Category: news
06/23/09 08:46 - 80ºF - ID#49047
FBI Looks into Cop and Chosen few
FBI probes officer's ties to biker gang
Member of Hamburg police is a figure of interest in case involving Chosen Few
By Dan Herbeck
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
A Town of Hamburg police officer was placed on administrative leave last week, and federal agents are investigating to determine if the officer improperly supplied police information to the Chosen Few motorcycle gang.
Police officials also have turned the officer's computer over to FBI agents, who are examining it to determine whether any law enforcement or state motor vehicle information was illegally accessed.
While few details were disclosed, The Buffalo News learned that federal agents are looking into allegations that the officer improperly provided information to Chosen Few leaders about some members of the Kingsmen, another biker gang.
Some of the Kingsmen, according to police, have feuded with members of the Chosen Few for more than a decade.
Existence of the federal investigation into the Hamburg officer's activities was confirmed for The News by four sources who are familiar with it. The sources emphasized that, so far, the investigation has turned up nothing definitive about the officer's actions.
They also confirmed that Buffalo defense attorney Joel L. Daniels is representing the officer, who is being paid during the administrative leave. The name, rank and gender of the officer were not revealed.
"Right now, it's a personnel matter, and I can't discuss it," said Hamburg Police Chief Carmen Kesner.
When asked about the FBI probe and the computer, Kesner added: "I can't comment on that."
The investigation was briefly discussed in public at U. S. District Court on May 14, during a bail hearing for Alex Koschtschuk, 58, of Alden, identified by the FBI as president of the Chosen Few.
Koschtschuk and 19 other defendants were arrested May 7 after an investigation into biker violence conducted by the FBI-led Safe Streets Task Force.
During the bail hearing, Assistant U. S. Attorney Anthony M. Bruce revealed that information about some Kingsmen leaders - including their police mug shots, what vehicles they drive and diagrams of their homes and clubhouses - was found by state police in Koschtschuk's home.
Federal agents suspect that a suburban police officer may have provided some of that information to the Chosen Few, and that matter is under investigation, Bruce told U. S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy during the hearing.
Monday, Bruce said he could not discuss the investigation. The Buffalo FBI office also declined to discuss it.
"An officer has been placed on administrative leave, and at this point, I'm not commenting," Daniels said.
dherbeck@buffnews.com
Permalink: FBI_Looks_into_Cop_and_Chosen_few.html
Words: 674
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: religion
06/22/09 08:00 - 78ºF - ID#49031
Priest sex Debate
So I found this article interesting I put Up a link On Facebook but it is a pretty good article I think so I figured I should put it up here also. If you follow the link then there are other links you can follow for other stories about this same subject or at least some what realated
Sex and the Priestly: Father Cutie Renews Celibacy Debate
Time.com
By AMY SULLIVAN Amy Sullivan - Mon Jun 22, 6:50 am ET
It's hard out there for a pope these days. On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI launched what he is calling "The Year of Priests," exhorting Roman Catholics to spend the coming year honoring the sacrifice of their local pastors and directing priests to encourage each other so that they might, among other things, "be able to live fully the gift of celibacy and build thriving Christian communities."
Overshadowing the Pope's declaration, however, was the news that earlier in the week Father Alberto Cutie - the Miami-based priest and television personality who left the Catholic church last month amid soap opera-worthy scandal - had married his girlfriend of two years. Also making waves was the publication of former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert Weakland's memoir detailing his life as a closeted gay man within the church and the loneliness that drove him to pursue a sexual relationship with another man. Weakland, who stepped down seven years ago when he turned 75, the age when priests typically submit letters of resignation that the Church may or may not accept, is the highest-ranking Catholic leader to publicly reveal his homosexuality.
Although both he and Cutie have insisted they do not want to be held up as poster boys for changing the Church's celibacy requirement, their stories have added new fuel to a long-simmering debate. The Catholic Church in the U.S. has a serious priest crisis - the number of men entering the priesthood has dropped by 60% over the past four decades and the current average age of active priests is 60. Many dioceses have been forced to close parishes or import foreign priests to deal with shortages. But advocates of celibacy reform say there is a better solution: ditch the 900-year-old church law prohibiting priests from marrying or being sexually active.
For the first thousand years of the Christian church, priests, bishops, and even popes could - and often did - marry. At least 39 popes were married men, and two were the sons of previous popes. The ideal of celibacy existed, but as a teaching from the Apostle Paul, not a church doctrine. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul argued simply that single men had fewer distractions from their godly work: "He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided."
