Kingfisher Column

What Marriage Has Become

2011-03-28T20:03:00.001-05:00

by Christopher Wolfe
[hat tip: A Banner is Unfurled]

The widespread adoption of different versions of no-fault divorce by most states after 1970 transformed marriage and family. The traditional presumption in favor of the permanence of marriage (with certain well-defined exceptions) gave way to a situation in which one of the partners, for whatever reason, could unilaterally end the marriage. This marked a cultural shift from regarding marriage as a truly fundamental social institution to regarding it as primarily a personal union in which there is a very limited social interest.

[Read more . . .]

DOMA in the LA Times

2011-03-01T15:31:00.001-06:00

by The Playful Walrus

The Opine Editorials

LA Times

The president is not obligated to defend laws that are unconstitutional and thus indefensible.

The Playful Walrus

By the same reasoning, a court trial should not be available to someone who is obviously guilty. Isn't the constitutionality the precise question being discussed in the court cases?

[Read More]

Court sets deadline in DOMA case

2011-02-28T12:59:00.003-06:00

Email alert from Brian Brown of NOM

"On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit gave us just three weeks to ensure that Congress steps up to defend DOMA. By March 18th, the Obama administration and the State of Massachusetts must agree on a new plan for how the pending DOMA litigation will proceed.

If Congress doesn’t step up quickly to defend DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act may soon be history – the victim of an administration that is deliberately undercutting the very laws it is duty-bound to defend.

Thousands of you have already petitioned your Congressman to intervene on behalf of DOMA in the challenge filed by the State of Massachusetts.

And it's working!! Speaker Boehner told The Hill in an article posted this morning that the House is likely to take action to defend DOMA.

But we need to keep the emails coming! ... Your calls and emails could make the difference – not just for DOMA, but for the future of marriage in our nation."

Please take a minute out of your busy day - just one minute away from working, shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. - to call your Congressman and express your desire that they stand up for checks and balances in our government and defend the DOMA when those who are duty-bound to do so refuse.

Click here to find your Congressman or woman.

Call the White House:

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414

Euripides on Obama and DOMA

2011-02-28T12:31:00.003-06:00

by Euripides
Self Evident Truths

If the Obama administration ignores the constitutional mandate to uphold the law, then the rule of law becomes meaningless. When the executive branch of the federal government takes on both legislative and judicial powers, the possibility for abuse follows, including the possibility of dictatorial powers.

The agenda of those who support same sex marriage is blatantly clear. Nothing can stand in the way of supporting gay ideology to obtain protected class status based on self-identified attributes of same gender attraction. Gay activists and others will cheer the statist decisions of Obama while ignoring the latent dangers of his decision.

[Read More]

Obama picking and choosing what laws he'll defend

2011-02-26T20:42:00.000-06:00

by Shane Vander
Caffeinated Thoughts

Presidents don’t have the right to pick and choose what laws they will defend or enforce. Based on the rationale that Attorney General Eric Holder gave, I think Governor Mike Huckabee had it right in a recent interview with Laura Ingraham when he suggested that he also should then quit defending the health care reform law since it too has been deemed unconstitutional. Oh no that won’t happen since President Obama doesn’t believe it to be unconstitutional!

Here’s the point I think everybody is missing. While there are currently no lawsuits challenging section 2 Congressman Paul, rightly, expresses concern because that may not always be the case (now I’ll admit that he doesn’t seem to recognize that same-sex marriages are already allowed in Iowa, but I think his larger point remains in tact). I am also unconvinced that the Department of Justice would make a spirited defense if section 2 is challenged. I also believe it is just a matter of time before it is challenged, and I don’t believe most homosexual activists would have any problems having gay marriage imposed on other states. If it is found unconstitutional in a lower federal court will then President Obama change his mind on this as well?

Again, the President can’t just pick and choose which laws he will defend.

[Read full blog post]

David Limbaugh on Obama and DOMA

2011-02-25T23:09:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from David Lambaugh's latest column entitled Obama Not Just Above the Law; He Is the Law:

To understand the magnitude of Obama's action, we must again consider the above-cited fact that both chambers of Congress passed DOMA by overwhelming majorities reflecting the will of the people that marriage be defined, for legal and policy purposes, as it always had been. Also, no federal appellate court has ruled the statute unconstitutional.

As he has in so many other areas (EPA, the offshore drilling ban, IMF), Obama has usurped the authority of the other two coequal branches of government to make himself, in effect, not just chief executive but super-legislator and a supreme judicial authority.

. . .

So now we have an imperial president who is refusing to enforce a law passed by powerful congressional majorities while persisting in enforcing a law (Obamacare) that two federal courts have already invalidated. The only common denominator is that Obama believes he is the law.

[Read More]

Hat tip: A Banner is Unfurled

DOMA may have a better chance without Justice Department's lackluster "defense."

2011-02-24T14:18:00.000-06:00

"The previous efforts of the Obama administration and DOJ to defend the law were so inadequate as to raise the suspicion that the Justice Department was deliberately throwing the case," said Robert George, a political science professor at Princeton University who opposes same-sex marriage. "Chances are the law will get a robust defense, and I suspect it will withstand constitutional scrutiny."

[Read more from NOM blog]

Hawaii House Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

2010-04-30T13:14:00.003-05:00

by Peter J. Smith, LifeSiteNews

"Pro-family advocates were taken by surprise when the Hawaii House of Representatives unexpectedly revived and passed legislation that would establish same-sex civil unions and make them equivalent to marriage, nearly three months after everyone thought the issue was a dead letter.

The Senate bill taken up by the House (HB 444) "extends the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union."

Back in February, the House decided to take the legislation off its agenda for the rest of the legislative year in a voice vote that would have required two-thirds of the Democratic-controlled chamber to revive the issue.

However on Thursday, the very last day of the state’s legislative session, Rep. Blake Oshiro moved to revive the Senate bill. Instead of following the rules established for taking up the shelved bill, Speaker Calvin Say had the House take four votes to suspend those rules and pass the bill with just a majority.

The bill passed 31 votes in favor to 20 against, and will now proceed to the desk of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle. The governor has 45 days to make a decision on whether to sign or veto the civil unions bill, and has not indicated which way she will decide."

Read the rest of the story here.

Obama Extends Hospital Visitation Rights to Same-Sex Partners

2010-04-16T13:19:00.003-05:00

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama issued a memo on Thursday that would require hospitals accepting Medicare or Medicaid funds to allow visitation rights to gay and lesbian partners...

He also ordered hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid to ensure that all patients' advance directives, which include appointing someone to make healthcare decisions if necessary, are respected."

Real Reason for the Easter Season

2010-04-02T12:43:00.005-05:00

Neutered Marriages in Washington, DC

2010-03-09T13:57:00.000-06:00

From the AP:

"About 150 couples were eligible to pick up marriage licenses Tuesday after applying on the first day the licenses were made available. Many of them stood in line for four or more hours last Wednesday.

The District of Columbia is the sixth place in the country permitting same-sex unions. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue same-sex couples licenses."

Marriage DOES Matter

2010-02-19T08:21:00.002-06:00

Opine has a link to an article summarizing social science research that shows that marriage is important and does play a positive role in society. Check it out for some good reading.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

2010-01-18T13:02:00.005-06:00

One of the greatest speeches ever given. This man changed a nation.

Haiti: How You Can Help

2010-01-13T14:27:00.004-06:00

From the AP:

"Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace, the cathedral, hospitals, schools, the main prison and whole neighborhoods. Officials feared thousands — perhaps more than 100,000 — may have perished but there was no firm count.

Death was everywhere in Port-au-Prince. Bodies of tiny children were piled next to schools. Corpses of women lay on the street with stunned expressions frozen on their faces as flies began to gather. Bodies of men were covered with plastic tarps or cotton sheets.

President Rene Preval said he believes thousands were killed in Tuesday afternoon's magnitude-7.0 quake, and the scope of the destruction prompted other officials to give even higher estimates."

Find links here to the Red Cross and other organizations where you can donate to help the relief effort in Haiti.

(Photo: LISANDRO SUERO / AFP / Getty Images)

Washington, DC Legalizes Gay Marriage

2009-12-18T12:39:00.002-06:00

"The mayor of Washington has signed a bill legalizing gay marriage in the nation's capital, but it won't go into effect just yet....

