Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Nov. 12th, 2005 07:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdPat Robertson to Dover, PA: You have rejected god by rejecting Creationism, prepare for natural disasters;
Focus on the Family; pr0n is destroying America;
FotF and other "pro-family" groups meet with FCC to discuss new regulation of pr0n;
FotF thinks new condom labeling requirements don't go far enough, should be changed to state they haven't been shown to block passage of HPV - the same virus various "pro-family" groups have been lobbying against generally vaccinating against;
FotF applauds Sen. Brownback (R-Kansas) and other Republican senators in 5-4 vote moving anti-marriage-rights Federal amendment out of the markup committee to the rules committee;
FotF applauds nomination of Michael Copps to Federal Communications Commission, calling him a "strong champion for removing indecency from the airwaves";
Michael Copps encourages fundamentalists to organise to flood the FCC with indecency complaints;
FCC sees rise in indecency complaints;
FotF supports "Workplace Religious Freedom Act" about which I know nothing; ACLU says it will result in anti-abortion and anti-gay discrimination at workplaces; FotF tags it with a paragraph promoting evangelism of other employees in the workplace, as well as customers and clients of the company;
Minnesota Family Council organises ministers to support anti-marriage amendment; meeting is met with protests;
Kentucky to take 10 Commandments displays back to the Supreme Court again, following the Texas ruling; theirs had been previously found to be explicitly religious and so not Constitutional, but they're going to give it another go with new justices, apparently;
Concerned Women for America policy wonks Robert Knight and Benjamin Fricht report on Catholic Action League of Massachusetts's complaints that giving children to ‘gay’ couples is child abuse; the League also condemns "Catholic Charities of Boston’s recent admission that it has placed children with homosexual couples";
Business Week reports large anti-indecency campaign being launched by Bush administration, at all levels; Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) wants to give the FCC more regulatory authority to revoke station licenses.
Focus on the Family plugs Rick Santorum's book.
----- 1 -----
Televangelist Roberts warns towns of God's Wrath
Nov 10, 2005 — By Alan Elsner
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1300761
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative Christian televangelist Pat Robertson told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them on Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential conservative Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has a long record of similar apocalyptic warnings and provocative statements.
[...]
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Senate Hearing: America Has Become 'Pornified'
Pornography is an insidious problem that is having devastating effects.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Pete Winn, associate editor
November 10, 2005
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038554.cfm
SUMMARY: Pornography is an insidious problem that is
having devastating effects on individuals, families and
the next generation.
Pornography is a pervasive problem that every family now
grapples with. But what few people want to admit is its
devastating effects on marriages, families and, worst of
all, children.
So said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who conducted a
hearing on the subject this morning before the Senate
Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on the Constitution,
Civil Rights and Property Rights.
"I think most Americans agree and know that pornography is
bad," the senator said. "They know that it involves
exploitive images of men and women and that it is morally
repugnant and offensive. But what most Americans don't
know is how harmful pornography is to users and to their
families. Few Americans know or appreciate the serious and
imminent risk it poses to families -- especially to
children."
Indeed, the statistics on the number of children exposed
to pornography are alarming.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Washington Summit Addresses Youth Access to Porn
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Wendy Cloyd, senior editorial coordinator
November 10, 2005
SUMMARY: Officials and advocacy groups discuss keeping
electronic devices smut-free.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038551.cfm
The National Coalition for the Protection of Children &
Families (NCPCF) held its Summit on Advanced Technology in
Washington, D.C., Wednesday to discuss rapid advances in
technology and the related challenge of keeping
pornography away from America's youth.
Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the NCPCF, said faith
groups, pro-family groups and industry representatives met
with officials from the Justice Department and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to discuss the issue.
"We're talking about cell phones, PDAs and iPods and their
connection to the Internet and to the distribution of
material that would be considered obscene -- certainly
material that is harmful to minors," Schatz told
CitizenLink. "These new technological devices are now
being hooked into the Internet, which is a good thing for
communication and education -- but it then links the user
to all the pornography on the Internet, as well."
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at
Focus on the Family Action, said the summit was a real
eye-opener.
"There are some emerging technologies, and some
technologies that are already here that pose a real threat
to families and children," he said. "Parents need to be
aware of the kind of technologies they are providing to
their kids, because pretty much every technology they have
now can be corrupted by pornography. Handheld devices,
PlayStations, cell phones -- it's all corrupted, and
parents really need to be aware of that."
Weiss said there are no regulations to protect kids.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
CONDOM LABELS WILL CHANGE -- BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH
The FDA will require medically accurate labels.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Wendy Cloyd, senior editorial coordinator
November 10, 2005
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038557.cfm
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled today it will
comply with a law signed five years ago by President
Clinton -- a requirement that condom labels provide
medically accurate information about their lack of
effectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). But experts say the updated information is still
inaccurate and puts women at risk.
In its ruling the FDA wrote: "Labeling should indicate
that latex condoms provide less protection for those STDs
that can also be transmitted by contact with skin outside
the area covered by a condom, such as genital herpes and
HPV (human papillomavirus). Labeling should clarify that
consistent use of condoms may provide some benefit for
these STDs, such as reduced risk of developing HPV-related
diseases."
