Could An Anti-sodomy Clause In The Logan’s Law Animal Abuser Bill Kill The Bill?

Logan's Law was named for a Siberian husky who was intentionally burned with acid and is intended to crack down on animal cruelty.  The backers of Logan’s Law are working to create a register of animal abusers so that a person convicted of abusing an animal cannot abuse another animal

as a pet owner.

However, this legislation is becoming about more than just animal abuse.  It is including prohibiting certain consensual sex acts between two adults. 

The Supreme Court rendering anti-sodomy laws unconstitutional in 2003, Michigan is one of more than a dozen states that still has a sodomy ban on the books. Not only does it ban anal and oral sex for gay couples, it also bans the acts between straight partners, and even equates them to bestiality.

A new package of bills designed to keep pets out of the hands of animal abusers includes an update to the text of the ban, but leaves the restriction on consensual sex between humans intact.

Republican Senator Rick Jones’ SB 219 updates the ban to read: “A person who commits the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal is guilty of a felony.”

It’s that “with mankind,” that’s with issue, and technically leaves straight and gay couples practicing anal and oral sex at risk of a prison sentence of up to 15 years – or even up to life if the offender is a “sexually delinquent person.”

Could this be why Arlan Meekhof (R), was the lone Nay vote on the bill as it passed the Senate with support of all remaining Republicans and 100% of the Senate Democrats?

Any bill that originates in one side of the legislature must be approved exactly by the other side.  If the House doesn’t approve the Senate version, the bill dies or if it is amended it goes to the Senate for approval as amended.   There is a chance though that the senate may not pick up the bill again.

Some Of the Logan's Law Founders and Volunteers, Roger Huntington, Michele Zobl, Carl Fese, 

Valerie Grondzik Lawson, Matt Falk, Nancy Falk and Nick Markopoulos.

Satanists Put Up Their Own Holiday Display On Capital Grounds And A Senator Takes Them On

The Michigan State Capitol Commission approved the

display, which the Detroit-based groups calls a Snaketivity Scene. It features a Satanic crucifix with the words “The Greatest Gift is Knowledge.” A red snake and book are also part of the display that will be up from Dec. 21-23.

On its Facebook page, the group states that, “just as the Nativity represents a mythology of the birth of Christ, the Snake is symbolic of the birth human enlightenment and liberation.”

In the meantime, State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge posted on his Facebook Page

A group wanted to put up a Christian Nativity scene at the Capitol. But the rules are that it must be put up in the morning and taken down at night. No one volunteered.

A Satanic group came forward and will put up a "Snaketivity Scene" honoring Satanic worship.

I cannot stand by and allow Satan to win this one. I have volunteered to put up and take down the Christian Nativity scene everyday.

Merry CHRISTmas

Senator Jones and his volunteer group are looking to put a

Michigan Senator Rick Jones (R)

Nativity on the grounds as well. The Michigan State Capitol Commission had approved plans for one, but those plans didn't move forward because the backer was from out of state, and couldn't find someone to put up and tear down the display every day. 

Permanent displays are not allowed at the Capitol.  Senator Jones says he will find someone to maintain the display.

Senator Jones said he planned to speak with the original Nativity scene backers today to arrange delivery of the display, but that if the group couldn't get it to him, he would go to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth and buy one himself.

The Satanist group doesn't actually worship the Christian devil and is aligned with atheist groups in protesting religious displays on public grounds. An official with the Detroit chapter said Monday the Satanist display is meant to promote knowledge and highlight the diversity of beliefs in the state.  This same group is reported to behind the anti-Christmas billboards popping up along major highways across the United States. 

Also this morning morning another Christian group applied to display a traditional Nativity at the site. John Truscott of the State Capitol Commission said he expects their permit to be approved by the end of the day.

Republican Wants to Raise Michigan's Minimum Wage

A bill, brought by Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge, would increase the hourly minimum to $8.15 from $7.40 in December. The minimum for tipped employees – wait staff and bartenders – would rise a dime to $2.75 per hour.

Sen. Rick Jones, Grand Ledge

Now this bill is a dumb idea. 

 If you want to make more, apply yourself. By increasing the minimum wage to those who don't apply themselves degrades those that are making their current wage by hard work. In addition look for greater unemployment as businesses will find that upgrading their automation will be cheaper than keeping on people. An example would be all the parking attendants in Birmingham that have been replaced by computers and ATMs. You will find the same happening at fast food places like McDonalds, which is already experimenting in some markets with a point of sale system that customers use. Also by increasing the minimum wage you will be adding costs of goods and services on to the consumer. This will negate any increase in the minimum wage increase. 

In addition this bill makes Republican's look cheap.  Seriously increase the wage for waiters and waitresses a dime? So now rather than education the public on the downfalls of a minimum wage, Republican's look the stereotype of being penny pinching old men.  

Again the only true way to improve one's economic self is to apply oneself. Get educated and work hard.