[Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare Update

Thu Apr 12 22:26:52 PDT 2007

Quite a bit behind on this; I'm sorry. I've been catching up from  
Norwescon. Zoology certainly has a lot of _names_ to learn, doesn't  
it? I'm really bad at that. Anyway, here's a bit of catch-up.

Report in the UK: Some schools are dropping teaching of the Holocaust  
in order not to offend Holocaust-denying fundamentalist Muslims. This  
is bullshit. Anyone in the UK got more info on this?

Focus on the Family Canada starts promoting its anti-gay "Love Won  
Out" "gay conversion" seminars in Canada. As usual, a so-called "pro- 
family" org can't manage to do things like provide childcare  
("Childcare: Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.") but  
can manage to sponsour a daylong seminar on destroying the lives of  
GBLT people. Very good;

Focus on the Family Canada article saying that while fewer hospitals  
in Canada are providing abortions services, the number of abortions  
per year hasn't dropped much, and "the true number of babies aborted  
could well be much higher," noting that "chemical abortions" (which  
they don't define, but could be RU-486 and could, given their  
theology, include birth control in various forms, particularly the  
day-after pill) aren't counted;

Focus on the Family applauds Minnesota bill that would replace the  
Board of Judicial Standards with a _randomly-chosen slate of  
volunteer applicants_ - gosh, I don't see _that_ volunteer pool being  
packed and/or politicised, do you?;

Texas governor Rick Perry supports bill against "the religion of  
secularism in our schools";

Focus on the Family pushes the anti-gay "Day of Truth" event in  
schools, as a counter to the Day of Silence efforts by GBLT students;  
Scott Davis of Exodus International, an ex-gay group, condemns the  
"gay agenda" in schools and its "wrongheaded definition of tolerance"  
- that is, accepting GBLT students as people; Focus on the Family's  
subheading (calling the anti-gay protests "a Christian event") is  
part of their absolute equation of Christianity and anti-gay activity;

Focus on the Family condemns including sexual orientation (that  
includes heterosexual, btw) in the existing Federal hate-crimes law  
as "special protection for homosexuals," which is, of course, a lie,  
as anti-straight crimes of violence would be included. FotF also  
claims it "punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and  
beliefs about homosexuality," which apparently includes gaybashing,  
and calls it a "thought crimes law"; there are enough layers of  
doublespeak here that one can only assume they've taken the wrong  
lessons from Orwell;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to thank legislators who voted  
against embryonic stem cell research, or, as they put it, "voted for  
life";

A follow-up to the attempt to drag Dr. George Tiller - as they put  
it, "notorious abortionist George Tiller" - before court by anti-gay  
activist and former state attorney general Phill Kline; all the  
charges were thrown out, but that didn't stop Mr. Kline from m/a/k/i/ 
n/g/ /u/p/ bringing up new allegations, and fishing through private  
medical records of former patients;

FotF coverage of the appeal of South Dakota's "informed consent" law,  
requiring doctors to tell women that abortion kills a living human  
being, causes depression, psychological distress, and other anti- 
abortion rhetoric; they are, of course, for it;

Focus on the Family condemns Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle, WA) bill  
allowing companies to deduct domestic-parnter health benefit costs  
the same way that they're currently allowed to deduct married-partner  
health benefits cost; call it an attack on marriage and "bad for  
business";

Focus on the Family pleased to report that the Senate lacks votes on  
the stem-cell research bill to overturn Mr. Bush's promised veto;  
this article is notable in that they continue their tactic of  
attempting to equate blood stem cells with embryonic stem cells, in  
the attempt to make people think that if you've got one, the other  
has no extra potential. This is a lie;

Focus on the Family story reports that restrictions on abortion  
rights resulted in fewer abortions in Wisconsin;

Focus on the Family condemns Disney plans to allow same-sex couples  
to participate in their make-believe wedding events, quoting the  
Christian Action Network as saying, "it's blatantly targeting  
families," and talking about how CAN has "worked to expose Disney's  
Gay Days";

