Obama to rescind Bush abortion rule

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Writer

The Obama administration is moving to rescind a federal rule that reinforced protections for medical providers who refuse to perform abortions or other procedures on moral grounds, an official said Friday.

A Health and Human Services official said the administration will publish notice of its intentions early next week, and open a 30-day comment period for advocates, medical groups and the public. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official notice has not been completed.

The Bush administration instituted the rule in its last days, and it was quickly challenged in federal court by several states and medical organizations. As a candidate, President Barack Obama criticized the regulation and campaign aides promised that if elected, he would review it.

Read the full article here.

UK Advises Parents Not to Teach Morality

From Timesonline

Parents should avoid trying to convince their teenage children of the difference between right and wrong when talking to them about sex, a new government leaflet is to advise.

Instead, any discussion of values should be kept “light” to encourage teenagers to form their own views, according to the brochure, which one critic has called “amoral”.

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The most unbelievable excerpt from the pamphlet: “Discussing your values with your teenagers will help them to form their own. Remember, though, that trying to convince them of what’s right and wrong may discourage them from being open.”

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Read the full article here.

Considering some of the shocking statistics (more here and here) about US teenagers being sexually active, now may be the time to start teaching the morality. Do you think the attitude portrayed in the pamphlet is prevalent in the US school system, government, or society in general?

Virginia Porn Shop Closing Due To Community Pressure

From www.citizenlink.com

During the last year and a half, Rick E. Krial spent $150,000 defending his porn business in court.

He says it's not worth it anymore, The News Leader of Staunton, Va., reported.

Staunton Prosecutor Raymond C. Robertson won a conviction against Krial and his company in August on two misdemeanor obscenity charges. The week-long trial pitted Robertson against two of the nation's top obscenity trial lawyers. The porn shop closed after the trial.

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Read the full story here.

Hawaii: Next State to allow Civil Unions for Homosexual Couples?

From www.LifeSiteNews.com

Between 6,000 and 8,000 people gathered at the state Capitol on Sunday for a demonstration against proposed legislation that would legalize same-sex civil unions in Hawaii.

The protest was organized by the Hawaii Family Forum (HFF) which represents churches from across the state, including the Hawaii Catholic Conference, in anticipation of a vote to be held today by a state Senate committee looking at the issue.

Executive Director of the HFF, Dennis Arakaki, said "We are here in the spirit of love, compassion, and grace," according to AP. "But we are also here armed with the sword of truth. In Hawaii, people still believe in traditional marriage and the sanctity of marriage, and there's no indication that values or perspectives have changed."

In 1998, nearly 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment giving the State Legislature the power to reserve marriage for opposite-sex couples. The "defense of marriage" amendment resulted in a law banning homosexual "marriage" in Hawaii, but did not obviate the possibility of same-sex civil unions.

Earlier this month the Hawaii House of Representatives approved Bill 444, in a 34 to 17 vote, which, if passed by the Senate committee and not vetoed by Governor Linda Lingle, would give same-sex partners who enter into civil unions the same rights and benefits under state law as married couples. It would also recognize civil unions, domestic partnerships and same-sex "marriages" performed in other states and countries as civil unions in Hawaii.

Read the full article here.

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Update: Civil union bill stalls in Senate Judiciary Committee with a 3-3 vote. The vote took place at 3:00am after 12 hours of testimony.

Result of HR5 Vote at Capital

The California State assembly passed a resolution encouraging the state Supreme Court to overturn the results of Proposition 8.

the pomegranate apple has more info on how the judiciary assembly members voted

Beetle Blogger has a video of the proceedings as well as some personal accounts of others who were there

Pearl Diver posts about her experience lobbying at the capital

Their words say it all.

Pearl: "Democracy was categorically ignored."
Beetle: "Your legislators cancel[led] your vote."
the pomegranate apple: "The legislature’s attempt to influence the judiciary is a serious disregard for the separation of powers."

