Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Jun. 15th, 2006 12:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdStarting next week, it's pretty likely that these will get fewer and further between; it'll depend upon how my classload really ends up working out, but the odds are good that I'll be stepping back a bit from the three-days-a-week posting schedule. It's not that it's gotten less important, and I will continue to monitor this stuff - but I might have fewer posts. Between this and classes, classes come first.
Or maybe everything will work out fine and I won't have to cut back on anything. We'll see!
And now, today's news.
Faith and Freedom network continues to savage Tim Eyman, blaming him for the failure of Referendum 65, making accusations of incompetence, of failure to live up to agreements, and blaming him for associating Referendum 65 with lesbian and gay marriage rights, something they did at every opportunity on their own website; they also attack him for using the "no quotas" language that fundamentalists used constantly in six (failed) anti-gay initiatives in Oregon, Washington State, and Idaho in the 1990s;
Joseph Fuiten (of FFN) makes his own run at Tim Eyman, attacking his ethics and his motives;
Republicans Rep. Todd Akin, Sen. John Kyl, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan introduce bill to prohibit courts from hearing Pledge of Allegiance cases; includes ACTION ITEM to get your legislators to co-sponsour it;
Focus on the Family reports on abortion-ban efforts at the state level; they want more South Dakota comprehensive bans; includes a fairly generic ACTION ITEM to support state bans;
CBS hopes to call bullshit on fundamentalist mass complaint campaigns against "indecency," saying people who didn't actually see an item in question shouldn't have their complaints counted; they're specifically referring to ACTION ITEM-generated mass complaint bombs against a couple of their programmes, and note that there were no actual complaints from actual viewers of the programmes in question;
Iowa Republican makes Focus on the Family happy by introducing (and getting approved in committee) an amendment specifically barring funds to a Los Angeles GBLT centre; they do things like provide services to the elderly and addiction recovery services, but since it's queer-targeted, that's enough for FotF to be "relieved" that they got written in as a specifically prohibited organisation;
FotF hopes the Episcopal church USA will ban future GBLT bishops;
Focus: "Sex-Ed Advocates Tell Congress to Abandon Abstinence Ed"; I mostly include this one because of the subtitle, which I quote here: "Democrats introduce a bill to cut funding for purity";
FotF loves Ann Coulter's new book, Godless, which pretty much endorses the "God vs. Satan" approach to US politics - basically prints her version of their line; I imagine they particularly like her condemnation of evolutionary theory and her grouping of marriage rights with genocide and sex with animals;
FotF condemns breast cancer groups for supporting breast cancer detection done at Planned Parenthood clinics, bring up the old bullshit that abortion causes breast cancer;
FotF upset that churches are being told not to violate nonprofit law in political campaigning;
South Carolina passes biology standards requiring schools to "teach the controversy," which generally consists of using "intelligent design" and creationist bullshit attacks on evolutionary theory as discredit attacks, regardless of their validity;
Concerned Women for America's Jan LaRue writes condemning the Senate for not voting to pass the anti-marriage amendment;
CWA: Vote in all of President Bush's judicial nominees right now;
CWA's Robert Knight condemns the Senate for not passing the anti-marriage amendment, particularly attacking Democrats;
CWA endorses, pushes the so-called "Pledge Protection Act" to remove challenges to it from the scope of Federal courts;
CWA quoted in townhall.com article pushing judges as the only important thing for the rest of the Senate year;
Family Research Council joins in the "judges uber alles" chorus;
American Family Association pushes lesbian and gay adoption bans;
Virginia lesbian drops anti-gay discrimination complaint against videotape duplicating company; now the anti-gay Liberty Council is suing to have the county ordinance declared to be unconstitutional, claiming the state does allow counties to pass GBLT anti-discrimination ordinances;
LifeSite applauds Poland for firing a teacher after he distributed copies of Compass: a manual on human rights education with young people which included talk about GBLT equality; there is also now discussion of banning the book; LifeSite is thrilled; includes ACTION ITEM to support the Polish actions;
James Dobson: Not banning GBLT marriage is "unconscionable";
Colombian Senate passes limited GBLT partnership law; LifeSite is, of course, pissed;
TVC is also on the "Pledge Protection Act" bandwagon;
Focus on the Family Canada starts pushing abstinence-only education, tho' they're not calling it that in Canada;
FotF Canada decries allowing a married lesbian couple to be both listed as a child's mothers;
Canada Family Action Coalition condemns allowing a married lesbian couple to both be listed as a child's mothers;
Focus on the Family Canada: Religion and State need each other, should be intermingled, not separated.
----- 1 -----
The following is a statement on behalf of Faith & Freedom regarding the Tim Eyman - Ref. 65 matter
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Faith and Freedom Network
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/06/following-is-statement-on-behalf-of.html
Faith & Freedom is hopeful that this will speak to the issues of the matter and will provide clarity to those who care.
Faith & Freedom is committed to moving forward with what we feel God has called us to do. It is not our intent to discredit anyone, but rather to be sure the truth is known to those who are concerned.
FFN has received many responses and questions from our supporters and the public at large.
Two questions are reoccurring:
WHY DID YOU WORK WITH TIM EYMAN IN THE FIRST PLACE?
[...]
Eyman's version said "no quotas" even though there was nothing about quotas in the bill and the phrase alienated African American leaders. Eyman's version was also titled "no gay marriage" even though the bill was only very obliquely related to gay marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Dr. Fuiten's Response to Washington Referendum 65
Faith and Freedom Network
June 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The failure of the Referendum on gay rights is a disappointment to us all. This issue is one that Faith and Freedom Network has worked on for the past 13 years. We fought it every year in Olympia under the able leadership of our lobbyist, Bob Higley. We put our heart and soul into the referendum effort for these last months. For me, to believe in biblical righteousness is to take a stand on this issue. We will continue to work through the various processes to stand for righteousness until the Lord comes.
Since I am still on an extended trip, I have not commented on the failure except as reported by others. Let me tell you in my own words of concerns that I have. When the Legislature passed the bill that we fought so strongly, we determined to do what we could to win. We planned a full-scale effort of multiple facets. We printed up thousands of petitions with our return address on them. We wanted to promote the effort and keep tabs on the progress. Tim Eyman was very upset by our plans and communicated the same to many. He wanted all the petitions to bear only his name so all the forms would go to his office in Spokane. In exchange for Faith and Freedom Network stepping out of the role we had planned, Tim agreed to allow us access to the petitions as they came in. We withdrew our petitions and everything flowed through Tim's office. When we requested access to the information as he had agreed with me, Tim told us to have our lawyer contact his lawyer. He broke the agreement without even talking to me, and kept us in the dark thereafter as to the progress.
We invested $53,000 in the effort. Tim said he spent $14,000. I can appreciate the effort that Tim made in this cause, although I am not sure of his motives. He never was involved in the gay rights issue in the years it was in the legislature so it makes me wonder if his interests were mercenary rather than in the actual issue. Tim was the quarterback of this team but the running backs and ends did not know where we were on the field. We knew there was a goal line but as the weeks wore on, we never knew if we were close or distant. Tim kept that to himself. It was not a victory formula.
