‘Israel is Driving Drunk’: Catholic Priest & Professor Joins Anti-Israel Protest at Minnesota State Capitol, Compares Israel’s Treatment of Palestinians to Holocaust
'Israel is Driving Drunk' Catholic Priest & Professor Joins Anti -Israel Protest at MN State Capitol
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Groups Rally Against Priest Abuse, Cover-Ups
Priest, Nun Join Catholic Protestors
Groups Rally Against Priest Abuse, Cover-Ups
PHILADELPHIA - Dozens of protestors marched outside the offices of Cardinal Justin Rigali on Friday demanding the Catholic Church do more to protect children from abuse.
The noon rally attracted several different groups who support survivors of sexual abuse by priests. They were joined today by a priest and a nun.
Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser reported from outside the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul that in the weeks since that second grand jury report on abuse and cover-ups these groups have gotten quite a bit larger.
The protests seem to be gaining momentum and getting more and more organized as the number of suspended and criminally charged priests grows.
Protestors from "Catholics 4 Change" and "Voice of the Faithful" crowded the sidewalks outside the headquarters of the Archdiocese at noon demanding an end to what they say is a cover-up of sex abuse by priests.
"Children must be protected as soon as possible," said Susan Matthews, founder of "Catholics 4 Change."
Buddy Schmidt from Northeast Philadelphia walked the line, focusing his attention on Rigali and his handling of the latest priest-abuse scandal.
"The cardinal is the one concealing the criminal priests, the pedophiles, so he is the guilty party here. He is the one who has to step forward. Actually, he needs to step down."
Others called on state lawmakers to pass new laws to protect children from abuse and predator priests.
"One is to abolish the statute of limitation for sexual abuse, for future criminal and civil suits," said one woman wearing a billboard sign with the numbers of the bills in the state legislature.
Many protestors carried pictures of children , insisting it's time for Catholics to ban together and force church leaders to protect children first, not the clergy and the church's image.
"I am horrified and humiliated to see what our church has not done, how they have covered this up for so many years," Fr. Michael Lipareli said.
"We should not put up with this cover-up, which is continuing to this very day," said Sister Maureen, another protestor.
Schmidt also said the church will lose his support on Sunday, saying, "I can't continue putting money in the basket anymore and support this."
Protestors said they will continue to pressure state lawmakers to expand the statute of limitations for sexual abuse of children both on the criminal and the civil side. They will continue to be heard and will not go away.
Both the reverend and nun at Friday's protest said they would like to see members of the clergy. They said there are lots of good members of the clergy who are being painted with a broad brush, and they'd like to see more of them join in the protests and express their opinions publicly, Schratwieser reported.
Several months ago I was informed by my contacts in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard that the Basij had started a project that had the approval of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The purpose of the project was to inform Muslims across the globe of the immediate coming of the last Islamic messiah. The Iranian leaders, now more than ever, feel that all the stars are aligned for such event.
Ever since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Islamic rulers of Iran have declared themselves representatives of God on Earth, believing their mission is to pave the way for the reappearance of the last messiah, the Shiites 12th Imam Mahdi.
Their belief is based on the centuries old Hadith by Prophet Mohammad and his descendants, who have provided clear guidance as to the timing of The Coming.
According to the Hadith in the age of The Coming, a revolution takes place in Iran. This is a key sign indicating that the reappearance is near and serves as the initial preparation in the worldwide movement for The Coming of the last messiah. Based on this belief, the leaders of Iran see it as their duty to prepare the ground for The Coming. One of the most important events to securing the reappearance of the last Messiah, as called for in the Hadith, is the annihilation of Israel and conquering Beitol Moghadas (Jerusalem). They state with conviction that Islam will soon conquer the world and all infidels will be destroyed.
The pursuit of nuclear bombs by the radicals ruling Iran is directly connected to this belief, as war, chaos, and lawlessness must engulf the world to pave the way for Imam Mahdi’s reappearance.
