Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow
Canadians will again consider a euthanasia bill.
It will mark the third attempt at getting the bill passed, one that goes much further than doctor-assisted suicide in the United States. Alex Schadenberg heads the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition in Canada.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=537882
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Texans rally support for adult stem-cell research
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow
The Texas legislature is working on a bill that could make it a leader in research using adult stem cells, rather than research that involves killing human embryos.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=538298
The Texas legislature is working on a bill that could make it a leader in research using adult stem cells, rather than research that involves killing human embryos.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=538298
Bill to define marriage in DC introduced in House
Associated Press and Charlie Butts (OneNewsNow)
More than 30 members of Congress have joined hundreds of pastors in an effort to define marriage in the District of Columbia as the union of a man and a woman. The bill, which was introduced in the House Thursday, is meant to thwart this month's Washington city council vote to recognize same-sex "marriages" performed in other jurisdictions.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=537986
More than 30 members of Congress have joined hundreds of pastors in an effort to define marriage in the District of Columbia as the union of a man and a woman. The bill, which was introduced in the House Thursday, is meant to thwart this month's Washington city council vote to recognize same-sex "marriages" performed in other jurisdictions.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=537986
From grades to goals: middle schoolers and education
Carolyn Moynihan
Helping middle school students with their homework may not be the bestway to get them on the honour roll. But telling them how importantacademic performance is to their future job prospects and providingspecific strategies to study and learn might clinch the grades,according to a research review.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/from_grades_to_goals_middle_schoolers_and_education/
Helping middle school students with their homework may not be the bestway to get them on the honour roll. But telling them how importantacademic performance is to their future job prospects and providingspecific strategies to study and learn might clinch the grades,according to a research review.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/from_grades_to_goals_middle_schoolers_and_education/
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Many teens wired, caffeinated well past bedtime
By Anne Harding
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Caffeine-fueled teens are texting, Web-surfing and gaming for hours into the night, which is affecting their alertness and ability to function during the day, a new study in Pediatrics shows.
"They're up at night and they're dong a lot less homework than we thought and a lot more multitasking," Dr. Christina J. Calamaro of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the lead researcher on the study, told Reuters Health.
Fewer U.S. teens report being sexually active
By Anne Harding
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The percentage of U.S. teens having sex showed a "dramatic" drop between 1992 and 2002, while there was a similarly striking rise in the use of contraception by those who were sexually active, a new analysis of national US data shows.
However, very recent increases in teen pregnancy -- after a decline lasting more than a decade -- show that more work needs to be done to help improve teens' reproductive health, according to Dr. Jennifer Manlove and colleagues from Child Trends in Washington, D.C.
http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/us_teens_sexual.html
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The percentage of U.S. teens having sex showed a "dramatic" drop between 1992 and 2002, while there was a similarly striking rise in the use of contraception by those who were sexually active, a new analysis of national US data shows.
However, very recent increases in teen pregnancy -- after a decline lasting more than a decade -- show that more work needs to be done to help improve teens' reproductive health, according to Dr. Jennifer Manlove and colleagues from Child Trends in Washington, D.C.
http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/us_teens_sexual.html
Facing the new fascism
By Jennifer Roback Morse
The premise of Jonah Goldberg's book Liberal Fascism is that the socialist or liberal left frequently uses the tactics of the fascist right. Some liberals are so convinced of the correctness of their cause that they think themselves entitled to the use of any methods, no matter how illiberal, to advance that cause. In the aftermath of the California voters' passage of Proposition 8, the new fascist mindset is on display in living Technicolor, or maybe I should say in rainbow color.
California voters rejected the darling social cause of the fashionable elites: same-sex "marriage." The election procedures were undeniably fair: After all, this is the electorate that voted for Obama by landslide margins. Did I say that? Obama won by 52% of the popular vote nationwide: the exact same percentage that voted for Proposition 8. So the homosexual lobby must find some other pretext for undoing the outcome of a fair election. Please observe the tactics:
1. Get the judiciary to overturn the election on a technicality: Proposition 8 was not an amendment at all, but a "revision" to the California Constitution.
If they really believe this argument, they should have asked to throw it out before it ever got on the ballot. Both sides were in court, back in July, when Jerry Brown was rewriting the title of the initiative in order to sink its chances of passing. That would have been a good time to bring up the subject of "revision vs. amendment" — before the two sides spent more than $70 million on an election.
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/18266/
The premise of Jonah Goldberg's book Liberal Fascism is that the socialist or liberal left frequently uses the tactics of the fascist right. Some liberals are so convinced of the correctness of their cause that they think themselves entitled to the use of any methods, no matter how illiberal, to advance that cause. In the aftermath of the California voters' passage of Proposition 8, the new fascist mindset is on display in living Technicolor, or maybe I should say in rainbow color.
California voters rejected the darling social cause of the fashionable elites: same-sex "marriage." The election procedures were undeniably fair: After all, this is the electorate that voted for Obama by landslide margins. Did I say that? Obama won by 52% of the popular vote nationwide: the exact same percentage that voted for Proposition 8. So the homosexual lobby must find some other pretext for undoing the outcome of a fair election. Please observe the tactics:
1. Get the judiciary to overturn the election on a technicality: Proposition 8 was not an amendment at all, but a "revision" to the California Constitution.
If they really believe this argument, they should have asked to throw it out before it ever got on the ballot. Both sides were in court, back in July, when Jerry Brown was rewriting the title of the initiative in order to sink its chances of passing. That would have been a good time to bring up the subject of "revision vs. amendment" — before the two sides spent more than $70 million on an election.
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/18266/
County Official Defends Home Bible Study Citation
County Official Claims Home Bible Study Citation Was Not An Attack On Religious Activity
SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor is outraged because he says the county wants to shut down his Bible study group, but the county says he has it all wrong.
Thursday, for the first time, a San Diego County official sat down with 10News, to respond to the allegations.
The story of pastor David Jones' claims against the county has grabbed national attention.
http://www.10news.com/news/19595677/detail.html
SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor is outraged because he says the county wants to shut down his Bible study group, but the county says he has it all wrong.
Thursday, for the first time, a San Diego County official sat down with 10News, to respond to the allegations.
The story of pastor David Jones' claims against the county has grabbed national attention.
http://www.10news.com/news/19595677/detail.html
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Couple: County Trying To Stop Home Bible Studies
SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home, 10News reported.
Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.
http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html
Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.
http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html
'Power' move by male students ruffles U. of C.
A University of Chicago student has just founded a group called Men in Power.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story
This article quotes my old friend Warren Farrell. While I am glad to see a men’s group formed, I wish they would take on issues other than employment. The feminist tilt in family law has been extremely destructive for children, as well as for men. it would be a real public service for young men to inform the public on this topic.
Posted by Jennifer
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-u-of-c-mens-groupmay19,0,4707353.story
This article quotes my old friend Warren Farrell. While I am glad to see a men’s group formed, I wish they would take on issues other than employment. The feminist tilt in family law has been extremely destructive for children, as well as for men. it would be a real public service for young men to inform the public on this topic.
Posted by Jennifer
WETZSTEIN: U.S. narcissism out of control
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/17/wetzstein-us-narcissism-out-control/
Back in Love and Economics, I made the point that finding a balanced perspective on your own value in relation to other people is one of the hardest things to do.
And in Smart Sex: Finding Life-long Love in a Hook-up World, I connected narcissism to our sex lives. The sexual revolution transformed sex from being the deepest community-building activity into a consumer good. That just has to fundamentally shift the social balance between outward-looking, community-building, other-regarding behavior radically toward inward-looking, self-preoccupied, self-regarding behavior.
Post and comments by Jennifer
Back in Love and Economics, I made the point that finding a balanced perspective on your own value in relation to other people is one of the hardest things to do.
And in Smart Sex: Finding Life-long Love in a Hook-up World, I connected narcissism to our sex lives. The sexual revolution transformed sex from being the deepest community-building activity into a consumer good. That just has to fundamentally shift the social balance between outward-looking, community-building, other-regarding behavior radically toward inward-looking, self-preoccupied, self-regarding behavior.
Post and comments by Jennifer
WETZSTEIN: It's not always just about you
It isn’t just about you. Thankfully, some scholars and media commentators are getting the point that “self-esteem” is not an unlimited good: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/24/wetzstein-its-not-always-just-about-you/
Posted by Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer
Same-Sex Marriage Laws Pose Protection Quandary
Even the NYT is admitting that there may be conflicts between religious liberty and same sex marriage: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/23beliefs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2
Posted by Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer
Pro-Life Group Condemns Recent Secret Meeting of Pro-Abortion Billionaires Club
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- A top pro-life group that focuses on international issues is condemning a recent meeting of some of the richest people in the world. The groups of billionaires met secretly in New York and agreed to promote population control as their collective charitable cause in the coming years.
http://www.lifenews.com/int1209.html
LifeNews.com Editor
New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- A top pro-life group that focuses on international issues is condemning a recent meeting of some of the richest people in the world. The groups of billionaires met secretly in New York and agreed to promote population control as their collective charitable cause in the coming years.
http://www.lifenews.com/int1209.html
Billionaires agree to overcome religious obstacles to controlling population
Times Online: “SOME of America’s leading billionaires have met secretly to consider how their wealth could be used to slow the growth of the world’s population and speed up improvements in health and education . . . convened on the initiative of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, discussed joining forces to overcome political and religious obstacles to change. Described as the Good Club by one insider it included David Rockefeller Jr, the patriarch of America’s wealthiest dynasty, Warren Buffett and George Soros, the financiers, Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, and the media moguls Ted Turner and Oprah Winfrey.”
http://www.alliancealert.org/2009/05/27/billionaires-agree-to-overcome-religious-obstacles-to-controlling-population/
http://www.alliancealert.org/2009/05/27/billionaires-agree-to-overcome-religious-obstacles-to-controlling-population/
Redefining Religious Liberty
Gay marriage and the conflict between church and state.
By Maggie Gallagher
Prop 8 won yesterday. Even in California, they could find only one supreme-court justice willing to strip 7 million people of their core civil right to amend the state constitution, guaranteed by the constitution itself. Why do I feel, absurdly, that I should be grateful?Liberals who support gay marriage may understand what their movement is willing to endorse and where it draws the line. The rest of us have to sit back and wonder:Why stop at marriage? Many well-defined, seemingly secure words and terms can be redefined to help remake society along sexually liberal lines.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDQwMGU5ZjgwNmFiODcxZDgyNTAxYjVmYzY2ZjViOTY
Comments from Jennifer:
This quote helps explain why so many African Americans resist and resent the blithe equating of their civil rights movement with the demands for same sex marriage: (BTW, my recent podcast from Memorial Day includes interviews with an African American political candidate and pastor who make this argument.)
Actions are typically protected by liberty interests, not equality interests. Sexual liberty means I have the right to do what I want, not the right to be free from the knowledge that others disagree, or from their choosing to build institutions that teach that my sexual actions are wrong and exclude those who engage in them.
Equality is typically predicated on characteristics that do not imply actions, because actions are always choices. Skin color is irrelevant. And unchosen. Sexual orientation is almost certainly unchosen, but the decision to incorporate a sexual desire into one’s identity, and then to act on it, is a decision. Maybe most people think it’s the right decision, the healthiest decision, but the point is that it’s a choice, and subject to moral reflection. A sexual desire is not its own justification.
By Maggie Gallagher
Prop 8 won yesterday. Even in California, they could find only one supreme-court justice willing to strip 7 million people of their core civil right to amend the state constitution, guaranteed by the constitution itself. Why do I feel, absurdly, that I should be grateful?Liberals who support gay marriage may understand what their movement is willing to endorse and where it draws the line. The rest of us have to sit back and wonder:Why stop at marriage? Many well-defined, seemingly secure words and terms can be redefined to help remake society along sexually liberal lines.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDQwMGU5ZjgwNmFiODcxZDgyNTAxYjVmYzY2ZjViOTY
Comments from Jennifer:
This quote helps explain why so many African Americans resist and resent the blithe equating of their civil rights movement with the demands for same sex marriage: (BTW, my recent podcast from Memorial Day includes interviews with an African American political candidate and pastor who make this argument.)
Actions are typically protected by liberty interests, not equality interests. Sexual liberty means I have the right to do what I want, not the right to be free from the knowledge that others disagree, or from their choosing to build institutions that teach that my sexual actions are wrong and exclude those who engage in them.
Equality is typically predicated on characteristics that do not imply actions, because actions are always choices. Skin color is irrelevant. And unchosen. Sexual orientation is almost certainly unchosen, but the decision to incorporate a sexual desire into one’s identity, and then to act on it, is a decision. Maybe most people think it’s the right decision, the healthiest decision, but the point is that it’s a choice, and subject to moral reflection. A sexual desire is not its own justification.
Focus on gay marriage rights stays on state fights
Lisa Leff, Associated Press Writer –
SAN FRANCISCO – California's status as a guardian of gay rights slipped this week when its highest court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, even as other states extended the institution to gay couples.
"Are the people of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire more sexually literate than Californians?" asked the National Sexuality Resource Center, a San Francisco-based think tank, naming the states where gays can or soon will be able to wed.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gay_marriage
SAN FRANCISCO – California's status as a guardian of gay rights slipped this week when its highest court upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, even as other states extended the institution to gay couples.
"Are the people of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire more sexually literate than Californians?" asked the National Sexuality Resource Center, a San Francisco-based think tank, naming the states where gays can or soon will be able to wed.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gay_marriage
Changing Face of Motherhood: Who's Giving Birth?
Children Pay Consequences for Decline in Marriage
By Father John Flynn, LC
ROME, May 24, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The number of children born outside a stable married life continues to rise. Northern European countries have the highest levels of births to single women, but the United States is catching up.
The latest figures come from a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the May Data Brief issued by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, births to unmarried women totaled 1,714,643 in 2007, 26% more than in 2002. As a result in 2007 nearly 4 in 10 births in the U.S. were to unmarried women.
http://www.zenit.org/article-25981?l=english
By Father John Flynn, LC
ROME, May 24, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The number of children born outside a stable married life continues to rise. Northern European countries have the highest levels of births to single women, but the United States is catching up.
