Tuesday, October 30, 2007 The Homosexual Agenda’s “Roof Down” Strategy The Washington Blade (homosexual news publication) explains the strategy of the “gay rights” agenda while offering critique to help proponents obtain the ultimate goal of same-sex marriage.  The article suggests a “incremental” approach in which marriage and civil unions are not discussed until the public is “ready.” A suggested plan of attack includes these stages of building in this order: Hate Crimes ENDA Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Permanent Partners Immigration Act Civil Unions Repeal Defense of Marriage Act and Overturn State Marriage Amendments Click here to read the full explanation. ENDA | Hate Crimes | Marriage | Pro Family | Pro Morality | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:55:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Another Black Leader of Faith Speaks Out Against ENDA Star Parker has an excellent column explaining the problems with the dangerous ENDA legislation and exposes the hypocrisy of many radical homosexual organizations.  Excerpt: We've got legislation moving through Congress, pushed by gay activists, that would make it illegal for an employer to not hire, or to fire, someone because of their sexual orientation. But the head of the nation's largest gay-activist organization asks Obama to fire a man because he is a Christian and an advocate of traditional values? For more information on ENDA click here or here. ENDA | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:52:53 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Chuck Colson: The Victims of Porn This subject is always an important reminder, especially during the White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign this week.  This article also includes helpful links to find out how to fight porn in your community or in your own life. Pornography | Pro Morality posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:51:44 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Mexico City Policy Target of Pro-Abortionists AdvanceUSA has learned that pro-abortion activists and politicians have the Mexico City Policy in their sites.  The Mexico City Policy (first instituted by Ronald Reagan) prohibits taxpayer dollars from going to international organizations that either provide or support abortions.  Hearings on this important pro-life policy will be held tomorrow morning in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  AdvanceUSA Blog will work to provide you with the most up-to-date information on the efforts to preserve this crucial pro-life provision. Some important things to remember concerning the Mexico City Policy: Pro-abortionists are willing to sacrifice important foreign policy funds in an attempt to funnel more taxpayer dollars to radical pro-abortion organizations. Despite claims that abortion could improve health care in developing countries, it must be remembered that there is no such thing as a safe abortion (it hurts mothers in many ways and is always harmful for the unborn child). The Mexico City Policy currently draws a helpful distinction between “abortion” and “family planning.” The problem of maternal mortality (women dying because of childbirth) should be addressed through life-affirming health policies. CitizenLink reports on the upcoming Mexico City Policy hearings here. Abortion | Pro Life | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:09:24 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “The Return of the Thought Police: ‘Hate Crime’ Legislation is an Assault on Civil Liberties” Lawyer and author Wendy Kaminer has a very helpful piece in the Wall Street Journal exposing the dangers and misconceptions relating to hate crimes legislation now in Congress.  She also makes the case that civil libertarians wary of government intrusion into personal rights should support their social conservative cohorts in opposing hate crimes. She addresses the charge that the current hate crimes bill does not deal with speech but only violent crime.  She explains this view but then concludes: Still, distinguishing hateful bias crimes from other hateful acts of violence punishes ideas and expression, no matter how scrupulously the legislation is crafted. When someone convicted of assaulting one woman is subject to an enhanced prison sentence or a more vigorous prosecution because his assault was motivated by a hateful belief in the inherent inferiority of all women, then he is being punished for his thoughts as well as his conduct. Hate crimes should really be called “thought crimes” or “bias crimes” as noted here: …without directly criminalizing speech, the proposed Matthew Shepard Act (like other hate-crime laws) does effectively and intentionally criminalize bias, when bias is shown to bear a direct relationship to a violent crime. The hate crimes bill could also threaten the important constitutional principle prohibiting “double jeopardy;” being prosecuted twice for the same crime: But freedom of thought is not the only liberty at stake in this debate. The Matthew Shepard Act would also subject defendants to double jeopardy for a single offense. The bill expressly states that defendants prosecuted in state court may be prosecuted for the same crime in federal court, if federal officials determine that "the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to state charges left demonstrably unvindicated the federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence." She concludes her piece noting that the killers of Matthew Shephard were tried and convicted to the full extent of the law. Matthew Shepard's killers were convicted of homicide and kidnapping by the state of Wyoming and are serving consecutive life sentences. His torture and murder remain awful to contemplate, but civil libertarians ought not be squeamish about questioning the consequences of the law that would bear his name. How would a hate crimes law have punished them any more? For more on hate crimes click here or here. Hate Crimes | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 8:21:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Monday, October 29, 2007 Under Assault: First Amendment Religious Expression and America’s Religious Heritage Those who would like to remove all reference to God from public life have been very busy lately as these three stories illustrate. Flag folding at National Cemeteries: Apparently the traditional flag-folding ceremony entitled to veterans is being forbidden because of its reference to God.  Full story from the Associated Press and One News Now.  Excerpts: Complaints about religious content have led to a ban on flag-folding recitations by Veterans Administration employees and volunteers at all 125 national cemeteries.   Rabbi Yitzhak Miller of Temple Beth El said he understands the ban. "It is a perfect example of government choosing to ignore religion in order to avoid offending some religions," Miller said. "To me, ignoring religion in general is just as problematic as endorsing any one religion." Certificates for Capitol Flags: As reported earlier the Architect of the Capitol denied a Boy Scout from referencing God on the certificate of a flag flown in honor of his grandfather over the Capitol.  The acting Architect of the Capitol has reversed the decision and will allow Congressmen to chose what wording is permitted on each certificate, but some conservative activists are encouraging the White House to nominate a new Architect of the Capitol to serve a ten-year term.  This way the policy could not be overturned by the next administration regardless of party affiliation. Pro Religious Freedom | Religion in Public posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 9:32:58 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Prisoner Wins Right to Continue Preaching” CitizenLink reports. Pro Religious Freedom posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 9:21:46 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Friday, October 26, 2007 SCHIP Still Does Not Fully Protect Unborn Children As LifeNews reports the latest version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) does not codify important language that ensures unborn children receive medical care under SCHIP.  It is important that this language be codified into law so that future administrations cannot deny health coverage to the unborn. For more information on SCHIP click here or here. Abortion | Pro Life | SCHIP posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 9:53:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Thursday, October 25, 2007 A Judge Confirmed at a Snail’s Pace After the successful confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick yesterday (which took almost 17 months) the number of circuit court judges confirmed by the Senate in the last two years of Bush’s second term has climbed to a grand total of five.  Obviously, the Senate has its work cut out for it if it is going to keep pace with the rate of Bill Clinton’s nominees (as the stats reveal).  It is important to note that since the presidential election “season” is growing so long, there are probably only about 6-8 months left for the senate to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominations. To view a larger version click here. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice | Southwick posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:29:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Planned Parenthood Scandals: “A New Front in the Abortion Wars” Robert Novak’s column today shows how Planned Parenthood in “bleeding Kansas” is the new front in the abortion wars.  Excerpt: National antiabortion leaders put the finishing touches yesterday on a letter to be sent to all members of Congress, urging suspension of more than $300 million in federal funding of Planned Parenthood until a massive criminal case brought in Kansas against the abortion rights organization is settled. That launches an attack against the nation's largest purveyor of "reproductive health care" -- including abortions. A Weekly Standard article entitled “Planned Parenthood's Unseemly Empire” takes a comprehensive look at the abortion provider while debunking many of the common assertions by Planned Parenthood defenders.  The story catalogues many of the instances when cases of sexual abuse were ignored by Planned Parenthood staff and shows how the organization profits from promiscuity. The Intellectual Conservative highlights the cover-up of sexual abuse issue in a recent post entitled “How to Cover Up Statutory Rape.”  LifeNews also reports on the illegal Kansas late-term abortion scandal and the efforts of pro-life groups to initiate official investigations of Planned Parenthood. For more information check the Planned Parenthood category here at AdvanceUSA Blog. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:44:21 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Two Opinions on Rudy Giuliani and the Pro-Life Movement Paul Kengor at NRO makes the case that Rudy Giuliani winning the GOP nomination would be a disaster for the pro-life movement.  He uses quotes from the idolized conservative role model Ronald Reagan to illustrate just how important a pro-life president is to advancing the culture of life and to taking practical steps to contain and eventually roll back abortion.  Kengor’s views seem to be shared by many in the social conservative movement. Daniel Henninger at the WSJ takes a different view arguing that social conservatives and Giuliani need to come together like mature adults and not let differences put Hillary Clinton in the White House.  Henninger would seem to have his own supporters in the social conservative movement who see vacancies on the Supreme Court as the defining issue. “I believe no challenge is more important to the character of America than restoring the right to life to all human beings.” —Ronald Reagan, January 1984 Abortion | Election 2008 | Pro Life posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:40:08 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Bringing Sight to the Blind in India with Adult Stem Cell Research CNN Money reports on efforts to restore sight to damaged eyes through ethical adult stem cell research in India. Helpful Link: adult stem cell page Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:38:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Randy Thomas: “What if There Really is a 'Gay Gene'?” Our friend Randy Thomas discusses the gay gene, scientific research, and overcoming homosexuality through Christ in a World Net Daily article. Excerpt: It's not enough to just study a "gene." Science must take into account the complex, unique individuals that God made us to be. Scientists must also study the "why" behind homosexuality that encompasses identity, motivation and behavioral decisions.   Genetics? No big deal to me. I remember who I was, and more importantly – I know who I am now. To read testimonies of people who have abandoned the homosexual lifestyle and to learn more about an organization helping people overcome same-sex attraction visit Exodus International.  Also, check out Randy’s blog. posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:08:56 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Foster Child Taken Away Because Christian Couple Refuse to Teach Him About Homosexuality” The Daily Mail reports on this outrageous case.  This is an example of what can result from laws dictating “tolerance” and “non-discrimination” towards homosexuals.  Congress would do well to consider cases like this when they vote next week on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3685). More on ENDA here and here. ENDA | Pro Family | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Thursday, October 25, 2007 9:05:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Judge Southwick Finally Wins Confirmation to Fifth Circuit! Today the U.S. Senate finally did its job and voted on the confirmation of Judge Leslie Southwick for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Southwick was confirmed by a vote of 59 - 38.  His confirmation is a victory for defenders of the Constitution and a defeat for liberal extremists who support activist judges.  Before Southwick could receive his confirmation vote three-fifths of the Senate had to vote to "invoke cloture" which ended debate, prevented a partisan filibuster, and allowed a fair up-or-down vote on the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick.  Cloture was invoked by a vote of 62 - 35.  Check the AdvanceUSA Vote Watch page to see how your senators voted on this important judicial confirmation. For more information on this crucial nomination click here or check the Southwick category here at AdvanceUSA Blog. Vote to End Debate on Leslie Southwick’s Nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals October 24, 2007 Full Results | News Story     Yeas   Nays   PRES   NV Republican   49   —   —   — Democratic   13   34   —   3 Independent   —   1   — — TOTALS   62   35   — 3   Vote to Confirm Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals October 24, 2007 Full Results | News Story     Yeas   Nays   PRES   NV Republican   49   —   —   — Democratic   10   37   — 3 Independent   —   1   —   — TOTALS   59   38   —   3 Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice | Southwick posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:40:12 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Poor Planned Parenthood?” Brent Bozell provides a thought-provoking and eye-opening expose on the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood.  The more Americans know about this gruesome company the better. Excerpt: As much as liberals decry major corporations that act as if they're above the law, there's always quiet when the subject is Planned Parenthood, America's No. 1 corporate provider of abortions. During its 2005-2006 fiscal year, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America performed a record 264,943 abortions, reported a tidy profit of $55.8 million -- and received a record high in taxpayer funding of $305.3 million.   This is one corporation the media hold in the highest regard. They're not "merchants of death." That would be the tobacco companies, or gun manufacturers, or hamburger joints. These are the heroic "providers" of "a woman's right to choose." Bozell goes on to chronicle recent specific scandals involving local Planned Parenthood branches.  Read the full article here. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 6:26:10 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Southwick Floor Action” Today at Eleven As reported at NRO’s Bench Memos blog Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indicated that Judge Southwick might finally receive a fair up-or-down vote in the Senate this week.  Southwick is a highly-qualified, strong originalist nominated by President Bush to sit on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals but his nomination has been stalled due to liberal slandering of his character and distortion of his record. VOTE TODAY: Last night our contacts on the Hill informed us of the following: This evening Majority Leader Reid announced a time agreement regarding the votes on Judge Leslie Southwick’s nomination.   Under the agreement the Members have agreed to move to the cloture vote tomorrow morning at 11:00am. Should cloture be invoked (meaning more than 60 Senators vote in the affirmative), we would move immediately to the vote on final confirmation. If it is not invoked, we will return to legislative session. Southwick would be an upstanding circuit judge who would uphold the Constitution.  Pray that the Senate treats him justly and votes to confirm his nomination. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice | Southwick posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:42:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      ENDA Vote Delayed, President Bush Issues Veto Threat A gay publication is reporting that the dangerous ENDA bill has been postponed until next week so members can be polled to see if an amendment including “transgendered” individuals in the legislation would pass. Also, President Bush issued a veto threat for ENDA (H.R. 3685) in a statement of administration policy issued today.  AdvanceUSA applauds the President’s bold leadership in opposing this legislation. For more information on ENDA click here or here. ENDA | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:35:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      The WSJ on the Anniversary of the “Borking” of Judge Bork Ever wonder when judicial confirmations became so politicized or what an originalist judicial philosophy looks like?  This Wall Street Journal article answers those questions while “commemorating” the twentieth anniversary of the Senate vote to reject the nomination of Judge Robert Bork who was Ronald Reagan’s pick for the Supreme Court.  Citizens concerned about judicial tyranny would do themselves a service to read how Judge Bork, who Warren Burger described as “simply the best qualified nominee [of his] professional lifetime,” was so shamefully treated. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:29:49 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Black Pastor Strongly Opposes ENDA Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., (Chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition and author) has written an article criticizing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) because it endangers families and is an insult to the real civil rights movement.  First he draws a distinction between this attempt to mandate privileges based on sexual preference and the civil rights movement seeking to prevent racial discrimination.  Then he gives five reasons to oppose ENDA.  Click here to read the entire article or see below to read Jackson’s five reasons to oppose ENDA. 1. ENDA would overturn the historical basis of protected class status by adding “actual or perceived sexual orientation.” While every other federally-protected class embodies three standards: an obvious, immutable characteristic; a history of discrimination evidenced by economic disenfranchisement; and political powerlessness, “sexual orientation” falls under none of these criteria. It is an insult to African Americans to grant special protections for “sexual orientation.” 2. ENDA expands civil rights protections on the vague basis of perception. An employee or potential employee could sue an employer for his or her perception of their sexual orientation. Yet unlike the currently-protected classes of race, age, and gender in employment, sexual orientation is not scientifically verifiable. It is an offense to African Americans to equate “sexual orientation” with skin color. 3. ENDA infringes on the religious liberties of our parishioners. As shepherds of our flock, we cannot stand by while our parishioners are forced to ignore their convictions when they leave church on Sunday. ENDA requires people of faith to lay down their religious freedom at the office door. This opposes our beliefs and it is not practical – faith cannot be segmented into only one part our lives. 4. ENDA puts the integrity of our ministries in jeopardy. Many African-American churches run outreach ministries separate from the church to care for our communities. My local church runs a daycare which cares for over 200 children daily and the potential to serve another 100+ children in extended care for those who are in school. ENDA provides unclear protection for schools, while leaving ministries such as childcare, after school programs, and food and clothing banks vulnerable to ENDA mandates. 5. ENDA is a direct attack on our freedom of religion guaranteed in the First Amendment. The Free Exercise Clause in the First Amendment grants all Americans the freedom to practice their faith. ENDA stands in direct opposition to this liberty and must be rejected as a result. ENDA | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:51:12 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Missouri Cloning Misinformation Update As reported earlier some pro-cloning members of the media have taken to utilizing the euphemistic “early stem cells” instead of the scientifically accurate term “embryonic stem cells” in an effort to mislead the public into thinking this type of research does not destroy human embryos.  Wesley J. Smith has some insightful commentary in which he observes that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) does not recognize the term “early stem cell” and challenges the Kansas City Star (and reporter Kit Wagar in particular) to use scientifically accurate terms. He also notes that the NIH clearly defines Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) as a type of cloning, unlike what many in Missouri’s pro-cloning movement would have people believe. For more information on the latest efforts to truly and fully ban all forms of human cloning in Missouri check AdvanceUSA’s Missouri cloning page or visit Cures Without Cloning. Human Cloning | Missouri | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:19:23 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)