This movie has been produced in Iran by an organization called “Conductors of The Coming” in collaboration with the Iranian president’s office and the Basij (Iranian paramilitary force). Also reports indicate that Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, President Ahmadinejad’s top adviser and chief of staff, was directly involved with this project. The movie was completed a few months ago and recently screened for the high clerics by the Iranian president’s office with one of its high ranking official analyzing it.
Mashaei reflects the Iranian leaders’ belief very clearly:
Therefore let us shout out loud that The Coming is soon and that evil should be fearful. We live with these thoughts every day and our lives are filled with The Coming of the last Imam. That human will reappear and fill the world with justice and establish his promised governance on earth. The very world has witnessed too much bloodshed of the innocent for others to build their palaces. The very world is filled with shouts for justice. The innocent and the oppressed are losing their lives to world powers. It is in this very world where the oppressors rule and this world that Allah will command the last Imam to appear and forever put an end to injustice. At that time the world will belong to the righteous.
Currently this movie is being distributed throughout the Basij and Revolutionary Guards’ bases. The producers are in the middle of translating it into Arabic with the purpose of mass distribution throughout the Middle East. Their intention is to incite further uprisings with the hopes of motivating Arabs to overthrow U.S. backed governments with the final goal of the annihilation of Israel and Allah’s governance of the world!
Also see:
CBN-700 Club:Iranian Video Says Mahdi is ‘Near’
Newsmax:Iran Film: Iran Plans to Conquer Israel, World
Frontpage Magazine:Iran’s End Times Documentary
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School Officials Seek To Broaden Sex Education Video: http://www.wgal.com/video/27406114/detail.html
Cromwell: Warning to Parliament on Domestic and Foreign Affairs, 1658; Pt. 2 of 4
“And what think you of the other side of Europe, Italy to wit,—if I may call it the other side of Europe, as I think I may,— ‘Italy,’ Spain, and all those adjacent parts, with the Grisons, the Piedmonts before mentioned, the Switzers [all of them being Protestants---EJP]? They all,—what are they but a prey of the [Roman Catholic, Jesuit-ruled---EJP] Spanish power and interest? And look to That that calls Itself [Neuter gender!---Carlyle] the Head of all this! A Pope fitted,—I hope indeed “born” not “in” but out of “due time,” to accomplish this bloody work; so that he may fill-up his cup to the brim, and make himself ripe for judgment! [Somewhat grim of look, your Highness!---Carlyle] He doth as he hath always done. He influences all the Powers, all the Princes of Europe to this very thing [Rooting-out of the Protestants.---The sea which is now (in the mid-Nineteenth Century) scarcely audible to us, two safe centuries off, how it roars and devouringly rages while this Valiant One is heroically bent to bank it in!---He prospers, he does it, flings his life into the gap,---that WE for all coming centuries may be safe and ungrateful!---Carlyle (EJP)];—and no man like this present man [Pope Alexander VII, a most able and gifted Italian nobleman from the Ancient Roman Banking Family of Chigi totally in the hands of the Jesuits; for when pro-Calvinist Venice sought help from Rome as Islamic Ottoman Turks attacked Crete, Alexander agreed to send military aid with the provision that Venice would readmit the Jesuits having been expelled since 1606---EJP] So that, I beseech you, what is there in all the parts of Europe but a consent, a cooperating, at this very time and season, ‘of all Popish Powers’ to suppress everything [Reformation Bible-reading Protestant and Baptist peoples and culture---EJP] that stands in their way? [A very grave epoch indeed.---Carlyle]
“But it may be said, “This is a great way off, in the extremest parts of the world; what is that to us?”—if it be nothing to you, let it be nothing to you! I have told you it is somewhat to you. It concerns all your religions [Protestant and Baptist to the exclusion of Romanism---EJP], and all the good interests of England.
“I have, I thank God, considered, and I would beg of you to consider a little with me: What that resistance is that is likely to be made to this mighty current, which seems to be coming from all parts upon all Protestants? Who is there that holdeth up his head to oppose this danger? A poor Prince [Charles X, King of Sweden; at present attacked by the King of Denmark; the Dutch also aiming at him (indicating the supposedly Protestant monarchs ruling those nations were in the hands of the Jesuits! Such would be the fate of England within a mere 100 years.)---Carlyle (EJP)];—indeed poor; but a man in his person as gallant, and truly I think I may say as good, as any these last ages have brought forth; a man that hath adventured his all against the Popish Interest in Poland, and made his acquisition still good ‘there’ for the Protestant Religion [the Risen Son of God overruling the fact that Charles was a (pro-Reformation) Wittelsbach, the ruling Roman Catholic dynasty in Bavaria, and, that his predecessor, Queen Christiana (daughter of King Gustavus Adolphus and Lutheran military hero having delivered German Protestants from complete annihilation during the Black Pope's Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648) had been converted to Romanism by Jesuits, she resigning her crown and moving to Rome!---EJP] He is now, reduced into a corner: and what addeth to the grief of all,—more grievous than all that hath been spoken of before (I wish it may not be too truly said!)—is, That men of our [Bible-based, anti-papal---EJP] Religion forget this, and seek his ruin. [Protestant Dutch and Danes: . . . (the Jesuits inciting war between White Protestant nations; this same tactic to be employed during the Black Pope's Second Thirty Years' War, 1914-1945, when the Protestant British Empire and the Protestant German Empire, pitted against one another by two paramount Jesuit Coadjutors---Protestant Knights of Malta King George V and Kaiser Wilhelm II---would tear each other to pieces!)---Carlyle (EJP)]
“I beseech you consider a little; consider the consequences of all that! For what doth it all signify? Is it only a noise? Or hath it not withal an articulate sound in it? Men that are not true to the Religion we profess,— ‘profess,’ I am persuaded, with greater truth, uprightness and sincerity than it is ‘professed’ by any collected body, so nearly gathered together as these Nations are, in all the world,—God will find them out! [The low-minded Dutch; pettifogging for "Sound Dues," for "Possession of the Sound," and mere shopkeeper lucre! (while professing the same Protestant faith of the virtuous English Protestants, who, with the help of Cromwell's rule, evidence true Protestantism by BOTH faith and works---the works of resisting the Temporal/Political Power of the pope!)---Carlyle (EJP)] I beseech you consider how things do cooperate. ‘Consider,’ this may seem but a design (a veritable conspiracy!—EJP) against your Well-being? It is a design ["Design" later used by the five writers of the American Declaration of Independence, 1776, foremost in its composition being Bible-Believing Calvinist Roger Sherman] against your very Being; this artifice, and this complex design, against the Protestant Interest,—wherein so many Protestants are not so right as were to be wished! If they [the Dutch "Protestants"---EJP] can shut us out of the Baltic Sea, and make themselves masters of that, where is your Trade? Where are your materials to reserve our Shipping? Where will you be able to challenge any right by sea, or justify yourselves against a foreign invasion in your own soil? Think upon it; this is in design! I believe, if you will go and ask the poor mariner in his red cap and coat, as he passeth from ship to ship, you will hardly find in any ship but they will tell you this is designed against you. So obvious is it, by this and other things, that you are the object. And in my conscience, I know not for what else ‘you are so’ but because of the purity of the profession amongst you; who have not yet made it your trade to prefer your profit before your godliness [Whatever certain Dutch and Danes may do!---Carlyle], but reckon godliness the greater gain!
“But should it happen that, as contrivances stand, you should not be able to vindicate yourselves against all whomsoever,—I name no one state upon this head, but I think all acknowledge States are engaged in the combination [as coordinated by the Jesuit Papacy---EJP],—judge you where you were! You have accounted yourselves happy in being environed with a great Ditch from all the world beside. Truly you will not be able to keep your Ditch, nor your Shipping,—unless you turn your Ships and Shipping into Troops of Horse and Companies of Foot; and fight to defend yourselves on terra firma!—
“And these things stated, liberavi animam mean; and if there be “no danger” in ‘all this, I am satisfied. I have told you; you will judge if no danger! If you shall think We may discourse of all things at pleasure,—[Debate for days and weeks, Whether it shall be "House of Lords" or "Other House;" put the question, Whether this question shall be put; and say Ay, say No; and thrash the air with idle jargon! (the Jesuits using their tools in this Second Protectorate Parliament to prevent Settlement and passage of just laws for the protection of the Commonwealth while the Jesuits busy themselves within the Three Nations in preparation for another attempted Spanish Invasion to be led by Charles Stuart II)---Carlyle (EJP)],—and that it is a time of sleep and ease and rest, without any due sense of these things,—I have this comfort to God-ward: I have told you of it.
“Really were it not that France (give me leave to say it) is a balance against that Party at this time—!—[King Louis XIV, now 25 years old and advised by French nationalist Jules Cardinal Mazarin still in deadly fear of Cromwell, was warring with Jesuit-ruled Spain, the conflict serving to divide both nations from allying against Cromwell's Commonwealth---the secret Design of the Order! EJP] Should there be a Peace made (which hath been, and is still laboured and aimed-at, “a General Peace”), then will England be the “general” object of all the fury and wrath of all the Enemies of God and our Religion in the world! I have nobody to accuse;—but to look on the other side of the water! You have neighbours there; some that you are in amity with; some that have professed malice enough against you. I think you are fully satisfied in that. I had rather you would trust your enemy than some friends,—that is, rather believe your enemy, and trust him that he means your ruin [such as the Jesuit-ruled, Roman Catholic Spanish. Though France was presently a friend of Protestant England in 1658, yet Mazarin did employ his agent Le Bas in the 1655 plot to assassinate Cromwell via Jesuit Vowel. Three years later in 1661 Cardinal Mazarin would die in his chair, given "the poison cup," the Order gaining full power over "the Sun King" to do their nefarious bidding without French restraint!---EJP], than have confidence in some who perhaps may be in some alliance with you! [We have watched the Dutch, and their dealings in the Baltic lately! (The Dutch people, though Reformed Protestants, were turned into enemies of their Protestant English brothers---evidenced by the First Anglo-Dutch War---via the Jesuit-ruled House of Orange in alliance with the exiled House of Stuart; William III was the grandson of traitorous Charles I rightly executed by Cromwell---Carlyle (EJP)]—I perhaps could enforce all this with some particulars, nay I ‘certainly’ could. For you know that your enemies be the same who have been accounted your enemies ever since Queen Elizabeth came to the crown. An avowed designed enemy ‘all along;’ wanting nothing of counsel, wisdom and prudence, to root you out from the face of the Earth [in accordance with the bloody Jesuit Oath---EJP]: and when public attempts [Spanish Armadas and suchlike---Carlyle] would not do, how have they, by the Jesuits and other Emissaries, laid foundations to perplex and trouble our Government by taking away the lives of them whom they judged to be of any use for preserving our peace! [Guy Faux and Jesuit Garnet (of the Gunpowder Plot) were a pair of pretty men; to go no further. Ravaillac (murderer of French Protestant King Henry IV) in the Rue de la Ferronerie, and Stadtholder William's Jesuit (Gerard who murdered William of Orange I); and the Night of St. Bartholomew (the Order using Roman Catholic French soldiers to massacre 75,000 French Protestant Huguenots): here and elsewhere they have not wanted "counsel," of the sort!---Carlyle (EJP)] And at this time I ask you, Whether you do not think they are designing as busily as ever any people were, to prosecute the same counsels and things to the uttermost?
