Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Jan. 9th, 2006 09:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdFamily Research Council's transcript of Justice Sunday III;
Focus on the Family news article on day one of the Alito hearings; includes ACTION ITEM to demand no filibuster;
FotF spins Abramoff as a gambling lobby-specific flack, says Democrats just as involved as Republicans;
FotF's version of the story of two girls kicked out of a California school because their principal decided they were lesbians; they call the students a "lesbian couple" and say the "broke the code of conduct," ignoring the other information showing that the school can't point to any actual conduct and it was the principal who declared that they were lesbians - see previous CWUs for details; California civil rights code prohibits businesses (in this case a private school) from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation; it'll be an interesting test;
FotF laments the loss of Tom DeLay in leadership;
"Church Unhappy With Gay Marriage Stance";
Nebraska considers law would criminalise injuring a foetus;
AP poll of South Dakota legislators indicates that most would vote to restrict abortion; a "South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion," whatever that is, called for banning abortion entirely;
FotF CitizenLink Special Report on the Alito hearings; includes ACTION ITEM to demand no filibuster;
New immigration bill makes it harder for same-sex couples to immigrate; in particular, it eliminates many forms of asylum protection opportunities, including persecution based on sexual orientation; also allows Homeland Security to label people "dangerous aliens" with the possibility for detention and removes several appeal options;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM against New Jersey Senate vote allowing same-sex partners to have say over their partner's estate in the event of a death without will, on the grounds that it's "the same status as marriage";
Wall Street Journal: Alito's writings "suggest he believes pregnancy starts at the fertilization of an egg," with ramifications against emergency contraception;
Concerned Women for America: "CWA’s Crouse to Attend Bill-Signing at White House";
CWA: Alito is t3h greatest;
Human Events: Dissent is not patriotic; liberals are cowards, jealous of "masculinity they cannot muster";
I don't know if this is true or not, given the source (which I distrust intensely), but LifeNews.com is reporting that a bill has been introduce in the Philippines to put on an only-somewhat-milder form of population control than China's; if so, then I would oppose this, not that I can, given that I'm not a Philippines citizen;
Baptist Press story on New Jersey case involving marriage rights;
American Family Association to target Book of Daniel advertisers;
Traditional Values Coalition story on GLAD suing to block anti-marriage amendment in Massachusetts;
ABC News poll: Majority of Americans Want the Senate to Confirm Alito;
Faith and Freedom Network repeats Dutch "plural marriage" story, repeatedly discussed here;
----- 1 -----
Justice Sunday III Simulcast Transcript
Family Research Council
January 9, 2006
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LH06A11
Welcome to "Justice Sunday III - Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land", a special presentation by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family action from Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia. tonight join us as we restore religious freedoms across America.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
DEMOCRATS SAY ALITO MUST CLEAR A HIGHER HURDLE
Day one of hearings on the Supreme Court nominee elicits few surprises.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Pete Winn, associate editor
January 9, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039144.cfm
The Senate Judiciary Committee opened confirmation hearings today on President Bush's latest nominee to the Supreme Court.
Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Judiciary Committee who sat in on today's hearing, said the hearing for Judge Samuel Alito went basically as expected.
"He didn't try to impress us all with erudite verbiage," Franks said. "He was a straightforward, common-sense gentleman that has a tremendous depth when it comes to constitutional jurisprudence."
Senators only heard a few words from the nominee today — much of the afternoon was spent by senators making opening statements in what committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., called a "minuet."
Democrats promised to hound Alito with questions about the executive power of the president, civil rights and abortion.
They also told the nominee that since he would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a crucial swing vote since 1981 on cases involving abortion and other major issues, the federal appeals court judge would be subject to heightened scrutiny.
[...]
TAKE ACTION: Let your senators know you want a fair,
up-or-down vote by the full Senate on Judge Samuel Alito.
You can find contact information in the CitizenLink Action
Center:
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
GAMBLING LOBBYIST'S GUILTY PLEA PROMISES MORE REVELATIONS
Abramoff scandal hits politicians and groups from many perspectives
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 9, 2006
from staff reports
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039133.cfm
A tremendous scandal was unveiled last week when
Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to
corruption charges and cut a deal in exchange for
revealing what he knows.
Many politicians were lobbied by Abramoff and many
accepted political contributions from him -- money that
came from the gambling industry.
American Values President Gary Bauer said the money was
spread on both sides of the aisle.
"It is certainly true that if one is looking for
bipartisanship in Washington," he said, "you won't find it
anywhere except on the question of how many members of
both parties took gambling money or gambling-related
money."
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
LESBIAN COUPLE SUES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Pair broke the code of conduct.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 9, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039132.cfm
California Lutheran High School in Riverside is facing a
lawsuit after expelling two lesbians for not following the
school's code of conduct.
The private school allows students of other faiths and
non-Christians to attend -- as long as they abide by the
rules.
Richard Ackerman, president of the Pro-Family Law Center,
said state law will make the school's defense difficult.
"California law in its current construction says that no
business shall discriminate against persons of a certain
sexual orientation, and in this case they are claiming
that's exactly what happened," he said. "By being open to
the general public and by expelling these girls because of
their sexual orientation, they violated these laws."
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
DeLay Steps Down From Leadership
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, announced Saturday that in light
of the charges against him of campaign-finance corruption
he will give up his post as House majority leader, The
Washington Post reported.
"I am writing to inform you of my decision to permanently
step aside as majority leader, and of my belief that the
best interest of the conference would be served by the
election of a new leader as soon as possible," he said.