Linda Klepacki, analyst for sexual health at Focus on the
Family Action, said the labels will still mislead the
public about a very dangerous STD.
"There is no evidence that condom use reduces the risk for
HPV transmission," she said. "Under the guise of
correcting previous errors, the FDA has allowed the condom
purveyors to continue to create false hope about the
effectiveness of their product."
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Marriage Amendment One Step Closer to Senate Floor
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
The Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) was approved by
the Constitution Subcommittee -- a subcommittee of the
Senate Judiciary Committee -- on a 5-4 vote Wednesday and
now moves to the full committee for consideration.
The MPA would amend the U.S. Constitution to define
marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., chairman of the subcommittee,
applauded the subcommittee vote.
"I'm glad the Marriage Protection Amendment passed the
subcommittee and is headed to the full Judiciary Committee
for debate and a vote," Brownback said. "This is an
important step in the fight to protect traditional
marriage."
Brownback pointed to Tuesday's vote in Texas as another
example of America's desire to keep marriage between a man
and a woman.
"Every state that has taken up the issue has voted to
protect marriage," he said. "This is an issue that none of
us felt needed discussion a few years ago, but judicial
activism that contradicts the will of the people makes
this a pressing issue."
----- 6 -----
Bush Names FCC Commissioner
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
Pro-family groups reacted positively today to President
Bush's latest nomination to the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).
Bush nominated Deborah Tate on Wednesday to fill a vacant
Republican seat. He also re-nominated Democrat Michael J.
Copps to another five-year term.
Tate is a director on the Tennessee Regulatory Authority
-- a state agency responsible for telecommunications and
public utilities in the Volunteer State.
Pat Trueman, a former Justice Department prosecutor who
tracks the war against indecency and pornography, welcomed
the news of Tate's appointment. But he was effusive in
praise of Copps.
"This is especially good news," Trueman said.
"Commissioner Copps has been a strong champion for
removing indecency from the airwaves during the time he
has been on the commission."
Copps made headlines when he strongly criticized indecency
on television and radio, including the Victoria's Secret
television specials which feature models wearing lingerie
during primetime.
If confirmed, Tate will fill the vacancy created when the
president elevated FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin, a strong
advocate for decency in broadcasting, to chairman in
March.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about FCC Commissioner
Michael Copps, see the Citizen magazine feature, "One Good
Copps."
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0026613.cfm
----- 7 -----
One Good Copps
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps has become a hero to family advocates as the sole member of the agency committed to getting indecent programming off the air.
By Gary Schneeberger
Focus on the Family
Citizen Magazine
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0026613.cfm
Michael Copps does not hate television.
If that surprises you, chances are you only know who Michael Copps is because you’ve seen his name in stories about Americans like you who are angered and disgusted by what they see on TV. Copps’ name turns up in those stories for two reasons: 1) he’s a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency charged with keeping obscenity off the public airwaves; and 2) he agrees with Americans like you who write, call and e-mail him to say how angry and disgusted they are by what they see on TV.
Still, it’s not the medium of television, per se, that draws his ire. It’s the people who dream up all that anger-prompting and disgust-inducing programming.
“I often liken it to Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities — it’s the best of times and it’s the worst of times,” Copps explains. “On the one hand, we have the best television ever. I can go home at night — and I’m kind of picky, I don’t watch too much — but I can find a half-dozen shows I’d like to see: Biography, the Arts and Entertainment Channel, C-SPAN.
“But it’s also the worst of times because we have, inarguably, the worst television we’ve ever had in terms of excessive violence and graphic sexual matter.”
Copps has for two years now, since President Bush appointed him to the FCC shortly after taking office, waged a loud and mostly lonely battle against such sex and violence — not only on TV but on radio as well. He’s earned his biggest headlines over the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show broadcasts aired on ABC in 2001 and CBS last year; after the last one, crammed with supermodels prancing around in barely-there lingerie, he called for a change in the agency’s definition of indecency. That’s the only way, he reasoned, to get prurient programming off the air — considering that no one else at the FCC seems to take the existing laws against indecent content very seriously.
--- sidebar ---
How Can You Help?
Michael Copps says he can’t do it alone. He needs your help to stem the tide of sexuality and violence on the television and radio airwaves.
“The American people need to do their part,” Copps tells Citizen. “We’re hearing from a lot of them, but people who really feel strongly need to be on record—not one card or one letter, that doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility if you really want to see a job done.
“It needs to be a grass-roots effort, if the industry is going to sit up and take notice.”
The best way to have your concerns taken seriously is to file a formal complaint with the FCC. Concerned Women for America’s Culture and Family Institute has prepared a step-by-step guide for doing just that. You can request “So, You Want To File a Broadcast Indecency Complaint?” by writing CWA at 1015 15th St. N.W., Suite 1100; Washington, D.C. 20005; phone 202-488-7000. Or you can view a copy on CWA's Web site.
“This has to be an all-fronts effort,” Copps adds. “Just keep talking it up. Talk to your neighbors, your extended family, your opinion makers. Let’s keep at it and hope we make some progress.”
--- end sidebar ---
[...]
The FCC did make headlines recently by fining Detroit radio station WKRK $27,500 after deejays broadcast a bit that included jokes about sexual violence against women. Copps voted against the fine — the maximum that can be imposed under law — arguing that it was merely a “slap on the wrist.” His suggestion? Hold a hearing to consider revoking the station’s license.
