termination is a decision passed down directly from the president's office (meaning that the decision came directly from Paul Crouch, Sr.); (2) the termination will be without cause even though Trinity Broadcasting has gathered enough evidence to terminate Smith with cause; (3) the evidence is most probably sufficient to bring criminal charges against Smith; (4) Trinity Broadcasting would not disclose the evidence to the police if Smith would not file an EEOC claim, file for unemployment, or file for workers compensation. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that John may have used the threat of criminal prosecution to gain an advantage in a civil matter and may have violated Model Code of Professional Responsibility DR 7-105.
     "Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that Paul, Jan and John were all 'ordained ministers' at the time of this incident and that they were mandated reporters under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and based thereon alleges that neither Paul, Jan nor John made any report, as required, and in the alternative, deliberately covered up the incident to protect Trinity Broadcasting from negative publicity.
     "Plaintiff was not permitted to talk to the police about the incident, and was not permitted to seek the counsel of any third parties or sex abuse counselors at the time."
     Carra Crouch Crouch seeks damages for battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence per se and negligence.
     She is represented by Michael Koper of Elmont, N.Y., who told Courthouse News that his client looked forward to presenting proof of the allegations at trial.

In comments made to the Orange County Register, Colby May, Attorney Colby May,said, “Trinity is stunned to learn of the latest allegations being made by Carra, coming more than six years after her initial report,” May said by email. “And we have confirmed that Carra’s parents are similarly just now learning of her latest accusations. If your email accurately depicts Carra’ cupertino of events, be advised this is completely at odds with what she reported to her mother in 2006. Had Trinity been apprised of this then, it would have immediately reported it to authorities. Trinity categorically denies any wrong doing and will, of course, fully cooperate with law enforcement in investigating Carra’s latest allegations.”  

May went on to say, "Details of the incident provided by Crouch, and details in the suit, are “materially different,” May said, and “(m)oreover, Ms. Crouch’s allegations are completely at odds with what she told her mother. These multiple versions undermine her credibility and support our position that Trinity has certainly done nothing wrong. Unfortunately, such meritless lawsuits have become commonplace in our society, and accordingly, Trinity will fully and vigorously defend itself.”

 

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Christian Broadcaster Accusedof Covering Up Sexual Assault
• Teenager accuses TBN of rape cover-up
• Televangelism powerhouse swamped by scandal

New Jersey woman hit by ball sues Little League player for $150K-plus

{Re-post from CBS Sports}

Matthew Migliaccio, now 13, takes BP at the Manchester Little League complex. (Photo: Asbury Park Press)

MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A New Jersey woman who was struck in the face with a baseball at a Little League game is suing the young catcher who threw it.

Elizabeth Lloyd is seeking more than $150,000 in damages to cover medical costs stemming from the incident at a Manchester Little League game two years ago. She's also seeking an undefined amount for pain and suffering.

Lloyd was sitting at a picnic table near a fenced-in bullpen when she was hit with the ball.

Catcher Matthew Migliaccio was 11 years old at the time and was warming up a pitcher.

The lawsuit filed April 24 alleges Migliaccio's errant throw was intentional and reckless, "assaulted and battered" Lloyd and caused "severe, painful and permanent" injuries.

A second count alleges Migliaccio's actions were negligent and careless through "engaging in inappropriate physical and/or sporting activity" near Lloyd. She continues to suffer pain and anguish, incur medical expenses and has been unable to carry out her usual duties and activities, the lawsuit says.

And Lloyd's husband, in a third count, is suing for the loss of "services, society and consortium" of his wife. They've demanded a jury trial.

   Anthony Pagano, a lawyer for the Migliaccio family, said the lawsuit is frivolous and without merit.
"I just think that it's disgusting that you have people suing an 11-year-old kid for overthrowing his pitcher in the bullpen," Pagano said. "It's horrible this can actually happen and get this far. Ultimately, hopefully, justice will prevail."

The count alleging negligence and carelessness is covered by homeowner's insurance, Pagano said, but the other counts are not. Little League has denied any coverage.

Lloyd's lawyer was out of the office Friday and could not be reached for comment.

Steve Barr, a spokesman for Little League, declined to comment on the litigation. He said each local league is required to have accident insurance, but that only covers personnel.

