Preventing Bad Books and Other Liberal Propogandizing at Your Child's School

Here are some suggestions for parents who are fed up with the subtle and not so subtle messages that activist teachers communicate to students...

The school year is just beginning and already some parents, including the courageous Karen Lukes whose son will be an eighth-grader in District 126, are being confronted with the problem of schools teaching inappropriate texts. Although taxpayers must address this issue directly, which will involve challenging the specious “book banning/ censorship” arguments employed by school boards and administrations, there is something parents can do in the meantime to minimize their children’s exposure not just to inappropriate texts but to ideologically biased classroom proselytizing. Parents should object to teachers rather than texts.

Here are some suggestions for parents who are fed up with the subtle and not so subtle messages that activist teachers of a liberal bent work into their classroom teaching through their classroom comments, curricular materials (including textbooks, speakers, films, plays, novels, short stories, and essays), and even their desks and classroom displays:

1. Parents can go to their middle school and/or high school websites and find out which teachers sponsor gay and straight alliances and liberal political activist groups (e.g. AWARE).
2. Parents can also ask what texts will be taught or used (e.g. The Chocolate War, Fat Kids Rule the World, Angels in America, The Laramie Project, or The People's History of the United States) by a particular teacher. Parents should ask for the reading list for the entire year. Teachers who have a reasonable respect for the values and beliefs of all parents will not have highly controversial texts on either required or recommended reading lists.
3. If parents have kids who have already gone through the school or have already completed a year or more, they should ask those kids and/or their parents which teachers are known for bringing their politics into the classroom or who displays a "Safe Space" sticker, the inverted pink triangle, the rainbow flag, or the lower case Greek letter "lambda" on their desk, classroom door, or wall. Kids usually know who the liberal, activist teachers are. Liberal teachers develop reputations, often as the "cool" teachers
4. Then parents should call or email the appropriate department chair and/or their child's counselor, and politely insist on a schedule change, explaining that they will not permit their child to be in the classroom or under the tutelage of any teacher who has made their liberal politics known in school.

Parents should no longer accept the unacceptable choices of either tolerating polemical, biased, and vulgar texts, or opting their child out of reading them, which results in an isolated, diminished academic experience for their child.

Parents are entitled to have their children placed in an apolitical, ideologically neutral academic context. Insisting that their children be placed in classes taught by apolitical teachers who truly respect diverse voices, including conservative voices, will prevent parents from getting caught in the specious and somewhat difficult "book banning/censorship" discussion. Parents aren't challenging texts; they're challenging teachers. Furthermore, administrations and department chairs, faced with these scheduling problems, may eventually decide to reign in their ideologues.

-Clive

Regarding our Public Schools: "Silence Isn't Golden, It's Yellow"

"If you found a predator online trying to make a rendezvous with your 12 year old would you have to pray about it? If your neighbor was window peeping into your bedroom would you have to pray about it? If your baby-sitter were feeding your child poison, would you seek the Lord about what to do?"

From "I'll Have to Pray on It" by Coach Dave Daubenmire, posted 8/9/07 at newswithviews.com

...Well it just so happens that I had recently been at a gathering where the discussion of such “public” indoctrination had come under inspection. A group of parents had invited me to come and listened as they “privately” aired some concerns that they had about what was taking place in their “public” schools.

“What should we do, Coach?” they inquired of me. “We think it is horrible what they are exposing our kids to at such a young age. Somebody is going to have to do something about it?"

I had been here before. As a guy with a reputation of being a bit “edgy” as far as Christianity is concerned, I knew that the “somebody” they wanted to do something was me. They didn’t come right out and say it, but I knew they wanted to hire me as a mercenary, free of charge of course, because I had “experience” in this “type of thing.” In other words, they wanted me to go fight their fight for them, sort of a Christian hired-gun. Let me take the fire as they hid in the pews and watched.

“What do you think we should do? I queried them. “What is it you would like to see happen?”

They did not appreciate my questioning; they had invited me for answers. I didn’t let them hide in their silence.

“Let me ask you a few questions. Who pays for the schools, whose children are being “educated” there, and who is responsible for training the children?”

All eyes immediately dropped to the floor as mine panned the crowd. “Until you answer those questions there is no need to proceed. After a long pause I said “Let me help you out.”

I knew someone in the room was in trouble for inviting me to the meeting.

“Here it is in a nutshell. The schools are paid for with your tax dollars. The teachers, school board, and superintendent all work for you. You buy the books, the buses, pay the utilities, the salaries, and build the buildings. In many cases, you ‘tithe’ more to the schools than you do your church. Yet you have no say. Some “expert” in Washington knows what is best for your kid, even though they don’t know him, his parents, or his community.

The children belong to the Lord; He has merely put them in the care of earthly parents. They do not belong to the teachers, the school board, the superintendent, the National Education Association, or the Gay and Lesbian Task Force. George Bush doesn’t own them, Congress doesn’t own them, and the Supreme Court is not their family. If you have children it is because God has entrusted them to you.

The responsibility for training children falls to the parents. You will live with the consequences of what your children are taught. To turn the education of them over to people who will teach them things that are in opposition to everything that you as the parents believe is to bastardize them. They have your genes but someone else’s values. What more defines a child as yours? Is it the fact that he looks like you, or is it because he thinks like you? If you believe in your values, why wouldn’t you want your children to be taught them? Why would you pay the freight for your school to teach your children things you don’t believe?”

The room was uncomfortably silent.

