How can they can themselves Christian?

I had to approach the protesters in front of the court house on Valentines Day, angered that they would single out Freddie Oakley and her church. It just seemed somehow wrong and dangerous to focus their judgement and hate on not only those who would make commitments to one another but on an individual in particular who had the courage to speak for their rights. I felt impelled to walk up to this self rightous gaggle and ask them, "How can you call yourself Christians?" One of them responded, "I am a Christian because I follow the Scriptures, come and talk." I kept walking, shaking and angry, surprised at my reaction. How dare they believe they alone had a lock understanding Scripture. "No", I yelled back, "I don't talk to terrorists." In my mind, there is little difference between hate mongering so-called "Christians" and the hate filled jihadist sects that our Muslin brothers must deny. This Sunday these same men from the Church of the Divide in Garden Valley came to stand with their signs in protest in front of the First Baptist Church in Davis where Freddie had been attending church. They greeted members of the Church with signs saying the Church is shamed.
There have been times when some who called themselves Christian have stood with those who would be persecuted. I believe this is one of those times. Christians who would be inclusive and open should stand against hate and exclusion being done in the name of Christianity. It was Bonhoffer who said so long ago that there is no cheap grace. I for one will speak to others in my church. I shall ask others to stand with both Freddie Oakley and those who demand equal rights to form committed unions. We need to find answers within our Christian community to respond to actions of hate.

Proud of Freddie Oakley and our Daily Democrat

The Daily Democrat editorial Sunday February 11, 2007 gave me hope for good journalism. In the face of the Campaign for Children and Families and the voice of Randy Thomasson, the Democrat editorial went to the details of Thomasson's complaint. Ms. Oakley has the right of free speech and her action in response to the annual protest by same-sex couples, takes no time from her duties. After reading the editorial, I took a look at the Campaign for Children and Families. This group which claims non-partisan, non-profit status is taking pride in helping stop the proposed legislation which would have banned the spanking of children under the age of 4, claiming this is part of the Democratic liberal agenda. They link to the Republican State Caucus supporting a very limited health insurance proposal for California families. So it is not OK to have same sex parents with good parenting skills raising children but it is OK to punish your 1 year old by spanking. Children and families don't need health insurance if it means we/and or businesses might have to pay for it. Gosh, with advocates like Thomasson speaking for our children and families, they certainly don't need enemies.

Molly, We Will Miss You

Molly Ivins died yesterday, of breast cancer. She was in her early 60's, waaay too young to die. Just think of how all that money being spent in Iraq could've been devoted to cancer research and cancer treatments for Molly and others like her. And think of our community's loss incurred by her death. She inspired us to fight the good fight, to stand up to corrupt authority, to confront elected and appointed officials when they step out of line, to work for the best results for the poorest among us. Molly, we will miss you indeed. And we will continue your work, as best we can.

So, in that very spirit, here are a couple of questions for our 3rd District Yolo County Supervisor, Matt Rexroad. Mr. Rexroad, how many hours each week have you put in on our behalf, so far? How many days since your swearing in have you worked in your office in the County Administration Building in Woodland? What are your office hours? When can we meet with you in your office?

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