New Haven Independent

Posted by: Outta-order | October 16, 2007 6:55 PM

well done

Posted by: fairhavener | October 16, 2007 10:57 PM

When I saw the title and saw the picture that looked like protestors I was thinking the "Aryan Brotherhood" - boy was I relieved.

It seems like a good idea and all and I am sure they will get results, but if they cut out the religious aspect they may get more people involved. It seems kind of discriminatory to have people pray as part of this. How about a moment of silence? Or maybe a time of reflection? Or how about everyone says a short bit about why this matters to them and what they hope to achieve?

""We're not going to forget you now that we know you're brothers," proclaimed Minister Morris."

Aren't we all "brothers" anyway? The brotherhood of man. What was it that jesus from the bible said?

"Holland continued: "Where your pants at? Pull 'em up!" Up came the pants."

Forgive me but, LOL, LOL. IMG I am still LOL.

But seriously, you guys are overall doing a great thing. As for the bike thing, what you need to do is get affiliated somehow with the Yale community (or at least start posting adds on campus). There are so many foreign students who dump bikes when they graduate and go home (plus others that just move and can't take them). Your group could probably get plenty of bikes every year.

Posted by: Dixwell Resident | October 17, 2007 6:37 AM

Fairhavener-
What is wrong with people praying? That is NOT discriminatory? If more people prayed in this day and time, the world wouldn't be off the hook like it is now. We NEED to interject prayer and GOD in EVERYTHING that we do. Thats the only way things are going to gradually improve. It gets on my nerves to see people that don't practice what they preach and try to sugar coat talking about GOD. If you are going to take a stand for GOD, do it openly, not behind closed doors, saying lets have a moment of silence, etc. That is CRAP!!!! This world, community, district needs PRAYER AND GOD! Point Blank!!!!

Posted by: Paul Bass | October 17, 2007 7:23 AM

As a Jewish man who was at the ride, I think it was great they were praying! I see a difference between an event like this -- a private, Christian-organized affair -- and a public school class or a government meeting. Prayers have no place in the latter, because of the separation of church and state. Here, however, Christian men were engaged in an openly Christian event undertaking what they consider a Christian act. They were praying to derive inspiration for doing something good. What could be wrong with that?

Posted by: Ned | October 17, 2007 10:12 AM

Nothing fails like prayer. Also, the Aryan Nation is a Christian organization, as is the KKK. As private citizens, anyone can pray to whatever they want: Santa, Zeus, Jesus, etc. Ironic isn't it that the poorest, most violent, least educated areas are the most religious too.

Posted by: DOC | October 17, 2007 10:29 AM

Minister Morris is doing a wonderful thing organizing men in the community and touching the lives of young people. Why criticize the effort... if prayer isn't your thing, go out and organize your own action. Whatever it is - just don't sit on the sidelines. K

Posted by: fairhavener | October 17, 2007 12:07 PM

I wasn't making a case whether religion and prayer was useful/great or not. My point was they very well might rally more people together if they were more diverse.

"As a Jewish man who was at the ride, I think it was great they were praying!"

Were you praying with them?

"Ironic isn't it that the poorest, most violent, least educated areas are the most religious too."

I wouldn't call it irony I would call it proof.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | October 17, 2007 7:57 PM

If These Man Are Christan Then They Are Not Follwing There Bible Which States In Matthew 6, Verses 5-6 When Thou Prayest,Thou Shalt Not Be As The Hypocrites Are for They Love To Pray Standing In The Synagogues And In The Corners Of the Streets That They May Be Seen Of Men, Verily I Say Unto You They Have A Reward, But Thou, when Thou Prayest, Enter Into Thy Closet And When Thou Hast Shut Thy Door Pray To The Father Which Is In Secret, And Thy Father Which Seeth In Secret Shall Reward Thee Openly.This Is Why Religion If People Do Not Read For Themselves Is The Greatest
Form Of Mass Mind Control Invented And If You Do Not Think So Rember Jim Jones!!!

