I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
The case of four Michigan conservative activists challenging the federal hate crimes act has gotten the support of a U.S. Congressman.
U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has sent a letter to Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan; as well as his co-plaintiffs in the federal case pastors Levon Yuille, Rene Ouellette and James Combs. He also sent it to the Thomas More Law Center which is handling the case, reports World Net Daily.
“As a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, I worked hard to stop this legislation,” King writes. “Like you, I believe this ‘Hate Crimes’ Act is unconstitutional and marks an unprecedented move to regulate and criminalize our thoughts.”
Glenn and his co-plaintiffs contend the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act will criminalize their views opposing homosexuality. King, according to excepts of the letter published on World Net Daily, encourages the plaintiffs to continue their fight.
“In the complaint, you raise several constitutional and moral questions,” King writes. “Not only will this Act create a class of people that are ‘more equal than others,’ it will hinder your ability to preach the gospel and openly teach biblical principles.
“As a Christian first and a congressman second, I know the conviction that brought you to institute this lawsuit,” King concludes. “I would like to commend you for your courage to challenge the constitutionality of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.”
Attorney General Eric Holder filed a response to the lawsuit last week in federal court in Bay City, reports the Bay City Times.
In that 43-page response, Holder argues, in part:
“Plaintiffs do not allege that they have been prosecuted under the Act, that they have been threatened with such prosecution or that they intend to engage in any conduct prohibited by the Act,” Holder argued.
“The Act does not proscribe speech. It prohibits only violent conduct and includes specific provisions ensuring that it may not be applied to infringe any rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.”
The Iowa Independent, Messenger’s sibling site, has the scoop on some of King’s past rantings, including claims that failing to stop same-sex marriage will undermine the “pro-life” movement.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter