Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Jan. 14th, 2006 01:01 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdFocus on the Family on Alito: "It's all over now but the voting"; includes the usual ACTION ITEM to support;
FotF ACTION ITEM to send "encouraging notes" to Alito via an email collector they're running;
FotF plugs Monday as "Religious Freedom Day" instead of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, of which no mention is made;
FotF demands "yes" vote from Sen. Landrieu (D-Louisiana) after she complains about their radio ad barrage in Louisiana;
Virginia House of Delegates passes anti-marriage amendment; sends to Senate;
Another article on the measure as passed by the Virginia House of Delegates; it appears to ban civil unions as well, though this article does not have the text; attempts to amend to limit to the "marriage" word and to protect contract rights defeated overwhelmingly; Govenor-elect Tim Kaine (D) supports it, opposes CUs, pledges to sign;
Text of Virginia's anti-marriage-rights amendment; it is ambiguously written enough that it could be read to limit governmental recognition of private contracts; this wouldn't be the first time Virginia's done that to queers;
Bill filed in Virginia to prohibit reproductive medical aid for unmarried woman; a second bill would also prohibit same-sex couples from being listed as parents for children adopted in another jurisdiction;
Focus on the Family news item on DC Domestic Partnership recognition; they describe in detail the process that Congress can use to override it; expect more on this soon;
FotF supports Virginia anti-gay bills, of course;
FotF ACTION ITEM to generate "grass roots" support for Alito in a shortlist of states;
FotF criticises questioning of Alito, sends ACTION ITEM to support Alito, and specifically to get a QUICK VOTE on him so that he'll be on the bench for some anti-abortion cases and anti-gay cases coming up to the court soon; they want him on the court, not O'Connor, for those cases;
FotF attacks Brokeback Mountain again, and Brokeback Mountain-watching audiences, plus "ex-gay" group "Love Won Out";
Pope condemns marriage rights for GBLT-folk, RU-486, to political leaders in Rome;
Utah legislature likely to pass parental-notification law;
Concerned Women for America and "Project 535," their legislation lobby group, work all January on pushing Alito's confirmation;
CWA: Alito "Awesome," "A+";
Agape Press: fundamentalists ("Pro-family") groups are pissed off at Ford; American Family Association wants response from Ford by January 20th;
LifeNews.com article on support for a quick Alito confirmation from anti-abortion fundamentalist groups, specifically calling abortion-rights court cases as the basis for the need for urgency; says 1985 comments are "as valid today as then";
American Family Association/Agape Press newsbriefs: President Bush's support for a Palestinian state is a result of FAULTY THEOLOGY, specifically "replacement theology," and that he needs to be better educated to see "the biblical significance of Israel today"; meanwhile, Canadian "pro-family activists" are pleased with strong Conservative polling, even as (not mentioned in this article) Harper distances himself as hard and as fast as he can from US theoconservatives - however, Tory numbers are certainly climbing. But who would they form a coalition with? The Bloc Quebecois? Certainly not the Greens or the NDP;
Traditional Values Coalition ACTION ITEM to support Alito;
RenewAmerica/Christian Underground: science is a religion; uses all the usual buzzwords;
Alan Keyes: "Why Bush picks stealth nominees";
Family Research Council: Stop picking on Alito, you meanie Democrats;
FRC calls Alito "One of Us," urges quick confirmation;
Harper defends himself over eight-year-old remarks to US conservative group;
Harper pledges not to re-open abortion debate in Canada, saying the matter has been "put to rest."
----- 1 -----
COLLEAGUES CALL ALITO A 'FIRST-RATE JUDGE AND MAN'
It's all over now but the voting -- and the politicking.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039199.cfm
President Bush reportedly telephoned Judge Samuel Alito
from Air Force One today to congratulate him "for doing a
great job during the hearings."
Alito, Bush's pick to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
on the Supreme Court, survived a tough week in the hot
seat during his Senate confirmation hearings.
Media pundits are saying Alito, a 15-year-veteran judge on
the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, could be approved
by the Senate Judiciary Committee next week -- followed by
an up-or-down vote in the full Senate. Unless, of course,
the Democrats are successful in delaying the votes.
[...]
TAKE ACTION: Contact your U.S. senators and let them know
you want a timely up-or-down vote on the floor of the
Senate on Samuel Alito. You can find contact information
and send e-mail through the CitizenLink Action Center. We
also encourage you to send faxes.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Send Samuel Alito an Encouraging Note
Editor's Note
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Several of you have written asking whether we could
publish an address for Judge Samuel Alito so you could
send him an encouraging note. We liked the idea, but after
discussing it, we realized he might not find an inbox
flooded with e-mail to be all that encouraging.
So, we came up with an alternative plan: If you would like
to write him a note, send it to us at the address below.
We will print them all out, put them in a box and mail
them to him on Tuesday.
encourage.alito@fotf.org
----- 3 -----
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS CHRISTIANS
Religious Freedom Day is Monday.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039200.cfm
Across the country, schools and churches are educating
students about their constitutionally protected religious
liberty as part of Religious Freedom Day, which will be
observed on Monday.
Colton High School in Colton, California held an assembly
today titled "A Celebration of Freedom -- an open forum
discussing the freedoms, as established by the Bill of
Rights, including religion, speech, press, assembly and
petition."
Dr. Luis Gonzales, a band teacher at the school, attended
a workshop at Apple Valley Baptist Church last fall that
was headed by Eric Buehrer, president of Gateways to
Better Education. From that experience, he was inspired to
bring greater awareness of religious liberty into the
public schools.
"For many years I have pondered the effect of my Christian
walk on my students," he said. "I wanted to be able to
give my students some concrete information so they, in
turn, can make knowledgeable decisions on their beliefs
and actions in the school setting."
[More at URL]
From religiousfreedomday.com's guidebook (downloadable here. )
Religious Freedom Day is not "celebrate-our-diversity day." Freedom means the freedom to respectfully disagree. Freedom Day is first and foremost a time to acknowledge one of our most important civil liberties. Schools that promote students’ freedom of religious expression are not promoting religion but are promoting civil liberties. The main message students need to hear is that they should not feel inhibited to express their beliefs at school.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Focus Action Calls for Louisiana Senator to Support Alito
Sen. Landrieu's spokesman responds with an unfounded accusation.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
from staff reports
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039191.cfm
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is not happy with Focus on
the Family Action for running a radio ad calling for her
to support a fair up-or-down vote on Supreme Court nominee
Samuel Alito.
In a statement from the senator, spokesperson Brian
Richardson complained that Focus could better use its
funds on hurricane relief.
"If James Dobson's Colorado group is so concerned with
helping the people of Louisiana," he said in an interview
with the Bayou Buzz, "perhaps he could do more helping us
recover from (hurricanes) Katrina and Rita and stop
wasting money on negative, unproductive propaganda."
Tom Minnery, vice president of Focus on the Family Action,
took issue with that charge.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Virginia Lawmakers Want Marriage Protected
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Virginia House of Delegates voted today in favor of a
constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a
union between one man and one woman, The Associated Press
reported.
Republican Del. Kathy Bryon said it's necessary to clarify
where the state stands in regard to same-sex marriages and
civil unions performed in other states.
She said, without the amendment, "marriage as we know it
today could be redefined through the judicial process."
The people of Virginia should be allowed a vote, she said.
"Ultimately, it is their values that will define our
culture."
The measure now goes to the Senate. If approved, it will
be placed on the November ballot.
----- 6 -----
Va. House approves gay
marriage ban amendment
Less severe language rejected
By ELIZABETH WEILL-GREENBERG | Jan 13, 5:27 PM
http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=4540
The Virginia House voted 73 to 22 to approve a constitutional amendment banning equal marriage rights for gays. The proposal must be voted on by the Senate and signed by Gov.-elect Tim Kaine (D) before it can go to voters in November.
Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner said that the governor-elect will sign the bill to call for a referendum. Kaine supports the amendment and opposes civil unions, she said. She added that he is interested in discussing measures “to make sure people can still be able to contract with each other.”
However, efforts to limit the scope of the vaguely worded amendment were defeated. Del. Kristen J. Amundson’s (D-District 44) amendment, which received only 35 votes, would have eliminated all language except for: “Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.”
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Equality Virginia
January 13, 2006
http://www.equalityvirginia.org/site/pp.asp?c=dfIIITMIG&b=1353917
Text of the Virginia Marriage Amendment
That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.
[Voting record and other details at URL]
----- 8 -----
Equality Virginia
January 13, 2006
Gay Families Under Attack in General Assembly: Conception and Adoption Targeted
http://www.equalityvirginia.org/site/pp.asp?c=dfIIITMIG&b=132638
(Richmond, January 13th) -- Having failed to convince his colleagues in the General Assembly to ban gay and lesbian adoption by co-patroning last year's anti-gay adoption bill, Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) has now proposed a law to limit childbearing to married women.