Focus on the Family promotes new South Dakota abortion ban bill, one  
which would self-suspend pending an overturn of Roe v. Wade; the last  
one, which had already been struck down by the courts, was overturned  
by public referendum;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM... well, sorta... for students to  
wear anti-abortion T-shirts on the 24th of April;

FotF: California bill to authorise marriage for same-sex couples will  
be vetoed if it is passed;

Concerned Women for America's Matt Barber demands Federal  
investigation of hate-crimes claims, claiming that anti-gay hate  
crimes are "fabricated"; as someone who has been gaybashed more than  
her fair share of times and has the scars and skull damage to prove  
it, I have a high and hearty FUCK YOU, YOU SHRIEKING DOGFUCKER for  
Matt Barber and all his CWA fucks;

Idaho passes bill requiring women get ultrasounds of their "preborn  
baby" before getting an abortion;

Livejournal user dogemperor posts a long, and very much worth  
reading, essay on Dominionism - as someone raised as a Dominionist,  
but who escaped the culture. If you want a good look at the inside  
_from the inside_, this is an important essay to read.

----- 1 -----
Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims
By LAURA CLARK - More by this author »Last updated at 11:58am on 2nd  
April 2007
Daily Mail
2 April 2007

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html? 
in_article_id=445979&in_page_id=1770&ICO=NEWS&ICL=TOPART

Schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid  
offending Muslim pupils, a Government-backed study has revealed.

It found some teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear  
of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.

There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades -  
where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem -  
because lessons often contradict what is taught in local mosques.

[More at URL]

----- 2 -----
Homosexuality: Finding Truth in the Controversy
A dynamic one-day conference from Focus on the Family
Online as of 12 April 2007

http://www.fotf.ca/lovewonout/index.html

What is the conference about?
Since 1998 the Love Won Out Conference has been traveling to North  
America’s cities bringing a life changing message of hope to tens of  
thousands of people. At Love Won Out, you’ll hear from nationally  
known experts who have firsthand experience with the seldom told side  
of the homosexual issue. You’ll learn how to minister to a loved one  
who’s dealing with homosexuality, respond to information in our  
culture, defend Biblical beliefs and prevent your child from  
embracing this destructive way of life. Most of all, you’ll  
experience the power of God’s love. You’ll come face to face with His  
desire to transform the lives of struggling homosexuals who seek  
freedom in Jesus Christ.

Date:	Saturday, May 5, 2007
Location:	Cedar Grove Baptist Church	
10330-144 Street Surrey BC
Walk Up Registration:	7 a.m.
Event Time:	8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Sessions:	4 general sessions with 8 breakout sessions to choose from.
Cost:	$60 early bird until May 2nd;
$70 after May 3rd and at the door
Lunch:	Lunch will be on your own for 90 minutes.
Childcare:	Unfortunately we are unable to provide child care.

Registration:	To register, call Focus on the Family Canada at  
1.800.661.9800 or click here.

Main Sessions:	The Condition of Male Homosexuality
The Condition of Female Homosexuality
Personal Testimonies
How Should We Respond?

Breakout Sessions:	Responding to Pro-Gay Theology
Top Ten Questions Loved Ones Ask
Practical Tips for Reaching Out
Someone I Love is Gay – What Should I Do?
Hope for Those Who Struggle
Prevention of Male Homosexuality
Questions and Answers on Lesbianism
Ten Things to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

----- 3 -----
Fewer hospitals performing abortions
Focus on the Family Canada
April 11, 2007

http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/life/stories/2007/070411.html

The number of hospitals in Canada that perform abortions is falling,  
according to a study by a national pro-abortion group called  
Canadians for Choice (CFC).

As the Ottawa Citizen reported, the study found that only 15.9 per  
cent of general hospitals – or about one in six – offered abortion  
services in 2006, down from 17.8 per cent in 2003. And most of those  
lay within 150 kilometres of the U.S. border.

As a result, the study claims, women living in the more northerly  
parts of the country are forced to endure limited options and  
hardships when seeking abortions.

