Carolyn Moynihan
More evidence has come to light of the damage divorce does to family members. A study of 8652 people aged 51 to 61 shows that those who have been divorced, as well as those widowed, have worse health than those who have been continuously married or who have never married. Their health improves somewhat with remarriage but still suffers long term effects.
The research, by University of Chicago Sociologist Linda Waite and Johns Hopkins public health professor Mary Elizabeth Hughes, is the first to examine both marital transitions and marital status on a wide range of health dimensions, including chronic disease (heart, diabetes, cancer), depression and mobility.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/divorce_has_lasting_effects_on_health/
Friday, July 31, 2009
Why are young men still living at home more violent?
Carolyn Moynihan
We are used to the idea that young men are responsible for much of the violence in society, but who would have thought that living under the parental roof was the strongest risk factor for such behaviour? And yet, that is what researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, found when they asked over 8000 men and women about violent behaviour over the past five years and mental health problems.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/why_are_young_men_still_living_at_home_more_violent/
We are used to the idea that young men are responsible for much of the violence in society, but who would have thought that living under the parental roof was the strongest risk factor for such behaviour? And yet, that is what researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, found when they asked over 8000 men and women about violent behaviour over the past five years and mental health problems.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/why_are_young_men_still_living_at_home_more_violent/
The notion of a right to a 'good death' undermines society
If my life has no objective value, then why should anyone else care for it, asks Vincent Nichols.
By Vincent Nichols
We have seen a significant defeat in Parliament for proposals to legalise assisted suicides, and learnt of the joint suicides at the Dignitas apartment in Switzerland of the eminent conductor Sir Edward Downes, and his wife, Lady Downes. While there are many ethical, medical and legal issues surrounding assisted suicide, at its heart lies the notion that we have an absolute moral entitlement to have whatever kind of death we choose. This is surely the triumph of the philosophy that proclaims individual rights above all other considerations and the relativist insistence that what is good is a matter of personal judgment.
The consequences of this attitude lie at the root of the weakening of social structures, including the decline of the family as the core unit, the rise of anti-social behaviour, the pursuit of profit at all cost and the increasing intolerance of non-materialist, philosophical or ethical views. It can be summarised as the age of convenience; the pursuit of what we want despite its cost and impact on others.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/5845658/The-notion-of-a-right-to-a-good-death-undermines-society.html
By Vincent Nichols
We have seen a significant defeat in Parliament for proposals to legalise assisted suicides, and learnt of the joint suicides at the Dignitas apartment in Switzerland of the eminent conductor Sir Edward Downes, and his wife, Lady Downes. While there are many ethical, medical and legal issues surrounding assisted suicide, at its heart lies the notion that we have an absolute moral entitlement to have whatever kind of death we choose. This is surely the triumph of the philosophy that proclaims individual rights above all other considerations and the relativist insistence that what is good is a matter of personal judgment.
The consequences of this attitude lie at the root of the weakening of social structures, including the decline of the family as the core unit, the rise of anti-social behaviour, the pursuit of profit at all cost and the increasing intolerance of non-materialist, philosophical or ethical views. It can be summarised as the age of convenience; the pursuit of what we want despite its cost and impact on others.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/5845658/The-notion-of-a-right-to-a-good-death-undermines-society.html
Hear about the legal breakthrough in abortion law?
Sheila Liaugminas
Overhwhelming odds are that you didn’t, even if you live in the state of Illinois, where the landmark decision came down last week.
The story, a small piece, was buried on page 11 of the Chicago Tribune the next day.
A federal appeals court in Chicago on Tuesday breathed new life into a long-dormant Illinois law that requires physicians to notify the parents of teenage girls before performing abortions.
Attorneys on both sides of the issue said the law — which was passed in 1984 and updated in 1995 — would take effect within weeks unless its critics ask for a stay and the three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agrees to put its order on hold pending a rehearing.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/hear_about_the_legal_breakthrough_in_abortion_law/
Overhwhelming odds are that you didn’t, even if you live in the state of Illinois, where the landmark decision came down last week.
The story, a small piece, was buried on page 11 of the Chicago Tribune the next day.
A federal appeals court in Chicago on Tuesday breathed new life into a long-dormant Illinois law that requires physicians to notify the parents of teenage girls before performing abortions.
Attorneys on both sides of the issue said the law — which was passed in 1984 and updated in 1995 — would take effect within weeks unless its critics ask for a stay and the three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agrees to put its order on hold pending a rehearing.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/hear_about_the_legal_breakthrough_in_abortion_law/
Abortion industry bailout
Sheila Liaugminas
Besides the surprise revelation about restrictions on private health insurance (below), what else is in that 1,018 page health care bill that’s just coming to light?
Mandated taxpayer funding of abortion. FOCA has returned, under the cover of this bill.
Pro-life groups and lawmakers are continuing to raise the alarm over the healthcare reform package President Obama is aggressively pushing through both the House and the Senate. The groups are urging Americans to oppose the healthcare overhaul, as pro-abortion lawmakers are insisting that abortion must be included in the basic healthcare package that all public and private insurers will eventually be required to cover.
But they’re using stealth language.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/abortion_industry_bailout/
Besides the surprise revelation about restrictions on private health insurance (below), what else is in that 1,018 page health care bill that’s just coming to light?
Mandated taxpayer funding of abortion. FOCA has returned, under the cover of this bill.
Pro-life groups and lawmakers are continuing to raise the alarm over the healthcare reform package President Obama is aggressively pushing through both the House and the Senate. The groups are urging Americans to oppose the healthcare overhaul, as pro-abortion lawmakers are insisting that abortion must be included in the basic healthcare package that all public and private insurers will eventually be required to cover.
But they’re using stealth language.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/abortion_industry_bailout/
Messing with Mother Nature
Barbara Kay
The human species is changing but we're stuck on polar bears
The single 69-year old Spanish woman who gave birth to twins at the age of 66 died last Saturday. Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara, who thought she had every prospect of living to see her now two-year old boys Christian and Pau into adulthood because her own mother died at 101, claimed not to regret her late-motherhood decision, even though her doctors told her that "the powerful drugs used during her fertility treatment could have helped her disease [believed to be breast cancer] to spread."
Although at the time of the birth Ms Bousada de Lara's case attracted a few stalwart supporters of the "right" of a woman to control her own fertility destiny, the general reaction was one of dismay and recoil. The most commonly adduced argument was that her children's odds of growing up motherless were sharply escalated by her selfishness. And so it came to pass, which will doubtless serve to dampen the enthusiasm of other older women contemplating the idea of post-menopausal pregnancy.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/messing_with_mother_nature/
The human species is changing but we're stuck on polar bears
The single 69-year old Spanish woman who gave birth to twins at the age of 66 died last Saturday. Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara, who thought she had every prospect of living to see her now two-year old boys Christian and Pau into adulthood because her own mother died at 101, claimed not to regret her late-motherhood decision, even though her doctors told her that "the powerful drugs used during her fertility treatment could have helped her disease [believed to be breast cancer] to spread."
Although at the time of the birth Ms Bousada de Lara's case attracted a few stalwart supporters of the "right" of a woman to control her own fertility destiny, the general reaction was one of dismay and recoil. The most commonly adduced argument was that her children's odds of growing up motherless were sharply escalated by her selfishness. And so it came to pass, which will doubtless serve to dampen the enthusiasm of other older women contemplating the idea of post-menopausal pregnancy.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/messing_with_mother_nature/
Welcome to the genetic supermarket
Michael Cook
The good news is that the male of the species will not be placed on the endangered species list.
It’s amazing how a simple press release can instantly capture the imagination of media around the globe. A few weeks ago British scientists announced that they had created human sperm cells from embryonic stem cells for the first time. This provoked snickers everywhere about a future when men are no longer needed to propagate the species.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/welcome_to_the_genetic_supermarket/
The good news is that the male of the species will not be placed on the endangered species list.
It’s amazing how a simple press release can instantly capture the imagination of media around the globe. A few weeks ago British scientists announced that they had created human sperm cells from embryonic stem cells for the first time. This provoked snickers everywhere about a future when men are no longer needed to propagate the species.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/welcome_to_the_genetic_supermarket/
Mike Pence taking on Planned Parenthood
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Pro-life Congressman Mike Pence (R-Indiana) has drafted an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood.
