AdvanceUSAAmericans Defending Values and National Conservative Efforts
Home PageAbout UsLinksMediaActionSurveyDonateBlogContact Us









 Monday, March 03, 2008
Commentary by Daniel Herbster

Last night my pastor gave a report on his recent mission trip to the poverty-stricken nation of Surinam in South America.  During the presentation, he happened to mention how the practice of slavery hundreds of years ago has drastically affected the institution of marriage in that land, even to this day.

Apparently, when European colonial powers brought African slaves to Surinam, male slaves were dehumanized to such an extent that they were merely used for breeding purposes without ever being able to behave like actual fathers.  This has led to a matriarchal culture where single women are left to raise the nation’s children alone while marriage is often considered unnecessary.

This is sobering evidence of how cultural decisions can have drastic effects on the institution of marriage, and how the deterioration of the family can prevent nations from achieving their full potential.  We in America should redouble our efforts to protect marriage by encouraging stable, two-parent families and by protecting the traditional definition of marriage.

posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 9:07:55 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
LifeNews reports.  Ultrasound bills are important steps toward fostering a “culture of life” in our nation.  Let’s hope even more states take a look at these effective pro-life laws.

posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 8:51:07 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
LifeNews reports on this touching story.

posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 8:49:48 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
 Friday, February 29, 2008
Today the Supreme Court is meeting to decide whether to hear an appeal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over an outrageous decision by the 2nd Circuit Court.  The 2nd Circuit ruled that “fleeting” instances of profanity were acceptable on broadcast radio and TV at any time of day regardless of the likelihood that children were in the audience.  Pray that the Supreme Court takes up this case and gives the FCC the power it needs to enforce common-sense restrictions on indecency over the publicly owned airwaves.  On Monday, the high court will announce its decision on whether or not to hear the case.

Regardless of the Court’s decision Monday, this issue reveals the importance of passing common-sense legislation in Congress which will clarify that the FCC can do its job (even for so-called “fleeting” instances of profanity).  Our thanks to FCC Chairman Martin for his leadership.

Check back with AdvanceUSA for the latest on this important moral and cultural issue.

posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 7:16:32 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
As if Planned Parenthood could sink any lower.  LifeNews reports.  Excerpt:

Pro-life members of Congress say the federal government should stop funding Planned Parenthood through national family programs because its teen-oriented web site features pornography.

posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 7:11:36 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
 Thursday, February 28, 2008
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Does that sound like a pro-life slogan to you?  This is a quote from Horton the elephant in Dr. Seuss’s classic “Horton Hears a Who.”  As World Magazine’s Blog reports, with the release of a new animated film of the same name, pro-lifers in Colorado are using the quote to demonstrate the need for a state constitutional amendment to protect the unborn from the moment of conception.

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:28:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
The Committee for Justice explains.  Here is a particularly helpful excerpt relating to the role and importance of judges:

Nonetheless, if you are not a judicial conservative, you may be asking what’s wrong with judges protecting the weak from the strong? Well, for one thing, identification of “the weak” is very much in the eye of the beholder. We’re guessing that Barack Obama does not want judges to favor gun owners, unborn babies, white men challenging employers’ racial preferences, or property owners threatened by environmental regulations, no matter how much power they’re up against.

 

Moreover, the Constitution and the laws enacted by our elected representatives already contain many protections for criminal defendants, employees, minorities, women, and the like. The job of a judge is to dispassionately apply these constitutional and statutory protections, not to second guess their authors. That’s not to say that a good judge succeeds at being completely dispassionate in every case. But it is only the Left that wants to enshrine “what is in the judge's heart” as a “critical ingredient” in the law, to quote Barack Obama.


Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
Democrat candidate for president

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:25:43 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
The Virginia Senate has voted to prohibit funds for Planned Parenthood because they advocate for and perform abortions.  Let’s hope other states and the federal government begin to follow their example.  It is a travesty that the largest company in the abortion industry receives millions of dollars in tax dollars.