Over the centuries, the Church tried to split the difference, prohibiting marriage after ordination and encouraging married priests to abstain from sex with their wives after they had joined the priesthood. (The Eastern Orthodox CHurch continues to allow married men to be ordained as priests.) But it wasn't until the Second Lateran Council in 1139 that a firm church law allowing ordination only of unmarried men was adopted. Journalist and former priest James Carroll contends in Practicing Catholic that the reasons for this celibacy requirement were not purely theological. "Celibacy had been imposed on priests mainly for the most worldly of reasons: to correct abuses tied to family inheritance of Church property," he writes. "Celibacy solved that material problem, but because of the extreme sacrifice it required, it could never be spoken of in material terms. So it was that sexual abstinence came to be justified spiritually, as a mode of drawing close to God."
Prospective priests understandably needed more convincing to embark on a life of chastity. Which is why, according to conventional wisdom among Catholic scholars, alongside the celibacy requirement grew a theological argument that God would bestow the "gift" of celibacy upon those whom He called to religious vocations. A document from the Council of Trent assured skeptical priests that "God refuses not that gift to those who ask for it rightly, neither does He suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able."
Donald Cozzens, professor at John Carroll University and author of Freeing Celibacy, has written that some priests do indeed feel freed from sexual longing and a desire for personal intimacy upon entering the Church. But "there remain other priests who believe deep down they are called to the priesthood but not to celibacy," he writes. "And for these men, the burden of mandated celibacy threatens their spiritual and emotional well-being." Weakland felt this challenge acutely, particularly once he rose to the rarified but also isolated position of archbishop. "I soon realized that a relationship with Jesus Christ, as intense as it might be on the spiritual level, could not fill the emptiness rising from the lack of the physical presence and reality of another human person," he writes in A Pilgrim in a Pilgrim Church.
Cozzens and others have argued that the Church should consider making celibacy a voluntary discipline for priests. Because it is a rule and not an unchangeable dogma, the celibacy requirement could be altered or rescinded by the Vatican if it chose to do so. Earlier this year, advocates of celibacy reform got a surprising boost from then-outgoing Cardinal Edward Egan of New York, who told a Catholic radio host that the celibacy question was "a perfectly legitimate discussion." He suggested that celibacy might not be a reasonable expectation in every locale. "I am not so sure it wouldn't be a good idea to decide on the basis of geography and culture, not to make an across-the-board determination."
Egan was speaking with the candor of a man about to retire. His replacement, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, rebuffed a group of 163 priests in the Milwaukee Archdiocese back in 2003, when they asked to at least launch a discussion about celibacy in the context of priest shortages. Even Pope John Paul II, who quietly started allowing married Protestant ministers to convert and become Catholic priests, was firmly opposed to reconsidering the celibacy requirement. Weakland reports that he regularly found himself in hot water during John Paul's papacy because he socialized with and employed former priests who had resigned and married.
As for Benedict, it seems unlikely he will be more inclined to revisit the Church's celibacy policy. In 2006, he publicly reaffirmed the spiritual purpose of the requirement and made it clear that dissenters on the issue would not be tolerated, excommunicating an African bishop who had ordained several married men as priests. For now, at least, celibacy is not open for discussion. And that is why Father Cutie, Catholic priest, is now Alberto Cutie, Episcopal priest-in-training.
View this article on Time.com
I guess My take on it is this. I get that Priests Duty is to the church and the teachings of god and all that stuff, but should that really be all they do, why can't they have a family as well? I know there was a time when you couldn't even have kids, Yes you couldn't adopt and when some did it was a huge problem (not sure how true the Father Clemons movie was, but it was very good). On the other hand though I do get that Some One who isn't Married isn't supposed to have sex out side of Marriage so from that perspective saying you can't have any sex at all kinda makes sense, but I don't really agree with that. I thought that currently you can have kids and be Married and then apply for the Preisthood (however that is done) but afterwords is a different story. In any event it is something to think about.
Permalink: Priest_sex_Debate.html
Words: 1340
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: movies
06/22/09 07:21 - 78ºF - ID#49029
lots of Movies this weekend
On Saturday things took to long for me to go see UP it does look pretty good so I went to buy food (mostly frozen) and drinks at Price Rite. But then later in the day I watched 3 movies:
Twilight (On PPV) I was expecting more fighting and more violence as opposed to a love story. That being said it was still very good, I will go see the next one when ever it comes out.
X-files I want to Believe was on HBO and I enjoyed it. It has been so long since I saw the last movie I don't know if stuff that was mentioned was from the last movie or updating the story. Other then that it was fun to watch.
Bablyon AD Staring Vin Diesel was a good crazy action movie
So all in all Saturday was a good day for movies then Yesterday I watched 3 more.
