[Active-seattle-l] [Active-l] (NEWS) Today's Cultural Warfare
Update (Part 2 of 2)
Dara (R'ykandar Korra'ti)
kahvi at murkworks.net
Sat Oct 7 22:56:14 PDT 2006
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Family Research Council statement on the Foley scandal says it's the
result of "a society that rejects sexual restraints in the name of
diversity," which is to say, they're blaming the queers;
Family Research Council ACTION ITEM against a Missouri stem-cell
research funding voter initiative, calling it a "human cloning
initiative" to make their base think the Cylons are going to be coming
down on their asses;
Family Research Council ACTION ITEM against a medical marijuana
initiative in South Dakota;
FRC promotes Focus on the Family's 'GBLT rights will destroy religious
liberty' theoconservative rally on October 15th; it'll be yet another
simulcast; the previous CWU had a list of cobroadcasters. This one goes
further and says T3H GAY will crush all dissent and "the ultimate gag
order ... will be applied against ordinary Americans who disagree with
the extremist agenda of homosexual activists";
Fundamentalists in Atlanta are trying to ban the _Harry Potter_ book
series from libraries again, this time not just saying that they
promote evil, but that they promote the Wiccan faith, with which they
actually have no actual relationship, but hey, whatever;
American Family Association finally spits out a few words about the
Foley situation - condemning "liberals' exploitation" of the scandal;
HEY CANADIANS: Anybody know what the Institute for Canadian Values is
complaining about with this article, "Attack on government employee's
religious faith a sign of growing "anti-religious bigotry" on political
left in Canada"? They're determinedly non-specific on the details. If I
were to apply the American fundamentalist filter to it, I'd have
several ideas, most of which centre around not wanting to, say, process
paperwork for a legally married gay couple, but that's purest
speculation on my part here;
Canada Family Action Coalition takes their turn at the "all homosexuals
are perverted pedophiles" line in response to the Foley scandal, even
though it's not their government; clearly, the influence from American
theoconservative groups is very strong at this point;
Faith and Freedom Network says fundamentalist Christian absolutes are
needed in government and complains about how "liberty is the greatest
virtue" when what is needed is more "Biblical absolutes";
FFN worries about the impact of the Foley scandal on Republican chances
next month, urges the strongest possible voter turnout;
FFN adds, "but we aren't partisan";
FFN looks for volunteers to be "Church Contacts" to get FFN political
papers into churches as much as possible and get voters to vote with
them; they want similar positions for legislative district slots;
Concerned Women for America condemn _Ms._ magazine's cover story on
stories of women who have had abortions for being pro-abortion-rights
and not including anti-abortion-activist rhetoric;
CWA's rather short statement on the Foley scandal uses a few key
phrases that won't get noticed much by anybody outside their base, so
won't have much effect. But the wink-and-nod to the base is GBLT people
("some special interest groups") want age of consent laws gone, and
that GBLT people ("some lifestyles") are too dangerous to be legal.
(CWA has regularly complained about _Lawrence v. Texas_ before, the
2003 Supreme Court decision overturning 24 state "sodomy" laws that
made lesbian and gay people effectively illegal in those states.
However, they have been much less explicit about their "all gays are
paedophiles" rhetoric in the last assortment of years, particularly in
text);
The San Francisco Chronicle does an unusual thing: it actively calls
out the fact that the fundamentalist movement routinely accuses lesbian
and gay people of being paedophiles, and that they want GBLT peoples'
rights actively restricted;
This is neat: Concerned Women for America themselves summarise this
one: "Congress Affirms Sectarian Prayers by Military Chaplains." This
is about the Congressional overturning of post-lawsuit rules instituted
by the Navy and Air Force after anti-Jewish harassment (and
anti-other-religions harassment) by fundamentalist Christians at the
Air Force Academy and Navy facilities. The Congressional act returned
the situation back to the 1999 ruleset which allowed the harassment to
get started. This will no doubt lead to more lawsuits, of course; CWA
and some other theocon groups have been active in getting the
post-lawsuit rules removed. The interesting part is that _they
themselves_ have now called this a sectarianism issue. And we all know
how well that kind of thing has been going in other countries as of
late, but, well, they think they can win. So there you are.
