Posted on 09/04/2009 8:34:03 AM PDT by Star Traveler
By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
Published: 9/2/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 9/2/2009 5:05 AM
State troopers arrested an illegal immigrant Tuesday in the hit-and-run death of a longtime bicyclist and clinical psychologist, authorities said.
Roberto Salvador Alvelais-Torres, 28, is accused of striking Beverly Jean Duffield, 74, of Tulsa with a sport utility vehicle and then driving away, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. George Brown said.
Duffield was killed Tuesday morning while riding her bicycle near U.S. 75 and the 1700 block of Southwest Boulevard — an area where she was known to ride frequently.
Cherie White, a longtime friend who was at Duffield's home Tuesday evening, said it was not the first time Duffield had been struck by a vehicle while riding a bike.
About five or six years ago, she was hit while riding on 41st West Avenue. She suffered a head injury and bore an extensive scar on her right thigh from that crash, White said.
"She was always trying to educate cyclists about cycling and being aware of their surroundings and being safe," White added.
She said Duffield had just called her husband, Jack Duffield, about five minutes before she was struck Tuesday morning to tell him that she was getting ready to start her ride.
"Ever since the first accident, she wanted to call him and tell him when she started and when she was done to let him know she was OK," White said.
Brown said a witness told troopers that a Chevrolet Suburban hit Duffield when both were heading south at the B and R Service Road and 17th Street near Southwest Boulevard.
Medics who responded about 7:20 a.m. pronounced Duffield dead at the scene with massive traumatic injuries, EMSA spokeswoman Tina Wells said.
The vehicle that struck her had fled the scene. Brown said troopers who were investigating the hit and run found at 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban that they believe Alvelais-Torres was driving.
After finding the vehicle, they were led to Alvelais-Torres, who was arrested about 2:30 p.m. on complaints of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to stop at the scene of a fatal accident, failure to stop at a stop sign, operating a vehicle without a driver's license and not having insurance, according to an arrest report.
Brown said Alvelais-Torres is an illegal immigrant who has been living in Tulsa.
Duffield was born in Cassville, Mo., but had lived in Tulsa for 55 years. She attended the University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma and was a clinical psychologist.
Jack Duffield had put her through school with income from his business, Duffield Plumbing, from which he retired about 20 years ago, White said.
The couple has a daughter, Regenia Bean, White said.
"She always loved Tulsa so much" White said of Duffield. "She was well recognized throughout the community and always strived for people to get politically involved whether they were Democrats or Republicans."
Michael Brose, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, said that "Beverly has been an incredible human being and professional clinician in this community for many, many years and has served many families and individuals.
"It is an incredible loss to the community and, I know, the entire mental health community."
Todd Swain, manager of Bicycles of Tulsa, said he had known Duffield about 13 years. He said she frequently rode in the area where she was hit.
"She was an awesome lady, full of life. She was a firecracker," Swain said.
Adam Vanderburg, who owns Lee's Bicycles and the Trek Bicycle Store, said she was a longtime customer.
"Cycling was in her blood," he said. "I think it was kind of her own therapy."
Malcolm McCollam, an attorney and member of the Tulsa Wheelmen bicyclists association, said he often saw Duffield riding and that she usually rode alone.
McCollam said it is unusual that the cycling community in Tulsa would suffer a loss so soon after another recent tragedy.
Three area bicyclists were hit from behind on the shoulder of Oklahoma 51 near 165th West Avenue west of Sand Springs on June 9.
Christa Voss, 33, of Owasso and Matthew Edmonds, 34, of Tulsa were killed in that crash. The third bicyclist, John Moore of Broken Arrow, survived.
Tausha Borland of Sand Springs is charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter plus two other counts — leaving the scene of a fatal accident and DUI involving a personal injury. She is free on bond and awaits an Oct. 26 preliminary hearing.
Customers were coming by Vanderburg's stores throughout the day Tuesday, talking about the loss of another cyclist to a traffic accident.
"People are still absorbing it. Everyone feels like they have been kicked in the gut again," Vanderburg said.
World staff writer Althea Peterson and World photographer Stephen Pingry contributed to this story.
Yes, it is a crying shame that the implementation of this law was delayed. This lady’s blood is on the hands of those who sued.
Reporter: Stephanie Breltic
Posted: 7:04 PM Feb 26, 2008
DURANT, Okla. -- Oklahoma's new immigration laws have gained a reputation as some of the toughest in the United States. On Monday, local businesses gathered for a seminar at the Kiamichi Technology Center to learn more about how those laws affect them.
