By Kathleen Haughney Tallahassee Bureau
 
7:28 p.m. EST, March 1, 2012
TALLAHASSEE – Children across the state may soon have the right to offer organized prayer — or, critics say, political messages or even Satanic verses — at mandatory school events.

The Florida House voted 88-27 Thursday to give final approval to a bill that allows school boards to set policies that would allow students to offer “inspirational messages” at school events, including mandatory gatherings such as student assemblies. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott didn’t give a firm yes or no when asked Thursday whether he would sign the bill, but he is expected to do so. “I haven’t seen the bill, but I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe individuals should have a right to say a prayer,” he said.

The vote ends several years of effort by Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, and Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, who has a Masters of Divinity and who also attended Western Baptist Theological Seminary. Siplin’s measure passed the Senate a week ago.

Van Zant said that the bill was not about prayer, but about “inspirational” messaging and free speech. He also said student-crafted messages — faculty and staff are banned from involvement — would bring a tone of respect and civility to the classroom. MORE

Destination casinos only a matter of time, analysts say
Even pari-mutuels agree it will happen
Like it or not, destination casinos will become a reality in South Florida within the next three to five years, gambling-industry experts said Tuesday. To them, the death of a controversial casinos bill last month in the Florida Legislature was only a setback.

“It’s the same at pretty much every state,” said Gregory Roselli, an analyst for UBS Securities, at the annual Florida Gaming Summit at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “It takes a few years, but the bill gets further and further along until it passes.”

Roselli, who follows the gambling industry, cited Massachusetts and Ohio as states that took years to get casinos.

Even some officials at South Florida’s pari-mutuels agree that a destination casinos law is inevitable.

“I think everybody in this room knows it’s just a matter of time before it passes,” Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino President Tim Ritvo said. “We’ve drawn up different diagrams, different looks, as we wait to see how the legislation shakes out.”

Magic City Casino COO Scott Savin agreed that destination casinos will become part of Florida’s landscape, but said it will take “five years at the earliest.”

“They’ll get what they want,” he added. “They have enough money.”

Savin noted that Magic City and other horse tracks, dog tracks and jai-alai frontons are fine with destination casinos, as long as they, too, will be taxed no more than 10 percent on slots and will be allowed to offer the same games.

“I don’t think [passing a casinos bill is] an easy road, but I don’t think it’s impossible,” said Andy Abboud, vice president for Las Vegas Sands Corp., which wants to build a convention center with a casino here.

Fewer mistakes

Analyst John Kempf of RBC Capital Markets said bill proponents, such as Genting Malaysia Berhad, will make fewer mistakes next year. Genting rolled out glitzy renderings and spent $500 million for property along Miami’s shoreline.

“You have to get people comfortable with it,” he said. “You can’t just have Genting saying, ‘Things will be this way.’ ”

Roselli added: “They pushed a little too hard.”

Genting representatives didn’t attend the summit, but general counsel Jessica Hoppe said she was encouraged that the legislation cleared a Senate committee. “Multiple public opinion polls also show that the more Floridians learn about destination resorts, the more likely they are to support bringing these developments to Florida,” Hoppe said.

But the opposition will remain steadfast, said John Sowinski, president of No Casinos.

“They certainly won’t give up, and we certainly must remain vigilant, but no matter how much lipstick they try to put on their pig, it is still a big, smelly pig,” he said. “Florida is different than most states that they have beaten into submission. We are a world leader in family-friendly tourism, and people know we would kill the goose that lays the golden egg if we legalized mega-casinos.” CLICK FOR MORE

Heat’s Udonis Haslem tells a story that puts Jeremy Lin’s run with Knicks in context
Every once in a while you have a small story that’s so perfect it puts a big story in the proper context. Udonis Haslem had such a story Wednesday after practice about Jeremy Lin.

By now, with Linsanity part of the sports Lin-go, everyone knows the absurdly wonderful affect of his emergence. It has all the elements of a Disney script.
t’s why we fall in love with sports.

Lin has started 10 NBA games and been on two Sports Illustrated covers. He has nearly doubled New York Knicks’ TV ratings. He makes $9,295 per game , but one of his game jerseys sold for $40,000.

He’s a Harvard grad. He’s American-Asian. He’s Roy Hobbs. He’s Sidd Finch. He went undrafted in a sport where any player with potential is drafted and first entered most NBA team’s consciousness during a summer stint he had with Dallas.

“We had a game after his, and we heard all this noise from the fans during it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “[2010 No. 1 pick] John Wall was playing in that game, so we just figured the noise was for him.”

It wasn’t for Wall. It was for Lin. He outplayed the No. 1 pick. But that’s not the story Haslem wants to talk about. That day didn’t even have an effect on Dallas. It didn’t keep Lin for training camp.