"The job of majority leader and the mandate of the
Republican majority are too important to be hamstrung,
even for a few months, by personal distractions."
Charles Cook, an independent political analyst, said
Republicans need someone to take charge.
"Republicans never drifted aimlessly while Tom DeLay was
in charge," he said, "and the last three months have just
been a horror show."
----- 6 -----
Church Unhappy With Gay Marriage Stance
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
As many as 25 United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations
have made a decision to separate from the denomination in
response to a UCC General Synod meeting that voted to
support same-sex marriage, The Associated Press reported.
The biennial meeting of UCC delegates produced the opinion
that churches should affirm "equal rights for couples
regardless of gender." Members were asked to oppose
efforts to define marriage as between one man and one
woman.
For the Rev. Michael Halley, minister of Suffolk Christian
Church in Suffolk, Va., the move was enough for members of
his congregation to vote to leave the UCC.
"Whatever they do, we have to wear," he said. "If we carry
the name out front, people are going to associate us with
whatever actions our national church body has taken."
----- 7 -----
Nebraska Lawmakers Aim to Criminalize Injury to the Preborn
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill was to be debated in the Nebraska State House today
that would expand the unborn victims of violence law to
include babies who are seriously harmed but not killed
during an attack on a pregnant woman, LifeNews.com
reported.
Currently if a preborn baby is killed during an act of
violence, the death is considered as a separate offense.
Nebraska Sen. Mike Foley proposed the new bill that would
include preborn babies who are injured.
Abortion advocates have opposed the bill arguing it could
ultimately overturn the right to an abortion.
But Dave Bydalek, executive director of Family First, said
LB57 is simply good law.
"From a public-policy standpoint, it only makes sense to
criminalize not only conduct that takes the life of the
unborn child," he said, "but also conduct which causes
serious bodily injury to the unborn child."
----- 8 -----
South Dakota Lawmakers Would Vote to Ban Abortion
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
An Associated Press survey of South Dakota legislators
found most would restrict access to abortion, Kaiser
reported.
In the survey, 55 percent said they would support
legislation that would place restrictions on abortion.
Only 25 percent said they opposed such legislation.
The South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion finalized a
report for the state Legislature that called for further
restrictions. If Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 Supreme Court
decision legalizing abortion on demand -- is overturned,
the task force also recommended the state ban abortion
outright.
----- 9 -----
Democrats Claim Alito a Threat to Abortion and Civil Rights
CITIZENLINK SPECIAL REPORT
SUMMARY: First day of hearings alternates between attacks and praise.
Focus on the Family
by Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst
January 9, 2005
EDITOR'S NOTE: Each day after the conclusion of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, our judicial analyst will share some brief observations on how it went. That will be followed by a full report in our daily update.
Today's opening session of Samuel Alito's confirmation
hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee held
few surprises.
The three topics mentioned most frequently were departing
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, abortion and executive
authority. Most of the Democrats on the committee voiced
"concern" for the conservative writings of Judge Alito
dating to his years in the Reagan administration. They
charged that his judicial opinions over his 15 years on
the federal bench were threats to personal privacy,
abortion rights, civil rights, etc.
Alito sat silently through the three hours of opening
statements by the senators, as Democrats attacked and
Republicans defended his record.
Still, there were notable events even amidst the expected
partisan opposition. Not surprisingly, Sen. Edward
Kennedy, D-Mass., made several of the most outrageous
statements.
"Judge Alito has not written one single opinion on the
merits in favor of a person of color alleging race
discrimination on the job. In 15 years on the bench, not
one!" he said.
However, the senator failed to mention that Alito voted
numerous times in favor of such claimants, and wrote a
dissent in one such case. Facts which Sen. Jeff Sessions,
R-Ala., raised in his opening statement to pointedly
refute Kennedy.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also suffered from
foot-in-mouth disease as she praised O'Connor's record
throughout her opening statement, and then, almost in the
same breath, criticized the Rehnquist court's trend toward
restricting the growth of federal power -- a trend which
O'Connor supported wholeheartedly.
Alito's opening statement covered his formative years and
the influences of his family, his respect for the rule of
law and the difference between the role of a lawyer and
that of a judge. His explanation of this difference did
much to head off the anticipated criticism by Democrats of
many of his Reagan-era writings when he worked as a
Justice Department lawyer.
TAKE ACTION: Let your senators know you want a fair,
up-or-down vote by the full Senate on Judge Samuel Alito.
You can find contact information in the CitizenLink Action
Center:
Long URL elided
----- 10 -----
New immigration bill is bad for bi-national couples
by Eric Resnick
December 23, 2005
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories05/december/1223053.htm
Washington, D.C.--With immigration quickly becoming the newest salvo in the American cultural war, the House passed the most restrictive anti-immigration bill in modern history, which disproportionably affects gay, lesbian and transgender people and those with HIV.
The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act passed the House 239 to 182 on December 16 with supporters and opponents from both parties.
The bill is sponsored by anti-gay Wisconsin Republican James Sensenbrenner with 35 cosponsors, one a Democrat. These include newly-elected Ohio Republican Jean Schmidt of Cincinnati. It was introduced only ten days earlier, and rushed through three subcommittees before landing in the House Judiciary Committee, which Sensenbrenner chairs.
[...]
Non-citizens can be labeled “dangerous aliens” and detained indefinitely in privately-run detention facilities with little accountability for their treatment. The proposed law leaves the definition of “dangerous alien” largely up to Homeland Security personnel.
