Free Republic

An atheist invited to give the opening prayer at a Lake Worth, Florida, City Commission meeting recently called on the “wisdom of Satan” and declared “if almighty Thor is with us, who can ever be against us,” a perversion of a New Testament verse. It was not altogether surprising as people with nontraditional beliefs increasingly are demanding their place in the public square. But in this case, a number of city commissioners expressed their opinion of the “invocation” – without saying a word. They got up and walked out. See the incident:“Free speech works both ways,” Mayor Pam Triolo told...

Laney plans end of distinguished political career BY JOHN REYNOLDS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL State Rep. Pete Laney, D-Hale Center, won't run for re-election next year, closing the curtain on a 33-year legislative career that included a record-tying 10 years as House speaker. He didn't go into specifics Friday on his decision to leave. "I think it was time, there's no particular reason," he said. "There are other things I may want to do with my life." The 62-year-old cotton farmer and grandfather of four has spent more than half his life as a state representative. He was first elected in 1972, knocking...

Local Democrats honor Stenholm with Local Hero Award By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Only 11 days since becoming a U.S. representative serving Lubbock, Charlie Stenholm was honored Saturday with a Local Hero Award from the Lubbock County Democratic Party. Stenholm was thrown into Lubbock's congressional district after a Republican-backed move to draw new lines and gain more House seats. The Abilene Democrat is the former representative from District 17, but Abilene was moved into District 19 where voters elected Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock in a special election during the summer. "Republicans are the opposition, they're not the enemy," Stenholm said...

Former Gov. Preston Smith buried Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) - Preston E. Smith, Texas' 40th governor, was laid to rest at the Texas State Cemetery Tuesday as friends remembered him for his devotion to education and public service. "Governor Smith was a proud Texan and a man of the people," said U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. "He exemplified the greatest of the Lone Star State: pride, perseverance and independence." Smith died Saturday, three days after entering Texas Tech Medical Center with pneumonia. He was 91. A memorial service for him was held Monday in Lubbock. Gov. Rick Perry talked...

Ex-Gov. Smith dies at 91 By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Preston Smith, Texas' 40th governor, who graduated from Lamesa High School and owned movie theaters in Lubbock, died Saturday in University Medical Center three days after being admitted with pneumonia. Longtime friend Otice Green said Smith's family was with him when he died at 4:45 p.m. He was 91. "It was a very sudden at tack," Green said. "He was feeling fine Monday, recovering, and he was with his daughter, then he began feeling bad. Other factors began to set in, and he experienced one failure after another." Services are scheduled...