The bill must pass a 30-day period of Congressional review."

Read the story here.

Marriage Victory in New York

2009-12-04T08:01:00.001-06:00

"In a lengthy debate Wednesday that often focused more on theology than politics, the New York Senate defeated a “gay marriage” bill 38-24, handing homosexual activists another stinging defeat in the liberal Northeast."

See Beetle Blogger for all the details!

Maine Marriage Supporters Targeted

2009-11-05T13:14:00.003-06:00

From Bangor Daily News:

"In a defiant speech to several hundred lingering supporters, No on 1 campaign manager Jesse Connolly pledged that his side “will not quit until we know where every single one of these votes lives.”

“We’re not short-timers; we are here for the long haul,” Connolly told the crowd, some of whom wiped away tears as he spoke. “Whether it’s just all night and into the morning, or next week or next month or next year, we will be here. We’ll be fighting, we’ll be working. We will regroup.'"

[Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin]

Maine Stands For Marriage

2009-11-04T13:06:00.002-06:00

From Pearl Diver:

"Yes on Question 1 WINS, 53% to 47%, an almost identical percentage margin, I might add, to California’s Prop 8 results. Congratulations go to Mainers who GOT OUT THE VOTE and represented and protected the children who will ultimately be most affected by any marriage redefinition. It is clear that THE MAJORITY still recognizes the eternal and natural truth that children have a right to be raised by a mother and a father and that GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO PROTECT THAT RIGHT.

Says Fox News, “Gay marriage has now lost in every single state -- 31 in all -- in which it has been put to a popular vote.' "

Opine also has a bunch of news clips and commentary here.

Obama Signs Hate Crimes Legislation

2009-10-28T23:27:00.002-05:00

by Peter J. Smith, www.LifeSiteNews.com

President Barack Obama has now signed into law a controversial "hate crimes" bill that authorizes the federal government to intervene in violent crimes that appear motivated by hatred of homosexuals and apply stiffer penalties and sentences.
...

Opponents of the hate crimes legislation have charged that the bill violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution by making an individual's thought regarding certain groups as much a factor as the nature of his act in prosecuting a crime.

The US Commissioners on Civil Rights wrote letters to US House and Senate leaders condemning the legislation, saying they "regard the broad federalization of crime as a menace to civil liberties." The commissioners also pointed out that the law creates a legal loophole to the Constitution's prohibitions to double jeopardy, because it allows the federal government to try an individual who has already been acquitted in a state trial, for the same crime.

Read the full story here.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Gay Agenda Bills

2009-10-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

From Beetle Blogger:

"After a long midnight session with legislators, Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed SB 572 legislation that appoints May 22 as “Harvey Milk Day” in California public schools AND and SB 54 that recognizes same-sex marriages performed out of state.

The signing of these two bills is a slap in the face to voters who have consistently rejected same sex marriage and pushing homosexuality in schools."

Read the full story here.

Illinois State Senate to Consider "Equal Marriage Act"

2009-10-06T13:07:00.005-05:00

A similar bill has already been introduced in the Illinois House.

And there is a helpful article here summarizing all of the legal activity
on "gay marriage" so far in 2009.

Texas Judge Rules Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

2009-10-02T13:13:00.001-05:00

The ruling came in a gay divorce case, but will this help to open the door for gay marriage proponents?

Read the story here.

Updates from the Frontlines

2009-09-28T13:33:00.002-05:00

Check out United Families International for updates in the fight to protect marriage in Washington, Maine, and Michigan.

There are also recent updates from New Jersey and California.

Judge Orders Mother to Send Child to Public School

2009-09-24T10:40:00.002-05:00

From New American:

"A New Hampshire family-court judge has decreed in a July 13, 2009 ruling that a 10-year-old home-schooled child must now go to a government school in order to teach her to be less “rigid” and foster “tolerance” in her religious beliefs.

Was it because the child was falling behind or socially backward?

"The judge made this order despite finding that the child “is generally likable and well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising, and intellectually at or superior to grade level.”

So what right did the court have to step in and tell the parent how to educate their child? Was this simply because he didn't agree with the child's religious upbringing? Should the parent or the government have the final say in how to raise the child?

Read the full story here.

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be Repealed?

2009-09-17T13:14:00.005-05:00

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM):

"Today, Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) will introduce a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act — the only federal law protecting the marriage statutes of 44 states."

"Marriage isn’t about inside-the-Beltway opportunism, or scoring political points. It’s about honesty and integrity. Protecting children and religious liberty."

Visit NOM to see how you can help in the fight to protect DOMA.

United Families International (UFI) lays out what is at stake if DOMA is repealed.

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has census statistics and poll numbers that disprove any politician's claim that by voting to repeal DOMA, he is simply following the wishes of the majority.

Never Forget

2009-09-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Pro-Life Leaders Warn Obama Still Not Honest About Health Care Abortion Funding

2009-09-11T14:02:00.001-05:00

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

President Obama told a joint session of Congress last night that "no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions" in his proposed health care overhaul. Pro-life leaders across America, however, immediately slammed the claim, pointing to the testimony of independent analysts who have asserted that the current legislation will in fact open government funds to abortion.

Obama stated in his address to Congress Wednesday night: "One more misunderstanding I want to clear up - under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place."

Last month, Obama had similarly dismissed the abortion debate by telling faith leaders in a conference call that it was a "fabrication" that the health care legislation involved "government funding of abortions."

In response, National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) legislative director Douglas Johnson noted that the wording of Obama's statement allowed him to dispense with the abortion opposition without admitting the actual expansion of abortion in the bill. "Obama apparently seeks to hide behind a technical distinction between tax funds and government-collected premiums," said Johnson. "These are merely two types of public funds, collected and spent by government agencies."

He continued: "The Obama-backed legislation makes it explicitly clear that no citizen would be allowed to enroll in the government plan unless he or she is willing to give the federal agency an extra amount calculated to cover the cost of all elective abortions - this would not be optional. The abortionists would bill the federal government and would be paid by the federal government.

"These are public funds, and this is government funding of abortion."

Read the full story here.

Speak Out in Opposition to Harvey Milk Day

2009-09-08T13:23:00.002-05:00

by Charlie Butts, www.OneNewsNow.com

The California Assembly has passed a bill establishing an annual day to honor openly homosexual San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, who was assassinated November 27, 1978. SaveCalifornia.com president Randy Thomasson is calling on conservative Christians to contact the governor's office.

"The bill -- which will honor a sexual predator, a polygamous relationship advocate, and a public liar -- and extend a homosexual, bisexual, transsexual agenda as a role model to children to aspire to is going to the governor afteryou a short stop on the [California] Senate floor," Thomasson explains.

Read the full text here.

Please contact the Governor's office and ask him to veto this bill!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov

Voter Referenda on Same-Sex "Marriage" on Nov. Ballot in Washington and Maine

2009-09-04T10:13:00.001-05:00

by Peter J. Smith, www.LifeSiteNews.com

Voters in the states of Washington and Maine will get the opportunity this November to decide the fate of same-sex "marriage" in their respective states, now that two measures have been certified to appear on the November ballot.

Maine election officials announced Wednesday that pro-family advocates had gathered more than enough signatures - nearly twice the number required - to effect a referendum on the same-sex "marriage" law passed by the Maine legislature. The referendum means Maine voters have the chance to exercise a "People's Veto" of the law, which if successful would then reduce the number of states legalizing same-sex "marriage" to five.

...

Meanwhile on the West Coast, the Secretary of State for Washington has approved R-71, a voter referendum that would overturn a law (SB 5688) passed by the legislature in April that gives homosexual couples all the rights and benefits of marriage, but stops short of giving same-sex unions the title of "marriage."

Pro-family advocates sponsoring R-71 under the banner of Protect Marriage Washington, however, say the law attacks the "historical understanding and definition of marriage" as the lifelong union of a man and a woman, and invites litigation that would lead to state courts legalizing same-sex "marriage."

Protect Marriage Washington submitted nearly 138,000 signatures by the July 25 deadline in order to get R-71 on the November ballot. However state elections officials threw out thousands of signatures, recognizing 121,617 signatures as the final tally. According to the Washington Secretary of State, just 120,557 were required to secure approval for the Referendum.

