Les Jones

Blogging > No pictures this morning, darnit.

No pictures this morning, darnit. I couldn't find the CD with the camera software.

(Via SouthKnoxBubba, where there's an active discussion) The Daily Times of Maryville-Alcoa TN reports that parents of a teenager are suing Forest Hills Baptist Church for $2 million after the church mis-represented an Underground Church event as a "car wash." From the description the Underground Church sounds like a horrible, manipulative way to brainwash kids into religion. They also seem to ignore common sense practices for obtaining consent and allowing participants to leave:

The suit alleges that group members were blindfolded and handcuffed with Velcro, ``dragged out'' to the parking lot and told to climb in the back of a truck. According to the suit, Janie Doe fought back and pleaded to be let go but was laughed and yelled at by one of her alleged captors.

The suit claims she managed to escape but was grabbed again, blindfolded and handcuffed with metal cuffs which caused her to cry out in pain. She was allegedly lifted and put in the truck, then driven to another location where she was led by her arm down a hill and lined up with the other youth group members.

The suit alleges the group was told there would be ``one chance to deny Christ, or you will be killed.'' When Janie Doe refused to deny Christ, the suit says there was the sound of a gunshot and she was soaked with water, then she began ``screaming and crying'' before being told to go inside the residence of another church member.

The parents retained Herb Moncier as counsel. I know Herb from my days in the local Mac Users Group. He's the best trial lawyer in these parts. Herb was the defense for accused Knoxville serial killer Thomas "Zoo Man" Huskey.

The BBC is reporting that Israeli has instructed its army to wipe out the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. It's about time. Watch the spin on this story. The Israelis will be spun as being as bad as the Nazis because they defended themselves against terrorists who kill innocent civilians. Via Donald Sensing.

Glenn Reynolds (AKA Instapundit) has the scoop on Alaska's new concealed carry law.

Incidentally, I can't decide if I should cite bloggers' real names or the names of their blogs. I don't personally know Glenn Reynolds, though I went to high school and college with his sister, but since I know his real name shouldn't I use it? I'm friends with Chris and Ron at Celtic Grove, so I often mention their real names and blog name simultaneously. When I mention Donald Sensing's blog, should I cite his name or his page, One Hand Clapping (whose address is www.donaldsensing.com)? Confusing stuff, and the AP Stylebook and Libel Manual ain't gonna help. Thank goodness for SouthKnoxBubba. He's anonymous, so I don't have to make any pesky decisions.

Gregory Peck passed on yesterday. SW Virginia Law Blog recalls Peck's connection to the Barter Theater. Via Bill Hobbs.