Sue Everhart, Georgia GOP Chairwoman, Warns Of 'Free Ride' Gay Marriage Fraud

Georgia Republican Party Chairman Sue Everhart is photographed at party headquarters in Atlanta on May 4, 2011. (David Goldman / AP)

Georgia GOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart warned that straight people might enter into fraudulent gay marriages to obtain benefits, the Marietta Daily Journal reported Saturday.

"You may be as straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow,” she told the Journal. “Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you’re gay, and y’all get married and still live as separate, but you get all the benefits? I just see so much abuse in this it’s unreal. I believe a husband and a wife should be a man and a woman, the benefits should be for a man and a woman. There is no way that this is about equality. To me, it’s all about a free ride.”

It's theoretically possible that such a scenario could happen, but there isn't any evidence of widespread fraud following the adoption of gay marriage in nine states and the District of Columbia. Though fictional, the premise of the 2007 Adam Sandlermovie "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry" was a pair of straight firefighters getting domestic partnership status.

Everhart does not note the possibility of marriage fraud among opposite-sex couples, though others have warned against marriage fraud committed in order to get immigration benefits. In reality, the number of proven cases of such fraud is extremely small.

Everhart also said she could not understand how two gay people could ever have sex. "If it was natural, they would have the equipment to have a sexual relationship," she told the Journal.

HuffingtonPost

Count Me Out Of Plot Against APC – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan today denied the allegation that he is involved in a clandestine move to deny the merger of several opposition political parties.

Speaking in Abuja through the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Mr. Jonathan said it was not true that he had given a directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to register the new party.
The response follows a story in the LEADERSHIP newspaper edition of today which claimed that Mr. Jonathan directed that the planned merger of some political parties should be frustrated and that some state governors have been put on 24 hour surveillance in that regard.
The presidential spokesman described the claim as false and mischievous, and that it runs against common sense in view of the presidents credentials as a “democrat” who has refused to interfere in the activities of other political parties and INEC.
While noting that the publication attributed its story to "presidential villa insiders", Okupe asserted that the President does not give unlawful directives and has nothing to fear about the proposed merger that will necessitate him planning anything against the business interest of opposition figures as claimed by the newspaper.
Okupe also frowned at the claim that the president was planning to raise the pump price of petroleum products when the same president has provided enough funds for fuel subsidy in the 2013 budget and recently stated unequivocally that he has no plans to increase fuel price or remove fuel subsidy.
He admonished journalists to avoid playing into the hands of “mischievous politicians” whose desire is to blackmail the president and score cheap political points at the expense of stability of the country.
At a press conference in Lagos on March 19, President Goodluck Jonathan indicated his readiness to raise gas prices again, but would first “discuss” with the public the easiest way to do so.
“We cannot continue to waste resources meant for a greater number of Nigerians to subsidize the affluent middle class, who are the main beneficiaries,” he said on that occasion.
In response, “OccupyNigeria” activists said they were ready to respond whenever Jonathan made such a move.
So far, Mr. Jonathan has failed to implement several reports dealing with corruption in the oil sector, and has maintained in office Petroleum Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke and other officials who have been repeatedly accused of corruption, self-enrichment and manipulation.
Saharareporters

Nestlé Recalls Kit Kat Chunky Bars And Giant Egg In UK, Canada And Elsewhere Over Plastic Pieces

The residents of some countries may want to think twice before digging into their leftover Easter candy, because Nestlé has issued a voluntary recall of several varieties of Kit Kat Chunky bars and the Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Egg.

The recall comes after seven consumers in the U.K. discovered small plastic pieces in some products. As a precaution, Nestlé is recalling the following items in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Malta, Austria, Singapore, Philippines and Canada:

• Kit Kat Chunky Peanut Butter (48g); best before September 2013 to February 2014
• Kit Kat Chunky Hazelnut (48g); best before September 2013 to October 2013
• Kit Kat Chunky Chocolate Fudge (48g); best before September 2013 to October 2013
• Kit Kat Chunky Caramel (48g); best before June 2013 to July 2013
• Kit Kat Chunky Chocolate Fudge Multipack; best before October 2013 to December 2013
• Kit Kat Chunky Hazelnut Multipack; best before September 2013 to December 2013
• Kit Kat Chunky Collection Giant Egg; best before July 2013

The manufacture dates of affected products go back to September 2012. In acompany press release, Nestlé offered full refunds and an apology:

The safety and quality of our products are non-negotiable priorities for the company. We sincerely apologise to our consumers for any inconvenience caused by this voluntary recall.

When reached by The Huffington Post, a press representative would not confirm the total quantity of chocolate products involved in the recall, but stressed that the company did "not expect the financial impact to be material."

Kit Kat is one of Nestlé's top-selling brands; consumers worldwide chow down on about 150 bars per second.

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Florida Medical Marijuana Bill Stalled While Bongs Ban Advances

Medical marijuana patient Kevin Brown is smells marijuana available at The Apothecarium Medical Cannabis Dispensary in San Francisco, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. Medical marijuana dispensaries in the states where people can use pot with a doctor's recommendation are getting in the holiday spirit, holding canned food drives, stocking up on pumpkin and peppermint-infused edibles and offering customers specials on their favorite cannabis strains. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Eighteen states and D.C. have passed medical marijuana legislation but in Florida, the "Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act" can't even get a hearing in the state Senate or House.

The bill has stalled in Tallahassee despite the fact that seven out of 10 Floridians support legalizing medical marijuana. Meanwhile a bill banning bongs was unanimously approved by a Senate committee.

"Shame on us as a Legislature for not taking the opportunity to hear this bill this year," House bill sponsor Rep. Katie Edwards (D-Plantation) said at a press conference on Monday.

Edwards introduced the bill after getting sick herself last year and speaking with cancer patients about how marijuana alleviated their suffering.

"I thought, 'these are real people,'" Edwards told ABC Action News, "and I cannot turn a blind eye and stick my head in the sand and pretend like it’s not happening, because it is."

The bill is named for Cathy Jordan who has been suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease since 1986.

In February, the Manatee County Sheriff's Department staged an armed raid on the Jordans' home, seizing 23 marijuana plants, including two mature plants Cathy was using to treat her symptoms.

Opponents like Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Panama City) think Cathy and other Floridians needing marijuana for medical reasons should move to a state where it’s legal, reports the News Herald.

Meanwhile an Orlando-based Democratic fundraiser John Morgan is focusing on collecting the 700,000 signatures required to get a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot in November 2014.

"If voters mandate this upon us, we're going to be reactionary," Edwards said of the potential amendment. "I'd rather take a proactive role. We could have a regulatory framework in place."

Edwards told the News Herald that she plans to file a compromised version of the same bill next year, limiting medical cannabis use to oil, pill, or topical form to further distance it from recreational use.

And while state legislators won't even have a debate on medical marijuana, a Senate Criminal Justice commitee recently unanimously passed a bill banning the sale of drug paraphernalia like bongs and pipes in Florida.

HuffingtonPost

Pope Francis Kisses Muslims Foot: Reaches out to “Muslim Brothers” on Good Friday

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Pope Francis Kisses Feet of Women & Muslims in Unprecedented Ritual

Mar 29th at 1:24 pm by Seline Jung

The Catholic Church’s new Pope Francis chose to break tradition this Holy Week when he washed the feet of inmates at a juvenile detention center, including two women – something no pope has ever done before.
Pope Francis washed 12 inmates’ feet — including two Muslims’ — at the Casa del Marmo prison in Rome in a Holy Thursday Mass ritual symbolizing the biblical story of when Jesus washed 12 apostles’ feet the night before his crucifixition. In the past, popes have completed the ritual on fellow priests.

The New York Times reports that Francis said, “This is a symbol, it is a sign. Washing your feet means I am at your service … This is what Jesus teaches us.”

Pope Francis reaches out to ‘Muslim brothers’ on Good Friday

ROME — Pope Francis reached out in friendship to “so many Muslim brothers and sisters” during a Good Friday procession dedicated to the suffering of Christians from terrorism, war and religious fanaticism in the Middle East.
The new pontiff, who has rankled traditionalists by rejecting many trappings of his office, mostly stuck to the traditional script during the nighttime Way of the Cross procession at Rome’s Colosseum, one of the most dramatic rituals of Holy Week. Read more

The Bengali Muslim community, in the district Torpignattara in Rome, has decided to dedicate a prayer for the new Pope Francis, to emphasize that the Islamic community is on the side of the Pope.