Marshall's new bill (House Bill 187) would prohibit doctors and other licensed health professionals from assisting unmarried women with becoming pregnant. This law would preclude lesbian couples from conceiving through artificial insemination; it would prevent gay men from conceiving through unmarried surrogate mothers. It is a direct attack on Virginia's families.
Yet another bill (Senate Bill 414), patroned by Emmett Hanger, Jr (R-Mt. Solon), would prohibit both parties of a same-sex couple from being listed on a Virginia birth certificate following the adoption of a child in another jurisdiction. In 2005, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the names of both adoptive parents could be listed.
Tell your elected officials how you feel about these discriminatory bills.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
D.C. Passes Broad Domestic-Partner Ordinance
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Washington, D.C., City Council has unanimously
approved one of the nation's most sweeping
domestic-partner ordinances, according to the San
Francisco Bay Times.
The Domestic Partnership Equality Act of 2005 grants
registered domestic partners a wide range of benefits.
They include extending full inheritance rights to
registered partners and their children, ensuring partners
the right to make medical decisions for each other and
granting legal standing to sue in wrongful death cases.
The most far-reaching facet of the ordinance: Opposite-sex
couples of any age, as well as blood relatives, can also
enter into domestic partnerships.
Once signed by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams the ordinance
must, like all ordinances passed in the District, go to
the U.S. Congress for a 30-day review. Any member of the
House or Senate can then challenge it; to be overriden,
the disapproval resolution must then go through the normal
hearing process in committees, pass a floor vote and be
approved by both the House and Senate. Finally, for the
ordinance to take effect, it must be signed by the
president within the 30-day review period.
The 30-day review refers to "legislative days," not
business days, and as such could take as long as three
months.
----- 10 -----
Virginia Legislative Session Will See Pro-Life Bills
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Several pro-life measures are on the agenda in the
Virginia House of Delegates this legislative session, the
Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Up for consideration: a bill that would keep doctors from
aiding unmarried women in getting pregnant, a
parental-notification bill, two measures that place
regulations on abortions performed on minors and a bill
that would make it a separate crime if a preborn child is
harmed in the commission of a crime.
Republican Del. Robert Marshall filed a bill that would
prohibit physicians from providing reproductive services
such as in vitro fertilization to unmarried women.
Marshall is also championing legislation that would put
greater restrictions on abortion clinics and would allow
wrongful-death suits to be brought on behalf of a preborn
baby.
Republican Sen. Ken Cuccinelli hopes to ensure that, when
a girl under the age of 15 undergoes an abortion, the
fetal tissue is tested to see whether the pregnancy was
the result of criminal behavior.
Republican Del. Steve Landes is seeking to make it a
separate crime to kill a preborn baby.
Other pro-life measures are up for consideration include a
bill that would require parents to be told when their
minor child was being treated for a sexually transmitted
disease, suicidal thoughts or substance abuse. They would
also have to be notified of pregnancy or a request for
emergency contraception.
----- 11 -----
Focus on the Family Action
Focus on the Family
January 12, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/pdfs/Alito_memo_to_grassroots_leaders.pdf
Memo to: All FPC and grassroots leaders in Arkansas; Colorado; North Dakota; South Dakota; Montana; Louisiana; Wisconsin; West Virginia and Florida
From: Peter Brandt, Sr. Director, Government and Public Policy
As the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court wind up, we have seen an unprecedented level of obstruction, reputation-smearing, and desperate tactics by committee Democrats aimed at derailing this able jurist's nomination. This reprehensible conduct has embarrassed the Senate and the nation. It now appears that the liberal KennedyDemocrats on the committee and in the Senate are geared up to further delay a committee vote and floor vote on Judge Alito.
The overwhelming majority of the American public deplores such theatrics and obstruction and agrees that Judge Alito is both qualified and worthy of a fair vote on his confirmation.
You are receiving this memo because your senator is likely to contribute to this ongoing obstruction. Now is the time for the grassroots in your state to be heard – please activate your telephone tree, fax network and e-mail list. In turn, ask your grassroots network to pass this message along to their own respective contacts.
Alito has lived up to his reputation as one of the most qualified nominees for the Supreme Court in over 70 years. Enough information is known about Alito. It is time for the Judiciary Committee to bring Alito to a vote and begin the full Senate debate. Any delay at this point is about nothing less than cheap political posturing.
The following senators need to hear from their constituents.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
'Enough is Enough; Vote Already!'
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 12, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
SUMMARY: The inquisition may be over, but stalling tactics
may be ahead.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039187.cfm
The long inquisition of Samuel Alito came to a close
today. The man President Bush picked to replace Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court faced a final day
of relatively subdued questioning before being excused
from the spotlight.
After he was excused, members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee heard from a bevy of judges, lawyers and law
professors who told them that Alito was as qualified to
sit on the Supreme Court as any one of the justices who
are already there.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst at Focus on the Family
Action, called it a frustrating week.
"Liberals didn't really have anything to discuss with him
on the substantive issues," he said, "so they went after
the minor issues where they thought they might be able to
grab a good sound bite."
[...]
Conservative groups like the Coalition for a Fair
Judiciary (CFJ) say it's time for a fair up-or-down vote.
"Enough is enough, vote already!" said CFJ President Kay
Daly. "After months of waiting for this opportunity, Judge
Alito clearly demonstrated his strong sense of character,
extraordinary judicial experience and remarkable
temperament -- this, much to the deep disappointment and
consternation of Senate Democrats who were clearly
frustrated by Alito's keen performance."
[...]
Hausknecht agreed there is no justification for a delay --
but noted there is certainly a reason why liberals would
find it important to keep O'Connor on the bench as long as
they can.
"At the moment, there are several key cases where Justice
O'Connor might be the swing vote in favor of the liberal
agenda," he said. "The first one that comes to mind is
Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood, the New Hampshire
parental-notification statute. It is anticipated that she
would strike this statute down, and a Justice Alito would
uphold it."
In addition, he said, there are other key cases involving
abortion protest and the military's 'don't ask, don't
tell' policy regarding open homosexuals serving in
uniform, which Hausknecht said will soon be up for review
by the Supreme Court.
"If they can't stop him from getting on the Court, they
can at least keep him from voting on some key cases," he
said.
[...]
TAKE ACTION / FOR MORE INFORMATION: Opponents of Alito are
reportedly flooding the Capitol with calls. Now is the
time for you to contact your senators and let them know
you want an up-or-down vote on the floor of the Senate on
Samuel Alito. You can find contact information and send
e-mail through the CitizenLink Action Center. We also
encourage you to send faxes.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
'Brokeback' Conviction
by Gary Schneeberger, editor
SUMMARY: The "gay cowboy" movie everybody is talking about
is a reminder of what we're called to do as Christians --
and how we're called to do it.
It's been a little more than a month now since I saw
"Brokeback Mountain," the "gay cowboy" movie that
continues to generate headlines -- on front pages as well
as entertainment pages -- and I've been feeling morally
superior ever since.
Why? Mostly because of one scene, in which the lead
characters reunite several years after their initial tryst
atop the mountain of the movie's title. Ennis (Heath
Ledger) runs to greet Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), and is so
overcome that he pulls him into a stairwell and kisses him
passionately. Even though the duo thinks they're out of
eyeshot, Ennis' wife catches a glimpse of their embrace --
and director Ang Lee's camera lingers on her devastated
reaction.
That reaction, in the Denver theater in which I saw the
film, was greeted with a mix of laughter and applause from
the largely-gay audience that shared the auditorium with
me (and I've heard and/or read similar reports from across
the country).
That's been the fuel for my feelings of moral superiority.
[...]
I am fortunate to work each day alongside men and women
who grasp these basic, but crucial, truths better than
most. The Love Won Out team, led by Mike Haley, reaches
out daily to scared and confused people like the
characters in "Brokeback Mountain." Sometimes it's men and
women struggling with their own same-sex attractions;
sometimes it's the friends and family members of those men
and women. But every time, the counsel and the prayer Mike
and his team offer is authentically, unrelentingly
Christlike. They extend love and hope to those told by the
world their only choice is to love a life of hopelessness.
I've always admired my Love Won Out friends, but I've been
convicted of my need to better emulate them now that I've
seen "Brokeback Mountain." It'd be a lie to say that I
enjoyed the movie, but an ever greater one to say I'm not
grateful I saw it.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about Love Won Out,
visit the ministry's Web site.
http://lovewonout.com/
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Pope Speaks Out on Gay Marriage and Abortion
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 12, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Pope Benedict XVI, in a speech to political leaders in
Rome today, condemned both homosexual marriage and the
abortion pill, ABC News reported.
Speaking in defense of marriage, Benedict said the union
of one man and one woman was "not a peculiarity of
Catholic moral teaching, but part of an elementary truth
regarding our common humanity."
He said it would be a "grave mistake" to recognize gay
marriage.
Franco Gillini, a homosexual member of the parliament, was
disappointed.
"The pope is interfering heavily in Italian politics," he
said.
But government minister Roberto Calderoni spoke in
support.
"What the pope said is the most sacrosanct thing in the
world," he said.
Benedict also said politicians should not "introduce
pharmaceuticals that in one way or another hide the grave
nature of abortion," referring to the use of the abortion
pill known as RU-486.
----- 15 -----
Utah Lawmaker Seeks Parental-Consent Law
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 12, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill that would require parents to be notified if a
minor daughter was seeking an abortion has wide support in
the Utah Legislature, the Deseret News reported.
Rep. Kerry Gibson, a Republican from Ogden, introduced a
bill Tuesday that would require doctors to obtain a
parent's permission at least 24 hours prior to performing
an abortion on a girl under the age of 18.
"We've decided as a society there are certain things a
minor doesn't have the ability to do," Gibson said.
"Making the decision to have an abortion without telling a
parent is one of them."
Karrie Galloway, executive director of Planned Parenthood
of Utah, said the proposed legislation disregards family
dynamics.
"This is parental interference," she said. "This is the
Legislature of Utah, who continually discuss issues of
government not interfering in the family, telling me as a
parent how I have to handle the notification that my
daughter is going to have an abortion."
According to the Utah Department of Health, in 2004 there
were 148 girls between the ages of 15 to 17 who received
an abortion, plus 10 who were younger than 15.
Gibson said the decision to have an abortion should not be
made without a parent's input.
"I feel this is truly a parental rights bill," he said.
Parental consent "puts the decision back where it needs to
be, which is at home in the living room with the
families."
----- 16 -----
Project 535 Volunteers Lobby for Judge Alito
Amelia Wigton
January 13, 2006
http://www.cwalac.org/article_293.shtml
Judge Samuel Alito’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings this week in the U.S. Senate have been marked by tough questioning, tense moments and political spinning of unprecedented proportions.
Nonetheless, Judge Alito’s remarkable history of integrity and accomplishment gave Concerned Women for America (CWA) good reason to stand up and support him by holding Project 535, its volunteer lobbying program, on Wednesday, January 11.
In addition, CWA worked with a coalition of pro-family groups in Washington, D.C., and launched a nationwide effort to support this admirable judge.
Each month, Project 535’s trained lobbyists from around the country come to the nation’s capital to work with CWA’s Legislation Department to help push key bills through Congress. Instead of focusing on a piece of legislation, January’s 535 worked for Judge Alito’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
CWA: Awesome-Alito-A+ -Appoint
Concerned Women for America
1/12/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9896/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America (CWA) agrees with the many Americans who have concluded that Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito has done a superb job despite blatant partisan attacks by some members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“If ever there’s a pictorial dictionary, under ‘judge,’ it should simply display a photo of Samuel Alito,” said Jan LaRue, CWA’s Chief Counsel. “I knew he was brilliant and possessed a deep knowledge of constitutional law, but he’s left me with a greater appreciation of that and his numerous outstanding qualities. If anyone ever questioned the meaning of judicial temperament, they’ve seen him display it in the midst of baseless attacks on his record and character. Political commentators on the right and left concur that despite the left’s relentless attempts to sink his nomination, they haven’t laid a glove on him.
“He has conducted himself with dignity and honor, confirming his strong character. Led by Senators Kennedy, Feinstein, Durbin and Schumer, liberals have failed miserably in their attempt to discredit this outstanding nominee. If anything, they only proved that Alito has nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, and everything to be admired for.”
"Judge Alito lived up to¯and beyond¯his outstanding reputation,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s Executive Vice President. “His intellect and knowledge of the law were on display for all to see, and his judicial temperament placed him above despicable accusations. Senators would only be living up to their duty when they vote for him; any vote against squarely places a senator in opposition to judges who are intelligent, fair, unbiased, and beholden to the law and justice instead of special-interest demands."
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 18 -----
Ford's Ongoing Support for Homosexual Agenda Has Pro-Family Crowd Fuming
By Allie Martin
AgapePress
January 12, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/122006a.asp
(AgapePress) - A national coalition of pro-family organizations has asked Ford Motor Company to stop funding either side in the culture war. The Tupelo, Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA) is spearheading an effort by these groups to encourage Ford to honor its previous commitment to stop supporting homosexual groups and causes.
Late last spring AFA began a boycott of Ford because of the company's contributions to homosexual rights groups and advertisement in homosexual publications, its policy of offering benefits to same-sex domestic partners, and its recruitment of homosexual employees. The boycott was suspended for six months while company officials and pro-family leaders tried to work out a compromise.
Following a meeting with AFA and other pro-family officials, Ford announced it was pulling its ads in homosexual publications. Now, however, the company is being accused of reneging on that commitment and on other promises company representatives made to stop supporting the homosexual agenda.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Pro-Life Groups Largely Supportive of Samuel Alito's Hearing Comments
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 12, 2006
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1988.html
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life groups are largely supportive of the comments Judge Samuel Alito made on abortion and are continuing their support for his nomination to replace pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.
[...]
Looking to his comments on abortion issues, John Jakubczyk, the president of Arizona Right to Life and an attorney, said Alito's "comments when he was an advocate in 1985 on the lack of any legal legitimacy for Roe v. Wade are as valid today as then."
"He should be confirmed. His presence on the bench will provide hope for those who believe in the role of law and the sanctity of life," Jakubczyk told LifeNews.com.
Nikolas Nikas, the president of the Bioethics Defense Fund, agreed that Alito should be confirmed in light of pressing pro-life issues.
“Given that important human rights issues such as human cloning to produce children and human cloning for biomedical research may end up at the high court, it is important that Supreme Court Justices be appointed who respect the rule of law and understand the precise and limited role of judges in our constitutional system," Nikas told LifeNews.com.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Commentary & News Briefs
January 13, 2006
Compiled by Jody Brown
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/132006h.asp
...The head of a pro-Israel ministry says she believes there is a reason why President Bush and many in his administration don't have a problem with continually forcing Israel to give up its covenant land. Jan Markell is founder and director of Minnesota-based Olive Tree Ministries. Markell shares the frustration of many Evangelicals who love Israel and oppose the president's support of a Palestinian state. She says it is a theological problem. "He is the product of replacement theology churches all of his life [and the teaching] that the Church is the new Israel and that literal, physical Israel has no relevance whatsoever anymore," she asserts. According to Markell, Bush advisors like Karen Hughes, Andrew Card, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are proponents of replacement theology as well. So someone else, she says, needs to educate the president. "He and his advisors do not see the biblical significance of Israel today," Markell says. "There are many trying to get the message to him, but he's got 60 years of false teaching into his head, so it's kind of hard to get it out." The Olive Tree Ministries founder is convinced the United States faces serious spiritual consequences if its national leaders continue to follow replacement theology. [Chad Groening]
[...]
...A Canadian pro-family activist is pleased with recent poll numbers that show a growing Conservative lead in the final weeks leading up to the national elections. A recent survey for the Globe and Mail newspaper showed that Stephen Harper's Conservatives have opened up an eight-point advantage over the Liberals, with the other two parties even further behind. Dr. Charles McVey, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition, says this is just one of several polls he has seen that look good for the Conservatives. "From the outset of this campaign, the Conservative polling numbers have been increasing gradually but steadily," McVety observes, "and now there have been several polls that show a solid lead for the Conservatives going into the last two weeks of this campaign." McVety says it is easy to figure out why Conservatives are fairing so well. "The Canadian citizens are fed up -- fed up with this campaign or agenda of extremism," he says, "and the Liberal Party has tried to force down the throat of the Canadian people things that they are opposed to such as the redefinition of marriage." McVety says voters are also unhappy with the Liberals' efforts to legalize prostitution. The election is on tap for January 23. [Chad Groening]
...Having legalized homosexual "marriage," Canada is now considering removing polygamy from its law books. A taxpayer-funded study done for the Federal Justice Department there is recommending that polygamy be legalized. The study, conducted by three law professors, argues that the polygamy law serves no useful purpose and, in any case, is rarely prosecuted. The Globe and Mail newspaper quotes one of the professors as arguing that because there is no law against adultery, there should be no law against someone having multiple spouses. [Fred Jackson]
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
ACTION ALERT: Contact Senators Today In Support Of Judge Alito
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2566
January 12, 2006 – Judge Samuel Alito is well qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. TVC is urging its readers to send an email letter today to their two U.S. Senators in support of a fair up or down vote in the full Senate next week.
Senate staff has informed TVC that MoveOn.org, People for the American Way and other radical liberal interest groups began flooding Senate offices on Jan. 11 with calls and emails opposing Judge Alito. As you can see, it is very important that your Senators hear from you as soon as possible. Use TVC’s CapWiz to contact them: Urge Your Senators To Confirm Judge Samuel Alito To The Supreme Court.