However the situation in Washington is far more precarious than in Maine, as homosexual activists plan to file a lawsuit on Thursday arguing that Secretary of State Sam Reed certified thousands of invalid signatures, which would then disqualify R-71 from the November ballot.

Yet the Protect Marriage Washington coalition is also fighting attempts by two homosexual activist groups to make the identities public of all Referendum 71 signers. The groups WhoSigned.org and KnowThyNeighbor.org have vowed to create searchable databases of the signers' names, along with the amount they gave and their place of employment. It is unclear whether their home addresses will also be published.

Read the full story here.

The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations

2009-08-27T10:35:00.003-05:00

These are excerpts from an address given by Elder Russell M. Nelson at the World Congress of Families V in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Aug. 12, 2009. (emphasis added)

"Nothing, absolutely nothing, compares with the companionship between a husband and a wife. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can provide the joy and growth that come from happy children who make a family circle. Throughout my life, I have answered to many titles, including doctor, captain, professor, and elder. But the titles I revere most are those of husband, father, and grandfather.

...

"Dear friends, future happiness and even the future of nations is linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society. We simply must value children more than we do! Without a new generation to replace the old, there is no wealth; without families, there is no future.

Children come from the union of a man and a woman. The happiest and most secure children come from happy and secure marriages of fathers and mothers. History and contemporary studies have shown that marriage of a husband and a wife, with both contributing their distinctive natural traits to the family, provides the ideal context within which to rear productive, compassionate, and moral individuals.

...

Any attempt to broaden the definition of marriage to encompass a contractual relationship between adults outside of the traditional family weakens the institution of marriage as God Himself defined it, and undermines the separate, divinely decreed responsibilities of man and woman for procreation, protection, and rearing of children.

Marriage is not simply a contract between individuals; it affects all of society. For that reason, governments have long recognized the family as the fundamental unit of society and have endorsed and encouraged traditional marriage through legal recognitions, protections and benefits.

Individuals and groups who would overthrow the traditional concept of marriage and family would first mutate and then mutilate these long-established, time-tested social norms. The consequences of such changes would have far-reaching implications. If youth were to harbor the belief that the traditional family is but one choice of lifestyle among others, many of them will make choices that will reap only emptiness and despair, both for themselves and for society at large.

Furthermore, those who seek to undermine traditional marriage and family would effectively limit the rights of those who do uphold the sanctity of these institutions. This consequence leads to another major concern— the eventual erosion of religious liberty, including the liberty to defend, promote, and practice traditional family values. Religious liberty is essential if we are to raise up righteous children. Morally responsible families will not marginalize religious liberty, they will nurture and protect it."

I would encourage you to read the full text of the address here. He gives a great overview of the importance of the family and the attacks it is facing in our society.

Vacation

2009-08-03T22:20:00.003-05:00

I will be out of town for the next three weeks so Kingfisher will be taking a break. Enjoy reading some of the great blogs listed on Kingfisher and learning more about how you can help protect the family. Happy reading!

Religious Beliefs Lose to Gay "Rights"

2009-07-30T13:25:00.001-05:00

Clash of worldviews - coming to a wedding near you

by Charlie Butts, www.OneNewsNow.com

A court in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan has ruled that a marriage commissioner may not refuse to perform homosexual "wedding" ceremonies.

Earlier this month, the Queen's Bench in Saskatchewan upheld the Human Rights Commission's ruling that a government marriage commissioner illegally discriminated against a homosexual man by refusing to perform a marriage ceremony for him. That commissioner had cited religious objections to performing same-sex "marriages."

Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel says the problem is not confined to Canada -- and argues that the same thing is coming to the U.S. when homosexual marriage is legalized. As he points out, when Vermont legalized civil unions, clerks who perform marriage ceremonies were forced to choose between their faith and their careers.

Read the full story here.

No More Abstinence Funding

2009-07-27T23:03:00.002-05:00

House Follows Obama's Plan to Replace Abstinence Grant with Contraceptive Funding

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The U.S. House of Representatives Friday voted to eliminate $99 million in grant funds that would have bolstered abstinence education in the U.S. The House's decision to cut the funds and to approve a new grant towards contraceptive-promoting sex education had been sought by President Obama in his budget recommendations earlier this year.

House lawmakers voted 264-153 to approve the annual health and education spending bill that cut funding for Community-Based Abstinence Education. Also according to the Obama recommendations, Congress in late June chose not to renew the smaller abstinence-education funding initiative known as Title V.

Instead, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and Labor money will be directed to a new $114 million initiative to promote contraceptives and explicit sex education.

Read the full article here.

Obamacare and Abortion

2009-07-22T00:29:00.002-05:00

from New York Times:

An Obama administration official refused Sunday to rule out the possibility that federal tax money might be used to pay for abortions under proposed health care legislation. Peter R. Orszag, the White House budget director, asked whether he was prepared to say that “no taxpayer money will go to pay for abortions,” answered: “I am not prepared to say explicitly that right now. It’s obviously a controversial issue, and it’s one of the questions that is playing out in this debate.”

Read the full article here.

Judge Sides with Christian Student

2009-07-17T12:53:00.003-05:00

by Peter J. Smith, www.LifeSiteNews.com

A US District Judge has blocked the Los Angeles Community College District from enforcing its sexual harassment policy, which the judge ruled had promoted a hostile environment for the free speech rights of a Christian student.

U.S. District Judge George H. King agreed with Jonathan Lopez, a student attending Los Angeles City College (LACC), that the District's policy as written had created the environment that emboldened his speech professor to call Lopez a "fascist ba***rd" for explaining his Christian beliefs and how they related to his views against same-sex "marriage."

King stated in a ruling handed down last week that key sections of the policy were "unconstitutionally overbroad" and then issued the preliminary injunction on the policy, saying that the way the policy was constructed meant it "cannot be rendered constitutional by excising words or severing sections."

Represented by lawyers with the Alliance Defense Fund, Lopez had filed a lawsuit against the District and LACC back in February after he had been censored and threatened with expulsion by Professor John Matteson, who had assigned the members of his public-speaking class in mid-November to give an informational speech on any topic.

Lopez decided to give an informational speech to students on his own Christian beliefs, including Christian views on marriage. Lopez had read aloud the definition of marriage from the dictionary and had also quoted two verses from the Bible, when Matteson interjected in the middle of the speech and called Lopez a "fascist ba***rd" before his classmates.

Matteson refused to let Lopez finish, and instead invited other students to leave if they felt offended. But with no student taking up Matteson's invitation to depart, Matteson ordered the class dismissed. Instead of giving the assignment a grade, Matteson mocked Lopez on his written evaluation, taunting, "Ask God what your grade is."

Read the full story here.

Original post here and the story from the L.A. Times here.

Updates From the Front Lines

2009-07-13T13:53:00.001-05:00

From UFI:

"There are new disturbing developments within New England and Washington, D.C. and a new battleground has opened up in the state of New York. The current administration has made bold moves in direct defiance of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and a new development has begun in contravention of California’s recent state Supreme Court victory."

Read the details here.

Marriage & Divorce

2009-07-09T13:55:00.000-05:00

Massachusetts sues feds over definition of marriage

2009-07-08T14:27:00.001-05:00

by Denise Lavoie, AP, www.OneNewsNow.com

Massachusetts is suing the federal government over a law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Boston. It says the federal Defense of Marriage Act interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define marriage as it sees fit.

Read the full story here.

Obama Administration Calls for Universal Access to Abortion at UN Meeting

2009-07-06T13:37:00.001-05:00

by Samantha Singson, www.LifeSiteNews.com

At the United Nations (UN) headquarters last week, the Obama administration continued its push for increased access to legal abortion around the world. The Obama team has introduced language that has thrown a high level negotiation into a roil. The US proposal calls for "universal access" to "sexual and reproductive health services including universal access to family planning."

Read the full story here.

CA school forces LGBT curriculum on students

2009-06-30T13:18:00.002-05:00

by Pete Chagnon, www.OneNewsNow.com

The chief counsel with the Pacific Justice Institute is fighting for the rights of parents to opt out of a controversial curriculum.

San Francisco Bay-area Alameda Unified School District has approved a "lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender" (LGBT) curriculum for use with kindergarten through fifth-grade students. The curriculum is intended to deal with issues such as bullying and harassment.

Alameda Unified School District is not allowing parents to opt their children out of the curriculum.

Read the full story here.

