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

[Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)]

Today's Cultural Warfare Update has a special Musical Presentation,  
pointer courtesy lj:ysabel. I wouldn't feel confident playing it at  
work. Just sayin'.

And now, today's news - or at least the first half of it, look for  
another half tomorrow.

The VA finally gives in; Wiccan soldiers will be allowed to have  
pentacles on their gravestones, as members of other religious faiths  
are allowed to do;

Balkinization has some good commentary on the short-term effects of  
_Gonzales v. Carhart (2007)_;

FotF reports a Michigan student was sent home over a counter-protest  
to the Day of Silence protest against school bullying;

FotF cranky at "transgender" student (ftm, maybe? Maybe genderqueer,  
hard to say) who ran for Prom King;

FotF reports that New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) will  
introduce a GBLT marriage equality bill;

FotF claims that the Alliance Defense Fund's anti-gay "Day of Truth"  
protest doubled its participation count up to 7,000 students this year;

FotF short news blurb about Gov. Christine Gregoire (D-WA) signing  
the domestic partnership bill in Washington State;

Faith and Freedom Network celebrates Supreme Court upholding the ban  
on so-called "partial birth" abortions, talks about the need to win  
more elections to get more judges like Mr. Alito and Mr. Roberts  
appointed;

Faith and Freedom Network condemns 1960 court decision removing  
official prayer from the public schools, demands legislation of their  
version of morality and the ending of "legislating immorality,"  
though they don't get specific about what that is;

FFN condemns Govenor Gregoire's signing of the DP benefits bill in  
Washington State, promotes its "Change the State in '08" campaign to  
elect theoconservatives;

FotF successfully convinces State Rep. Joan Brady (R-Columbia, SC) to  
withdraw her bill to include the anti-cervical-cancer vaccine in the  
school vaccination regime for South Carolina;

Michigan State House taking up embryonic stem-cell research bill;  
"Michigan Right to Life" and FotF are, of course, opposed, saying  
there's "no compromise here";

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to contact senators about a vote on  
an amendment to yank RU-486 from the market; the amendment failed,  
but FotF wants thanks for the votes against and criticism against  
senators for votes for;

FotF and "Florida Family Association" unhappy with Shell for  
returning Playboy and Penthouse to sales counters;

FotF condemns bill in Congress that would codify abortion rights in  
Federal law;

FotF promotes the Family Research Council's "Values Voter Summit"  
this fall; the Family Research Council is a spinoff of Focus on the  
Family, if you're not aware of the history;

Jewish Sephardi leader blames Reform Jews in Germany for the Holocaust;

FotF and Alliance Defense Fund continue lawsuit defending anti-gay T- 
shirt worn as part of the ADF's anti-gay "Day of Truth" school protests;

FotF critical of Alaska for not sending an anti-gay ballot measure -  
one that would revoke health benefits for same-sex partners of state  
employees - to the ballot;

FotF report on Oklahoma vetoing anti-abortion bill;

FotF, state chair of the Republican party, condemn New Hampshire  
domestic-partnership legislation being signed into law;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM in Ohio to support law that would  
"strengthen the state’s indecency laws";

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM on Minnesota Domestic Partnership  
bill and against a sex-ed bill that isn't abstinence-only; they are,  
of course, against both in any form;

Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to demand state constitutional  
amendment ballot measure in Massacusetts to overturn marriage rights  
for same-sex couples;

FotF condemns Bush administration/HHS study showing that abstinence- 
only education has no value in preventing pregnancy;

FotF ACTION ITEM is a big one - to support 12(!) different anti- 
abortion amendments and riders in Congress;

Focus on the Family continues to revive the "special rights" rhetoric  
in condemning an Oregon civil rights bill that includes sexual  
orientation; they also condemn a domestic partnership bill that is  
likely to pass;

FotF ACTION ITEM claims that "hate crimes" legislation is being  
created specifically for GBLT people (untrue - the bill would add  
sexual orientation to the list in pre-existing bills), saying that  
this would "grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals, setting  
them apart as a special class of citizen"; claims that if the bill  
passed, "Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs";

Focus on the Family article celebrates the Supreme Court upholding  
the ban on so-called "partial birth" abortion, a term the anti- 
abortion-rights movement made up; calls it "Nazi-esque barbarism";  
notes that Bush appointees to the Supreme Court were the deciding  
factor; note that this bill provides no health exemption;

Alliance Defense Fund sues New York State over a state decision to  
recognise Canadian marriages for the purposes of retirement benefits;

Today's Cultural Warfare Update Special Musical Presentation.