According to Tiven, this is a concern for people with HIV, including those fleeing persecution due to their HIV status, who may not get adequate medical care and be subject to abuse while detained.
[...]
“Even if you are not granted a green card due to a minor problem on the application, the denial is unreviewable,” said Sohn.
The bill also eliminates most asylum eligibility. Persecution based on sexual orientation is currently grounds for asylum.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
New Jersey Pushes for More Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
January 6, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The New Jersey state Senate on Thursday passed a measure
to allow a person in a same-sex relationship to control
the estate and inheritance of his or her deceased partner
in the absence of a will, 365gay.com reported.
Two years ago, New Jersey passed a domestic-partner law
that guarantees hospital visitation and allows state
employees to claim same-sex partners on health benefits
and pensions.
The new measure gained support after Laurel Hester, an
investigator for the Ocean County prosecutor's office,
announced that she had lung cancer and just months to
live. She wanted her partner, Stacie Andree, to be
recognized as a beneficiary but Ocean County has refused
to recognize the same-sex relationship.
The unanimous Senate vote -- 35-0 -- surprised even
homosexual activists who were closely following the
proceedings.
"This is the most lopsided (gay)-rights vote in New Jersey
history," said Steven Goldstein, spokesman for Garden
State Equality, "and one of the most lopsided pro-gay
votes in American history."
The amendment is scheduled to go before the New Jersey
Assembly on Monday.
TAKE ACTION: If you live in New Jersey, please contact
your assemblyman and ask him or her to vote against
legislation that attempts to give same-sex unions the same
status as marriage between one man and one woman.
For easy-to-use contact information, please visit the
CitizenLink Action Center.
http://www3.capwiz.com/fof/officials/membersearch/?state=NJ&searchlast=&lvl=state
----- 12 -----
Morning-After Pill Reshapes Debate Over Abortion
Courts, Legislatures Tackle Emergency Contraception;
Tough Questions for Alito
By JEANNE CUMMINGS
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
January 9, 2006; Page A3
Long URL elided
The abortion debate in America's courts is shifting into new medical and legal terrain, thanks to the escalating battle over the so-called morning-after pill, and it is likely to become an issue in Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings, which start today.
The controversy hinges on one of the most elemental questions in the debate: when pregnancy begins. Judge Alito's writings include remarks that suggest he believes pregnancy starts at the fertilization of an egg. That differs from the medical community's position that pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of a woman's uterus.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
CWA’s Crouse to Attend Bill-Signing at White House
Concerned Women for America
1/9/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9873/MEDIA/life/index.htm
Washington, D.C.—Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Dr. Janice Crouse, who heads CWA’s anti-trafficking efforts, will be a guest of the President on Tuesday, January 10, for a major bill signing ceremony at the White House. President Bush has invited coalition leaders who were instrumental in the passage of the End Demand Act, H.R. 972, to attend the ceremony.
Dr. Crouse said, “This bill is such a breakthrough piece of legislation –– in part because it deals with what is happening in the U.S. right under our noses –– what Michael Horowitz called ‘the shame on our streets and the slavery in our midst.’”
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
CWA Says Judge Alito Will Withstand Left’s ‘Blood Sport’
Concerned Women for America
1/9/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9871/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America (CWA) expressed confidence that despite the left’s announced attacks against Judge Samuel Alito, he will be confirmed as the 1l0th Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Judge Samuel Alito has unanimously received the American Bar Association’s highest well-qualified rating after its judicial review committee analyzed hundreds of his opinions and interviewed hundreds of law professors, judges and others who know him. Two hundred distinguished law professors, former judges, solicitors general of the United States and other appellate lawyers sent a letter to the Senate expressing their strong support for his confirmation. Many of his former law clerks on the 3rd Circuit, where he has served for 15 years, are crisscrossing the country to speak on his behalf. What is most telling is that Judge Alito’s supporters are from both ends of the political spectrum.
“The truth about this great judge will carry the day. But it’s a sad commentary on how degraded the Senate confirmation process has become when opponents of a Supreme Court nominee speak of defeating him in terms reminiscent of a spectacle in the ancient Coliseum,” said Jan LaRue, CWA’s Chief Counsel. “Reasonable people will not be persuaded by the same-old tactics of deception, distortion and delay. Thankfully, he will receive a thumbs-up from the American people.
“Judge Alito has earned this appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court with his dedication to the law and professional and personal integrity,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s Executive Vice President. “Those who oppose him have made clear their true motives, ideologues desperate to oppose President Bush who use tired tactics of misinformation, smears and shrill slogans. Judge Alito stands in stark relief to his opponents, a man of honor and humility in contrast to dishonorable power-mongers.”
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 15 -----
Patriotism Means Service, Not 'Dissent'
by Rabbi Aryeh Spero
Posted Jan , 2006
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=11373
With fewer liberals than ever enlisting in our armed services or serving in command positions, liberals have redefined patriotism to mean “dissent,” protesting against U.S. policy. Why? Because that is what liberals do. They criticize their country and moralize to their countrymen. They are generally not policemen, firemen or soldiers. They are “above” the rest of us.
But dissent is not service. Dissent is simply personal gratification, a right guaranteed. Though I have a right to eat, my eating is not an act of patriotism. Patriotism is service; and the act of denouncing one’s country simply serves one’s personal need to be heard.
Likewise, idealism has been redefined by many liberals to mean doing that which undermines U.S. attempts at self-defense and condemning one’s country abroad, even though by so doing one jeopardizes the physical safety of fellow citizens.
[...]
It is jealousy and bitterness. Jealous that with all their education and sense of betterness, they do not have the courage to do what the soldier does. Though not afraid of the courtroom, they are afraid of the battlefield. They are better at appeasement and words than hand-to-hand physical combat. They could not live the Spartan soldier life, nor rely on a gun for survival.
[...]
Many of us cannot soldier, but we have the grace and humility to be grateful to those who can. There is, however, a certain type of liberal that will not abide in others the masculinity he can not muster -- a masculinity that he was taught, early on, to fear and, therefore, despise.
It is a meanness: “I will not credit that which I’ve chosen -- out of fear -- not to do. I will not acknowledge that which reflects, deep down, my weakness.” They deny their weakness by depicting the army as an evil war machine unworthy of them and conceal their selfishness by claiming those who serve do so not out of honor and duty but as a means for temporary employment.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Philippines Bill Mandates Only Two Children, May Force Abortions
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 6, 2006
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1960.html
Manilla, Philippines (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life advocates in the Philippines are greatly concerned about legislation coming up for a vote there later this month that would implement a rule prohibiting familles from having more than two children. The idea conjures up images for forced abortions and sterilizations that occur in China.
Just before Christmas, a bill was introduced in the Philippine legislature which, if passed, will impose a two-child limit on families. A final vote is expected on January 16.
Eileen Macapanas Cosby, Executive Director of the Filipino Family Fund, is outraged.
She said the bill will "pave the way for the kind of human rights nightmare that is already in China, with its coercive sterilization and contraception practices."
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
N.J. Supreme Court to hear 'gay marriage' case in Feb.
Jan 6, 2006
By Staff
Baptist Press
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22400
TRENTON, N.J. (BP)--The New Jersey Supreme Court -- one of the more liberal state high courts in the land -- will hear a case Feb. 15 that could result in the legalization of "gay marriage" in the Garden State, the court announced Jan. 6.
The case could provide homosexual activists another major victory in the Northeast. In May 2004, Massachusetts became the first American state to legalize "gay marriage," following a landmark ruling by that state's high court.
Another state, Washington, is awaiting a "gay marriage" ruling from its state high court. The Washington state Supreme Court heard oral argument in March 2004, and leaders on both sides of the issue say they expect a ruling any week now.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Pro-family groups target 'Book of Daniel' advertisers
Jan 9, 2006
By Erin Curry Roach
Baptist Press
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22409
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Assured that NBC has heard the voices of thousands of Americans who were offended by the network’s controversial new drama “The Book of Daniel,” the conservative watchdog group American Family Association is setting its sights on the advertisers who endorsed the programming.
“Right now we’re pleased that NBC has gotten what it deserves, and that is a basement rating in the Nielsen ratings for this program -- a 2.7 rating, which is very low. It shows NBC it’s a failure,” Randy Sharp, director of special projects for AFA, told Baptist Press Jan. 9.
“I think it was doomed to fail from the start. Advertisers for the most part -- the most nationally recognized advertisers -- avoided it like the plague because it is a plague. This program is equivalent to leprosy to the Christian community,” he said.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Homosexual Activists File Suit Against Mass. Marriage Amendment
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2550
January 5, 2006 – The Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has filed a lawsuit against Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly, seeking to block a proposed ballot measure that would amend the state Constitution to outlaw homosexual marriages.
Pro-traditional marriage activists had gathered more than 124,000 signatures to put the ballot up for a vote—far above the 65,000 needed for a ballot measure.
GLAD, however, claims that the ballot measure can’t reverse the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision forcing homosexual marriage upon the state.
GLAD was the organization that convinced the leftist court to legalize homosexual marriage in 2003.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Poll: Majority of Americans Want the Senate to Confirm Alito
Most People to Tune in to Confirmation Hearings
Analysis by JON COHEN and GARY LANGER
ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/PollVault/story?id=1485425
Jan. 9, 2006 — Six in 10 Americans plan to follow the Senate confirmation hearings that start today for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, and his supporters continue to outnumber his opponents by about a 2-1 margin. But Alito's support falls sharply among people who think he'll overturn the court's landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision.
Tuning In
Overall, 53 percent of Americans support Alito's confirmation while 27 percent oppose it, with 20 percent undecided. Views haven't changed substantially since President Bush nominated Alito in late October. In terms of public sentiment, he's in about the same position as John Roberts was at the opening of his hearings to become chief justice.
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
"Slippery Slope" Is No Joke
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, January 09, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/01/slippery-slope-is-no-joke.html
Homosexual rights leaders and their allies have been insisting the “slippery slope” argument against gay marriage is merely a rhetorical dodge. In fact, Freedom to Marry founder, Evan Wolfson, says it’s a “scare tactic.”
A couple of weeks ago the Weekly Standard gave evidence that is not a scare tactic and the slippery slope idea is no joke.
On its cover, the Weekly Standard featured a photograph of a wedding. At first glance, a typical wedding, but wait a minute – there’s too many people getting married.
The notary public in Roosendall, Holland had just validated a cohabitation contract between Victor de Bruijn, Bianca, his wife of eight years, and a woman the couple had met through an internet chat room, Mirjam Geven. Both women consider themselves bisexual, which their “husband” says goes a long way toward preventing sexual jealousy.
[More at URL]
[Ed. Note: the "cohabitation contract" just means they're sharing a house. It has no other authority.]
Focus on the Family news article on day one of the Alito hearings; includes ACTION ITEM to demand no filibuster;
FotF spins Abramoff as a gambling lobby-specific flack, says Democrats just as involved as Republicans;
FotF's version of the story of two girls kicked out of a California school because their principal decided they were lesbians; they call the students a "lesbian couple" and say the "broke the code of conduct," ignoring the other information showing that the school can't point to any actual conduct and it was the principal who declared that they were lesbians - see previous CWUs for details; California civil rights code prohibits businesses (in this case a private school) from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation; it'll be an interesting test;
FotF laments the loss of Tom DeLay in leadership;
"Church Unhappy With Gay Marriage Stance";
Nebraska considers law would criminalise injuring a foetus;
AP poll of South Dakota legislators indicates that most would vote to restrict abortion; a "South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion," whatever that is, called for banning abortion entirely;
FotF CitizenLink Special Report on the Alito hearings; includes ACTION ITEM to demand no filibuster;
New immigration bill makes it harder for same-sex couples to immigrate; in particular, it eliminates many forms of asylum protection opportunities, including persecution based on sexual orientation; also allows Homeland Security to label people "dangerous aliens" with the possibility for detention and removes several appeal options;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM against New Jersey Senate vote allowing same-sex partners to have say over their partner's estate in the event of a death without will, on the grounds that it's "the same status as marriage";
Wall Street Journal: Alito's writings "suggest he believes pregnancy starts at the fertilization of an egg," with ramifications against emergency contraception;
Concerned Women for America: "CWA’s Crouse to Attend Bill-Signing at White House";
CWA: Alito is t3h greatest;
Human Events: Dissent is not patriotic; liberals are cowards, jealous of "masculinity they cannot muster";
I don't know if this is true or not, given the source (which I distrust intensely), but LifeNews.com is reporting that a bill has been introduce in the Philippines to put on an only-somewhat-milder form of population control than China's; if so, then I would oppose this, not that I can, given that I'm not a Philippines citizen;
Baptist Press story on New Jersey case involving marriage rights;
American Family Association to target Book of Daniel advertisers;
Traditional Values Coalition story on GLAD suing to block anti-marriage amendment in Massachusetts;
ABC News poll: Majority of Americans Want the Senate to Confirm Alito;
Faith and Freedom Network repeats Dutch "plural marriage" story, repeatedly discussed here;
----- 1 -----
Justice Sunday III Simulcast Transcript
Family Research Council
January 9, 2006
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LH06A11
Welcome to "Justice Sunday III - Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land", a special presentation by the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family action from Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia. tonight join us as we restore religious freedoms across America.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
DEMOCRATS SAY ALITO MUST CLEAR A HIGHER HURDLE
Day one of hearings on the Supreme Court nominee elicits few surprises.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
by Pete Winn, associate editor
January 9, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039144.cfm
The Senate Judiciary Committee opened confirmation hearings today on President Bush's latest nominee to the Supreme Court.
Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Judiciary Committee who sat in on today's hearing, said the hearing for Judge Samuel Alito went basically as expected.
"He didn't try to impress us all with erudite verbiage," Franks said. "He was a straightforward, common-sense gentleman that has a tremendous depth when it comes to constitutional jurisprudence."
Senators only heard a few words from the nominee today — much of the afternoon was spent by senators making opening statements in what committee Chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., called a "minuet."
Democrats promised to hound Alito with questions about the executive power of the president, civil rights and abortion.
They also told the nominee that since he would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a crucial swing vote since 1981 on cases involving abortion and other major issues, the federal appeals court judge would be subject to heightened scrutiny.
[...]
TAKE ACTION: Let your senators know you want a fair,
up-or-down vote by the full Senate on Judge Samuel Alito.
You can find contact information in the CitizenLink Action
Center:
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
GAMBLING LOBBYIST'S GUILTY PLEA PROMISES MORE REVELATIONS
Abramoff scandal hits politicians and groups from many perspectives
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 9, 2006
from staff reports
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039133.cfm
A tremendous scandal was unveiled last week when
Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty to
corruption charges and cut a deal in exchange for
revealing what he knows.
Many politicians were lobbied by Abramoff and many
accepted political contributions from him -- money that
came from the gambling industry.
American Values President Gary Bauer said the money was
spread on both sides of the aisle.
"It is certainly true that if one is looking for
bipartisanship in Washington," he said, "you won't find it
anywhere except on the question of how many members of
both parties took gambling money or gambling-related
money."
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
LESBIAN COUPLE SUES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Pair broke the code of conduct.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 9, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039132.cfm
California Lutheran High School in Riverside is facing a
lawsuit after expelling two lesbians for not following the
school's code of conduct.
The private school allows students of other faiths and
non-Christians to attend -- as long as they abide by the
rules.
Richard Ackerman, president of the Pro-Family Law Center,
said state law will make the school's defense difficult.
"California law in its current construction says that no
business shall discriminate against persons of a certain
sexual orientation, and in this case they are claiming
that's exactly what happened," he said. "By being open to
the general public and by expelling these girls because of
their sexual orientation, they violated these laws."
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
DeLay Steps Down From Leadership
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, announced Saturday that in light
of the charges against him of campaign-finance corruption
he will give up his post as House majority leader, The
Washington Post reported.
"I am writing to inform you of my decision to permanently
step aside as majority leader, and of my belief that the
best interest of the conference would be served by the
election of a new leader as soon as possible," he said.
"The job of majority leader and the mandate of the
Republican majority are too important to be hamstrung,
even for a few months, by personal distractions."
Charles Cook, an independent political analyst, said
Republicans need someone to take charge.
"Republicans never drifted aimlessly while Tom DeLay was
in charge," he said, "and the last three months have just
been a horror show."