Coming Soon to a High School Near You

2009-06-26T13:10:00.002-05:00

by Hilary White, www.LifeSiteNews.com

"Distributing condoms in schools "in the context of combating AIDS" "trivializes" sexuality and education and must be fought by concerned parents says a high-level Vatican official. In an official statement released last week, Agostino Cardinal Vallini, the pope's Vicar General of the diocese of Rome, responded to a decision by the civil authorities of the province of Rome to allow the distribution of condoms from vending machines in high schools."

Read the full article here.

Help Protect Parental Rights

2009-06-24T13:11:00.002-05:00

From parentalrights.org:

Dear Friend of Parental Rights,

Monday in a Harlem middle school, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told a group of 120 students that administration officials are actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As before, she also communicated what a disgrace it is that the U.S. would stand with only Somalia against such a widely-accepted treaty.

This is the first direct public statement by the Obama administration that it will seek ratification of the UN CRC.

In my 30 years of political involvement, I have learned to recognize this as what is called a “trial balloon.” Like in World War I trench warfare, our opponents have “sent up a balloon” to see if it will draw fire. If things remain quiet, they will proceed with their plans to push for ratification of the CRC in the U.S. Senate.

To discourage them from doing so, we need to make sure that our voices are heard with unmistakable clarity. We must let the Obama administration know that we oppose this anti-family, anti-American treaty.

Here’s what we need you all to do:

1. Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm.

2. Call Ambassador Susan Rice’s office at the United Nations. Tell her that you want her to represent the United States to the world rather than trying to get the United States to go along with international law initiated by the UN. The US Mission at the United Nations can be reached at 212-415-4000 (press 6 to leave your message). This number has been disconnected through our efforts. You can also contact the Public Diplomacy Office at 212-415-4050.

3. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your Senators’ contact information by typing your zip code into the box here.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16 – the Parental Rights Amendment.

It is very important that we speak up right now. Please call before you close this email!

Sincerely,

Michael Farris

Original letter posted here.

2010 Census: Change You Can Believe Will Happen

2009-06-23T13:42:00.003-05:00

Obama White House Seeks Inclusion of Same-Sex Unions in Census

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The Obama administration has directed the Census Bureau to find a way to include homosexual "marriages," partnerships, and unions in the 2010 census, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

"The administration continues to make progress on the president's longstanding commitment to promoting equality for [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] Americans," said White House spokesman Ben LaBolt.

While the census has in the past collected volunteered data on same-sex "marriages," White House officials said that the Obama administration intends to abandon the previous interpretation of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as prohibiting the release of such data.

...

This is the second move by the Obama administration this week to express solidarity with the homosexual lobby. On Wednesday, the President signed a memorandum granting restricted benefits to the homosexual partners of federal employees.

Activists were dissatisfied that the directive did not extend to health or retirement benefits. Obama has assured critics questioning his commitment to the homosexual lobby that he intends to repeal DOMA through the legislative process.

Read the full article here.

For Father's Day

2009-06-19T00:02:00.002-05:00

I hope you enjoy this beautiful video from Pearl Diver. It's a great reminder of the importance of a father in each child's life!

Senate to Approve Hate Crimes Law Via Tourism Bill Today or Tomorrow

2009-06-17T12:36:00.001-05:00

by Peter J. Smith, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The United States Senate is poised to approve hate crimes legislation within the next couple days by way of an amendment attached to an unrelated bill on tourism.

According to the Washington Blade, a D.C.-based homosexual news journal, the Senate leadership plans to attach the hate crimes bill, S. 909, also known as the Matthew Shephard Act, to The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S 1023). The Blade quoted its source as saying “we're thinking that the vote will happen probably [Tuesday] or Wednesday.”

LifeSiteNews reported last week that Senate officials were looking to smuggle controversial hate crimes legislation into federal law by passing it as an amendment to another major piece of legislation instead of a stand-alone piece of legislation. The US House of Representatives had passed its version, H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, as a stand-alone bill by a 249-175 margin in April.

Read the full article here.

Help Protest Appointment of Homosexual Activist Kevin Jennings

2009-06-12T14:19:00.002-05:00

From Beetle Blogger:

Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), was appointed by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to be Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

GLSEN once sponsored a conference at Tufts University that was advertised to "youth only ages 14 to 21."
Three homosexual activists employed by the Massachusetts Departments of Health and Education led a youth workshop titled "What They Didn’t Tell You about Queer Sex & Sexuality in Health Class." Among other activities, the activists guided the students on gay sex practices.
Jennings has spoken publicly about a high school student he once counseled who was in a sexual relationship with an older man — yet Jennings never reported this abuse to the authorities, the school, or the child’s parents.

What You Can Do:

Call Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at 202-401-3000 (e-mail: arne.duncan@ed.gov) and urge him to withdraw his appointment.
Call President Obama at 202-456-1414 (email: here) and urge him to withdraw this appointment.

Read Beetle's full post here.

Marriage is Not the Problem

2009-06-10T13:12:00.004-05:00

"Why not Focus Only on Divorce? by Support the Traditional Family:

"Supporters of marriage often face the same questions. Here are two that I read a lot.

If you're so concerned with strengthening marriage, why not ban divorce? Why put all this time and energy into preventing homosexuals from entering into marriage, when divorce is taking a much higher toll?

I think they are valid questions."

Read the full post here.

400 Students Defy ACLU and Stand to Recite Lord's Prayer at Graduation

2009-06-08T15:08:00.002-05:00

By John Jalsevac, www.LifeSiteNews.com

Nearly 400 graduating seniors at Pace High School stood up in protest against the ACLU and recited the Lord’s Prayer during their graduation ceremony last Saturday. Many of the students also painted crosses on their graduation caps to make a statement of faith.

The prayerful protest by the students comes on the heels of a lawsuit the ACLU filed against the Santa Rosa County School District, claiming some of the teachers and administration endorsed religion. The suit was filed on behalf of two students, who said that the teachers were promoting their views of religion.

Read the full story here.

The video link in the article does not seem to work. You can see the video here.

New Hampshire legalizes 'gay marriage' with religious protections

2009-06-04T14:57:00.001-05:00

www.OneNewsNow.com

New Hampshire has become the sixth state to legalize same-sex "marriage." Governor John Lynch signed it into law after the Legislature approved religious exemptions.

The revised bill specifies that all religious organizations, associations, or societies have exclusive control over their religious doctrines, policies, teachings, and beliefs on marriage.

It also says church-related organizations that serve charitable or educational purposes are exempt from having to provide insurance and other benefits to same-sex spouses of employees.

Read the full article here.

Ultrasound of Unborn Child Must be Made Available to Women Seeking Abortion: Nebraska Legislature

2009-06-01T13:42:00.001-05:00

By Alex Bush, www.LifeSiteNews.com

In an overwhelming vote of 40-5 the Nebraska Legislature has passed a bill, introduced by Senator Tony Fulton, that requires abortionists to make an ultrasound of the unborn child available to a woman seeking an abortion if she requests it.

The bill also mandates that if the woman asks for a detailed medical analysis of the ultrasound, she must be given information detailing the size of the child, any cardiac activity, and information regarding “external members and internal organs, if present and viewable.”

Read the full story here.

Impact of Same-Sex Marriage in Massachusetts

2009-06-01T09:59:00.003-05:00

"Holy cow, the sky hasn't fallen."

That assessment of five years of same-sex marriage came from Jennifer Chrisler, who advocates for gay and lesbian parents as head of the Boston-based Family Equality Council. It's a common refrain from many like-minded activists...

Gay Activists frequently try to use the example of Massachusetts to prove that legalizing same-sex marriage does no harm. They try to push an image of tolerance as if no one in the state opposes it anymore because they've seen how good it is.

What they don't want you to know is that the court's ruling on gay "marriage" has negatively impacted almost every sector of life: education, public health, business, and family life.

This article, written last fall, summarizes many of the consequences that have occurred since that ruling five years ago.

"This is about putting the legal stamp of approval on homosexuality and imposing it with force throughout the various social and political institutions of a society that would never accept it otherwise. To the rest of America: You've been forewarned."

Update: Opine Editorials wrote a post about this same article. You can read the post here as well as dozens of comments in which Opine already addressed concerns. No point in me saying what has already been said.

