Oh-my, to have heard the discussions between the members of the Board of Supervisors and top San Diego County staffers in the wake of last week’s news that some bubble-headed bureaucrats were requiring a Major Use Permit for a home Bible study. The Supes weren’t talking publicly about the matter, but no doubt they were filling some ears privately, especially as evidenced by the quick resolution (reported in Saturday’s Union-Tribune).
County Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard summed it all up nicely…
Let me be clear: religious intolerance in any form is not, and never will be, allowed under any circumstance…I deeply regret that a routine code enforcement issue has transformed into a debate over religious freedom in San Diego County.
The buzz about the issue started with no mainstream media coverage whatsoever, WorldNetDaily having it first, a week ago last Friday. Local 10News followed, along with a call for action from Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, and my FlashReport post of last Tuesday, Thank God for My Government Permit!
An invitation to the Supervisors for a comment resulted in more than one firmly biting his or her tongue while deferring to colleague Greg Cox from a courtesy and protocol standpoint, as the Bible study in question is in his district. Cox’s office let me know that he was concerned but would refrain from making a statement, since the matter was being “reviewed at the highest levels of the County.” There was no doubt in my mind that was indeed the case.
By Wednesday and Thursday, national media attention had erupted over the flap (CNN included), with blogs all over the country picking up on the issue and other California blog sites following suit. Several organizations sent out email action alerts, at least one tied to a fundraising plea, although it appears that particular group had no direct involvement in the matter whatsoever (the Western Center for Law & Policy is representing the couple holding the Bible study).
As is too often the case, few traditional or alternative media pieces included any reference to those entities which first broke the story, preferring the implication that they were providing a scoop.
By week’s end, the Union-Trib finally had the story on its radar, six days after WorldNetDaily provided the details. To its credit, the UT did note that 10News was the first media outlet in San Diego with the coverage (something the paper seldom does in the case of a blog, not even when it’s the source of the information).
Complaints aside, kudos to whatever conversations and actions took place – as Cox’s office called it – at the highest levels of the County. I had faith (if you will) the Board of Supervisors and CAO Ekard would not stand for such ridiculousness. By all appearances the issue has been resolved.
The San Diego area has been embarrassed enough in recent years for fiscal and ethical ineptitude without adding First Amendment bone-headedness to the list.
Have a great week!
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