Attorney Bill Wells has been touring Oklahoma to help explain the new law and make the transition easier for businesses, many of whom say they are already feeling the legislation's effects.
On November 1, 2007, it became mandatory for Oklahoma businesses providing services to state agencies and some subcontractors to use an online person verification system that will tell the employer whether the job applicant is a legal citizen.
The system is optional for other businesses, but there are benefits.
"The motivation for using that is if an employer is using that type of system, they can avoid any liability under the law if by chance it turns out they're employing someone illegally," Wells says.
But the law had some immediate side effects. Wells says business owners told him that they saw an immediate decrease in labor, both illegal and legal.
"Some of the folks that left were here legally, but were concerned that they were going to be harassed, arrested, or detained simply because they might be from a foreign country."
Carolyn Malone works in human resources at GAMCO in Durant. She says their application process including drug, alcohol, and background checks, along with social security number verification has always been strict, and even though their requirements haven't changed, GAMCO has been feeling the pinch too, with fewer applicants for available jobs.
"Well right now, I have 2 openings. And I’ve had 30 people apply. Before that, I would have at least 80-90 before," Malone says.
Wells says when the law first took effect in November, many of the people who left Oklahoma chose to go to Texas or Arkansas, where immigration laws are less strict.
“Tulsa is a flaky city compared to the rest of Oklahoma, IMO. Tulsa’s politicians are more concerned with protecting their jobs than protecting lives.”
BS. My family has lived in Oklahoma for generations and has had politically active Republicans and Democrats. Tulsa was one of the few strongholds for Republicans through years of Democratic (albeit Southern) domination. Yes, the libtards in parts of the city keep idiot mayors in power. However, OKC is *much* more liberal when it comes to programs. OKC is full of state and federal employees who would love to see government expanded.
Tulsa has a good number of libertarian Republicans, which causes some command and control (Big Government) Republicans to complain. Personally, I think that’s self defeating.
(sarcasm = off)
Yeah, that's why Tulsa has such a conservative mayor.
Well..., if Republicans had not picked such a crappy mayor before, there wouldn't have been such a backlash... LOL...
Hewgley: LaFortune is the ‘worst mayor’ in 50 years
By Charles Biggs
Of the Beacon Staff
A former street commissioner regrets that he helped talk Bill LaFortune into running for mayor four years ago because of the disruptive impact LaFortune has had on city government.
Jim Hewgley III, a Republican who served as street commissioner from 1978 to 1984, said he was one of five people who spoke to LaFortune in 2001 to convince him to run for mayor.
“I take some responsibility for the mayor,” Hewgley said. “I want to apologize to people for being so wrong. There is no question that during the past 50 years, Bill LaFortune is the worst mayor this city has had.
“Show me someone who was worse. I will not vote for him again – no matter who is in the race.”
LaFortune does not respond to interview requests from the Tulsa Beacon.
Hewgley has not decided to back any candidate for mayor. He has had conversations with City Councilor Chris Medlock, who is running for mayor, and Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller, who is contemplating a race. City Councilor Bill Christiansen, a registered Republican, has said he will not run for mayor. Hewgley said Christiansen would not return his phone calls.
Hewgley pointed to a poll sponsored by KOTV and the Tulsa World that asked likely GOP voters if the primary were held today, only 38.8 percent of those who responded would vote for LaFortune.
“Republicans may be waking up,” Hewgley said in response to the low percentage.
The low point in LaFortune’s term came during this year’s attempted recall of two city councilors, Medlock and Jim Mautino.
“I blame that mess on Bill LaFortune,” Hewgley said.
The recall showed the irrelevance of the mainstream media and the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce, particularly in the district elections, Hewgley said.
Hewgley said there was no just cause for the recall vote, which both councilors survived impressively. He said LaFortune publicly opposed the recall but supported it privately and failed to broker a compromise that would have spared the city a year of embarrassment over an unnecessary controversy.
“(Former Mayor) Susan Savage would have put a stop to the recall,” Hewgley said. “(Former Mayor) Jim Inhofe would have stopped it. That whole mess is on LaFortune’s shoulders.
“He has no credibility with me because I can’t believe a word he says. He thinks he can be a leader by saying yes to everybody. My theory is if you can’t say no, you can’t lead.”
When Hewgley was in office, there were some serious problems with Finance Commissioner Ron Young. Young met with then-Mayor Jim Inhofe and Young resigned, sparing the city a lot of turmoil.
Hewgley claims LaFortune has not been honest in many areas. LaFortune is not being truthful about the size of the downtown arena.
