mojave desert

Supreme Court to begin hearings in Mojave Cross case on October 07

Voices from a battle in the Mojave Desert will be heard in the nation's capital next week when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Salazar v. Buono.

The case concerns the Mojave Cross, northwest of Needles in the Mojave National Preserve.

The original cross was erected in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a monument to veterans of World War I. It was designated a national war memorial, one of 49 so-recognized by the U.S. Congress.

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing a National Park Service employee (Buono), brought suit contending, essentially, that the cross is inappropriate as it only recognizes veterans of the Christian faith, and, as it was on federal land, that it violated the First Amendment's separation of church and state clause.

In July of 2002 the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California agreed and ordered the cross removed.

The next year U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, whose district includes Needles, inserted a land exchange in the 2004 Defense Appropriations Act which transferred the acre of ground on which the cross stands to private ownership.

In April of 2005, the same court found that transfer was a sham attempt to evade the injunction against display of the cross. Since then, view of the cross has been obstructed, most recently by a plywood box.

In February of 2009 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the matter. Said Lewis at the time, “I am gratified that the U.S.

Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of the Mojave Cross veterans memorial, and I am confident that the justices will see the simple truth that this is an historic site honoring the sacrifices of those who died defending our nation.

“Frankly, I am disappointed that this case has had to go this far, and I am grateful to the American Legion and other veterans groups who have helped ensure that it has maintained widespread support from the American public.”

That support is now being consolidated by the Liberty Legal Institute which maintains a Web site on the subject at http://www.donttearmedown.com/

Soldiers make pilgrimage to Mojave Cross site

By JIM MANIACI, Laughlin Nevada Times

LAUGHLIN - An enthusiastic audience of at least 100 persons gave a half-dozen American soldiers a standing ovation Sept. 17 when they arrived at American Legion Laughlin Post 60 on their way to the Mojave Cross, dedicated to those killed in action in World War I, that was erected more than a half-century before any of them were born.

The embattled plain white 8-foot tall cross - a duplicate of those which grace military cemeteries - is the subject of a precedent-setting case in which the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Oct. 7 about whether it is an allowable military memorial or, as the American Civil Liberties Union contends, is a symbol violating the First Amendment's forbidding the establishment of a state-sponsored church.

Recently returned from war zones overseas, the six made the pilgrimage from Fort Polk, La., to Laughlin as their last night before seeing the cross on an isolated road in the Mojave National Preserve some 91 miles from Laughlin's military veterans post, according to Roger Reimer, who drove the distance. He is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 243, which is housed at the American Legion Post where Commander Mitch Roach began the night by saluting the young veterans.

Their leader, Sgt. Weldon J. Kelly of Buna, Texas, told how the crusade got started.

He and Spc. Adam J. Pena of Austin, Texas, read about the case on the Internet and were upset that a veterans memorial was threatened.

The simple desert cross was erected in 1934 by the VFW - 58 years before Kelly was born. He is the oldest of the six; the youngest is age 19.

mojave desert

Supreme Court to begin hearings in Mojave Cross case on October 07

Voices from a battle in the Mojave Desert will be heard in the nation's capital next week when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Salazar v. Buono.

The case concerns the Mojave Cross, northwest of Needles in the Mojave National Preserve.

The original cross was erected in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a monument to veterans of World War I. It was designated a national war memorial, one of 49 so-recognized by the U.S. Congress.

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing a National Park Service employee (Buono), brought suit contending, essentially, that the cross is inappropriate as it only recognizes veterans of the Christian faith, and, as it was on federal land, that it violated the First Amendment's separation of church and state clause.

In July of 2002 the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California agreed and ordered the cross removed.

The next year U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, whose district includes Needles, inserted a land exchange in the 2004 Defense Appropriations Act which transferred the acre of ground on which the cross stands to private ownership.

In April of 2005, the same court found that transfer was a sham attempt to evade the injunction against display of the cross. Since then, view of the cross has been obstructed, most recently by a plywood box.