“That,” he says, “would send a powerful message to others that are considering putting on that kind of garbage.”
[Much more at URL]
----- 8 -----
FCC Sees Jump in Indecency Complaints
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received four
times the number of complaints about indecency on the
airwaves in the third quarter of 2005 than in the previous
two, Broadcasting & Cable (B&C) reported.
A quarterly report from the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau noted 26,185 consumer complaints for the
months of July, August and September. The previous three
months saw just 6,161 complaints.
Though the FCC doesn't publicize individual complaints,
B&C reported the likely source for the majority of
complaints in the third quarter were programs on ABC and
Fox.
One incident that received a lot of attention was ABC's
broadcast of "Live 8: A Worldwide Concert" on July 2 when
an obscenity slipped by screeners during a performance by
The Who.
Experts said a change in the way the FCC tracks complaints
may be partly responsible for the latest increase.
----- 9 -----
CONGRESS TO CONSIDER WORKPLACE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS
Lawmakers of both parties back bill to ensure reasonable accommodations.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
November 11, 2005
SUMMARY: Lawmakers of both parties back bill to ensure
reasonable accommodations of faith on the job.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038566.cfm
In a rare showing of bipartisanship, Republicans and
Democrats are standing in support of the Workplace
Religious Freedom Act.
The bill requires companies, wherever possible, to allow
the religious expression of workers -- such as if they do
not believe in working on Sundays. It is expected to be
debated in Congress next year.
U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., supports the bill.
"We're talking about religious freedom that can be
accommodated, but it is often just because of an
unwillingness to accommodate it isn't accommodated in
America," he explained. "And that's very counter to the
basic premise of why so many people came to America."
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., agreed, saying "I don't
think it's too much to ask employers to make reasonable
accommodations."
"This is something that unites us and brings us together,"
he said, "and it stands for the basic principle that our
founders set forth in the Constitution."
[...]
The American Civil Liberties Union, which did not return
phone calls seeking comment, reportedly is opposed to the
bill, claiming it will discriminate against homosexuals
and women who wish to have an abortion.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Revolutionize your view of
evangelism and let your actions speak for you with "Going
Public With Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at
Work," by Dr. William Carr Peel and Dr. Walt Larimore.
Everyone will be wondering what's different about you as
you practice a biblically based view of evangelism
specifically suited for today's workplace. Learn how your
skills and God-given gifts can impact lives and be used to
draw customers, clients and co-workers to a personal
relationship in Christ.
http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm?itemid=4056&refcd=CE05KCZL&tvar=no
----- 10 -----
Minnesota Pastors Latest Target of Gay Activists
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 11, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
A gathering of pastors who met to discuss how to pass a
state ban on same-sex marriage was disrupted Thursday by a
bomb threat and vocal homosexual protesters, The
Associated Press reported.
The gathering of 300 pastors and religious leaders,
sponsored by the Minnesota Family Council, met at Grace
Church in Minneapolis. The intent was to motivate pastors
to then influence their congregations to become involved
in the fight to preserve traditional marriage through a
state constitutional amendment.
About 75 protesters gathered outside the church --
including openly gay former Minnesota Vikings defensive
lineman Esera Tuaolo -- proclaiming that the Bible
supports gay marriage.
The meeting was disrupted for about 30 minutes while
authorities conducted a sweep of the building after the
church received a bomb threat. Activity inside and outside
the church resumed by 11 a.m.
Participants in the summit were asked to sign a five-point
pledge: to pray for the proposed constitutional
amendment, to preach on God's plan for marriage, to
collect petitions, to register voters and to distribute
information on the amendment effort.
H.B. London, vice president of ministry outreach for Focus
on the Family, told the pastors who attended that "this is
a mandate we are called upon to take up in the name of
Jesus Christ."
The bomb threat is just the latest extreme protest
directed at pro-family groups in recent weeks. Last month
in Boston, Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference
was besieged by more than 1,000 pro-gay protesters
shouting obscenities at the downtown church where the
event was held; and on Monday, a homosexual-activist group
stormed into the Washington, D.C., offices of the Family
Research Council to protest its support of abstinence
education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about Minnesota's
effort to preserve traditional marriage -- one man and one
woman -- visit Minnesota for Marriage.
http://www.minnesotaformarriage.org/ss/live/index.php
----- 11 -----
Kentucky Counties Want Ten Commandments Displays to Stay
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 11, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
Two Kentucky counties have decided to defend Ten
Commandments monuments displayed on courthouse property,
even if that means taking their cases back to the Supreme
Court.
Both McCreary and Pulaski counties have the Ten
Commandments as part of "Foundations of American Law and
Government" displays. Both were told in a June
preliminary injunction from the Supreme Court the displays
should not remain because they appeared to have a
religious purpose.
The same day that Kentucky saw a defeat in the fight, a
case out of Texas ended differently: A display there was
determined allowable because it had been in place for 40
years with no obvious religious purpose.
Now, officials in Kentucky have decided to proceed to the
trial phase in order to fight for their displays to stay.
Mathew Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty
Counsel, said this case will help clarify what has been a
very confusing issue.
