-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for June 6, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
AANEWS
#583 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6/6/99
http://www.atheists.org
ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists/
http://www.americanatheist.org
---------------------------------------------
A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS
"Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights
And The Separation Of State and Church"
----------------------------------------------
In This Issue...
* Robertson deal goes bust
* Priest behind anti-Springer effort. "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"
* Atheist Protests Ft. Worth commemoration
* Resources
* About this list...
ROBERTSON TO NET UP TO $50 MILLION AS BANK OF SCOTLAND
DEAL COLLAPSES
Televangelist May Face Pressure At Laura Ashley
A planned financial deal between the Bank of Scotland and Christian
Coalition founder Pat Robertson collapsed on Friday, as bank officials
announced that they were withdrawing from the proposed joint venture
due to remarks the televangelist made concerning gays, ethnic
minorities and other groups.
Robertson and the BOS had agreed to enter into an electronic banking
enterprise which financial sources described as "worth billions of
dollars." But in recent weeks, as word of Robertson's background
spread, human rights, religious and other groups pressured the bank to
sever its ties with the controversial American preacher. Events
reached the breaking point last week following remarks Robertson made
on his "700 Club" television show claiming that Scotland was a "dark
place" overrun by powerful homosexuals.
Word of the pending collapse of the Robertson-BOS arrangement began
percolating through financial circles and the media early last week.
On Friday, Bank of Scotland's chief executive, Peter Burt held a
meeting with Robertson and his representatives in Boston. Most
reports suggest that the bank had decided to dissolve its deal with
Robertson on Tuesday night, amidst growing threats of customer
withdrawals and a drop in the bank's stock exchange performance.
After a six hour conference, the Bank issued a brief statement on
Saturday noting, "Dr. Pat Robertson and Peter Burt, following a
meeting in Boston yesterday (Friday), agreed that the changed external
circumstances made the proposed joint venture between Robertson
Financial Services (RFS) and Bank of Scotland unfeasible...In reaching
this agreement Dr. Robertson expressed regret that media comments
about him had made it impossible to proceed."
As of Sunday afternoon, there has been official statement from
Robertson.
But while critics say that Bank of Scotland must now begin repairing
its tarnished image resulting from the failed deal, there is new
controversy over how much money Robertson may recoup. The Observer
newspaper of Britain reports in this morning's edition, "The bank must
pay Robertson more than 10 million (Pounds -- about $16 million) for
calling off the deal to set up a US telephone banking network..." It
is believed that Robertson invested somewhere around $12,500,000 for a
25% share of the action. The Daily Telegraph newspaper mentions a
higher figure, though, of "up to" 30 millions pounds, or roughly $48
million, but seems to be basing that number on what it projected as a
substantially higher investment by Robertson. CNN is reporting that
the Bank of Scotland "would buy out Robertson's stake in the venture,
believed to be worth about $50 million," adding that "Bank officials
would not discuss details of the agreement."
A figure of between $9 million and $16 million is reported by the
London Sunday Times, while the latest BBC postings do not give a
specific figure.
Whatever the compensation Robertson might receive, though, opponents
saw their campaign to end the BOS meet with resounding success. The
Scottish Trade Union Congress had threatened to switch the business of
its 100,000 member-strong organization who use a bank affinity card.
Other human rights and advocacy groups, including the Lothian Council,
were contemplating similar action; and already, the bank had lost an
estimated 400 to 500 smaller individual accounts in protest of its
association with Pat Robertson.
Assessing the deal, an anonymous Bank official told CNN, "our marriage
was short and unhappy." Tim Hopkins of the Equality network, a human
rights group based in Edinburgh, remarked, "It's very, very
unfortunate that he (Robertson) is ending up pocketing 18 million
(Pounds) which he can now use to promote his politics -- although
better that than 25% of future profits. He added that Bank of
Scotland must now rebuild its reputation with the community, adding,
"It seems it was OK to badmouth minorities, but what made the
difference to the bank was when Robertson started attacking Scotland."
