Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Jan. 29th, 2007 10:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdThis is an incomplete update, but it's got some good bits in it, if by "good," you mean "awful," as I usually do in these things. Sorry about the incompleteness, I'll try to get caught up more tomorrow.
No Room for Contraception - website working against contraception rights, as the next step to follow the ending of abortion rights. Asserts first and foremost that birth control causes abortion. Yes, really. Also includes assertions such as the rhythm method being the only valid method of birth control, that condoms don't prevent conception or STD spread, that most hormonal forms of birth control "can act as... abortifacient[s]" and so on; it's overtly theological; link courtesy![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elfs;
Moscow mayor calls gay pride parade "satanic," vows he will never allow one; last year's was assaulted by right-wing protesters and broken up by the police, with many participants detained;
Focus on the Family news article opposes "abortion reduction" bill because it's pro-birth-control, and again issues the "emergency contraception can cause abortions" meme, which, as I've noted many times in these CWUs, is a lie;
FotF condemns reciprocal beneficiaries (civil unions, sorta) bill in Hawai'i;
FotF story condemning San Francisco officials for not condemning a porn company doesn't mention that the building they're moving into is a national landmark that the company in question is saving; it's been empty for years and the company plans to restore it under landmark guidelines, as well as using portions of it as a film studio. I've seen pictures, it's a great building and I'm glad someone is going to step forward to restore it;
FotF advertises an Pennsylvania theocon political organisation workshop;
FotF: Texas AG calls for abortion prosecutions via the Texas Occupations Code;
FotF: South Carolina anti-marriage amendment working its way through the legislature;
FotF: National media "ignore public-school sex scandals"; Concerned Women for America's Robert Knight says that if it weren't for the implied cover-up, Americans would be reconsidering the validity of public schools as an institution; CWA has flirted with the Exodus Mandate effort in the past;
FotF: attempt to ban courts from hearing challenges to the "Under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance introduced in Congress again; it's of interest mostly because of the extended and continuing attack on the independent judiciary;
FotF article condemning a state court ruling saying that Arizona cannot exempt transport for medical care involving abortion from their prisoner medical care transport system;
FotF: "Episcopal diocese of Virginia is threatening to defrock priests who follow biblical teaching on homosexuality" - which is to say, Focus on the Family's vision of biblical teaching, which is to say, fags all burn in hell;
Wyoming anti-marriage legislation being worked on; Focus calls it "one of the toughest... in the nation," which presumably means it compares to Virginia's, which bans any hint of anything like civil unions, recognition of parental rights, and so on; if it's tougher, it may have the original Virginia language which threw out contract rights between GBLT people, but I haven't seen the text;
FotF promotes the American Family Association claim that their anti-gay boycott of Ford is in part responsible for Ford Motor Company losses; the AFA is condemning Ford for advertising to GBLT people and demanding all such advertising, as well as all anti-discrimination activities and so on, stop;
FotF condemns Santa Cruz city council action to join the Pro-Choice City Campaign;
FotF, other groups, condemn sex education funding; the interesting part here is the headline, "NARAL Tells President Bush What to Do";
FotF critical of State of the Union address for not addressing the theocon social agenda; wanted mentions of abortion, stem-cell research, a Federal marriage ban;
FotF happy with Sen. Brownback for reintroducing "Foetal pain awareness act" in the latest variation - the point, as always, is to get doctors parroting theocon positions at abortion-seeking women;
FotF supports HR223, which would send Federal funding to anti-abortion "pregnancy resource centres";
Focus on the Family is very happy that "three states want to bring sacredness back to marriage," which is to say, three state legislatures (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Virginia) have bills floating around which would bar "no-fault" divorce; the practical effect would be that both partners have to agree to divorce, and if one doesn't want to, the other is screwed. There are exceptions - for now, anyway - in the bills;
Concerned Women for America condemns a German teenager's gender reassignment; CWA's Matt Barber declares "the homosexual agenda" to be of a "truly destructive, bleak and evil nature";
CWA calls upon membership to support "Pledge of Allegiance Act," which would prohibit court challenges as described above;
CWA links to a newspaper article about a Dr. William Struthers going around saying pr0n is "crack for the eyes," and "just as addicting, or more so, than drugs"; anybody know anything about this guy?;
CWA links to commentary condemning the HPV vaccine - that prevents cervical cancer - on the Washington Times. The columist, Terence P. Jeffrey, calls the vaccination shot "an invasive procedure [the child] does not want and may not need," and asserts that including it in the standard vaccine regimen is "aimed at socializing the risk of promiscuous sexual behaviour" and says it's aimed at "creating [liberals'] sought-after, if never attainable, Utopia where people can engage in promiscuous sex without fear of consequence";
Christian Post, Concerned Women for America condemn Sundance Film Festival;
Concerned Women for America's Mike Mears cranky about rumours that California governor Schwarzenegger may be willing to sign a GBLT marriage bill if the legislature passes it again.
----- 1 -----
FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions
No Room for Contraception
Online as of 27 January 2007
http://www.noroomforcontraception.com/Resources/Birth-Control-FAQ.htm
If you have a question for the No Room for Contraception team, send an e mail to info@nrfc.net, and we'll post the answer here.
1. What is No Room for Contraception purpose? Why and how did you decide to start it?
The purpose of No Room for Contraception is to expose the harms of contraception on marriage, society and women's health. Both pro-choice and pro-life forces know that the end to legal abortion is coming soon, and many think that we should turn to contraception to decrease the need for abortion; the widespread availability and use of contraception, however, is what created the need for abortion in the first place.
2. What different methods of artificial birth control are there?
The three different kinds of artificial birth control are chemical contraception, barrier contraception and surgical sterilization. Emergency contraception (also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill) is a type of chemical contraception.
3. Does No Room for Contraception oppose all methods of birth control including condoms?
No Room for Contraception opposes all artificial methods of birth control. We support the use of Natural Family Planning for prevention of pregnancy.
Condoms are proven ineffective much of the time in preventing both the transmission of STDs and in preventing pregnancy. By promoting condoms, people are given a false hope and are only encouraged to continue to engage in risky and extramarital sexual activity. This increase in sexual activity increases disease. In the late 1950s, there were only two known types of STDs; now, there are almost 50! If condoms lived up to the expectations of birth control proponents, there would be less disease, not more.
4. What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a scientific method of determining the time a woman ovulates. The time of ovulation is the only time out of a month that a woman can become pregnant and is called the fertile time. Using the NFP method requires that the couple have self-control in order to avoid sexual relations during the wife’s fertile time in order to prevent pregnancy.
5. Is No Room for Contraception a Catholic organization?
The founders of No Room for Contraception are Catholic, however this is not a Catholic organization. The purpose and goal of No Room for Contraception is to expose the harms that artificial contraception brings to marriage and society, and this goal does not require belief in any religious tradition. The Catholic Church has been the only major Christian religion to firmly oppose artificial contraception. Her many documents clearly and prophetically explain this teaching. Because of Her firm leadership against the use of chemical contraception, No Room for Contraception has links to the major Catholic Church documents on this topic, and draws heavily from the works of Catholic theologians and scholars.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Moscow mayor: Gay parades are ‘satanic’
He rules out allowing event; activists vow to march anyway
Associated Press
Updated: 3:58 p.m. AKT Jan 29, 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16874960/from/RS.4/
MOSCOW - Moscow's mayor vowed Monday never to allow a gay rights parade, calling such events "satanic," but activists said they would defy a city ban.
Yury Luzhkov and city authorities barred activists from staging a parade last year, citing the threat of violence. Activists ignored the ban and were attacked by right-wing protesters and detained by police.
Speaking at a Kremlin event attended by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Luzhkov again lambasted gay and lesbian groups.
"Last year, Moscow came under unprecedented pressure to sanction the gay parade, which can be described in no other way than as satanic," he said to applause in comments broadcast on a city-controlled TV channel. "We did not let the parade take place then, and we are not going to allow it in the future."
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Democratic Bills Target 'Pregnancy Reduction'
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Hoping to recast the abortion debate, Democrats in Congress are introducing bills that target ways to discourage abortion -- but life advocates question just how "pro-life" those bills really are and the motivations behind them.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., introduced a bill that would clearly open access to emergency contraceptives -- which can sometimes cause an early abortion. [Editor's note: This is not true, but is part of their attempt to link contraception in general as somehow the same as abortion. See previous CWUs for details, or ask if you're confused.]
In the House, however, a bill, sponsored by Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., could attract support from some pro-lifers, because it sounds good on the surface.
"Our bill would reduce the number of abortions in the country," Ryan told CitizenLink. "It has three basic components -- the first is to try to prevent unintended pregnancies to the extent that we can, by making sure that poor women have access to contraception, birth-control pills and the like."
The second component is to increase the adoption tax credit from $10,000 to $15,000. The third is to increase family-planning funding that routinely goes to condom distribution and comprehensive sex ed.
"If a woman does get pregnant and doesn't intend to, we as a society need to do everything we can to help her carry the baby to term," Ryan said. "That is something I hope we can all agree upon."
But Dave Christensen, director of congressional affairs for the Family Research Council, said there is significant disagreement about the bill -- even among pro-life Democrats.
"It is not being supported by any of the 100-percent pro-life members of the House," he said.
Christensen said the bill uses code words like "pregnancy-prevention programs" to mask the true impact.
"By that they mean 'condom distribution,' " he said. "But they also go so far as to fund 'emergency contraception' -- or Plan B."
Probably the most egregious feature of the bill, however, is the increase in funding for family planning.
"The problem is that -- because of regulations from under the Clinton administration -- any organization that gets Title X family-planning money has to refer for abortion," Christensen said. "That means crisis-pregnancy centers, pro-life groups and conservative groups cannot get those funds unless they compromise and refer for abortion."
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood -- the nation's largest abortion provider -- would get a huge boost in federal funding for family-planning services -- from $283 million a year to $647 million.
"In a nutshell, they are saying, 'We want to reduce abortion by funding Planned Parenthood' -- which makes absolutely no sense," Christensen added.
Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, called the Ryan-DeLauro bill "deceptive," but expects it to move through the House.
"This is a bill cooked up by a think tank called Third Way, which is staffed by veteran pro-abortion activists," Johnson said. "The Democratic leadership wants to have it both ways. They want to deliver the goods to the pro-abortion side. And they want to create the perception that they are creating reasonable policies that everybody supports."
Both Christensen and Johnson said there is an alternative Democratic bill, sponsored by Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., that has the support of Democrats for Life as well as many 100-percent pro-life congressmen.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Hawaii Lawmaker Seeks Marriage Benefits for Homosexuals
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Legislation that would grant same-sex couples all the rights of married couples has been filed in the Hawaii Legislature, The Associated Press reported.
State law already allows same-sex couples to become reciprocal beneficiaries. In 1998 voters approved a state Constitutional amendment that gave the Legislature the power to define marriage, and lawmakers defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Eduardo Hernandez, executive director of The LGBT Center, said reciprocal benefits aren't enough.
"It offers some benefits for some couples, but does not approach even a hint of equality," he said. "The new bill was designed to be as equal as possible to marriage and still be constitutionally viable."
But Kelly Rosati, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, called the bill an attempt by gay activists to circumvent the law protecting marriage.
"It's simply everything that is marriage by another name," she said. "It is all the rights and benefits of marriage -- but it is called civil unions -- and we think it becomes virtually indistinguishable."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit the Hawaii Family Forum Web site. ( http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/ )
----- 5 -----
San Francisco Officials Won't Speak Poorly of Porn Studio
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
People in a San Francisco neighborhood are frustrated with the city's lack of concern over plans to turn a vacant, historic building into a studio for filming bondage-oriented pornography, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Roberto Hernandez, a community activist, said he and others are asking elected officials to work with them to improve their neighborhood -- something that won't be accomplished if a pornographer moves in.
"How do you tell a child from a school right down the street they are going to be filming pornography there?" he said. "Is it appropriate to have a business -- (near) a school -- that is tying up women and exploiting them?"
But city officials appeared reluctant to say anything negative about a pornographer in the neighborhood.
Amit Ghosh, director of the planning department, said the building is zoned for commercial and industrial use -- and that includes film production.
"The planning code is not really worried with moral propriety," he said.
Peter Ragone, spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsome, said that office is looking into the concerns.
"You don't want to seem prudish," he said. "The fact that there's going to be a bondage and S&M porno studio in the vicinity of schools gives pause."
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality for Focus on the Family Action, said people may not be able to count on city officials to help them create a family-friendly neighborhood.
"San Francisco officials may have lost their moral bearings long ago," he said, "but if these residents are truly concerned about bondage films being produced in their neighborhood, they should contact the U. S. Department of Justice to investigate possible violations of federal obscenity statutes."
----- 6 -----
Pennsylvania Event to Emphasize Taking a Stand for Life
Focus on the Family
January 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Western Pennsylvanians will be called to stronger support of life issues on Feb. 9 and 10.
The event, called Life Support, will be held in Export, Pa., at Cornerstone Ministries. Scheduled speakers include Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC); Dr. David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the center for human life and bioethics at FRC; Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute; and Olivia Gans, spokeswoman for National Right to Life.
Breakout seminars will deal with a pro-life worldview, stem-cell research, pregnancy-resource center support and ministering to women hurt by abortion.
Dr. Donn Chapman, senior pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, said the nation is at a point of crisis in protecting preborn life.
"We can never give up because we are right and so much is at stake," he said. "We must do something else and something more."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit Cornerstone Ministries' Web site to learn more. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
----- 7 -----
Texas AG Says Illegal Abortion Should Be Prosecuted
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003748.cfm
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion Wednesday that any physicians who perform late-term abortions on minors without parental consent should face jail time and lose their license.
In a letter to Republican Rep. David Swinford, Abbott explained that anyone who violates the law is subject to criminal penalties of the Texas Occupations Code.
[...]
Swinford asked for clarification because the Texas Penal Code makes killing "an unborn child at every stage of gestation from fertilization until birth" a crime of capital murder, with exceptions when the child's death is caused by the mother or a physician performing an abortion.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
S.C. Legislature Move Toward Ratifying Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003747.cfm
South Carolina lawmakers are voting on the ratification of a voter-approved state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, The Associated Press reported.
The state Senate has passed it, and it is making its way through the House.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
National Media Largely Ignore Public-School Sex Scandals
Some estimate 5 million students have been involved.
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
from staff reports
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003744.cfm
The mainstream media have heavily covered sex-abuse scandals in the Catholic Church, but some say the national news media have ignored an estimated 5 million students who have been sexually abused by their public-school teachers.
Terri Miller, president of Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation, suggested a cover up by school officials.
"Reports aren't being made by administrators when these allegations come to light," she said. "They are allowing too many teachers to quietly resign and move on to go molest somebody else's children."
[...]
Bob Knight, director with the Culture and Media Institute, said the media have been no-shows on covering the larger scandal.
"If the media treated the school scandals they way they treated the Catholic Church," he said, "they'd be calling for reforms, top to bottom, they'd be questioning the validity of the institutions themselves."
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Pledge-Protection Bill Reintroduced
SUMMARY: Bill would prevent courts from ruling on challenges.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives today would prevent federal courts from accepting challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance, specifically the phrase "under God."
Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., said the latest version of his Pledge Protection Act -- now called the Pledge of Allegiance Act -- grew out of Americans' outrage in 2002 after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Pledge unconstitutional because of the words "under God."
"The congressman feels that type of treatment is really a censorship of the rights of those who wish to express certain basic principles that this country was founded upon," said Steve Taylor, Akin's press secretary.
Atheist Michael Newdow sued the Elk Grove Unified School District in Sacramento County, Calif., claiming a policy requiring students to recite the Pledge violated his daughter's religious liberty.
The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004, which ruled 8-0 to dismiss the case on technical grounds.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, noted the high court never ruled on "under God," so Akin's legislation is desperately needed.
"We need the Pledge of Allegiance Act," he said, "in order to prevent out-of-control courts just like the 9th Circuit from deciding that the wording of the Pledge should be revised to meet some politically correct notion the justices have about 'under God.' "
And politically correct notions abound inside and outside courtrooms. Just this month, an Arizona charter school, Tucson Accelerated High School, banned the Pledge.
On Jan. 17, students were told the Pledge would no longer be recited, according to Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Jeremy Tedesco, who represents two students who challenged the ban.
"The school allowed the student council to vote on whether to continue or discontinue the recitation of the Pledge-- and the student council decided to cease reciting the Pledge at the beginning of every day," Tedesco said.
Students Sam and Robert Lucero, who lost a family member in Iraq and have two siblings fighting there now, brought a U.S. flag to school and began reciting the Pledge, but were told by school officials to stop.
"The good news is that the school did the right thing, and righted the ship, so to speak, once they understood the law," Tedesco said.
Calls to the school were not returned.
Akin's bill passed the House in the last Congress, but failed in the Senate.
"It did very well in the House," Akin's spokesman said. "There was strong bipartisan support, and if it's given a chance in the House again, it will pass."
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, said the new Democratic leadership needs to remember that when the Newdow ruling came down, lawmakers gathered on the Capitol steps to recite the Pledge to encourage children, teachers and Americans.
"Now they need to do more than that," she said. "They need to preserve and protect the Pledge. Children deserve the same freedom to acknowledge God when saying the Pledge that the congressmen enjoyed."
----- 11 -----
Appeals Court: Inmates Have Right to be Taken to Abortion Clinic
Ruling overrides state law forbidding taxpayer dollars from going toward abortions.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that if a pregnant inmate requests to be taken to an abortion clinic, Maricopa County must do it, despite state law that forbids taxpayer funding of abortion services.
According to The Associated Press, Sheriff Joe Arpaio established a policy in 1990 prohibiting the county from paying for the staffing and transportation cost of taking women to abortion clinics -- estimated to cost as much as $1,000 per trip.
Daryl Manhart, a county attorney, pointed out that other courts have ruled taxpayer dollars shouldn't pay for abortion services.
"The state is not obligated to provide resources for that decision," he argued. "If she were outside of the jail, she could execute the decision without our resources."
Abortion is not considered a "medically necessary" procedure, Manhart said.
But Judge Patrick Irvine said since women are taken to health centers for other reasons, to refuse to provide a ride for those seeking to end a pregnancy is discrimination.
"While we recognize that the county might decline to transport an inmate who presents a particular security or liability concern," he wrote, "an indiscriminate ban on all transportation for non-therapeutic abortions does not allow inmates sufficient alternative means to exercise their right to choose to have an abortion."
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action, said the judge's interpretation of state law is unfortunate.
"Sheriff Arpaio's understanding of the Arizona law makes perfect sense. If citizens don't want their tax dollars used in abortions, that would include transporting a female inmate to have one," she said. "Unfortunately, the sheriff's common sense conflicted with judicial rulings, and we know what wins in that scenario."
Arpaio said he intends to appeal the ruling the state's high court.
----- 12 -----
Episcopal Diocese Threatens to Defrock Priests
SUMMARY: As issue is the denomination's stance on homosexuality.
Focus on the Family
from staff reports
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
A bishop in the Episcopal diocese of Virginia is threatening to defrock priests who follow biblical teaching on homosexuality.
Virginia Bishop Peter Lee this week officially warned clergy who disagree with the guidelines that they have six months to change. Twenty-one clergymen have left the diocese over the denomination's stand on the issue.
Patrick Getlein, a diocese spokesman, was reticent to talk about the spiritual implications.
“I’m not really in a position to talk about the theology of this," he told Family News in Focus. "I’m happy to talk about the nuts and bolts of this going on, but if you want that kind of interview, I’d be happy to set you up with someone.”
The Rev. Todd Wetzel of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Cedar Hill, Texas, former director of Episcopalians United, said he’s seen the fallout coming.
“The issue is really on the authority of Scripture and the departures of the Episcopal Church consistently over the last 40 years,” he said. “The Episcopal Church is stepping further down the path of apostasy.”
Bishop Martyn Minns, who will lead the clergy members who have objected, agreed that changing views on moral issues have contributed to the problem, but he said the church should not accommodate the culture.
“I’m more than willing to say that we all fall short and we all need God’s healing and transforming grace," he said. "But when we start saying that God’s intention as is shown in Scripture has now been changed, then we’re really in trouble.”
----- 13 -----
Wyoming Lawmakers Seek to Protect Marriage
SUMMARY: Bill would nullify same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Wyoming lawmakers are ironing out one of the toughest marriage-protection bills in the nation. Not only would Senate Filing 13 forbid recognition of gay marriages performed elsewhere, it would also void any same-sex marriages performed in the state.
John Birbari, president of the Wyoming Family Coalition, said such protections are necessary to defend against what other states are doing.
“States like Massachusetts and others that are considering same-sex marriage, this bill, if passed, would keep Wyoming from having to recognize those marriages as legal,” he told Family News in Focus.
Glen Lavy, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said until the U.S. Congress passes a marriage-protection amendment, each state must do its part to strengthen existing law. Such laws, he added, have fared well in court.
“It is very defensible," he said. "Forty to 45 states already have defense of marriage bills that are similar to this one.”
----- 14 -----
AFA Boycott Said to Contribute to Ford's Financial Loss
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
The American Family Association (AFA) said last year's $12.7 billion loss by Ford Motor Company is no surprise. AFA launched a boycott against the automotive giant in March 2006 because of its promotion of the homosexual agenda.
Donald Wildmon, chairman of AFA, said nearly 650,000 people signed the boycott, and he said he's confident that many more simply quit buying Ford products.
"The boycott was not totally responsible for all of Ford's financial problems," he said, "but it certainly contributed to them."
Ford helped pay for a voter guide Web site endorsing same-sex marriage, stem-cell research and abortion, Wildmon said. The company also ran ad campaigns targeting gay consumers.
"We have asked Ford several times to remain neutral in the culture battles, as Wal-Mart recently announced they would do," he added. "Ford has consistently refused."
----- 15 -----
Santa Cruz Votes to be a Pro-Abortion City
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003701.cfm
The Santa Cruz, Calif., City Council passed a resolution Tuesday to give the town the label of "pro-choice," the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.
The resolution, which passed 5-2, authorizes the city to join the Pro-Choice City Campaign -- described as a network of cities dedicated to advocating for "reproductive health choices" -- which always translates as abortion.
[...]
"Declaring Santa Cruz as a pro-choice city is a murder mentality," she said. "We believe the unborn would ask the council, 'Please don't promote and encourage the Santa Cruz mommy's womb to be a tomb.' "
----- 16 -----
NARAL Tells President Bush What to Do
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003702.cfm
NARAL Pro-Choice America is demanding President Bush unite the country in support of nine bills it claims would prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.
NARAL claims the legislation would bridge the pro-abortion/pro-life divide by helping women prevent unintended pregnancies. The bills deal with condom-based sex education, increased funding for abortion providers and forcing pharmacists to dispense the so-called morning-after pill in spite of objections that it can sometimes cause an early abortion.
Judie Brown, president of American Life League, called the bills dangerous.
"It's dangerous because it would quadruple the amount of funding going to organizations like Planned Parenthood," she told Family News in Focus.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Bush Speech Silent on Most Pro-Family Issues
Family advocates wish he had addressed the concerns of the people, not the new Congress.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000003705.cfm
Pro-family leaders say President Bush missed a golden opportunity to define the final two years of his administration by not speaking in defense of the family Tuesday night during his annual State of the Union address.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins praised Bush for challenging Congress to protect Americans against Islamo-fascism and for how he dealt with the bulk of issues he touched on in the 50 minute-long address -- health care, energy, education, Iraq, immigration and spending reform.
It's what Bush didn't say that caught Perkins' attention.
"The president failed to challenge the new majority to advance core family and cultural issues -- issues of faith, family and freedom -- that many in the new congressional majority campaigned upon last fall," he said
The speech neglected any mention of strong families -- and the "culture of life" the president has referenced in past speeches.
"As the new leadership of this Congress seeks to advance ineffective and unethical stem-cell research, not to mention funding for Planned Parenthood," Perkins said, "the president failed to draw a line in the sand on behalf of life."
He added that Bush could have mentioned marriage, the child tax credit, or even permanent tax relief -- but did not. Instead, he sent a basic message challenging the new Congress to join him in advancing bipartisan solutions to strengthen the union.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act Reintroduced
Focus on the Family
January 22, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, today reintroduced the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.
The legislation would require abortionists to inform mothers who seek abortions 20 weeks after fertilization that their child is able to feel pain.
“It is a scientific, medical fact that unborn children feel pain,” Brownback said in announcing the legislation. “We know that unborn children can experience pain based upon anatomical, functional, physiological and behavioral indicators that are correlated with pain in children and adults. Mothers seeking an abortion have the right to know that their unborn children can feel pain.”
[Editor's note: Actually, from what I've read, this isn't true either. The brain isn't developed enough yet, not until much later in pregnancy than 20 weeks. I haven't done enough research on this to be on as firm ground here as I usually am, tho'.]
The bill would also have the abortionist recommend anesthesia for the child, if the mother chooses to continue with an abortion, in hopes it will make it clear that she is aborting a human being.
----- 19 -----
Informed-Choice Bill May Have Tough Time in Congress
Pro-life legislation not welcomed by House Democratic leaders.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003693.cfm
The House is considering a plan that would give government grants to community-based pregnancy-resource centers for the purchase of ultrasound equipment. But with the current leadership in Congress, the legislation may have a tough time getting through committee.
H.R. 223, the Informed Choice Act, would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services to offer federal money to clinics that provide free services to women, according to its sponsor, Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla.
"Ultrasound equipment can give women, particularly poor women, an opportunity to see the fetus and understand the scope of what they're doing, if they have an unplanned pregnancy," the congressman said.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
No-Fault Divorce Reform Needed
Three states want to bring sacredness back to marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003694.cfm
Citing high divorce rates as proof, same-sex marriage advocates have long argued that heterosexuals have not done a great job of keeping marriage sacred. But three states are brewing a plan to combat the trend by reforming no-fault divorce.
Under no-fault divorce -- the law in all 50 states -- all that's required is one unhappy spouse. He or she doesn't need a reason to end the marriage. Since no-fault divorce swept the nation in the 1970s, 38 million marriages have dissolved, according to Mike McManus, cofounder of Marriage Savers.
"(No-fault divorce) has destroyed or . . . scarred the lives of 35 million children who are now, as they grow up, finding it very difficult to bond with someone of the opposite sex," he told Family News in Focus.
While 27 states have passed constitutional amendments affirming marriage as being between one man and one woman -- efforts McManus applauds -- he wonders why divorce isn’t being addressed as well.
Three states want to change that. Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia are considering mutual-consent divorce proposals; meaning both spouses must agree to split, if there are children involved. The proposals include exceptions for abuse and adultery.
Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, said the government can change the perception of the institution.
"When we allow people to enter into marriage with the understanding that they can walk away from that vow for no cause, and the other spouse cannot contest it," she said, "we're sending a message to young people that marriage is not permanent."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the state of marriage in the U.S., read Glenn T. Stanton's article, "How is Marriage Dying in Our Culture?"
----- 21 -----
CWA: Political Correctness Endangers Child; Youngest Boy in History to Undergo Sex Change
Concerned Women for America
1/29/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12242/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. ––A 14-year-old German boy has decided to undergo a sex change, making him the youngest patient in history to receive this extreme procedure. The young boy Tim, who prefers to be called “Kim,” has wanted gender reassignment surgery since he was 12 and claims to have considered himself female since age two. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is saddened that doctors and parents have fostered this young boy’s gender confusion and are allowing him to go forward with the surgery.
“This poor kid’s situation really undercuts the homosexual lobby’s deceptive equality-fluff and hyperbole,” said Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues. “It casts a bright light on the truly destructive, bleak and evil nature of the homosexual agenda. Has our world completely lost all sanity? That parents would allow their child to be treated like this is mind-boggling.
“Rather than addressing the emotional or chemical problems responsible for Tim’s gender confusion, his parents and doctors have bought into the homosexual lobby’s PC puffery hook, line and sinker. They’re about to rob him of his ability to father a child, and render him horribly disfigured and further confused. It’s not just a tragedy. It’s a travesty.”
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
CWA Urges Congress to Pass the Pledge Protection Act
Protect the Pledge
Concerned Women for America
1/25/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12231/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. –– Today, the Pledge of Allegiance Act, a bill to ensure that children across America can say the phrase “under God” when reciting our nation’s oath, will be introduced by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill grew out of Americans’ outrage over the Ninth Circuit ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is “unconstitutional” because it contains the words “under God.” It would prevent lower federal courts from ruling on the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Concerned Women for America (CWA) President Wendy Wright said, “When this ridiculous ruling was announced, congressmen gathered on the steps of the Capitol to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to encourage children, teachers and Americans. But they need to do more than that – they need to preserve and protect the Pledge. Children deserve the same freedom to acknowledge God when saying the Pledge that the congressmen enjoyed on the steps of the Capitol.
“Americans are bonded by a special patriotism and loyalty to our country and a sense of gratitude for the liberties we enjoy. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance kindles that bond of patriotism between Americans, and the important phrase ‘under God’ is a humble acknowledgement of Whom our country recognizes as our ultimate Authority. While we understand that some judges believe themselves to be decisive authorities who should not be questioned or criticized, the Pledge stands as a reminder that America is ‘one nation, under God.’
“Congressmen have an opportunity in this bill to show whether their support for the Pledge and against activist judges is merely symbolic or sincere. Concerned Women for America encourages Congress to protect the Pledge of Allegiance and restrain activist judges from stripping God from public speech.”
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 23 -----
‘Crack For The Eyes’
Daily News Record Online
Posted 2007-01-27
EMU Speaker Discusses Science Of Porn
By Heather Bowser
http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=8448&CHID=2
HARRISONBURG — The same scenario happens time and time again.
It’s a dreary evening after a long day at work. A man — stressed from issues at the office and fussy toddlers in the kitchen — retreats to the backroom to surf the net.
"I just need to unwind," he thinks to himself.
But this is where his real problems begin, says Dr. William Struthers, a psychology professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton Ill.
A few mouse clicks later, guilt washes over him. He did it again — he looked at pornography. And sadly, Struthers says, this probably won’t be the last time.
"Pornography is crack for the eyes," said Dr. William Struthers, "Porn is just as addicting, or more so, than drugs."
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
Socializing sexual risk
By Terence P. Jeffrey
The Washington Times
January 19, 2007
http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20070118-084416-7068r.htm
A movement has started in this country that ought to permanently dispel the myth that liberals embrace a right to privacy.
Here is the issue: Can the government compel a pre-teen girl to undergo an invasive procedure she does not want and may not need, whose long-term adverse affects cannot yet be known and which, according to the Food and Drug Administration, opens her to the already demonstrated, albeit minor, risk of certain short-term adverse affects? You might think liberals would rank an invasion of privacy of this magnitude right up there with, say, warrantless eavesdropping on al Qaeda. Strangely, they do not.
Why not? Well, the specific procedure envisioned here is a series of injections to immunize girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Unlike the measles, which a girl could give to a classmate simply by showing up at school contagious, HPV can only be transmitted by intimate contact of a sort that as far as I know has not yet become officially sanctioned classroom activity even in the most progressive school districts. Infection with some forms of this venereal virus can lead to cervical cancer.
[...]
Ultimately, any mandate for a venereal-disease vaccine is aimed at socializing the risk of promiscuous sexual behavior. It is about using the power of government to make all of the people bear some of the cost created by the reckless behavior of some of the people.
[...]
Yet, the greatest costs will be moral and cultural, as the venereal-vaccine promoters clearly know. "But realizing the vaccine's potential will depend on addressing worldwide issues of social and cultural resistance, which are already threatening to slow Gardasil's roll-out in the U.S.A.," the Lancet editorialized last June. "Such issues of social and cultural acceptability are important to address now, not least because similar arguments will apply to an HIV vaccine, if one is ever developed."
Advocates of universal vaccination against venereal diseases realize that traditional cultural values are an obstacle to creating their sought-after, if never attainable, Utopia where people can engage in promiscuous sex without fear of consequence. So, traditional cultural values must go.
[More at URL]
----- 25 -----
Sundance Film Fest Accused of Helping Porn Industry
By Kevin Jackson
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, Jan. 25 2007 06:44 PM ET
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070125/25412_Sundance_Film_Fest_Accused_of_Helping_Porn_Industry.htm
Some Christians have accused Zoo and Hounddog, two movies presented at the Sundance Film Festival this week, of aiding the porn industry.
The Concerned Women for America (CWA) made the accusation due to the movies’ inclusion of bestiality and a sexual assault scene involving a 12-year-old girl.
"I doubt that either one of these films deals with the reality of the subject, which would include all of the harms to the individual and to society," says Jan LaRue, chief legal counsel for the CWA, according to One News Now.
LaRue even dubbed the festival with her own pun: "The Sundance Sleaze Festival."
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
California Governor Ponders ‘Gay’ Marriage (2:44)
Concerned Women for America
1/29/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12244/CWA/family/index.htm
Recent media reports indicate that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering actions to promote “gay” marriage in the state, despite the expressed wishes of voters. Mike Mears, CWA’s Director of State Legislative Relations has more on this and what it means for grassroots activists in the state.
[Mike Mears: "Rumour has it that the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to change course and actually sign a gay marriage bill." Claims Tom Arnold talked Schwarzenegger into it, Claims Tom Arnold said, "Gay marriage - I want it, and I know he feels the same way." "Gay activists have confirmed that they have been talking to unnamed sources... that are signaling that the governor may be changing his mind." Calls on theocons to continue pressuring Gov. Schwarzenegger to veto any future bill. Also warns about "several bills that are favourable to the gay agenda." Promotes cwfa.org's California organisation.]