----- 1 -----
Wiccans will be allowed to place pentacles on graves, VA says
Associated Press
Last update: April 23, 2007 – 9:28 AM

http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1138325.html

MADISON, Wis. — Wiccans will be allowed to have the symbol of their  
religion placed on grave markers in national cemeteries under a  
lawsuit settlement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  
announced Monday.

The settlement calls for the Wiccans' pentacle, a five-pointed star  
representing earth, air, fire, water and spirit to be placed on grave  
markers within 14 days for those who have pending requests with the VA.

There are 11 families nationwide that are waiting for grave markers  
with the pentacle, said Selena Fox, a Wiccan high priestess with  
Circle Sanctuary in Barneveld, Wis., and a party to the lawsuit.

"I am glad this has ended in success in time to get markers for  
Memorial Day,'' she said.

[More at URL]


----- 2 -----
The Big News About Gonzales v. Carhart-- It's the Informed Consent,  
Stupid
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Balkinization

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-news-about-gonzales-v- 
carhart.html

You might think that the Gonzales case will affect only one  
infrequently used medical procedure, intact dilation and evacuation  
(D&E).

Think again.

Justice Kennedy argues that the government may ban intact D&E because  
it has the right, under the Casey decision, to ensure that a woman's  
choice is informed. Kennedy then argues that given a mother's natural  
love for her child, some women will regret having abortions after the  
fact. And some women may especially regret having an abortion if they  
knew the details of the procedure-- intact D&E-- used to perform the  
abortion. Hence, Kennedy argues, the state may ban that procedure,  
because it will cause some women not to have abortions, and because  
it will force doctors to "find different and less shocking methods to  
abort the fetus in the second trimester."

[,,,]

The state will justify all of these demands to doctors under the  
rubric of informing women about their choices and the consequences of  
those choices. Pro-choice advocates will point out that these  
attempts at "informed consent" go far beyond that. They are attempts  
to frighten and upset women in the hopes that they will not have  
abortions. The problem, however, is that Kennedy's language  
encourages the passage of these new laws (South Dakota has already  
adopted one); it suggests that many of them may be constitutional.  
Thus Kennedy'shis opinion opens the door for states to pass  
increasingly unreasonable versions of abortion restrictions designed  
to frighten, manipulate, and discomfit women under the guise of  
providing informed consent.

This consequence of Gonzales v. Carhart is hardly accidental. It is  
the result of a long and sustained strategy by pro-life advocates  
that has now borne fruit in Supreme Court doctrine. In his discussion  
of informed choice and in his purple prose about the natural bonds of  
love between mothers and children-- call it Kennedy's "mother and  
child reunion" speech-- Justice Kennedy adopts some of the rhetoric  
of Operation Outcry-- an anti-abortion group which has honed the new  
style of pro-life rhetoric. The basic goal of this new rhetoric is to  
undermine the notion that women exercise any kind of choice when they  
decide to have abortions. It seeks to turn the rhetoric of the pro- 
choice movement on its head. Women, the new rhetoric argues, don't  
really understand what they are doing when they decide to have  
abortions; as a result, they often regret having them later on.

[...]

Cassidy's argument is that because of the kind of culture we live in,  
women who think they know what they are doing when they have  
abortions actually don't know. They only think they know at the time.  
Later on, they will come to regret it, and we can say that they  
weren't informed. And because we can't tell which women will come to  
regret the decision later on, the state needs to pass laws that  
discourage all women from having abortions.

This is the New Paternalism that is now central to the rhetoric of  
the pro-life movement. Either a woman is crazy when she undergoes an  
abortion, or she will become crazy later on.

[More at URL]



----- 3 -----
Student Sent Home for Protest of Gay Day of Silence
At issue: A piece of tape on his shirt that read, 'I'm straight.'
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004459.cfm

A 15-year-old Michigan student's expression of mild opposition to a  
pro-homosexual event at his school got him sent home for the day. Now  
he's arguing for his right to free speech.

David Gardner didn’t agree with Oakridge High School's observance of  
the Day of Silence, during which proponents of homosexuality place  
tape over their mouths or refuse to speak, even in class. As part of  
the event, participants pass out pro-gay literature to students.

David grabbed a piece of tape, wrote "I’m straight" on it and stuck  
it to his shirt as his personal protest.

"Something just clicked," he told Family News in Focus. "I was like,  
you know, this is wrong, and somebody’s got to stand up, so I did."

Some of David’s friends expressed their support by printing Bible  
verses on T-shirts and wearing them to school. Two were asked to go  
home on Friday because of the shirts.

Gardner said his courage comes from the messages his father, John  
Gardner, preaches.

“When is the church of Jesus Christ going to come out of its closet  
and take its place in society the way it’s supposed to be?" his  
father asked. “If we don’t stand up sooner or later, we’re going to  
run into more trouble than we’re going to know what to do with.”