The latest figures come from a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the May Data Brief issued by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, births to unmarried women totaled 1,714,643 in 2007, 26% more than in 2002. As a result in 2007 nearly 4 in 10 births in the U.S. were to unmarried women.
http://www.zenit.org/article-25981?l=english
Friday Five: Marriage Advocate Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse
by Jennifer Mesko, editor
'I came to the conclusion that there was a real desire among college students for lifelong married love.'
Most young people want to get married and stay married, research shows, but they don't have a clue how to do that.
That's where Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse comes in.
She founded the Ruth Institute to prepare students to stand up for marriage. It's affiliated with the National Organization for Marriage and focuses on educating, networking and motivating.
The first Ruth Institute campus conference takes place in San Diego in August.
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010034.cfm
'I came to the conclusion that there was a real desire among college students for lifelong married love.'
Most young people want to get married and stay married, research shows, but they don't have a clue how to do that.
That's where Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse comes in.
She founded the Ruth Institute to prepare students to stand up for marriage. It's affiliated with the National Organization for Marriage and focuses on educating, networking and motivating.
The first Ruth Institute campus conference takes place in San Diego in August.
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010034.cfm
Conference planned to help students ‘speak the truth’ on natural marriage
San Diego, Calif., May 16, 2009 / 04:40 am (CNA).- A student conference on the importance of marriage and its defense is scheduled to take place this August in San Diego. It aims to bring together students and faculty who support natural marriage to help educate and motivate a new generation.
The conference, titled “It takes a family to raise a village,” is co-sponsored by the Ruth Institute and the National Organization for Marriage. It will be held at the University of San Diego from August 6 to 9 and is free to accepted students. Some travel assistance is also available.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15997
The conference, titled “It takes a family to raise a village,” is co-sponsored by the Ruth Institute and the National Organization for Marriage. It will be held at the University of San Diego from August 6 to 9 and is free to accepted students. Some travel assistance is also available.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15997
Gay Curriculum Proposal Riles Elementary School Parents
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,521209,00.html?test=latestnews
This is the very sort of stuff that has been driving us crazy in CA. this is a power grab by the Gay Lobby, pure and simple. This has nothing to do with protecting children from bullying. As Karen England put it, the only “protected class” that gets its own anti-bullying curriculum, so-called, is sexual orientation.
And by the way, the Gay Lobby might have gotten away with this type of nonsense, if they hadn’t made an issue of same sex “marriage.” The people of CA were prepared to accept the domestic partnership law. Only the court case mandating ssm got people riled up enough to propose and pass Prop 8. The course of that campaign made people aware of the possibility of the Gay Lobby controlling the school curriculum. All those people who worked on Prop 8 are not just going to fade into the woodwork. They are paying attention now, in a way that they were not paying attention before.
Posted by Jennifer
This is the very sort of stuff that has been driving us crazy in CA. this is a power grab by the Gay Lobby, pure and simple. This has nothing to do with protecting children from bullying. As Karen England put it, the only “protected class” that gets its own anti-bullying curriculum, so-called, is sexual orientation.
And by the way, the Gay Lobby might have gotten away with this type of nonsense, if they hadn’t made an issue of same sex “marriage.” The people of CA were prepared to accept the domestic partnership law. Only the court case mandating ssm got people riled up enough to propose and pass Prop 8. The course of that campaign made people aware of the possibility of the Gay Lobby controlling the school curriculum. All those people who worked on Prop 8 are not just going to fade into the woodwork. They are paying attention now, in a way that they were not paying attention before.
Posted by Jennifer
Spain's "Disastrous" Contraceptive Policies have Resulted in the Oldest European Population
Why are the most Catholic countries the ones with the lowest population growth? Good question. I don’t have a good answer. But in any case, how is liberalizing abortion laws the solution? It simply can’t be.
By Hilary White
May 22, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A report by Spain's Institute for Family Policy says that Spain, with one of the western world's lowest birth rates and a high average life expectancy, is now the most rapidly aging country in the European Union.
The Institute's head, Eduardo Hertfelder, told media that the government's "dreadful" contraceptive policies are having a "catastrophic effect."
The report says that the Spanish youth population has dropped from 10 million in 1981 to 6.6 million in 2008. The process of population aging follows Spain's precipitous drop in birth rates. In 2000, a UN report found that the Spanish birth rate was the lowest in the world with 1.07 children per woman. Hertfelder stressed that the Spanish population is being bolstered now only by increases in immigration.
In Spain, the median age of women is 42.5 years; most physicians say that conception becomes increasingly less likely after age 35.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09052202.html
Posted by Jennifer
By Hilary White
May 22, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A report by Spain's Institute for Family Policy says that Spain, with one of the western world's lowest birth rates and a high average life expectancy, is now the most rapidly aging country in the European Union.
The Institute's head, Eduardo Hertfelder, told media that the government's "dreadful" contraceptive policies are having a "catastrophic effect."
The report says that the Spanish youth population has dropped from 10 million in 1981 to 6.6 million in 2008. The process of population aging follows Spain's precipitous drop in birth rates. In 2000, a UN report found that the Spanish birth rate was the lowest in the world with 1.07 children per woman. Hertfelder stressed that the Spanish population is being bolstered now only by increases in immigration.
In Spain, the median age of women is 42.5 years; most physicians say that conception becomes increasingly less likely after age 35.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09052202.html
Posted by Jennifer
World’s Most Powerful Population Lobby Targets Dominican Pro-Life Reforms
The Dominican Republic is a sovereign nation. They are entitled to make their own domestic policy without the interference of foreign countries and international busybody organizations.
By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) The Dominican Republic has come under fire from some of the world’s most powerful abortion advocates, aiming to block a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine legal protection of the country’s unborn.
The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), backed by European nations, major foundations and the UN Population Fund, has launched an aggressive campaign to thwart proposed Article 30, which would protect human life “from conception.” The country’s national assembly approved the amendment in a first reading by an overwhelming majority of 167-32 on April 21st, but it must go through a second reading before final promulgation by the President.
http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1173/pub_detail.asp
Posted by Jennifer
By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.
(NEW YORK – C-FAM) The Dominican Republic has come under fire from some of the world’s most powerful abortion advocates, aiming to block a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine legal protection of the country’s unborn.
The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), backed by European nations, major foundations and the UN Population Fund, has launched an aggressive campaign to thwart proposed Article 30, which would protect human life “from conception.” The country’s national assembly approved the amendment in a first reading by an overwhelming majority of 167-32 on April 21st, but it must go through a second reading before final promulgation by the President.
http://www.c-fam.org/publications/id.1173/pub_detail.asp
Posted by Jennifer
The Real Pregnancy Crisis
W. BRADFORD WILCOX
Earlier this month, Bristol Palin turned herself into a poster child for the nation's continuing effort to prevent teenage pregnancies. She made the rounds on the morning TV show circuit and spoke at town hall meetings to drive home the point that other teens shouldn't make the same mistake she did. Ms. Palin's campaign could not have come at a better time. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. -- after witnessing a 14-year decline in teenage childbearing from 1991 to 2005 -- saw the number rise from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, the latest year for which data are available, about 450,000 adolescents gave birth.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124294779002345281.html
Earlier this month, Bristol Palin turned herself into a poster child for the nation's continuing effort to prevent teenage pregnancies. She made the rounds on the morning TV show circuit and spoke at town hall meetings to drive home the point that other teens shouldn't make the same mistake she did. Ms. Palin's campaign could not have come at a better time. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. -- after witnessing a 14-year decline in teenage childbearing from 1991 to 2005 -- saw the number rise from 2005 to 2007. In 2007, the latest year for which data are available, about 450,000 adolescents gave birth.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124294779002345281.html
Law 'will force churches to employ gay staff'
This is the very sort of thing we are concerned about.
Churches will be banned from turning down gay job applicants on the grounds of their sexuality under new anti-discrimination laws, a Government minister said.
By Matthew Moore
Religious groups are to be forced to accept homosexual youth workers, secretaries and other staff, even if their faith holds same-sex relationships to be sinful.Christian organisations fear that the tightened legislation, which is due to come into force next year, will undermine the integrity of churches and dilute their moral message.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5357247/Law-will-force-churches-to-employ-gay-staff.html
Churches will be banned from turning down gay job applicants on the grounds of their sexuality under new anti-discrimination laws, a Government minister said.
By Matthew Moore
Religious groups are to be forced to accept homosexual youth workers, secretaries and other staff, even if their faith holds same-sex relationships to be sinful.Christian organisations fear that the tightened legislation, which is due to come into force next year, will undermine the integrity of churches and dilute their moral message.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5357247/Law-will-force-churches-to-employ-gay-staff.html
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
PTC: TV ratings system needs overhaul
Allie Martin - OneNewsNow -
The Parents Television Council (PTC) is calling for change and greater transparency in the TV ratings system.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently taking public comments in connection with the Child Safe Viewing Act. During that process, it is inviting comments on the current ratings system -- which it notes more than 80 percent of parents are familiar with, but most do not understand it. In response, the PTC has filed comments detailing how the TV ratings system is flawed.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=536804
The Parents Television Council (PTC) is calling for change and greater transparency in the TV ratings system.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently taking public comments in connection with the Child Safe Viewing Act. During that process, it is inviting comments on the current ratings system -- which it notes more than 80 percent of parents are familiar with, but most do not understand it. In response, the PTC has filed comments detailing how the TV ratings system is flawed.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=536804
Opposing an abortion industry bailout
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A campaign against tax-supported abortions is in the works.
Several pro-life organizations are rallying support to fight against the move. Operation Rescue is one of them, and Cheryl Sullinger is a spokesperson.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=536424
A campaign against tax-supported abortions is in the works.
Several pro-life organizations are rallying support to fight against the move. Operation Rescue is one of them, and Cheryl Sullinger is a spokesperson.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=536424
Think family, not soul-mate, Singapore tells singles
Carolyn Moynihan
Singapore’s National Family Council is pushing the boundaries of taste somewhat in its latest effort to promote marriage and family life, but the island nation’s dismal fertility rate of 1.09 children per woman helps explain why.
As part of its Think Family campaign the council is running a competition for the “most imperfect-perfect couple” (prize: romantic getaway) and an ad in which a widow pays a funny/sad tribute to her deceased husband’s “imperfections” at his funeral. A trifle crass, but evidently a necessary wake-up call for Singapore singles waiting too long for the perfect mate to turn up.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/think_family_not_soul_mate_singapore_tells_singles/
Singapore’s National Family Council is pushing the boundaries of taste somewhat in its latest effort to promote marriage and family life, but the island nation’s dismal fertility rate of 1.09 children per woman helps explain why.
As part of its Think Family campaign the council is running a competition for the “most imperfect-perfect couple” (prize: romantic getaway) and an ad in which a widow pays a funny/sad tribute to her deceased husband’s “imperfections” at his funeral. A trifle crass, but evidently a necessary wake-up call for Singapore singles waiting too long for the perfect mate to turn up.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/think_family_not_soul_mate_singapore_tells_singles/
Teens and the stress they put on parents
Mark Gregston
Has your teen figured out that he can live without a care in the world for the problems his irresponsible behavior creates, or the stress it puts on you as a parent? Do you spend all your time worrying about him or trying to figure out how to get him to behave differently?
Whenever I see a teen who is irresponsible, and happy to be so, I know his parents are the ones who are quite miserable. The more they try to take control and change their teen's poor choices, the worse the behavior becomes. It's what I call "the spin cycle," a downward spiral in teen behavior that often results in their life spinning totally out of control or ending in dire consequences. And the whole family spins out of control, too.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=535090
Has your teen figured out that he can live without a care in the world for the problems his irresponsible behavior creates, or the stress it puts on you as a parent? Do you spend all your time worrying about him or trying to figure out how to get him to behave differently?
Whenever I see a teen who is irresponsible, and happy to be so, I know his parents are the ones who are quite miserable. The more they try to take control and change their teen's poor choices, the worse the behavior becomes. It's what I call "the spin cycle," a downward spiral in teen behavior that often results in their life spinning totally out of control or ending in dire consequences. And the whole family spins out of control, too.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=535090
Pro-lifer senses growing opposition to Obama's agenda
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
The president of Operation Rescue is comparing Barack Obama to the "emperor with no clothes." During President Obama's controversial commencement speech at Notre Dame on Sunday, he called for "fair-minded words" to be used in the abortion debate and urged both sides to find common ground. Troy Newman of Operation Rescue adds that Obama stated science and medicine should also be allowed to speak into the issue. "I completely agree -- Operation Rescue completely agrees with this statement," says Newman, "because in the last 36 years, every single piece of scientific and medical [evidence] and technology advance has proven the fact that human life begins at the moment the seed and egg unite and ought to continue all the way through natural birth."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=535192
The president of Operation Rescue is comparing Barack Obama to the "emperor with no clothes." During President Obama's controversial commencement speech at Notre Dame on Sunday, he called for "fair-minded words" to be used in the abortion debate and urged both sides to find common ground. Troy Newman of Operation Rescue adds that Obama stated science and medicine should also be allowed to speak into the issue. "I completely agree -- Operation Rescue completely agrees with this statement," says Newman, "because in the last 36 years, every single piece of scientific and medical [evidence] and technology advance has proven the fact that human life begins at the moment the seed and egg unite and ought to continue all the way through natural birth."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=535192
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
If Hispanics Hold a Mass Rally Against Gay Marriage . . .
Maggie Gallagher
. . . and nobody reports it, did it happen? Does it matter?
The New York Times reports that "Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition" just three days after a mass rally of (I'm told) 20,000 people — Hispanics lead by Hispanic pastors — protested gay marriage in front of Governor Paterson's office. I'm looking for a video of the event, which must have been large because it was mentioned (briefly) in the media with no indiciation of the size. I'll let you know what I find.
And, no, I did not tell the New York Times reporter that NOM's resources were stretched thin. He'll probably find out by next week what I meant by what I did say.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDkzOGQyZWMwNjBmN2EyMTAyY2Y3MDRhYTQ1N2FlM2I
. . . and nobody reports it, did it happen? Does it matter?
The New York Times reports that "Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition" just three days after a mass rally of (I'm told) 20,000 people — Hispanics lead by Hispanic pastors — protested gay marriage in front of Governor Paterson's office. I'm looking for a video of the event, which must have been large because it was mentioned (briefly) in the media with no indiciation of the size. I'll let you know what I find.
