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

[R'ykandar Korra'ti]

This isn't really a CWU item per se', but a straw-poll (not  
scientific, not reproduced, etc) lets visitors to the American Family  
Association website vote for the party and candidate of their choice.  
Right now, 93.3% of those voting identify themselves as Republicans,  
and the _clear_ leader on the Republican side is Fred Thompson at  
27,068 votes; Mitt Romney isn't fooling anyone at 8,703; Rudy  
Giuliani is at 6,670. I would personally suggest that the difference  
between those two are the percent who buy into Mitt Romney's "hey,  
I'm a theoconservative now!" dance, or who don't, but think he'll go  
along with it if given power. Newt Gingrich, who isn't even  
officially running yet, is actually in second at 10,799.

But now, today's news.

Washington State passes bill saying that "abstinence-only education"  
is bullshit, and shouldn't be taught - abstinence can be, but not  
alone. Theocons assert that comprehensive sex ecuation is, and I  
quote, "like giving your child a loaded weapon and saying, 'Go play.'";

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to support abortion-funding ban in  
Oklahoma;

Coalition of fundamentalist groups - The Family Research Council,  
Concerned Women for America, American Association of Physicians and  
Surgeons, and Safe Drugs for Women - sue to stop sales of Plan B, the  
emergency contraception pill that the fundamentalist movement likes  
to describe as an abortion drug. This allegation is, of course, a  
lie. However, the AAPS is kind of new to me, so I've done a little  
digging and can point to an article, albeit not a primary source. But  
they are involved in anti-gay activities, AIDS-denial quackery, and  
anti-vaccination quackery;

This article on the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons  
isn't a primary source, which I dislike, but it includes a variety of  
extensive quotes and links to more sources; "highlights" include  
condemnation of contraception, support for "ex-gay" movements,  
endorsement of creationism and condemnation of evolutionary theory as  
a conspiracy, and blames parental treatment for autism;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM against including sexual orientation  
in the hate-crimes bill; Family Research Council also condemns it,  
and urges Chief Executive Bush to veto the legislation; Concerned  
Women for America's Matt Barber gives CWA's opposition; this one is  
lighter than usual on the "special rights" language;

Focus on the Family upset that a billboard company refused ads for  
their "ex-gay" quackery conference;

FotF continues their "being gay and being Christian is impossible";  
the latest iteration is "Author Dispels Myth that Homosexuality is  
Compatible with Scripture"; the author is part of the "ex-gay"  
movement; he's a regular at their "gay conversion" conferences;

FotF tut-tuts New Orleans efforts to attract lesbian and gay tourists  
- they oppose marketing that includes GBLT people, as part of their  
effort to impoverish queers;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM against Massachusetts governor Deval  
Patrick reversing former-governor Mitt Romney's decision to use a  
1913 miscegenation law to prevent marriage ceremonies between out-of- 
state gay and lesbian couples;

Focus on the Family describes stem-cell research as "life- 
destroying," as they are apt to do;

New Hampshire state House kills - overwhelmingly - an anti-gay  
constitutional amendment; Focus on the Family condemns them, quoting  
a supporter as saying the House is "telling the people they don't  
have a right to vote on this constitutional amendment";

Focus on the Family condemns drug maker Eli Lilly for opposing an  
anti-gay anti-marriage amendment in Indiana, calling it an "assault  
on hoosier values";  it's also an ACTION ITEM to thank NFL coach Tony  
Dungy for attacking the rights and character of GBLT people;

Focus on the Family and Concerned Women for America condemn any  
effort to revive an Equal Rights Amendment banning government  
discrimination on the basis of gender in law, calling it pro-abortion  
and pro-gay-rights";

Theoconservatives continue to go after Dr. George Tiller, who they  
call "Tiller the Killer," as an abortion-providing doctor in Kansas;  
a legislative committee is now intervening, trying to get the 30  
tossed-out misdemeanor charges against him reinstated by ordering the  
atty. general to file a new round of changes;

FotF news article condemning Minnesota Senate vote to let same-sex  
partners of state employees participate in the state health-insurance  
program, calling it "a move toward redefining marriage";

New Hampshire House approves civil unions; Focus on the Family,  
expectably, is not pleased, calling it a "gay-marriage bill in  
disguise";

Non-binding resolution supporting an anti-gay anti-marriage amendment  
passes with 57% of the vote in Alaska;

Focus on the Family says GBLT activists are manipulating children,  
call teenage GBLT people "confused"; Exodus International states it's  
"important for Christian youth to have a godly view of sexuality";

Focus on the Family condemns "Democrat-dominated committee" for  
killing anti-marriage state constitutional amendment in Illinois;

FotF reports that an Alliance Defense Fund letter to a Danbury, CT  
high school succeeded in getting approval for anti-gay "Day of Truth"  
activities on campus;

FotF ACTION ITEM against Colorado bill barring "abstinence-only sex  
education";

Faith and Freedom Network does the Focus on the Family all-stem-cells- 
are-stem-cells dance, condemning embryonic stem-cell research,  
calling embryonic stem cell research "destroy[ing] young humans";  
includes ACTION ITEM to urge Chief Executive Bush to veto the stem- 
cell research bill as promised;

Faith and Freedom Network condemns Washington State domestic- 
partnership bill, launches "Change the State in '08" campaign to  
elect theoconservatives to the state legislature and throw out  
secularists;

Faith and Freedom Network "Change the State in '08" planning page;

FFN blogs against domestic partner benefits, promotes its "Change the  
State in '08" campaign;

Concerned Women for America happy that the Senate didn't get a veto- 
proof majority in the stem-cell legislation bill;

Concerned Women for America's Matt Barber calls reports of hate- 
motivated violent crimes against GBLT people lies, demands Federal  
investigation; like I said last time, as someone who has been  
violently gaybashed more than her fair share, FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKING  
FUCKTARD, AND ALL YOUR FASCIST FRIENDS;

Concerned Women for America press release on their lawsuit to get  
Plan B yanked from sales;

CWA press release attacking study showing failure of abstinence-only  
education, claims that it didn't work because it wasn't taught often  
enough, and simultaneously that whether it works or not doesn't  
matter, because the message is what's important and is what parents  
want;

CWA press release condemns the Day of Silence protest against anti- 
gay bullying, quotes their own Matt Barber, "The radical homosexual  
lobby has done a masterful job of infiltrating our government schools  
to gain control of the minds of America’s youth. Their propaganda  
tactics are time-tested. With liberal school officials in tow, they  
brazenly circumvent and abuse parental authority to use good-hearted  
but misguided children as pawns to further their deceptive agenda";  
condemns "anti-Christian homosexual activism"; PR also quotes and  
supports the Alliance Defense Fund's anti-gay "Day of Truth"  
demonstration day. And it points to a new website called "Not Our  
Kids.com," which is an attempt to boycott schools on April 18th, the  
Day of Silence;

NotOurKids.com press release condemning Day of Silence;

Washington Times article covering the attempt to organise a single- 
day boycott of schools where Day of Silence is being observed by  
students;

NotOurKids.com sample letter for parents participating in the boycott  
demands that schools ban the Day of Silence, presumably by making  
students against anti-queer bullying ... talk more, since it is a  
_silent_ protest;

Christian Today article says "US stem cell bill would pour money into  
'bad science'."