In Ontario, for example, only 33 out of 94 hospitals performed  
abortions in 2006 – and of these, only one hospital was located north  
of the Trans-Canada Highway.

[...]

According to Statistics Canada, in 2003 – the most recent figures  
available – 103,768 abortions were performed, down from 105,154 in  
2002 – a decline of just one per cent.

In fact, the true number of babies aborted could well be much higher.  
As LifesiteNews.com recently noted, “Accurate statistics are now hard  
to come by, many surgical abortions are likely not recorded as such  
and chemical abortions are not tallied in the statistics.”

[More at URL]

----- 4 -----
Minnesota Bill Aims to Curb Judicial Tyranny
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004352.cfm

Under a bill introduced by two Republican lawmakers, oversight of  
Minnesota’s judiciary would be handed over to a board dominated by  
citizen volunteers.

"Judicial tyranny is eroding the rights of the citizens," Rep. Dan  
Severson, R-Sauk Rapids, told the Star Tribune. "We need to give the  
power back to the Legislature and the people."

The bill, introduced by Severson and Sen. Michelle Fischbach, R- 
Paynesville, would reconfigure the Board on Judicial Standards with  
eight citizen applicants chosen at random who would then appoint two  
legislators.

[...]

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about what you can do to stop unaccountable judges from  
imposing a liberal agenda on America, read “What can we do about  
judicial activism?”

[More at URL]

----- 5 -----
Texas House Committee Takes Up Religious-Liberties Bill
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004353.cfm

The Texas House State Affairs Committee was expected to take up House  
Bill 3678 today, which would guarantee young people the freedom to  
express their beliefs at school.

Students and their families were to hold a press conference today to  
share their stories. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry expressed his support.

"We don't need to shield our children from religious expression and  
allow them to only be exposed to the religion of secularism in our  
schools," Perry told the Houston Chronicle. “Discussion does not lead  
to indoctrination. Rather, it leads to open-mindedness and personal  
and educational betterment."

[Ed. Note: What this usually means is guaranteeing the ability to  
demonstrate against queers at school, or against abortion rights. But  
it can mean other things, and I don't know in this case. And I'm too  
far behind on everything to look it up, but it's something to track,  
particularly if you're in Texas.]

----- 6 -----
Schools Try to Silence Day of Truth
Some officials say a Christian event is too controversial.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004355.cfm

Hundreds of high schools have approved a Day of Silence — an annual  
event that encourages students to remain silent, even when called  
upon in class, as a protest in support of homosexuality. Some of  
those same schools refuse to allow the Day of Truth, a Christian  
alternative scheduled for April 19, because they say it’s too  
controversial.

Danbury High in Connecticut went so far as to ban promotion of the  
Day of Truth and prevented conservative students from bringing in an  
ex-gay speaker.  The school backed away from its liberal position  
after Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) intervened.

“ADF wrote a letter to the school saying that if they’re going to  
allow other student groups to express their viewpoints, and then  
exclude the Christian viewpoint, then that’s not educating, that’s  
advocating,” Bowman told Family News in Focus.

Scott Davis, director of student ministries for Exodus International,  
said opposition to the Day of Truth is more evidence of the hold the  
gay agenda has on schools.

“Many of these high schools have really bought into the pro-gay myth  
and are actively promoting homosexuality,” Davis said. “They also  
typically buy into a wrongheaded definition of tolerance.”

[More at URL]

----- 7 -----
U.S. House Committee to Take Up Hate-Crimes Act
Bill would create special protection for homosexuals.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004356.cfm

A U.S. House subcommittee is set to consider legislation Tuesday that  
would unleash the “thought police” and pave the way for future  
religious persecution.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R.  
1592) would grant sweeping -- and entirely subjective -- power and  
authority to the federal government to regulate the thoughts, words  
and actions of Americans, and would create special protections for  
gays. It would essentially create a “Federal Department of Thought  
Enforcement,” according to Matt Barber, policy director for Concerned  
Women for America.