And, no, I did not tell the New York Times reporter that NOM's resources were stretched thin. He'll probably find out by next week what I meant by what I did say.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MDkzOGQyZWMwNjBmN2EyMTAyY2Y3MDRhYTQ1N2FlM2I
Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition in N.Y.
JEREMY W. PETERS
ALBANY — Assemblyman Dov Hikind of Brooklyn was feeling distressed.
The State Assembly had just voted to legalize same-sex marriage, after gay rights groups flooded the Legislature with visits, phone calls and e-mail messages. Where, he wanted to know, was the other side?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/nyregion/20marriage.html?_r=1
ALBANY — Assemblyman Dov Hikind of Brooklyn was feeling distressed.
The State Assembly had just voted to legalize same-sex marriage, after gay rights groups flooded the Legislature with visits, phone calls and e-mail messages. Where, he wanted to know, was the other side?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/nyregion/20marriage.html?_r=1
The class got calculus
Sheila Liaugminas
Notre Dame’s 2009 class of graduates heard some moral calculus in President Obama’s address at their commencement. His words were, indeed, eloquent and often sounded so ‘fair-minded’, which he made his theme as he hit his stride.
Like when he said…
So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions…
Nobody could argue that we need to do that, and many fervently work to reduce it to zero. If something is a good, why try to reduce it? If it’s an evil, why not try to eliminate it, the reasoning goes. Some commentators pointed out that since abortion is the taking of human life, talk like this blurs the line between what’s right and wrong to do.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/the_class_got_calculus/
Notre Dame’s 2009 class of graduates heard some moral calculus in President Obama’s address at their commencement. His words were, indeed, eloquent and often sounded so ‘fair-minded’, which he made his theme as he hit his stride.
Like when he said…
So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions…
Nobody could argue that we need to do that, and many fervently work to reduce it to zero. If something is a good, why try to reduce it? If it’s an evil, why not try to eliminate it, the reasoning goes. Some commentators pointed out that since abortion is the taking of human life, talk like this blurs the line between what’s right and wrong to do.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/the_class_got_calculus/
Past your “use by” date? What’s next?
Margaret Somerville
Dying human beings are not disposable products.
A private member's bill to legalize assisted suicide is being studied in the Canadian parliament. And it's been reported that police in Minnesota expect to charge William Melchert-Dinkel, a nurse, for allegedly using the Internet to encourage Ottawa resident, 18-year-old Nadia Kajouji, who committed suicide, to kill herself. So far, at least, no one has argued that this was or should be ethically or legally acceptable.
That is not the case in relation to George and Betty Coumbias, two 73-year-old British Columbia residents. George suffers from serious heart disease; Betty is healthy. But in Betty's words, "I don't think I can face life without (George), and since we read about Dignitas (a Swiss organization that assists people to commit suicide), we felt what would be better than to die together, you know, to die in each other's arms?"
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/past_your_use_by_date_whats_next/
Dying human beings are not disposable products.
A private member's bill to legalize assisted suicide is being studied in the Canadian parliament. And it's been reported that police in Minnesota expect to charge William Melchert-Dinkel, a nurse, for allegedly using the Internet to encourage Ottawa resident, 18-year-old Nadia Kajouji, who committed suicide, to kill herself. So far, at least, no one has argued that this was or should be ethically or legally acceptable.
That is not the case in relation to George and Betty Coumbias, two 73-year-old British Columbia residents. George suffers from serious heart disease; Betty is healthy. But in Betty's words, "I don't think I can face life without (George), and since we read about Dignitas (a Swiss organization that assists people to commit suicide), we felt what would be better than to die together, you know, to die in each other's arms?"
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/past_your_use_by_date_whats_next/
HUGE victory for marriage in New Hampshire!!!
from National Organization for Marriage:
the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted by a 2-vote margin (188-186) to reject amendments to the same-sex marriage bill that had been required by Governor Lynch as a condition of his signing the bill.
Same-sex marriage advocates were SHOCKED! As one blogger wrote: "We were hardly even watching since we thought the vote was such a sure thing." State Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley has been pressuring legislators for weeks in an effort to push this bill through. I'm told the shocked look on his face after the House vote today was unforgettable!
There is already talk of the parliamentary wrangling to come as proponents seek to salvage the bill. More details will follow, but we need to keep the pressure on, urging Governor Lynch to keep his word and veto the bill today!
ACTION NEEDED! If you live in New Hampshire, please email Governor Lynch again today. Urge him to make good on his promise to veto the same-sex marriage bill. The House refused the religious liberty amendments. Now it's time for him to keep his word, veto the bill, and move on. Click here to send a message to Governor Lynch!
the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted by a 2-vote margin (188-186) to reject amendments to the same-sex marriage bill that had been required by Governor Lynch as a condition of his signing the bill.
Same-sex marriage advocates were SHOCKED! As one blogger wrote: "We were hardly even watching since we thought the vote was such a sure thing." State Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley has been pressuring legislators for weeks in an effort to push this bill through. I'm told the shocked look on his face after the House vote today was unforgettable!
There is already talk of the parliamentary wrangling to come as proponents seek to salvage the bill. More details will follow, but we need to keep the pressure on, urging Governor Lynch to keep his word and veto the bill today!
ACTION NEEDED! If you live in New Hampshire, please email Governor Lynch again today. Urge him to make good on his promise to veto the same-sex marriage bill. The House refused the religious liberty amendments. Now it's time for him to keep his word, veto the bill, and move on. Click here to send a message to Governor Lynch!
The secret of self-control
Carolyn Moynihan
Remember the marshmallow kids? The four-year-olds who were tested for their ability to delay taking a sweet back in the late 1960s are still under the microscope as scientists try to fathom the secrets of self control.
According to The New Yorker, the experiment went like this. Children from the Bing Nursery School at Stanford University were invited into a room where they could be observed and allowed to pick a treat from a tray of marshmallows, cookies and pretzel sticks. They were told they could eat it straight away, or they could wait a few minutes and then have two when the researcher returned.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/the_secret_of_self_control/
Remember the marshmallow kids? The four-year-olds who were tested for their ability to delay taking a sweet back in the late 1960s are still under the microscope as scientists try to fathom the secrets of self control.
According to The New Yorker, the experiment went like this. Children from the Bing Nursery School at Stanford University were invited into a room where they could be observed and allowed to pick a treat from a tray of marshmallows, cookies and pretzel sticks. They were told they could eat it straight away, or they could wait a few minutes and then have two when the researcher returned.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/the_secret_of_self_control/
MASSACHUSETTS GAY MARRIAGE: FIVE YEARS LATER
Maggie Gallagher
Five years after same-sex couples first began to enter legal marriages -- recognized by court order -- in Massachusetts, what do voters in the Bay State think about gay marriage? A new poll commissioned by my organization, the National Organization for Marriage, and the Massachusetts Family Institute indicates that voters remain sharply and surprisingly divided about gay marriage. When asked, "Do you personally favor or oppose same-sex marriage generally?" 43 percent of Massachusetts voters favor same-sex marriage and 44 percent oppose it, with the remainder saying they don't know or choosing not to respond.
http://www.uexpress.com/maggiegallagher/
Five years after same-sex couples first began to enter legal marriages -- recognized by court order -- in Massachusetts, what do voters in the Bay State think about gay marriage? A new poll commissioned by my organization, the National Organization for Marriage, and the Massachusetts Family Institute indicates that voters remain sharply and surprisingly divided about gay marriage. When asked, "Do you personally favor or oppose same-sex marriage generally?" 43 percent of Massachusetts voters favor same-sex marriage and 44 percent oppose it, with the remainder saying they don't know or choosing not to respond.
http://www.uexpress.com/maggiegallagher/
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
New Yorkers Divided On Marriage
Religious, Blacks Favor Tradition
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
As the New York state legislature considers altering the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, a Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday shows Empire State voters split on the issue.
A closer look at Quinnipiac’s data shows some fairly pronounced cultural divisions. While 46 percent of New York registered voters surveyed say they favor gay marriage and the same percentage say they oppose it, black voters oppose it 57 percent to 35 percent. White New York voters support it 47 percent to 45 percent.
“It’s not surprising to me that the black community in the aggregate is opposed,” Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Director Maurice Carroll said. “They tend to be church-oriented.”
Voters also tend to differ on the marriage issue according to religion. Fifty-three percent of New York’s Catholics are against it while 39 percent want to enact it and the state’s Protestants disfavor it 55 to 38 percent. Sixty-one percent of Jews support same-sex marriage while 34 percent oppose it.
http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/15/news/nation/doc4a0d524636ed0512522500.txt
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
As the New York state legislature considers altering the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, a Quinnipiac University poll released yesterday shows Empire State voters split on the issue.
A closer look at Quinnipiac’s data shows some fairly pronounced cultural divisions. While 46 percent of New York registered voters surveyed say they favor gay marriage and the same percentage say they oppose it, black voters oppose it 57 percent to 35 percent. White New York voters support it 47 percent to 45 percent.
“It’s not surprising to me that the black community in the aggregate is opposed,” Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Director Maurice Carroll said. “They tend to be church-oriented.”
Voters also tend to differ on the marriage issue according to religion. Fifty-three percent of New York’s Catholics are against it while 39 percent want to enact it and the state’s Protestants disfavor it 55 to 38 percent. Sixty-one percent of Jews support same-sex marriage while 34 percent oppose it.
http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/15/news/nation/doc4a0d524636ed0512522500.txt
A new sexual revolution
Marcia Segelstein - Guest Columnist -
We are awash in sex. We, and our children, can't escape it. The teen clothier Hollister prominently displays Maxim, a "soft core" pornographic magazine on a shelf next to publications devoted to skiing and skateboarding. Urban Outfitters, another retailer targeting teens, has naked models in its catalog. Victoria's Secret TV commercials, which run during supposedly family-friendly fare like American Idol, show high-heeled models strutting down runways in suggestive barely-there underwear. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, available annually at your local drugstore chain, has become an American icon. Sexual references and innuendoes abound in television shows and movies. "Women's" magazine cover headlines regularly promise to reveal secrets to better sex. Hotel chains make huge profits from their in-room X-rated movie offerings. Hugh Hefner -- who almost single-handedly brought pornography out of the shadows and into the light of day (making himself a fortune along the way) -- is just another celebrity.
We have "mainstreamed pornography," as author Michael Leahy puts it. Our hypersexualized, pornographic culture has all but obliterated a vision of what healthy sexuality is. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that the intentional viewing of pornography has become commonplace on college campuses and in the workplace. Michael Leahy documents these trends in his books, Porn University and Porn @ Work. Leahy is also a self-described recovering sex addict whose immersion in pornography nearly destroyed his life.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=533912
We are awash in sex. We, and our children, can't escape it. The teen clothier Hollister prominently displays Maxim, a "soft core" pornographic magazine on a shelf next to publications devoted to skiing and skateboarding. Urban Outfitters, another retailer targeting teens, has naked models in its catalog. Victoria's Secret TV commercials, which run during supposedly family-friendly fare like American Idol, show high-heeled models strutting down runways in suggestive barely-there underwear. The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, available annually at your local drugstore chain, has become an American icon. Sexual references and innuendoes abound in television shows and movies. "Women's" magazine cover headlines regularly promise to reveal secrets to better sex. Hotel chains make huge profits from their in-room X-rated movie offerings. Hugh Hefner -- who almost single-handedly brought pornography out of the shadows and into the light of day (making himself a fortune along the way) -- is just another celebrity.
We have "mainstreamed pornography," as author Michael Leahy puts it. Our hypersexualized, pornographic culture has all but obliterated a vision of what healthy sexuality is. So it shouldn't come as any surprise that the intentional viewing of pornography has become commonplace on college campuses and in the workplace. Michael Leahy documents these trends in his books, Porn University and Porn @ Work. Leahy is also a self-described recovering sex addict whose immersion in pornography nearly destroyed his life.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=533912
Abstinence ed 'outperforms' comprehensive sex ed
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
According to a research analyst, comprehensive sex education does not outperform abstinence education.
Irene Ericksen of the Institute for Research and Evaluation says that media reports continually claim that abstinence education is a failure and that comprehensive sex ed is the only way to reduce teen pregnancies and promote safe-sex practices. She adds that they continually site a federal study that is riddled with myths and did not find abstinence education effective.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=533758
According to a research analyst, comprehensive sex education does not outperform abstinence education.
Irene Ericksen of the Institute for Research and Evaluation says that media reports continually claim that abstinence education is a failure and that comprehensive sex ed is the only way to reduce teen pregnancies and promote safe-sex practices. She adds that they continually site a federal study that is riddled with myths and did not find abstinence education effective.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=533758
DOMA, Prop. 8 under legal attack in Calif.
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has been granted permission to intervene in a federal marriage case in California. A same-gender pair has filed suit in federal court challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage, alleging that passage of both violates the U.S. Constitution. The two men are asking the court to issue a broad injunction "mandating the use of gender-neutral terms in all legislation affection marriage."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=533756
Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has been granted permission to intervene in a federal marriage case in California. A same-gender pair has filed suit in federal court challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, the California constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage, alleging that passage of both violates the U.S. Constitution. The two men are asking the court to issue a broad injunction "mandating the use of gender-neutral terms in all legislation affection marriage."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=533756
Ballerina trades fame for family
Maryana Garcia
In 2007, after receiving a historic eight minute standing ovation, Darcey Bussell -- famed prima ballerina and once the youngest principal dancer in the history of the Royal Ballet -- traded in her toe shoes for an apron. Nearly two years on, this mother of two enjoys being able to pick up her daughters, and having only forty-five minutes of exercise a week.
Once hailed as “the first English ballerina since Margot Fonteyn to capture the popular imagination”, Bussell had it all in terms of fame and fortune.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/ballerina_trades_fame_for_family/
In 2007, after receiving a historic eight minute standing ovation, Darcey Bussell -- famed prima ballerina and once the youngest principal dancer in the history of the Royal Ballet -- traded in her toe shoes for an apron. Nearly two years on, this mother of two enjoys being able to pick up her daughters, and having only forty-five minutes of exercise a week.
Once hailed as “the first English ballerina since Margot Fonteyn to capture the popular imagination”, Bussell had it all in terms of fame and fortune.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/ballerina_trades_fame_for_family/
Obama's Faith-Based Adviser Urges Challenge to ‘Heteronormative' Fatherhood
By Fred Lucas, Staff Writer
(CNSNews.com) - A controversial member of President Barack Obama’s faith-based council said that part of the administration’s role in promoting responsible fatherhood should include moving beyond America’s “heteronormative view of fatherhood.”
Harry Knox, appointed last month to the 25-member President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, has drawn fire for inflammatory comments about the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI.
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=48232
(CNSNews.com) - A controversial member of President Barack Obama’s faith-based council said that part of the administration’s role in promoting responsible fatherhood should include moving beyond America’s “heteronormative view of fatherhood.”
Harry Knox, appointed last month to the 25-member President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, has drawn fire for inflammatory comments about the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI.
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=48232
Study: Gay marriages pump $111 million into Mass
AMHERST, Mass.—A study says the over 12,000 same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts since 2004 have pumped over $111 million into the state's economy.
The report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says a typical same-sex couple spent about $7,400 on their wedding, with one in ten couples spending over $20,000.
A second study by the same group found that young, highly educated people in same-sex relationships were 2.5 times more likely to move to Massachusetts after 2004 than before gay marriage became legal.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/17/study_gay_marriages_pump_111_million_into_mass/
The report from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law says a typical same-sex couple spent about $7,400 on their wedding, with one in ten couples spending over $20,000.
A second study by the same group found that young, highly educated people in same-sex relationships were 2.5 times more likely to move to Massachusetts after 2004 than before gay marriage became legal.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/17/study_gay_marriages_pump_111_million_into_mass/
Obama and the ‘Real’ Catholics
The president inserts himself into a religious debate.
By George Weigel
Passionate debates over doctrine, identity, and the boundaries of “communion” have been a staple of the American religious landscape for centuries: Trinitarians vs. Unitarians in 19th-century New England; Modernists vs. Fundamentalists in early-20th-century Presbyterianism; Missouri Synod Lutherans vs. Wisconsin Synod Lutherans vs. Other Sorts of Lutherans down to today. Yet never in our history has a president of the United States, in the exercise of his public office, intervened in such disputes in order to secure a political advantage.
Until yesterday, at the University of Notre Dame.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzNhZDI1MDAyMjcwNTFhMDM3NDZkOGQ5ZWZhOGUzNWI=&w=MA==
By George Weigel
Passionate debates over doctrine, identity, and the boundaries of “communion” have been a staple of the American religious landscape for centuries: Trinitarians vs. Unitarians in 19th-century New England; Modernists vs. Fundamentalists in early-20th-century Presbyterianism; Missouri Synod Lutherans vs. Wisconsin Synod Lutherans vs. Other Sorts of Lutherans down to today. Yet never in our history has a president of the United States, in the exercise of his public office, intervened in such disputes in order to secure a political advantage.
Until yesterday, at the University of Notre Dame.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzNhZDI1MDAyMjcwNTFhMDM3NDZkOGQ5ZWZhOGUzNWI=&w=MA==
FL court recognizes homosexual adoption
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A Florida appeals court has ruled that the state must recognize homosexual adoptions from another state.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver tells OneNewsNow the decision is wrong and will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court. "Florida's law clearly says that homosexual adoption is not permissible in Florida, and the reason is that Florida's law prefers that children be placed in homes with a mom and a dad or homes that have the potential of moms and dads," he explains. "Homosexual adoption will permanently preclude children having an experience of a mom and a dad."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=530922
A Florida appeals court has ruled that the state must recognize homosexual adoptions from another state.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver tells OneNewsNow the decision is wrong and will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court. "Florida's law clearly says that homosexual adoption is not permissible in Florida, and the reason is that Florida's law prefers that children be placed in homes with a mom and a dad or homes that have the potential of moms and dads," he explains. "Homosexual adoption will permanently preclude children having an experience of a mom and a dad."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=530922
Moral relativism and Obama at Notre Dame
Star Parker - Syndicated Columnist -
In a letter to the 2009 graduating class of Notre Dame, Father John Jenkins, the university's president, explains why he is "proud" to have had President Barack Obama speak and be honored at his university. Let's put aside momentarily the appropriateness of a Catholic university honoring a man who aggressively supports legal abortion, including partial-birth abortion, and has supported a procedure that permits the destruction of a living child after birth. Someone who says that the question regarding the rights of the unborn is "above my pay grade." And consider that Father Jenkins says that, aside from honoring the nation's president, the university must be "a crossroads through which pass people of many different perspectives, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures." In other words, it must entertain diversity of opinion.
I maintain an active speaking tour at universities across this country. Over the years, I have spoken at over 180 universities of all kinds. And one thing I can report is that American universities are uniformly liberal.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=533404
In a letter to the 2009 graduating class of Notre Dame, Father John Jenkins, the university's president, explains why he is "proud" to have had President Barack Obama speak and be honored at his university. Let's put aside momentarily the appropriateness of a Catholic university honoring a man who aggressively supports legal abortion, including partial-birth abortion, and has supported a procedure that permits the destruction of a living child after birth. Someone who says that the question regarding the rights of the unborn is "above my pay grade." And consider that Father Jenkins says that, aside from honoring the nation's president, the university must be "a crossroads through which pass people of many different perspectives, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures." In other words, it must entertain diversity of opinion.
I maintain an active speaking tour at universities across this country. Over the years, I have spoken at over 180 universities of all kinds. And one thing I can report is that American universities are uniformly liberal.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=533404
Maine bishop vows to help bring same-gender 'marriage' to vote
Associated Press -
PORTLAND, ME - The spiritual leader of Maine's 200,000 Roman Catholics has pledged his diocese's help in bringing the state's same-sex "marriage" law to a vote in November.
Bishop Richard Malone calls the law "a dangerous sociological experiment" that he says will have negative consequences for society. Malone says marriage as it's been known for millennia "has served as the cornerstone of society." In a statement, Malone also expresses concern over the law's effect on teachings about same-sex marriage in schools.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=529232
PORTLAND, ME - The spiritual leader of Maine's 200,000 Roman Catholics has pledged his diocese's help in bringing the state's same-sex "marriage" law to a vote in November.
Bishop Richard Malone calls the law "a dangerous sociological experiment" that he says will have negative consequences for society. Malone says marriage as it's been known for millennia "has served as the cornerstone of society." In a statement, Malone also expresses concern over the law's effect on teachings about same-sex marriage in schools.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=529232
Obama, Notre Dame, and the character thing
Dr. Paul Kengor - Guest Columnist -
In May 1995, his first year as Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge was invited by Gannon University, a Catholic college in Erie, Pa., to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. But the distinguished Republican and native son had a problem: he was a pro-choice Catholic. Erie Bishop Donald Trautman expressed his "concerns." Governor Ridge declined the degree. "The last thing I would want is for those differences to distract in any way from this wonderful day of recognition for Gannon's class of 1995," said Ridge. His spokesman explained that the decision "came from the governor." Ridge did the right thing. He did the character thing.
That wasn't the only case. As far back as June 1974, shortly after Roe v. Wade became law, the famous Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty refused an invitation and honorary degree from the University of Santa Clara because of an abortion controversy involving the university. Mindszenty did the character thing.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=530882
In May 1995, his first year as Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge was invited by Gannon University, a Catholic college in Erie, Pa., to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. But the distinguished Republican and native son had a problem: he was a pro-choice Catholic. Erie Bishop Donald Trautman expressed his "concerns." Governor Ridge declined the degree. "The last thing I would want is for those differences to distract in any way from this wonderful day of recognition for Gannon's class of 1995," said Ridge. His spokesman explained that the decision "came from the governor." Ridge did the right thing. He did the character thing.
That wasn't the only case. As far back as June 1974, shortly after Roe v. Wade became law, the famous Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty refused an invitation and honorary degree from the University of Santa Clara because of an abortion controversy involving the university. Mindszenty did the character thing.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=530882
Parents fight homosexual indoctrination of kindergarteners
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A California school district seems intent on teaching pre-school children to accept the homosexual lifestyle.
The Alameda Unified School District announced it was considering a supplemental curriculum to eradicate "homophobia" in kindergarten children. Brad Dacus, founder of the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), said the meeting room for the public session earlier this week was overcrowded with angry parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=529992
A California school district seems intent on teaching pre-school children to accept the homosexual lifestyle.
The Alameda Unified School District announced it was considering a supplemental curriculum to eradicate "homophobia" in kindergarten children. Brad Dacus, founder of the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), said the meeting room for the public session earlier this week was overcrowded with angry parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=529992
When It Comes to Illegitimacy, We’re Living in Separate Worlds: An Update on the White Underclass
By Charles Murray
The New York Times has gotten around to reporting something that has been known for a couple of months, that in 2007 the U.S. illegitimacy ratio (the proportion of live births that occur to unmarried women) reached the truly remarkable, once unthinkable, figure of 40 percent.
The news behind the news here, something the Times doesn’t mention, is that illegitimacy varies enormously by socioeconomic class. There’s now an exceptionally clean data base for examining this: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth that followed (among others) women born from 1957 to 1964 through their entire childbearing years. We now know with no statistical complications the profile of their children. Since so much of the commentary about American out-of-wedlock births gets tangled up in issues of race and ethnicity, let’s take them out of the equation and limit the numbers to whites of European origin.
http://blog.american.com/?p=714
The New York Times has gotten around to reporting something that has been known for a couple of months, that in 2007 the U.S. illegitimacy ratio (the proportion of live births that occur to unmarried women) reached the truly remarkable, once unthinkable, figure of 40 percent.
The news behind the news here, something the Times doesn’t mention, is that illegitimacy varies enormously by socioeconomic class. There’s now an exceptionally clean data base for examining this: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth that followed (among others) women born from 1957 to 1964 through their entire childbearing years. We now know with no statistical complications the profile of their children. Since so much of the commentary about American out-of-wedlock births gets tangled up in issues of race and ethnicity, let’s take them out of the equation and limit the numbers to whites of European origin.
http://blog.american.com/?p=714
Wrong Marriage Debate
It is primarily about safety and security for children.
By Mona Charen
The other day I chatted with a pregnant gal at the hair salon. She was about 20, sweet, pretty, and demure. Because I am always doing sociological fieldwork, I asked my hairdresser if the girl was married. No. But she has a fiancé. As always in these situations, you just want to grab these young people by the lapels and say “Get to the altar! It’s critical for your child.” I didn’t of course — because, while I am a zealot for marriage, I’m not yet prepared to become a public nuisance.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTM0MzI2NGFkOTFlNmM3YjgzZTM5Mzk1Njk3MWIxOTQ
By Mona Charen
The other day I chatted with a pregnant gal at the hair salon. She was about 20, sweet, pretty, and demure. Because I am always doing sociological fieldwork, I asked my hairdresser if the girl was married. No. But she has a fiancé. As always in these situations, you just want to grab these young people by the lapels and say “Get to the altar! It’s critical for your child.” I didn’t of course — because, while I am a zealot for marriage, I’m not yet prepared to become a public nuisance.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTM0MzI2NGFkOTFlNmM3YjgzZTM5Mzk1Njk3MWIxOTQ
Worldview Test: Can We Do Without "Male" and "Female?"
Controversies and debates about gender define much of today's cultural landscape. In reality, if you take away all debates about gender, gender roles, and sexuality, our world would be a much quieter place. Nevertheless, the world we know is a world increasingly in revolt against the idea that gender is assigned by our Creator and is thus a fixed category.
A perfect illustration of this confusion is found on the May 12, 2009 op-ed page of The New York Times. There, along with articles by the paper's own columnists, was an article by Jennifer Finney Boylan, a professor of English at Colby College in Maine.
Professor Boylan argues that we should just accept and celebrate "the elusiveness of gender" and see the most difficult questions about gender as "sometimes unanswerable."
As you might expect, there is a story here. Professor Boylan begins her column with reference to the fact that Gov. John Baldacci of Maine recently signed a law making his state the fifth in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Then Boylan drops the bombshell. Even before Maine's governor signed the law, there were legally-recognized same-sex marriages in Maine (and other states as well). As Boylan explains: "These are marriages in which at least one member of the couple has changed genders since the wedding."
"I am in such a marriage myself," Boylan explains.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3792
A perfect illustration of this confusion is found on the May 12, 2009 op-ed page of The New York Times. There, along with articles by the paper's own columnists, was an article by Jennifer Finney Boylan, a professor of English at Colby College in Maine.
Professor Boylan argues that we should just accept and celebrate "the elusiveness of gender" and see the most difficult questions about gender as "sometimes unanswerable."
As you might expect, there is a story here. Professor Boylan begins her column with reference to the fact that Gov. John Baldacci of Maine recently signed a law making his state the fifth in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. Then Boylan drops the bombshell. Even before Maine's governor signed the law, there were legally-recognized same-sex marriages in Maine (and other states as well). As Boylan explains: "These are marriages in which at least one member of the couple has changed genders since the wedding."
"I am in such a marriage myself," Boylan explains.
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3792
For the first time the majority of Americans consider themselves pro-life
Elijah Friedeman, the Millennial Perspective
With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life? That was the question that was posed to more than a thousand adults in a recent Gallup poll. The results are encouraging. For the first time since Gallup started asking this question in 1995, more adults responded that they were pro-life rather than pro-choice.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=530708
With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life? That was the question that was posed to more than a thousand adults in a recent Gallup poll. The results are encouraging. For the first time since Gallup started asking this question in 1995, more adults responded that they were pro-life rather than pro-choice.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=530708
Old-fashioned parenting good for everyone
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
The head of the Beverly LaHaye Institute says a recent report on the number of unwed mothers highlights a problem over 40 years in the making. According to a recent report on U.S. births, the number of babies born to unwed mothers is sharply rising. Currently the rate stands at about 40 percent. An Associated Press report quotes one of the researchers as saying the rise is due to the amount of women who believe they do not have to live under the same rules as their parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=529832
The head of the Beverly LaHaye Institute says a recent report on the number of unwed mothers highlights a problem over 40 years in the making. According to a recent report on U.S. births, the number of babies born to unwed mothers is sharply rising. Currently the rate stands at about 40 percent. An Associated Press report quotes one of the researchers as saying the rise is due to the amount of women who believe they do not have to live under the same rules as their parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=529832
Home schoolers get 'A' from marketing exec
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
The chief operating officer of a marketing and networking firm is lauding the achievements of home schoolers.
Josephine Nicholas is the CEO of Published Daily, a firm started by her brother and run with the help of two other siblings. All four were home-schooled. Josephine says, according to research, home schoolers typically score higher and are more ambitious than their peers.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=528508
The chief operating officer of a marketing and networking firm is lauding the achievements of home schoolers.
Josephine Nicholas is the CEO of Published Daily, a firm started by her brother and run with the help of two other siblings. All four were home-schooled. Josephine says, according to research, home schoolers typically score higher and are more ambitious than their peers.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=528508
Maine's marriage traditionalists optimistic
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Maine voters have started the process to overturn the legalization of homosexual "marriage" in their state. If successful, those efforts could put the measure before voters as early as this fall.
Earlier this month, Governor John Baldacci signed legislation legalizing same-gender marriage legal. But in Maine, citizens are a co-equal division of government and have the right to veto laws through the petition process. Bob Emrich is with the Maine Jeremiah Project, a church-based public policy group that is leading a petition campaign to override the governor's signature.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=528252
Maine voters have started the process to overturn the legalization of homosexual "marriage" in their state. If successful, those efforts could put the measure before voters as early as this fall.
Earlier this month, Governor John Baldacci signed legislation legalizing same-gender marriage legal. But in Maine, citizens are a co-equal division of government and have the right to veto laws through the petition process. Bob Emrich is with the Maine Jeremiah Project, a church-based public policy group that is leading a petition campaign to override the governor's signature.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=528252
Church sues homosexual activists for disrupting service
EAST LANSING, MI - A Michigan church has filed a federal lawsuit against a homosexual activist group that claimed responsibility for noisily disrupting a worship service last November.
Midway through the Nov. 9 service at Mount Hope Church near Lansing, members of a group called Bash Back! stood up and shouted slogans at the bewildered congregation, including, "It's OK to be gay." Some of the activists threw pro-gay flyers. Others unfurled a banner inside the church.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=529214
Midway through the Nov. 9 service at Mount Hope Church near Lansing, members of a group called Bash Back! stood up and shouted slogans at the bewildered congregation, including, "It's OK to be gay." Some of the activists threw pro-gay flyers. Others unfurled a banner inside the church.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=529214
APA revises 'gay gene' theory
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=528376
The attempt to prove that homosexuality is determined biologically has been dealt a knockout punch. An American Psychological Association publication includes an admission that there's no homosexual "gene" -- meaning it's not likely that homosexuals are born that way.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=528376
Embracing the sinful child
Mark Gregston
Some parent may not understand the need for my encouragement to continue loving their adult children regardless of their actions, thinking it impossible to do anything else. But for others, they know exactly what I am talking about. It's all you can do to keep from ringing their necks!
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=526682
Some parent may not understand the need for my encouragement to continue loving their adult children regardless of their actions, thinking it impossible to do anything else. But for others, they know exactly what I am talking about. It's all you can do to keep from ringing their necks!
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=526682
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Taking Sex Differences Seriously
This is a comment that was left on the post of Dr. Morse's article, How Iowa Happened. It is worthy of it's own blog post. Thank you, Mr. Rhoads.
I am one of the academics whose testimony was considered irrelevant by theIowa court. In my book, Taking Sex Differences Seriously, I set forthevidence showing sex differences in parenting. Mothers and fathers parentin very different ways and both approaches are important in the healthydevelopment of children. The book also sets forth my own research showingdramatic differences in male and female academics' interest in caring forinfants/toddlers.
The Iowa court's footnote, quoted by Dr. Morse, cavalierly dismissesresearch clearly relevant to the question of whether same sex parentingdoes as well as parenting by a biological mother and father.
Steven E. Rhoads
Professor
Politics Department
University of Virginia
I am one of the academics whose testimony was considered irrelevant by theIowa court. In my book, Taking Sex Differences Seriously, I set forthevidence showing sex differences in parenting. Mothers and fathers parentin very different ways and both approaches are important in the healthydevelopment of children. The book also sets forth my own research showingdramatic differences in male and female academics' interest in caring forinfants/toddlers.
The Iowa court's footnote, quoted by Dr. Morse, cavalierly dismissesresearch clearly relevant to the question of whether same sex parentingdoes as well as parenting by a biological mother and father.
Steven E. Rhoads
Professor
Politics Department
University of Virginia
'Polyamorists' Call for Group Marriage
As gay activists take aim at marriage across the country, other groups are raising their voices in the battle to redefine marriage.
Polyamorists claim there’s no reason to confine a marriage to two people and are calling for "equal marriage rights."
Glenn Stanton, director of family formation studies at Focus on the Family, talked about the issue on "Fox & Friends" today.
“We had warned that same-sex 'marriage' would be a wedge to drive through a whole bunch of stuff," he said. "And it hasn’t taken very long for the polyamory people to come along and say, ‘Hey, they got their rights. They got their benefits. Why can’t we have ours?' ”
Dave Quist, executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, said cohabitation and the legalization of same-sex "marriage" in his country have eroded marriage.
“As it collapses, our children see that marriage is something very different than what it should be," he said. "And the effect on succeeding generations is very sad.”
— Roger Greer
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010001.cfm
Polyamorists claim there’s no reason to confine a marriage to two people and are calling for "equal marriage rights."
Glenn Stanton, director of family formation studies at Focus on the Family, talked about the issue on "Fox & Friends" today.
“We had warned that same-sex 'marriage' would be a wedge to drive through a whole bunch of stuff," he said. "And it hasn’t taken very long for the polyamory people to come along and say, ‘Hey, they got their rights. They got their benefits. Why can’t we have ours?' ”
Dave Quist, executive director of the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, said cohabitation and the legalization of same-sex "marriage" in his country have eroded marriage.
“As it collapses, our children see that marriage is something very different than what it should be," he said. "And the effect on succeeding generations is very sad.”
— Roger Greer
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000010001.cfm
Sweden rules 'gender-based' abortion legal
Swedish health authorities have ruled that gender-based abortion is not illegal according to current law and can not therefore be stopped, according to a report by Sveriges Television.
The Local reported in February that a woman from Eskilstuna in southern Sweden had twice had abortions after finding out the gender of the child. The woman, who already had two daughters, requested an amniocentesis in order to allay concerns about possible chromosome abnormalities. At the same time, she also asked to know the foetus's gender.
Doctors at Mälaren Hospital expressed concern and asked Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) to draw up guidelines on how to handle requests in the future in which they "feel pressured to examine the foetus’s gender" without having a medically compelling reason to do so.
http://www.thelocal.se/19392.html
The Local reported in February that a woman from Eskilstuna in southern Sweden had twice had abortions after finding out the gender of the child. The woman, who already had two daughters, requested an amniocentesis in order to allay concerns about possible chromosome abnormalities. At the same time, she also asked to know the foetus's gender.
Doctors at Mälaren Hospital expressed concern and asked Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) to draw up guidelines on how to handle requests in the future in which they "feel pressured to examine the foetus’s gender" without having a medically compelling reason to do so.
http://www.thelocal.se/19392.html
My inheritance
By Donald J. Boudreaux
My dad died on April 25. Adrian "Buddy" Boudreaux was only 73, but those years were very happy ones for him. That happiness came from Dad's natural good cheer and contentment; it did not come from money. Dad never had much money.
He dropped out of school in the sixth grade, but as an adult he earned his GED. When he married my late mother, at the age of 22, he was a bus driver in New Orleans. Dad soon left that job to work as a pipe fitter at Avondale Shipyards, which at the time was one of that city's largest employers.
The typical American who would learn of the financial resources now passing down to my three siblings and me would say that we have virtually no inheritance. That's true only financially. In fact, the inheritance that our parents left to us, while minuscule in terms of dollars, is enormous and valuable beyond measure. My meaning is best conveyed by these excerpts from a letter that I wrote to my dad when he retired from the shipyard in January 2001.
"A man's worth can be measured in many different ways. Most of these ways are foolish.
"Is a man's worth measured by his wealth? Hardly. History is littered with wealthy people who are scoundrels. I meet lots of wealthy people whom I detest -- whom I don't wish to be near or whom I pity because they are shallow.
"Is a man's worth measured by his power? Absolutely not. Hitler and Stalin and Mao had enormous power. But they are among the scummiest of history's scumbags. Powerful people are almost always detestable creeps.
"Is a man's worth measured by his education? No. Many people with advanced college degrees (and I know lots of them!) lack decency and generosity. Too many are crybabies, more childish than mature and more clever than wise.
"Too few men are truly great. Greatness comes from within and is often invisible to eyes unfamiliar with a great person. A man is great only if he is responsible; only if he is a loyal and loving husband and father and friend; only if he teaches his children and grandchildren properly, not only with words but by example; only if he is free of envy and spite and pettiness.
Continue: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/boudreaux/s_624810.html
My dad died on April 25. Adrian "Buddy" Boudreaux was only 73, but those years were very happy ones for him. That happiness came from Dad's natural good cheer and contentment; it did not come from money. Dad never had much money.
He dropped out of school in the sixth grade, but as an adult he earned his GED. When he married my late mother, at the age of 22, he was a bus driver in New Orleans. Dad soon left that job to work as a pipe fitter at Avondale Shipyards, which at the time was one of that city's largest employers.
The typical American who would learn of the financial resources now passing down to my three siblings and me would say that we have virtually no inheritance. That's true only financially. In fact, the inheritance that our parents left to us, while minuscule in terms of dollars, is enormous and valuable beyond measure. My meaning is best conveyed by these excerpts from a letter that I wrote to my dad when he retired from the shipyard in January 2001.
"A man's worth can be measured in many different ways. Most of these ways are foolish.
"Is a man's worth measured by his wealth? Hardly. History is littered with wealthy people who are scoundrels. I meet lots of wealthy people whom I detest -- whom I don't wish to be near or whom I pity because they are shallow.
"Is a man's worth measured by his power? Absolutely not. Hitler and Stalin and Mao had enormous power. But they are among the scummiest of history's scumbags. Powerful people are almost always detestable creeps.
"Is a man's worth measured by his education? No. Many people with advanced college degrees (and I know lots of them!) lack decency and generosity. Too many are crybabies, more childish than mature and more clever than wise.
"Too few men are truly great. Greatness comes from within and is often invisible to eyes unfamiliar with a great person. A man is great only if he is responsible; only if he is a loyal and loving husband and father and friend; only if he teaches his children and grandchildren properly, not only with words but by example; only if he is free of envy and spite and pettiness.
Continue: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/boudreaux/s_624810.html
The injustice of Iowa's ruling on gay marriage
Its central focus on emotions erodes moral principles and law.
By Matthew J. Franck
from the April 10, 2009 edition
When the Iowa Supreme Court proclaimed last Friday that gays have a right to marry, it insisted that its groundbreaking decision rested squarely on the state constitution's equal protection clause.
In reality, the court's bland overturning of foundational moral principles and many centuries of civilization shows what happens when judicial arrogance becomes second nature: It transforms into smug self-deception.
By allowing feelings and desire to replace moral reasoning – or at least a fair-minded reading of the constitution – as the basis for judgment of lawful public morality, the Iowa court, like American judicial power more broadly, has burst free of all constraints and is now in the grip of a banal routinization of tyranny.
"Tyranny" is a strong word, but consider:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0410/p09s01-coop.html
By Matthew J. Franck
from the April 10, 2009 edition
When the Iowa Supreme Court proclaimed last Friday that gays have a right to marry, it insisted that its groundbreaking decision rested squarely on the state constitution's equal protection clause.
In reality, the court's bland overturning of foundational moral principles and many centuries of civilization shows what happens when judicial arrogance becomes second nature: It transforms into smug self-deception.
By allowing feelings and desire to replace moral reasoning – or at least a fair-minded reading of the constitution – as the basis for judgment of lawful public morality, the Iowa court, like American judicial power more broadly, has burst free of all constraints and is now in the grip of a banal routinization of tyranny.
"Tyranny" is a strong word, but consider:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0410/p09s01-coop.html
The Right and Wrong Responses to "Sexting"
by Mary Graw Leary
A proposed law in Vermont will not only do little to solve the problem of “sexting,” but actually risks resulting in making even more children vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
The issue of so-called “sexting” has captured the attention of the media and, now, the legislatures. But the way the media has handled the complicated social issue of children sending pornographic pictures of themselves to others has brought the Vermont legislature to the verge of creating a bad law. The Vermont proposal would exempt the trading of self-produced images of child pornography from some child pornography statutes. The issue of self-produced child pornography (which is defined as a minor creating a picture of him or herself which meets the definition of child pornography: i.e. engaged in sexually explicit conduct) is a complex one. The Vermont legislature seems more concerned with the secondary problem of unwise prosecutions than it is with the behavior itself. However, by neglecting the main problem, the legislation risks significant damage to the children engaged in this behavior and undermines the broader battle against child pornography.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.12.001.pdart
A proposed law in Vermont will not only do little to solve the problem of “sexting,” but actually risks resulting in making even more children vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
The issue of so-called “sexting” has captured the attention of the media and, now, the legislatures. But the way the media has handled the complicated social issue of children sending pornographic pictures of themselves to others has brought the Vermont legislature to the verge of creating a bad law. The Vermont proposal would exempt the trading of self-produced images of child pornography from some child pornography statutes. The issue of self-produced child pornography (which is defined as a minor creating a picture of him or herself which meets the definition of child pornography: i.e. engaged in sexually explicit conduct) is a complex one. The Vermont legislature seems more concerned with the secondary problem of unwise prosecutions than it is with the behavior itself. However, by neglecting the main problem, the legislation risks significant damage to the children engaged in this behavior and undermines the broader battle against child pornography.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.12.001.pdart
Save the baby animals
Sheila Liaugminas
But by all means, keep it legal and easy to kill baby human beings. Or so says the abortion culture.
Years ago, I heard Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life talk about seeing a sign posted on the beach warning that it’s a federal offense to kill baby sea turtles. And yet he’s devoted much of his adult life and his ministry to saving pre-born children from abortion. That came to mind when I saw a question in my inbox from my friend Linda asking if anyone could explain this.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/save_the_baby_animals/
But by all means, keep it legal and easy to kill baby human beings. Or so says the abortion culture.
Years ago, I heard Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life talk about seeing a sign posted on the beach warning that it’s a federal offense to kill baby sea turtles. And yet he’s devoted much of his adult life and his ministry to saving pre-born children from abortion. That came to mind when I saw a question in my inbox from my friend Linda asking if anyone could explain this.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/save_the_baby_animals/
One small ceremony for a Midwest town
Sheila Liaugminas
One major leap for universal human dignity. Participants in this ceremony to honor Baby Theresa probably thought it would go unnoticed. Found dead in a garbage bag April 29 near the Theresa Marsh in northeastern Dodge County, the newborn was buried here Monday in a 24-inch-long white casket, dressed in a pink, one-piece outfit and a white sweater. In such degradation, they redeemed this child’s humanity.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/one_small_ceremony_for_a_midwest_town/
One major leap for universal human dignity. Participants in this ceremony to honor Baby Theresa probably thought it would go unnoticed. Found dead in a garbage bag April 29 near the Theresa Marsh in northeastern Dodge County, the newborn was buried here Monday in a 24-inch-long white casket, dressed in a pink, one-piece outfit and a white sweater. In such degradation, they redeemed this child’s humanity.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/one_small_ceremony_for_a_midwest_town/
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
threesome marriages
What next? Apparently this.
First came traditional marriage. Then, gay marriage. Now, there's a movement combining both—simultaneously. Abby Ellin visits the next frontier of nuptials: the "triad."
Less than 18 months ago, Sasha Lessin and Janet Kira Lessin gathered before their friends near their home in Maui, and proclaimed their love for one another. Nothing unusual about that—Sasha, 68, and Janet, 55—were legally married in 2000. Rather, this public commitment ceremony was designed to also bind them to Shivaya, their new 60-something "husband." Says Sasha: “I want to walk down the street hand in hand in hand in hand and live together openly and proclaim our relationship. But also to have all those survivor and visitation rights and tax breaks and everything like that.”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-07/threesome-marriages/
First came traditional marriage. Then, gay marriage. Now, there's a movement combining both—simultaneously. Abby Ellin visits the next frontier of nuptials: the "triad."
Less than 18 months ago, Sasha Lessin and Janet Kira Lessin gathered before their friends near their home in Maui, and proclaimed their love for one another. Nothing unusual about that—Sasha, 68, and Janet, 55—were legally married in 2000. Rather, this public commitment ceremony was designed to also bind them to Shivaya, their new 60-something "husband." Says Sasha: “I want to walk down the street hand in hand in hand in hand and live together openly and proclaim our relationship. But also to have all those survivor and visitation rights and tax breaks and everything like that.”
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-07/threesome-marriages/
Archbishop Burke's Keynote Address
So much of Archbishop Burke's address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast was fantastic, but here is just a piece of it:
"6. Over the past several months, our nation has chosen a path which more completely denies any legal guarantee of the most fundamental human right, the right to life, to the innocent and defenseless unborn. Our nation, which had its beginning in the commitment to safeguard and promote the inalienable right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” for all, without boundary, is more and more setting arbitrary limits to her commitment (cf. The Declaration of Independence: Action of Second Continental Congress, 4 July 1776, in The Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2002, p. 81). Those in power now determine who will or will not be accorded the legal protection of the most fundamental right to life. First the legal protection of the right to life is denied to the unborn and, then, to those whose lives have become burdened by advanced years, special needs or serious illness, or whose lives are somehow judged to be unprofitable or unworthy.
7. What is more, those in power propose to force physicians and other healthcare professionals, in other words, those with a particular responsibility to protect and foster human life, to participate, contrary to what their conscience requires, in the destruction of unborn human lives, from the first or embryonic stage of development to the moment of birth. Our laws may soon force those who have dedicated themselves to the care of the sick and the promotion of good health to give up their noble life work, in order to be true to the most sacred dictate of their consciences. What is more, if our nation continues down the path it has taken, healthcare institutions operating in accord with the natural moral law, which teaches us that innocent human life is to be protected and fostered at all times and that it is always and everywhere evil to destroy an innocent human life, will be forced to close their doors.
8. At the same time, the fundamental society, that is, the family, upon which the life of our nation is founded and depends, is under attack by legislation which redefines marriage to include a relationship between two persons of the same sex and permits them to adopt children. In the same line, it is proposed to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. At the root of the confusion and error about marriage is the contraceptive mentality – which would have us believe that the inherently procreative nature of the conjugal union can, in practice, be mechanically or chemically eliminated, while the marital act remains unitive. It cannot be so. With unparalleled arrogance, our nation is choosing to renounce its foundation upon the faithful, indissoluble, and inherently procreative love of a man and a woman in marriage, and, in violation of what nature itself teaches us, to replace it with a so-called marital relationship, according to the definition of those who exercise the greatest power in our society."
Sorry that's a lot, but it lays out the major crises to the Culture of Life we are facing now.
Read the full speech here. (Click the banner near the top.)
"6. Over the past several months, our nation has chosen a path which more completely denies any legal guarantee of the most fundamental human right, the right to life, to the innocent and defenseless unborn. Our nation, which had its beginning in the commitment to safeguard and promote the inalienable right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” for all, without boundary, is more and more setting arbitrary limits to her commitment (cf. The Declaration of Independence: Action of Second Continental Congress, 4 July 1776, in The Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 2002, p. 81). Those in power now determine who will or will not be accorded the legal protection of the most fundamental right to life. First the legal protection of the right to life is denied to the unborn and, then, to those whose lives have become burdened by advanced years, special needs or serious illness, or whose lives are somehow judged to be unprofitable or unworthy.
7. What is more, those in power propose to force physicians and other healthcare professionals, in other words, those with a particular responsibility to protect and foster human life, to participate, contrary to what their conscience requires, in the destruction of unborn human lives, from the first or embryonic stage of development to the moment of birth. Our laws may soon force those who have dedicated themselves to the care of the sick and the promotion of good health to give up their noble life work, in order to be true to the most sacred dictate of their consciences. What is more, if our nation continues down the path it has taken, healthcare institutions operating in accord with the natural moral law, which teaches us that innocent human life is to be protected and fostered at all times and that it is always and everywhere evil to destroy an innocent human life, will be forced to close their doors.
8. At the same time, the fundamental society, that is, the family, upon which the life of our nation is founded and depends, is under attack by legislation which redefines marriage to include a relationship between two persons of the same sex and permits them to adopt children. In the same line, it is proposed to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. At the root of the confusion and error about marriage is the contraceptive mentality – which would have us believe that the inherently procreative nature of the conjugal union can, in practice, be mechanically or chemically eliminated, while the marital act remains unitive. It cannot be so. With unparalleled arrogance, our nation is choosing to renounce its foundation upon the faithful, indissoluble, and inherently procreative love of a man and a woman in marriage, and, in violation of what nature itself teaches us, to replace it with a so-called marital relationship, according to the definition of those who exercise the greatest power in our society."
Sorry that's a lot, but it lays out the major crises to the Culture of Life we are facing now.
Read the full speech here. (Click the banner near the top.)
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood
Readers: Have you ever heard of this group? What do you think of them?
"Consuming Kids, a new film from The Media Education Foundation featuring CCFC staff and Steering Committee members, takes a powerful look at how corporations relentlessly target children and the impact of that marketing. It's also the perfect organizing tool to raise awareness about the commercialization of childhood. That's why CCFC members all over the country are hosting screenings of Consuming Kids in their communities."
http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/
"Consuming Kids, a new film from The Media Education Foundation featuring CCFC staff and Steering Committee members, takes a powerful look at how corporations relentlessly target children and the impact of that marketing. It's also the perfect organizing tool to raise awareness about the commercialization of childhood. That's why CCFC members all over the country are hosting screenings of Consuming Kids in their communities."
http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/
Why Evolutionary Theory is Wrong about Sex
Sean McDowell
Modern evolutionary theory is based upon the idea that human beings are “designed” (their term) to be promiscuous. The basic idea is that women have sex with multiple men until they find one with the best genes. And men have sex with various women until one chooses him to father her child. Men are seen as being driven by the desire to pass their genes on to the next generation, so they search out women who will give them the greatest opportunity for success.
A recent book by the founder of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, Dr. Joe McIlhaney and his co-author Dr. Freda McKissic Bush, calls this theory into question. Their book Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting our Children shows that just the opposite is the case. Rather than being “designed” for promiscuity, human beings are actually designed to be sexually monogamous with one mate for life.
http://www.awakengeneration.com/thoughts/befueled/359
Modern evolutionary theory is based upon the idea that human beings are “designed” (their term) to be promiscuous. The basic idea is that women have sex with multiple men until they find one with the best genes. And men have sex with various women until one chooses him to father her child. Men are seen as being driven by the desire to pass their genes on to the next generation, so they search out women who will give them the greatest opportunity for success.
A recent book by the founder of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, Dr. Joe McIlhaney and his co-author Dr. Freda McKissic Bush, calls this theory into question. Their book Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting our Children shows that just the opposite is the case. Rather than being “designed” for promiscuity, human beings are actually designed to be sexually monogamous with one mate for life.
http://www.awakengeneration.com/thoughts/befueled/359
KS lawmakers want to defund abortion chain
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Kansas legislature has voted to defund Planned Parenthood. The decision was based, in part, because of investigations of Planned Parenthood by former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline. State Senator Tim Huelskamp led the drive for defunding. "They were charged in the last year with 107 counts of violations of our late-term abortion laws," he points out.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522584
The Kansas legislature has voted to defund Planned Parenthood. The decision was based, in part, because of investigations of Planned Parenthood by former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline. State Senator Tim Huelskamp led the drive for defunding. "They were charged in the last year with 107 counts of violations of our late-term abortion laws," he points out.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522584
Monday, May 11, 2009
Hooking Up
Check out the video: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-8-2009/hooking-up/2896/
Dr. Morse will be talking about it on Lutheran Public radio this week.
Dr. Morse will be talking about it on Lutheran Public radio this week.
Obama would ax abstinence-only funding
Jim Brown - OneNewsNow -
If Congress approves President Obama's budget requests, there will be no more federal funding of abstinence-only education programs.
Barack Obama has recommended completely zeroing out Title V abstinence programs to states, as well as abstinence education programs to community-based organizations (CBAE) and replacing them with more than $100 million for contraceptive-based sex-education programs. The massive omnibus bill signed by the president had already reduced funding to abstinence programs by $14 million.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522676
If Congress approves President Obama's budget requests, there will be no more federal funding of abstinence-only education programs.
Barack Obama has recommended completely zeroing out Title V abstinence programs to states, as well as abstinence education programs to community-based organizations (CBAE) and replacing them with more than $100 million for contraceptive-based sex-education programs. The massive omnibus bill signed by the president had already reduced funding to abstinence programs by $14 million.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522676
Calif. school day would honor homosexual pioneer
Charlie Butts and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow -
The California State Senate is poised to vote on a bill making an official "homosexual day" in every public school. It would be called "Harvey Milk Day" in honor of the openly homosexual San Francisco Board of Supervisors member who was shot and killed in 1978 along with the city's mayor, George Moscone. S.B. 572, which was approved 7-to-2 out of committee last week, says observances conducted on May 22 should recognize Milk's "accomplishments as well as the contributions he made to this state" -- and that "all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe...and...conduct suitable commemorative exercises."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522496
The California State Senate is poised to vote on a bill making an official "homosexual day" in every public school. It would be called "Harvey Milk Day" in honor of the openly homosexual San Francisco Board of Supervisors member who was shot and killed in 1978 along with the city's mayor, George Moscone. S.B. 572, which was approved 7-to-2 out of committee last week, says observances conducted on May 22 should recognize Milk's "accomplishments as well as the contributions he made to this state" -- and that "all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe...and...conduct suitable commemorative exercises."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=522496
Texas House 'chooses life'
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Texas residents are one step closer having a "Choose Life" license plate.
The Texas House recently voted to pass the "Choose Life" plate. Jonathan Saenz of the Free Market Foundation says it took some work on strategy to get it through. "We put this language on a different bill because, unfortunately, the House version of this bill was not moving because the chair of the committee did not want it to move," he notes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=520876
Texas residents are one step closer having a "Choose Life" license plate.
The Texas House recently voted to pass the "Choose Life" plate. Jonathan Saenz of the Free Market Foundation says it took some work on strategy to get it through. "We put this language on a different bill because, unfortunately, the House version of this bill was not moving because the chair of the committee did not want it to move," he notes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=520876
Pro-life funeral procession offers closure
This is a cool idea.
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - A pro-life protest of a different sort will take place today -- the day before Mother's Day. The protestors will not be carrying signs or chanting slogans. Instead, only the sound of car engines will be heard as participants take place in the second annual Procession of Healing. Event founder Aaron Jones, worship arts pastor at Trinity Chapel in Knoxville, Tennessee, explains the event further.
"People who have abortions or were involved in an abortion [are] very traumatized by it and [feel it's] something they can't be forgiven for," says Jones. "So we decided to do...what we call the 'Procession of Healing,' which is a funeral procession through our downtown area. Last year we had about 300 cars going through the downtown area with black flags."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=522302
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow - A pro-life protest of a different sort will take place today -- the day before Mother's Day. The protestors will not be carrying signs or chanting slogans. Instead, only the sound of car engines will be heard as participants take place in the second annual Procession of Healing. Event founder Aaron Jones, worship arts pastor at Trinity Chapel in Knoxville, Tennessee, explains the event further.
"People who have abortions or were involved in an abortion [are] very traumatized by it and [feel it's] something they can't be forgiven for," says Jones. "So we decided to do...what we call the 'Procession of Healing,' which is a funeral procession through our downtown area. Last year we had about 300 cars going through the downtown area with black flags."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=522302
School sued over lesbian lecturer
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Pacific Justice Institute is suing a California school district after students were addressed by a lesbian pastor.
Brad Dacus, founder of the Pacific Justice Institute, tells OneNewsNow a lesbian minister visited Castro Valley High School and gave a presentation called "Out for Good." The parents found out about the incident after the fact.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=522194
Saturday, May 09, 2009
No-family planning
Sheila Liaugminas
The semantic engineering going on between the United Nations and International Planned Parenthood is just amazing. They want the public to think they’re all about rights and family health. But look more closely….
The UN Population Fund is about reducing population by either preventing or eliminating people. And claiming that as a ‘right’.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/no_family_planning/
The semantic engineering going on between the United Nations and International Planned Parenthood is just amazing. They want the public to think they’re all about rights and family health. But look more closely….
The UN Population Fund is about reducing population by either preventing or eliminating people. And claiming that as a ‘right’.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/no_family_planning/
U.S. funds HIV transmission study in Argentina
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The federal government is spending $400,000 to conduct a study in Argentina bars on drinking as it relates to homosexual intimacy.
The study actually began during the Bush administration and has been carried over into the Obama administration. CNSNews.com reports the study will conclude in August 2010. Its primary purpose is to deduce the connection among alcohol consumption, bars frequented by homosexuals, and subsequent sexual behavior so that HIV-prevention campaigns will know which bars to target.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=520722
The federal government is spending $400,000 to conduct a study in Argentina bars on drinking as it relates to homosexual intimacy.
The study actually began during the Bush administration and has been carried over into the Obama administration. CNSNews.com reports the study will conclude in August 2010. Its primary purpose is to deduce the connection among alcohol consumption, bars frequented by homosexuals, and subsequent sexual behavior so that HIV-prevention campaigns will know which bars to target.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=520722
Child porn websites on the decline - but remain vigilant
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Internet Watch Foundation's annual report reflects a decline of nearly 10 percent in the number of international websites with child porn.
That may be because some countries such as Britain are pressuring or forcing the Internet providers to remove them. But Pat Trueman, special counsel to the Alliance Defense Fund, warns that people should not be complacent, even though the reduced figure is welcome news.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=519548
The Internet Watch Foundation's annual report reflects a decline of nearly 10 percent in the number of international websites with child porn.
That may be because some countries such as Britain are pressuring or forcing the Internet providers to remove them. But Pat Trueman, special counsel to the Alliance Defense Fund, warns that people should not be complacent, even though the reduced figure is welcome news.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=519548
Obama urged to appoint first 'gay' to Supreme Court
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
With a vacancy soon on the U.S. Supreme Court, homosexual blogs are discussing the potential of a homosexual being appointed.
Politico.com reports homosexual-rights groups are upset with President Barack Obama for not choosing an openly "gay" person for his Cabinet, and are urging him to appoint the first openly homosexual justice. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is hailing the candidacy of First Amendment scholar Kathleen Sullivan, while Stanford law professor Pam Karlan is also frequently mentioned. Both have been open about their sexuality and have been active for homosexual legal causes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=520518
With a vacancy soon on the U.S. Supreme Court, homosexual blogs are discussing the potential of a homosexual being appointed.
Politico.com reports homosexual-rights groups are upset with President Barack Obama for not choosing an openly "gay" person for his Cabinet, and are urging him to appoint the first openly homosexual justice. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is hailing the candidacy of First Amendment scholar Kathleen Sullivan, while Stanford law professor Pam Karlan is also frequently mentioned. Both have been open about their sexuality and have been active for homosexual legal causes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=520518
What We Can Learn From Saudi Arabia's 'Miss Beautiful Morals' Competition
Josh Friedeman, the Millennial Perspective
I found this at Breitbart:
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Sukaina al-Zayer is an unlikely beauty queen hopeful. She covers her face and body in black robes and an Islamic veil, so no one can tell what she looks like. She also admits she's a little on the plump side.
But at Saudi Arabia's only beauty pageant, the judges don't care about a perfect figure or face. What they're looking for in the quest for "Miss Beautiful Morals" is the contestant who shows the most devotion and respect for her parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=519874
I found this at Breitbart:
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Sukaina al-Zayer is an unlikely beauty queen hopeful. She covers her face and body in black robes and an Islamic veil, so no one can tell what she looks like. She also admits she's a little on the plump side.
But at Saudi Arabia's only beauty pageant, the judges don't care about a perfect figure or face. What they're looking for in the quest for "Miss Beautiful Morals" is the contestant who shows the most devotion and respect for her parents.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=519874
Pepsi shareholders hear from ex-'gay'
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Pepsico's board of directors has heard from a traditional values group about their support of the homosexual agenda -- and its alienation of the company's consumer base.
At the Pepsico board meeting in Dallas on Wednesday, Greg Quinlan of PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays -- offered a resolution to the board calling for full disclosure and accountability on contributions to charitable organizations. He tells OneNewsNow why he called on shareholders to support Resolution No. 6.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=518964
Pepsico's board of directors has heard from a traditional values group about their support of the homosexual agenda -- and its alienation of the company's consumer base.
At the Pepsico board meeting in Dallas on Wednesday, Greg Quinlan of PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays -- offered a resolution to the board calling for full disclosure and accountability on contributions to charitable organizations. He tells OneNewsNow why he called on shareholders to support Resolution No. 6.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=518964
'People's veto' last hope in Maine
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Maine's governor has signed a bill legalizing homosexual "marriage" -- but the governor and the legislature might not have the last word.
Maine gives voters a right to veto the governor's stamp of approval through a "people's veto." Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel encourages the people of Maine to stand up and be counted.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=520436
Maine's governor has signed a bill legalizing homosexual "marriage" -- but the governor and the legislature might not have the last word.
Maine gives voters a right to veto the governor's stamp of approval through a "people's veto." Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel encourages the people of Maine to stand up and be counted.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=520436
Sexperts only a text away from curious teens
Carolyn Moynihan
Adolescent health experts in the United States think they have made a great leap forward in sex education. Since the vast majority of teenagers have cellphones, and since an awful lot of them appear to be sexually active, programmes have been set up in several states to receive and answer questions about sex by text message. The beauty of the scheme is that kids can ask the rudest and the most serious questions about sex without bothering their parents.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/sexperts_only_a_text_away_from_curious_teens/
Adolescent health experts in the United States think they have made a great leap forward in sex education. Since the vast majority of teenagers have cellphones, and since an awful lot of them appear to be sexually active, programmes have been set up in several states to receive and answer questions about sex by text message. The beauty of the scheme is that kids can ask the rudest and the most serious questions about sex without bothering their parents.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/sexperts_only_a_text_away_from_curious_teens/
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Teacher bucks homosexual training, gets suspended
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A Christian teacher in England has been suspended after complaining about the use of classroom time to promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.
Kwabena Peat was one of several teachers who walked out of the school's compulsory indoctrination and training day, and he did so based on his Christian beliefs. LifeSiteNews.com reports Peat wrote a letter to three staff members who organized the session at Park View Academy, disagreeing with featured speaker and co-founder of Schools Out pro-homosexual program Sue Sanders, who said in her "aggressive" presentation that people who believe homosexuality is abnormal need to sort out their "issues."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=517288
A Christian teacher in England has been suspended after complaining about the use of classroom time to promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.
Kwabena Peat was one of several teachers who walked out of the school's compulsory indoctrination and training day, and he did so based on his Christian beliefs. LifeSiteNews.com reports Peat wrote a letter to three staff members who organized the session at Park View Academy, disagreeing with featured speaker and co-founder of Schools Out pro-homosexual program Sue Sanders, who said in her "aggressive" presentation that people who believe homosexuality is abnormal need to sort out their "issues."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=517288
DC may recognize same-sex 'marriages' - churches ignored
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Despite opposition from some local churches, the Washington, DC Council has voted 12-1 to recognize homosexual "marriages" legal in other states. (View video news report) Associated Press reports advocates from both sides of the debate were part of an overflow crowd that filled city hall, and more than 100 opponents from churches in the Washington region held a rally across the street. Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council believes the DC Council is on a slippery slope to recognition of same-gender marriage.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=518482
Despite opposition from some local churches, the Washington, DC Council has voted 12-1 to recognize homosexual "marriages" legal in other states. (View video news report) Associated Press reports advocates from both sides of the debate were part of an overflow crowd that filled city hall, and more than 100 opponents from churches in the Washington region held a rally across the street. Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council believes the DC Council is on a slippery slope to recognition of same-gender marriage.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=518482
Signs of things to come in medicine
Sheila Liaugminas
Currently happening largely under radar, in Montana.
Physicians in Montana could be facing “kill-on-demand” orders from patients who want to commit suicide if a district court judge’s opinion pending before the state Supreme Court is affirmed.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/signs_of_things_to_come_in_medicine/
Currently happening largely under radar, in Montana.
Physicians in Montana could be facing “kill-on-demand” orders from patients who want to commit suicide if a district court judge’s opinion pending before the state Supreme Court is affirmed.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/signs_of_things_to_come_in_medicine/
Harpooning the whale
Omar O'Shaughnessey
Notre Dame’s obsessive pursuit of prestige could send it down to Davey Jones.
The University of Notre Dame is one of the oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities in the US. Even non-Americans have heard of the Fighting Irish, its legendary football team which inspired a famous film featuring a young Ronald Reagan. The team’s dismal record in 2007 -- the most losses in a single year – sparked anger and anguish amongst the university’s 120,000 alumni. It was arguably the biggest controversy of the university’s existence.
Until now.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/harpooning_the_whale/
Notre Dame’s obsessive pursuit of prestige could send it down to Davey Jones.
The University of Notre Dame is one of the oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities in the US. Even non-Americans have heard of the Fighting Irish, its legendary football team which inspired a famous film featuring a young Ronald Reagan. The team’s dismal record in 2007 -- the most losses in a single year – sparked anger and anguish amongst the university’s 120,000 alumni. It was arguably the biggest controversy of the university’s existence.
Until now.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/harpooning_the_whale/
Coming soon to a public school near you
“Under no obligation to notify parents”
Pro-homosexual curricula in California’s public schools target elementary students, kindergartners
Lesson plans and educational policies are pushing the multi-sexual agenda -- and excluding parents -- as seen in newly released materials for elementary school children in California.
http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=b54e2105-0b7c-4e5a-ab66-621abee5001d
Pro-homosexual curricula in California’s public schools target elementary students, kindergartners
Lesson plans and educational policies are pushing the multi-sexual agenda -- and excluding parents -- as seen in newly released materials for elementary school children in California.
http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=b54e2105-0b7c-4e5a-ab66-621abee5001d
Dr. J quoted in Washington Times
WETZSTEIN: Until death, or our term, do us part
Marriage has many peripheral issues, but its "essential and central purpose" is to provide a stable framework for a man and woman to attach themselves to each other and to the children they bear and raise, said Jennifer Roback Morse, who leads the Ruth Institute, an organization that promotes the traditional family structure.
A short-term renewable marriage contract "is a terrible idea" for children, said Mrs. Morse, who is an academic and author. "Let's say we bust up the partnership at the end of seven years. What happens to the little joint asset that you guys created?"
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/05/until-death-or-term-do-us-part/
Marriage has many peripheral issues, but its "essential and central purpose" is to provide a stable framework for a man and woman to attach themselves to each other and to the children they bear and raise, said Jennifer Roback Morse, who leads the Ruth Institute, an organization that promotes the traditional family structure.
A short-term renewable marriage contract "is a terrible idea" for children, said Mrs. Morse, who is an academic and author. "Let's say we bust up the partnership at the end of seven years. What happens to the little joint asset that you guys created?"
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/05/until-death-or-term-do-us-part/
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
The World's New Numbers - A Different View On the World's Changing Demographics
Josh Friedeman, the Millennial Perspective
I may have gotten something very wrong. If not, then I am about to get it wrong.
In the last week I have seen two enormously contradictory reports on the world's changing demographics. The first report - an attention-grabbing video comparing the dropping birthrates of the Western world with the exceedingly high birthrates of the Muslims - can be found in an earlier blog. Now I am going to share with you the second, more in-depth, and (hopefully) more accurate report.
Martin Walker of The Wilson Quarterly writes this in an interesting article entitled The World's New Numbers:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=516492
I may have gotten something very wrong. If not, then I am about to get it wrong.
In the last week I have seen two enormously contradictory reports on the world's changing demographics. The first report - an attention-grabbing video comparing the dropping birthrates of the Western world with the exceedingly high birthrates of the Muslims - can be found in an earlier blog. Now I am going to share with you the second, more in-depth, and (hopefully) more accurate report.
Martin Walker of The Wilson Quarterly writes this in an interesting article entitled The World's New Numbers:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=516492
ADF joins in Montana battle against euthanasia
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has filed a brief along with others to overturn a Montana judge's order claiming a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide.
In October 2007, two men -- along with some physicians and a suicide-advocacy group -- filed suit in Montana to decriminalize doctor-assisted suicide. Last December a judge found a "right" to physician-assisted suicide in the state constitution. The state appealed that ruling.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=515960
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has filed a brief along with others to overturn a Montana judge's order claiming a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide.
In October 2007, two men -- along with some physicians and a suicide-advocacy group -- filed suit in Montana to decriminalize doctor-assisted suicide. Last December a judge found a "right" to physician-assisted suicide in the state constitution. The state appealed that ruling.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=515960
'People's Veto' hopes to preserve marriage in Maine
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Maine's Senate has approved same-sex marriage and sent the bill to the House where it is expected to pass as well.
Based on a recent communication, there is every indication the governor will sign the bill. The senate also axed a proposal to send the issue to the ballot for the people to decide. Michael Heath is with Maine Family Policy Council.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=515778
Maine's Senate has approved same-sex marriage and sent the bill to the House where it is expected to pass as well.
Based on a recent communication, there is every indication the governor will sign the bill. The senate also axed a proposal to send the issue to the ballot for the people to decide. Michael Heath is with Maine Family Policy Council.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=515778
A common sense argument against abortion
Elijah Friedeman, the Millennial Perspective
Sometimes current events are perfect for making a case against abortion as Mike Huckabee shows in this video.
Mike Huckabee, while talking about the swine flu during his show on the FOX news channel, outlines a great rationale for Obama to make this nation safer. Not through stopping the swine flu, but by stopping abortion.
Watch the video: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=515156
Sometimes current events are perfect for making a case against abortion as Mike Huckabee shows in this video.
Mike Huckabee, while talking about the swine flu during his show on the FOX news channel, outlines a great rationale for Obama to make this nation safer. Not through stopping the swine flu, but by stopping abortion.
