AMERICAN ATHEISTS ~ WINTER SOLSTICE BASH & OPEN HOUSE UPDATE…
http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html

DOWNEY, KAGIN, TABASH, ZINDLER ON ROSTER FOR WINTER SOLSTICE BASH, CENTER OPEN HOUSE!
(AND DID WE MENTION FUNNY MAN MICHAEL WEISS?)

AMERICAN ATHEISTS will host it annual Winter Solstice Bash and Open House Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008  Events include:

* Dedication of the EDDIE TABASH CONFERENCE AND MEDIA STUDIO on Friday, coincident with an Open House at the American Atheist Center, 225 Cristiani St. in Cranford, NJ.  We honor First Amendment activist Eddie Tabash with this state-of-the-art multimedia facility for meetings, social events, video taping, web casting, live press conferences and other outreach events.  The Open House runs from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM, with the ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30 PM.  The event is open to the public.

* Tours of the newly remodeled CHARLES E. STEVENS AMERICAN ATHEISTS LIBRARY & ARCHIVES.  This collection includes approximately 25,000 volumes of rare and current books covering the history of Atheism, Freethought, religion and related topics, along with nearly one million periodicals, pamphlets, letters, documents and other items.  It is the largest private holding of such materials in the country, and perhaps the world.

* The WINTER SOLSTICE 2008 BASH will be held at the nearby Crowne Plaza Hotel, 20 Valley Road in Clark, NJ, beginning at 11:30 AM on Saturday, December 13, 2008.  At 4:00 PM, you’re invited back to the American Atheist Center for a live taping of The Atheist Viewpoint show.  Host David Silverman will MC the Winter Solstice bash which includes a lavish buffet-style lunch ($34/person),  Register on-line at http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html.  Make reservations with the Crowne Plaza Hotel directly and take advantage of our special rate at 732-574-0100. Be sure to mention that you are with American Atheists to qualify for the rate!  Deadline for guaranteed reservations is November 27, so book now!

* Join us for a blockbuster lineup of speakers and distinguished guests this weekend, including:

* ED BUCKNER, the new President of American Atheists.
* EDWIN KAGIN, National Legal Director
* HELEN KAGIN, Cofounder with Edwin of Camp Quest
* FRED EDWORDS, American Humanist Association
* MARGARET DOWNEY, Atheist activist, founder of the Anti-Discrimination Project
* FRANK ZINDLER, author, historian, Editor of American Atheist Magazine
and…
* MICHAEL WEISS, Comic and Comic Producer looks at the Season with his unique brand of comedy!
* DAVE SILVERMAN, National Communications Director

* On Sunday, December 14, 2008 get together with the New Jersey Humanist Network for their annual celebration.  Visit http://www.njhn.org.

WHO & WHAT: Eddie Tabash, Ed Buckner, Edwin & Helen Kagin, Fred Edwords, Margaret Downey, Frank Zindler, Michael Weiss & more at the annual Winter Solstice Bash and celebration weekend hosted by American Atheists

WHEN: December 12-14, 2008

WHERE: The American Atheists Center, 225 Cristiani St. in Cranford, NJ, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Clark NJ.

MORE INFO: and to register on line: http://www.atheists.org/wintersolstice.html

(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers; labors for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)

From: Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists

To: The Board of Directors and the Membership of American Atheists.

Date: October 30, 2008.

It is my distinct professional and personal pleasure to announce that the lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, at Oklahoma City, by American Atheists against the Hardesty, Oklahoma public school and certain named officials has been dismissed as settled. The order was filed yesterday, October 29, 2008. It is now part of history.

I am not at liberty to make public the terms of the settlement agreement, but both the monetary considerations, and the assurances provided by the defendants, were satisfactory to American Atheists, were approved by the past and present Presidents of American Atheists, Frank Zindler and Ed Buckner, and were of such a character that I recommended that American Atheists accept the settlement.

This case arose out of what we alleged was a denial of civil rights, and a conspiracy to violate civil rights, by state actors in Oklahoma against members of the Smalkowski family and other members of American Atheists. The Smalkowski family has made its own separate settlement with the defendants. Our lawsuit was based on the denial of civil rights to Atheists in the Oklahoma school, using the treatment of the Smalkowskis as evidence for this claim, and seeking redress for Atheists.

This case was filed just over two years ago. The history of what happened is contained in the following writings, that have previously appeared nationally, regarding the events that formed the cause of action for the Federal lawsuit. The factual background is a matter of public record.

A special “thank you” goes to attorney Richard Rice of Oklahoma City who served as local counsel on this case. Rick is a Christian. He made that clear to me from the outset. And he believes in the rights secured by our Constitution. And he fought for them. Without his most competent and professional assistance, the result announced today could not have been achieved. On this issue, we are in the same line.

We thank the Smalkowski family for their praise of our efforts on their behalf and we wish them well in their future undertakings.

Edwin Kagin
National Legal Director
American Atheists, Inc.
PO Box 666
Union, KY 41091
E-mail:ekagin@atheists.org

For more information leading up to the case:
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko1.htm
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko3.htm

SHOW CANCELED DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. THEY ARE WORKING ON RESCHEDULING FOR NEXT WEEK

AMERICAN ATHEISTS MEDIA ALERT
http://www.atheists.org

BLAIR SCOTT ON ANSWERS IN ATHEISM INTERNET RADIO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008 7 PM EST

Blair Scott, National Affiliate Outreach Director & Alabama State Director for American Atheists will be the guest on Answers in Atheism Internet radio show.

On Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 7 p.m. EST Mr. Scott will be the guest on Answers in Atheism Internet radio show, located online at http://answersinatheisim.net. The Answers in Atheism Internet radio show discusses issues related to Atheists and Atheism and is hosted by Edwin Kagin.

The show starts at 7 p.m. EST and Mr. Scott will be the guest beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Scott will be discussing American Atheists and the American Atheists Affiliate Program. In addition, in honor of Veteran’s Day, Mr. Scott will be discussing Operation Foxhole Atheists. Mr. Scott is a Foxhole Atheist veteran of the United States Navy.

WHO & WHAT: Blair Scott appearing on Answers in Atheism Internet radio show.

WHEN: Thursday, November 13 2008. The show starts at 7 p.m. EST. Blair will come on at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Answers in Atheism Internet radio show. Listen online at:
http://www.answersinatheism.net

MORE ON THE NET:
Answers in Atheism: http://www.answersinatheism.net
American Atheists: http://atheists.org
National Affiliate Outreach Director: http://alabamaatheist.org/naod
Alabama State Director: http://atheists.org/al
Operation Foxhole Atheists: http://thenafa.org/ofa
Blair Scott: http://alabamaatheist.org

American Atheists is a nationwide movement which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, works for the separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
American Atheists, Inc.
PO Box 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402