Thursday, May 29, 2008 New York Governor Pushes Recognition of Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages New York Governor David Paterson is seeking to change state regulations in order to recognize same-sex marriages from Canada and states like California and Massachusetts.  As the assault on traditional marriage continues the need for a Federal Marriage Protection Amendment becomes all the more clear.  The New York Times reports.  Excerpts:   Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada. …   Groups that oppose gay marriage said the governor was essentially trying to circumvent the Legislature.   “It’s a perfect example of a governor overstepping his authority and sidestepping the democratic process,” said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a national organization opposed to same-sex marriage. “It’s an issue of public policy that should be decided by the voters.” Marriage | Pro Family posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 8:43:24 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Adult Stem Cell Research Shows Gains in Treating Lou Gehrig's Disease” LifeNews reports. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 8:41:46 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “National Law Banning ‘Live Birth’ Abortions Needs Better Enforcement” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 8:40:20 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “6th Circuit Upholds Protections for Grand Rapids Citizens Against Sex Shops” The Alliance Defense Fund reports. Pro Morality posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 8:39:01 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Wednesday, May 28, 2008 “End the Welfare Marriage Penalty” Sen. Sam Brownback and David Blankenhorn write an enlightening piece about the destructive incentives our government engenders toward the family through its tax policy and welfare programs and what Congress should do to eliminate the “marriage penalty.”  Excerpt:   We believe that the time is ripe to transcend the usual partisan politics and implement a plan to stop penalizing lower-income couples who do the right thing — for themselves and their children — and get married. That's something all of us, regardless of political persuasion, should be able to agree on. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:08:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Experts Believe in Adult Stem Cells” This post by newsUSA is a helpful reminder of the difference between ethical adult stem cell research (which are already producing amazing results) and unethical embryonic stem cell research. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:06:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Most Californians Support Traditional Marriage” CitizenLink reports on this encouraging new for those advocating a marriage protection amendment in California. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:03:19 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Planned Parenthood in Nebraska Settles Near-Death Botched Abortion Lawsuit” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 6:01:20 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Tuesday, May 27, 2008 AdvanceUSA Interview with Mark Tooley Daniel Herbster reporting I had the opportunity to interview Mark Tooley about his work with UMAction at the Institute on Religion and Democracy.  The following is my interview with Mark. DH: What is UMAction and how would you sum up its mission?  Do you see it as more of a theological or political movement or both? MT:  UMAction is the Methodist program of the IRD.  Its goal is to foster accountability and reform within United Methodism.  We’re not political in the sense that we endorse candidates or specific legislation in civil society.  We are political in that we are concerned about the church’s public policy witness. We are theological in that we vigorously affirm the official, orthodox teachings of our church. DH: I understand that you were very active in the recent United Methodist Church’s global conference in Forth Worth, Texas.  Are you encouraged by what took place there? MT:  Yes, I’m encouraged by the growing numbers and influence of the non-U.S. church, especially in Africa.  They are the hope of the church’s future.   But the church still faces many battles ahead. DH: What kinds of decisions were reached on pro-life issues? MT:   There were some small, incremental steps supporting parental consent and affirming the sacredness of unborn human life.  We narrowly failed to remove church agencies from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  Had the vote been NOT on the last day, when many of the Africans had left, we probably would have won. DH: What progress was made in affirming the traditional definition of marriage and Biblical teaching on sexual morality? Read more ... Interviews | Marriage | Pro Life | Pro Morality posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:53:52 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Memorial Day: Time to Remember, Never to Forget” Jackie Gingrich Cushman provides a special tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of our nation. posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:26:39 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “The Unborn's Silent Suffering” Zenit reports on a new book citing evidence from experts which demonstrates that unborn children can feel pain.  Excerpt from article:   The contributions from the large number of experts who contribute to the book agree in affirming that a fetus can feel pain before birth, the two editors explain in their introductory essay. "Recognizing human dignity and human suffering from life in the womb is a clinical duty in the service of better treatment," they declare. Evidence like this shows the need for the Unborn Children Pain Awareness Act now in Congress (check home page and scroll down for more information on this important pro-life bill). Abortion | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:24:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “McConnell: Democrats Fail Fairness Standard on Judicial Nominees” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell talks about the Senate’s failure on judicial nominees and about broken commitments. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:23:39 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Promoting Death: Analyzing the Language of Euthanasia, Suicide Advocates” LifeNews provides helpful commentary in reading through euthanasia spin.  Excerpt:   Even the most despicable ideas can be made palatable when euphemisms are used to spin them. That's why abortion advocates call themselves "pro-choice" rather than "pro abortion." It's also why they talk about "terminating a pregnancy" rather than "killing a baby."   Controlling the language not only controls the argument, it often determines the outcome of the argument.   Proponents of euthanasia understand the power of language in shaping debate. Therefore, instead of using the term "physician-assisted suicide" to describe the practice they advocate, they use euphemisms like "death with dignity" and "end of life choices" to sugar coat the reality of the killings they have in view. Assisted Suicide | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:22:44 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Gay Marriage: Even Liberals Know It's Bad” Frank Turek at Townhall.com explains.  Excerpt:   Why not legalize same-sex marriage?  Who could it possibly hurt?  Children and the rest of society. That’s the conclusion of David Blankenhorn, who is anything but an anti-gay “bigot.” He is a life-long, pro-gay, liberal democrat who disagrees with the Bible’s prohibitions against homosexual behavior. Despite this, Blankenhorn makes a powerful case against Same-Sex marriage in his book, The Future of Marriage.    He writes, “Across history and cultures . . . marriage’s single most fundamental idea is that every child needs a mother and a father. Changing marriage to accommodate same-sex couples would nullify this principle in culture and in law.”  Marriage | Pro Family posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:21:29 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “President Bush Signs Pro-Life Bill to Ban Genetic Discrimination Into Law” LifeNews reports. Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:20:01 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Pro-Life Congressmen Thwart U.S. Support for UN Abortion Initiative” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 5:19:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Friday, May 23, 2008 Modern Day Slavery In the United States Erick Erickson reports on the scourge of human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, while CitizenLink reports that a major sting operation uncovered numerous examples in Ohio, Kentuckey, and Indiana. Pro Morality posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 7:32:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Democrats Give Discount to Planned Parenthood” CitizenLink reports. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 7:31:22 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Pennsylvania Marriage Bill Remains In Limbo” The Bulletin reports. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 7:30:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Thursday, May 22, 2008 Tennessee Attacks Homeschoolers Warner Todd Huston explains. Pro Family | School Choice posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:32:11 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Rep. Paul Broun to Reintroduce Federal Marriage Protection Amendment NBC Augusta reports that Congressman Paul Broun (R-GA) intends to reintroduce the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment.  Apparently the recent outrageous decision by the California Supreme Court convinced Rep.  Broun of the necessity of federal action in this case to prevent unelected judges from spreading “gay marriage” from one state to another. We thank Rep. Broun for his leadership in this issue and encourage our readers to call their representatives and urge him or her to cosponsor and vote for Broun’s marriage amendment. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:31:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Harry Reid Sneaks Planned Parenthood Funding into War Bill The Editors at National Review Online expose some of the pork squeezed into the Iraq war funding bill, including special goodies for Planned Parenthood which is the largest abortion provider in America and coincidentally under investigation in some states for gross violations of the law.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Graphic Source: Washington Post Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:28:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “The State of Georgia's Lead in School Choice” Paul Weyrich explains.  Excerpt:   For many years the teachers unions used scare tactics to prevent school choice programs from enactment. They claimed that voucher programs would destroy the public school system. In fact, faced with competition, school choice has actually strengthened the public schools. Now that the public is able to see that union propaganda was a big lie citizens are more willing to consider vouchers. This is especially true now that it is widely acknowledged that the public school system is broken, graduating young people who hardly can read or write and who fail math and science.   At a time when conservatives are in a funk, believing that nothing good is happening in America, it is time to celebrate this milestone development in Georgia. This is a victory not just for Georgians but for all parents who are concerned with the state of public education in these United States. Pro Family | School Choice posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:25:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Colorado Today, the Entire U.S. Tomorrow CitizenLink reports on the outrageous “non-discrimination” legislation in Colorado which would make “open to men, women, bisexuals, transsexuals and ‘transgendered’ individuals.”  If ENDA or similar legislation is passed in Congress, the entire country could be subjected to these kinds of policies. Graphic source: CitizenLink ENDA | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:22:17 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Fred Thompson: “California, Here We Come…” Fred Thompson talks about the recent ruling in California.  Excerpt: So, more power to the people of California in their uphill battle for an amendment to their state constitution. But the real, long-term solution in the future for supporters of the rule of law is ensuring the selection and election of good judges, judges who know their role in a constitutional republic, in the first place, and holding them – and the politicians who appoint and confirm them – accountable. We would also point out that the CA ruling illustrates the need for a Federal Marriage Protection Amendment to permanently protect the traditional definition of marriage from activist judges who would love to spread same-sex marriage from states like California and Massachusetts to the rest of the country. Marriage | Pro Family | Pro Justice posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 8:21:24 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Judiciary Committee Members or Oil Company Inquisitors? Apparently the Senate Judiciary Committee would rather interrogate oil company executives than fulfill their constitutional duty to consider the President’s judicial nominations.  This would also suggest that a “good faith commitment” doesn’t mean very much in the U.S. Senate. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:07:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Steven Agee Appointed to Fourth Circuit: More Progress Needed Yesterday, Steven Agee was appointed to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.  President Bush issued a statement expressing his gratefulness for Agee’s confirmation, but also firmly rebuking the Senate for its unprecedented judicial obstruction.  Here is an excerpt from a White House press release: Unfortunately, many of my other judicial nominees have not received a timely confirmation process and their nominations have been pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee for significantly longer.    Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, the Senate has only confirmed eight Circuit Court nominees.  In the last two years of the past three Administrations, the Senate has confirmed an average of 17 Circuit Court judges.  I encourage the Senate to provide all judicial nominees with a swift and fair confirmation process.  The confirmation of Steven Agee brings the total number of Circuit Court judges appointed in the last two years of President Bush’s term to 8 which, as our appellate court judges chart demonstrates (below), is far below the 15 President Clinton had confirmed by a Senate controlled by an opposing party.   Click here to see a larger image. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8:06:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “IRS Clears California Church of Wrongdoing” CitizenLink reports. Church Involvement | Pro Religious Freedom | Religion in Public posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:30:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      British Pro-Lifers Lose Abortion Restriction Battle but Abortion War Will Continue Yesterday, we reported that the House of Commons was potentially poised to reduce the abortion restrictions from 24 weeks gestation to 20 or 22.  Unfortunately pro-life Members of Parliament were defeated in their efforts, but it looks as though abortion and other traditional values will be an important issue in future elections.  LifeNews also reports. As the Telegraph reports, two female Members of Parliament spoke out forcefully for the rights and humanity of the unborn. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:28:50 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Clinton Wins Kentucky in Landslide, Obama Wins Oregon by Narrower Margin Yesterday Senator Hillary Clinton won the Democrat Primary in Kentuky by a wide margin, while Senator Barack Obama won the contest in Oregon.  Despite trailing in the delegate count, Sen. Clinton promises to continue campaigning, at least until June.  Senator John McCain, as expected, handily won both states’ Republican primaries. ABC News has the full results for Kentucky and Oregon. Make sure you know where the remaining major presidential candidates stand on important issues with AdvanceUSA’s 2008 Candidate Comparisons. Election 2008 posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:27:04 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Virginia Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Ruled Unconstitutional by Appeals Court” LifeNews reports on this example of judicial activism and blatant rejection of the unalienable right to life. Abortion | Partial-birth Abortion | Pro Justice | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:24:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “[Missouri] Cures [Without Cloning] Campaign Extends Target to 2010” The Missouri Baptist Pathway reports. Human Cloning | Missouri | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:22:56 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Court Denies Visitation to [Lesbian] Ex-Partner” The Baltimore Sun reports.  It is a shame that such a common sense ruling should be so surprising.  In the interests of parental rights and traditional marriage, let’s hope that the precedent set by the Maryland Supreme Court will be followed by courts across the country (especially in Virginia). Marriage | Pro Family posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:21:50 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Tuesday, May 20, 2008 AdvanceUSA Interview with Dr. David Prentice Daniel Herbster reporting Dr. David Prentice is one of the foremost experts on bioethics in the country.  He has valuable science experience from his days as researcher and teacher, and he now works for groups like the Family Research Council and Do No Harm speaking out on some of the most important (though sometimes confusing) ethical issues facing our society today.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet Dr. Prentice a number of times and have heard him speak often so it is a distinct pleasure to interview him today and share with you his scientific expertise. DH: First off, tell our readers a little about yourself.  What did you do before you came to FRC?  What are your responsibilities at FRC and Do No Harm? DP: Before FRC, I spent almost 20 years as Professor of Life Sciences at Indiana State University, at the same time as Adjunct Professor of Medical & Molecular Genetics for Indiana University School of Medicine. During those years I taught and did lab research, and also spent a few years in administration. My job description now is somewhat similar: I lecture, give briefings, and testify about science, especially the scientific facts regarding stem cells, cloning, and other biotechnologies. DH: You often hear people say that we should “leave science to the scientists,” that we who have ethical concerns with particular research techniques have no right to an opinion if we are not scientists ourselves.  Is this true?  Do we as a society have a stake in deciding what research should or should not be allowed?  Why is this notion so dangerous? DP: Some scientists might like that, but the fact is that society sets the agenda, both in terms of what's allowed as well as what resources are provided to science.  Everyone has a stake in this discussion, because everyone is affected.  Leaving these decisions just to one group means we abdicate our responsibility to help form a strong society. DH: Dr. Prentice, what are stem cells? DP: A stem cell has 2 main characteristics: (1) It continues to grow and divide, making copies of itself, and (2) given the correct signal, a stem cell can form many different specialized cells of the body. DH: What are the two general types of stem cells, and are there any ethical differences between them? Read more ... Adult Stem Cells | Human Cloning | Interviews | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 8:12:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Child Porn Law Conservatives, families, and all Americans should rejoice in the news that the Supreme Court on Monday upheld a sensible law against child pornography, ruling that the 11th Circuit Court was wrong to declare the pornography restrictions unconstitutional.  Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that “child pornography harms and debases the most defenseless of our citizens” adding “both the state and federal governments have sought to suppress it for many years, only to find it proliferating through the new medium of the Internet.”  This is a victory for children, families, and the nation.  Our collegue Justin Hart with the Lighted Candle Society also writes about the significance of this decision at FamilyFragments.org.  This ruling also illustrates the need for better judges on the federal appellate courts who understand their proper role and who understand that the Constitution does not protect obscenity or the exploitation of children. As Janice Shaw Crouse explains, the link between pornography and sexual abuse and even the modern day slavery of sex trafficking is clear and undeniable. See also: pro-morality page Pornography | Pro Family | Pro Justice | Pro Morality posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:46:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Planned Parenthood Should Surrender Records After Not Reporting Rape” The Alliance Defense Fund reports. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:41:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Pregnancy Center Group: Supreme Court Should Hear Abortion Deception Case” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:38:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Abortion Limits and Human Cloning Across the Pond Unfortunately our pro-life compatriots in Great Britain were unsuccessful in passing a ban on the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for unethical stem cell research in Parliament (for more details check this BBC report).  However, it looks as though a move to lower the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 22 or 20 weeks might prove successful.  It in encouraging to know that pro-lifers are fighting the good fight elsewhere in the world, but the fact that Britain will likely allow the creation of hybrid cloning is a sobering warning that such research could be coming to American shores in the near future (unless legislation like H.R. 5910 and S. 2358 is passed). The fact that Great Britain even has a gestation limit on abortion illustrates the surprising fact that the United States is among the nations with the most unrestrictive abortion laws in the world.  Many Americans are unaware that the Supreme Court decisions of Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton basically mandate that abortion for whatever reason is permissible at almost any stage of prenatal development. See also: pro-life page, stem cell page Photo source: roots-travel.co.uk Abortion | Human Cloning | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:28:11 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)