Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Apr. 27th, 2005 10:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdFocus on the Family gets to call itself "moderate" on queers, despite pushing for a Constitutional amendment against our families, because Fred Phelps condemns them for not being anti-queer enough - and as usual, nobody calls them on the bullshit;
Salon.com notices the Bush administration's tendency to delete web-site data that it finds inconvenient;
Today's main Focus on the Familiy broadcast talks about the need for more fundamentalists in politics (my description, not theirs);
Focus on the Family article on judicial filibusters - with action item;
Concerned Women for America action item on anti-abortion bill;
Justice O'Conner's commentary on rhetoric interpreted by CWA as unconscionable;
Today's Family News in Focus, which is strange in that only three of the listed stories are actually in it;
BIG transcription from Justice Sunday, which I finally got ahold of - lots of railing against Lawrence v. Texas and Roe v. Wade, as expected; also against every decision going back to 1962 against mandatory teacher-led prayer in schools;
FotF article calling for more FCC action on "indecency," includes action item;
FotF article: "Bible Literacy Project" claims that 98% of high school English teachers think "the Bible gives students a distinct academic advantage" and that Biblical study "is essential in understanding art, history, language and culture";
Concerned Women for America article against Plan B, includes action item.
----- 1 -----
Focus on the Family targeted by protesters on both sides of gay-issues debate
posted by: Dan Werner (Web producer)
Created: 4/24/2005 10:41 AM MDT - Updated: 4/24/2005 10:41 AM MDT
http://tinyurl.com/7dn4h
http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=7515b125-0abe-421a-01bf-7f074507a3eb&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Focus on the Family's national headquarters complex is expected to be the site of protests in early May by groups on both sides of the gay-issues debate.
One group, the national gay-advocacy group Soulforce, criticizes the conservative Christian ministry for what it calls "hurtful rhetoric" from Focus and its founder, James Dobson.
The other, Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., says the ministry is gay-friendly because it holds conferences encouraging gays to become heterosexual.
"We're getting simultaneous picketing to balance things out," said Focus on the Family spokesman Paul Hetrick. "Fred (Phelps, Westboro's leader) thinks we're soft on homosexuality, and the other group thinks we're too hard on homosexuality. I guess we're sort of in the middle. I know now what it feels like to be moderate."
Soulforce, headed by gay minister Mel White, expects up to 1,000 people from gay-friendly churches and advocacy groups in Denver and Colorado Springs to participate in its protest. The group plans to deliver thousands of letters from people whom White says have suffered because of Dobson's speeches and political stances.
White said the group plans to ignore Phelps, but wants to meet with Dobson.
"Dobson has become the primary source of misinformation about gay and lesbian people in the world," White said. "He is single-handedly doing more damage to the truth than anyone else, in our opinion."
White said in leading a crusade for a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Dobson has misused statistics and portrayed gays as a threat to "everything, including the universe, families, children, the church, the country, the nation, the world."
During the groups' protests, Dobson will be in Washington, D.C., for National Day of Prayer events.
Hetrick said a meeting between Dobson and Soulforce would serve little purpose. The group turned down an invitation to debate with Focus on the Family officials this week.
----- 2 -----
Making women's issues go away
Salon.com
By Rebecca Traister
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2004/04/28/womens_report/index_np.html
A damning new report reveals that the Bush administration has quietly removed 25 reports from its Women's Bureau Web site, deleting or distorting crucial information on issues from pay equity to reproductive healthcare.
April 28, 2004 | If you'd logged onto the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau Web site in 1999, you would have found a list of more than 25 fact sheets and statistical reports on topics ranging from "Earning Differences Between Men and Women" to "Facts About Asian American and Pacific Islander Women" to "Women's Earnings as Percent of Men's 1979-1997.
Not anymore. Those fact sheets no longer exist on the Women's Bureau Web site, and have instead been replaced with a handful of peppier titles, like "Hot Jobs for the 21st Century" and "20 Leading Occupations for Women." It's just one example of the ways in which the Bush administration is dismantling or distorting information on women's issues, from pay equity to reproductive healthcare, according to "Missing: Information About Women's Lives," a new report released Wednesday by the National Council for Research on Women.
----- 3 -----
Patriotism and Prayer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Focus on the Family
Daily Broadcast
http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Default.asp
I pledge allegiance to the flag — but what does it mean? Dr. James Dobson presents a patriotic cry from the heart in a message by Dr. Larry Thompson. It’s a look at spiritual origins, our present condition in America, and why we fly Old Glory. Red, white, and blue — with a call to national repentance!
Talk about National Day of Prayer. Talk about Justice Sunday; "We can't stop now... we leave this weekend for Washington and many events there..." "Our nation is in a great time of need.... we're at a time in our country where we're calling good evil, and evil good..." "Almost every president has called for a day of prayer... but in 1988, under Ronald Reagan.. that the first Thursday in May would always be a day of prayer." "I just wish all businesses would observe the national day of prayer..." Encourages public observance to show "Many people were praying last November before the election... we were asking that god's will be done... our understanding is that maybe millions of people were praying on that day..."
Guest Dr. Larry Thompson - seniour pastor of First Baptist Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. A pre-recorded segment - one of his sermons - played as part of the show: "One of the great treasures we have in our nation is the great flag we pledged allegiance to just a few minutes ago... I wonder of us really know what those colours represent?" Notes the pledge was written to include "under God" in 1954. Complaints about how "only ten years" after that that the first decisions against governmental sponsorship of religion came down - the elimination of mandatory prayer and bible study in public schools.
"History and society has proved that nations that place themselves above god or divorce themselves from god... lose all restraint ... until there is a breakdown and ultimate destruction of the fibre of the nation in which they live." Rails against divorce, abortion. "A spiritually and morally sick nation... and how did we get to this place... we got to this place when we, as Americans... literally said, 'we don't need you anymore.' And as a result of that, no longer do we have even that in which we pledge."
Says a nation's "reputation" is important to god. "A nation builds its reputation when its leaders are accountable." "First of all, you're accountable for providing tranquility." Jesus's return is required for that to happen. "Also accountable for security." Third: morality. "That a leader would lead a life of godliness. Herein is the secret of successful leadership. You cannot give me peace and tranquility... if you divorce yourself from the one who gave you life. Any leader who has disdain and disregard for god's law and leadership in their life is not fit to lead anybody." "A leader must be called to account... on morality... it does not matter [where]... if you are going to lead, you are accountable for morality." Fourth: integrity. "Let them lead with godliness and... holiness." "It's not enough to tell leaders that we hold them accountable..." Calls for praying that "unrepentant" leaders be "few in days" and replaced.
"Whenever a nation loses three areas of spiritual fibre, then they decline and crumble a short time later..." 1. "When a nation fails to be dependent upon god..." 2. "Obedience to god." "Acting as if god is not present." 3. "When a nation loses its desire to repent of its sin, then everything begins to crumble." "We've already passed the first two, we only have the third one left." "If we don't, make no mistake about it; we will perish."
[Back from recording]
Dobson, et al., talk about how god's law is being violated by queers and abortionists and judges who won't crack down on them. Talk about the big NDP observance in DC, details on nationaldayofprayer.org.
----- 4 -----
Frist Says 'No Deal' to Dems
by Aaron Atwood, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005
Majority leader won't compromise on effort to get up-or-down votes for all judicial nominees.
http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0036324.cfm
Making a deal over judicial nominees is not on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's agenda.
Frist, R-Tenn., and Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have spoken in recent days of their efforts to reach a compromise on the impasse over President Bush nominees to the federal bench. Most recently, Democrats have suggested allowing floor votes on two of the 10 nominees currently being filibustered in exchange for Republicans withdrawing the nomination of a third.
Frist rejected the offer.
"My goal is to have fair up-or-down votes on judicial nominees," he told reporters, according to an MSNBC report. "At the end of the day, one will be left standing — the Constitution, which allows up-or-down votes — or the filibuster."
Amanda Banks, federal issues analyst for Focus on the Family, applauded Frist's decision.
"He has rejected the minority leader's so-called offer to permanently dispose of some of the president's filibustered nominees. That is not a compromise," she said. "Continuing to obstruct the constitutional process of 'advice and consent' is not a 'compromise' any reasonable person should consider."