Faith and Freedom Network has been in this and other spiritual battles for years. We intend to remain faithful through all the ups and downs as we have in the past. We hope that you will do the same.
I am uncertain as to the full extent of how the Lord intends to use this in our lives. Certainly part of the message is that the bible-believing church must awaken and take responsibility to present all God's message to this generation. The apostate church has no shame in promoting their message. Another part is to remind us that all that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. We have had way too much of doing nothing.
I am guessing now that the court may kick the gay marriage issue back into the legislature. If so, we will have opportunity to revisit some of these issues then. If the court imposes gay marriage then we will have the chance to vote on them in November. Either way there is plenty to do in the days ahead.
God Bless You,
Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten
Faith and Freedom Network
----- 3 -----
Lawmakers Say Pledge Protection Act Needed Now More than Ever
Sponsors pick Flag Day to unveil legislation to guard "under God" from activist courts.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040885.cfm
Members of Congress told the nation today that, if we are not careful, the right of Americans to go public with their religion is in danger of being lost to activist courts.
At a Capitol Hill news conference, Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., and Sens. John Kyl, R-Ariz., and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said the country needs the Pledge Protection Act to safeguard our freedom.
"We're very concerned that the Supreme Court might possibly say that the words, 'one nation under God' would be unconstitutional," Akin told CitizenLink. "I think that would be a tragedy and a travesty if it happens."
The bill would keep the federal courts from taking cases challenging with the Pledge.
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
Please contact your state's congressman and senators and ask them to support and cosponsor the Pledge Protection Act, H.R. 2389, and its companion bill in the Senate, S. 1046.
If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button in the e-mail to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Other wise, click on this link.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
States Continue Efforts to Ban Abortion
A roundup of activity across the nation.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040873.cfm
Efforts to ban abortion continue to gather support as state legislatures work out the details of various approaches.
Ohio lawmakers are among those deciding whether to reject abortion on demand. Pro-life and pro-abortion groups argued their positions at a state House Health Committee hearing earlier this week. Barry Sheets, director of governmental affairs at Citizens for Community Values in Cincinnati, praised lawmakers for pursuing a ban.
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
If you live in a state where a ban is being considered or will be this fall, let your lawmakers know your opinion. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 5 -----
CBS Affiliates Claim Indecency Complaints Are Invalid
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040883.cfm
CBS affiliates on Monday asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to drop a record-setting $3.3 million indecency fine, because they claim hardly any of the people who filed complaints about the teen-orgy scene that prompted the fines watched the program as it aired.
According to MediaWeek, the stations are downplaying thousands of e-mailed complaints because they were sent through Web sites operated by the Parents Television Council and the American Family Association. The people who sent them had either read a description of the scene or viewed an online excerpt.
"There were no true complainants from actual viewers," the stations argued.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Taxpayer Money Going to Gay and Lesbian Center Averted
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040882.cfm
An effort to tack $300,000 onto an appropriations bill for a gay multipurpose facility was scuttled today in the U.S. House.
The money was set to go to The Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles, but Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, successfully amended the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill to state that none of the funds could go for that purpose.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Episcopal Church USA Considers Moratorium on Gay Bishops
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040881.cfm
The first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church USA said at the denomination's national conference this week that he thinks it's unlikely the church's top policymaking body will stop electing gay leaders.
The Episcopal General Convention, which runs through June 21 in Columbus, Ohio, is expected to vote on whether to stop confirming gay bishops in an effort to forestall a widening gap with the worldwide Anglican Communion.
National gay-rights activists planned to join Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire today to publicly urge the convention to reject a moratorium on gay bishops.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Sex-Ed Advocates Tell Congress to Abandon Abstinence Ed
Democrats introduce a bill to cut funding for purity.
from staff reports
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040875.cfm
Comprehensive sex-education advocates were on Capitol Hill Tuesday to tell members of Congress their view of abstinence-until-marriage education.
The centerpiece of their testimony was a paper by Dr. John Santelli that concluded "abstinence-only as a basis for health policy and programs should be abandoned." Santelli also told Congress it's unethical to base sex education on a moral standard.
After the briefing, U.S. House Democrats introduced a bill that would prohibit federal funding of abstinence education.
Abstinence educators say Santelli's report is flawed and his opinions on morality are skewed. Dr. Kate Hendricks, director of scientific affairs at the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, called Santelli's reasoning confusing.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Sorry, Ann
Conservative commentator Coulter’s new book just might surprise you for its passionate defense of what family advocates fight for.
by Gary Schneeberger, editor
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/commentary/a0040870.cfm
I owe Ann Coulter an apology.
Back in December 2002, I concluded my review of her book Slander for Citizen magazine in this way:
Coulter never really inspires, either. Her arguments are passionate, yes -- but the thing she seems most passionate about is winning the arguments. For all you glean about the insidiousness of liberalism from the 780 footnotes she offers, you never get a sense of what Coulter really, truly believes in or stands for. Slander is a book by a spokeswoman for the conservative movement, not a leader of it.
I’m backing off that conclusion now because I’ve just finished her latest book, Godless: The Church of Liberalism, and I’m here to tell you that of all the big-time conservative pundits out there – Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, Reagan, Savage – none of them has to date written more boldly, or persuasively, about the issues we care about than Coulter does here. From the evils of abortion and embryonic stem-cell research, to the horrors of the “sex education” curricula being foisted on our kids in public schools; from the wrongheadedness of legalizing homosexual marriage, to the manifest ridiculousness of Darwin’s theory of evolution and liberals’ worship of it, Coulter hits just about every nail family advocates pound at squarely on the head.
[...]
“These rules are decreed by a legislator whose opinions are not subject to appeal by the ACLU. We can’t discover penumbras that will suddenly allow us to endorse genocide, sex with animals, gay marriage, strip clubs, premarital sex or whatever the latest liberal fad is. The truth is the truth whether we like it or not.”
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Breast-Cancer Groups Continue to Support Planned Parenthood
Pro-lifers object to the donations.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040855.cfm
Major women's health groups that focuses on breast-cancer research continue to contribute money to Planned Parenthood, in spite of scientific evidence that indicates a link between abortion and breast cancer.
Groups including the National Breast Cancer Coalition and Breast Cancer Action give regularly.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation affiliate in Iowa has gotten flak for giving $6,000 to the nation's leading abortion provider, because people are concerned it frees up other funds to pay for abortions. Judy McFarlin, a Race for the Cure co-chairman, denied that that's happening.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
South Dakota Churches Warned They Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status
Liberal groups threaten, but experts say there is no ban on weighing in on ballot questions such as the abortion ban.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040859.cfm
Churches and nonprofit groups in South Dakota are being wrongly told they could lose their tax-exempt status if they speak out about the three important ballot questions to go before voters this fall.
"It looks like the IRS is sending a pre-emptory strike to churches and warning them not to cross a line," said Rob Regier, executive director of the South Dakota Family Policy Council.
Newspapers in the Mt. Rushmore State, he said, have been busy warning churches that the IRS is monitoring nonprofit groups carefully. Liberal groups in the state are letting it be known they will report any church that they believe crosses the line.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
South Carolina Curriculum Standards Question Evolution
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040856.cfm
The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee ratified high school biology standards Monday that require students to understand why "scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory."
While it stopped short of requiring the teaching of intelligent design (ID), Casey Luskin, an attorney and analyst for the pro-ID Discovery Institute, is still calling it a win.
[...]
South Carolina is the fifth state to require learning the criticisms of evolution.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
Senate Abandons Marriage After Brief Engagement
The Senate--with a Republican majority--refused to lift the veil and kiss the bride.
Commentary
Concerned Women for America
6/14/2006
By Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10964/LEGAL/family/index.htm
With as much bliss as a gathering of the Montagues and Capulets, the Senate avoided vowing “I do” to the Marriage Protection Amendment last week by failing to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate and vote on the amendment. Seven Republicans joined 43 of 45 Democrats and the lone Independent to preclude the vows. Two Democrats, Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Ben Nelson of Nebraska, were the only ones who voted to end debate.
President George W. Bush acted as the father-of-the-bride by escorting the amendment to the Senate altar. The President pronounced his blessing in a recent radio address and on June 5, when he hosted an engagement event for amendment supporters at the White House. At the same time across town, some senators issued prenuptial statements sounding about as love-struck as a groom at a shotgun wedding.
Some are laying blame for the amendment’s failure on the President. But it was a Senate with a Republican majority that refused to lift the veil and kiss the bride.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
End the Excuses: Give Judges a Hearing and a Vote
Senators must fulfill their constitutional duty in judicial nominations.
Concerned Women for America
6/14/2006
By Jan LaRue
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10965/LEGAL/judges/index.htm
Editor’s Note: Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel for Concerned Women for America, presented this statement at the Third Branch Press Conference on June 12. It took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Concerned Women for America and our half-million members in all 50 states expect the senators they’ve supported in past elections to fulfill their constitutional duty in the judicial nomination process. Delay, neglect and obstruction are not advice and consent. Nominees deserve and must have a hearing and a Senate vote.
The confirmation rate for the President’s nominees to the federal circuit courts of appeal is the lowest of any president in history. That is inexcusable when the President’s party has a five-vote majority in the Senate. That margin may well decrease in November. That would impede the progress that’s been made in turning the federal courts back to the Constitution.
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Bait and Switch
In debating a federal marriage amendment, liberals will talk about anything other than marriage.
Concerned Women for America
6/13/2006
By Robert Knight
This column ran on Townhall.com on June 12, 2006.
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10960/CFI/family/index.htm
The next time a liberal U.S. senator rises to talk about anything other than three topics – Iraq, gas prices or health care – conservatives should read them their statements during last week’s debate over the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA).
It makes no difference what legislation the liberals bring up. They could be talking about the space program, antitrust law, peanut subsidies, or protecting Ted Kennedy’s Cape Cod home from ugly windmills. It doesn’t matter. When they begin to talk, they should be reminded that we should be discussing only Iraq, gas prices and health care. Nothing else is important.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
CWA’s Swann Speaks on Flag Day at “Protect the Pledge” Press Conference
Concerned Women for America
6/13/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10962/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. − Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Director of Government Relations Lanier Swann will join other conservative leaders in speaking at a press conference tomorrow in support of Sen. Jon Kyle’s (R-Arizona) and Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-Missouri) Pledge Protection Act. This legislation would ensure the protection of the phrase “under God” in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. The press conference will be held on Flag Day, which marks the day in 1777 when John Adams proposed the stars and stripes as the official United States flag.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Vote on Judges, Not Flags, Say Conservatives
By Monisha Bansal
townhall.com
Jun 14, 2006
http://www.townhall.com/news/ext_wire.html?rowid=47276
(CNSNews.com) - Sixty conservative leaders sent a letter to Republican senators Monday, urging them to vote on judicial nominations and not "waste time" on a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning.
"We write because we fear that the Majority is ignoring the impact of the nominations debate on its ability to gain the support of those small margins of voters that the Majority needs to secure unobstructed nominations," the letter states.
"By contrast, and for example, you are planning to devote valuable Senate floor time to debating a flag-desecration constitutional amendment," it continues. "While most of us would support such an amendment, we believe this is a misguided use of time."
"Our constituents will not be put off by being told that the Senate has more pressing business than judicial nominees," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America. "We know that judges affect every area of our lives and certainly the most important issues of life, liberty and property.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
FRC Joins Conservative Leaders To Urge Action on Judicial Nominees
Family Research Council
June 12, 2006 - Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2006
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie Swendsen, (866) FRC-NEWS
"If we hope to return to the days when we had three equal branches of government... the U.S. Senate must move quickly in bringing these nominees to an up-or-down vote."
~ Tom McClusky, VP for Government Affairs
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06F06
Washington, D.C. - Today, Tom McClusky, Vice President for Government Affairs at the Family Research Council, joined conservative leaders at a press conference to urge Senate GOP leadership to move delayed judicial nominees to the floor for a final vote.
McClusky released the following statement today:
"Throughout our history, America's judiciary has expanded its power. This attitude of judicial supremacy even led judges in the Ninth Circuit to rule that the phrase 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional.
"Constitutional amendments are but one step in the solution to address issues under attack. We are here today to ensure our courts are stocked by judges who interpret the law - not those who seek to make it.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
A Difference Worth Embracing
Why Mother-Father Couples Are Superior to Same-Sex Couples When It Comes to Adoption
Feature by Ed Vitagliano
American Family Association/Agape Press
June 14, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/142006a.asp
(AgapePress) - In what some are calling a "second front" in the culture war -- trailing in the wake of same-sex "marriage" -- the battle over homosexual adoption is increasing in intensity.
Currently Florida is the only state that officially bans homosexual adoption, a law that has been upheld in federal court despite an intense publicity campaign, orchestrated by lesbian actress Rosie O'Donnell, to have it overturned. However, in 16 states efforts are under way to put same-sex adoption bans on the November ballot. And both sides are trying to convince the public to see things their way.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
'Discrimination' Charge Cleared Up; 'Sexual Orientation' Issue Still Up for Grabs
Business Owner's Lawsuit Challenges Local Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
By Mary Rettig and Jody Brown
American Family Association/Agape Press
June 14, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/142006b.asp
(AgapePress) - A lesbian activist has dropped her claim of discrimination against a Christian businessman in Virginia after he refused to make copies of videotapes of homosexual-rights marches for her. But legal advisors for the man say they will continue to pursue their case against the county where the complaint was originally filed, saying officials there violated state law by recognizing "sexual orientation" as a civil right.
One day after a suit was filed against the county's Human Rights Commission, the Arlington County Commission rescinded its order requiring Tim Bono, of Bono Film and Video, to duplicate videos of homosexual-rights marches or pay someone else to do it. Bono sued the Arlington County government last week after its Human Rights Commission found him in violation of the county's anti-discrimination laws, despite his contention that his refusal had nothing to do with the woman's sexual orientation but with the content of the videos, which he found offensive to his Christian values. (See earlier article)
Bono's suit, filed by Florida-based Liberty Counsel, challenges the constitutionality of the anti-discrimination law. Chief counsel Erik Stanley explains the grounds for the lawsuit.
