Pompano Commission Needs To Learn The Constitution
BY BUDDY NEVINS
Pompano Beach Commission is the latest gang of politicians who believe it is above the Constitution.
Commissioners this week passed a new resolution that would regulate who gives an invocation at their meetings.
As if they didn’t have anything better to do!
Carefully disguised in eight pages of legalese is the aim of this measure: To stop a tongue-in-cheek invocation to Satan from one gadfly – Chaz Stevens.
Chaz Stevens
An avowed atheist who believes in total separation of church and state, Stevens wanted to embarrass the city into stopping prayers before its meetings.
Commissioner Barry Dockswell agreed with Stevens. He wanted to drop the invocation in favor of a moment of silence.
Dockwell was uncomfortable that many previous the invocations ended with “in the name of Jesus,” surely improper in that religiously diverse city, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
The rest of the Commission dug its heels in.
They approved a resolution that “made nonprofit status and Yellow Page listings among the requirements for religious respectability,” the Sun-Sentinel wrote.
(Update: After this post, Chaz quickly got both a Yellow Page and an Internet presence for his new “religious organization” — First Pompano Beach Church of Satan. See the links in his and Andrew Ladanowski’s comments below.)
The resolution, which is linked below, is full of language about how it is proper for commissioners to receive “divine guidance” to do their job.
I believe it is the absolute height of hubris to believe that any God is wasting time guiding the Pompano Beach commissioners.
Sprinkled throughout the resolution are references to Christianity, an insult to everybody who is not Christian.
By passing this, commissioners gave Stevens just what he wanted: An issue and publicity.
A relentless self-promoter, Stevens was mentioned in reports on this issue.
Most of all, commissioners are ignoring the spirit of the Constitution.
Their trained puppy, City Attorney Gordon Linn, may be able to defend this measure in court. That’s not the point.
(Of course, Pompano Beach taxpayers will pay for any legal challenge if that happens. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has already contacted the city about the resolution. The letter is below. Stay tuned. )
Pompano Beach Commissioners are violating the spirit of the Constitution.
Free speech and freedom of religion is meaningless unless repugnant ideas are permitted.
That’s why Nazis were permitted by courts to march through Jewish neighborhoods on public streets. That’s why the Supreme Court in an 8-1 ruling allowed the nuts from the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church to picket military funerals.
And that’s why the Pompano Beach Commissioners should have allowed Chaz Stevens to give his invocation. The spirit of the Constitution allows gadflies like Stevens….as annoying as they can be sometimes.
Deerfield invocation ordinance
Freedom of Religion Foundation
July 17th, 2015 at 10:23 am
Maybe Chza should have done what the Chaits did hired Vicente Thrower to set meetings with the Pompano Commissioners to get this done
July 17th, 2015 at 10:38 am
I don’t agree with Chaz’s methods, but he will win. He has two choices. 1. He will get an occupational license and set up a setup a non-profit, buy a yellow page add and setup google voice as his phone line( $1000 dollars will not stop him). Second choice, find a lawyer who will sue the city. He would win either way. He’s an extremely intelligent guy.
July 17th, 2015 at 11:26 am
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, in an appropriately certified church with a telephone and a tax lawyer, there am I in the midst of them.
– Our prayer to Pompano Beach
July 17th, 2015 at 11:35 am
Years ago the Broward County Commission abolished having clergy begin the meetings with an invocation. I, too, was uncomfortable with invoking the the prayers in the name of Jesus. Although the separation of church and state seems to be crumbling, I would want to see it restored to its original intent. The U.S. Constitution does not mention God.
July 17th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Respectfully, I say this respectfully to you and perhaps Mr. Fields, who is a lawyer, THE NAZIS DID NOT HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO MARCH THROUGH SKOKIE WITH ITS LARGE POPULATION OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS! Besides “You don’t have the right to cry Fire in a theatre” doctrine, there is no CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO “FIGHTING WORDS”. How many people on this blog WOULD SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF THE KLU KLUX KLAN TO WORK THRU A LOWER WORKING CLASS BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD KNOWING THEIR OUTFITS AND SIGNS WOULD BE AN INVITATION TO RIOT AND MAYHEM! I don’t bring this up, you did by the reference, albeit it “middle” to Skokie.