No other team did, either.

Lin spent a while in the minor leagues before signing with Golden State, but was released. Ditto with Houston. He then signed with the Knicks and sat at the end of the bench.

In late January, he played in just one game during a seven-game stretch. That appearance was the definition of garbage time: The final six minutes of a 33-point win against Charlotte.

That’s when the Knicks came to AmericanAirlines Arena on Jan. 27th. This is where Haslem tells his story.

“Before each game, I go to chapel,” Haslem said. click for more

February 22, 2012|By Kathleen Haughney, Tallahassee Bureau
TALLAHASSEE — A school prayer bill is headed to a final vote in the Florida House amid warnings that it is inviting civil rights groups to sue any school district that attempts to implement it.
The proposal, SB 98, would permit school boards to adopt standards for how and when students in public schools could lead public prayer at any school event, even mandatory gatherings like student assemblies. The prayer would have to be initiated and delivered by students, with no involvement by faculty or staff.

Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Palatka, the House sponsor, said the measure is not about prayer, noting that the legislation specifically uses the phrase “inspirational message.”

“This bill doesn’t mention [prayer],” he said. “And I didn’t either… With the words ‘inspirational message,’ this bill in fact is a bill about free speech.”

Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, dismissed the phrase as a euphemism.

“We all know what those ‘inspirational messages’ will be,” he said.

The bill has already passed the Senate, and its approval by the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday means the entire House will be able to take a final vote on it in the next two weeks. Van Zant and Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, have tried unsuccessfully to pass a school-prayer for several years, but opponents have stymied them by raising constitutional concerns.

Groups like the Anti-Defamation League and American Civil Liberties Union say those concerns remain. ACLU lobbyist Pamela Burch Fort told lawmakers that the legislation would “invite litigation,” forcing school boards whose budgets are already stretched thin to defend the cases in court. Judges have thrown out previous attempts by districts to allow prayer at compulsory events.

“Today, students can offer voluntary prayer and messages of inspiration alone or at non-compulsory events,” she said.

But Rep. Daphne Campbell, D-Miami, said she saw nothing wrong with prayer in school, noting that the Legislature itself starts each floor session with a prayer.

“My God, we pray for everything,” she said. “What’s wrong with praying in school or inspirational message?” click for more

For 60 years the National Prayer Breakfast has been a nonpolitical event where speakers put aside their earthly biases and focus on a Higher Authority. On Feb. 2, President Obama departed from that tradition to claim the endorsement of Jesus for raising taxes. It beat the endorsement of Mitt Romney by Donald Trump.

In his remarks, the president quoted Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” The president sees this verse as a command for him to raise taxes on the successful so the money can be “spread around” to the less successful. If the president’s interpretation of this verse sounds a little like Karl Marx, it should. Marx said, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” click for balance of article

Will you join Church of all Nations Senior Pastor Mark D. Boykin’s vision and “Answer the Call” to reach one million souls a year? If so, here’s a great way to start. We have begun laying the groundwork and interceding with others from around the world through prayer and fasting for a massive conversion of souls to Jesus. There will be upcoming Face Book links, website additions, You Tube clips in addition to special episodes of The Hour of Prayer set aside specifically to advance this most important effort. “Answer the Call” will be introduced in the Unites States, the UK and select parts of Eastern Europe.

Remembering Haiti- Our prayers are with the island of Haiti today as we remember the devastating earthquake that rocked our Caribbean brothers and sisters in 2010. We thank God for the outpouring of love from around the world and from here at Church of All Nations. We pray comfort and peace for our congregants who lost loved ones that tragic January day. On behalf of Senior Pastor Mark D. Boykin and members of Church of All Nations we once again lift the island of Haiti in prayer to you Lord and pray for the continued restoration of this island nation and its beautiful people.

The Palm Beach County Commission plans to take a final vote whether to hold a referendum on November 2012, asking voters to allow slots machines at the county’s parimutuel facility, the Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach and the old jai-alai fronton in Mangolia Park.  Allowing slot machines would also open the door to more of the casino-style gambling long advocated by the kennel club owners, the influential Rooney family.
 
 “This referendum will be a waste of taxpayers money, and their proposal will bring higher crime rates, and violence to  a neighborhood already in need,” said Pastor Mark D. Boykin.  “I believe that everything that happens in Vegas, must stay in Vegas, and we do not need the kind of crime, prostitution, and others evils associated with gambling to expand in Florida,” continued Pastor Mark D. Boykin.

