Today's Cultural Warfare Update
Apr. 23rd, 2007 10:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
solarbirdToday's Cultural Warfare Update has a special Musical Presentation, pointer courtesy ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ysabel. I wouldn't feel confident playing it at work. Just sayin'.
And now, today's news - or at least the first half of it, look for another half tomorrow.
The VA finally gives in; Wiccan soldiers will be allowed to have pentacles on their gravestones, as members of other religious faiths are allowed to do;
Balkinization has some good commentary on the short-term effects of Gonzales v. Carhart (2007);
FotF reports a Michigan student was sent home over a counter-protest to the Day of Silence protest against school bullying;
FotF cranky at "transgender" student (ftm, maybe? Maybe genderqueer, hard to say) who ran for Prom King;
FotF reports that New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) will introduce a GBLT marriage equality bill;
FotF claims that the Alliance Defense Fund's anti-gay "Day of Truth" protest doubled its participation count up to 7,000 students this year;
FotF short news blurb about Gov. Christine Gregoire (D-WA) signing the domestic partnership bill in Washington State;
Faith and Freedom Network celebrates Supreme Court upholding the ban on so-called "partial birth" abortions, talks about the need to win more elections to get more judges like Mr. Alito and Mr. Roberts appointed;
Faith and Freedom Network condemns 1960 court decision removing official prayer from the public schools, demands legislation of their version of morality and the ending of "legislating immorality," though they don't get specific about what that is;
FFN condemns Govenor Gregoire's signing of the DP benefits bill in Washington State, promotes its "Change the State in '08" campaign to elect theoconservatives;
FotF successfully convinces State Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia, SC) to withdraw her bill to include the anti-cervical-cancer vaccine in the school vaccination regime for South Carolina;
Michigan State House taking up embryonic stem-cell research bill; "Michigan Right to Life" and FotF are, of course, opposed, saying there's "no compromise here";
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to contact senators about a vote on an amendment to yank RU-486 from the market; the amendment failed, but FotF wants thanks for the votes against and criticism against senators for votes for;
FotF and "Florida Family Association" unhappy with Shell for returning Playboy and Penthouse to sales counters;
FotF condemns bill in Congress that would codify abortion rights in Federal law;
FotF promotes the Family Research Council's "Values Voter Summit" this fall; the Family Research Council is a spinoff of Focus on the Family, if you're not aware of the history;
Jewish Sephardi leader blames Reform Jews in Germany for the Holocaust;
FotF and Alliance Defense Fund continue lawsuit defending anti-gay T-shirt worn as part of the ADF's anti-gay "Day of Truth" school protests;
FotF critical of Alaska for not sending an anti-gay ballot measure - one that would revoke health benefits for same-sex partners of state employees - to the ballot;
FotF report on Oklahoma vetoing anti-abortion bill;
FotF, state chair of the Republican party, condemn New Hampshire domestic-partnership legislation being signed into law;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM in Ohio to support law that would "strengthen the state’s indecency laws";
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM on Minnesota Domestic Partnership bill and against a sex-ed bill that isn't abstinence-only; they are, of course, against both in any form;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to demand state constitutional amendment ballot measure in Massacusetts to overturn marriage rights for same-sex couples;
FotF condemns Bush administration/HHS study showing that abstinence-only education has no value in preventing pregnancy;
FotF ACTION ITEM is a big one - to support 12(!) different anti-abortion amendments and riders in Congress;
Focus on the Family continues to revive the "special rights" rhetoric in condemning an Oregon civil rights bill that includes sexual orientation; they also condemn a domestic partnership bill that is likely to pass;
FotF ACTION ITEM claims that "hate crimes" legislation is being created specifically for GBLT people (in reality, last I heard, the bill would add sexual orientation to the list in pre-existing bills), saying that this would "grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting them apart as a special class of citizen"; claims that if the bill passed, "Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs";
Focus on the Family article celebrates the Supreme Court upholding the ban on so-called "partial birth" abortion, a term the anti-abortion-rights movement made up; calls it "Nazi-esque barbarism"; notes that Bush appointees to the Supreme Court were the deciding factor; note that this bill provides no health exemption;
Alliance Defense Fund sues New York State over a state decision to recognise Canadian marriages for the purposes of retirement benefits;
Today's Cultural Warfare Update Special Musical Presentation.
----- 1 -----
Wiccans will be allowed to place pentacles on graves, VA says
Associated Press
Last update: April 23, 2007 – 9:28 AM
http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1138325.html
MADISON, Wis. — Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday.
The settlement calls for the Wiccans' pentacle, a five-pointed star representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.
There are 11 families nationwide that are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., and a party to the lawsuit.
"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day,'' she said.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
The Big News About Gonzales v. Carhart-- It's the Informed Consent, Stupid
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Balkinization
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-news-about-gonzales-v-carhart.html
You might think that the Gonzales case will affect only one infrequently used medical procedure, intact dilation and evacuation (D&E).
Think again.
Justice Kennedy argues that the government may ban intact D&E because it has the right, under the Casey decision, to ensure that a woman's choice is informed. Kennedy then argues that given a mother's natural love for her child, some women will regret having abortions after the fact. And some women may especially regret having an abortion if they knew the details of the procedure-- intact D&E-- used to perform the abortion. Hence, Kennedy argues, the state may ban that procedure, because it will cause some women not to have abortions, and because it will force doctors to "find different and less shocking methods to abort the fetus in the second trimester."
[,,,]
The state will justify all of these demands to doctors under the rubric of informing women about their choices and the consequences of those choices. Pro-choice advocates will point out that these attempts at "informed consent" go far beyond that. They are attempts to frighten and upset women in the hopes that they will not have abortions. The problem, however, is that Kennedy's language encourages the passage of these new laws (South Dakota has already adopted one); it suggests that many of them may be constitutional. Thus Kennedy'shis opinion opens the door for states to pass increasingly unreasonable versions of abortion restrictions designed to frighten, manipulate, and discomfit women under the guise of providing informed consent.
This consequence of Gonzales v. Carhart is hardly accidental. It is the result of a long and sustained strategy by pro-life advocates that has now borne fruit in Supreme Court doctrine. In his discussion of informed choice and in his purple prose about the natural bonds of love between mothers and children-- call it Kennedy's "mother and child reunion" speech-- Justice Kennedy adopts some of the rhetoric of Operation Outcry-- an anti-abortion group which has honed the new style of pro-life rhetoric. The basic goal of this new rhetoric is to undermine the notion that women exercise any kind of choice when they decide to have abortions. It seeks to turn the rhetoric of the pro-choice movement on its head. Women, the new rhetoric argues, don't really understand what they are doing when they decide to have abortions; as a result, they often regret having them later on.
[...]
Cassidy's argument is that because of the kind of culture we live in, women who think they know what they are doing when they have abortions actually don't know. They only think they know at the time. Later on, they will come to regret it, and we can say that they weren't informed. And because we can't tell which women will come to regret the decision later on, the state needs to pass laws that discourage all women from having abortions.
This is the New Paternalism that is now central to the rhetoric of the pro-life movement. Either a woman is crazy when she undergoes an abortion, or she will become crazy later on.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Student Sent Home for Protest of Gay Day of Silence
At issue: A piece of tape on his shirt that read, 'I'm straight.'
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004459.cfm
A 15-year-old Michigan student's expression of mild opposition to a pro-homosexual event at his school got him sent home for the day. Now he's arguing for his right to free speech.
David Gardner didn’t agree with Oakridge High School's observance of the Day of Silence, during which proponents of homosexuality place tape over their mouths or refuse to speak, even in class. As part of the event, participants pass out pro-gay literature to students.
David grabbed a piece of tape, wrote "I’m straight" on it and stuck it to his shirt as his personal protest.
"Something just clicked," he told Family News in Focus. "I was like, you know, this is wrong, and somebody’s got to stand up, so I did."
Some of David’s friends expressed their support by printing Bible verses on T-shirts and wearing them to school. Two were asked to go home on Friday because of the shirts.
Gardner said his courage comes from the messages his father, John Gardner, preaches.
“When is the church of Jesus Christ going to come out of its closet and take its place in society the way it’s supposed to be?" his father asked. “If we don’t stand up sooner or later, we’re going to run into more trouble than we’re going to know what to do with.”
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Girl Who Sought to Be Prom King Loses
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004454.cfm
Classmates did not support a Fresno, Calif., girl who ran for prom king – instead electing a boy to the role.
Cinthia Covarrubias, a senior at Fresno High School, considers herself to be transgender. She ran for prom king, she said, to break the barrier for future transgender students.
[..]
Covarrubias put her own agenda ahead of the rest of the school, Giles said, and in doing so put them all “in an awkward position.”
Michael Martin, a junior at the school, did not vote for Covarrubias.
“She should not have run,” he said. “It’s creepy.”
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
New York Governor Pushes Same-Sex Marriage
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004457.cfm
Gov. Eliot Spitzer will introduce a bill in the coming weeks to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, his spokeswoman said Friday, a move that would propel New York to the forefront of one of the most contentious issues in politics.
Though he had promised during his campaign last year to introduce legislation to legalize it, Spitzer did not mention the issue in his State of the State speech in January or in remarks a week ago outlining his priorities for the remainder of the legislative session.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Number of Day of Truth Participants Double
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004455.cfm
Nearly 7,000 students participated in the Alliance Defense Fund’s (ADF) third-annual Day of Truth.
In 2005, about 1,100 students registered; last year, nearly 3,000 did.
Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel for ADF, said the event gives students the opportunity to present a different viewpoint than the Day of Silence, when students offer support of homosexuality.
“Christian students should be allowed to express their viewpoint just like any other student,” Johnson said. “For quite some time now, students have been hearing only one side of the story on this issue. But truth emerges when both sides of the issues are presented.”
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Washington Governor Signs Domestic Partnership Bill
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004456.cfm
Same-sex couples will be able to register as domestic partners in Washington state starting this summer, after Gov. Chris Gregoire on Saturday signed a measure into law that will grant some of the rights of marriage.
[...]
"I think it's an unfortunate step backward, not knowing where it will lead us culturally," Joseph Fuiten, a pastor who is the leader of Positive Christian Agenda, told The Associated Press.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Major Victory for Life
Faith and Freedom Network
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/major-victory-for-life.html
Earlier this morning the United States Supreme Court upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.
[...]
This is a major victory for pro-life people. It is important that we look at how the Court voted in the 5-4 ruling.
Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Anthony Kennedy voted to uphold the Act that President Bush signed into law in 2003.
[...]
Beyond the victory for life that is represented in this decision, we must also take from this the importance of elections.
Electing a pro-life conservative President translates to the appointment of judges that rule from an interpretation of the Constitution, not their personal agenda.
And elections are important all the way to the local level.
Faith & Freedom’s “Change the State in ‘08” campaign is well under way.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
Faith and Freedom Network
Thursday, April 19, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/should-christians-be-involved-in.html
Rev. Jedidiah Morse said in 1779, “Our dangers are of two kinds, those which affect our religion, and those which affect our government … Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessing which flow from them, must fall with them.”
If the foundations are destroyed, this country, as we have known it, is destroyed.
Charles Finney (1792-1875), another great preacher and Christian leader said, “Politics are apart of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of their duty to God.”
During the founding era, the Christian church pulpits were one of the primary sources for information. Education was guided by a Christian perspective and churches were at the center of the political community, not on the periphery. Christians of all types exercised political and social leadership.
[...]
Starting in the 1960’s, the Supreme Court removed prayer and scripture from schools with two infamous statements – I’m sure you have read or heard them. It was stated that Bible reading, “could cause psychological damage to students.” The attack on the Ten Commandments began in earnest and they have been subsequently and methodically stripped from the public square. The statement that started the attack was almost unbelievable. It was stated, “If the Ten Commandments were to have any effect at all, it would be to induce students to read them. They will meditate on them. If they meditate on them, they will respect and obey them, and that would be unconstitutional.”
[...]
Christians are often told, “don’t try to legislate morality.” However, all legislation is someone’s morality, and unfortunately, much of our legislation of late is legislating immorality.
The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus by sending a man to ask what His opinion was regarding paying taxes to Caesar. Matthew 22:18 says, “but Jesus knowing their evil intent said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?’” He asked for a coin, then holding it up asked, “Whose portrait is this, and whose inscription?” When they told Him it was Caesar’s, He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s.” The Bible says when they heard that they were amazed and went away.
Clearly, Jesus was pointing out that we, on this earth, have a dual citizenship. While our nationality is “American,” we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. Those two are not mutually exclusive. It is not either, or.
[...]
We must reverse the drift away from God and the principles that made America great. We must stop the misguided and immoral legislation that is being signed into law and people of faith can and must choose better elected officials.
By allowing unrighteousness to lead, we are contributing to the demise of our country and our community.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Gregoire: "This is a very proud moment for me as Governor"
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, April 23, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/gregoire-this-is-very-proud-moment-for.html
Washington State Governor Gregoire, arriving to a standing ovation from about 200 people who had crowded into the reception room at the State Capitol this past weekend, signed into law the Domestic Partnership Bill (SB 5336). Although the law will not take effect until July, the party is well underway.
With both fists raised in the air, the Governor said, “This is a very proud moment for me as Governor.” Referring to stories of gay couples who testified before lawmakers this year about how they had been denied access to dying partners and were not allowed to plan their funerals, the Governor said, “It’s time to put an end to these stories.”
Although some other faith-based organizations have advocated a “reciprocal benefits” bill with the hope that somehow that would derail the rush toward gay marriage in Washington State, Faith & Freedom has been steadfast in our opposition to civil unions, domestic partnerships and reciprocal benefits because they are all equally useful tools and stepping stones toward their ultimate goal, homosexual marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
S.C. House Kills HPV Vaccine Mandate
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004440.cfm
The state House killed legislation Wednesday that would have required seventh-grade girls inSouth Carolina to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer.
[...]
Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, made the motion to kill her own bill.
[More at URL]
----- 12 ----
Michigan House Takes Up Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004441.cfm
A package of three bills that would lift restrictions on stem-cell research in Michigan and increase penalties for cloning was unveiled Thursday.
[...]
"There's no compromise here, and all they've done is added some extra window dressing. This is the same legislation from last year with some bells and whistles," Ed Rivet, legislative director of Michigan Right to Life, told The Detroit News.
"They want to legalize the creation of embryos by cloning so they can be destroyed for research purposes."
Democrats won control of the House in November. Republicans, who control the Senate, haven't made the issue a priority.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
U.S. Senate Committee Votes in Favor of RU-486
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004443.cfm
A Senate committee voted 12-8 on Wednesday against an amendment that would have suspended sales of the abortion pill RU-486.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., put forward the measure, because the drug has killed several women in the U.S.
“We’ve known for years now that RU-486 not only takes a preborn life, but can also prove deadly for the mother,” said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action. “How many more women must die before Congress takes action?”
There was no vote taken on another amendment, which would have lifted the liability protection that shields one of the drugs in the RU-486 chemical-abortion combination.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted mostly along party lines. Republican Judd Gregg of New Hampshire joined the Democrats in voting “No.”
Horn said: “Each of the 12 senators who voted to continue placing the health of pregnant women at risk by allowing this deadly drug to remain on the market must hear outrage from his or her constituents at this flagrant disregard for human life.”
TAKE ACTION
Let your senator know what you think of his or her vote:
PRO-LIFE VOTES (for the amendment):
Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.)
Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Richard Burr (N.C.)
Johnny Isakson (Ga.)
Orrin G. Hatch (Utah)
Pat Roberts (Kan.)
Wayne Allard (Colo.)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)
PRO-ABORTION VOTES (against the amendment):
Judd Gregg (N.H.)
Edward Kennedy (Mass.)
Christopher Dodd (Conn.)
Tom Harkin (Iowa)
Barbara A. Mikulski (Md.)
Jeff Bingaman (N.M.)
Patty Murray (Wash.)
Jack Reed (R.I.)
Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.)
Barack Obama (Ill.)
Bernard Sanders (Vt.)
Sherrod Brown (Ohio)
Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) was not present for the vote.
You may contact them through the CitizenLink Action Center. 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. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 14 -----
Florida Shell Stations Bring Back Porn Magazines
Euphemizes them as 'adult sophisticate' publications.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004444.cfm
Backing off its ban, the Shell Oil Co. is stocking 240 of its branded stores in Florida with pornographic magazines.
The Florida Family Association (FFA) has worked for years to keep porn mags out of convenience stores, but Circle K stores at Shell gas stations will soon be selling Playboy and Penthouse.
[...]
In an e-mail to FFA, Otto O. Meyers III, a spokesman for Shell, wrote, "Our investigation has concluded that these stores are not selling pornography as one would think the general public defines it, but rather 'adult sophisticate' magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse."
But Daniel Weiss, media and sexuality analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the company is clearly in violation of its own policy that prohibits stores from "selling or displaying materials with themes of sex, nudity or prurient interest."
"Just making up a new word doesn't change the policy."
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Dems Seek to Codify Roe
Radical pro-abortion bill would upend state and federal restrictions.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004445.cfm
A day after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion, pro-abortion legislators introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill to codify Roe v. Wade, the ruling that brought about abortion on demand.
It appears that Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., knew how the decision would go and had the legislation written and waiting. Nadler said it would "bar government, at any level, from interfering with a woman's fundamental right to choose to terminate a pregnancy."
The bill is considered a long shot. Similar legislation was introduced in the past several Congresses, but each attempt failed.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the measure would repeal all state and federal abortion restrictions.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Fall Summit Unites Values Voters
National leaders chart course for faith, family and freedom.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004447.cfm
The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit partners an exemplary roster of speakers with values voters who desire to transform the political landscape.
The event, sponsored by FRC Action and co-sponsored by Focus on the Family Action, American Values and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), will focus on issues such as the sanctity of life, the value of marriage, religious freedom, judicial activism and radical Islam. It will be held Oct. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.
“As America faces a crossroads in leadership and direction, four of the nation's premier organizations are partnering together to help chart the country's course on the issues that matter most -- faith, family and freedom,” reads the FRC Action Web site.
All 2008 presidential hopefuls have been invited to speak, as have a myriad of elected officials and leaders of the faith community. (View the list of invited speakers here.)
In addition, participants can attend breakout sessions, book signings, a VIP reception and Family, Faith and Freedom Gala – plus a Sunday morning worship service.
Suzanne Bowdy, spokeswoman for FRC Action, said the goal is to stimulate debate and give values voters insight into the topics surrounding the 2008 election.
"Events usually are either spiritual or political," she said. "This one just happens to be both. It's a great atmosphere."
Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus on the Family Action, said attendees will gain a greater understanding of the democratic process and the vital role they play in protecting life, marriage and religious liberties each time they vote.
“Social conservatives turned out in large numbers in 2004 and had a major impact on the election,” he said. “This conference will be a rallying point for those ‘values voters’ -- as the media calls them -- so they can make informed decisions when they enter the voting booth next year.”
Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the Family Action, said the intended audience ranges from stay-at-home moms to community activists to politicians in all levels of government.
“If you've ever wondered how you can stand for righteousness when you go to the polls,” she said, “then this briefing is for you.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more and to sign up for the Washington Briefing, visit the FRC Action Web site.
----- 17 -----
Reform slam Eliyahu Shoah remarks
The Jerusalem Post
Apr. 17, 2007 19:19 | Updated Apr. 18, 2007 1:52
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1176152817565
The executive director of Arza, the Reform Movement's Zionist arm, called on the Chief Rabbinate Tuesday to chastise Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu for blaming the Holocaust on Reform German Jews.
"Rabbi Eliyahu's outrageous statements point out just how out of touch he is with Jewish reality," said Rabbi Andrew Davids in a telephone interview with The Jerusalem Post from New York. "Anyone with the most basic understanding of German anti-Semitism would understand that there is no relationship between the piety and religiosity of Jews and the violence committed against them."
[...]
"The Reformers started in Germany," explained Eliyahu. "Those redactors of the Jewish faith began in Germany. We learn from this that it is forbidden to attempt to change Judaism."
[...]
"It is not a coincidence that the Holocaust began in Germany," said Shmuel Eliyahu Tuesday. "Whenever Jews try to act like goyim they are punished. It happened during the Spanish Inquisition and it happened during the Holocaust."
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Court Rules ‘Be Happy, Not Gay’ T-Shirt Derogatory
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004422.cfm
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that officials at an Illinois high school can ban a student from wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Be Happy, Not Gay,” while a lawsuit on the matter proceeds, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Naperville student Heidi Zamecnik, now a senior at Neuqua Valley High School, wanted to wear the shirt as part of the Day of Truth -- a national effort by Christian students to publicly oppose homosexual behavior. The campaign follows the Day of Silence -- a day promoting homosexuality.
[Ed. Note: the Day of Silence is a protest against anti-GBLT bullying and violence in schools. Focus on the Family describes it as "promoting homosexuality." This is part of a longstanding tradition in the theocratic movement to declare anything not condemnational of GBLT people to be "promotion."]
----- 19 -----
Alaska in Battle Over Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004423.cfm
The Alaska House will consider a joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the 2008 ballot that would overturn court-ordered benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees.
HJR9, introduced by Republican Rep. John Coghill, seeks to give Alaska voters the opportunity to decide whether homosexual couples should receive the same benefits as married couples.
Alaskans voted overwhelmingly in 1998 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Fourteen homosexual couples, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, challenged the state. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the state was obligated to provide benefits to gays because they couldn’t marry.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Pro-Life Bill
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004419.cfm
Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the state funding of abortion.
[...]
“It’s especially sad that on a day when the U.S. Supreme Court is advancing the cause of life, Oklahoma is moving backwards -- thanks to the governor,” he said. “The idea that taxpayer dollars could be used to perform abortions is terrible.”
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
N.H. Governor to Sign Civil-Unions Law
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004424.cfm
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said today he will sign legislation establishing civil unions for same-sex couples.
[...]
New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions, following Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey. Massachusetts remains the only state with gay marriage. [Ed. Note: this leaves out Washington State, possibly others, but the date order is confusing.]
[...]
"The Democrats are going too far, too fast, and Governor Lynch is going along with them," Fergus Cullen, the state Republican Party chairman, told The Associated Press. "These are not the actions of a moderate governor.”
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Ohio Lawmakers Need Your Opinion on the Community Defense Act
Bill calls for common-sense restrictions on sexually oriented businesses.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004426.cfm
On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Ohio, listeners heard about a bill that would strengthen the state’s indecency laws. The Community Defense Act (CDA), also known as Senate Bill 16, would place two straightforward regulations on all sexually oriented businesses in Ohio. One would limit the hours of operation, while the other would require that nude employees stay a certain distance from patrons.
TAKE ACTION
To find out how you can get involved in getting this legislation passed by May 2, go to the Citizens for Community Values Web site at www.ccv.org and click on the link to the grassroots action center. There you will find out which legislators need to be contacted and how you can do that.
----- 23 -----
Minnesota Lawmakers Need Input on Legislation
Speak up for marriage and abstinence education.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004427.cfm
On the Focus on the Family radio broadcast today, listeners in Minnesota heard about several bills that need attention. Supporters of the homosexual agenda in the state Legislature have introduced domestic partnerships into both the House and Senate. HF 1589 in the House and SF 1398 in the Senate would undermine marriage laws by creating a special legal status for homosexual couples.
The bills could be voted on at any time, and we urge you to encourage your senator and representative to uphold marriage and vote NO on HF 1589 and SF 1398.
State insurance benefits for homosexual couples passed the Legislature at the end of March. The domestic-partnership legislation represents one more rung on the ladder in the quest to redefine marriage for all Minnesotans. An amendment to allow voters to define marriage has been killed in the Judiciary Committee in three previous legislative sessions, denying the voice of the people on this hotly debated issue.
An incremental strategy for legalizing gay marriage has been pursued across the country. Already in 2007, domestic-partnership legislation has passed in Washington state, and civil unions have been legalized in New Jersey. In Connecticut, where civil unions for gay couples were already legal, liberal legislators have introduced homosexual-marriage legislation.