"That includes coaches, players, even concession stand workers. But it does not cover spectators," Barr said.

Matthew's father, Bob Migliaccio, said they were concerned for Lloyd when it happened. Then his son started receiving threatening and nasty letters, he said, and he started getting angry.

   "The whole thing has almost been surreal," Migliaccio said. "We keep thinking it's just going to go away, and then a week and a half ago a sheriff shows up at my door to serve my son the papers."
Migliaccio said if his son had been horsing around, he would feel differently. But Matthew was doing what his coaches told him to do, he said, and noted Little League players aren't always accurate in their throws.

"It's absurd to expect every 11-year-old to throw the ball on target," Migliaccio said. "Everyone knows you've got to watch out. You assume some risk when you go out to a field. That's just part of being at a game."

Migliaccio said he and his wife, Sue, would love to beat the charges in court, but it could cost them tens of thousands of dollars. They also don't want to put their son and other kids on the team through all the questions and depositions a trial would bring.

"It's to the point now where we just want it to be over," he said.

Matthew, described by his father as a "baseball junkie," still plays on three different teams. But Migliaccio and his wife have stepped down from coaching and managing the concession stand because of the suit.

Migliaccio said as angry as he is about the lawsuit, he's almost more angry with Little League. He said they've volunteered hundreds of hours over the years, and he believes Little League should assist in defending their son.

   "Somebody else has to step in here and help us out," Migliaccio said. "I just feel people should know about this, and maybe Little League can figure out a way to protect these kids."

Border Patrol union demands Holder’s resignation over Fast and Furious

Published: 5:08 PM 06/18/2012

By Matthew Boyle - The Daily Caller

Attorney General Eric Holder, left, and murdered Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, right. (Photos: AP)

The National Border Patrol Council — the union that represents Border Patrol agents around the country — demanded Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation over Operation Fast and Furious on Monday.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the union deliberated for over a year before making this call for Holder to step down.

“This is something that all of our guys are concerned about, because they know it could be any one of them,” Shawn Moran, a union vice president, said according to the Arizona paper.

“We take the risks that are out there naturally just being in law enforcement working across from Mexico in the condition it’s in right now,” Moran said. “But what you can’t accept is when your own government is allowing weapons into the hands of the people you’re confronting.”

The National Border Patrol Council represents about 3,700 agents in Arizona and 17,000 nationwide and it joins presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, 129 House Republicans, five Senate Republicans and two sitting GOP governors in demanding Holder’s resignation.

No elected Democrats have called for Holder to resign, but many Democrats nationwide want Holder gone too. New polling data released last week by Rasmussmen Reports shows 21 percent of likely Democratic voters believe Holder should resign over the scandal and 33 percent are unsure. Forty-five percent — less than half — of likely Democratic voters think Holder should stay in office, according to the poll.

 

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

 

• Latest group to call for Holder's resignation: The National Border Patrol Council
• Border Patrol Group Representing 17,000 Agents Calls on Eric Holder to Resign Over Fast and Furious
• National Border Patrol Council, Which Represents All 17,000 Non-Supervisory Border Agents, Calls For Holder's Resignation
• Border Patrol group calls for Holder's resignation
• 17,000 border agents: Holder must resign
• Border Patrol group calls for Holder's resignation - Washington Times
• Border Patrol Calls For Holder's Resignation

Border Patrol union demands Holder’s resignation over Fast and Furious

Published: 5:08 PM 06/18/2012

By Matthew Boyle - The Daily Caller

Attorney General Eric Holder, left, and murdered Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, right. (Photos: AP)

The National Border Patrol Council — the union that represents Border Patrol agents around the country — demanded Attorney General Eric Holder’s resignation over Operation Fast and Furious on Monday.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the union deliberated for over a year before making this call for Holder to step down.

“This is something that all of our guys are concerned about, because they know it could be any one of them,” Shawn Moran, a union vice president, said according to the Arizona paper.

“We take the risks that are out there naturally just being in law enforcement working across from Mexico in the condition it’s in right now,” Moran said. “But what you can’t accept is when your own government is allowing weapons into the hands of the people you’re confronting.”