“PASTOR MARK D. BOYKIN AND THE ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC PASTORS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY WILL SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED GAMBLING REFERENDUM BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS”
 
Contact:  Martin Camacho (561) 329-7896
 
West Palm Beach, Florida (December 19, 2011).   Pastor Mark D. Boykin, Senior Pastor of Church of All Nations in Boca Raton and the Association of Hispanic Pastors of Palm Beach County will be speaking against the proposed gambling referendum by the Palm Beach County Commission on:
 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2011
9:30 AM
Palm Beach County Commission Chambers, 6th Floor
301 Oliver Road
West Palm Beach, Florida
 
The Palm Beach County Commission plans to take a final vote whether to hold a referendum on November 2012, asking voters to allow slots machines at the county’s parimutuel facility, the Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach and the old jai-alai fronton in Mangolia Park.  Allowing slot machines would also open the door to more of the casino-style gambling long advocated by the kennel club owners, the influential Rooney family.
 
 “This referendum will be a waste of taxpayers money, and their proposal will bring higher crime rates, and violence to  a neighborhood already in need,” said Pastor Mark D. Boykin.  “I believe that everything that happens in Vegas, must stay in Vegas, and we do not need the kind of crime, prostitution, and others evils associated with gambling to expand in Florida,” continued Pastor Mark D. Boykin.
 
“For decades we have cultivated a family-friendly vacation postcard image here in Florida and this proposed referendum is a waste of taxpayers money and will destroy our image,” said Pastor Valentin Fontanes, President of the Association of Hispanic Pastors of Palm Beach County.
 
According to NeighborhoodScout.com and based on FBI data from all 17,000 local law enforcement agencies across the United States, the City of Las Vegas, Nevada has 3 of the top 20 most dangerous neighborhoods with the highest predicted rates of violent crime in America.  (#3 Balzar Avenue; #4 N. 28th Street; and #8 D Street; all neighborhoods in the City of Las Vegas).
 
“There have been a numbers of studies that show that gambling does not bring any economic advantages and more importantly it brings a higher rate of crime,” ended Pastor Mark D. Boykin.
 
Pastor Mark D. Boykin, Pastor Valentin Fontanes and others members of the Association of Hispanic Pastors of Palm Beach County will be speaking at the Palm Beach County Commission Meeting. For more information on C.A.G.E (citizens Against Gambling click here

BOCA RATON, Fla. — A Boca Raton pastor is back at it again in his fight to get a Christmas crèche, or nativity scene, at City Hall.

Mark Boykin, a pastor at the Church of All Nations, led the “March of the Crèche” to City Hall on Tuesday. The procession was made up of men, women and children.

Boykin began his fight in December 2009 when he lobbied to get a nativity scene placed beside the menorah at the city library. The city had a Christmas tree on display, but Boykin argued that it wasn’t a secular symbol.
Last year, he led the charge to include a Christmas crèche with City Hall’s other holiday decorations.

In November, Boca Raton leaders decided not to allow holiday decorations of any kind inside city buildings. However, after complaints from residents, the city reversed its decision Monday.

“We already know that whether we have decorations or not is not going to prevent those that wish to come forward and say their peace and get their news coverage,” Mayor Susan Whelchel said at Monday’s City Council meeting. “It’s not going to make a difference one way or the other, so I don’t think we should deny ourselves the opportunity to be part of the joy of the season.”

The city agreed to allow Christmas trees, a menorah and a “Season’s Greetings” sign, but Boykin said that’s not enough.

Nobody from the city would speak to WPBF 25 News. A statement from the city said the decision is “consistent with Supreme Court and other judicial rulings.”

“There we go again,” Boykin said. “We’re chasing our tail. Again, she does that to try and get the pressure off, but the crèche is still not allowed. Why is the crèche being discriminated against? That’s the question.” Click here for article

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Members of All Nations Church in Boca Raton took to the streets Tuesday to protest city rules regarding holiday decorations.The group marched from their church on 4th Avenue to City Hall with crèches in hand, upset the small nativity scenes cannot be displayed publicly inside the city building. Pastor Mark Boykin calls the move a civil rights violation, saying the city is denying the recognition of Christmas.

A few weeks ago, the City of Boca Raton decided not to have any holiday decorations inside City Hall or public libraries in an effort to avoid upsetting the group. But the Mayor admitted Tuesday that was a mistake. She says there will be protestors regardless what city leaders decide, and she’s also heard from many residents who miss the decorations. In an about-face, the city voted Monday night to permit holiday symbols inside city buildings that the U.S. Supreme Court deems allowable. It includes Christmas trees or Hanukkah menorahs. The Supreme Court says both those symbols don’t necessarily signify religion.

But that isn’t enough for members of the Church of All Nations who feel they have the right to display the crèche and other religious symbols anywhere.The City of Boca Raton has set aside a place for all religious decorations in Sanborn Square off Federal Highway. That is a place where nativity scenes and Jewish symbols like the Star of David are allowed. To view complete article click here