"In Virginia, there is [a law] which basically says that counties and local governments are only empowered to pass ordinances that are expressly authorized by state law," Stanley says. "State law does not authorize a county or a local government to pass a sexual orientation non-discrimination ordinance."
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
Poland Strikes Back Against Homosexual Education: Fires Teacher Responsible
By Peter J. Smith
LifeSite
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061405.html
WARSAW, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Minister of Education in Poland has sent clear messages in the past week that the Polish government will not tolerate the indoctrination of students with the homosexual agenda in Polish schools. On June 9th, the Polish Minister of Education, Roman Giertych, officially dismissed the Director of Polish In-Service Teachers, Miroslaw Sielatycki, for publishing Compass: a manual on human rights education with young people, and is now considering banning its distribution and sale.
"This Manual speaks about issues of the homosexual relations as being equal to the matrimonial relations between woman and man. The contents included in this Manual accept thesis that the prohibition of matrimonial homosexual relations and the adoption of children by homosexual couples may constitute an element of discrimination", Minister Giertych stated in explaining the firing of Director Sielatycki. He went on to emphasize, "Such contents are in contradiction to the core curriculum for general education; therefore they can not be, by any means, presented as methodological resources."
[...]
To contact the Polish government the Chancellery of the Prime Minister can be reached by e-mail or fax.
E-mail: rzecznik@kprm.gov.pl
Fax: +48 22 694-68-26
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Senate’s Rejection of Marriage Amendment “Unconscionable”: Dr. Dobson
By Gudrun Schultz
Wednesday June 14, 2006
LifeSite
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061403.html
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A constitutional marriage amendment is essential to protect traditional marriage, said Doctor James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, in an interview with Fox News’ Hannity and Colmes on June 9.
“There is only one way to protect marriage, only one way, and that’s with a constitutional amendment. The institution of marriage is much broader than you and me, it has implications for the entire country and we simply must not turn our backs on it.”
Dr. Dobson said the Senate’s rejection of the amendment last week was “unconscionable,” and out of step with the American people.
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
Colombian Senate Approves Marriage-Like Rights for Homosexual Partnerships
By Hilary White
LifeSite
June 14, 2006
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061407.html
BOGOTA, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a June 6th vote the Colombian Senate approved a law that would recognize same-sex partners. The vote was 11-2 to allow homosexual partners to claim access to social security and other rights normally reserved to married couples.
The legislation’s supporters argued that the social atmosphere of Colombia had altered to accept such a move.
Colombia has been a major target for the social re-engineering project to insert the values of the sexual revolution into largely Catholic Latin America. This particular effort of the revolution is under way through internationally funded activist groups pushing abortion, contraception and homosexual “rights”.
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
Senate Must Pass The Pledge Protection Act!
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2744
June 14, 2006 - Washington, DC – “I am urging the Senate to pass the Pledge Protection Act (S.1046/H.R. 2389) sponsored by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Representative Todd Akin (R-MO),” said Traditional Values Coalition Chairman, Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, today. “This bill must be passed to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from frivolous lawsuits filed by atheist Michael Newdow and other enemies of patriotism and Christianity.”
Rev. Sheldon notes that this legislation simply asserts that Congress has the power under Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution to restrict the jurisdiction of federal courts to hear certain cases that come before them.
“The 9 th Circuit Court in California and other federal courts have shown that they are incapable of issuing fair rulings on the Pledge of Allegiance and the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge. We must remove power from these federal courts to tamper with the Pledge—by prohibiting them from ruling on the Pledge in the future,” said Sheldon.
[More at URL]
----- 25 -----
Moms push for healthier sex education
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/education/stories/061406.html
Four Winnipeg-area mothers are working to persuade the Manitoba government to implement a “healthier” sexual health curriculum in the schools. But one of the moms, Terry Swidinsky, is under no illusions that their campaign will succeed any time soon.
“I have to admit,” she told Today’s Family News, “most of the meetings we have are discouraging, but we’re not close to even thinking of giving up. This is something that we’re for years and years and years going to be into.”
A health care professional, Swidinsky was a member of the parents advisory group that met with the government in 2004 when it was developing its new health curriculum. But she and other like-minded parents quickly realized that the finished product contained a lot of incorrect information – including the common presumption that since most teens are certain to be sexually active, “sexual health” means teaching them how to have sex safely.
But if that “condom-based” mindset persists, Swidinsky predicted, it will only result in a repeat of past failures.
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
Children can have two mothers: Court
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/family/stories/061406.html
The negative fallout from the decision by Canada’s Parliament a year ago to nationally legalize same-sex marriage has officially hit home.
Last week, as the Globe and Mail reported, an Ontario judge gave provincial politicians one year to change the Vital Statistics Act to allow a lesbian couple to be registered as “co-mothers” of a baby conceived artificially with sperm from an anonymous donor.
[More at URL]
----- 27 -----
Another bizarre "judge ideology"
Canada Family Action Coalition
Online as of 14 July 2006
http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/family/parenting/judge-ideology.htm
Two mothers- a biological impossibility and a foolish ideology to be promoting. But that is what an Ontario judge did in order to promote "homosexualism".
It is a medical and natural impossibility - so only ones social construct can declare two mothers or two fathers. Perhaps a judge will tomorrow declare 3 or four mothers. This absolutely false and incorrect notion it is being promoted and legislated now.
What kind of lies will we stop at in the destruction of society? Telling children this false information is destructive and ought to be illegal. Are there not laws that could prosecute a person who intentionally promotes false information. Yet here we have a court doing just that.
-- CFAC
Two mothers should be allowed on birth document, judge says
Found in breach of Charter, Ontario told to alter rules to include lesbian parents
GLOBE AND MAIL
June 7, 2006
By KIRK MAKIN
An Ontario judge struck down a birth registry provision yesterday that prevents lesbian couples from being registered as parents of babies conceived through artificial insemination, saying that the regulation causes them unjustified "pain and hardship." Mr. Justice Paul Rivard of the Ontario Superior Court ruled that the province violated the litigants' right to equality by stopping them from adding their names to the Statement of Live Births after their babies are born. Lesbian mothers live in an atmosphere of homophobia that only is exacerbated when rules and conventions leave an impression that "there is something wrong or unnatural about their families," Judge Rivard said. "Likewise, for children of lesbian mothers - who are even more vulnerable than their parents to the lack of symbols of their families in popular culture - exclusion of their parents from birth registration furthers this vulnerability." Lawyers Martha McCarthy and Joanna Radbord, who represented the applicants, said yesterday that the case held enormous symbolic value for the gay and lesbian community.
[More at URL]
----- 28 -----
Religion and state need each other
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/religiousFreedom/stories/061406.html
Instead of building a wall separating religion and the state in Canada, the two in fact need each other. That’s what more than 140 people attending a conference last week in Calgary were told.
“I've learned that faith and politics are two spheres of a single society. If government suppresses the church, we move toward totalitarianism,” said Calgary businessman Bob Morgan in the Calgary Herald. “If faith is squeezed from public life, there are no checks on government.”
Hosted by the Ottawa-based Centre for Cultural Renewal, the conference attracted academics, public policy advocates and others from various faith backgrounds, and featured speakers from Canada, the United States and Britain.
[More at URL]
Or maybe everything will work out fine and I won't have to cut back on anything. We'll see!
And now, today's news.
Faith and Freedom network continues to savage Tim Eyman, blaming him for the failure of Referendum 65, making accusations of incompetence, of failure to live up to agreements, and blaming him for associating Referendum 65 with lesbian and gay marriage rights, something they did at every opportunity on their own website; they also attack him for using the "no quotas" language that fundamentalists used constantly in six (failed) anti-gay initiatives in Oregon, Washington State, and Idaho in the 1990s;
Joseph Fuiten (of FFN) makes his own run at Tim Eyman, attacking his ethics and his motives;
Republicans Rep. Todd Akin, Sen. John Kyl, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan introduce bill to prohibit courts from hearing Pledge of Allegiance cases; includes ACTION ITEM to get your legislators to co-sponsour it;
Focus on the Family reports on abortion-ban efforts at the state level; they want more South Dakota comprehensive bans; includes a fairly generic ACTION ITEM to support state bans;
CBS hopes to call bullshit on fundamentalist mass complaint campaigns against "indecency," saying people who didn't actually see an item in question shouldn't have their complaints counted; they're specifically referring to ACTION ITEM-generated mass complaint bombs against a couple of their programmes, and note that there were no actual complaints from actual viewers of the programmes in question;
Iowa Republican makes Focus on the Family happy by introducing (and getting approved in committee) an amendment specifically barring funds to a Los Angeles GBLT centre; they do things like provide services to the elderly and addiction recovery services, but since it's queer-targeted, that's enough for FotF to be "relieved" that they got written in as a specifically prohibited organisation;
FotF hopes the Episcopal church USA will ban future GBLT bishops;
Focus: "Sex-Ed Advocates Tell Congress to Abandon Abstinence Ed"; I mostly include this one because of the subtitle, which I quote here: "Democrats introduce a bill to cut funding for purity";
FotF loves Ann Coulter's new book, Godless, which pretty much endorses the "God vs. Satan" approach to US politics - basically prints her version of their line; I imagine they particularly like her condemnation of evolutionary theory and her grouping of marriage rights with genocide and sex with animals;
FotF condemns breast cancer groups for supporting breast cancer detection done at Planned Parenthood clinics, bring up the old bullshit that abortion causes breast cancer;
FotF upset that churches are being told not to violate nonprofit law in political campaigning;
South Carolina passes biology standards requiring schools to "teach the controversy," which generally consists of using "intelligent design" and creationist bullshit attacks on evolutionary theory as discredit attacks, regardless of their validity;
Concerned Women for America's Jan LaRue writes condemning the Senate for not voting to pass the anti-marriage amendment;
CWA: Vote in all of President Bush's judicial nominees right now;
CWA's Robert Knight condemns the Senate for not passing the anti-marriage amendment, particularly attacking Democrats;
CWA endorses, pushes the so-called "Pledge Protection Act" to remove challenges to it from the scope of Federal courts;
CWA quoted in townhall.com article pushing judges as the only important thing for the rest of the Senate year;
Family Research Council joins in the "judges uber alles" chorus;
American Family Association pushes lesbian and gay adoption bans;
Virginia lesbian drops anti-gay discrimination complaint against videotape duplicating company; now the anti-gay Liberty Council is suing to have the county ordinance declared to be unconstitutional, claiming the state does allow counties to pass GBLT anti-discrimination ordinances;
LifeSite applauds Poland for firing a teacher after he distributed copies of Compass: a manual on human rights education with young people which included talk about GBLT equality; there is also now discussion of banning the book; LifeSite is thrilled; includes ACTION ITEM to support the Polish actions;
James Dobson: Not banning GBLT marriage is "unconscionable";
Colombian Senate passes limited GBLT partnership law; LifeSite is, of course, pissed;
TVC is also on the "Pledge Protection Act" bandwagon;
Focus on the Family Canada starts pushing abstinence-only education, tho' they're not calling it that in Canada;
FotF Canada decries allowing a married lesbian couple to be both listed as a child's mothers;
Canada Family Action Coalition condemns allowing a married lesbian couple to both be listed as a child's mothers;
Focus on the Family Canada: Religion and State need each other, should be intermingled, not separated.
----- 1 -----
The following is a statement on behalf of Faith & Freedom regarding the Tim Eyman - Ref. 65 matter
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Faith and Freedom Network
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/06/following-is-statement-on-behalf-of.html
Faith & Freedom is hopeful that this will speak to the issues of the matter and will provide clarity to those who care.
Faith & Freedom is committed to moving forward with what we feel God has called us to do. It is not our intent to discredit anyone, but rather to be sure the truth is known to those who are concerned.
FFN has received many responses and questions from our supporters and the public at large.
Two questions are reoccurring:
WHY DID YOU WORK WITH TIM EYMAN IN THE FIRST PLACE?
[...]
Eyman's version said "no quotas" even though there was nothing about quotas in the bill and the phrase alienated African American leaders. Eyman's version was also titled "no gay marriage" even though the bill was only very obliquely related to gay marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Dr. Fuiten's Response to Washington Referendum 65
Faith and Freedom Network
June 13, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
The failure of the Referendum on gay rights is a disappointment to us all. This issue is one that Faith and Freedom Network has worked on for the past 13 years. We fought it every year in Olympia under the able leadership of our lobbyist, Bob Higley. We put our heart and soul into the referendum effort for these last months. For me, to believe in biblical righteousness is to take a stand on this issue. We will continue to work through the various processes to stand for righteousness until the Lord comes.
Since I am still on an extended trip, I have not commented on the failure except as reported by others. Let me tell you in my own words of concerns that I have. When the Legislature passed the bill that we fought so strongly, we determined to do what we could to win. We planned a full-scale effort of multiple facets. We printed up thousands of petitions with our return address on them. We wanted to promote the effort and keep tabs on the progress. Tim Eyman was very upset by our plans and communicated the same to many. He wanted all the petitions to bear only his name so all the forms would go to his office in Spokane. In exchange for Faith and Freedom Network stepping out of the role we had planned, Tim agreed to allow us access to the petitions as they came in. We withdrew our petitions and everything flowed through Tim's office. When we requested access to the information as he had agreed with me, Tim told us to have our lawyer contact his lawyer. He broke the agreement without even talking to me, and kept us in the dark thereafter as to the progress.
We invested $53,000 in the effort. Tim said he spent $14,000. I can appreciate the effort that Tim made in this cause, although I am not sure of his motives. He never was involved in the gay rights issue in the years it was in the legislature so it makes me wonder if his interests were mercenary rather than in the actual issue. Tim was the quarterback of this team but the running backs and ends did not know where we were on the field. We knew there was a goal line but as the weeks wore on, we never knew if we were close or distant. Tim kept that to himself. It was not a victory formula.
Faith and Freedom Network has been in this and other spiritual battles for years. We intend to remain faithful through all the ups and downs as we have in the past. We hope that you will do the same.
I am uncertain as to the full extent of how the Lord intends to use this in our lives. Certainly part of the message is that the bible-believing church must awaken and take responsibility to present all God's message to this generation. The apostate church has no shame in promoting their message. Another part is to remind us that all that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. We have had way too much of doing nothing.
