Freedom & Islam: Can they coexist?

This topic has been discussed before on the initial VS site. However, it is more relevant today than ever. Does Islam present a threat to our way of life? If so, what do we do about it?

Gun Control: Darrell Scott's Address to Congress

This is truly one that needs to be read and disseminated. If it were not for the freedom of the internet, we would never have had access to it.

NOTE: There are apparently some inaccuracies in the following, e.g., the place and time of the address, whether or not the poem was included in the original address, etc. However, if the address in its entirety was not delivered as written, it certainly should have been.

Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootingsin Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House JudiciaryCommittee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders duringthis special session of Congress was painfully truthful.. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician,every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert. These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voicecrying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

'Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in thehearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or theseeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott,and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children whodied must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. 'The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abelout in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, andthe reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. 'In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at howquickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.. I am nota member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I amnot here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe thatthey are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believethat they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to dowith Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- itwas a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of theblame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. Iwrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best:

'Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question 'Why?' You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need! '

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, andspirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, wecreate a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in andwreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educationalsystems for most of our nation's history. Many of our 20 major collegesbegan as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in sodoing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately lookfor a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass morerestrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and privateliberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan wouldnot have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stopsomeone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The realvillain lies within our own hearts. 'As my son Craig lay under that tablein the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! Ichallenge every young person in America , and around the world, torealize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer wasbrought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered bythose students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with asacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right tocommunicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at theNRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heartbefore casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!'

The Vicksburg Housing Authority

Director of the Vicksburg Housing Authority, Jim Stirgis, and Vicksburg Chief of Police Tommy Moffett, are at odds with one another other the arrest of VHA maintenance supervisor Charles Jones for allegedly possessing two point two pounds of cocaine delivered through the mail to the VHA Administrative Office. Moffett blames lack of supervision by Stirgis and the VHA Board of Commissioners for allowing Jones to buy and sell the drugs, and apparently purchase with VHA funds tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise and vehicles for his own use.

In a surprise move February 24, Mayor Laurence Leyens and Aldermen Michael Mayfield appointed four new commissioners to the VHA Board. They replaced three existing "holdover" commissioners and filled one vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Charles Abraham.

Dane Davenport trial

Following a mistrial in Warren County last October, Dane Davenport once again faced a jury in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, where additional accusers took the stand. Davenport was found not guilty, but still faces trial in Warren County on civil charges.