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Daniel Herbster reporting
Abstinence education is often ridiculed as puritanical or ineffective.
However, objective data shows just the opposite. Furthermore, parents
are often the most ardent supporters of abstinence education because they know
that casual sexual activity leads to emotional and physical scars and they want
what’s best for their children. One organization seeking to advocate on
behalf of abstinence education is the National Abstinence
Education Association. I had the opportunity to interview Valerie
Huber, who is the Executive Director of NAEA, about abstinence education and
the NAEA’s Parents for Truth campaign.
The following is my interview with Valerie.
DH: Why is it so
important to support abstinence education?
VH: On a number of levels, abstinence
education makes a lot of sense. First, from a health perspective, our
public health messaging usually puts emphasis on achieving the best health
outcome. Whether we are talking about underage drinking, smoking or
childhood obesity, the message focuses on avoiding those behaviors that put
young people’s health at risk. In the area of sexual activity, our message for
youth should mirror this same model, but unfortunately, the cultural message
relegates the sexual health of youth to something much less than this ideal.
We should not be content with merely reducing the risk to youth, but
should insist on a strategy focused on eliminating all risk. Abstinence
education fits within this risk avoidance paradigm.
On a practical level, the level of sexual activity among youth is trending
downward and most teens who have experimented sexually, wish they had waited.
This tells us that abstinence is a message that resonates with youth. They
understand the benefits of waiting to engage in sex. Abstinence education
provides the skills they need to succeed in that resolve.
Further, social science research abounds to show that abstinence until marriage
is better for society, the involved couple and the child conceived from a
sexual union.
DH: What are some
common misconceptions people have regarding abstinence education?
VH: Anti-abstinence special interest
groups have defined abstinence education by using gross misrepresentations.
They imply that abstinence education doesn’t work, that it is unrealistic, and
that it is a “just say no” approach, none of which are true. Growing research
demonstrates that the approach is very effective in helping youth delay sexual
debut or discontinue sexual activity. More and more teens are choosing to
abstain, which shows that it isn’t teens who think the approach is unrealistic!
Finally, abstinence education is a holistic strategy that is replete with
skills building techniques in good decision-making, identifying healthy
relationships, goal setting, refusal competencies, and self efficacy.
Additionally, abstinence education may provide information about contraception,
but the information is complete and accurate – demonstrating that abstinence is
the only way to avoid all risks associated with sexual experimentation.
DH:
Is it true that parents are often strong supporters of abstinence
education? Why do you think this would this be the case?
Chuck
Colson explains the advantages of ethically obtained adult stem cells over
their unethical embryonic counterparts in a recent episode of
BreakPoint. He also explains how the
cult of scientism allows people to view human life as an object for use and
rather as something sacred to be protected.
Colson’s words are succinct and informative and are well worth the three
minutes it takes to listen. Read or listen to
this episode here.
CitizenLink reports. Excerpt:
Umbilical-cord blood has been used to treat
2-year-old Chloe Levine, who was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological
disorder that prevented her from using the right side of her body.
Two months after the Pinetop, Ariz.,
toddler was infused with stem cells from her own umbilical-cord blood, Levine
has made a 50 percent recovery and is walking, running and able to use her
right hand.
One
of the strategies of proponents of same-sex marriage is to push for “divorce
rights” for same-sex couples “married” in other states or countries. As this
sob story from the LA Times shows, the campaign for “gay divorce”
continues.
The
Freedom of Choice Act would overturn every pro-life law on the books and would
basically enshrine the Roe vs. Wade decision into federal law. Our friend Tom McClusky at the Family
Research Council has prepared
a paper on the Freedom of Choice Act which explains the effects it would
have and reveals how the major presidential candidates stand on its passage.
 The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has just made it nearly impossible for the FCC to restrict any indecency or obscenity over the publicly owned airwaves (even when children are likely to be in the broadcast audience). The Court ruled that the FCC could not fine CBS for the famous Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Excerpt of AP report:
But Tim Winter of the watchdog organization Parents Television Council said the court's decision "borders on judicial stupidity."
"If a striptease during the Super Bowl in front of 90 million people — including millions of children — doesn't fit the parameters of broadcast indecency, then what does?" Winter said in a statement.