----- 1 -----
Washington Lawmakers Reject Abstinence-Only Education
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004363.cfm

If a school in Washington chooses to teach sex education, it would  
not be allowed to teach abstinence-only curriculum under a bill  
passed by the state's House on Wednesday.

The Senate passed the measure in March, so it now goes to Gov.  
Christine Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.

[...]

Under the measure, schools could choose not to offer any sex  
education, or they could follow the state-mandated curriculum, which  
means abstinence could only be taught alongside contraceptive use.

[...]

Opponents said it weakens the abstinence message, doesn't offer  
proper notification to parents, and takes away local control.

"We're talking about children," said Rep. Bob Sump. "It's like giving  
your child a loaded weapon and saying, 'Go play.' "

[More at URL]


----- 2 -----
Abortion-Funding Ban Heads to Oklahoma Governor
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004364.cfm

The Oklahoma Legislature has approved a bill that forbids state funds  
from being spent on abortion services. It now heads to Gov. Brad Henry.

According to LifeNews.com, Republican Rep. John Wright, sponsor of  
the bill, said taxpayers don’t want to be forced to fund the killing  
of preborn children.

TAKE ACTION
If you live in Oklahoma and would like to encourage the governor to  
sign the abortion-funding ban, you may contact him through the  
CitizenLink Action Center. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update  
subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button in the e-mail to  
be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on  
this link.


----- 3 -----
Pro-Family Groups Sue FDA Over 'Morning-After Pill'
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004365.cfm

In an effort to overturn a decision to allow the so-called morning- 
after pill to be sold over-the-counter, The Family Research Council  
(FRC) and other groups Thursday sued the FDA and FDA Commissioner

In an effort to overturn a decision to allow the so-called morning- 
after pill to be sold over-the-counter, The Family Research Council  
(FRC) and other groups Thursday sued the FDA and FDA Commissioner  
Andrew Von Eschenbach.

In August, the FDA approved nonprescription sales of the drug known  
as Plan B to women 18 or older.

FRC, along with Concerned Women for America, American Association of  
Physicians and Surgeons, and Safe Drugs for Women, filed suit in U.S.  
district court.

FRC President Tony Perkins said the FDA "must hold itself to high  
standards of accountability and resist those who seek to politicize  
women's health."

"However, the FDA sacrificed women's health and committed  
unprecedented violations of the law by approving the morning-after  
pill for over-the-counter use," he added. "The agency bowed to heavy- 
handed political pressure from Sens. (Hillary) Clinton and (Patty)  
Murray who misused their power by holding up confirmation of the FDA  
commissioner."

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click here to view the suit.


----- 4 -----
Strange Bedfellows
Neurodiversity
Mar 12, 06:00 PM

http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/91/strange-bedfellows

Promoters of the hypothesis that autism is a common adverse reaction  
to vaccination rely heavily upon articles published in the Journal of  
American Physicians and Surgeons (JPandS, originally Medical  
Sentinel). Previous perusals of JPandS tables of contents left me  
with the general impression that its sponsors tended toward the  
conservative end of the political spectrum. I therefore decided to  
make a comprehensive survey of the website of the Association of  
American Physicians and Surgeons, to get a sense of the convictions  
driving its editorial policies.

[...]

AAPS opposes the concept of evidence-based medicine, warning its  
members that:

	Physicians must beware of accepting the concept of a standard of  
care that is itself evidence-based, threatening the autonomy of  
physicians and subjugating the patient’s interest to that of the  
collective. (AAPS Newsletter)

[...]

The Cold War lives on at the AAPS. Illegal drug use is regarded as a  
weapon of Russian domination; generation-spanning conspiracies are  
envisioned, their purpose to enslave the citizens of the United States.

	Given today’s relative East-West freedom to interact and widespread  
belief in the West that the Cold War has ended, mind control drugs  
could well be far more important in shaping world events today when  
distrust of the Russians and Chinese has all but vanished —  
especially among those most at risk; that is, important Western  
targets. (Joseph Douglass, Jr., PhD)

[...]

AAPS opposes the provision of abortion by physicians to patients who  
seek it. AAPS supports pharmacists who refuse to fill prescriptions  
for contraceptives, and opposes over-the-counter sales of the morning- 
after pill.

AAPS discourages federal funding for embryonic stem cell research,  
and describes embryonic stem-cell researchers as scheming to “pick  
taxpayers’ pockets” rather than seeking to expand scientific  
knowledge to relieve human suffering:

	Proponents of embryonic stem-cell research say that the federal  
funding is necessary to maintain America’s preeminence in biomedical  
science. This appears to be a weak pretext for picking taxpayers’  
pockets. As to America’s competitive edge, its future depends more on  
the genius and resourcefulness of our scientific enterprises,  
thriving in a wholesome atmosphere of low taxes and limited  
government, than on profligate infusions of taxpayer cash. (AAPS  
Newsletter)

In Medical Sentinel, an AAPS Board member condemns the theory of  
evolution in favor of “the creation religion of Jehovah.”

	Humanists employ the slight of hand linguist trick of substituting  
the religion of evolutionary humanism for the creation religion of  
Jehovah by tagging the latter “religion, forbidden by the First  
Amendment” and the former “scientific fact.” Both labels, like  
humanism itself, are conspiratorial fabrications. (Curtis Caine, MD,  
AAPS Board member)

[...]

AIDS denialist Peter Duesberg presents his theories as a guest of  
AAPS. Fellow AIDS denialist Nathaniel Lehrman — advisor to the  
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality  
(NARTH) — judges homosexuality as inherently conducive to crime and  
disease:

	...the “gay” male lifestyle significantly increases the incidence of  
infectious disease and shortens life expectancy by about 20 years…  
The concept of homosexuality as a permanent “orientation” is,  
however, without scientific validation; the notion is entirely  
politically grounded. One effect of this new view has been to  
understate the medical and societal harm produced by the promiscuous  
sexual practices typically associated with homosexuality… [E]ven  
though homosexuals seeking to change often succeed in doing so  
(frequently with the aid of therapy), the AMA statement, by publicly  
opposing “reparative” or “conversion” therapy “based on the a priori  
assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual  
orientation,” seems to take an implicit moral position of denying  
that such change should occur. (Nathaniel Lehrman, MD)

[...]

A rehabilitation doctor with no declared expertise in autism offers  
advice on autism prevention. Edward Harshman makes reference only to  
a psychiatry textbook and a general article on autism prevalence,  
with no acknowledgement of the considerable body of research  
disputing theories that propose that autism is a maladaptive  
emotional response to social influences or parental behavior.

[More at URL]


----- 5 -----
Hate-Crimes Bill Introduced in Senate
Legislation would add extra penalties based on motivation.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004366.cfm

A bill to add federal penalties for crimes involving sexual  
orientation or gender identity was introduced in the Senate on  
Thursday. If passed, the measure would give sexual preference special  
protections comparable to that given race and religious belief.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has bipartisan  
support. Patrick Sammon, president of the pro-gay Log Cabin  
Republicans, said the additional legal cover is needed.

“This isn’t just symbolism," he said. "This bill provides important  
protections and resources that will benefit and help law enforcement  
agencies across the country.”

But Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned  
Women for America, pointed out there are already laws to protect  
everyone from violent crime.

“There’s absolutely no evidence to suggest that homosexuals or  
transgender people are not receiving equal protection or equal  
justice under the law,” he said. “The weight of the evidence  
establishes that their true motive is to silence any criticism of  
their homosexual lifestyle.”

Tom McClusky, vice president for government affairs at the Family  
Research Council, called the bill a well-intentioned but bad idea.

“What we’ll probably see is this bill passing both the House and the  
Senate as it has in the past," he said. "It will be up to President  
Bush to draw that final line in the sand.”

TAKE ACTION: Let your representative and senators know what you think  
about hate-crimes legislation. You may contact them through the  
CitizenLink Action Center. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update  
subscriber, click on the blue "Take Action" button in the e-mail to  
be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on  
this link.

http://vocusgr.vocus.com/GRSPACE2/dotnet/WebPublish/controller.aspx? 
SiteName=FOTF&Definition=Home&XSL=Home&SV_Section=Home


----- 6 -----
Billboard Company Refuses Ex-Gay Ads
Competitor stands up for free speech.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004367.cfm

Focus on the Family's Love Won Out Conference is in Omaha, Neb., this  
weekend, but one billboard company doesn’t want anyone to know about it.

Over the years, Love Won Out has traveled to 43 cities sharing the  
message that it's possible to break free from homosexuality. The  
event is regularly advertised on billboards. But when conference  
organizers contacted billboard company Waitt Outdoor for the Omaha  
conference, they were turned down. Melissa Fryrear, director of  
gender issues at Focus on the Family, said no explanation was offered.

"There is nothing objectionable about the billboard whatsoever. The  
message is, ‘I questioned homosexuality.  Change is possible.   
Discover how,’ " she explained. " It's obviously a message of hope.”

[...]


----- 7 -----
Author Dispels Myth that Homosexuality is Compatible with Scripture
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-13-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004368.cfm

In his new book The Gay Gospel? How Pro-Gay Advocates Misread the  
Bible, Joe Dallas dissects the rhetoric of the gay Christian movement.

Dallas, a featured speaker at Focus on the Family's Love Won Out  
conferences since they began in 1998, spent six years on staff with a  
pro-gay church. He opens the book writing, “I remember clearly, and  
with inexpressible regret, the day I convinced myself it was  
acceptable to be both gay and Christian.”

[More at URL]


----- 8 -----
Welcome Back to Gay Orleans
Focus on the Family
4-2-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004277.cfm

Still coming back after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans wants to  
rekindle its tourism appeal by targeting gay and lesbian travelers,  
The Associated Press reported.

New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. will release a guidebook to  
promote attractions popular with homosexual visitors – such as gay  
bars, bookstores and community centers. Activities such as Mardi  
Gras, Southern Decadence and Halloween also are featured.

[More at URL]


----- 9 -----
Mass. Governor Stands Against Traditional Marriage
Reversing Romney's decision, he orders out-of-state unions to be  
recorded.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-2-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004282.cfm

As the new sheriff in town, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick isn't  
wasting any time in taking a stand against traditional marriage. On  
Friday, he ordered the state to officially record the marriages of 26  
out-of-state homosexual couples, reversing a decision by his  
predecessor, Mitt Romney.

Patrick also is seeking to reverse stem-cell research restrictions  
implemented by Romney, which ban the creation of embryos for the sole  
purpose of research.

In March 2006, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that  
Romney could rely on a 1913 state law to prohibit out-of-state  
homosexual couples from marrying.
"Governor Patrick is placing his personal preference above the law,  
and that can never be justified, especially as the state's highest  
constitutional officer," Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts  
Family Institute and spokesman for VoteOnMarriage.org, said in a  
statement.

Messages left at the governor's office were not returned

Lisa Barstow, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Family Institute and  
VoteOnMarriage.org, said Patrick's move was largely symbolic -- it  
doesn't affect the legal status of the marriages.

"He is a strong proponent of same-sex marriage and basically a strong  
opponent of the marriage amendment and citizens' right to vote,"  
Barstow said. "He'll use any available means of persuasion to  
advocate for same-sex marriage."

Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst for Focus on the Family  
Action, said, "Homosexual activists continue to grasp at anything and  
everything to punch another hole in marriage in Massachusetts.  If  
twisting the law will help them in their quest to redefine marriage,  
they are willing to do that and more."

A state amendment to protect traditional marriage could come up for a  
vote before a joint session of the Legislature as early as May. If it  
passes, it would hit the ballot in the fall of 2008.

About 8,000 homosexual couples have wed in Massachusetts since 2004,  
when it became legal.

Tyree said Patrick's actions could affect the entire nation.

"This will encourage homosexuals to make the trip to Massachusetts  
and attempt to force the issue back in their home states," she said.  
"And it is likely that they will be supported financially by larger  
groups who share their goal of redefining marriage for all of society."

TAKE ACTION
Urge Gov. Deval Patrick to honor Massachusetts law and not allow out- 
of-state gay couples to marry. Visit http://www.Mass.gov and click on  
"Contact us" to send him a message.


----- 10 -----
Delaware Senate Votes in Favor of Life-Destroying Research
Focus on the Family
3-30-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004260.cfm

After a debate on the nature of life, the Delaware Senate voted 13-7  
Thursday on guidelines for controversial stem-cell research.

The News Journal reported that supporters said the bill was intended  
to "alleviate the pain and suffering of disease." But stem-cell  
research has so far produced no cures.

The guidelines ban "reproductive" cloning, but that leaves the door  
open for the cloning of human embryos and for in vitro fertilization  
clinics to donate embryos -- all to be destroyed for research.

[More at URL]


----- 11 -----
N.H. House Kills Marriage-Protection Amendment
Focus on the Family
3-29-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004249.cfm

New Hampshire voters will not get the chance to decide on a state  
amendment to protect marriage after the state House voted down the  
proposal, 233-124, today.

Auburn Republican Dudley Dumaine warned amendment opponents they  
would be held accountable in the 2008 election.

"I want you on record telling the people they don't have a right to  
vote on this constitutional amendment," he told The Associated Press.

[More at URL]


----- 12 -----
Will 'Hoosier Values' Drive People Away?
Eli Lilly says marriage amendment would brand Indiana as "intolerant."
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
3-29-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004254.cfm

Hoosier values" are under fire in Indiana, and Eli Lilly is the  
latest combatant.

On Wednesday, the pharmaceutical giant became the state's fourth  
major company to oppose the proposed marriage amendment, which would  
define marriage as between one man and one woman.

In a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels, Lilly claimed the amendment would  
brand the state as intolerant and could jeopardize domestic-partner  
benefits.

"I can't believe a company with the stature of Lilly and their  
enormous legal resources would take a corporate position like this  
without any specific legal reasoning to back it up," Republican Sen.  
Brandt Hershman, the amendment's author, told The Indianapolis Star.

Carla Cox, a spokeswoman for Eli Lilly and Co., said the amendment  
would have a negative impact on the firm.

"It would mainly be around recruiting and retention of employees,"  
she said. "We have employees who are telling us they would leave the  
company."

Ryan McCann, director of operations and public policy at the Indiana  
Family Institute (IFI), said he doesn't share Lilly's concerns.

"Their reasoning was a little lacking," he said.

The proposed amendment passed in 2005, but must pass a second time  
before going to voters as early as November 2008. The Senate approved  
the amendment earlier this year, and it awaits a vote in a House  
committee. IFI and other family advocates testified before the  
committee last week; so did those who oppose the amendment, including  
manufacturer Cummins and Indianapolis insurer WellPoint. McCann said  
the opposition's evidence was lacking.

"They didn't really have any proof at all that this would affect  
their recruiting practices," he said. "It was really kind of sad they  
were so unprepared."

The House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee will hold its  
second hearing Tuesday on the amendment. The deadline for the  
committee to vote is Thursday, April 5.

"They've promised to bring this up, and they've promised to vote on  
this," McCann said. "We're hoping they keep their word."

The Indiana amendment drew national attention when Tony Dungy, coach  
of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, spoke out in favor of  
it at an IFI banquet last week. McCann, who organized the banquet,  
praised Dungy.

"We know what strong character he has, and what an asset he's been to  
Indiana," he said.

Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issues analysis at Focus on  
the Family Action, is confident Indiana voters will pass the  
amendment. She said Lilly's opposition isn't based on any evidence.

"The 27 other states that have passed amendments have not had image  
issues," Earll said. "I think 'intolerance' is a smoke screen for  
what they're really saying, which is, 'We want homosexual marriage.'

"If there's any intolerance here, it's these corporate officials who  
are intolerant of the traditional definition of marriage. And Indiana  
voters should see that for what it is."

TAKE ACTION
Sign a petition to thank Tony Dungy for bravely sharing his biblical  
values and taking a stand for marriage as between one man and one woman.


----- 13 -----
Democrat-Led Congress to Reconsider Equal Rights Amendment
Family advocates warn it would bolster abortion and gay marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
3-28-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004241.cfm

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is resurfacing on Capitol Hill.  
Supporters claim it would protect women against employment and sexual  
discrimination, but opponents say feminists are merely using the  
measure as a vehicle to drive their agenda.

The ERA passed both houses of Congress in 1972, but a constitutional  
amendment must also be ratified by the states and it fell short by  
three.

Proponents contend the amendment would clear up issues ranging from  
hiring and wages to restrictions on women serving in combat, but  
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, said it seems  
to be a good way for feminists to justify their existence.

[...]

Gay activist groups would also benefit. Feminists readily admit they  
want ERA to address "gender-based hate crimes." Wording in the  
amendment focuses on sexual discrimination.

"It's pretty clear now that it would give same-sex marriages,"  
Schlafly said. "There is a close alliance between the feminists and  
the gay-rights movement."

[More at URL]


----- 14 -----
Kansas Lawmakers Push for Tiller Investigation
Focus on the Family
3-27-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004229.cfm

The Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Monday  
endorsed a resolution that tells the state attorney general to re- 
file charges against an abortionist accused of performing illegal  
late-term abortions, WIBW-TV reported.

[More at URL]


----- 15 -----
Minnesota Senate OKs Insurance Benefits for Same-Sex Partners
Focus on the Family
3-27-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004228.cfm

The Minnesota Senate voted Saturday to let same-sex partners of state  
employees participate in the state health-insurance program.  
Opponents called it a move toward redefining marriage.

[...]

Senate Republicans had attempted to remove the domestic-partner  
benefits, arguing that placing "domestic partnership" into state law  
could give an activist judge leverage to mandate gay marriage.

[More at URL]


----- 16 -----
New Hampshire House Approves Civil Unions
Focus on the Family
4-4-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004295.cfm

The New Hampshire House passed legislation today that would allow  
same-sex couples to enter into civil unions – with all the rights of  
married couples, WCSH-TV reported.

The bill, which passed 243-129, had bi-partisan support.

Republican Rep. Nancy Elliott told colleagues the bill was a gay- 
marriage bill in disguise.

[More at URL]


----- 17 -----
Alaskans Want Chance to Vote on Marriage Amendment
Focus on the Family
4-4-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004296.cfm

In a nonbinding advisory vote, 57 percent of Alaskans said they want  
a chance to whether the state constitution should be amended to  
protect the benefits of marriage.

In 1998, voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to define  
marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In spite of that, the  
Alaska Supreme Court ruled in October 2005 that the state must extend  
benefits to same-sex partners of its employees.

Tuesday's advisory vote was intended to help the governor and state  
lawmakers decide if another amendment should be placed on the ballot  
– one that would clearly indicate that the state is not obligated to  
extend any of the benefits of marriage to others.

Jim Minnery, executive director of the Alaska Family Council, said  
the people sent a strong message to the Legislature, the governor and  
the state's high court.

[More at URL]


----- 18 -----
Young People Lobby in Favor of Homosexual Issues
State capitols are the target.
Focus on the Family
from staff reports
4-3-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004287.cfm

Gay-activist groups are recruiting kids to be the new face of their  
lobbying campaigns in state houses around the country.

In many state capitols, self-identified gay young people are already  
working to influence legislators. But Dr. Bill Maier, psychologist in  
residence at Focus on the Family, said most of the kids are too young  
to state with confidence that they are gay.

[...]

They are certainly confused, Maier said, and that makes them east to  
manipulate by gay activists.

It’s a savvy strategy, and with the growing acceptance of  
homosexuality among today’s youth, uncertain kids are labeling  
themselves as gay or lesbian at an earlier age, according to Scott  
Davis, youth manager of Exodus International.

[...]

Davis said it’s important for Christian youth to have a godly view of  
sexuality.

[More at URL]


----- 19 -----
Indiana Voters Denied Chance to Protect Marriage
Democrat-dominated committee kills proposed amendment.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-4-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004299.cfm

On Tuesday, the Indiana House Rules Committee voted 5-5 on a  
resolution supporting an amendment to define marriage as between one  
man and one woman, effectively killing it and dealing a blow to  
family advocates and Hoosier values.

Ryan McCann, director of operations and public policy for the Indiana  
Family Institute, said he was surprised by the vote, but understands  
what happened.

"(The Democrats) knew this was the only way they could really reward  
those folks who have supported them, and the gay-rights groups,"  
McCann said. "The goal has always been to bring about gay marriage  
through the courts."

[More at URL]


----- 20 -----
Connecticut High School Agrees to Allow Day of Truth
Focus on the Family
4-5-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004305.cfm

The principal of Danbury High School in Connecticut agreed Wednesday  
to allow a student to promote and participate in the Day of Truth --  
but only after receiving a letter from the Alliance Defense Fund  
(ADF). The school initially had prohibited the student from taking part.

The school has endorsed the pro-gay Day of Silence on April 18, but  
officials told Rosemary Shakro she could not invite a speaker to a  
club meeting or post signs concerning the counter-event scheduled for  
the following day.

The principal called the Day of Truth too "controversial" and also  
prohibited "anti-homosexual" speech.

[More at URL]


----- 21 -----
Colorado Senate Votes to Bar Abstinence-Only Sex Ed
Focus on the Family
4-5-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004306.cfm

The Colorado Senate approved a measure that would require all but one  
school district to teach kids comprehensive sex education, leaving  
behind abstinence-only curricula, The Denver Post reported.

