A Christian law firm will appeal a ruling by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission fining a photographer who refused to take photos of a homosexual commitment ceremony.
Elaine Huguenin and her husband Jon, who co-own Elane Photography in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are both Christians. So when a lesbian couple asked them to photograph their “commitment ceremony” in Taos, the Huguenins politely refused. In response, Vanessa Willock filed a complaint with the New Mexico Human Rights Commission claiming the Huguenins discriminated against her because of her “sexual orientation.” On Wednesday, the Commission found the Christian couple guilty of discrimination under state anti-discrimination laws and ordered them to pay more than $6,000 in costs.
The decision is being appealed of course. Here is a statement from their lawyer, Jordan Lorence with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF):
“There is a great threat to our religious liberties and our ability to speak out in favor of traditional marriage when these non-discrimination laws are interpreted in such a harsh way to censor Christians and others,” he asserts.
Lorence said Americans do not surrender their freedoms of speech or religion just because they choose to open a business. He added that the Commission’s decision is tantamount to the State of New Mexico forcing a vegetarian videographer to create a commercial for a butcher shop.
My thoughts on this are simple. This is an infringement on someone’s freedom of religion. It highlights the fact of how giving extra rights based on sexual preference will gradually criminalize religion.
What are your thoughts, is this case an infringement of freedom of religion or is it a human rights violation?
Republican Congressman John Campbell has “heard the cries” of those who feel they are undertaxed and introduced the “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Act.” (Hat tip: Opinion Journal)
Mr. Campbell says he has heard the “cries” of those wealthy Americans – Mrs. Clinton, Warren Buffett, Barbra Streisand – who reject the lower tax rates passed in 2001 and 2003 and complain that they and their fellow rich don’t pay enough. “It’s a great injustice that citizens wishing to fulfill their dream of paying more taxes cannot simply check a box on their 1040 form to make a donation,” he says. His bill would give liberals a chance to salve their consciences without having to raise taxes on millions of Americans who already feel overtaxed as it is.
Are taxes voluntary? According to Harry Reid, yes. Watch the following video and see how he tries to justify this assertion. (Hat tip: Free Liberal via Nicky Cheese)
I guess Mr. Reid should explain this to the police, other governmental agencies, and the Supreme Court who still think taxes are mandatory.
Is the government smarter than the people? Government officials, especially the Democrats believe they are can make better decisions with our tax money. First, there is Minnesota State Senator Larry Pogemiller who said [Emphasis mine] (Hat tip: Eric Odom):
I think it’s simplistic and naive to say people can spend their money better than the government. And the reason is, the reason we have government is to build community assets. And I don’t care how rich you are, you can’t build a freeway system by yourself, and that’s why we have taxes. And I don’t care how rich you are, you can’t build a public education system by yourself. You can get you own child educated, but in this state we have something called universal education for all children. And so I think the notion that everybody can individually spend their money better than government I just think is trite, wrongheaded and anti-democratic.
You can watch the video of this statement as well:
There are some who claim that Senator Pogemiller is talking only about roads and education. Reading the entire statement though shows an attitude of arrogance. He uses examples of roads and education as examples of why government is better than individuals. The problem he has is two fold. First, the government bureaucracy build Interstate 35 and couldn’t even maintain it leading to its collapse and multiple deaths. Second, he believes you as an individual are capable of educating your child, but not every other parent is not. His logic belies his true feelings. That belief is that government is smarter than society. Mr. Pogemiller believes it is governments right to take money away from you because the government can spend it more wisely than you can as an individual. His words show a belief that it is more important for the government to slowly control your lives instead and limiting your freedom.