If you’re in a state of a Senate Judiciary Committee member, it is extremely important that you email and call them! The Senate Judiciary Committee membership list is posted here: United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary.
These emails and calls should flood the Senate offices every day through Jan 17, when the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Alito. The full Senate vote is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20.
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
The religion of science
Nathan Tabor
January 13, 2006
Renew America
Also reprinted on Christian Underground
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/tabor/060113
We've all heard the argument, evolution is a 'science' and therefore it is somehow more valuable or respectable than religion. This same argument won the right of evolution studies in our public school classrooms, and helped build the wall around so called non -scientific 'creationism' and to this day keeps it from being taught in our public schools. It seems that labeling something as a science is a one way ticket to popularity and acceptance. Deeming something to be of a religious nature practically guarantees objection, often ridicule. Could these labels be less than honest? Could we have been sold a bill of goods when they say that evolution is a science? Could it actually be a religion? Evolution and Creationism couldn't BOTH be religions, could they ?
Absolutely.
When we take a closer look at the definitions of science and religion, we find that evolution is based on the same premises as any religion, and isn't a science at all.
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
Why Bush picks stealth nominees
October 29, 2005
Alan Keyes
http://www.renewamerica.us/news/051029keyes.htm
Many conservatives cannot understand why President George W. Bush has taken the stealth approach in his selection of nominees for the Supreme Court. After all, we have what appears to be a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. If the Democrats trash highly qualified nominees because their thinking reflects the president's judgment instead of the Democrat Party platform, it won't be hard to convince the public that they are simply trying to achieve through intimidation what they couldn't achieve at the ballot box in the last presidential election.
[...]
The broad conservative reaction against the Miers nomination is now being characterized by the mainstream media as the work of right-wing extremists. This provides cover for the real culprits in this scenario – the eight or so abortion-minded Republican senators who will be put in the spotlight if the president nominates an impressive conservative jurist. Will Arlen Specter and the other Republicans like him stand firm with the president, or join the abortion minded Democrat minority to provide the margin that derails such a nominee? The administration's stealth approach allows these Republicans to avoid taking a stand that would outrage the Republican grass roots, while it camouflages the leftist priorities that separate Sen. Specter and the others from the majority of their fellow Republicans.
You're wondering: Why would anyone in the White House care enough to implement a strategy that protects these left-leaning Republicans? I think the answer lies in the well-known but little discussed fact that the issue of truly conservative judicial nominees stands athwart the fault line dividing the money powers of the Republican Party from the grass-roots providing most of its voting power at election time.
It's not just the Democrats who froth at the prospect of a nominee who will overturn Roe v. Wade or vote against the wishes of the homosexual lobby. Many big contributors to the Republican Party also look sour at such a prospect. While the preponderance of Republican grass-roots voters are undoubtedly pro-life moral conservatives, the preponderance of Republican money movers – the people who can mobilize the networks of donations from the corporate world – are indifferent or hostile to the moral agenda. I call these folks the "money-is-god" Republicans, MIGs for short. This is appropriate, since money is the key to media access in our politics today, i.e., to the crucial and generally determinative air power in the political wars.
The MIGs prefer candidates like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christie Todd Whitman or Rudy Giuliani. They may have the personal name ID, public popularity and marketing "brand" to offer good prospects of electoral victory, but they believe that issues like abortion and homosexual marriage should be compromised or left off the political agenda altogether. If someone like this can gull moral conservatives with a little pious rhetoric, so much the better, so long as they put moral issues on the back burner when it really matters.
[...]
Against the background of maneuvering for the 2008 battle over national control of the Republican Party, the stealth strategy makes sense. That background also brings out concern over the possible damage the strategy may already have inflicted on the forces of moral conservatism. Nationally prominent moral conservative leaders who stepped out in support of the Harriet Miers nomination have reportedly suffered a setback in terms of credibility with their grass-roots supporters. To recover, such leaders need only reaffirm the integrity of their principled discernment by helping properly to focus moral conservative attention and support during the Republican presidential primary process. Their restored influence will then help to counterbalance MIG dominance of access to media buying power. The situation is not as bad as it would have been had Harriet Miers' liberal mindset become clear in her votes after reaching the Supreme Court. But the damage wrought by compromise and confusion is nonetheless real – and needs a remedy more convincing to the moral constituency than the media fig leaf about defending "executive privilege."
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
'Good Faith' Of Senate Judiciary Committee Broken
Family Research Council
January 13, 2006 - Friday
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06A13&f=PG03I03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2006 CONTACT: J.P. Duffy, (202) 393-2100
"The 'good faith' agreement that was entered into by both Democrats and Republicans this past November has been broken by liberal Democrats committed more to the theatrics of their extreme base than to a fair and timely process," says Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council.
Washington, D.C. - As the confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito came to a close, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), signaled Democrats intent to hold the committee vote over one week.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
"The 'good faith' agreement that was entered into by both Democrats and Republicans this past November has been broken by liberal Democrats committed more to the theatrics of their extreme base than to a fair and timely process. While it is quite clear how committee members will vote on the nomination, this latest development merely reaches out to the radical left determined to destroy this well-qualified nominee.
"In the November 3rd press conference outlining the confirmation schedule, Senator Leahy entered into the 'gentlemen's agreement' with Chairman Specter, pledging he would stick by it unless 'something extraordinary comes up that neither...anticipate nor expect.' The burden lies with Senator Leahy to justify breaking this 'gentlemen's agreement,' and why he should receive our trust in the future.
"After a grueling confirmation hearing, this recent development is yet another sad statement on the decline of the judicial confirmation process. Judge Alito and the nation deserve better."
To speak with a Family Research Council judicial expert, please contact the
FRC press office at 202.393.2100.
-30-
----- 25 -----
'One of Us': Radio Ad for Judge Sam Alito, Jr.
Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AD06A01
Ad Transcript:
Sam Alito, Jr. has been nominated to the United States Supreme Court. He's an American success story. His late father, Sam, Sr., immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1914 [music under]. His mother, Rose, age 91, lived to see this day.
Imagine their pride. Their son studies at Princeton, goes to Yale, serves President Reagan, then enjoys 15 distinguished years on the federal bench.
Now a handful of special interest groups say that's not enough. They say they'll do "whatever it takes" to stop him. They question his commitment to civil rights. They say there are too many Catholics on the court. Haven't we been down this ugly road before?
Sam Alito is one of us. He's a fair judge who will make a great justice. Call Senator Lincoln Chafee at 401-453-5294 and tell him Sam Alito deserves a fair hearing and a fair vote.
That's 401-453-5294.
A message from the Family Research Council.
----- 26 -----
Harper defends remarks to U.S. conservative movement
Last Updated Thu, 12 Jan 2006 21:09:45 EST
CBC News
Long URL elided
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper faced questions over past remarks he made to an American conservative movement, comments the Liberals claim prove his allegiance to a radical right-wing agenda.
The comment is quoted in one of a series of controversial ads the Liberals released earlier this week. One quotes a speech Harper made eight years ago to a conservative American think-tank.
"America, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world," the ad quotes Harper as saying.
[More at URL]
----- 27 -----
Harper slams ads, denies plan to reopen abortion debate
Last Updated Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:02:49 EST
CBC News
Long URL elided
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper slammed Paul Martin over a Liberal attack ad suggesting the Tories would station armed soldiers on the streets of Canadian cities, saying it is an insult to the army and raises question's about the party's credibility.
[...]
Many soldiers and retired officers said they were insulted and outraged by the ad that warned Harper would put "soldiers with guns" in Canadian cities. The Liberals say that ad, which appeared on the party website, was pulled before it was ever broadcast.
[...]
Harper also dismissed Martin's speech Wednesday accusing the Tories of having a secret agenda to trample minority rights including a right to an abortion.
"I thought we'd hear today positive ideas from Mr. Martin," Harper said during a campaign stop in Fredericton.
"Instead, we got yet another negative attack speech. And I think that's one of the difficulties with his campaign."
Harper also insisted that he would not reopen the abortion debate.
"A Conservative government will not be bringing forward, will not be supporting, and will not be debating the abortion laws in this country. I've been clear on that and, frankly, I think that's put the matter to rest."
