Candidates For Mayor Debate This Tuesday

All announced candidates for mayor of Milford have been invited to present their platforms and answer questions from the public at a Candidates Night Debate on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m., at the First United Church of Christ (Congregational), 34 West Main St.

Expected to participate are mayoral candidates Timothy Chaucer (Petition), James Richetelli (R), Genevieve Salvatore (D), and Peter Spalthoff (I). The debate will be the first of the political season and open to the public at no charge.

The event is sponsored by the Plymouth Men’s Club (PMC). Arthur Stowe, a member of PMC, will be the moderator. Stowe said questions for the candidates will be accepted in writing from those members of the public attending the event.

Bookworm's Delight Saint Ann Hosts Benefit

Bertha the Bookworm invites all voracious readers to Bookworm’s Delight, a used book sale, on August 1, 2, 8 and 9, at the Saint Ann School Hall, 499 Naugatuck Ave.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 1 and 8, and 8:30 a.m. to noon August 2 and 9, organizers said. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life of Milford. The public is invited.

Bertha, who sources says really loves books but would never really eat one, says the stock is "delightful," including thrillers, military books, best sellers, classics, cookbooks, romance, books for children and more. For more information call (203) 874-0634.

Milford's Churches Take Part In 1st Amendment Lawsuit

Friday, May 29, 2009, 3:00 p.m. – In United States District Court today, attorneys representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport filed a lawsuit against officials of the State of Connecticut Office of State Ethics (OSE), seeking a court order to stop them from an unconstitutional application of state lobbying laws.

These officials are requiring the Diocese – and presumably all other organizations – to register as a lobbyist in order to engage in activities such as a rally at the State Capitol or using its website to encourage its members to contact their elected representatives. Application of the law in this manner would subject the First Amendment rights of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Freedom of Assembly to government oversight and penalties.

First Amendment Response

Bishop William E. Lori stated today, "Following the surprise introduction of Bill 1098, a proposal that singled out Catholic parishes and would have forced them to reorganize contrary to Church law and the First Amendment, our Diocese responded in the most natural, spontaneous, and frankly, American, of ways: we alerted our membership – in person and through our website; we encouraged them to exercise their free speech by contacting their elected representatives; and, we organized a rally at the State Capitol. How can this possibly be called lobbying?"

"This cannot possibly be what our Legislature had in mind when it sought to bring more transparency and oversight to a legislative process that has been corrupted by special interests and back-room deals. If it is, then it should shock the conscience of all citizens of the Constitution State," Bishop Lori added.

Background

On April 23, 2009, the Diocese received a letter from Thomas K. Jones, Ethics Enforcement Officer for the OSE, stating that it was "the subject of an Office of State Ethics evaluation," which was "being conducted to ascertain whether the Diocese had violated [Connecticut General Statutes Sections] 1-94, 1-95 and 1-96 by failing to register as a lobbyist in Connecticut, by failing to submit all other appropriate lobbyist filings, and by failing to follow all applicable registration procedures."

The OSE claims the Diocese acted as a "lobbyist" by: participating in a March 11, 2009, State Capitol rally against Raised Bill 1098 (the unconstitutional attempt to reorganize Catholic parishes contrary to Catholic teaching and tradition); making statements on its website urging its members to contact their elected representatives to oppose Raised Bill 1098; and making statements on its website urging its members to contact their legislators to oppose another bill, Raised Bill 899 (regarding same-sex marriage).

Taking Stands

"I certainly did not consider any of my or the Diocese’s activities in opposing Raised Bill 1098 and seeking religious-freedom amendments to Raised Bill 899 to be 'lobbying,'" Bishop Lori said in an affidavit filed in court today. "In undertaking those activities, the Diocese was merely defending itself from unconstitutional interference by the state. The Diocese was not seeking special treatment or financial advantages from the Connecticut legislature. Never did I imagine that our activities defending ourselves from a government attack on our right of religious self-governance would be met with another government action subjecting our Church to an ‘evaluation’ for those activities!"