[More at URL]


----- 4 -----
Girl Who Sought to Be Prom King Loses
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004454.cfm

Classmates did not support a Fresno, Calif., girl who ran for prom  
king – instead electing a boy to the role.

Cinthia Covarrubias, a senior at Fresno High School, considers  
herself to be transgender. She ran for prom king, she said, to break  
the barrier for future transgender students.

[..]

Covarrubias put her own agenda ahead of the rest of the school, Giles  
said, and in doing so put them all “in an awkward position.”

Michael Martin, a junior at the school, did not vote for Covarrubias.

“She should not have run,” he said. “It’s creepy.”

[More at URL]


----- 5 -----
New York Governor Pushes Same-Sex Marriage
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004457.cfm

Gov. Eliot Spitzer will introduce a bill in the coming weeks to  
legalize same-sex marriage in New York, his spokeswoman said Friday,  
a move that would propel New York to the forefront of one of the most  
contentious issues in politics.

Though he had promised during his campaign last year to introduce  
legislation to legalize it, Spitzer did not mention the issue in his  
State of the State speech in January or in remarks a week ago  
outlining his priorities for the remainder of the legislative session.

[More at URL]


----- 6 -----
Number of Day of Truth Participants Double
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004455.cfm

Nearly 7,000 students participated in the Alliance Defense Fund’s  
(ADF) third-annual Day of Truth.

In 2005, about 1,100 students registered; last year, nearly 3,000 did.

Mike Johnson, senior legal counsel for ADF, said the event gives  
students the opportunity to present a different viewpoint than the  
Day of Silence, when students offer support of homosexuality.

“Christian students should be allowed to express their viewpoint just  
like any other student,” Johnson said. “For quite some time now,  
students have been hearing only one side of the story on this issue.  
But truth emerges when both sides of the issues are presented.”

[More at URL]


----- 7 -----
Washington Governor Signs Domestic Partnership Bill
Focus on the Family
4-23-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004456.cfm

Same-sex couples will be able to register as domestic partners in  
Washington state starting this summer, after Gov. Chris Gregoire on  
Saturday signed a measure into law that will grant some of the rights  
of marriage.

[...]

"I think it's an unfortunate step backward, not knowing where it will  
lead us culturally," Joseph Fuiten, a pastor who is the leader of  
Positive Christian Agenda, told The Associated Press.

[More at URL]


----- 8 -----
Major Victory for Life
Faith and Freedom Network
Wednesday, April 18, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/major-victory-for-life.html

Earlier this morning the United States Supreme Court upheld the  
Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.

[...]

This is a major victory for pro-life people. It is important that we  
look at how the Court voted in the 5-4 ruling.

Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence  
Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Anthony Kennedy voted to  
uphold the Act that President Bush signed into law in 2003.

[...]

Beyond the victory for life that is represented in this decision, we  
must also take from this the importance of elections.

Electing a pro-life conservative President translates to the  
appointment of judges that rule from an interpretation of the  
Constitution, not their personal agenda.

And elections are important all the way to the local level.

Faith & Freedom’s “Change the State in ‘08” campaign is well under way.

[More at URL]


----- 9 -----
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics?
Faith and Freedom Network
Thursday, April 19, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/should-christians-be- 
involved-in.html

Rev. Jedidiah Morse said in 1779, “Our dangers are of two kinds,  
those which affect our religion, and those which affect our  
government … Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be  
overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the  
blessing which flow from them, must fall with them.”

If the foundations are destroyed, this country, as we have known it,  
is destroyed.

Charles Finney (1792-1875), another great preacher and Christian  
leader said, “Politics are apart of a religion in such a country as  
this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as part of  
their duty to God.”

During the founding era, the Christian church pulpits were one of the  
primary sources for information. Education was guided by a Christian  
perspective and churches were at the center of the political  
community, not on the periphery. Christians of all types exercised  
political and social leadership.

[...]

Starting in the 1960’s, the Supreme Court removed prayer and  
scripture from schools with two infamous statements – I’m sure you  
have read or heard them. It was stated that Bible reading, “could  
cause psychological damage to students.” The attack on the Ten  
Commandments began in earnest and they have been subsequently and  
methodically stripped from the public square. The statement that  
started the attack was almost unbelievable. It was stated, “If the  
Ten Commandments were to have any effect at all, it would be to  
induce students to read them. They will meditate on them. If they  
meditate on them, they will respect and obey them, and that would be  
unconstitutional.”

[...]

Christians are often told, “don’t try to legislate morality.”  
However, all legislation is someone’s morality, and unfortunately,  
much of our legislation of late is legislating immorality.

The Pharisees tried to entrap Jesus by sending a man to ask what His  
opinion was regarding paying taxes to Caesar. Matthew 22:18 says,  
“but Jesus knowing their evil intent said, ‘You hypocrites, why are  
you trying to trap me?’” He asked for a coin, then holding it up  
asked, “Whose portrait is this, and whose inscription?” When they  
told Him it was Caesar’s, He said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesars  
and to God what is God’s.” The Bible says when they heard that they  
were amazed and went away.

Clearly, Jesus was pointing out that we, on this earth, have a dual  
citizenship. While our nationality is “American,” we are also  
citizens of the Kingdom of God. Those two are not mutually exclusive.  
It is not either, or.

[...]

We must reverse the drift away from God and the principles that made  
America great. We must stop the misguided and immoral legislation  
that is being signed into law and people of faith can and must choose  
better elected officials.

By allowing unrighteousness to lead, we are contributing to the  
demise of our country and our community.

[More at URL]


----- 10 -----
Gregoire: "This is a very proud moment for me as Governor"
Faith and Freedom Network
Monday, April 23, 2007

http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2007/04/gregoire-this-is-very- 
proud-moment-for.html

Washington State Governor Gregoire, arriving to a standing ovation  
from about 200 people who had crowded into the reception room at the  
State Capitol this past weekend, signed into law the Domestic  
Partnership Bill (SB 5336). Although the law will not take effect  
until July, the party is well underway.

With both fists raised in the air, the Governor said, “This is a very  
proud moment for me as Governor.” Referring to stories of gay couples  
who testified before lawmakers this year about how they had been  
denied access to dying partners and were not allowed to plan their  
funerals, the Governor said, “It’s time to put an end to these stories.”

Although some other faith-based organizations have advocated a  
“reciprocal benefits” bill with the hope that somehow that would  
derail the rush toward gay marriage in Washington State, Faith &  
Freedom has been steadfast in our opposition to civil unions,  
domestic partnerships and reciprocal benefits because they are all  
equally useful tools and stepping stones toward their ultimate goal,  
homosexual marriage.

[More at URL]


----- 11 -----
S.C. House Kills HPV Vaccine Mandate
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004440.cfm

The state House killed legislation Wednesday that would have required  
seventh-grade girls inSouth Carolina to be vaccinated against human  
papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that causes  
cervical cancer.

[...]

Rep. Joan Brady, R-Columbia, made the motion to kill her own bill.

[More at URL]


----- 12 ----
Michigan House Takes Up Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004441.cfm

A package of three bills that would lift restrictions on stem-cell  
research in Michigan and increase penalties for cloning was unveiled  
Thursday.

[...]

"There's no compromise here, and all they've done is added some extra  
window dressing. This is the same legislation from last year with  
some bells and whistles," Ed Rivet, legislative director of Michigan  
Right to Life, told The Detroit News.

"They want to legalize the creation of embryos by cloning so they can  
be destroyed for research purposes."

Democrats won control of the House in November. Republicans, who  
control the Senate, haven't made the issue a priority.

[More at URL]


----- 13 -----
U.S. Senate Committee Votes in Favor of RU-486
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004443.cfm

A Senate committee voted 12-8 on Wednesday against an amendment that  
would have suspended sales of the abortion pill RU-486.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., put forward the measure, because the drug  
has killed several women in the U.S.

“We’ve known for years now that RU-486 not only takes a preborn life,  
but can also prove deadly for the mother,” said Ashley Horne, federal  
policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action. “How many more women  
must die before Congress takes action?”

There was no vote taken on another amendment, which would have lifted  
the liability protection that shields one of the drugs in the RU-486  
chemical-abortion combination.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted  
mostly along party lines. Republican Judd Gregg of New Hampshire  
joined the Democrats in voting “No.”

Horn said: “Each of the 12 senators who voted to continue placing the  
health of pregnant women at risk by allowing this deadly drug to  
remain on the market must hear outrage from his or her constituents  
at this flagrant disregard for human life.”

TAKE ACTION
Let your senator know what you think of his or her vote:

PRO-LIFE VOTES (for the amendment):
Michael B. Enzi (Wyo.)
Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Richard Burr (N.C.)
Johnny Isakson (Ga.)
Orrin G. Hatch (Utah)
Pat Roberts (Kan.)
Wayne Allard (Colo.)
Tom Coburn (Okla.)

PRO-ABORTION VOTES (against the amendment):
Judd Gregg (N.H.)
Edward Kennedy (Mass.)
Christopher Dodd (Conn.)
Tom Harkin (Iowa)
Barbara A. Mikulski (Md.)
Jeff Bingaman (N.M.)
Patty Murray (Wash.)
Jack Reed (R.I.)
Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.)
Barack Obama (Ill.)
Bernard Sanders (Vt.)
Sherrod Brown (Ohio)

Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) was not present for the vote.