In February of 2009 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the matter. Said Lewis at the time, “I am gratified that the U.S.

Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of the Mojave Cross veterans memorial, and I am confident that the justices will see the simple truth that this is an historic site honoring the sacrifices of those who died defending our nation.

“Frankly, I am disappointed that this case has had to go this far, and I am grateful to the American Legion and other veterans groups who have helped ensure that it has maintained widespread support from the American public.”

That support is now being consolidated by the Liberty Legal Institute which maintains a Web site on the subject at http://www.donttearmedown.com/

Soldiers make pilgrimage to Mojave Cross site

By JIM MANIACI, Laughlin Nevada Times

LAUGHLIN - An enthusiastic audience of at least 100 persons gave a half-dozen American soldiers a standing ovation Sept. 17 when they arrived at American Legion Laughlin Post 60 on their way to the Mojave Cross, dedicated to those killed in action in World War I, that was erected more than a half-century before any of them were born.

The embattled plain white 8-foot tall cross - a duplicate of those which grace military cemeteries - is the subject of a precedent-setting case in which the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Oct. 7 about whether it is an allowable military memorial or, as the American Civil Liberties Union contends, is a symbol violating the First Amendment's forbidding the establishment of a state-sponsored church.

Recently returned from war zones overseas, the six made the pilgrimage from Fort Polk, La., to Laughlin as their last night before seeing the cross on an isolated road in the Mojave National Preserve some 91 miles from Laughlin's military veterans post, according to Roger Reimer, who drove the distance. He is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 243, which is housed at the American Legion Post where Commander Mitch Roach began the night by saluting the young veterans.

Their leader, Sgt. Weldon J. Kelly of Buna, Texas, told how the crusade got started.

He and Spc. Adam J. Pena of Austin, Texas, read about the case on the Internet and were upset that a veterans memorial was threatened.

The simple desert cross was erected in 1934 by the VFW - 58 years before Kelly was born. He is the oldest of the six; the youngest is age 19.

mojave desert

Supreme Court to begin hearings in Mojave Cross case on October 07

Voices from a battle in the Mojave Desert will be heard in the nation's capital next week when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Salazar v. Buono.

The case concerns the Mojave Cross, northwest of Needles in the Mojave National Preserve.

The original cross was erected in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a monument to veterans of World War I. It was designated a national war memorial, one of 49 so-recognized by the U.S. Congress.

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing a National Park Service employee (Buono), brought suit contending, essentially, that the cross is inappropriate as it only recognizes veterans of the Christian faith, and, as it was on federal land, that it violated the First Amendment's separation of church and state clause.

In July of 2002 the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California agreed and ordered the cross removed.

The next year U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, whose district includes Needles, inserted a land exchange in the 2004 Defense Appropriations Act which transferred the acre of ground on which the cross stands to private ownership.

In April of 2005, the same court found that transfer was a sham attempt to evade the injunction against display of the cross. Since then, view of the cross has been obstructed, most recently by a plywood box.

In February of 2009 the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the matter. Said Lewis at the time, “I am gratified that the U.S.

Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of the Mojave Cross veterans memorial, and I am confident that the justices will see the simple truth that this is an historic site honoring the sacrifices of those who died defending our nation.

“Frankly, I am disappointed that this case has had to go this far, and I am grateful to the American Legion and other veterans groups who have helped ensure that it has maintained widespread support from the American public.”

That support is now being consolidated by the Liberty Legal Institute which maintains a Web site on the subject at http://www.donttearmedown.com/

Soldiers make pilgrimage to Mojave Cross site

By JIM MANIACI, Laughlin Nevada Times

LAUGHLIN - An enthusiastic audience of at least 100 persons gave a half-dozen American soldiers a standing ovation Sept. 17 when they arrived at American Legion Laughlin Post 60 on their way to the Mojave Cross, dedicated to those killed in action in World War I, that was erected more than a half-century before any of them were born.