Democrats like Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada have threatened to bring the Senate's business to a halt on everything except national security matters if the GOP moves ahead with plans to end the filibusters by enacting the "constitutional option" — restoring the 51-vote threshold to confirm a judicial nominee. But now, after reaction from citizens responding to the Democrat's threats, the rhetoric has changed a bit. Reid has made efforts to appear to be working on a bipartisan compromise.
"Over the last several weeks, I have had many conversations with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle," Reid said Monday. However, he went on to say that "as part of any resolution, the 'nuclear option' must be off the table."
According to a recent Republican National Committee poll, "overwhelming majorities of Americans believe all judicial nominees deserve an up-or-down vote in the Senate, especially when they have majority support." That could signal bad days ahead for Democrats.
"Democrats are desperately trying to float this 'compromise' because they feel the public relations battle slipping away from them," said Bruce Hausknecht, Focus on the Family judicial analyst. "All Harry Reid is going to accomplish with such histrionics is to incur the ire of his left-wing special interest groups."
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been telling reporters he has no doubt his party has the votes required to make the "constitutional option" the "constitutional reality."
"Look I never announce my whip count," he said, "but I'm telling you there's no doubt in my mind, and, I'm a pretty good counter of votes — that we have the votes we need."
TAKE ACTION
Let your two U.S. senators know you favor a return to Senate tradition -- that 51 votes once again be sufficient to approve a judicial nominee. To send your senators an e-mail or to find their phone numbers so you can call, visit the CitizenLink Action Center and type your ZIP code into the space provided.
You can receive family news stories by email. Sign up now for this complimentary service.
----- 5 -----
Vote on Abortion Notification Bill Expected Today
4/27/2005
Concerned Women for America
Contact your U.S. representatives now!
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/7980/CWA/life/index.htm
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today at approximately 4:30 p.m. on H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.
This important bill will protect minor girls from adults who take them across state lines for an abortion in order to circumvent a state’s parental notification law.
In heart-rending testimony during yesterday’s committee hearing, Marcia Carroll of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, told how the abusive relatives of her 14-year-old daughter’s boyfriend took her into New Jersey for an abortion, despite the girl’s decision to give birth and rear her baby. New Jersey does not require parental consent before an abortion.
“As a consequence of my daughter being taken out of our state for an abortion without parental knowledge, she is suffering intense grief,” said Mrs. Carroll. “My daughter cries herself to sleep every night and lives with this every day. … It is critical that this law passes in Congress.”
To read all of Mrs. Carroll’s testimony, click here.
Contact your U.S. representatives now! Click here.
----- 6 -----
Justice O’Connor Links Free Speech to Threats of Violence
Concerned Women for America
4/26/2005
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has made public comments recently linking the comments against judicial activism, to threats of physical violence. CWA’s Chief Counsel Jan LaRue says these comments indicate that judges at all court levels are feeling the pressure. Click here to listen.
April 7: O'Conner speech to Maryland; linked violent threats she's been receiving to "the fiery rhetoric" of CWA, et al. Link called "outrageous." "I think it's really outrageous for a judge to try to silence protected speech under the guise of ... crazy people." "We hear [the same] from homosexuals... and former homosexuals." Calls O'Conner extreme, a protector of pornography and cross-burning. "They certainly are started to feel the heat... she, Justice Scalia and Justice Bryer went on C-Span..." "It shows that we are, in fact, ruffling their feathers... the public is more and more upset that rulings are not based on the text of the Constitution, but on the policy opinions of the judges..."
----- 7 -----
Family News in Focus
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Focus on the Family
* Black conservative group joins the battle to break the filibuster on judicial nominees
1. Pressing for rules change. Janice Rogers Brown and Pricilla Owen are up. "For black voters, [Brown] represents someone who would understand what black voters grew up with." Brown is a big proponent of the "culture war." "Most of the opposition to Rogers Brown has been that she's a strict constructionist, meaning that she interprets the Constitution as written, rather than injecting her personal opinion into decisions."
* Some pro-life Democrats used Democrat headquarters to announce goal of reducing abortions
2. [Anti-abortion] Democrats support 95-10 initiative, which nibbles away at a bunch of abortion rights areas without formal outlawing of abortion.
* New research links addiction to gambling and brain defect
NO STORY
* Would society be better served if some prisoners were home with their families?
3. "Keeping the bad guy out of the way... is necessary." "We've gone from 300,000 people in our jails in 1970 to more than two million today."
* Pro-life ethicists say The National Academies' guidelines embryonic stem cell research lack any respect for human life
NO STORY
* The World Health Organization, the health branch of the UN, claims abortion drugs, like RU-486 and others, are essential for maintaining health
NO STORY
* An estimated 1500 US children died from abuse or neglect in 2003
NO STORY
----- 8 -----
Justice Sunday: Stop Filibustering People of Faith
Family Research Council
Focus on the Family
25 April 2005
I finally got a copy of this - but only the first hour.
Well, it's laid out up front: these judges are being filibustered specifically because of their faith, and that, as a Christian, you must call in and demand that the filibuster rules be changed so that "they" stop oppressing Christian judges.
Judge Charles W. Pickering is up first - he's one of the rejected nominees. Leads Pledge of Allegiance.
Highview Baptist Church has a very nice stage. It's neat.
Tony Perkins (Family Research CounciI) up second. Plans to give "very specific" action items. First amendment rights have "taken a pounding by activist judges." "There is a concern... about the activism of our federal courts... the courts have become an enclave for a liberal ideology that seeks to muzzle the voice of Americans... just because we believe the Bible as guidepost for life does not disqualify us from participating in our government." "We are not here tonight to impose our views... we are not saying that people that disagree with us are not people of faith... [but] we should not have to choose between living and believing what is in this book... and serving as judges or in any other elected office."
Introduces tape message from Chuck Coulson, founder of Prison Fellowship. Talks about how "Liberal Senators... like Senator Kennedy and Senator Reid" [who is a conservative Democrat] say they shouldn't be doing politics in church... claims Bill Pryor was denied confirmation in the 11th Circuit because "of his Christian views, his pro-life views." Says "Catholics need not apply." Claims that Charles Pickering was filibustered because he supported Prison Fellowship. Notes that the filibuster was used to block the Civil Rights Act in the 1950s. (Note: this is 100% true.) "The Senate has a duty to vote up or down a judge, a nominee of the President. That's the way the Constitution is set up!" [Ed. Note: Those words aren't in the Constitution. It's neat how that matters only sometimes. Aheh.] "Filibuster: An attempt to sieze what was lost at the ballot box." Claims the filibuster is "destroying the balance of power, a Christian contribution to the founding of this nation!" "They are not acting on the advise on the way the advise and consent clause was clearly intended by the founders!" Quotes Madison in the Federalist papers, tho' as someone who has read the Federalist papers, they don't want to do too much of that because I can quote Madison right back at them. "Impose our views? Who's trying to impose their views?" Claims that the "imposing [your] views" thing comes from anti-abolitionists in the Civil War, thus equating people supporting the current rules with slavers. Yay! Calls for immediate calls to senators.
Perkins repeats the action item: in the morning, call the Senate switchboard at 202.224.3121 to demand changing filibuster rules. Senatur Murkowski (202.224.6665, Alaska), and Senator McCain (202.224.2235, Arizona) both targeted specifically for calls.
Next up: Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family. Standing ovation for Dobson.
Dobson introduces his wife Shirley, chair of the National Day of Prayer. "I cannot imagine anything more significant than what we're about to do." Notes the presence of "media" - hopes to get "a fair hearing." "Unconstitutiona, I think, inapprorpiate use of the filibuster... it's not right, it's wrong... I think this is one of the most significant issues we've ever faced as a nation, because the future of democracy and ordered liberty [sic] actually depends upon the outcome of this struggle. Why? Because the issues that we care about and the values that are important to us are now threatened by this court system and especially the United States Supreme Court. There is a majority on the Supreme Court that is... unelected, and unaccountable, and arrogant and imperious and determined to redesign the culture according to their own biases and values and they're out of control. And I think they need to be reigned in. And in that regard I want it said loud and clear that I appreciate and agree with Majority Leader Tom Delay and what he has been trying to do... he is being vilified and treated very unfairly and I think it's time to get off his back."