“They have downsized it,” Hewgley said. “And they keep saying they haven’t.”
Records show that the arena was supposed to have 18,000 fixed seats but it is estimated that number is 16,500, with only 17,500 seats for basketball – less than what is required to host an NCAA Regional.
“Economic development is not convention business,” Hewgley said. “Economic development means more people with good paying jobs. They can live in Broken Arrow but I want them to shop in Tulsa.
“Little towns around here are becoming little cities. At one point, 25 percent of the sales tax revenue for Tulsa came from Woodland Hills Mall. That’s not true now. These cities are siphoning off retail business from Tulsa.
“We have a long, tough road and it could get worse before it gets better.”
LaFortune made a promise to support a bridge across the Arkansas River and then changed his stance when he saw the level of opposition from South Tulsa homeowners, Hewgley said.
“(Tulsa County Commissioner) Bob Dick, as a leader, is sticking to his guns on the bridge,” Hewgley said. “Bill LaFortune is a flipflopper. All this is reflected in this poll.”
Hewgley is convinced that LaFortune is making a bad situation with the airport authority investigation worse. The Bank of Oklahoma is suing the airport trust after the bankruptcy of Great Plains Airlines. LaFortune wants the city to join the trust in defending the suit and therefore be liable to a judgment that could top $7.5 million.
“This is a bad deal,” Hewgley said. “The city had no business being involved in this deal. When Clay Bird and Randi Miller asked me about Great Plains arrangement, I told them that if things went bad, BOK would want its money, not the hangar.”
Should the City Council be foolish enough to join the lawsuit, Hewgley thinks the taxpayers of Tulsa could sue councilors individually for spending money illegally. The answer to the airport mess is a federal grand jury to clear the air, Hewgley said.
Tulsa has lost sight of the original purpose of the Third Penny Sales Tax, which will be up for a renewal vote in 2006. LaFortune wants to extend the tax from five years to six years and to continue to fund other budget items than just capital improvements.
Hewgley, who along with Inhofe and others crafted the original Third Penny proposal, said that tax originally was dedicated to developing roads, sewers, water lines and other infrastructure primarily in South and East Tulsa.
In 1966, Tulsa annexed huge areas in South and East Tulsa, effectively doubling the size of the city. The new areas needed improvements to catch up with the rest of the city. “The idea was to catch up in South and East Tulsa (with the Third Penny,)” Hewgley said. “Eventually, we would get to full urbanization. Then the Third Penny would be used for maintenance.
“The dirty little secret is that it has been cannibalized – only about 60 percent goes to capital improvements.”
Hewgley said he would support renewal of the Third Penny sales with two conditions:
• That the $70 million worth of unfinished projects from the 2001 vote be completed before new projects are started. That shortfall came from a poor estimate of sales tax growth.
• Whether it’s five or six years, we should take the conservative approach and plan on flat growth. That way if revenues improve, it’s a good situation and less impact if taxes decrease.
“We should take a conservative approach or we will have a big problem,” he said.
When Hewgley was in office, Tulsa had commissioners who were administrators and policy makers. Now Tulsa has nine city councilors who make policy and the mayor runs the city.
Tulsa has a strong-mayor form of government with a weak mayor, Hewgley said.
“I can’t remember Tulsa ever having a mayor who lived south of 51st Street,” Hewgley said.
He does not favor a change in government that would make three of the councilors at-large, as has been suggested by some, because that would just consolidate power downtown with the chamber. He would prefer to bring in a city manager, similar to the system used in Oklahoma City where the mayor is more ceremonial and the city manager runs the city. He also would favor non-partisan elections.
“Bill LaFortune is the prototype weak mayor,” Hewgley said. “He is better at promoting the city than running it.”
The more you see a mayor on TV, the less work he is probably doing, Hewgley said.
The recent divisiveness in city government is due to the segmenting of Tulsa, with downtown and midtown aligned against the rest of the city, Hewgley said.
“Downtown is not growing,” Hewgley said. “The rest of the city needs the Third Penny money, not downtown. This will be more pronounced as years go by.”
Tulsa has a legacy of mayors who set aside personal interest and influence and did what was right for the city, Hewgley said
“I served with a good mayor (Inhofe),” Hewgley said. “We accomplished a lot in those years.”
“I don’t dislike Bill LaFortune. But we are trending toward an ‘ends justify the means’ attitude in this city. We think $16,000 is too much to spend to investigate the airport but we are ready to sign over $7 million for a bank loan. That is nuts.”