“You want a plan? Well here you go. Call everyone that you know. Every pastor, every elder, every church member, every Sunday school teacher and ask them to join us at the school board meeting next Monday. If you do that, if you rally a crowd, I’ll go speak on your behalf. We will demand that the homosexual agenda be removed from our schools, that comprehensive sex-education be aborted, that abstinence education be the ONLY thing taught, and that every student be taught creationism as the origin of the species. We will make it clear that until our demands are met, not a one of us will ever vote for a school levy again, and we will encourage everyone we know to also oppose government indoctrination of our kids. They work for us. The school board will never see the light until they feel the heat. I say it is time we turned up the temperature.”

It was pretty clear to everyone. Now was the time to fish or cut bait.

In the back of the room a cowardly man stood up and cleared his throat. “This seems pretty radical stuff to me. There are a lot of good people working in the schools. They do the best they can to educate our children, with all of the restraints that are put on them” And then he hid behind his skirt. “I’ll have to pray about it. I’d have to be led by the Lord to do that.”

“Really?” I said as the steam rose off of my collar. “What is there to pray about? Let me sharpen the picture a bit for you, sir. If someone was breaking into your house to rape your daughter would you have to pray about your response? If you found a predator online trying to make a rendezvous with your 12 year old would you have to pray about it? If your neighbor was window peeping into your bedroom would you have to pray about it? If a drug dealer was standing on the corner giving marijuana to children would you have to pray about it? If your baby-sitter were feeding your child poison, would you seek the Lord about what to do?"

Do you pray before you go fishing? Do you pray before you play golf? Do you seek the Lord about going to a football game? Do you seek the Lord’s guidance before you put your kids on the yellow school bus from hell? As I once heard Zell Miller say, Silence isn’t golden, it’s yellow...

Read the whole commentary.

Thoughts of a Sidewalk Counselor

"When I was going to Shield (outside the abortuary) simply to pray, during my freshman year, I went almost every week, with hardly a second thought. As soon as I began counseling, however, things were different."

From "Thoughts of a Sidewalk Counselor" by Cassidy Bugos, posted 8/8/07 at LifeSite.org

I only began sidewalk counseling last fall, and I've not been able to keep it up steadily. God willing, I'll do better this semester. It's funny that I've found it so hard to keep up, as I've wanted to be a sidewalk counselor ever since I was quite little. When I was going to Shield simply to pray, during my freshman year, I went almost every week, with hardly a second thought. As soon as I began counseling, however, things were different.

No doubt there are people out there who would be much better suited than I to counsel the women who enter the Planned Parenthood clinic in D.C. No doubt there are people who are much stronger, much more selfless and calm and compassionate than I. The other regular counselors are admirable to watch: T.J. is a sea of calm, impossible to ruffle, gentle and good-humored. Tara approaches the Hispanic "Mamas" - as she addresses them - with the utmost love and reverence. The key is love, and the counselors show it. I hope to God I show it, but I'm not sure; it's hard to know. But someone has to be that someone there for the women considering abortion and I feel strangely compelled to. I do hope that everyone - young people and especially young women - who read this article will pause to ask themselves whether sidewalk counseling is something they could do, with God's help.

Yet, as I said, as soon as I began counseling, going to Shield was different. I dreaded each Saturday morning. I don't know if the torment was more psychological or spiritual, although I'm inclined to call it the latter. Even still, the night before Shield I can always think of a dozen very good reasons not to go. As I push myself through those reasons, it all comes down to the fact that I just don't like it, and I feel a little ill at the thought of doing it again. Other counselors have said they experience the same thing.

I know now that when I used to go to Shield only to pray, my eyes shut against what was going on around me, I was doing something more important than counseling; I was praying for the counselors. In some sense more important, yes; but easier, because you get to close your eyes. The first time I looked into the eyes of a woman entering the clinic, my faith was violently rocked. This is not a pleasant business. This woman and her baby should be as far away from this place as possible; I should be as far away from here as possible . . . God, how did the world come to this?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if it weren't necessary?

Read the rest of Cassidy's commentary.

The Runner-up for “Worst Person in the World” Speaks Out

MSNBC’s Keith Olberman named Sandy Rios the runner up for "Worst Person in the World" for her objection to the San Diego Padres drawing kids to the ballpark with a hat giveaway the same night they celebrated gay 'pride...'

From "The Runner-up for “Worst Person in the World” Speaks Out" by Sandy Rios, posted 9/8/07 at Crosswalk.com

“Please do us all a favor … get raped and then killed. You rancid, filthy ___.” That’s a direct quote from an e-mail I received after appearing on “The O’Reilly Factor.” I was on the show objecting to the San Diego Padres celebration of “Gay Pride” on the same day they invited hundreds of children for a floppy hat giveaway.

“You are a shameful disgrace and hate monger,” penned another in response to my statement that homosexuality is an unhealthy, life-shortening lifestyle that should not be promoted by the Padres to children.

For such “hate” I was named runner up for the “Worst Person in the World” by MSNBC’s Keith Olberman. This kind of vulgarity, exaggeration and the not-so-veiled threats are nothing new to those of us who dare speak the truth to a world turned upside down. Homosexual activists have propagated their deceptive message so effectively that their own community tragically believes they cannot change, they have no choice—and that people who oppose their “choice” hate them.

Forgive me for interrupting Sandy here, but I've come to the conclusion that they convince themselves that we hate them because that way they don't have to actually answer our objections...

It's easier to just shoot the messenger.

And because they have managed to so effectively intimidate anyone who would question their claims, thousands of homosexuals have never heard there is a better way … a God who forgives and a life to live that’s more abundant and free.

While I will never enjoy death threats and vulgar accusations, I know they can, at times, be the natural response of evil to truth. Committed Christ-followers for centuries gave their lives rather than be silenced. Can we not bear these comparatively little consequences in our own lost generation? Yes, we can.

