[Active-seattle-l] [Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare
Update (1 of 2)
Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)
kahvi at murkworks.net
Sat Jul 8 18:47:06 PDT 2006
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Focus on the Family Canada is ratcheting up their anti-marriage-rights
efforts, and has sent out a very large Today's Family News with all
kinds of propaganda and alerts; see starred items below for details.
Also, sorry for the lack of the mid-week CWU; I had a midterm to study
for on Friday morning and I'm not sorry I did _that_ instead. Plus, my
wrists have been acting up a bit. Stupid RSI.
But now, today's news. This is part one of two:
This is almost a comic book; Memphis church makes a 75 foot tall
Christianist version of the Statue of Liberty. Harmless, but at the
same time, kind of revealing;
Faith and Freedom Network sends out a paper letter talking about a
potential initiative to overturn GBLT civil rights law next year, but,
more importantly, is going to push a bunch of new judges running to
challenge various incumbents. They're also asking for money again;
Andrew Sullivan summarises the New York Supreme Court ruling saying
that it's okay to deny marriage rights to queers - the summary is that
since straights have kids irresponsibly, it's important to encourage
them to get married and add responsibility. Lesbian and gay couples, on
the other hand, have to actively plan to have kids, so clearly don't
need the help;
Focus on the Family happy with Georgia and New York State Supreme Court
rulings; it's kind of cute to see the misspell "amendment" repeatedly
in their graphics; includes ACTION ITEM to demand a vote on the
anti-marriage "Marriage Protection Amendment" in the Federal House of
Representatives;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to support a new bill against gambling
at the Federal level that merged two previous bills;
NEA votes to urge states not screw lesbian and gay married teachers;
specifically supporting "the legal rights and obligations of the
partners in a legally recognized domestic partnership, civil union, or
marriage"; Focus on the Family is, of course, outraged;
Oregon to have a parental-notification abortion law on the ballot this
fall;
***** Focus on the Family Canada starts their big anti-marriage
campaign; the first is a long story and ACTION ITEM to contact your MPs
over the summer, preferably in person, to overturn marriage rights;
***** Remember when I sent out that warning note about the new Focus on
the Family think-tank "Institute for Marriage and Family Canada"? One
of the key elements of action by the fundamentalist movement is to set
up a series of "think tanks" which churn out bogus studies with
predetermined conclusions. They're starting to use these now; this new
one out states marriage equality for GBLT people is a "tragedy for
children";
***** Today's Family News runs the story of the fundamentalist who had
a gay father and who hates him very very much; she was brought before
Congress to testify earlier; the lie here is, as always, that they take
a very bad case - and her childhood was no fun at all, tho' quite
frankly, I know lots of people who had lots worse with straight parents
- and present it as the standard case for all children raised by LGBT
people; this is a standard tool of the fundamentalist movement: take
the worst example you can find, and declare it to be the norm;
***** FotF Canada promotes their "Protect Marriage 2006" ACTION ITEM
sub-website;
Focus on the Family USA pushes the anti-marriage "Marriage Protection
Amendment" House of Representatives vote, scheduled for the week of
July 17th; they have an ACTION ITEM to demand support for it, even
though it's already failed in the Senate;
Focus on the Family USA reports on a new anti-abortion-rights group
demanding "amnesty for the unborn"; I'm surprised they're not using the
newer "preborn" language;
FotF: Catholic Church to excommunicate anyone who supports embryonic
stem-cell research in any way whatsoever; it's another attempt to put
pressure on Catholic lawmakers;
Pennsylvania anti-marriage state amendment dies in state legislature
over fight between the theocons who want all forms of civil unions and
domestic partnerships banned as well as marriage;
Faith and Freedom Network celebrate the Georgia and New York State
Supreme Court rulings;
Focus on the Family ACTION ITEM to oppose a Missouri research
initiative supporting embryonic stem-cell research; as always, they
continue to call it "cloning";
President Fire Thunder forced out of office by Oglala tribal council;
Michigan anti-abortion group believes they'll make their signature goal
for a comprehensive abortion ban ballot measure; it would stay itself
pending the overturn of Roe v. Wade;
FotF pushes their IVoteVales.org website again;
FotF condemns GBLT-friendly corporations, calls even private company
policies promoting equality for GBLT employees within the workplace
"special rights" and a danger to Christians; AFA urges boycotts, like
they do, and are doing now against Ford Motor;
FotF promotes theoconservative action group Alaska Family Council;
FotF pushes three Senate bills; two would ban "life-destroying
embryonic stem-cell research" and "fetal farming," the last would fund
"methods of creating embryonic stem-cell lines without destroying human
embryos";
Arkansas Supreme Court rules that a board move to ban lesbian and gay
foster parents is outside their authority and that further there is no
actual evidence that being raised by GBLT parents hurts children (this
is, by the way, true); Focus on the Family is, of course, outraged;
Focus on the Family Canada promotes a one-day training session at the
Christian Legal Intervention Academy; their motto, no kidding, is
"Integrating Christian Faith and law Since 1978";
----- 1 -----
Church constructs monument to Christianity in likeness of Lady Liberty
72-foot monument in Hickory Hill to be unveiled on July Fourth
By Whitney Boyd
The Memphis Commercial Appeal
June 29, 2006
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/local/article/
0,2845,MCA_25340_4809191,00.html
As drivers wait for a green light on Winchester Road, they
automatically lean their heads forward to view the 72-foot
sea-foam-green Statue of Liberation overlooking Hickory Hill.
The towering replica of the Statue of Liberty -- with a few Christian
touches -- is being erected in front of the 12,000-member World
Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church at Winchester and Kirby Parkway.
Replacing the recognizable torch, Lady Liberty holds a cross.
A beige sheet veils much of the $260,000 statue and will be removed
during a Fourth of July ceremony.
[More, including pictures, at URL]
----- 2 -----
Faith and Freedom Network and Foundation [Ed. Note: And Foundation?
That's new]
Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten, Chairman
Gary Randall, President
July 1, 2006
[Received in paper mail; no URL]
Dear Friends of Faith & Freedom:
The month of June was eventful, to say the least. We, as you, were
disappointed that Referendum 65 did not gather enough signatures. So
many put so much into the effort.
This is a time to look forward, as we continue to follow what we feel
God has called us to do.
Not out of a sense of trying to redeem the past, but rather because it
is so vitally important to the cause of defending marriage and the
family, we are considering, with legal counsel, the possibility of
trying a second time to get HB2661 on the ballot next year. [Ed. Note:
What, they're going to try a referendum again instead of an initiative?
This section is confusing. Good luck with that if that's the plan.]
If we decide to move on this, will you help and support the effort?
Please let us know with your response this month.
Over the next 75 or so days, we are distributing a voter's guide
specifically directed toward two of the State Supreme Court seats and
three Appeals Court, Division 1 and 2 seats.
We are particularly interested in the following challenges:
_State Supreme Court_
Stephen Johnson - Challenger
Justice Susan Owens
_State Supreme Court_
John Groen - Challenger
Justice Gerry Alexander
_Appeals Court Div. I_
Justice May Kay Becker
Jeff Teichart - Challenger
_Appeals Court III_
Justice Christine J. Quinn-Brintnall
Beth Jensen - Challenger
_Appeals Court Div II_
Justice Joel Penoyar
Brent Boger - Challenger
__This is a tremendous opportunity to change the make-up of the
Washington Supreme Court. We must not fall short on this effort.__
We feel strongly about this matter, yet cannot move forward without
your financial support. A number of people have said to us they failed
to send their contribution in last month but would certainly do so this
month. _To impact our state, we must have financial strength._
It was said the reason there were no paid signature gatherers on Ref.