"The Supreme Court's decisions on the Ten Commandments are
fractured, confusing and offer very little guidance for
future displays," he said. "The Court needs to establish a
clear rule regarding the Ten Commandments and other public
acknowledgements of God or religion.
"The changing composition of the Supreme Court," Staver
said, "presents an opportunity to clarify this important
area of law."
Liberty Counsel will represent both counties in the suit.
----- 12 -----
Catholic Group Assails Boston Archdiocese’s Participation in ‘Gay’ Adoption
Concerned Women for America
11/11/2005
By Robert Knight and Benjamin Frichtl
Several children were placed in homosexual households.
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9447/CFI/family/index.htm
A Catholic group is sharply critical of Catholic Charities of Boston’s recent admission that it has placed children with homosexual couples.
“We support the position of the Church: that giving children to ‘gay’ couples is child abuse. No private religious organization should be forced to violate its principles for the sake of public service,” Catholic Action League of Massachusetts Executive Director C. J. Doyle told Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Culture & Family Institute.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has permitted the adoption of children by homosexual couples over the past two decades, according to the Boston Globe. Since 1987, Boston Catholic Charities has facilitated 13 adoptions to “gay” or lesbian couples, out of a total of 720.
Although the Vatican vigorously opposes homosexual adoption of children, Catholic Charities in Boston claims to be bound by a Massachusetts statute outlawing discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation.”
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
An All-Out Assault On Sexual Content
Washington is stepping up moves to get TV and movies to cover up and talk nice
Business Week
November 21, 2005
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_47/b3960105.htm
The nation's self-proclaimed largest distributor of pornography became the latest target in the Bush Administration's escalating war on indecency on Nov. 4. Edward J. Wedelstedt, known in the trade as Mr. Big, copped a plea to serve 13 months in jail for fraud and distributing X-rated movies across state lines. "This guilty plea is a warning to others," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher.
[...]
TO PROTEST, CLICK HERE
Business' complaints have elicited little sympathy from the Administration. The growing popularity of broadband, video cell phones, and peer-to-peer technology has pushed the indecency issue to the front burner, says Justice Dept. spokesman Paul Bresson. And the porn trade has been quick to capitalize on new gadgets: Within days of the debut of Apple (AAPL ) Computer Inc.'s video iPod, X-rated filmmakers had posted thousands of two-minute skin flicks for download.
The FCC is already working to clean up old tech. Chairman Kevin Martin, a longtime smut critic, recently hired one of broadcasting's most vehement foes, Penny Young Nance, ex-president of the Kids First Coalition. Her allies in the family-values world helped drive the number of complaints about TV and radio indecency to 1.4 million -- a count inflated by form letters, critics say -- in 2004. Her first move inside the FCC was to set up a Web site with easy instructions on how to protest raunchy shows. Now Martin is set to clear up a backlog of indecency complaints, giving broadcasters a first look at what will pass muster.
Many in Congress want to give regulators more power. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is crafting a bill to raise fines and give the FCC three-strikes authority to revoke repeat offenders' broadcast licenses.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
It Takes a Family
Book Review
Citizen Magazine
Focus on the Family
Sen. Rick Santorum is challenging the liberal view that it takes a “village” (translation: government) to raise a child.
by Matt Kaufman
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/departments/a0038416.cfm
Politicians, by and large, write dull books. You can understand why: Most of them just want you to see them as Very Important People (you can tell by all their name-dropping) who also happen to be likable, caring, sensible, moderate and thoroughly trustworthy. Few want to tick off many voters, so few say anything really controversial. Which means few say anything really interesting or really important.
So when there’s an exception, you tend to sit up and take notice.
Case in point: Sen. Rick Santorum. In his book It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (ISI Books, 2005, 450 pages), the junior senator from Pennsylvania—heading into what’s expected to be a tough race for re-election next year—says a lot of things that could tick off a lot of people. Like:
As the book’s title suggests, Santorum is arguing against the vision summed up in the favorite slogan of his fellow senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“When I hear that catchphrase of the liberals, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ I hear Big,” he writes—“big news media, big entertainment, big universities and public schools, some big businesses and some big national labor unions, and of course, the biggest Big of all, the federal government.”
The problem with what Santorum calls “the Bigs” isn’t only that their values are twisted, as bad as that problem is. The problem is also that they are big, period. Most decent things are done close to home, Santorum argues—among people who know each other and love each other and help each other. They’re done by what he calls “the Littles”: churches and ministries, civic groups, small businesses, neighbors, friends and above all, “the foundation of every successful civilization in history: the traditional family.”
Make no mistake, Santorum thinks the Bigs can do some good when they’re not driven by twisted values. He even sees a role for some federal programs designed to be family-friendly. (Some of his fellow conservatives may disagree.) Still, he maintains that the good things in society don’t come from the top down: They come from the bottom up.