Posted by: king james v | October 17, 2007 8:38 PM

It's right here, in a nutshell. A 9 year old boy calls out his brother because he thinks he, not his little brother deserves a new bike. Now i'm about as christian as a bowling ball, but you've got got envy being rewarded. Learning to bitch, and expect a handout because you saw someone else with something you haven't got - and being rewarded (i saw the movie "seven" and know the significance) At the age of NINE. Where is the lesson this young man , no young boy, has learned? The missionary / politician in waiting has bought this kid's vote. Bought it, didn't earn it, the kid hasn't learned to be patient, work hard or reject envy - a deadly sin. Blow as hard as you can Donald Morris, but until you've taught these kids to respect and not expect, till you taught them a dollar earned far outweighs five bucks just given to you, then your war cannot be won.
and can we please get some black owned stores in black neighborhoods? are there ANY black owned stores in new haven? i'm serious, i can't remember any, well, the taurus of course, but we won't go there. Let's ...take care of our long standing black community, because they've been waiting the longest, and it's their turn. And none of this $5000 for new liquor store signs like empower new haven, no media coverage bike rides and t-shirt giveaways by "faith based" groups that can spend grant monies foolishly.
Cops walking around knowing people's names, none of this "no sniching" garbage, making parents responsible - while helping them maintaining good jobs (not three jobs at wal-mart and changing old people's diapers- good real jobs) and safe housing. Let's get the black business going, let's get focused on getting every citizen taken care of.

Posted by: ralph ferrucci | October 18, 2007 2:16 PM

This may be no suprise to anyone on this site but our police department and City Hall has failed the residents who live here.

The Mayor says crime has decreased this year from last year. He does not say that violent crimes has increased.

If people need to pray before they get on their bicycles to do the job our city does not do, then I say let them pray.

One of the previous comments read:
"Ironic isn't it that the poorest, most violent, least educated areas are the most religious too."

There is very little truth to this statement.

Most African Americans, Jewish, and Immigrant communities especially Latinos are highly religious. They look to God for help not expecting the governmant to give them everything.

Italians in Wooster Street area are highly religious and so is the Polish American community that lives in the East Rock Area.

People look to God for guidance and if the Brotherhood feels that this is the best way for them to start their day to protect their neighborhood we should embrace them for the good that they are doing.

They want to protect their neighboorhood without carrying guns.

I think they should be applauded for going into dangerous area without weapons.
Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: Ned | October 19, 2007 8:42 AM

Dear Ralph,
The Catholic Church is one of the biggest criminal organizations in the world - lately they've been specializing in child rape and abuse. Also, the prisons are not overflowing with atheists - more likely born again christians. No one is saying that christians, muslims, jews, etc., can't degrade themselves by begging favors from imaginary, sky gods, sponsoring terrorists, mutilating their childrens' genitals, killing one another over make-believe stories and "holy" lands, beating their wives into submission, murdering homosexuals, promoting overpopulation etc., it's just that some people find it a turn off and ridiculous. So the christian brotherhood taliban wannabees are telling people how to dress in public now? It's none of their f'ing business how low my pants are hanging. The Pope is a drag queen for chrissake! I can only imagine what kind of ridiculous "studies" are occurring at the Yale Divinity School?
King James Bible:
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Posted by: Ralph Ferrucci | October 19, 2007 1:58 PM

We have seen 3 corrupt police officers go down this year. This does not mean all cops are corrupt.

Yes the Catholic Church tried to cover up the fact that some of their priests were molesting children. This does not mean all priests are child molesters

I was brought up catholic and what you say about the catholic church was not what I have seen in the church.

Next the organization is christian which means the could be catholic or luthuran or protestant or baptist, etc.

These are all forms of christianity, no where did I see anything that said catholic.

All I was saying if one feels they can do the work needed to clean up crime in their neighboorhood better if they pray first then so be it. We should not judge them for wanting to pray.

Two boxers get into a ring, the first thing they do is go to the corner, get on one knee and pray. do you judge them for praying before they beat up on each other?

Many football players pray in the locker room before a game. do you judge them for this?

As long as there is a seperation of chuch and state, where exactly would prayer hurt?

At least they are out there doing something. Crime will run rampant in Edgewood Park unless one of 2 things happens and they are more police or the people in the community get fed up and patrol their community.

It loloks like that is happening, doesn't it? 3 organizations in that community patrolling the neighborhood. one with guns and bicycles, one with red barets, and one praying and riding bikes wearing yellow shirts.

I am going to say this again a gun is more dangerous than prayer, don't you think so?
Ralph Ferrucci

Posted by: Ned | October 20, 2007 12:01 PM

The prayers and invocations of the deity usually precede the guns:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gott_mit_uns
Religion and violence go together like an infection and pus. But, whatever, these guys are private citizens and are free to do (good) as they like.

Posted by: Aprill | November 14, 2007 2:25 PM

New Hall is a place where I continue to hear about each day. I usually hear nothing positive on this neighborhood. I am thankful to see people changing their own community for the better instead of waiting for a change to take place. Being proactive is the only way to succeed.