65 was because there was no financial support. I can't speak directly
to that, but I can tell you that Faith & Freedom spent an additional
$58,000 on Ref. 65 while our income was less than 50% of what it
normally is during that period. [Ed. Note: the downside of changing an
organisation's name just before a major campaign, maybe?]
The other side is well-funded and highly motivated.
Those of us in the faith community love the Lord, His Word and the
values that are based on His Word. However, there must be a time when
we translate our beliefs to action. This is that time.
We can't afford any more substantial losses in the cultural war.
Faith & Freedom has the will, the calling, and the ability to lead in
these areas, yet we must have your support.
Please take a moment and enclose the most generous check you can write
for these eternal causes.
It matters now and it matters for our children.
God Bless You,
Gary Randall
_President_
Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten
_Chairman_
__PS: As you send in your contribution, remember to let us know if you
will support another attempt to get HB2661 before the voters.__
----- 3 -----
Those Irresponsible Straights
Andrew Sullivan
06 Jul 2006 12:42 pm
http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/07/those_irrespons.html
The New York Court of Appeals civil marriage decision is an innovative
piece of work - and worth a few preliminary thoughts. The standard is
mere rational basis, and the court has decided that a legislature is
not being ipso facto irrational in denying gay couples, even with
children, the same rights as straight couples without children. Money
quote:
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
Traditional Marriage Makes Gains Across U.S.
Court victories Thursday in two states have turned the nation's focus
back toward protecting marriage — and there is much to be optimistic
about.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
July 7, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0041170.cfm
Even with the highest state courts in New York and Georgia ruling in
favor of traditional marriage, as they did Thursday, the battle to
defend society's bedrock institution is still being fought in state and
federal courtrooms nationwide.
What's more, the November elections will place the issue of how
marriage should be defined in front of voters in as many as eight
states. Twenty states have already approved marriage-protection
amendments to their constitutions, most by margins of at least 70
percent.
[Ed. Note: graph embed, image here:
http://www.family.org/cforum/images/06/mpamap.html ]
[...]
TAKE ACTION
Please contact your U.S. representative and let him or her know that
you support the protection of marriage from activist courts by voting
for the Marriage Protecftion Amendment.
If you are a CitizenLink Daily Update subscriber, click on the blue
"Take Action" button in the e-mail form you received in your inbox to
be automatically logged in to our Action Center. Otherwise, click here.
[More at URL]
----- 5 -----
Tell Lawmakers to Impede Internet Gambling
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 7, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041178.cfm
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday will consider legislation
that places tight restrictions on Internet gambling. Your immediate
action is needed to ensure lawmakers pass this important bill.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., sponsor of HR 4777, and Rep. Jim Leach,
R-Iowa, sponsor of HR 4411, have merged their anti-gambling bills to
form powerful legislation against Web-based gambling.
Chad Hills, gambling analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said
Goodlatte and Leach had strong bills to start with, but merging the two
makes for even stronger law.
[...]
TAKE ACTION/FOR MORE INFORMATION
Focus on Social Issues provides and in-depth look at the
Leach-Goodlatte bill. [Ed. Note: see next item]
----- 6 -----
Internet Gambling - Take Action
Focus on the Family
[Ed. Note: Update 6 July 2006]
December 1, 2005
by Chad Hills (Updated: July 6, 2006)
Pick up your phone, click your mouse and contact the House before
Internet gambling comes to your home.
The Goodlatte Bill (HR 4777) Merges With The Leach Bill (HR 4411) To
Form A Stronger Bill Against Internet Gambling
On Wednesday or Thursday of next week (July 12 or 13) the House of
Representatives will consider H.R. 4411, the Internet Gambling
Prohibition and Enforcement Act. The legislation (link below) from the
Rules Committee website is the "merging" of the Goodlatte and Leach
Internet gambling bills - both very strong alone.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Teachers Union Votes to Back 'Legally Recognized' Gay Marriage
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 7, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041176.cfm
Despite intense pressure from pro-family groups, the National Education
Association (NEA) voted this week amend its resolutions to include
support for same-sex marriage.
