http://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp myBlog - Gregory Richardhttp://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp?recordnum=03/17/2011 2:15:39 PM
HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) - Housing officials in western Michigan say landlords they accused of discrimination have agreed to pay $60,000 as part of a settlement over claims that they refused to rent to unmarried couples.

The Grand Rapids Press reports that Don and Donna Rus of Holland have agreed to pay $60,000 to the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan.

Elizabeth Vezino, director of advocacy for the Fair Housing Center, says "testers" or decoys asked about renting one of the couple's 14 condos and eight apartments from June 2008 to May 2009. Fair Housing Center officials said the decoys reported being told the properties are rented only to single people and married couples.

The Grand Rapids Press reports that Donna Rus declined to comment.
]]>Gregory RichardWeb Blogs3/17/2011 2:15:39 PM2011 by Gregory Richard. All rights reserved.http://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp?recordnum=13/7/2011 8:24:46 AM
WTF, MYOB!!!

We have plenty of trouble at home to worry about. Let's get our own house in order before trying to fix everyone else.]]>Gregory RichardWeb Blogs3/7/2011 8:24:46 AM2011 by Gregory Richard. All rights reserved.http://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp?recordnum=23/4/2011 8:13:18 AM
Toobin's view on the ruling by the court in Snyder v. Phelps is wrong. This case invlolved the sick group of people from Westboro who show up at funerals with their disgusting and disrespectful signs. In true lawyer form Toobin states,

"This is a very painful, difficult legal case, but the fact that it's an 8-to-1 Supreme Court ruling illustrates that the result was not particularly controversial, when you consider the protest did not disrupt the funeral at all.

That the protests couldn't be heard or seen from the funeral was important -- the First Amendment allows what's known as "time, place and manner." You can't exercise your First Amendment right by using a bullhorn in a residential neighborhood at 3 in the morning, but free expression has to be allowed in public spaces with impunity if it does not disrupt the community."

What Toobin is missing is the time, place and manner in which the Phelps clan spews their hate. Since the Snyder family was aware of the Phelps clan's action on the day and the days surrounding the funeral of their son, it stands to reason by any normal person's perspective that the Phelps clan infringed upon the family's rights. The court is wrong!!!

I do not condone violence, but I really wish someone would put down the Phelps clan for being rabid vermin.]]>Gregory RichardWeb Blogs3/4/2011 8:13:18 AM2011 by Gregory Richard. All rights reserved.http://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp?recordnum=33/2/2011 10:39:45 AM
This is idiotic! If oil prices go up, the cost of everything goes up. Yes, there is supply and demand relationship reflected in oil prices, but the real issue is the falling value if the US dollar. Our government needs to stop spending what they do not have, and stop printing money to cover what they do not have. If the dollars was worth more, then prices, including oil, would be lower.]]>Gregory RichardWeb Blogs3/2/2011 10:39:45 AM2011 by Gregory Richard. All rights reserved.http://www.straddlebug.com/myBlog.asp?recordnum=42/24/2011 10:01:01 AM
It is a smoke and mirrors tactic that is allowing government to hinder or take away our freedom and bankrupt this country.]]>Gregory RichardWeb Blogs2/24/2011 10:01:01 AM2011 by Gregory Richard. All rights reserved.