On the Web site The Conservative Voice, Barber wrote: “This bill  
elevates the status of homosexuals (‘sexual orientation’) and gender  
confused cross-dressers (‘gender identity’) to a special and more  
valuable class of citizen based upon their chosen sexual behaviors  
and/or wardrobe.”

U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., said, "The law already protects  
everyone equally. What hate-crime legislation does, it begins to  
treat people unequally.”

If punishment for crime is too lenient, “we need to ratchet up the  
laws for everyone,” Forbes said, not just for crimes against  
homosexuals.

“It's fair to call it a Thought Crimes law,” said Caleb H. Price,  
social-research analyst for Focus on the Family. “Ultimately, it  
punishes those who hold politically incorrect thoughts and beliefs  
about homosexuality.”

A similar measure has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

----- 8 -----
The 34 Brave Lawmakers Who Voted for Life
These men and women were willing to take a risk.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-12-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004357.cfm

When the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to lift the president's  
restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, it failed to reach the  
number of votes necessary to overturn a promised Bush veto. That’s  
because 34 Senators resisted a bipartisan tide and said “No” to the  
destruction of preborn humans.

Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the  
Family Action, said pro-life senators who stood their ground will be  
criticized in some circles because of it.
“Some of these senators have watched as the composition of the Senate  
has shifted away from a majority of members holding a pro-life view  
on issues like this,” she said. “It's hard to be in the minority; you  
stand strong and cast controversial votes knowing that you will  
probably lose.”

That strength of character deserves recognition, said Ashley Horne,  
federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.

“It would mean more than we can imagine for these brave senators to  
receive encouragement for their pro-life stand,” she said. “Everyone  
wins when we thank those who stand strong to protect innocent life."
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said it is “unfortunate” that 63 of his  
colleagues voted to “divert resources away from ethical stem-cell  
research to increase funding for unproven and destructive embryonic  
stem-cell research.”

Ethical stem-cell sources – such as bone marrow and umbilical-cord  
blood – are used in treating approximately 70 diseases and conditions.

“Is it OK to destroy life,” he asked, “when you can accomplish the  
same goal without harming a human embryo?”

TAKE ACTION
Find out how your senator voted on the life-destroying Stem Cell  
Research Enhancement Act of 2007 at the U.S. Senate Web site.

If your senator was one of the 34 who voted against the bill, please  
tell them “Thank you.” If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update  
subscriber, click the blue Take Action button to be automatically  
logged in to the Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.

----- 9 -----
Kansas Governor Appoints Tiller Attorney to Commission
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004344.cfm

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment of Dan Monnat to the  
Kansas Sentencing Commission, The Wichita Eagle reported.

Monnat is the attorney who defended notorious abortionist George  
Tiller against 30 misdemeanor charges related to performing late-term  
abortions. The charges were brought by former Attorney General Phill  
Kline.

Monnat will serve alongside Attorney General Paul Morrison. Morrison  
campaigned on the promise to abandon Kline’s investigation into  
Tiller’s practice.

Mary Kay Culp, executive director of Kansans for Life, said the  
governor is known to be a strong supporter of abortion.

“It’s one of those things that make you go, ‘Hmm,’ ” Culp said.

[More at URL]

----- 10 -----
Appeals Court Hears South Dakota Informed-Consent Case
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004346.cfm

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments today in a  
case dealing with how much information women receive before having an  
abortion.

Under the statute, doctors must tell women that abortion terminates a  
life and that the procedure may have other negative consequences.  
Planned Parenthood challenged a 2005 South Dakota statute claiming  
it's a violation of abortionists' right to free speech.

[...]

“This statute simply requires that doctors tell women that abortion  
terminates the life of a living human being,” she said, "that even  
during pregnancy, they have a constitutionally protected relationship  
with the newly conceived human being. And that abortion may cause  
depression and psychological distress."