Added to the NEA's resolution about discrimination based on race,
gender, sexual orientation and gender identification is a phrase
expressing support for "the legal rights and obligations of the
partners in a legally recognized domestic partnership, civil union, or
marriage," including adoption.
[...]
Jeralee Smith, former chairman of the NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus, said
she is considering leaving the union and thinks other Christians should
consider doing the same.
"People who share our values -- which is traditional family and a few
other things -- can have no integrity unless they are either active on
the inside to try and change things," she said, "or they leave the
union and take their money out of the union's hands."
[...]
"It seems the NEA has lost all pretense of neutrality," Focus on the
Family Education analyst Candi Cushman said, "when it comes to gay
marriage and promoting homosexuality."
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Oregon Parental-Notification Petitions Turned In
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 7, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041175.cfm
Pro-life activists submitted petitions to the secretary of state's
office Thursday that seek to put the issue of parental notification
prior to abortion before Oregon voters this November, LifeNews
reported.
Organizers needed to collect at least 75,630 signatures to qualify the
ballot measure; they turned in 115,845.
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT MARRIAGE
Message from Focus on the Family Canada President Terence Rolston
Today’s Family News
Focus on the Family Canada
June 7, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/protectmarriage2006/articles/
MessageFromPresident.html
With a vote in Parliament promised for this fall, Christians in Canada
are being given a remarkable opportunity to once again express the
uniqueness of marriage to Canadians and why it is worth protecting as a
lifelong institution between one man and one woman.
Protecting marriage is not only for the welfare of our children, our
communities and our nation. It is a testimony to the very faith in
which we believe. The relationship between a man and woman in marriage
is a relationship that symbolizes that of Christ and His Church. How
can we not speak up when this God-inspired institution is being
addressed by our nation's government? No matter what governments decide
or how the law defines marriage, God’s design for marriage is clear and
His Truth does not change. Since it is His design, we can’t afford to
be silent now that it is before Parliament.
How do we take a stand for marriage? Jesus commanded us to be a salt
and light in our world. When a family is whole and functioning well, it
is contagious. It makes people want to have that type of family and
marriage. People, young and old, who come into a home that values
marriage and the family recognize that there is something different
there. They may ask why you believe this issue of marriage is so
important. And you can say, “Because my God and my Creator designed it
that way and I want you to know that blessing also.” It will be a
testimony that shows the love of Christ and will draw people to Him.
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
CANADIAN MARRIAGE POLICY: A TRAGEDY FOR CHILDREN
Special Report from the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada
By Seana Sugrue
Today’s Family News
June 7, 2006
http://www.imfcanada.org/events/sugrue/060526-SugruePaper.pdf
It has become fashionable to believe that marriage and children share
only an incidental connection. Marriage is, according to many
intellectuals and jurists, first and foremost about the companionate
and emotional needs of consenting adults. For this reason, it is
contended that the rules governing marriage laws should be purged of
any expectation that children are begotten from adult sexual unions.
Moreover, there ought to be no expectation that children are to be
raised by their mother and father within the institution of marriage.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN? A FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT OF GROWING UP WITH A
HOMOSEXUAL FATHER
Interview with Dawn Stefanowicz
Today’s Family News
Focus on the Family Canada
June 7, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/protectmarriage2006/articles/
WhatAboutTheChildren.html
You have probably noticed all the clamour in the news about marriage,
homosexuality and equality of late. It seems that much of the marriage
debate has been reduced to one-line arguments and demands for
recognition. But amidst the ruckus, if you listen very carefully, you
may hear the voice of somebody else who has a different message. It’s a
message urging us to look beyond adult self-interest and instead
examine how the most vulnerable in our society will be affected by
redefining marriage. Canadian Dawn Stefanowicz knows from first-hand
experience what it means to grow up in a home with a homosexual parent.
She told her story to TFN and thinks
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
What YOU Can Do To Protect Marriage In Canada
Focus on the Family Canada
Online as of July 8, 2006
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/protectmarriage2006/articles/WhatYouCanDo.html
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has indicated that the House of Commons
will vote in the fall to determine whether to revisit the definition of
marriage issue. Many Canadians would rather not deal with this again.
But even though dealing with the same issue for so long can be tiring,
now is not the time to give up. This is our opportunity to stand up for
marriage as God made it.
What can you do to help restore the traditional definition of marriage
in Canadian law? Here are a number of suggestions which should help you
get involved.
1) Pray constantly! Although many people think the result of the
upcoming vote won’t be much different than last year, we know that with
God all things are possible. Remember to keep this issue in your
prayers. Pray that Canadians will realize the seriousness of redefining
the institution that God created to be the foundation for families.
2) Get informed: Stay up-to-date by subscribing to Today’s Family News,
a complimentary e-news service from Focus on the Family Canada. Read
some of the good articles or books which explain why redefining
marriage is not a trivial thing. On TFN’s marriage page, you will find
a large list of articles that clearly explain the implications of
redefining marriage.
3) Phone, write or email your MP: Encourage those who are working hard
for God’s design for marriage and respectfully explain your beliefs to
those who disagree. Check out these articles for suggestions on making
contact with your MP (phone, email etc.) or writing a letter to him or
her. Don’t be intimidated or discouraged by the thought of expressing
your thoughts to the government. Their job is to listen to you! Contact
information for your MP is here.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
New on TFN > Protect Marriage 2006
Focus on the Family Canada
Today's Family News
http://www.fotf.ca/tfn/protectmarriage2006/index.html
Whether you are looking for the most recent news, background research,
detailed reports or simple suggestions on what you can do this new page
has what you are looking for. Let others know about it!
[More at URL]
----- 14 -----
Two Top State Courts Rule for Marriage
Challenges in New York and Georgia are turned aside.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
July 6, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0041155.cfm
The highest state courts in New York and Georgia today ruled against
homosexual activists who challenged protections for marriage.
James C. Dobson, Ph.D., chairman of Focus on the Family Action, said
the courts may finally be realizing their proper role.
"These rulings represent a significant victory for America's families,"
he said, "and, I hope, signal an awareness by the judicial branch that
the people don't want courts acting as superlegislatures. In each case,
the high court affirmed existing state policy passed the way laws and
constitutional amendments are supposed to be passed -- by elected
officials or the people themselves."
[...]
TAKE ACTION:
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the federal
Marriage Protection Amendment the week of July 17. It would be the
first step toward constitutionally defining marriage as the union of
one man and one woman. Please contact your representative and let him
or her know that you support the protection of marriage from activist
courts.
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.
----- 15 -----
Group Seeks Amnesty for the Unborn
Campaign counters a human-rights group's efforts to expand abortion
internationally.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
July 6, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0041149.cfm
Amnesty International is working to make abortion an international
human right -- a decision that has spawned a countercampaign for life
by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).
SPUC launched the online Amnesty for Babies campaign to coincide with
the first meeting of the new Human Rights Council in Geneva,
Switzerland, last week.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Catholics Could Be Excommunicated Over Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
Any support could lead to immediate penalty.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
July 6, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0041148.cfm
The Catholic Church is warning members they'll be excommunicated if
they support controversial embryonic stem-cell research.
Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, head of the Pontifical Council for the
Family, said those who do the research, women who donate the eggs and
politicians who vote for the laws are subject to the Catholic Church's
most drastic sanction.
Trujillo told a Catholic magazine that embryonic stem-cell research is
equivalent to abortion because it takes a human life; the process of
harvesting the cells always requires the destruction of a human embryo.