But the responses that bother me most are ones that out of confusion or, worse, intentionally try to equate a Biblical perspective on homosexuality with godless criminal acts. A recent report from ABC News, “Hate Takes a Life in Houston,” tells the story of Kenneth Cummings, Jr., 46, a gay male flight attendant murdered by Terry Magnum, 26, who claimed, “I believe with all my heart that I was doing the right thing. I planned on sending him to hell.” Terry said he’d been called by God to “carry out a code of retribution” because “sexual perversion” is the “worst sin.”

That story was forwarded to me with the following e-mail: “I just wanted to write and say that I lay the blame for this incident and hundreds of others like it on you … as far as I’m concerned, you have blood on your hands.”

Let me be clear: The murder of Kenneth Cummings and the loss to his loving family is tragic, but to think that the circumstances of his death should force others to be silent on the dangers of the homosexual lifestyle would be wrong-headed and irresponsible. I would have far more to answer for if I kept silent while he and other homosexual brothers and sisters remained tormented in this life and facing condemnation in the next.

Read the rest of Sandy's commentary.

Canada: Courageous Christian Mayor Rejects 'Gay Pride' Flag

Motivated by Christian beliefs, a Canadian mayor refused to fly a rainbow "gay pride" flag at his town hall.

From "Christian mayor rejects 'gay pride' flag" by 9/6/07 at WorldNetDaily.com

The decision by Bill Mills was backed by the town council of Truro, Nova Scotia, with a 6-1 vote Friday, reported the Canadian television network CTV.

"There are writings in the book of Romans chapter one, to name a few – basically I have to go with that conviction, and I know it's not a popular one," said Mills, who leads a town of about 12,000 people.

Mills contended he had a right to his opinion, but a local homosexual activist group called the decision a sign of homophobia in a government that should be secular.

"It's about having a welcoming community ... and having people feel comfortable where they live," said Bonnie Joldersma, a member of the Northern AIDS Connection Society, according to CTV.

No, it's about making people comfortable with immorality...

Read the rest of this article.

'Hate Crimes' Charge Doesn't Require 'Hate'

As it was warned, hate crimes charges only requires that the victim be homosexual. This is what unequal justice under the law looks like...

From 'Hate crimes' charge doesn't require 'hate', posted 8/7/07 at WorldNetDaily.com

A judge in New York has ruled evidence of "hatred" is unnecessary for a prosecutor to pursue a "hate crimes" case against three men arrested for the death of a homosexual man.

The written ruling came from Judge Jill Konviser of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, and concluded prosecutors only need to show that the man, who was beaten and then hit by a vehicle in a robbery attempt, was picked because of his sexual orientation, according to a report in the New York Times.

The judge said that is enough for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties for the defendants, if convicted, under the state's Hate Crimes Act of 2000.

That type of law, which as WND has reported now is being proposed at the federal level, allows for higher penalties – sometimes dramatically higher – for the same crime based on the characteristics of a victim, in this case his homosexuality.

A judge in New York has ruled evidence of "hatred" is unnecessary for a prosecutor to pursue a "hate crimes" case against three men arrested for the death of a homosexual man.

The written ruling came from Judge Jill Konviser of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, and concluded prosecutors only need to show that the man, who was beaten and then hit by a vehicle in a robbery attempt, was picked because of his sexual orientation, according to a report in the New York Times.

The judge said that is enough for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties for the defendants, if convicted, under the state's Hate Crimes Act of 2000.

That type of law, which as WND has reported now is being proposed at the federal level, allows for higher penalties – sometimes dramatically higher – for the same crime based on the characteristics of a victim, in this case his homosexuality.

The newspaper report said the case involves the death of Michael Sandy, 29, who allegedly was lured to a meeting place where he was abducted. He then was taken to another location, beaten, and when he tried to flee was chased into traffic. He died of his injuries after being struck by a car.

Prosecutors said the three defendants, Anthony Fortunato, 21, Ilya Shurov, 21, and John Fox, 20, found Sandy through a homosexual online chat room. Court documents allege they picked him because "this was an easy way to rob someone."

But when they were charged with murder as a hate crime, defense lawyers argued the law was unconstitutionally vague and didn't fit their clients' actions.

Defense lawyer Gerald Di Chiara said lawmakers who wrote the Hate Crimes Act wanted the statute applied only to cases where hate actually was involved. He quoted a state Senate memo about a law "designed to ensure that only those who truly are motivated by invidious hatred are prosecuted for committing hate crimes."

But Seth Liebeman, senior appellate counsel to the Brooklyn district attorney, noted the suspects "chose to go to a gay Web site, and there was a particular remark made by one of the defendants that this was an easy way to rob people."

Konviser rejected the defense arguments.

"This is a case where the defendants deliberately set out to commit a violent crime against a man whom they intentionally selected because of his sexual orientation," she wrote. "Thus, the hate crimes charges in this case are consistent with the intent of the Legislature."

This is twisted logic at best. He was not murdered because he was homosexual. He was murdered because the propensity for homosexual men to hook up with strangers for sex makes them easy targets...

The law (which is unjust anyway) is already being abused. Grab your toboggan. We're heading down the slippery slope...

Read the rest of this article.

Oak Lawn Mom Demands Decency From District 126

Parents should be able to trust educators to choose reading material for children that does not contain gratuitous profanity and graphic sexuality...

From "Oak Lawn mom demands ban on racy book" by Angela Caputo, posted 8/3/07 at dailysouthtown.com

Note the use of the word 'ban' in the headline of this article in the Daily Southtown. Using the word 'ban' is both misleading and inaccurate. This word was chosen specifically because it has a negative connotation. No one wants to be known as a 'book banner.' They've managed to imply that this courageous mother as a fanatic in the first few words. But is she?

Karen Lukes is simply asking that children not be given books containing gratuitous profanity and overt sexual content.

Apparently the media and educators believe that although books have to be evaluated for scores of criteria including vocabulary and artistic merit -- graphic profanity and sexuality should NEVER be a reason to reject a book for children...