The final bill discussed was House File 615. The bill would establish eight regional training sites to promote comprehensive sex education. If passed, it would mandate all public schools teach children in grades 7 through 12 "comprehensive family life and sexuality education" and encourages it be taught to children in grades K through 6. HF 615 would also promote teaching on homosexual sex practices and alternative lifestyles and would prohibit abstinence-until-marriage curriculum.
TAKE ACTION
If you live in Minnesota, please contact your state legislators and ask them to vote "No" on both domestic-partnership bills and the bill mandating comprehensive sex education. To get contact information for your legislators, visit the Minnesota Family Council’s Web site.
----- 24 -----
Ask Massachusetts Lawmakers to Support Marriage
Tell them you want the chance to vote on marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004425.cfm
On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Massachusetts, listeners heard how to get involved in getting the Protection of Marriage Amendment on the ballot, so the people can decide what marriage is, instead of the courts. Also mentioned on the broadcast are six pastors' briefings.
TAKE ACTION
Please contact Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi and urge them to allow the Protection of Marriage Amendment to come up for a vote during ConCon and to support the marriage amendment as well. To reach them, call the Statehouse at (617) 722-2800 and ask to speak to them both.
Then, we need you to contact your legislators and ask them to vote for the Protection of Marriage Amendment. To get contact info for your legislators, go to www.voteonmarriage.org and click on the Communicate button.
For more information on the pastors' briefings, go to www.voteonmarriage.org.
----- 25 -----
Mathematica Abstinence Study Doesn’t Add Up
A study slamming abstinence-only education fails in the common sense department.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004428.cfm
Liberals are touting a study released by Mathematica Policy Research last week that claims abstinence-only education is not effective in delaying sexual activity among unmarried youth. But family advocates say many other studies show that abstinence education keeps kids safe and healthy.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hired Mathematica to evaluate the impact of federal funding of abstinence-only programs -- totaling $87.5 million since 1998. Recipients of that Title V money are required to teach abstinence as the “expected standard” and that sex outside of marriage may “have harmful psychological and physical effects.”
Mathematica declared the programs it examined ineffective and possibly medically inaccurate.
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
U.S. House to Take Up Legislation to Protect Life
Democratic majority threatens a dozen pro-life riders.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004429.cfm
As Congress begins to take up annual appropriations bills, lawmakers also will have to decide on several pro-life riders to those bills -- riders are provisions regularly attached to unrelated legislation that's likely to pass.
In the past, the riders generally have survived. This year, with Democrats in charge, it could be a different story.
Such riders include the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which prevents funding for organizations that participate in coercive abortion programs; the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding of abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother; and the Helms Amendment, which prevents foreign aid from being spent on abortion services.
“We have every reason to believe that (President) Bush will soon issue a letter that will basically say that he will veto legislation … if there is any attempt to weaken or nullify” current pro-life policy, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., told LifeSiteNews.
“The use of these ‘riders’ really goes back to the 1970s,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee. “One of the few opportunities for the pro-life community to advance anything was the appropriations bills.”
An estimated 1 million preborn babies have been saved since 1976, thanks to the Hyde Amendment, Johnson said.
“The advantage is, of course, Congress does have to appropriate money to keep the government running,” he said. “These bills are vehicles that do get signed into law. The downside is … they have to be re-enacted every year.”
Johnson said “there are enemies for each and every one” of the 12 pro-life provisions. The Democrats will have to decide if they want to embroil their bills in an abortion fight and a veto threat.
“Numerous pro-life riders have provided a longstanding crucial framework within which to protect and expand the culture of life,” said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
“People need to contact their representative and senators, urging them to protect these pro-life riders.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click here to see the letter from the representatives and here to see the one from senators.
TAKE ACTION
Urge your representative and senators to protect the pro-life riders in the appropriations bills and to vote for pro-life provisions in the bills reported out of the Appropriations Committee. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Protect Pro-Life Riders" button in the e-mail to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 27 -----
Oregon House OKs Benefits for Gay Couples
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004407.cfm
Same-sex couples would receive the same benefits as married couples, and homosexuals would be granted special protection under bills approved Tuesday by the Oregon House.
The Senate is expected to pass the two bills, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expected to sign them.
The first would enable same-sex couples to enter contractual relationships that grant the same benefits as married couples.
[...]
The other bill would grant gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people special rights in to employment, housing and access to public accommodations.
[Ed. Note: The theoconservative movement has been using "special rights for gays" as a description for antidiscrimination protection on the basis of sexual orientation since the 1990s. They lie in that these bills protect straight people from discrimination on the basis of heterosexuality as well; the treatment is equal. However, "special rights for homosexuals" plays well to their audience.]
[More at URL]
----- 28 -----
Ex-Gays, African-American Leaders Oppose Hate-Crimes Bill
Family advocates say Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004408.cfm
Former homosexuals and African-American leaders have joined forces to strongly oppose efforts to create a class of felonies known as hate crimes.
H.R. 1592 would grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting them apart as a special class of citizen, and contradicts the constitutional mandate of equal protection under the law. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security will hold hearings on the bill this week. A vote on the measure is expected by the end of the month.
Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International and a former homosexual, called it the first step down a slippery slope toward thought police and religious persecution.
“We’re going to see Christians persecuted for their beliefs, for simply stating that they oppose homosexuality," he said. "We’re seeing it in other parts of the world and it's just a matter of time, given this type of legislation, that we’ll see the very same type of things happening in the United States.”
Gay activists have borrowed heavily from the civil rights playbook in promoting the legislation. Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition takes exception to that strategy.
"It was always wrong for people to beat up other people or to kill other people or to lynch them," he said. “If the laws are enforced, then I believe that our nation is strong.”
A joint news conference scheduled for Tuesday was canceled out of respect for victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy.
TAKE ACTION
Let your representative and senators know what you think about hate-crimes legislation. You may contact them through the CitizenLink Action Center. 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. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 29 -----
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion
'Decision represents an awakening of the conscience of a nation.'
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004410.cfm
Pro-life advocates around America are celebrating the “first true judicial victory for the unborn since Roe v. Wade.”
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act -- which Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 -- does not violate a woman’s right to an abortion, as several federal courts had ruled.
[...]
“Today, the Supreme Court takes the scalpel out of the hands of abortionists who would brutally and fatally puncture the skulls of babies who are just inches and moments away from birth,” said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action.
Dr. James C. Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, said: “We thank God that the Supreme Court has affirmed the value of human life by banning the Nazi-esque barbarism that is partial-birth abortion.
[...]
Along with Bush appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito, other justices voting to uphold the ban were Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.
“The Supreme Court's decision is an affirmation of the progress we have made over the past six years in protecting human dignity and upholding the sanctity of life,” Bush said in a statement. “We will continue to work for the day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law.”
[More at URL]
----- 30 -----
N.Y. Case Challenging Same-Sex Marriages Goes Forward
Focus on the Family
4-17-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004388.cfm
A New York Supreme Court judge will allow a case to go forward that questions the state's recognition of same-sex marriages performed in Canada. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed suit on behalf of New York taxpayers in 2006 seeking to block the state comptroller's attempts to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.
[...]
Under New York law, taxpayers have the right to challenge any illegal action by a state official that expends state funds.
The suit, Godfrey v. Hevesi, charges that the New York State Comptroller's office acted illegally when it decided to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages for purposes of retirement benefits.
[More at URL]
----- 31 -----
And now, our Cultural Warfare Update Musical Presentation, courtesy a link forwarded byysabel. Clickie! You know you wanna.
ysabel. I wouldn't feel confident playing it at work. Just sayin'.And now, today's news - or at least the first half of it, look for another half tomorrow.
The VA finally gives in; Wiccan soldiers will be allowed to have pentacles on their gravestones, as members of other religious faiths are allowed to do;
Balkinization has some good commentary on the short-term effects of Gonzales v. Carhart (2007);
FotF reports a Michigan student was sent home over a counter-protest to the Day of Silence protest against school bullying;
FotF cranky at "transgender" student (ftm, maybe? Maybe genderqueer, hard to say) who ran for Prom King;
FotF reports that New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) will introduce a GBLT marriage equality bill;
FotF claims that the Alliance Defense Fund's anti-gay "Day of Truth" protest doubled its participation count up to 7,000 students this year;
FotF short news blurb about Gov. Christine Gregoire (D-WA) signing the domestic partnership bill in Washington State;
Faith and Freedom Network celebrates Supreme Court upholding the ban on so-called "partial birth" abortions, talks about the need to win more elections to get more judges like Mr. Alito and Mr. Roberts appointed;
Faith and Freedom Network condemns 1960 court decision removing official prayer from the public schools, demands legislation of their version of morality and the ending of "legislating immorality," though they don't get specific about what that is;
FFN condemns Govenor Gregoire's signing of the DP benefits bill in Washington State, promotes its "Change the State in '08" campaign to elect theoconservatives;
FotF successfully convinces State Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia, SC) to withdraw her bill to include the anti-cervical-cancer vaccine in the school vaccination regime for South Carolina;
Michigan State House taking up embryonic stem-cell research bill; "Michigan Right to Life" and FotF are, of course, opposed, saying there's "no compromise here";
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to contact senators about a vote on an amendment to yank RU-486 from the market; the amendment failed, but FotF wants thanks for the votes against and criticism against senators for votes for;
FotF and "Florida Family Association" unhappy with Shell for returning Playboy and Penthouse to sales counters;
FotF condemns bill in Congress that would codify abortion rights in Federal law;
FotF promotes the Family Research Council's "Values Voter Summit" this fall; the Family Research Council is a spinoff of Focus on the Family, if you're not aware of the history;
Jewish Sephardi leader blames Reform Jews in Germany for the Holocaust;
FotF and Alliance Defense Fund continue lawsuit defending anti-gay T-shirt worn as part of the ADF's anti-gay "Day of Truth" school protests;
FotF critical of Alaska for not sending an anti-gay ballot measure - one that would revoke health benefits for same-sex partners of state employees - to the ballot;
FotF report on Oklahoma vetoing anti-abortion bill;
FotF, state chair of the Republican party, condemn New Hampshire domestic-partnership legislation being signed into law;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM in Ohio to support law that would "strengthen the state’s indecency laws";
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM on Minnesota Domestic Partnership bill and against a sex-ed bill that isn't abstinence-only; they are, of course, against both in any form;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to demand state constitutional amendment ballot measure in Massacusetts to overturn marriage rights for same-sex couples;
FotF condemns Bush administration/HHS study showing that abstinence-only education has no value in preventing pregnancy;
FotF ACTION ITEM is a big one - to support 12(!) different anti-abortion amendments and riders in Congress;
Focus on the Family continues to revive the "special rights" rhetoric in condemning an Oregon civil rights bill that includes sexual orientation; they also condemn a domestic partnership bill that is likely to pass;
FotF ACTION ITEM claims that "hate crimes" legislation is being created specifically for GBLT people (in reality, last I heard, the bill would add sexual orientation to the list in pre-existing bills), saying that this would "grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting them apart as a special class of citizen"; claims that if the bill passed, "Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs";
Focus on the Family article celebrates the Supreme Court upholding the ban on so-called "partial birth" abortion, a term the anti-abortion-rights movement made up; calls it "Nazi-esque barbarism"; notes that Bush appointees to the Supreme Court were the deciding factor; note that this bill provides no health exemption;
Alliance Defense Fund sues New York State over a state decision to recognise Canadian marriages for the purposes of retirement benefits;
Today's Cultural Warfare Update Special Musical Presentation.
----- 1 -----
Wiccans will be allowed to place pentacles on graves, VA says
Associated Press
Last update: April 23, 2007 – 9:28 AM
http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1138325.html
MADISON, Wis. — Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Monday.
The settlement calls for the Wiccans' pentacle, a five-pointed star representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit to be placed on grave markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.
There are 11 families nationwide that are waiting for grave markers with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., and a party to the lawsuit.
"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for Memorial Day,'' she said.
[More at URL]
----- 2 -----
The Big News About Gonzales v. Carhart-- It's the Informed Consent, Stupid
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Balkinization
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-news-about-gonzales-v-carhart.html
You might think that the Gonzales case will affect only one infrequently used medical procedure, intact dilation and evacuation (D&E).
Think again.
Justice Kennedy argues that the government may ban intact D&E because it has the right, under the Casey decision, to ensure that a woman's choice is informed. Kennedy then argues that given a mother's natural love for her child, some women will regret having abortions after the fact. And some women may especially regret having an abortion if they knew the details of the procedure-- intact D&E-- used to perform the abortion. Hence, Kennedy argues, the state may ban that procedure, because it will cause some women not to have abortions, and because it will force doctors to "find different and less shocking methods to abort the fetus in the second trimester."
[,,,]
The state will justify all of these demands to doctors under the rubric of informing women about their choices and the consequences of those choices. Pro-choice advocates will point out that these attempts at "informed consent" go far beyond that. They are attempts to frighten and upset women in the hopes that they will not have abortions. The problem, however, is that Kennedy's language encourages the passage of these new laws (South Dakota has already adopted one); it suggests that many of them may be constitutional. Thus Kennedy'shis opinion opens the door for states to pass increasingly unreasonable versions of abortion restrictions designed to frighten, manipulate, and discomfit women under the guise of providing informed consent.
This consequence of Gonzales v. Carhart is hardly accidental. It is the result of a long and sustained strategy by pro-life advocates that has now borne fruit in Supreme Court doctrine. In his discussion of informed choice and in his purple prose about the natural bonds of love between mothers and children-- call it Kennedy's "mother and child reunion" speech-- Justice Kennedy adopts some of the rhetoric of Operation Outcry-- an anti-abortion group which has honed the new style of pro-life rhetoric. The basic goal of this new rhetoric is to undermine the notion that women exercise any kind of choice when they decide to have abortions. It seeks to turn the rhetoric of the pro-choice movement on its head. Women, the new rhetoric argues, don't really understand what they are doing when they decide to have abortions; as a result, they often regret having them later on.
[...]
Cassidy's argument is that because of the kind of culture we live in, women who think they know what they are doing when they have abortions actually don't know. They only think they know at the time. Later on, they will come to regret it, and we can say that they weren't informed. And because we can't tell which women will come to regret the decision later on, the state needs to pass laws that discourage all women from having abortions.
This is the New Paternalism that is now central to the rhetoric of the pro-life movement. Either a woman is crazy when she undergoes an abortion, or she will become crazy later on.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
Student Sent Home for Protest of Gay Day of Silence
At issue: A piece of tape on his shirt that read, 'I'm straight.'
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004459.cfm
A 15-year-old Michigan student's expression of mild opposition to a pro-homosexual event at his school got him sent home for the day. Now he's arguing for his right to free speech.
David Gardner didn’t agree with Oakridge High School's observance of the Day of Silence, during which proponents of homosexuality place tape over their mouths or refuse to speak, even in class. As part of the event, participants pass out pro-gay literature to students.
David grabbed a piece of tape, wrote "I’m straight" on it and stuck it to his shirt as his personal protest.
"Something just clicked," he told Family News in Focus. "I was like, you know, this is wrong, and somebody’s got to stand up, so I did."
Some of David’s friends expressed their support by printing Bible verses on T-shirts and wearing them to school. Two were asked to go home on Friday because of the shirts.
Gardner said his courage comes from the messages his father, John Gardner, preaches.
“When is the church of Jesus Christ going to come out of its closet and take its place in society the way it’s supposed to be?" his father asked. “If we don’t stand up sooner or later, we’re going to run into more trouble than we’re going to know what to do with.”
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Girl Who Sought to Be Prom King Loses
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004454.cfm
Classmates did not support a Fresno, Calif., girl who ran for prom king – instead electing a boy to the role.
Cinthia Covarrubias, a senior at Fresno High School, considers herself to be transgender. She ran for prom king, she said, to break the barrier for future transgender students.
[..]
Covarrubias put her own agenda ahead of the rest of the school, Giles said, and in doing so put them all “in an awkward position.”
Michael Martin, a junior at the school, did not vote for Covarrubias.
“She should not have run,” he said. “It’s creepy.”
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
New York Governor Pushes Same-Sex Marriage
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004457.cfm
Gov. Eliot Spitzer will introduce a bill in the coming weeks to legalize same-sex marriage in New York, his spokeswoman said Friday, a move that would propel New York to the forefront of one of the most contentious issues in politics.
Though he had promised during his campaign last year to introduce legislation to legalize it, Spitzer did not mention the issue in his State of the State speech in January or in remarks a week ago outlining his priorities for the remainder of the legislative session.
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Number of Day of Truth Participants Double
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004455.cfm
Nearly 7,000 students participated in the Alliance Defense Fund’s (ADF) third-annual Day of Truth.
In 2005, about 1,100 students registered; last year, nearly 3,000 did.
Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel for ADF, said the event gives students the opportunity to present a different viewpoint than the Day of Silence, when students offer support of homosexuality.
“Christian students should be allowed to express their viewpoint just like any other student,” Johnson said. “For quite some time now, students have been hearing only one side of the story on this issue. But truth emerges when both sides of the issues are presented.”
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Washington Governor Signs Domestic Partnership Bill
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004456.cfm
Same-sex couples will be able to register as domestic partners in Washington state starting this summer, after Gov. Chris Gregoire on Saturday signed a measure into law that will grant some of the rights of marriage.
[...]
"I think it's an unfortunate step backward, not knowing where it will lead us culturally," Joseph Fuiten, a pastor who is the leader of Positive Christian Agenda, told The Associated Press.
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Major Victory for Life
Faith and Freedom Network
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/major-victory-for-life.html
Earlier this morning the United States Supreme Court upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.
[...]
This is a major victory for pro-life people. It is important that we look at how the Court voted in the 5-4 ruling.
Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Anthony Kennedy voted to uphold the Act that President Bush signed into law in 2003.
[...]
Beyond the victory for life that is represented in this decision, we must also take from this the importance of elections.
Electing a pro-life conservative President translates to the appointment of judges that rule from an interpretation of the Constitution, not their personal agenda.
And elections are important all the way to the local level.
Faith & Freedom’s “Change the State in ‘08” campaign is well under way.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
Faith and Freedom Network
Thursday, April 19, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/should-christians-be-involved-in.html
Rev. Jedidiah Morse said in 1779, “Our dangers are of two kinds, those which affect our religion, and those which affect our government … Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessing which flow from them, must fall with them.”
If the foundations are destroyed, this country, as we have known it, is destroyed.
Charles Finney (1792-1875), another great preacher and Christian leader said, “Politics are apart of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of their duty to God.”
During the founding era, the Christian church pulpits were one of the primary sources for information. Education was guided by a Christian perspective and churches were at the center of the political community, not on the periphery. Christians of all types exercised political and social leadership.
[...]
Starting in the 1960’s, the Supreme Court removed prayer and scripture from schools with two infamous statements – I’m sure you have read or heard them. It was stated that Bible reading, “could cause psychological damage to students.” The attack on the Ten Commandments began in earnest and they have been subsequently and methodically stripped from the public square. The statement that started the attack was almost unbelievable. It was stated, “If the Ten Commandments were to have any effect at all, it would be to induce students to read them. They will meditate on them. If they meditate on them, they will respect and obey them, and that would be unconstitutional.”
[...]
Christians are often told, “don’t try to legislate morality.” However, all legislation is someone’s morality, and unfortunately, much of our legislation of late is legislating immorality.
The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus by sending a man to ask what His opinion was regarding paying taxes to Caesar. Matthew 22:18 says, “but Jesus knowing their evil intent said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?’” He asked for a coin, then holding it up asked, “Whose portrait is this, and whose inscription?” When they told Him it was Caesar’s, He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s.” The Bible says when they heard that they were amazed and went away.
Clearly, Jesus was pointing out that we, on this earth, have a dual citizenship. While our nationality is “American,” we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. Those two are not mutually exclusive. It is not either, or.
[...]
We must reverse the drift away from God and the principles that made America great. We must stop the misguided and immoral legislation that is being signed into law and people of faith can and must choose better elected officials.
By allowing unrighteousness to lead, we are contributing to the demise of our country and our community.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
Gregoire: "This is a very proud moment for me as Governor"
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, April 23, 2007
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/gregoire-this-is-very-proud-moment-for.html
Washington State Governor Gregoire, arriving to a standing ovation from about 200 people who had crowded into the reception room at the State Capitol this past weekend, signed into law the Domestic Partnership Bill (SB 5336). Although the law will not take effect until July, the party is well underway.
With both fists raised in the air, the Governor said, “This is a very proud moment for me as Governor.” Referring to stories of gay couples who testified before lawmakers this year about how they had been denied access to dying partners and were not allowed to plan their funerals, the Governor said, “It’s time to put an end to these stories.”
Although some other faith-based organizations have advocated a “reciprocal benefits” bill with the hope that somehow that would derail the rush toward gay marriage in Washington State, Faith & Freedom has been steadfast in our opposition to civil unions, domestic partnerships and reciprocal benefits because they are all equally useful tools and stepping stones toward their ultimate goal, homosexual marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
S.C. House Kills HPV Vaccine Mandate
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004440.cfm
The state House killed legislation Wednesday that would have required seventh-grade girls inSouth Carolina to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer.
[...]
Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, made the motion to kill her own bill.
[More at URL]
----- 12 ----
Michigan House Takes Up Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004441.cfm
A package of three bills that would lift restrictions on stem-cell research in Michigan and increase penalties for cloning was unveiled Thursday.
[...]
"There's no compromise here, and all they've done is added some extra window dressing. This is the same legislation from last year with some bells and whistles," Ed Rivet, legislative director of Michigan Right to Life, told The Detroit News.
"They want to legalize the creation of embryos by cloning so they can be destroyed for research purposes."
Democrats won control of the House in November. Republicans, who control the Senate, haven't made the issue a priority.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
U.S. Senate Committee Votes in Favor of RU-486
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004443.cfm
A Senate committee voted 12-8 on Wednesday against an amendment that would have suspended sales of the abortion pill RU-486.
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., put forward the measure, because the drug has killed several women in the U.S.
“We’ve known for years now that RU-486 not only takes a preborn life, but can also prove deadly for the mother,” said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action. “How many more women must die before Congress takes action?”
There was no vote taken on another amendment, which would have lifted the liability protection that shields one of the drugs in the RU-486 chemical-abortion combination.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted mostly along party lines. Republican Judd Gregg of New Hampshire joined the Democrats in voting “No.”
Horn said: “Each of the 12 senators who voted to continue placing the health of pregnant women at risk by allowing this deadly drug to remain on the market must hear outrage from his or her constituents at this flagrant disregard for human life.”
TAKE ACTION
Let your senator know what you think of his or her vote:
PRO-LIFE VOTES (for the amendment):
Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.)
Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Richard Burr (N.C.)
Johnny Isakson (Ga.)
Orrin G. Hatch (Utah)
Pat Roberts (Kan.)
Wayne Allard (Colo.)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)
PRO-ABORTION VOTES (against the amendment):
Judd Gregg (N.H.)
Edward Kennedy (Mass.)
Christopher Dodd (Conn.)
Tom Harkin (Iowa)
Barbara A. Mikulski (Md.)
Jeff Bingaman (N.M.)
Patty Murray (Wash.)
Jack Reed (R.I.)
Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.)
Barack Obama (Ill.)
Bernard Sanders (Vt.)
Sherrod Brown (Ohio)
Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) was not present for the vote.
You may contact them through the CitizenLink Action Center. 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. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 14 -----
Florida Shell Stations Bring Back Porn Magazines
Euphemizes them as 'adult sophisticate' publications.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004444.cfm
Backing off its ban, the Shell Oil Co. is stocking 240 of its branded stores in Florida with pornographic magazines.
The Florida Family Association (FFA) has worked for years to keep porn mags out of convenience stores, but Circle K stores at Shell gas stations will soon be selling Playboy and Penthouse.
[...]
In an e-mail to FFA, Otto O. Meyers III, a spokesman for Shell, wrote, "Our investigation has concluded that these stores are not selling pornography as one would think the general public defines it, but rather 'adult sophisticate' magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse."
But Daniel Weiss, media and sexuality analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the company is clearly in violation of its own policy that prohibits stores from "selling or displaying materials with themes of sex, nudity or prurient interest."
"Just making up a new word doesn't change the policy."
[More at URL]
----- 15 -----
Dems Seek to Codify Roe
Radical pro-abortion bill would upend state and federal restrictions.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004445.cfm
A day after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion, pro-abortion legislators introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill to codify Roe v. Wade, the ruling that brought about abortion on demand.
It appears that Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., knew how the decision would go and had the legislation written and waiting. Nadler said it would "bar government, at any level, from interfering with a woman's fundamental right to choose to terminate a pregnancy."
The bill is considered a long shot. Similar legislation was introduced in the past several Congresses, but each attempt failed.
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the measure would repeal all state and federal abortion restrictions.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Fall Summit Unites Values Voters
National leaders chart course for faith, family and freedom.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004447.cfm
The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit partners an exemplary roster of speakers with values voters who desire to transform the political landscape.
The event, sponsored by FRC Action and co-sponsored by Focus on the Family Action, American Values and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), will focus on issues such as the sanctity of life, the value of marriage, religious freedom, judicial activism and radical Islam. It will be held Oct. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.
“As America faces a crossroads in leadership and direction, four of the nation's premier organizations are partnering together to help chart the country's course on the issues that matter most -- faith, family and freedom,” reads the FRC Action Web site.
All 2008 presidential hopefuls have been invited to speak, as have a myriad of elected officials and leaders of the faith community. (View the list of invited speakers here.)
In addition, participants can attend breakout sessions, book signings, a VIP reception and Family, Faith and Freedom Gala – plus a Sunday morning worship service.
Suzanne Bowdy, spokeswoman for FRC Action, said the goal is to stimulate debate and give values voters insight into the topics surrounding the 2008 election.
"Events usually are either spiritual or political," she said. "This one just happens to be both. It's a great atmosphere."
Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus on the Family Action, said attendees will gain a greater understanding of the democratic process and the vital role they play in protecting life, marriage and religious liberties each time they vote.
“Social conservatives turned out in large numbers in 2004 and had a major impact on the election,” he said. “This conference will be a rallying point for those ‘values voters’ -- as the media calls them -- so they can make informed decisions when they enter the voting booth next year.”
Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the Family Action, said the intended audience ranges from stay-at-home moms to community activists to politicians in all levels of government.
“If you've ever wondered how you can stand for righteousness when you go to the polls,” she said, “then this briefing is for you.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more and to sign up for the Washington Briefing, visit the FRC Action Web site.
----- 17 -----
Reform slam Eliyahu Shoah remarks
The Jerusalem Post
Apr. 17, 2007 19:19 | Updated Apr. 18, 2007 1:52
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1176152817565
The executive director of Arza, the Reform Movement's Zionist arm, called on the Chief Rabbinate Tuesday to chastise Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu for blaming the Holocaust on Reform German Jews.
"Rabbi Eliyahu's outrageous statements point out just how out of touch he is with Jewish reality," said Rabbi Andrew Davids in a telephone interview with The Jerusalem Post from New York. "Anyone with the most basic understanding of German anti-Semitism would understand that there is no relationship between the piety and religiosity of Jews and the violence committed against them."
[...]
"The Reformers started in Germany," explained Eliyahu. "Those redactors of the Jewish faith began in Germany. We learn from this that it is forbidden to attempt to change Judaism."
[...]
"It is not a coincidence that the Holocaust began in Germany," said Shmuel Eliyahu Tuesday. "Whenever Jews try to act like goyim they are punished. It happened during the Spanish Inquisition and it happened during the Holocaust."
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
Court Rules ‘Be Happy, Not Gay’ T-Shirt Derogatory
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004422.cfm
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that officials at an Illinois high school can ban a student from wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Be Happy, Not Gay,” while a lawsuit on the matter proceeds, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Naperville student Heidi Zamecnik, now a senior at Neuqua Valley High School, wanted to wear the shirt as part of the Day of Truth -- a national effort by Christian students to publicly oppose homosexual behavior. The campaign follows the Day of Silence -- a day promoting homosexuality.
[Ed. Note: the Day of Silence is a protest against anti-GBLT bullying and violence in schools. Focus on the Family describes it as "promoting homosexuality." This is part of a longstanding tradition in the theocratic movement to declare anything not condemnational of GBLT people to be "promotion."]
----- 19 -----
Alaska in Battle Over Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004423.cfm
The Alaska House will consider a joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the 2008 ballot that would overturn court-ordered benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees.
HJR9, introduced by Republican Rep. John Coghill, seeks to give Alaska voters the opportunity to decide whether homosexual couples should receive the same benefits as married couples.
Alaskans voted overwhelmingly in 1998 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Fourteen homosexual couples, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, challenged the state. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the state was obligated to provide benefits to gays because they couldn’t marry.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Pro-Life Bill
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004419.cfm
Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the state funding of abortion.
[...]
“It’s especially sad that on a day when the U.S. Supreme Court is advancing the cause of life, Oklahoma is moving backwards -- thanks to the governor,” he said. “The idea that taxpayer dollars could be used to perform abortions is terrible.”
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
N.H. Governor to Sign Civil-Unions Law
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004424.cfm
New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said today he will sign legislation establishing civil unions for same-sex couples.
[...]
New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions, following Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey. Massachusetts remains the only state with gay marriage. [Ed. Note: this leaves out Washington State, possibly others, but the date order is confusing.]
[...]
"The Democrats are going too far, too fast, and Governor Lynch is going along with them," Fergus Cullen, the state Republican Party chairman, told The Associated Press. "These are not the actions of a moderate governor.”
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
Ohio Lawmakers Need Your Opinion on the Community Defense Act
Bill calls for common-sense restrictions on sexually oriented businesses.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004426.cfm
On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Ohio, listeners heard about a bill that would strengthen the state’s indecency laws. The Community Defense Act (CDA), also known as Senate Bill 16, would place two straightforward regulations on all sexually oriented businesses in Ohio. One would limit the hours of operation, while the other would require that nude employees stay a certain distance from patrons.
TAKE ACTION
To find out how you can get involved in getting this legislation passed by May 2, go to the Citizens for Community Values Web site at www.ccv.org and click on the link to the grassroots action center. There you will find out which legislators need to be contacted and how you can do that.
----- 23 -----
Minnesota Lawmakers Need Input on Legislation
Speak up for marriage and abstinence education.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004427.cfm
On the Focus on the Family radio broadcast today, listeners in Minnesota heard about several bills that need attention. Supporters of the homosexual agenda in the state Legislature have introduced domestic partnerships into both the House and Senate. HF 1589 in the House and SF 1398 in the Senate would undermine marriage laws by creating a special legal status for homosexual couples.
The bills could be voted on at any time, and we urge you to encourage your senator and representative to uphold marriage and vote NO on HF 1589 and SF 1398.
State insurance benefits for homosexual couples passed the Legislature at the end of March. The domestic-partnership legislation represents one more rung on the ladder in the quest to redefine marriage for all Minnesotans. An amendment to allow voters to define marriage has been killed in the Judiciary Committee in three previous legislative sessions, denying the voice of the people on this hotly debated issue.
An incremental strategy for legalizing gay marriage has been pursued across the country. Already in 2007, domestic-partnership legislation has passed in Washington state, and civil unions have been legalized in New Jersey. In Connecticut, where civil unions for gay couples were already legal, liberal legislators have introduced homosexual-marriage legislation.
The final bill discussed was House File 615. The bill would establish eight regional training sites to promote comprehensive sex education. If passed, it would mandate all public schools teach children in grades 7 through 12 "comprehensive family life and sexuality education" and encourages it be taught to children in grades K through 6. HF 615 would also promote teaching on homosexual sex practices and alternative lifestyles and would prohibit abstinence-until-marriage curriculum.
