David Caton: A biblical bully who just needs to shut up
Daniel Ruth | Tampa Bay Times | In Print: January 15, 2012 | [Full Article]
Perhaps the best way to get your hands around this latest example of theo-thugs gone wild is to think of local sanctimonious mouth foamer David Caton as the North Korea of faux piety.
For whenever Caton feels he's fallen off the publicity-hound radar and isn't being paid enough attention, the vicar of vituperativeness feels compelled to engage in some really daffy behavior as if to reassure the world he's just as loopy as ever...[Full Article]
...Now, fresh off his Florida Family Association campaign to make Lowe's look like corporate America's answer to a cowering puppy that just piddled on the kitchen floor, Caton, the Ernst Blofeld of the Bible, has set his myopic sights on Kelly Miliziano, a history teacher at Steinbrenner High School, who committed the unpardonable, unforgiveable sin of (dare it be said) educating her students.
For several years Miliziano has invited speakers representing various faiths to meet with her classes. The idea here is to expose students to a range of ideas and beliefs, which in the end will serve to make them better informed, discerning, well-rounded, independent-thinking, educated members of society.
Miliziano obviously posed a threat to Caton's recruitment efforts. After all, if these kids learn stuff, well, the next thing you know, they'll figure out obtuse gasbags like Caton are full of hooey. And that's bad for the bigotry business, which needs a steady stream of lemmings to keep the flames of malevolence burning.
So when Caton found out Miliziano had invited Hassan Shibly from the Council on American-Islamic Relations to speak to her class about Muslim stereotypes, human rights and the role of women in Islam, the ayatollah of intolerance [Caton] when into a full DEFCON1 liturgical lather....[Full Article]
...The Florida Family Association is a cabal of one squirrelly little biblical bully, armed only with an email list of like/narrow-minded self-righteous fellow travelers who wouldn't know the meaning of faith, hope and charity if they tripped over it.
David Caton is a plague of boils on the community's spiritual life. Enough.
Perhaps a giant sign erected in front of the FFA bunker imploring Caton to: "Please, for God's sake will you just SHUT UP!" would be in order....
Opinion
Tampa Bay Times
Betrayal of Islamic ideals
As a Muslim American, I am saddened to hear the news of the arrest of Sami Osmakac, who was accused plotting terrorist attacks in Tampa. What makes me sad is not his arrest, but him attributing his acts to Islam. In a video, he claimed that Muslim blood is more valuable than that of people who do not believe in Islam.
He should deeply reflect on Koran, which while promoting the sanctity of life - "whosoever killed a person, it shall be if he had killed the entire mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be if he had saved the entire mankind" - does not differentiate between Muslim and non-Muslim blood.
He has not only been disloyal to his country, but with the charge that he planned to act against the Koranic instruction to Muslims not to create disorder in the Earth, he has also been disloyal to his faith.
-Nasir Ahmad, M.D., Tinton Falls, N.J.
Rabble-rouser, not leader
...Caton is not representative of any mainstream constituency. Rather, he actively attempts to spread suspicion, hatred and prejudice through his misnamed Florida Family Association.
His most recent antics - opposing the All-American Muslim TV show for its lack of terrorist characters, and his current rabble-rousing over a religious leader visiting a classroom - are part of his ongoing war of words against Muslims. His sensationalist campaigns have spread hate toward a variety of targets including gays, Muslims and others over the years.
He doesn't stand for anything other than the destruction of those he attacks.
Neither the Hillsborough County School Board, the newspaper nor the administration of Steinbrenner High School should consider the opinion of Caton or his followers to be at issue in their decision making.
-Amie Devero, Tampa
Teacher should be praised
As a teacher in Hillsborough County, I fully support Kelly Miliziano's choice of a Muslim guest speaker. I am both horrified and angry to see that David Caton's group is trying to spread their bigotry by emailing the school committee.
It may be worth noting that as a Jewish teacher, I find it refreshing that there is a teacher who tried to educate her students about a widely misunderstood religion and culture. Miliziano should be praised rather than vilified.
Caton's group has previously attacked gay rights activists and any other group that dares cross his line of what he finds "morally correct." Caton needs to learn that McCarthyism died in the mid 1950s - we don't need a newer version of the thought police, thank you. I can tell you that my own students are very good at thinking for themselves.
-Ronald Medvni, Tampa
Opinion
Tampa Bay Times
Betrayal of Islamic ideals
As a Muslim American, I am saddened to hear the news of the arrest of Sami Osmakac, who was accused plotting terrorist attacks in Tampa. What makes me sad is not his arrest, but him attributing his acts to Islam. In a video, he claimed that Muslim blood is more valuable than that of people who do not believe in Islam.
He should deeply reflect on Koran, which while promoting the sanctity of life - "whosoever killed a person, it shall be if he had killed the entire mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be if he had saved the entire mankind" - does not differentiate between Muslim and non-Muslim blood.
He has not only been disloyal to his country, but with the charge that he planned to act against the Koranic instruction to Muslims not to create disorder in the Earth, he has also been disloyal to his faith.
-Nasir Ahmad, M.D., Tinton Falls, N.J.
Rabble-rouser, not leader
...Caton is not representative of any mainstream constituency. Rather, he actively attempts to spread suspicion, hatred and prejudice through his misnamed Florida Family Association.
His most recent antics - opposing the All-American Muslim TV show for its lack of terrorist characters, and his current rabble-rousing over a religious leader visiting a classroom - are part of his ongoing war of words against Muslims. His sensationalist campaigns have spread hate toward a variety of targets including gays, Muslims and others over the years.
He doesn't stand for anything other than the destruction of those he attacks.
Neither the Hillsborough County School Board, the newspaper nor the administration of Steinbrenner High School should consider the opinion of Caton or his followers to be at issue in their decision making.
-Amie Devero, Tampa
Teacher should be praised
As a teacher in Hillsborough County, I fully support Kelly Miliziano's choice of a Muslim guest speaker. I am both horrified and angry to see that David Caton's group is trying to spread their bigotry by emailing the school committee.
It may be worth noting that as a Jewish teacher, I find it refreshing that there is a teacher who tried to educate her students about a widely misunderstood religion and culture. Miliziano should be praised rather than vilified.
Caton's group has previously attacked gay rights activists and any other group that dares cross his line of what he finds "morally correct." Caton needs to learn that McCarthyism died in the mid 1950s - we don't need a newer version of the thought police, thank you. I can tell you that my own students are very good at thinking for themselves.
-Ronald Medvni, Tampa
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