AdvanceUSA Blog

“In Quality Education Family Matters”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:59:17 GMT

Ken Blackwell talks about one of the most important elements of quality education: the family.

Court Calls Anti-Child Porn Law “Unconstitutional”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:57:14 GMT

The Associated Press reports on this disturbing ruling.

“'Freedom Of Choice Act' Would Harm Women And Remove Freedoms”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:55:15 GMT

The Freedom of Choice Act would overturn every pro-life law on the books and would basically enshrine the Roe vs. Wade decision into federal law. Our friend Tom McClusky at the Family Research Council has prepared a paper on the Freedom of Choice Act which explains the effects it would have and reveals how the major presidential candidates stand on its passage.

“Spinal Cord [Adult] Stem Cells May Act as Nerve Repair System”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:52:28 GMT

From U.S. News and World Report

“Court Tosses FCC 'Wardrobe Malfunction' Fine”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:57:40 GMT

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has just made it nearly impossible for the FCC to restrict any indecency or obscenity over the publicly owned airwaves (even when children are likely to be in the broadcast audience). The Court ruled that the FCC could not fine CBS for the famous Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Excerpt of AP report:

But Tim Winter of the watchdog organization Parents Television Council said the court's decision "borders on judicial stupidity."

"If a striptease during the Super Bowl in front of 90 million people — including millions of children — doesn't fit the parameters of broadcast indecency, then what does?" Winter said in a statement.

“San Jose Professor Fired for Answering Student’s Genetics Question” About Homosexuality

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:53:46 GMT

Are you tempted to think that the “gay rights” movement is only about defending people from discrimination and upholding their constitutional rights? The story of June Sheldon, who was fired for saying that there is still no consensus on whether homosexuality is entirely caused by genetics, should convince you otherwise. The “gay rights” movement is about creating special rights and privileges based on sexual behavior while silencing all public criticism of the lifestyle (including religious beliefs). Fortunately, the Alliance Defense Fund is defending Sheldon in court.

Exciting Adult Stem Cell News

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:51:21 GMT

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is putting millions of dollars into adult stem cell research in the hopes of finding effective treatments for eye diseases. It’s interesting that people who actually want to make money off of cures and treatments are betting their investing their money in ethical adult stem cell sources rather than unethical embryonic sources.

Meanwhile, two doctors in Louisiana “have successfully used adult stem-cell therapy to help patients fight heart disease.” Citizenlink reports. Also, Harvard Medical School researchers have found that human adult and umbilical cord stem cells have been used to successfully create blood vessels in mice. This raises hopes that adult stem cells will be useful in repairing damaged circulatory tissue.

Check out the adult stem cell page or the adult stem cell blog category for more news on ethical breakthroughs and treatments.

Committee Members Boycott Over Judicial Nomination Obstruction

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:14 GMT

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee took a courageous stand by refusing to attend committee meeting on Thursday to protest the Committee’s lack of fairness in dealing with the president’s judicial nominees. No circuit court judges were on the agenda. Also, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell invoked the “two hour rule” for various committees shutting down the Senate for a time. Judicial confirmations are an important issue so AdvanceUSA applauds the leadership of the Senators who protested the Senate’s obstruction.

The Committee for Justice reports on the situation here.

Values Action Team Unveils “House Values Agenda”

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:52:58 GMT

The Values Action Team, in which AdvanceUSA participates, has unveiled its legislative agenda. Take a look at these important goals here.

Wash for Life Update

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:51:36 GMT

The Wash for Life is coming up on September 13. This program recruits young people to wash cars in order to raise funds for pregnancy resource centers. This campaign is a brilliant way to encourage the next generation of pro-lifers and to raise much needed funds for the great work being done by pregnancy centers.

Find out how you can be a part of this worthy cause at http://www.washforlife.com/.

Congressional Committees Vote to Support Forced Abortions and Abortion Promoters in Foreign Aid

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:47:57 GMT

A Senate committee and House subcommittee are threatening the Mexico City Policy (which prevents tax dollars from supporting organizations that promote or provide abortions) and the Kemp-Kasten rider (which allows the president to prohibit funds from organizations that support coerced abortions). Hopefully, the House and Senate will eliminate the language which threatens these important pro-life riders. Otherwise, the president has promised to “veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.”

Pew Resource on Stem Cells

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:47:19 GMT

The Pew Forum has released a helpful resource on the stem cell debate. According to Pew, the percentage of Americans who support unethical embryonic stem cell research is shrinking. If more people knew the facts about stem cells, this percentage would likely shrink even more.

“Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign Could be Largest One Combating Abortion”

AdvanceUSA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:46:15 GMT

LifeNews reports.

Success: California Marriage Amendment Will Make 2008 Ballot Court Rules

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:48:44 GMT

The California Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit to remove the proposed marriage amendment from the 2008 California ballot. The Alliance Defense Fund called the lawsuit “a desperate effort to keep the amendment away from the democratic process.” Californians will now have the opportunity to preserve the traditional definition of marriage in their state. The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Excerpt:

Californians will get to vote in November on a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, the state Supreme Court decided Wednesday.

In a unanimous order, without comment, the court dismissed a lawsuit by gay rights advocates seeking to remove an initiative sponsored by conservative religious groups from the Nov. 4 ballot. The measure, Proposition 8, would overturn the court's 4-3 ruling May 15 that allowed gay and lesbian couples to marry in California.

The LA Times also reports.

Massachusetts “Senate Votes to Repeal 1913 Law” Preventing the Spread of “Gay Marriage”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:46:44 GMT

The 1913 Massachusetts law which prevents “gay marriages” in Massachusetts from spreading to other states is under attack. On Tuesday, the state Senate unanimously voted to overturn the law. If the state House and the governor do not stand up for marriage, Massachusetts will join California as “the Las Vegas of gay marriage.”

Bush Administration Contemplates Conscience Protections for Medical Workers

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:43:47 GMT

The New York Times reports. Excerpt:

The Bush administration wants to require all recipients of aid under federal health programs to certify that they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and … certain types of birth control.

“Adult Stem Cell Success Stories”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:42:51 GMT

Our friend Dr. David Prentice and a team of experts, have authored a report on the amazing adult stem cell success stories that have happened during 2008. Unethical embryonic research has yet to produce one successful cure or treatment. Take a look at these amazing results.

“Two Doctors Pledge to Stop Helping Abortionist Tiller”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:41:40 GMT

CitizenLink reports on this piece of positive news in the otherwise sordid saga of the Kansas abortion scandals.

AdvanceUSA Interview with Gary Marx

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:32:26 GMT

Daniel Herbster reporting

Probably the greatest long-term issue facing our nation is the nomination and confirmation of well-qualified, originalist judges and justices to federal benches. One organization seeking to ensure that happens is the Judicial Confirmation Network. It is my privilege to interview my friend and colleague Gary Marx who is the Executive Director of JCN.

DH: Gary, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Let’s start with a general question. Why is the issue of judges so important?

GM: I think that judicial selection is still the most powerful all encompassing issue for conservatives. There will be times where an issue like immigration will become red-hot but a judge can come along and single handedly ignore the constitution and the law at will and impose their own view of immigration laws upon a state or the nation. Conservatives now understand that no matter whether you are a social, economic, or national security conservative we all unite around the need to have judges who will be faithful to the text of the constitution. Conservatives understand just how the Supreme Court and constitutionalist judges impact our children and grand children. Supreme Court nominations are perhaps the longest lasting legacy of every U.S. president.

DH: How is the Judicial Confirmation Network involved in this issue?

GM: During the Roberts and Alito confirmation battles, the Judicial Confirmation Network built a network or grassroots leaders in key states to pressure Senators to support a fair up-or-down vote and confirm these constitutionalist judicial nominees.

DH: How would you describe a good justice or judge? What kinds of characteristics or qualities define a solid judicial nominee?

GM: A good judge should be a neutral umpire who stands apart from the game. Their job is to call balls and strikes but they are not players in the game. A good judge is faithful to the text of the Constitution but doesn’t legislate from the bench. Good judges understand their role is to let the people’s representatives of the people themselves make the laws of the land. A good judge will not impose their own personal policy preferences in place of the Constitution as written by the Founders.

DH: I think we first met during the confirmation hearings for Samuel Alito. What role did you and JCN have in seeing Alito through this process, and how big an achievement do you think it was for conservatives? Any special memories from these hearings you’d like to share with our readers?

GM: JCN helped rally the voters to make their voice heard in the halls of Washington during the Alito battle just as we did during Roberts’ confirmation fight. We knew that the radical Left had decided to draw a line in the sand with Alito whether the facts supported their opposition or not. It was a huge accomplishment to get Alito 58 votes in the face of the onslaught by the Left. I will never forget how the vitriolic and personal attacks of Chuck Schumer, Joe Bide, and Ted Kennedy left Mrs. Alito weeping. That moment was the nail in the coffin of the Left as their arguments were exposed as vicious and vacuous personal attacks.

DH: What do you think about the slow pace of confirmations in the U.S. Senate (particularly federal appellate court nominees), and what should be done to move things along? Could this issue become a major issue in the upcoming Congressional and Senate races? Should it?

GM: The pace of confirmations in the U.S. Senate is at an historic low. The Democrats led by Sen. Reid have obstructed the process and ignored the constitutional duty. Despite Reid’s promises they will not even hold hearing let alone confirmation votes for most nominees. It is petty politics like this that shows how broken Washington really is. Clearly, that message is resonating with voters as they think about their votes for President and Congress. The democratic majorities in Congress are in danger when they practice this type of petty politics. Judicial confirmations should be a significant issue for voters to consider in November.

DH: What are some ways our readers could help get good judges confirmed to federal benches, and how could they help JCN fight this important fight?

GM: If your readers reside in “red states” where a Democratic Senator is serving they need to make their voice heard in town hall meetings, on talk radio, and by writing letters to the editor about this issue.

DH: One of the most important decisions a president can face is what kind of person to appoint to the Supreme Court and other federal courts. What kind of information do we have about where the two major presidential candidates stand on this issue? How important do you think this issue should be when we consider who to vote for?

GM: The Supreme Court is the most important domestic issue to go hand-in-hand with the most important foreign policy issue … fighting radical Islam. John McCain and Barack Obama would nominate polar opposite justices to serve on the Supreme Court. Obama voted against both John Roberts and Samuel Alito. John McCain has promised to nominate justices in the mold of Roberts, Alito and Rehnquist.

DH: Having studied history and the Constitution I find the terminology used in this issue interesting. How would you describe judges who understand their limited role and their duty to uphold the Constitution? Do you prefer the term “originalist” or “strict constructionist?” Or do you feel, like most semantic disagreements, it has more to do with how you define your terms?

GM: The way I like to phrase it most is finding judges who will be faithful to the text of the constitution. I also don’t have a problem with “constitutionalist judges” but “strict constructionist” is a harsh term that scares voters and only elitist lawyers know what an “originalist” means.

DH: What are the major goals and concerns of JCN for the future?

GM: Confirm more Supreme Court justices like Roberts and Alito. Continue to win a fair up-or-down vote for all judicial nominees.

DH: Gary, it’s been great to get your insight into this issue. Please keep us informed of how we can have an impact on the judges issue. Keep up the great work!

Note: The views of any interviewee do not necessarily reflect the views of AdvanceUSA.

Senators Hold Hearings on Dangerously Slow Pace of Judicial Confirmations

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:27:08 GMT

Yesterday a number of Senators held hearings to discuss the slow pace of judicial nominations and of the dangerous vacancies on federal appellate courts. Laura Donovan reports at Townhall.

Also, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement about the hearings which you can read in full here.

Considering the amount of power federal courts have obtained for themselves, appointing and confirming well-qualified, constitutionalist judges to federal benches should be a top priority.

“The NAACP and Black Abortions”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:22:46 GMT

William McGurn explains. Excerpt:

…could not the NAACP work for a society where pregnant African-Americans had two doors open to them? Planned Parenthood's not going anywhere, so the first would still lead to America's largest abortion provider, a business that has already eliminated millions from America's population. But the other would lead to people whose business is of a vastly different order: welcoming these children into the world, and getting their moms the help they need to live lives of purpose and dignity.

Then again, that would give women a real choice.

Push to Spread Massachusetts “Gay Marriage” to Other States

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:20:43 GMT

Some are pushing to make the state of Massachusetts the “Las Vegas of gay marriage.” The Massachusetts legislature will soon vote on whether to keep the 1913 law which forbids Massachusetts from recognizing the marriages of out-of-state couples that are not recognized in the couple’s home state. The enforcement of this long-forgotten law by former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney prevented the Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling instituting same-sex marriage in Massachusetts from spreading to other states.

