October 20, 2014 (p.m.)  

Is it too late for a recall election for this new mayor and the city council?

October 20, 2014 (a.m.)

Houston’s First Lesbian Mayor DEMANDS to see ALL Sermons from Christian Pastors. 

It seems  Mayor Annise Parker has not studied Amendment 1 (1791) of the Constitution of the United States (US) which reads:  Congress shall make  no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people  peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The smartest advice that a former boss gave me was from a lesson he had received.  Years ago, he failed at his first management position and was asked to step down from that role.  His church minister told him, “In order to lead, you have to learn to be led.”  He realized he had acted like a mean, tough, know-it-all, exactly the type of employee I wouldn’t want on my team. Once he adjusted his attitude and worked on his people skills, he evolved into the kind of leader he could actually follow.  So maybe the Mayor might want to put this in her bonnet and give it some thought!

Is this what the citizens of Houston elected?  Is she making her own law on the citizens?  Was this person the best candidate?  It looks like the citizens didn’t do a very good job of vetting this candidate.  And now, they are going to be spending a lot of the taxpayer’s money in defending her decision.  It looks like she is conducting a litigious witch hunt against religious leaders, issuing subpoenas that demand the sermons of pastors who may have spoken on the topic of homosexuality, gender identity, or Mayor Parker, herself.  The actions taken by Mayor Parker and her administration are a clear affront to freedom of speech, an assault on the concept of separation of church and state, and constitute one of the more alarming attempts to stop opposing political or cultural viewpoints in their tracks.

The controversy stems from an allege “equal rights” ordinance passed by the city in May.  The ordinance calls for a ban on discrimination among businesses.  Two things however:   (l) religious institutions were exempted from the ordinance and (2) speech does not amount to discrimination.  In addition, one tangential aspect of the ordinance allows transgendered individuals to file discrimination lawsuits if they are not granted access to a restroom if he claimed to be transgender.  If this is the hang-up that they want to come into the women’s restroom, then a third restroom should be added and posting on the door should read  “Other.”  Can you image being in a woman’s restroom with a small child and a transgendered person walked in or if I were in a restroom alone and this happened, sorry, but I would walk out.  That transgendered person can be anything they want – I don’t care; but, it does not mean that I have to help him be transgendered.  

Opponents of the ordinance filed petitions containing 50,000 signatures, well above the threshold of 17,269, which would call for a referendum being placed on the ballot.  In true dictatorial fashion, Mayor Parker and the city announced that the petitions were not valid due to alleged irregularities.  A convenient suppression of opposition.  In keeping with the dictatorial theme, Mayor Parker admitted that the entire debate on gender rights, and the assault on First Amendment rights guaranteed to all Americans, is about her.  Don’t these people always claim themselves as victims in order to change the spotlight?  

Sorry Mayor Parker, the First Amendment, constitutional and religion freedoms, and the foundation for which America was built has never been about one man or one woman – and it certainly isn’t changing for you and your ego.  The city council members are supposed to be public servants, not “big brother” overlords who will tolerate no dissent or challenge.   This affront by the city council and mayor on the citizens of this great city needs to be stopped in their tracks.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is defending the five Houston pastors and have filed a motion in Harris County court to stop the subpoenas, arguing, they are “overly broad, unduly burdensome, harassing, and vexatious.”  Political and social commentary is not a crime, it is protected by the First Amendment.

God Bless Houston and America!

kommonsentsjane