5/31/2014::Old(er) stories but still relevant

Everest is being desecrated, says son of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay

Sherpa Tenzing Norgay would be saddened if he were alive to witness the “charade” that climbing Everest has become, according to his son.

Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary made history in 1953 when they became the first men to reach the top of the world.

Hundreds now attempt the climb every year, with queues forming at the summit and rubbish strewn down the mountainside. Sixteen Sherpas were killed in an avalanche last month as they navigated a treacherous icefall, a reminder of the risks they face in order to meet the growing demand of Western climbers.

Norgay died in 1986, and Sir Edmund in 2008. The legendary Sherpa’s son, Norbu Tenzing, said his father would be dismayed by what had become of the mountain.

“I don’t think he would have been happy to see the charade that Everest has become today.

Congressional Candidate: Democrats Commit ’99 Percent’ Of Mass Shootings

An Arizona Republican running for Congress argued that Democrats commit nearly all the mass shootings in the country. Gary Kiehne, a rancher looking to unseat Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), made the claim when asked about gun rights at a Republican primary debate on Saturday.

“If you look at all the fiascos that have occurred, 99 percent of them have been by Democrats pulling their guns out and shooting people,” Kiehne said. “So I don’t think you have a problem with the Republicans.”

Kiehne also boasted that he had “more guns and ammo than any one of my competitors.”

Kiehne’s claim that 99 percent of shootings were committed by Democrats is completely false, yet continues to be a persistent myth on the radical right. Roger Hedgecock, a conservative radio host, seems to have originated this message soon after the Newtown shooting, as President Obama was preparing a plan to combat gun violence.

Republican Rubio: I don't believe in climate change and I'm ready to be President

Last time a non-white, under-50 junior senator with some name recognition ran for president it worked out pretty well for him. Appearing on ABC News' This Week, Florida Senator Marco Rubio said if it's his time to play that part for the Republican party, he's ready.

"I mean, I'll be 43 this month, but the other thing that perhaps people don't realize, I've served now in public office for the better part of 14 years," Rubio told ABC's Jonathan Karl. "Most importantly, I think a president has to have a clear vision of where the country needs to go and clear ideas about how to get it there."

Part of Rubio's "clear vision" is to cut what he sees as wasteful spending on programs to combat and curb climate change.

NE mayor challenges atheists over faith-based event: ‘Take me to f-cking court — I don’t care’

An atheist group said a Nebraska mayor rudely dismissed their concerns over a possible church-state violation.

Omaha Atheists expressed their concern over a “Faith and Freedom” Memorial Day event Sunday that was sponsored by the city of La Vista, Neb., reported the Friendly Atheist blog.

One of the group’s members, Robert Fuller, said he gave his business card to Mayor Douglas Kindig and asked to speak with him later about his concerns, but the mayor indicated he wasn’t interested.

“Take me to fucking court because I don’t care,” Kindig allegedly told Fuller.

The holiday event, which was held at La Vista Central Park, featured a pancake breakfast, carnival, and Memorial Day service held by the associate pastor of the town’s Bellevue Christian Center.

The religious service was sponsored by the churches of La Vista.

Graham: Pastors Need To Be Willing To 'Get Our Heads Chopped Off' For Opposing Gay Rights

Franklin Graham spoke at the Family Research Council's Watchmen on the Wall conference yesterday where he told the assembled pastors that they all needed to be willing to have their heads chopped off for speaking the truth that gays are bound for hell.

'Son Of Sam' David Berkowitz Denied Parole, But Says Jesus Has Forgiven Him D

avid Berkowitz, a.k.a. the "Son of Sam," was denied parole again last week, but the notorious serial killer didn't even bother turning up for his hearing.

And now, his lawyer is explaining why.

“David told me that the reason he has never sought freedom from the parole board by attending parole hearings is because ‘Jesus has already freed my heart, soul and mind and has forgiven me,'" Mark J. Heller told the New York Post's Page Six.

Heller told the Post that while Berkowitz was raised Jewish, he joined Jews for Jesus in prison, where he's served as a minister’s assistant.

Maine Ethics Committee Finds Gay Marriage Foe NOM Guilty; Imposes Record Fine

The Maine state ethics board on Wednesday voted unanimously to impose a record fine against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) for violating Maine's donor disclosure law.

In imposing the hefty fine, the committee accepted the recommendation of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, which determined that NOM attempted to conceal its donor list during the 2009 people's veto campaign that repealed a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers. Three years later, voters reversed course, making Maine the first state in the nation to legalize such unions at the ballot box.

The board imposed a record $50,250 fine against NOM, the Kennebec Journal reported. The organization vowed to appeal the ruling, saying it would not disclose its donors list. It said doing so would put individuals at risk of threats and harassment.