Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Election 2008 and the Courts Michael Doyle provides a crucial reminder of the importance of considering the kinds of Supreme Court and lesser court appointments a presidential candidate is likely to make.  Today the court system exerts an enormous amount of power, and the need to appoint well-qualified, constitutionalist judges to the federal bench is more important than ever.  Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain have drastically different visions for the future of the court, and we as citizens should consider them carefully before we step up to the ballot box.  Here is an excerpt from Michael’s piece: The next president will tip the courts, one way or another.   Supreme Court openings are all but guaranteed, and that's just the start: 44 trial and appellate federal judicial vacancies already await filling. There will be more. Curt Levy discusses the kinds of Supreme Court nominees we are likely to see from an Obama administration here. Judicial Nominations | Pro Justice posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 11:38:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Congress Renews Federal Funding for Abstinence Education” CitizenLink reports on this piece of good news. Abstinence | Pro Morality posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:29:43 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Americans Take Pro-Life Message on Abortion to the Streets in Life Chain” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:28:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      USAID Withholds Taxpayer Dollars from Group that Assists Forced Abortion Programs Thanks to the pro-life rider in federal law know as the Kemp-Kasten provision, the United States foreign aid cannot be used to support organizations that promote forced abortion or forced sterilization policies.  Because of these provisions, taxpayer funding of Marie Stopes International (MSI) has been restricted.   This incident is an important reminder of the ways Congress and the president can have a powerful pro-life impact, even while the flawed Roe vs. Wade decision is still in effect.    Electing pro-life leaders is still important, so don’t let anyone tell you that pro-life issues don’t matter as long as Roe vs. Wade is the law of the land. Abortion | Pro Life | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:27:26 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      Abortion Nuances Fall Short, Obama’s Record Examined Doug Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee has a piece at NRO debunking the commonly used “we want to reduce abortion numbers” excuse that pro-abortion politicians often resort to, and he sets the record straight on Barack Obama’s record on abortion. Abortion | Election 2008 | Pro Life posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:25:52 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “New Poll: California Marriage Amendment Leading” Baptist Press reports. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 9:24:34 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Saturday, October 04, 2008 “6 Va. State Police Chaplains Resign Over Jesus Ban” Newsmax reports.  Excerpt:   Six of 17 Virginia State Police Chaplains have resigned over a request they not reference Jesus Christ at public events.   Instead, they've been instructed by the Superintendent to offer non-denominational prayers, a decision made following a recent ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Pro Religious Freedom | Religion in Public posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:14:28 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Adult Stem Cells Show Promise for Liver Cirrhosis” CitizenLink reports. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:13:17 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Obama Stem Cell Ad Ignores 'Adult Stem Cell' Diabetes Treatments, says Repair Stem Cell Institute Spokesman” This press release at Forbes reports. Adult Stem Cells | Election 2008 | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:12:14 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Adult Stem Cells Show Promise for Kidney Failure” CitizenLink reports. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:11:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Even Two-Year-Olds Are Pro-Life, Understand Abortion Destroys a Human Life” Read this touching and powerful op-ed here. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:09:27 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Bush Admin Denies Funding for Group Involved in Forced Abortions in China” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life | Taxpayer Funding of Abortion posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 1:07:24 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Planned Parenthood Pork Prevented The Senate on Friday rejected a bill (on a cloture vote) which would have carved out a special drug price kickback for the nation’s largest abortion provider at taxpayer expense. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 2:36:21 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      "New Study Shows More Contraception, Birth Control Don't Reduce Abortions" LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life | Pro Morality posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:37:08 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Born Alive” If Barack Obama had his way, Gianna Jessen wouldn’t be here today.   Ashley Herzog continues in her article at Human Events. Abortion | Election 2008 | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:35:38 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Planned Parenthood Accused of Overcharging Govt by Millions, Probe Sought” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:32:57 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Scientists Report Advance in Stem Cell Alternative” The Washington Post reports.  Excerpt:   Scientists reported yesterday that they have overcome a major obstacle to using a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells, bolstering prospects for bypassing the political and ethical tempest that has embroiled hopes for a new generation of medical treatments.   The researchers said they found a safe way to coax adult cells to regress into an embryonic state, alleviating what had been the most worrisome uncertainty about developing the cells into potential cures.   LifeNews also reports. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:31:30 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Indiana Grassroots Crack Down on Abortionists” CitizenLink reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:29:32 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “A Reality Check for the HPV Vaccine” Janice Shaw Crouse explains. Pro Family posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:27:23 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Conscience and Abortion” This New York Times letter to the editor explains why conscience protections for doctors are so important.  Let’s hope HHS produces regulations which will protect these conscience rights. Abortion | Pro Life | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:24:23 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “State Legislatures Continue Efforts to Protect Women from Negative Effects of Abortion, AUL Report Reveals” MarketWatch reports.  Despite what detractors may claim about abortion not mattering in many political races, this report shows that electing pro-life state legislators can make a real difference for women and the unborn.  LifeNews also reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 12:22:37 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Thursday, September 25, 2008 Special Benefits for Planned Parenthood at Taxpayer Expense AdvanceUSA has learned that the Senate could soon consider an amendment to H.R. 2638, the Continuing Resolution, which would carve out special benefits for Planned Parenthood at taxpayer expense.  The measure would allow the nation’s number one abortion provider to get special prices on pharmaceuticals at taxpayer expense.   Call both your senators and urge them to oppose any effort to allow “university clinics and private birth control clinics” from receiving what is called “nominal drug pricing.” UPDATE: The RSC has more details here. Abortion | Planned Parenthood | Pro Life posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:36:23 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      How Do the Candidates Compare on Pro-Life Issues? National Right to Life has issued a helpful comparison of the two major presidential candidates’ positions on pro-life issues. Abortion | Election 2008 | Pro Life posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:35:19 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      House Continuing Resolution Preserves Pro-Life Riders The House passed a Continuing Resolution (a bill which maintains the current budget into the next fiscal year) yesterday which preserves important pro-life riders and also maintains crucial abstinence education funding at current levels.  Hopefully the Continuing Resolution will pass through the Senate without dangerous anti-life or anti-family provisions being added. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:25:33 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “40 Days for Life Campaign Kicks Off Today” CitizenLink reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:23:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Senate Approves Bill to Reduce Abortions on Babies With Down Syndrome” LifeNews reports. Abortion | Pro Life posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:22:13 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Calif. Religious Leaders Push For” Marriage Amendment The AP reports. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:20:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Pro-Life Advocates Have Last Chance to Help Pro-Life Doctors Avoid Abortions” LifeNews reports. Pro Life | Pro Religious Freedom posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:19:39 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Leading Embryonic Stem Cell Researcher Shifts Focus to Ethical Alternatives” LifeNews reports.  Excerpt:   Wisconsin scientist James Thomson is considered the father of embryonic stem cell research for isolating the first embryonic stem cell in 1998. Now comes the news that Thomson's two research companies are merging and planning to focus their energies on stem cells that don't involve the destruction of human life. Adult Stem Cells | Pro Life | Stem Cells posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 7:18:11 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)       Tuesday, September 23, 2008 “Protecting Marriage to Protect Children” Even self-described liberal David Blankenhorn, who wrote in the LA Times on Friday, argues that we must preserve the traditional definition of marriage.  He maintains that traditional marriage is the best arrangement for children based on his extensive study.  Excerpt:   Because I also believe with all my heart in the right of the child to the mother and father who made her, I believe that we as a society should seek to maintain and to strengthen the only human institution -- marriage -- that is specifically intended to safeguard that right and make it real for our children.   Read full article here. Marriage | Pro Family posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 7:17:43 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      State Marriage Amendments Need Your Support! Several states find themselves on the front lines of the battle to preserve the traditional definition of marriage.  Visit StandforMarriage.com for more information.   Here are some more links that will help you understand the importance of this fight and show you how to get involved:   Protect Marriage in Arizona   Protect Marriage in California Protect Marriage in Florida View and download videos on our civic duty to participate View and download videos on some of the crucial issues facing our nation   HT: FRC Marriage | Pro Family posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 7:13:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)      “Protecting Life and Valuing Family”