Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Vote on PEPFAR Abstinence and Abortion Funding Next Thursday The House Foreign Affairs Committee will vote on PEPFAR anti-AIDS funding reauthorization on Thursday, February 28.  Call your representative today (especially if they serve on this committee) and urge him or her to vote against the PEPFAR legislation unless pro-abortion code words like “family panning” and “reproductive health” are removed and abstinence education and anti-prostitution language is maintained.  LifeNews reports on the abortion funding aspect while the AP reports on President Bush’s statements urging lawmakers to preserve crucial abstinence and faithfulness funding. Click here for more information on PEPFAR or check the AdvanceUSA home page. Abortion | Abstinence | PEPFAR | Pro Life | Pro Morality | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:20:42 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Artery Procedure [Using Adult Stem Cells] Raises New Hopes” The Chicago Tribune reports on how adult stem cells could help prevent many amputations.  Excerpts: A new procedure launched at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago in January offers hope to patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), or severely blocked leg arteries.   Doctors transplanted a purified form of the patients' own stem cells into their leg muscles to grow new, small blood vessels and restore circulation in their legs. Two patients underwent the procedure. They are the first subjects in a 20-site national trial. … Losordo said a treatment for CLI could be available by 2012. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:18:08 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “My Miracle Baby Boy Survived Abortion” News of the World (UK) reports. Graphic source: News of the World Abortion | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:16:28 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Vote on Vitter Amendment Monday or Tuesday AdvanceUSA has learned that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has filed cloture on the Indian Health Services bill, and a vote on the essential pro-life Vitter amendment is expected on Monday or Tuesday (25th or 26th).  Call both your senators and urge them to support the Vitter Amendment (# 3896) to the Indian Health Services bill! Click here for more information on the imporant Vitter amendment. Abortion | Pro Life | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:07:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “New [Religious Freedom] Threat to Charitable Choice” One would expect that Catholic organizations should be able to hire only Catholics or that religious ministries (a church soup kitchen for example) should be able to fire or refuse to hire people who violate that religion’s moral teachings on sexuality.  These common sense assumptions could be in danger if “charitable choice” is not protected in the upcoming SAMSHA vote in the Senate. Charitable choice is what allows religious charities to accept federal funding while taking religious/moral beliefs into consideration when hiring employees.  Without these protections religious charities would be forced to compromise their most cherished beliefs in order to continue to minister effectively.  Allowing Catholic charities to only hire Catholics or to refuse to hire someone who is an openly practicing homosexual are examples of charitable choice protection. The Center blog reports on the latest efforts to restrict this important religious liberty in the statutory provisions governing the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Senators should be urged to support charitable choice in SAMHSA. Excerpt from Washington Post story: Under the Civil Rights Act, religious groups are allowed to only hire people of their particular faith. The battle erupts over what should happen when these groups accept federal dollars.   Supporters of charitable choice said before it was in place many faith-based groups were treated poorly by government agencies and shied away from applying for federal money, fearing they would have to change their religious nature. Many of these groups are highly effective in helping the addicted and mentally ill, supporters said, and without charitable choice, many of them won't apply for federal aid, perhaps dropping out. Faith-Based Initiatives | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:05:39 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Obama and McCain Win Wisconsin Barack Obama won the Democrat primary races last night in Wisconsin and Hawaii while John McCain won Wisconsin in the Republican race. Wisconsin (full results) Democrat Primary Barack Obama          58% Hillary Clinton           41% Republican Primary John McCain            55% Mike Huckabee         37% Hawaii (full results) Democrat Primary Barack Obama          76% Hillary Clinton           24% To see how the presidential candidates stand on important issues check AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons. Election 2008 posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:01:42 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Presidential Primary Elections Today With the heated Democrat race as close as ever between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and with frontrunner John McCain hoping to “seal the deal” with the Republican party, today’s primary elections will be attracting lots of interest.  Democrats will have contests in Wisconsin and Hawaii while Republicans will also vote in Wisconsin and in Washington State.  My Way news reports. AdvanceUSA Blog will post results tomorrow.  Until then USA Today will tabulate results as they come in tonight. Make sure you know where the major presidential candidates stand on important issues with AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons. Election 2008 posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:06:03 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Randy Forbes Introduces “America’s Religious History” Bill Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA) has introduced a bill (H. RES. 888) which would make the first week in May “America’s Religious History Week.”  Much of the text of the bill would make a great history lesson in America’s rich religious history.  Read the full text here.  Excerpts: Whereas political scientists have documented that the most frequently-cited source in the political period known as The Founding Era was the Bible;   Whereas the first act of America’s first Congress in 1774 was to ask a minister to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the reading of four chapters of the Bible;   Whereas in 1777, Congress, facing a national shortage of “Bibles for our schools, and families, and for the public worship of God in our churches,” announced that they “desired to have a Bible printed under their care & by their encouragement” and therefore ordered 20,000 copies of the Bible to be imported “into the different ports of the States of the Union”;   Whereas in 1782, Congress pursued a plan to print a Bible that would be “a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools” and therefore approved the production of the first English-language Bible printed in America that contained the congressional endorsement that “the United States in Congress assembled . . . recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States”;   Whereas, in 1864, by law Congress added “In God We Trust” to American coinage; To read these quotes and many more click here.  Or for a version that includes the historical documentation check the PDF version at Rep. Randy Forbes’ website. Pro Religious Freedom | Religion in Public posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:00:14 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Exodus International Sees Dramatic Growth” Congratulations to our friends at Exodus International, who do great work speaking the truth in love about overcoming homosexuality, on their organization’s dramatic growth.  CitizenLink reports. posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 6:36:33 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Monday, February 18, 2008 More Stem Cell News Adult “Stem Cell Treatment Attracts Thousands” ABC News reports (in a very balanced fashion) on the visible results Paul Flynn has achieved from the adult stem cell therapies he received in China.  Excerpt: Using stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood (UCB), Hu said his company has treated over 2,000 patients since 2005. They claim an 85 percent rate of improvement in a variety of conditions, from spinal cord injuries to autism. …   "Little things like that. I can jump now, which I couldn't jump earlier. I can jump now, little frog hops, which requires all the contraction and releasing and coordination of all of your leg muscles all at once. So, just little things like that. Squatting, I can squat a little better now without falling over."   His wife, Teresa, has also taken note. "I've noticed a lot of improvement in his walk, his speech, his overall sense of well being," she said. Unfortunately, many of the results in China have not been submitted for official scientific review, but personal testimonials like Paul’s definitely merit careful consideration. Paul Flynn with his son Michael in China Graphic source: ABC News “Ethical Method of Creating Embryonic-Like Stem Cells Overcomes More Hurdles” Scientists report that the embryonic-like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which can be obtained ethically from ordinary skin cells, can be used for treatment without causing tumors.  One of the chief faults with using normal embryonic stem cells (besides the fact that they require the destruction or endangerment of human embryos) is that they often form tumors.  Once again, ethical stem cell research shows the greater promise of actually achieving treatments and cures.  LifeNews also reports.   “Racehorse Wins after Pioneering [Adult] Stem Cell Treatment” Horse lovers, pro-lifers, and medical junkies will be fascinated to learn that adult stem cell treatments are even producing real results in the animal kingdom.  Excerpt: Pioneering stem cell treatment has enabled British steeplechaser Knowhere to come back from severe injuries to win Cheltenham's Gold Cup Trial last week. Graphic source: horsetalk.co.nz   “UCLA Adult Stem Cell Speech” Michael Webster shares his success story from having used adult stem cell treatments.   “Stem Cell Storage Turns to Menstrual Source” The Chicago Tribune reports.  Excerpt: Some call it a curse, some an inconvenience, and some even think of it as a feminine privilege, joining them with the cycles of nature.   Now a Florida firm wants women to think of their monthly period as a precious chance to gather stem cells that could later prove a lifesaver to them or their families. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 9:09:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Minnesota Legislature Pursues Tax-Supported Human Cloning CitizenLink and LifeNews report. Human Cloning | Stem Cells posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:59:22 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Once More William Neaves Misleads” Noted bioethics expert Wesley J. Smith comments on the latest round of pro-human cloning misinformation in Missouri. Human Cloning | Missouri | Stem Cells posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:56:39 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “United Nations Committee Pushes Countries to Promote Abortion in CEDAW Meeting” LifeNews reports.  This is even more evidence of why the United States should never sign the CEDAW treaty. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:55:20 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Indiana Marriage Amendment Dies in State House The Indy Star reports on this sad news for marriage defenders in Indiana.  Hoosiers can especially thank State Rep. Patrick Bauer and State Rep. Scott Pelath for denying them the opportunity to vote on a marriage amendment in 2008. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:53:47 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Abortion Remark Angers Students” How would you respond to the following statement? "In my opinion, the moral thing for older mothers to do is to have amniocentesis, as soon during pregnancy as is safe for the fetus, test whether placental cells have a third chromosome #21, and abort the fetus if it does. The brain is the last organ to become functional." LifeNews and the News Observer have the full story. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 8:51:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Friday, February 15, 2008 Adult Stem Cell Updates Studies in Australia show that adult stem cells are accomplishing incredible results in repairing fractured bones. The Temple Telegram has a great biographical piece on Dr. Darwin Prockop who “has been researching adult stem cells for 18 years and yet maintains a sense of wonder about his work.”  Dr. Prockop is doing great work, and it is refreshing to hear his expert and honest assessment of the enormous potential of ethical adult stem cell research and of the difficulties and problems associated with embryonic stem cell research.  This piece is an exciting read for those interested in the amazing medicinal potential of ethical forms of stem cell research.  Excerpt: There have been no reports of any patient trials using embryonic stem cells, he said.   “There have been some major technological problems,” Prockop said. “One thing is they form tumors in animals that look like the beginnings of cancer and nobody quite knows how to get around this problem.” Dr. Prockop at work Graphic source: Temple Telegraph For more information on adult stem cell successes click here.  Or check the stem cell page. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 3:45:54 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Obstruction of Judges and FISA Our friend Curt Levey at the Committee for Justice compares the recent refusal of the House Democrat leadership to allow a vote on the Protect America Act to the obstruction of President Bush’s judicial nominees.  Excerpt: …our view on passage of the Protect America Act is the same as our philosophy on the confirmation of judicial nominees. If senators and House members are sincere in their belief that the PAA is a threat to civil liberties or that the President’s judicial nominees threaten civil rights – they can and should vote against passage or confirmation on the floor. What they should not do is thwart the will of the majority by preventing a fair up-or-down vote. The Protect America Act and FISA are not major issues for AdvanceUSA, but we certainly share the frustration over the Senate’s intolerably slow pace of confirming judicial nominations and urge a fair up-or-down vote for all the president's nominees. To see a graphic representation of the slow pace of judicial confirmations click here.  For more information on judicial nomination check the AdvanceUSA pro-justice page. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 3:40:05 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Legislation Would Allow Married Gay Couples to Divorce in R.I.” The Boston Globe reports on this backhanded attempt to promote “gay marriage” by allowing same-sex couples to divorce. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 3:37:17 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Thursday, February 14, 2008 Research on Animals Is Bad, but Experimenting on Unborn Human Embryos is OK? Debra J. Saunders writes about the animal-rights terrorists who intimidate or plot acts of violence against researchers involved with animal testing.  It is highly ironic that many of the opponents of animal testing are likely also advocates of unrestricted embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and abortion on demand. Pro Life posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:08:09 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Biotech Firms Plan Embryonic Stem Cell Research Treatments in Humans” As LifeNews reports, unethical embryonic stem cell research is going on in America.  Do you want your tax dollars to support it? Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:05:09 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Study Finds Women Who Have Abortions Experience Post-Traumatic Stress” LifeNews and LifeSite report. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 6:03:50 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Two States’ Marriage Amendment Fights Need Help! Calling all Californians and Hoosiers (“Hoosiers” are folks from Indiana for all you non-Hoosiers out there) concerned about protecting the traditional definition of marriage from activist judges and liberal politicians!  You have urgent and important opportunities to defend the sacred institution of marriage in your states. Indiana The Indiana Marriage Amendment (S.J.R. 7) was passed by the State Senate but is languishing in the State House Rules Committee.  In Indiana, a constitutional amendment must be approved by two consecutive legislatures and then approved by the people.  If the House continues to delay, Indiana voters will be deprived of the opportunity to vote on the amendment on their 2008 ballot and the effort to protect marriage in Indiana will be set back several years.  Defenders of marriage in Indiana are urged to call and email State House Speaker Patrick Bauer and State House Rules Committee Chairman Scott Pelath.  Contact information:  Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) 317-232-9628 h6@in.gov Chairman Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) 317-232-9647 h9@in.gov HT: Brian California CitizenLink reports (article: “California Gets Ready to Vote on Marriage”) that the California Marriage Amendment is off to a good start with 100,000 signatures gathered to get it on the 2008 ballot.  However, a total of about 1 Million signatures will be needed to do so.  If you live in California check out the Protect Marriage website to find out how to sign the petition and find other ways to help the cause. Visit: www.ProtectMarriage.com Marriage | Pro Family posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 5:22:35 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Wednesday, February 13, 2008 PEPFAR Hearings Postponed AdvanceUSA has learned from friends in the House of Representatives that the Foreign Affairs Committee hearings on PEPFAR have been postponed until the “week of February 25.” Abortion | Abstinence | PEPFAR | Pro Life | Pro Morality posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:00:41 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      “Scientists Reprogram Human Skin Cells Into Embryonic Stem Cells” Forbes has a helpful piece on the recent breakthrough in deriving embryonic-like pluripotent stem cells from ordinary skin cells, thus removing the ethical controversies of destroying human embryos or endangering women through egg donation.  The process produces what are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Graphic source: Time article For more information on stem cells click here. Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 5:59:21 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia Update Pro-lifers should be careful to recognize the sanctity of all human life, whether early (unborn) or late (elderly). The effort to legalize assisted suicide in Washington State is being stalled by a lawsuit challenging the accuracy of the ballot summary of the proposed assisted suicide referendum (reported by LifeNews).  CitizenLink also reports. LifeNews also reports on the case of a man who is being prosecuted for murder for killing his wife under Oregon’s assisted suicide law.  The campaign for assisted suicide and euthanasia are symptoms of our society’s “culture of death” and must be opposed. Assisted Suicide | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 5:56:04 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Obama and McCain Win Potomac Primary The presidential primaries held yesterday in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia were clean sweeps.  Sen. Barack Obama won for the Democrats and Sen. John McCain won for the Republicans. For full results check the links below. Virginia Maryland District of Columbia To see how the presidential candidates stand on important issues check AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons. Election 2008 posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 5:53:51 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)       Tuesday, February 12, 2008 “The First Ache:” Acknowledging Fetal Pain Annie Murphy Paul has an eye-opening and even-handed piece in the New York Times today entitled “The First Ache” which extensively documents the medical evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain.  As noted in the piece, this knowledge has enabled pro-lifers to promote “unborn pain awareness” legislation aimed at humanizing unborn children and attempting to foster a “culture of life” and a culture of concern for the unborn. Excerpt: New evidence, however, has persuaded him [Dr. Kanwaljeet Anand] that fetuses can feel pain by 20 weeks gestation (that is, halfway through a full-term pregnancy) and possibly earlier. As Anand raised awareness about pain in infants, he is now bringing attention to what he calls “signals from the beginnings of pain.” Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) have proposed legislation, on the federal level, to inform women seeking abortions that their unborn child is likely to experience pain.  For more information on the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act check the AdvanceUSA home page or pro-life page. Consider contacting your representative and both your senators and urging them to support the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act (S. 356 / H.R. 3442).  Also consider writing an op-ed piece in your local newspaper to inform people about the pain unborn children experience during an abortion. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:17:23 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)      Potomac Primaries Today Today the states of Maryland and Virginia as well as the District of Columbia, hold their presidential primaries.  AdvanceUSA Blog will post the results tomorrow.  Until then, USA Today will have