Attorneys File Injunction to Stop Prop. 8

2009-05-29T14:32:00.006-05:00

Unhappy with Democracy, Bush v. Gore Rivals Join to Ask Fed Court to Overturn Proposition

by Peter J. Smith, www.LifeSiteNews.com

Dissatisfied with the recent ruling from the California Supreme Court on Proposition 8, the former rivals in the Bush v. Gore decision have joined together this time to urge a federal appeals court to nullify the Californian citizens' vote to ban same-sex "marriage."

...

The lawsuit is a first for Olson and Boies's newly created group, American Foundation for Equal Rights. Any appeal of the case will likely go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, a federal court known for its judicial activism. A further appeal will likely go to the US Supreme Court, which will either end up upholding Proposition 8, or possibly legalizing same-sex "marriage" throughout the United States and rejecting the expressed will of the people of California as indicated by the passed referendum question on the issue.

Read the full story here.

California Supreme Court Upholds Proposition 8

2009-05-26T21:19:00.002-05:00

From Pearl Diver:

"This morning the Supreme Court of California ruled 6-1 in favor of Proposition 8. I am immensely relieved that this state’s judiciary was inspired to reaffirm the right of the people of California to amend our own Constitution as we see fit. I am relieved that my Nov. 4th vote didn’t come to naught. I am relieved that, at least for a time, marriage is as it should be in the great state of California."

Read more here.

Paying Tribute

2009-05-25T09:47:00.003-05:00

On Memorial Day, we honor and thank all the brave men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our country strong and free.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Illinois set to legalize civil unions

2009-05-21T23:14:00.001-05:00

From Culture Campaign:

"The Illinois House and Senate are reportedly poised to hide a homosexual civil unions measure in a "shell bill" and pass it within hours to thwart a citizen uprising.

Illinois residents, click here to E-mail your legislator to vote NO on any bill with civil unions included."

Read the full story here.

Wisconsin marriage amendment goes to black robes

2009-05-20T12:42:00.001-05:00

by Charlie Butts, www.OneNewsNow.com

Yet another state is finding its marriage amendment going to its Supreme Court.

Eighteen months ago, 59 perceont of Wisconsin voters approved a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Now a group of seven justices will decide if that amendment meets the state constitutional requirement of a single-issue amendment. Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Council explains.

"The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has determined that they will consider whether or not Wisconsin's marriage amendment, that was passed by nearly 60 percent of the electorate back in November of 2006, is constitutional," she says.

Read the full story here.

New York Assembly Votes to Change Definition of Marriage

2009-05-15T13:43:00.002-05:00

By Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The New York State Assembly approved a bill late Tuesday by a 89 to 52 margin to extend the legal definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

The bill was introduced last month by Governor David Paterson.

The measure, like a similar version in 2007, passed easily in the Democrat-ruled Assembly; however, the earlier measure failed to garner support in the state Senate. Senate Democrats now constitute a slim majority, but the fate of the current bill is uncertain.

If the bill is passed, New York would become the sixth state to legalize same-sex "marriage."

Read the full article here.

Contact your New York State Senator and tell them to vote no on the same-sex "marriage" bill!

Record High 40% of Births to Unwed Mothers

2009-05-13T23:24:00.002-05:00

The CDC's National Center of Health Statistics released a report today on children born to single mothers. The data backs up claims that children are better off in a stable home with a married mother and father.

"Surveys show that children born to two-parent families are generally better off," said the CDC's Ventura. "Health outcomes are just not as good for those born to unmarried women."

The report lists low birth weight, preterm birth, infant mortality and limited social and financial resources as hardships more likely to be faced by a child born to a single mother.

Popenoe, the co-director of the non-partisan National Marriage Project at Rutgers University, says that the rising rejection of marriage means that children will suffer the negative consequences."

Read the full article here.

Take Action to Prevent Washington, DC from Recognizing Homosexual Marriage

2009-05-12T13:38:00.003-05:00

The American Family Association reports:

"The District of Columbia Council has voted 12-1 to recognize homosexual "marriages" from states where homosexual marriage is now legal - Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont and Connecticut."

The bill must now have Congressional approval. However, if no vote is taken before June 6, then the bill automatically becomes law.

AFA: "It appears that Democrats will not allow a vote on the bill. By doing this, they will keep their members from having to go on record as being for or against recognition of homosexual marriage."

Take Action now and let your Congressman know you want a recorded vote!

Obama White House Urges Tax-Funded Abortion-on-Demand in D.C.

2009-05-12T13:27:00.001-05:00

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

President Obama's budget recommendations unveiled yesterday are being criticized by the National Right to Life Committee for recommending the re-introduction of taxpayer-funded abortion in Washington, D.C.

The White House submission urges the House and Senate to repeal a law known as the Dornan Amendment that prevents tax-funded abortion, except for cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life, in the District of Columbia for several years.

Because Congress holds legislative authority over the District of Columbia, the district's budget must be appropriated by Congress through an annual appropriations bill. The White House called for the ban to be replaced with a requirement that would apply only to funds specifically contributed for federal program purposes.

"If Congress goes along with the Obama proposal, the predictable result will be tax funding of several thousand elective abortions annually, including roughly 1,000 abortions annually that would not otherwise occur," said Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC).

"Any member of Congress who votes for a bill that contains the White House proposal is, in reality, voting for tax-funded abortion on demand with congressionally appropriated funds."

Read the full story here.

Where does President Obama Really Stand on Gay "Marriage?"

2009-05-08T14:15:00.002-05:00

First he's against it. Then he's for it. Now he says it should be left up to the states.

So, Mr. President, which one is it?

Stop Harvey Milk Day

2009-05-07T14:15:00.003-05:00

From Beetle Blogger:

"If California’s Senate has it’s way, California’s public school children will be singing the praises of homosexual activist Harvey Milk, and his radical multisexual agenda every May 22nd. In a non-opt out day— schools, children and parents will have no choice but to celebrate this man and the radical agenda of his political movement.

Sound familiar? It is. The governor vetoed this identical legislation less than a year ago saying that support of Harvey Milk and his policies were not a part of public school education. He was right, but those pushing the same-sex agenda in our public schools are hoping that this is the year he’ll change his mind."

Visit Beetle Blogger for info on how you can take action to stop Harvey Milk Day.

Maine Governor John Baldacci Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

2009-05-06T12:39:00.002-05:00

Maine becomes the fifth state to approve gay "marriages."

Read the governor's full statement on his decision here.

With most of New England caving to pressure by gay activists, will the governors of Rhode Island and New Hampshire be able to stand firm?

Contact them and let them know you want them to veto the bills legalizing same-sex marriage.

Governor John Lynch, New Hampshire
603-271-2121
603-271-6780 (fax)

Email him here.

State House
25 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301

Governor Donald Carcieri, Rhode Island
401-222-2080
401-222-8096 (fax)

Email him here.

Office of the Governor
State House, Room 115
Providence, RI 02903

Homosexual activists target, expose pro-family voters

2009-05-04T13:55:00.002-05:00

by Charlie Butts, www.OneNewsNow.com

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 th ey've entered those into a database, and they've put them up on the Internet."

Read the full article here.

Get more information from this blog.

Sound familiar, California voters?

New Hampshire Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

2009-04-30T15:02:00.006-05:00

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

New Hampshire's senate this afternoon voted 13-11 to extend the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples, reports the Associated Press. The bill would make New Hampshire the fifth state to legalized same-sex "marriage," and the third to do so this month.
...

A last-minute amendment ensuring the right of religious clergy to decline performing same-sex "marriage" ceremonies, and allowing heterosexual couples to choose the words "bride" and "groom" on their marriage certificate rather than simply "spouse," helped gather critical support for the bill.

In late March the House passed a similar bill, which must now be rectified with the Senate version.

Gov. John Lynch has spoken in favor of true marriage in the past, but it is unclear whether he plans to veto the measure.

Read the full article here.

Update: Contact New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and ask him to veto the bill! (Thanks for the tip, Beetle Blogger!)

Need a Morning-After Pill? Just Send a Text!

2009-04-29T13:51:00.006-05:00

Oxfordshire County in the UK is now making it easier for girls as young as 11 who "think they have taken a risk" to text for a morning-after abortion pill.

"From July, girls at six Oxfordshire secondary schools will be able to text requests for morning-after pill to a school nurse who can supply the pill during breaktime.

"The service will also operate on weekends and holidays, with the nurse arranging to meet the pupil or directing her to another local source."