Doomsday was a pretty sweet movie lots of naked chicks and violence and a virus and a crazy walled off world where people fought, that was pure fun to watch.
Knocked Up: I admit romantic comedies you have to be careful watching but this one was funny plus I'm a big fan of the leading lady she used to be in a show I liked called Roswell (about the area and being aliens not about cancer).
Hell Ride: was very violent and again had lots of nudity in it that would include some bush if memory serves. It was short but with all the violence and Bikers turning on bikers and Nudity it couldn't have been to long. A couple highlights Micheal Madsen I'm sure some people don't like him but his character was awesome. Then you had David Caradine (how ever you spell it, but one part of that move kinda freaked me out about his part now that he is diead). Then I just blanked on the other good actors name. But soundtrack wise it has what ever that cool maybe it is ska music not sure that Quentin puts in all of his movies, oh Dennis Hopper ok.
Then on Sunday Nights I watch True Blood. Yes it is about Vampires but it is also about more then just that. I think it is a great show, oh yeah plus Anna Paquin nude last night was pretty nice. Yes she was in one of the X-Men Movies maybe the first one with multi colored Hair.
Permalink: lots_of_Movies_this_weekend.html
Words: 437
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: holiday
06/21/09 11:56 - 65ºF - ID#49021
Fathers Day
So I found the above article kinda interesting but didn't follow any of the links from it, I assume what it says is true but not sure. On a calender at work I thought I saw that today is also the first day of summer what a way to start it off Buffalo Style. Here is the article/blog if the link doesn't work or if you don't want to read it there
Searching for the Origin of Father's Day
by Mike Krumboltz
Searchers have a question they'd like answered: Who started Father's Day? Who do they have to thank for the mandatory bonding time they're spending with dear ol' dad this weekend? Lookups on "father's day origin" and "who started father's day" inspired us to investigate. The results of our research shook us to our very core.
OK, maybe not to our core, exactly. But the story of how Father's Day came to be is still pretty interesting. A blog from a Detroit church explains that most historians credit a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd with creating the holiday. Ms. Smart Dodd was "inspired by her father, a widower and Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart." She wanted to do something to honor his memory while paying respect to all fathers.
Clearly she was a woman with a plan. Alas, not everybody agreed with her pleas to "give it up for the papas" (our words, not hers). In fact, Ms. Smart Dodd's proposal was often mocked when it first made the rounds. Folks felt it unnecessary. And the all-male United States Congress felt that having a holiday for fathers might look like they were trying to give themselves "a pat on the back."
Additionally, many just plain didn't want the holiday. An article from Inspiration Line explains that, according to an article in The Spokesman-Review, "one group of men conventioneers laughed and said they didn't want a Father's Day. A National Fishing Day would be better, they told her."
Though many scoffed, the holiday was eventually accepted. In 1910, the first local Father's Day was held. It wasn't until 1924 that President Calvin Coolidge "made it a national event." Then, in 1966, President Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Nixon made it law in 1972.
It's hard to imagine a time when the idea of Father's Day was mocked and dismissed as ridiculous. If it weren't for the tenacity of a grateful daughter, it may never have come to pass.
Permalink: Fathers_Day.html
Words: 424
Location: Buffalo, NY
06/20/09 02:03 - 66ºF - ID#49014
Rain
I have never been one of those people who likes to go play out in the rain or dance it. But yet I love swimming odd.
I also aren't one of those people who likes to play in the mud either.
Hey maybe I could mud wrestle with some hot chick in like a bar.
But what do you do with your clothes, and after you get all muddy how do you get clean, Hey maybe the getting clean would be the best part, they can't have you getting mud all over the bar?
Or is it just a being single thing? The whole leave the window open and watch movies with your arm around someone or vice versa. I do have a shirt some where that says "Rainy days made for fucking" or something like that.
I can't remember what movie or animee it was in but there was this cool line. "You aren't sad because it is raining, it is raining because you are sad"
Of course being so busy the last two weekends and not really having anything going on this weekend is kinda weird. I have to check the in demand channel I kinda want to see Twilight. I know I'll get some kind of movie in now that I have food.
Permalink: Rain.html
Words: 225
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
06/16/09 07:49 - 80ºF - ID#48991
Purgatory Fetish Road Show (3rd Post)
It might be good to watch them as a slide show I know to the right someplace on that page there is that option.
I have to admit even though I have never liked swings to much some of the swinging stuff does look like it might be fun.
I didn't stay till the end. The reason being is that I didn't want to walk home once the bars where closed. I think I left about 3am maybe a bit after not sure. But see this on the way home wasn't weird but it was a little bit different perspective.