The embattled plain white 8-foot tall cross - a duplicate of those which grace military cemeteries - is the subject of a precedent-setting case in which the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Oct. 7 about whether it is an allowable military memorial or, as the American Civil Liberties Union contends, is a symbol violating the First Amendment's forbidding the establishment of a state-sponsored church.

Recently returned from war zones overseas, the six made the pilgrimage from Fort Polk, La., to Laughlin as their last night before seeing the cross on an isolated road in the Mojave National Preserve some 91 miles from Laughlin's military veterans post, according to Roger Reimer, who drove the distance. He is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 243, which is housed at the American Legion Post where Commander Mitch Roach began the night by saluting the young veterans.

Their leader, Sgt. Weldon J. Kelly of Buna, Texas, told how the crusade got started.

He and Spc. Adam J. Pena of Austin, Texas, read about the case on the Internet and were upset that a veterans memorial was threatened.

The simple desert cross was erected in 1934 by the VFW - 58 years before Kelly was born. He is the oldest of the six; the youngest is age 19.

jobs report

Stocks fall as September jobs report disappoints
Stocks fell moderately Friday after the government reported that more jobs were lost in September than expected.

The Labor Department said employers cut 263,000 jobs last month, up from 201,000 in August and worse than the 180,000 losses economists were expecting. The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, in line with forecasts.

Unemployment has been one of the market's biggest concerns throughout the recession because lost jobs mean trouble for nearly every part of the economy, from consumers defaulting on loans, cutting back their spending and getting forced into foreclosure on their homes. Most economists expect the rate to surpass 10 percent by early next year.

"There's been a lot of talk particularly in the last couple of months that we're seeing a turnaround in unemployment, and obviously that's not the case," said Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets in Chicago.

A surprising decline in factory orders Friday was also troubling investors. The Commerce Department said factory orders fell 0.8 percent in August following a 1.4 percent gain in July. Analysts had been expecting a 0.7 percent increase.

The decline in stocks was more moderate than the previous day's big drop, when the Dow lost more than 200 points after a disappointing report on manufacturing activity dealt another blow to optimism that had been emerging about a recovery in the industrial sector.

A spate of bad economic news this week has led to even more doubts that the 50 percent surge in stocks over the past six months can be sustained. Though analysts say there aren't many near term catalysts that could jolt the market's rally back on track, investors may see bargains in the pullback and come back into the market. After coming within 82 points of the 10,000 level on Sept. 23, the Dow has pulled back about 4.5 percent.

In early trading, the Dow fell 51.01, or 0.5 percent, to 9,458.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6.28, or 0.6 percent, to 1,023.57, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 4.22, or 0.2 percent, to 2,053.26.

jobs report

Stocks fall as September jobs report disappoints
Stocks fell moderately Friday after the government reported that more jobs were lost in September than expected.

The Labor Department said employers cut 263,000 jobs last month, up from 201,000 in August and worse than the 180,000 losses economists were expecting. The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, in line with forecasts.

Unemployment has been one of the market's biggest concerns throughout the recession because lost jobs mean trouble for nearly every part of the economy, from consumers defaulting on loans, cutting back their spending and getting forced into foreclosure on their homes. Most economists expect the rate to surpass 10 percent by early next year.

"There's been a lot of talk particularly in the last couple of months that we're seeing a turnaround in unemployment, and obviously that's not the case," said Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets in Chicago.

A surprising decline in factory orders Friday was also troubling investors. The Commerce Department said factory orders fell 0.8 percent in August following a 1.4 percent gain in July. Analysts had been expecting a 0.7 percent increase.

The decline in stocks was more moderate than the previous day's big drop, when the Dow lost more than 200 points after a disappointing report on manufacturing activity dealt another blow to optimism that had been emerging about a recovery in the industrial sector.

A spate of bad economic news this week has led to even more doubts that the 50 percent surge in stocks over the past six months can be sustained. Though analysts say there aren't many near term catalysts that could jolt the market's rally back on track, investors may see bargains in the pullback and come back into the market. After coming within 82 points of the 10,000 level on Sept. 23, the Dow has pulled back about 4.5 percent.