“The business then was: The Dutch needed Queen Elizabeth of famous memory for their protection. They had it, ‘had protection from her.’ I hope they will never ill requite it! For if they should forget either the kindness that was then shown them (which was their real safety), or the desires this Nation hath had to be at peace with them,—truly I believe whoever exercises any ingratitude in this sort will hardly prosper in it. [He cannot, your Highness: unless GOD and His TRUTH be a mere Hearsay of the market, he never can!---Carlyle] But this may awaken you, howsoever. I hope you will be awakened, upon all these considerations! It is certain, they [These Dutch---Carlyle] have professed a principle which, thanks be to God, we never knew. They will sell arms to their enemies, and lend their ships to their enemies. They will do so. And truly that principle is not a matter of dispute at this time, ‘we are not here to argue with them about it:’ only let everything weigh with your spirits as it ought;—let it do so. And we must tell you, we do know that this, ‘of their having such a principle,’ is true. I dare assure you of it; and I think if but your Exchange here ‘in London’ were resorted-to, it would let you know, as clearly as you can desire to know, That they have hired—sloops [Twenty-two ships of war---EJP], I think they call them, or some other name,—they have hired sloops, ‘let sloops on hire,’ to transport [from Flanders---EJP] upon you Four-thousand Foot and a Thousand Horse, upon the pretended interest of that young man that was the late King’s Son. [Oh Oliver, you have laid bare the plot! The Dutch House of Orange secretly ruling the Netherlands, with whom you fought the First Anglo-Dutch War and in secret alliance with the House of Stuart, has lent their ships to the Spanish brutes for the invasion of England from Flanders led by exiled Charles II seeking to overthrow Cromwell's "heretic and liberal" Commonwealth. My Lord and my God! This is the very United Netherlands that fought a land-and-sea war against the pope's Spanish murderers for Eighty Years!---EJP] And this is, I think, a thing far from being reckonable as a suggestion to any ill end or purpose:—a thing to no other end than that it may awaken you to a just consideration of your danger, and to uniting for a just and natural defence.
[The Jesuit Order, in full control of Washington, D. C., and New York City, has followed the same Design here in Fourteenth Amendment America (1868-Present). The Society has used its New York City-based Council on Foreign Relations---its "trusted third party" in the words of Ignatius Loyola---administering the pope's Federal Reserve Bank as well as directing all three branches of the federal government, to build weapons manufacturing plants in both the Communist USSR (now deceptively called "the Russian Federation") and Communist China. The Company of Jesus, thanks to the anti-American, anti-Protestant, anti-Nationalist treason of its CIA, has used American high technology to construct the Russian and Chinese Air Forces and Navies---for our future invasion. And we American people, preoccupied with sports, entertainment and that most deceptive, Hegelian dialectic between Rome's CFR-controlled "Republicans and Democrats," have not considered our danger and therefore are unable to unite for our just and natural defense!---EJP]
“Indeed I never did, I hope I never shall, use any artifice with you to pray you to help us with money for defending ourselves: but if money be needful, I will tell you, “Pray help us with money, that the interest of the Nation may be defended abroad and at home.” I will use no arguments; and thereby will disappoint the artifice of bad men abroad who say, It is for money. Whosoever shall think to put things out of frame upon such a suggestion—For you will find I will be very plain with you before I have done; and that with all love and affection and faithfulness to you and these Nations. [All His Highness has ever sought to do is defend all Protestant Interests of the Commonwealth of Great Britain, both domestically and abroad, from the blood-lust Conspiracy of the Jesuit Papacy fully intending, then and now as a matter of Canon Law, "to extirpate" the Risen Son of God's beloved Reformation Bible-believing people "from the face of the whole earth."---EJP]
Thomas Carlyle, Oliver Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches: With Elucidations, (London: Chapman and Hall, Ld., 1894), Vol. V of V, pp. 106-112 (and page 242 consulted as to Cromwell’s letter “For the Commanders of the Militia of the City of Gloucester” warning of the plotted invasion of England from Flanders).
End of Part 2 of 4
Terry Jones Not Drawing Back
Evangelicals Condemn UN Killings; Terry Jones Not Drawing Back
Evangelicals expressed dismay over the deaths of United Nations workers in Afghanistan, who were killed in retaliation for last month’s burning of a Quran by a fringe Florida pastor.
“No matter how much we disagree and find abhorrent the actions of [Terry] Jones, responding in violence can never be justified,” said Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, chief executive officer and secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance.
Representing 420 million evangelicals, the WEA asked Muslim leaders on its website to call upon their communities to end the violence and “explain … that the actions of this tiny extremist group who have burnt the Quran are absolutely condemned by Christians globally.”
These sentiments have largely been echoed by evangelical leaders elsewhere.
“The actions of one church in Florida do not represent the vast majority of Christians, who desire to live in peace with their neighbors,” said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals. “But violence against other human beings is never an appropriate response.”