No Room for Contraception - website working against contraception rights, as the next step to follow the ending of abortion rights. Asserts first and foremost that birth control causes abortion. Yes, really. Also includes assertions such as the rhythm method being the only valid method of birth control, that condoms don't prevent conception or STD spread, that most hormonal forms of birth control "can act as... abortifacient[s]" and so on; it's overtly theological; link courtesy
elfs;Moscow mayor calls gay pride parade "satanic," vows he will never allow one; last year's was assaulted by right-wing protesters and broken up by the police, with many participants detained;
Focus on the Family news article opposes "abortion reduction" bill because it's pro-birth-control, and again issues the "emergency contraception can cause abortions" meme, which, as I've noted many times in these CWUs, is a lie;
FotF condemns reciprocal beneficiaries (civil unions, sorta) bill in Hawai'i;
FotF story condemning San Francisco officials for not condemning a porn company doesn't mention that the building they're moving into is a national landmark that the company in question is saving; it's been empty for years and the company plans to restore it under landmark guidelines, as well as using portions of it as a film studio. I've seen pictures, it's a great building and I'm glad someone is going to step forward to restore it;
FotF advertises an Pennsylvania theocon political organisation workshop;
FotF: Texas AG calls for abortion prosecutions via the Texas Occupations Code;
FotF: South Carolina anti-marriage amendment working its way through the legislature;
FotF: National media "ignore public-school sex scandals"; Concerned Women for America's Robert Knight says that if it weren't for the implied cover-up, Americans would be reconsidering the validity of public schools as an institution; CWA has flirted with the Exodus Mandate effort in the past;
FotF: attempt to ban courts from hearing challenges to the "Under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance introduced in Congress again; it's of interest mostly because of the extended and continuing attack on the independent judiciary;
FotF article condemning a state court ruling saying that Arizona cannot exempt transport for medical care involving abortion from their prisoner medical care transport system;
FotF: "Episcopal diocese of Virginia is threatening to defrock priests who follow biblical teaching on homosexuality" - which is to say, Focus on the Family's vision of biblical teaching, which is to say, fags all burn in hell;
Wyoming anti-marriage legislation being worked on; Focus calls it "one of the toughest... in the nation," which presumably means it compares to Virginia's, which bans any hint of anything like civil unions, recognition of parental rights, and so on; if it's tougher, it may have the original Virginia language which threw out contract rights between GBLT people, but I haven't seen the text;
FotF promotes the American Family Association claim that their anti-gay boycott of Ford is in part responsible for Ford Motor Company losses; the AFA is condemning Ford for advertising to GBLT people and demanding all such advertising, as well as all anti-discrimination activities and so on, stop;
FotF condemns Santa Cruz city council action to join the Pro-Choice City Campaign;
FotF, other groups, condemn sex education funding; the interesting part here is the headline, "NARAL Tells President Bush What to Do";
FotF critical of State of the Union address for not addressing the theocon social agenda; wanted mentions of abortion, stem-cell research, a Federal marriage ban;
FotF happy with Sen. Brownback for reintroducing "Foetal pain awareness act" in the latest variation - the point, as always, is to get doctors parroting theocon positions at abortion-seeking women;
FotF supports HR223, which would send Federal funding to anti-abortion "pregnancy resource centres";
Focus on the Family is very happy that "three states want to bring sacredness back to marriage," which is to say, three state legislatures (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Virginia) have bills floating around which would bar "no-fault" divorce; the practical effect would be that both partners have to agree to divorce, and if one doesn't want to, the other is screwed. There are exceptions - for now, anyway - in the bills;
Concerned Women for America condemns a German teenager's gender reassignment; CWA's Matt Barber declares "the homosexual agenda" to be of a "truly destructive, bleak and evil nature";
CWA calls upon membership to support "Pledge of Allegiance Act," which would prohibit court challenges as described above;
CWA links to a newspaper article about a Dr. William Struthers going around saying pr0n is "crack for the eyes," and "just as addicting, or more so, than drugs"; anybody know anything about this guy?;
CWA links to commentary condemning the HPV vaccine - that prevents cervical cancer - on the Washington Times. The columist, Terence P. Jeffrey, calls the vaccination shot "an invasive procedure [the child] does not want and may not need," and asserts that including it in the standard vaccine regimen is "aimed at socializing the risk of promiscuous sexual behaviour" and says it's aimed at "creating [liberals'] sought-after, if never attainable, Utopia where people can engage in promiscuous sex without fear of consequence";
Christian Post, Concerned Women for America condemn Sundance Film Festival;
Concerned Women for America's Mike Mears cranky about rumours that California governor Schwarzenegger may be willing to sign a GBLT marriage bill if the legislature passes it again.
----- 1 -----
FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions
No Room for Contraception
Online as of 27 January 2007
http://www.noroomforcontraception.com/Resources/Birth-Control-FAQ.htm
If you have a question for the No Room for Contraception team, send an e mail to info@nrfc.net, and we'll post the answer here.
1. What is No Room for Contraception purpose? Why and how did you decide to start it?
The purpose of No Room for Contraception is to expose the harms of contraception on marriage, society and women's health. Both pro-choice and pro-life forces know that the end to legal abortion is coming soon, and many think that we should turn to contraception to decrease the need for abortion; the widespread availability and use of contraception, however, is what created the need for abortion in the first place.
2. What different methods of artificial birth control are there?
The three different kinds of artificial birth control are chemical contraception, barrier contraception and surgical sterilization. Emergency contraception (also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill) is a type of chemical contraception.
3. Does No Room for Contraception oppose all methods of birth control including condoms?
No Room for Contraception opposes all artificial methods of birth control. We support the use of Natural Family Planning for prevention of pregnancy.
Condoms are proven ineffective much of the time in preventing both the transmission of STDs and in preventing pregnancy. By promoting condoms, people are given a false hope and are only encouraged to continue to engage in risky and extramarital sexual activity. This increase in sexual activity increases disease. In the late 1950s, there were only two known types of STDs; now, there are almost 50! If condoms lived up to the expectations of birth control proponents, there would be less disease, not more.
4. What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a scientific method of determining the time a woman ovulates. The time of ovulation is the only time out of a month that a woman can become pregnant and is called the fertile time. Using the NFP method requires that the couple have self-control in order to avoid sexual relations during the wife’s fertile time in order to prevent pregnancy.
5. Is No Room for Contraception a Catholic organization?
The founders of No Room for Contraception are Catholic, however this is not a Catholic organization. The purpose and goal of No Room for Contraception is to expose the harms that artificial contraception brings to marriage and society, and this goal does not require belief in any religious tradition. The Catholic Church has been the only major Christian religion to firmly oppose artificial contraception. Her many documents clearly and prophetically explain this teaching. Because of Her firm leadership against the use of chemical contraception, No Room for Contraception has links to the major Catholic Church documents on this topic, and draws heavily from the works of Catholic theologians and scholars.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
Moscow mayor: Gay parades are ‘satanic’
He rules out allowing event; activists vow to march anyway
Associated Press
Updated: 3:58 p.m. AKT Jan 29, 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16874960/from/RS.4/
MOSCOW - Moscow's mayor vowed Monday never to allow a gay rights parade, calling such events "satanic," but activists said they would defy a city ban.
Yury Luzhkov and city authorities barred activists from staging a parade last year, citing the threat of violence. Activists ignored the ban and were attacked by right-wing protesters and detained by police.
Speaking at a Kremlin event attended by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Luzhkov again lambasted gay and lesbian groups.
"Last year, Moscow came under unprecedented pressure to sanction the gay parade, which can be described in no other way than as satanic," he said to applause in comments broadcast on a city-controlled TV channel. "We did not let the parade take place then, and we are not going to allow it in the future."
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Democratic Bills Target 'Pregnancy Reduction'
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
Hoping to recast the abortion debate, Democrats in Congress are introducing bills that target ways to discourage abortion -- but life advocates question just how "pro-life" those bills really are and the motivations behind them.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., introduced a bill that would clearly open access to emergency contraceptives -- which can sometimes cause an early abortion. [Editor's note: This is not true, but is part of their attempt to link contraception in general as somehow the same as abortion. See previous CWUs for details, or ask if you're confused.]
In the House, however, a bill, sponsored by Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., could attract support from some pro-lifers, because it sounds good on the surface.
"Our bill would reduce the number of abortions in the country," Ryan told CitizenLink. "It has three basic components -- the first is to try to prevent unintended pregnancies to the extent that we can, by making sure that poor women have access to contraception, birth-control pills and the like."
The second component is to increase the adoption tax credit from $10,000 to $15,000. The third is to increase family-planning funding that routinely goes to condom distribution and comprehensive sex ed.
"If a woman does get pregnant and doesn't intend to, we as a society need to do everything we can to help her carry the baby to term," Ryan said. "That is something I hope we can all agree upon."
But Dave Christensen, director of congressional affairs for the Family Research Council, said there is significant disagreement about the bill -- even among pro-life Democrats.