Talks about checks and balances in the Federal government, talking about how Congress and the President "don't have the political gumption to do it, because the moment they do, the media rises up like a mighty shield to keep this from happening... and as a result... you have a court that's out of control!" A lot of this is exactly the same as in his Action Newsletter earlier this month. Notes that Congress defines the courts below the Supreme Court. "You have a court that is now imperious and imposing its will upon the people of this country... that was never what was intended by the founding fathers!" Senator Switchboard flashed up on screen again 202-224-3121. "You have a court that has essentially absolute power! They're the final arbiter." Decries Marlbury v. Madison (1804) which was first decision where the Court overturned a law as unconstitutional. Notes that Jefferson complained about this. [Note: this is true. Jefferson felt that Congress should have the say on what is and isn't constitutional.] Numbers for Murkowski and McCain are being scrolled under Dobson's name right now. Also other senators. Decries Dred Scott decision as an example [Note: this was a Constructionist ruling, in fact. Legally, it was evil, but correct.] Moves to Roe v. Wade, calls it "the biggest holocaust in world history, that came out of the Supreme Court." "The problem with the court when it is not checked is that it has an agenda. For 43 the Supreme Court has been on a campaign to limit religious freedom, religious liberty. It goes back to 1962, with bible reading, and '63, with prayer in schools, both prohibited." Lists off several more government-prayer rulings. Claims that each of these rulings Is opposed by "70% of the American people."
"In what sense are we the government when what we care about has no impact, no influence? How does that happen? And the reason for that is that the court is not accountable to the people." Claims that the last elections "sent a message to Washington that there was a concern over the judiciary. It was talked about often during the campaign. And yet now a minourity of members of the Senate, the Democrats essentially and about six or eight very squishy Republicans, are determined to prevent that influence from being felt on the court." Reiterates that they're "not trying to force their views on anybody," pounds on podium saying they have a "right to participate." Standing ovation.
"Where is this leading? Where does it go? It goes directly to the redefinition of marriage, the courts already made it clear that's what they plan to do, it goes to further assaults on the sanctity of life - bless her heart, Terry Schievo, a mentally disabled woman, unable to speak for herself, with circumstances that are not clear around her, her illness, her difficulty, was turned down four times by this Supreme Court, they would not even review her case - do they care about the sanctity of life? I think not, and they've made that very clear. EUthanasia is on their list of things to deal with. And pornography unchecked and unlimited, on and on it goes, plus this matter of judicial tyranny to people of faith, and that has to stop! I leave you with this: please! do! call! your! Senators! Both of 'em, call 'em, let them know that we won't take no for an answer; let 'em know that we don't want them to delay and you don't want them to postpone and you don't want them to tremble; Republicans are real good at trembling; get ahold of them and tell them that you care and that you will. will. remember. how. they. vote." [Interrupted by applause]
"It's all on the line and it's time to stop the filibuster." [Standing ovation.]
Coulson; "the history is clear" that this filibuster is "unprecedented." Urges calls in again. Scrolling list of Senator phone numbers pointed out again. Gives switchboard number again as well, urging calls first thing in the morning. Asks for prayers, "that their hearts would be moved that they do the right thing." Points to www.frcaction.org for more "prayer points."
Introduces President of Southern Baptist Seminary, Dr. Al Mohler, who gets a standing ovation. "I believe that tonight is the start of something really important... people of God starting to understand what our responsibility really is..." "Our main message is salvation, through grace alone, by faith alone, through Christ alone.... we are not calling for persons merely to be moral, we want them to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, because we don't just need instruction, we need salvation!" "So much that is precious to us, so much that is essential to this civilisation, this culture, this great democratic republic, is in the hands of the courts. And we know that means much is at risk, because we have been watching, and we've been learning. For far too long, Christians have been concerned to elect the right people to office, and then go back home. We've learned the importance of the electoral process, and yet we're also discovering that that third branch of government, the Judiciary, is so very very important. We've been watching court cases come down the line. In 1973, Roe v. Wade, just declaring a woman's right to an abortion. We now know in the aftermath of that decision that Justice Blackmon, who was the author of the majority opinion, even has admitted that they were determined to legalise abortion, and they just went to the Constitution to try to find an argument that would get them where they wanted to go. And they did. Now that was a wake-up call for Americans to say 'wait a minute.'" Says judges found "a right to kill unborn children."
Skip to 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, "The Supreme Court of the United States of America struck down every sodomy law in this country. And see, they found a Constitutional right to sodomy! Does anyone believe that the framers of our Constitution intended for it to be there? By no means. Well, if it's not there, how did the court decision get there? By reading into the Constitution what they wanted to find. Which isn't there, but it's _constructed_ there. By expanding the Constitution, by reinterpretation. Now of all people, we ought to be the folks who understand that, because we as Christians have had to understand that there are people who will take the word of god and say it's really not about the text, it's about what's behind the text. We can take the text and make it say what it doesn't mean! We have seen that pattern. And god's people have had to learn to discern and say, 'No, the text is the inerrant and infallible word of god, it is what god said it is, and what god revealed it to be, and that's what must constrain our interpretation!'" [Standing ovation]
"But now there are judges who, using the same exercises of interpretation, find in the Constitution of the United States what's not there. And look at how much is at risk. In his dissent, in the Lawrence v. Texas case, Justice Antonin Scalia warned us, he said, this court is ready to legalise same-sex marriage. It didn't do so now, but there is nothing in the logic of this decision to prevent this court from going there, and in short order. We've learned that we're going to have to exercise our Christian citizenship beyond just the ballot box, we're going to have to follow this through all the way to the nomination and confirmation of judges. And we've learned something else! We've learned that religious liberty really is at stake. [Audience: Amen!] Religious liberty is on the line here! Because the courts also hold, by their constitutional role, a responsibility to defend our religious liberty, but in far too many cases, judges have constrained and violated our religious liberty, and so now are some members of the United States Senate." Goes back to Judge Pickering as religious oppression. "It could be you tomorrow."
"We're speaking _as_ evangelical Christians." Talks about Pryor as being rejected for being Roman Catholic. "What's why it is as if Catholics need not apply." "It could be you, or it could be yours tomorrow." "This pattern of discrimination against those who hold deep convictions about human life and the institution of marriage must come to an end! [Applause] We've got to bring it to an end. We've got to do what is necessary to fulfull our Christian citizenship to see it end. They're saying something else about us. They're saying this is partisan. Well, let me say something clearly: I long for the day when we have to choose as candidates between a pro-life Republican and a pro-life Democrat, between a Republican who understands what marriage is, and a Democrat who understands what marriage is. Then they can compete for our vote, because they'll stand where Americans stand, and they'll understand where we need to stand if we're going to save this civilisation, and if we're going to uphold righteousness! And evangelical Christians, our main concern is the citizenship that is ours in Heaven, that has been purchased by our saviour - but we also understand that we have a responsibility here on this Earth so as long as we are alive until the lord returns to show god's love and contend for god's righteousness and to tell this world that through his law, and that through his word, god is trying to tell us something for our good, for our health, for our holiness, and we as Christians needs to be active in the public sphere, not just to impose some kind of worldview or ideology, but to be salt and light, because that's not my idea, that's how we were commissioned by the lord Jesus Christ. We need to speak as Christian citizens, what we demand is an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate. It is nothing less than cowardice for a minourity in the Senate to block these people from the vote they so richly deserve. Let's get them that vote, and we will stand with the American people with the result. God bless you!" [Standing ovation] [Throughout, the senate switchboard number has been on screen]
Coulson: "That's exactly the message we want you to send..." to demand a rules change to end filibusters. Requests calls again. Points to www.frcaction.org for "talking points."
"Now last year, many of you joined us for three simulcasts we did on the marriage issue." Notes that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist "joined us to talk about the critical nature of the battle for a marriage amendment." "He has been unduly criticised, he has been demonsed... and that's simply not fair... he is a just man, he is a courageous man..." Bill Frist is "a friend of the family in this country."