Permalink: Purgatory_Fetish_Road_Show_3rd_Post_.html
Words: 364
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
06/16/09 07:08 - 80ºF - ID#48990
Allen Town Art Festival (2nd Post)
I do have one problem with the Allentown West Part. That street is so small you can't even move. Well that and some people like to just stand in one spot and not move there feet, bastards!!!!!!!!!
You may have noticed the protesters, again I'm not sure if they are protesting or trying to spread their word there is a difference. That being said those two people protesting the Pill I assume the mean Birth Control pills, It wasn't clear because there is also the Morning After Pill and then there is "The Abortion Pill" RU something and they all are different.
Here is some pictures of the art I bought and it hanging on my walls.
One of the pieces of art that I didn't get that I would have liked to is that Broadway art. The wicked one was just to much. They had some Buffalo ones. I wasn't thinking about how each one is unique so when I went back they where gone. Ok back to the artfestival.
On Sunday I didn't see that much of the Art Festival Really but I did catch some of the Allendale music fest stuff. I some how missed Robie's press conference on music is art, but all in all it was a great weekend.
Permalink: Allen_Town_Art_Festival_2nd_Post_.html
Words: 518
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: photos
06/16/09 06:36 - 80ºF - ID#48989
e:libertad's Party (1st Post)
Again it was one great part to a great weekend, thanks.
Permalink: e_libertad_s_Party_1st_Post_.html
Words: 193
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: potpourri
06/11/09 07:35 - 67ºF - ID#48892
Update the weekend
So the other night The Penguins won and that means game seven in Detroit on Friday night. That should be a great game. Since the start of the series I didn't think the Penguins could beat Detroit. Both teams are great and have great goaltending. But Detroit is just to good at home, and the home team has won all 6 games. Assuming I do what I want to do, I'm going to miss the game and go to Club Diablo for the Purgatory Fetish Ball, and try not to stay as late as I did last year. Granted I got to see something amazing but going home at that time was weird. I doubt they will have the game on there but I can watch the news and find out what happened. Work will be tough it all ways is after a day off but I'm glad I have something to look forward to.
Weeds and Nurse Jackie started up on Monday. They are both showtime shows. Weeds is pretty good. If you haven't seen it before you can catch up on shotime on demand or maybe even the part where they show what happened might be enough. Nurse Jackie is pretty good or at least the first episode was. I wouldn't call it realistic but I'm not a doctor or Nurse, but I would call it pretty good. I don't know how to say anything else with out giving anything away.
I should really get my camera fixed, it is a little bit messed up, but it still works. Besides we are kinda into that where there is no time because something is going on everyweekend. Taking pictures is fun but it can also be annoying to. You have the downloading and the uploading and the multiple sites and they each act differently. But I'm still doing. I don't know if I'll get any good ones at allentown but maybe I will. Hey if any of you run into me remind me to take a shot of you, I often forget to do that.
This weekend should be busy but should really be a lot of fun I hope everyone has a great time. I hope to have pictures up of the Aud and maybe the party and Allentown and Purgatory up maybe Sunday more like monday or tuesday who knows really.
I know I'm forgetting something but no idea what so ok that is it for now.
Permalink: Update_the_weekend.html
Words: 526
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: events
06/09/09 06:54 - 65ºF - ID#48878
Is it the weekend yet
The first part is that On Friday Night I'm planning to go to Club Diablo to go see the Purgatory Fetish 2. I'm guessing like last time there will be some stuff that I like and some stuff that freaks me out. Hopefully I will be close and get some good pictures of the stage. The day before that I'm hoping for good weather since I'm going to the Bisons game. This weekend is also the Allentown Art Festival. I know a lot of people bash them but I like a lot of the stuff people sell there. Granted some of it is out of my price range. Then dealing with the crowds is tough some times. But there is also that other festival that has a name that takes place around all those Allen St. Bars and that is all ways interesting as well. I'm hoping to find some cool art that I like and can also buy we shall see. Then I'm also going to try and go to a party on Saturday night [(e:Libertad)'s] that should be a good time as well. I know looking forward to things that haven't happened yet is often a bad way to go through life. Hey then if you don't make it to one of those things you feel down even though you might still be having a good time. It looks like if I'm able to pull everything off that this weekend will be busier then the one that just ended.
I wish I was going to have time to go see a movie this weekend but I don't see that happening. That Pixar movie UP looks pretty good and not sure what new movies are opening this weekend if any, but I think that will get put on the back burner. Things like Allentown and Prugatory also makes me wish I lived Downtown but if I did I wonder if I would really like it.
Permalink: Is_it_the_weekend_yet.html
Words: 369
Location: Buffalo, NY
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