"It is not being supported by any of the 100-percent pro-life members of the House," he said.
Christensen said the bill uses code words like "pregnancy-prevention programs" to mask the true impact.
"By that they mean 'condom distribution,' " he said. "But they also go so far as to fund 'emergency contraception' -- or Plan B."
Probably the most egregious feature of the bill, however, is the increase in funding for family planning.
"The problem is that -- because of regulations from under the Clinton administration -- any organization that gets Title X family-planning money has to refer for abortion," Christensen said. "That means crisis-pregnancy centers, pro-life groups and conservative groups cannot get those funds unless they compromise and refer for abortion."
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood -- the nation's largest abortion provider -- would get a huge boost in federal funding for family-planning services -- from $283 million a year to $647 million.
"In a nutshell, they are saying, 'We want to reduce abortion by funding Planned Parenthood' -- which makes absolutely no sense," Christensen added.
Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, called the Ryan-DeLauro bill "deceptive," but expects it to move through the House.
"This is a bill cooked up by a think tank called Third Way, which is staffed by veteran pro-abortion activists," Johnson said. "The Democratic leadership wants to have it both ways. They want to deliver the goods to the pro-abortion side. And they want to create the perception that they are creating reasonable policies that everybody supports."
Both Christensen and Johnson said there is an alternative Democratic bill, sponsored by Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., that has the support of Democrats for Life as well as many 100-percent pro-life congressmen.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Hawaii Lawmaker Seeks Marriage Benefits for Homosexuals
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Legislation that would grant same-sex couples all the rights of married couples has been filed in the Hawaii Legislature, The Associated Press reported.
State law already allows same-sex couples to become reciprocal beneficiaries. In 1998 voters approved a state Constitutional amendment that gave the Legislature the power to define marriage, and lawmakers defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Eduardo Hernandez, executive director of The LGBT Center, said reciprocal benefits aren't enough.
"It offers some benefits for some couples, but does not approach even a hint of equality," he said. "The new bill was designed to be as equal as possible to marriage and still be constitutionally viable."
But Kelly Rosati, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum, called the bill an attempt by gay activists to circumvent the law protecting marriage.
"It's simply everything that is marriage by another name," she said. "It is all the rights and benefits of marriage -- but it is called civil unions -- and we think it becomes virtually indistinguishable."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit the Hawaii Family Forum Web site. ( http://www.hawaiifamilyforum.org/ )
----- 5 -----
San Francisco Officials Won't Speak Poorly of Porn Studio
Focus on the Family
February 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
People in a San Francisco neighborhood are frustrated with the city's lack of concern over plans to turn a vacant, historic building into a studio for filming bondage-oriented pornography, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Roberto Hernandez, a community activist, said he and others are asking elected officials to work with them to improve their neighborhood -- something that won't be accomplished if a pornographer moves in.
"How do you tell a child from a school right down the street they are going to be filming pornography there?" he said. "Is it appropriate to have a business -- (near) a school -- that is tying up women and exploiting them?"
But city officials appeared reluctant to say anything negative about a pornographer in the neighborhood.
Amit Ghosh, director of the planning department, said the building is zoned for commercial and industrial use -- and that includes film production.
"The planning code is not really worried with moral propriety," he said.
Peter Ragone, spokesman for Mayor Gavin Newsome, said that office is looking into the concerns.
"You don't want to seem prudish," he said. "The fact that there's going to be a bondage and S&M porno studio in the vicinity of schools gives pause."
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality for Focus on the Family Action, said people may not be able to count on city officials to help them create a family-friendly neighborhood.
"San Francisco officials may have lost their moral bearings long ago," he said, "but if these residents are truly concerned about bondage films being produced in their neighborhood, they should contact the U. S. Department of Justice to investigate possible violations of federal obscenity statutes."
----- 6 -----
Pennsylvania Event to Emphasize Taking a Stand for Life
Focus on the Family
January 29, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Western Pennsylvanians will be called to stronger support of life issues on Feb. 9 and 10.
The event, called Life Support, will be held in Export, Pa., at Cornerstone Ministries. Scheduled speakers include Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council (FRC); Dr. David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at the center for human life and bioethics at FRC; Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute; and Olivia Gans, spokeswoman for National Right to Life.
Breakout seminars will deal with a pro-life worldview, stem-cell research, pregnancy-resource center support and ministering to women hurt by abortion.
Dr. Donn Chapman, senior pastor of Cornerstone Ministries, said the nation is at a point of crisis in protecting preborn life.
"We can never give up because we are right and so much is at stake," he said. "We must do something else and something more."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit Cornerstone Ministries' Web site to learn more. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
----- 7 -----
Texas AG Says Illegal Abortion Should Be Prosecuted
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003748.cfm
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued an opinion Wednesday that any physicians who perform late-term abortions on minors without parental consent should face jail time and lose their license.
In a letter to Republican Rep. David Swinford, Abbott explained that anyone who violates the law is subject to criminal penalties of the Texas Occupations Code.
[...]
Swinford asked for clarification because the Texas Penal Code makes killing "an unborn child at every stage of gestation from fertilization until birth" a crime of capital murder, with exceptions when the child's death is caused by the mother or a physician performing an abortion.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
S.C. Legislature Move Toward Ratifying Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003747.cfm
South Carolina lawmakers are voting on the ratification of a voter-approved state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, The Associated Press reported.
The state Senate has passed it, and it is making its way through the House.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
National Media Largely Ignore Public-School Sex Scandals
Some estimate 5 million students have been involved.
Focus on the Family
1-26-2007
from staff reports
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003744.cfm
The mainstream media have heavily covered sex-abuse scandals in the Catholic Church, but some say the national news media have ignored an estimated 5 million students who have been sexually abused by their public-school teachers.
Terri Miller, president of Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation, suggested a cover up by school officials.
"Reports aren't being made by administrators when these allegations come to light," she said. "They are allowing too many teachers to quietly resign and move on to go molest somebody else's children."
[...]
Bob Knight, director with the Culture and Media Institute, said the media have been no-shows on covering the larger scandal.
"If the media treated the school scandals they way they treated the Catholic Church," he said, "they'd be calling for reforms, top to bottom, they'd be questioning the validity of the institutions themselves."
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Pledge-Protection Bill Reintroduced
SUMMARY: Bill would prevent courts from ruling on challenges.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2006
[Received in email; no URL]
A bill introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives today would prevent federal courts from accepting challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance, specifically the phrase "under God."
Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., said the latest version of his Pledge Protection Act -- now called the Pledge of Allegiance Act -- grew out of Americans' outrage in 2002 after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Pledge unconstitutional because of the words "under God."
"The congressman feels that type of treatment is really a censorship of the rights of those who wish to express certain basic principles that this country was founded upon," said Steve Taylor, Akin's press secretary.
Atheist Michael Newdow sued the Elk Grove Unified School District in Sacramento County, Calif., claiming a policy requiring students to recite the Pledge violated his daughter's religious liberty.
The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004, which ruled 8-0 to dismiss the case on technical grounds.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, noted the high court never ruled on "under God," so Akin's legislation is desperately needed.
"We need the Pledge of Allegiance Act," he said, "in order to prevent out-of-control courts just like the 9th Circuit from deciding that the wording of the Pledge should be revised to meet some politically correct notion the justices have about 'under God.' "
And politically correct notions abound inside and outside courtrooms. Just this month, an Arizona charter school, Tucson Accelerated High School, banned the Pledge.
On Jan. 17, students were told the Pledge would no longer be recited, according to Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney Jeremy Tedesco, who represents two students who challenged the ban.
"The school allowed the student council to vote on whether to continue or discontinue the recitation of the Pledge-- and the student council decided to cease reciting the Pledge at the beginning of every day," Tedesco said.
Students Sam and Robert Lucero, who lost a family member in Iraq and have two siblings fighting there now, brought a U.S. flag to school and began reciting the Pledge, but were told by school officials to stop.
"The good news is that the school did the right thing, and righted the ship, so to speak, once they understood the law," Tedesco said.
Calls to the school were not returned.
Akin's bill passed the House in the last Congress, but failed in the Senate.
"It did very well in the House," Akin's spokesman said. "There was strong bipartisan support, and if it's given a chance in the House again, it will pass."
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, said the new Democratic leadership needs to remember that when the Newdow ruling came down, lawmakers gathered on the Capitol steps to recite the Pledge to encourage children, teachers and Americans.
"Now they need to do more than that," she said. "They need to preserve and protect the Pledge. Children deserve the same freedom to acknowledge God when saying the Pledge that the congressmen enjoyed."