[More at URL]
----- 17 -----
Pennsylvania Marriage Protection On Ice
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 6, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041152.cfm
Pennsylvania lawmakers recessed last weekend without taking action on a
bill that would constitutionally define marriage as one man and one
woman.
According to the York Daily Record, the impasse effectively means the
language can't be added to the Constitution until 2009 at the earliest.
The proposed constitutional amendment was tabled amid a disagreement
between House and Senate Republicans over the scope of the amendment.
[More at URL]
----- 18 -----
New York and Georgia Uphold Traditional Marriage
Faith and Freedom Network
Thursday, July 06, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/07/new-york-and-georgia-
uphold.html
The Georgia Supreme Court and the New York Supreme Court both ruled in
favor of traditional marriage today.
The Georgia Court decided unanimously that the ban on same-sex marriage
that had been approved by 76% of Georgia voters did not violate the
state’s single-subject rule for ballot measures.
[More at URL]
----- 19 -----
Missouri to Decide Whether Human Cloning is Constitutionally Protected
Vote "No" on the unethical embryonic stem-cell research initiative.
by Jessica Headley, CitizenLink staff
Focus on the Family
July 5, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0041136.cfm
The people of Missouri will decide the fate of a controversial
human-cloning and embryonic stem-cell research amendment that will
appear on the ballot this fall.
The so-called "Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative" would
constitutionally protect human cloning and embryonic stem-cell research
as well as allow tax dollars to fund such endeavors.
[More at URL]
----- 20 -----
South Dakota Tribal President Who Proposed Abortion Clinic Ousted
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 5, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041140.cfm
After proposing that tribal sovereignty entitled the Oglala Sioux Tribe
in South Dakota to act outside of the state's ban on abortion and build
an abortion clinic, tribal president Cecelia Fire Thunder has been
removed from office, The Washington Post reported.
The tribal council voted 9-5 last Thursday for her ouster.
Fire Thunder announced plans for a clinic shortly after the law was
passed this spring.
[More at URL]
----- 21 -----
Final Push in Michigan to Gather Abortion-Ban Signatures
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
July 5, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041139.cfm
Michigan Citizens for Life took advantage of the Fourth of July holiday
to circulate a petition to change the state constitution to legally
define life as existing from the moment of conception and banning
abortions, The Detroit Free Press reported.
Judy Zabik, director of the Livingston chapter of Right to Life,
Lifespan, said about a quarter of a million petitions have been
circulating and the groups needs at least 317,757 valid signatures to
get a measure on November's ballot.
[More at URL]
----- 22 -----
I Vote Values
Understand why it's important to register to vote and why it's
essential to take your values to the polling place.
Online as of July 8, 2006
http://www.ivotevalues.org/
"If America is to survive, we must elect more God-centered men and
women to public office." -- Billy Graham
122 days until Election Tuesday
[More at URL]
----- 23 -----
Most Fortune 500 Companies Dubbed 'Gay-Friendly'
Nation's largest gay-activist group releases its annual report.
from staff reports
Focus on the Family
July 3, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0041121.cfm
The pro-gay Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced last week that 253 of
the Fortune 500 companies offer health-insurance benefits to same-sex
partners and 430 grant special rights based on "sexual orientation."
Joe Solmonese, president of HRC, said his group is largely responsible
for the trends.
"We're not only tracking progress in corporate America, but we're
actively involved in making it," he said. "Our Workplace Project has
worked with hundreds of executives and employees over the past year
alone, providing on-site training and cutting-edge research to assist
employers implementing fair and equal policies."
[...]
"The real danger here ultimately is to Christian employers. What began
as something voluntary will become mandatory," he said. "It's really
not about extending tolerance, but about putting corporate American
power behind the homosexual agenda, which is aimed directly at the
church."