WHAT?!

And it gets even better.

"Parents will not automatically be informed of their daughters’ requests, but child protection staff will be alerted if a girl aged under 13 uses the service."

And then there's the City Councillor's response to parental objections:

“We’d be foolish to think there was something we could do to stop young people having sex.”

Unbelievable.

Read the full article here.

Government May Stop Funding Abstinence Education

2009-04-28T13:52:00.002-05:00

Even though "the federal government already doles out $4 for contraceptive-based sex education for every $1 it spends on abstinence education," some members of Congress feel that even that is too much to spend on teaching youth that abstinence is the best way.

They want all the money to go toward contraceptive-based education.

Read the article here. Make sure to contact your Representative to let them know that abstinence education is important.

Connecticut turns "Civil Unions" into "Marriages"

2009-04-24T11:07:00.002-05:00

by Hilary White, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The state of Connecticut's General Assembly voted late Wednesday night to change the definition of marriage to be the legal union of two people, instead of a man and a woman. The Assembly vote enshrines in law a 2008 decision by the state Supreme Court that legalized same-sex "marriage."

The bill passed 28-7 in the Senate and 100-44 in the House of Representatives.

Governor Rell had stated in early 2007 that she would veto any same-sex "marriage" legislation that came across her desk, saying the existing civil unions law "covered the concerns that have been raised."

However, after the bill passed a spokesman for the governor said she would sign the bill, which she did earlier today.

The bill will change all previously contracted civil unions into "marriages" as of Oct. 1, 2010, unless they have previously been annulled or dissolved.

Read the full article here.

Morning After Pill Approved for 17-year-olds

2009-04-23T07:56:00.002-05:00

www.OneNewsNow.com

The Food and Drug Administration, reversing field, will allow 17-year-olds to get the "morning-after" birth control pill without a doctor's prescription, a government health official said Wednesday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agency will comply with a federal judge's order overturning a Bush administration policy that restricted access. The official was not authorized to speak publicly before the FDA announcement, expected later Wednesday.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Edward Korman ruled in a New York lawsuit that Bush administration appointees let politics, not science, drive their decision to allow over-the-counter access to the pills only for women 18 and older. Korman ordered the agency to let 17-year-olds get the medication, and separately to evaluate whether all age restrictions should be lifted.

Read the entire article here.

Hate Crimes Legislation Threatens Religious Free Speech

2009-04-21T22:12:00.003-05:00

By Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

As the House Judiciary Committee prepares to examine tomorrow the homosexual "hate crimes" bill H.R. 1913, Concerned Women for America (CWA) is urging Congressmen to reject the bill as unconstitutional and a proven threat to Christian free speech.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act of 2009, a reincarnation of the 2007 "Matthew Shepard Act," would put homosexuality on a par with race or religion as subject to federal protection from hate-motivated crimes. The bill would also give federal officials more involvement in prosecuting crimes when the victim's homosexuality is suspected as a motivation.

CWA President Wendy Wright recently issued a letter to Congressmen urging opposition to the legislation, saying the "anti-hate" legislation would threaten Christian free speech in America, as it already has in other countries.

"Expanding 'hate crimes' to include 'sexual orientation' and gender identity could put people with traditional values directly in the crosshairs of official government policy," said Wright. "'Hate crimes' laws place us on a slippery slope toward religious persecution.

Read the rest of the article here.

Sign a petition against the bill here.

Miss California Carrie Prejean Stands Up for Marriage

2009-04-20T19:41:00.003-05:00

Homosexual Activists Use Courts to Push Agenda

2009-04-17T08:21:00.010-05:00

Kathleen Gilbert, LifeSiteNews.com

Despite the fact that polls consistently show that most Americans remain opposed to same-sex "marriage," and that amendments protecting true marriage have passed in 30 states in the union, several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and California (before the court decision was overturned by popular vote) have legalized the novel institution through activist court rulings.

Now a prominent homosexualist lawyer has admitted that same-sex "marriage" supporters gain court victories against state marriage laws, not as a result of the chance success of isolated complaints by homosexual couples, but through the systematized effort of homosexualist lawyers and lobby groups who research and target sympathetic state supreme courts and groom prosecuting homosexual couples.

Camilla Taylor, a Chicago-based lawyer for the homosexual rights group Lambda Legal, confirmed in a Washington Post article today that the Iowa Supreme Court's recent decision to redefine marriage to include homosexual couples was the expected result of a seven-year-effort by homosexualists to win over the Midwestern state.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously to redefine marriage two weeks ago.

"We were all deeply disappointed by the vote in California, but we were all hopeful for Iowa," Taylor told the Washington Post.

The Post report details Taylor's steady effort to overturn Iowa law through the courts, including regular travel to Iowa from Chicago for years to conduct research and prepare for the case.

When engaging the "legislative route," says the article, homosexualist activists' tactic includes selecting and grooming same-sex couples to present the "test cases" successfully and to deal well with the media attention. (To see the full Washington Post article: http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/detail.jsp?key=374425&r...)

Andrew Koppelman, a law professor at Northwestern, similarly told the New York Times Saturday that, "The Iowa decision is the product of a very smart legal team researching every state supreme court and every state legislature."

Read the rest of the article here.

Could New York be next?

2009-04-16T13:32:00.004-05:00

Connecticut, Massachusetts, and just recently, Vermont and Iowa have caved and legalized homosexual "marriage."

Next to fall: New York?

Please contact your state Senators and Assembly members and urge them to stand up for marriage!

Don't Be Silent

2009-04-14T08:47:00.004-05:00

Pete Chagnon, OneNewsNow.com

A pro-family advocate is urging people to voice their concern over a resolution sitting before Congress.

Congressional Resolution 92 will receive an up-or-down vote on or before April 17, which is the National Day of Silence -- a day when students across America are encouraged to show their support for the homosexual community by refusing to speak.

The resolution seeks to affirm congressional support for the event and encourage local education authorities to adopt policies that prevent bullying based on sexual orientation.

Read the full story here.

Laura Higgins, Illinois Family Institute:

"Promoters of the Day of Silence are successfully seducing the public into believing that this day of public school political protest is centrally about bullying. It's not. It's centrally about using public resources to transform the views of children and teens on the morality of volitional homosexual and cross-dressing behavior. When promoters of the Day of Silence assert that its purpose is to end bullying, they conveniently avoid saying that the means they use to end bullying are to affirm volitional homosexual acts as normal and good."

Read the rest of her article, and what you can do, here.

Update: Check out a new website called True Tolerance that helps parents stay informed and know how to deal with gay agendas being promoted in their child's school.

Especially informative was this link that has examples of actual training materials used as propaganda in the classroom.

Happy Easter

2009-04-10T13:27:00.004-05:00

Planned Parenthood 2007-8 Report: Abortions Break 300,000 in Year, Highest-Ever Taxpayer Funding

2009-04-10T13:25:00.002-05:00

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) has released its official 2007-2008 report, which shows that 305,310 unborn children were killed in chemical, medical, and surgical abortions by PPFA in the space of a year, up from 289,750 in 2006. The report also reveals that the total taxpayer money received by PPFA affiliates increased to $350 million.

(To view the report, go to: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA_2007-2008_Annual...)

The report boasts that the number of adoption referrals provided by Planned Parenthood increased by over 100% from 2,410 referrals in 2006 to 4,912 referrals in 2007. This announcement comes after PPFA refrained from reporting this statistic in their past two Annual Reports.

It was widely speculated that PPFA dropped the adoption referral statistic in their past two annual reports because the number had steadily declined in prior years and the disparity between adoption referrals and abortions demonstrated how Planned Parenthood affiliates address crisis pregnancies.

However, with this increase in adoption referrals included, the total number of children referred for adoption still amounts to only 1.6% the total number of unborn children Planned Parenthood killed in the 07-08 cycle, or one third of this year's increase in abortions. Planned Parenthood cites the number of babies offered prenatal care at 10,914, 3.5% of the number destroyed in the womb.

Despite a growing collection of data from sting operations showing Planned Parenthood employees evading the law, the total government grants and contracts received by PPFA affiliates increased from $337 million in the 2006-07 cycle to $350 million. The number reflects grants from all government sources including state, local and federal sources.

Planned Parenthood's net revenue from all sources topped $1.038 billion, with net assets at $1.014 billion.