Bill Frist, on tape: Claims that before 2003, no judge with floor support has ever been denied an up-or-down vote. [This is untrue: several Clinton nominees, a higher percentage than now, were held up through committee maneuvering rather than filibuster. But the same result.] "Don't leave our country hanging!" Demands that all ten judges get let through to a floor vote. Talks about Justice Owen's nomination to 5th Circuit Court of appeals. Claims he's trying to work out a compromise with Senator Reid; calls a floor vote a constitutional mandate. "If Senator Reid continues to obstruct the process, we will consider what opponents call the nuclear option." "The balance of powers requires respect, not retaliation; I won't go along with that." Calls for viewers to call in to demand the change in filibuster rules.
Not enough red meat for the audience; only mild applause.
Back to Coulson, who introduces "Bishop Harry Jackson, pastors a church in Maryland... his words are laser-guided right onto the topic... he's the principle architect of the Black Contract with America..." [A social conservative rallying effort]
[Standing ovation]
Bishop Harry R. Jackson: Black community looks at issue of justice, white community looks at righteousness issues, "such as preventing same-sex marriage, such as protecting against abortion... it is time that we came together, put both sides of the bible together, and say that we're going to stand up for righteousness and justice..." "There is a justice problem in America... the truth is that something is wrong with justice in America... Lady Justice is not blind anymore... let's start with this issue, let's start making sure that those who say they are supposed to carry out and watch our laws of the land will really be umpires rather than those who create laws. We are at a time when blacks and whites must come together in the name of almighty Christ. We are at a time when protestant and Catholic must come together in the name of Jesus." "So as for me and my house, we are going to serve the lord... together on our watch, we're going to change America, and see it return to its righteous foundations. Thank you very much!" [Standing ovation]
Coulson repeats the action item again, phone number and frcaction website URL go up, and TV coverage ends before the final half hour, which is too bad. I imagine but do not know that there's extra juicy stuff in the last 30 minutes.
----- 9 -----
FCC Failing on Broadcast Indecency
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005 (by email)
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission isn't doing
enough to keep indecent programs off television -- that's
the finding of a new poll.
Most Americans don't think the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) is doing enough to regulate television
indecency, especially in primetime when kids are likely to
be watching.
A new poll from Morality in Media found that 53 percent
think the commission is doing a poor or very poor job of
keeping inappropriate material off broadcast TV.
Despite a few highly publicized fines, broadcasters
continue to dish out inappropriate fare during prime time.
New shows like ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," for instance,
continue to offend. In one episode, a rape victim is
discovered to have dismembered her attacker. For the rest
of the show, the lead character was forced to carry the
body part around and viewers were subjected to an hour of
off-color jokes.
The poll shows Americans are tired of such foul
programming, but Robert Peters of Morality in Media said
the complaints are falling on deaf ears.
"Most of these indecency complaints are decided from
beginning to end by the Enforcement Bureau," he said, "and
it's the Enforcement Bureau that routinely dismisses
complaints."
The FCC did not return calls for comment, but Steve Isaac,
media critic for Focus on the Family's Plugged In
magazine, said the agency appears to be more interested in
its image than creating real change.
"The attention is being given to a lot of high profile
issues," Isaac said, "and then it seems like all the
backdoor stuff just keeps getting shoveled out the
backdoor."
Until that changes, the FCC can look forward to facing the
ire of an offended public.
Melissa Caldwell of the Parents Television Council said
the FCC Enforcement Bureau is so far removed from public
scrutiny the poll is likely to have little effect on them.
Congress, however, does listen to polls, and is
considering legislation to toughen fines for indecency.
TAKE ACTION: To learn more about the study, visit the
Morality in Media Web site.
http://www.moralityinmedia.org/radioTvIndecency/FCCpoor.htm
To let the FCC's commissioners know what you think of TV
indecency, visit the CitizenLink Action Center.
http://www3.capwiz.com/fof/dbq/officials/agencies/?id=4889&dir=fof&command=depresult2&submit.x=16&submit.y=9
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the
Family is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
----- 10 -----
Students Need Bible Literacy
by Josh Montez, correspondent
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005
By email
SUMMARY: High school English teachers say when students
aren't taught the Bible they miss out on a well-rounded
education.
The Bible Literacy Project has unveiled a report that says
98 percent of high school English teachers think the Bible
gives students a distinct academic advantage.
The teachers in the study came from different areas of
experience and political positions, according to Sheila
Weber, spokeswoman for the Bible Literacy Project.
"We are advocating that there needs to be an increase in
knowledge," Weber said, "and so students should be able to
study the Bible as literature and also study the way the
Bible is referenced in literature."
Teachers said it was difficult to pick up a work of
literature that doesn't have some reference to the Bible,
according to Marie Wachlin, who authored the study.
"When students don't know the Bible, it limits their
understanding, it limits class discussion," Wachlin said.
"And -- the teachers also said -- it limits the literature
that they choose to teach."
Besides helping students in their English classes, the
teachers had another reason for recommending that students
understand the Bible.
"On an open-ended question," Wachlin said, "the most
common reason given was for character development."
Besides literature and character development, Wachlin
contends the Bible is essential in understanding art,
history, language and culture.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: You can learn more about the Bible
Literacy Project on the organization's Web site,
Biblecurriculum.org
http://www.biblecurriculum.org/Site/
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the
Family is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
----- 11 -----
Does Plan-B Approval Really Put Science on the Line?
4/25/2005
Concerned Women for America
By Bethanie Swendsen
Democrats postpone nomination of FDA Commissioner over pending Plan-B approval
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/7967/CWA/life/index.htm
Protesting the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) indecision on approving the over-the-counter status on the morning-after pill (or Plan B), two senators are holding up the nomination of Lester M. Crawford as the new FDA commissioner.
Leading the charge are Sens. Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) who agreed to hold the nomination of the new FDA commissioner after a 30-minute meeting with Crawford on April 6, 2005.
"The FDA has had the Plan B application for years and the American people simply need an answer, yes or no. Science should never take a back seat to politics and ideology," said Sen. Clinton (Washington Post, April 7, 2005).
But will it? This political move is clearly intended to influence the FDA's decision on a controversial drug.
Murray told the Washington Post that there is no scientific reason for its approval to not go forward and that the credibility of the FDA as a science-based agency is on the line.
Wendy Wright, senior policy director for Concerned Women for America, begs to differ, "The morning-after pill has not been adequately tested and a low-dose of the drug--birth control pills--is known to put women at risk of life-threatening complications, such as a stroke, heart attack and/or blood clots. Yet it has become a handy political tool for abortion activists. They refuse to acknowledge the evidence that easy access to the drug causes an increase in sexually transmitted disease rates and no decrease in the number of abortions. In fact, some areas experience an increase in the number of abortions.
"A University of San Francisco study--done by morning-after pill advocates--even showed that easy access does not reduce the number of pregnancies," said Wright. "A person would have reason to believe that these results only benefit the most vocal proponents of the morning-after pill--Planned Parenthood and others that profit from promiscuity."
In a highly questionable move, former FDA Commissioner David Kessler approved the morning after pill in 1999 as a prescription-only drug. This January, Kessler received the Lifetime Achievement Award from National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL).
Barr Laboratories applied for approval to sell Plan B without a prescription in April 2003.
The FDA has expressed two main concerns: One, easier availability would affect the behavior of young women and two, a lawsuit filed by advocates of Plan B against the FDA in January has made the review process more complicated.
For more facts on Plan B and its effects, click here.
To contact the FDA and express your concern of Plan B becoming a non-prescriptive drug, click here.
Salon.com notices the Bush administration's tendency to delete web-site data that it finds inconvenient;
Today's main Focus on the Familiy broadcast talks about the need for more fundamentalists in politics (my description, not theirs);
Focus on the Family article on judicial filibusters - with action item;
Concerned Women for America action item on anti-abortion bill;
Justice O'Conner's commentary on rhetoric interpreted by CWA as unconscionable;
Today's Family News in Focus, which is strange in that only three of the listed stories are actually in it;
BIG transcription from Justice Sunday, which I finally got ahold of - lots of railing against Lawrence v. Texas and Roe v. Wade, as expected; also against every decision going back to 1962 against mandatory teacher-led prayer in schools;
FotF article calling for more FCC action on "indecency," includes action item;
FotF article: "Bible Literacy Project" claims that 98% of high school English teachers think "the Bible gives students a distinct academic advantage" and that Biblical study "is essential in understanding art, history, language and culture";
Concerned Women for America article against Plan B, includes action item.