I am guessing now that the court may kick the gay marriage issue back into the legislature. If so, we will have opportunity to revisit some of these issues then. If the court imposes gay marriage then we will have the chance to vote on them in November. Either way there is plenty to do in the days ahead.
God Bless You,
Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten
Faith and Freedom Network
----- 3 -----
Lawmakers Say Pledge Protection Act Needed Now More than Ever
Sponsors pick Flag Day to unveil legislation to guard "under God" from activist courts.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040885.cfm
Members of Congress told the nation today that, if we are not careful, the right of Americans to go public with their religion is in danger of being lost to activist courts.
At a Capitol Hill news conference, Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., and Sens. John Kyl, R-Ariz., and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said the country needs the Pledge Protection Act to safeguard our freedom.
"We're very concerned that the Supreme Court might possibly say that the words, 'one nation under God' would be unconstitutional," Akin told CitizenLink. "I think that would be a tragedy and a travesty if it happens."
The bill would keep the federal courts from taking cases challenging with the Pledge.
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
Please contact your state's congressman and senators and ask them to support and cosponsor the Pledge Protection Act, H.R. 2389, and its companion bill in the Senate, S. 1046.
If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button in the e-mail to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Other wise, click on this link.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
States Continue Efforts to Ban Abortion
A roundup of activity across the nation.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040873.cfm
Efforts to ban abortion continue to gather support as state legislatures work out the details of various approaches.
Ohio lawmakers are among those deciding whether to reject abortion on demand. Pro-life and pro-abortion groups argued their positions at a state House Health Committee hearing earlier this week. Barry Sheets, director of governmental affairs at Citizens for Community Values in Cincinnati, praised lawmakers for pursuing a ban.
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
If you live in a state where a ban is being considered or will be this fall, let your lawmakers know your opinion. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 5 -----
CBS Affiliates Claim Indecency Complaints Are Invalid
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040883.cfm
CBS affiliates on Monday asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to drop a record-setting $3.3 million indecency fine, because they claim hardly any of the people who filed complaints about the teen-orgy scene that prompted the fines watched the program as it aired.
According to MediaWeek, the stations are downplaying thousands of e-mailed complaints because they were sent through Web sites operated by the Parents Television Council and the American Family Association. The people who sent them had either read a description of the scene or viewed an online excerpt.
"There were no true complainants from actual viewers," the stations argued.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Taxpayer Money Going to Gay and Lesbian Center Averted
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040882.cfm
An effort to tack $300,000 onto an appropriations bill for a gay multipurpose facility was scuttled today in the U.S. House.
The money was set to go to The Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles, but Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, successfully amended the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill to state that none of the funds could go for that purpose.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Episcopal Church USA Considers Moratorium on Gay Bishops
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040881.cfm
The first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church USA said at the denomination's national conference this week that he thinks it's unlikely the church's top policymaking body will stop electing gay leaders.
The Episcopal General Convention, which runs through June 21 in Columbus, Ohio, is expected to vote on whether to stop confirming gay bishops in an effort to forestall a widening gap with the worldwide Anglican Communion.
National gay-rights activists planned to join Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire today to publicly urge the convention to reject a moratorium on gay bishops.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Sex-Ed Advocates Tell Congress to Abandon Abstinence Ed
Democrats introduce a bill to cut funding for purity.
from staff reports
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040875.cfm
Comprehensive sex-education advocates were on Capitol Hill Tuesday to tell members of Congress their view of abstinence-until-marriage education.
The centerpiece of their testimony was a paper by Dr. John Santelli that concluded "abstinence-only as a basis for health policy and programs should be abandoned." Santelli also told Congress it's unethical to base sex education on a moral standard.
After the briefing, U.S. House Democrats introduced a bill that would prohibit federal funding of abstinence education.
Abstinence educators say Santelli's report is flawed and his opinions on morality are skewed. Dr. Kate Hendricks, director of scientific affairs at the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, called Santelli's reasoning confusing.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Sorry, Ann
Conservative commentator Coulter’s new book just might surprise you for its passionate defense of what family advocates fight for.
by Gary Schneeberger, editor
Focus on the Family
June 14, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/commentary/a0040870.cfm
I owe Ann Coulter an apology.
Back in December 2002, I concluded my review of her book Slander for Citizen magazine in this way:
Coulter never really inspires, either. Her arguments are passionate, yes -- but the thing she seems most passionate about is winning the arguments. For all you glean about the insidiousness of liberalism from the 780 footnotes she offers, you never get a sense of what Coulter really, truly believes in or stands for. Slander is a book by a spokeswoman for the conservative movement, not a leader of it.
I’m backing off that conclusion now because I’ve just finished her latest book, Godless: The Church of Liberalism, and I’m here to tell you that of all the big-time conservative pundits out there – Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, Reagan, Savage – none of them has to date written more boldly, or persuasively, about the issues we care about than Coulter does here. From the evils of abortion and embryonic stem-cell research, to the horrors of the “sex education” curricula being foisted on our kids in public schools; from the wrongheadedness of legalizing homosexual marriage, to the manifest ridiculousness of Darwin’s theory of evolution and liberals’ worship of it, Coulter hits just about every nail family advocates pound at squarely on the head.
[...]
“These rules are decreed by a legislator whose opinions are not subject to appeal by the ACLU. We can’t discover penumbras that will suddenly allow us to endorse genocide, sex with animals, gay marriage, strip clubs, premarital sex or whatever the latest liberal fad is. The truth is the truth whether we like it or not.”
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Breast-Cancer Groups Continue to Support Planned Parenthood
Pro-lifers object to the donations.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0040855.cfm
Major women's health groups that focuses on breast-cancer research continue to contribute money to Planned Parenthood, in spite of scientific evidence that indicates a link between abortion and breast cancer.
Groups including the National Breast Cancer Coalition and Breast Cancer Action give regularly.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation affiliate in Iowa has gotten flak for giving $6,000 to the nation's leading abortion provider, because people are concerned it frees up other funds to pay for abortions. Judy McFarlin, a Race for the Cure co-chairman, denied that that's happening.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
South Dakota Churches Warned They Could Lose Tax-Exempt Status
Liberal groups threaten, but experts say there is no ban on weighing in on ballot questions such as the abortion ban.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0040859.cfm
Churches and nonprofit groups in South Dakota are being wrongly told they could lose their tax-exempt status if they speak out about the three important ballot questions to go before voters this fall.
"It looks like the IRS is sending a pre-emptory strike to churches and warning them not to cross a line," said Rob Regier, executive director of the South Dakota Family Policy Council.
Newspapers in the Mt. Rushmore State, he said, have been busy warning churches that the IRS is monitoring nonprofit groups carefully. Liberal groups in the state are letting it be known they will report any church that they believe crosses the line.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
South Carolina Curriculum Standards Question Evolution
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 13, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0040856.cfm
The South Carolina Education Oversight Committee ratified high school biology standards Monday that require students to understand why "scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory."
While it stopped short of requiring the teaching of intelligent design (ID), Casey Luskin, an attorney and analyst for the pro-ID Discovery Institute, is still calling it a win.