Read the full article here.

Embryonic Stem Cells May Not Be the Answer

2009-04-08T18:19:00.003-05:00

Interesting video. If what he says is true, that embryonic stem cells are unstable and for the time being, cannot cure diseases, why are proponents so adamant that this must be done?

Vermont Legislature Overrides Gay Marriage Veto

2009-04-07T13:05:00.003-05:00

From AP: Vermont legalizes gay marriage with veto override

From Beetle Blogger: Vermont Legislature Overrides Veto, Votes in "Same-Sex Marriage"

It passed with the minimum number of votes needed. One legislator made the difference.

Iowa Supreme Court Rules Gay Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

2009-04-03T10:14:00.003-05:00

From OneNewsNow.com

The Iowa Supreme Court says the state's same-sex "marriage" ban violates the constitutional rights of homosexual couples, making it the third state where same-sex marriage is legal.

In a unanimous ruling issued Friday, the court upheld a 2007 Polk County District Court judge's ruling that the law was unconstitutional.

The case stems from a 2005 lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, a New York-based homosexula rights organization. The group filed a lawsuit on behalf of six homosexual Iowa couples who were denied marriage licenses. The suit named then-Polk County recorder and registrar Timothy Brien.

Read the article here. More here.

Homosexual Agenda in Public Schools

2009-04-02T11:01:00.003-05:00

These clips are from a film called "It's Elementary" that though produced over a decade ago, is still shown in public schools, on public television, and used to teach activists how to convince children that there is no problem with homosexuality.

UFI: Family Issues Guides

2009-03-31T13:44:00.002-05:00

I want to put in a plug for some good background reading.

United Families International has several detailed, documented guides on family issues like abortion, divorce, and the advantages of marriage. They are a good read to get some facts and understand (and refute) the arguments used by the other side.

I would recommend starting with the Sexual Orientation guide that confronts 22 myths about homosexuality and provides 145 "Fast Facts" about the issue.

Happy reading!

The Realities of Abortion

2009-03-30T13:41:00.002-05:00

Life Site News reported that a 15-year-old girl died after receiving an abortion. She did not take the antibiotic prescription home with her and died from a bacterial infection 5 days later. Her death was preventable in so many ways.

The article also gave some statistics that refute an argument that many pro-abortionists use: if abortion were illegal, a huge number of women would die from "back-alley" abortions. These statistics indicate that this argument is false.

by Hilary White, www.LifeSiteNews.com

"Despite the claims of the abortion lobby that legal abortion has answered the problem of the "thousands" or "tens of thousands" of women dying from "illegal back-alley abortions," researchers have found that legal abortions rank as the fifth leading cause of maternal death in the United States. In 1972, the year before abortion was legalised in the US, the Centers for Disease Control reported 39 abortion related deaths.

A recent study of pregnancy-associated deaths in Finland has shown that the risk of dying within a year after an abortion is several times higher than the risk of dying after miscarriage or childbirth. The statistical analysis unit of Finland's National Research and Development Center for Welfare and Health found that women who obtained abortions were 76 percent more likely to die in the following year than non-pregnant women. The research found that of 281 women who had died within a year of their last pregnancy between 1987 and 1994, 27 died after giving birth, 48 after having had miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, and 101 after having had abortions.

The leading causes of abortion related deaths are haemorrhage, infection, embolism, anaesthesia, and undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies."

Read the full story here.

Marriage...It's That Simple

2009-03-27T07:57:00.002-05:00

Take a few minutes to watch this great video on the importance of preserving families.

One Man. One Woman. It really is that simple.

Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Stalls

2009-03-26T15:29:00.002-05:00

The bill that would legalize civil unions in Hawaii is stuck in a Senate Committee after committee members voted against sending it to the Senate floor for a vote. They did not believe there is enough support to pass it before they adjourn in May.

Read the story here.

Vermont Governor Will Veto Gay Marriage Bill

2009-03-25T13:58:00.003-05:00

Just announced this afternoon. Thank goodness!

Good Sense Politics has more info on contacting your Vermont legislators to let them know how you feel about legalizing gay marriage. Take the time to do it so they know where the people stand.

**Update: Opine Editorials has a great list of links on the gay marriage battle in Vermont.

Update: Vermont Gay Marriage

2009-03-24T13:32:00.002-05:00

Beetle Blogger reports that the Vermont Senate has passed a bill legalizing gay marriage. The House will vote later this week.

If you live in Vermont, contact your representative now!

Obama Wants to Repeal the Conscience Clause

2009-03-23T13:51:00.003-05:00

by Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

President Obama is facing heavy criticism from pro-life politicians and activists for setting to work dismantling the Bush era federal regulations that uphold doctors' conscience rights.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department Friday confirmed that the president has begun the process of repealing the regulations that had been passed by the Bush administration and that went into effect Jan. 20. The regulations enforce pre-existing federal law that protects healthcare workers' right to conscientiously refuse implementation of or involvement in abortions, including dispensation of the abortifacient morning-after pill.

Read the full article here.

The Obama Administration is giving the public until April 9 to respond to the proposal. You can email your opinion to proposedrecission@hhs.gov or sign a petition here. You can also submit comments on the proposal at www.Regulations.gov (by entering 0991-AB49 in the search box).

If you want to use snail mail, send one original and two copies of written comments to:

Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: Rescission Proposal Comments, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Room 716G, Washington, DC 20201.

Check out the end of this article for ideas on how to focus your comments on the issue.

Pro-Abortion Judge Named Obama's First Fed. Court Pick

2009-03-20T13:37:00.002-05:00

Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

Obama's first judicial appointment, billed by White House officials as a moderate pick designed to ease partisan confirmation scuffles, has sparked concern among conservatives who are pointing out the nominee's liberal record on life and other issues and say the pick sets a trend for future left-leaning appointees touted as "moderates."

Obama on Tuesday picked U.S. District Judge David F. Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, saying Hamilton "has a long and impressive record of service and a history of handing down fair and judicious decisions." The GOP senator from Hamilton's home state of Indiana, Richard Lugar, paved the way for Senate confirmation with a statement that he would "enthusiastically support" the pick.

But conservative and pro-life leaders say they are wary of Hamilton, a former ACLU board member, whom they claim has a history of handing down activist decisions. Prominent among the concerns was Hamilton's handling of an Indiana abortion consent law, which would have required abortionists to give patients information on abortion alternatives at least eighteen hours before the scheduled procedure.

Ed Whelan, President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, wrote ironically: "It's far from clear what justifies the ... characterization of Hamilton as a 'moderate'…. maybe Hamilton's extraordinary seven-year-long series of rulings obstructing Indiana's implementation of its law providing for informed consent on abortion?"

Read the rest of the article here.

Is anyone even surprised at this point?

Does the Dictionary Definition Matter?

2009-03-19T12:15:00.002-05:00

Apparently some time ago, Merriam-Webster Dictionary added a second definition to the word marriage:

"the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage."

Read the article here.

Do you think it was changed as a result of prevailing attitudes about marriage, or to influence people's attitudes about homosexuality? And does it even matter that the dictionary definition of marriage has changed?

Obama Administration to Sign UN Declaration to "Decriminalize Homosexuality"

2009-03-18T14:55:00.001-05:00

Hilary White, www.LifeSiteNews.com

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Obama Administration has confirmed that it will endorse a United Nations declaration that will call for the global "decriminalization of homosexuality." The State Department today endorsed the U.N. statement, saying that it did so out of concern over for "violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and "the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries."

The declaration in question, which former president George W. Bush refused to sign, has been heavily criticised by pro-family groups as a significant step towards the worldwide outlawing of religious opposition to the homosexualist political agenda.

State department officials said Tuesday that they had notified the declaration's sponsors that the administration wants to be added as a supporter. The declaration is being sponsored by France and the Netherlands at the request of homosexualist activist Louis-Georges Tin. It has been signed by all 27 European Union members of the UN's General Assembly, as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries, making a total of 66 of the UN's 192 member states. 70 UN member states outlaw homosexual activity and more than 50 nations opposed the declaration. The US was the only western country that had refused to sign.

Read the full article here.

Same-Sex Marriage Battle in Vermont

2009-03-17T12:58:00.004-05:00

From Secular Heretic:

Vermont lawmakers are starting a week of hearings on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

In 2000, Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to adopt civil unions. Supporters claim "gay marriage" would give same sex couples additional rights related to insurance, health care and Social Security benefits.

