Yes! Another win for Freedom of Religion!

Thanks to 

irish_dragon for the heads up on the article:

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1138325.html

The U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs finally reversed a stupid rule that was discriminating against religion! Previously they had been refusing to allow pentacles on grave markers in national cemeteries even though that went against the Constitution's right for freedom of religion.
Have you ever heard of Sufism Reoriented, Eckiankar and the Japanese faith Seicho-No-Ie? Yeah, me either. But soldiers with those religions had been allowed to have their religion's symbol on their gravestones while Wiccans were not. There was no good reason for this and the VA settled the lawsuit when it became obvious they were going to lose.

 

Wiccans will be allowed to place pentacles on graves, VA says

Associated Press

Last update: April 23, 2007 – 9:28 AM

MADISON, Wis. — Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday.

 

The settlement calls for the Wiccans' pentacle, a five-pointed star representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.

 

There are 11 families nationwide that are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., and a party to the lawsuit.

 

"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day,'' she said.

 

( The rest of the story... )

Looks like I won't be trying to plan a trip to San Fran after all...

"The Little Dog Laughed" Update:

The play "The Little Dog Laughed" that James was to have starred in this summer has been permanently cancelled.  The financial backers have decided to pull out at the last minute.  We are all extremely disappointed with this turn of events.  James is disappointed of course, but fine - he knows there will be many other opportunities on the horizon for him.  We appreciate all the excitement and support many of you have expressed at the prospect of seeing James on stage.

 Thank you



*sigh* I was really looking forward to this, whether I got there or not, because having seen James do live theater I could see how much he loved it! 

Hooters!

I had an hour to kill between work and my platelet donation appointment so I ran over to the Wood Lake Nature Center again to see the owl. The momma owl was at the nest hanging out with her baby. Here are a couple of the pictures I got:



Just look how cute & fuzzy that baby is!



He's checking out his wings.



Gonna be time to try them out soon!