[More at URL]
FotF ACTION ITEM to send "encouraging notes" to Alito via an email collector they're running;
FotF plugs Monday as "Religious Freedom Day" instead of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, of which no mention is made;
FotF demands "yes" vote from Sen. Landrieu (D-Louisiana) after she complains about their radio ad barrage in Louisiana;
Virginia House of Delegates passes anti-marriage amendment; sends to Senate;
Another article on the measure as passed by the Virginia House of Delegates; it appears to ban civil unions as well, though this article does not have the text; attempts to amend to limit to the "marriage" word and to protect contract rights defeated overwhelmingly; Govenor-elect Tim Kaine (D) supports it, opposes CUs, pledges to sign;
Text of Virginia's anti-marriage-rights amendment; it is ambiguously written enough that it could be read to limit governmental recognition of private contracts; this wouldn't be the first time Virginia's done that to queers;
Bill filed in Virginia to prohibit reproductive medical aid for unmarried woman; a second bill would also prohibit same-sex couples from being listed as parents for children adopted in another jurisdiction;
Focus on the Family news item on DC Domestic Partnership recognition; they describe in detail the process that Congress can use to override it; expect more on this soon;
FotF supports Virginia anti-gay bills, of course;
FotF ACTION ITEM to generate "grass roots" support for Alito in a shortlist of states;
FotF criticises questioning of Alito, sends ACTION ITEM to support Alito, and specifically to get a QUICK VOTE on him so that he'll be on the bench for some anti-abortion cases and anti-gay cases coming up to the court soon; they want him on the court, not O'Connor, for those cases;
FotF attacks Brokeback Mountain again, and Brokeback Mountain-watching audiences, plus "ex-gay" group "Love Won Out";
Pope condemns marriage rights for GBLT-folk, RU-486, to political leaders in Rome;
Utah legislature likely to pass parental-notification law;
Concerned Women for America and "Project 535," their legislation lobby group, work all January on pushing Alito's confirmation;
CWA: Alito "Awesome," "A+";
Agape Press: fundamentalists ("Pro-family") groups are pissed off at Ford; American Family Association wants response from Ford by January 20th;
LifeNews.com article on support for a quick Alito confirmation from anti-abortion fundamentalist groups, specifically calling abortion-rights court cases as the basis for the need for urgency; says 1985 comments are "as valid today as then";
American Family Association/Agape Press newsbriefs: President Bush's support for a Palestinian state is a result of FAULTY THEOLOGY, specifically "replacement theology," and that he needs to be better educated to see "the biblical significance of Israel today"; meanwhile, Canadian "pro-family activists" are pleased with strong Conservative polling, even as (not mentioned in this article) Harper distances himself as hard and as fast as he can from US theoconservatives - however, Tory numbers are certainly climbing. But who would they form a coalition with? The Bloc Quebecois? Certainly not the Greens or the NDP;
Traditional Values Coalition ACTION ITEM to support Alito;
RenewAmerica/Christian Underground: science is a religion; uses all the usual buzzwords;
Alan Keyes: "Why Bush picks stealth nominees";
Family Research Council: Stop picking on Alito, you meanie Democrats;
FRC calls Alito "One of Us," urges quick confirmation;
Harper defends himself over eight-year-old remarks to US conservative group;
Harper pledges not to re-open abortion debate in Canada, saying the matter has been "put to rest."
----- 1 -----
COLLEAGUES CALL ALITO A 'FIRST-RATE JUDGE AND MAN'
It's all over now but the voting -- and the politicking.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039199.cfm
President Bush reportedly telephoned Judge Samuel Alito
from Air Force One today to congratulate him "for doing a
great job during the hearings."
Alito, Bush's pick to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
on the Supreme Court, survived a tough week in the hot
seat during his Senate confirmation hearings.
Media pundits are saying Alito, a 15-year-veteran judge on
the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, could be approved
by the Senate Judiciary Committee next week -- followed by
an up-or-down vote in the full Senate. Unless, of course,
the Democrats are successful in delaying the votes.
[...]
TAKE ACTION: Contact your U.S. senators and let them know
you want a timely up-or-down vote on the floor of the
Senate on Samuel Alito. You can find contact information
and send e-mail through the CitizenLink Action Center. We
also encourage you to send faxes.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Send Samuel Alito an Encouraging Note
Editor's Note
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Several of you have written asking whether we could
publish an address for Judge Samuel Alito so you could
send him an encouraging note. We liked the idea, but after
discussing it, we realized he might not find an inbox
flooded with e-mail to be all that encouraging.
So, we came up with an alternative plan: If you would like
to write him a note, send it to us at the address below.
We will print them all out, put them in a box and mail
them to him on Tuesday.
encourage.alito@fotf.org
----- 3 -----
STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS CHRISTIANS
Religious Freedom Day is Monday.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039200.cfm
Across the country, schools and churches are educating
students about their constitutionally protected religious
liberty as part of Religious Freedom Day, which will be
observed on Monday.
Colton High School in Colton, California held an assembly
today titled "A Celebration of Freedom -- an open forum
discussing the freedoms, as established by the Bill of
Rights, including religion, speech, press, assembly and
petition."
Dr. Luis Gonzales, a band teacher at the school, attended
a workshop at Apple Valley Baptist Church last fall that
was headed by Eric Buehrer, president of Gateways to
Better Education. From that experience, he was inspired to
bring greater awareness of religious liberty into the
public schools.
"For many years I have pondered the effect of my Christian
walk on my students," he said. "I wanted to be able to
give my students some concrete information so they, in
turn, can make knowledgeable decisions on their beliefs
and actions in the school setting."
[More at URL]
From religiousfreedomday.com's guidebook (downloadable here. )
Religious Freedom Day is not "celebrate-our-diversity day." Freedom means the freedom to respectfully disagree. Freedom Day is first and foremost a time to acknowledge one of our most important civil liberties. Schools that promote students’ freedom of religious expression are not promoting religion but are promoting civil liberties. The main message students need to hear is that they should not feel inhibited to express their beliefs at school.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Focus Action Calls for Louisiana Senator to Support Alito
Sen. Landrieu's spokesman responds with an unfounded accusation.
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
January 13, 2006
from staff reports
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039191.cfm
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is not happy with Focus on
the Family Action for running a radio ad calling for her
to support a fair up-or-down vote on Supreme Court nominee
Samuel Alito.
In a statement from the senator, spokesperson Brian
Richardson complained that Focus could better use its
funds on hurricane relief.
"If James Dobson's Colorado group is so concerned with
helping the people of Louisiana," he said in an interview
with the Bayou Buzz, "perhaps he could do more helping us
recover from (hurricanes) Katrina and Rita and stop
wasting money on negative, unproductive propaganda."
Tom Minnery, vice president of Focus on the Family Action,
took issue with that charge.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Virginia Lawmakers Want Marriage Protected
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Virginia House of Delegates voted today in favor of a
constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a
union between one man and one woman, The Associated Press
reported.
Republican Del. Kathy Bryon said it's necessary to clarify
where the state stands in regard to same-sex marriages and
civil unions performed in other states.
She said, without the amendment, "marriage as we know it
today could be redefined through the judicial process."
The people of Virginia should be allowed a vote, she said.
"Ultimately, it is their values that will define our
culture."
The measure now goes to the Senate. If approved, it will
be placed on the November ballot.
----- 6 -----
Va. House approves gay
marriage ban amendment
Less severe language rejected
By ELIZABETH WEILL-GREENBERG | Jan 13, 5:27 PM
http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=4540
The Virginia House voted 73 to 22 to approve a constitutional amendment banning equal marriage rights for gays. The proposal must be voted on by the Senate and signed by Gov.-elect Tim Kaine (D) before it can go to voters in November.
Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner said that the governor-elect will sign the bill to call for a referendum. Kaine supports the amendment and opposes civil unions, she said. She added that he is interested in discussing measures “to make sure people can still be able to contract with each other.”
However, efforts to limit the scope of the vaguely worded amendment were defeated. Del. Kristen J. Amundson’s (D-District 44) amendment, which received only 35 votes, would have eliminated all language except for: “Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.”
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Equality Virginia
January 13, 2006
http://www.equalityvirginia.org/site/pp.asp?c=dfIIITMIG&b=1353917
Text of the Virginia Marriage Amendment
That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.
[Voting record and other details at URL]
----- 8 -----
Equality Virginia
January 13, 2006
Gay Families Under Attack in General Assembly: Conception and Adoption Targeted
http://www.equalityvirginia.org/site/pp.asp?c=dfIIITMIG&b=132638
(Richmond, January 13th) -- Having failed to convince his colleagues in the General Assembly to ban gay and lesbian adoption by co-patroning last year's anti-gay adoption bill, Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) has now proposed a law to limit childbearing to married women.
Marshall's new bill (House Bill 187) would prohibit doctors and other licensed health professionals from assisting unmarried women with becoming pregnant. This law would preclude lesbian couples from conceiving through artificial insemination; it would prevent gay men from conceiving through unmarried surrogate mothers. It is a direct attack on Virginia's families.
Yet another bill (Senate Bill 414), patroned by Emmett Hanger, Jr (R-Mt. Solon), would prohibit both parties of a same-sex couple from being listed on a Virginia birth certificate following the adoption of a child in another jurisdiction. In 2005, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the names of both adoptive parents could be listed.
Tell your elected officials how you feel about these discriminatory bills.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
D.C. Passes Broad Domestic-Partner Ordinance
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The Washington, D.C., City Council has unanimously
approved one of the nation's most sweeping
domestic-partner ordinances, according to the San
Francisco Bay Times.
The Domestic Partnership Equality Act of 2005 grants
registered domestic partners a wide range of benefits.