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:20:51 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
LifeNews and KETV report.  It looks like dangerous loopholes allowing for “clone and kill” research have been removed from this legislation in Nebraska, causing pro-life organizations to support it for fear that something far worse would take its place.  Let’s hope Nebraska can continue to avoid following down the same road that Missouri took in 2006.

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:18:23 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Overcoming MS with Adult Stem Cells

WRAL in Raleigh, NC reports on the amazing story of Barry Goudy who no longer has any symptoms of MS thanks to adult stem cell treatments.  Click here to see WRAL’s video report on Barry’s story.


Barry Goudy fought his MS with adult stem cells
Graphic source: WRAL

“Medical Journal: Adult Stem Cell Research Trumps Embryonic in Helping Patients”

LifeNews and US News report.  Why should we spend the hard-earned money of taxpayers on research that destroys human embryos when ethical adult stem cell therapies are show real-world results?

 

For more information check the stem cell page and adult stem cell page.

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:16:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:11:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:09:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
LifeNews reports.  Furthermore, our friends in the House tell us that abstinence and faithfulness education will still be supported, and they are convinced that language allowing abortion promoting organizations to receive taxpayer dollars has been fully eliminated.

Our thanks to all who made their voice heard on this issue.  Also, special thanks to Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Pro-Life Caucus, for his tireless efforts to address the pro-life and pro-family concerns with PEPFAR.


Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)

posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:07:02 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
 Wednesday, February 27, 2008
LifeNews has some helpful commentary on Phill Kline, the Kansas district attorney and former Attorney General who dared to hold Planned Parenthood accountable to the law.  Kline has been unfairly maligned and this piece helps shed the light of truth on the case.

District Attorney Phill Kline
Graphic source: LifeNews

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:12:55 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Michelle Malkin discusses the recent tragedy of the lady in Britain who committed suicide after abortion her twins.  Hopefully, more women will hear this message through the mainstream culture’s incessant drumbeat about the benefits of abortion.

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:10:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:09:15 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Congressman Scott Garrett tells the truth about the problems with PEPFAR in his piece at Townhall.  Check back with AdvanceUSA to find out how today’s committee markup went.

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:08:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Janice Shaw Crouse relates the growing body of research evidence that proves the essential role fathers play in the healthy development of children (both boys and girls).  This evidence suggests a compelling public interest in efforts to protect the traditional family.

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:06:41 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Conservatives were saddened to hear of the passing of William F. Buckley, Jr. this morning.  He was instrumental in building the modern conservative movement, and was the founder and long-time editor of the National Review.  His intelligence, good will, and determination will be missed.

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:05:20 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
The bi-partisan PEFAR anti-AIDS funding legislation is being marked up right now.  To watch the hearings via live streaming check the website of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and click on the “Live Webcast” link in the lower right margin or click here.

Listening in around 11:30 one could hear Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) give an excellent defense of abstinence and faithfulness education for combating the global spread of AIDS.  Let’s hope that no tax dollars will go to support abortions under this bill.

posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:41:16 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
 Tuesday, February 26, 2008

In preparation for our “Advance Spotlight” in tomorrow’s “Advance Report” weekly e-newsletter, Daniel Herbster was able to conduct an interview with Micah Clark who is the Executive Director of the American Family Association of Indiana.  Below is the text of the interview.

For more information on AFAIN and the great work they do for Hoosier families, check out their website (www.afain.net).  To subscribe to AdvanceUSA’s email services and to receive your own issue of the Advance Report, check the “Get Involved” box in the left margin.

 

DH: Thanks for taking the time to share this information with our readers.  What is the mission of the American Family Association of Indiana?

MC: AFAIN is Indiana’s only statewide decency organization.  We exist to educate Hoosiers on the moral, cultural, and political issues of the day and how those issues impact Hoosier families.  We are a voice for family values at the local, state, and federal levels.

DH: How did it get started?  How long has it been around?