And frankly, invocations before groups from the Senate to the House to State Legislatures are all CONSTITUTIONAL and in fact go back EVEN BEFORE AND DURING THE PERIOD WE PASSED THE CONSTITUTION!
July 17th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Hey #2 Chaz has an attorney bff. He would have to, with all of the suits he brings.
But speaking of bff, whatever happened to Chaz’s wife?
July 17th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
The invocation at the start of any commission or legislative meeting is not to guide the residents of the city/state/nation into any particular religious point of view. It is for the commissioners/legislators, where they ask for God to give them the wisdom and strength to make the right decisions. In that light, any commissioner or legislator can get up and pray in any manner he pleases, without any concern or input from the SCOTUS.
I would call Chaz’s bluff. God is not afraid of the devil and certainly not afraid of Chaz Stevens. But, Chaz Stevens is afraid of something, and that is public speaking. If Chaz wants to pray to Satan, I would invite him up and not allow any substitute speakers. He would become a scorned laughing stock.
July 17th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Buddy;
Here’s how I see it.
Our First Amendment doesn’t contain language about ‘from of religion”, “freedom from religion”, rather it discusses making no law respecting an establishment of religion …
Gov’t should not choose one over another.
Now Pompano is applying a standard — if you’re a 501, if you spend money with the Yellow Pages, if you’re found on the Internet, well then come on aboard and say a prayer.
Pompano is clearly choosing one over another… Pompano is establishing their religious preference.
BTW, I’m in the Internet business, so thanks Pompano for making it easy for me to qualify.
FROM BUDDY:
I see from the comment below that you already qualified in one respect! Your “church” can be found on the Internet.
BTW, the attorney who drafted this obviously doesn’t realize that Yellow Pages has numerous competitors. What about Yellowbook? What about all the others?
July 17th, 2015 at 4:02 pm
Congratulations Pompano Beach you now have an official new church http://www.firstpompanobeachchurchofsatan.org/
It must be a legitimate church, it has a website. Look at the domain registry.
Domain Name:FIRSTPOMPANOBEACHCHURCHOFSATAN.ORG
Domain ID: D176881965-LROR
Creation Date: 2015-07-17T16:17:47Z
Updated Date: 2015-07-17T16:19:19Z
Registry Expiry Date: 2016-07-17T16:17:47Z
Sponsoring Registrar:GoDaddy.com, LLC (R91-LROR)
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 146
WHOIS Server:
Referral URL:
Registrant ID:CR199402983
Registrant Name:C Stevens
Registrant Organization:Z Brand Online Group
Registrant Street: 1600 South Dixie Highway
Registrant Street: Suite 300
Registrant City:Boca Raton
Registrant State/Province:Florida
Registrant Postal Code:33432
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.8184685433
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email:chazstevens@gmail.com
July 17th, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I was afraid of public speaking?
Really?
In 2013, I stood in front of two dozen members of the national press … video cameras were rolling … that stuff aired on Colbert, Daily Show, and hundreds of media outlets (world wide).
This year, the gay festivus pole will be just as huge — if not even larger.
And, if you speak to Kelly, remind her to return the stuff she stole from me.
July 17th, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Buddy;
This is Satanism after all … our listing will be found on The Erotic Review.
July 17th, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Do you want to live under a theocratic government? If you do, you are going to have to move out of the United States of America. You want that theocracy. go live in a caliphate. Not me. Cut away the nonsense of what is occurring here and think about the much deeper and larger issue.
July 18th, 2015 at 12:30 am
I agree with former Broward County Commissioner (and my hero) Sue Gunzburger. There should not be invocations prior to any municipal commission or council meetings. A minute of silence should suffice for silent meditation prior to beginning a meeting. Thank you Chaz for taking the lead on this.