In early trading, the Dow fell 51.01, or 0.5 percent, to 9,458.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6.28, or 0.6 percent, to 1,023.57, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 4.22, or 0.2 percent, to 2,053.26.

jobs report

Stocks fall as September jobs report disappoints
Stocks fell moderately Friday after the government reported that more jobs were lost in September than expected.

The Labor Department said employers cut 263,000 jobs last month, up from 201,000 in August and worse than the 180,000 losses economists were expecting. The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, in line with forecasts.

Unemployment has been one of the market's biggest concerns throughout the recession because lost jobs mean trouble for nearly every part of the economy, from consumers defaulting on loans, cutting back their spending and getting forced into foreclosure on their homes. Most economists expect the rate to surpass 10 percent by early next year.

"There's been a lot of talk particularly in the last couple of months that we're seeing a turnaround in unemployment, and obviously that's not the case," said Dan Cook, senior market analyst at IG Markets in Chicago.

A surprising decline in factory orders Friday was also troubling investors. The Commerce Department said factory orders fell 0.8 percent in August following a 1.4 percent gain in July. Analysts had been expecting a 0.7 percent increase.

The decline in stocks was more moderate than the previous day's big drop, when the Dow lost more than 200 points after a disappointing report on manufacturing activity dealt another blow to optimism that had been emerging about a recovery in the industrial sector.

A spate of bad economic news this week has led to even more doubts that the 50 percent surge in stocks over the past six months can be sustained. Though analysts say there aren't many near term catalysts that could jolt the market's rally back on track, investors may see bargains in the pullback and come back into the market. After coming within 82 points of the 10,000 level on Sept. 23, the Dow has pulled back about 4.5 percent.

In early trading, the Dow fell 51.01, or 0.5 percent, to 9,458.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6.28, or 0.6 percent, to 1,023.57, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 4.22, or 0.2 percent, to 2,053.26.

2012 Olympics

Zapatero optimistic after meeting IOC members, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is optimistic Madrid can win the right to host 2016 Olympics.

Zapatero acknowledged Thursday that it will be a tough call when International Olympic Committee members vote Friday by secret ballot to choose between the Spanish capital, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

"It's very hard to make any kind of predictions," said Zapatero, who has held meetings with several IOC members since arriving Wednesday evening.

"I had some contacts today, and I can say that I am a lot more optimistic," he said. "Since they say the vote is practically decided, that leaves one very important moment, which is the presentation of the bid."

Beside Zapatero, Madrid backers also include King Juan Carlos, tennis player Rafael Nadal, Real Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez and cycling great Miguel Indurain.

The Spanish capital, which also bid for the 2012 Olympics that went to London, says 77 percent of its venues are ready or under construction. Madrid also has hosted countless top sporting events and is familiar to many IOC members.

"We're a country that is very trustworthy when it comes to organizing sporting events, and the IOC knows it," said Zapatero, who also traveled to Singapore four years ago for the 2012 vote.

Another bonus for Madrid is Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC president for 21 years before Jacques Rogge took over in 2001. Although he's nearly 90, Samaranch still has influence with some members and could swing a few crucial votes in Madrid's favor.

"I want to say that Samaranch has done so much for Spain, he has done so much for the Olympic movement," Zapatero said. "It means so much to us, so much for the Olympic movement."

The IOC, however, might hesitate to take the games to Europe again in 2016, even though Madrid has been portraying itself as the "Hispanic candidate" to distance itself from the European tag. The 2012 Olympics will be in London, and the 2014 Winter Games will be in Sochi, Russia.

The Spanish capital also is competing with Rio de Janeiro for Latin American votes. The tension spilled out when Spanish Olympic Committee vice president Jose Maria Odriozola reportedly called Rio "the worst" of the four candidates, prompting an ethics complaint from the Brazilians.