----- 6 -----
Church Unhappy With Gay Marriage Stance
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
As many as 25 United Church of Christ (UCC) congregations
have made a decision to separate from the denomination in
response to a UCC General Synod meeting that voted to
support same-sex marriage, The Associated Press reported.
The biennial meeting of UCC delegates produced the opinion
that churches should affirm "equal rights for couples
regardless of gender." Members were asked to oppose
efforts to define marriage as between one man and one
woman.
For the Rev. Michael Halley, minister of Suffolk Christian
Church in Suffolk, Va., the move was enough for members of
his congregation to vote to leave the UCC.
"Whatever they do, we have to wear," he said. "If we carry
the name out front, people are going to associate us with
whatever actions our national church body has taken."
----- 7 -----
Nebraska Lawmakers Aim to Criminalize Injury to the Preborn
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill was to be debated in the Nebraska State House today
that would expand the unborn victims of violence law to
include babies who are seriously harmed but not killed
during an attack on a pregnant woman, LifeNews.com
reported.
Currently if a preborn baby is killed during an act of
violence, the death is considered as a separate offense.
Nebraska Sen. Mike Foley proposed the new bill that would
include preborn babies who are injured.
Abortion advocates have opposed the bill arguing it could
ultimately overturn the right to an abortion.
But Dave Bydalek, executive director of Family First, said
LB57 is simply good law.
"From a public-policy standpoint, it only makes sense to
criminalize not only conduct that takes the life of the
unborn child," he said, "but also conduct which causes
serious bodily injury to the unborn child."
----- 8 -----
South Dakota Lawmakers Would Vote to Ban Abortion
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 9, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
An Associated Press survey of South Dakota legislators
found most would restrict access to abortion, Kaiser
reported.
In the survey, 55 percent said they would support
legislation that would place restrictions on abortion.
Only 25 percent said they opposed such legislation.
The South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion finalized a
report for the state Legislature that called for further
restrictions. If Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 Supreme Court
decision legalizing abortion on demand -- is overturned,
the task force also recommended the state ban abortion
outright.
----- 9 -----
Democrats Claim Alito a Threat to Abortion and Civil Rights
CITIZENLINK SPECIAL REPORT
SUMMARY: First day of hearings alternates between attacks and praise.
Focus on the Family
by Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst
January 9, 2005
EDITOR'S NOTE: Each day after the conclusion of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, our judicial analyst will share some brief observations on how it went. That will be followed by a full report in our daily update.
Today's opening session of Samuel Alito's confirmation
hearings in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee held
few surprises.
The three topics mentioned most frequently were departing
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, abortion and executive
authority. Most of the Democrats on the committee voiced
"concern" for the conservative writings of Judge Alito
dating to his years in the Reagan administration. They
charged that his judicial opinions over his 15 years on
the federal bench were threats to personal privacy,
abortion rights, civil rights, etc.
Alito sat silently through the three hours of opening
statements by the senators, as Democrats attacked and
Republicans defended his record.
Still, there were notable events even amidst the expected
partisan opposition. Not surprisingly, Sen. Edward
Kennedy, D-Mass., made several of the most outrageous
statements.
"Judge Alito has not written one single opinion on the
merits in favor of a person of color alleging race
discrimination on the job. In 15 years on the bench, not
one!" he said.
However, the senator failed to mention that Alito voted
numerous times in favor of such claimants, and wrote a
dissent in one such case. Facts which Sen. Jeff Sessions,
R-Ala., raised in his opening statement to pointedly
refute Kennedy.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also suffered from
foot-in-mouth disease as she praised O'Connor's record
throughout her opening statement, and then, almost in the
same breath, criticized the Rehnquist court's trend toward
restricting the growth of federal power -- a trend which
O'Connor supported wholeheartedly.
Alito's opening statement covered his formative years and
the influences of his family, his respect for the rule of
law and the difference between the role of a lawyer and
that of a judge. His explanation of this difference did
much to head off the anticipated criticism by Democrats of
many of his Reagan-era writings when he worked as a
Justice Department lawyer.
TAKE ACTION: Let your senators know you want a fair,
up-or-down vote by the full Senate on Judge Samuel Alito.
You can find contact information in the CitizenLink Action
Center:
Long URL elided
----- 10 -----
New immigration bill is bad for bi-national couples
by Eric Resnick
December 23, 2005
http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/stories05/december/1223053.htm
Washington, D.C.--With immigration quickly becoming the newest salvo in the American cultural war, the House passed the most restrictive anti-immigration bill in modern history, which disproportionably affects gay, lesbian and transgender people and those with HIV.
The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act passed the House 239 to 182 on December 16 with supporters and opponents from both parties.
The bill is sponsored by anti-gay Wisconsin Republican James Sensenbrenner with 35 cosponsors, one a Democrat. These include newly-elected Ohio Republican Jean Schmidt of Cincinnati. It was introduced only ten days earlier, and rushed through three subcommittees before landing in the House Judiciary Committee, which Sensenbrenner chairs.
[...]
Non-citizens can be labeled “dangerous aliens” and detained indefinitely in privately-run detention facilities with little accountability for their treatment. The proposed law leaves the definition of “dangerous alien” largely up to Homeland Security personnel.
According to Tiven, this is a concern for people with HIV, including those fleeing persecution due to their HIV status, who may not get adequate medical care and be subject to abuse while detained.
[...]
“Even if you are not granted a green card due to a minor problem on the application, the denial is unreviewable,” said Sohn.
