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New York Investigates Skating Rink for Playing Christian Music
Traditional Values Coalition ^ | June 21, 2006 | TVC

Posted on 06/21/2006 3:02:23 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay

TVC ASKS PATAKI TO STOP HARASSMENT

June 21, 2006 - Washington, DC – The Traditional Values Coalition asked New York Governor George Pataki to rein in a state agency which is threatening legal action against an Accord, New York skating rink because it plays Christian music during a “Christian Music Skate” party.

The New York Division of Human Rights threatened Len and Terry Bernardo, owners of the Skate Time 209 rink in Accord, with an investigation because the rink plays Christian music during certain hours. The agency also threatened to charge a local newspaper which advertised the event for “aiding and abetting” unlawful discrimination.

“This is crazy,” said TVC Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon. “These people are exercising basic Constitutional rights on private property to the exclusion of no one and the state government is treating them like dangerous criminals.

“Aiding and abetting? It is the responsibility of every citizen to aid and abet the free exercise of religion, free speech, the right to assemble and private property rights.

“New Yorkers have never been intimidated by international thugs and terrorists and they should not tolerate this bureaucratic attempt to violate their most basic civil rights.

“I have asked Governor Pataki to take authority over this illegal attempt to manipulate the law to accomplish a violation of basic civil rights. I will be watching closely to see that the Bernardos’ rights are protected.”
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Transmitted by Fax

Governor George E. Pataki State Capitol Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Pataki:

I was shocked to learn that a business operated by supporters of our Coalition has been threatened with legal action by the State of New York Executive Department, Division of Human Rights for holding a “Christian Music Skate” party at a private roller rink they operate in Accord, New York.

Sir, I cannot believe that any reasonable person would feel that the mere act of playing Christian music during certain hours when the Skate Time 209 skating rink is open for business amounts to some form of discrimination.

The section of the New York State law cited by Division of Human Rights General Counsel Gina M. Lopez Summa deals with those who “refuse, withhold from or deny” access to someone.

The rink’s proprietors Len and Terry Bernardo assure me that no one has ever been denied entrance to their privately-owned skating rink nor have they discouraged anyone from patronizing their rink because of their religious beliefs.

The only difference between the Christian Music Skate Time and all other times at the rink is that the former involves the playing of Christian contemporary music. There are no special discounts for Christian skaters and no one is denied access to the rink if they are not Christian.

Governor, please take action immediately to halt this action against the Bernardo’s and to reassure all New Yorkers that their First Amendment right to the free exercise of their religious beliefs and other rights related to private property and the right to assemble are not in jeopardy.

New Yorkers have demonstrated such courage and tenacity in dealing with international threats to their freedom. There is a reason why the amendment which guaranteed religious liberty and freedom of expression was the First Amendment.

Please halt this harassment immediately.

Sincerely, Rev. Louis Sheldon Chairman (and Founder Traditional Values Coalition)

Okay, since my local theater plays typical smutty offensive "R" rated movies. Can I sue because I am being discriminated against?

We should start raiseing a big stink about things like that, and all the cussing on TV and  the advertising on some products, like one they have for burger king.

They don't cuss on the shows I watch............... NASCAR.......  ;D ;D

PS Whats this about burger king??

DW,

LOL you must not have been listening then when Dale Jr used a certain word and was fined or how about those times when they listen to the scanners and certain language is used.  :o. And as for Burger King, you the commercials they did with Jessica Simpson and the skimpy bathing suit.

Kathy

PS Jeff Burton rocks

I use closed caption for NASCAR  the TV.  The only exception is for the news, when I am at the computer.

P.S.S. Nope Jeff Burton don't rock, Michael Waltrip Rocks............ ;D

OK OK I have to agree Michael rules  ;D.  As long as you didn't say Jeff Gordon  :P
Kathy

Do you mean Jeffy "crybaby" Gordon??

Yep thats the one.  :'(.  I think he needs a bottle sometimes. Shaking head and he won yesterday, go figure.

He got lucky, :(  thats all sister.

edited t add;  Sister you need to look at what Pastor Roger posted!!!!!!  He posted it in sports!! Here is the link for you and name. Jeff Gordon win Nextel race at Sonoma (http://forums.christiansunite.com/index.php?topic=12003.msg153608#msg153608)

Lucky, maybe but how many cars did he have to "push" out of his way to get to the front?  ;D
Of course Dale Sr was known to "push" drivers. What a great driver he was.

Dale Sr. though never cried about losing a race. He would say, we'll get them the next time.  Over time, Dale Earnhardt's image evolved from villain to champion to legend. Consistent success has a way of justifying the means to the end. Once villified by his peers for his relentless aggressiveness on the track, Dale's relationships with longtime rivals such as Rusty Wallace were  characterized largely by mutual respect.  Dale Earnhardt captured seven Winston Cup titles in 15 seasons. No one in NASCAR history-(not even The King, Richard Petty)-can claim that! Only Petty shares the seven-championship plateau, but it took him 16 years to get there.  Mark Martin put it in good words (as I quote)"If I was a race fan, I'd be a Dale Earnhardt fan". (unquote) Four weeks away from his 28th. birthday, Dale became a NASCAR winner! At 29, the 1980 Winston Cup Champion!