They include extending full inheritance rights to
registered partners and their children, ensuring partners
the right to make medical decisions for each other and
granting legal standing to sue in wrongful death cases.
The most far-reaching facet of the ordinance: Opposite-sex
couples of any age, as well as blood relatives, can also
enter into domestic partnerships.
Once signed by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams the ordinance
must, like all ordinances passed in the District, go to
the U.S. Congress for a 30-day review. Any member of the
House or Senate can then challenge it; to be overriden,
the disapproval resolution must then go through the normal
hearing process in committees, pass a floor vote and be
approved by both the House and Senate. Finally, for the
ordinance to take effect, it must be signed by the
president within the 30-day review period.
The 30-day review refers to "legislative days," not
business days, and as such could take as long as three
months.
----- 10 -----
Virginia Legislative Session Will See Pro-Life Bills
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Several pro-life measures are on the agenda in the
Virginia House of Delegates this legislative session, the
Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
Up for consideration: a bill that would keep doctors from
aiding unmarried women in getting pregnant, a
parental-notification bill, two measures that place
regulations on abortions performed on minors and a bill
that would make it a separate crime if a preborn child is
harmed in the commission of a crime.
Republican Del. Robert Marshall filed a bill that would
prohibit physicians from providing reproductive services
such as in vitro fertilization to unmarried women.
Marshall is also championing legislation that would put
greater restrictions on abortion clinics and would allow
wrongful-death suits to be brought on behalf of a preborn
baby.
Republican Sen. Ken Cuccinelli hopes to ensure that, when
a girl under the age of 15 undergoes an abortion, the
fetal tissue is tested to see whether the pregnancy was
the result of criminal behavior.
Republican Del. Steve Landes is seeking to make it a
separate crime to kill a preborn baby.
Other pro-life measures are up for consideration include a
bill that would require parents to be told when their
minor child was being treated for a sexually transmitted
disease, suicidal thoughts or substance abuse. They would
also have to be notified of pregnancy or a request for
emergency contraception.
----- 11 -----
Focus on the Family Action
Focus on the Family
January 12, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/pdfs/Alito_memo_to_grassroots_leaders.pdf
Memo to: All FPC and grassroots leaders in Arkansas; Colorado; North Dakota; South Dakota; Montana; Louisiana; Wisconsin; West Virginia and Florida
From: Peter Brandt, Sr. Director, Government and Public Policy
As the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court wind up, we have seen an unprecedented level of obstruction, reputation-smearing, and desperate tactics by committee Democrats aimed at derailing this able jurist's nomination. This reprehensible conduct has embarrassed the Senate and the nation. It now appears that the liberal KennedyDemocrats on the committee and in the Senate are geared up to further delay a committee vote and floor vote on Judge Alito.
The overwhelming majority of the American public deplores such theatrics and obstruction and agrees that Judge Alito is both qualified and worthy of a fair vote on his confirmation.
You are receiving this memo because your senator is likely to contribute to this ongoing obstruction. Now is the time for the grassroots in your state to be heard – please activate your telephone tree, fax network and e-mail list. In turn, ask your grassroots network to pass this message along to their own respective contacts.
Alito has lived up to his reputation as one of the most qualified nominees for the Supreme Court in over 70 years. Enough information is known about Alito. It is time for the Judiciary Committee to bring Alito to a vote and begin the full Senate debate. Any delay at this point is about nothing less than cheap political posturing.
The following senators need to hear from their constituents.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
'Enough is Enough; Vote Already!'
Focus on the Family
Family News in Focus
February 12, 2006
by Pete Winn, associate editor
SUMMARY: The inquisition may be over, but stalling tactics
may be ahead.
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0039187.cfm
The long inquisition of Samuel Alito came to a close
today. The man President Bush picked to replace Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court faced a final day
of relatively subdued questioning before being excused
from the spotlight.
After he was excused, members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee heard from a bevy of judges, lawyers and law
professors who told them that Alito was as qualified to
sit on the Supreme Court as any one of the justices who
are already there.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst at Focus on the Family
Action, called it a frustrating week.
"Liberals didn't really have anything to discuss with him
on the substantive issues," he said, "so they went after
the minor issues where they thought they might be able to
grab a good sound bite."
[...]
Conservative groups like the Coalition for a Fair
Judiciary (CFJ) say it's time for a fair up-or-down vote.
"Enough is enough, vote already!" said CFJ President Kay
Daly. "After months of waiting for this opportunity, Judge
Alito clearly demonstrated his strong sense of character,
extraordinary judicial experience and remarkable
temperament -- this, much to the deep disappointment and
consternation of Senate Democrats who were clearly
frustrated by Alito's keen performance."
[...]
Hausknecht agreed there is no justification for a delay --
but noted there is certainly a reason why liberals would
find it important to keep O'Connor on the bench as long as
they can.
"At the moment, there are several key cases where Justice
O'Connor might be the swing vote in favor of the liberal
agenda," he said. "The first one that comes to mind is
Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood, the New Hampshire
parental-notification statute. It is anticipated that she
would strike this statute down, and a Justice Alito would
uphold it."
In addition, he said, there are other key cases involving
abortion protest and the military's 'don't ask, don't
tell' policy regarding open homosexuals serving in
uniform, which Hausknecht said will soon be up for review
by the Supreme Court.
"If they can't stop him from getting on the Court, they
can at least keep him from voting on some key cases," he
said.
[...]
TAKE ACTION / FOR MORE INFORMATION: Opponents of Alito are
reportedly flooding the Capitol with calls. Now is the
time for you to contact your senators and let them know
you want an up-or-down vote on the floor of the Senate on
Samuel Alito. You can find contact information and send
e-mail through the CitizenLink Action Center. We also
encourage you to send faxes.
Long URL elided
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
'Brokeback' Conviction
by Gary Schneeberger, editor
SUMMARY: The "gay cowboy" movie everybody is talking about
is a reminder of what we're called to do as Christians --
and how we're called to do it.
It's been a little more than a month now since I saw
"Brokeback Mountain," the "gay cowboy" movie that
continues to generate headlines -- on front pages as well
as entertainment pages -- and I've been feeling morally
superior ever since.
Why? Mostly because of one scene, in which the lead
characters reunite several years after their initial tryst
atop the mountain of the movie's title. Ennis (Heath
Ledger) runs to greet Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal), and is so
overcome that he pulls him into a stairwell and kisses him
passionately. Even though the duo thinks they're out of
eyeshot, Ennis' wife catches a glimpse of their embrace --
and director Ang Lee's camera lingers on her devastated
reaction.
That reaction, in the Denver theater in which I saw the
film, was greeted with a mix of laughter and applause from
the largely-gay audience that shared the auditorium with
me (and I've heard and/or read similar reports from across
the country).
That's been the fuel for my feelings of moral superiority.
[...]
I am fortunate to work each day alongside men and women
who grasp these basic, but crucial, truths better than
most. The Love Won Out team, led by Mike Haley, reaches
out daily to scared and confused people like the
characters in "Brokeback Mountain." Sometimes it's men and
women struggling with their own same-sex attractions;
sometimes it's the friends and family members of those men
and women. But every time, the counsel and the prayer Mike
and his team offer is authentically, unrelentingly
Christlike. They extend love and hope to those told by the
world their only choice is to love a life of hopelessness.
I've always admired my Love Won Out friends, but I've been
convicted of my need to better emulate them now that I've
seen "Brokeback Mountain." It'd be a lie to say that I
enjoyed the movie, but an ever greater one to say I'm not
grateful I saw it.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about Love Won Out,
visit the ministry's Web site.
http://lovewonout.com/
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Pope Speaks Out on Gay Marriage and Abortion
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 12, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Pope Benedict XVI, in a speech to political leaders in
Rome today, condemned both homosexual marriage and the
abortion pill, ABC News reported.
Speaking in defense of marriage, Benedict said the union
of one man and one woman was "not a peculiarity of
Catholic moral teaching, but part of an elementary truth
regarding our common humanity."
He said it would be a "grave mistake" to recognize gay
marriage.
Franco Gillini, a homosexual member of the parliament, was
disappointed.
"The pope is interfering heavily in Italian politics," he
said.
But government minister Roberto Calderoni spoke in
support.
"What the pope said is the most sacrosanct thing in the
world," he said.
Benedict also said politicians should not "introduce
pharmaceuticals that in one way or another hide the grave
nature of abortion," referring to the use of the abortion
pill known as RU-486.
----- 15 -----
Utah Lawmaker Seeks Parental-Consent Law
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
January 12, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill that would require parents to be notified if a
minor daughter was seeking an abortion has wide support in
the Utah Legislature, the Deseret News reported.
Rep. Kerry Gibson, a Republican from Ogden, introduced a
bill Tuesday that would require doctors to obtain a
parent's permission at least 24 hours prior to performing
an abortion on a girl under the age of 18.