[...]
South Carolina is the fifth state to require learning the criticisms of evolution.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
Senate Abandons Marriage After Brief Engagement
The Senate--with a Republican majority--refused to lift the veil and kiss the bride.
Commentary
Concerned Women for America
6/14/2006
By Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10964/LEGAL/family/index.htm
With as much bliss as a gathering of the Montagues and Capulets, the Senate avoided vowing “I do” to the Marriage Protection Amendment last week by failing to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate and vote on the amendment. Seven Republicans joined 43 of 45 Democrats and the lone Independent to preclude the vows. Two Democrats, Sens. Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Ben Nelson of Nebraska, were the only ones who voted to end debate.
President George W. Bush acted as the father-of-the-bride by escorting the amendment to the Senate altar. The President pronounced his blessing in a recent radio address and on June 5, when he hosted an engagement event for amendment supporters at the White House. At the same time across town, some senators issued prenuptial statements sounding about as love-struck as a groom at a shotgun wedding.
Some are laying blame for the amendment’s failure on the President. But it was a Senate with a Republican majority that refused to lift the veil and kiss the bride.
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
End the Excuses: Give Judges a Hearing and a Vote
Senators must fulfill their constitutional duty in judicial nominations.
Concerned Women for America
6/14/2006
By Jan LaRue
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10965/LEGAL/judges/index.htm
Editor’s Note: Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel for Concerned Women for America, presented this statement at the Third Branch Press Conference on June 12. It took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Concerned Women for America and our half-million members in all 50 states expect the senators they’ve supported in past elections to fulfill their constitutional duty in the judicial nomination process. Delay, neglect and obstruction are not advice and consent. Nominees deserve and must have a hearing and a Senate vote.
The confirmation rate for the President’s nominees to the federal circuit courts of appeal is the lowest of any president in history. That is inexcusable when the President’s party has a five-vote majority in the Senate. That margin may well decrease in November. That would impede the progress that’s been made in turning the federal courts back to the Constitution.
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Bait and Switch
In debating a federal marriage amendment, liberals will talk about anything other than marriage.
Concerned Women for America
6/13/2006
By Robert Knight
This column ran on Townhall.com on June 12, 2006.
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10960/CFI/family/index.htm
The next time a liberal U.S. senator rises to talk about anything other than three topics – Iraq, gas prices or health care – conservatives should read them their statements during last week’s debate over the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA).
It makes no difference what legislation the liberals bring up. They could be talking about the space program, antitrust law, peanut subsidies, or protecting Ted Kennedy’s Cape Cod home from ugly windmills. It doesn’t matter. When they begin to talk, they should be reminded that we should be discussing only Iraq, gas prices and health care. Nothing else is important.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
CWA’s Swann Speaks on Flag Day at “Protect the Pledge” Press Conference
Concerned Women for America
6/13/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/10962/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. − Concerned Women for America’s (CWA’s) Director of Government Relations Lanier Swann will join other conservative leaders in speaking at a press conference tomorrow in support of Sen. Jon Kyle’s (R-Arizona) and Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-Missouri) Pledge Protection Act. This legislation would ensure the protection of the phrase “under God” in the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. The press conference will be held on Flag Day, which marks the day in 1777 when John Adams proposed the stars and stripes as the official United States flag.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Vote on Judges, Not Flags, Say Conservatives
By Monisha Bansal
townhall.com
Jun 14, 2006
http://www.townhall.com/news/ext_wire.html?rowid=47276
(CNSNews.com) - Sixty conservative leaders sent a letter to Republican senators Monday, urging them to vote on judicial nominations and not "waste time" on a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning.
"We write because we fear that the Majority is ignoring the impact of the nominations debate on its ability to gain the support of those small margins of voters that the Majority needs to secure unobstructed nominations," the letter states.
"By contrast, and for example, you are planning to devote valuable Senate floor time to debating a flag-desecration constitutional amendment," it continues. "While most of us would support such an amendment, we believe this is a misguided use of time."
"Our constituents will not be put off by being told that the Senate has more pressing business than judicial nominees," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America. "We know that judges affect every area of our lives and certainly the most important issues of life, liberty and property.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
FRC Joins Conservative Leaders To Urge Action on Judicial Nominees
Family Research Council
June 12, 2006 - Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2006
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie Swendsen, (866) FRC-NEWS
"If we hope to return to the days when we had three equal branches of government... the U.S. Senate must move quickly in bringing these nominees to an up-or-down vote."
~ Tom McClusky, VP for Government Affairs
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06F06
Washington, D.C. - Today, Tom McClusky, Vice President for Government Affairs at the Family Research Council, joined conservative leaders at a press conference to urge Senate GOP leadership to move delayed judicial nominees to the floor for a final vote.
McClusky released the following statement today:
"Throughout our history, America's judiciary has expanded its power. This attitude of judicial supremacy even led judges in the Ninth Circuit to rule that the phrase 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional.
"Constitutional amendments are but one step in the solution to address issues under attack. We are here today to ensure our courts are stocked by judges who interpret the law - not those who seek to make it.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
A Difference Worth Embracing
Why Mother-Father Couples Are Superior to Same-Sex Couples When It Comes to Adoption
Feature by Ed Vitagliano
American Family Association/Agape Press
June 14, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/142006a.asp
(AgapePress) - In what some are calling a "second front" in the culture war -- trailing in the wake of same-sex "marriage" -- the battle over homosexual adoption is increasing in intensity.
Currently Florida is the only state that officially bans homosexual adoption, a law that has been upheld in federal court despite an intense publicity campaign, orchestrated by lesbian actress Rosie O'Donnell, to have it overturned. However, in 16 states efforts are under way to put same-sex adoption bans on the November ballot. And both sides are trying to convince the public to see things their way.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
'Discrimination' Charge Cleared Up; 'Sexual Orientation' Issue Still Up for Grabs
Business Owner's Lawsuit Challenges Local Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
By Mary Rettig and Jody Brown
American Family Association/Agape Press
June 14, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/afa/142006b.asp
(AgapePress) - A lesbian activist has dropped her claim of discrimination against a Christian businessman in Virginia after he refused to make copies of videotapes of homosexual-rights marches for her. But legal advisors for the man say they will continue to pursue their case against the county where the complaint was originally filed, saying officials there violated state law by recognizing "sexual orientation" as a civil right.
One day after a suit was filed against the county's Human Rights Commission, the Arlington County Commission rescinded its order requiring Tim Bono, of Bono Film and Video, to duplicate videos of homosexual-rights marches or pay someone else to do it. Bono sued the Arlington County government last week after its Human Rights Commission found him in violation of the county's anti-discrimination laws, despite his contention that his refusal had nothing to do with the woman's sexual orientation but with the content of the videos, which he found offensive to his Christian values. (See earlier article)
Bono's suit, filed by Florida-based Liberty Counsel, challenges the constitutionality of the anti-discrimination law. Chief counsel Erik Stanley explains the grounds for the lawsuit.
"In Virginia, there is [a law] which basically says that counties and local governments are only empowered to pass ordinances that are expressly authorized by state law," Stanley says. "State law does not authorize a county or a local government to pass a sexual orientation non-discrimination ordinance."
