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 Tuesday, June 19, 2007

In another troublesome development in the fight to preserve traditional marriage, a Vermont judge has awarded visitation rights to the former lesbian partner of a Virginia mother.  The biological mother renounced homosexuality and took her child to Virginia, but since she had been part of a “civil union” in Vermont, the judge awarded visitation rights to the former partner.  This is compelling evidence of the unacceptability of “civil unions” and other attempts to tamper with the traditional definition of marriage.

 

For more information on the movement to defend marriage check the AdvanceUSA marriage page.

posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:39:12 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

There is disturbing news that a group of British experts has endorsed making human-animal embryos for scientific experiments.

posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:37:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

John Lott writes an eye-opening piece in the Wall Street Journal in which he analyzes the increases in social problems since abortion on demand became widespread.  He particularly mentions the dramatic increase in illegitimacy rates since the Roe vs. Wade decision.

posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:36:21 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Tony Perkins (President of the Family Research Council) posted an opinion piece today debunking the claim that America is a theocracy and the claim that the pro-family movement is working to make it one.

posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:35:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Monday, June 18, 2007

In honor of the recent holiday set aside to honor fathers, familyfacts.org has highlighted it’s “top ten” findings on the role and importance of fathers to families and society.

posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 9:20:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

An important article at MercatorNet raises the question of whether the human cloning debate could now be irrelevant in light of the recent breakthroughs in generating embryonic-like stem cells from adult skin cells in mice (which do not require human eggs or human embryos).

posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 9:19:26 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Here is more information on the Judge Leslie Southwick saga from Robert Bluey on TownHall.  The left continues to oppose and Senate liberals continue to obstruct solid judicial nominees to prevent qualified, originalist judges from reaching the federal bench.  America’s judicial system deserves better.

posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 1:35:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Despite knowing that the Congress does not have the votes to overturn a Presidential veto of increased federal funding for embryo-destroying research, Senator Tom Harking (D-IA) still is likely to add such a stem cell provision to Senate legislation.   It is a shame that when recent scientific discoveries indicate that such unethical research is unnecessary; liberals in Congress are determined to force the issue out of either misguided compassion or partisan politics.

posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 1:33:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) are working on an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill which would protect the important Mexico City Policy and prevent tax dollars from supporting overseas abortion providers or promoters. Let’s hope their valiant efforts succeed.

posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 1:32:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Thursday, June 14, 2007
A bill proposed by Rep. Nina Lowey (D-NY) has emerged from the House Appropriations Committee still posing a threat to important pro-life measures.  The Mexico City Policy, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding overseas organizations which support abortion, would be overturned by the bill as it now stands.  This bill should be amended to protect this provision.

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:47:48 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Planned Parenthood (the largest abortion provider in the world) released reports that revealed that in fiscal year 2005-2006 it performed almost 265,000 abortions yet did not report even one adoption referral.  Planned Parenthood is the biggest profiteer from the abortion industry, and it is outrageous that it received $305 million in tax dollars in the latest fiscal year.

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:44:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

At today’s constitutional convention in Massachusetts, the legislature voted 45-151 to prevent the proposed marriage amendment, which would have protected the traditional definition of marriage, from being voted on by citizens in 2008.  So judges in Massachusetts can vote on the definition of marriage, but citizens can’t?

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:15:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

A new government report shows comprehensive sex education (focused on condoms and “safe sex” rather than abstinence) is ineffective and in many cases inaccurate.  The Washington Times also reports on how abstinence is often minimized in comprehensive curricula.

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:13:49 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

The Supreme Court soon will rule on important cases involving First Amendment free speech rights, and Bush appointee Justice Samuel Alito recently indicated he will be "reluctant to support restrictions on what people could say."

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 7:32:59 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Reports indicate that liberals in the Senate Judiciary Committee are planning to pressure President Bush to pull his nomination of Leslie Southwick for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Liberals will stop at nothing to prevent qualified, originalist judges from reaching the federal bench and disrespecting the President.

