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 Thursday, July 12, 2007

The Creation Museum (just outside Cincinnati, OH in Petersburg, KY) seeks to bring the pages of the Bible to life while highlighting the scientific evidence that supports the biblical account of creation and the flood.  The museum and the Answers in Genesis resource materials also link the principles and divine directives in Genesis to certain public policy issues including marriage and the sanctity of life.  Recently, Josh Scheiderer, AdvanceUSA’s policy director, and his family had the opportunity to visit the museum, meet Ken Ham (President/CEO of Answers in Genesis) and even be mentioned in Mr. Ham’s blog.


For more information on this fabulous resource and family-friendly facility check the Creation Museum website.

posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 1:34:17 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Gay activist Michael Glatze is proclaiming to the world that he is renouncing homosexuality.  Encouraging personal stories like these demonstrate that homosexuality is not immutable and that there is hope for those seeking to change.

posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 1:31:21 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
Theravitae, a biotechnology company working in adult stem cell research, was recently awarded the title “Biotechnology Company of the Year” for its innovative work in regenerative heart medicine.  Despite what the mainstream news media would have us believe, adult stem cell research offers the most promise for successful regenerative therapies.

At the award ceremony the President of Therivitae offered these important words:

"We are honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award and we carry the responsibility to further help the progress of discoveries within the regenerative medicine field. Our industry is on the verge of redefining conventional healthcare through the miracles of adult stem cells and their remarkable ability to facilitate the regeneration of personal health. Despite the constant questionable claims of those in the embryonic lobby, it is adult stem cells which will be the first to successfully treat diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimers - embryonic stem cell therapies lag not by months, but by years, if not decades!"

For more information on the exciting developments in ethical adult stem cell research click here.

posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 1:28:04 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Two articles from the Baptist Press deal with the scourge of pornography.  One warns of the dangers of pornography and how it is rapidly infiltrating even churches.  Another highlights an online ministry bringing hope to those struggling with pornography addictions.

Also, an important campaign has been launched to remove pornography from hotel cable TV services.

posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 1:25:54 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Wednesday, July 11, 2007

A gay publication has reported that the major 2008 Democrat candidates for president have agreed to join a “gay debate” devoted exclusively to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender) issues.  Among the participants are Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.  TownHall provides some interesting analysis of this development.

posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:10:58 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Unfortunately it appears that the plan to stifle conservative talk radio is alive and well.  CNS News reports that liberal efforts to restore the so-called “fairness doctrine” are still continuing in Congress.

For more information on the “[Un]Fairnes Doctrine” check our recent blog post from June 29.

UPDATE: Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the Republican Leader in the Senate, denounces the “fairness doctrine” in his excellent article on TownHall.

posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:08:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

In this piece Jonathan Adler examines our current Supreme Court and asks the question, “How conservative is this Court?”  Adler notes the “minimalist” conservative approach by the new justices but counters the argument that there is conservative legal revolution since Justice Kennedy effectively holds sway as the swing vote in contentious cases.

posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:06:25 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

This article from the National Review discusses threats to religious freedom around the world and emphasizes that international religious freedom is vital to American national security.

posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:04:34 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The importance of appointing qualified, originalist judges to federal courts can hardly be stressed enough.  That is why some conservatives are growing increasingly frustrated with the many judicial vacancies on federal benches and the slow pace of judicial confirmations by the U.S. Senate.

This Washington Post article explains the current vacancy problem while helpfully comparing current confirmation statistics with the records of prior administrations.  And a Hill article mentions Sen. Cochran’s efforts to see President Bush’s nomination of Judge Southwick for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals succeed.  Judge Southwick is an honorable man and an exceedingly qualified and well-respected judge.

posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:52:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Matt Barber has an excellent piece on gay marriage at TownHall.com showing that the “gay marriage” issue is really a tool to radically alter society to conform to a humanistic, secularist world view.  He cuts through the liberal smoke screens with statistics and well-reasoned arguments.  This article is a must-read for those concerned about defending the sanctity of traditional marriage and refuting false arguments for gay marriage.

For news and resources on the cause to preserve traditional marriage check the AdvanceUSA marriage page. 

posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:50:44 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

“Follow the Money”

Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. looks at one seldom-mentioned motivation for unethical stem cell research that destroys human embryos; the money.  She explains how some proponents of embryonic stem cell research and cloning are more interested in government subsidies rather than treating illness or saving lives.

Exploiting Poor Women

This blog post by Nancy Reyes highlights the potential for the dangerous exploitation of poor women to obtain the necessary human eggs to conduct unethical forms of stem cell research.  Egg harvesting is already big business on many college campuses, but unfortunately the serious health risks involved with the procedure are seldom mentioned.  If proponents of unethical stem cell research succeed in expanding this research, impoverished women in third-world countries could be likely health victims.

More Good News from Adult Stem Cells!

Ending on a happy note, LifeNews reports on two encouraging developments for sufferers of heart disease and amyloidosis.  New research suggests that adult stem cells could be used to treat these dangerous maladies.


For more information on these important issues check the AdvanceUSA stem cell, adult stem cell, or human cloning pages.

posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 9:48:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Denis Prager writes a fascinating column in which he compares the Fourth of July to the Jewish Seder (Passover) in order to illustrate the importance of national ceremonies for preserving national identity and shared values.

Also, read our special Fourth of July post on our blog or home page.

posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 7:19:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Ever get the feeling that you cannot make a difference?  Take heart from the recent pro-life victory in Delaware.  A controversial stem cell bill in the Delaware legislature would have provided state funds for embryo-destroying research and would have opened the door to human cloning (a.k.a. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer).  The “Rose and a Prayer” campaign of pro-life activists worked tirelessly to encourage state legislators to oppose this unethical research.  The measure failed by a surprising 4 to 1 margin in the State Assembly even after the State Senate heartily approved the bill.


Links:

A Rose and a Prayer

AdvanceUSA Stem Cell Page

posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 7:16:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

CitizenLink reports that faith-based organizations are doing great work training the underprivileged to complete their education and enter the workforce.  In many ways, faith-based organizations can do work cheaper than other organizations and can also solve problems government alone could never address.

posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 7:13:42 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Liberals in Congress are apparently constantly on the lookout for ways to undermine traditional marriage.  Appropriations bills for the District of Columbia have normally been structured to prevent federal funds from being used to support domestic partnership programs, but House Democrats neglected to include these stipulations in this year's D.C. appropriations.  Fortunately an amendment proposed by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA), which prevents the federal government from supporting Washington's domestic partnership programs (Disclaimer: this article is from a gay publication), passed in the House last Thursday.

posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 1:16:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Monday, July 02, 2007

In the battle to protect unborn human lives, New Hampshire recently made a shameful retreat.

posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 9:54:39 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   





The summer of 1776 was an uncertain time for the representatives of the American colonies assembled in Philadelphia. After peacefully resisting the steady encroachments of their liberties and their common rights as Englishmen by the British Crown and Parliament, the American colonies were now in open military conflict with their mother country and considering whether or not a more drastic course of action was needed.

posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 4:32:24 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Friday, June 29, 2007

Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), who replaced Sen. Thomas upon his passing away, has indicated he will oppose efforts to spend tax dollars on unethical embryonic stem cell research.  The senator is no stranger to medical science having been a respected physician for many years.  He was quoted as saying “I'm a strong advocate of medical research, research we can do to help people with disease, and I think we can do it in a way that we don't destroy embryos.”  The Casper Star Tribune also reports on his stem cell stance in an article that mentions several legislative issues.

For more information on stem cells click here.

posted on Friday, June 29, 2007 8:50:33 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

We have great news for talk radio fans, conservatives, and defenders of free speech.  Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) yesterday proposed an amendment to the House Financial Services Appropriations bill that prevents federal funds from being used to enforce the “fairness doctrine” on talk radio and other media outlets should the onerous regulation ever be revived (as several U.S. Senators have suggested).  We are happy to report that the amendment passed overwhelmingly.


To see how your representative voted on the Pence Amendment click here.  For more information on the Pence Amendment check these articles from the Muncie Free Press (click here and here).

posted on Friday, June 29, 2007 4:29:22 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Thursday, June 28, 2007

Here is an encouraging story from LifeNews about poll findings showing that teens and young adults are more likely to consider themselves “pro-life” or to favor more limits on abortion than older segments of the population.

posted on Thursday, June 28, 2007 10:11:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Some members of Congress are talking about resurrecting the “fairness doctrine” for talk radio, a decades-old federal regulation (dropped by President Reagan) which mandated that radio and TV broadcasts were supposed to give equal time to opposing sides of any given political issue (remember all the conservative commentators of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s?).  Under the pretense of “ensuring both sides are heard” and fixing the supposed “structural defects” that allow conservatives to dominate talk radio, members of Congress such as Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) are proposing that radio stations be subjected to FCC regulation to ensure that “progressives” (i.e. liberals) are allowed equal time.  Since the “progressive” (liberal) AirAmerica radio network didn’t catch on with the American public, liberals have decided to mandate you be exposed to liberal viewpoints. This could have the effect of stifling a popular and informative medium, but more importantly it presents a dangerous threat to free speech rights found in the First Amendment.  Such obviously unconstitutional and un-American legislation must be steadfastly opposed, and legislators who support such foolishness should be held accountable.

For all their supposed concern about the “unfair” imbalance of opinion on talk radio, one would think they would be just as eager to federally mandate “fairness” in newspapers and network TV.  Hmm…Go figure.

UPDATE: This article by Rich Galen at TownHall gives some important historical perspective on the nefarious fairness doctrine.


posted on Thursday, June 28, 2007 2:40:11 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   
 Wednesday, June 27, 2007

More exciting news in adult stem cell research (i.e. non-embryonic).

A new study shows adult stem cells from umbilical cord blood can successfully treat children with type 1 diabetes.  Studies like this are continually showing how unethical research that destroys innocent human embryos is unnecessary.

Additionally, two Congressmen have introduced legislation to support ethical forms of stem cell research.  “The Patients First Act” (
H.R. 2807) proposed by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) Would prioritize support for such exciting avenues of research as amniotic fluid cells and turning ordinary skins cells into stem cells without creating or harming an embryo.



For more information on exciting developments in ethical stem cell research click here.

posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 9:36:24 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #   

Tony Perkins and Chuck Donovan (of FRC) write (as private citizens) in the Politico about the importance of the Republican Party not nominating a pro-choice candidate for president.  They reemphasize the importance of the abortion issue and debunk the idea that being pro-life is a losing political proposition. 

Also, the talented Ramesh Ponnuru recently wrote an article in the National Review entitled “A Singular Issue” in which he underscores the critical importance of the life issues when considering presidential nominees.

posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 6:49:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  #