It's extremely difficult to sympathize with such reasoning.

Karen Lukes didn't think much about the book that her son randomly picked from a list of suggested summer reading compiled by teachers at Alsip's Prairie Junior High.

Frankly, she said, she was thrilled to see the 14-year-old crack a book during the break from school.

But as the Oak Lawn mother began to read alongside her soon-to-be eighth-grader, she was stunned to discover that "Fat Kid Rules the World" by K.L. Going was laced with profanity and other mature content.

Now she wants Alsip, Hazelgreen and Oak Lawn School District 126 administrators to shelve the book for good.

"I want it pulled," Lukes said. "It's vulgar, and it's a total contradiction. The kids can't go around and talk like this ... What kind of message does it send?"

District 126 Supt. Robert Berger stands by the award-winning selection as one of many books offered to students. All seventh- and eighth-graders at Prairie Junior High are required to read at least one book, preferably from the recommended summer reading list, before school begins.

"These are standard pieces of literature used (in schools) across the country," Berger said. "Appropriateness is for students and parents to judge."

Berger said two other parents have complained about the book.

"Fat Kid Rules the World" chronicles the friendship between an angst-ridden teen named Troy and Curt, a homeless punk-rocker. The pair first cross paths as Troy contemplates throwing himself from a subway platform in a suicide attempt.

The coming-of-age novel, which broaches mature subjects -- from drug and alcohol use to adolescent sexual fantasies to ditching school -- has been compared to J. D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."

When it was published in 2003, "Fat Kid Rules the World" ranked on the "Best Books" list compiled by the School Library Journal. Going also received The Michael L. Printz award, which is sponsored by a publication of the American Library Association.

Being given an award by the ALA is no guarantee of decency. The official stance of the ALA is that to withhold even sexually graphic material from children amounts to 'age discrimination. '

"Parents who would tell their children not to read Playboy 'don't really care about their kids growing up and learning to think and explore." --Judith Fingerett Krug, ALA Director for Intellectual Freedom.

The ALA apparently finds it perfectly acceptable to discriminate against common sense...

Read the rest of this article.

Follow the saga at culturecampaign.com

Planned Parenthood: Aiding and Abetting Kidnappers?

Another cover-up by a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic spells more trouble for the organization's track record on sexual abuse cases.

From "Planned Parenthood: Aiding and Abetting Kidnappers?" by Tony Perkins, posted 8/6/07 at Family Research Council

Last week, police in Connecticut confirmed that employees of Planned Parenthood performed an abortion on a 15-year-old girl who was a victim of statutory rape without reporting the incident to state authorities.

According to the report, the girl wouldn't name a father to clinic workers, but a paternity test on the baby's remains concluded that 41-year-old Adam Gault was responsible.

This is the latest in a long line of accusations that Planned Parenthood has performed abortions on victims of sexual abuse with little or no regard for the situation of the frightened young girls before them. Connecticut, in its wisdom, has no law requiring parental involvement in abortion. This fact clearly aided Gault in his criminal assault. None of this excuses Planned Parenthood's lack of curiosity about the victim they ought to have detected and rescued from this predator.

Christians Encourage San Antonio Police Chief to Stop Promoting Homosexual Causes

More than 150 Christians showed up at the San Antonio City Council meeting to protest last month's appearance by Police Chief William McManus as grand marshal in a homosexual pride parade.



From "San Antonio police chief encouraged to stop promoting homosexual causes" by Allie Martin, posted 8/8/07 at OneNewsNow.com

A conservative radio talk-show host says Christians throughout San Antonio will continue putting pressure on that city's police chief in an effort to discourage him from promoting the homosexual agenda.

Last week, more than 150 Christians showed up at the San Antonio City Council meeting to protest last month's appearance by Police Chief William McManus as grand marshal in a homosexual pride parade. (See related article) Chief McManus, who is not homosexual, has said he wants to strengthen ties between the police department and those living so-called "alternative lifestyles."

Adam McManus, who is not related to the police chief, hosts a daily show on San Antonio radio station KSLR. He says Chief McManus must stop catering to homosexuals -- and wonders if the chief will uphold public decency laws when homosexuals are involved.

"I made the case that our boys and girls look up to the cops as role models -- and rightly so," says the radio host. "The cops, more than most, understand the difference between right and wrong. The cops get the bad guys; the cops uphold justice."

McManus notes that the chief has made it a priority to build relationships between homosexuals in other cities where he has served. Toward that end, evidently, all San Antonio police officers are being required this week to take sensitivity training for homosexuals. The radio talk-show host is curious if the department or city officials plan to treat the issue of "sensitivity" equally.

"I wonder when are they going to have sensitivity training ... about Christians who are legitimately offended and outraged that the top law enforcement official in the Alamo City is endorsing a behavior that is unnatural, immoral, and unhealthy," says Adam McManus.

Media reports said nearly 40 homosexual men and women turned out for the city council meeting last week.

May God bless and strengthen the Christians of San Antonio as they stand as witnesses to the truth and hold their leaders accountable (which blesses us all.)

Illinois Church Challenges Candidates, Christians with National Newspaper Ad

An Illinois church has placed a full-page, pro-life ad in USA Today in hopes of delivering a message to presidential candidates -- and at the same time, challenging churches.

From "Illinois church challenges candidates, Christians with national newspaper ad" by Allie Martin, posted 8/6/07 at OneNewsNow.com

The ad -- found on page 5A of the August 6, 2007, issue of the nationwide newspaper -- is titled "A Lesson from Samuel - A Child or a Choice." The centerpiece of the ad is the famous picture taken by veteran photojournalist Michael Clancy from Nashville. He was hired by USA Today in 1999 to photograph a spina bifida corrective surgical procedure.

During the operation, performed in utero, the 21-week-old baby thrust his arm out of the uterus and grabbed a surgeon's finger. The ad carries a moving testimony from Clancy about what he witnessed in the operating room that day.

Todd Greiner is senior pastor of Community of Faith Church in Carterville, Illinois, which placed the ad. The ad promises to support only pro-life presidential and political candidates -- and Greiner says it is also meant to motivate Christians and encourage them to stop retreating from the culture war.

"We definitely need to stand up and we need to speak out on this issue," the pastor says. "Sadly, the church has been far too quiet. Silence is not golden in this situation."

According to Greiner, the project has unified the church. "I have never witnessed such a spirit of unity [as] what God is giving us here," he shares -- adding that "the sacrificial giving, the commitment, the passion, the burden for this" is a "a complete indication of what God is doing."

The Illinois pastor is hopeful the ad spurs his fellow Christians to get involved in defending the lives of unborn children. "It's something that needs to become contagious; it needs to grow, it needs to become a burden for the believers," he states.

The ad was paid for by a special, one-time offering.

Thank God for courageous, faithful pastors like Pr. Greiner. We need about 10,000 more like him...

Gay Activists Come up With Killer Argument

Without Gay Straight Alliances in the schools, "gay students" will be forced to whack their classmates...

From "Gay Activists Come up With Killer Argument" by Don Feder, a GrassTopsUSA Exclusive Commentary, posted 8/7/07

Homosexual activists have come up with a killer argument -- without Gay Straight Alliances in the schools, "gay students" will be forced to whack their classmates.

Go to the website -- www.gaystraightalliance.org (not the official website of the Gay Straight Alliances, but one that presumably reflects their worldview) and scroll down to the bottom of the homepage, where you will find the following:

"Without GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) access, students are forced to simply kill classmates who taunt and bully -- shooting, stabbing and poisoning are the common forms of retribution. Far too many government officials like bullying children to the point where retribution against classmates and faculty is the only option to redress relentless human rights violations in many regions. Speciously-named 'pro-family' leaders are child molesters who make money stigmatizing homosexuality to silence gay victims."

There you have it:

1. Without GSAs, taunting and harassment based on so-called sexual orientation will reach epidemic proportions.

2. Murder is the logical, yea the inevitable, response to name-calling, shoving and teasing. (In grade school, I was the skinny, bookish kid. I can't tell you how many of my former classmates are buried under my porch back home.)

3. In such circumstances, killing one's classmates is justifiable homicide. Note the term "retribution," which Webster's defines as "punishment for evil done."

4. Unnamed government officials revel in children being abused to the point where they snap and begin offing their schoolmates.

5. And pro-family honchos are child molesters who "make money stigmatizing homosexuality to silence gay victims" -- probably through a Bush administration program, The National Stigmatizing Homosexuality To Silence Gay Victims Bank. If pro-family leaders are child molesters, does that mean they'll be allowed to march in gay pride parades, like NAMBLA (the North American Man-Boy Love Association)?...

It is difficult to report the advance of the gay 'rights' movement without beginning to appear paranoid, but the writings and actions of gay activists more and more reveal a frightening lack of sanity that seems to justify a bit of paranoia...

Read the rest of this commentary.

You're Not My Mommy!

Against the true mother's wishes, a court in Vermont court gives visitation rights to a lesbian who is related to a child by neither birth nor adoption.

From "You're not my mommy!" by J. Matt Barber, posted 8/2/07 at Worldnetdaily.com

By her own account, emotional problems brought on by a series of events – including abandonment by her father, abuse by her mentally ill mother and a decade-long struggle with alcoholism now overcome – eventually led Lisa Miller into the lesbian lifestyle. In 1999, Lisa began a homosexual relationship with Jenkins after coming out of a legitimate marriage that ended in divorce.

In 2000, soon after Vermont became the first state to legalize homosexual "civil unions," Miller and Jenkins made a weekend trek from Virginia to Vermont to enter into such a "union." They then headed back to Virginia where they lived together.

In 2001, Lisa was artificially inseminated after the two decided to raise a child in an unnatural, deliberately fatherless home environment as self-deluded "wife" and "wife" – mother and "mother."

About a year later, when Isabella was less than a year and a half old, Lisa ended her lesbian relationship, took her daughter back home to Virginia and filed for dissolution of her homosexual "civil union" back in Vermont.

And that's when the nightmare really began.

Although Jenkins had no parental connection to Isabella (she was neither an adoptive parent, nor biologically related) she filed papers in Vermont in 2003 to try to take Isabella from her mother. Even though the child was conceived, born and living in Virginia, the Vermont court nonetheless held that it had jurisdiction. The legal battle has continued since that time, and incredibly, the court recently ruled that Jenkins possessed parental rights over Lisa's daughter. It granted Jenkins regular and very liberal visitation. Isabella is now required to make the several hundred mile roundtrip journey from Virginia to Vermont every other week to visit a total stranger (Jenkins) who, according to reports, outrageously forces the confused and traumatized little girl to call her "momma."

Where will the insanity end?

Read the rest of this story.

Gay Anti-Discrimination Legislation Forces YMCA to Redefine the Family

Does the C in YMCA stand for anything anymore? The Des Moines Y has learned the hard way that it doesn't pay to surrender to homosexual bullies.

From "Lesbians reject YMCA agreement" by Melissa Walker, posted 8/7/07 at Desmoinesregister.com
An agreement that was supposed to end a five-year fight between the Des Moines YMCA and a lesbian couple who wanted a family membership only intensified the debate Monday.

Greater Des Moines YMCA officials had agreed to settle a human rights complaint and expand their definition of "family" to include M and Sandra Patton-Imani, a Des Moines lesbian couple joined in a civil union in Vermont in 2000. But the couple refused to sign the document when they found out it contained a confidentiality clause.