UPDATE:

Fox News reports that the vote today in the Senate Judiciary Committee was postponed one week to Thursday, June 21.


posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 3:54:41 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
Who cares about profanity? The FCC does, the Second Circuit Court doesn’t (it seems), and the general public ____________. Daniel Henninger of the Wall Street Journal examines profanity’s acceptability in various aspects of American life.

posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:37:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Randy Thomas mentions this outrageous court ruling on his blog.

posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:51:40 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

In another encouraging sign that the culture could be shifting in a pro-life direction, an organization that supports pro-abortion women candidates is experiencing fundraising problems.

posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 9:49:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

The High Impact Leadership Coalition (a coalition of black religious leaders) has just released this exceptional advertisement that seeks to awaken people to the very real dangers of hate (thought) crimes legislation.  Stopping “hate crimes” sounds like a noble goal but in actuality it would pose serious threats to religious freedom.  Furthermore, the whole concept of hate crimes is inherently unjust and unconstitutional because if violates our cherished principle of “equal justice under law.”

Thought crimes bills are a clear and present danger to constitutional principles and religious freedom.  For more information on thought crimes
click here or visit AdvanceUSA’s religious freedom page.

Note: The current hate crimes bill (
S. 1105) is now in the Senate, but it is unclear when the Senate will actually consider the legislation.  AdvanceUSA will be watching carefully for any further developments.

posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 8:17:56 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Advocates of school choice for parents are excited that Utah could soon be the first state to pass “universal school choice.”

Jonah Goldberg from National Review shares some vital thoughts on the problems with public education in America.  While AdvanceUSA does not advocate "doing away with public schools," Mr. Goldberg does raise some important points.

posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 6:27:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Many conservatives are growing concerned with the large number of vacancies on the federal bench and the apparent slowness of the Senate to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to consider judicial nominations in a timely manner.

posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 4:56:14 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A troubling development is coming to light regarding religious freedom in our nation's prisons.  It has been reported that religious books (including Christian texts) are being removed in mass from prison libraries across the country.  While we acknowledge that convicted criminals are not entitled to the same privileges as ordinary citizens, and we understand the advisability of restricting inflammatory religious material which advocates violence, this sweeping book removal is very disconcerting for the precedent it sets for religious freedom.

posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 8:05:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Massachusetts has continually been in the forefront of the marriage debate.  This Thursday a constitutional convention will be held in Massachusetts to determine if a proposed constitutional amendment to protect the traditional definition of marriage will be placed on the 2008 ballot.  If 50 members of the state legislature vote in support of the amendment, the people of Massachusetts will decide what constitutes marriage in their state.  Let’s hope Massachusetts will soon start taking a positive leadership role in the marriage debate.

 

For more information on protecting marriage check the AdvanceUSA marriage page.

posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 7:02:44 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Here is a helpful piece by Kathryn Jean Lopez from National Review that clarifies distortions surrounding human cloning.

posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 6:23:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

The Mexico City Policy keeps taxpayer dollars from supporting overseas organizations that provide or promote abortions.  Legislation in the House Appropriations Committee could render this provision worthless and allow our tax dollars to support pro-abortion groups around the world.  The Mexico City Policy was originally instituted by President Reagan, discarded by President Clinton, and then reinstituted by President Bush.

For more information on these
important pro-life riders check the AdvacneUSA home page.

UPDATE:

The bill proposed by Rep. Nina Lowey (D-NY) has emerged from the House Appropriations Committee still posing a threat to important pro-life measures.  This bill should be amended to protect the Mexico City Policy, or it will be strongly opposed by pro-life groups and concerned citizens.

posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 12:23:16 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Monday, June 11, 2007

President Bush’s nominee for Surgeon General, James Holsinger, continues to undergo withering attack from radical gay groups because he once prepared a paper for the Methodist church explaining why homosexual behavior can cause serious health risks and problems.  So for professionally and medically stating what is common knowledge to most, James Holsinger risks having his good name dragged through the mud by radical homosexual activists.

 

Equally as troubling is the homosexual lobby’s opposition to Dr. Holsinger’s religious activities with the Methodist church. As a governing member of the denomination, he upheld the biblical view of human sexuality multiple times, and the church in Kentucky he helped start helps homosexuals who wish to leave the lifestyle. According to the Constitution, there is to be no religious test for any public office.

Information on these stories was
featured on the Wall Street Journal’s Best of the Web for two straight days

 

Dr. Holsinger’s findings can be read here (Warning: contents are clinical and very explicit).

 

UPDATE:

 

The Family Research Council has posted this resource on the health risks of homosexuality which verifies Dr. Holsinger's findings.

 

posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 7:48:49 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

South Korean cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk has said he intends to continue his unethical research abroad.  Hwang had been famous for advocating embryo research and cloning by promising “miracle cures” to desperate patients.  Last year Hwang was embroiled in controversy when it became clear his research team had blatantly falsified data showing they had successfully cloned a human embryo.  He was subsequently fired in disgrace.