By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau
Published: 8/8/2007 5:09 AM
Last Modified: 8/8/2007 5:09 AM
Oklahoma's immigration measure is reportedly the nation's toughest.
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Amid reports that Oklahoma has the toughest immigration law in the country, the National Conference of State Legislatures released a study this week showing states are taking up the slack on immigration reform because Congress has failed to do so.
In the absence of leadership from the federal government on immigration, the states have displayed "an unprecedented level of activity and have developed their own approaches," the report says.
So far this year, twice as many bills have been enacted by legislatures around the country compared with 2006. Since January, states have enacted 171 immigration bills, compared with 84 measures a year ago.
Rep. Randy Terrill, author of Oklahoma's reform measure, House Bill 1804, said Oklahoma's new law "was the talk of the town" at the NCSL's annual convention, which opened in Boston on Monday. About 35 House members and several state senators are attending the sessions.
Last year, Georgia passed an immigration bill heralded as the toughest in the nation. However, Mike Hethmon, executive director of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, said Oklahoma's bill goes further that any other state's legislation in a half-dozen or more areas. Those include a requirement that law officers attempt to determine the citizenship status of everyone they arrest and that those working here under questionable status cannot obtain driver's licenses.
In a phone interview from Boston, Terrill, R-Moore, called Hethmon "the wizard behind the curtain." Hethmon worked on the Georgia legislation last year and helped Terrill draw up HB 1804, which was overwhelmingly approved by the state Legislature in May. He also has consulted with other states about their proposed legislation.
"This is now a 50-state issue," said Sheri Steisel, an immigration specialist with the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"There is a tremendous amount of frustration at the local level now that the federal government has abrogated its responsibility," she said.
Terrill said Oklahoma's "comprehensive law" is a major accomplishment for the state, but others say it reflects badly on how Oklahoma treats people living within its borders.
HB 1804 goes into effect Nov. 1.
The Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders based in Washington, D.C., said the Oklahoma law shows a lack of understanding on the part of legislators who passed the bill. He said the state law demonstrates "racial intolerance" toward Mexicans and other Hispanics living here.
"The economics of this country depends on continual immigration," Rivera said, adding that Oklahoma will suffer in the end through a loss of those working in service jobs.
What makes HB 1804 stiffer?
Irrelevant. The fact is that my statement, viz. that Tulsa is not conservative, is true. No matter that there are conservatives in Tulsa, it's still a liberal city.
Irrelevant. The fact is that my statement, viz. that Tulsa is not conservative, is true. No matter that there are conservatives in Tulsa, it's still a liberal city.
LOL... Well..., you haven't noticed, yet (apparently) that one poster "saying so" on a subject, doesn't necessarily make something so... :-)
There are plenty of statistics and other data that says differently, no matter what one person says to the contrary of the data...
To me the data says that there are some liberals in a conservative city and a city that votes so (along with the rest of the state, too) in the highest percentage of conservative voting anywhere in the country...
Sorry, you're wrong.
Deut 14:2: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
But it wasn't unconditional. It was conditioned upon obedience.
1 Kings 9:6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
For example, at Kadesh Barnea after the multitude followed the faithless spies' negative report, God was going to disinherit them.
Num 14:11 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
You see, it was never unconditional. Plus, it was only temporary. But when Christ established his church, God's plan was fulfilled and national Judaism had fulfilled its purpose. Proof is that Jews no longer obey the law re animal sacrifices. Nor do they know the priestly line (since the genealogical records were destroyed at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by general (later to become emporer) Titus.
Paul confirms that the law of Moses is no longer valid. Rom 7:4-6: Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
He's contrasting the old law (of Moses) with the law of Christ. We're no longer under the old law.
In fact, Paul said that it was a cumbersome at best.
Acts 15:10: Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
He's referring to the law of Moses.
Plus, Jerusalem will be vaporized along with the rest of the universe when Christ returns.
2 Peter 3:10-13: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Anyway, just so you know.
I know that there are some who don't believe what God says, but I'll take God at his Word when He says ,,,
Jeremiah 31:36-37
36 “If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.”
37 Thus says the Lord: “If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the Lord.
This is what God says about Israel...
Ezekiel 37:21-28
21 Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;
22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.
23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
24 “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.
25 Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
28 The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” ‘ “
Jeremiah 31:31-37
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
35 Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (The Lord of hosts is His name):
36 “If those ordinances depart From before Me, says the Lord, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever.”
37 Thus says the Lord: “If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the Lord.
Zechariah 14:2-21
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle.
