The United Church of Christ (UCC) in Charlotte, North Carolina filed a federal lawsuit against the new state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman claiming that the citizens' 2012 ballot decision violates the First Amendment right of apostate "christians" to celebrate that which God condemns: Homosexual behavior.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
United Church of Christ Eliminates 'Heavenly Father'
UCC Supervisor Bans Jesus & Bible from VA Chaplains
Liberal 'Churches' Conforming to Decadent Culture
New York Methodist Bishop Allows Same-sex Marriages
President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy
In addition, read how activist judges across America are forbidding voters the right to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
-- From "North Carolina Clergy Bring Challenge to State Gay Marriage Ban" by Hasani Gittens, NBC News 4/28/14
Rev. Joe Hoffman, Senior Minister of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, in Asheville, noted that his denomination has supported same-sex rights for years, but faces the penalty of a misdemeanor if he performed any marriage ceremonies for them, which he has.
Hoffman is among the coalition of clergy bringing the case, which was spearheaded by the campaign for Southern Equality [CSE].
Of the scores of same-sex marriage lawsuits filed around the country, the group says this is the first one based on a First Amendment religious-freedom argument, as opposed to the 14th Amendment equal-protection arguments.
The official defendant in the case is North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, whose office did not return calls for comment on Monday.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "United Church of Christ Challenges North Carolina's Same-Sex Marriage Ban on Religious Liberty Grounds" by Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter 4/29/14
"The United Church of Christ is an inclusive church of extravagant welcome, founded on the Constitution's guarantee of the free exercise of religion, and the United Church of Christ believes this freedom should be guarded, protected and defended," said the Rev. Bernard R. Wilson, chairperson of the United Church of Christ Board, in a statement on Monday. "That is the reason the UCC took this legal action in North Carolina today."
Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the NC Values Coalition and former Chairwoman of Vote for Marriage NC, responded in a statement on Monday to the lawsuit, which was filed by several members of the clergy and six same-sex couples:
"This is sadly, and predictably, the 'lawsuit of the week' filed by those who want to impose same-sex marriage on North Carolina, in spite of the fact that 61% of the voters passed the Marriage Amendment 2 years ago. North Carolinians had good reason to protect marriage in our Constitution, recognizing that the union of a man and woman plays an irreplaceable role in the health of society, first of which is the protection of children."
Fitzgerald said, however, that it is "both ironic and sad that an entire religious denomination and its clergy who purport holding to Christian teachings on marriage would look to the courts to justify their errant beliefs. These individuals are simply revisionists that distort the teaching of Scripture to justify sexual revolution, not marital sanctity."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read American Decline: Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians as well as America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Google Bans Pro-life Ads, as Abortionists Demand
The Internet giant Google has acted as judge, jury, and executioner (literally) in the case of NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) accusing crisis pregnancy centers of false advertising. NARAL has even criticized a pro-life counselor for declaring that God exists. Google agreed that anyone searching for abortion clinics shouldn't be presented with a list of pro-lifers.
However, when Christians confidently raise their voices, the unborn children CAN be saved (click headlines below):
Church Defeats Abortion in Colorado, Democrats Concede
Abortionists Lament Ever-greater State Limits
Pro-life Laws Sweeping States, Roe Challenge Soon
Federal Government Probes Planned Parenthood for Fraud
Also read how states are cracking down on the murderous abortionists.
-- From "Google removes “deceptive” pregnancy center ads" by Hayley Tsukayama, Washington Post 4/28/14
According to the advocacy group [NARAL], which presented its findings to Google after monitoring the ads, the crisis pregnancy centers intentionally used false and misleading language on ads that appeared when users searched for "abortion clinic."
Google policy states that advertisements must be "factually supportable," as well as truthful and accurate. Advertisers who do not comply with Google policies may see their ads rejected or their domains disabled or accounts suspended.
Google said in a statement that it had applied its ad policy standards in this case and followed normal company procedures. . . . "If we find violations, we'll take the appropriate actions — including account disablings and blacklists — as quickly as possible."
[Google] has taken a guarded approach to blocking content from its search pages. In this case, however, NARAL was able to demonstrate that the ads directly violated Google's own policies, [NARAL President Ilyse] Hogue said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Google removes advertisements for 'crisis pregnancy centers'" by Julian Hattem, The Hill 4/28/14
Bowing to pressure from abortion-rights groups, Google is removing advertisements from its site for “crisis pregnancy centers” that discourage people from having abortions.
According to NARAL, people using Google to search for “abortion clinics” got ads advertising the crisis centers about 79 percent of the time.
NARAL logged a series of complaints with Google about ads that it claimed were deceptive, and spent the last month urging the company to take action. According to NARAL, more than two-thirds of the ads it passed along to Google were removed.
Among those were ads linked to groups that, NARAL said, openly acknowledge their intent to urge people not to have abortions.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "NARAL victory? Crisis pregnancy centers face ‘blacklists’ from Google over ‘deceptive’ ads" by Ben Johnson, LifeSiteNews.com 4/28/14
NARAL has targeted CPCs, which offer women an alternative to abortion, for some time. Last summer, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia received saturation media coverage of its “undercover” videotape of “lies that a woman hears when she goes to a CPC” (crisis pregnancy center). Critics say that list contains zero falsehoods.
One of the “lies” NARAL highlighted was a counselor's words that there is a God, and, “You will face that child again one day. At the end of the world, you're going to know that was my child that I chose to kill.” Hogue went on MSNBC to call the comment “unthinkable.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Planned Parenthood President Asks, Who Cares When Life Begins?
"Google is waging a war on women by limiting knowledge of the options and services available to women."For background, read how Christians are also censored at colleges and universities, and even children of all ages are censored by public schools.
-- Carol Tobias, President, National Right to Life Committee
However, when Christians confidently raise their voices, the unborn children CAN be saved (click headlines below):
Church Defeats Abortion in Colorado, Democrats Concede
Abortionists Lament Ever-greater State Limits
Pro-life Laws Sweeping States, Roe Challenge Soon
Federal Government Probes Planned Parenthood for Fraud
Also read how states are cracking down on the murderous abortionists.
-- From "Google removes “deceptive” pregnancy center ads" by Hayley Tsukayama, Washington Post 4/28/14
According to the advocacy group [NARAL], which presented its findings to Google after monitoring the ads, the crisis pregnancy centers intentionally used false and misleading language on ads that appeared when users searched for "abortion clinic."
Google policy states that advertisements must be "factually supportable," as well as truthful and accurate. Advertisers who do not comply with Google policies may see their ads rejected or their domains disabled or accounts suspended.
Google said in a statement that it had applied its ad policy standards in this case and followed normal company procedures. . . . "If we find violations, we'll take the appropriate actions — including account disablings and blacklists — as quickly as possible."
[Google] has taken a guarded approach to blocking content from its search pages. In this case, however, NARAL was able to demonstrate that the ads directly violated Google's own policies, [NARAL President Ilyse] Hogue said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Google removes advertisements for 'crisis pregnancy centers'" by Julian Hattem, The Hill 4/28/14
Bowing to pressure from abortion-rights groups, Google is removing advertisements from its site for “crisis pregnancy centers” that discourage people from having abortions.
According to NARAL, people using Google to search for “abortion clinics” got ads advertising the crisis centers about 79 percent of the time.
NARAL logged a series of complaints with Google about ads that it claimed were deceptive, and spent the last month urging the company to take action. According to NARAL, more than two-thirds of the ads it passed along to Google were removed.
Among those were ads linked to groups that, NARAL said, openly acknowledge their intent to urge people not to have abortions.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "NARAL victory? Crisis pregnancy centers face ‘blacklists’ from Google over ‘deceptive’ ads" by Ben Johnson, LifeSiteNews.com 4/28/14
NARAL has targeted CPCs, which offer women an alternative to abortion, for some time. Last summer, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia received saturation media coverage of its “undercover” videotape of “lies that a woman hears when she goes to a CPC” (crisis pregnancy center). Critics say that list contains zero falsehoods.
One of the “lies” NARAL highlighted was a counselor's words that there is a God, and, “You will face that child again one day. At the end of the world, you're going to know that was my child that I chose to kill.” Hogue went on MSNBC to call the comment “unthinkable.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Planned Parenthood President Asks, Who Cares When Life Begins?
Monday, April 28, 2014
Islamists vs. Jesus in Post-Christian Britain
The battle of Biblical proportions is raging in Great Britain judging by the rhetoric of the current prime minister who claims Britain is a Christian nation, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury who claims Britain is now "post-Christian," and finally the former prime minister who says that Britain's real threat is Islamists Hell-bent on killing "infidels."
Also read Christians Becoming Extinct in 9 Western Nations as well as European Union Drops Christmas in Favor of Non-christians
. . . and on this side of the pond, Congress: America No Longer a Christian Nation as demonstrated by President Obama's National Cathedral: the Seat of Apostasy
In addition, read American Decline: President Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians
-- From "Stand up for our Christianity, David Cameron tells UK" posted at BBC News 4/16/14
Britons should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country", Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Although he described himself as a "classic" member of the Church of England - "not that regular in attendance, and a bit vague on some of the more difficult parts of the faith" - he rejected the idea that in an "ever more secular age" people should not talk about their religion.
"Crucially, the Christian values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, and love are shared by people of every faith and none - and we should be confident in standing up to defend them," he wrote.
Last week, in his Easter message, he spoke of the "peace" he found in Christianity.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Cameron’s Description of Britain as ‘Christian Country’ Draws an Angry Response" by Steven Erlanger, New York Times 4/21/14
The fuss over the [prime minister's] remarks fit into the debates on national identity that are going on all over Western Europe, in the face of increasing immigration, especially from non-Christian societies. The debate is particularly striking in Britain, an ancient kingdom . . .
[PM David Cameron] wrote: “I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organizations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people’s lives.” Britain has an established church, the Church of England, which is Christian and whose “supreme governor” is the queen; Mr. Cameron is a member.
But his effort to head off criticism failed, and his article prompted a four-paragraph letter to the British daily newspaper The Telegraph, signed by 56 prominent people, including scientists, authors, broadcasters and comedians. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Former archbishop of Canterbury: We are a post-Christian nation" by Tim Ross, Cole Moreton and James Kirkup, UK Telegraph 4/26/14
Britain is now a “post-Christian” country, the former archbishop of Canterbury has declared, as research suggests that the majority of Anglicans and Roman Catholics now feel afraid to express their beliefs.
. . . an exclusive poll for The Telegraph today discloses . . .
From "Rowan Williams Says Britain Is a 'Post-Christian' Nation" By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 4/28/14
Britain is "post-Christian in the sense that habitual practice for most of the population is not taken for granted," Williams, who is now master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, told The Telegraph in an interview. "A Christian nation can sound like a nation of committed believers, and we are not that."
He expects "a further shrinkage of awareness and commitment" due to a lack of knowledge about Britain's Christian legacy among younger generations, who could bring "a certain freshness" as they will not see Christianity as "the boring old stuff that we learned at school."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Tony Blair: west must take sides against growing threat of radical Islam" by Patrick Wintour, political editor, UK Guardian 4/23/14
Western military intervention in the Middle East has so far failed due to the distorting impact of an Islamic extremism so opposed to modernity that it could yet engender global catastrophe, Tony Blair warned on Wednesday in a keynote speech on the state of politics in the Middle East.
[He urged the west] to counter the Islamic extremism that lies at the root of all failures of western intervention.
He said: "For the last 40 to 50 years, there has been a steady stream of funding, proselytising, organising and promulgating coming out of the Middle East, pushing views of religion that are narrow minded and dangerous. Unfortunately we seem blind to the enormous global impact such teaching has had and is having.