[More at URL]
Focus on the Family; pr0n is destroying America;
FotF and other "pro-family" groups meet with FCC to discuss new regulation of pr0n;
FotF thinks new condom labeling requirements don't go far enough, should be changed to state they haven't been shown to block passage of HPV - the same virus various "pro-family" groups have been lobbying against generally vaccinating against;
FotF applauds Sen. Brownback (R-Kansas) and other Republican senators in 5-4 vote moving anti-marriage-rights Federal amendment out of the markup committee to the rules committee;
FotF applauds nomination of Michael Copps to Federal Communications Commission, calling him a "strong champion for removing indecency from the airwaves";
Michael Copps encourages fundamentalists to organise to flood the FCC with indecency complaints;
FCC sees rise in indecency complaints;
FotF supports "Workplace Religious Freedom Act" about which I know nothing; ACLU says it will result in anti-abortion and anti-gay discrimination at workplaces; FotF tags it with a paragraph promoting evangelism of other employees in the workplace, as well as customers and clients of the company;
Minnesota Family Council organises ministers to support anti-marriage amendment; meeting is met with protests;
Kentucky to take 10 Commandments displays back to the Supreme Court again, following the Texas ruling; theirs had been previously found to be explicitly religious and so not Constitutional, but they're going to give it another go with new justices, apparently;
Concerned Women for America policy wonks Robert Knight and Benjamin Fricht report on Catholic Action League of Massachusetts's complaints that giving children to ‘gay’ couples is child abuse; the League also condemns "Catholic Charities of Boston’s recent admission that it has placed children with homosexual couples";
Business Week reports large anti-indecency campaign being launched by Bush administration, at all levels; Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) wants to give the FCC more regulatory authority to revoke station licenses.
Focus on the Family plugs Rick Santorum's book.
----- 1 -----
Televangelist Roberts warns towns of God's Wrath
Nov 10, 2005 — By Alan Elsner
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1300761
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative Christian televangelist Pat Robertson told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them on Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
Robertson, a former Republican presidential candidate and founder of the influential conservative Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition, has a long record of similar apocalyptic warnings and provocative statements.
[...]
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Senate Hearing: America Has Become 'Pornified'
Pornography is an insidious problem that is having devastating effects.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Pete Winn, associate editor
November 10, 2005
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038554.cfm
SUMMARY: Pornography is an insidious problem that is
having devastating effects on individuals, families and
the next generation.
Pornography is a pervasive problem that every family now
grapples with. But what few people want to admit is its
devastating effects on marriages, families and, worst of
all, children.
So said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who conducted a
hearing on the subject this morning before the Senate
Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on the Constitution,
Civil Rights and Property Rights.
"I think most Americans agree and know that pornography is
bad," the senator said. "They know that it involves
exploitive images of men and women and that it is morally
repugnant and offensive. But what most Americans don't
know is how harmful pornography is to users and to their
families. Few Americans know or appreciate the serious and
imminent risk it poses to families -- especially to
children."
Indeed, the statistics on the number of children exposed
to pornography are alarming.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Washington Summit Addresses Youth Access to Porn
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Wendy Cloyd, senior editorial coordinator
November 10, 2005
SUMMARY: Officials and advocacy groups discuss keeping
electronic devices smut-free.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038551.cfm
The National Coalition for the Protection of Children &
Families (NCPCF) held its Summit on Advanced Technology in
Washington, D.C., Wednesday to discuss rapid advances in
technology and the related challenge of keeping
pornography away from America's youth.
Rick Schatz, president and CEO of the NCPCF, said faith
groups, pro-family groups and industry representatives met
with officials from the Justice Department and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to discuss the issue.
"We're talking about cell phones, PDAs and iPods and their
connection to the Internet and to the distribution of
material that would be considered obscene -- certainly
material that is harmful to minors," Schatz told
CitizenLink. "These new technological devices are now
being hooked into the Internet, which is a good thing for
communication and education -- but it then links the user
to all the pornography on the Internet, as well."
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at
Focus on the Family Action, said the summit was a real
eye-opener.
"There are some emerging technologies, and some
technologies that are already here that pose a real threat
to families and children," he said. "Parents need to be
aware of the kind of technologies they are providing to
their kids, because pretty much every technology they have
now can be corrupted by pornography. Handheld devices,
PlayStations, cell phones -- it's all corrupted, and
parents really need to be aware of that."
Weiss said there are no regulations to protect kids.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
CONDOM LABELS WILL CHANGE -- BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH
The FDA will require medically accurate labels.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Wendy Cloyd, senior editorial coordinator
November 10, 2005
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038557.cfm
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled today it will
comply with a law signed five years ago by President
Clinton -- a requirement that condom labels provide
medically accurate information about their lack of
effectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). But experts say the updated information is still
inaccurate and puts women at risk.
In its ruling the FDA wrote: "Labeling should indicate
that latex condoms provide less protection for those STDs
that can also be transmitted by contact with skin outside
the area covered by a condom, such as genital herpes and
HPV (human papillomavirus). Labeling should clarify that
consistent use of condoms may provide some benefit for
these STDs, such as reduced risk of developing HPV-related
diseases."
Linda Klepacki, analyst for sexual health at Focus on the
Family Action, said the labels will still mislead the
public about a very dangerous STD.
"There is no evidence that condom use reduces the risk for
HPV transmission," she said. "Under the guise of
correcting previous errors, the FDA has allowed the condom
purveyors to continue to create false hope about the
effectiveness of their product."
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Marriage Amendment One Step Closer to Senate Floor
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
The Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) was approved by
the Constitution Subcommittee -- a subcommittee of the
Senate Judiciary Committee -- on a 5-4 vote Wednesday and
now moves to the full committee for consideration.