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.


----- 14 -----
Florida Shell Stations Bring Back Porn Magazines
Euphemizes them as 'adult sophisticate' publications.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004444.cfm

Backing off its ban, the Shell Oil Co. is stocking 240 of its branded  
stores in Florida with pornographic magazines.

The Florida Family Association (FFA) has worked for years to keep  
porn mags out of convenience stores, but Circle K stores at Shell gas  
stations will soon be selling Playboy and Penthouse.

[...]

In an e-mail to FFA, Otto O. Meyers III, a spokesman for Shell,  
wrote, "Our investigation has concluded that these stores are not  
selling pornography as one would think the general public defines it,  
but rather 'adult sophisticate' magazines such as Playboy and  
Penthouse."

But Daniel Weiss, media and sexuality analyst for Focus on the Family  
Action, said the company is clearly in violation of its own policy  
that prohibits stores from "selling or displaying materials with  
themes of sex, nudity or prurient interest."

"Just making up a new word doesn't change the policy."

[More at URL]


----- 15 -----
Dems Seek to Codify Roe
Radical pro-abortion bill would upend state and federal restrictions.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004445.cfm

A day after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial- 
birth abortion, pro-abortion legislators introduced the Freedom of  
Choice Act, a bill to codify Roe v. Wade, the ruling that brought  
about abortion on demand.

It appears that Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Rep. Jerrold  
Nadler, D-N.Y., knew how the decision would go and had the  
legislation written and waiting. Nadler said it would "bar  
government, at any level, from interfering with a woman's fundamental  
right to choose to terminate a pregnancy."

The bill is considered a long shot. Similar legislation was  
introduced in the past several Congresses, but each attempt failed.

Carrie Gordon Earll, senior bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family  
Action, said the measure would repeal all state and federal abortion  
restrictions.

[More at URL]


----- 16 -----
Fall Summit Unites Values Voters
National leaders chart course for faith, family and freedom.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-20-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004447.cfm

The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit partners an  
exemplary roster of speakers with values voters who desire to  
transform the political landscape.

The event, sponsored by FRC Action and co-sponsored by Focus on the  
Family Action, American Values and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF),  
will focus on issues such as the sanctity of life, the value of  
marriage, religious freedom, judicial activism and radical Islam. It  
will be held Oct. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.

“As America faces a crossroads in leadership and direction, four of  
the nation's premier organizations are partnering together to help  
chart the country's course on the issues that matter most -- faith,  
family and freedom,” reads the FRC Action Web site.

All 2008 presidential hopefuls have been invited to speak, as have a  
myriad of elected officials and leaders of the faith community. (View  
the list of invited speakers here.)

In addition, participants can attend breakout sessions, book  
signings, a VIP reception and Family, Faith and Freedom Gala – plus a  
Sunday morning worship service.

Suzanne Bowdy, spokeswoman for FRC Action, said the goal is to  
stimulate debate and give values voters insight into the topics  
surrounding the 2008 election.

"Events usually are either spiritual or political," she said. "This  
one just happens to be both. It's a great atmosphere."

Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy  
for Focus on the Family Action, said attendees will gain a greater  
understanding of the democratic process and the vital role they play  
in protecting life, marriage and religious liberties each time they  
vote.

“Social conservatives turned out in large numbers in 2004 and had a  
major impact on the election,” he said. “This conference will be a  
rallying point for those ‘values voters’ -- as the media calls them  
-- so they can make informed decisions when they enter the voting  
booth next year.”

Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the  
Family Action, said the intended audience ranges from stay-at-home  
moms to community activists to politicians in all levels of government.

“If you've ever wondered how you can stand for righteousness when you  
go to the polls,” she said, “then this briefing is for you.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more and to sign up for the Washington Briefing, visit the  
FRC Action Web site.


----- 17 -----
Reform slam Eliyahu Shoah remarks
The Jerusalem Post
Apr. 17, 2007 19:19 | Updated Apr. 18, 2007 1:52

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ 
ShowFull&cid=1176152817565

The executive director of Arza, the Reform Movement's Zionist arm,  
called on the Chief Rabbinate Tuesday to chastise Rabbi Mordechai  
Eliyahu for blaming the Holocaust on Reform German Jews.

"Rabbi Eliyahu's outrageous statements point out just how out of  
touch he is with Jewish reality," said Rabbi Andrew Davids in a  
telephone interview with The Jerusalem Post from New York. "Anyone  
with the most basic understanding of German anti-Semitism would  
understand that there is no relationship between the piety and  
religiosity of Jews and the violence committed against them."

[...]

"The Reformers started in Germany," explained Eliyahu. "Those  
redactors of the Jewish faith began in Germany. We learn from this  
that it is forbidden to attempt to change Judaism."

[...]

"It is not a coincidence that the Holocaust began in Germany," said  
Shmuel Eliyahu Tuesday. "Whenever Jews try to act like goyim they are  
punished. It happened during the Spanish Inquisition and it happened  
during the Holocaust."

[More at URL]


----- 18 -----
Court Rules ‘Be Happy, Not Gay’ T-Shirt Derogatory
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004422.cfm

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that officials at an Illinois high  
school can ban a student from wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Be  
Happy, Not Gay,” while a lawsuit on the matter proceeds, the Chicago  
Tribune reported.

Naperville student Heidi Zamecnik, now a senior at Neuqua Valley High  
School, wanted to wear the shirt as part of the Day of Truth -- a  
national effort by Christian students to publicly oppose homosexual  
behavior. The campaign follows the Day of Silence -- a day promoting  
homosexuality.

[Ed. Note: the Day of Silence is a protest against anti-GBLT bullying  
and violence in schools. Focus on the Family describes it as  
"promoting homosexuality." This is part of a longstanding tradition  
in the theocratic movement to declare anything not condemnational of  
GBLT people to be "promotion."]


----- 19 -----
Alaska in Battle Over Same-Sex Benefits
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004423.cfm

The Alaska House will consider a joint resolution to place a  
constitutional amendment on the 2008 ballot that would overturn court- 
ordered benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees.

HJR9, introduced by Republican Rep. John Coghill, seeks to give  
Alaska voters the opportunity to decide whether homosexual couples  
should receive the same benefits as married couples.

Alaskans voted overwhelmingly in 1998 to define marriage as the union  
of one man and one woman. Fourteen homosexual couples, represented by  
the American Civil Liberties Union, challenged the state. The Alaska  
Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that the state was obligated to provide  
benefits to gays because they couldn’t marry.

[More at URL]


----- 20 -----
Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Pro-Life Bill
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004419.cfm

Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the  
state funding of abortion.

[...]

“It’s especially sad that on a day when the U.S. Supreme Court is  
advancing the cause of life, Oklahoma is moving backwards -- thanks  
to the governor,” he said. “The idea that taxpayer dollars could be  
used to perform abortions is terrible.”

[More at URL]


----- 21 -----
N.H. Governor to Sign Civil-Unions Law
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004424.cfm

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said today he will sign legislation  
establishing civil unions for same-sex couples.

[...]

New Hampshire would become the fourth state to adopt civil unions,  
following Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey. Massachusetts remains  
the only state with gay marriage. [Ed. Note: this leaves out  
Washington State, possibly others, but the date order is confusing.]

[...]

"The Democrats are going too far, too fast, and Governor Lynch is  
going along with them," Fergus Cullen, the state Republican Party  
chairman, told The Associated Press. "These are not the actions of a  
moderate governor.”

[More at URL]


----- 22 -----
Ohio Lawmakers Need Your Opinion on the Community Defense Act
Bill calls for common-sense restrictions on sexually oriented  
businesses.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004426.cfm

On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Ohio, listeners  
heard about a bill that would strengthen the state’s indecency laws.  
The Community Defense Act (CDA), also known as Senate Bill 16, would  
place two straightforward regulations on all sexually oriented  
businesses in Ohio. One would limit the hours of operation, while the  
other would require that nude employees stay a certain distance from  
patrons.

TAKE ACTION
To find out how you can get involved in getting this legislation  
passed by May 2, go to the Citizens for Community Values Web site at  
www.ccv.org and click on the link to the grassroots action center.  
There you will find out which legislators need to be contacted and  
how you can do that.


----- 23 -----
Minnesota Lawmakers Need Input on Legislation
Speak up for marriage and abstinence education.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004427.cfm

On the Focus on the Family radio broadcast today, listeners in  
Minnesota heard about several bills that need attention. Supporters  
of the homosexual agenda in the state Legislature have introduced  
domestic partnerships into both the House and Senate. HF 1589 in the  
House and SF 1398 in the Senate would undermine marriage laws by  
creating a special legal status for homosexual couples.

The bills could be voted on at any time, and we urge you to encourage  
your senator and representative to uphold marriage and vote NO on HF  
1589 and SF 1398.

State insurance benefits for homosexual couples passed the  
Legislature at the end of March.  The domestic-partnership  
legislation represents one more rung on the ladder in the quest to  
redefine marriage for all Minnesotans.  An amendment to allow voters  
to define marriage has been killed in the Judiciary Committee in  
three previous legislative sessions, denying the voice of the people  
on this hotly debated issue.