----- 1 -----
Focus on the Family targeted by protesters on both sides of gay-issues debate
posted by: Dan Werner (Web producer)
Created: 4/24/2005 10:41 AM MDT - Updated: 4/24/2005 10:41 AM MDT
http://tinyurl.com/7dn4h
http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=7515b125-0abe-421a-01bf-7f074507a3eb&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Focus on the Family's national headquarters complex is expected to be the site of protests in early May by groups on both sides of the gay-issues debate.
One group, the national gay-advocacy group Soulforce, criticizes the conservative Christian ministry for what it calls "hurtful rhetoric" from Focus and its founder, James Dobson.
The other, Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., says the ministry is gay-friendly because it holds conferences encouraging gays to become heterosexual.
"We're getting simultaneous picketing to balance things out," said Focus on the Family spokesman Paul Hetrick. "Fred (Phelps, Westboro's leader) thinks we're soft on homosexuality, and the other group thinks we're too hard on homosexuality. I guess we're sort of in the middle. I know now what it feels like to be moderate."
Soulforce, headed by gay minister Mel White, expects up to 1,000 people from gay-friendly churches and advocacy groups in Denver and Colorado Springs to participate in its protest. The group plans to deliver thousands of letters from people whom White says have suffered because of Dobson's speeches and political stances.
White said the group plans to ignore Phelps, but wants to meet with Dobson.
"Dobson has become the primary source of misinformation about gay and lesbian people in the world," White said. "He is single-handedly doing more damage to the truth than anyone else, in our opinion."
White said in leading a crusade for a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Dobson has misused statistics and portrayed gays as a threat to "everything, including the universe, families, children, the church, the country, the nation, the world."
During the groups' protests, Dobson will be in Washington, D.C., for National Day of Prayer events.
Hetrick said a meeting between Dobson and Soulforce would serve little purpose. The group turned down an invitation to debate with Focus on the Family officials this week.
----- 2 -----
Making women's issues go away
Salon.com
By Rebecca Traister
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2004/04/28/womens_report/index_np.html
A damning new report reveals that the Bush administration has quietly removed 25 reports from its Women's Bureau Web site, deleting or distorting crucial information on issues from pay equity to reproductive healthcare.
April 28, 2004 | If you'd logged onto the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau Web site in 1999, you would have found a list of more than 25 fact sheets and statistical reports on topics ranging from "Earning Differences Between Men and Women" to "Facts About Asian American and Pacific Islander Women" to "Women's Earnings as Percent of Men's 1979-1997.
Not anymore. Those fact sheets no longer exist on the Women's Bureau Web site, and have instead been replaced with a handful of peppier titles, like "Hot Jobs for the 21st Century" and "20 Leading Occupations for Women." It's just one example of the ways in which the Bush administration is dismantling or distorting information on women's issues, from pay equity to reproductive healthcare, according to "Missing: Information About Women's Lives," a new report released Wednesday by the National Council for Research on Women.
----- 3 -----
Patriotism and Prayer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Focus on the Family
Daily Broadcast
http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Default.asp
I pledge allegiance to the flag — but what does it mean? Dr. James Dobson presents a patriotic cry from the heart in a message by Dr. Larry Thompson. It’s a look at spiritual origins, our present condition in America, and why we fly Old Glory. Red, white, and blue — with a call to national repentance!
Talk about National Day of Prayer. Talk about Justice Sunday; "We can't stop now... we leave this weekend for Washington and many events there..." "Our nation is in a great time of need.... we're at a time in our country where we're calling good evil, and evil good..." "Almost every president has called for a day of prayer... but in 1988, under Ronald Reagan.. that the first Thursday in May would always be a day of prayer." "I just wish all businesses would observe the national day of prayer..." Encourages public observance to show "Many people were praying last November before the election... we were asking that god's will be done... our understanding is that maybe millions of people were praying on that day..."
Guest Dr. Larry Thompson - seniour pastor of First Baptist Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. A pre-recorded segment - one of his sermons - played as part of the show: "One of the great treasures we have in our nation is the great flag we pledged allegiance to just a few minutes ago... I wonder of us really know what those colours represent?" Notes the pledge was written to include "under God" in 1954. Complaints about how "only ten years" after that that the first decisions against governmental sponsorship of religion came down - the elimination of mandatory prayer and bible study in public schools.
"History and society has proved that nations that place themselves above god or divorce themselves from god... lose all restraint ... until there is a breakdown and ultimate destruction of the fibre of the nation in which they live." Rails against divorce, abortion. "A spiritually and morally sick nation... and how did we get to this place... we got to this place when we, as Americans... literally said, 'we don't need you anymore.' And as a result of that, no longer do we have even that in which we pledge."
Says a nation's "reputation" is important to god. "A nation builds its reputation when its leaders are accountable." "First of all, you're accountable for providing tranquility." Jesus's return is required for that to happen. "Also accountable for security." Third: morality. "That a leader would lead a life of godliness. Herein is the secret of successful leadership. You cannot give me peace and tranquility... if you divorce yourself from the one who gave you life. Any leader who has disdain and disregard for god's law and leadership in their life is not fit to lead anybody." "A leader must be called to account... on morality... it does not matter [where]... if you are going to lead, you are accountable for morality." Fourth: integrity. "Let them lead with godliness and... holiness." "It's not enough to tell leaders that we hold them accountable..." Calls for praying that "unrepentant" leaders be "few in days" and replaced.
"Whenever a nation loses three areas of spiritual fibre, then they decline and crumble a short time later..." 1. "When a nation fails to be dependent upon god..." 2. "Obedience to god." "Acting as if god is not present." 3. "When a nation loses its desire to repent of its sin, then everything begins to crumble." "We've already passed the first two, we only have the third one left." "If we don't, make no mistake about it; we will perish."
[Back from recording]
Dobson, et al., talk about how god's law is being violated by queers and abortionists and judges who won't crack down on them. Talk about the big NDP observance in DC, details on nationaldayofprayer.org.
----- 4 -----
Frist Says 'No Deal' to Dems
by Aaron Atwood, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005
Majority leader won't compromise on effort to get up-or-down votes for all judicial nominees.
http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0036324.cfm
Making a deal over judicial nominees is not on Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's agenda.
Frist, R-Tenn., and Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have spoken in recent days of their efforts to reach a compromise on the impasse over President Bush nominees to the federal bench. Most recently, Democrats have suggested allowing floor votes on two of the 10 nominees currently being filibustered in exchange for Republicans withdrawing the nomination of a third.
Frist rejected the offer.
"My goal is to have fair up-or-down votes on judicial nominees," he told reporters, according to an MSNBC report. "At the end of the day, one will be left standing — the Constitution, which allows up-or-down votes — or the filibuster."
Amanda Banks, federal issues analyst for Focus on the Family, applauded Frist's decision.
"He has rejected the minority leader's so-called offer to permanently dispose of some of the president's filibustered nominees. That is not a compromise," she said. "Continuing to obstruct the constitutional process of 'advice and consent' is not a 'compromise' any reasonable person should consider."
Democrats like Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada have threatened to bring the Senate's business to a halt on everything except national security matters if the GOP moves ahead with plans to end the filibusters by enacting the "constitutional option" — restoring the 51-vote threshold to confirm a judicial nominee. But now, after reaction from citizens responding to the Democrat's threats, the rhetoric has changed a bit. Reid has made efforts to appear to be working on a bipartisan compromise.
"Over the last several weeks, I have had many conversations with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle," Reid said Monday. However, he went on to say that "as part of any resolution, the 'nuclear option' must be off the table."
According to a recent Republican National Committee poll, "overwhelming majorities of Americans believe all judicial nominees deserve an up-or-down vote in the Senate, especially when they have majority support." That could signal bad days ahead for Democrats.
"Democrats are desperately trying to float this 'compromise' because they feel the public relations battle slipping away from them," said Bruce Hausknecht, Focus on the Family judicial analyst. "All Harry Reid is going to accomplish with such histrionics is to incur the ire of his left-wing special interest groups."
