Brevard Countys Exclusionary Prayer Practice Found Unconstitutional

Federal Court Says Fla. County Board Cannot Discriminate Against Non-Theists

A federal court last night struck down the Brevard County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners’ policy of excluding non-theists from giving opening invocations, a ruling that is being hailed by the groups that sponsored the litigation.

In its ruling, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida said a local governing body cannot limit its invocation speakers to those from monotheistic religions.

“It is unconstitutional for any governing body to discriminate against people who don’t believe in God,” said Alex J. Luchenitser, associate legal director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and lead counsel in the case. “Yet that is exactly what Brevard County did through its invocation policy. We’re pleased that the court put an end to the county’s discriminatory practice.”

The Williamson v. Brevard County lawsuit was filed in 2015 by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida on behalf of multiple plaintiffs. It asserted that Brevard County’s rejection of atheists, humanists and other non-theists who sought to deliver solemnizing messages at the beginning of commission meetings violated the U.S. and Florida Constitutions.

https://au.org/media/press-releases/federal-court-says-fla-county-board-cannot-discriminate-against-non-theists

Federal judge blocks Florida abortion law

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.
A federal judge has blocked a Florida law that would require people and groups that provide abortion advice to register with the state and furnish women with a detailed explanation of the procedure and alternatives.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle issued the ruling late Friday saying that the lawsuit filed by a minister, two rabbis, the Palm Beach chapter of the National Organization for Women and others would likely succeed at trial. The plaintiffs argued that the 2016 law would compel them to pay a $200 fee and make statements they disagreed with and weren't qualified to make. The plaintiffs don't provide abortions but make referrals. They receive no government funds.

The state's attorneys argued the plaintiffs had not been harmed by the law, that it wasn't being enforced and that there was no penalty for not registering.

Hinkle, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, said the advice the plaintiffs provide is protected by the First Amendment, so the state cannot usually require them to register and pay a fee. He pointed out the state does not require similar individuals and groups giving advice on cancer treatment, vaccines and other legal medical procedures to register, only abortion.

http://amp.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article176347221.html

MSNBC cuts from Trump's speech on tax reform to remind viewers he's a hypocrite

Stephanie Ruhle: "I have to say they're stunning to hear the president talk about the honor and beauty of American-made craftsmanship where we have to remind you, both the president and his daughter ... do not make any of their products in the United States"

https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2017/09/29/msnbc-cuts-trumps-speech-tax-reform-remind-viewers-hes-hypocrite/218092

Video at link

Criminal immunity under 'Stand Your Ground' doesn't guarantee civil immunity

The (Florida) high court’s decision to clarify the controversial law was unanimous.

Just because a criminal defendant might be granted immunity under the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, that doesn’t mean they’ll be automatically protected from potential civil repercussions, the Florida Supreme Court said in a ruling released Thursday.

The seven justices unanimously found that separate determinations are needed in criminal versus civil court when it comes to a defendant’s claim that they acted lawfully in self-defense when fearing for their life or property.

The ruling was prompted by a use-of-force case in Tampa involving a violent confrontation between two men at a local bar.

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/09/28/supreme-court-criminal-immunity-under-stand-your-ground-doesnt-guarantee-civil-immunity/

Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christians on their knees

Note to Trump: Keep tweeting

Wave of Puerto Rican evacuees may shift Florida landscape

The crisis in Puerto Rico could send tens of thousands of people to Florida, accelerating an already steady exodus from the economically depressed island and triggering wide-ranging effects on schools, housing and jobs.

“This is a humanitarian crisis and Florida needs to brace for the influx,” said Dennis Freytes, a political activist in the Orlando area. “Many of the people coming are the most vulnerable. I’m desperately trying to get my 92-year-old mother out of there and haven’t been able to even with my connections.”

The wave might also carry political ramifications.

“Florida is a big swing state and Central Florida is the epicenter of that,” Freytes said. “This could be a very big deal. There are going to be voter registration drives and both parties are going to be after them. They already are.”

http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/2017/09/29/wave-of-puerto-rican-evacuees-may-shift-florida-landscape/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Demonstrators unveil "Stop Killing Us" banner at St. Louis baseball game

(Reuters) - Demonstrators unfurled a banner that read “Stop Killing Us” at a Major League baseball game on Friday in St. Louis, where they were protesting the acquittal of a white former police officer who was accused of murdering a black man, local media reported.

A video posted on Facebook showed a group of demonstrators high above the playing field holding a banner with the St. Louis Cardinals’ mascot drawn on it as they shouted “No Justice. No Baseball” and “You can’t stop the revolution”.

The demonstrators were ushered out of the Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals lost to the Brewers 5-3. They then joined 200 other people in a march before the group was confronted by police in riot gear, who used a Taser on one and pepper spray on others, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported.

At least two people were arrested, police said on Twitter.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-missouri-crime-baseball/demonstrators-unveil-stop-killing-us-banner-at-st-louis-baseball-game-idUSKCN1C50AN?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social

Equifax is investigating executive stock sales

Equifax is investigating three executives who sold company shares worth nearly $2 million shortly after a massive data breach was discovered, but before the company announced the breach to the public.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/29/news/companies/equifax-investigation/index.html?sr=twCNN092917companies0330PMStoryLink

Friday night news dump coming?

TRUMP tells press asking if he'll fire TOM PRICE:
"He's a fine man, we're going to make a decision tonight."

https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/913846593308299265

https://twitter.com/brianstelter/status/913847352519258112

Trump Could Save More Than $1 Billion Under His New Tax Plan

President Trump could cut his tax bills by more than $1.1 billion, including saving tens of millions of dollars in a single year, under his proposed tax changes, a New York Times analysis has found.

On Wednesday, the White House announced a sweeping plan to cut a variety of taxes that would overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy. The estimate of Mr. Trump’s savings is based in part on information from his 2005 federal tax return. The analysis compares what his tax burden would be under current law with what it would be under the proposal.

Mr. Trump’s 2005 return is the most recent available publicly and was released in March by David Cay Johnston, a former New York Times reporter. The Times’s figure also relies on an estimate of Mr. Trump’s net worth, calculated by the Bloomberg Billionaire’s Index to be $2.86 billion.

“I don’t benefit. I don’t benefit,” Mr. Trump said on Wednesday. “In fact, very, very strongly, as you see, I think there’s very little benefit for people of wealth.”

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/28/us/politics/trump-tax-benefit.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fpolitics&action=click&contentCollection=politics&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=1