4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You.*
6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish.
7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord— Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light.
8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur.
9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The Lord is one,”* And His name one.
10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem* shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananeel to the king’s winepresses.
11 The people shall dwell in it; And no longer shall there be utter destruction, But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12 And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
13 It shall come to pass in that day That a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, And raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand;
14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations Shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance.
15 Such also shall be the plague On the horse and the mule, On the camel and the donkey, And on all the cattle that will be in those camps. So shall this plague be.
16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
20 In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.*
Sorry, you're wrong.
So you say, but the stats speak for themselves... :-)
Plus, Jerusalem will be vaporized along with the rest of the universe when Christ returns.
Ummm..., you must not be reading all of the Bible... :-)
Revelation 19:5-21; 20:1-15
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!"
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation was not written to us. It was written to the seven churches of Asia. Those people had the supernatural gift of interpretation.
Further, the events described in Revelation took place in their lifetime.
Rev 1:1-3: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
The events contained in Revelation were fulfilled during the lifetime of the recipients. People who look for a future "kingdom" believe false doctrine.
Matt 16:28: "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
To suggest that we look for a future establishment of Jesus' kingdom is to say Jesus lied.
But more to the point. If dispensationalism were true, which it is not, you wouldn't make it anyway.
Rev 14:1-4: And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.
If dispensationalism were true (that's the name of the doctrine you cling to), then only 144,000 will make it, they'll only be men, and they'll only be virgins.
Revelation is a book of symbols written in code (to people who had the supernatural gift of interpretation) to shield them from their persecutors.
Further, if anybody had that gift today, then they would also have the gifts of healing the sick, raising the dead, etc, and nobody has those gifts. If they did, it would be all over the ten oclock news.
Sounds like a good discussion here, so I would suggest you take this particular post, open up a new thread and start posting on it. I can promise you, that I and others will be there to talk... :-)
But, since this thread is "Illegal immigrant held in death of Tulsa cyclist (Oklahoma)" -- it doesn't seem appropriate to keep posting on these issues on this particular thread, or else we'll have to get the Moderator to change the title of the thread... LOL...
However, in the religion section, this will be discussed with a lot of enthusiam ...
Posted: Sep 04, 2009 8:44 PM
Updated: Sep 04, 2009 8:47 PM
TULSA, OK -- The cycling community is remembering a Tulsa woman, who was struck and killed while riding earlier this week.
A ghost bike has been set up in memory of 74-year-old Beverly Duffield on 17th Street near the Highway 75 off ramp. Tulsa Police say a man hit Duffield with his SUV on Tuesday, killing her.
Ghost bikes are painted white and placed at the scene of a deadly crash involving a bicyclist.
09/02/09 10:22 pm
Reporter: Jerry Giordano
Producer: Gena Bohn
Tulsa, OK - 74-year-old Beverly Duffield was struck and killed while riding her bike in west Tulsa. Investigators say, 28-year-old Roberto Torres is responsible. They say the undocumented man from Mexico fled the scene, but was picked up by police a short time later.
Police tell NewsChannel 8, Torres was going east on I-244 when he exited the highway at 17th Street. They say, he didn't stop at the stop sign at the end of the ramp and that's where he struck Duffield.
A small memorial to mark the end of a very big life. Local cyclist Beverly Duffield was hit and killed Tuesday morning as she rode along a stretch of road in West Tulsa.
And just take a look over here and you will see the latest addition to the memorial: a bicycle, spray painted white and chained to a sign. It shows concern for the victim, but tonight there is also growing concern over the suspect, an un-documented man from Mexico. There are fears that, if convicted, 28-year old Roberto Torres will be immediately deported - without being punished for his crimes by doing jail time here in Tulsa.
One viewer writes: "I think he needs to go to prison for awhile rather than the free ticket to Mexico."
Tulsa County D-A Tim Harris says it's all part of due process. "He's in custody on leaving the scene of a fatal accident which is a felony punishable by ten years in prison and a ten thousand dollar fine," says Harris.
First comes the arrest, then charges filed, then a trial, and, if there is a conviction, prison. Only when that sentence is complete and an illegal alien is released does the issue of deportation come up.
"When they get done with him, then the folks at the Tulsa County Jail will decide whether deportation is appropriate," says Harris.
So, it looks like Roberto Torres will be here in Tulsa for some time to come and his trial probably won't even begin until sometime in 2010.
Right now, there are 210 illegal aliens in the Tulsa County Jail, which is about 8% of it's total population.
Posted: Sep 02, 2009 4:49 PM
Updated: Sep 03, 2009 2:25 PM
By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6
TULSA, OK -- Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers arrested a man on Tuesday for hitting and killing a 74-year-old woman on a bicycle, and then leaving the scene. An immigration hold has been put on the suspect at the jail. So, what does that mean for his homicide charge?
Some people think illegal immigrants can just be deported without answering for their crimes, but the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says that is not the case. Illegals must pay their debt to society first before they're turned over to immigration.
Roberto Salvador Alvelais-Torres was booked into jail for negligent homicide, leaving the scene, driving with no license and failing to have insurance. An immigration detainer has been put on him because it appears he's in the U.S. illegally. He will be treated like any other suspected criminal in Tulsa County except for two things: he won't get a bond and he will be turned over to immigration after his case is over.
"He has to fulfill his obligations with state court before immigration will ever step in and take a look at him," said Tulsa County Sheriff's Sgt. Shannon Clark.
If Alvelais-Torres is convicted of killing 74-year-old Beverly Duffield and sent to prison, he can be turned over to immigration after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
Oklahoma recently passed that law to cut down on the cost of housing criminals who are illegals. Even if Alvelais-Torres is found innocent, he'll still be turned over to immigration.
After the jail places an immigration hold on someone, they rarely find out what happens to them if they're deported or allowed to stay. However, they do say working with immigration has cut down the number of illegals treating the jail like a revolving door.
"Once we send ‘em to OKC, we really don't know, but what we've found is we don't have all those people coming back to jail time and time again," said Tulsa County Sheriff's Sgt. Shannon Clark.
There are 1,600 inmates in Tulsa's jail right now and 210 of them have detainers for immigration.
In the last two years, 6,100 people have had immigration holds put on them. Most of them have been from our nearest neighbor, Mexico, followed by Honduras and Guatemala, but including 35 different countries.
The vast majority of illegals booked into Tulsa's jail are for traffic charges, DUI, other alcohol crimes and drugs.
If immigration later learns Alvelais-Torres has a criminal background or has been deported from the U.S. before, he can be removed from our country as an aggravated felon. That means if he comes back to the U.S. and gets caught again, he'd face federal charges.
Tulsa's Immigration Office should be up and running by next month.
Reported by: Abbie Alford
Last Update: 6:42 pm
A suspected illegal immigrant who police say killed a cyclist with his car has a criminal past.
FOX23 was the first and only media outlet to report this information Thursday night.
Court records show 28-year-old Roberto Alvelais-Torres has been jailed three times in Tulsa County for several charges, including DUI and non-injury hit-and-run.
Now he’s charged in Tuesday’s hit-and-run that killed 74-year-old Beverly Duffield.
So tonight we ask: How are Oklahoma’s immigration laws being enforced?
FOX23’s Abbie Alford has been digging into this story to learn more information.
A 577 page report details all the crimes linked to suspected illegal immigrants in Tulsa County in just the past couple of years.
Since June, 2007 6,146 suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested and 2,722 were charged with crimes.
The report shows most of their run-ins were with Tulsa Police.
FOX23’s initial findings from the documents show since June 2007 most of the suspected illegal immigrants who have been arrested in Tulsa County and inside the city limits have been put behind bars because of Driving Under the Influence of a drug or alcohol and Public Intoxication.
Drug offenses are also common but so is Driving Without a License and Insurance.
Looking at one arrest Galvan Rufino spent only five months in state prison for a hit-and-run, which the report says, caused great bodily injury.
There are also a number of reports showing suspected illegals jailed for minor traffic offenses such as speeding or failing to use a turn signal.
In the initial report there are few reports of suspected illegals tied to violent crimes.
However, 27-year-old Rosalio Morin is serving a nine-year prison sentence for sexually abusing a child.
A new state law designed to cut down on prison overcrowding allows convicted illegal immigrants to be deported after serving two-thirds of their prison time.
For Morin, that would mean he could be released in about five years.
Oklahoma’s HB 1804 which went into effect November 2007, makes it one of the toughest immigration laws in nation.
Currently, there is a federal injunction against employers who fail to comply with HB 1804. It regards employers and verification of their workers immigration status.
However, under 1804 you could be charged for knowingly housing and transporting an illegal immigrant.
There is a separate federal case that says HB 1804 is completely illegal and has moved to the State Supreme Court.
Since Oklahoma HB 1804 passed only one person has been charged with transporting an illegal immigrant. In that case a Tillman County judge deferred the case and there was no conviction.
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