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been telling reporters he has no doubt his party has the votes required to make the "constitutional option" the "constitutional reality."
"Look I never announce my whip count," he said, "but I'm telling you there's no doubt in my mind, and, I'm a pretty good counter of votes — that we have the votes we need."
TAKE ACTION
Let your two U.S. senators know you favor a return to Senate tradition -- that 51 votes once again be sufficient to approve a judicial nominee. To send your senators an e-mail or to find their phone numbers so you can call, visit the CitizenLink Action Center and type your ZIP code into the space provided.
You can receive family news stories by email. Sign up now for this complimentary service.
----- 5 -----
Vote on Abortion Notification Bill Expected Today
4/27/2005
Concerned Women for America
Contact your U.S. representatives now!
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/7980/CWA/life/index.htm
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today at approximately 4:30 p.m. on H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act.
This important bill will protect minor girls from adults who take them across state lines for an abortion in order to circumvent a state’s parental notification law.
In heart-rending testimony during yesterday’s committee hearing, Marcia Carroll of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, told how the abusive relatives of her 14-year-old daughter’s boyfriend took her into New Jersey for an abortion, despite the girl’s decision to give birth and rear her baby. New Jersey does not require parental consent before an abortion.
“As a consequence of my daughter being taken out of our state for an abortion without parental knowledge, she is suffering intense grief,” said Mrs. Carroll. “My daughter cries herself to sleep every night and lives with this every day. … It is critical that this law passes in Congress.”
To read all of Mrs. Carroll’s testimony, click here.
Contact your U.S. representatives now! Click here.
----- 6 -----
Justice O’Connor Links Free Speech to Threats of Violence
Concerned Women for America
4/26/2005
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has made public comments recently linking the comments against judicial activism, to threats of physical violence. CWA’s Chief Counsel Jan LaRue says these comments indicate that judges at all court levels are feeling the pressure. Click here to listen.
April 7: O'Conner speech to Maryland; linked violent threats she's been receiving to "the fiery rhetoric" of CWA, et al. Link called "outrageous." "I think it's really outrageous for a judge to try to silence protected speech under the guise of ... crazy people." "We hear [the same] from homosexuals... and former homosexuals." Calls O'Conner extreme, a protector of pornography and cross-burning. "They certainly are started to feel the heat... she, Justice Scalia and Justice Bryer went on C-Span..." "It shows that we are, in fact, ruffling their feathers... the public is more and more upset that rulings are not based on the text of the Constitution, but on the policy opinions of the judges..."
----- 7 -----
Family News in Focus
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Focus on the Family
* Black conservative group joins the battle to break the filibuster on judicial nominees
1. Pressing for rules change. Janice Rogers Brown and Pricilla Owen are up. "For black voters, [Brown] represents someone who would understand what black voters grew up with." Brown is a big proponent of the "culture war." "Most of the opposition to Rogers Brown has been that she's a strict constructionist, meaning that she interprets the Constitution as written, rather than injecting her personal opinion into decisions."
* Some pro-life Democrats used Democrat headquarters to announce goal of reducing abortions
2. [Anti-abortion] Democrats support 95-10 initiative, which nibbles away at a bunch of abortion rights areas without formal outlawing of abortion.
* New research links addiction to gambling and brain defect
NO STORY
* Would society be better served if some prisoners were home with their families?
3. "Keeping the bad guy out of the way... is necessary." "We've gone from 300,000 people in our jails in 1970 to more than two million today."
* Pro-life ethicists say The National Academies' guidelines embryonic stem cell research lack any respect for human life
NO STORY
* The World Health Organization, the health branch of the UN, claims abortion drugs, like RU-486 and others, are essential for maintaining health
NO STORY
* An estimated 1500 US children died from abuse or neglect in 2003
NO STORY
----- 8 -----
Justice Sunday: Stop Filibustering People of Faith
Family Research Council
Focus on the Family
25 April 2005
I finally got a copy of this - but only the first hour.
Well, it's laid out up front: these judges are being filibustered specifically because of their faith, and that, as a Christian, you must call in and demand that the filibuster rules be changed so that "they" stop oppressing Christian judges.
Judge Charles W. Pickering is up first - he's one of the rejected nominees. Leads Pledge of Allegiance.
Highview Baptist Church has a very nice stage. It's neat.
Tony Perkins (Family Research CounciI) up second. Plans to give "very specific" action items. First amendment rights have "taken a pounding by activist judges." "There is a concern... about the activism of our federal courts... the courts have become an enclave for a liberal ideology that seeks to muzzle the voice of Americans... just because we believe the Bible as guidepost for life does not disqualify us from participating in our government." "We are not here tonight to impose our views... we are not saying that people that disagree with us are not people of faith... [but] we should not have to choose between living and believing what is in this book... and serving as judges or in any other elected office."
Introduces tape message from Chuck Coulson, founder of Prison Fellowship. Talks about how "Liberal Senators... like Senator Kennedy and Senator Reid" [who is a conservative Democrat] say they shouldn't be doing politics in church... claims Bill Pryor was denied confirmation in the 11th Circuit because "of his Christian views, his pro-life views." Says "Catholics need not apply." Claims that Charles Pickering was filibustered because he supported Prison Fellowship. Notes that the filibuster was used to block the Civil Rights Act in the 1950s. (Note: this is 100% true.) "The Senate has a duty to vote up or down a judge, a nominee of the President. That's the way the Constitution is set up!" [Ed. Note: Those words aren't in the Constitution. It's neat how that matters only sometimes. Aheh.] "Filibuster: An attempt to sieze what was lost at the ballot box." Claims the filibuster is "destroying the balance of power, a Christian contribution to the founding of this nation!" "They are not acting on the advise on the way the advise and consent clause was clearly intended by the founders!" Quotes Madison in the Federalist papers, tho' as someone who has read the Federalist papers, they don't want to do too much of that because I can quote Madison right back at them. "Impose our views? Who's trying to impose their views?" Claims that the "imposing [your] views" thing comes from anti-abolitionists in the Civil War, thus equating people supporting the current rules with slavers. Yay! Calls for immediate calls to senators.
Perkins repeats the action item: in the morning, call the Senate switchboard at 202.224.3121 to demand changing filibuster rules. Senatur Murkowski (202.224.6665, Alaska), and Senator McCain (202.224.2235, Arizona) both targeted specifically for calls.
Next up: Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family. Standing ovation for Dobson.
Dobson introduces his wife Shirley, chair of the National Day of Prayer. "I cannot imagine anything more significant than what we're about to do." Notes the presence of "media" - hopes to get "a fair hearing." "Unconstitutiona, I think, inapprorpiate use of the filibuster... it's not right, it's wrong... I think this is one of the most significant issues we've ever faced as a nation, because the future of democracy and ordered liberty [sic] actually depends upon the outcome of this struggle. Why? Because the issues that we care about and the values that are important to us are now threatened by this court system and especially the United States Supreme Court. There is a majority on the Supreme Court that is... unelected, and unaccountable, and arrogant and imperious and determined to redesign the culture according to their own biases and values and they're out of control. And I think they need to be reigned in. And in that regard I want it said loud and clear that I appreciate and agree with Majority Leader Tom Delay and what he has been trying to do... he is being vilified and treated very unfairly and I think it's time to get off his back."
Talks about checks and balances in the Federal government, talking about how Congress and the President "don't have the political gumption to do it, because the moment they do, the media rises up like a mighty shield to keep this from happening... and as a result... you have a court that's out of control!" A lot of this is exactly the same as in his Action Newsletter earlier this month. Notes that Congress defines the courts below the Supreme Court. "You have a court that is now imperious and imposing its will upon the people of this country... that was never what was intended by the founding fathers!" Senator Switchboard flashed up on screen again 202-224-3121. "You have a court that has essentially absolute power! They're the final arbiter." Decries Marlbury v. Madison (1804) which was first decision where the Court overturned a law as unconstitutional. Notes that Jefferson complained about this. [Note: this is true. Jefferson felt that Congress should have the say on what is and isn't constitutional.] Numbers for Murkowski and McCain are being scrolled under Dobson's name right now. Also other senators. Decries Dred Scott decision as an example [Note: this was a Constructionist ruling, in fact. Legally, it was evil, but correct.] Moves to Roe v. Wade, calls it "the biggest holocaust in world history, that came out of the Supreme Court." "The problem with the court when it is not checked is that it has an agenda. For 43 the Supreme Court has been on a campaign to limit religious freedom, religious liberty. It goes back to 1962, with bible reading, and '63, with prayer in schools, both prohibited." Lists off several more government-prayer rulings. Claims that each of these rulings Is opposed by "70% of the American people."
