Free Republic

Contrary to flag etiquette, the rainbow flag was hoisted higher than the American flag. The campaign in Binghampton, New York, June 3, had an interesting twist. As we raised the American flag to begin our efforts in favor of traditional marriage, a group of people standing on the opposite side of the street – in front of City Hall – were about to do the same. However, they were not raising old glory. Instead they were hoisting the very symbol of the opposition: a rainbow flag, with the approval of city mayor Matthew Ryan. Breaking with flag etiquette Those in...

Lutherans, Jews, Muslims Gather for Prayer after Shooting in Binghamton 09-083-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutherans, Jews, Muslims and others seeking to "cling to their faith" in a time of tragedy came together for a prayer vigil April 4 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Binghamton, N.Y. The church is located a few blocks away from the American Civic Association, where 41-year-old Jiverly Wong shot and killed 13 people before taking his own life. Redeemer is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). "When something like this happens, we come together (as a) community and cling to our faith," said...

The Vietnamese immigrant blamed for the upstate massacre of 13 people was depressed over losing his job and angry over taunts about his poor English, the Binghamton police chief said Saturday. "He spoke very little or no English, and he was upset that people degraded him and disrespected him for that reason," Chief Joe Zikuski said on the "Today" show. Jiverly Voong, who also used the name Jiverly Wong, slipped into despair after recently losing his job, the chief said - although neither his unemployment or his anger fully explained the cold-blooded rampage inside the American Civic Association.