The bill also eliminates most asylum eligibility. Persecution based on sexual orientation is currently grounds for asylum.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
New Jersey Pushes for More Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
January 6, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The New Jersey state Senate on Thursday passed a measure
to allow a person in a same-sex relationship to control
the estate and inheritance of his or her deceased partner
in the absence of a will, 365gay.com reported.
Two years ago, New Jersey passed a domestic-partner law
that guarantees hospital visitation and allows state
employees to claim same-sex partners on health benefits
and pensions.
The new measure gained support after Laurel Hester, an
investigator for the Ocean County prosecutor's office,
announced that she had lung cancer and just months to
live. She wanted her partner, Stacie Andree, to be
recognized as a beneficiary but Ocean County has refused
to recognize the same-sex relationship.
The unanimous Senate vote -- 35-0 -- surprised even
homosexual activists who were closely following the
proceedings.
"This is the most lopsided (gay)-rights vote in New Jersey
history," said Steven Goldstein, spokesman for Garden
State Equality, "and one of the most lopsided pro-gay
votes in American history."
The amendment is scheduled to go before the New Jersey
Assembly on Monday.
TAKE ACTION: If you live in New Jersey, please contact
your assemblyman and ask him or her to vote against
legislation that attempts to give same-sex unions the same
status as marriage between one man and one woman.
For easy-to-use contact information, please visit the
CitizenLink Action Center.
http://www3.capwiz.com/fof/officials/membersearch/?state=NJ&searchlast=&lvl=state
----- 12 -----
Morning-After Pill Reshapes Debate Over Abortion
Courts, Legislatures Tackle Emergency Contraception;
Tough Questions for Alito
By JEANNE CUMMINGS
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
January 9, 2006; Page A3
Long URL elided
The abortion debate in America's courts is shifting into new medical and legal terrain, thanks to the escalating battle over the so-called morning-after pill, and it is likely to become an issue in Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings, which start today.
The controversy hinges on one of the most elemental questions in the debate: when pregnancy begins. Judge Alito's writings include remarks that suggest he believes pregnancy starts at the fertilization of an egg. That differs from the medical community's position that pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg implants itself in the wall of a woman's uterus.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
CWA’s Crouse to Attend Bill-Signing at White House
Concerned Women for America
1/9/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9873/MEDIA/life/index.htm
Washington, D.C.—Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Dr. Janice Crouse, who heads CWA’s anti-trafficking efforts, will be a guest of the President on Tuesday, January 10, for a major bill signing ceremony at the White House. President Bush has invited coalition leaders who were instrumental in the passage of the End Demand Act, H.R. 972, to attend the ceremony.
Dr. Crouse said, “This bill is such a breakthrough piece of legislation –– in part because it deals with what is happening in the U.S. right under our noses –– what Michael Horowitz called ‘the shame on our streets and the slavery in our midst.’”
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
CWA Says Judge Alito Will Withstand Left’s ‘Blood Sport’
Concerned Women for America
1/9/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9871/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America (CWA) expressed confidence that despite the left’s announced attacks against Judge Samuel Alito, he will be confirmed as the 1l0th Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Judge Samuel Alito has unanimously received the American Bar Association’s highest well-qualified rating after its judicial review committee analyzed hundreds of his opinions and interviewed hundreds of law professors, judges and others who know him. Two hundred distinguished law professors, former judges, solicitors general of the United States and other appellate lawyers sent a letter to the Senate expressing their strong support for his confirmation. Many of his former law clerks on the 3rd Circuit, where he has served for 15 years, are crisscrossing the country to speak on his behalf. What is most telling is that Judge Alito’s supporters are from both ends of the political spectrum.
“The truth about this great judge will carry the day. But it’s a sad commentary on how degraded the Senate confirmation process has become when opponents of a Supreme Court nominee speak of defeating him in terms reminiscent of a spectacle in the ancient Coliseum,” said Jan LaRue, CWA’s Chief Counsel. “Reasonable people will not be persuaded by the same-old tactics of deception, distortion and delay. Thankfully, he will receive a thumbs-up from the American people.
“Judge Alito has earned this appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court with his dedication to the law and professional and personal integrity,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s Executive Vice President. “Those who oppose him have made clear their true motives, ideologues desperate to oppose President Bush who use tired tactics of misinformation, smears and shrill slogans. Judge Alito stands in stark relief to his opponents, a man of honor and humility in contrast to dishonorable power-mongers.”
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 15 -----
Patriotism Means Service, Not 'Dissent'
by Rabbi Aryeh Spero
Posted Jan , 2006
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=11373
With fewer liberals than ever enlisting in our armed services or serving in command positions, liberals have redefined patriotism to mean “dissent,” protesting against U.S. policy. Why? Because that is what liberals do. They criticize their country and moralize to their countrymen. They are generally not policemen, firemen or soldiers. They are “above” the rest of us.
But dissent is not service. Dissent is simply personal gratification, a right guaranteed. Though I have a right to eat, my eating is not an act of patriotism. Patriotism is service; and the act of denouncing one’s country simply serves one’s personal need to be heard.
Likewise, idealism has been redefined by many liberals to mean doing that which undermines U.S. attempts at self-defense and condemning one’s country abroad, even though by so doing one jeopardizes the physical safety of fellow citizens.
[...]
It is jealousy and bitterness. Jealous that with all their education and sense of betterness, they do not have the courage to do what the soldier does. Though not afraid of the courtroom, they are afraid of the battlefield. They are better at appeasement and words than hand-to-hand physical combat. They could not live the Spartan soldier life, nor rely on a gun for survival.