"The Diocese is not a registered lobbyist and does not devote itself primarily to legislative or political matters," Bishop Lori continued. "Nonetheless, from time to time, the Diocese’s religious mission compels me and the pastors within the Diocese to take stands, consistent with our religious beliefs, on legislation that concerns the moral issues of the day, and to urge our parishioners to act on the basis of Church teachings. We communicate these messages to our parishioners through the Diocese’s website, in newsletters, at Mass and other religious services, and through a variety of other means."

Court Order

The Diocese maintains that a court order barring the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is essential to preserving its First Amendment rights.

"I believe the OSE’s extension of the lobbying laws to these activities will interfere with the Diocese's ability to mobilize its members and, if necessary, to urge them to rally at the Capitol, in the event the General Assembly again introduces legislation resembling Raised Bill 1098 or otherwise tries to interfere with the internal workings of the Diocese or its parishes or to attack the Church," Bishop Lori said.

"I believe that an order from the Court barring Mr. Jones and his colleagues at the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is necessary to enable the Diocese to continue to carry out its mission without fear of incurring civil penalties, exposure to possible criminal prosecution, burdensome administrative requirements, and intrusive oversight by the State," Bishop Lori concluded.

Carnival Comes To North Milford

August 21st-24th a carnival sponsored by the Knights of Columbus will be arriving at Christ The Redeemer Church on East Rutland Rd. in Milford. This carnival is a fundraiser aimed at helping defray the cost of a monument to be erected there.

The monument is part of a program called Project Moses, this project is the result of a Kansas courthouse barring a similar monument from the front of the courthouse in 2000. The court ruled that such monuments are a violation of church and state. The symbolism behind this project is none other than God's law as was biblically handed down to Moses. Many of theTen Commandments are the foundation of modern day law and this monument will serve as a reminder that there is a higher power watching over us, and even for those with conflicting views ought to be reminded that these laws apply to all good people who wish to live in an honest free world.

The fair will be a celebration aimed at celebrating and supporting the historical tenet of our forefathers, that we are "one nation under God." The Knights of Columbus will also be pursuing other churches, including Saint Mary's to erect the same or similar monuments.

For any non Christians out there who do not know what the Ten Commandments are they are certainly worth re-reading as they are the original foundation for law and order in virtually every nation on earth. Click HERE FOR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

That aside, the event is expected to be a fun family festival with food rides and lots of great entertainment. The fest will cater to kids and adults of all ages and lots of vendors and gaming booths will be on hand to win prizes. This will be a much anticipated fun time not to be missed.

To get to the fair: (Northbound) Take exit 37 High Street, go left and proceed 1/2 mile to East Rutland church is 1/2 mile on right hand side.

To get to the fair: (Southbound) Take exit 39A proceed up post Rd. 1/2 mile to High Street (Corner of 7/11) Take a right proceed 3/4 mile to East Rutland. Church is 1/2 mile on Right.

Frank and Independent Party Welcome Ralph Nader To Connecticut

America's renowned consumer advocate and presidential candidate Ralph Nader greeted a crowd of people in a Middlebury church last night. Ralph gave a speech lasting over an hour and a half on what he thought were our great nations troubles.

His speech was inspiring, and at times moving, Nader has been using his celebrity status to inform the next generation of voters as to the true nature of what he called corporate feudalism and its death grip on Washington D.C.

Nader has been critical of the Corporation who has no voting rights or in many cases no allegiance to our nation gaining complete control over our leadership in D.C. The new trend has become policy for profit, and the corporate giants employ candidates of their choosing to achieve their global financial objectives.

Nader has called the electoral system a sham, where the news covers simple soundbites that often leave out much vital news facts. He also cited the media as the machine that raises their "sweetheart" candidates to stardom building the required credibility that they need to succeed. Nader also mentioned that he had been previously sued by numerous political factions in many states to have his name removed from the ballot. He called such a practice an unethical form of legal political harassment.

Nader who is now about 70 years old will not run again in any future political office, but many of us today should be thankful for his life work of challenging automakers in the 60's-70's to make our cars safer. Nader's auto safety standards resulted in the implementation of crumple zones and safer steering columns saving the lives of innumerable young drivers and adults. The very cars we drive today are safer because of his selfless commitment and relentless efforts.