"In what sense are we the government when what we care about has no impact, no influence? How does that happen? And the reason for that is that the court is not accountable to the people." Claims that the last elections "sent a message to Washington that there was a concern over the judiciary. It was talked about often during the campaign. And yet now a minourity of members of the Senate, the Democrats essentially and about six or eight very squishy Republicans, are determined to prevent that influence from being felt on the court." Reiterates that they're "not trying to force their views on anybody," pounds on podium saying they have a "right to participate." Standing ovation.
"Where is this leading? Where does it go? It goes directly to the redefinition of marriage, the courts already made it clear that's what they plan to do, it goes to further assaults on the sanctity of life - bless her heart, Terry Schievo, a mentally disabled woman, unable to speak for herself, with circumstances that are not clear around her, her illness, her difficulty, was turned down four times by this Supreme Court, they would not even review her case - do they care about the sanctity of life? I think not, and they've made that very clear. EUthanasia is on their list of things to deal with. And pornography unchecked and unlimited, on and on it goes, plus this matter of judicial tyranny to people of faith, and that has to stop! I leave you with this: please! do! call! your! Senators! Both of 'em, call 'em, let them know that we won't take no for an answer; let 'em know that we don't want them to delay and you don't want them to postpone and you don't want them to tremble; Republicans are real good at trembling; get ahold of them and tell them that you care and that you will. will. remember. how. they. vote." [Interrupted by applause]
"It's all on the line and it's time to stop the filibuster." [Standing ovation.]
Coulson; "the history is clear" that this filibuster is "unprecedented." Urges calls in again. Scrolling list of Senator phone numbers pointed out again. Gives switchboard number again as well, urging calls first thing in the morning. Asks for prayers, "that their hearts would be moved that they do the right thing." Points to www.frcaction.org for more "prayer points."
Introduces President of Southern Baptist Seminary, Dr. Al Mohler, who gets a standing ovation. "I believe that tonight is the start of something really important... people of God starting to understand what our responsibility really is..." "Our main message is salvation, through grace alone, by faith alone, through Christ alone.... we are not calling for persons merely to be moral, we want them to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, because we don't just need instruction, we need salvation!" "So much that is precious to us, so much that is essential to this civilisation, this culture, this great democratic republic, is in the hands of the courts. And we know that means much is at risk, because we have been watching, and we've been learning. For far too long, Christians have been concerned to elect the right people to office, and then go back home. We've learned the importance of the electoral process, and yet we're also discovering that that third branch of government, the Judiciary, is so very very important. We've been watching court cases come down the line. In 1973, Roe v. Wade, just declaring a woman's right to an abortion. We now know in the aftermath of that decision that Justice Blackmon, who was the author of the majority opinion, even has admitted that they were determined to legalise abortion, and they just went to the Constitution to try to find an argument that would get them where they wanted to go. And they did. Now that was a wake-up call for Americans to say 'wait a minute.'" Says judges found "a right to kill unborn children."
Skip to 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas, "The Supreme Court of the United States of America struck down every sodomy law in this country. And see, they found a Constitutional right to sodomy! Does anyone believe that the framers of our Constitution intended for it to be there? By no means. Well, if it's not there, how did the court decision get there? By reading into the Constitution what they wanted to find. Which isn't there, but it's _constructed_ there. By expanding the Constitution, by reinterpretation. Now of all people, we ought to be the folks who understand that, because we as Christians have had to understand that there are people who will take the word of god and say it's really not about the text, it's about what's behind the text. We can take the text and make it say what it doesn't mean! We have seen that pattern. And god's people have had to learn to discern and say, 'No, the text is the inerrant and infallible word of god, it is what god said it is, and what god revealed it to be, and that's what must constrain our interpretation!'" [Standing ovation]
"But now there are judges who, using the same exercises of interpretation, find in the Constitution of the United States what's not there. And look at how much is at risk. In his dissent, in the Lawrence v. Texas case, Justice Antonin Scalia warned us, he said, this court is ready to legalise same-sex marriage. It didn't do so now, but there is nothing in the logic of this decision to prevent this court from going there, and in short order. We've learned that we're going to have to exercise our Christian citizenship beyond just the ballot box, we're going to have to follow this through all the way to the nomination and confirmation of judges. And we've learned something else! We've learned that religious liberty really is at stake. [Audience: Amen!] Religious liberty is on the line here! Because the courts also hold, by their constitutional role, a responsibility to defend our religious liberty, but in far too many cases, judges have constrained and violated our religious liberty, and so now are some members of the United States Senate." Goes back to Judge Pickering as religious oppression. "It could be you tomorrow."
"We're speaking _as_ evangelical Christians." Talks about Pryor as being rejected for being Roman Catholic. "What's why it is as if Catholics need not apply." "It could be you, or it could be yours tomorrow." "This pattern of discrimination against those who hold deep convictions about human life and the institution of marriage must come to an end! [Applause] We've got to bring it to an end. We've got to do what is necessary to fulfull our Christian citizenship to see it end. They're saying something else about us. They're saying this is partisan. Well, let me say something clearly: I long for the day when we have to choose as candidates between a pro-life Republican and a pro-life Democrat, between a Republican who understands what marriage is, and a Democrat who understands what marriage is. Then they can compete for our vote, because they'll stand where Americans stand, and they'll understand where we need to stand if we're going to save this civilisation, and if we're going to uphold righteousness! And evangelical Christians, our main concern is the citizenship that is ours in Heaven, that has been purchased by our saviour - but we also understand that we have a responsibility here on this Earth so as long as we are alive until the lord returns to show god's love and contend for god's righteousness and to tell this world that through his law, and that through his word, god is trying to tell us something for our good, for our health, for our holiness, and we as Christians needs to be active in the public sphere, not just to impose some kind of worldview or ideology, but to be salt and light, because that's not my idea, that's how we were commissioned by the lord Jesus Christ. We need to speak as Christian citizens, what we demand is an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate. It is nothing less than cowardice for a minourity in the Senate to block these people from the vote they so richly deserve. Let's get them that vote, and we will stand with the American people with the result. God bless you!" [Standing ovation] [Throughout, the senate switchboard number has been on screen]
Coulson: "That's exactly the message we want you to send..." to demand a rules change to end filibusters. Requests calls again. Points to www.frcaction.org for "talking points."
"Now last year, many of you joined us for three simulcasts we did on the marriage issue." Notes that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist "joined us to talk about the critical nature of the battle for a marriage amendment." "He has been unduly criticised, he has been demonsed... and that's simply not fair... he is a just man, he is a courageous man..." Bill Frist is "a friend of the family in this country."
Bill Frist, on tape: Claims that before 2003, no judge with floor support has ever been denied an up-or-down vote. [This is untrue: several Clinton nominees, a higher percentage than now, were held up through committee maneuvering rather than filibuster. But the same result.] "Don't leave our country hanging!" Demands that all ten judges get let through to a floor vote. Talks about Justice Owen's nomination to 5th Circuit Court of appeals. Claims he's trying to work out a compromise with Senator Reid; calls a floor vote a constitutional mandate. "If Senator Reid continues to obstruct the process, we will consider what opponents call the nuclear option." "The balance of powers requires respect, not retaliation; I won't go along with that." Calls for viewers to call in to demand the change in filibuster rules.
Not enough red meat for the audience; only mild applause.
