FORT LAUDERDALE: 90 Year-Old Defies New Law By Feeding Homeless In Park

After gaining national scorn for its new law against feeding homeless people, Fort Lauderdale police yesterday declined to rearrest a 90-year-old anti-poverty activist for defying the law by again distributing meals in a public park. Via the Associated Press:

Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in South Florida, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott said he's not deterred and even went back out to serve more food at a public park. The faceoff in Fort Lauderdale over the ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless has pitted those with compassionate aims against residents and businesses trying to protect their neighborhoods. Abbott, affectionately known as "Chef Arnold," and two South Florida ministers were charged last weekend as they handed out food. They were accused of breaking the ordinance and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. "One of the police officers said, 'Drop that plate right now,' as if I were carrying a weapon," Abbott said. But on Wednesday night, Abbott and others served a four-course meal by the beach as police filmed from a distance and a crowd of nearly 100 mostly homeless and volunteers cheered their arrival. "God bless you, Arnold!" some shouted. Others from the church carried signs in support of Abbott, saying the ordinance was violating their right to love thy neighbor.

The Democratic mayor of Fort Lauderdale defends the arrests in the first clip below from CBN. The second clip shows the first round of arrests.

Church Sign Of The Day

Source.

UPDATE: MSNBC Says "It Was Our Fault" Maggie FLAKES On MSNBC Interview

We can stop our chortling, Maggie Gallagher did NOT flake on her interview. MSNBC host Thomas Roberts just tweeted:

MYSTERY solved... @maggiemarriage was in a studio ready for our #nom interview it was just the wrong studio booked improperly on @msnbc_booking IT WAS OUR MISTAKE and she has an open invite for the show. Our sincerest apologies.

Well, that was amusing for ten minutes, anyway. But please do watch the below clip anyway and witness Wayne Besen's righteous takedown of NOM's race-baiting.

EARLIER......
After plugging the interview several times this morning, MSNBC host Thomas Roberts just showed the above empty Seattle studio and said, "This empty studio chair was supposed to hold Maggie Gallagher, former president and co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage. But as you can see she is missing in action, although we did confirm an hour ago that she would be in that studio. I would say, 'Hello Maggie," but you're not there."

UDPATE: Equality Matters has the video.


UPDATE II: NOM quotes me, but doesn't name or link me. At least they're reading JMG.

Shameful Surrender

No more Komen-funded breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood. If Jesus wants you to get cancer, don't get in his way. Praise! Glory! Hate groups are doing backflips all across Twitter.

New York: Lowest Midterm Voter Turnout

New York state had the worst turnout in the midterm elections, with a mere 32.1% of eligible voters bothering to go the polls. Utah and Texas tied for second-worst at 32.2%. New York's low turnout was probably affected by the "non-competitive" races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Even MORE Unbelievably Outrageous Lies From Protect Marriage Washington

The script from the below ad from Protect Marriage Washington:

Our position is not about hate, its about love. Its about having a true consideration for the next generations future; its about keeping the teaching of morals and preserving the most fundamental part of human relations, the original intent of marriage, ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN, no other way. Were not denying rights; we are rejecting an attempt to redefine marriage... In May of 2004, Gay marriage was legalized in Scandinavia..

What Happened..? Did you know... That year alone suicide rates doubled. The illegal drug rate increased 19 times. And to say the least the traditional picture of Marriage being One Man One Women was completely shattered. What about our country? Did you know...77% of ALL aids cases in the United States are related to homosexuality Also, recent news reports indicate that the legalization of gay marriage will start a movement that will result in YOUR CHILDREN being taught about gay marriage as a normal form of life. Are we willing to let this happen? Whose future is really at stake?

A YouTube commenter points out:

Sweden introduced registered partnerships (including same sex partnerships) in 1995. Sweden did not allow same sex marriages until April of 2009. Norway introduced registered partnerships (including same sex partnerships) in 1993. Norway did not allow same sex marriages until January of 2009. Denmark introduced registered partnerships (including same sex partnerships) in 1989. Denmark does not have same sex marriages. Scandinavia is not a country it is a geographic region that includes Sweden, Norway and Denmark. These countries have separate governments that have created separate laws on same sex marriage.

So. People are going to KILL themselves twice as much and take 19 times as many drugs if Referendum 71 passes. The Christian right has zero shame. We knew that already, of course, but this one beggars belief.

Albert Gonzales Resigns

And the walls come tumblin' down. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned, effective September 17th. The Justice Department will be issuing a statement this morning. Talking heads are speculating Secretary of Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff will be tapped to replace Gonzales. During his Senate testimony earlier this year, Gonzales repeatedly "did not recall" key portions of his involvement in the dismisall of nine U.S. Attorneys. He's also accused of lying to Congress about the National Security Agency's spying program.