Are
you tempted to think that the “gay rights” movement is only about defending
people from discrimination and upholding their constitutional rights? The story of June Sheldon, who was fired
for saying that there is still no consensus on whether homosexuality is entirely
caused by genetics, should convince you otherwise. The “gay rights” movement is about creating
special rights and privileges based on sexual behavior while silencing all
public criticism of the lifestyle (including religious beliefs). Fortunately, the Alliance Defense Fund is
defending Sheldon in court.
 Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is putting millions of dollars into adult stem cell research in the hopes of finding effective treatments for eye diseases. It’s interesting that people who actually want to make money off of cures and treatments are betting their investing their money in ethical adult stem cell sources rather than unethical embryonic sources.
Meanwhile, two doctors in Louisiana “have successfully used adult stem-cell therapy to help patients fight heart disease.” Citizenlink reports. Also, Harvard Medical School researchers have found that human adult and umbilical cord stem cells have been used to successfully create blood vessels in mice. This raises hopes that adult stem cells will be useful in repairing damaged circulatory tissue.
Check out the adult stem cell page or the adult stem cell blog category for more news on ethical breakthroughs and treatments.
 Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee took a courageous stand by refusing to attend committee meeting on Thursday to protest the Committee’s lack of fairness in dealing with the president’s judicial nominees. No circuit court judges were on the agenda. Also, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell invoked the “two hour rule” for various committees shutting down the Senate for a time. Judicial confirmations are an important issue so AdvanceUSA applauds the leadership of the Senators who protested the Senate’s obstruction.
The Committee for Justice reports on the situation here.
The
Values Action Team, in which AdvanceUSA participates, has unveiled its
legislative agenda. Take a look at these
important goals here.
 The Wash for Life is coming up on September 13. This program recruits young people to wash cars in order to raise funds for pregnancy resource centers. This campaign is a brilliant way to encourage the next generation of pro-lifers and to raise much needed funds for the great work being done by pregnancy centers.
Find out how you can be a part of this worthy cause at http://www.washforlife.com/.
A
Senate committee and House subcommittee are threatening the Mexico City Policy (which
prevents tax dollars from supporting organizations that promote or provide
abortions) and the Kemp-Kasten rider (which allows the president to prohibit
funds from organizations that support coerced abortions). Hopefully, the House and Senate will
eliminate the language which threatens these important pro-life riders. Otherwise, the president has promised to “veto
any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or
that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.”
The
Pew Forum has released a helpful
resource on the stem cell debate.
According to Pew, the percentage of Americans who support unethical
embryonic stem cell research is shrinking.
If more people knew the facts about stem cells, this percentage would
likely shrink even more.
 The California Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit to remove the proposed marriage amendment from the 2008 California ballot. The Alliance Defense Fund called the lawsuit “a desperate effort to keep the amendment away from the democratic process.” Californians will now have the opportunity to preserve the traditional definition of marriage in their state. The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Excerpt:
Californians will get to vote in November on a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, the state Supreme Court decided Wednesday.
In a unanimous order, without comment, the court dismissed a lawsuit by gay rights advocates seeking to remove an initiative sponsored by conservative religious groups from the Nov. 4 ballot. The measure, Proposition 8, would overturn the court's 4-3 ruling May 15 that allowed gay and lesbian couples to marry in California.
The LA Times also reports.
The
1913 Massachusetts law which prevents “gay marriages” in Massachusetts from
spreading to other states is under attack.
On Tuesday, the
state Senate unanimously voted to overturn the law. If the state House and the governor do not
stand up for marriage, Massachusetts will join California as “the Las Vegas of
gay marriage.”
The
New York Times reports. Excerpt:
The Bush administration wants to require
all recipients of aid under federal health programs to certify that they will
not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and …
certain types of birth control.
Our
friend Dr. David Prentice and a team of experts, have authored a report on the amazing
adult stem cell success stories that have happened during 2008. Unethical embryonic research has yet to
produce one successful cure or treatment.
Take a look at these amazing results.
Daniel Herbster reporting
 Probably the greatest long-term issue facing our nation is the nomination and confirmation of well-qualified, originalist judges and justices to federal benches. One organization seeking to ensure that happens is the Judicial Confirmation Network. It is my privilege to interview my friend and colleague Gary Marx who is the Executive Director of JCN.
DH: Gary, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Let’s start with a general question. Why is the issue of judges so important?
GM: I think that judicial selection is still the most powerful all encompassing issue for conservatives. There will be times where an issue like immigration will become red-hot but a judge can come along and single handedly ignore the constitution and the law at will and impose their own view of immigration laws upon a state or the nation. Conservatives now understand that no matter whether you are a social, economic, or national security conservative we all unite around the need to have judges who will be faithful to the text of the constitution. Conservatives understand just how the Supreme Court and constitutionalist judges impact our children and grand children. Supreme Court nominations are perhaps the longest lasting legacy of every U.S. president.
DH: How is the Judicial Confirmation Network involved in this issue?
GM: During the Roberts and Alito confirmation battles, the Judicial Confirmation Network built a network or grassroots leaders in key states to pressure Senators to support a fair up-or-down vote and confirm these constitutionalist judicial nominees.
DH: How would you describe a good justice or judge? What kinds of characteristics or qualities define a solid judicial nominee?
Yesterday a number of Senators held hearings to discuss the slow pace of judicial nominations and of the dangerous vacancies on federal appellate courts. Laura Donovan reports at Townhall.
Also, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement about the hearings which you can read in full here.
Considering the amount of power federal courts have obtained for themselves, appointing and confirming well-qualified, constitutionalist judges to federal benches should be a top priority.
William
McGurn explains. Excerpt:
…could not the NAACP work for a society
where pregnant African-Americans had two doors open to them? Planned
Parenthood's not going anywhere, so the first would still lead to America's
largest abortion provider, a business that has already eliminated millions from
America's population. But the other would lead to people whose business is of a
vastly different order: welcoming these children into the world, and getting
their moms the help they need to live lives of purpose and dignity.
Then again, that would give women a real
choice.
 Some are pushing to make the state of Massachusetts the “Las Vegas of gay marriage.” The Massachusetts legislature will soon vote on whether to keep the 1913 law which forbids Massachusetts from recognizing the marriages of out-of-state couples that are not recognized in the couple’s home state. The enforcement of this long-forgotten law by former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney prevented the Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling instituting same-sex marriage in Massachusetts from spreading to other states.
Liberal activists will stop at nothing to establish so-called “gay marriage” in every state in the country. This is why it is so important to pass an amendment to amend the United States Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman only. Call your representative and both your senators today and urge them to cosponsor and vote “Yes” on the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment.
Jennifer
Roback Morse explains. Excerpt:
For many of us, gay marriage isn’t a
referendum on gay people. It is about the meaning of marriage. Advocates of
marriage as a union of a man and a woman do not hate gay people. Rather, the
millions of Americans who pull the lever in favor of marriage are saying
children need a mother and father.
Last
week, members of the House of Representatives held a “special order” to call
for the de-funding of the largest abortion provider in the nation. Many Americans have no idea that their tax
dollars subsidize the flag ship of the abortion industry and AdvanceUSA thanks
these House members for taking this bold stand.
LifeNews reports. See the video here.
 Thanks to a bipartisan compromise, the Global Anti-AIDS bill being considered by the U.S. Senate today protects effective abstinence and faithfulness programs while protecting the conscience rights of religious organizations to accept funding without engaging in programs which violate their religious beliefs (ex: Catholic charities would not be forced to distribute condoms). The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops supports the legislation and the Bush Administration supports the bill and intends to sign it into law.
The amazing results seen in Uganda demonstrate the effectiveness of abstinence and faithfulness training as well as the importance of the involvement of religious organizations in fighting AIDS and other diseases in impoverished countries.
Getting
activist judges to recognize “gay divorce” in states which refuse to recognize “gay
marriage” is one of the subtle strategies of “gay marriage” proponents. CitizenLink reports
on this encouraging news from Oklahoma.
Visit
HelpShapeHistory.com to read
more about this pro-life rally in our nation’s capital. Excerpt:
On August 16, we are calling every Christian
of every faith tradition, young and old, every race, every pro-life
organization, and every individual to gather in Washington D.C. to pray for our
nation with a massive focus on the ending of abortion and the healing of our
land.
Daniel Herbster reporting
 In the stem cell debate, you will often here proponents of unethical embryonic stem cell research say that we have hundreds of thousands of “leftover embryos” from IVF clinics and that the “only” thing to be done with them is to kill them for use in research. Besides the fact that the numbers of available embryos is greatly exaggerated (when you consider that most parents of frozen embryos want to keep them), the fact that human embryos can be and have been adopted by couples unable to have children on their own shows that death in the lab is not the only option for IVF embryos.
One organization seeking to publicize this exciting adoption option is Nightlight Christian Adoptions. I recently came across their website (http://www.embryoadoption.org/) and I am happy to share with you my interview with Ron Stoddart, the Executive Director of NCA.