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Update: SR7 passes committee with a 3-2 vote

Speechless: Silencing the Christians

Several stations have refused to air an hour-long special TV program by the American Family Association called Speechless: Silencing the Christians that reveals the homosexual agenda, including the promotion of that agenda by the media, the indoctrination of school children, and homosexual marriage.

Take the time to view it and share it with your friends and family, and tell me what you think.




The program mentions a homosexual activist agenda book called After the Ball that Pearl Diver blogged about here, here and here.

The information at the end about the new administration's agenda for the LGBT community can be found at the official White House website.

The survey mentioned can be filled out here.

Student Jonathan Lopez Sues School Over Same-Sex Marriage speech

From the Los Angeles Times:

Student Jonathan Lopez says his professor called him a "fascist bastard" and refused to let him finish his speech against same-sex marriage during a public speaking class last November, weeks after California voters approved the ban on such unions.

When Lopez tried to find out his mark for the speech, the professor, John Matteson, allegedly told him to "ask God what your grade is," the suit says.

Read the full article here and here.

Seven States Have Launched Efforts for Personhood Rights for Pre-born - More Expected

By www.LifeSiteNews.com

Personhood USA has announced that since the beginning of the new year, seven different states have started efforts in support of the personhood of pre-born children. In addition, Rep. Duncan Hunter has introduced H.R. 881, the Right to Life Act, on the federal level, propelling the personhood movement forward.

Five States have now introduced bills affirming the personhood rights of pre-born humans from the moment of fertilization, including:

Maryland - HB925 - Delegate Don Dwyer
North Dakota - H.R. 1572 - Rep. Dan Ruby
Montana - SB 406 - Sen. Daniel W McGee
South Carolina - H.3526 - Rep. Liston Barfield
Alabama - SB-335 - Sen. Hank Erwin

Oregon has also begun a personhood amendment petition drive, and Mississippi's personhood amendment petition drive is expected to launch within weeks.

The common thread among all of these efforts is the goal to fill what is becoming known as the "Blackmun Hole" in Roe v. Wade. This is where Justice Blackmun implied in the Roe v. Wade decision that if the case were established that the pre-born human being was a person, the argument for abortion collapses. In Roe v Wade, it is acknowledged that the "fetus" is fully human, but the decision did not grant the rights of "persons" until birth.

Read the rest of the article here.

12-year-old speaks out on abortion

According to her mother, this 7th grader chose the topic of abortion and prepared this speech on her own.




Read more about her story at United Families International.

Update on Prop 8 Rally at the Capital

From Beetle Blogger:

The Digital Network Army, United Families International and Capital Resource Institute are joining forces this Tuesday to rally for families at the Capitol Building in Sacramento. Both state houses are drafting official resolutions condemning the passage of Proposition 8 and urging the Supreme Court to overturn the will of the people AGAIN.

Two statewide elections with the majority voices of millions were not loud enough to turn the heads of our representatives in Sacramento, so we’re bringing the voice of the people to Sacramento. Come Rally with us for Marriage and Families! Help remind the Senators and Assemblymen that we are watching…because there’s nothing more important to our nation than its families.

Protect Marriage! Protect Families! Protect Democracy!

If our representatives are going to turn their backs on the people who voted for them, let them do it to our faces in the light of the cameras, not in a silent corner.

From DNA:

Ok, so the most recent word is that the opposition is going to be busing people in from San Francisco for the hearings so seating at the actual hearing may be limited, come early. If you have kids, bring water bottles and a few snacks, comfortable shoes. Security is tight there, so remember, no pocket knives etc.

If we have more people come to the hearing than we can fit in the room, we’ll hold a concurrent rally outside the capitol building with a petition signing. No body will be wasted! Kids and families are welcome! Come and be heard! Wear your yellow shirt if you like! If it rains, bring an umbrella, we’ll rally in the hallways!

Proposition 8 Hearings will be held in these rooms:

HR 5
Tuesday, February 17
10:30am
State Capitol
Room 4202

SR 7
Tuesday, February 17
12:30pm
State Capitol
Room 4203