It was an honor and a privilege to hear Nader speak in Middlebury, and a greater honor to have had the time to personally meet with him after the event and discuss some of my own agenda items. Let this post stand as my sincere appreciation and testament to his hard work that has so benefited the safety of my family, not only in cars but in countless other consumer issues, including his current efforts in challenging Chinese companies for their criminal policy of placing lead and toxins in our imported toys and other unrelated products.

Pope Orders Mass Obedience and Submission To The United Nations

This is one I need to set the record straight on, because I was a bit taken and yet surprised that Pope Benedict is out selling the U.N. to the general public. Aside from the fact that the U.N. is not God and will never have anything to do with God, this oddity of the pope engaging in politics will only serve to further divide those Americans who believe in America and our freedom, both of which the U.N. wants.

While I admired Benedict's up and down apologies for the church child molestation incidents, I was really upset over the church openly selling our country to the U.N. I hope everyone who reads this blog understands and knows that dissolving our countries sovereignty is an illegal and blatant act of treason. According to our Constitution, anyone who surrenders our power to another form of government one that does not recognize a single right granted to us by the Bill of Rights and our U.S. Constitution is guilty of treason. Just remember Benedict Arnold... no pun intended.

To put this into perspective and to quote George Bush, that "goddam piece of paper", as he called it, is what he and all his treasonous cronies swore to uphold. They did so with the blood of our veterans on their hands and as our trusted leaders vowed to defend our constitution, with their hand on the bible. Just pay attention next Presidential inauguration, you will see yet another CFR globalist make the same promise.

Remember that the people featured in the photo below would like to be our "Gods" and only you can be tricked into surrendering our sovereignty and freedom away. However, remember that some "not in the know" are not entirely to blame, because they are so polluted by the televised propaganda in tandem with orchestrated media trite that truth has now become stranger than fiction.

Just know that our founders wise words keep popping up time and again and we constantly find ourselves repeating the same dishonorable behavior, and actions that they warned us against. We have now reached a point where our opinion is of little to no consequence, that the future is about saving America or your personal interest. To help put this into perspective, especially to us Catholics out there, who voted for bush based on his pro-life stance, who knew that he would kill over a million Iraqi's, scrap our constitution, and torture people much like Torquemada of the Spanish inquisition. Think beyond just abortion this time around, when you vote this November, think less about babies and more about saving our liberty. Every American deserves a future free of tyranny and protracted wars!America is not Rome, and Bush is not Ceasar!

Happy Easter And Good Friday

Today is a holiday that many Catholics and Christians celebrate. As a Roman Catholic myself most everyone in my extended family celebrates Good Friday. Today's blog is to explain to those of you exactly what Good Friday is all about. So I will begin with the official Catholic version of what this day means to me.

To begin, church and prayer are always expected, and on this very important day Christians and Catholics unite to observe the anniversary of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. It is in memory, and belief that Jesus died for the salvation of mankind. While the entire history of the religious ritual, and observation is deep rooted this link will explain in great detail the entire history and meaning behind the crucifixion.

The most important part of the crucifixion is the celebration of Easter or the "Rebirth" of Christ who is said to have risen after he died. Christians and Catholics believe that Christ will come again and also celebrate his rebirth in one of the most important masses of the year.

To most of us Easter will always be remembered as a family day with Egg painting, crafts, the Easter Bunny and fun events. For me, the best part of Easter is watching my kids run around the yard looking for hidden eggs, and candy. As a kid I remember My parents hiding their loose change in plastic egg containers. We would later hear that the neighborhood kids were still finding surprises months later.

As an adult, one thing always did puzzle me, and that is the idea of an Easter Bunny, to me this is something akin to Santa Claus, while many may know the story of Santa and Saint Nick where exactly did the Easter Bunny come from?

Today I asked myself that very question and learned that the Easter bunny is a symbol of fertility representing rebirth, as rabbits are born in the spring. The Egg on the other hand has more in common with a chicken than a rabbit but they were also considered fertility symbols. Historically Catholics could not eat Eggs due to lent (a fasting period) and at the conclusion of lent (Easter) there was plenty of eggs to be had. This is my take on it, but be sure to share your views as well as I am no expert on the historical evolution of these types of traditions, however they do seem entirely emblematic. Happy Easter to all of you!