The MPA would amend the U.S. Constitution to define
marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., chairman of the subcommittee,
applauded the subcommittee vote.
"I'm glad the Marriage Protection Amendment passed the
subcommittee and is headed to the full Judiciary Committee
for debate and a vote," Brownback said. "This is an
important step in the fight to protect traditional
marriage."
Brownback pointed to Tuesday's vote in Texas as another
example of America's desire to keep marriage between a man
and a woman.
"Every state that has taken up the issue has voted to
protect marriage," he said. "This is an issue that none of
us felt needed discussion a few years ago, but judicial
activism that contradicts the will of the people makes
this a pressing issue."
----- 6 -----
Bush Names FCC Commissioner
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
Pro-family groups reacted positively today to President
Bush's latest nomination to the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).
Bush nominated Deborah Tate on Wednesday to fill a vacant
Republican seat. He also re-nominated Democrat Michael J.
Copps to another five-year term.
Tate is a director on the Tennessee Regulatory Authority
-- a state agency responsible for telecommunications and
public utilities in the Volunteer State.
Pat Trueman, a former Justice Department prosecutor who
tracks the war against indecency and pornography, welcomed
the news of Tate's appointment. But he was effusive in
praise of Copps.
"This is especially good news," Trueman said.
"Commissioner Copps has been a strong champion for
removing indecency from the airwaves during the time he
has been on the commission."
Copps made headlines when he strongly criticized indecency
on television and radio, including the Victoria's Secret
television specials which feature models wearing lingerie
during primetime.
If confirmed, Tate will fill the vacancy created when the
president elevated FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin, a strong
advocate for decency in broadcasting, to chairman in
March.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about FCC Commissioner
Michael Copps, see the Citizen magazine feature, "One Good
Copps."
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0026613.cfm
----- 7 -----
One Good Copps
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps has become a hero to family advocates as the sole member of the agency committed to getting indecent programming off the air.
By Gary Schneeberger
Focus on the Family
Citizen Magazine
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/features/a0026613.cfm
Michael Copps does not hate television.
If that surprises you, chances are you only know who Michael Copps is because you’ve seen his name in stories about Americans like you who are angered and disgusted by what they see on TV. Copps’ name turns up in those stories for two reasons: 1) he’s a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency charged with keeping obscenity off the public airwaves; and 2) he agrees with Americans like you who write, call and e-mail him to say how angry and disgusted they are by what they see on TV.
Still, it’s not the medium of television, per se, that draws his ire. It’s the people who dream up all that anger-prompting and disgust-inducing programming.
“I often liken it to Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities — it’s the best of times and it’s the worst of times,” Copps explains. “On the one hand, we have the best television ever. I can go home at night — and I’m kind of picky, I don’t watch too much — but I can find a half-dozen shows I’d like to see: Biography, the Arts and Entertainment Channel, C-SPAN.
“But it’s also the worst of times because we have, inarguably, the worst television we’ve ever had in terms of excessive violence and graphic sexual matter.”
Copps has for two years now, since President Bush appointed him to the FCC shortly after taking office, waged a loud and mostly lonely battle against such sex and violence — not only on TV but on radio as well. He’s earned his biggest headlines over the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show broadcasts aired on ABC in 2001 and CBS last year; after the last one, crammed with supermodels prancing around in barely-there lingerie, he called for a change in the agency’s definition of indecency. That’s the only way, he reasoned, to get prurient programming off the air — considering that no one else at the FCC seems to take the existing laws against indecent content very seriously.
--- sidebar ---
How Can You Help?
Michael Copps says he can’t do it alone. He needs your help to stem the tide of sexuality and violence on the television and radio airwaves.
“The American people need to do their part,” Copps tells Citizen. “We’re hearing from a lot of them, but people who really feel strongly need to be on record—not one card or one letter, that doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility if you really want to see a job done.
“It needs to be a grass-roots effort, if the industry is going to sit up and take notice.”
The best way to have your concerns taken seriously is to file a formal complaint with the FCC. Concerned Women for America’s Culture and Family Institute has prepared a step-by-step guide for doing just that. You can request “So, You Want To File a Broadcast Indecency Complaint?” by writing CWA at 1015 15th St. N.W., Suite 1100; Washington, D.C. 20005; phone 202-488-7000. Or you can view a copy on CWA's Web site.
“This has to be an all-fronts effort,” Copps adds. “Just keep talking it up. Talk to your neighbors, your extended family, your opinion makers. Let’s keep at it and hope we make some progress.”
--- end sidebar ---
[...]
The FCC did make headlines recently by fining Detroit radio station WKRK $27,500 after deejays broadcast a bit that included jokes about sexual violence against women. Copps voted against the fine — the maximum that can be imposed under law — arguing that it was merely a “slap on the wrist.” His suggestion? Hold a hearing to consider revoking the station’s license.
“That,” he says, “would send a powerful message to others that are considering putting on that kind of garbage.”
[Much more at URL]
----- 8 -----
FCC Sees Jump in Indecency Complaints
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 10, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received four
times the number of complaints about indecency on the
airwaves in the third quarter of 2005 than in the previous
two, Broadcasting & Cable (B&C) reported.