----- 1 -----
FRC Statement on Mark Foley
October 2, 2006 - Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2006 CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie
Swendsen, (866) FRC-NEWS
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06J01&f=PG03I03
Washington, D.C. - In response to the events surrounding the
resignation of Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL), Family Research Council
(FRC) President Tony Perkins released the following statement:
"We are all shocked by this spectacle of aberrant sexual behavior, but
we shouldn't be. This is the end result of a society that rejects
sexual restraints in the name of diversity. When a 16-year-old boy is
not safe from sexual solicitation from an elected representative of the
people, we should question the moral direction of our nation. If our
children aren't safe in the halls of Congress, where are they safe?
Maybe it's time to question: when is tolerance just an excuse for
permissiveness?
"Both political parties need to be more serious about protecting
children from sexual predators. We need public policy in our country
that protects marriage, respects parental authority and aggressively
polices boundaries around our children."
-30-
----- 2 -----
Please vote against the human cloning initiative in Missouri
Missouri citizens to vote on human cloning initiative, Amendment 2 in
November
October 4, 2006 - Wednesday
Missouri (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06J02&f=PG03I03
Concerned citizens of Missouri will be faced with a measure on the
ballot that, if it passes, would fund human cloning. Voting "No" on
Amendment 2 is critically important.
The amendment is deceptively written in order to confuse voters in
Missouri. Amendment 2 actually protects human cloning by allowing
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) to create cloned embryos for
destructive research. SCNT is cloning, the same process used to create
Dolly the sheep. This is the same cloning process used to clone human
embryos--whether for destructive purposes or baby making. The amendment
not only protects cloning in the state's constitution, but it is
written with the purpose of having Missouri taxpayers fund this
inherently immoral research, which has yet to provide any treatments or
cures.
[More at URL]
----- 3 -----
South Dakotans, please vote against "medical marijuana" on the ballot
in November
Medical marijuana bill to be voted on by South Dakota residents
October 4, 2006 - Wednesday
South Dakota (more on this state)
Forward to a Friend!
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=AL06J01&f=PG03I03
In the upcoming election, South Dakota voters will not only be voting
on marriage, abortion and gambling, but there is a bill regarding the
promotion of marijuana as medicine that needs to be voted down.
Measure 4 would allow "medical marijuana" to be used by patients in
South Dakota. Advocates of the measure would have voters believe that
marijuana is the only treatment alternative for cancer sufferers who
are going untreated for the nausea associated with chemotherapy, and
for all those who suffer from glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and other
ailments. However, numerous effective medications are currently
available for these conditions that are safe and approved by the FDA.
[More at URL]
----- 4 -----
First Amendment Under Attack
FRC's Tony Perkins Announces Grassroots Event To 'Defend Our First
Freedom'
October 5, 2006 - Thursday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2006 CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Bethanie
Swendsen, (866) FRC-NEWS
Family Research Council
http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=PR06J02&f=PG03I03
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council will tackle one of the most
divisive debates in the culture wars during a nationwide simulcast to
be aired from Tremont Temple Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts,
set for Sunday, October 15. The nationwide event comes from Boston in
response to the legal battles over marriage taking place in
Massachusetts. These battles are destined to have an impact not only on
marriage, but also on the free speech and freedom of religion rights of
all citizens.
"We are facing the ultimate gag order," said FRC President Tony
Perkins. "The full weight of the government and the court system will
be applied against ordinary Americans who disagree with the extremist
agenda of homosexual activists. Across the country, we are seeing the
violation of people's rights. We're going to Boston to sound the alarm
to people of faith across the country."
"Liberty Sunday - Defending Our First Freedom" will broadcast live in
churches across the country via Sky Angel satellite system, and will
also broadcast on Daystar Television, Bott Radio Network, American
Family Radio and web-cast on www.libertysunday.com.
Prior to the evening event, Perkins will also reveal details of a
special FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS WATCH PROJECT as well as unveiling a
tool designed for people of faith concerned about the loss of their
rights under the U.S. Constitution.
Who (including but not limited to):
Tony Perkins, President Family Research Council; Alan Chambers,
President, Exodus International; Dr. Ray Pendleton, Pastor, Tremont
Temple Baptist Church; Dr. Roberto Miranda, Pastor, Lion of Judah
Congregation; Bishop Gilbert Thompson, Senior Pastor, Jubilee Christian
Church; Bishop Wellington Boone, Wellington Boone Ministries.