The National Border Patrol Council represents about 3,700 agents in Arizona and 17,000 nationwide and it joins presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, 129 House Republicans, five Senate Republicans and two sitting GOP governors in demanding Holder’s resignation.

No elected Democrats have called for Holder to resign, but many Democrats nationwide want Holder gone too. New polling data released last week by Rasmussmen Reports shows 21 percent of likely Democratic voters believe Holder should resign over the scandal and 33 percent are unsure. Forty-five percent — less than half — of likely Democratic voters think Holder should stay in office, according to the poll.

 

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

 

• Latest group to call for Holder's resignation: The National Border Patrol Council
• Border Patrol Group Representing 17,000 Agents Calls on Eric Holder to Resign Over Fast and Furious
• National Border Patrol Council, Which Represents All 17,000 Non-Supervisory Border Agents, Calls For Holder's Resignation
• Border Patrol group calls for Holder's resignation
• 17,000 border agents: Holder must resign
• Border Patrol group calls for Holder's resignation - Washington Times
• Border Patrol Calls For Holder's Resignation

DNA bolsters Bulgaria's John the Baptist bones claim

{Re-Post from Yahoo News}

DNA bolsters Bulgaria's John the Baptist bones claim

By Estelle Shirbon | Reuters – Fri, Jun 15, 2012

LONDON (Reuters) - Bulgaria's claim to have unearthed six bones belonging to John the Baptist has received a boost from scientists who have concluded after dating them and analyzing their genetic code that they could indeed be relics of the man who baptized Jesus.

The remains, which include a molar and a piece of cranium, were found in July 2010 in a marble sarcophagus in the ruins of a medieval church on the island of Sveti Ivan, or Saint John, off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast near the resort of Sozopol.

They are on display in a church in Sozopol where thousands of worshippers have flocked to view them, untroubled by questions about their authenticity.

"When I first heard this story in 2010 I thought it was a bit of a joke, to be honest," said Tom Higham of the University of Oxford's Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, one of the world's top laboratories for carbon dating of archaeological material.

Higham's team dated a knuckle-bone to the first century AD, when John the Baptist would have lived, while geneticist colleagues from the University of Copenhagen established the full DNA code of three of the bones.

The genetic analysis showed that the bones were from the same person, a man who most probably came from the Middle East.

Higham, who is an atheist, said that it was obviously impossible to say with any certainty that the remains belonged to John the Baptist. But it could not be ruled out.

"I'm much less skeptical than I was at the beginning. I think there's possibly more to it. But I'd like to find out more," he told Reuters on Friday.

12 HANDS AND SIX HEADS

Relics of saints or fragments of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified, according to Christian tradition, have been a powerful draw for pilgrims and tourists for centuries. Thousands of such relics can be found in churches across Europe.

But skeptics have always dismissed these items as a scam to lure the credulous, and some joke that if all the bones said to have belonged to John the Baptist were authentic the Biblical figure would have had 12 hands and six heads.

Higham plans to apply for funding to analyze purported John the Baptist relics from other places to see if any of them came from the same individual whose remains were found on Sveti Ivan.

"I look at this as a bit of fun. I'm not a hard core ecclesiastical researcher. I actually study Neanderthals and stuff like that, older stuff," said Higham.

"But I'm really interested in applying radio carbon dating more widely to find out information about the past."

John the Baptist, who is revered in Christianity and Islam, announced the coming of Jesus and baptized him in the River Jordan. The Gospels say King Herod had him beheaded.

Oxford archaeologist Georges Kazan, who wrote his doctoral thesis on the movement of relics in the 5th and 6th centuries, said that there was historical evidence to support the claim that the Sveti Ivan remains could be authentic.

The evidence includes a small box made from volcanic tuff, or consolidated ash, which was found next to the bones and is inscribed with John's name and his feast day in Ancient Greek.

The tuff came from Cappadocia, in modern Turkey, which was one of the routes used to take purported relics from the Holy Land to Constantinople, now Istanbul, where in the 5th and 6th centuries Eastern Roman Emperors were keen to acquire them.

The emperors, who were copied by pious aristocrats, wanted relics for devotional purposes or to be buried with them.