Rep. Tom Little says that same-sex marriage legislation is "a better course" for Vermont because the terminology (civil union v. marriage) is unfair.

The situation in Vermont is an excellent example of how civil unions work. They are a stepping stone to marriage access—which people openly hope will grant the homosexual lifestyle more social acceptance. However, in the mean time, it literally strips marriage of its core meaning: the unification of opposite genders for the benefit of society.

As a society, we do not give benefits to citizens because of their love, sexual orientation, or for social acceptance.

Hundreds of marriage supporters are lobbying at the Vermont Statehouse. They say the bill would undermine the institution of marriage and harm children.

Read more at
Preserving Marriage
The Opine Editorials
Beetle Blogger

Planned Parenthood Exposed

2009-03-16T13:07:00.004-05:00

Undercover Student Videos Help De-Fund Planned Parenthood

United Families International

LOS ANGELES, CA - Undercover videos produced by Live Action Films were used to help strip Planned Parenthood of the $292,000 in taxpayer funds it received from Orange County, CA. The videos, part of the ongoing Mona Lisa Project, clearly show Planned Parenthood employees ignoring the sexual abuse of minors, which mandatory reporting laws require clinicians to report.

Mark Bucher, a local resident and board member of the Family Action PAC, saw the videos and decided to find out if Orange County gave taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood. Bucher proceeded to uncover an intricate money trail unknown even to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and found that Planned Parenthood received funds through the Orange County Health Care Agency but was never identified as the recipient.

“The distribution of public funds to Planned Parenthood through the Orange County Health Care Agency appeared to be a deliberate cover-up since it was nearly impossible to detect where the money was going from the County to several different health clinics,” said Bucher. “After watching the undercover videos from Live Action, it became clear to me that Planned Parenthood has a lot to hide.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Two more videos exposing illegal actions by Planned Parenthood are scheduled to be released tomorrow.

You can view the first three videos here.

Porn Lawyer David Ogden confirmed as Deputy Attorney General

2009-03-16T12:19:00.000-05:00

The vote was 65-28. Ten Republicans voted for him, one Democrat voted against.

Read more about it here.

Redefining Gender

2009-03-13T13:00:00.002-05:00

Vote pending on 'gender identity' in Gainesville

Charlie Butts, OneNewsNow.com

The citizens of Gainesville, Florida, are set to do battle over a gender-identity ordinance passed by the city council.

The ordinance passed by the civic leaders defines gender as follows: "An inner sense of being a specific gender, or the expression of a gender identity by verbal statement, appearance, or mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth."

Passage of the ordinance caused an uproar because, in essence, it permits people to use public facilities -- restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms -- based on their inner feeling about their gender. As Jim Gilbert with Citizens for Good Public Policy explains, that means men could use women's restrooms and women could use men's rooms. And outside of the obvious, that poses a real problem, he says.

Read the full story here.

California Initiative Proposes Abolishing All Marriage from Law

2009-03-12T13:07:00.002-05:00

By Kathleen Gilbert, www.LifeSiteNews.com

California same-sex "marriage" supporters are collecting signatures to support a ballot initiative that would remove civil marriage from California law entirely, as well as the provision codifying marriage as between a man and a woman.

The "Domestic Partnership Initiative" proposes to categorize all unions simply as "domestic partnerships," while retaining all the rights of marriage for heterosexual couples, and extending them to homosexual couples. According to the initiative's summary, "Legally speaking, 'Marriage' itself would become a social ceremony, recognized by only non-governmental institutions."

Read the rest of the article here.

Updates From the Frontlines

2009-03-11T13:58:00.002-05:00

Five states are currently considering bills that would affect marriage. The state legislatures in Vermont and Washington are considering bills that would legalize same-sex marriage (the bill in Washington would not actually call it marriage). West Virginia's bill would create a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Colorado and North Dakota are also considering bills about special rights for homosexuals.

Read more about the proposed bills and contact your state representative.

Parents Who Opt Children out of Homosexual Material Face Penalties

2009-03-10T13:41:00.012-05:00

Christian and Muslim Parents Facing Possible Criminal Charges for Opting out of LGBT History Month

By Hilary White, www.LifeSiteNews.com

UK parents could face criminal charges for having removed their children from programs held at George Tomlinson Primary School promoting the homosexual lifestyle. Waltham Forest council has announced it will prosecute parents of about 30 children who did not attend a week's worth of lessons coinciding with "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month."

A spokesman for the council said, "At George Tomlinson, parents were invited to meet with teachers and governors several weeks ago to discuss what work would be taking place throughout the national LGBT History Month, and how this work would be delivered. Regrettably, some parents chose to remove their children from school.

"The council does not condone any unauthorised absence from school and action has been taken."

But parents who objected said they were told by the school there were no other options but to remove their children from classes if they objected to the content of the program.

Pervez Latif, a 41-year-old accountant whose children, Saleh, 10, and Abdurrahin, nine, attend the school, told the Daily Mail, "I wrote a letter to the chairman of the governors explaining that I would be taking my children out of school and he wrote back saying that there was no other option."

He said that parents had not been properly informed about the content of the program. "There was just a newsletter mentioning the week and that certain themes would be taught."

Two homosexual-themed books were read in primary classes: "King and King," about a prince who falls in love with another prince, and "Tango Makes Three," about two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who fall in love and adopt a baby penguin at a New York zoo.

Mr. Latif spoke of the disruption to his family: "My wife is very concerned she might be prosecuted ... I found it difficult to explain topics such as homosexual relationships at such a young age."

"I didn't want my children to be learning about this," he said. "If I am faced with court action, then I will just explain that these are my views.

Although the Waltham Forest council has not yet informed parents how they are to be punished, the council website says that parents of truant children can be asked to sign a contract, fined on the spot or taken to court. Councils have the power to jail parents for truancy.

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Read the rest of the article here.

To those who say this would never happen here in the US, it already has.

Read more facts about David Parker's story here.

Responses to Same-Sex Marriage Arguments

2009-03-09T14:14:00.004-05:00

Survey of Marriage Neutering Arguments

By The Playful Walrus, Opine Editorials

Here's a survey of some arguments we have heard from marriage neutering advocates, especially in California. I, and others, have dealt with other arguments in more detail in other entries, but I wanted to touch on these this week.

"The Courts Corrected Past Evils."

Assuming courts have only made correct decisions in the past (demonstrably false, but let's assume for the sake of argument) and, in doing so, did not reach beyond their constitutional authority in doing so, this does not automatically mean it was right for the California Supreme Court to strike down Proposition 22. If the court ordered the ACLU to pay me ten million dollars simply because I wanted it, would that automatically mean it was right, because the court has corrected past evils? There is no reason why this should be an issue for the courts instead of the voters.

"We're Being Treated Like Second Class Citizens"

The state, on behalf the people, treats different kinds of voluntary associations differently, and has requirements for various licenses. This is the only example I know of where people are claiming they are being treated as second class citizens because they aren't interested in obtaining a license on the established terms – which neither bar applicants on the basis of sex nor sexual orientation.

We are not telling you that you have to ride in the back of the bus. You are telling all of us bus riders that the wheels must come off of the bus because you get motion sickness. You don't have to ride the bus if you don't want to, but you should not be able to force us to change the very nature of the bus. It is there to move society forward.

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Read the rest of the arguments here.

Videos: Proposition 8 Oral Arguments

2009-03-06T13:07:00.006-06:00

A brief summary of the case being brought before the California Supreme Court and some clips from the oral arguments in the courtroom yesterday.

Glenn Beck discusses why the people of California have a right to amend the State Constitution.

Update from the Courtroom

2009-03-05T14:09:00.004-06:00

From The L.A. Times:

"Justices of the California Supreme Court seemed reluctant today to override the will of the people as expressed by the narrow majority vote to effectively ban gay marriage with Proposition 8.

Before supporters of the November ballot measure even got their chance to speak to the court in San Francisco, the justices appeared to be warning Proposition 8 opponents that their arguments that the vote should be invalidated could be viewed as an excessive use of judicial power."

Read the full article here.

You can get Twitter updates from the DNA or Protect Marriage.

Update: Find links to news articles and opinion blogs about today's oral arguments here.