In covering this latest phase of the Robertson-BOS deal, The Observer
newspaper repeated its allegation that the bank was planning on access
to "lists generated by Robertson's Christian Coalition organization to
gain customers..." Had the deal gone forward, that action could have
landed Robertson in legal trouble for possibly commingling the
resources of one of his ministerial-political outreaches with what was
clearly intended to be a for-profit venture. Robertson has had
similar accusations leveled against him, including charges that
airplanes in his Operation Blessing charitable ministry transported
mining equipment and other supplies for a diamond exploration business
he had established in Zaire known as the African Development Company.
ADC has folded, but the Virginia State Attorney General's office is
expected shortly to make public a report on the allegations.
Robertson faces potential problems on another financial front as well.
He recently was named to the Board of Directors of the once-trendy
Laura Ashley clothing and furniture chain, where he controls 2 million
company shares valued at about $450,000. According to the London
Times, unidentified key shareholders are demanding Robertson removal,
and six trustees of the Laura Ashley Foundation, including Sir Bernard
Ashley, joined in the clamor for Robertson to go. "He survived the
vote," notes the Times, "but pressure is likely to be maintained to
get him removed."
**
MEDDLESOME PRIEST IS BEHIND EFFORT TO SILENCE SPRINGER
Is Chicago Alderman A Patsy For Holy Man's Morality Crusade?
It seems that Chicago priest Michael Pfleger is one of those guys who
"has plans for everyone." Described as "media savvy" and "an activist
priest," Rev. Pfleger of St. Sabina's Catholic Church has conducted
a prolonged campaign against the popular Jerry Springer show, a
daytime favorite of the trailer park set where spontaneous "fights"
seem to break out on stage, and where topics include "I've Got A
Sexual Secret To Tell You," or "My Boyfriend Is A Drag Queen." Rev.
Pfleger says that Springer's program "sends the wrong messages to
young people about violence," and has complained to network and city
officials about the wildly popular program. For his part, Springer --
a former Mayor of Cincinnati -- has often promised to tone-down the
violence threshold, but is inevitably soon back in his self-appointed
role as "Ringmaster" of the show.
Pfleger is no stranger to the limelight, though, or in demanding that
government intervene to enforce his social agenda. He led a
controversial 14-year campaign that included "red washing" billboards
that advertised products he objected to, including tobacco and malt
liquor. Public officials caved in and in 1997 agreed to phase out all
of the city's 4,278 billboards and other "unpermitted" posters. Using
arguments chillingly similar to those of antiabortion activists,
Pfleger, when prosecuted for defacing private property, told the jury
that he had a "moral obligation" to take action, and was acquitted.
And left out in the debate over the Jerry Springer Show is the fact
that Pfleger is also a vociferous supporter of charter schools and
other public aid-to-religion schemes. His parish is "financially
sound," notes the Family Education Network, and charges $2,300 per
year in tuition. Despite opposition from local public education
unions and groups, Pfleger has the support of many city officials, and
is involved in a plan where charter schools -- including his own --
would receive up to $5,000 per year per student in state funds. When
questions were raised in February of this year about the plan, Pfleger
said that he would offer religion classes to students "after school."
"Father Pfleger is one of a handful of religious leaders who have
expressed an interest in recent weeks in launching charter schools in
urban districts," notes the Network.
But Pfleger has made national news because of his anti-Springer
campaign, and his recent success in persuading the Chicago City
Council to look into the Ringmaster's activities. It all started when
Alderman Edward Burke (14th), a former Chicago cop and now an
attorney, asked why, if the fights on Springer's program were for
real, no arrests were made. If the fights were staged, continued
Burke, Springer should be made to take out an entertainment license.
Either way, Springer was on the hotseat. The Chicago Tribune noted
that any admission that the stage action was scripted "would provide
new ammunition for Rev. Michael Pfleger, the South Side priest and
persistent Springer critic."
Pfleger and his supporters packed last week's council hearing, with
the priest declaring that evidence of staged theatrics on Springer
"would show him as a liar and fraud. I think it would take the
attraction off his show. I think he would lose audience."
The paper also cited Pfleger's inability to persuade the Chicago
Police Department to make an arrest, adding, "It was his complaint to
Burke about the lack of enforcement that led to the alderman's demands
for Springer's personal appearance at City Hall."