"We've decided as a society there are certain things a
minor doesn't have the ability to do," Gibson said.
"Making the decision to have an abortion without telling a
parent is one of them."
Karrie Galloway, executive director of Planned Parenthood
of Utah, said the proposed legislation disregards family
dynamics.
"This is parental interference," she said. "This is the
Legislature of Utah, who continually discuss issues of
government not interfering in the family, telling me as a
parent how I have to handle the notification that my
daughter is going to have an abortion."
According to the Utah Department of Health, in 2004 there
were 148 girls between the ages of 15 to 17 who received
an abortion, plus 10 who were younger than 15.
Gibson said the decision to have an abortion should not be
made without a parent's input.
"I feel this is truly a parental rights bill," he said.
Parental consent "puts the decision back where it needs to
be, which is at home in the living room with the
families."
----- 16 -----
Project 535 Volunteers Lobby for Judge Alito
Amelia Wigton
January 13, 2006
http://www.cwalac.org/article_293.shtml
Judge Samuel Alito’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings this week in the U.S. Senate have been marked by tough questioning, tense moments and political spinning of unprecedented proportions.
Nonetheless, Judge Alito’s remarkable history of integrity and accomplishment gave Concerned Women for America (CWA) good reason to stand up and support him by holding Project 535, its volunteer lobbying program, on Wednesday, January 11.
In addition, CWA worked with a coalition of pro-family groups in Washington, D.C., and launched a nationwide effort to support this admirable judge.
Each month, Project 535’s trained lobbyists from around the country come to the nation’s capital to work with CWA’s Legislation Department to help push key bills through Congress. Instead of focusing on a piece of legislation, January’s 535 worked for Judge Alito’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
CWA: Awesome-Alito-A+ -Appoint
Concerned Women for America
1/12/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/9896/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. – Concerned Women for America (CWA) agrees with the many Americans who have concluded that Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito has done a superb job despite blatant partisan attacks by some members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“If ever there’s a pictorial dictionary, under ‘judge,’ it should simply display a photo of Samuel Alito,” said Jan LaRue, CWA’s Chief Counsel. “I knew he was brilliant and possessed a deep knowledge of constitutional law, but he’s left me with a greater appreciation of that and his numerous outstanding qualities. If anyone ever questioned the meaning of judicial temperament, they’ve seen him display it in the midst of baseless attacks on his record and character. Political commentators on the right and left concur that despite the left’s relentless attempts to sink his nomination, they haven’t laid a glove on him.
“He has conducted himself with dignity and honor, confirming his strong character. Led by Senators Kennedy, Feinstein, Durbin and Schumer, liberals have failed miserably in their attempt to discredit this outstanding nominee. If anything, they only proved that Alito has nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, and everything to be admired for.”
"Judge Alito lived up to¯and beyond¯his outstanding reputation,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s Executive Vice President. “His intellect and knowledge of the law were on display for all to see, and his judicial temperament placed him above despicable accusations. Senators would only be living up to their duty when they vote for him; any vote against squarely places a senator in opposition to judges who are intelligent, fair, unbiased, and beholden to the law and justice instead of special-interest demands."
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 18 -----
Ford's Ongoing Support for Homosexual Agenda Has Pro-Family Crowd Fuming
By Allie Martin
AgapePress
January 12, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/122006a.asp
(AgapePress) - A national coalition of pro-family organizations has asked Ford Motor Company to stop funding either side in the culture war. The Tupelo, Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA) is spearheading an effort by these groups to encourage Ford to honor its previous commitment to stop supporting homosexual groups and causes.
Late last spring AFA began a boycott of Ford because of the company's contributions to homosexual rights groups and advertisement in homosexual publications, its policy of offering benefits to same-sex domestic partners, and its recruitment of homosexual employees. The boycott was suspended for six months while company officials and pro-family leaders tried to work out a compromise.
Following a meeting with AFA and other pro-family officials, Ford announced it was pulling its ads in homosexual publications. Now, however, the company is being accused of reneging on that commitment and on other promises company representatives made to stop supporting the homosexual agenda.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Pro-Life Groups Largely Supportive of Samuel Alito's Hearing Comments
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 12, 2006
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1988.html
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life groups are largely supportive of the comments Judge Samuel Alito made on abortion and are continuing their support for his nomination to replace pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.
[...]
Looking to his comments on abortion issues, John Jakubczyk, the president of Arizona Right to Life and an attorney, said Alito's "comments when he was an advocate in 1985 on the lack of any legal legitimacy for Roe v. Wade are as valid today as then."
"He should be confirmed. His presence on the bench will provide hope for those who believe in the role of law and the sanctity of life," Jakubczyk told LifeNews.com.
Nikolas Nikas, the president of the Bioethics Defense Fund, agreed that Alito should be confirmed in light of pressing pro-life issues.
“Given that important human rights issues such as human cloning to produce children and human cloning for biomedical research may end up at the high court, it is important that Supreme Court Justices be appointed who respect the rule of law and understand the precise and limited role of judges in our constitutional system," Nikas told LifeNews.com.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Commentary & News Briefs
January 13, 2006
Compiled by Jody Brown
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/132006h.asp
...The head of a pro-Israel ministry says she believes there is a reason why President Bush and many in his administration don't have a problem with continually forcing Israel to give up its covenant land. Jan Markell is founder and director of Minnesota-based Olive Tree Ministries. Markell shares the frustration of many Evangelicals who love Israel and oppose the president's support of a Palestinian state. She says it is a theological problem. "He is the product of replacement theology churches all of his life [and the teaching] that the Church is the new Israel and that literal, physical Israel has no relevance whatsoever anymore," she asserts. According to Markell, Bush advisors like Karen Hughes, Andrew Card, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are proponents of replacement theology as well. So someone else, she says, needs to educate the president. "He and his advisors do not see the biblical significance of Israel today," Markell says. "There are many trying to get the message to him, but he's got 60 years of false teaching into his head, so it's kind of hard to get it out." The Olive Tree Ministries founder is convinced the United States faces serious spiritual consequences if its national leaders continue to follow replacement theology. [Chad Groening]
[...]
...A Canadian pro-family activist is pleased with recent poll numbers that show a growing Conservative lead in the final weeks leading up to the national elections. A recent survey for the Globe and Mail newspaper showed that Stephen Harper's Conservatives have opened up an eight-point advantage over the Liberals, with the other two parties even further behind. Dr. Charles McVey, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition, says this is just one of several polls he has seen that look good for the Conservatives. "From the outset of this campaign, the Conservative polling numbers have been increasing gradually but steadily," McVety observes, "and now there have been several polls that show a solid lead for the Conservatives going into the last two weeks of this campaign." McVety says it is easy to figure out why Conservatives are fairing so well. "The Canadian citizens are fed up -- fed up with this campaign or agenda of extremism," he says, "and the Liberal Party has tried to force down the throat of the Canadian people things that they are opposed to such as the redefinition of marriage." McVety says voters are also unhappy with the Liberals' efforts to legalize prostitution. The election is on tap for January 23. [Chad Groening]
...Having legalized homosexual "marriage," Canada is now considering removing polygamy from its law books. A taxpayer-funded study done for the Federal Justice Department there is recommending that polygamy be legalized. The study, conducted by three law professors, argues that the polygamy law serves no useful purpose and, in any case, is rarely prosecuted. The Globe and Mail newspaper quotes one of the professors as arguing that because there is no law against adultery, there should be no law against someone having multiple spouses. [Fred Jackson]
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
ACTION ALERT: Contact Senators Today In Support Of Judge Alito
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2566
January 12, 2006 – Judge Samuel Alito is well qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. TVC is urging its readers to send an email letter today to their two U.S. Senators in support of a fair up or down vote in the full Senate next week.
Senate staff has informed TVC that MoveOn.org, People for the American Way and other radical liberal interest groups began flooding Senate offices on Jan. 11 with calls and emails opposing Judge Alito. As you can see, it is very important that your Senators hear from you as soon as possible. Use TVC’s CapWiz to contact them: Urge Your Senators To Confirm Judge Samuel Alito To The Supreme Court.
If you’re in a state of a Senate Judiciary Committee member, it is extremely important that you email and call them! The Senate Judiciary Committee membership list is posted here: United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary.
These emails and calls should flood the Senate offices every day through Jan 17, when the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Alito. The full Senate vote is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20.
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
The religion of science
Nathan Tabor
January 13, 2006
Renew America
Also reprinted on Christian Underground
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/tabor/060113
We've all heard the argument, evolution is a 'science' and therefore it is somehow more valuable or respectable than religion. This same argument won the right of evolution studies in our public school classrooms, and helped build the wall around so called non -scientific 'creationism' and to this day keeps it from being taught in our public schools. It seems that labeling something as a science is a one way ticket to popularity and acceptance. Deeming something to be of a religious nature practically guarantees objection, often ridicule. Could these labels be less than honest? Could we have been sold a bill of goods when they say that evolution is a science? Could it actually be a religion? Evolution and Creationism couldn't BOTH be religions, could they ?