Watch the video: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=515156
Pro-life Group Blasts Notre Dame on Billboard
The Pro-Life Action League has put up two large billboards near the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Indiana. See LifeSite News. The billboards are scheduled to go up today on the Indiana Toll Road, Interstate 80/90, and will read:
NOTRE DAME: Obama is pro abortion choice. How dare you honor him," along with a picture of a baby in utero sucking its thumb. They also will list a Web address, NotreDameProtest.com, where visitors can get information on the protests planned during the graduation weekend at Notre Dame.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=515710
NOTRE DAME: Obama is pro abortion choice. How dare you honor him," along with a picture of a baby in utero sucking its thumb. They also will list a Web address, NotreDameProtest.com, where visitors can get information on the protests planned during the graduation weekend at Notre Dame.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Blog/Default.aspx?id=515710
Transsexual sues Library of Congress, wins big
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A transsexual sued the Library of Congress over job discrimination and won -- and now taxpayers are footing the bill.
Diane Schroer -- formerly known as David Schroer -- was rejected for a job the day after the former Army colonel told a Library of Congress official about his gender-change surgery. The judge has awarded Schroer nearly a half-million dollars in damages.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=513302
A transsexual sued the Library of Congress over job discrimination and won -- and now taxpayers are footing the bill.
Diane Schroer -- formerly known as David Schroer -- was rejected for a job the day after the former Army colonel told a Library of Congress official about his gender-change surgery. The judge has awarded Schroer nearly a half-million dollars in damages.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=513302
Purse strings to Planned Parenthood - snip, snip
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Orange County, California, will stick with its move to not use money from a tobacco lawsuit settlement for abortion.
Some of the funds had been sent the way of Planned Parenthood, but the Orange County Board of Supervisors decided recently to rescind the contract. In its most recent meeting, supervisors voted to reinstate the funds for the final two months of the contract, but then adopted a policy to not spend the money with any abortion-related group in the future.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=513272
Orange County, California, will stick with its move to not use money from a tobacco lawsuit settlement for abortion.
Some of the funds had been sent the way of Planned Parenthood, but the Orange County Board of Supervisors decided recently to rescind the contract. In its most recent meeting, supervisors voted to reinstate the funds for the final two months of the contract, but then adopted a policy to not spend the money with any abortion-related group in the future.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=513272
School website promotes homosexual agenda
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
A California school district is coming under fire for a homosexual website being funded with taxpayer dollars.
The San Francisco Unified School district has launched a "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning" (LGBTQ) website for students in order to create a "safe space for all students" and promote activities both in the classroom and outside. Carrying the inviting web address "HealthierSF.org," the website includes links promoting Gay Pride Celebration Month, Day of Silence, and Gay/Straight Alliance clubs.
Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute, says the school district is excluding parents on this issue.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=514310
A California school district is coming under fire for a homosexual website being funded with taxpayer dollars.
The San Francisco Unified School district has launched a "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning" (LGBTQ) website for students in order to create a "safe space for all students" and promote activities both in the classroom and outside. Carrying the inviting web address "HealthierSF.org," the website includes links promoting Gay Pride Celebration Month, Day of Silence, and Gay/Straight Alliance clubs.
Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute, says the school district is excluding parents on this issue.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=514310
Gen Y boosts the prima donna effect in the office
Are today’s young people entering the workforce with an unrealistic idea of their worth and the rewards it should bring? As we know, there has always been the odd prima donna around the office -- the type of person who feels entitled to preferential treatment, who also tends to take the credit for good outcomes and blame others when things go wrong -- but research from the University of New Hampshire in the US finds that Gen Y has more than its fair share.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/gen_y_boosts_the_prima_donna_effect_in_the_office/
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/gen_y_boosts_the_prima_donna_effect_in_the_office/
Pro-lifers granted chance to defend themselves in court
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a federal judge's decision against two pro-life advocates.
Randall Wenger of the Independence Law Center and Alliance Defense Fund tells OneNewsNow his two clients -- Edward Snell and John McTernan -- simply wanted to peacefully picket and hand out literature to women entering a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in York, Pennsylvania. "But the police officers outside of the clinic, who are paid for by Planned Parenthood, gave the pro-life counselors a really hard time, arrested one of them for entering the alley to try to talk to the women who were entering the alley, and another one was threatened with arrest," he explains.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=511258
The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a federal judge's decision against two pro-life advocates.
Randall Wenger of the Independence Law Center and Alliance Defense Fund tells OneNewsNow his two clients -- Edward Snell and John McTernan -- simply wanted to peacefully picket and hand out literature to women entering a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in York, Pennsylvania. "But the police officers outside of the clinic, who are paid for by Planned Parenthood, gave the pro-life counselors a really hard time, arrested one of them for entering the alley to try to talk to the women who were entering the alley, and another one was threatened with arrest," he explains.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=511258
Homosexual activists target, expose pro-family voters
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Arkansas voters who signed petitions and then voted to limit adoption strictly to married couples are getting unwelcomed publicity.
Some homosexual activists did not like the petition and its success at the ballot box. Jerry Cox is head of the Arkansas Family Council. "Now this gay group out of Massachusetts has acquired the names of all the people who signed the petition to place the measure on the ballot here in Arkansas," he notes. "They got those from the secretary of state, and they've entered those into a database, and they've put them up on the Internet."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=511306
Arkansas voters who signed petitions and then voted to limit adoption strictly to married couples are getting unwelcomed publicity.
Some homosexual activists did not like the petition and its success at the ballot box. Jerry Cox is head of the Arkansas Family Council. "Now this gay group out of Massachusetts has acquired the names of all the people who signed the petition to place the measure on the ballot here in Arkansas," he notes. "They got those from the secretary of state, and they've entered those into a database, and they've put them up on the Internet."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=511306
The Racist Origins of U.S. Family-Planning Policy
by Daniel Patrick Moloney
May 05, 2009
The senators who originally designed our family planning policies believed that the mostly black welfare population was incurably lazy, promiscuous, intellectually substandard, and a burden on public schools, and, moreover, that they probably would remain so indefinitely. Birth control, therefore, was in their eyes a way to reduce the number of these undesirable people. This article is the second installment in a three-part series.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.05.001.pdart
May 05, 2009
The senators who originally designed our family planning policies believed that the mostly black welfare population was incurably lazy, promiscuous, intellectually substandard, and a burden on public schools, and, moreover, that they probably would remain so indefinitely. Birth control, therefore, was in their eyes a way to reduce the number of these undesirable people. This article is the second installment in a three-part series.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.05.001.pdart
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE
Maggie Gallagher, President of the National Organization for Marriage, released the following statement regarding Carrie Prejean:
“Because Carrie honestly said what she believed in answer to a question--marriage is the union of a man and a woman-- she is now the subject of ongoing character assassination. The level of hatred directed at her is astonishing. Even more astonishing is her personal courage and strength of character in the midst of these attacks. Of course Carrie is not perfect. On a personal note, as a former unwed mother, I want to say to Americans: you don’t have to be a perfect person to have the right to stand up for marriage. Nothing gay marriage advocates can do can change the fact—we all saw it on national TV—that Carrie is a young woman who surrendered all the glitter Hollywood has to offer, because she would not become the kind of person afraid to say the truth.
"Through Carrie, we are also learning, the lengths some people will go to hurt and harass those who speak up for marriage.”
http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=5075187&content_id=%7b4ED0866E-C06C-4806-B660-33D763370854%7d¬oc=1
“Because Carrie honestly said what she believed in answer to a question--marriage is the union of a man and a woman-- she is now the subject of ongoing character assassination. The level of hatred directed at her is astonishing. Even more astonishing is her personal courage and strength of character in the midst of these attacks. Of course Carrie is not perfect. On a personal note, as a former unwed mother, I want to say to Americans: you don’t have to be a perfect person to have the right to stand up for marriage. Nothing gay marriage advocates can do can change the fact—we all saw it on national TV—that Carrie is a young woman who surrendered all the glitter Hollywood has to offer, because she would not become the kind of person afraid to say the truth.
"Through Carrie, we are also learning, the lengths some people will go to hurt and harass those who speak up for marriage.”
http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=5075187&content_id=%7b4ED0866E-C06C-4806-B660-33D763370854%7d¬oc=1
The Same-Sex Marriage Movement and the Dangers of Denunciation
by Carson Holloway
Regardless of who prevails in the argument over marriage, the politics of denunciation practiced by same-sex marriage supporters will have damaged the public discourse.
One of the most troubling aspects of the same-sex marriage movement is the rhetorical strategy it so frequently employs: denunciation of its opponents. The most vocal and prominent advocates of same-sex marriage seem to prefer condemning those who disagree as bigots to refuting the arguments for preserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Moreover, this tendency is found not just among partisan activists, where one might expect it even while lamenting it, but even among the voices of the most venerable institutions.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.01.001.pdart
Regardless of who prevails in the argument over marriage, the politics of denunciation practiced by same-sex marriage supporters will have damaged the public discourse.
One of the most troubling aspects of the same-sex marriage movement is the rhetorical strategy it so frequently employs: denunciation of its opponents. The most vocal and prominent advocates of same-sex marriage seem to prefer condemning those who disagree as bigots to refuting the arguments for preserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Moreover, this tendency is found not just among partisan activists, where one might expect it even while lamenting it, but even among the voices of the most venerable institutions.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.01.001.pdart
A Donor Conceived Adult Weighs In
Recently a donor conceived adult responded to a question that outspoken donor conceived people hear all to often, “Aren’t you just happy to be alive?”. Many people think that donor conceived people should just be glad to be alive, because without donor conception, they would not even exist.
Karen answers in a way that can help us all understand the struggle that some people have with being donor conceived. She also gives her thoughts on donating eggs, openness and her wishes for the future of donor conception.
http://www.donorsiblingregistry.com/DSRblog/?p=66
Karen answers in a way that can help us all understand the struggle that some people have with being donor conceived. She also gives her thoughts on donating eggs, openness and her wishes for the future of donor conception.
http://www.donorsiblingregistry.com/DSRblog/?p=66
Breakup rules not accepted
Cheryl Wetzstein
Sometimes a cure can look worse than the problem. That seems to be the case with a massive legal guidebook on how to handle family breakups in our brave new world.
When the 1,187-page “Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution” was published by the prestigious American Law Institute in 2002, it was assumed that courts and lawmakers would snap it up. After all, it offered unprecedented guidance for vexing problems with child custody, support and property distribution among unmarried and same-sex couples.
But apparently, the institute's principles are too progressive for America's judges and lawmakers.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/31/breakup-rules-not-accepted/
Sometimes a cure can look worse than the problem. That seems to be the case with a massive legal guidebook on how to handle family breakups in our brave new world.
When the 1,187-page “Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution” was published by the prestigious American Law Institute in 2002, it was assumed that courts and lawmakers would snap it up. After all, it offered unprecedented guidance for vexing problems with child custody, support and property distribution among unmarried and same-sex couples.
But apparently, the institute's principles are too progressive for America's judges and lawmakers.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/31/breakup-rules-not-accepted/
Friday, May 01, 2009
Emergency legislation favors lesbian in U.S. illegally
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow -
A pro-family activist says it is "ridiculous" that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced legislation designed to help an illegal alien who is a lesbian remain in the U.S.
The case involves 43-year-old Philippines national Shirley Tan, who came to the United States on a visitor's visa in 1989. She overstayed that visa and has been living in a lesbian relationship with a naturalized citizen in Pacifica, California.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=511628
A pro-family activist says it is "ridiculous" that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced legislation designed to help an illegal alien who is a lesbian remain in the U.S.
The case involves 43-year-old Philippines national Shirley Tan, who came to the United States on a visitor's visa in 1989. She overstayed that visa and has been living in a lesbian relationship with a naturalized citizen in Pacifica, California.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=511628
Mass. lawmakers push for 'gay'-friendly school programs
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
Since $850,000 in school funding for "gay"-friendly programs has been potentially cut from the 2010 Massachusetts budget, lawmakers -- at the behest of homosexual activists -- are looking
for ways to get the funding reinstated.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=511392
Since $850,000 in school funding for "gay"-friendly programs has been potentially cut from the 2010 Massachusetts budget, lawmakers -- at the behest of homosexual activists -- are looking
for ways to get the funding reinstated.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=511392
Caribbean island criminalizes abortion
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Dominican Republic has enshrined the right to life for preborn babies by rewriting the constitution.
Christian Newswire reports a bill was passed in Santo Domingo by a vote of 167-to-32 that said "the right to life is inviolable from conception until death."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=509648
The Dominican Republic has enshrined the right to life for preborn babies by rewriting the constitution.
Christian Newswire reports a bill was passed in Santo Domingo by a vote of 167-to-32 that said "the right to life is inviolable from conception until death."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=509648
Iowa congressman fights to preserve traditional marriage
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow -
An Iowa Congressman says the people of Iowa, not activist judges, should determine whether the state should allow homosexuals to "marry."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=511662
An Iowa Congressman says the people of Iowa, not activist judges, should determine whether the state should allow homosexuals to "marry."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=511662
Forcing the Poor to Stop Having Children
by Daniel Patrick Moloney
“Family planning services reduce costs.” That’s what Speaker Nancy Pelosi told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week. She was defending a provision in the original stimulus bill that would have spent hundreds of millions of dollars for birth control. Republicans had criticized this provision, and so the Speaker responded that promoting contraception among poor people would both stimulate the economy and save the government money on welfare payments.
As the video clip shot around the web, public reaction was intense, and overwhelmingly negative—how could anybody think that preventing poor people from being born was the moral way to help poor people out of poverty? It had the air of eugenics about it, as if she were saying that one generation of poor people is enough. Even the liberal partisan Chris Matthews thought Pelosi’s position resembled China’s one-child policy. In response to the backlash, the President told Pelosi to remove the contraception funding from the stimulus bill.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.01.002.pdart
“Family planning services reduce costs.” That’s what Speaker Nancy Pelosi told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week. She was defending a provision in the original stimulus bill that would have spent hundreds of millions of dollars for birth control. Republicans had criticized this provision, and so the Speaker responded that promoting contraception among poor people would both stimulate the economy and save the government money on welfare payments.
As the video clip shot around the web, public reaction was intense, and overwhelmingly negative—how could anybody think that preventing poor people from being born was the moral way to help poor people out of poverty? It had the air of eugenics about it, as if she were saying that one generation of poor people is enough. Even the liberal partisan Chris Matthews thought Pelosi’s position resembled China’s one-child policy. In response to the backlash, the President told Pelosi to remove the contraception funding from the stimulus bill.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.05.01.002.pdart
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