Many city officials including Council members thought the hearings
themselves were a bit absurd, mirroring what Mayor Richard Daley
described as the "ridiculous" content of Springer's own program. In
addition, there is evidence that Rev. Pfleger may not be accurate in
his claim that charges or revelations of fakery would somehow derail
the Ringmaster's show. In June, 1998 for instance, the syndicated
entertainment news program "Extra" aired a report saying that many of
the fights on the Springer program were staged. Rolling Stone
Magazine hit the stands just a few days later with similar
allegations. That didn't stop flagship stations including Chicago's
WFLD-TV owned by Fox Broadcasting from then snatching up rights to the
Springer Show, and even deciding to air it twice daily. Those who
claim they arranged the fights seem to do so with tongue-in-cheek
humor. A Canadian restaurant owner who reportedly staged a hoax on
Springer three years ago declared that viewers likely didn't care,
adding "You can tell who his audience is by who he's playing to...
These people have just come from a fresh cockfight or a tractor pull."
Back at the Chicago City Hall, the encounter between Springer and Ald.
Burke was described as a "duel," with Burke tenaciously holding on
like a pit bull and Springer declaring sarcastically, "I have never
been a member of the Communist Party." Burke demanded to know
Springer's salary, and the Ringmaster replied, "If you were a close
friend, I would probably answer. But you are not acting very friendly
now."
"Is this a circus? Or is this a hearing?" asked Ald. Dorothy
Tillman.
After ninety minutes of verbal jousting, the questioning eventually
got around to the "bogus or bona fide" issue. Are the fights staged?
"Overwhelmingly, the show is real" Springer replied coyly, adding, "It
looks real to me."
On several occasions, Committee Chairman Ald. William Beavers had to
intervene, and cut Mr. Burke short. Burke and Pfleger declared a
victory of sorts, and the city solon promised that if fist fights and
other altercations erupt on the Springer show, "we will be back here
again."
**
ATHEIST PROTESTS OFFICIAL "MULTI-FAITH" CELEBRATION
Texas American Atheists State Director Randall Gorman was driving home
from work this past Thursday, June 3rd, when he heard an announcement
broadcast on his car radio about a City of Fort Worth, Texas sponsored
multi-faith prayer celebration to begin the commemoration of its
founding 150 years ago. Gorman, having a protest sign reading
"FREEDOM FROM RELIGION" still in his car from his recent National Day
Of Prayer protest in Dallas, decided to drop by the city prayer event
and to protest the city's endorsement of religion.
Fort Worth mayor Kenneth Barr opened the prayer meeting by welcoming
all present. Gorman estimated the total attendance to be less than
200. Was it the multi-faith aspect that might have turned sectarians
off?
All the while Gorman was marching up and down the sidewalk carrying
his "FREEDOM FROM RELIGION" sign, Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayers
were offered along with a Native American smoke ceremony led by Eddie
Sandoval. "The smoke will take the prayers up to the Great Spirit,"
said Sandoval, an Apache. Saffron-robed Buddhist monks chanted
prayers and three young Hindus played the harmonium and drums as they
recited sacred expressions of their faith. The Jewish shofar was
sounded.
"I think it's a great way to celebrate our diversity," said an
audience member. "Yeah, right." said Gorman. "The city is trying to
show its diversity by inviting the different faiths but, they didn't
invite any atheists to speak or pagans. Atheists are tired of being
left out of the mix."
The one-person protest ended peacefully.
**
RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS...
* For information about American Atheists, send mail to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include your name and postal mailing
address.
* For a free catalogue of American Atheist Press books, videos and
other products, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kindly include
your postal mailing address.
* The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select
articles from the current or back issues, as well as special web-only
features. Visit us at <A
HREF="http://www.americanatheist.org">http://www.americanatheist.org
</A>
* If you are a current member of American Atheists, sign up for our
e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 120 participants who
discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and
lots more! Contact Margie Wait, the Moderator, through
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
ABOUT THIS LIST...
AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement
founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement of Atheism, and
the total, absolute separation of government and religion.
You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that
appropriate credit is given to AANEWS and American Atheists. Edited
by Conrad Goeringer, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet Representative for
American Atheists is Margie Wait, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