Absolutely.
When we take a closer look at the definitions of science and religion, we find that evolution is based on the same premises as any religion, and isn't a science at all.
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
Why Bush picks stealth nominees
October 29, 2005
Alan Keyes
http://www.renewamerica.us/news/051029keyes.htm
Many conservatives cannot understand why President George W. Bush has taken the stealth approach in his selection of nominees for the Supreme Court. After all, we have what appears to be a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. If the Democrats trash highly qualified nominees because their thinking reflects the president's judgment instead of the Democrat Party platform, it won't be hard to convince the public that they are simply trying to achieve through intimidation what they couldn't achieve at the ballot box in the last presidential election.
[...]
The broad conservative reaction against the Miers nomination is now being characterized by the mainstream media as the work of right-wing extremists. This provides cover for the real culprits in this scenario – the eight or so abortion-minded Republican senators who will be put in the spotlight if the president nominates an impressive conservative jurist. Will Arlen Specter and the other Republicans like him stand firm with the president, or join the abortion minded Democrat minority to provide the margin that derails such a nominee? The administration's stealth approach allows these Republicans to avoid taking a stand that would outrage the Republican grass roots, while it camouflages the leftist priorities that separate Sen. Specter and the others from the majority of their fellow Republicans.
You're wondering: Why would anyone in the White House care enough to implement a strategy that protects these left-leaning Republicans? I think the answer lies in the well-known but little discussed fact that the issue of truly conservative judicial nominees stands athwart the fault line dividing the money powers of the Republican Party from the grass-roots providing most of its voting power at election time.
It's not just the Democrats who froth at the prospect of a nominee who will overturn Roe v. Wade or vote against the wishes of the homosexual lobby. Many big contributors to the Republican Party also look sour at such a prospect. While the preponderance of Republican grass-roots voters are undoubtedly pro-life moral conservatives, the preponderance of Republican money movers – the people who can mobilize the networks of donations from the corporate world – are indifferent or hostile to the moral agenda. I call these folks the "money-is-god" Republicans, MIGs for short. This is appropriate, since money is the key to media access in our politics today, i.e., to the crucial and generally determinative air power in the political wars.
The MIGs prefer candidates like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christie Todd Whitman or Rudy Giuliani. They may have the personal name ID, public popularity and marketing "brand" to offer good prospects of electoral victory, but they believe that issues like abortion and homosexual marriage should be compromised or left off the political agenda altogether. If someone like this can gull moral conservatives with a little pious rhetoric, so much the better, so long as they put moral issues on the back burner when it really matters.
[...]
Against the background of maneuvering for the 2008 battle over national control of the Republican Party, the stealth strategy makes sense. That background also brings out concern over the possible damage the strategy may already have inflicted on the forces of moral conservatism. Nationally prominent moral conservative leaders who stepped out in support of the Harriet Miers nomination have reportedly suffered a setback in terms of credibility with their grass-roots supporters. To recover, such leaders need only reaffirm the integrity of their principled discernment by helping properly to focus moral conservative attention and support during the Republican presidential primary process. Their restored influence will then help to counterbalance MIG dominance of access to media buying power. The situation is not as bad as it would have been had Harriet Miers' liberal mindset become clear in her votes after reaching the Supreme Court. But the damage wrought by compromise and confusion is nonetheless real – and needs a remedy more convincing to the moral constituency than the media fig leaf about defending "executive privilege."
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
'Good Faith' Of Senate Judiciary Committee Broken
Family Research Council
January 13, 2006 - Friday
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06A13&f=PG03I03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2006 CONTACT: J.P. Duffy, (202) 393-2100
"The 'good faith' agreement that was entered into by both Democrats and Republicans this past November has been broken by liberal Democrats committed more to the theatrics of their extreme base than to a fair and timely process," says Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council.
Washington, D.C. - As the confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito came to a close, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), signaled Democrats intent to hold the committee vote over one week.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
"The 'good faith' agreement that was entered into by both Democrats and Republicans this past November has been broken by liberal Democrats committed more to the theatrics of their extreme base than to a fair and timely process. While it is quite clear how committee members will vote on the nomination, this latest development merely reaches out to the radical left determined to destroy this well-qualified nominee.
"In the November 3rd press conference outlining the confirmation schedule, Senator Leahy entered into the 'gentlemen's agreement' with Chairman Specter, pledging he would stick by it unless 'something extraordinary comes up that neither...anticipate nor expect.' The burden lies with Senator Leahy to justify breaking this 'gentlemen's agreement,' and why he should receive our trust in the future.
"After a grueling confirmation hearing, this recent development is yet another sad statement on the decline of the judicial confirmation process. Judge Alito and the nation deserve better."
To speak with a Family Research Council judicial expert, please contact the
FRC press office at 202.393.2100.
-30-
----- 25 -----
'One of Us': Radio Ad for Judge Sam Alito, Jr.
Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AD06A01
Ad Transcript:
Sam Alito, Jr. has been nominated to the United States Supreme Court. He's an American success story. His late father, Sam, Sr., immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1914 [music under]. His mother, Rose, age 91, lived to see this day.
Imagine their pride. Their son studies at Princeton, goes to Yale, serves President Reagan, then enjoys 15 distinguished years on the federal bench.
Now a handful of special interest groups say that's not enough. They say they'll do "whatever it takes" to stop him. They question his commitment to civil rights. They say there are too many Catholics on the court. Haven't we been down this ugly road before?
Sam Alito is one of us. He's a fair judge who will make a great justice. Call Senator Lincoln Chafee at 401-453-5294 and tell him Sam Alito deserves a fair hearing and a fair vote.
That's 401-453-5294.
A message from the Family Research Council.
----- 26 -----
Harper defends remarks to U.S. conservative movement
Last Updated Thu, 12 Jan 2006 21:09:45 EST
CBC News
Long URL elided
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper faced questions over past remarks he made to an American conservative movement, comments the Liberals claim prove his allegiance to a radical right-wing agenda.
The comment is quoted in one of a series of controversial ads the Liberals released earlier this week. One quotes a speech Harper made eight years ago to a conservative American think-tank.
"America, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world," the ad quotes Harper as saying.
[More at URL]
----- 27 -----
Harper slams ads, denies plan to reopen abortion debate
Last Updated Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:02:49 EST
CBC News
Long URL elided
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper slammed Paul Martin over a Liberal attack ad suggesting the Tories would station armed soldiers on the streets of Canadian cities, saying it is an insult to the army and raises question's about the party's credibility.
[...]
Many soldiers and retired officers said they were insulted and outraged by the ad that warned Harper would put "soldiers with guns" in Canadian cities. The Liberals say that ad, which appeared on the party website, was pulled before it was ever broadcast.
[...]
Harper also dismissed Martin's speech Wednesday accusing the Tories of having a secret agenda to trample minority rights including a right to an abortion.
"I thought we'd hear today positive ideas from Mr. Martin," Harper said during a campaign stop in Fredericton.
"Instead, we got yet another negative attack speech. And I think that's one of the difficulties with his campaign."
Harper also insisted that he would not reopen the abortion debate.
"A Conservative government will not be bringing forward, will not be supporting, and will not be debating the abortion laws in this country. I've been clear on that and, frankly, I think that's put the matter to rest."
[More at URL]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
*thanks for having used lj-cut!*
Date: 2006-01-14 05:49 pm (UTC)*blink*
from Communication Workers of America Oppse Judge Alito's Confirmation (http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/oppose_alito/iknewzh7w3twi?):
"Judge Alito has been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for 15 years. His judicial decisions clearly reveal that he is no friend of working people."
That page includes a letter to send as well as a link to Learn More About Judge Alito's Record (http://www.aflcio.org/mediacenter/prsptm/pr12142005.cfm).
(FWIW I think the CWA's communication strategy is among the best in the union/progessive movement ... should be self-evident but oft-times it ain't!)
Re: *thanks for having used lj-cut!*
Date: 2006-01-14 06:00 pm (UTC)Re: *thanks for having used lj-cut!*
Date: 2006-01-14 08:33 pm (UTC)*blink* uhhhhhh ... you knew about the Communications Workers' position? No, really, no sarcasm ...
"as indicated by the actual article the headline is referencing, and as referenced by the immediately-preceding headline."
Well, colour me chastised.
*poof*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-14 07:12 pm (UTC)Another attempt by whitey to steal something from the black man.
Date: 2006-01-14 09:30 pm (UTC)students about their constitutionally protected religious
liberty as part of Religious Freedom Day, which will be
observed on Monday."
Uh-huh. Because Monday isn't already a holiday, is it? I'd know if it were. -Danny
Re: Another attempt by whitey to steal something from the black man.
Date: 2006-01-16 05:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-15 06:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 05:50 am (UTC)