The Bengali Muslim community, of the district Torpignattara, has decided to dedicate a prayer for the new Pope Francis, to emphasize that the Islamic community is on the side of the Pope for a peaceful coexistence between different faiths, in Rome and in the world and a special prayer for the deceased President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Zillur Rahman. Read more…

A new Era in Leadership

NewsRescue- This is a wonderful new era of leadership with humility and subservience, to be emulated by all leaders of the world. It will be recalled that at this same time in the era of the old Pope Benedict XVI, he was at 6 Flags, in his words, “getting closer to god,” through the scare of the rides, and he also made his historic trip to Auschwitz where he challenged God for “sitting back and allowing the Holocaust happen.”
Related: NewsRescue-Commentary- Does Pope Benedict XVI Forget The Congo Holocaust- 30 Million Murdered!

Pope in Auschwitz.


Pope John Paul II was also known for his inter-faith respect and compassion. he can be seen in the image below, kissing a Quran:

News+Rescue

Preacher Who Raped and Tortured 5-year-old Daughter To Death Released After Paying "Blood Money"

A "celebrity" Saudi preacher accused of raping, torturing and killing his five-year-old daughter has reportedly been released from custody after agreeing to pay "blood money".

Fayhan al-Ghamdi had been accused of killing his daughter Lama, who suffered multiple injuries including a crushed skull, broken back, broken ribs, a broken left arm and extensive bruising and burns. Social workers say she had also been repeatedly raped and burnt.

Fayhan al-Ghamdi admitted using a cane and cables to inflict the injuries after doubting his five-year-old daughter’s virginity and taking her to a doctor, according to the campaign group Women to Drive.

Rather than getting the death penalty or receiving a long prison sentence for the crime, Fayhan al-Ghamdi served only a few months in jail before a judge ruled the prosecution could only seek "blood money".

Albawaba News reported the judge as saying: "Blood money and the time the defendant had served in prison since Lama's death suffices as punishment."

Fayhan al-Ghamdi, who regularly appears on television in Saudi Arabia, is said to have agreed to pay $46,934 to Lama’s mother.

The money is considered compensation under Islamic law, although it is only half the amount that would have been paid had Lama been a boy.

Despite Saudi Arabia’s famously strict legal system, Women to Drive say fathers cannot be executed for murdering their children in the country.

Equally, husbands cannot be executed for murdering their wives.

Formal objections to the ruling have been raised by three Saudi activists, and the twitter hashtag #AnaLama (which translates as I Am Lama) has been set up.

Local reports say public anger over the settlement is growing across Saudi Arabia, with authorities planning to set up a 24-hour hotline to take calls about child abuse.

Naij.com

French 'Survivor' Doctor Thierry Costa's Suicide Linked To Contestant Gerald Babin's Death

Thierry Costa, the medical doctor who worked on the French version of "Survivor,"committed suicide in Cambodia, the TV series' production company confirmed Monday.

In a handwritten letter, Costa described how he was affected by the media coveragefollowing the death of one of the program's contestants.

The hit reality show, "Koh-Lanta," tests players' survival skills by putting them through a series of challenges and rewarding success with prizes and money. Gerald Babin, a 25-year old participant, died on March 22 after suffering a heart attack during the first challenge of the 2013 season.

"These past days, my name has been smeared in the media," the 38-year-old Costa wrote in a suicide note, which he requested be made public. Addressing his 20 years in the profession, the man said he had a feeling that all his efforts were diminished by what he called misleading stories.

After receiving anonymous testimony about certain "failures" regarding Babin's death, several French journalists questioned the contestant's cause of death, along with Costa's role in his passing.

Adventure Line Productions (ALP), which produces the show, on Thursday filed a defamation suit against anyone who sought to exploit Babin's passing. However, a second witness came forward Friday and cast more doubt on the circumstances of Babin's death.

Costa served as the staff doctor on "Koh-Lanta" for four seasons, ALP confirmed in a statement. The production company commended Costa for his high level of professionalism and his humanity toward both the show's participants and production crews.

ALP also addressed the media in its statement, advising that "this tragic event should encourage those who accuse and comment indiscriminately to exercise responsibility."

As the Agence France-Presse notes, though Cambodian authorities declared Babin died of natural causes, French authorities have launched their own investigation into his cause of death.

Babin passed away during the first day of filming for the show's 2013 season. France'sChannel TF1 immediately canceled the show following the contestant's death.

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