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
Poland Strikes Back Against Homosexual Education: Fires Teacher Responsible
By Peter J. Smith
LifeSite
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061405.html
WARSAW, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Minister of Education in Poland has sent clear messages in the past week that the Polish government will not tolerate the indoctrination of students with the homosexual agenda in Polish schools. On June 9th, the Polish Minister of Education, Roman Giertych, officially dismissed the Director of Polish In-Service Teachers, Miroslaw Sielatycki, for publishing Compass: a manual on human rights education with young people, and is now considering banning its distribution and sale.
"This Manual speaks about issues of the homosexual relations as being equal to the matrimonial relations between woman and man. The contents included in this Manual accept thesis that the prohibition of matrimonial homosexual relations and the adoption of children by homosexual couples may constitute an element of discrimination", Minister Giertych stated in explaining the firing of Director Sielatycki. He went on to emphasize, "Such contents are in contradiction to the core curriculum for general education; therefore they can not be, by any means, presented as methodological resources."
[...]
To contact the Polish government the Chancellery of the Prime Minister can be reached by e-mail or fax.
E-mail: rzecznik@kprm.gov.pl
Fax: +48 22 694-68-26
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Senate’s Rejection of Marriage Amendment “Unconscionable”: Dr. Dobson
By Gudrun Schultz
Wednesday June 14, 2006
LifeSite
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061403.html
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A constitutional marriage amendment is essential to protect traditional marriage, said Doctor James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, in an interview with Fox News’ Hannity and Colmes on June 9.
“There is only one way to protect marriage, only one way, and that’s with a constitutional amendment. The institution of marriage is much broader than you and me, it has implications for the entire country and we simply must not turn our backs on it.”
Dr. Dobson said the Senate’s rejection of the amendment last week was “unconscionable,” and out of step with the American people.
[More at URL]
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Colombian Senate Approves Marriage-Like Rights for Homosexual Partnerships
By Hilary White
LifeSite
June 14, 2006
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061407.html
BOGOTA, June 14, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a June 6th vote the Colombian Senate approved a law that would recognize same-sex partners. The vote was 11-2 to allow homosexual partners to claim access to social security and other rights normally reserved to married couples.
The legislation’s supporters argued that the social atmosphere of Colombia had altered to accept such a move.
Colombia has been a major target for the social re-engineering project to insert the values of the sexual revolution into largely Catholic Latin America. This particular effort of the revolution is under way through internationally funded activist groups pushing abortion, contraception and homosexual “rights”.
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Senate Must Pass The Pledge Protection Act!
Traditional Values Coalition
http://www.traditionalvalues.org/modules.php?sid=2744
June 14, 2006 - Washington, DC – “I am urging the Senate to pass the Pledge Protection Act (S.1046/H.R. 2389) sponsored by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Representative Todd Akin (R-MO),” said Traditional Values Coalition Chairman, Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, today. “This bill must be passed to protect the Pledge of Allegiance from frivolous lawsuits filed by atheist Michael Newdow and other enemies of patriotism and Christianity.”
Rev. Sheldon notes that this legislation simply asserts that Congress has the power under Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution to restrict the jurisdiction of federal courts to hear certain cases that come before them.
“The 9 th Circuit Court in California and other federal courts have shown that they are incapable of issuing fair rulings on the Pledge of Allegiance and the words ‘under God’ in the Pledge. We must remove power from these federal courts to tamper with the Pledge—by prohibiting them from ruling on the Pledge in the future,” said Sheldon.
[More at URL]
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Moms push for healthier sex education
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/education/stories/061406.html
Four Winnipeg-area mothers are working to persuade the Manitoba government to implement a “healthier” sexual health curriculum in the schools. But one of the moms, Terry Swidinsky, is under no illusions that their campaign will succeed any time soon.
“I have to admit,” she told Today’s Family News, “most of the meetings we have are discouraging, but we’re not close to even thinking of giving up. This is something that we’re for years and years and years going to be into.”
A health care professional, Swidinsky was a member of the parents advisory group that met with the government in 2004 when it was developing its new health curriculum. But she and other like-minded parents quickly realized that the finished product contained a lot of incorrect information – including the common presumption that since most teens are certain to be sexually active, “sexual health” means teaching them how to have sex safely.
But if that “condom-based” mindset persists, Swidinsky predicted, it will only result in a repeat of past failures.
[More at URL]
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Children can have two mothers: Court
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/family/stories/061406.html
The negative fallout from the decision by Canada’s Parliament a year ago to nationally legalize same-sex marriage has officially hit home.
Last week, as the Globe and Mail reported, an Ontario judge gave provincial politicians one year to change the Vital Statistics Act to allow a lesbian couple to be registered as “co-mothers” of a baby conceived artificially with sperm from an anonymous donor.
[More at URL]
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Another bizarre "judge ideology"
Canada Family Action Coalition
Online as of 14 July 2006
http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/family/parenting/judge-ideology.htm
Two mothers- a biological impossibility and a foolish ideology to be promoting. But that is what an Ontario judge did in order to promote "homosexualism".
It is a medical and natural impossibility - so only ones social construct can declare two mothers or two fathers. Perhaps a judge will tomorrow declare 3 or four mothers. This absolutely false and incorrect notion it is being promoted and legislated now.
What kind of lies will we stop at in the destruction of society? Telling children this false information is destructive and ought to be illegal. Are there not laws that could prosecute a person who intentionally promotes false information. Yet here we have a court doing just that.
-- CFAC
Two mothers should be allowed on birth document, judge says
Found in breach of Charter, Ontario told to alter rules to include lesbian parents
GLOBE AND MAIL
June 7, 2006
By KIRK MAKIN
An Ontario judge struck down a birth registry provision yesterday that prevents lesbian couples from being registered as parents of babies conceived through artificial insemination, saying that the regulation causes them unjustified "pain and hardship." Mr. Justice Paul Rivard of the Ontario Superior Court ruled that the province violated the litigants' right to equality by stopping them from adding their names to the Statement of Live Births after their babies are born. Lesbian mothers live in an atmosphere of homophobia that only is exacerbated when rules and conventions leave an impression that "there is something wrong or unnatural about their families," Judge Rivard said. "Likewise, for children of lesbian mothers - who are even more vulnerable than their parents to the lack of symbols of their families in popular culture - exclusion of their parents from birth registration furthers this vulnerability." Lawyers Martha McCarthy and Joanna Radbord, who represented the applicants, said yesterday that the case held enormous symbolic value for the gay and lesbian community.
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Religion and state need each other
Focus on the Family Canada
June 14, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/religiousFreedom/stories/061406.html
Instead of building a wall separating religion and the state in Canada, the two in fact need each other. That’s what more than 140 people attending a conference last week in Calgary were told.
“I've learned that faith and politics are two spheres of a single society. If government suppresses the church, we move toward totalitarianism,” said Calgary businessman Bob Morgan in the Calgary Herald. “If faith is squeezed from public life, there are no checks on government.”
Hosted by the Ottawa-based Centre for Cultural Renewal, the conference attracted academics, public policy advocates and others from various faith backgrounds, and featured speakers from Canada, the United States and Britain.
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