----- 11 -----
Appeals Court: Inmates Have Right to be Taken to Abortion Clinic
Ruling overrides state law forbidding taxpayer dollars from going toward abortions.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that if a pregnant inmate requests to be taken to an abortion clinic, Maricopa County must do it, despite state law that forbids taxpayer funding of abortion services.
According to The Associated Press, Sheriff Joe Arpaio established a policy in 1990 prohibiting the county from paying for the staffing and transportation cost of taking women to abortion clinics -- estimated to cost as much as $1,000 per trip.
Daryl Manhart, a county attorney, pointed out that other courts have ruled taxpayer dollars shouldn't pay for abortion services.
"The state is not obligated to provide resources for that decision," he argued. "If she were outside of the jail, she could execute the decision without our resources."
Abortion is not considered a "medically necessary" procedure, Manhart said.
But Judge Patrick Irvine said since women are taken to health centers for other reasons, to refuse to provide a ride for those seeking to end a pregnancy is discrimination.
"While we recognize that the county might decline to transport an inmate who presents a particular security or liability concern," he wrote, "an indiscriminate ban on all transportation for non-therapeutic abortions does not allow inmates sufficient alternative means to exercise their right to choose to have an abortion."
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action, said the judge's interpretation of state law is unfortunate.
"Sheriff Arpaio's understanding of the Arizona law makes perfect sense. If citizens don't want their tax dollars used in abortions, that would include transporting a female inmate to have one," she said. "Unfortunately, the sheriff's common sense conflicted with judicial rulings, and we know what wins in that scenario."
Arpaio said he intends to appeal the ruling the state's high court.
----- 12 -----
Episcopal Diocese Threatens to Defrock Priests
SUMMARY: As issue is the denomination's stance on homosexuality.
Focus on the Family
from staff reports
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
A bishop in the Episcopal diocese of Virginia is threatening to defrock priests who follow biblical teaching on homosexuality.
Virginia Bishop Peter Lee this week officially warned clergy who disagree with the guidelines that they have six months to change. Twenty-one clergymen have left the diocese over the denomination's stand on the issue.
Patrick Getlein, a diocese spokesman, was reticent to talk about the spiritual implications.
“I’m not really in a position to talk about the theology of this," he told Family News in Focus. "I’m happy to talk about the nuts and bolts of this going on, but if you want that kind of interview, I’d be happy to set you up with someone.”
The Rev. Todd Wetzel of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Cedar Hill, Texas, former director of Episcopalians United, said he’s seen the fallout coming.
“The issue is really on the authority of Scripture and the departures of the Episcopal Church consistently over the last 40 years,” he said. “The Episcopal Church is stepping further down the path of apostasy.”
Bishop Martyn Minns, who will lead the clergy members who have objected, agreed that changing views on moral issues have contributed to the problem, but he said the church should not accommodate the culture.
“I’m more than willing to say that we all fall short and we all need God’s healing and transforming grace," he said. "But when we start saying that God’s intention as is shown in Scripture has now been changed, then we’re really in trouble.”
----- 13 -----
Wyoming Lawmakers Seek to Protect Marriage
SUMMARY: Bill would nullify same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
Wyoming lawmakers are ironing out one of the toughest marriage-protection bills in the nation. Not only would Senate Filing 13 forbid recognition of gay marriages performed elsewhere, it would also void any same-sex marriages performed in the state.
John Birbari, president of the Wyoming Family Coalition, said such protections are necessary to defend against what other states are doing.
“States like Massachusetts and others that are considering same-sex marriage, this bill, if passed, would keep Wyoming from having to recognize those marriages as legal,” he told Family News in Focus.
Glen Lavy, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said until the U.S. Congress passes a marriage-protection amendment, each state must do its part to strengthen existing law. Such laws, he added, have fared well in court.
“It is very defensible," he said. "Forty to 45 states already have defense of marriage bills that are similar to this one.”
----- 14 -----
AFA Boycott Said to Contribute to Ford's Financial Loss
Focus on the Family
January 25, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
The American Family Association (AFA) said last year's $12.7 billion loss by Ford Motor Company is no surprise. AFA launched a boycott against the automotive giant in March 2006 because of its promotion of the homosexual agenda.
Donald Wildmon, chairman of AFA, said nearly 650,000 people signed the boycott, and he said he's confident that many more simply quit buying Ford products.
"The boycott was not totally responsible for all of Ford's financial problems," he said, "but it certainly contributed to them."
Ford helped pay for a voter guide Web site endorsing same-sex marriage, stem-cell research and abortion, Wildmon said. The company also ran ad campaigns targeting gay consumers.
"We have asked Ford several times to remain neutral in the culture battles, as Wal-Mart recently announced they would do," he added. "Ford has consistently refused."
----- 15 -----
Santa Cruz Votes to be a Pro-Abortion City
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000003701.cfm
The Santa Cruz, Calif., City Council passed a resolution Tuesday to give the town the label of "pro-choice," the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.
The resolution, which passed 5-2, authorizes the city to join the Pro-Choice City Campaign -- described as a network of cities dedicated to advocating for "reproductive health choices" -- which always translates as abortion.
[...]
"Declaring Santa Cruz as a pro-choice city is a murder mentality," she said. "We believe the unborn would ask the council, 'Please don't promote and encourage the Santa Cruz mommy's womb to be a tomb.' "
----- 16 -----
NARAL Tells President Bush What to Do
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003702.cfm
NARAL Pro-Choice America is demanding President Bush unite the country in support of nine bills it claims would prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.
NARAL claims the legislation would bridge the pro-abortion/pro-life divide by helping women prevent unintended pregnancies. The bills deal with condom-based sex education, increased funding for abortion providers and forcing pharmacists to dispense the so-called morning-after pill in spite of objections that it can sometimes cause an early abortion.
Judie Brown, president of American Life League, called the bills dangerous.
"It's dangerous because it would quadruple the amount of funding going to organizations like Planned Parenthood," she told Family News in Focus.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Bush Speech Silent on Most Pro-Family Issues
Family advocates wish he had addressed the concerns of the people, not the new Congress.
by Pete Winn, associate editor
Focus on the Family
1-24-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000003705.cfm
Pro-family leaders say President Bush missed a golden opportunity to define the final two years of his administration by not speaking in defense of the family Tuesday night during his annual State of the Union address.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins praised Bush for challenging Congress to protect Americans against Islamo-fascism and for how he dealt with the bulk of issues he touched on in the 50 minute-long address -- health care, energy, education, Iraq, immigration and spending reform.
It's what Bush didn't say that caught Perkins' attention.
"The president failed to challenge the new majority to advance core family and cultural issues -- issues of faith, family and freedom -- that many in the new congressional majority campaigned upon last fall," he said
The speech neglected any mention of strong families -- and the "culture of life" the president has referenced in past speeches.
"As the new leadership of this Congress seeks to advance ineffective and unethical stem-cell research, not to mention funding for Planned Parenthood," Perkins said, "the president failed to draw a line in the sand on behalf of life."
He added that Bush could have mentioned marriage, the child tax credit, or even permanent tax relief -- but did not. Instead, he sent a basic message challenging the new Congress to join him in advancing bipartisan solutions to strengthen the union.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act Reintroduced
Focus on the Family
January 22, 2007
[Received in email; no URL]
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, today reintroduced the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.
The legislation would require abortionists to inform mothers who seek abortions 20 weeks after fertilization that their child is able to feel pain.
“It is a scientific, medical fact that unborn children feel pain,” Brownback said in announcing the legislation. “We know that unborn children can experience pain based upon anatomical, functional, physiological and behavioral indicators that are correlated with pain in children and adults. Mothers seeking an abortion have the right to know that their unborn children can feel pain.”
[Editor's note: Actually, from what I've read, this isn't true either. The brain isn't developed enough yet, not until much later in pregnancy than 20 weeks. I haven't done enough research on this to be on as firm ground here as I usually am, tho'.]
The bill would also have the abortionist recommend anesthesia for the child, if the mother chooses to continue with an abortion, in hopes it will make it clear that she is aborting a human being.
----- 19 -----
Informed-Choice Bill May Have Tough Time in Congress
Pro-life legislation not welcomed by House Democratic leaders.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003693.cfm
The House is considering a plan that would give government grants to community-based pregnancy-resource centers for the purchase of ultrasound equipment. But with the current leadership in Congress, the legislation may have a tough time getting through committee.
H.R. 223, the Informed Choice Act, would authorize the secretary of Health and Human Services to offer federal money to clinics that provide free services to women, according to its sponsor, Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla.