[...]
Many of us cannot soldier, but we have the grace and humility to be grateful to those who can. There is, however, a certain type of liberal that will not abide in others the masculinity he can not muster -- a masculinity that he was taught, early on, to fear and, therefore, despise.
It is a meanness: “I will not credit that which I’ve chosen -- out of fear -- not to do. I will not acknowledge that which reflects, deep down, my weakness.” They deny their weakness by depicting the army as an evil war machine unworthy of them and conceal their selfishness by claiming those who serve do so not out of honor and duty but as a means for temporary employment.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Philippines Bill Mandates Only Two Children, May Force Abortions
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 6, 2006
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1960.html
Manilla, Philippines (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life advocates in the Philippines are greatly concerned about legislation coming up for a vote there later this month that would implement a rule prohibiting familles from having more than two children. The idea conjures up images for forced abortions and sterilizations that occur in China.
Just before Christmas, a bill was introduced in the Philippine legislature which, if passed, will impose a two-child limit on families. A final vote is expected on January 16.
Eileen Macapanas Cosby, Executive Director of the Filipino Family Fund, is outraged.
She said the bill will "pave the way for the kind of human rights nightmare that is already in China, with its coercive sterilization and contraception practices."
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
N.J. Supreme Court to hear 'gay marriage' case in Feb.
Jan 6, 2006
By Staff
Baptist Press
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22400
TRENTON, N.J. (BP)--The New Jersey Supreme Court -- one of the more liberal state high courts in the land -- will hear a case Feb. 15 that could result in the legalization of "gay marriage" in the Garden State, the court announced Jan. 6.
The case could provide homosexual activists another major victory in the Northeast. In May 2004, Massachusetts became the first American state to legalize "gay marriage," following a landmark ruling by that state's high court.
Another state, Washington, is awaiting a "gay marriage" ruling from its state high court. The Washington state Supreme Court heard oral argument in March 2004, and leaders on both sides of the issue say they expect a ruling any week now.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Pro-family groups target 'Book of Daniel' advertisers
Jan 9, 2006
By Erin Curry Roach
Baptist Press
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=22409
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Assured that NBC has heard the voices of thousands of Americans who were offended by the network’s controversial new drama “The Book of Daniel,” the conservative watchdog group American Family Association is setting its sights on the advertisers who endorsed the programming.
“Right now we’re pleased that NBC has gotten what it deserves, and that is a basement rating in the Nielsen ratings for this program -- a 2.7 rating, which is very low. It shows NBC it’s a failure,” Randy Sharp, director of special projects for AFA, told Baptist Press Jan. 9.
“I think it was doomed to fail from the start. Advertisers for the most part -- the most nationally recognized advertisers -- avoided it like the plague because it is a plague. This program is equivalent to leprosy to the Christian community,” he said.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Homosexual Activists File Suit Against Mass. Marriage Amendment
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2550
January 5, 2006 – The Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has filed a lawsuit against Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly, seeking to block a proposed ballot measure that would amend the state Constitution to outlaw homosexual marriages.
Pro-traditional marriage activists had gathered more than 124,000 signatures to put the ballot up for a vote—far above the 65,000 needed for a ballot measure.
GLAD, however, claims that the ballot measure can’t reverse the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision forcing homosexual marriage upon the state.
GLAD was the organization that convinced the leftist court to legalize homosexual marriage in 2003.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Poll: Majority of Americans Want the Senate to Confirm Alito
Most People to Tune in to Confirmation Hearings
Analysis by JON COHEN and GARY LANGER
ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/PollVault/story?id=1485425
Jan. 9, 2006 — Six in 10 Americans plan to follow the Senate confirmation hearings that start today for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, and his supporters continue to outnumber his opponents by about a 2-1 margin. But Alito's support falls sharply among people who think he'll overturn the court's landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision.
Tuning In
Overall, 53 percent of Americans support Alito's confirmation while 27 percent oppose it, with 20 percent undecided. Views haven't changed substantially since President Bush nominated Alito in late October. In terms of public sentiment, he's in about the same position as John Roberts was at the opening of his hearings to become chief justice.
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
"Slippery Slope" Is No Joke
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, January 09, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/01/slippery-slope-is-no-joke.html
Homosexual rights leaders and their allies have been insisting the “slippery slope” argument against gay marriage is merely a rhetorical dodge. In fact, Freedom to Marry founder, Evan Wolfson, says it’s a “scare tactic.”
A couple of weeks ago the Weekly Standard gave evidence that is not a scare tactic and the slippery slope idea is no joke.
On its cover, the Weekly Standard featured a photograph of a wedding. At first glance, a typical wedding, but wait a minute – there’s too many people getting married.
The notary public in Roosendall, Holland had just validated a cohabitation contract between Victor de Bruijn, Bianca, his wife of eight years, and a woman the couple had met through an internet chat room, Mirjam Geven. Both women consider themselves bisexual, which their “husband” says goes a long way toward preventing sexual jealousy.
[More at URL]
[Ed. Note: the "cohabitation contract" just means they're sharing a house. It has no other authority.]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-01-10 05:35 pm (UTC)On the other hand, I've now Googled and found another link (http://www.cnsnews.com/dtSearch/dtisapi6.dll?cmd=getdoc&DocId=46793&Index=C%3a%5cInetpub%5cCns%5cmainsearch%5cEntireSite&HitCount=4&hits=242+307+327+34b+&SearchForm=C%3a%5cInetpub%5cCns%5cMainSearch%5cSearch%5fform%2ehtml) that seems relevant.