Violent demonstrations in Afghanistan were sparked by a March 20 burning of Islam’s holy book. Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., oversaw the Quran burning, with the assistance of preacher Wayne Sapp, after staging a mock trial that found the Muslim holy book “guilty of causing murder, rape and terrorism.” Jones said a jury of “individuals mainly from around Florida” determined the verdict, according to ABC News.
Jones first grabbed international attention last year after threatening to burn the Quran to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Amid calls for restraint, including from U.S. President Barack Obama, the Florida pastor relented.
But as he explained to ABC, Jones “still wanted to make an awareness of the radical element of Islam.” For him and a small group of individuals, placing the Quran on trial – to give Islam “a fair shake” – was the way to do it. If the holy book was found not guilty, Jones said he would have issued a public apology for “our accusations and insults against the Quran.”
Evangelical leaders have continually distanced themselves from Jones ever since his emergence into worldwide notoriety last year. They have called for respect for all religions. However, this has not stopped unrest from occurring in predominantly Muslim nations.
Last week, a Catholic church in Pakistan was torched by a mob protesting the recent Quran burning. Then on Friday, hundreds of angry demonstrators gathered at the Blue Mosque after Friday prayers and marched toward the headquarters of the UN mission in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif. A small group reportedly broke away from the crowd and overwhelmed security personnel at the compound, seizing weapons from the guards and firing on the embassy. The building was set on fire. Five demonstrators and seven U.N. employees were killed.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the attack “outrageous and cowardly” during a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
The situation remains tense as Afghan authorities block roads leading in and out of the city.
Meanwhile, deadly protests have spread to the country’s southern region on Saturday. So far, nine additional people have been reported dead.
An unrepentant Jones said he was "not responsible" for the killings in Afghanistan during an interview broadcast live on BBC. "They [Afghan demonstrators] used the Quran burning as an excuse to promote their violent activities," he said.
Also, he boldly wrote on Friday in a press release that “Islam is not a religion of peace. It is time that we call these people to accountability.”
“Our United States government and our President must take a close, realistic look at the radical element Islam.”
Jones also accused Islam of having a “stranglehold of political correctness” on westernized nations in reference to Sapp being banned from the U.K. this week. Jones was also banned from entering Britain in January.
This week’s attack is not the first time that a Quran-related controversy ignited violence among Afghanistan's devout Muslim followers.
In January last year, Afghan security forces shot and killed seven civilians after protesters attempted to overrun NATO bases and police facilities. The demonstrations were sparked by an alleged burning of the Quran by U.S. soldiers in the country's southern province of Helmand, which is at the center of the insurgency.
Subsequent NATO and Afghan investigations found that no Quran had been burned by soldiers in any of the international military contingency in the region.
A previous protest in May 2008 turned deadly after one foreign soldier serving under NATO command was killed. Two Afghan protesters were also killed in the demonstration against the shooting of a Quran by a U.S. soldier in Iraq.
Are U.S. government microwave mind-control tests causing TV presenters’ brains to melt down?
UK Daily Mail
April 2, 2011
A bizarre spate of television presenters dissolving into on-air gibberish has sparked claims that the U.S. military could be to blame.
In four high-profile cases, the latest involving fast-talking Judge Judy, the presenters have started off speaking properly but have then descended into undecipherable nonsense – looking confused and unstable.
The frequency of the ‘attacks’ – and the fact that recorded examples of the mental meltdowns have been popular on websites – has led to conspiracy theorists pointing the finger at shadowy government experiments.
A popular theory being circulated online blames the U.S. Military’s supposed research into using microwaves as a mind control weapon.
America has never admitted conducting such research but proponents say the effects – produced by microwave signals stimulating the brain with fake images and voices – exactly mimic those displayed in the recent on-air breakdowns.
As to why the Pentagon might be targeting U.S. television presenters, the microwave theorists are less clear.
Read more at www.prisonplanet.com
Radioactive Material Found in Illinois
Jim Anderson
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) - Radiation believed to be from the nuclear plant disaster in Japan has been detected in Illinois.
The radioactive iodine similar to what was released in Japan was found in a grass clipping in the Joliet area by the Radiological Assessment Field Team, which regularly checks on vegetation, air, milk and eggs to determine if any radiation is leaking from Illinois’ nuclear reactors.