TAKE ACTION
If you live in Minnesota, please contact your state legislators and ask them to vote "No" on both domestic-partnership bills and the bill mandating comprehensive sex education. To get contact information for your legislators, visit the Minnesota Family Council’s Web site.
----- 24 -----
Ask Massachusetts Lawmakers to Support Marriage
Tell them you want the chance to vote on marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004425.cfm
On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Massachusetts, listeners heard how to get involved in getting the Protection of Marriage Amendment on the ballot, so the people can decide what marriage is, instead of the courts. Also mentioned on the broadcast are six pastors' briefings.
TAKE ACTION
Please contact Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi and urge them to allow the Protection of Marriage Amendment to come up for a vote during ConCon and to support the marriage amendment as well. To reach them, call the Statehouse at (617) 722-2800 and ask to speak to them both.
Then, we need you to contact your legislators and ask them to vote for the Protection of Marriage Amendment. To get contact info for your legislators, go to www.voteonmarriage.org and click on the Communicate button.
For more information on the pastors' briefings, go to www.voteonmarriage.org.
----- 25 -----
Mathematica Abstinence Study Doesn’t Add Up
A study slamming abstinence-only education fails in the common sense department.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004428.cfm
Liberals are touting a study released by Mathematica Policy Research last week that claims abstinence-only education is not effective in delaying sexual activity among unmarried youth. But family advocates say many other studies show that abstinence education keeps kids safe and healthy.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hired Mathematica to evaluate the impact of federal funding of abstinence-only programs -- totaling $87.5 million since 1998. Recipients of that Title V money are required to teach abstinence as the “expected standard” and that sex outside of marriage may “have harmful psychological and physical effects.”
Mathematica declared the programs it examined ineffective and possibly medically inaccurate.
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
U.S. House to Take Up Legislation to Protect Life
Democratic majority threatens a dozen pro-life riders.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004429.cfm
As Congress begins to take up annual appropriations bills, lawmakers also will have to decide on several pro-life riders to those bills -- riders are provisions regularly attached to unrelated legislation that's likely to pass.
In the past, the riders generally have survived. This year, with Democrats in charge, it could be a different story.
Such riders include the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which prevents funding for organizations that participate in coercive abortion programs; the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding of abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or life of the mother; and the Helms Amendment, which prevents foreign aid from being spent on abortion services.
“We have every reason to believe that (President) Bush will soon issue a letter that will basically say that he will veto legislation … if there is any attempt to weaken or nullify” current pro-life policy, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., told LifeSiteNews.
“The use of these ‘riders’ really goes back to the 1970s,” said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee. “One of the few opportunities for the pro-life community to advance anything was the appropriations bills.”
An estimated 1 million preborn babies have been saved since 1976, thanks to the Hyde Amendment, Johnson said.
“The advantage is, of course, Congress does have to appropriate money to keep the government running,” he said. “These bills are vehicles that do get signed into law. The downside is … they have to be re-enacted every year.”
Johnson said “there are enemies for each and every one” of the 12 pro-life provisions. The Democrats will have to decide if they want to embroil their bills in an abortion fight and a veto threat.
“Numerous pro-life riders have provided a longstanding crucial framework within which to protect and expand the culture of life,” said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
“People need to contact their representative and senators, urging them to protect these pro-life riders.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click here to see the letter from the representatives and here to see the one from senators.
TAKE ACTION
Urge your representative and senators to protect the pro-life riders in the appropriations bills and to vote for pro-life provisions in the bills reported out of the Appropriations Committee. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Protect Pro-Life Riders" button in the e-mail to be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 27 -----
Oregon House OKs Benefits for Gay Couples
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004407.cfm
Same-sex couples would receive the same benefits as married couples, and homosexuals would be granted special protection under bills approved Tuesday by the Oregon House.
The Senate is expected to pass the two bills, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski is expected to sign them.
The first would enable same-sex couples to enter contractual relationships that grant the same benefits as married couples.
[...]
The other bill would grant gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people special rights in to employment, housing and access to public accommodations.
[Ed. Note: The theoconservative movement has been using "special rights for gays" as a description for antidiscrimination protection on the basis of sexual orientation since the 1990s. They lie in that these bills protect straight people from discrimination on the basis of heterosexuality as well; the treatment is equal. However, "special rights for homosexuals" plays well to their audience.]
[More at URL]
----- 28 -----
Ex-Gays, African-American Leaders Oppose Hate-Crimes Bill
Family advocates say Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004408.cfm
Former homosexuals and African-American leaders have joined forces to strongly oppose efforts to create a class of felonies known as hate crimes.
H.R. 1592 would grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting them apart as a special class of citizen, and contradicts the constitutional mandate of equal protection under the law. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security will hold hearings on the bill this week. A vote on the measure is expected by the end of the month.
Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International and a former homosexual, called it the first step down a slippery slope toward thought police and religious persecution.
“We’re going to see Christians persecuted for their beliefs, for simply stating that they oppose homosexuality," he said. "We’re seeing it in other parts of the world and it's just a matter of time, given this type of legislation, that we’ll see the very same type of things happening in the United States.”
Gay activists have borrowed heavily from the civil rights playbook in promoting the legislation. Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition takes exception to that strategy.
"It was always wrong for people to beat up other people or to kill other people or to lynch them," he said. “If the laws are enforced, then I believe that our nation is strong.”
A joint news conference scheduled for Tuesday was canceled out of respect for victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy.
TAKE ACTION
Let your representative and senators know what you think about hate-crimes legislation. You may contact them through the CitizenLink Action Center. 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. Otherwise, click on this link.
----- 29 -----
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion
'Decision represents an awakening of the conscience of a nation.'
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004410.cfm
Pro-life advocates around America are celebrating the “first true judicial victory for the unborn since Roe v. Wade.”
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act -- which Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 -- does not violate a woman’s right to an abortion, as several federal courts had ruled.
[...]
“Today, the Supreme Court takes the scalpel out of the hands of abortionists who would brutally and fatally puncture the skulls of babies who are just inches and moments away from birth,” said Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action.
Dr. James C. Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, said: “We thank God that the Supreme Court has affirmed the value of human life by banning the Nazi-esque barbarism that is partial-birth abortion.
[...]
Along with Bush appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito, other justices voting to uphold the ban were Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.
“The Supreme Court's decision is an affirmation of the progress we have made over the past six years in protecting human dignity and upholding the sanctity of life,” Bush said in a statement. “We will continue to work for the day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law.”
[More at URL]
----- 30 -----
N.Y. Case Challenging Same-Sex Marriages Goes Forward
Focus on the Family
4-17-2007
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004388.cfm
A New York Supreme Court judge will allow a case to go forward that questions the state's recognition of same-sex marriages performed in Canada. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed suit on behalf of New York taxpayers in 2006 seeking to block the state comptroller's attempts to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.
[...]
Under New York law, taxpayers have the right to challenge any illegal action by a state official that expends state funds.
The suit, Godfrey v. Hevesi, charges that the New York State Comptroller's office acted illegally when it decided to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages for purposes of retirement benefits.
[More at URL]
----- 31 -----
And now, our Cultural Warfare Update Musical Presentation, courtesy a link forwarded by
ysabel. Clickie! You know you wanna.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-04-24 02:29 pm (UTC)As someone who is a certified manager, I wonder if any of those presenting the Wiccan case before the VA tried something on the order of "The Jews get six points. We're only asking for five."
I'm not trying to be funny, here. Modern managers are trained to always try and bargain the other party down, and there are bureaucrats who would see accepting this specious argument as a victory. (Yes, there are a lot of idiots in positions of authority. If you're smart you can sometimes use them to your advantage.)
As for some Jews blaming others for the Holocaust, there have long been claims that the position of suffering in silence instead of resisting and protesting only encouraged the Nazis. That some form of organized _active_ response would have saved lives, even if only by getting more Jews to safety. Others argue this would have only made things worse. The truth is that very few could see in advance what the Nazis would do, and most of those were Nazis.
This case, however, seems to be someone claiming something different, more extreme. It's hard to tell exactly from the portion quoted.