"They were often bestowed as a sign of favor. The monastery of Sveti Ivan may well have received a portion of relics as a gift from a patron, a member of Constantinople's elite," said Kazan, adding that the island was an easy distance from the Byzantine capital on a major Black Sea trading route.

(Additional reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia; Editing by Jon Hemming)

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Mysterious Bones May Belong to John the Baptist
• 'John the Baptist' bones found in Bulgaria
• Bones in Bulgaria may be of John the Baptist
• Mysterious bones may belong to John the Baptist
• Scientists find new evidence supporting John the Baptist bones theory
• Bring me the knuckle of John the Baptist: Scientists claim 'positive' tests on 1st-century relics which are from one man, from the right place at the right time
• 'Found', bones of John the Baptist: Tests on knucklebone provide support to extraordinary claim

Holder aide who erred on Fast and Furious leaves Justice Department

{Re-post from The Washington Post}

Holder aide who erred on Fast and Furious leaves Justice Department

Assistant attorney general becomes law school dean

By Jerry Seper

-

The Washington Times

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

• 
  

  Enlarge Photo

  Attorney General Eric Holder appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol ... more >

The senior Justice Department official who sent a letter to a Republican senator falsely claiming that the department did not allow guns to be “walked” to drug smugglers in Mexico during the Fast and Furious investigation left the department Wednesday to become dean of theBaltimore School of Law.

Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich told Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa — who had initiated Congress’s Fast and Furious probe — that accusations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives allowed the sale of assault weapons to a straw purchaser who then transported them to Mexico were “false.”

“ATF makes every effort to interdict weapons that have been purchased illegally and prevent their transportation into Mexico,” Mr. Weich wrote in the Feb. 4, 2011, letter.

The Justice Department retracted that letter in December, with Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. vigorously defending Mr. Weich and thedepartment against charges of lying to Congress. “Nobody at the Justice Department has lied,” Mr. Holder said, adding that Mr. Weich did not know the information he had provided was inaccurate.

Mr. Weich is leaving just as a House committee gets ready to hold a hearing to decide whether to hold Mr. Holder in contempt of Congressfor his refusal to turn over Justice Department documents concerning the Fast and Furious operation. That hearing, before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is scheduled for Wednesday.

Mr. Holder and his staff are discussing a compromise with committee Chairman Darrell E. Issa, California Republican, to avoid a contempt vote.

In March, Mr. Weich refused a congressional subpoena for Fast and Furious documents, saying at the time that the department was concerned that information in them had been and would be released to the media. He said news stories at the time had “impeded thedepartment’s efforts to hold individuals accountable for their illegal acts.”

In a statement Wednesday, Mr. Weich said that serving the departmenthas been “a tremendous privilege” and that he was “pleased” with his Office of Legal Affairs accomplishments over the past three years. “We have worked effectively with Congress to advance the mission and goals of the Justice Department,” he said.

“Ron’s leadership has been instrumental in realizing crucial legislative achievements, and I thank him for his tireless advocacy of department priorities,” Mr. Holder said. “I am proud of the work done by the Office of Legislative Affairs under Ron’s watch to advance legislation vital to ensuring justice.”

Mr. Weich is leaving the department to join the University of Baltimore School of Law as its new dean. Appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate in April 2009, he announced last month he would be leaving the department for the Baltimore position.

Judith C. Appelbaum, who has served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legislative Affairs, will serve as acting assistant attorney general following Mr. Weich’s departure.

Justice Department officials said that under Mr. Weich’s leadership, the Office of Legislative Affairshas worked to strengthen the department’s relationship with Congress. The office has represented the department in connection with numerous legislative achievements on issues of central importance, including the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act and the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Prior to joining Justice, Mr. Weich served as chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat. He earlier served as counsel to Democratic then-Sens. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and as a partner in the law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder LLP.

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Holder aide on 'Fast and Furious' leaves Justice
• Ronald Weich to Leave Job for Law Dean Position
• DOJ official who penned false letter to Congress retires
• Justice Official Under Fire Lands Law School Post

Chancellor Dennis Walcott backs PS 90 Principal Greta Hawkins song choice

NEW York City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott is standing behind

a Brooklyn principal's controversial decision to pull the plug on a popular

patriotic song that was scheduled to be performed at a kindergarten graduation.