"We can't honor that," Sandra Patton-Imani said. "We're not going to be gagged on this."

YMCA president Vernon Delpesce said the local branch would rewrite its rules to include adults who share a household. Couples would qualify for family status if they meet criteria on length of co-habitation, joint property purchases, and other areas addressed in "common-law" marriages.

The move was made after the Des Moines Human Rights Commission ruled that the nonprofit's policy, which recognized only traditional families, might violate a city law that prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation, race, religion or disability.

Since the Patton-Imanis declined to sign the agreement, YMCA officials will wait for more direction from the human rights commission before the policy change is official, spokeswoman Jackie Feddersen Matt said.

M Patton-Imani said the agreement Monday also left out key demands: $5,000 to establish two legal aid funds to handle legal issues related to gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual families; and a free lifetime family membership.

Someone has got to start standing up to them or there will be no end to their demands...

Scott Beattie, attorney for the YMCA, said the organization does not give away memberships. The couple could apply for financial assistance if they cannot afford one, he said.

When an agreement goes unsigned, commissioners must decide whether the ruling has been followed, human rights director Rudy Simms said.

The Patton-Imanis nonetheless claimed victory Monday.

"What we wanted to do primarily was change the definition of family to be more inclusive," M Patton-Imani said.

They have, in fact, defined it right out of existence...

The advancement of homosexuality as a civil right (particularly in anti-discrimination law) is something that Christians MUST wake up and take seriously.

It is destroying the freedom to even operate our ministries according to Biblical beliefs...

Is polygamy legal in Canada?

It might as well be after a surprise recommendation in British Columbia

From "Is polygamy legal in Canada?" by Ken MacQueen, posted 8/2/07 at macleans.ca

If polygamy is illegal, but nobody wants to prosecute it, is it really a crime? The question of the legality of plural marriage is no closer to resolution in British Columbia, home of the Bountiful polygamous community, now that a special prosecutor weighed in Wednesday with his ambivalent opinion.

Prominent Vancouver lawyer Richard Peck has recommended charges not be laid against unspecified members of the Bountiful commune, where plural marriage has been openly practiced for more than 60 years. "The legality of polygamy in Canada has for too long been characterized by uncertainty," Peck wrote.

He was appointed by the provincial attorney general's ministry to render an independent opinion on whether the commune's blatant violation of Canada's longstanding anti-polygamy law should be prosecuted, or whether men in the commune could be charged for having sex with their underage wives. Peck said the "available evidence" offered little likelihood of a conviction, especially since the women in Bountiful have not stepped forward with a complaint or cooperated with investigators.

...He is the latest in a series of B.C. attorneys general that have tried for more than 20 years to have charges laid. The Crown's own lawyers have said repeatedly that charges would not stick and that Canada's anti-polygamy law would likely not survive a constitutional challenge based on guarantees of freedom of religion and liberty contained in the Charter.

Members of Bountiful are part of a breakaway sect of fundamentalist Mormons who do not recognize the mainstream church's decision more than a century ago to end the practice of polygamy. But the issue extends far beyond the borders of Bountiful. Many Muslims in Canada, as well as some fundamentalist Christians and others with no religious grounding, also quietly practice polygamy.

Oppal said he doesn't buy the notion the polygamy law would be quashed in a Charter challenge, but he says he'll consider Peck's recommendations before taking further action.

Canada seems to be on a toboggan ride down the 'slippery slope' now that same-sex marriage has been legalized. Once you discard the fundamental definition of marriage as one man/one woman there is no basis either legal or logical, to deny recognition to other 'family forms.'

Indeed pro-gay activists here in the United States have been quite open about their desire to rid society of the one man/one woman ideal - labeling such notions 'heterosexist' and calling for legalization for everything from polygamy to group marriage...

And I will tell you why. The family - father, mother and children stands as a glorious testimony of the truth and beauty of God's design without ever saying a word - showing the counterfeit for what it is...

Read the whole article.

Judge Forces Idaho To Fund Estrogen Treatment

From "Judge Forces Idaho To Fund Estrogen Treatment for Man who Thinks He is a Woman" posted 8/3/07 at The Liberty Counsel website

Federal district Judge Mikel Williams ruled on Friday that the Idaho Department of Correction must provide an inmate with estrogen therapy. The judge will consider continuing treatment when the issue goes to trial. The inmate believes that he is a woman trapped in a man's body. The man, who castrated himself using a disposable razor blade while in prison, demanded female hormone therapy. He also changed his name from Randall Gammett to Jenniffer Spencer. The man is serving a 10-year sentence for escape and possession of a stolen car.

One would think it would be obvious to this judge that it is not the man's body that needs

After prison officials refused estrogen therapy, but instead offered testosterone therapy to replace the hormones lost to castration, the inmate sued, alleging he was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment and other constitutional violations.

State officials said the inmate was in prison for several years before demanding treatment. In 2004, he survived an attempted suicide. Two months later he tried to castrate himself, failing in the first attempt but later succeeding. He was diagnosed with an unspecified sexual disorder and bipolar disorder.

Liberty Counsel is a nationwide legal organization with experience in litigation of transsexual legal issues. In June 2004, Liberty Counsel won a case on behalf of a Florida woman against the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which represented a woman who, after watching an MTV program and so-called "sex reassignment surgery," changed her name from Margo to Michael, began testosterone treatment, and then had a total mastectomy and hysterectomy. This person then wanted to be considered "male" for purposes of Florida's marriage laws. Although a trial court judge wrote an 809-page opinion claiming that gender is primarily a "state of mind," Liberty Counsel got the ruling overturned on appeal. The appeals court ruled that "the common meaning of male and female . . . [refers] to immutable traits determined at birth."