In this case, the grass clippings were taken as part of a drill for the emergency plan at the Dresden nuclear power plant.
Once that grass sample tested positive for radioactive iodine, an air sample in Springfield was taken, which also detected the radioactive material.
Patti Thompson of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency says the levels are low: The amount of radiation would have to be 200,000 greater than what was detected to meet the regulatory limit for emission from a nuclear power plant.
Nevertheless, the state will now conduct more tests in other parts of the state.
NH GOP Leader Calls Bishop a 'Pedophile Pimp'
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The Republican leader of the New Hampshire House on Friday called Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack a "pedophile pimp" who should have been led from the Statehouse in handcuffs after speaking at a rally criticizing a state budget proposal.
McCormack was among about a dozen speakers at Thursday's rally to protest deep cuts to social services included in the House's $10.2 billion budget. Rep. D.J. Bettencourt of Salem took issue Friday, writing on his Facebook page that McCormack had no business urging lawmakers to protect the vulnerable, given his role in the clergy sex abuse scandal in the last decade.
Before being named bishop of Manchester in 1998, McCormack served as a top aide to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston, where the Catholic sex abuse scandal began and where he was in charge of investigating sexual misconduct allegations.
In 2002, McCormack averted unprecedented criminal charges against the New Hampshire diocese by agreeing that it had harmed children by moving abusive priests from parish to parish.
"Would the Bishop like to discuss his history of protecting the 'vulnerable?'" Bettencourt wrote. "This man is a pedophile pimp who should have been led away from the State House in handcuffs with a rain coat over his head in disgrace. He has absolutely no moral credibility to lecture anyone."
A spokesman for the diocese said Bettencourt's comments were false, defamatory and detracted from the real issue — the state's obligation to care for the poor.
"Bishop McCormack's message to the people of New Hampshire yesterday was the simple message of the gospels: The church and our broader society have a fundamental obligation to care for the poor," Kevin Donovan said.
Bettencourt stood by his comments later Friday.
"Yes, my language was colorful, but I stand by the sentiment in describing a man who has in my opinion brought shame and dishonor on my church here in New Hampshire," he said in a statement. "As a practicing Catholic it is truly disappointing that we would have a leader with a record of enabling such egregious and unacceptable behavior."
The Washington-based group Catholics United said it would continue to pressure Bettencourt to retract his statements.
"With his comments, Republican Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt has not only embarrassed himself, he's become an embarrassment to the entire state of New Hampshire," said James Salt, the group's acting director. We call on all elected officials to denounce Republican Bettencourt's comments in the strongest terms possible."
As required under church rules, McCormack sent a resignation letter to the Vatican last summer when he turned 75, but he has remained in office while awaiting formal recognition.
Under the 2002 agreement he reached with the state, prosecutors agreed to not seek criminal indictments against the diocese for failing to protect children from molesting priests. In return, the diocese agreed to enact strict child protection policies, admitted its actions had harmed children and opened itself to audits by the attorney general's office.
Over the years, McCormack has acknowledged that he made mistakes and that he did not adequately help victims. When the final audit was released in 2009, then-Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said the church had made dramatic policy changes to protect children, but she recommended further improvements to which the diocese quickly agreed.
During his speech at the rally, McCormack urged lawmakers to pass a budget that is "just and meets the needs the needs of the most vulnerable in our society."
"We urge the legislature and the governor to place the poor, the unemployed, and our most vulnerable citizens first. Our commitment to human solidarity, the dignity of human labor and justice for the weak and marginalized demands no less," McCormack told the crowd.
Republican House Speaker William O'Brien defended Bettencourt, saying that while he would have used different words, he shares Bettencourt's belief that McCormack did not properly protect children.
"I certainly agree with the concerns. I don't agree with the language or the implication of the language," said O'Brien, of Mont Vernon.
O'Brien, also a Catholic, said he would not discipline Bettencourt.
"He is an invaluable asset to the state of New Hampshire," he said.
The House passed the budget proposal but it has yet to move through the Senate.