Insisting that the west had to take sides, he described Islamic extremism as "not about a competing view of how society or politics should be governed within a common space where you accept other views are equally valid. It is exclusivist in nature. The ultimate goal is not a society which someone else can change after winning an election. It is a society of a fixed polity, governed by religious doctrines that are not changeable but which are, of their essence, unchangeable."
"But what is absolutely necessary is that we first liberate ourselves from our own attitude. We have to take sides. We have to stop treating each country on the basis of whatever seems to make for the easiest life for us at any one time. We have to have an approach to the region that is coherent and sees it as a whole. And above all, we have to commit. We have to engage"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read CBS News Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
"The threat of this radical Islam is not abating. It is growing. It is spreading across the world. It is destabilising communities and even nations. It is undermining the possibility of peaceful co-existence in an era of globalisation."For background, read the myriad professing Christians arrested in the UK, and the court cases ruling against Christians.
-- Tony Blair, former prime minister
Also read Christians Becoming Extinct in 9 Western Nations as well as European Union Drops Christmas in Favor of Non-christians
. . . and on this side of the pond, Congress: America No Longer a Christian Nation as demonstrated by President Obama's National Cathedral: the Seat of Apostasy
In addition, read American Decline: President Obama's Gay Agenda vs. Christians
-- From "Stand up for our Christianity, David Cameron tells UK" posted at BBC News 4/16/14
Britons should be "more confident about our status as a Christian country", Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Although he described himself as a "classic" member of the Church of England - "not that regular in attendance, and a bit vague on some of the more difficult parts of the faith" - he rejected the idea that in an "ever more secular age" people should not talk about their religion.
"Crucially, the Christian values of responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, and love are shared by people of every faith and none - and we should be confident in standing up to defend them," he wrote.
Last week, in his Easter message, he spoke of the "peace" he found in Christianity.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Cameron’s Description of Britain as ‘Christian Country’ Draws an Angry Response" by Steven Erlanger, New York Times 4/21/14
The fuss over the [prime minister's] remarks fit into the debates on national identity that are going on all over Western Europe, in the face of increasing immigration, especially from non-Christian societies. The debate is particularly striking in Britain, an ancient kingdom . . .
[PM David Cameron] wrote: “I believe we should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organizations, and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people’s lives.” Britain has an established church, the Church of England, which is Christian and whose “supreme governor” is the queen; Mr. Cameron is a member.
But his effort to head off criticism failed, and his article prompted a four-paragraph letter to the British daily newspaper The Telegraph, signed by 56 prominent people, including scientists, authors, broadcasters and comedians. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Former archbishop of Canterbury: We are a post-Christian nation" by Tim Ross, Cole Moreton and James Kirkup, UK Telegraph 4/26/14
Britain is now a “post-Christian” country, the former archbishop of Canterbury has declared, as research suggests that the majority of Anglicans and Roman Catholics now feel afraid to express their beliefs.
. . . an exclusive poll for The Telegraph today discloses . . .
• Almost two-thirds of practising Christians appear to be frightened of speaking out about their beliefs. The poll found 62 per cent saying the rise of religious fundamentalism had made Christians afraid to express their faith;To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
• Widespread concerns also emerge over the perceived vulnerability of Christians in the UK to abuse or discrimination. Sixty-two per cent of people who hold Christian beliefs but do not worship regularly say they feel Christians are given “less protection” than other religious groups by the state.
From "Rowan Williams Says Britain Is a 'Post-Christian' Nation" By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor 4/28/14
Britain is "post-Christian in the sense that habitual practice for most of the population is not taken for granted," Williams, who is now master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, told The Telegraph in an interview. "A Christian nation can sound like a nation of committed believers, and we are not that."
He expects "a further shrinkage of awareness and commitment" due to a lack of knowledge about Britain's Christian legacy among younger generations, who could bring "a certain freshness" as they will not see Christianity as "the boring old stuff that we learned at school."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Tony Blair: west must take sides against growing threat of radical Islam" by Patrick Wintour, political editor, UK Guardian 4/23/14
Western military intervention in the Middle East has so far failed due to the distorting impact of an Islamic extremism so opposed to modernity that it could yet engender global catastrophe, Tony Blair warned on Wednesday in a keynote speech on the state of politics in the Middle East.
[He urged the west] to counter the Islamic extremism that lies at the root of all failures of western intervention.
He said: "For the last 40 to 50 years, there has been a steady stream of funding, proselytising, organising and promulgating coming out of the Middle East, pushing views of religion that are narrow minded and dangerous. Unfortunately we seem blind to the enormous global impact such teaching has had and is having.
Insisting that the west had to take sides, he described Islamic extremism as "not about a competing view of how society or politics should be governed within a common space where you accept other views are equally valid. It is exclusivist in nature. The ultimate goal is not a society which someone else can change after winning an election. It is a society of a fixed polity, governed by religious doctrines that are not changeable but which are, of their essence, unchangeable."
"But what is absolutely necessary is that we first liberate ourselves from our own attitude. We have to take sides. We have to stop treating each country on the basis of whatever seems to make for the easiest life for us at any one time. We have to have an approach to the region that is coherent and sees it as a whole. And above all, we have to commit. We have to engage"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read CBS News Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Public Prayer: Vast Majority of Americans Want it
A just-released poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University finds that 73% of Americans, including 60% of Democrats, favor prayer at public civic meetings; but what kind of prayer does the public want? It appears, that just as the political correctness police have taught Americans to believe in an unknown god, this poll finds that Americans want the prayers directed toward some thing other than God the Creator (the author of American freedom).
Public opinion is often difficult to understand, such as the poll showing that Most Americans are Disgusted with American Morals, Yet Favor Sin
For background, read 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco Ruled Prayer OK Lancaster, Calif. and also read California Judge OKs Prayer at Eureka City Council
The fact is, Prayer at Civic Meetings Flourish Across America, and for proof, read about Christians standing for Jesus Christ despite the secular onslaught.
UPDATE 5/13/14: U.S. Supreme Court rules prayers to Jesus Christ OK at government meetings
UPDATE 9/27/14: Gallup Poll Finds Most Americans Support Prayer in School
From "U.S. voters say it's OK to pray at public meetings, NJ poll finds" by Jeff Goldman, The Star-Ledger (New Jersey) 4/23/14
About 73 percent of the 883 people asked in a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll conducted in December say it's OK "as long as the public officials are not favoring some beliefs over others."
"This has always been a praying nation, despite its very secular Constitution," Peter J. Woolley, professor of comparative politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University said in a release. "People generally see generic prayer as harmless, if not uplifting, not as something that is oppressive."
"An overwhelming number of Americans are upset by two things — not being allowed to pray, and someone insisting that only their prayer is legitimate," Woolley said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "National FDU poll: OK to pray at public meetings" by William Westhoven, The Daily Record (Parsippany, NJ) 4/23/14
Seventy-three percent of the 883 registered voters responding to the poll agreed with the statement, “Prayer at public meetings is fine as long as the public officials are not favoring some beliefs over others.” Less than a quarter of the respondents — 23 percent — agreed with the statement, “Public meetings shouldn’t have any prayers at all because prayers by definition suggest one belief over another.”
Rev. Neill Tolboom of Morristown United Methodist Church said, “I believe it is appropriate, especially if you are only talking about prayer, and not expounding on one faith over another. All you are doing is evoking help from a creator, or God, and acknowledging that there may be something greater than us, a spiritual realm. Maybe the prayer is for someone who is sick, or you are just praying for guidance. What could be wrong with that?”
Republicans favored public-meeting prayer by a margin of 88 percent to 10 percent, while Democrats favored it 60 percent to 36 percent. The survey showed no significant statistical difference between men and women, whites and non-whites, or age groups.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Most voters favor prayer, minus Jesus, at public meetings" by Cathy Lynn Grossman, Religion News Service, Washington Post 4/21/14
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule on the constitutionality of prayer at public meetings [in Greece, New York].
“(Greece officials) were trying their best not to offend anyone by making prayers as generic as possible. In this survey we asked if this is an acceptable way to approach the problem. Three in four people said yes,” said Peter Woolley, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson in New Jersey.
The key, however, is that this case centers on generic prayer that is “harmless, if not uplifting,” said Woolley. “Americans have become more used to the idea that one denomination is not necessarily privileged over another. Even unbelievers — atheists who would say prayer ‘is not for me’ — approved” of allowing nonspecific prayer.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "New survey: generic public prayer is okay, Jesus Christ is the problem" by Laura Jones, The Global Dispatch 4/24/14
While support for prayer was similar for every age group and both men and women, the most religiously observant were the most inclined to approve of it. Among those who attend religious services (excluding funerals or weddings) at least once or twice a month, 86 percent would allow prayer, 11 percent would not.
For those who attend services a few times a year, 73 percent support it but opposition doubles to 26 percent.Even those who seldom or never go to church backed the prayers at public meetings, with 58 percent approving and 36 percent opposing.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Jesus' Name Unconstitutional in Public: Supreme Court
Now Illegal to Quote George Washington, Media Say
CBS News Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
Church is About Friendships, NOT God: Study
Methodists Team Up with Atheists for Bible Study
United Church of Christ Eliminates 'Heavenly Father'
President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy
President Obama Prays to an Unknown God
America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
Public opinion is often difficult to understand, such as the poll showing that Most Americans are Disgusted with American Morals, Yet Favor Sin
For background, read 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco Ruled Prayer OK Lancaster, Calif. and also read California Judge OKs Prayer at Eureka City Council
The fact is, Prayer at Civic Meetings Flourish Across America, and for proof, read about Christians standing for Jesus Christ despite the secular onslaught.
UPDATE 5/13/14: U.S. Supreme Court rules prayers to Jesus Christ OK at government meetings
UPDATE 9/27/14: Gallup Poll Finds Most Americans Support Prayer in School
From "U.S. voters say it's OK to pray at public meetings, NJ poll finds" by Jeff Goldman, The Star-Ledger (New Jersey) 4/23/14
About 73 percent of the 883 people asked in a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll conducted in December say it's OK "as long as the public officials are not favoring some beliefs over others."
"This has always been a praying nation, despite its very secular Constitution," Peter J. Woolley, professor of comparative politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University said in a release. "People generally see generic prayer as harmless, if not uplifting, not as something that is oppressive."
"An overwhelming number of Americans are upset by two things — not being allowed to pray, and someone insisting that only their prayer is legitimate," Woolley said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "National FDU poll: OK to pray at public meetings" by William Westhoven, The Daily Record (Parsippany, NJ) 4/23/14
Seventy-three percent of the 883 registered voters responding to the poll agreed with the statement, “Prayer at public meetings is fine as long as the public officials are not favoring some beliefs over others.” Less than a quarter of the respondents — 23 percent — agreed with the statement, “Public meetings shouldn’t have any prayers at all because prayers by definition suggest one belief over another.”
Rev. Neill Tolboom of Morristown United Methodist Church said, “I believe it is appropriate, especially if you are only talking about prayer, and not expounding on one faith over another. All you are doing is evoking help from a creator, or God, and acknowledging that there may be something greater than us, a spiritual realm. Maybe the prayer is for someone who is sick, or you are just praying for guidance. What could be wrong with that?”
Republicans favored public-meeting prayer by a margin of 88 percent to 10 percent, while Democrats favored it 60 percent to 36 percent. The survey showed no significant statistical difference between men and women, whites and non-whites, or age groups.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Most voters favor prayer, minus Jesus, at public meetings" by Cathy Lynn Grossman, Religion News Service, Washington Post 4/21/14
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule on the constitutionality of prayer at public meetings [in Greece, New York].
“(Greece officials) were trying their best not to offend anyone by making prayers as generic as possible. In this survey we asked if this is an acceptable way to approach the problem. Three in four people said yes,” said Peter Woolley, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson in New Jersey.
The key, however, is that this case centers on generic prayer that is “harmless, if not uplifting,” said Woolley. “Americans have become more used to the idea that one denomination is not necessarily privileged over another. Even unbelievers — atheists who would say prayer ‘is not for me’ — approved” of allowing nonspecific prayer.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "New survey: generic public prayer is okay, Jesus Christ is the problem" by Laura Jones, The Global Dispatch 4/24/14
While support for prayer was similar for every age group and both men and women, the most religiously observant were the most inclined to approve of it. Among those who attend religious services (excluding funerals or weddings) at least once or twice a month, 86 percent would allow prayer, 11 percent would not.
For those who attend services a few times a year, 73 percent support it but opposition doubles to 26 percent.Even those who seldom or never go to church backed the prayers at public meetings, with 58 percent approving and 36 percent opposing.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Jesus' Name Unconstitutional in Public: Supreme Court
Now Illegal to Quote George Washington, Media Say
CBS News Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
Church is About Friendships, NOT God: Study
Methodists Team Up with Atheists for Bible Study
United Church of Christ Eliminates 'Heavenly Father'
President Obama's National Cathedral is the Seat of Apostasy
President Obama Prays to an Unknown God
America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Baltimore College Denies Entry for Being Christian
When Brandon Jenkins interviewed at the Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland) for admission to a radiology program, he made a single two-word mention of God, and that was enough for administrators to overtly deny entry to Jenkins on the basis of his apparent Christian faith.
Atheists at Ball State Univ. Forbid Christian to Teach Science
University Says Student's Cross Necklace Offends Freshmen
Florida University Professor Says Priests are Full of Crap
University of North Carolina On Trial for Anti-Christian Bias
In addition, read of the visceral reaction by professors to Christians' free speech and read of Bible bans at colleges and of the endless examples of "higher education" hostility toward Christianity.
-- From "Community college applicant alleges he was rejected because of religious beliefs" by Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun 4/23/14
Brandon Jenkins, who is being represented by the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, said in the lawsuit that when asked what was most important to him during an interview with CCBC officials as part of the application process last spring, he responded: "My God."
A response from CCBC's attorney Peter S. Saucier, also included in the exhibits, said the school seeks applicants "motivated by an individual passion in the field" and that Jenkins' statement that he was pursuing the program at the behest of God or others "was not a good answer."
In the letter, CCBC's lawyer also pointed out that Jenkins has a criminal record that includes drug and theft charges. The lawyer said CCBC officials told Jenkins that he would have difficulty finding a job in Maryland because of his background. He had said during his interview that he wanted to stay in Maryland.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Community College of Baltimore County Sued for Allegedly Rejecting Student for Religious Reasons" by Molly Greenberg, Senior Writer, Higher Ed Beat, In The Capital 4/24/14
CCBC officials have not commented on the suit, as it is not their policy to comment about pending litigation. That said, college spokeswoman Hope Davis mentioned that the school is committed to diversity.
"We have so many people from so many different backgrounds and so many different cultures," she said. "Just to think that we would discriminate based on religion ... it's just not something that we do."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "College Student Denied Admission Into Program Because He Said God Is Most Important in His Life" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Reporter 4/25/14
During his interview process with a five-person panel, Jenkins was asked: "What is the most important thing to you?" And he replied, "My God."
But according to ACLJ, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that focuses on defending constitutional and human rights laws worldwide, this was the only time Jenkins commented on his belief in God. The ACLJ also noted that he only did so because he was responding to a question asked by one of the CCBC representatives.
A federal lawsuit was filed Monday [in the U.S. District Court of Maryland] on Jenkins' behalf by the ACLJ, which is asking that Jenkins be granted admission into the program, and that he be awarded damages related to the delay in his admission.
ACLJ Senior Counsel David French told The Christian Post Wednesday that Dougherty's statement to Jenkins is not only "flatly illegal, but also bigoted." He also noted that the "college's own lawyer said that he (Jenkins) shouldn't wear his faith on his sleeve."
French described Jenkins as a "high-character individual," and noted that before he applied to the radiation therapy program, he was helping to run a halfway house, which is work that he continues to do today.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Student claims community college rejected application because of Christian faith" By Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 4/24/14
Now, I have to admit to being a bit skeptical when I first heard about Mr. Jenkins’ plight – seeing how this is the age of tolerance and diversity. But any doubt I had melted away after his attorney showed me the proverbial smoking gun.
". . . the fact is that in any secular job or program interview it is better to have a concrete reason for wanting to undertake the training at hand than to say only that God directed one to do it,” [the college's attorney Peter] Saucier wrote to the ACLJ. “That is true for every job from astronaut to attorney.”
It sounds to me like the Community College of Baltimore County has a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” religion policy.
The ACLJ lawsuit names four administrators: Sandra Kurtinitis, Mark McColloch, Richard Lilley and Adrienne Dougherty as defendants. Should they be found guilty of discriminating against this man because of his faith – they should be fired. American tax dollars should not be used to fund the salaries of religious bigots.
Mr. French acknowledged that his client had a single criminal charge on his record – dating back more than 10 years. Early in the admission process, Mr. Jenkins asked if that would be a problem, and he was assured it would not hamper his effort.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
Also read the myriad cases of colleges and universities discriminating against Christian students.
"I understand that religion is a major part of your life and that was evident in your recommendation letters, however, this field is not the place for religion. . . . We have many patients who come to us for treatment from many different religions and some who believe in nothing. If you interview in the future, you may want to leave your thoughts and beliefs out of the interview process."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Adrienne Dougherty, radiation therapy program director
Atheists at Ball State Univ. Forbid Christian to Teach Science
University Says Student's Cross Necklace Offends Freshmen
Florida University Professor Says Priests are Full of Crap
University of North Carolina On Trial for Anti-Christian Bias
In addition, read of the visceral reaction by professors to Christians' free speech and read of Bible bans at colleges and of the endless examples of "higher education" hostility toward Christianity.
-- From "Community college applicant alleges he was rejected because of religious beliefs" by Carrie Wells, The Baltimore Sun 4/23/14
Brandon Jenkins, who is being represented by the Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice, said in the lawsuit that when asked what was most important to him during an interview with CCBC officials as part of the application process last spring, he responded: "My God."
A response from CCBC's attorney Peter S. Saucier, also included in the exhibits, said the school seeks applicants "motivated by an individual passion in the field" and that Jenkins' statement that he was pursuing the program at the behest of God or others "was not a good answer."
In the letter, CCBC's lawyer also pointed out that Jenkins has a criminal record that includes drug and theft charges. The lawyer said CCBC officials told Jenkins that he would have difficulty finding a job in Maryland because of his background. He had said during his interview that he wanted to stay in Maryland.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Community College of Baltimore County Sued for Allegedly Rejecting Student for Religious Reasons" by Molly Greenberg, Senior Writer, Higher Ed Beat, In The Capital 4/24/14
CCBC officials have not commented on the suit, as it is not their policy to comment about pending litigation. That said, college spokeswoman Hope Davis mentioned that the school is committed to diversity.
"We have so many people from so many different backgrounds and so many different cultures," she said. "Just to think that we would discriminate based on religion ... it's just not something that we do."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "College Student Denied Admission Into Program Because He Said God Is Most Important in His Life" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Reporter 4/25/14
During his interview process with a five-person panel, Jenkins was asked: "What is the most important thing to you?" And he replied, "My God."
But according to ACLJ, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that focuses on defending constitutional and human rights laws worldwide, this was the only time Jenkins commented on his belief in God. The ACLJ also noted that he only did so because he was responding to a question asked by one of the CCBC representatives.
A federal lawsuit was filed Monday [in the U.S. District Court of Maryland] on Jenkins' behalf by the ACLJ, which is asking that Jenkins be granted admission into the program, and that he be awarded damages related to the delay in his admission.
ACLJ Senior Counsel David French told The Christian Post Wednesday that Dougherty's statement to Jenkins is not only "flatly illegal, but also bigoted." He also noted that the "college's own lawyer said that he (Jenkins) shouldn't wear his faith on his sleeve."
French described Jenkins as a "high-character individual," and noted that before he applied to the radiation therapy program, he was helping to run a halfway house, which is work that he continues to do today.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Student claims community college rejected application because of Christian faith" By Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 4/24/14
Now, I have to admit to being a bit skeptical when I first heard about Mr. Jenkins’ plight – seeing how this is the age of tolerance and diversity. But any doubt I had melted away after his attorney showed me the proverbial smoking gun.
". . . the fact is that in any secular job or program interview it is better to have a concrete reason for wanting to undertake the training at hand than to say only that God directed one to do it,” [the college's attorney Peter] Saucier wrote to the ACLJ. “That is true for every job from astronaut to attorney.”
It sounds to me like the Community College of Baltimore County has a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” religion policy.
The ACLJ lawsuit names four administrators: Sandra Kurtinitis, Mark McColloch, Richard Lilley and Adrienne Dougherty as defendants. Should they be found guilty of discriminating against this man because of his faith – they should be fired. American tax dollars should not be used to fund the salaries of religious bigots.
Mr. French acknowledged that his client had a single criminal charge on his record – dating back more than 10 years. Early in the admission process, Mr. Jenkins asked if that would be a problem, and he was assured it would not hamper his effort.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
Also read the myriad cases of colleges and universities discriminating against Christian students.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Temporary Halt to Burning Aborted Babies in Oregon
Although the environmentalist policy of incinerating medical waste, including human remains from abortions, as fuel to generate heat and electricity occurs across the globe, when this fact came to light this week in Oregon, county commissioners voted to study the subject, and issued only a 30-day suspension of the Marion County Resource Recovery Facility in Brooks, OR from accepting medical waste.
For background, read Green Abortions: UK Hospitals Burn Babies for Heat
And also read Obama White House Favors Lower Birth Rate and 'Green Abortions'
-- From "Aborted B.C. fetuses sent to Oregon to power homes: Report" by Shelby Sebens, REUTERS 4/24/14
Marion County said in a statement late on Wednesday that it had stopped taking the boxes in response to an article by the B.C. [British Columbia] Catholic about the possibility the plant had accepted human tissue from outside sources. The commissioners were meeting in Salem on Thursday to discuss the issue.
The facility processes 550 tons per day of municipal solid waste, which generates up to 13.1 megawatts of renewable energy sold to Portland General Electric - enough to power a city the size of Woodburn, Ore., with a population of about 24,200.
The company provides solid waste services to the county's 300,000 residents. Covanta Marion also processes about 250 tons per month of supplemental waste, including non-hazardous medical waste, according to the website.
Commissioner Sam Brentano said in a statement it would be a "travesty" if this revelation jeopardized the waste-to-energy program.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Company barred from accepting abortion waste" by The Associated Press 4/25/14
“We’re going to get the bottom of it,” [Commissioners Janet] Carlson said. “I want to know who knew, when they knew, how long they had known this was going on.”
[Commissioners Sam] Brentano, however, noted that the county ordinance that sets the parameters for what can be accepted at the waste-to-energy plant allows for all human tissue.
“No rule or law has been broken, but there’s an ethical standard that’s been broken,” he said.
The Oregon facility is a partnership between the county and Covanta, a New Jersey-based firm that operates energy-from-waste power generation plants.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Company stopped from accepting abortion waste" by Steven Dubois, The Associated Press 4/24/14
Some of the fetal material came from the Canadian province of British Columbia, where regional health authorities have a contract with waste management firm Stericycle and send biomedical waste, such as fetal tissue, cancerous tissue and amputated limbs to the Oregon facility, said Kristy Anderson, a spokeswoman with the British Columbia Health Ministry.
Stericycle, based in Lake Forest, Ill., has been criticized by anti-abortion groups for years because it disposes of aborted fetuses collected from family planning clinics. Company officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Jeff Bickford, environmental services division manager in Marion County, said the facility there has been taking material from British Columbia for five to seven years. He said clinical waste providers such as Stericycle bring in medical waste ranging from syringes and body parts to laboratory cultures and bodily fluids after hospitals and clinics place it into red bags and sealed containers.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
And read Environmentalism Greatest Threat to Civilization
For background, read Green Abortions: UK Hospitals Burn Babies for Heat
And also read Obama White House Favors Lower Birth Rate and 'Green Abortions'
-- From "Aborted B.C. fetuses sent to Oregon to power homes: Report" by Shelby Sebens, REUTERS 4/24/14
Marion County said in a statement late on Wednesday that it had stopped taking the boxes in response to an article by the B.C. [British Columbia] Catholic about the possibility the plant had accepted human tissue from outside sources. The commissioners were meeting in Salem on Thursday to discuss the issue.
The facility processes 550 tons per day of municipal solid waste, which generates up to 13.1 megawatts of renewable energy sold to Portland General Electric - enough to power a city the size of Woodburn, Ore., with a population of about 24,200.
The company provides solid waste services to the county's 300,000 residents. Covanta Marion also processes about 250 tons per month of supplemental waste, including non-hazardous medical waste, according to the website.
Commissioner Sam Brentano said in a statement it would be a "travesty" if this revelation jeopardized the waste-to-energy program.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Company barred from accepting abortion waste" by The Associated Press 4/25/14
“We’re going to get the bottom of it,” [Commissioners Janet] Carlson said. “I want to know who knew, when they knew, how long they had known this was going on.”
[Commissioners Sam] Brentano, however, noted that the county ordinance that sets the parameters for what can be accepted at the waste-to-energy plant allows for all human tissue.
“No rule or law has been broken, but there’s an ethical standard that’s been broken,” he said.
The Oregon facility is a partnership between the county and Covanta, a New Jersey-based firm that operates energy-from-waste power generation plants.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Company stopped from accepting abortion waste" by Steven Dubois, The Associated Press 4/24/14
Some of the fetal material came from the Canadian province of British Columbia, where regional health authorities have a contract with waste management firm Stericycle and send biomedical waste, such as fetal tissue, cancerous tissue and amputated limbs to the Oregon facility, said Kristy Anderson, a spokeswoman with the British Columbia Health Ministry.
Stericycle, based in Lake Forest, Ill., has been criticized by anti-abortion groups for years because it disposes of aborted fetuses collected from family planning clinics. Company officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Jeff Bickford, environmental services division manager in Marion County, said the facility there has been taking material from British Columbia for five to seven years. He said clinical waste providers such as Stericycle bring in medical waste ranging from syringes and body parts to laboratory cultures and bodily fluids after hospitals and clinics place it into red bags and sealed containers.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
And read Environmentalism Greatest Threat to Civilization
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Texas Teacher Confiscates Bible from Second-grader
The Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District has responded to complaints about restrictions on Bible reading at Hamilton Elementary School saying that during "read to myself" time, the student is only allowed to read a book that he/she can comprehend. Apparently a second-grade teacher didn't believe that the Bible met that criteria.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Jesus Ad Censored by Texas School, Says Lawsuit
First-grade Christian Censored, Pennsylvania School Sued
Christian Girl Muzzled, Sues Kansas City School
Florida Kindergartner Forbidden to Bow Head Over Lunch
Also read the long list of states enacting laws to restore religious liberty to schools.
-- From "Texas second grader claims teacher confiscated Bible during reading time" by Evan Bleier, UPI 4/23/14
A Texas teacher may be investigated after the Liberty Institute released a statement and sent a letter to Hamilton Elementary School about an alleged incident involving a second-grade student’s choice of reading material.
The student's family claims the teacher confiscated a copy of the Bible their daughter was reading during a "read to myself" session. The teacher then informed the girl that the Bible is “inappropriate reading material” and that she should not bring it back to school again.
The anonymous family then contacted the Liberty Institute for help in the matter.
“They are letting them read The Hunger Games, that’s kids killing kids, why can’t she read the Bible," said parent Jennifer Muse.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Messing With Your Kids At School" by John Labus, KTRH-AM740 (Houston, TX) 4/23/14
An elementary school teacher in the Cy-Fair ISD is accused of preventing a second grader from reading the Bible in school. The district released a statement saying they're trying to confirm the allegations at Hamilton Elementary School.
The district statement goes on to say they have no prohibitions against the Bible, reading in part:
"During a student's independent reading time, students are required to read a book that is "Just Right." A "Just Right" book is when the student can read most of the words, comprehend the text and that the book is appropriate for the type of text or genre that is being taught. As such religious material, including the Bible, that meets these guidelines would be permissible for a classroom assignment and/or independent reading."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Man Dressed as Woman Teacher OKd for Texas Elementary
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Jesus Ad Censored by Texas School, Says Lawsuit
First-grade Christian Censored, Pennsylvania School Sued
Christian Girl Muzzled, Sues Kansas City School
Florida Kindergartner Forbidden to Bow Head Over Lunch
Also read the long list of states enacting laws to restore religious liberty to schools.
-- From "Texas second grader claims teacher confiscated Bible during reading time" by Evan Bleier, UPI 4/23/14
A Texas teacher may be investigated after the Liberty Institute released a statement and sent a letter to Hamilton Elementary School about an alleged incident involving a second-grade student’s choice of reading material.
The student's family claims the teacher confiscated a copy of the Bible their daughter was reading during a "read to myself" session. The teacher then informed the girl that the Bible is “inappropriate reading material” and that she should not bring it back to school again.
The anonymous family then contacted the Liberty Institute for help in the matter.
“They are letting them read The Hunger Games, that’s kids killing kids, why can’t she read the Bible," said parent Jennifer Muse.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Messing With Your Kids At School" by John Labus, KTRH-AM740 (Houston, TX) 4/23/14
An elementary school teacher in the Cy-Fair ISD is accused of preventing a second grader from reading the Bible in school. The district released a statement saying they're trying to confirm the allegations at Hamilton Elementary School.
The district statement goes on to say they have no prohibitions against the Bible, reading in part:
"During a student's independent reading time, students are required to read a book that is "Just Right." A "Just Right" book is when the student can read most of the words, comprehend the text and that the book is appropriate for the type of text or genre that is being taught. As such religious material, including the Bible, that meets these guidelines would be permissible for a classroom assignment and/or independent reading."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Man Dressed as Woman Teacher OKd for Texas Elementary
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Media Hides ObamaCare Abortion Lies; Supreme Court
Unbeknownst to virtually all Americans, yesterday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a First Amendment case involving broken promises that ObamaCare would not result in federal funding of abortion. Nearly all media outlets stripped the abortion/ObamaCare essence from their coverage of the case of a pro-life organization that was muzzled by the Ohio law restricting political advertising.
For background, read Secret ObamaCare Abortion Fees Make President a Liar and also read ObamaCare Covers Abortion & Pays Abortionists as well as Taxpayers Fund Abortions for Congress: New Ruling
Also read the saga of ex-Rep. Bart Stupak and President Obama's now-broken promise to bar taxpayer-funded abortion of ObamaCare
-- From "Ohio law criticized by high court" by The Associated Press 4/22/14
The case began during the 2010 election when a national antiabortion group, the Susan B. Anthony List [SBA List], planned to put up billboards accusing then-Rep. Steve Driehaus of supporting taxpayer-funded abortion because he voted for President Barack Obama’s new health care law. Driehaus, a Democrat who opposes abortion, claimed the group’s billboard ads distorted the truth and therefore violated the false speech law.
Driehaus filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission, an action that prompted the billboard owner to decline posting the ads. The commission found probable cause that the ads violated the law, but Driehaus later withdrew his complaint after losing his re-election campaign.
The Susan B. Anthony List then challenged the state law as unconstitutional, but a federal judge said the group didn’t have the right to sue because it hadn’t yet suffered actual harm. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati agreed.
[At the Supreme Court,] Chief Justice Roberts said that third parties such as TV stations or billboard owners are going to be intimidated by the law, preventing a group from getting its message out.
Justice Antonin Scalia said the Susan B. Anthony List intends to make the same charges against other Democrats in the next election. He said the harm is that the group fears being dragged before the “Ministry of Truth” for similar proceedings, referring to the government propaganda office in George Orwell’s novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion at heart of Ohio speech case" by Paige Winfield Cunningham, Politico 4/22/14
The justices aren’t likely to decide whether the law chills free speech—although Susan B. Anthony List and even the Ohio attorney general say that it does. They’re instead being asked to decide whether SBA List has standing to challenge the law since the group was never prosecuted under it.
The argument that SBA List and other anti-abortion groups really want settled by the Supreme Court is whether the 2010 health care law actually does provide for taxpayer funding of abortion—the issue that nearly derailed the legislation before Congress passed it.
Last week, SBA List announced ads with the same abortion-funding charge against Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. But while Louisiana and at least 15 other states have political speech laws similar to Ohio’s, legal experts say that most aren’t enforced.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Supreme Court suspicious of Ohio law that criminalizes false speech about candidates" by Robert Barnes, Washington Post 4/22/14
Technically, the court was reviewing a decision by a lower court that an antiabortion group did not have the legal standing to challenge the constitutionality of Ohio’s law, which is similar to ones in more than a dozen other states.
But the justices couldn’t resist giving a preview of their skepticism about what Michael A. Carvin, the Washington lawyer representing the group Susan B. Anthony List, called Ohio’s “ministry of truth” during oral arguments.
“Don’t you think there’s a serious First Amendment concern with a state law that requires you to come before a commission to justify what you are going to say and which gives the commission discovery power to find out who’s involved in your association, what research you’ve made, et cetera?” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy asked Ohio State Solicitor Eric E. Murphy.
Both liberal and conservative groups have filed briefs supporting the [pro-life] group. The case is Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "In Pro-Life Case Involving 'Obamacare' Abortion Funding, Supreme Court Has Free Speech Concerns" by Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Reporter 4/23/14
While some reports about the case suggest it is about whether the First Amendment protects a right to lie, SBA List argues it told the truth about abortion funding in the ACA.
"Because Congress and the White House failed to include the Stupak amendment in the ACA as it passed, the law is full of abortion funding loopholes," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said Tuesday. "Since 2009, the SBA List has joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, other pro-life groups and members of Congress in pointing out the clandestine abortion funding problems in the Affordable Care Act. These abortion provisions blatantly contradict President Obama's 2009 promise that 'under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortion.'"
According to [Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Casey] Mattox, Stephen Breyer, one of the more liberal members of the court, pointed out that abortion funding in the ACA is at least a disputed question. He noted that the court recently heard arguments in a case in which Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods Specialties sued the Obama administration, arguing that the ACA's birth control mandate required coverage of abortifacients.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "This Ohio Law Bans Campaign ‘Lies.’ Today Supreme Court Heard a Challenge Against It" by John G. Malcolm, The Heritage Network 4/22/14
. . . After today’s oral argument, it seems likely that the Supreme Court will reverse the lower courts and that SBA List will get its day in court to challenge the constitutionality of this overreaching law [ObamaCare].
Two terms ago, the Supreme Court held in United States v. Alvarez that even false statements are entitled to First Amendment protection. As the Court recognized, laws proscribing generalized false speech cast “a chill the First Amendment cannot permit if free speech, thought, and discourse are to remain a foundation of freedom.” Even the dissenters in that case recognized that, when it comes to “matters of public concern”—and what could be a matter of greater public concern than the election of our representatives—laws such as the one in Ohio that outlaw false statements create the potential for abuse that is “simply too great” for the First Amendment to bear.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read Secret ObamaCare Abortion Fees Make President a Liar and also read ObamaCare Covers Abortion & Pays Abortionists as well as Taxpayers Fund Abortions for Congress: New Ruling
Also read the saga of ex-Rep. Bart Stupak and President Obama's now-broken promise to bar taxpayer-funded abortion of ObamaCare
-- From "Ohio law criticized by high court" by The Associated Press 4/22/14
The case began during the 2010 election when a national antiabortion group, the Susan B. Anthony List [SBA List], planned to put up billboards accusing then-Rep. Steve Driehaus of supporting taxpayer-funded abortion because he voted for President Barack Obama’s new health care law. Driehaus, a Democrat who opposes abortion, claimed the group’s billboard ads distorted the truth and therefore violated the false speech law.
Driehaus filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission, an action that prompted the billboard owner to decline posting the ads. The commission found probable cause that the ads violated the law, but Driehaus later withdrew his complaint after losing his re-election campaign.
The Susan B. Anthony List then challenged the state law as unconstitutional, but a federal judge said the group didn’t have the right to sue because it hadn’t yet suffered actual harm. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati agreed.
[At the Supreme Court,] Chief Justice Roberts said that third parties such as TV stations or billboard owners are going to be intimidated by the law, preventing a group from getting its message out.
Justice Antonin Scalia said the Susan B. Anthony List intends to make the same charges against other Democrats in the next election. He said the harm is that the group fears being dragged before the “Ministry of Truth” for similar proceedings, referring to the government propaganda office in George Orwell’s novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion at heart of Ohio speech case" by Paige Winfield Cunningham, Politico 4/22/14
The justices aren’t likely to decide whether the law chills free speech—although Susan B. Anthony List and even the Ohio attorney general say that it does. They’re instead being asked to decide whether SBA List has standing to challenge the law since the group was never prosecuted under it.
The argument that SBA List and other anti-abortion groups really want settled by the Supreme Court is whether the 2010 health care law actually does provide for taxpayer funding of abortion—the issue that nearly derailed the legislation before Congress passed it.
Last week, SBA List announced ads with the same abortion-funding charge against Sen. Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. But while Louisiana and at least 15 other states have political speech laws similar to Ohio’s, legal experts say that most aren’t enforced.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Supreme Court suspicious of Ohio law that criminalizes false speech about candidates" by Robert Barnes, Washington Post 4/22/14
Technically, the court was reviewing a decision by a lower court that an antiabortion group did not have the legal standing to challenge the constitutionality of Ohio’s law, which is similar to ones in more than a dozen other states.
But the justices couldn’t resist giving a preview of their skepticism about what Michael A. Carvin, the Washington lawyer representing the group Susan B. Anthony List, called Ohio’s “ministry of truth” during oral arguments.
“Don’t you think there’s a serious First Amendment concern with a state law that requires you to come before a commission to justify what you are going to say and which gives the commission discovery power to find out who’s involved in your association, what research you’ve made, et cetera?” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy asked Ohio State Solicitor Eric E. Murphy.
Both liberal and conservative groups have filed briefs supporting the [pro-life] group. The case is Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "In Pro-Life Case Involving 'Obamacare' Abortion Funding, Supreme Court Has Free Speech Concerns" by Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Reporter 4/23/14
While some reports about the case suggest it is about whether the First Amendment protects a right to lie, SBA List argues it told the truth about abortion funding in the ACA.
"Because Congress and the White House failed to include the Stupak amendment in the ACA as it passed, the law is full of abortion funding loopholes," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said Tuesday. "Since 2009, the SBA List has joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, other pro-life groups and members of Congress in pointing out the clandestine abortion funding problems in the Affordable Care Act. These abortion provisions blatantly contradict President Obama's 2009 promise that 'under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortion.'"
According to [Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Casey] Mattox, Stephen Breyer, one of the more liberal members of the court, pointed out that abortion funding in the ACA is at least a disputed question. He noted that the court recently heard arguments in a case in which Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods Specialties sued the Obama administration, arguing that the ACA's birth control mandate required coverage of abortifacients.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "This Ohio Law Bans Campaign ‘Lies.’ Today Supreme Court Heard a Challenge Against It" by John G. Malcolm, The Heritage Network 4/22/14
. . . After today’s oral argument, it seems likely that the Supreme Court will reverse the lower courts and that SBA List will get its day in court to challenge the constitutionality of this overreaching law [ObamaCare].
Two terms ago, the Supreme Court held in United States v. Alvarez that even false statements are entitled to First Amendment protection. As the Court recognized, laws proscribing generalized false speech cast “a chill the First Amendment cannot permit if free speech, thought, and discourse are to remain a foundation of freedom.” Even the dissenters in that case recognized that, when it comes to “matters of public concern”—and what could be a matter of greater public concern than the election of our representatives—laws such as the one in Ohio that outlaw false statements create the potential for abuse that is “simply too great” for the First Amendment to bear.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Human Embryos Cloned, Killed to Harvest Stem Cells
In a similar manner that Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996 (somatic cell nuclear transfer, or SCNT), researchers implanted DNA from two men into four women's eggs and then "created" living human beings, which they destroyed in order to produce stem cell lines for further research.
Such destruction of human life is unnecessary because Stem Cell Science is Advancing WithOUT Embryos.
-- From "Cloning advance using stem cells from human adult reopens ethical questions" by Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post 4/17/14
The first success in humans was reported last year by scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center. But they used donor cells from infants. In this study, the cells came from two men, a 35-year-old and a 75-year-old.
While the research published Thursday involves cells that are technically an early stage embryo, the intention is not to try to grow them into a fully formed human. However the techniques in theory could be a first step toward creating a baby with the same genetic makeup as a donor.
The research was conducted in California by a large team that included representatives from both academia and industry and was funded by a private medical foundation and South Korea’s Ministry of Science.
At least 15 states have laws addressing human cloning. About half of them ban both reproductive and therapeutic cloning.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "In a cloning first, scientists create stem cells from adults" by Sharon Begley, Reuters 4/17/14
The advance, described online in the journal Cell Stem Cell, is the first time researchers have achieved "therapeutic cloning" of adults. Technically called somatic-cell nuclear transfer, therapeutic cloning means producing embryonic cells genetically identical to a donor, usually for the purpose of using those cells to treat disease.
But nuclear transfer is also the first step in reproductive cloning, or producing a genetic duplicate of someone . . .
If the embryo were implanted in a uterus, it could develop into a clone of the DNA donor, which is how Dolly was created. "Without regulations in place, such embryos could also be used for human reproductive cloning, although this would be unsafe and grossly unethical," said Dr Robert Lanza, chief scientist of Massachusetts-based biotech Advanced Cell Technology and a co-author of the new study.
The goal is to grow these embryonic stem cells in lab dishes and coax them to turn into specialized cells for therapeutic use against an illness the DNA donor has, such as Parkinson's disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or type-1 diabetes. Because the cells are genetically identical to the donor's, they would not be rejected by the immune system.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists use cloning to make stem cells matched to two adults" by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times 4/17/14
The scientists in Oregon and the authors of the new report acknowledged that the clones they created could develop into babies if implanted in surrogate wombs. But like others in the field, they have said reproductive cloning would be unethical and irresponsible.
Experts who were not involved in the experiments said the achievement was significant because it offered clear confirmation that so-called therapeutic cloning is possible with human cells. Given the field's history of fraudulent claims, such confirmation was valuable, said stem cell researcher Sean Morrison, director of the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists use cloning to make stem cells matched to two adults" by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times 4/22/14
Dr Robert Lanza, the chief scientific officer for Advanced Cell Technology Inc., has been working on SCNT off and on for about 15 years.
In the years that Lanza spent working on therapeutic cloning, many of his colleagues shifted their focus to a method that uses viruses and other compounds to rewind a cell to an earlier, more flexible state of development. The researcher who first developed these induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, won a Nobel Prize for the work.
With so much momentum behind iPS cells, it's unlikely that the new study will prompt many researchers to return their focus to SCNT, said Dr Arnold Kriegstein, director of the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program at UCSF School of Medicine.
"With the iPS technology, almost any molecular biology lab can create stem cell lines using simply skin cells, or even blood cells," said Kriegstein, who wasn't involved in the cloning studies.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Not to mention that iPS technology does NOT require killing embryos!
Also read Lab 'Creates' Human Life with 3 Biological Parents as well as Stem Cell Cloning, Buying Women's Eggs
“This and every technical advance in cloning human tissue raises the possibility that somebody will use it to clone a human being, and that is a prospect everyone is against.”For background, read Court OKs Obama Killing Embryos with Tax Dollars and also read Obama Administration OKs Aborted Baby Brain Experiments
-- Marcy Darnovsky, Executive Director, Center for Genetics and Society (Berkeley, CA)
Such destruction of human life is unnecessary because Stem Cell Science is Advancing WithOUT Embryos.
-- From "Cloning advance using stem cells from human adult reopens ethical questions" by Ariana Eunjung Cha, Washington Post 4/17/14
The first success in humans was reported last year by scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center. But they used donor cells from infants. In this study, the cells came from two men, a 35-year-old and a 75-year-old.
While the research published Thursday involves cells that are technically an early stage embryo, the intention is not to try to grow them into a fully formed human. However the techniques in theory could be a first step toward creating a baby with the same genetic makeup as a donor.
The research was conducted in California by a large team that included representatives from both academia and industry and was funded by a private medical foundation and South Korea’s Ministry of Science.
At least 15 states have laws addressing human cloning. About half of them ban both reproductive and therapeutic cloning.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "In a cloning first, scientists create stem cells from adults" by Sharon Begley, Reuters 4/17/14
The advance, described online in the journal Cell Stem Cell, is the first time researchers have achieved "therapeutic cloning" of adults. Technically called somatic-cell nuclear transfer, therapeutic cloning means producing embryonic cells genetically identical to a donor, usually for the purpose of using those cells to treat disease.
But nuclear transfer is also the first step in reproductive cloning, or producing a genetic duplicate of someone . . .
If the embryo were implanted in a uterus, it could develop into a clone of the DNA donor, which is how Dolly was created. "Without regulations in place, such embryos could also be used for human reproductive cloning, although this would be unsafe and grossly unethical," said Dr Robert Lanza, chief scientist of Massachusetts-based biotech Advanced Cell Technology and a co-author of the new study.
The goal is to grow these embryonic stem cells in lab dishes and coax them to turn into specialized cells for therapeutic use against an illness the DNA donor has, such as Parkinson's disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or type-1 diabetes. Because the cells are genetically identical to the donor's, they would not be rejected by the immune system.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists use cloning to make stem cells matched to two adults" by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times 4/17/14
The scientists in Oregon and the authors of the new report acknowledged that the clones they created could develop into babies if implanted in surrogate wombs. But like others in the field, they have said reproductive cloning would be unethical and irresponsible.
Experts who were not involved in the experiments said the achievement was significant because it offered clear confirmation that so-called therapeutic cloning is possible with human cells. Given the field's history of fraudulent claims, such confirmation was valuable, said stem cell researcher Sean Morrison, director of the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Scientists use cloning to make stem cells matched to two adults" by Monte Morin, Los Angeles Times 4/22/14
Dr Robert Lanza, the chief scientific officer for Advanced Cell Technology Inc., has been working on SCNT off and on for about 15 years.
In the years that Lanza spent working on therapeutic cloning, many of his colleagues shifted their focus to a method that uses viruses and other compounds to rewind a cell to an earlier, more flexible state of development. The researcher who first developed these induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, won a Nobel Prize for the work.
With so much momentum behind iPS cells, it's unlikely that the new study will prompt many researchers to return their focus to SCNT, said Dr Arnold Kriegstein, director of the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program at UCSF School of Medicine.
"With the iPS technology, almost any molecular biology lab can create stem cell lines using simply skin cells, or even blood cells," said Kriegstein, who wasn't involved in the cloning studies.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Not to mention that iPS technology does NOT require killing embryos!
Also read Lab 'Creates' Human Life with 3 Biological Parents as well as Stem Cell Cloning, Buying Women's Eggs
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Atheists Told, Army Will Support Day of Prayer
After suffering harsh criticism from Congress for repeated kowtowing to atheists' demands to strip religious liberty from military personnel, the Pentagon has dismissed demands from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) to scrub any involvement with the National Day of Prayer event on Capitol Hill in May. Upon the request of Congress, the Army will send to the event a chaplain, a color guard, a vocalist and a military band.
For background, read Atheists Lose: 'National Day of Prayer' Ruled Constitutional and also read National Day of Prayer: Hidden Faith, or Public? as well as Congressman Says Prayer Needed to Solve America's Problems
UPDATE 5/1/14: Liberal Media Ignore 40,000 National Prayer Events
From "Group calls for DoD to withdraw from Prayer Day event" by Leo Shane III, Staff writer, Military Times 4/17/14
“The planned participation by uniformed U.S. military personnel in this private fundamentalist Christian religious event, run by a non-federal entity, is an unequivocally clear violation of [a] plethora of DoD regulations and instructions,” the [MRFF] letter states. “The U.S. military absolutely cannot endorse these searingly sectarian events by its public participation in them.”
MRFF director Mikey Weinstein said the complaint was prompted by more than two dozen senior Pentagon civilians and officers who reached out to his group, upset that military personnel would be used in the event. Weinstein would not identify those individuals, saying they fear retribution for their opposition.
The letter does not attack the National Day of Prayer observance, but rather the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a group organizing and broadcasting the Capitol Hill event. The task force has repeatedly maintained its status as a nonpartisan, nondenominational group focused on “the need to pray for the well-being of America and for those in leadership.”
Weinstein dismissed those assertions. “The National Day of Prayer Task Force is to the National Day of Prayer as what a National Football League al-Qaida chapter would be to the National Football League.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Army says it will support National Day of Prayer event despite protest" by Chris Carroll, Stars and Stripes 4/18/14
The Army plans to support a National Day of Prayer event closely associated with an evangelical Christian organization despite a protest from a group that wants to crack down on what it calls fundamentalist Christian domination of the U.S. military.
Weinstein told [Secretary of Defense, Chuck] Hagel he had no issue with the non-sectarian National Day of Prayer itself as established by President Harry Truman, but said the NDP Task Force had taken over the event “to promote their rapaciously exclusivist religion as the quasi-official religion of the nation.”
Military participation in the event violates a number of DOD regulations, including prohibitions on appearing to endorse non-federal entities such as the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Weinstein said.
Not true, said National Day of Prayer Task Force vice chairman, John Bornschein. The military is sending its assets at the request of the congressman sponsoring the National Day of Prayer event, Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., rather than the non-profit organization, he said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "U.S. Military Not Backing Down After Group Urges Withdrawal from National Day of Prayer Event" by Heather Clark, Christian News Network 4/19/14
. . . Other national prayer observances have been held since the nation’s founding and often centered on Christianity. In 1798, President John Adams proclaimed a national day of humiliation, prayer and fasting.
“As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him,” he wrote, “…this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty and of danger, when existing or threatening calamities—the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity—are a loud call to repentance and reformation.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Americans Unite with One Voice in Prayer on the 63rd Annual Observance of The National Day Of Prayer, Thursday, May 1st, 2014" press release from Dion Elmore, Director Public Relations, The National Day of Prayer Task Force 4/8/14
As our nation struggles with continued economic insecurity, vast healthcare change, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, citizens of the United States are preparing to exercise one of their most precious freedoms -- the right to gather, worship, and pray to God. Following in the footsteps of our nation's founders, who fought for religious freedom, millions will assemble at thousands of local National Day of Prayer events across America, where they will take time out of their daily schedules to intercede on behalf of their communities, their nation, and their leaders.
The 2014 National Observance of the National Day of Prayer will be broadcast LIVE from the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on GodTV and the National Day of Prayer Task Force website. (Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET.)
Speakers include Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Rev. Billy Graham), Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Mrs. Vonette Bright, The Honorable Bob McEwen, Congressman Mike McIntyre, Don Moen, Chaplain Father Patrick Conroy, Dr. Dick Eastman, Mr. David Butts, Mr. John Bornschein, and more.
To read the entire press release above, CLICK HERE for .PDF
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Evangelist Franklin Graham Booted by Pentagon from National Day of Prayer
Gays & Atheists Demand Air Force Fire Evangelicals
Air Force & Navy Take Orders from Atheists vs. Christians
Bible: Court-martial Offense at Air Force Academy?
Pentagon Says Following Jesus' Command is a Court Martial Offense
President Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists
Air Force Drops God; Army Admits its Training Labeled Christians as Terrorists
Congress Responds to Obama's Military Attack on Christians
President Obama's Veterans Administration Strips Jesus & Bible from Chaplains
In addition, read how President Obama is Hell-bent on transforming the military.
For background, read Atheists Lose: 'National Day of Prayer' Ruled Constitutional and also read National Day of Prayer: Hidden Faith, or Public? as well as Congressman Says Prayer Needed to Solve America's Problems
UPDATE 5/1/14: Liberal Media Ignore 40,000 National Prayer Events
From "Group calls for DoD to withdraw from Prayer Day event" by Leo Shane III, Staff writer, Military Times 4/17/14
“The planned participation by uniformed U.S. military personnel in this private fundamentalist Christian religious event, run by a non-federal entity, is an unequivocally clear violation of [a] plethora of DoD regulations and instructions,” the [MRFF] letter states. “The U.S. military absolutely cannot endorse these searingly sectarian events by its public participation in them.”
MRFF director Mikey Weinstein said the complaint was prompted by more than two dozen senior Pentagon civilians and officers who reached out to his group, upset that military personnel would be used in the event. Weinstein would not identify those individuals, saying they fear retribution for their opposition.
The letter does not attack the National Day of Prayer observance, but rather the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a group organizing and broadcasting the Capitol Hill event. The task force has repeatedly maintained its status as a nonpartisan, nondenominational group focused on “the need to pray for the well-being of America and for those in leadership.”
Weinstein dismissed those assertions. “The National Day of Prayer Task Force is to the National Day of Prayer as what a National Football League al-Qaida chapter would be to the National Football League.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Army says it will support National Day of Prayer event despite protest" by Chris Carroll, Stars and Stripes 4/18/14
The Army plans to support a National Day of Prayer event closely associated with an evangelical Christian organization despite a protest from a group that wants to crack down on what it calls fundamentalist Christian domination of the U.S. military.
Weinstein told [Secretary of Defense, Chuck] Hagel he had no issue with the non-sectarian National Day of Prayer itself as established by President Harry Truman, but said the NDP Task Force had taken over the event “to promote their rapaciously exclusivist religion as the quasi-official religion of the nation.”
Military participation in the event violates a number of DOD regulations, including prohibitions on appearing to endorse non-federal entities such as the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Weinstein said.
Not true, said National Day of Prayer Task Force vice chairman, John Bornschein. The military is sending its assets at the request of the congressman sponsoring the National Day of Prayer event, Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., rather than the non-profit organization, he said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "U.S. Military Not Backing Down After Group Urges Withdrawal from National Day of Prayer Event" by Heather Clark, Christian News Network 4/19/14
. . . Other national prayer observances have been held since the nation’s founding and often centered on Christianity. In 1798, President John Adams proclaimed a national day of humiliation, prayer and fasting.
“As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him,” he wrote, “…this duty, at all times incumbent, is so especially in seasons of difficulty and of danger, when existing or threatening calamities—the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity—are a loud call to repentance and reformation.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Americans Unite with One Voice in Prayer on the 63rd Annual Observance of The National Day Of Prayer, Thursday, May 1st, 2014" press release from Dion Elmore, Director Public Relations, The National Day of Prayer Task Force 4/8/14
As our nation struggles with continued economic insecurity, vast healthcare change, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, citizens of the United States are preparing to exercise one of their most precious freedoms -- the right to gather, worship, and pray to God. Following in the footsteps of our nation's founders, who fought for religious freedom, millions will assemble at thousands of local National Day of Prayer events across America, where they will take time out of their daily schedules to intercede on behalf of their communities, their nation, and their leaders.
The 2014 National Observance of the National Day of Prayer will be broadcast LIVE from the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on GodTV and the National Day of Prayer Task Force website. (Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET.)
Speakers include Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Rev. Billy Graham), Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Mrs. Vonette Bright, The Honorable Bob McEwen, Congressman Mike McIntyre, Don Moen, Chaplain Father Patrick Conroy, Dr. Dick Eastman, Mr. David Butts, Mr. John Bornschein, and more.
To read the entire press release above, CLICK HERE for .PDF
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Evangelist Franklin Graham Booted by Pentagon from National Day of Prayer
Gays & Atheists Demand Air Force Fire Evangelicals
Air Force & Navy Take Orders from Atheists vs. Christians
Bible: Court-martial Offense at Air Force Academy?
Pentagon Says Following Jesus' Command is a Court Martial Offense
President Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists
Air Force Drops God; Army Admits its Training Labeled Christians as Terrorists
Congress Responds to Obama's Military Attack on Christians
President Obama's Veterans Administration Strips Jesus & Bible from Chaplains
In addition, read how President Obama is Hell-bent on transforming the military.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Church Defeats Abortion in Colorado, Dems Concede
In Colorado, the first state to legalize abortion (1967), the Democrat-held legislature planned a covert preemptive strike against unborn children with the NARAL-supported Senate Bill 175, titled the Reproductive Health Freedom Act -- an all-encompassing, yet vaguely-worded bill intended to stop any future pro-life legislation. However, once Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila brought the attack to light, and led Christians across the state in opposition, including a thousand-strong march at the statehouse, Democrats were forced to scuttle the mission.
For background, read Abortion Rate Declines, Democrats Want More Access and also read Democrats' Life Mission is to Kill the Unborn, Says Governor as well as Pope Decries Abortion, so Media Distorts Him
-- From "Senate Bill 175 withdrawn by Senate Democrats avoiding abortion debate" posted at KMGH-TV7 ABC (Denver, CO) 4/16/14
At least one Democrat had public concerns about the measure and all Republicans planned to vote against it. Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority in the Senate, so passage of the measure wasn't a sure thing.
Republicans and religious conservatives watching the debate applauded when Democrats abandoned the proposal. Opponents including the Catholic Archbishop of Denver feared the bill could threaten even basic health regulations on reproductive care.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Colorado Senate Democrats spike abortion bill" by Kurtis Lee, The Denver Post 4/16/14
All Senate Republicans, alongside the Archdiocese of Denver, denounced the legislation as "overreaching" and "ambiguous," saying the measure was not needed.
"It's a solution in search of a problem," said Sen. Bernie Herpin, R-Colorado Springs. "There is no one, no evidence, that has said there's a denial of things like contraception to women in Colorado."
Some GOP lawmakers criticized [Democrat Sen. Andy] Kerr's bill as political theater in an election year where the Jefferson County Democrat faces a tough re-election.
The proposal, written more like a resolution, offered limited details. For example, a section of the bill reads that the "state, its agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and units of local government shall not enact a policy regarding reproductive health care that is inconsistent with or interferes with access to information based on current evidence based scientific data and medical consensus."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Senate Democrats kill anti-Personhood proposal" by Eli Stokols, KDVR-TV31 (Denver, CO) 4/16/14
The abortion issue has long been a winner for Colorado Democrats . . .
Their proposal, the “Reproductive Health Freedom Act,” ostensibly sought to prevent any future challenges to abortion rights in the state — to do something impossible — in an effort to protect Colorado women from the kind of restrictive laws that have passed in other states: mandatory ultrasound requirements and impossible-to-meet clinic requirements.
On Wednesday night, with all 18 Democrats in the chamber, the bill was postponed indefinitely — killed, in a word — by the sponsor, who avoided what would have been a lengthy floor debate and blamed the decision on Republicans promising to filibuster the measure and bog down the Senate calendar.
Democrats also had to realize that politically this effort had backfired, riling up conservatives across the state at the end of a session that has been the opposite of last year’s, a session in which hardly any bill debated inside the Capitol drew much of a reaction outside the building.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "CO Dems Abandon Abortion Bill After Archbishop Leads Rally at Statehouse" by Lauretta Brown, CNSNews.com 4/18/14
Although Democrats have a one-seat majority in the state Senate, fears arose that the bill would not pass after Senator John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) - who had initially cast the deciding vote for the legislation in committee - expressed his misgivings, citing the huge public outcry.
Kefalas, a Catholic, says that he supports “a woman's right to make a decision,” but that he “had concerns about the outpouring that I heard from folks.”
“I'm not sure if it's the best tool for conveying the message which we wish to convey, which is that as Democrats, as with many people, [think] government should stay out of these things," Kefalas said in an interview with a local news station adding, “I'm also listening to folks that are reaching out to me.”
. . . after passing by just a one-vote margin (4-3) in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the bill stirred enormous opposition from pro-lifers, who said that it would block any future attempts to regulate abortion clinics, require parental notification before abortions were performed on minors, or force abortionists to show women ultrasound images of their babies so they could make an informed decision on whether to abort.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Radical abortion bill dies in Colo. Senate after call to prayer, action" posted at Catholic News Agency 4/16/14
Pro-abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America, which backed the bill, had said that if it became law, it would have been the first of its kind in the country.
The legislation would have created a “fundamental right” to anything defined as “reproductive health care.” It would have barred state agencies and local government from having any policy that “denies or interferes with an individual’s reproductive health care decisions.”
Opponents had argued that the bill was vaguely worded and could have had far-reaching effects. They said it could have affected laws requiring parental involvement or notification for a minor who is seeking an abortion, as well as conscience protection laws and requirements that only licensed physicians can perform abortions.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Archbishop Aquila Leads Rally Against Colorado Abortion Bill" by Wayne Laugesen, National Catholic Register 4/16/14
Bill opponents crammed public areas of the Senate chambers and believe the outside protest, phone calls and high volume of visible opposition may have played a role in the delay.
And sources at the State Capitol indicated after the April 15 rally that at least two Democratic senators are now reconsidering their support for the bill.
Archbishop Aquila told protesters that senators were receiving so many calls they turned off their phones. Calls to a variety of senators April 15 went straight to voicemail boxes that were full.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a devout Catholic, concurs with critics who say the law is so vague it would cause an assortment of unintended consequences — including legal challenges to laws that mandate health-care providers report suspected sexual abuse of children.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
“Too many times we have taken a back seat. Catholics, Christians and people of good will can no longer take a back seat. We are called to work for the good and for the true.”You see, when the Church leads the flock, God blesses America! (2 Chron. 7:14) For example, read Illinois Black Churches, Catholic Diocese Block 'Gay Marriage'
-- Rev. Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver
For background, read Abortion Rate Declines, Democrats Want More Access and also read Democrats' Life Mission is to Kill the Unborn, Says Governor as well as Pope Decries Abortion, so Media Distorts Him
-- From "Senate Bill 175 withdrawn by Senate Democrats avoiding abortion debate" posted at KMGH-TV7 ABC (Denver, CO) 4/16/14
At least one Democrat had public concerns about the measure and all Republicans planned to vote against it. Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority in the Senate, so passage of the measure wasn't a sure thing.
Republicans and religious conservatives watching the debate applauded when Democrats abandoned the proposal. Opponents including the Catholic Archbishop of Denver feared the bill could threaten even basic health regulations on reproductive care.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Colorado Senate Democrats spike abortion bill" by Kurtis Lee, The Denver Post 4/16/14
All Senate Republicans, alongside the Archdiocese of Denver, denounced the legislation as "overreaching" and "ambiguous," saying the measure was not needed.
"It's a solution in search of a problem," said Sen. Bernie Herpin, R-Colorado Springs. "There is no one, no evidence, that has said there's a denial of things like contraception to women in Colorado."
Some GOP lawmakers criticized [Democrat Sen. Andy] Kerr's bill as political theater in an election year where the Jefferson County Democrat faces a tough re-election.
The proposal, written more like a resolution, offered limited details. For example, a section of the bill reads that the "state, its agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and units of local government shall not enact a policy regarding reproductive health care that is inconsistent with or interferes with access to information based on current evidence based scientific data and medical consensus."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Senate Democrats kill anti-Personhood proposal" by Eli Stokols, KDVR-TV31 (Denver, CO) 4/16/14
The abortion issue has long been a winner for Colorado Democrats . . .
Their proposal, the “Reproductive Health Freedom Act,” ostensibly sought to prevent any future challenges to abortion rights in the state — to do something impossible — in an effort to protect Colorado women from the kind of restrictive laws that have passed in other states: mandatory ultrasound requirements and impossible-to-meet clinic requirements.
On Wednesday night, with all 18 Democrats in the chamber, the bill was postponed indefinitely — killed, in a word — by the sponsor, who avoided what would have been a lengthy floor debate and blamed the decision on Republicans promising to filibuster the measure and bog down the Senate calendar.
Democrats also had to realize that politically this effort had backfired, riling up conservatives across the state at the end of a session that has been the opposite of last year’s, a session in which hardly any bill debated inside the Capitol drew much of a reaction outside the building.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "CO Dems Abandon Abortion Bill After Archbishop Leads Rally at Statehouse" by Lauretta Brown, CNSNews.com 4/18/14
Although Democrats have a one-seat majority in the state Senate, fears arose that the bill would not pass after Senator John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) - who had initially cast the deciding vote for the legislation in committee - expressed his misgivings, citing the huge public outcry.
Kefalas, a Catholic, says that he supports “a woman's right to make a decision,” but that he “had concerns about the outpouring that I heard from folks.”
“I'm not sure if it's the best tool for conveying the message which we wish to convey, which is that as Democrats, as with many people, [think] government should stay out of these things," Kefalas said in an interview with a local news station adding, “I'm also listening to folks that are reaching out to me.”
. . . after passing by just a one-vote margin (4-3) in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the bill stirred enormous opposition from pro-lifers, who said that it would block any future attempts to regulate abortion clinics, require parental notification before abortions were performed on minors, or force abortionists to show women ultrasound images of their babies so they could make an informed decision on whether to abort.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Radical abortion bill dies in Colo. Senate after call to prayer, action" posted at Catholic News Agency 4/16/14
Pro-abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice America, which backed the bill, had said that if it became law, it would have been the first of its kind in the country.
The legislation would have created a “fundamental right” to anything defined as “reproductive health care.” It would have barred state agencies and local government from having any policy that “denies or interferes with an individual’s reproductive health care decisions.”
Opponents had argued that the bill was vaguely worded and could have had far-reaching effects. They said it could have affected laws requiring parental involvement or notification for a minor who is seeking an abortion, as well as conscience protection laws and requirements that only licensed physicians can perform abortions.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Archbishop Aquila Leads Rally Against Colorado Abortion Bill" by Wayne Laugesen, National Catholic Register 4/16/14
Bill opponents crammed public areas of the Senate chambers and believe the outside protest, phone calls and high volume of visible opposition may have played a role in the delay.
And sources at the State Capitol indicated after the April 15 rally that at least two Democratic senators are now reconsidering their support for the bill.
Archbishop Aquila told protesters that senators were receiving so many calls they turned off their phones. Calls to a variety of senators April 15 went straight to voicemail boxes that were full.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, a devout Catholic, concurs with critics who say the law is so vague it would cause an assortment of unintended consequences — including legal challenges to laws that mandate health-care providers report suspected sexual abuse of children.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read America Going to Hell; Christians Lose Convictions
Friday, April 18, 2014
Virginia College Lifts Muzzle on Christian Speech
After a Christian student sued Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, VA, the college was advised that their limits on free speech would be found unconstitutional. The all-too-common "free-speech zone" policy on college campuses usually require an approved permit to speak, and then only in a tiny, specific restricted area.
For background, read Christian Free Speech Censored at Ohio College and also read Ohio College Nixed Christian Speech, Pays Settlement as well as Prayer Win in Lawsuit Against California College
UPDATE 9/9/14: Read of myriad colleges and universities banning Christian clubs from campus and generally discriminating against Christians.
In addition, read of the visceral reaction by professors to Christians' free speech.
-- From "Community colleges get new free-speech policy" by Karin Kapsidelis, Richmond Times-Dispatch 4/16/14
The State Board for Community Colleges on Tuesday altered a 1960s-era policy restricting student speech that had been challenged as unconstitutional in federal court and was out of compliance with a new state law.
Christian Parks, who describes himself as an evangelical Christian, said campus police ordered him to stop preaching in a courtyard last year because the content of his speech might be offensive to other students.
Greer Saunders, assistant attorney general representing VCCS, told the committee the policy changes track requirements of legislation adopted by the General Assembly this session and signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
The legislation, sponsored by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R- Prince William, prohibits public institutions of higher education from imposing restrictions on the time, place and manner of student speech occurring in the outdoor areas of campus.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Virginia college 'free-speech zones' latest to fall" by The Associated Press 4/12/14
Over the last dozen years, several similar policies establishing restrictive speech zones at public colleges have been invalidated by courts or changed by officials to settle lawsuits alleging violation of students' First Amendment rights.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education says about six in 10 colleges nationwide have policies that violate First Amendment rights -- and about one in six impose "free speech zones" like the policy at issue in the Virginia case -- even though such restrictions rarely survive constitutional challenges.
Free-speech advocates find it troubling that, despite the court rulings, many public colleges persist in squelching student expression.
Ryan Douglas of Yorktown, vice president of the Student Government Association at Thomas Nelson, said he witnessed one of Parks' encounters with police. Douglas, 28, said Parks wasn't being disruptive. He had no quarrel with the officer's actions but said the policy he was enforcing went too far and needed to be changed.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Va. College Changes 'Free Speech Zone' Rules After Evangelical Student Files Lawsuit" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 4/16/14
Parks was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom of Scottsdale, Ariz. David Hacker, ADF senior legal counsel, stated that free speech is an important component of collegiate life.
"Free, spontaneous discourse on college campuses is supposed to be a hallmark of higher education rather than the exception to the rule," said Hacker.
Parks also had the support of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which dubbed the treatment of Parks by Thomas Nelson as "absurd and unconstitutional."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Contrast this with Canadian campuses where Christians were arrested this week for speaking in public.
Also read Obama Administration Muzzles College Students' Moral Speech
For background, read Christian Free Speech Censored at Ohio College and also read Ohio College Nixed Christian Speech, Pays Settlement as well as Prayer Win in Lawsuit Against California College
UPDATE 9/9/14: Read of myriad colleges and universities banning Christian clubs from campus and generally discriminating against Christians.
In addition, read of the visceral reaction by professors to Christians' free speech.
-- From "Community colleges get new free-speech policy" by Karin Kapsidelis, Richmond Times-Dispatch 4/16/14
The State Board for Community Colleges on Tuesday altered a 1960s-era policy restricting student speech that had been challenged as unconstitutional in federal court and was out of compliance with a new state law.
Christian Parks, who describes himself as an evangelical Christian, said campus police ordered him to stop preaching in a courtyard last year because the content of his speech might be offensive to other students.
Greer Saunders, assistant attorney general representing VCCS, told the committee the policy changes track requirements of legislation adopted by the General Assembly this session and signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
The legislation, sponsored by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R- Prince William, prohibits public institutions of higher education from imposing restrictions on the time, place and manner of student speech occurring in the outdoor areas of campus.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Virginia college 'free-speech zones' latest to fall" by The Associated Press 4/12/14
Over the last dozen years, several similar policies establishing restrictive speech zones at public colleges have been invalidated by courts or changed by officials to settle lawsuits alleging violation of students' First Amendment rights.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education says about six in 10 colleges nationwide have policies that violate First Amendment rights -- and about one in six impose "free speech zones" like the policy at issue in the Virginia case -- even though such restrictions rarely survive constitutional challenges.
Free-speech advocates find it troubling that, despite the court rulings, many public colleges persist in squelching student expression.
Ryan Douglas of Yorktown, vice president of the Student Government Association at Thomas Nelson, said he witnessed one of Parks' encounters with police. Douglas, 28, said Parks wasn't being disruptive. He had no quarrel with the officer's actions but said the policy he was enforcing went too far and needed to be changed.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Va. College Changes 'Free Speech Zone' Rules After Evangelical Student Files Lawsuit" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 4/16/14
Parks was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom of Scottsdale, Ariz. David Hacker, ADF senior legal counsel, stated that free speech is an important component of collegiate life.
"Free, spontaneous discourse on college campuses is supposed to be a hallmark of higher education rather than the exception to the rule," said Hacker.
Parks also had the support of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which dubbed the treatment of Parks by Thomas Nelson as "absurd and unconstitutional."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Contrast this with Canadian campuses where Christians were arrested this week for speaking in public.
Also read Obama Administration Muzzles College Students' Moral Speech
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Al Qaeda Proclaims War on Cross-U.S., Obama Silent
In a new video just surfacing showing a mob of hundreds of terrorists, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) announced jihad against Jesus Christ and named America as their principle target. President Obama has not responded to the Islamists' declaration of war, but his State Department has downplayed the significance of the video. Earlier, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Michigan), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told Time Magazine that President Obama has gone too soft on al Qaida.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
President Obama Praises Islam for Making America What It Is
President Obama Ignores Christian Genocide by Islamists, Focuses on Gay Agenda
President Obama on Jihad: Islam is a Great Religion
President Obama Honors 9/11 Muslim Heroes at White House
President Obama is Blinding America of the Enemy
President Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists
Also read Muslim Beheads Christians in New Jersey per Koran
-- From "Yemen's al Qaeda leader vows to attack America in new video" by Yara Bayoumy, Reuters 4/16/14
The 15-minute video, dated March 2014 and posted on a website used by Islamists, shows masked men waving al Qaeda's black flag and celebrating the arrival of the freed prisoners [after an armed jailbreak].
"The Crusader enemy, dear brothers, still possesses cards which he moves around. We have to remember that we are always fighting the biggest enemy," says a man speaking in the open in a mountainous area, whom the video identifies as its leader Nasser al-Wuhaishi.
Abdulrazzaq al-Jamal, a journalist who has interviewed members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), said it was the largest known gathering of al Qaeda in Yemen.
"It included about 400 people, and these are not all the members of the group. This gathering is a confirmation that al Qaeda is gaining strength and influence," he told Reuters.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Unsettling video shows large al Qaeda meeting in Yemen" by Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent 4/16/14
"This is quite an extraordinary video," Paul Cruickshank, CNN terrorism analyst, said.
"His message to the United States," Cruickshank said, "was very much the same as (former al Qaeda leader Osama) bin Laden's: 'We're coming after you.' "
"The U.S. intelligence community should be surprised that such a large group of al Qaeda assembled together, including the leadership, and somehow they didn't notice," said Peter Bergen, CNN national security analyst.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP, is considered the most dangerous al Qaeda affiliate. The CIA and the Pentagon have repeatedly killed AQAP leaders with drone strikes. But the group is now emboldened.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "State Department: Hard to discern al Qaeda strength from 'one video'" by Susan Crabtree, Washington Examiner 4/16/14
A State Department spokeswoman declined to make “generalizations” about al Qaeda's strength based on a new video that surfaced Tuesday showing what appears to be the largest and most dangerous gathering of the terror group in years.
"I don't think we can make generalizations about their strength based on one video, quite frankly," she said. "We know they've been gaining in strength. We have been increasingly concerned, as I said, since 2009. That's why we've worked increasingly to counter the threat from AQAP in a variety of different ways."
She also said the video underscores some of the points the Obama administration has been making about al Qaeda in general. President Obama and other U.S. officials have altered their assertions about al Qaeda over the two years, changing references to al Qaeda being on the run, to the "core of al Qaeda" being on a "path to defeat."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "New Video Footage Shows Al-Qaida Hosting Unusual Meeting in Yemen" by Divya Avasthy, International Business Times 4/16/14
Nasir al-Wuhayshi, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula. He was once the secretary of Osama Bin Laden. He escaped from a maximum security prison in Yemen in 2006 and is one of the most wanted fugitives.
Republican Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee [said] . . . "It's difficult to get [drone] assets in position. You have to know where they are and where they meet at the right time in the right place with the right equipment. That's a lot to do [without intelligence information]"
Retired General Mark Kimmitt told 'CNN Tonight' that the terror groups could pose a direct threat to the US, and it was important to plan ahead.
"The question isn't why didn't we know," he said. "The question is: What are we going to do about it?"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Mike Rogers Says Obama Has Gone ‘Kinder, Gentler’ Against al-Qaeda" by Michael Crowley, Time Magazine 4/3/14
In a TIME Newsmaker interview, Rogers talked about which threats worry him most, his belief that President Barack Obama has gone too soft on al-Qaeda . . .
[Rogers told Time:]
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and so Congress Responds to Obama's Military Attack on Christians
"We must eliminate the cross . . . the bearer of the cross is America."UPDATE 9/5/14: Obama's John Kerry Quotes Allah, Appoints Muslim Leader
-- Nasser al-Wuhaishi (Nasir al-Wuhayshi), head of AQAP
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
President Obama Praises Islam for Making America What It Is
President Obama Ignores Christian Genocide by Islamists, Focuses on Gay Agenda
President Obama on Jihad: Islam is a Great Religion
President Obama Honors 9/11 Muslim Heroes at White House
President Obama is Blinding America of the Enemy
President Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists
Also read Muslim Beheads Christians in New Jersey per Koran
-- From "Yemen's al Qaeda leader vows to attack America in new video" by Yara Bayoumy, Reuters 4/16/14
The 15-minute video, dated March 2014 and posted on a website used by Islamists, shows masked men waving al Qaeda's black flag and celebrating the arrival of the freed prisoners [after an armed jailbreak].
"The Crusader enemy, dear brothers, still possesses cards which he moves around. We have to remember that we are always fighting the biggest enemy," says a man speaking in the open in a mountainous area, whom the video identifies as its leader Nasser al-Wuhaishi.
Abdulrazzaq al-Jamal, a journalist who has interviewed members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), said it was the largest known gathering of al Qaeda in Yemen.
"It included about 400 people, and these are not all the members of the group. This gathering is a confirmation that al Qaeda is gaining strength and influence," he told Reuters.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Unsettling video shows large al Qaeda meeting in Yemen" by Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent 4/16/14
"This is quite an extraordinary video," Paul Cruickshank, CNN terrorism analyst, said.
"His message to the United States," Cruickshank said, "was very much the same as (former al Qaeda leader Osama) bin Laden's: 'We're coming after you.' "
"The U.S. intelligence community should be surprised that such a large group of al Qaeda assembled together, including the leadership, and somehow they didn't notice," said Peter Bergen, CNN national security analyst.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP, is considered the most dangerous al Qaeda affiliate. The CIA and the Pentagon have repeatedly killed AQAP leaders with drone strikes. But the group is now emboldened.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "State Department: Hard to discern al Qaeda strength from 'one video'" by Susan Crabtree, Washington Examiner 4/16/14
A State Department spokeswoman declined to make “generalizations” about al Qaeda's strength based on a new video that surfaced Tuesday showing what appears to be the largest and most dangerous gathering of the terror group in years.
"I don't think we can make generalizations about their strength based on one video, quite frankly," she said. "We know they've been gaining in strength. We have been increasingly concerned, as I said, since 2009. That's why we've worked increasingly to counter the threat from AQAP in a variety of different ways."
She also said the video underscores some of the points the Obama administration has been making about al Qaeda in general. President Obama and other U.S. officials have altered their assertions about al Qaeda over the two years, changing references to al Qaeda being on the run, to the "core of al Qaeda" being on a "path to defeat."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "New Video Footage Shows Al-Qaida Hosting Unusual Meeting in Yemen" by Divya Avasthy, International Business Times 4/16/14
Nasir al-Wuhayshi, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula. He was once the secretary of Osama Bin Laden. He escaped from a maximum security prison in Yemen in 2006 and is one of the most wanted fugitives.
Republican Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee [said] . . . "It's difficult to get [drone] assets in position. You have to know where they are and where they meet at the right time in the right place with the right equipment. That's a lot to do [without intelligence information]"
Retired General Mark Kimmitt told 'CNN Tonight' that the terror groups could pose a direct threat to the US, and it was important to plan ahead.
"The question isn't why didn't we know," he said. "The question is: What are we going to do about it?"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Mike Rogers Says Obama Has Gone ‘Kinder, Gentler’ Against al-Qaeda" by Michael Crowley, Time Magazine 4/3/14
In a TIME Newsmaker interview, Rogers talked about which threats worry him most, his belief that President Barack Obama has gone too soft on al-Qaeda . . .
[Rogers told Time:]
We have other serious al-Qaeda threats that normally we would take off the battlefield, but because of this Administration’s more kinder, gentler approach we have not done that.To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
. . . I can tell you that there are ways that we have taken people off the battlefield that have been disruptive to their ability to plan operations, and there are cases where we are no longer doing that.
The old slogan is that Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive, and that al-Qaeda core is going away. Which is inconsistent with the facts that we know. And it concerns me that it is translated into policy. If you tell everybody that works for you that al-Qaeda’s not that big a threat, well, guess what? Their decisions will reflect that.
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and so Congress Responds to Obama's Military Attack on Christians