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: "Hormones and plastic surgery do not change a person's sex, which is an immutable trait fixed at birth. Plastic surgery and hormone treatment to alter a person's sexual appearance is no more warranted than is liposuction for an anorexic. The state should not be compelled to fund so-called sex reassignment surgery, especially when such treatment is not widely accepted, is experimental, and has not been shown to resolve the disturbed mental behavior."

San Diego Firefighters Forced to Participate in “Gay Pride” Parade

As increasing number of corporate and government employers are adopting an actively pro-homosexual stance and expect their employees to do the same. Bible believing Christians are forced to choose between loyalty to Christ and financial security...

From "San Diego Firefighters Forced to Participate in “Gay Pride” Parade Subjected To Gross Sexual Gestures and Obscenities: Thomas More Law Center Files Claim" posted 8/6/07 at thomasmore.org

Four respected San Diego firefighters were ordered, against their wishes, to participate in uniform on their city fire truck in the city’s annual “Gay Pride” parade. During the course of the ensuing three hour long ordeal, the firefighters were subjected to vile sexual taunts from homosexuals lining the parade route. This included the following statements: “show me your hose,” “you can put out my fire,” “you’re making me hot,” “give me mouth-to-mouth,” “you look hungry, why don’t you have a twinkie (from a man wearing a “Girth and Mirth” t-shirt),” and “blow my hose.” These firemen are devoted husbands and fathers. When they refused to respond to the crowd, some in the crowd turned hostile and started shouting, “F—k you firemen” and others began “flipping them off.”

Gay 'pride' parades just seem to bring out the best in people...

San Diego area attorney, Charles LiMandri, the West Coast Director of the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is representing the firefighters in their legal claims against the city. LiMandri was also the lead counsel in the successful Mt. Soledad Cross case in San Diego. A 52 year native San Diegan, LiMandri stated: “What happened to these dedicated public servants was inexcusable. The City should have known from past experience the kind of offensive activities that go on at this event. This was a clear case of sexual harassment in violation of state and federal law as well as the City’s own code of conduct.”

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center added, “These firefighters dedicated their lives to save the lives of others. They did not sign on to become unwilling props to a controversial political and social agenda.”

Continued Thompson, “The constitutional right to free speech also protects the right not to speak. These men should not have to explain to their families, friends and church congregations that their presence at a celebration of lewdness and obscenity in support of the homosexual agenda was because they were forced there by way of a direct order. This is a clear violation of their constitutional rights, and the City must be held accountable. It should never happen again to any city employee.”

The firefighters were also targets of gross sexual gestures to include the following: exposure of genitals, blowing kisses, grabbing of the crotch, rubbing of nipples, tongue gestures, men hugging and kissing one another passionately, many of them wearing make-up and dressed like women. Although the firefighters were not physically assaulted, the gestures were clearly directed towards them.

The so-called “Gay Pride” parade took place on July 21, 2007 in San Diego. On July 20, 2007, the four firefighters in question were told by their superiors that they would be participating in the parade. All four repeatedly protested that they did not wish to participate. In the past, firefighters that participated in the parade generally did so on a volunteer basis. On the morning of July 21, 2007, however, these same four firefighters were ordered into their uniforms and made to participate in the parade in their fire truck. The firefighters were left with the Hobson’s choice of either violating their conscience or being disciplined for disobeying a direct order.

Notice that 'tolerance' is no longer enough. Approval and now PARTICIPATION is required.

While on the parade route, the firefighters were subjected to the most vulgar kinds of sexual harassment. To quote one of the firefighters: “You could not even look at the crowd without getting some type of sexual gesture.” This firefighter further added, “If any crew member were to hang up pictures at the station of what we saw, we would be disciplined.”

Local papers reporting on the parade made no mention of the lewd and offensive behavior that characterized the parade.

Do they ever? There is a virtual blackout of reporting among mainstream media of anything that reflects badly on homosexuality or homosexuals.

...Fire Chief, Tracy Jarman, an open lesbian, stated, “This is a fun event and all employees are encouraged to participate.”

Fun? Being the butt of obscene jokes and crude gestures is fun? For whom?

The Constitutional right of association and conscience are trampled for a bit of 'fun.'

This is becoming more and more common as an increasing number of corporate and government employers adopt an actively pro-homosexual stance and expect their employees to do the same. Bible believing Christians are forced to choose between loyalty to Christ and financial security...

Whom will we serve?

Please read the rest of this story.

Maryland Public Schools Say Yes to Anal Sex, Homosexuality, Bisexuality, and Transvestitism

From "Montgomery County Public Schools Say Yes to Anal Sex, Homosexuality, Bi-sexuality, and Transvestitism" posted 8/1/07 at thomasmore.org

A public school district’s program promoting anal sex, homosexuality, bisexuality, and transvestitism as normal sexual variations was recently approved by the Maryland State Board of Education despite strenuous opposition from several pro-family groups. Montgomery County Public School’s controversial sexuality curriculum for eighth and tenth grade students is the result of pressure by homosexual advocacy groups.

In response, the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced today that it will assist the pro-family groups in their appeal of the Education Board’s decision to the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The Law Center will be assisted by Maryland attorney John R. Garza who has been involved in the curriculum fight for several years.

The Thomas More Law Center and John Garza represent Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, and the Family Leader Network.

According to Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, “I’m impressed with the principled and steadfast opposition by these pro-family groups to this outrageously hedonistic and life-threatening sexuality curriculum. The Law Center will do everything we can to assist them in their fight.”