[More at URL]
----- 24 -----
Alaska Family Council Gets Under Way
Nonprofit group will coordinate efforts of pro-family residents.
by Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor
Focus on the Family
July 3, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0041124.cfm
Alaska is a land rich in beauty and culture. More than a half million
people are spread out over the vast expanse of mountain ranges, forests
and tundra. A group of pro-family advocates hopes to bring people
together to work on issues of concern.
CitizenLink talked with Jim Minnery, founder and board member of the
newly forming Alaska Family Council (AFC), in an Anchorage cafe. He
said that although Alaska has a large pro-family population — in 1998,
70 percent voted in favor of an amendment to protect traditional
marriage — until now there has not been an organization working full
time to address public-policy issues affecting families.
[...]
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
To learn more about how to become a part of the Alaska Family Council,
send an e-mail to Jim Minnery at minnery at alaska.net or call (907)
279-2825.
[More at URL]
----- 25 -----
Senate to Vote on Three Stem-Cell Bills
Focus on the Family
July 3, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041123.cfm
Senate leaders announced Friday that three bills dealing with the issue
of embryonic stem-cell research will be brought up for a vote.
Life-Destroying Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
The House passed H.R. 810 -- the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act --
in May 2005. Under the bill, researchers could use federal funds to
experiement on "unused" embryos donated by in-vitro fertilization
clinics.
Such human embryos could be implanted and allowed to be born.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.
Fetal-Farming Ban
Introduced in June 2006 by Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. and Rick
Santorum, R-Pa., S.B. 3504 would "prohibit the solicitation or
acceptance of tissue from fetuses gestated for research purposes."
The bill has not stirred much controversy and simply stated, bans
growing embryos for the purpose of harvesting stem cells. Human embryos
are always destroyed in the process of gathering the cells.
Alternative Stem-Cell Research
Sens. Rick Santorum, R-Pa. and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., co-sponsored a
bill last week that "would require the National Institute of Health to
research and fund methods of creating embryonic stem-cell lines without
destroying human embryos."
S. 2754 is titled the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies
Enhancement Act.
All three bills are expected to receive a vote this month.
[More at URL]
----- 26 -----
Court Says Foster Kids Do Fine in Same-Sex Homes
Focus on the Family
Newsbriefs
June 30, 2006
http://www.family.org/cforum/briefs/a0041106.cfm
The Arkansas State Supreme Court ruled Thursday that homosexuals cannot
be barred from becoming foster parents because such placement has not
been shown to harm children, The Associated Press reported.
In 1999 the Child Welfare Agency Review Board determined that foster
kids would be more likely to thrive if placed in a traditional home
with a husband and wife.
All seven justices declared that the board's decision to exclude gays
from the foster-parenting program inappropriately imposed a moral view.
The court also declared that the state Legislature should determine
eligibility, not the board.
[More at URL]
----- 27 -----
Christian Legal Intervention Academy (CLIA)
Integrating Christian Faith and Law Since 1978
Calgary, AB
Delta Bow Valley Hotel
September 30, 2006
http://www.christianlegalfellowship.org/Conference%202006/CLIA/
2006_christian_legal_intervention_aca.htm
Click here to view Registration Costs (Chart)
Click here to view CLIA Tentative Schedule
Click here to view Pro Bono Accounting Form
All attendees must complete the CLIA Application Form
(also includes a Request for Financial Assistance, where applicable)
The Christian Legal Intervention Academy (CLIA) invites Christian
lawyers and upper year law students to attend an intensive, one-day
Mini-Academy training event to take place September 30 in Calgary,
Alberta in conjunction with the CLF National Conference (September 29th
to October 1st).
CLIA will provide detailed substantive and tactical training to
practicing lawyers and upper year law students who seek to make a
difference in Canadian society by advocating on behalf of truth and
life. The day will help participants to proactively prepare for, and
provide quality legal representation in important constitutional and
human rights cases relating to issues of religious freedom.
[More at URL]
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