"Ultrasound equipment can give women, particularly poor women, an opportunity to see the fetus and understand the scope of what they're doing, if they have an unplanned pregnancy," the congressman said.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
No-Fault Divorce Reform Needed
Three states want to bring sacredness back to marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
1-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000003694.cfm
Citing high divorce rates as proof, same-sex marriage advocates have long argued that heterosexuals have not done a great job of keeping marriage sacred. But three states are brewing a plan to combat the trend by reforming no-fault divorce.
Under no-fault divorce -- the law in all 50 states -- all that's required is one unhappy spouse. He or she doesn't need a reason to end the marriage. Since no-fault divorce swept the nation in the 1970s, 38 million marriages have dissolved, according to Mike McManus, cofounder of Marriage Savers.
"(No-fault divorce) has destroyed or . . . scarred the lives of 35 million children who are now, as they grow up, finding it very difficult to bond with someone of the opposite sex," he told Family News in Focus.
While 27 states have passed constitutional amendments affirming marriage as being between one man and one woman -- efforts McManus applauds -- he wonders why divorce isn’t being addressed as well.
Three states want to change that. Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia are considering mutual-consent divorce proposals; meaning both spouses must agree to split, if there are children involved. The proposals include exceptions for abuse and adultery.
Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, said the government can change the perception of the institution.
"When we allow people to enter into marriage with the understanding that they can walk away from that vow for no cause, and the other spouse cannot contest it," she said, "we're sending a message to young people that marriage is not permanent."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the state of marriage in the U.S., read Glenn T. Stanton's article, "How is Marriage Dying in Our Culture?"
----- 21 -----
CWA: Political Correctness Endangers Child; Youngest Boy in History to Undergo Sex Change
Concerned Women for America
1/29/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12242/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. ––A 14-year-old German boy has decided to undergo a sex change, making him the youngest patient in history to receive this extreme procedure. The young boy Tim, who prefers to be called “Kim,” has wanted gender reassignment surgery since he was 12 and claims to have considered himself female since age two. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is saddened that doctors and parents have fostered this young boy’s gender confusion and are allowing him to go forward with the surgery.
“This poor kid’s situation really undercuts the homosexual lobby’s deceptive equality-fluff and hyperbole,” said Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues. “It casts a bright light on the truly destructive, bleak and evil nature of the homosexual agenda. Has our world completely lost all sanity? That parents would allow their child to be treated like this is mind-boggling.
“Rather than addressing the emotional or chemical problems responsible for Tim’s gender confusion, his parents and doctors have bought into the homosexual lobby’s PC puffery hook, line and sinker. They’re about to rob him of his ability to father a child, and render him horribly disfigured and further confused. It’s not just a tragedy. It’s a travesty.”
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
CWA Urges Congress to Pass the Pledge Protection Act
Protect the Pledge
Concerned Women for America
1/25/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12231/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
Washington, D.C. –– Today, the Pledge of Allegiance Act, a bill to ensure that children across America can say the phrase “under God” when reciting our nation’s oath, will be introduced by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Missouri) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill grew out of Americans’ outrage over the Ninth Circuit ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is “unconstitutional” because it contains the words “under God.” It would prevent lower federal courts from ruling on the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Concerned Women for America (CWA) President Wendy Wright said, “When this ridiculous ruling was announced, congressmen gathered on the steps of the Capitol to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to encourage children, teachers and Americans. But they need to do more than that – they need to preserve and protect the Pledge. Children deserve the same freedom to acknowledge God when saying the Pledge that the congressmen enjoyed on the steps of the Capitol.
“Americans are bonded by a special patriotism and loyalty to our country and a sense of gratitude for the liberties we enjoy. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance kindles that bond of patriotism between Americans, and the important phrase ‘under God’ is a humble acknowledgement of Whom our country recognizes as our ultimate Authority. While we understand that some judges believe themselves to be decisive authorities who should not be questioned or criticized, the Pledge stands as a reminder that America is ‘one nation, under God.’
“Congressmen have an opportunity in this bill to show whether their support for the Pledge and against activist judges is merely symbolic or sincere. Concerned Women for America encourages Congress to protect the Pledge of Allegiance and restrain activist judges from stripping God from public speech.”
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 23 -----
‘Crack For The Eyes’
Daily News Record Online
Posted 2007-01-27
EMU Speaker Discusses Science Of Porn
By Heather Bowser
http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=8448&CHID=2
HARRISONBURG — The same scenario happens time and time again.
It’s a dreary evening after a long day at work. A man — stressed from issues at the office and fussy toddlers in the kitchen — retreats to the backroom to surf the net.
"I just need to unwind," he thinks to himself.
But this is where his real problems begin, says Dr. William Struthers, a psychology professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton Ill.
A few mouse clicks later, guilt washes over him. He did it again — he looked at pornography. And sadly, Struthers says, this probably won’t be the last time.
"Pornography is crack for the eyes," said Dr. William Struthers, "Porn is just as addicting, or more so, than drugs."
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
Socializing sexual risk
By Terence P. Jeffrey
The Washington Times
January 19, 2007
http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20070118-084416-7068r.htm
A movement has started in this country that ought to permanently dispel the myth that liberals embrace a right to privacy.
Here is the issue: Can the government compel a pre-teen girl to undergo an invasive procedure she does not want and may not need, whose long-term adverse affects cannot yet be known and which, according to the Food and Drug Administration, opens her to the already demonstrated, albeit minor, risk of certain short-term adverse affects? You might think liberals would rank an invasion of privacy of this magnitude right up there with, say, warrantless eavesdropping on al Qaeda. Strangely, they do not.
Why not? Well, the specific procedure envisioned here is a series of injections to immunize girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Unlike the measles, which a girl could give to a classmate simply by showing up at school contagious, HPV can only be transmitted by intimate contact of a sort that as far as I know has not yet become officially sanctioned classroom activity even in the most progressive school districts. Infection with some forms of this venereal virus can lead to cervical cancer.
[...]
Ultimately, any mandate for a venereal-disease vaccine is aimed at socializing the risk of promiscuous sexual behavior. It is about using the power of government to make all of the people bear some of the cost created by the reckless behavior of some of the people.
[...]
Yet, the greatest costs will be moral and cultural, as the venereal-vaccine promoters clearly know. "But realizing the vaccine's potential will depend on addressing worldwide issues of social and cultural resistance, which are already threatening to slow Gardasil's roll-out in the U.S.A.," the Lancet editorialized last June. "Such issues of social and cultural acceptability are important to address now, not least because similar arguments will apply to an HIV vaccine, if one is ever developed."
Advocates of universal vaccination against venereal diseases realize that traditional cultural values are an obstacle to creating their sought-after, if never attainable, Utopia where people can engage in promiscuous sex without fear of consequence. So, traditional cultural values must go.
[More at URL]
----- 25 -----
Sundance Film Fest Accused of Helping Porn Industry
By Kevin Jackson
Christian Post Reporter
Thu, Jan. 25 2007 06:44 PM ET
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070125/25412_Sundance_Film_Fest_Accused_of_Helping_Porn_Industry.htm
Some Christians have accused Zoo and Hounddog, two movies presented at the Sundance Film Festival this week, of aiding the porn industry.
The Concerned Women for America (CWA) made the accusation due to the movies’ inclusion of bestiality and a sexual assault scene involving a 12-year-old girl.
"I doubt that either one of these films deals with the reality of the subject, which would include all of the harms to the individual and to society," says Jan LaRue, chief legal counsel for the CWA, according to One News Now.
LaRue even dubbed the festival with her own pun: "The Sundance Sleaze Festival."
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
California Governor Ponders ‘Gay’ Marriage (2:44)
Concerned Women for America
1/29/2007
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12244/CWA/family/index.htm
Recent media reports indicate that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is considering actions to promote “gay” marriage in the state, despite the expressed wishes of voters. Mike Mears, CWA’s Director of State Legislative Relations has more on this and what it means for grassroots activists in the state.
[Mike Mears: "Rumour has it that the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to change course and actually sign a gay marriage bill." Claims Tom Arnold talked Schwarzenegger into it, Claims Tom Arnold said, "Gay marriage - I want it, and I know he feels the same way." "Gay activists have confirmed that they have been talking to unnamed sources... that are signaling that the governor may be changing his mind." Calls on theocons to continue pressuring Gov. Schwarzenegger to veto any future bill. Also warns about "several bills that are favourable to the gay agenda." Promotes cwfa.org's California organisation.]
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-01-30 05:12 pm (UTC)I've said it before: if Jesus doesn't show up by 2050, His promise of eternal life will be a pathetic and paltry offering compared to what we'll be able to do for ourselves.
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Date: 2007-01-30 09:05 pm (UTC)yay compassionate conservatives!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070130/ap_on_re_us/jailed_rape_victim
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Date: 2007-01-30 10:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-02 02:33 am (UTC)