Pence's amendment is attached to a Department of Health and Human Services funding bill that, in part, throws federal tax dollars Planned Parenthood's way. Justin Aquila of the Susan B. Anthony List tells OneNewsNow the abortion provider receives a sizeable part of the appropriation. "In the past two years, Planned Parenthood has received $350 million [in taxpayer funding]," he notes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=612196
Pro-life Congressman Mike Pence (R-Indiana) has drafted an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood.
Pence's amendment is attached to a Department of Health and Human Services funding bill that, in part, throws federal tax dollars Planned Parenthood's way. Justin Aquila of the Susan B. Anthony List tells OneNewsNow the abortion provider receives a sizeable part of the appropriation. "In the past two years, Planned Parenthood has received $350 million [in taxpayer funding]," he notes.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=612196
A Label that Sticks [Father Paul Scalia on the Gay-Straight Alliance]
When I was in high school, the students fell into many different groups: preps, jocks, cheerleaders, punks, deadheads, druggies, geeks, and all the rest. Just about everyone received an unofficial but virtually unchangeable assignment to a particular group. When I work in high schools today, I discover little difference. The groups still exist (with just a few changes in terminology), and the teachers and administrators still counsel against the labels. As they wisely explain, labels reinforce stereotypes and prejudices; they prevent us from accepting individuals and getting to know the real person.
There is one difference, however. While still warning children against stereotypes and labels, high-school administrations increasingly encourage one group of students to label themselves: those who experience same-sex attractions. With the assistance (and sometimes pressure) of such groups as the Gay-Straight Alliance and the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, high schools across the country now routinely have student organizations dedicated to promoting the tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality. Indeed, New York City has an entire school—Harvey Milk High School—devoted to “gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning youth.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1456914/posts
There is one difference, however. While still warning children against stereotypes and labels, high-school administrations increasingly encourage one group of students to label themselves: those who experience same-sex attractions. With the assistance (and sometimes pressure) of such groups as the Gay-Straight Alliance and the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, high schools across the country now routinely have student organizations dedicated to promoting the tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality. Indeed, New York City has an entire school—Harvey Milk High School—devoted to “gay, lesbian, transgendered and questioning youth.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1456914/posts
District Attorney Seeks Life Time Ban For Walter Hoye
Union City, CA (ISSUES4LIFE FOUNDATION) Thursday, July 30th, 2009 – At a hearing Monday before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Stuart Hing, deputy district attorney Masanao Morimoto revealed that the District Attorney is seeking to ban Walter Hoye from ever returning to the Family Planning Specialists clinic in Oakland, California. Hoye was arrested last year for violating Oakland's "Mother May I" law. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and an $1100 fine, plus three years' probation during which time he was ordered to stay 100 yards from the clinic. Hoye exercised his right to turn down probation, but the judge proceeded to fill out a probation order anyway. Hoye served his time in jail, and the fine was paid. Both the conviction and the probation order are on appeal.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_12939639?nclick_check=1
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_12939639?nclick_check=1
Monday, July 27, 2009
Lessons from career woman’s no-baby shock
Carolyn Moynihan
I have just caught up with a classic “confessions of a career woman” story by a British woman who has reached the age of 45 bitterly disappointed that she will never have her own child. The Daily Mail headline says it all: “Seduced by stories of stars giving birth later and IVF myths, career-obsessed Lucy believed children and love could wait.”
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/lessons_from_career_womans_no_baby_shock/
I have just caught up with a classic “confessions of a career woman” story by a British woman who has reached the age of 45 bitterly disappointed that she will never have her own child. The Daily Mail headline says it all: “Seduced by stories of stars giving birth later and IVF myths, career-obsessed Lucy believed children and love could wait.”
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/lessons_from_career_womans_no_baby_shock/
New Zealand parents reject smacking ban
Carolyn Moynihan
The Great Smacking Debate is in full flight in New Zealand where a lawchange two years ago specifically banned the use of “force” for thepurpose of correcting children. Opponents of the new law collectedenough signatures to secure a referendum on the smacking issue, whichtakes place next month. A New Zealand Herald poll last week shows that85 per cent of parents of young children plan to vote No on thequestion: “Should a smack as part of good parental be a criminaloffence in New Zealand?”
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/new_zealand_parents_reject_smacking_ban/
The Great Smacking Debate is in full flight in New Zealand where a lawchange two years ago specifically banned the use of “force” for thepurpose of correcting children. Opponents of the new law collectedenough signatures to secure a referendum on the smacking issue, whichtakes place next month. A New Zealand Herald poll last week shows that85 per cent of parents of young children plan to vote No on thequestion: “Should a smack as part of good parental be a criminaloffence in New Zealand?”
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/new_zealand_parents_reject_smacking_ban/
God's Marriage Resonates Deeply with Majority of Americans
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP) is promoting traditional marriage on the streets of New York, Maine and Rhode Island and finding how deeply Americans cherish God's marriage - the union of one man and one woman.
TFP volunteers have been standing on busy street corners holding HONK signs, which are large signs with a message printed in bold and colorful letters: HONK for traditional marriage = 1 man + 1 woman.
The public enjoys the pro-family group's HONK signs."People love to honk their horn for marriage. It's like they feel liberated from all the homosexual propaganda being forced on them," said Norman Fulkerson, TFP leader with the group campaigning in upstate New York.
Fulkerson continued: "The opposition is forced to hear the barrage of honking horns. Their insults and cursing get drowned out in the noise of the honks." Even pedestrians join the honking by simulating the movement of pressing a car's horn and making a loud honk sound."People are tired of hearing all the propaganda for same-sex 'marriage'," said Richard Lyon, TFP volunteer campaigning in Rhode Island. "I'm finding that people don't want their children educated in the homosexual lifestyle. They want the traditional family. And they're happy to see us saying this in public."
The Catholic group also hands out a flyer titled "Ten reasons why homosexual 'marriage' is harmful and must be opposed," and calls on Americans to firmly and peacefully oppose the advance of the homosexual movement.Recent surveys show that support for same- sex "marriage" is declining in the United States.
Visit www.TFP.org for additional reports.
TFP volunteers have been standing on busy street corners holding HONK signs, which are large signs with a message printed in bold and colorful letters: HONK for traditional marriage = 1 man + 1 woman.
The public enjoys the pro-family group's HONK signs."People love to honk their horn for marriage. It's like they feel liberated from all the homosexual propaganda being forced on them," said Norman Fulkerson, TFP leader with the group campaigning in upstate New York.
Fulkerson continued: "The opposition is forced to hear the barrage of honking horns. Their insults and cursing get drowned out in the noise of the honks." Even pedestrians join the honking by simulating the movement of pressing a car's horn and making a loud honk sound."People are tired of hearing all the propaganda for same-sex 'marriage'," said Richard Lyon, TFP volunteer campaigning in Rhode Island. "I'm finding that people don't want their children educated in the homosexual lifestyle. They want the traditional family. And they're happy to see us saying this in public."
The Catholic group also hands out a flyer titled "Ten reasons why homosexual 'marriage' is harmful and must be opposed," and calls on Americans to firmly and peacefully oppose the advance of the homosexual movement.Recent surveys show that support for same- sex "marriage" is declining in the United States.
Visit www.TFP.org for additional reports.
Paternal and maternal ages at conception and risk of bipolar affective disorder in their offspring.
A consistent association between paternal age and their offspring's risk of schizophrenia has been observed, with no independent association with maternal age.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19627644?ordinalpos=2&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19627644?ordinalpos=2&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Prop 8 Panel Discussion at San Diego Historical Society
Thursday, July 30 5:30pm – 7:30pm
San Diego NOW!: California Proposition 8: New Strategies for the Same-Sex Marriage Debate Admission: FREE SDHS members, $10 general public.
Please note: Reservations are requested.
Call for program description. 619-232-6203, ext. 129
San Diego NOW!: California Proposition 8: New Strategies for the Same-Sex Marriage Debate Admission: FREE SDHS members, $10 general public.
Please note: Reservations are requested.
Call for program description. 619-232-6203, ext. 129
a gross cohabiting couple
This is a prime example of why cohabiting is dangerous for children.
Headline:
3 children found starved in hotel bathroom
Officials say kids were so emaciated they threw up when first fed
If you've got the stomach for it:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32091786/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts
This is a prime example of why cohabiting is dangerous for children.
Headline:
3 children found starved in hotel bathroom
Officials say kids were so emaciated they threw up when first fed
If you've got the stomach for it:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32091786/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts
This is a prime example of why cohabiting is dangerous for children.
Beware Prop 8 signature takers
Professional signature gatherers will begin standing outside of Target, grocery stores and other venues to gather the necessary signatures to put the gay-marriage issue back on the ballot for November. They are targeting the more liberal parts of the State, but some signatures will be gathered here in San Diego County as well.
The most effective, and least costly, way to defeat this measure is to make sure it doesn't garner enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The deadline for gathering the signatures is August 15, 2009.
Please inform your family, friends, and associates of this latest assault on PROP 8. Please encourage one-and-all to NOT sign these petitions at store fronts. Say "NO Thank You" to this petition! Marriage = One Man & One Woman.
A common phrase used by professional signature gatherers is, "It doesn't matter if you sign it, this is only so the people can vote on it." It does matter!
Let's do our part to keep this measure off the ballot. I invite you to forward this information through your personal email lists and encourage others to forward it to their friends and family members.
The most effective, and least costly, way to defeat this measure is to make sure it doesn't garner enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The deadline for gathering the signatures is August 15, 2009.
Please inform your family, friends, and associates of this latest assault on PROP 8. Please encourage one-and-all to NOT sign these petitions at store fronts. Say "NO Thank You" to this petition! Marriage = One Man & One Woman.
A common phrase used by professional signature gatherers is, "It doesn't matter if you sign it, this is only so the people can vote on it." It does matter!
Let's do our part to keep this measure off the ballot. I invite you to forward this information through your personal email lists and encourage others to forward it to their friends and family members.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Persistent pursuit of marriage protection
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
A pro-family group in West Virginia believes the state needs to institute protections for traditional marriage.
Kevin McCoy, president of the West Virginia Family Foundation, is pleased that his state's legislature has passed a resolution for a subcommittee hearing on a traditional marriage amendment. McCoy believes they are bowing to pressure from his organization, which has submitted the marriage amendment in every session since 2006.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=608322
A pro-family group in West Virginia believes the state needs to institute protections for traditional marriage.
Kevin McCoy, president of the West Virginia Family Foundation, is pleased that his state's legislature has passed a resolution for a subcommittee hearing on a traditional marriage amendment. McCoy believes they are bowing to pressure from his organization, which has submitted the marriage amendment in every session since 2006.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=608322
US teen sex statistics show ‘disheartening’ trend
Carolyn Moynihan
Birth rates among teenagers are on the rise again in the United States after large declines between 1991 and 2005, according to a report from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Other sexual health indictors also have flattened or worsened in what the CDC calls a “disheartening” reversal. Predictably, there are calls for “better sex education” -- meaning more stuff about condoms and pills, evidently.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/us_teen_sex_statistics_show_disheartening_trend/
Birth rates among teenagers are on the rise again in the United States after large declines between 1991 and 2005, according to a report from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Other sexual health indictors also have flattened or worsened in what the CDC calls a “disheartening” reversal. Predictably, there are calls for “better sex education” -- meaning more stuff about condoms and pills, evidently.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/us_teen_sex_statistics_show_disheartening_trend/
Court favors mother's rights over former lesbian partner
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A Utah woman involved in a lesbian relationship left her partner and took her child with her, a move that led to a courtroom battle.
Jana Dickson left the relationship with lesbian partner Gena-Louise Edvalson because she believed it was not a good environment to raise her two-year-old son, among other reasons. Salt Lake City Alliance Defense Fund attorney Frank Mylar represented Dickson.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=604794
A Utah woman involved in a lesbian relationship left her partner and took her child with her, a move that led to a courtroom battle.
Jana Dickson left the relationship with lesbian partner Gena-Louise Edvalson because she believed it was not a good environment to raise her two-year-old son, among other reasons. Salt Lake City Alliance Defense Fund attorney Frank Mylar represented Dickson.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=604794
Primacy of Culture in "Caritas in Veritate"
Encyclical Offers Opportunity to "Think With the Church"
By Jennifer Roback Morse
SAN MARCOS, California, JULY 17, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's "Caritas in Veritate" is his contribution to the course of Catholic social teaching.
Many commentators seem to read this document as if it were a think-tank white paper, and ask whether the Pope endorses their particular policy preferences. I must say that I surprised myself by not reflexively reading it in this way. After all, I spent many years teaching free-market economics.
I distinctly remember reading "Centesimus Annus" for the first time, and mentally checking to see if I agreed with it.
But this is not the correct way to read papal documents. The papacy's prophetic role is to interpret the past, and provide guidance for the future, while avoiding the excesses of its own time. In "Caritas in Veritate," Benedict XVI argues for the centrality of moral considerations in both economics and politics. Without charity and truth, we cannot create a truly decent society, no matter how sophisticated our technology or how thorough-going our democracy. Benedict XVI stresses the centrality of the social, cultural sphere for several reasons.
http://www.zenit.org/article-26488?l=english
By Jennifer Roback Morse
SAN MARCOS, California, JULY 17, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's "Caritas in Veritate" is his contribution to the course of Catholic social teaching.
Many commentators seem to read this document as if it were a think-tank white paper, and ask whether the Pope endorses their particular policy preferences. I must say that I surprised myself by not reflexively reading it in this way. After all, I spent many years teaching free-market economics.
I distinctly remember reading "Centesimus Annus" for the first time, and mentally checking to see if I agreed with it.
But this is not the correct way to read papal documents. The papacy's prophetic role is to interpret the past, and provide guidance for the future, while avoiding the excesses of its own time. In "Caritas in Veritate," Benedict XVI argues for the centrality of moral considerations in both economics and politics. Without charity and truth, we cannot create a truly decent society, no matter how sophisticated our technology or how thorough-going our democracy. Benedict XVI stresses the centrality of the social, cultural sphere for several reasons.
http://www.zenit.org/article-26488?l=english
Poll: Support For Gay Marriage Dips
Posted by Stephanie Condon
Support for same-sex marriage has declined slightly from two months ago, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds. On other issues that have come before the Supreme Court -- namely, affirmative action and abortion -- Americans' opinions have remained relatively stable for years, according to the poll, conducted June 12 - 16.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5094597.shtml
Support for same-sex marriage has declined slightly from two months ago, a new CBS News/New York Times poll finds. On other issues that have come before the Supreme Court -- namely, affirmative action and abortion -- Americans' opinions have remained relatively stable for years, according to the poll, conducted June 12 - 16.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5094597.shtml
Majority of Americans Continue to Oppose Gay Marriage
No change in support from last year
by Jeffrey M. Jones
PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans' views on same-sex marriage have essentially stayed the same in the past year, with a majority of 57% opposed to granting such marriages legal status and 40% in favor of doing so. Though support for legal same-sex marriage is significantly higher now than when Gallup first asked about it in 1996, in recent years support has appeared to stall, peaking at 46% in 2007.
View poll.
by Jeffrey M. Jones
PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans' views on same-sex marriage have essentially stayed the same in the past year, with a majority of 57% opposed to granting such marriages legal status and 40% in favor of doing so. Though support for legal same-sex marriage is significantly higher now than when Gallup first asked about it in 1996, in recent years support has appeared to stall, peaking at 46% in 2007.
View poll.
Smuggling abortion agenda into healthcare reform
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
If passed, two healthcare reform bills could mean more abortions at taxpayers' expense.
The two primary measures -- the Kennedy bill and the House Democratic leadership bill -- contain provisions that would represent the greatest expansion of abortion since the Supreme Court legalized it in 1973, according to Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=602360
If passed, two healthcare reform bills could mean more abortions at taxpayers' expense.
The two primary measures -- the Kennedy bill and the House Democratic leadership bill -- contain provisions that would represent the greatest expansion of abortion since the Supreme Court legalized it in 1973, according to Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=602360
NEA flexes 'political muscle,' backs same-sex 'marriage'
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
The National Education Association has thrown its full support behind homosexual "marriage."The NEA recently held its annual convention in San Diego, California, where members voted on two issues of importance to those involved in the culture war. One of those issues was whether the union would support same-gender marriage. According to Jeralee Smith, co-founder of the Conservative Educators Caucus, the resolution passed by roughly a two-thirds majority.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=603580
The National Education Association has thrown its full support behind homosexual "marriage."The NEA recently held its annual convention in San Diego, California, where members voted on two issues of importance to those involved in the culture war. One of those issues was whether the union would support same-gender marriage. According to Jeralee Smith, co-founder of the Conservative Educators Caucus, the resolution passed by roughly a two-thirds majority.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=603580
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Court: Conscientious pharmacists must sell 'Plan B'
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against pharmacists exercising their conscience.
The lawsuit was filed to block the state of Washington from enforcing a law requiring pharmacists to dispense medication in violation of their religious beliefs. That is especially related to Plan B, otherwise known as the "morning-after" pill -- which some medical professionals believe induces abortion. Brad Dacus heads the Pacific Justice Institute.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=597878
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against pharmacists exercising their conscience.
The lawsuit was filed to block the state of Washington from enforcing a law requiring pharmacists to dispense medication in violation of their religious beliefs. That is especially related to Plan B, otherwise known as the "morning-after" pill -- which some medical professionals believe induces abortion. Brad Dacus heads the Pacific Justice Institute.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=597878
Marriage showdown imminent in Maine
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Maine citizens are taking a stand against the state legislature over homosexual "marriage."
Although the legislature passed it and Governor John Baldacci approved the same-sex marriage bill in May, the law is on hold. Maine considers the people to be a branch of the government, and they can exercise a People's Veto. Mary Conroy of Stand for Marriage tells OneNewsNow that means gathering enough signatures to put the issue before voters.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=597780
Maine citizens are taking a stand against the state legislature over homosexual "marriage."
Although the legislature passed it and Governor John Baldacci approved the same-sex marriage bill in May, the law is on hold. Maine considers the people to be a branch of the government, and they can exercise a People's Veto. Mary Conroy of Stand for Marriage tells OneNewsNow that means gathering enough signatures to put the issue before voters.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=597780
Is White House coordinating attack on DOMA?
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Attorney Mat Staver is convinced the Obama administration is behind a federal lawsuit filed yesterday in Boston challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The first state to legalize homosexual "marriage" has filed suit against the federal government to overturn DOMA -- the Defense of Marriage Act -- which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. On Wednesday, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston. The suit claims DOMA interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define marriage as it sees fit.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=596486
Attorney Mat Staver is convinced the Obama administration is behind a federal lawsuit filed yesterday in Boston challenging the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The first state to legalize homosexual "marriage" has filed suit against the federal government to overturn DOMA -- the Defense of Marriage Act -- which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. On Wednesday, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston. The suit claims DOMA interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define marriage as it sees fit.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=596486
Money from love
Robert A. Gahl, Jr
In an encyclical released this week, an intellectually adventurous Pope asserts that love is ultimately the solution to the world economic crisis.
Today, by "economy" or "economical", what first comes to mind is low-cost, parsimonious, sparing, small, fuel-efficient, and, often, cheap. But now, with his third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate ("Charity in Truth") Benedict subverts and reverses the common understanding of "economy" as a parsimonious reduction in costs or a miserly (re)distribution of resources. For this counter-cultural Pope, "economy" is principally a question of charity, of love. In his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est ("God is Love"), the Pope argued that love is inherently expansive, ecstatic, and effusive. For Benedict, the social doctrine of the Church, that includes a now rapidly developing theology of political economy, is not just about the distribution of wealth. Benedict is at least as interested in fostering wealth creation motivated by love, while exercising responsible stewardship over the environment.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/money_from_love/
In an encyclical released this week, an intellectually adventurous Pope asserts that love is ultimately the solution to the world economic crisis.
Today, by "economy" or "economical", what first comes to mind is low-cost, parsimonious, sparing, small, fuel-efficient, and, often, cheap. But now, with his third encyclical, Caritas in Veritate ("Charity in Truth") Benedict subverts and reverses the common understanding of "economy" as a parsimonious reduction in costs or a miserly (re)distribution of resources. For this counter-cultural Pope, "economy" is principally a question of charity, of love. In his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est ("God is Love"), the Pope argued that love is inherently expansive, ecstatic, and effusive. For Benedict, the social doctrine of the Church, that includes a now rapidly developing theology of political economy, is not just about the distribution of wealth. Benedict is at least as interested in fostering wealth creation motivated by love, while exercising responsible stewardship over the environment.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/money_from_love/
More abortion, fewer ‘undesirables’
Sheila Liaugminas
It’s not a stretch to see Justice Ginsburg’s remarks in the New York Time’s interview as saying that.
In fact, she did say that.
Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/more_abortion_fewer_undesirables/
It’s not a stretch to see Justice Ginsburg’s remarks in the New York Time’s interview as saying that.
In fact, she did say that.
Frankly I had thought that at the time Roe was decided, there was concern about population growth and particularly growth in populations that we don’t want to have too many of.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/more_abortion_fewer_undesirables/
‘The doctor made you in a dish and put you in someone else’s tummy’
Carolyn Moynihan
There can’t be too many parents around these days who fumble the answer to their children’s “Where did I come from?” question. But there are now thousands in the United States -- and elsewhere -- who have to put a lot more thought than the average parent into their replies. Those are the steadily growing numbers who are using surrogate mothers to provide them with babies.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/the_doctor_made_you_in_a_dish_and_put_you_in_someone_elses_tummy/
There can’t be too many parents around these days who fumble the answer to their children’s “Where did I come from?” question. But there are now thousands in the United States -- and elsewhere -- who have to put a lot more thought than the average parent into their replies. Those are the steadily growing numbers who are using surrogate mothers to provide them with babies.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/the_doctor_made_you_in_a_dish_and_put_you_in_someone_elses_tummy/
Every Family Matters: A major British report on marriage
Carolyn Moynihan
Despite what we have said recently on this blog, some Brits do get it about things to do with family life, and some of them are pretty important people. There is, for example, the former Conservative Party leader and current MP Iain Duncan Smith, who heads a very influential think tank called the Centre for Social Justice. This independent policy group has just published a major report calling for legal changes to support marriage as the basis of stable family life.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/every_family_matters_a_major_british_report_on_marriage/
Despite what we have said recently on this blog, some Brits do get it about things to do with family life, and some of them are pretty important people. There is, for example, the former Conservative Party leader and current MP Iain Duncan Smith, who heads a very influential think tank called the Centre for Social Justice. This independent policy group has just published a major report calling for legal changes to support marriage as the basis of stable family life.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/every_family_matters_a_major_british_report_on_marriage/
£6m drive to cut teen pregnancies sees them DOUBLE
By Daniel Martin
A multi-million pound initiative to reduce teenage pregnancies more than doubled the number of girls conceiving.
The Government-backed scheme tried to persuade teenage girls not to get pregnant by handing out condoms and teaching them about sex.
But research funded by the Department of Health shows that young women who attended the programme, at a cost of £2,500 each, were 'significantly' more likely to become pregnant than those on other youth programmes who were not given contraception and sex advice. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198228/6m-drive-cut-teen-pregnancies-sees-DOUBLE.html
A multi-million pound initiative to reduce teenage pregnancies more than doubled the number of girls conceiving.
The Government-backed scheme tried to persuade teenage girls not to get pregnant by handing out condoms and teaching them about sex.
But research funded by the Department of Health shows that young women who attended the programme, at a cost of £2,500 each, were 'significantly' more likely to become pregnant than those on other youth programmes who were not given contraception and sex advice. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1198228/6m-drive-cut-teen-pregnancies-sees-DOUBLE.html
The Importance of Family Meals
by Rebecca Hagelin
How often does your family have dinner together?
That simple question often evokes an answer of, "Ummmmmm......"
What used to be the most basic of activities has become increasingly difficult to schedule in today's busy world. But bringing back the time-honored practice of "breaking bread" with your own family could be the single greatest step you take toward saving your family from all kinds of ills.
http://townhall.com/columnists/RebeccaHagelin/2009/07/08/the_importance_of_family_meals?page=full&comments=true
How often does your family have dinner together?
That simple question often evokes an answer of, "Ummmmmm......"
What used to be the most basic of activities has become increasingly difficult to schedule in today's busy world. But bringing back the time-honored practice of "breaking bread" with your own family could be the single greatest step you take toward saving your family from all kinds of ills.
http://townhall.com/columnists/RebeccaHagelin/2009/07/08/the_importance_of_family_meals?page=full&comments=true
When they say ‘stem cell research’…
Sheila Liaugminas
…..first ask ‘which kind?’, to clarify if the topic is embryonic or adult or cord blood (or other) stem cells.
If it’s embryonic research, says bioethics expert Wesley J. Smith, look further into what the ultimate goal of that science actually is.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/when_they_say_stem_cell_research/
…..first ask ‘which kind?’, to clarify if the topic is embryonic or adult or cord blood (or other) stem cells.
If it’s embryonic research, says bioethics expert Wesley J. Smith, look further into what the ultimate goal of that science actually is.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/when_they_say_stem_cell_research/
A new Benedict for a new Dark Ages
Thaddeus J. Kozinski
The Pope's latest encyclical is another skirmish in his war on the moral relativism which undermines our culture.
I bet it never crossed the minds of many living during the Dark Ages that they were particularly dark, or of those living during the decline and fall of the Roman Empire that it was speedily declining, let alone falling. Since the Owl of Minerva flies at dusk, and hindsight is 20/20, it appears to be an inexorable law of both history and human nature that men recognize the "signs of the times" only after those times have passed.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_new_benedict_for_a_new_dark_ages/
The Pope's latest encyclical is another skirmish in his war on the moral relativism which undermines our culture.
I bet it never crossed the minds of many living during the Dark Ages that they were particularly dark, or of those living during the decline and fall of the Roman Empire that it was speedily declining, let alone falling. Since the Owl of Minerva flies at dusk, and hindsight is 20/20, it appears to be an inexorable law of both history and human nature that men recognize the "signs of the times" only after those times have passed.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_new_benedict_for_a_new_dark_ages/
Japan’s new craze: marriage hunting
Carolyn Moynihan
Japan’s population might be ageing and shrinking, but the Japanese are not short of an idea or two to tackle the trend. With marriages rates well below those of an older generation, today’s 20- to 40-somethings are fuelling a new fad known as “konkatsu” or “marriage hunting”, pursuing Mr or Mrs Right with the seriousness of nailing down a job.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/japans_new_craze_marriage_hunting/
Japan’s population might be ageing and shrinking, but the Japanese are not short of an idea or two to tackle the trend. With marriages rates well below those of an older generation, today’s 20- to 40-somethings are fuelling a new fad known as “konkatsu” or “marriage hunting”, pursuing Mr or Mrs Right with the seriousness of nailing down a job.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/japans_new_craze_marriage_hunting/
Obama's Science Czar: Traditional family is obsolete, punish large families
By: David Freddoso
President Obama's Science Czar, John Holdren, took a controversial and amoral approach to the science of population by recommending mass compulsory sterilization and even forced abortion (and/or forced marriages) under certain circumstances. His 1977 tome, Ecoscience, which he co-authored with Paul and Anne Ehrlich, also displays a revealing disregard for the institution of the traditional human family.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/More-Holdren-Traditional-family-is-obsolete-50807107.html
President Obama's Science Czar, John Holdren, took a controversial and amoral approach to the science of population by recommending mass compulsory sterilization and even forced abortion (and/or forced marriages) under certain circumstances. His 1977 tome, Ecoscience, which he co-authored with Paul and Anne Ehrlich, also displays a revealing disregard for the institution of the traditional human family.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/More-Holdren-Traditional-family-is-obsolete-50807107.html
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Public ignored; full steam ahead for embryonic sacrifice
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The National Institutes of Health has issued guidelines for research on human embryos. One pro-family spokesman accuses NIH of ignoring the public on the matter. The guidelines, which are based on a presidential executive order, open the door for research that pro-life groups have fought against for years. Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council tells OneNewsNow those guidelines set up a system that creates an incentive for embryonic sacrifice. He goes on to say NIH simply did not listen to the public.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=594934
The National Institutes of Health has issued guidelines for research on human embryos. One pro-family spokesman accuses NIH of ignoring the public on the matter. The guidelines, which are based on a presidential executive order, open the door for research that pro-life groups have fought against for years. Dr. David Prentice of the Family Research Council tells OneNewsNow those guidelines set up a system that creates an incentive for embryonic sacrifice. He goes on to say NIH simply did not listen to the public.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=594934
Call them extremists and book 'em
Sheila Liaugminas
There’s a bill stealthily moving through Congress that would allow the nation’s Attorney General to classify pro-life Americans as terrorists. It was backed by impeached Florida judge — now a Democrat Party member of the House of Representatives — Rep. Alcee Hastings.
Even Republican congressmen willing to back the general idea of protecting citizens against “hate crimes” raised concerns about the language of this bill. Thank God they’re reading some of the things they’re voting on in there.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/call_them_extremists_and_book_em/
There’s a bill stealthily moving through Congress that would allow the nation’s Attorney General to classify pro-life Americans as terrorists. It was backed by impeached Florida judge — now a Democrat Party member of the House of Representatives — Rep. Alcee Hastings.
Even Republican congressmen willing to back the general idea of protecting citizens against “hate crimes” raised concerns about the language of this bill. Thank God they’re reading some of the things they’re voting on in there.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/call_them_extremists_and_book_em/
Pope’s letter calls for openness to human life
Carolyn Moynihan
Pope Benedict XVI’s new encyclical letter, “On Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth”, discusses a wide spectrum of social realities, among them the need for openness to new human life, which, he says, “is at the centre of true development”, and protection of the family founded on “marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society”.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/popes_letter_calls_for_openness_to_human_life/
Pope Benedict XVI’s new encyclical letter, “On Integral Human Development in Charity and Truth”, discusses a wide spectrum of social realities, among them the need for openness to new human life, which, he says, “is at the centre of true development”, and protection of the family founded on “marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society”.
http://www.mercatornet.com/family_edge/view/popes_letter_calls_for_openness_to_human_life/
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Balls bans children's 'gay' jibes as government cracks down on sexual bullying
What's next? Thought police nailing you if you look like you're thinking something against gay people?
The totalitarian impulse of the gay rights movement: school yard chatter is now subject to government regulation.
By Brendan Carlin
A fresh move to ban children from using the word 'gay' as an insult was made by Schools Secretary Ed Balls last night.
He said insults based on sexuality should be taken 'as seriously as racism'. His department is now set to publish new guidance to crack down on 'sexist and sexual' bullying.
But Tory MP Philip Davies condemned Mr Balls for producing 'more politically-correct nonsense'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197549/Balls-bans-childrens-gay-jibes-government-cracks-sexual-bullying.html
The totalitarian impulse of the gay rights movement: school yard chatter is now subject to government regulation.
By Brendan Carlin
A fresh move to ban children from using the word 'gay' as an insult was made by Schools Secretary Ed Balls last night.
He said insults based on sexuality should be taken 'as seriously as racism'. His department is now set to publish new guidance to crack down on 'sexist and sexual' bullying.
But Tory MP Philip Davies condemned Mr Balls for producing 'more politically-correct nonsense'.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1197549/Balls-bans-childrens-gay-jibes-government-cracks-sexual-bullying.html
When color trumps Christianity
Star Parker -
President Obama hosted a reception at the White House celebrating LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride month. Black Christians should take note and learn a few things about our black president. As they say, we are what we do.
It tells us something that Mr. Obama had no time to host an event for the National Day of Prayer. Nor did he have time to accept the invitation to convey greetings and a few remarks to the couple hundred thousand who came to Washington, as they do every January, for the March for Life. However, the LGBT Pride event did make it onto the president's busy schedule. Here are parts of his remarks I think noteworthy for black Christians:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=592920
President Obama hosted a reception at the White House celebrating LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) Pride month. Black Christians should take note and learn a few things about our black president. As they say, we are what we do.
It tells us something that Mr. Obama had no time to host an event for the National Day of Prayer. Nor did he have time to accept the invitation to convey greetings and a few remarks to the couple hundred thousand who came to Washington, as they do every January, for the March for Life. However, the LGBT Pride event did make it onto the president's busy schedule. Here are parts of his remarks I think noteworthy for black Christians:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=592920
Dr. J gives the prize for the most misleading headline
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/05/na-child-porns-dirtysecret-dads-often-behind-lens/news-breaking/
“Nearly twice as many children in a nationwide child-porn database were photographed by their parents as were victims of online enticement. The number victimized by parents was nearly seven times that of children exploited by strangers.”