And in special video presentations: Governor Mitt Romney; Dr. James
Dobson, Focus on the Family; Gary Bauer, American Values; Chuck Colson,
Prison Fellowship Ministries; Alan Sears, Alliance Defense Fund; and
Don Wildmon, American Family Association.
When: Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 7 pm ET - 8:30 pm ET
Where: Tremont Temple Baptist Church, Boston, MA 02108
Media support available: Technical support for television and radio as
well as uplink information will be available for credentialed media.
Members of the media must register to attend. For more details on the
broadcast, contact the FRC Press Office - (866) FRC-NEWS and check out
www.libertysunday.com
-30-
----- 5 -----
Commentary & News Briefs
October 6, 2006
Compiled by Jenni Parker
American Family Association/Agape Press
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/afa/62006h.asp
[...]
..Officials are being urged to ban books from the Harry Potter
children's book series from school libraries. Suburban Atlanta mother
Laura Mallory has pleaded with a hearing officer for Georgia's State
Board of Education to remove the Harry Potter books by British author
J.K. Rowling from school libraries statewide, calling the popular
fiction series an attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca
religion. In making her point, Mallory notes that teachers do not
assign "other religious books," such as the Bible, as student reading.
Referring to the rash of deadly assaults at schools in various parts of
the U.S., the Georgia parent says books that promote evil -- as she
claims Rowling's books do -- help foster the kind of culture where
school violence happens. But Victoria Sweeney, an attorney representing
the Gwinnett County Board of Education, responded that if schools were
to remove all books containing references to witches, they would have
to ban literary mainstays like Macbeth and "Cinderella" as well. The
hearing officer will make a recommendation to the state board, which
will decide the case at its meeting in December. [Ed Thomas]
[More at URL]
----- 6 -----
Pro-Family Group Wants Values Voters Registered, Informed, Motivated
Also, Media Analyst Accuses Liberals of Using Foley Incident for
Political Gain
By Allie Martin and Chad Groening
American Family Association/Agape Press
October 6, 2006
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/afa/62006b.asp
(AgapePress) - The Tupelo, Mississippi-based American Family
Association (AFA) is encouraging Christians to register to vote in time
for next month's elections. A recent survey of AFA supporters found
that about half are not even registered, which is one reason the
organization has unveiled a website to help pro-family individuals be
well informed voters.
The website, ValuesVoters.com, carries state by state information and
resources, such as voter registration forms, election dates, and
deadlines. AFA Executive Assistant Buddy Smith says the upcoming
election is pivotal. "We're facing issues in the upcoming election that
could very well bring huge change to your state and to Washington, DC,
to our nation," he asserts, "so we would just encourage our listeners
to pray about this matter of good citizenship and about this charge
from the Lord to be salt and light in our culture."
[...]
The former lawmaker has been rightly denounced, Graham contends;
however, he feels the liberal media is using this story to try to
demoralize conservatives and discourage them from voting. He says the
mainstream media networks have far more stories on Mark Foley than they
have done on Democratic Congressman Bill Jefferson, who under FBI
investigation for corruption.
[More at URL]
----- 7 -----
Attack on government employee's religious faith a sign of growing
"anti-religious bigotry" on political left in Canada
Institute for Canadian Values
Date: Oct 03, 2006
http://canadianvalues.ca/news.aspx?aid=233
OTTAWA - Joseph Ben-Ami, Executive Director of the Institute for
Canadian Values, is criticizing the federal Liberal Party for attacking
a recently hired government employee because of his Christian faith.
"As a Jew, I strongly deplore attacks on any individual's religious
faith, whether direct or indirect," said Ben-Ami. "It reminds me of how
people used to be encouraged to vote against a particular candidate
just because that candidate was Jewish."
[More at URL]
----- 8 -----
Children at risk from politicians
Canada Family Action Coalition
Oct 5, 2006
http://www.familyaction.org/Articles/issues/child/pedophilia/
politicians.htm
Children are not only at risk because politicians refuse to pass harsh
laws against sexual predators and perverts but some lawmakers are being
exposed as the predators. Of course exposure of politicians is not new.
Right here in Canada our current Liberal leaders was exposed and
reports of underage homosexual sex acts circulated just 2 years ago and
have resurfaced again.
Now in the US a major political figure has been exposed for his
homosexual predatory behavior.