Note: The above photo is President Bush, soon after vetoing an unethical embryonic stem cell research funding bill, holding a child who was adopted as an embryo.
DH: Ron, why should we care about what happens to “leftover” IVF embryos?
RS: It is a scientific fact that life begins at conception. The argument is over when life is deserving of protection. There are certainly those who would rather argue that embryos are not life – or are not persons – rather than admit that they just don’t want to afford them the same protection as life that is further developed. They have a fear that if we accord too much respect to embryos then it will be an opening to have Roe v. Wade overturned. I believe that all human life is sacred and deserving of protection. The fact that the embryos have been frozen does not change their nature and they deserve a chance at continued life.
DH: About how many unused embryos are there in this country, and how many of those are even available for research purposes?
RS: The best estimates are that there are about 500,000 embryos currently frozen in fertility clinics around the United States. The decision about the fate of the embryos rests with the family who created them (except in Louisiana where they are protected from destruction). Different surveys have attempted to estimate how many families would donate their embryos for research, so the estimate varies from 15,000 embryos and up. The reality is that the vast majority of families with stored embryos do not know what to do and are struggling with their decision. We are trying to encourage them to have the embryos implanted, if not in the family who created them then in an adoptive family.
DH: Should we respect the rights of human embryos the same way we do for adult human beings? What is the state of the law regarding the treatment of embryos?
RS: A person’s a person regardless how small. There is a lot of wisdom in these words from the WHO. My answer to the question is “yes.” The state of the law, except for Louisiana, is that embryos are treated with slightly more respect than property. Most of the conflicts have arisen when a couple is divorcing. In those cases, the courts have consistently sided with the spouse who wants to destroy the embryos rather then allowing the other spouse to implant them or donating them to another couple. Not much respect there.
DH: What is the mission of Nightlight Christian Adoptions? How long have you been in operation, and how did it get started?
The
AP reports. Excerpt:
A federal appeals court ruled that South
Dakota can begin enforcing a law requiring doctors to tell women seeking
abortions that the procedure ends a human life.
World Net
Daily also reports.
The Rev. Sam L. Ruteikara, the co-chair of Uganda's
National AIDS-Prevention Committee, writes a
moving piece in the Washington Post, showing that abstinence and faithfulness
programs work and calling on politically correct Westerners to stop forcing
condoms only programs on the suffering people of Sub Saharan Africa.
Uganda cut dramatically cut its AIDS infection rate
from 26% in 1991 to 6% in 2002, and is a living testament to the effectiveness
of abstinence and faithfulness education.
Westerners should not recreate a new form of colonialism by imposing
their secular values on Africa. The
president’s original PEPFAR funding initiative, which protects abstinence and
faithfulness programs, should be preserved.
Robert Knight comments on Ruteikara’s piece and on
the Post’s bias against effective AIDS prevention measures in his pieces at
Townhall entitled “Post
Tells the Truth on 'Safe Sex' -- Then Ignores It.”
The
brilliant economist Thomas Sowell provides a crucial reminder of the
importance of considering Supreme Court nominees when contemplating a presidential
election. Excerpt:
Recent landmark court decisions are
reminders that elections are not just about putting candidates in office for a
few years.
The judges that elected officials put on
the bench can remake the legal landscape, change fundamental social policies
and even affect the way wars are fought, long after those who appointed them
have served their terms and passed from the scene.
McClatchy
News reports on the recent
Congressional hearings on “transgender employment discrimination.” So-called anti-discrimination legislation
would be a dangerous restriction on religious liberty. Excerpt:
Opposing the legislation, Glen Lavy, an
attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, said it would be a mistake to define
gender identity or gender expression as a protected class. He said that
objections to "the concept of transgender" are based on religious
beliefs and that forcing the idea as a valid concept "is like forcing an
Orthodox Jew to eat pork." And he said that employers would have
difficulty enforcing dress codes and assuring privacy.
"With gender identity being totally
subjective, who could challenge any male who says he wants to use a woman's
restroom?" Lavy asked.
Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, the
top-ranking Republican on the committee, questioned whether Congress needs to
get involved at all.
"We have numerous federal and state
laws and employer policies already on the books that help prevent
discriminatory practices," he said. "Do we need yet another federal
law?"
CitizenLink reports. Unfortunately the U.S. Senate recessed for
the Fourth of July without approving this crucial funding.
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