[More at URL]

----- 11 -----
Gay-Benefits Bill Attacks Marriage
Legislation was drafted by activist group.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004348.cfm

A bill quietly introduced in the U.S. House would allow employers to  
offer tax-free health benefits to their workers' gay partners. Family  
advocates call it a stealth attack on marriage.

When a spouse is added to a health-care plan, the employer generally  
covers part of the cost. That amounts to a tax-free benefit to the  
employee. The bill by Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., would extend that  
to partners of gay employees. It was drafted by the pro-homosexual  
Human Rights Campaign.

Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research  
Council, said it's an incremental step toward redefining marriage.

"There are people in Congress who will use every avenue they can to  
chip away at the traditional definition of marriage," he told Family  
News in Focus.

Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth, said the law  
treats married couples and gay unions differently – not out of so- 
called homophobia – but because the state has a vested interest in  
promoting marriage.

"There is only one union, which is the marriage union, which benefits  
society in so many ways," he said. "We want to create incentives for  
people to stay in and be married and raise children and order society  
that way."

The McDermott bill is not only bad for society, according to tax  
attorney Zachary Gray, it's bad for business.

"If I'm an employer and I pay you with after-tax money, that hurts my  
bottom line much more deeply," he said. "What's going to happen is  
employers are going to start saying, 'We're just not going to bother.  
We're just going to pay you a salary and you can go get your own.'"

----- 12 -----
Senate Lacks Votes to Override Veto on Embryonic Stem-Cell Bill
In a medical first, adult stem cells shown to cure young diabetics.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-11-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004349.cfm

The U.S. Senate voted 63-34 today in favor of S. 5, which would allow  
federal tax dollars to be used as an incentive to destroy human  
embryos for stem-cell research. President Bush has promised a veto,  
and 67 votes were needed to override that veto.

“That would be the end of the bill, but not the end of the issue,”  
said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to  
Life Committee. He said he expects the bill to come up again next year.

Supporters of S. 5, continue to argue that embryonic stem cells hold  
the most promise for medical breakthroughs and cures.

But in stark contrast to those claims, a study published Tuesday in  
The Journal of the American Medical Association shows 13 young  
Brazilians with type 1 diabetes have been able to stop taking insulin  
shots, thanks to a promising treatment with their own stem cells —  
not embryonic stem cells.

[More at URL]

[Editor's note: blood stem cells, which they call "adult" stem cells,  
are stem cells in that they can become more than one type of cell.  
They can become one of three different kinds of cells. This property  
is called pluripotency. Embryonic stem cells - taken usually from  
leftover fertilised eggs from fertility treatments - can become _any_  
type of cell. This difference is extremely important, and is  
intentionally obliterated in Focus on the Family and other  
theoconservative coverage of the issue.]

----- 13 -----
Wisconsin Abortion Rate at Record Low
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004333.cfm

Wisconsin's abortion rate dropped for the third straight year to its  
lowest number ever and is nearly half the national rate, according to  
the report by the Department of Health and Family Services.

[...]

While Sue Armacost, legislative director for Wisconsin Right to Life,  
credited the decline to an increase in the number of pro-life young  
people, education efforts and laws restricting abortion.

In particular, she pointed to a law that requires abortion-minded  
women to receive more information about their pregnancy and wait at  
least 24 hours before the procedure can be done.

[More at URL]

----- 14 -----
Disney Offers Commitment Ceremonies for Gays
Spokesman says the company is just trying to be"'inclusive."
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-10-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004337.cfm

The Walt Disney Co. that made fairy tales famous is now offering make- 
believe weddings for same-sex couples, despite the fact that most  
will go home to states that ban the practice.

Disney execs began talking about allowing "commitment" ceremonies  
under their wedding packages, after a same-sex couple complained.  
Donn Walker, a spokesman for Disney Parks and Resorts, said the theme- 
park giant is just trying to be “inclusive” and make every guest feel  
“welcome and respected.”

[...]

For years, the Christian Action Network has worked to expose Disney’s  
Gay Days, which take place in June.  Jason Campbell, the group's  
media director, said the latest development is just the icing on the  
cake.