A quarterly report from the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau noted 26,185 consumer complaints for the
months of July, August and September. The previous three
months saw just 6,161 complaints.
Though the FCC doesn't publicize individual complaints,
B&C reported the likely source for the majority of
complaints in the third quarter were programs on ABC and
Fox.
One incident that received a lot of attention was ABC's
broadcast of "Live 8: A Worldwide Concert" on July 2 when
an obscenity slipped by screeners during a performance by
The Who.
Experts said a change in the way the FCC tracks complaints
may be partly responsible for the latest increase.
----- 9 -----
CONGRESS TO CONSIDER WORKPLACE RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS
Lawmakers of both parties back bill to ensure reasonable accommodations.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
November 11, 2005
SUMMARY: Lawmakers of both parties back bill to ensure
reasonable accommodations of faith on the job.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038566.cfm
In a rare showing of bipartisanship, Republicans and
Democrats are standing in support of the Workplace
Religious Freedom Act.
The bill requires companies, wherever possible, to allow
the religious expression of workers -- such as if they do
not believe in working on Sundays. It is expected to be
debated in Congress next year.
U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., supports the bill.
"We're talking about religious freedom that can be
accommodated, but it is often just because of an
unwillingness to accommodate it isn't accommodated in
America," he explained. "And that's very counter to the
basic premise of why so many people came to America."
Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., agreed, saying "I don't
think it's too much to ask employers to make reasonable
accommodations."
"This is something that unites us and brings us together,"
he said, "and it stands for the basic principle that our
founders set forth in the Constitution."
[...]
The American Civil Liberties Union, which did not return
phone calls seeking comment, reportedly is opposed to the
bill, claiming it will discriminate against homosexuals
and women who wish to have an abortion.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Revolutionize your view of
evangelism and let your actions speak for you with "Going
Public With Your Faith: Becoming a Spiritual Influence at
Work," by Dr. William Carr Peel and Dr. Walt Larimore.
Everyone will be wondering what's different about you as
you practice a biblically based view of evangelism
specifically suited for today's workplace. Learn how your
skills and God-given gifts can impact lives and be used to
draw customers, clients and co-workers to a personal
relationship in Christ.
http://www.family.org/resources/itempg.cfm?itemid=4056&refcd=CE05KCZL&tvar=no
----- 10 -----
Minnesota Pastors Latest Target of Gay Activists
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 11, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
A gathering of pastors who met to discuss how to pass a
state ban on same-sex marriage was disrupted Thursday by a
bomb threat and vocal homosexual protesters, The
Associated Press reported.
The gathering of 300 pastors and religious leaders,
sponsored by the Minnesota Family Council, met at Grace
Church in Minneapolis. The intent was to motivate pastors
to then influence their congregations to become involved
in the fight to preserve traditional marriage through a
state constitutional amendment.
About 75 protesters gathered outside the church --
including openly gay former Minnesota Vikings defensive
lineman Esera Tuaolo -- proclaiming that the Bible
supports gay marriage.
The meeting was disrupted for about 30 minutes while
authorities conducted a sweep of the building after the
church received a bomb threat. Activity inside and outside
the church resumed by 11 a.m.
Participants in the summit were asked to sign a five-point
pledge: to pray for the proposed constitutional
amendment, to preach on God's plan for marriage, to
collect petitions, to register voters and to distribute
information on the amendment effort.
H.B. London, vice president of ministry outreach for Focus
on the Family, told the pastors who attended that "this is
a mandate we are called upon to take up in the name of
Jesus Christ."
The bomb threat is just the latest extreme protest
directed at pro-family groups in recent weeks. Last month
in Boston, Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference
was besieged by more than 1,000 pro-gay protesters
shouting obscenities at the downtown church where the
event was held; and on Monday, a homosexual-activist group
stormed into the Washington, D.C., offices of the Family
Research Council to protest its support of abstinence
education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about Minnesota's
effort to preserve traditional marriage -- one man and one
woman -- visit Minnesota for Marriage.
http://www.minnesotaformarriage.org/ss/live/index.php
----- 11 -----
Kentucky Counties Want Ten Commandments Displays to Stay
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
November 11, 2005
[Received in email; no URL]
Two Kentucky counties have decided to defend Ten
Commandments monuments displayed on courthouse property,
even if that means taking their cases back to the Supreme
Court.
Both McCreary and Pulaski counties have the Ten
Commandments as part of "Foundations of American Law and
Government" displays. Both were told in a June
preliminary injunction from the Supreme Court the displays
should not remain because they appeared to have a
religious purpose.
The same day that Kentucky saw a defeat in the fight, a
case out of Texas ended differently: A display there was
determined allowable because it had been in place for 40
years with no obvious religious purpose.
Now, officials in Kentucky have decided to proceed to the
trial phase in order to fight for their displays to stay.
Mathew Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty
Counsel, said this case will help clarify what has been a
very confusing issue.
"The Supreme Court's decisions on the Ten Commandments are
fractured, confusing and offer very little guidance for
future displays," he said. "The Court needs to establish a
clear rule regarding the Ten Commandments and other public
acknowledgements of God or religion.
"The changing composition of the Supreme Court," Staver
said, "presents an opportunity to clarify this important
area of law."
Liberty Counsel will represent both counties in the suit.
----- 12 -----
Catholic Group Assails Boston Archdiocese’s Participation in ‘Gay’ Adoption
Concerned Women for America
11/11/2005
By Robert Knight and Benjamin Frichtl
Several children were placed in homosexual households.
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9447/CFI/family/index.htm
A Catholic group is sharply critical of Catholic Charities of Boston’s recent admission that it has placed children with homosexual couples.
“We support the position of the Church: that giving children to ‘gay’ couples is child abuse. No private religious organization should be forced to violate its principles for the sake of public service,” Catholic Action League of Massachusetts Executive Director C. J. Doyle told Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Culture & Family Institute.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has permitted the adoption of children by homosexual couples over the past two decades, according to the Boston Globe. Since 1987, Boston Catholic Charities has facilitated 13 adoptions to “gay” or lesbian couples, out of a total of 720.
Although the Vatican vigorously opposes homosexual adoption of children, Catholic Charities in Boston claims to be bound by a Massachusetts statute outlawing discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation.”
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
An All-Out Assault On Sexual Content
Washington is stepping up moves to get TV and movies to cover up and talk nice
Business Week
November 21, 2005
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_47/b3960105.htm
The nation's self-proclaimed largest distributor of pornography became the latest target in the Bush Administration's escalating war on indecency on Nov. 4. Edward J. Wedelstedt, known in the trade as Mr. Big, copped a plea to serve 13 months in jail for fraud and distributing X-rated movies across state lines. "This guilty plea is a warning to others," said Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher.
[...]
TO PROTEST, CLICK HERE
Business' complaints have elicited little sympathy from the Administration. The growing popularity of broadband, video cell phones, and peer-to-peer technology has pushed the indecency issue to the front burner, says Justice Dept. spokesman Paul Bresson. And the porn trade has been quick to capitalize on new gadgets: Within days of the debut of Apple (AAPL ) Computer Inc.'s video iPod, X-rated filmmakers had posted thousands of two-minute skin flicks for download.
The FCC is already working to clean up old tech. Chairman Kevin Martin, a longtime smut critic, recently hired one of broadcasting's most vehement foes, Penny Young Nance, ex-president of the Kids First Coalition. Her allies in the family-values world helped drive the number of complaints about TV and radio indecency to 1.4 million -- a count inflated by form letters, critics say -- in 2004. Her first move inside the FCC was to set up a Web site with easy instructions on how to protest raunchy shows. Now Martin is set to clear up a backlog of indecency complaints, giving broadcasters a first look at what will pass muster.
Many in Congress want to give regulators more power. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is crafting a bill to raise fines and give the FCC three-strikes authority to revoke repeat offenders' broadcast licenses.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
It Takes a Family
Book Review
Citizen Magazine
Focus on the Family
Sen. Rick Santorum is challenging the liberal view that it takes a “village” (translation: government) to raise a child.
by Matt Kaufman
http://www.family.org/cforum/citizenmag/departments/a0038416.cfm
Politicians, by and large, write dull books. You can understand why: Most of them just want you to see them as Very Important People (you can tell by all their name-dropping) who also happen to be likable, caring, sensible, moderate and thoroughly trustworthy. Few want to tick off many voters, so few say anything really controversial. Which means few say anything really interesting or really important.
So when there’s an exception, you tend to sit up and take notice.
Case in point: Sen. Rick Santorum. In his book It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good (ISI Books, 2005, 450 pages), the junior senator from Pennsylvania—heading into what’s expected to be a tough race for re-election next year—says a lot of things that could tick off a lot of people. Like:
In far too many families with young children, both parents are working, when, if they really took an honest look at the budget, they might confess that both of them really don’t need to, or at least may not need to work as much as they do.And if that’s not shocking enough, how about this:
Too few of us dare say living together without the benefit of marriage is wrong. We are afraid to make any such “value judgment.” But that is exactly what we must do.Well, you can imagine the response this sort of talk is getting. Liberals are accusing Santorum of being a right-wing Neanderthal: If he has his way, one columnist writes, “we will all be wearing the burqas discarded by our recently liberated sisters in Afghanistan.” But sober people who take the trouble to read It Takes a Family will find a thoughtful, conservative exploration of what American society needs—and what it’s up against.
As the book’s title suggests, Santorum is arguing against the vision summed up in the favorite slogan of his fellow senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“When I hear that catchphrase of the liberals, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ I hear Big,” he writes—“big news media, big entertainment, big universities and public schools, some big businesses and some big national labor unions, and of course, the biggest Big of all, the federal government.”
The problem with what Santorum calls “the Bigs” isn’t only that their values are twisted, as bad as that problem is. The problem is also that they are big, period. Most decent things are done close to home, Santorum argues—among people who know each other and love each other and help each other. They’re done by what he calls “the Littles”: churches and ministries, civic groups, small businesses, neighbors, friends and above all, “the foundation of every successful civilization in history: the traditional family.”
Make no mistake, Santorum thinks the Bigs can do some good when they’re not driven by twisted values. He even sees a role for some federal programs designed to be family-friendly. (Some of his fellow conservatives may disagree.) Still, he maintains that the good things in society don’t come from the top down: They come from the bottom up.
[More at URL]