I guess the CHARACTER of the politician becomes MUCH more important
than the party they affiliate themselves with !
[More at URL]
----- 9 -----
Why Did This Happen?
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Faith and Freedom Network
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/10/why-did-this-happen.html
Yesterday, as we were trying to absorb the Mark Foley fiasco and
understand how someone who has appeared to give such strong leadership
in support of children could have personally failed so miserably, we
were suddenly introduced to another tragedy at the Amish school in
Pennsylvania.
Again, a crime against children.
But why is this happening? We are now dealing with events and issues
that were unheard of in America a generation ago.
[Ed. Note: this is, of course, as always a lie, the standard
casting-back to a mythical, and I stress _mythical_, idyllic past.]
[More at URL]
----- 10 -----
What to Make of the Mark Foley Mess
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Faith and Freedom Network
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/10/what-to-make-of-mark-
foley-mess.html
The more we hear about the Mark Foley mess, the more disgusting it
becomes. And the more questions it raises.
We personally don’t know how all this will affect the elections in
November, or the Republican Party for that matter, but there are
several things I think people of faith should take away from this
fiasco.
[...]
We have opportunity to make significant change in the general election
next month. Let's do it.
[More at URL]
----- 11 -----
They Don't Get It
Faith and Freedom Network
Friday, October 06, 2006
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/weblog/2006/10/they-dont-get-it.html
It’s interesting to see both the press and the so-called
“religious-left” struggle to define the effect the Foley scandal will
have on the religious right’s support toward the Republican Party.
They don’t get it.
No where has that been made more clear than in the comments on the
liberal Americans United for Separation of Church and State website
this past week.
[More at URL]
----- 12 -----
Get Involved with Faith and Freedom Network
Online as of 7 October 2006
Faith and Freedom Network
http://www.faithandfreedom.us/volunteer.html
Want to help preserve the family? Want to make a difference in your
church and community?
We are actively looking for volunteers to fill two types of positions
with our organization. If you are not currently plugged in to one of
these positions please contact Jon Russell at
j.russell at faithandfreedom.us or by phone at 800-731-5328.
Church Contact
Our church contacts are essential in each church community. Each
contact is a valuable asset to our organization and will help
Christians become educated voters. Assignments are as follows:
* Make sure all voting age members of your congregation are registered
to vote.
* Build an email list and a phone tree of church members.
* Pass along legislative alerts to church members.
* Help us make voter guides available to church members.
* Collect names and signatures of church members who wish to receive
Faith and Freedom action alerts and updates.
[More at URL]
----- 13 -----
CWA Appalled At Ms. Magazine's "We Had Abortions" Campaign
Concerned Women for America
10/4/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/11606/MEDIA/life/index.htm
Washington, D.C. − Concerned Women for America (CWA) today expressed
its dismay and disgust at the October 10th Ms. Magazine cover story,
“We Had Abortions.” The magazine will publish a petition signed by over
a thousand women who reveal that they have had abortions. The editors
of the magazine say that even more names will appear on their Web site.
The petition with all the names will be sent to legislative bodies
across the nation as well as to the White House. The action comes as
pro-abortion activists face impending state legislation that would ban
abortions in several states and the prospect that federal laws would be
rescinded by the U.S. Supreme Court, especially if a fifth conservative
judge were appointed in the future to join Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and
Thomas on the bench.
Many of Ms. Magazine’s feminist readers are ardent supporters of
Planned Parenthood, the organization originally founded by eugenicist
Margaret Sanger. Planned Parenthood is greatly threatened by these
potential policy changes that would limit abortion on demand, since one
of its major sources of income is providing abortions.
Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, Senior Fellow of the Beverly LaHaye Institute,
the think tank for Concerned Women for America, said, “Such a morally
bankrupt campaign is an embarrassment for civilized and caring human
beings. The pride behind the ‘We Had Abortions’ campaign is totally
inconsistent with, and puts the lie to, the fatuous claim frequently
bandied about during election campaigns by the Left that they too want
to make abortion rare. The campaign planners even had the chilling gall
to make the word ‘abortion’ plural!”
“Obviously, with nearly 50,000,000 abortions since the courts imposed
abortion on the U.S., there are thousands of women who could sign such
a petition. Many women who have had an abortion, though, are not
comfortable with their decision and thousands deeply regret their
abortions. Some are devastated because the abortion left them unable to
have children. Certainly even most women who believe that abortion is
acceptable would not celebrate such a drastic action.”