An incremental strategy for legalizing gay marriage has been pursued  
across the country.  Already in 2007, domestic-partnership  
legislation has passed in Washington state, and civil unions have  
been legalized in New Jersey.  In Connecticut, where civil unions for  
gay couples were already legal, liberal legislators have introduced  
homosexual-marriage legislation.

The final bill discussed was House File 615. The bill would establish  
eight regional training sites to promote comprehensive sex education.  
If passed, it would mandate all public schools teach children in  
grades 7 through 12 "comprehensive family life and sexuality  
education" and encourages it be taught to children in grades K  
through 6. HF 615 would also promote teaching on homosexual sex  
practices and alternative lifestyles and would prohibit abstinence- 
until-marriage curriculum.
TAKE ACTION
If you live in Minnesota, please contact your state legislators and  
ask them to vote "No" on both domestic-partnership bills and the bill  
mandating comprehensive sex education. To get contact information for  
your legislators, visit the Minnesota Family Council’s Web site.


----- 24 -----
Ask Massachusetts Lawmakers to Support Marriage
Tell them you want the chance to vote on marriage.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004425.cfm

On today’s Focus on the Family radio broadcast in Massachusetts,  
listeners heard how to get involved in getting the Protection of  
Marriage Amendment on the ballot, so the people can decide what  
marriage is, instead of the courts. Also mentioned on the broadcast  
are six pastors' briefings.

TAKE ACTION
Please contact Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the  
House Sal DiMasi and urge them to allow the Protection of Marriage  
Amendment to come up for a vote during ConCon and to support the  
marriage amendment as well. To reach them, call the Statehouse at  
(617) 722-2800 and ask to speak to them both.

Then, we need you to contact your legislators and ask them to vote  
for the Protection of Marriage Amendment. To get contact info for  
your legislators, go to www.voteonmarriage.org and click on the  
Communicate button.

For more information on the pastors' briefings, go to  
www.voteonmarriage.org.


----- 25 -----
Mathematica Abstinence Study Doesn’t Add Up
A study slamming abstinence-only education fails in the common sense  
department.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
4-19-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004428.cfm

Liberals are touting a study released by Mathematica Policy Research  
last week that claims abstinence-only education is not effective in  
delaying sexual activity among unmarried youth. But family advocates  
say many other studies show that abstinence education keeps kids safe  
and healthy.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hired  
Mathematica to evaluate the impact of federal funding of abstinence- 
only programs -- totaling $87.5 million since 1998. Recipients of  
that Title V money are required to teach abstinence as the “expected  
standard” and that sex outside of marriage may “have harmful  
psychological and physical effects.”

Mathematica declared the programs it examined ineffective and  
possibly medically inaccurate.

[More at URL]


----- 26 -----
U.S. House to Take Up Legislation to Protect Life
Democratic majority threatens a dozen pro-life riders.
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004429.cfm

As Congress begins to take up annual appropriations bills, lawmakers  
also will have to decide on several pro-life riders to those bills --  
riders are provisions regularly attached to unrelated legislation  
that's likely to pass.

In the past, the riders generally have survived. This year, with  
Democrats in charge, it could be a different story.

Such riders include the Kemp-Kasten amendment, which prevents funding  
for organizations that participate in coercive abortion programs; the  
Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding of abortions, except in  
cases of rape, incest or life of the mother; and the Helms Amendment,  
which prevents foreign aid from being spent on abortion services.

“We have every reason to believe that (President) Bush will soon  
issue a letter that will basically say that he will veto legislation  
… if there is any attempt to weaken or nullify” current pro-life  
policy, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., told LifeSiteNews.

“The use of these ‘riders’ really goes back to the 1970s,” said  
Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life  
Committee. “One of the few opportunities for the pro-life community  
to advance anything was the appropriations bills.”

An estimated 1 million preborn babies have been saved since 1976,  
thanks to the Hyde Amendment, Johnson said.

“The advantage is, of course, Congress does have to appropriate money  
to keep the government running,” he said. “These bills are vehicles  
that do get signed into law. The downside is … they have to be re- 
enacted every year.”

Johnson said “there are enemies for each and every one” of the 12 pro- 
life provisions. The Democrats will have to decide if they want to  
embroil their bills in an abortion fight and a veto threat.

“Numerous pro-life riders have provided a longstanding crucial  
framework within which to protect and expand the culture of life,”  
said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family  
Action.

“People need to contact their representative and senators, urging  
them to protect these pro-life riders.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click here to see the letter from the representatives and here to see  
the one from senators.