For more information on the history of the Hwang scandal and how it reflects on the overall ethics problems of human cloning research check the stem cell page.

posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 7:44:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

There is encouraging news that conservative members of the Senate are willing to take a courageous stand to ensure that President Bush’s judicial nominees get a fair hearing.  Let’s hope they get a fair up-or-down vote as well.  With the courts as powerful as they are today, the importance of nominating and confirming qualified, originalist judges can hardly be overstated.

posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 7:41:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

During the recent debate over S. 5 in the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to appeal to religious sentiment by calling embryonic stem cells “a gift from God.”  Somehow the deliberate destruction of innocent human life does not strike us as something God desires.

posted on Monday, June 11, 2007 6:58:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Friday, June 08, 2007

Here’s a troubling update on religious liberty in Malaysia, or the lack thereof.  With the sounds of Islamic protestors outside shouting “Alah is great,” a Muslim lady was forbidden by a Malaysian court from officially registering her religion as “Christian.”  This is another reminder of how we should cherish the religious liberty we still have in the United States.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:38:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

The House has begun working on yearly appropriations provisions which provide liberals in Congress opportunities to assault existing pro-life federal law.  One bill under consideration would overturn current pro-life provisions that require all organizations receiving federal money to promise not to promote abortion.

For more information on the important pro-life “riders” in appropriations legislation click here.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:19:04 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Not surprisingly, Governor Patrick has indicated that he would consider postponing the vote in the Massachusetts constitutional convention on the state’s marriage amendment in order to scrounge up enough votes to kill it.  If the bill receives at least 50 votes from Massachusetts’ legislators the people of Massachusetts will be able to vote on the amendment (which would preserve the traditional definition of marriage, one man and one woman) in 2008.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:17:27 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

AdvanceUSA has posted vote results for the recent “phony cloning ban” bill which was rejected and the embryonic stem cell research bill which passed.

For a listing of vote results on a number of important issues check the AdvanceUSA Vote Watch page.

Also, our good friend David Christensen with the Family Research Council wrote an illuminating article for the National Review Online on the stem cell issue.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:13:54 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Embryonic stem cell research should be abandoned for both ethical and practical reasons.  But those determined to proceed with the research must now admit that embryonic-like stem cells can be produced without creating or destroying human embryos.  Recent research shows that ordinary adult cells can be coaxed into forming embryonic-like stem cells.  This is exciting new research and yet more evidence that embryo-destroying research is totally unnecessary.

For more news and information on stem cells click here.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:10:21 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

A bill introduced in Congress could fine pharmacists $500,000 for refusing to dispense the “morning after pill” (Plan B) for conscience reasons.  Plan B causes an abortion in some instances.

For more information on Plan B check our pro-life page.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 6:08:07 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
Fox News reports on the recent court ruling that allows victims of government mandated forced abortion policies (like those in China) to receive asylum in the United States.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 3:19:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
Dr. James Sherley is one scientist willing to speak out against embryonic stem cell research.  He believes embryonic stem cells are unlikely to ever provide real cures, and it is likely that Dr. Sherley’s outspoken and “heretical views” on stem cells cost him a tenured position at MIT.

posted on Friday, June 08, 2007 1:29:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Thursday, June 07, 2007

If passed, this would be the first same-sex marriage bill passed by a state legislature without having had a court order them to do so.

posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:11:36 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

More evidence today that radical liberal groups will stop at nothing to prevent decent judges from reaching the federal bench.  When President Bush nominated Judge Leslie Southwick most observers thought there would be little controversy.  But radical liberal groups have found some supposed violations of political correctness in his past and are determined to torpedo the nomination.  The Wall Street Journal accurately puts the issue in perspective while the New York Times predictably regurgitates left-wing talking points.

posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 10:00:59 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Ken Blackwell offers his insightful perspective on the hate crimes bill recently passed by the House.  The Senate is now faced with the bill and is expected to consider it this year, perhaps within the next month or two.

posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 9:38:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Our friend Randy Thomas shares about his victory over homosexuality and offers a unique perspective on the controversial “gender identity” debate.  He exposes the hypocrisy of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activists who claim that “sexual orientation” is not changeable but “gender identity” somehow is.  Randy works for the great organization Exodus International.

posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 3:13:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Here’s a helpful reminder of the proposed marriage amendment in Massachusetts that would protect traditional marriage in that state from being redefined by the courts.  The citizens of Massachusetts should be allowed to vote on this issue!

posted on Thursday, June 07, 2007 3:12:51 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #