BMAT Moral Action Committee Watchman Report #74 03/10/2006
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Bill to kill 'Roe' Signed into law Abortion ban by South Dakota touches off fierce legal battle
Abortion Ban Signed into Law by South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds!
The First Shots: In the War on Roe v Wade
UN Campaign Underway to Ensure Abortion Internationally Recognized as Human Right
ACLU's 'Bible Crusade' Gideons Latest Target of ACLU's Ongoing Bout Against God's Word
Lobby-Reform Bill Would Handcuff Grassroots
Patriot Act Renewal Strengthens 'Domestic Fight' Against Terror and Combat Methamphetamine
Texas sheriffs to ask Congress for border funds
Now US Students are Victims of Jihad Terrorism
Eleven Latin American Countries are sending a "Delegation Foreign" to Lobby our Congress
Wal-Mart Yields to Pro-Abortion Pressure
Two New Polls Show Americans Reject Evolution Theory and Want Alternatives Taught
Some Texas Seniors Scammed By Phony Cashier's Checks That look real to their Bank
A New Online Voter Guide Set to Revolutionize 'Values Voting' in Illinois
Many Problems With the Bible Literacy Project
There's a Better Alternative to 'Bible and Its Influence'
Supreme Court Rejects Law Schools’ Attempt s to Restrict Military Recruiters
Lobbying Reform and an Internet Gambling Ban
States Grapple With In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants
Governor Perry Launches State-Led Border Security Operation
College Campuses Need to Listen to Solomon
Students' Free-Speech Rights at Issue in Two Penn. Lawsuits
Court grants Utah highway patrolmen’s organization right to intervene against atheists in lawsuit
Members of Congress convicted of felonies still get taxpayer funded pensions
FDA Considers Policy Changes Allowing Homosexual Males to Give Blood
Accusations of Misused Money Roil Orthodox Church
All 57 Islamic Conference member states will attend meeting for the boycott of Israel
Tehran’s Terrorism
CAIR: Islamists Fooling the Establishment
Bill to kill 'Roe' Signed into law Abortion ban by South Dakota touches off fierce legal battle
Mar. 6 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
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outh Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds today signed into law a highly restrictive anti-abortion bill aimed ultimately at overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.
The legislation, passed last month by state lawmakers, bans abortion in nearly every case and punishes doctors who perform one with a $5,000 fine and five years in prison.
The bill allows abortion only in the event a mother's life is in danger, making no exception for rape or incest.
South Dakota Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's sole abortion clinic, has said it will challenge the law.
Rounds said in a written statement he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not be enacted unless upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society," Rounds said. "The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them."
Prior to the signing, an anonymous donor pledged $1 million to help the state defend the new statute.
Last week, Rounds was in Washington for a National Governors Association meeting where he found more pledges of donations and the support of some of his colleagues across the nation.
"There is a lot of interest in it here," Rounds said, according to the Associated Press. "And there are a number of states that have similar legislation. A lot of governors expressing support and wishing us good luck and suggesting that they will have similar types of proposals that may very well be favorably looked upon across the United States."
State lawmakers in Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Indiana also are considering legislation that would heavily restrict abortions.
National pro-life activists, who are urging supporters to send $10 to Rounds to support the state's defense, chose South Dakota as its first vehicle to challenge the Roe decision.
They believe that if a legal challenge ever reaches high court, the recent addition of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the bench makes it more disposed than ever to overturn the 1973 ruling.
As WorldNetDaily reported, South Dakota's House of Representatives passed a similar bill in 2004 by a 54-14 vote, before its narrow defeat in the Senate, 18-17. The bill actually initially passed the Senate, but Rounds issued a "style and form" veto, sending the bill back with wording changes to make sure existing abortion restrictions were not threatened if the bill were struck down in court.
In 2004, two pro-life groups clashed over the demise of the previous measure. The public-interest Thomas More Law Center, which helped draft the bill, accused National Right to Life of "complicity" with pro-abortion groups for lobbying against it.
Some pro-life groups think the time is not right to take such drastic measures to overturn the Roe decision.
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Abortion Ban Signed into Law by South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds!
March 6 2006 John-Henry Westen LifeSiteNews.com
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IERRE, March 6, 2006 LifeSiteNews.com South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has signed into law the first abortion ban in the United States since the 1973 Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision. The bill, House Bill 1215, passed with strong bi-partisan support in both houses and makes abortion a felony in the state, punishable by up to five years imprisonment. It is to go into effect this July.
The only exception to the South Dakota law would be cases where the life of the mother was in danger. Lawmakers successfully avoided making changes to the bill that would allow abortions in cases of rape, incest, or for the "health" of the mother, exceptions which usually cripple the application of laws against abortion. It does not prohibit abortifacient drugs such as the morning after pill in cases of rape or incest.
On signing the bill the Governor stated, "In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them."
The Governor acknowledged that the law is "a direct challenge" to Roe vs. Wade and said he expects the law to be taken to court and prevented from going into effect in July. "That challenge will likely take years to be settled and it may ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court. Our existing laws regulating abortions will remain in effect," said Rounds.
Rounds did suggest however that a reversal of opinion from the Supreme Court is possible.
Rounds concluded his remarks saying: "While this is a state and national issue, I want to emphasize that whatever the courts decide, South Dakotans will continue to care about both the unborn child and mother. If we are pro-life, we must recognize the need to take care of women who are faced with a difficult pregnancy. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, we cannot protect the innocent child, unless we protect and care for the mother. We must help each mother to see the value of the gift that is a child, and nurture the mother for her own sake and for the sake of her child.
"Our state is committed to helping greater numbers of pregnant woman who will allow their babies to grow inside them and be born. In both the private and public sector in South Dakota, we have healthcare options, economic assistance before and after birth, adoption services, and, most importantly, people who want to help pregnant women, young mothers and their children."
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The First Shots: In the War on Roe v Wade
Mar. 5 2006 Ken Hughes / Christian Coalition of America
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ill South Dakota become the battle ground in the war to restrict abortions in America? It would be ironic if the home state of Tom Daschle one of America’s staunchest liberals were to be the first state to throw Roe v Wade out. If Judges Roberts and Alito are truly advocates of constructional law Roe v Wade as we know it will be toast.
Abortion is not now or has it ever been a federal issue, those are decisions belong to the states according to the constitution. The hypocrisy used to defend Roe v Wade abounds. There is no statute in the constitution mentioning abortion or a woman’s right to choose. No law approving or regulating abortion has ever passed the United States Congress. Roe v Wade became presumed law by an activist Supreme Court striking down state laws governing abortion. The convoluted court decision has stood for over thirty years virtually unchallenged. Abortion is the greatest killer of children in America and the world. All the other syndromes rate a poor second.
We can see where abortion advocates will go with a new line of allegations.
Baby’s will be abandoned and placed in door ways, dumpsters, sacks and thrown in the river like was once done to kittens to get rid of the. Their arguments will be as ridiculous as those used supporting abortion. A million fetuses are aborted to prevent one child being born from incest or rape. Who knows this may be a turning point in a woman’s right to choose it may become a woman’s obligation to deal with the consequences of exorcizing her rights.
Its possible abortion clinics will become birthing centers for unwed mothers. Adoption centers for abandon infants. It will become one more cash-cow burden placed on the unsuspecting, the children. It’ll be necessary to keep government funding out of any new ventures that arise from any changes in abortion practices. Liberals will find a way to transfer the responsibility of an adventures couple to society. I would remind our liberal friends society consists of both the accused and the accusers. One plus one more and suddenly you have a society to blame thing on.
Roe v Wade has become a symbol liberals use to appose everything they deplore. It’s used as a qualifier for nearly every position, every nomination that appears before congress for conformation.
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UN Campaign Underway to Ensure Abortion Internationally Recognized as Human Right
Mar. 8 2006 Gudrun Schultz LifeSiteNews.com
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EW YORK, United States, There is a new desperation at the UN to secure international recognition of abortion as a human right, as abortion advocates increasingly anticipate that Roe vs. Wade will be overturned in the United States, says Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse of Concerned Women of America.
Dr. Crouse is reporting on the 50th Commission on the Status of Women, held at the U.N. headquarters in New York, February 27 to March 10.
Writing for The Beverly LaHaye Institute, CWA’s think tank, Dr. Crouse said abortion advocates with the Commission are resorting to complex language games in an attempt to push through policy that would protect abortion rights. In one instance, the definition of “fertility regulation,” a term used to refer to reproductive health issues, was redefined by the World Health Organization to include “interrupting unwanted pregnancies”—in other words, abortion.
She pointed out that in the material prepared by the Commission to address the health concerns of women internationally, the drive to enshrine abortion as a human right has taken over all considerations of authentic issues surrounding women’s health.
“Every single paragraph in the section on health is about reproductive health. Further…reproductive health is separated from maternal and child health. In fact, there is a distinct hostility toward public health that focuses on maternal and child health. One would think that the only health problems women face concern reproduction.”
Dr. Crouse said the U.N. Commission makes absolutely no mention of the top ten diseases that kill women worldwide, and even fails to address basic health issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, measles and diarrhoea, many of which are caused by the lack of essential services.
“One would think these basic health necessities would be the top priorities in advancing women’s health, well-being and development. Yet, the health section of the document from the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women mentions none of the diseases that cause so many tragic deaths. Instead, the document mentions only reproductive health (meaning abortion.)”
“These meetings are totally predictable—now more than ever—in that it all comes down to abortion, all the time, every time, without fail, regardless of the announced agenda.”
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ACLU's 'Bible Crusade' Gideons Latest Target of ACLU's Ongoing Bout Against God's Word
March 8, 2006 Jim Brown AgapePress
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Christian attorney says the ACLU is resorting to "old tricks" by filing a federal lawsuit to stop The Gideons International from giving Bibles to fifth-graders at a public school in Missouri.
With more than a quarter million members in 181 countries, The Gideons -- founded in 1899 -- place and distribute more than 63 million Bibles every year. That equates to an average of one million every six days, or 120 per minute. With that wide a distribution network by such an established ministry, it causes one to wonder why the American Civil Liberties Union would worry about distribution of Scripture in a tiny Missouri community of slightly more than 300 people.
But that is exactly what is happening. The ACLU is seeking an injunction barring South Iron Elementary School in Annapolis, Missouri, from allowing The Gideons into the classroom to distribute the Bibles.
Last spring, the school board in Annapolis voted 4-3 to let the Bible distribution continue, overriding the advice of the school's attorney and the wishes of Superintendent M. Homer Lewis -- who tendered his resignation at the end of the school year, voicing concerns about a potential lawsuit related to the Bible distribution and the possible financial drain on the district.
According to the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, last fall two Gideon representatives were permitted to enter a classroom of fifth-graders and, in the presence of the school principal, deliver a brief speech about the Bible and then hand out copies of the Bible to the students. Tony Rothert, legal director for the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, says because the giveaway happened during class time, it makes it look like the school is endorsing it.
Unfortunately, says attorney Steve Crampton, court precedent is on the ACLU's side. "Federal courts in particular have gone the extra mile with the ACLU and its cronies in these kinds of cases," says Crampton, chief counsel for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy (CLP) in Mississippi. He explains that in such cases, the courts have basically held that any kind of acknowledgment by a public school -- even "a nod of the head" toward Christianity in particular, says the CLP attorney -- constitutes the "establishment" of a religion by Congress, as the First Amendment says.
But despite that history of litigation in favor of groups like the ACLU, Crampton shares that he is hopeful the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Roberts, will clearly articulate new guidelines for cases involving the Establishment Clause.
"You just look at the text of the First Amendment -- what does it say?" the attorney asks rhetorically. "It says 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.' Well last I checked, Congress has not delegated to the South Iron Elementary School in Annapolis, Missouri, any authority to make law of any sort. Second, of course, there is no law at all at issue here; it's a mere distribution of a book."
And that book -- the Holy Bible -- is endorsed by three of the world's major religions, he points out, thereby making the ACLU's claim erroneous that the Missouri school's actions endorse a specific religion. Regardless, Crampton says he applauds the district's willingness to challenge the law and recognize the usefulness of distributing Bibles
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Lobby-Reform Bill Would Handcuff Grassroots
Mar. 8 2006 Wendy Cloyd, assistant editor Citizen Link
Legislation in reaction to gambling lobbyists says little about gambling. Pro-family analysts say a bill that is supposed to rein in lobbyists unfairly targets grassroots groups.
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en. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced S.B. 2128 in December. It was debated on the Senate floor today.
In introducing the bill, he said its purpose was to "provide greater transparency into the process of influencing our government and to ensure greater accountability among public officials. It requires greater disclosure of the activities of lobbyists, including, for the first time, grassroots lobbying firms."
McCain said the bill stems from the gambling-lobbyist scandal on Capitol Hill.
More than 30 pro-family organizations, including Focus on the Family, signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. and Majority Whip Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., decrying how the burdensome recordkeeping and reporting requirements would hinder grassroots organizations.
The groups made clear in the letter that they have "no issue with proposals that may be legitimate responses to recent allegations of certain unethical actions by Members of Congress, congressional staff and lobbyists."
"But nothing in those allegations provides any justification whatever for the notion that incumbent Members of Congress should seize authority to scrutinize and regulate the constitutionally protected efforts of groups such as ours to alert citizens regarding legislative developments in Congress and to encourage them to communicate their views to their elected representatives," the letter states. "The First Amendment protects the right to 'petition the government,' and such activities are at the heart of our democracy."
The groups also point out that McCain's proposed legislation would require them to reveal to opposition groups detailed information about the scope and location of their grassroots efforts.
Amanda Banks, federal issues analyst with Focus on the Family Action, said while McCain claims his motivation for the bill was evidence that gambling lobbyists had illegal dealings with members of Congress, the provision concerning grassroots lobbying has nothing to do with that issue.
"It is ironic that we have to advocate for gambling-reform measures to be added to the bill, because they do not exist in the original bill," she said. "So, as we advocate against the unfair grassroots-lobbying restrictions, we are asking Congress to consider amendments that would address the gambling issue."
Banks said Focus still generally supports the bill, except for the specific language concerning grassroots lobbying. She also said the group supports three proposed amendments.
One amendment under consideration would subject Indian tribes to the same contribution limits that non-Indian groups and citizens must follow for federal elections. Another would require tribes to report contributions to the Federal Election Commission by forming political action committees. A third amendment deals with unlawful Internet gambling.
TAKE ACTION:
Contact your U.S. senators using the CitizenLink Action Center and ask them to oppose the language in the Lobbying Reform Bill that would hamper grassroots activists. Also ask them to support the three amendments that would make a real difference.
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Patriot Act Renewal Strengthens 'Domestic Fight' Against Terror and Combat Methamphetamine
Mar. 08 2006 Melanie Hunter Senior Editor CNSNews.com
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n a vote of 280 to 138, the House Tuesday approved renewal of the USA Patriot Act, a centerpiece of the president's war on terrorism. The Senate approved a version of the bill last week, thus sending the anti-terrorism legislation to President Bush to sign into law.
Sixteen provisions of the Patriot Act are set to expire Friday, but the measure approved by Congress makes 14 provisions permanent and extends the other two provisions by four years.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said the renewal legislation "guarantees that our law enforcement can keep the tools they already have in place to root out and prosecute terrorists, and it renews important information sharing provisions among government agencies."
Not only does the bill strengthen the "domestic fight against terrorism," it also addresses "the rapid spread of methamphetamine abuse," Hastert said. The drug is "one of the most powerful and dangerous drugs available on the streets of our country" and "one of the easiest to make," he said.
"This drug has ravaged our communities and put severe strains on state and local enforcement agencies. The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, which was included in the PATRIOT Act conference report, provides a comprehensive approach to address this issue," Hastert added.
The methamphetamine legislation addresses domestic meth sales, international monitoring of the meth precursor pseudoephedrine, and increases federal penalties against those who cook, traffic and smuggle methamphetamine.
The measure authorizes the Meth "Hot Spots" grant program to assist local and state agencies dealing with meth labs and trafficking, and authorizes new grants to help states provide assistance for drug-endangered children and addicted women with children.
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Texas sheriffs to ask Congress for border funds
Feb. 28 2006 Jerry Seper The Washington Times
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coalition of Texas border sheriffs will testify at Capitol Hill hearings this week that illegal immigration and drug smuggling have sent law-enforcement costs soaring and exposed their deputies and communities to escalating violence.
Overwhelmed by a flood of illegal aliens, drug smugglers and rapidly increasing violence, the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition -- which includes all the sheriffs from Texas' 16 border counties -- want the federal government to help them pay for manpower increases, rising fuel bills, vehicles and equipment.
"If anything happens along the border areas, we're the first ones to respond, and it's the local taxpayers who are footing the bills for the federal government's inability to control the area," said Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez.
Sheriff Gonzalez, who heads the coalition, has argued that the federal government's failure to control illegal immigration and drug smuggling and to curtail growing violence along the 1,200-mile U.S.-Mexico border in Texas has forced county law-enforcement authorities into a "financial nightmare."
"We feel our government is not protecting our country, particularly at a time when terrorists could make their way into the United States through our southern border," Sheriff Gonzalez said.
The coalition says criminal organizations involved in narcotics and human trafficking have become more sophisticated and dangerous and, as a result have moved their operations all along the border.
Val Verde County Sheriff D'Wayne Jernigan, backed by eight coalition members, will testify tomorrow before a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on terrorism, technology and homeland security, and the subcommittee on immigration, border security and citizenship. The hearing is titled "Federal Strategies to End Border Violence."
On Thursday, a joint hearing by the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, border security and claims, and the subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security will hear from Sheriff Gonzalez and El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego.
Executive Director Rick Glancey said the coalition it has reached out to other law-enforcement agencies along the U.S.-Mexico border "who share the same unique problems with very limited resources."
"We have decided as a coalition to reach out to our fellow sheriffs in neighboring states to prove the issue is not about politics or a hidden agenda; it is about border security," Mr. Glancey said. "You must have border security in order to have national security and homeland security."
Joining the coalition in support at the hearings will be Sheriff Larry Dever of the Cochise County Sheriff's Office in southern Arizona and Sheriff Todd Garrison of the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department in southern New Mexico.
Sheriff Dever's jurisdiction includes 83 miles of U.S.-Mexico border that have become the nation's most traveled immigration corridor.
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Now US Students are Victims of Jihad Terrorism
Mar. 7 Gary Bauer American Values
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hat is one headline you will not read in our major newspapers or hear on your nightly news broadcasts. For whatever reason, the major media just cannot face reality. Even now, when confronted with transcripts of the chilling 911 call, the big media continues its blackout of the jihadist attack on the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus, refusing to call this incident what it was – terrorism.
According to the transcript of the emergency call, Mohammed Reza Taheriazar (a psychology and philosophy graduate) told the 911 operator that he drove his SUV into a crowd of innocent students to “punish the government of the United States for their actions around the world.” In his court appearance yesterday he told the judge he was, “thankful for the opportunity to spread the will of Allah.” I don’t know about you, but this seems like a blatant act of terrorism to me. Meanwhile, the American media appears relatively disinterested – “Move along, nothing to see here.”
But imagine for a moment what the headlines would be if, instead of a Muslim, the perpetrator was a pro-life Christian who drove his SUV into an abortion clinic. That would be front page, headline news for days on end. Leftwing politicians would be rushing to the nearest microphone to condemn Rush Limbaugh, “hate radio,” and the “vast rightwing conspiracy.”
For several years now, many people have been nervously monitoring the growing wave of anti-Semitism sweeping across America’s major universities. With a Taliban spokesman at Yale and the jihadist attack at Chapel Hill, I think it is time our elected officials started asking some serious questions about the state of our homeland security at our institutions of higher learning.
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Eleven Latin American Countries are sending a "Delegation Foreign" to Lobby our Congress
Robert R. Eberle, Ph.D. President and CEO, GOPUSA
Foreigners, from nearly a dozen Latin American countries, are coming to Washington DC... to lobby Congress FOR "guest worker" AMNESTY for illegal aliens, and AGAINST tougher laws here to secure America's borders.
Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez meets with Sec. Elaine Chao |
You read that right. Officials from Mexico, the Central American nations, plus Colombia, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, are all sending a "delegation" to lobby OUR Congress "to change or defeat the bill that has already been passed by the US House of Representatives."
The bill that the House just passed is Rep. James Sensenbrenner's bill, the "Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act" (H.R. 4437). These foreign lobbyists do NOT like this bill -- because it passed WITHOUT any "guest worker" amnesty provisions attached.
The bill has now gone to the Senate, the "graveyard of all good legislation," where there are two main bills competing against it: the McCain/Kennedy "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act", and the Cornyn/Kyl "Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act".
Salvadoran Foreign Minister Francisco Lainez meets with Sec. Condeleeza Rice |
Neither bill is as good as Sensenbrenner's bill which passed the House -- each Senate bill includes a "guest worker" amnesty provision! The McCain/Kennedy bill is the worst (what do you expect with those two teaming up), practically handing future citizenship rights to illegals on a platter; but the Cornyn/Kyl bill isn't much better, allowing illegal aliens to participate in a "guest worker" program and making them eligible for "Deferred Mandatory Departure" (DMD), which allows temporary residence of up to 5 years with no future migration penalty. Their bill even gives conditions for eligibility for Legal Permanent Residence (LPR) status!
Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco meets with Sec. Condeleeza Rice |
Schlafly-radio: So now, these foreign representatives of Latino governments are coming to OUR country to lobby OUR Senators to vote FOR amnesty for illegal aliens and AGAINST Rep. Sensenbrenner's common-sense border security bill! And what's worse is, there's a good chance our Senators are going to LISTEN to what they say, and vote the way these lobbyists are pushing for!
The most important issue facing our lawmakers in Washington RIGHT NOW is border security -- and these politicians are "playing footsie" with foreign leaders, and "playing politics" with their constituents back home. They're spouting every excuse in the book as to why they "have to" include "guest worker" amnesty provisions in the bill they pass... but they DON'T have to at all.
And they need to hear from YOU and ME to STOP them from doing it!
Phyllis Schlafly on the air |
TAKE ACTION
: I have to say, I'm in FULL agreement with conservative icon, Phyllis Schlafly, who recently stated on the RightMarch radio show that immigration is the hottest issue at the grassroots level.
The House responded to the pleas of the American people by passing legislation to secure our border and deter illegal immigration, and WE at the grassroots level MUST tell the Senate to respond similarly by passing legislation that will enforce our current laws, secure our border, and reject "guest-worker" amnesty.
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Wal-Mart Yields to Pro-Abortion Pressure
Mar. 6 2006 Tony Perkins Family Research Council
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n the latest battle over "emergency contraception" that sometimes acts as an abortifacient, Wal-Mart has decided to carry Plan B nationwide starting March 20. Supporters of Plan B have been pushing for its wider use and have criticized Wal-Mart for not carrying the drug. Wal-Mart claimed that it did not stock Plan B purely for business reasons, claiming there was not enough demand. Last month, Massachusetts' pharmacy board ruled that Wal-Mart was not complying with state law that pharmacies dispense "commonly prescribed medications in accordance with the usual needs of the community," and Wal-Mart agreed to carry Plan B in the Bay State. After having been forced to carry Plan B in two states, Illinois and Massachusetts, Wal-Mart is now capitulating to the pro-abortion crowd and has decided to carry the
drug in its 3,700 pharmacies nationwide. Currently Plan B requires a prescription, but the FDA is considering an application to grant over-the-counter status for girls 16 and older. While we wait for the FDA's decision, pro-abortion forces continue to push states to force pharmacies to dispense this drug. It's unfortunate that Wal-Mart caved to the pro-abortion lobby and will carry Plan B nationwide. Wal-mart's decision underscores the critical importance of conscience protection legislation at the state and the national levels for those pharmacists who refuse to dispense drugs that may take a human life.
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Two New Polls Show Americans Reject Evolution Theory and Want Alternatives Taught
Mar. 8 2006 Terry Vanderheyden LifeSiteNews.com
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ASHINGTON, Two recent polls have revealed that Americans are sceptical about Darwin’s explanation for the origins of life, and want schools to teach kids other alternatives to his theory of evolution.
A Zogby poll released Monday asked the question, “When Darwin’s theory of evolution is taught in school, students should also be able to learn about scientific evidence that points to an intelligent design of life.” Fully 77% of over 1,000 respondents agreed with this statement. Alternately, only 19% felt that Darwin’s theories of evolution should be presented exclusively.
The biggest subgroup of supporters for alternate explanations for the origin of life was 18-29 year-olds (88%). Those most likely to disagree were those age 50-64, Democrats, college graduates, and residents of the Western states and large cities.
In a related Gallup poll released today, the organization asked “Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings: 1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process, 2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process, 3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so?”
Forty-five percent of respondents said that they believed God created man in his present form; 38% said man developed with God guiding; while only 13% believed God had no part in the process. In addition, when asked about how they believed God created man, over half said they believed God created man exactly how the Bible describes it, while 31% said that man evolved with God’s help.
See the Gallup report:
http://poll.gallup.com/content/default.aspx?ci=21811
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Some Texas Seniors Scammed By Phony Cashier's Checks That look real to their Bank
Mar. 7 2006 Office of the Attorney General
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dangerous new scam combines the counterfeit cashier's check with the phony lottery or sweepstakes. We are aware of several cases in which seniors have been scammed out of all their savings by this trick.
Like the phony lottery or sweepstakes, this scam begins with an email, call or mailer that promises a large sum of money. The money may be a prize, winnings from a lottery, a once-in-a-lifetime "investment opportunity" or an inheritance. The tip-off is that before you can receive your "prize" you must first send in some money of your own, which is supposedly to cover transfer fees or taxes or some other made-up cost. You lose this money, and it turns out you never get the prize.
Some savvy seniors just tell the scammer, "As soon as you send me the $40 million, I'll send you the 'fees' - Ha Ha!"
The scammers have now addressed this problem. They trick the victim into thinking they have actually sent the prize by sending the victim a phony cashier's check. The counterfeits are very good, so good in fact that even banks are fooled. The victim then lets down his or her guard, believing that the whole thing is not a scam but the real thing. After all, it appears they've actually received the money. So the victim sends the money for the fees, or taxes or whatever. Then the check turns out to be worthless, and the victim's money is gone.
In one variation that we are aware of, the scammer told the victim that he would help her by raising the money she needed to pay in order to collect a $2 million inheritance. He gave her a phony check for $61,000 and told her to deposit it in her account and then wire it overseas. Her bank initially told her the check was good. She did as she was told. When the check turned out to be worthless, she was liable for the money that she had wired to the scammer. Of course there was no inheritance. She lost her life savings.
Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas
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A New Online Voter Guide Set to Revolutionize 'Values Voting' in Illinois
Mar. 6 2006 Christian Newswire
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HEATON, Ill., Mar. 6 2006 Christian Newswire Culture Campaign has just launched a new online voter guide for the March 21st Illinois primary election. The interactive online guide is the first of its kind in Illinois, and only one of a handful nationwide.
"This (online voter guide) has the potential to change the political landscape here in Illinois. Candidate positions on the important moral issues of the day will be easily accessible." said Sandy Rios, President of Culture Campaign and FOX News contributor.
Instead of searching through pages full of races and candidates they will not be voting on, as in a printed guide, voters can easily find the races on their ballot by entering their street address and zip code. Candidate profiles and issue positions are presented side-by-side. Users simply mark their selections to create a one-page printable ballot to take with them to the polls.
The voter guide, found at www.culture campaign.com, will include the state-wide offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and all IL congressional races, as well as all IL legislature races, including nearly 400 candidates across the state of Illinois.
"For so long we have needed a way to easily inform values voters here in IL of where candidates and elected officials stand on key moral issues. I think this is it." said Rios.
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Many Problems With the Bible Literacy Project
Mar. 6 2006 Christian Newswire
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ALEIGH, NC, This Wednesday, March 8, in Room 727 of the Alabama legislature, there will be a public hearing on Senate Bill 472 titled "Local Boards of Education May Offer Elective Course of Study Relating to: the Bible and Its Influence on Civilization, and Textbook Selection Required."
Both THE NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY recently called attention to the Bible Literacy Project's (BLP) efforts in Alabama and elsewhere. The BLP's textbook, THE BIBLE AND ITS INFLUENCE, was piloted in California, Washington and Oregon, and could become an issue in all 50 states in the very near future. In the Alabama legislature, House Bill 58 mandated use of the textbook for all students choosing to take a Bible literacy course.
The BLP textbook contains factual error, for example a contradiction of what Jesus actually said about parables. (p.215 in textbook) Plus, it asks students to question traditional Biblical teaching. For example, it asks "If God allows evil things to happen, can God honestly be described as good?" And then the text states that "This puzzle remains essentially unsolved." (p.156) The BLP textbook also questions Genesis as a literal account of God's creation of the world (pp.30,35), and further asks students "Do you think Adam and Eve received a fair deal as described in Genesis?" (p.38) THE BIBLE AND ITS INFLUENCE advises students that "It is always good to remember not to try to apply current standards to the biblical accounts." (p.50) But why shouldn't biblical accounts of honesty, for example, be used to teach students the standard that they should be honest today? And among other
problems with the BLP textbook, it states that the Book of Job "provides no clear cut moral or answer to Job's situation." (p.161) But how can anyone read the last chapter of Job (Chapter 42) and still say there's no clear cut moral?
Alabama Rep. Jeremy Oden remarked, "I'm for teaching the Bible in the classroom, but from the bottom of my heart, this is not our duty as a legislative body, to list a publisher and a book in the law." Rep. Oden then asked the bill's sponsor if he would just remove the name of the book from the law, but the sponsor refused.
Alabama Rep. Nick Williams' legislative report noted that a bipartisan effort defeated House Bill 58, which he called the "Bible Distortion Bill." And he further indicated that for years Alabama has already "provided for an elective in Bible literacy under authorization of the State Board of Education consistent with the U.S. Constitution." He then explained that "a very sound curriculum" by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools (NCBCPS), which uses THE HOLY BIBLE itself as the textbook, is already being used in some Alabama public high schools.
Not only is the NCBCPS curriculum in Alabama schools, but in 346 school districts in 37 states of the U.S. Among its supporters are Dr. D. James Kennedy, Dr. Charles Stanley, Joyce Meyer, Phyllis Schlafly president of Eagle Forum, Anne Graham Lotz, David Barton president of WallBuilders, Rabbi Daniel Lapin president of a coalition of Jews and Christians who favor returning the nation to its traditional Judeo-Christian values, and prominent Catholic law professors Gerard Bradley (Notre Dame) and Robert George (Princeton).
Rep. Nick Williams asked Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries to review the BLP textbook, and Dr. Kennedy in a letter dated February 17, 2006, replied: "I am writing in response to your letter to me concerning THE BIBLE LITERACY PROJECT. I have examined their text and other material and I believe this would be a tremendous mistake to impose such very anti-Biblical material upon our children in public schools. Holding a Ph.D. in Bible and Theology, I can tell you the approach of this material is extremely radical and should not be chosen to represent the approved views of the Alabama legislature."
In Alabama, the primary supporter of the BLP effort was R. Randolph Brinson of Redeem the Vote. Brinson indicated that the BLP's efforts extended far beyond Alabama, and included Missouri where he was helping Sen. Jason Crowell craft legislation concerning Bible literacy in schools. Brinson's credibility was called into question, though, when ST. LOUIS POST- DISPATCH columnist Tim Townsend reported that "Crowell said he'd never heard of Redeem the Vote or Brinson."
BLP vice-president Sheila Weber has widely publicized its endorsers. However, there is a distinction between endorsing general guidelines for teaching THE HOLY BIBLE in public schools and the BLP textbook. For example, while the National School Boards Association (NSBA) endorsed "The Bible in Public Schools: A First Amendment Guide," staff attorney Thomas Hutton e-mailed me that the NSBA has not endorsed the BLP's textbook, THE BIBLE AND ITS INFLUENCE.
Christians and Jews in all 50 states should watch for efforts by the BLP to have its textbook used in their local public schools, and alert their school boards and legislators regarding the serious problems concerning this textbook.
D. L. Cuddy, Ph.D., has taught American History at UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been a Senior Associate with the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. He has authored many books and hundreds of articles in newspapers including THE WASHINGTON POST, LOS ANGELES TIMES, USA TODAY, and for news services such as Scripps- Howard and Knight-Ridder.
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There's a Better Alternative to 'Bible and Its Influence'
Mar. 7 2006 Christian Newswire / Bob Withers the Herald-Dispatch
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ou would never know it by reading most newspapers, but what many Christians believe to be a worthy opponent to the Bible Literacy Project's "The Bible and Its Influence" is competing for students' literary attention.
The contender is "The Bible in History and Literature," a curriculum guide published by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools in Greensboro, N.C.
The curriculum already is being used in 320 school districts across the country (including three in West Virginia, and five each in Ohio and Kentucky) that include almost 1,200 high schools.
Nowhere in this work will you find claims that most Christians and Jews don't read Genesis as literal history or that liberal Jews, "mainline" Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics believe the book of Isaiah was written by three different people.
The workbook is designed to be used with the King James Bible because of that version's "widespread use, its influence upon the development of American culture and Western civilization, and its literary qualities," its writers say. Detractors usually do not add that those writers also encourage school districts to use -- or allow students to use -- whichever version they wish.
This alternative has been acknowledged sparingly in the press, usually in a derogatory way.
Richard N. Ostling of The Associated Press mentioned it in the last paragraph of a May 9, 2005, story on the BLP version. After giving the BLP a pass, he points out that critics say the NCBCPS material presents a "narrow, conservative Protestant viewpoint."
Many Christians are likely to challenge that statement. NCBCPS is supported by Anne Graham Lotz, WallBuilders Founder/President David Barton, Dr. D. James Kennedy and Dr. Charles Stanley. It's also backed by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, founder/president of Toward Tradition, a Mercer Island, Wash., coalition of Jews and Christians who favor returning the nation to its traditional Judeo-Christian values; and two prominent Catholic law professors -- Gerard Bradley at Notre Dame and Robert George at Princeton.
The North Carolina group caught all kinds of flack from BLP supporters when the Ector County Independent School District -- based in Odessa, Texas -- decided in December to offer an elective course using "The Bible in History and Literature" instead of "The Bible and Its Influence" after 6,000 citizens signed petitions last spring supporting a course on the Bible.
And a battle rages now in Alabama because several legislators are trying to circumnavigate the state's board of education in permitting only the BLP volume in classrooms there.
Contrary to popular opinion, classwork about the Bible is legal despite the so-called separation of church and state. A 1999 agreement -- endorsed by the National Council of Churches, major Jewish and Christian groups, advocates of church-state separation, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and other secular organizations says Bible courses are acceptable if taught "academically" and "objectively," if they neither "promote nor disparage religion" or if they don't adopt "a particular sectarian point of view" or "devotional approach."
Although neither the BLP textbook nor the NCBCPS curriculum is in Cabell County classrooms, the possibility might come up someday. It would certainly behoove parents to know what choices are available for textbooks and course material should that day come.
Bob Withers is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch and a Baptist minister. You may contact him at (304) 526- 2792 or bwithers@herald-dispatch.com.
Copyright (c) The Herald-Dispatch. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, inc.
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Supreme Court Rejects Law Schools’ Attempt s to Restrict Military Recruiters
Mar. 6 2006 Pacific Justice Institute
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ashington, D.C.—The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday that law schools receiving federal funds may not restrict military recruiters from their campuses. The unanimous decision is a blow to academics who sought to limit or exclude the recruiters to protest the military’s policy on homosexuals in the military.
For the past decade, a federal law known as the Solomon Amendment has conditioned federal funding to institutions of higher education on access for military and ROTC recruiters. More recently, and especially in light of the heightened military needs since September 11, 2001, the government has clarified the Amendment to require universities receiving federal funds to give military recruiters the same access to their campuses that other types of job recruiters were given. This requirement raised the ire of law schools which sought to restrict or even exclude military recruiters as a protest against the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on homosexuals. Several law schools filed suit, claiming the Solomon Amendment violated their free speech rights.
A federal appeals court in Philadelphia held in favor of the law schools, but the Supreme Court disagreed in a unanimous opinion written by Chief Justice Roberts. In holding that the Solomon Amendment did not violate the First Amendment, the Court noted that it “neither limits what law schools may say nor requires them to say anything. Law schools remain free under the statute to express whatever views they may have on the military’s congressionally mandated employment policy.” Accordingly, this condition on law schools’ conduct was a “far cry” from cases protecting actual speech and association, especially when, as was the case here, Congress is exercising its constitutional duty to raise and support armies.
Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, stated, “It’s nice to see the return of common sense to the Supreme Court. For years, the First Amendment has been stretched to the breaking point by those who would seek to use it as a cover for everything from child porn to childish snubs against the military. We applaud the Court for taking a more principled approach that recognizes what truly matters.”
The Court’s decision is Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights, No. 04-1152.
Poll Question—Log onto our website, www.pacificjustice.org, to give us your opinion: Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s holding that federal funding for law schools can be conditioned on equal access for military recruiters?
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Lobbying Reform and an Internet Gambling Ban
Mar. 8 2006 Tony Perkins Family Research Council
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en. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has the right idea. He is planning to add a ban on Internet gambling to the lobbying reform bill the Senate is working on. That brings the focus back where it belongs--to the origins of the problem. You'll recall that confessed wheeler-dealer Jack Abramoff lobbied against the Internet gambling ban that FRC was working for. Focus on the Family stood staunchly with us. Abramoff won. But that was then. Today, our hopes are high because the Abramoff scandal has lawmakers jittery. It should. One thing no one should worry about, however, is the ludicrous ad in today's New York Times. The ad pictures Dr. Jim Dobson together with two others in the story and says, "These religious leaders have a serious gambling problem." Dr. Dobson is not an associate
of these others. I can speak from personal experience: Jim Dobson has opposed gambling publicly, unceasingly, unqualifiedly, for decades. That's why he was named to the national gambling commission. Yes, I know, sometimes working for a new gambling ban can indirectly help casino operators who are already entrenched in some locales. Abramoff seized on this perverse aspect of the gambling issue and made a fortune from it. That doesn't mean we shouldn't still oppose gambling. This New York Times ad, paid for by a far-left group, is designed to drive a wedge between evangelicals and their leaders, but it will not tarnish Dr. Dobson's reputation. In fact, I'm sure Dr. Dobson will remember Winston Churchill's advice: "Nothing is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result."
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States Grapple With In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants
Mar. 06 2006 Liza Porteus Fox News
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ASHINGTON — For most teenagers, going to college is part of the American dream. But the cost of fulfilling that dream has become a source of controversy, as illegal immigrants sometimes pay less than U.S. citizens to attend the same college.
Illegal immigrants living in nine states can now attend public college at in-state tuition costs. But legal U.S. citizens still have to pay out-of-state tuition at schools outside of their home state. That price difference can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Many say it's discrimination if states offer a cheaper public college education to illegal immigrants, and some out-of-state American students are suing in federal and state courts. Others argue it's the best way to make sure immigrant students reach their potential.
"We'll be arguing it doesn't really matter if the U.S. citizens end up paying more or paying less but that they're being treated unequally," said Kris Kobach, co-counsel in lawsuits against tuition laws in Kansas and California. Kobach added that a 1996 federal law guiding this issue is "remarkably clear language for Congress — it makes it very clear you can't do this."
The federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 prohibits public colleges from favoring undocumented students by offering them in-state tuition rates and not extending that offer to U.S. citizens.
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Governor Perry Launches State-Led Border Security Operation
Feb.9 2006 Previous release from the Capitol
State Operations Center to Coordinate SWAT Teams, Investigators, Air Assets
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USTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today launched “Operation Rio Grande,” a state-led initiative to address escalating violence, increase border security and ensure Texans’ safety. The operation brings together a variety of state resources to better secure the Texas-Mexico border from Brownsville to El Paso.
“There is not only great concern that the drug trade is becoming more aggressive, but that terrorist organizations are seeking to exploit our porous border,” Perry said. “Last year alone, 135,000 people who are not of Mexican descent were apprehended entering Texas illegally. The threat is real, and it grows each day.”
Recent events along the border indicate that violence and criminal activity have escalated, including the apprehension of four Iraqis headed to U.S. soil by Mexican officials, the discovery of a criminal organization’s weapons stockpile in Laredo that included improvised explosive devices and fragmentation hand grenades, and the recent chase of narco-terrorists involving local deputies and Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers in Hudspeth County.
“With ‘Operation Rio Grande’, the state will take the lead role in coordinating state and local efforts to detect, track and deter criminal activity along the border,” Perry said. “I am taking these actions to make Texas safer and more secure. Using intelligence, available state assets, and a new command and control structure, we are going to take back our border from those who exploit it.”
This morning, Perry activated the Governor’s Emergency Management Council and placed the Texas Fusion Center on the highest alert level under the supervision of Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw. The State Operations Center will serve as a central point of coordination for state, local and federal officials, as well as a single hub for incident reporting and intelligence support for law enforcement agencies up to 100 miles away from the Rio Grande River.
Perry’s action represents the first time the State Operations Center has been activated to coordinate a law enforcement operation.
As part of “Operation Rio Grande,” Perry has also ordered deployment of:
A DPS rapid response team of state troopers dispatched to troubled areas;
DPS narcotics, motor vehicle theft and criminal intelligence investigators to conduct covert patrols and surveillance activities;
DPS fixed and rotary aviation assets to support Operation Linebacker patrols;
A DPS SWAT Team and the development of regionalized, enhanced swat teams with rapid response capabilities;
A border-wide investigation of alleged incursions by the Mexican military, conducted by the Texas Rangers; and
Other state assets, including Texas Department of Criminal Justice canine search teams, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, and Texas Department of Transportation road barriers.
“While enforcing our border remains the responsibility of the federal government, the consequences of an action are felt right here at home in Texas,” Perry said. “The state will not wait for Washington to take all the necessary actions.”
Although Perry emphasized that border threats are best addressed by law enforcement, Texas Army National Guard planners and analysts will also provide support to operation.
“Operation Rio Grande” builds upon Operation Linebacker, an initiative developed by the 16-member Texas Border Sheriff’s Coalition to deter border-related criminal activities through increased manpower and equipment. Perry has provided nearly $10 million to Operation Linebacker since December.
Perry was joined at the news conference by Zapata County Sheriff Sigi Gonzales, who heads the Texas Border Sheriffs’ Coalition, as well as representatives of the Combined law Enforcement Association of Texas, the Texas Municipal Police Association and the Department of Public Safety Officer Association.
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Operation Rio Grande Receives Broad Support
From Texas Municipal Police Association:
“The Texas Municipal Police Association strongly supports Governor Perry’s initiative to regain control of our border with Mexico. Reports from law enforcement agencies along the Texas/Mexico border indicate the situation has reached a crisis level and it is clear that the federal government is not in position to act quickly enough to combat the rise in violence, drug smuggling, and narco-terrorism,” said Chris Heaton, TMPA Executive Director. “We are very pleased that the Governor is taking these steps to regain control of an area plagued with violence and lawlessness because of a porous border with Mexico,” Heaton said.
From Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas:
“We support ‘Operation Linebacker’ and ‘Operation Rio Grande’ as emergency starting points,” stated Charley Wilkison, Political and Legislative Director of CLEAT, “but the federal government needs to do more than talk about broken borders and commit more resources and more brain power to a situation that is spiraling out of control.”
From Texas Department of Public Safety Officers’ Association:
“We believe that Operation Rio Grande represents a comprehensive approach that advances the safety of Texas citizens along the border,” Sergeant Henry Brune, President of DPSOA said. “We thank Governor Perry for taking these strong steps as he deploys the state’s crime fighting assets in a coordinated way.”
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College Campuses Need to Listen to Solomon
Mar. 6 2006 Tony Perkins Family Research Council
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n Friday, Mohammed Reza Taheri-azar, a 22-year-old Iran native, drove his SUV into a crowd on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, striking nine people. When asked why, he told investigators he wanted to "avenge the deaths or murders of Muslims around the world." Deeds like this, especially if not quickly and unequivocally condemned by religious leaders, damage Islam's desire to be understood as a "religion of peace." Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt this time, but what about the next jihadist who decides to avenge the deaths of terrorists by striking at "the great Satan"? That raises a serious question. Are some colleges aiding and abetting the enemy in the war on terror? Take, for example, Yale University, which has accepted as a student a former ambassador
for the oppressive Taliban. What makes Yale's offense worse is the fact that Yale prohibits students from organizing a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) chapter on campus and seeks to deny students the right to hear from military recruiters. Along those lines the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that universities that accept federal money must allow military recruiters on campus. The suit involved law schools that want federal funds but don't want to comply with the Solomon Amendment, which says you can't get federal money if you ban military recruiters from campus. The Taliban oppressed women and executed those who offended their regime while the ROTC trains young officers to help defend freedom. Which side do these institutions of higher learning support?
Additional Resources
Man in US Attack Sought to Avenge Muslims: Official
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Students' Free-Speech Rights at Issue in Two Penn. Lawsuits
Mar. 3 2006 Jim Brown Agape Press
Two public universities in Pennsylvania -- Temple University and Penn State -- are simultaneously facing federal civil rights lawsuits filed by a Christian group.
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he Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is suing Temple over its alleged "campaign of retaliation and retribution" against a Pennsylvania National Guard sergeant who served overseas. David French, who heads ADF's Center for Academic Freedom, says while serving in Bosnia, graduate student Christian DeJohn clashed politically with Temple professors who sent anti-war e-mails to him. According to the attorney, there was some fallout from that interaction.
"He came back to find that he'd been expelled from Temple," says French. But things did not stop when that wrong was righted. "When he got readmitted to Temple, his master's thesis was flunked," the attorney continues. "And then the university falsely reported him as being delinquent on student loans."
Prior to going overseas, DeJohn had an exemplary record, says French. "This is a person who, before he had the political clashes with his professors, had received nothing but the best treatment."
Concurrent with DeJohn's case, ADF is challenging a speech code at Penn State University that bars students from using words deemed to be "intolerant." But a spokesman for the school claims Penn State has no policy that conflicts with students' free-speech rights. Not so, says French.
"What we're trying to do is restore the marketplace of ideas [on college campuses] and make sure that everyone enjoys the equal rights to speak," the ADF lawyer says. "For too long in this country at Temple, at Penn State, and many other universities, Christian and conservative students have not had those equal rights."
According to French, courts have struck down similar language in speech codes that have been turned against conservative and Christian students at other schools. "[T]hese lawsuits are directly designed to restore equality," he explains.
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Court grants Utah highway patrolmen’s organization right to intervene against atheists in lawsuit
Mar. 3 2006 ADF Media Relations
ADF attorneys to represent Utah Highway Patrol Association against atheist group suing to remove crosses honoring fallen officers
SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge Thursday granted a Utah highway patrolmen’s organization represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund the right to intervene in a lawsuit filed by an atheist group against Utah officials. The atheist group is seeking to have roadside memorials fully funded and maintained by the Utah Highway Patrol Association removed from public land and bar the use of the Utah Highway Patrol logo on memorials placed on private land.
“Most Americans would be appalled that this group is trying to stop the families of state troopers killed in the line of duty from honoring their lost loved ones in the way they see fit,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Byron Babione. “We intend to defend the constitutionality of the UHPA’s memorials to these honored public servants. The memorials signify the service and death of an officer, and such memorials should not be censored based on the hurt feelings of passersby.”
American Atheists, Inc., sued the Utah Highway Patrol and the Utah Transportation Department seeking a court order to force the removal of the memorials. The group is also contesting the inclusion of the UHP’s beehive logo, placed in the center of each memorial cross, claiming that it is state establishment of religion. Throughout the state, each cross is placed on or near the place where events occurred resulting in the death of an officer.
Babione said that ADF is pleased to represent the UHPA and the interest of family members of fallen officers who wish to keep the memorials in place: “It’s ludicrous to attack these memorials with the tiresome, extraconstitutional construct of ‘separation of church and state.’ We look forward to defending the interests of the UHPA in court.”
ADF attorneys and ADF-allied attorney Frank Mylar filed the motion to intervene Dec. 23 of last year on behalf of the victims’ family members and others who are a part of the Utah Highway Patrol Association
The Utah Highway Patrol Association is also represented by the National Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm dedicated to the protection of First Amendment freedoms.
ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
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Members of Congress convicted of felonies still get taxpayer funded pensions
Mar. 6 2006 Tony Perkins Family Research Council
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ongressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) was sentenced Friday to eight years