[He should be standing behind her pushing her out the front door, with a pink slip in her hand.]

PS 90 Principal Greta Hawkins won't allow the boys and girls to belt out Lee Greenwood's ballad "God Bless the USA" because it is not "age appropriate."  [Age appropriate??  These are Kindergarteners and she thinks the words to Justin Bieber's song 'Baby'?  I think this says a lot about the mental capabilities of Ms. Hawkins.]

And Mr Walcott said that is fine by him. [ A loss for words!!!!  This guy is as mentally deficent as Ms. Hawkins]

"It's her judgment to make that decision," Mr Walcott said. "It's important to reinforce that they start out the morning every day of the school year with the Pledge of Allegiance and America the Beautiful, and that, to me, is what this country is about, and they celebrate that, and that's how we should start our day.  [What does starting the morning have to do with a program for the graduation ceremonies??  It would seem to me that if the kids are starting the morning by saying the Pledge of Allegiance and American the Beautiful, then this song, God Bless the USA makes more sense than Justin Bieber's song.  While it may be "her judgment to make that decision", it's Mr. Walcott's job to oversee the decisions she makes.  And if they are wrong, as this one is, then he needs to over ride her.]

"You have to really wonder about some of the lyrics in the song, so I have to rely on the principal's judgment along that line."  [Say WHAT?!?!?!!?????  What's to wonder about????  Lee Greenwood's song is filled with lyrics that are patriotic while Bieber's song contains lyrics that teenagers can understand but not kindergarteners.]

Mr Walcott was responding to the New York Post's story about Hawkins' unpopular decision to ditch the song for the June 20 moving-up ceremony.

It was replaced on the playlist with Justin Bieber's Baby, a flirty song about teenage romance.  [And we're dealing with 5 year olds????]

At issue, according to a Department of Education spokeswoman, are lyrics from the tune's opening verse, "If tomorrow all the things were gone/I'd worked for all my life/And I had to start again/with just my children and my wife."

They were deemed inappropriate for the five-year-old children.  [Honestly I think the 5 year olds understand the lyrics to Lee Greenwood's song better than Mr. Walcott or Ms. Hawkins.]

Staffers quoted Ms Hawkins as saying, "We don't want to offend other cultures." [Ms. Hawkins should be more concerned about the millions of Americans she's offending and not a handful of "other cultures", which are probably illegal aliens to start with.]

Parents and teachers angry over Ms Hawkins' decision launched a Facebook page demanding she be sacked.
[And angry they should be.  Every parent with children in that school should be at the front door of the school voicing their disgust with Ms. Hawkins and those above her who will not get this song re-instated.] 

"If the DOE has any brains they should remove her tomorrow," seethed one angry anonymous staffer in a posting. "We were the victims of 9/11. It hit New York really hard. That song became famous because of that tragedy. Removing that song is horrific. It's opening the wound again."  [Therein is the problem.  The DOE wouldn't know what a brain is if they were holding one in their hands]

Ms Hawkins could not be reached for comment. [I wonder why not?]

{Re-post from:} http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/chancellor-dennis-walcott-backs-ps-90-principal-greta-hawkins-song-choice/story-e6frfku0-1226392457701#ixzz1xe6MioYd

 

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• NYC educators back ban on patriotic song
• GOP Rep Takes On Bieber
• Principal ditches 9/11 song for Bieber's baby
• 'God Bless the USA' Replaced by Justin Bieber's 'Baby', Original Singer Reacts
• Mayor Bloomberg says elementary school will no longer sing Justin Bieber song ... - Fox News
• "Proud to be an American" banned at Brooklyn school by principal Greta Hawkins!
• NY Principal Bans "God Bless the USA" in Favor of Justin Bieber Song at Kindergarten Graduation; Lee Greenwood, Outraged Parent, and Adorable Kindergartner Speak Out About the Move
• N.Y. school drops 'God Bless the U.S.A.' from kindergarten ceremony
• Parents Upset After 'God Bless the USA' Taken Out Of Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony At Coney Island School
• Principal pulling plug on patriotic song
• NYC educators back ban on patriotic song
• Burn Baby Burn: New York Principal Bans Beiber Song After Banning "God Bless The USA"