The pro-family groups oppose the sex program on several grounds: (1) it teaches students that homosexuality is “innate,” which is an unproven theory; (2) it teaches students that anal sex is just another sexual option without warning students of the increased HIV/AIDS risk of anal sex, even with a condom; (3) it labels as “homophobic” children who hold traditional religious or moral beliefs about homosexuality; and (4) it teaches students that transgenderism is just another “sexual orientation,” even though transgenderism has been classified as a mental disorder.

The Montgomery County Circuit Court may overturn the decision of the State Board of Education. The court may also stay the application of the sexuality curriculum while the appeal is pending. If the court affirms the decision of the State Board of Education, the case will be appealed to the Maryland Court of Appeals.

Read the rest of this article.

Flush Koran Go to Jail - 'Hate' Crimes Arrest in NY

From "Hate-crime arrests in Quran desecrations at Pace University" by newsday.com, posted 7/27/07

A 23-year-old man was arrested Friday on hate-crime charges after he threw a Quran in a toilet at Pace University on two separate occasions, police said.

Stanislav Shmulevich of Brooklyn was arrested on charges of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, both hate crimes, police said. It was unclear if he was a student at the school. A message left at the Shmulevich home was not immediately returned.

The Islamic holy book was found in a toilet at Pace's lower Manhattan campus by a teacher on Oct. 13. A student discovered another book in a toilet on Nov. 21, police said.

Muslim activists had called on Pace University to crack down on hate crimes after the incidents. As a result, the university said it would offer sensitivity training to its students.

The school was accused by Muslim students of not taking the incident seriously enough at first. Pace classified the first desecration of the holy book as an act of vandalism, but university officials later reversed themselves and referred the incident to the New York Police Department's hate crimes unit.

The incidents came amid a spate of vandalism cases with religious or racial overtones at the school. In an earlier incident on Sept. 21, the school reported another copy of the Quran was found in a library toilet, and in October someone scrawled racial slurs on a student's car at the Westchester County satellite campus and on a bathroom wall at the campus in lower Manhattan. Police did not connect Shmulevich to those incidents.

While we cannot approve of this man's actions, an arrest seems pretty extreme does it not?

After all, 'artists' are given awards and TAX DOLLARS for submerging crucifixes in urine...

Read the rest of this story.

71% of HIV Infections Among Males Attributable to Homosexual Behavior

Yet homosexual activists insist that homosexual behavior is perfectly healthy...

From "HIV/AIDS among Men Who Have Sex with Men" posted June 2007, at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

In the United States, HIV infection and AIDS have had a tremendous effect on men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM accounted for 71% of all HIV infections among male adults and adolescents in 2005 (based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting), even though only about 5% to 7% of male adults and adolescents in the United States identify themselves as MSM [1, 2].

The number of HIV diagnoses for MSM decreased during the 1980s and 1990s, but recent surveillance data show an increase in HIV diagnoses for this group [3, 4]. Additionally, racial disparities exist with regard to HIV diagnoses within the MSM population. A recent study, conducted in 5 large US cities, found that HIV prevalence among black MSM (46%) was more than twice that among white MSM (21%) [5].

The recent overall increase in HIV diagnoses for MSM, coupled with racial disparities, strongly points to a continued need for appropriate prevention and education services tailored for specific subgroups of MSM, especially those who are members of minority races/ethnicities.

Read the rest of this report.

UK Hotels Must Switch to Single Rooms Only or Allow Homosexual Sex on Premises

From "UK Hotels Must Switch to Single Rooms Only or Allow Homosexual Sex on Premises" by Hilary White, posted 7/30/07 at Lifesite.org

In conflicts over same-sex couples staying in hotels run by religious believers, it is up to the owners to accommodate or close, the government says.

In April, the Labour government passed the Sexual Orientation Regulations of the Equality Act 2006, drafted under the supervision of homosexual lobbyists, that make it illegal for Christian and other religious objectors to homosexual behaviour to refuse business to gay clientele.

In the case of family owned bed and breakfast establishments, this requirement means that proprietors must allow homosexual partners to stay in the same room or be forced to close.

Today the government ruled that in cases where religious or other belief makes this situation impossible, the only choice is to entirely disallow any guests to sleep together, whether they are married couples or homosexual partners.

In a letter, Meg Munn, a junior minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government who held the equality remit under Tony Blair, said the rules mean that no business owner may refuse on any grounds whatever. She said the only choice is to change the business itself. The Telegraph quotes her saying that photographers with objections must switch to portrait photography, while a chauffer who did not want to drive for homosexuals must change jobs.

In related news, in a move praised by gay activists and socialists, the Brown government has created a new cabinet post, Secretary of State for Equalities, assigned to Harriet Harman, Leader of the Commons and Deputy Labour Leader. Harman is also Chair of the Labour Party and Minister for Women.

The Commons Leader website describes the purpose of the new post as being "to strengthen further the Government's ability to deliver across the entire equalities agenda. Harriet Harman will be responsible for the new Equalities Office at Cabinet level as Secretary of State."

In a speech during the London Pride in June, Harman told the crowd that the fight for "gay rights" is not over. "We all know that there is further to go, and that this is a day of determination too."

"We are going to have a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights that will mainstream the battle against homophobia. We are going to have new work in schools to tackle homophobia, more work within the police and the criminal justice system to prevent and deter homophobic crime. We have come long way but further got to go."

What does loyalty to Christ look like in this situation?

We Christians here in the United States do not have to wonder what lies down the road of 'gay rights' that our country seems bent on embracing. We have the opportunity to see exactly what will happen to our freedom by watching what's happening in Canada and the UK.

We have the opportunity to stop it...The question is, will we?

Will we recognize, value and fight to protect the incredible blessing of freedom we have? Will we elect the best leaders possible and then hold them accountable? Will we make it our business to be informed and speak up and challenge the foolishness and lies in the public square? Will we fight, if not for ourselves, then for future generations - before it's too late?