TAKE ACTION
Urge your representative and senators to protect the pro-life riders  
in the appropriations bills and to vote for pro-life provisions in  
the bills reported out of the Appropriations Committee. If you are a  
CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue "Protect Pro- 
Life Riders" button in the e-mail to be automatically logged in to  
our Action Center. Otherwise, click on this link.


----- 27 -----
Oregon House OKs Benefits for Gay Couples
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004407.cfm

Same-sex couples would receive the same benefits as married couples,  
and homosexuals would be granted special protection under bills  
approved Tuesday by the Oregon House.

The Senate is expected to pass the two bills, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski  
is expected to sign them.

The first would enable same-sex couples to enter contractual  
relationships that grant the same benefits as married couples.

[...]

The other bill would grant gays, lesbians, bisexuals and  
transgendered people special rights in to employment, housing and  
access to public accommodations.

[Ed. Note: The theoconservative movement has been using "special  
rights for gays" as a description for antidiscrimination protection  
on the basis of sexual orientation since the 1990s. They lie in that  
these bills protect straight people from discrimination on the basis  
of heterosexuality as well; the treatment is equal. However, "special  
rights for homosexuals" plays well to their audience.]

[More at URL]


----- 28 -----
Ex-Gays, African-American Leaders Oppose Hate-Crimes Bill
Family advocates say Christians would be persecuted for their beliefs.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000004408.cfm

Former homosexuals and African-American leaders have joined forces to  
strongly oppose efforts to create a class of felonies known as hate  
crimes.

H.R. 1592 would grant extraordinary protections to homosexuals,  
setting them apart as a special class of citizen, and contradicts the  
constitutional mandate of equal protection under the law. The House  
Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security will  
hold hearings on the bill this week. A vote on the measure is  
expected by the end of the month.

Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International and a former  
homosexual, called it the first step down a slippery slope toward  
thought police and religious persecution.

“We’re going to see Christians persecuted for their beliefs, for  
simply stating that they oppose homosexuality," he said. "We’re  
seeing it in other parts of the world and it's just a matter of time,  
given this type of legislation, that we’ll see the very same type of  
things happening in the United States.”

Gay activists have borrowed heavily from the civil rights playbook in  
promoting the legislation. Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact  
Leadership Coalition takes exception to that strategy.

"It was always wrong for people to beat up other people or to kill  
other people or to lynch them," he said. “If the laws are enforced,  
then I believe that our nation is strong.”

A joint news conference scheduled for Tuesday was canceled out of  
respect for victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

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.


----- 29 -----
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion
'Decision represents an awakening of the conscience of a nation.'
by Jennifer Mesko, associate editor
Focus on the Family
4-18-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000004410.cfm

Pro-life advocates around America are celebrating the “first true  
judicial victory for the unborn since Roe v. Wade.”

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that the Partial Birth Abortion  
Ban Act -- which Congress passed and President Bush signed into law  
in 2003 -- does not violate a woman’s right to an abortion, as  
several federal courts had ruled.

[...]

“Today, the Supreme Court takes the scalpel out of the hands of  
abortionists who would brutally and fatally puncture the skulls of  
babies who are just inches and moments away from birth,” said Carrie  
Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family  
Action.
Dr. James C. Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family  
Action, said: “We thank God that the Supreme Court has affirmed the  
value of human life by banning the Nazi-esque barbarism that is  
partial-birth abortion.

[...]

Along with Bush appointees Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate  
Justice Samuel Alito, other justices voting to uphold the ban were  
Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.

“The Supreme Court's decision is an affirmation of the progress we  
have made over the past six years in protecting human dignity and  
upholding the sanctity of life,” Bush said in a statement. “We will  
continue to work for the day when every child is welcomed in life and  
protected in law.”

[More at URL]


----- 30 -----
N.Y. Case Challenging Same-Sex Marriages Goes Forward
Focus on the Family
4-17-2007

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000004388.cfm

A New York Supreme Court judge will allow a case to go forward that  
questions the state's recognition of same-sex marriages performed in  
Canada. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed suit on behalf of New  
York taxpayers in 2006 seeking to block the state comptroller's  
attempts to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.

[...]

Under New York law, taxpayers have the right to challenge any illegal  
action by a state official that expends state funds.

The suit, Godfrey v. Hevesi, charges that the New York State  
Comptroller's office acted illegally when it decided to recognize out- 
of-state same-sex marriages for purposes of retirement benefits.

[More at URL]


----- 31 -----
And now, our Cultural Warfare Update Musical Presentation, courtesy a  
link forwarded by Livejournal user ysabel (ysabel.livejournal.com).  
Clickie here: http://peasantswithpitchforks.com/media/god.mp3 ! You  
know you wanna.