While educators would be allowed to mention abstinence, they also  
would have to discuss sexually transmitted infections and birth control.

Sen. Shawn Mitchell was opposed to the bill and told colleagues the  
curriculum will teach kids about “condoms, consummation and copulation.”

The bill, HB 1292, already passed the House and was expected to  
receive a final vote in the Senate by week’s end.

TAKE ACTION
Coloradans can contact their state senator through the CitizenLink  
Action Center. If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber,  
click on the blue "Take Action" button in the e-mail to be  
automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click on  
this link.


----- 22 -----
Embryonic Stem Cell. Is It Needed ?
Faith and Freedom Network
Friday, April 13, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/embryonic-stem-cell-is- 
it-needed.html

There are two very different views on the use of embryonic stem  
cells. You will be amazed at what happened this past week.

The U.S. Senate voted 63-34 to use federal funds as an incentive to  
destroy human embryos for stem cell research.

The majority of your lawmakers, repersenting both parties, argue that  
embryonic stem cells hold the most promise for medical break-through  
and cures.

Fortunately, the bill will not become law because President Bush will  
veto it. Probably next Wednesday.

If embryonic stem cell research holds so much promise, why is there  
virtually no private investment money flowing toward it's development  
and research? Simply because the smart money doesn't think it is  
promising.

[...]

Please send an email to the White House( you may access White House  
email on our web site) and express your appreciation to President  
Bush for his stand for life.

Pro-Life really is the right way.

Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

[More at URL]


----- 23 -----
Seattle PI: "Major Step Forward"
Focus on the Family
Thursday, April 12, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/seattle-pi-major-step- 
forward.html

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial board is calling the  
Legislature's vote for domestic partnerships, "A major step to move  
society forward."

The board says, "We also think that this 'first step' sends an  
extraordinary message across the nation ... there will be many  
debates ahead about what to do next -- and how far it should go. But  
consider this one bill a measure of just how far this state has moved  
forward in less than a year."

Whether the state is moving forward or backward is, of course, a  
matter of opinion.

[...]

Faith & Freedom has launched the "Change The State in '08" Campaign.  
It is a comprehensive plan that we feel, with God's blessing, can  
change the state by changing some of the elected officials.

[More at URL]


----- 24 -----
Change the State in '08
Why Change It?
A crossroads is where two paths meet. It can be where two  
philosophies or two cultures meet.
Washington State is at a cultural crossroads.
Online as of 13 April 2007

http://faithandfreedom.us/change_the_state.html

While there are a number of lawmakers in Olympia who both represent  
and vote consistently with the view of the faith community, they are  
in the minority – in both the House, the Senate and the Governor's  
office.

An emboldened, liberal, secularist majority is consistently moving  
further and further to the left, promoting and advancing a gay rights  
agenda that in some cases puts us among leading states in “gay  
rights.” One day after the 2007 session opened, State Senator Ed  
Murray told the Seattle Times, “It’s an important statement that our  
eyes are on the prize, and the prize is [gay] marriage.”

Laws are being passed that are an affront to people of faith. Those  
with a secularist agenda are attacking nearly every aspect of our  
culture as we have known it; from traditional marriage, to sex- 
education in public schools, to free expression of religious beliefs.  
(Example: HB 2661). [Ed. Note: HB 2661 added sexual orientation to  
the state civil rights bill.]

There are definitely two different philosophies – two different ideas  
of what our culture should be.

And the faith community is loosing[sic] ground.

[More at URL]


----- 25 -----
Domestic Partnerships: Another Step or A Call To Action?
Faith and Freedom Network
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/domestic-partnerships- 
another-step-or.html

As Wa. Lawmakers passed the domestic partnership bill late yesterday  
afternoon, the action was viewed differently--- depending on which  
side of the issue you stand. And the sides are worlds apart.

Chris Mcgann, of the Seattle P.I., wrote this morning, "Gays and  
lesbians can't legally wed, but the Legislature took another step  
toward that..."

Repersentative Jamie Pederson, D-Seattle, said, "It's a really  
important first step..."

Senator Ed Murray,D-Seattle, called the Defense of Marriage Act,  
which was passed by the Legislature in 1998, a" shameful act of  
discrimination". " Today", he said, "with the passage of the domestic  
partnership bill, we begin to undo that shameful act..." He also told  
the P.I., "I think we are closer to [gay] marriage than people realize".

[...]

Andrew Garber, of the Seattle Times, called me last night and asked  
if we were going to run a referendum to try to kill the domestic  
partnership law. I told him no, we have already launched a referendum  
on the lawmakers. We plan to "Change The State, in '08' "

I am fully aware that we as an organization can not accomplish that,  
but I am equally aware that if people of faith and conservatives  
across this state will simply take back their communities at the  
ballot box things will dramatically change.

You, not gay and secularist lawmakers from Seattle and elsewhere, can  
decide what Washington State will look like for your children and  
grand children.

[More at URL]


----- 26 -----
Federal Funding for Destructive Embryonic Stem Cell Almost Dead
Shari Rendall
Concerned Women for America
April 12, 2007

http://www.cwalac.org/article_476.shtml
Yesterday (April 11, 2007), the Senate voted 63-34 to approve S. 5, a  
bill that would provide federal funding for destructive embryonic  
stem cell research (ESCR).  The good news is that this bad  
legislation will likely not become law during this Congress.   
President Bush has already publicly vowed to veto this bill.  Based  
on yesterday’s vote, the Senate will be one vote shy of the 67 votes  
needed for the veto override, since three of the bill’s supporters  
did not vote.  The two-thirds majority for an override also appears  
out of reach in the House, which passed its destructive embryonic  
stem cell bill, H.R. 3, on Jan. 11 by a vote of 253-174.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), says,  
“The lack of votes to override President Bush’s promised veto may  
reflect the fact that scientists have recently admitted that  
embryonic stem cell research does not hold the promise that has been  
claimed and in the wake of breaking news of success with adult stem  
cells, making embryonic research both unethical and unnecessary.”

[More at URL]


----- 27 -----
False ‘Hate Crime’ Reports Fueling Calls for Federal Legislation
Concerned Women for America
4/12/2007

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12777/CFI/family/index.htm

False ‘hate crimes’ are being used to fuel calls to pass federal  
‘hate crime’ legislation. Matt Barber, CWA’s Director of Cultural and  
Social Policy, says these false crimes can be anything from simple  
verbal expressions of opinion to false crime reports. He tells about  
CWA’s efforts to seek a federal investigation of these false reports.

[Transcription begins]

Matt Barber: "Hate crimes are built on a paper-thin foundation, with  
additionally, demonstrably, fraudulent problems are chipping away at  
that already weak foundation... we know, from experience, that the  
homosexual lobby has a very specific agenda. The FBI statistics show  
conclusively that there is no epidemic of hate crimes against  
homosexuals and cross-dressers as Human Rights Campaign and other  
powerful homosexual groups would have you believe. In fact, there  
were just a little more than one thousand alleged hate crimes against  
homosexuals of cross dressers in 2005. Of those, one third were just  
for intimidation, or hateful words. So the numbers are very small  
when you consider that there were 1.4 million violent crimes  
nationwide last year. So it's a miniscule number. But now we're  
seeing that an alarming percentage of the already very small number  
of alleged hate crimes against homosexuals and cross-dressers may  
very well be rooted in fraudulent reports. And so CWA is calling for  
this federal investigation to investigate, essentially, homosexual  
activists. And to see to what degree they are trying to leverage  
false hate-crimes reports as a political means to a political end.  
And to what degree they are manipulating members of Congress to try  
to get them to pass legislation that would further their very  
deceptive agenda."