Crouse concluded, “The desperation of the pro-abortion activists is
turning into a sorry spectacle which will surely backfire as the
American public sees the crass motivation behind the abortion
movement.”
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 14 -----
Statement on the Foley Scandal From Wendy Wright, President, Concerned
Women for America
Concerned Women for America
10/3/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/11603/MEDIA/misc/index.htm
The allegations that Rep. Mark Foley, a man entrusted with a position
of authority and respect, engaged in sexually charged conversations and
sought liaisons with underage males embodies one of the worst kinds of
abuse.
Despite our culture’s sexual excess, including explicit messages and
images from TV sitcoms to graphic curricula in schools, Americans
remain rightfully appalled by this incident. The fact that Americans
find former Rep. Foley’s alleged conduct reprehensible shows we have
not bought into the false ideology that “all sex should be celebrated”
or that age of consent laws should be reduced as some special interest
groups demand. Not all “diversity” should be accepted and not all
conduct or beliefs should be “tolerated.” In the real world, there is
such a thing as right and wrong. And Americans know that it is wrong
for adults to take sexual advantage of minors. Americans know that some
lifestyles, such as aberrant sexual behavior, are just too damaging and
dangerous to individuals, and that society and children especially
should be protected from them.
For Information Contact:
Stacey Holliday
(202) 488-7000
media.cwfa.org
----- 15 -----
Scandal a timely gift for Democratic candidates
The gay issue: Republicans are split over anti-homosexuals and those
who want a place in the Grand Old Party for anyone
Edward Epstein, Chronicle Washington Bureau
San Francisco Chronicle
Thursday, October 5, 2006
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/05/GAYS.TMP
[Editor's Note: CWA themselves linked to this, so they apparently don't
mind the paper's statement about their opinions towards GBLT people.]
(10-05) 04:00 PDT Washington -- The resignation of Republican Rep. Mark
Foley of Florida focuses anew a long-running fissure in the Republican
Party between those on the right who view homosexuality as a sin that
endangers the country and those who want the party to find a place in
the GOP for all Americans.
[...]
But social conservatives, including Perkins' powerful group and its
allies, tie Foley's conduct directly to his homosexuality.
"The fact that Americans find former Representative Foley's alleged
conduct reprehensible shows we have not bought into the false ideology
that 'all sex should be celebrated' or that age of consent laws should
be reduced as some special interest groups demand,'' said Wendy Wright,
president of the conservative group Concerned Women for America. "Not
all diversity should be accepted, and not all conduct or beliefs should
be tolerated."
Some of the social conservatives say studies show there is an overlap
between pedophilia and homosexuality, a charge gay groups dispute
vigorously.
Perkins said that by brushing the Foley matter under the rug, the House
has courted disaster, just as the Roman Catholic Church has done in
scandals involving priests. "Ignoring this reality got the Catholic
Church into trouble over abusive priests, and now it is doing the same
to the House GOP leadership,'' he said.
Patrick Sammon, executive vice president of the Log Cabin Republicans,
a 20,000-member national group of gay and lesbian Republicans, scoffed
at the notion that Hastert and other GOP House leaders dragged their
feet on the Foley case because of the gay-bashing issue.
"These anti-gay groups should be ashamed. They're trying to use this
horrible situation to advance their own agenda. It's despicable,'' said
Sammon, who decried Foley's conduct. "This is a personal and political
scandal. It should not be used to denigrate gay and lesbian
Americans.''
In San Francisco, Supervisor Tom Ammiano -- a Democrat -- said there
was a practical reason behind the anti-gay rhetoric. "The gay issue for
lots of Republicans is a cash cow,'' he said, referring to the
fundraising generated by anti-gay rhetoric.
[More at URL]
----- 16 -----
Congress Affirms Sectarian Prayers by Military Chaplains
Concerned Women for America
10/3/2006
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/11605/CWA/misc/index.htm
Congress has passed the defense authorization bill, containing a
provision to assure military chaplains have the right to pray according
to their faith. Martha Kleder, CWA policy analyst, spoke with Navy
Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt about this victory and how this
turn of events affects his situation. Click here to listen.
For more information on Chaplain Klingenschmitt’s case visit
www.persuade.tv
[More at URL]
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