Later in the article, we learn: "What law enforcement tends to be seeing is that the children who are being used to produce these images are kids being abused in bedrooms and basements and living rooms across the United States and elsewhere," said Michelle Collins, executive director of the Exploited Child Division of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The division is a clearinghouse for law enforcement to share information when children depicted in pornography are identified. Collins said this helps prevent defendants from arguing that the children in their pornography collections aren't real.
Since the program started in 2003, more than 2,300 children have been identified in pornographic pictures and videos, Collins said. Of those, 27 percent were photographed by parents or stepparents; 24 percent by neighbors or close family friends; and 10 percent by other relatives.
Just 4 percent were photographed by strangers. The rest were photographed by coaches, babysitters, their parents' boyfriends and girlfriends, or by themselves, often after being enticed by someone they met online.”
Please note the sleight of hand: at the beginning, we hear about “parents.” only at the end of the article, do we learn that “parents” includes stepparents and biological parents. most studies that break this down by step, bio and cohabiting parents, find that bio fathers are MANY times safer than step parents or mothers’ boyfriends. So the 27% were photographed by “parents or stepparents” and the 4% photographed by strangers, is the basis for the statements that “The number victimized by parents was nearly seven times that of children exploited by strangers.” But almost certainly that 27% is dominated by non-biological “parents.”
I looked at the website for National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and could not find the original data on which these statements are based. If anyone else can find it, please post a comment to that effect. This anti-parent screed should be exposed for what it is: an attempt to frighten people into thinking that parents pose the greatest threat to their own children, and that only the state and its bureaucratic allies can be truly trusted to have the child’s best interest at heart.
“Nearly twice as many children in a nationwide child-porn database were photographed by their parents as were victims of online enticement. The number victimized by parents was nearly seven times that of children exploited by strangers.”
Later in the article, we learn: "What law enforcement tends to be seeing is that the children who are being used to produce these images are kids being abused in bedrooms and basements and living rooms across the United States and elsewhere," said Michelle Collins, executive director of the Exploited Child Division of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The division is a clearinghouse for law enforcement to share information when children depicted in pornography are identified. Collins said this helps prevent defendants from arguing that the children in their pornography collections aren't real.
Since the program started in 2003, more than 2,300 children have been identified in pornographic pictures and videos, Collins said. Of those, 27 percent were photographed by parents or stepparents; 24 percent by neighbors or close family friends; and 10 percent by other relatives.
Just 4 percent were photographed by strangers. The rest were photographed by coaches, babysitters, their parents' boyfriends and girlfriends, or by themselves, often after being enticed by someone they met online.”
Please note the sleight of hand: at the beginning, we hear about “parents.” only at the end of the article, do we learn that “parents” includes stepparents and biological parents. most studies that break this down by step, bio and cohabiting parents, find that bio fathers are MANY times safer than step parents or mothers’ boyfriends. So the 27% were photographed by “parents or stepparents” and the 4% photographed by strangers, is the basis for the statements that “The number victimized by parents was nearly seven times that of children exploited by strangers.” But almost certainly that 27% is dominated by non-biological “parents.”
I looked at the website for National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and could not find the original data on which these statements are based. If anyone else can find it, please post a comment to that effect. This anti-parent screed should be exposed for what it is: an attempt to frighten people into thinking that parents pose the greatest threat to their own children, and that only the state and its bureaucratic allies can be truly trusted to have the child’s best interest at heart.
'Gay marriage' law takes effect in nation's capital
Associated Press -
WASHINGTON, DC - A law recognizing same-sex "marriages" performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the District of Columbia. The bill was approved in a 12-1 vote by the D.C. Council in May, with council member Marion Barry casting the lone no vote. Congress, which has the final say over the city's laws, had 30 days to review the bill. A push by black church leaders who oppose same-gender marriage failed to get a referendum on the matter. And Congress took no action, allowing the bill to become law Tuesday.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=594512
WASHINGTON, DC - A law recognizing same-sex "marriages" performed elsewhere has gone into effect in the District of Columbia. The bill was approved in a 12-1 vote by the D.C. Council in May, with council member Marion Barry casting the lone no vote. Congress, which has the final say over the city's laws, had 30 days to review the bill. A push by black church leaders who oppose same-gender marriage failed to get a referendum on the matter. And Congress took no action, allowing the bill to become law Tuesday.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=594512
Monday, July 06, 2009
A failure of ethical imagination
Margaret Somerville
Some scientists cannot understand that our most treasured values are at stake in research on human embryos.
Human embryo stem cell (hESC) research has been making front-page news in both the United States and Canada for some time. This spring U.S. President Barack Obama lifted restrictions on this research so pluripotent stem cells, which can form all of the tissues and organs in the human body, can now be taken from embryos "left over" from in vitro fertilization. This kills the embryos.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_failure_of_ethical_imagination/
Some scientists cannot understand that our most treasured values are at stake in research on human embryos.
Human embryo stem cell (hESC) research has been making front-page news in both the United States and Canada for some time. This spring U.S. President Barack Obama lifted restrictions on this research so pluripotent stem cells, which can form all of the tissues and organs in the human body, can now be taken from embryos "left over" from in vitro fertilization. This kills the embryos.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_failure_of_ethical_imagination/
Christian legal group battles FDA over 'morning after' pill
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
The Alliance Defense Fund is seeking permission to intervene in a court decision ordering the Food and Drug Administration to sell the "Plan B" pill to minors.
The Plan B pill, otherwise known as the "morning-after pill," is a very strong dose the same hormones used in oral contraceptive pills. Some doctors believe it could cause an abortion to an expectant mother. Matt Bowman is an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=589130
The Alliance Defense Fund is seeking permission to intervene in a court decision ordering the Food and Drug Administration to sell the "Plan B" pill to minors.
The Plan B pill, otherwise known as the "morning-after pill," is a very strong dose the same hormones used in oral contraceptive pills. Some doctors believe it could cause an abortion to an expectant mother. Matt Bowman is an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=589130
'Personhood' pushers at it again in Colorado
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
Two Colorado organizations have launched another petition drive to put a personhood amendment on the 2010 ballot.
Colorado Right to Life and Personhood Colorado are joining forces to gather the signatures for the 2010 Colorado Personhood Initiative. Right to Life spokeswoman Leslie Hanks says they are energized for the campaign.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=589262
Two Colorado organizations have launched another petition drive to put a personhood amendment on the 2010 ballot.
Colorado Right to Life and Personhood Colorado are joining forces to gather the signatures for the 2010 Colorado Personhood Initiative. Right to Life spokeswoman Leslie Hanks says they are energized for the campaign.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=589262
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Home schoolers treated unfairly in Europe
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
A pro-family advocate says home schoolers in Europe are becoming marginalized.
According to J. Michael Smith, president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, while home schoolers are enjoying increasing freedoms in the U.S., the opposite is true for home schoolers in Europe. In a recent Washington Times article, Smith states that Germany is the most oppressive when it comes to home schoolers because it routinely fines and imprisons them. Now events are unfolding in Great Britain that could spell trouble for home schoolers in that country as well. The culprit in this case is the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=588980
A pro-family advocate says home schoolers in Europe are becoming marginalized.
According to J. Michael Smith, president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, while home schoolers are enjoying increasing freedoms in the U.S., the opposite is true for home schoolers in Europe. In a recent Washington Times article, Smith states that Germany is the most oppressive when it comes to home schoolers because it routinely fines and imprisons them. Now events are unfolding in Great Britain that could spell trouble for home schoolers in that country as well. The culprit in this case is the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=588980
Same-Sex-Marriage Follies
http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2009/57474/
Commentary on this article from Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage:
"New York magazine gives the National Organization for Marriage (that's you and me and thousands of other marriage supporters working together) credit for helping turn this situation around: "Meanwhile, an organized opposition was taking root. Starting in mid-May, the National Organization for Marriage, founded by pundit Maggie Gallagher, spent $600,000 on, among other things, more than 2 million robo-calls, primarily to Republicans and independents. 'The amount of political pressure it takes the Legislature to do something is a lot more than getting it to do nothing,' she said. 'I have to generate enough public pressure to get politicians to do nothing. How hard should that be?'"
We know that thanks to your help, we flooded the legislature with thousands of phone calls and emails from outraged constituents: Sen. Alesi, one of the few Republicans who hinted he might vote for the bill, admitted his office was inundated with calls. And privately state senators sent up the word: "We're with you! Take us off your list, please!" When the people speak up loud and clear, politicians sit up and notice.
Only one thing is more important to politicians in Albany than what the voters want, it seems: money."
Commentary on this article from Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage:
"New York magazine gives the National Organization for Marriage (that's you and me and thousands of other marriage supporters working together) credit for helping turn this situation around: "Meanwhile, an organized opposition was taking root. Starting in mid-May, the National Organization for Marriage, founded by pundit Maggie Gallagher, spent $600,000 on, among other things, more than 2 million robo-calls, primarily to Republicans and independents. 'The amount of political pressure it takes the Legislature to do something is a lot more than getting it to do nothing,' she said. 'I have to generate enough public pressure to get politicians to do nothing. How hard should that be?'"
We know that thanks to your help, we flooded the legislature with thousands of phone calls and emails from outraged constituents: Sen. Alesi, one of the few Republicans who hinted he might vote for the bill, admitted his office was inundated with calls. And privately state senators sent up the word: "We're with you! Take us off your list, please!" When the people speak up loud and clear, politicians sit up and notice.
Only one thing is more important to politicians in Albany than what the voters want, it seems: money."
Equal Parenting
Finding an equitable arrangement in divorce is important. Better still are parents who can stay together
By Stefan Paszlack, Researcher, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada
Last summer National Post columnist Barbara Kay asked this question: “When can divorced Canadian fathers – and their children – expect justice, so long demanded, so long promised and so long deferred?” [1] She’s not the only one. Equal parenting has been getting more and more attention, in particular when Dr. Edward Kruk released Child Custody, Access and Parental Responsibility: The search for a just and equitable standard in December 2008. Then on June 16, 2009, Maurice Vellacott , Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin introduced Bill C-422. [2] It’s an equal parenting bill, which seeks to amend portions of the Divorce Act to change the legal presumption of sole custody in divorce disputes to one of joint custody.
http://www.imfcanada.org/article_files/eReview_July1_2009.pdf
By Stefan Paszlack, Researcher, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada
Last summer National Post columnist Barbara Kay asked this question: “When can divorced Canadian fathers – and their children – expect justice, so long demanded, so long promised and so long deferred?” [1] She’s not the only one. Equal parenting has been getting more and more attention, in particular when Dr. Edward Kruk released Child Custody, Access and Parental Responsibility: The search for a just and equitable standard in December 2008. Then on June 16, 2009, Maurice Vellacott , Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin introduced Bill C-422. [2] It’s an equal parenting bill, which seeks to amend portions of the Divorce Act to change the legal presumption of sole custody in divorce disputes to one of joint custody.
http://www.imfcanada.org/article_files/eReview_July1_2009.pdf
More on "NEA to consider full support of homosexual 'marriage'"
This is the kind of behavior that has driven some teachers to form an alternative organization: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=588006
The NEA is currently holding its annual convention in San Diego, California. Educator and conservative activist Jeralee Smith called OneNewsNow from the convention to report that the executive council has approved language that will throw the full support of the NEA behind same-gender marriage, homosexual adoption, and other issues surrounding the homosexual agenda.
That alternative organization is called the California Teachers Empowerment Network. Its president had an outstanding article in today’s San Diego Union Tribune. Readers can join them by going here.
The NEA is currently holding its annual convention in San Diego, California. Educator and conservative activist Jeralee Smith called OneNewsNow from the convention to report that the executive council has approved language that will throw the full support of the NEA behind same-gender marriage, homosexual adoption, and other issues surrounding the homosexual agenda.
That alternative organization is called the California Teachers Empowerment Network. Its president had an outstanding article in today’s San Diego Union Tribune. Readers can join them by going here.
Commentary: Let's end disposable marriage
By Leah Ward Sears
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- After Tommy's sudden death, we found among my brother's personal effects a questionnaire he had completed in 2005 for a church class.
The very first question was a fill-in-the-blank that went like this: "At the end of my life, I'd love to be able to look back and know I'd done something about ....."
"Fathers," Tommy wrote.
When asked to identify something that angered him that could be changed, Tommy wrote, "Re-establishment of equity and balance and sanity within the American family."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/02/sears.family.divorce/index.html?iref=hpmostpop
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- After Tommy's sudden death, we found among my brother's personal effects a questionnaire he had completed in 2005 for a church class.
The very first question was a fill-in-the-blank that went like this: "At the end of my life, I'd love to be able to look back and know I'd done something about ....."
"Fathers," Tommy wrote.
When asked to identify something that angered him that could be changed, Tommy wrote, "Re-establishment of equity and balance and sanity within the American family."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/07/02/sears.family.divorce/index.html?iref=hpmostpop
Losing Confidence in Marriage
By KAY S. HYMOWITZ
Is marriage in the midst of the social equivalent of the financial meltdown? The first inkling -- the Bear Stearns moment, if you will -- came almost a year ago when the National Enquirer reported that John Edwards appeared to be the father of a love child. The full-scale crisis hit in the past weeks with les affaires Ensign, Sanford and (at least according to rumor) reality-show star Jon Gosselin. Adding to the sense of a Great Marital Depression was a much discussed article in the Atlantic by performer and writer Sandra Tsing Loh about her own infidelity and ultimate separation from her husband, titled "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124658294270189935.html
Is marriage in the midst of the social equivalent of the financial meltdown? The first inkling -- the Bear Stearns moment, if you will -- came almost a year ago when the National Enquirer reported that John Edwards appeared to be the father of a love child. The full-scale crisis hit in the past weeks with les affaires Ensign, Sanford and (at least according to rumor) reality-show star Jon Gosselin. Adding to the sense of a Great Marital Depression was a much discussed article in the Atlantic by performer and writer Sandra Tsing Loh about her own infidelity and ultimate separation from her husband, titled "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124658294270189935.html
Why Marriage Matters
By Caitlin Flanagan
Around the time of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, I turned to my father at the dinner table one night and said, "It's amazing, Dad — 50 years, and you never once had an affair. How do you account for that?"
He replied simply, "I can't drive."
Watching the governor of South Carolina cry like a little girl because his sexy e-mails got forwarded to his local newspaper, the State, made me wonder whether the real secret to a lasting marriage lies in limiting your means of escape. Whether you're putting the Buick Regal in reverse or hitting "Send" on a love note, you're busting out of your marriage, however temporarily, and soon enough there will be hell to pay.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908243,00.html?xid=rss-nation-cnn
Around the time of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, I turned to my father at the dinner table one night and said, "It's amazing, Dad — 50 years, and you never once had an affair. How do you account for that?"
He replied simply, "I can't drive."
Watching the governor of South Carolina cry like a little girl because his sexy e-mails got forwarded to his local newspaper, the State, made me wonder whether the real secret to a lasting marriage lies in limiting your means of escape. Whether you're putting the Buick Regal in reverse or hitting "Send" on a love note, you're busting out of your marriage, however temporarily, and soon enough there will be hell to pay.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908243,00.html?xid=rss-nation-cnn
Robert P. George on the Struggle Over Marriage
by Ryan T. Anderson
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.07.03.001.pdart
Recently, the editor of Public Discourse sat down with Robert P. George to discuss the state of the marriage debate. While supporters of same-sex “marriage” claim that history is on their side, it turns out that supporters of traditional marriage have more reasons for hope than they may realize.
"Every time the issue is put to the people, even in deep blue states such as California and Wisconsin, conjugal marriage wins and same-sex “marriage” loses. In fact, polling often shows greater support for the re-definition of marriage prior to campaigns in which the issue is tested than at the end of such campaigns after the competing sides have made their arguments and the people render their decisions. And this is despite the fact that the advocates of re-defining marriage are extremely well-funded and well-organized and enjoy the overwhelming support of the cultural establishment. So people who oppose redefining marriage should not let themselves be railroaded by those on the other side to believe that their cause is lost and that same-sex “marriage” is inevitable. It isn’t."
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.07.03.001.pdart
Recently, the editor of Public Discourse sat down with Robert P. George to discuss the state of the marriage debate. While supporters of same-sex “marriage” claim that history is on their side, it turns out that supporters of traditional marriage have more reasons for hope than they may realize.
"Every time the issue is put to the people, even in deep blue states such as California and Wisconsin, conjugal marriage wins and same-sex “marriage” loses. In fact, polling often shows greater support for the re-definition of marriage prior to campaigns in which the issue is tested than at the end of such campaigns after the competing sides have made their arguments and the people render their decisions. And this is despite the fact that the advocates of re-defining marriage are extremely well-funded and well-organized and enjoy the overwhelming support of the cultural establishment. So people who oppose redefining marriage should not let themselves be railroaded by those on the other side to believe that their cause is lost and that same-sex “marriage” is inevitable. It isn’t."
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Persistent Myths in Feminist Scholarship
By CHRISTINA HOFF SOMMERS
"Harder to kill than a vampire." That is what the sociologist Joel Best calls a bad statistic. But, as I have discovered over the years, among false statistics the hardest of all to slay are those promoted by feminist professors. Consider what happened recently when I sent an e-mail message to the Berkeley law professor Nancy K.D. Lemon pointing out that the highly praised textbook that she edited, Domestic Violence Law (second edition, Thomson/West, 2005), contained errors.
http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i40/40sommers.htm
"Harder to kill than a vampire." That is what the sociologist Joel Best calls a bad statistic. But, as I have discovered over the years, among false statistics the hardest of all to slay are those promoted by feminist professors. Consider what happened recently when I sent an e-mail message to the Berkeley law professor Nancy K.D. Lemon pointing out that the highly praised textbook that she edited, Domestic Violence Law (second edition, Thomson/West, 2005), contained errors.
http://chronicle.com/free/v55/i40/40sommers.htm
Moral equivalence in the White House
Sheila Liaugminas
The first African-American president of the United States is going to bring some uniquely different values into the White House. Testing the parameters of his moral vision during the presidential campaign, Obama was asked about same-sex marriage, among other things. His answer…..that he opposed it…..has morphed, now that he’s president. Today, he affirmed homosexual unions, and went even further…
President Obama honored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights.
With first lady Michelle Obama at his side, the president told the cheering crowd filling the East Room that his administration would work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gays in the military.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/moral_equivalence_in_the_white_house/
The first African-American president of the United States is going to bring some uniquely different values into the White House. Testing the parameters of his moral vision during the presidential campaign, Obama was asked about same-sex marriage, among other things. His answer…..that he opposed it…..has morphed, now that he’s president. Today, he affirmed homosexual unions, and went even further…
President Obama honored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights.
With first lady Michelle Obama at his side, the president told the cheering crowd filling the East Room that his administration would work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gays in the military.
http://www.mercatornet.com/sheila_liaugminas/view/moral_equivalence_in_the_white_house/
Korea’s population crisis
Choi Seon-jeong
Korea is suffering from a national crisis of super-low fertility. The head of the Korean affiliate of Planned Parenthood explains why.
The head of the Korean affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation recently pleaded with his countrymen and women to have more children. Choi Seon-jeong, president of the Planned Population Federation of Korea, warned in the JoongAng Daily that his government must combat a "national crisis of super-low fertility", or Korea will disappear. MercatorNet asked him to explain how this has happened and how he proposes to increase birth rates.
MercatorNet: The latest statistics show that the fertility rate in the Republic of Korea is one of the lowest in the world. You have described this as a "national crisis of super-low fertility". What do you fear will happen?
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/koreas_population_crisis/
Korea is suffering from a national crisis of super-low fertility. The head of the Korean affiliate of Planned Parenthood explains why.
The head of the Korean affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation recently pleaded with his countrymen and women to have more children. Choi Seon-jeong, president of the Planned Population Federation of Korea, warned in the JoongAng Daily that his government must combat a "national crisis of super-low fertility", or Korea will disappear. MercatorNet asked him to explain how this has happened and how he proposes to increase birth rates.
MercatorNet: The latest statistics show that the fertility rate in the Republic of Korea is one of the lowest in the world. You have described this as a "national crisis of super-low fertility". What do you fear will happen?
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/koreas_population_crisis/
Teachers' union to consider abortion issue
Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow -
Conservative teachers within the NEA will call for the union to drop its support of abortion.
The National Education Association will convene for their national meeting in San Diego July 1-6. Jeralee Smith, one of the co-founders of the NEA Conservative Educators Caucus, says one of the items her group has placed on the agenda is abortion. "The union contributes to candidates who will maintain the current Roe v. Wade decision and make sure that the abortion industry is alive and well," she explains. "And this supposedly is done with the portion of union dues that...is optional. But a lot of times we found sneaky ways that the union supports things that we don't believe in."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=585014
Conservative teachers within the NEA will call for the union to drop its support of abortion.
The National Education Association will convene for their national meeting in San Diego July 1-6. Jeralee Smith, one of the co-founders of the NEA Conservative Educators Caucus, says one of the items her group has placed on the agenda is abortion. "The union contributes to candidates who will maintain the current Roe v. Wade decision and make sure that the abortion industry is alive and well," she explains. "And this supposedly is done with the portion of union dues that...is optional. But a lot of times we found sneaky ways that the union supports things that we don't believe in."
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Education/Default.aspx?id=585014
Catholic hospital halts merger with pro-abortion group
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow -
A Catholic hospital chain in Massachusetts has bowed to public pressure.
Jim Sedlak of American Life League (ALL) points out a pending merger between the hospital and a pro-abortion healthcare network sparked an outrage among pro-life supporters. "The Catholic hospital system in Boston, known as Caritas Christi, had already signed papers to enter into an agreement with a secular organization to provide a healthcare network that would cover abortions, contraception, and other things that are against Catholic teaching," he notes. The contract with pro-abortion Centene Corp would have gone into effect July 1, according to an ALL press release. ALL members and others around the country urged Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley to halt the contract.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=584754
A Catholic hospital chain in Massachusetts has bowed to public pressure.
Jim Sedlak of American Life League (ALL) points out a pending merger between the hospital and a pro-abortion healthcare network sparked an outrage among pro-life supporters. "The Catholic hospital system in Boston, known as Caritas Christi, had already signed papers to enter into an agreement with a secular organization to provide a healthcare network that would cover abortions, contraception, and other things that are against Catholic teaching," he notes. The contract with pro-abortion Centene Corp would have gone into effect July 1, according to an ALL press release. ALL members and others around the country urged Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley to halt the contract.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=584754
United Church of Christ Resolution to Teach LGBT Curriculum in Public Schools Violates Children - Confessing Movement Protests
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- A Resolution of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ concluding today in Grand Rapids, Michigan, calls for "diversity/multi- cultural education" in public elementary schools that includes, "the experience of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, bi- sexual, transgender), individuals and families." The resolution also calls for aggressive opposition to efforts by parents whose moral convictions are violated by such teaching to protect their children from LGBT indoctrination. The resolution mixes the LGBT agenda with a call for public school diversity teaching on racism and the acceptance of immigrant minorities.
In protest, the confessing movement within the United Church of Christ known as Biblical Witness Fellowship has issued a statement of protest. "Teaching that behavior and relationships which are morally wrong to most Christian families, as well as families of the Islamic, Hindu and other religious traditions is normative, makes the public school an unsafe environment for our children. Mixing such a message with the legitimate concerns of racism and the acceptance of immigrating families and children is offensive, intellectually dishonest, and inappropriate. Diversity demands that public education respect the morality of all and protects the innocence of children."
www.ReformationUCC.org
In protest, the confessing movement within the United Church of Christ known as Biblical Witness Fellowship has issued a statement of protest. "Teaching that behavior and relationships which are morally wrong to most Christian families, as well as families of the Islamic, Hindu and other religious traditions is normative, makes the public school an unsafe environment for our children. Mixing such a message with the legitimate concerns of racism and the acceptance of immigrating families and children is offensive, intellectually dishonest, and inappropriate. Diversity demands that public education respect the morality of all and protects the innocence of children."
www.ReformationUCC.org
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