Matt Barber: "We know that similar hate crimes laws have been used to  
quash free speech. They have been used as a weapon against  
individuals - people who might oppose the homosexual agenda, such as  
Christians preaching on the street, even Christians preaching from  
the pulpit around the world, have been arrested - right here at home  
there are instances of Christians preaching the gospel on the street  
at various gay pride rallies and so forth who have been arrested and  
charged under existing hate crimes laws. So really, the effect that a  
Federal law such as this could have is just chilling."

Matt Barber: "We are going to be talking with various legislators; we  
know there are many who share our concerns, and to try to see if we  
can get some of them on board with looking into this. It needs to be  
looked into, because really when you dissect HR 1592 and start to  
look at it, the whole thing is built on fraud. And let me give you an  
example. In order for the Federal government to gain control of these  
violent crimes which are traditionally handled at the state level,  
the municipal level, and so froth, they have had to say that hate  
crimes affect interstate commerce. And what they are saying is that  
there are droves of homosexuals and cross-dressers who are having to  
flee their state and cross state lines in order to escape violence.  
And I've already told you the numbers, the true numbers of reports in  
2005. They're having to flee to escape violence, and that the  
perpetrators, those who would commit these hate crimes, are chasing  
after them over state lines. They've also had to say that hate crimes  
prevent homosexuals and cross dressers from engaging in commerce -  
from buying products and, so this convoluted, really hysterical  
argument, is being made to try to justify granting the government  
this sweeping and entirely subjective authority over Americans'  
thoughts, beliefs, and actions."

Matt Barber: "This law is dubious on a Constitutional level on many  
fronts. First of all, the 14th amendment guarantees equal protection  
under the law. And this, on its face, would violate that. It elevates  
a certain class of individual, based on their behaviours, above  
others. it says that homosexuals, as victims, are more valuable than  
elderly people, than children - it's just really un-American. I mean,  
there are laws in place. They grant equal protection, and equal  
justice under the law, and there is absolutely no evidence that would  
suggest that homosexual victims of violence - whether or not it's a  
hate crime as they would describe it, or just violent crime in  
general - there is no evidence to suggest that they do not receive  
equal justice under the law. Zero. For instance, the Matthew Shepard  
case, which is - Matthew Shepard has really been portrayed as a  
martyr for the hate-crimes cause. And we know, now that the two thugs  
that robbed and murdered Matthew Shepard have said that it had  
nothing to do with the fact that he was homosexual, they did it  
simply because they wanted drug money. They robbed him for that  
purpose. And that case has been used to try to further the hate- 
crimes agenda for years now, and it has gone unchallenged because a  
willing mainstream media has supported the homosexual lobby in  
furthering this propaganda. Those two thugs were tried and convicted  
- apart from any hate crimes - and were sentenced to life in prison.  
In fact, conservatives were the ones primarily standing up and saying  
that those guys should get the death penalty. And liberals, who oddly  
enough and ironically, who support hate crimes legislation, were  
saying, no, life in prison is the most that they should get. So these  
guys are in prison for life. And that was apart from any hate crimes  
law. So they're unconstitutional, they're unnecessary, they violate  
the 14th and first amendments of the US Constitution, and I believe  
ultimately that if it does pass that they will be challenged  
eventually in court."

[Transcription ends]

[Ed. note: Okay! Where do we start? I'm going to have to MST/"Fisk"  
this last paragraph.

_Matt Barber: "This law is dubious on a Constitutional level on many  
fronts. First of all, the 14th amendment guarantees equal protection  
under the law. And this, on its face, would violate that. It elevates  
a certain class of individual, based on their behaviours, above  
others. it says that homosexuals, as victims, are more valuable than  
elderly people, than children - it's just really un-American._

LIE: the bill states "sexual orientation," which includes  
heterosexuality, which they like to conveniently forget.

_I mean, there are laws in place. They grant equal protection, and  
equal justice under the law, and there is absolutely no evidence that  
would suggest that homosexual victims of violence - whether or not  
it's a hate crime as they would describe it, or just violent crime in  
general - there is no evidence to suggest that they do not receive  
equal justice under the law. Zero._

COMMENT: I don't have time to dig up the studies I've read showing  
unequal treatment of GBLT people in either probability of prosecution  
or outcomes, so I won't. But there is evidence, a considerable body  
of it. Indeed, going back decades, it was effectively legal to  
gaybash, and in the 1990s, Concerned Women for America was arguing on  
their old radio show that gaybashing was a "normal and natural  
response to the perversion of homosexuality."

_For instance, the Matthew Shepard case, which is - Matthew Shepard  
has really been protrayed as a martyr for the hate-crimes cause. And  
we know, now that the two thugs that robbed and murdered Matthew  
Shepard have said that it had nothing to do with the fact that he was  
homosexual, they did it simply because they wanted drug money. They  
robbed him for that purpose._

LIE: This is mostly a lie. The direct statement made - that Matthew  
Shepard's attackers have made this statement - is NOT a lie. It is  
true. It was reported (IIRC) by ABC News. However, it also ignores  
several other facts. First, that the attackers used the "gay panic"  
defense _in their original trial_, to try to claim that Matthew  
Shepard hit on them, and they were sent into a panic by the prospect  
of being hit on by a gay man, and that this caused them to kill him.  
_In their own trial, in their own defense, they said they killed him  
because he was queer_. Then a decade later, when they're trying to  
make a case for ... I think it was a parole hearing, but don't quote  
me on that - they change their story. Since the latter story suits  
CWA's agenda, they present the latest iteration of the story as  
incontrovertible fact, and from that, allege that hate-crimes reports  
are generally fraudulent.

It is important to note that this is the _same organisation_ that  
gave such support to the "normal and natural" reaction of violence to  
GBLT people.

_And that case has been used to try to further the hate-crimes agenda  
for years now, and it has gone unchallenged because a willing  
mainstream media has supported the homosexual lobby in furthering  
this propaganda. Those two thugs were tried and convicted - apart  
from any hate crimes - and were sentenced to life in prison. In fact,  
conservatives were the ones primarily standing up and saying that  
those guys should get the death penalty. And liberals, who oddly  
enough and ironically, who support hate crimes legislation, were  
saying, no, life in prison is the most that they should get._

This, of course, is spin. Conservatives are pro-death-penalty in  
general; somehow, this case not being an exception is somehow  
supposed to indicate that they were more appalled by Matthew  
Shepard's murder than anyone else, which is just foolish.

There are two other points they make through this essay that I will  
address without quoting. First, note the constant use of the phrase  
"homosexuals and cross-dressers." The intent here is to reference the  
stereotype they continually build of gay men being drag queens who  
want to teach the gay agenda to your children in schools. Second, the  
entire discussion about crossing state borders and economics and  
laughing at that whole idea is a reference to the 10th Amendment.  
Here, they would actually and actively have a point, if anyone paid  
attention to the 10th Amendment anymore, and, for that matter, if  
_they_ paid any attention to the 10th Amendment, which they don't  
except here. This is the only time I can remember them making a 10th  
Amendment case about a bill, and it really shows how desperate they  
are for justifications that they do so.