FROM BUDDY:
I agree with Tim and Sue.
July 18th, 2015 at 10:07 am
Lets see here I see mentioned KKK, Nazis, and the hethen Chaz Stevens all in one paragraph(says a lot doesn’t it). What a year its been so far. Here I had meth heads threatening me(never flinched) to their idolized mobster super heros(get old sparky out),to dealing w/deals w/ meth dealers in Mexico(oh yes-nevr, never screw over the dealers guys(huh G).
July 18th, 2015 at 10:16 am
Where was I. Oh yes The meth dealer, to putting them all in jail. So now we have the hethen, and his public rant on prayers @ the beginning of th e comm.meetings. If a lot of you don’t like it for that three min. walk out of the chamber. I mean a lot of noise from Mr.stevens. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I will never see my dead parents again. Maybe there is no life after death. Maybe there is no Heaven. Maybe you are right Chaz stevens ,but believing, having faith, makes me a better person. And for this reason I sleep very well @ night. Lastly, I want to thank my deceased parent s for hitting the play 4 last month(oh yes keep hearing in my sleep “play the lottery sucker=boy.”. I was a good son to both of them. I believe Mr.stevens , Robert walsh belives(but don’t get me wrong Mr.stevens given the opportunity I would just assume push you over the cliff….).
July 18th, 2015 at 11:29 am
Step #2: Get a Yellow Pages listing.
Check.
http://i.imgur.com/LQvcMsb.jpg
July 18th, 2015 at 11:48 am
Step #2: Get a Yellow Pages listing.
Chaz now has a yellow page add for his church. 2637 E. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach,FL 33062, 754-227-1586. People may find his church a little packed. Sorry for my bad pun. Since many people in Broward use these address’s for their voting registration, these should be sufficient to register a church.
July 18th, 2015 at 11:58 am
A light year is 6 trillion miles.
We live in a known universe that is 100 billion light years across.
That universe consists of between 80 and 100 billion galaxies, each with an estimated 100 billion solar systems like ours.
Until recently I thought the only thing the creator of all this did was pick elections (ask BSO Sheriff Scott Israel) and football games (ask Tim Tebow).
It now turns out he also decides zoning variances for strip malls in Pompano Beach.
Go Chaz!
July 18th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Chaz.
The last I heard, one could not return “cherries”. Stolen or otherwise.
July 18th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Make sure to like the First Pompano Beach Church of Satan on Yelp!
http://i.imgur.com/UZVkFwi.png
July 18th, 2015 at 5:49 pm
I like poster Tim Ross, but who really gives a shit about what Chaz Stevens or Sue Gunzberger really thinks. Chaz has no credibility and no respect from anyone and Sue Gunzberger is one of the nastiest people and two faced that a person could ever come in contact with. I now lost interest in the story Buddy.
July 18th, 2015 at 6:47 pm
City Attorney Gordon Linn will be unable to defend this ordinance in court. Whether it’s against the ACLU or Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Linn will get squashed like a bug. But since he gets paid regardless, only the taxpayers will feel the pain.
July 19th, 2015 at 12:24 am
Here are some links for reporting this type of constitutional violation:
Americans United
https://au.org/get-involved/report-a-violation/form
ACLU
https://action.aclu.org/secure/fl-legal-intake
July 19th, 2015 at 10:35 am
Looks like the Freedom From Religion Foundation is already preparing a lawsuit against Pompano Beach. And: FFRF is already suing Brevard County in federal court (in partnership with the ACLU) over a similar situation…
http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/pompanos-exclusion-of-satanic-invocations-challenged-by-the-freedom-from-religion-foundation-7122495
July 19th, 2015 at 11:47 am
Years ago someone asked me what was wrong with praying in the context of public meetings.
I replied that nothing was wrong with it until the discussion gets around to whose prayer.
Then the blood starts to flow.
A moment of silence allows everyone to either pray (or not) without imposing one religion )or none) over another.
But that wouldn’t satisfy politicians who love to pander to constituencies, to create an illusion of spiritual cleanliness and/or in no small part try to get absolution from their countless sins.
July 19th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
All of this nonsense can be best summed up thusly, “Freedom of religion, as long as it’s my religion.”
In the recent SCOTUS ruling, Justice Stevens coined the phrase “prayer opportunities.” Where is the Pompano Beach prayer opportunity for a Satanist, a humanist, flatulist, or Joe The Plumber?
The Greece ruling centered around a Wiccan performing an invocation. That very same Wiccan, in the bell-weather Supreme Court ruling, would not be allowed to open the Pompano Beach commission meeting.
WTF?
Not only is this about the 1st Amendment, it’s about the 14th, which allows equal protection under the law.
To those who think the blending of Church and State isn’t a bad idea, I suggest you take a good look around the planet at those nations where there’s no line separating the two. Are those nations such a shining example of governance we’d like to follow their example?
But, that’s not our god, you might say. And if you hold that thought in your head, the only difference between you and I is that I believe in one less mythology.
You’re close to being an atheist, you just need to smarten up a bit.
This whole notion of “divine governance,” as if some omnipotent creature is directing those in charge of Pompano … really? Last I look, Pompano’s still pretty much a shit hole. Some fucking god you have that allows children to go hungry, suffer from cancer, or be sexually abused by Catholic priests.
Pardon me … but if you’re gonna have a make believe friend, try one that’s not a sociopath.
To the anonymous commenter (why, of course) who suggested I have no credibility, I say to you — Opa!, you are exactly right. I could give a rat’s ass what you think about me, my work, or my credibility. Your opinion factors not in my life.
When I was interviewed for the New Yorker, that whole credibility issue never came up — but then again, I was being interviewed for The New Yorker. And the Times, HuffPo, Rachel Maddow, WashPo, ABC, NBC … you feel me here?
And when I was speaking on camera to the folks from CNN (Festivus 2013), they asked me why a pile of beer cans… I said, that was the most ridiculous thing I could dream up, but if you had a sillier idea, I was open to suggestion.
Same thing here with an avowed atheist looking to give a Satanic invocation … hopefully, that delicious irony isn’t lost on everyone.
In the end, it’s really funny the guy with no credibility seems to be given a metric-shit-ton of national air time to discuss Constitutional issues.
And while you’re bitching and bleating from the sidelines, haven’t you noticed I’m always in the press … that my 15 minutes of fame ended years ago … and yet, here we are, still talking about me.
July 20th, 2015 at 8:57 am
Buddy,
Cities wishing to make an uplifting statement before commencing a city commission meeting have always been free to consider using something like:
“As we prepare to begin this meeting, let us strive to meet the needs of our people in the best possible ways mindful of our responsibilities to uphold the laws of our city, state and nation. May all of our actions well and faithfully serve the people of our community.”
It would be hard to suggest much less prove that such a statement was religious in nature.
As to holiday displays at City Halls, etc., simple signs saying “Season’s Greetings” are in keeping with community standards yet violate no laws and do not constitute religious statements.
In fact public statements of this kind by government violate no laws, promote no specific religions and yet demonstrate respect to the public that good governments strive to demonstrate.
Angelo
July 20th, 2015 at 9:37 am
Listen to Chaz rant how wonderful he is. How important he is. How he has been interviewed by all these national cable news shows. Bla, bla, bla. Mr.Stevens talks about the homeless, people w/ cancer, catholic priests molested children etc. What do you do for all these victims. Its all about Chaz huh.. One thing about hethens they are only out for themselves. Clearly evident here. This 3minutes at the beginning of these comm. meetings. Cal it a moment of personal reflection. Participate, don’t , who cares, but those that want to reflect(pray etc) let them. Those that don’t , don’t participate.. My own perceptive is I like to reflect etc it makes me a better person etc. It also puts me in a better mood so I don’t take an ax and spilt your head open if you annoy me…..(trunk)…