Liberal activists will stop at nothing to establish so-called “gay marriage” in every state in the country. This is why it is so important to pass an amendment to amend the United States Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman only. Call your representative and both your senators today and urge them to cosponsor and vote “Yes” on the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment.

“California Home-Schoolers Applaud Decision”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:12:37 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“A Toast to Open Debate”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:07:41 GMT

Jennifer Roback Morse explains. Excerpt:

For many of us, gay marriage isn’t a referendum on gay people. It is about the meaning of marriage. Advocates of marriage as a union of a man and a woman do not hate gay people. Rather, the millions of Americans who pull the lever in favor of marriage are saying children need a mother and father.

Why Same-Sex Marriage is NOT the Same as Inter-Racial Marriage

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:05:37 GMT

Dennis Prager explains.

Adult Stem Cell Update

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:03:29 GMT

[Adult] Stem Cells Hold Promise for Muscular Dystrophy
U.S. News and World Report

Umbilical-Cord Blood Helps Boy Fight Immune Disease
CitizenLink

“Congressional Bill to Protect Parental Rights on Teen Abortions Gets Exposure”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:51:33 GMT

LifeNews reports.

See video here.

“De-Fund Planned Parenthood Abortion Business, Members of Congress Say”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:49:30 GMT

Last week, members of the House of Representatives held a “special order” to call for the de-funding of the largest abortion provider in the nation. Many Americans have no idea that their tax dollars subsidize the flag ship of the abortion industry and AdvanceUSA thanks these House members for taking this bold stand.

LifeNews reports. See the video here.

“FRC Panel Studies Effects of Gay 'Marriage' on Religious Liberties”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:48:18 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

PEPFAR Funding Bill OK

AdvanceUSA — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:48:37 GMT

Thanks to a bipartisan compromise, the Global Anti-AIDS bill being considered by the U.S. Senate today protects effective abstinence and faithfulness programs while protecting the conscience rights of religious organizations to accept funding without engaging in programs which violate their religious beliefs (ex: Catholic charities would not be forced to distribute condoms). The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supports the legislation and the Bush Administration supports the bill and intends to sign it into law.

The amazing results seen in Uganda demonstrate the effectiveness of abstinence and faithfulness training as well as the importance of the involvement of religious organizations in fighting AIDS and other diseases in impoverished countries.

“School Choice Expands in Florida, Louisiana”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:03:39 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“Oklahoma Supreme Court Rejects Gay 'Divorce' Case”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:02:47 GMT

Getting activist judges to recognize “gay divorce” in states which refuse to recognize “gay marriage” is one of the subtle strategies of “gay marriage” proponents. CitizenLink reports on this encouraging news from Oklahoma.

“UNFPA's World Population Day Uses Scare Tactics to Promote Overpopulation”

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:01:56 GMT

LifeNews helps debunk the overpopulation myth.

August 16 Rally in Washington to End Abortion

AdvanceUSA — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:01:12 GMT

Visit HelpShapeHistory.com to read more about this pro-life rally in our nation’s capital. Excerpt:

On August 16, we are calling every Christian of every faith tradition, young and old, every race, every pro-life organization, and every individual to gather in Washington D.C. to pray for our nation with a massive focus on the ending of abortion and the healing of our land.

“Study Suggests Frozen Embryos Better in Pregnancies than Newer Ones”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:21:05 GMT

LifeNews reports. This study helps dispel the myth that “leftover” IVF embryos have no use but to be killed for unethical research and experimentation.

Also, see AdvanceUSA’s interview with Ron Stoddart who runs a Christian adoption agency specializing in embryo adoption.

“Family Research Council to Host Panel Discussion on California Same-sex Marriage: The Impact on Religious Liberty”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:19:16 GMT

Tune in tomorrow (Thursday, July 10) at 10:00 a.m. to see an important panel discussion on how “gay marriage” is a threat to religious liberty. You can view this discussion online here via live streaming.

Also, be sure to check out FRC’s updated blog.

“Michigan Likely to Vote on Forcing Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research”

AdvanceUSA — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:18:06 GMT

LifeNews reports.

“Comparing McCain and Obama on Abortion and Same-Sex Marriage”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:20:33 GMT

Janice Shaw Crouse reports at Townhall.com.

“Cord Blood May Treat Hepatitis”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:19:40 GMT

CitizenLink reports.

“ABC's Nightline Exposes Modern-Day Slavery”

AdvanceUSA — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:17:27 GMT

CitizenLink reports.