Back to Coulson, who introduces "Bishop Harry Jackson, pastors a church in Maryland... his words are laser-guided right onto the topic... he's the principle architect of the Black Contract with America..." [A social conservative rallying effort]
[Standing ovation]
Bishop Harry R. Jackson: Black community looks at issue of justice, white community looks at righteousness issues, "such as preventing same-sex marriage, such as protecting against abortion... it is time that we came together, put both sides of the bible together, and say that we're going to stand up for righteousness and justice..." "There is a justice problem in America... the truth is that something is wrong with justice in America... Lady Justice is not blind anymore... let's start with this issue, let's start making sure that those who say they are supposed to carry out and watch our laws of the land will really be umpires rather than those who create laws. We are at a time when blacks and whites must come together in the name of almighty Christ. We are at a time when protestant and Catholic must come together in the name of Jesus." "So as for me and my house, we are going to serve the lord... together on our watch, we're going to change America, and see it return to its righteous foundations. Thank you very much!" [Standing ovation]
Coulson repeats the action item again, phone number and frcaction website URL go up, and TV coverage ends before the final half hour, which is too bad. I imagine but do not know that there's extra juicy stuff in the last 30 minutes.
----- 9 -----
FCC Failing on Broadcast Indecency
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005 (by email)
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Commission isn't doing
enough to keep indecent programs off television -- that's
the finding of a new poll.
Most Americans don't think the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) is doing enough to regulate television
indecency, especially in primetime when kids are likely to
be watching.
A new poll from Morality in Media found that 53 percent
think the commission is doing a poor or very poor job of
keeping inappropriate material off broadcast TV.
Despite a few highly publicized fines, broadcasters
continue to dish out inappropriate fare during prime time.
New shows like ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," for instance,
continue to offend. In one episode, a rape victim is
discovered to have dismembered her attacker. For the rest
of the show, the lead character was forced to carry the
body part around and viewers were subjected to an hour of
off-color jokes.
The poll shows Americans are tired of such foul
programming, but Robert Peters of Morality in Media said
the complaints are falling on deaf ears.
"Most of these indecency complaints are decided from
beginning to end by the Enforcement Bureau," he said, "and
it's the Enforcement Bureau that routinely dismisses
complaints."
The FCC did not return calls for comment, but Steve Isaac,
media critic for Focus on the Family's Plugged In
magazine, said the agency appears to be more interested in
its image than creating real change.
"The attention is being given to a lot of high profile
issues," Isaac said, "and then it seems like all the
backdoor stuff just keeps getting shoveled out the
backdoor."
Until that changes, the FCC can look forward to facing the
ire of an offended public.
Melissa Caldwell of the Parents Television Council said
the FCC Enforcement Bureau is so far removed from public
scrutiny the poll is likely to have little effect on them.
Congress, however, does listen to polls, and is
considering legislation to toughen fines for indecency.
TAKE ACTION: To learn more about the study, visit the
Morality in Media Web site.
http://www.moralityinmedia.org/radioTvIndecency/FCCpoor.htm
To let the FCC's commissioners know what you think of TV
indecency, visit the CitizenLink Action Center.
http://www3.capwiz.com/fof/dbq/officials/agencies/?id=4889&dir=fof&command=depresult2&submit.x=16&submit.y=9
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the
Family is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
----- 10 -----
Students Need Bible Literacy
by Josh Montez, correspondent
Focus on the Family
April 26, 2005
By email
SUMMARY: High school English teachers say when students
aren't taught the Bible they miss out on a well-rounded
education.
The Bible Literacy Project has unveiled a report that says
98 percent of high school English teachers think the Bible
gives students a distinct academic advantage.
The teachers in the study came from different areas of
experience and political positions, according to Sheila
Weber, spokeswoman for the Bible Literacy Project.
"We are advocating that there needs to be an increase in
knowledge," Weber said, "and so students should be able to
study the Bible as literature and also study the way the
Bible is referenced in literature."
Teachers said it was difficult to pick up a work of
literature that doesn't have some reference to the Bible,
according to Marie Wachlin, who authored the study.
"When students don't know the Bible, it limits their
understanding, it limits class discussion," Wachlin said.
"And -- the teachers also said -- it limits the literature
that they choose to teach."
Besides helping students in their English classes, the
teachers had another reason for recommending that students
understand the Bible.
"On an open-ended question," Wachlin said, "the most
common reason given was for character development."
Besides literature and character development, Wachlin
contends the Bible is essential in understanding art,
history, language and culture.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: You can learn more about the Bible
Literacy Project on the organization's Web site,
Biblecurriculum.org
http://www.biblecurriculum.org/Site/
(NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the
Family is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
----- 11 -----
Does Plan-B Approval Really Put Science on the Line?
4/25/2005
Concerned Women for America
By Bethanie Swendsen
Democrats postpone nomination of FDA Commissioner over pending Plan-B approval
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/7967/CWA/life/index.htm
Protesting the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) indecision on approving the over-the-counter status on the morning-after pill (or Plan B), two senators are holding up the nomination of Lester M. Crawford as the new FDA commissioner.
Leading the charge are Sens. Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) who agreed to hold the nomination of the new FDA commissioner after a 30-minute meeting with Crawford on April 6, 2005.
"The FDA has had the Plan B application for years and the American people simply need an answer, yes or no. Science should never take a back seat to politics and ideology," said Sen. Clinton (Washington Post, April 7, 2005).
But will it? This political move is clearly intended to influence the FDA's decision on a controversial drug.
Murray told the Washington Post that there is no scientific reason for its approval to not go forward and that the credibility of the FDA as a science-based agency is on the line.
Wendy Wright, senior policy director for Concerned Women for America, begs to differ, "The morning-after pill has not been adequately tested and a low-dose of the drug--birth control pills--is known to put women at risk of life-threatening complications, such as a stroke, heart attack and/or blood clots. Yet it has become a handy political tool for abortion activists. They refuse to acknowledge the evidence that easy access to the drug causes an increase in sexually transmitted disease rates and no decrease in the number of abortions. In fact, some areas experience an increase in the number of abortions.
"A University of San Francisco study--done by morning-after pill advocates--even showed that easy access does not reduce the number of pregnancies," said Wright. "A person would have reason to believe that these results only benefit the most vocal proponents of the morning-after pill--Planned Parenthood and others that profit from promiscuity."
In a highly questionable move, former FDA Commissioner David Kessler approved the morning after pill in 1999 as a prescription-only drug. This January, Kessler received the Lifetime Achievement Award from National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL).
Barr Laboratories applied for approval to sell Plan B without a prescription in April 2003.
The FDA has expressed two main concerns: One, easier availability would affect the behavior of young women and two, a lawsuit filed by advocates of Plan B against the FDA in January has made the review process more complicated.
For more facts on Plan B and its effects, click here.
To contact the FDA and express your concern of Plan B becoming a non-prescriptive drug, click here.
no subject
Date: 2005-04-27 06:17 pm (UTC)Someone else notices...
Date: 2005-04-27 06:43 pm (UTC)The 43-year-old precedent the far right wants to change
April 27, 2005
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/4077.html
Posted 1:35 pm | Printer Friendly
James Dobson did a lot of his usual shtick at “Justice Sunday,” railing against the judiciary, lambasting the culture that’s made him wealthy, demanding better results from the Republican Party, etc. But there was one comment from the weekend stood out for me.
“Five black-robed justices on the Supreme Court can tell us how it’s gonna be,” Dobson said. “They’re not gods. They don’t do everything right…. For 43 years, the court has been on a campaign to limit religious liberty.”
This sounds like a pretty generic rant for Dobson, but notice the specificity. He didn’t say, “For decades” the court has been a problem; he said “for 43 years.” And what, exactly, happened 43 years ago? I’m glad you asked.
In 1962, as Dobson is no doubt aware, the Supreme Court heard a case called Engel v. Vitale, which dealt with the constitutionality of a prayer written by a New York education board and recited daily in public schools. Local families — some Christian, some Jewish — argued that mandatory state-sponsored devotions conflicted with their rights as parents to teach their children religion as they see fit.
[Rest at URL - go read there]
Re: Someone else notices...
Date: 2005-04-27 07:25 pm (UTC)But of course right-wing religious kooks aren't about to admit that the separation of church and state can aid religious liberty.
Re: Someone else notices...
Date: 2005-04-27 11:21 pm (UTC)Re: Someone else notices...
Date: 2005-04-28 01:47 am (UTC)Re: 95-11
Date: 2005-04-29 06:16 am (UTC)