Yeagley an acorn fallen close to tree

Some weird stuff is happening in Oklahoma. Weird attitudes, out-of-step moralism, and ultra-wacko social policing. It appears that Yeagley's nut has not fallen far from the tree. Check out this latest bit of wacko-jacko news. I'd like to see Yeagley try to survive in a big cosmopolitan city like San Francisco! Welcome to the big bad world David.

OKLAHOMA GOP RESOLUTION BLAMES RECESSION ON GAYS, SECULARISM, "DEBAUCHERY"

A resolution introduced in the Oklahoma legislature by GOP State Rep. Sally Kern blames the nation's economic woes on gay pride celebrations, lack of public prayer, abortion and "debauchery."

Dr. Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, said that the bizarre claim "betrays not only intellectual bankruptcy, but insults the intelligence of voters in Oklahoma and the rest of the country who want real solutions to the serious economic difficulties that face our nation. The resolution offered is not only counter-productive, it severely misquotes key founding fathers. Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and probably Washington as well would be appalled at being falsely claimed by these anti-American yahoos."

The "Oklahoma Citizen's Proclamation for Morality" singles out President Obama for recognizing June as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered) Pride Month, and charges that America is economic peril because of "abortion, pornography, same-sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse and many other forms of debauchery."

"With all of the recent scandals involving self-righteous politicians, I first thought this Resolution was talking about religious Republicans," quipped Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists. "Political leaders, especially those wrapping themselves in the rhetoric of the religious right, are the last people who should be trying to dictate how Americans should live their lives."

Mr. Silverman expressed skepticism that the measure would be approved, though. The Religious Right is in their last throes of life, and this is just their latest attempt to make news and get attention. This is unimportant, not only because it means nothing, nor because it will do nothing, nor because it will promote yesterday's bigotry, but rather because it is just plain ridiculous. This is not an issue to fight, but rather one to watch with amusement, and to remind us of how far we as a country have evolved.

The Resolution ends with a call for God to "have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment and grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin."

Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists, said that Rep. Kern's Resolution "is all about Demagoguery, not debauchery."

"Once again, we're blaming complex social problems on the religious right's idea of sinful behavior," said Kagin. "It appears that Rep. Kern and her supporters know less about economics than they do using religion to promote a theocratic social agenda."

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

American Atheists, Inc.
PO BOX 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402

Yeagley Loses Again, No Surprise There

North Dakota Bars Racist Indian Masco

After several years of fighting to keep sports teams named after Indians – despite arguments from Native American groups that such labeling is offensive and racist – another university is being forced to drop its Indian head logo.

In North Dakota, the Board of Higher Education has agreed to squash the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname, following the campus’ decades-long dispute. But, if leaders of North Dakota's Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes grant permission by Oct. 1 for the university to use the name and logo – a profile of an American Indian man with feathers and streaks of paint on his face – the mascot could still be saved. That seems unlikely since tribal leaders have been fighting the matter for at least three decades. If no permission is given, the logo will be retired eternally beginning August 2010.

"This has been a long-standing tradition at UND, and I think the board action now instructs the university to develop new traditions," University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley told The Associated Press.

It appears that the university’s decision wasn’t based entirely on altruism. UND has been seeking to join the Summit League, an 11-member NCAA Division I conference that is seeking a 12th school, but the logo dispute has been an obstacle.

"What this permits the University of North Dakota to do is to start a marketing initiative," Kelley said. "Over time, I think we would see enhancement of our revenue structure for athletic programs. I think we would see the enhancement of fan interest."

The University of North Dakota has called its sporting teams the Fighting Sioux since 1930; the nickname replaced Flickertails. Supporters of this and other Indian monikers have argued that they are meant to honor Native Americans. Others say they are racist and demeaning and dehumanize Indians.

In 2005, the NCAA declared the Fighting Sioux a “hostile and abusive” nickname, barring the University of North Dakota from all NCAA postseason tournaments until it changed it.

North Dakota isn’t the first campus in recent years to change its nickname to something less demeaning to Indians.

St. John's, the largest Catholic university in America, dropped its "Redmen" nickname in favor of "Redstorm"; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga discontinued the use of its "Chief Moccanooga" mascot; Miami University of Ohio (Oxford, Ohio) dropped its "Redskins" nickname; the Iowa Civil Rights Commission passed a Resolution Opposing the Use of Native American Images, Mascots, and Team Names in Iowa; West High School in Oshkosh Wisconsin retired its Indian-themed mascot; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts decided its sports teams would no longer be known as “Mohawks”; Southeastern Community College, in West Burlington, Iowa, dropped the "Indian" association to its "Blackhawk" nickname and changed it to reflect a bird of prey, the "Black Hawks"; Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn., changed its sports team nickname from "Indians" to "Redhawks."

There have been other examples of institutions taking a more sensitive approach. For example, several newspapers that have adopted guidelines barring the use of such racial slurs as “Redskins” in describing sports teams.