Now, if they _want_ to get all Federalist on me, I can play that  
game. But they don't. This is them dragging out a reason and using it  
because it's convenient, not because they actually mean it.


----- 28 -----
CWA Sues FDA Over Unlawful Approval of Morning-After Pill
Concerned Women for America
4/13/2007

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12788/MEDIA/life/index.htm

Washington, D.C. — A lawsuit was filed yesterday in Federal Court  
seeking to overturn the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA)  
unprecedented approval of the morning-after pill, Plan B, as both non- 
prescription and prescription based on the age of the buyer.

The lawsuit was brought by the American Association of Physicians and  
Surgeons (AAPS), Concerned Women for America (CWA), Family Research  
Council (FRC) and Safe Drugs for Women. The suit argues that the FDA  
committed numerous violations to approve the drug due to extreme  
political pressure exerted specifically by Senators Hillary Clinton  
(D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA).

CWA President Wendy Wright said, “The FDA buckled to pressure to do  
something it has never done before — make a high dose of a drug  
available without a prescription when a low dose of the same drug  
requires a prescription. The agency skirted laws and regulations put  
in place to ensure drugs are safe and effective, relenting under  
undue pressure from political operatives.”

The lawsuit makes the case that:

The data submitted by Plan B’s owner did not establish that it is  
safe or effective. The owner did not test the effects of taking a  
high dose of hormones during puberty. The FDA did not consider the  
safety effects on women of all ages, missing medical checkups and  
counseling that is necessary for the conditions in which Plan B is  
used. It misleads consumers regarding Plan B’s efficacy, leading to  
unintended pregnancies.

The trials to test how well consumers understood the label directions  
showed that consumers do not understand it well enough to self- 
medicate with Plan B. Fully one-third of women of all ages did not  
understand that Plan B cannot be used as a regular form of birth  
control. The label is misleading and does not provide the legally  
required disclaimers to delineate what it can and cannot do. This  
makes Plan B particularly unsafe for young women and girls because  
they do not understand that Plan B does not replace traditional and  
more effective birth control, and they may take it too often.

The FDA lacks authority to approve the same drug for both over-the- 
counter (OTC) and prescription-only distribution.

The FDA lacks authority to approve distribution based on the buyer’s  
age.

The FDA lacks authority to approve “behind-the-counter”—a drug that  
is neither fully OTC nor prescription only.

The FDA approved Plan B for non-prescription use without conducting  
the necessary rulemaking required by the Administrative Procedure Act  
and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The sudden reversal by FDA and Commissioner von Eschenbach had the  
distinct appearance of resulting from improper political pressure  
exerted by Senators Clinton and Murray who made clear that they put  
“holds” on von Eschenbach’s confirmation until he acted on Plan B.

The FDA’s approval ensures that girls will have unsupervised access  
to Plan B even though FDA has found that Plan B is unsafe for girls  
without medical supervision, as denoted by the fact it is  
prescription-only for those under 18.

The FDA failed to require Plan B’s owner to comply with the Pediatric  
Research Equity Act which protects children and adolescents.

This lawsuit seeks to reverse the FDA’s decision, placing Plan B back  
where it belongs: as prescription-only. Barring that, the suit seeks  
to require a rulemaking procedure to address the legal questions raised.

For Information Contact:
Sarah Rode
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org


----- 29 -----
CWA SAYS STUDY DEBUNKING ABSTINENCE IS FLAWED
Concerned Women for America
4/13/2007

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12789/MEDIA/education/index.htm

Washington, D.C. — A just-released report claims that abstinence  
programs are ineffective. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., is a  
Washington-based think tank that blatantly states that their research  
is conducted in order to “support decisions” about “social policy  
problems.” Clearly, their report on abstinence programs is timed to  
affect funding.

Their findings are flawed and raise questions in two separate areas.

First, the findings about abstinence programs are based on a flawed  
design. The Mathematica study targeted children who were in  
abstinence programs from ages 9-11. Those children were not evaluated  
until five years later. The targeted children were too young to  
absorb the abstinence message, and there was no follow-up to the  
original abstinence message. This basic flaw in the study design  
invalidates any findings in the report.

Second, the real issue is the values that are taught in the programs.  
Abstinence programs teach teens the value of abstaining from sex at  
least through high school. Ninety percent of parents agree with this  
message. Abstinence programs teach teens that sex should be reserved  
for marriage. Again, 90 percent of parents support this message.  
Finally, abstinence programs teach teens that sex involves  
commitment, love and intimacy; qualities most likely to be present  
within marriage.

Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, Director and Senior Fellow of Concerned Women  
for America’s Beverly LaHaye Institute, stated, “The left sees no  
difference between their message and ours, but there are major  
differences. Comprehensive sex education is not values based. Yet,  
sex involves values — especially the values of commitment, love and  
intimacy. If values are omitted, the teaching implies that casual  
teen sex has no lasting consequences as long as the teens use a condom.”

Crouse added, “Comprehensive sex education programs teach that casual  
sex is ‘no big deal.’ That myth has caused sexually transmitted  
diseases to skyrocket among the nation’s teens. That myth has aided  
in making drugs for depression the most prescribed medicine for  
teens. That myth has increased teen suicide as well as alcohol and  
drug abuse. The consequences of casual sex have been disastrous for  
the nation’s teenagers. Only since the broader implementation of  
abstinence programs have we seen a downturn in sexual activity, teen  
births and teen abortions. There are now 15 evaluations documenting  
the effectiveness of abstinence education. This new study by  
Mathematica holds no water in the wake of the overwhelming evidence  
that abstinence education produces positive results.”

For Information Contact:
Sarah Rode
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org


----- 30 -----
CWA: Breaking Homosexual “Silence” with Truth
Concerned Women for America
4/11/2007

http://www.cwfa.org/articles/12757/MEDIA/education/index.htm

Washington, D.C. — In a thoughtless and offensive exercise of  
political hyperbole from a side event at the United Nations, a  
representative of the deceptively-named Human Rights Campaign  
recently likened the imagined “plight” of homosexuals in America to  
the very real humanitarian tragedy in Darfur. Homosexual activist  
groups have organized a “Day of Silence” to promote this victim  
mentality among children in hundreds of schools across America. As  
part of the “Not Our Kids” coalition, Concerned Women for America  
(CWA) asks parents of participating schools to teach their children  
(where age-appropriate) the truth about natural human sexuality,  
marriage and family at home on April 18 rather than subject them to a  
disruptive day of wholesale homosexual indoctrination.

Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues, warned, “The  
radical homosexual lobby has done a masterful job of infiltrating our  
government schools to gain control of the minds of America’s youth.  
Their propaganda tactics are time-tested. With liberal school  
officials in tow, they brazenly circumvent and abuse parental  
authority to use good-hearted but misguided children as pawns to  
further their deceptive agenda.”