MC: AFA of Indiana was founded in Northeast Indiana near Auburn in 1993 as a state affiliate of the National American Family Association (based in Tupelo, MS).  However, AFA IN is a locally funded and locally governed non-partisan, non-profit 501c 3 organization.  AFA of Indiana is a donation-run organization, which has become one of the leading and most influential pro-family organizations in the state.

AFA of Indiana was originally...

posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:15:25 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
CitizenLink reports on this encouraging news for those concerned about keeping their communities free from indecency.

posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:06:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
As the Towers Online reports, the outcome of the upcoming ‘gay marriage’ case before the California Supreme Court could have drastic implication on the national scene besides it’s obvious effects on the campaign to approve a marriage protection amendment in California.

For more information on the California marriage amendment visit www.ProtectMarriage.com.

posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:05:19 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
AdvanceUSA is happy to report that the Vitter amendment passed this morning by a vote of 52 - 42.  Now Americans can rest assured that their tax dollars will not be used to fund abortions under the Indian Health Services bill (click here for more information).  For full vote results and to see how your senators voted on this important pro-life amendment check the vote box below (or click here).

AdvanceUSA thanks all those who called their senators concerning this pro-life matter.  The voice of ordinary Americans can make a powerful difference in Washington when people exercise their rights to petition their government and to express their political opinions.

Also, AdvanceUSA thanks Senator David Vitter (R-LA) for proposing and defending this important legislation.

UPDATE: LifeNews reports.

Senate Vote on the Vitter Amendment (S.A. 3896) to codify the pro-life Hyde amendment in the Indian Health Services bill
February 26, 2008

Full Results | News Story

 


Yeas


Nays

 

PRES


NV

Republican


43

 

3

 

 

3

Democratic


9

 

38


 

3

Independent



1



TOTALS


52


42


 

6

See other important Congressional vote results on the Congress Vote Watch page.

posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 4:47:37 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
 Monday, February 25, 2008
Our friends in the Senate tell us that the pro-life Vitter amendment (# 3896) will be considered tomorrow.  The Vitter amendment would prevent taxpayer dollars from supporting abortions under the Indian Health Services bill.

Call both your senators today and urge them to vote “Yes” on the pro-life Vitter amendment (# 3896)!

posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 9:41:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
The Telegraph (UK) reports on this tragic case of post-abortion anguish.

posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 9:36:53 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 9:35:52 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
Grove City College offers some helpful resources contemplating abortion, the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, and the effects of abortion on civilization.

On Morality, Abortion, and Empires
By Dr. Andrew Harvey

The Twisted Relativism of Abortion
By Dr. Paul Kengor

posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 9:33:54 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 9:21:12 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #   
AdvanceUSA recently unveiled a new weekly e-newsletter called “The Advance Report.”  In each newsletter AdvanceUSA will highlight a conservative organization or cause.  In the first issue we highlighted Retired Judges of America.  Below is our first Advance Spotlight.

If you would like to receive the Advance Report simply follow these links to join AdvanceUSA or sign up for email.  Or you can click on the links in the “Get Involved” box in the left margin of the blog and website. Be sure to fill out our survey when you do so we know which issues about which to send you information (check as many or as few issues as you would like). 

Advance Spotlight

In our first "Advance Spotlight" we would like to highlight the great work being done by Retired Judges of America, an organization of current or retired judges whose mission is to "to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity through the networking of retired and former judges who are committed to upholding the principles of America's Organic Laws as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States."  RJA seeks to minister to the spiritual needs of our nation's judges while seeking to protect the Constitution.  One example of RJA's contribution to American public life is the uncovering the truth about the Harlan Bible and what it says about our government's religious heritage and basis.  If you've never heard about the "Harlan Bible" click here.

Retired Judges of America holds the promise of Isaiah 1:26 as a goal for ministry. "I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."  Check their website (www.retiredjudges.org) and blog for more information.

If you would like to support RJA financially or get involved with their cause