[More at URL]

----- 15 -----
Proposed North Dakota Abortion Ban Revised for Second Time
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004324.cfm

The North Dakota Senate voted Thursday to change a proposed abortion  
trigger law to a measure that would instead call for a special Senate  
vote if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its Roe v. Wade decision,  
LifeNews reported.

Lawmakers introduced an abortion ban in January, but then changed the  
measure to a trigger law, which would only go into effect if the  
Supreme Court reversed Roe.

But Democratic Sen. Tracy Potter introduced a second revision to the  
Senate version – one that calls only for a special session if the  
Court acts.

[...]

Republican Sen. Stanley Lyson said the revised legislation makes no  
impact on the lives of preborn children.

“If we’re not going to pass a bill that means anything, then we might  
as well kill the bill,” he said.

[More at URL]

----- 16 -----
National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day Set for April 24
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004323.cfm

On April 24 students can take a stand for the preborn by  
participating in the National Pro-Life T-shirt Day.

American Life League, the event's sponsor, said the goal is to call  
attention to the thousands of babies who are aborted every day in  
America.

“We cannot just sit by and be silent,” the group states on its Web  
site. “Wearing a pro-life shirt will open eyes, spark discussion and  
save lives. It’s effective, easy and something that even the meekest  
of persons can do to take a stand.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the event's Web site to learn more.

----- 17 -----
California Lawmakers Consider Gay Marriage
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004325.cfm

A bill to change the definition of marriage is scheduled to be  
considered Tuesday by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Sabrina Lockhart, a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, told  
The Associated Press the governor’s position hasn't changed and a  
veto is planned. Schwarzenegger has said the bill violates  
Proposition 22, an initiative approved by California voters in 2000  
that protects traditional marriage.

[More at URL]

----- 18 -----
Pro-Family Group Calls for Investigation of Hate-Crimes Claims
At issue: Whether incidents used to support legislation are fabricated.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-9-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004326.cfm

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is calling on the Department of  
Justice to investigate whether often-cited examples of hate crimes  
are fabricated. The request comes after the death of a gay-identified  
Michigan man proved to be accidental, but that fact came to light  
only after his story was cited in the U.S. Congress as an example of  
why hate-crimes legislation is needed.

In making its case, CWA cited what it calls an "alarming number of  
sexually motivated hate crimes" that were simply made up. Matt  
Barber, policy director for cultural issues at CWA, said his group  
wants answers.

[More at URL]

----- 19 -----
Idaho Law Gives Abortion-Minded Women More Information
Women would be offered chance to view ultrasound images.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
Undated (Probably April 9, 2007; online still as of 12 April 2007)

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004327.cfm

Idaho recently became the ninth state to order doctors to provide  
abortion-minded women ultrasound images of their preborn child before  
having the procedure.

The state law, signed by Gov. Butch Otter on March 27, ensures that  
women have access to as much information about their preborn baby as  
possible. Experts say providing women with an ultrasound image of  
their child makes following through with an abortion much less likely.

[More at URL]

----- 20 -----
Why the subject of dominionism is...personal to me.
therapy session for rantbeasts
April 6, 2007

http://dogemperor.livejournal.com/122878.html

This is a little essay I originally did for DailyKos to explain why I  
tend to be very, very concerned in regards to the political movement  
referred to as dominionism, "Christian Nationalism", and a thousand  
other things. As you'll find out by reading, the reason I fight is  
actually quite personal--I hope that by educating people that we can  
stop kids--including the "Jesus Camp" kids--from living with the same  
longterm scars that myself and other walkaways deal with every  
day...and hopefully also to keep the whole country from living in  
that hell.

There's a reason I write about dominionism--not just on the political  
threat, but the real threat inherent in these groups by virtue of  
many of the hardline "spiritual warfare" dominionists being in  
essence abusive Bible-based cults.

I know all too well about the danger these groups present--not just  
for the country, but for the kids themselves. I in fact live with it  
everyday.

You see...I was once one of those kids like in "Jesus Camp" myself.

[More at URL]