The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) notes, “The Day of Silence is a  
misnomer because what is truly being silenced is the Truth.” ADF has  
organized a “Day of Truth” following the “Day of Silence” on April 19  
to encourage students to speak the truth in love without disrupting  
learning during the school day. As part of the “Not Our Kids”  
coalition, and as an ADF allied organization, CWA encourages parents  
to keep their children home on April 18 if their school is  
participating in the “Day of Silence” and prepare them to participate  
in ADF’s “Day of Truth.”

“During the ‘Day of Silence,’ kids are deceptively taught that  
Biblical truth, which holds that human sexuality is a gift from God  
shared between husband and wife within the bonds of marriage, is  
‘homophobic,’ ‘hateful’ and ‘discriminatory.’ Parents with  
traditional values have had enough, and it’s time to act. Both the  
‘Not Our Kids’ strategy and ADF’s ‘Day of Truth’ are terrific and  
peaceful ways to use God’s truth to break the silence and confront  
anti-Christian homosexual activism,” concluded Barber.

For more information on ‘Not Our Kids’ and the ‘Day of Truth,’ please  
visit the following Web sites: Not Our Kids – www.notourkids.com. ADF  
– www.alliancedefensefund.org.

For Information Contact:
Sarah Rode
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org


----- 31 -----
Nationwide Pro-Family Coalition Warns Parents to Keep their Children  
Home from School on 'Gay' Day of Silence, April 18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact NotOurKids.com Media Coordinator - Irene Bennett (203) 926-6960
Visit www.NotOurKids.com/media.html

http://www.notourkids.com/032707PR.html
WASHINGTON, March 27 / -- A national pro-family coalition,  
www.NotOurKids.com, is calling upon parents to keep their children  
home from school on April 18 -- to avoid GLSEN's homosexual "Day of  
Silence," in which students and some supportive faculty intentionally  
remain silent throughout the school day to protest alleged oppression  
of homosexuals.
"Day of Silence" (DOS) is an annual event promoted by GLSEN, the Gay,  
Lesbian & Straight Education Network, and is scheduled for Wednesday,  
April 18 this year.  (Some schools observe DOS a few days earlier or  
later than the official date.) In 2006, over 4,000 junior highs, high  
schools, and colleges participated in DOS, according to GLSEN.
Many school district superintendents, principals, and faculty members  
also endorse, promote or allow DOS -- subjecting traditional students  
to pro-"gay" activism that violates their religious beliefs and right  
to a non-politicized education. To find out what schools are likely  
participating in this year's DOS, please visit: www.NotOurKids.com/ 
schools.html.

According to GLSEN, on last year's Day of Silence, over 500,000  
students nationwide were confronted with mute homosexual peers and  
"allies" wearing stickers and passing out cards, which stated (in part):

"... My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by  
harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the  
silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think  
about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do  
to end the silence?"

www.NotOurKids.com is a coalition of pro-family groups who object to  
the disruptive political hijacking of America's classrooms by pro- 
homosexual advocates. www.NotOurKids.com educates parents, teachers  
and America about the deceptive agenda behind GLSEN's Day of Silence.  
The coalition seeks to protect America's youth from being pressured  
to approve of homosexual, bisexual, or "transgender" behavior.

"Teenagers deserve an opportunity to study English, history, math,  
and science -- without being subjected to pro-homosexual  
proselytizing sanctioned by school authorities. Students shouldn't be  
forced to self-censor or adopt beliefs contrary to those of their  
parents and places of worship," said Linda Harvey of Mission America,  
a coalition member.  "Even the strongest of our junior high and high  
school children are not equipped to serve as frontline soldiers in  
this culture war."

For a complete list of the coalition's sponsoring groups, please  
visit www.NotOurKids.com.


----- 32 -----
Pro-family group hits silent protest
By Amy Fagan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 30, 2007

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070329-114712-5708r.htm

A coalition of conservative families is urging parents to have their  
children skip a day of classes at schools that participate in "Day of  
Silence" to support homosexual students next month.

"If this is going to be allowed in your school ... and you do not  
believe in homosexuality or promoting that or teaching that to  
children, simply take your kids out for the day," said Stephen  
Bennett, who is leading the coalition, called NotOurKids.com.

The "Day of Silence" -- started by students and in its 11th year --  
is supported by the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network  
(GLSEN) as a way to protest bullying and harassment of students based  
on their sexual orientation.

[...]

According to a GLSEN survey, 84 percent of homosexual, bisexual or  
transgender students report being verbally harassed because of their  
sexual orientation, and 39 percent report physical harassment.

[More at URL]


----- 33 -----
SAMPLE LETTER FOR PARENTS
NotOurKids.com
Protecting America's Youth And Educating Parents About The Dangers of  
Homosexual Activism And Indoctrination In America's Public Schools
Online as of 13 April 2007

http://www.notourkids.com/sample_letter.html

Below is a sample letter parents can use to write to their school’s
Administration – explaining why their child/youth/teen will be
KEPT HOME AND NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL on April 18, 2007
(or the day their school is allowing students to participate in the  
homosexual Day of Silence protest.) Highlighted areas need to be  
personalized and/or confirmed.

[Date]
Dear [_______________________________],

Due to the administration’s decision to allow the politicization of  
the learning environment through GLSEN’s (Gay, Lesbian, Straight  
Education Network) Day of Silence, we feel compelled to keep our  
child/children out of school on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

The administration errs when it allows the learning environment to be  
disrupted and politicized by granting students permission to remain  
silent throughout an entire day. The homosexual Day of Silence’s  
protesters have a captive audience, many of whom disagree with and  
are made uncomfortable by the politicization of their classroom. How  
many political protests will the school allow, and who decides which  
political issue will be allowed to disrupt the educational process?

The Day of Silence participants have a First Amendment right to wear  
t-shirts, put up posters, and set up tables on which they provide  
their information. However, the Day of Silence participants go even  
further by usurping the classroom of every student in every class for  
an entire day in the service of their controversial philosophical and  
political purposes. Their silence, and in some cases, the silence of  
their teachers, transforms the activities and the learning  
environment of the entire school day.

Administrations must allow for appropriate ways for students to  
express their views while protecting the classroom from intrusive,  
political and morally controversial exploitation. Allowing this  
disruptive Day of Silence protest to take place is completely  
_unacceptable_. [Ed. note: underlining in original]

Respectfully,

[Your Name]


----- 34 -----
Contested US Stem Cell Bill Would Pour Money into 'Bad Science'
Christian groups in the US are criticizing a new bill that would  
allow for greater federal funding of embryonic stem cell research as  
wasting tax dollars on “bad science” that is also unethical.
by Ethan Cole, Christian Today US Correspondent
Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2007, 9:41 (BST)

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/ 
contested.us.stem.cell.bill.would.pour.money.into.bad.science/10344.htm

Christian groups in the US are criticizing a new bill that would  
allow for greater federal funding of embryonic stem cell research as  
wasting tax dollars on “bad science” that is also unethical.

“This over-hyped research would drag money and attention away from  
what patients really need – ethical treatments that work,” complained  
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, in a released  
statement.

Opponents of the bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid  
(D-Nev) have argued that not only is research using embryonic stem  
cells unethical because it destroys embryos in the extraction  
process, but it also fails to show the breakthrough results promised  
by supporters after decades of research.

[More at URL]