Daily Archives: May 14, 2010

Toronto Star: “In London, International Planned Parenthood Federation is waiting for a call from Canada that will preserve life-saving programs that help 31 million women and children . . . Planned Parenthood includes abortion in its wide range of services to needy women and girls in 174 countries. And the silence from Ottawa may mean it has been targeted by Harper’s contentious policy of not funding terminations of pregnancy overseas – although abortion is legal in Canada.”

Red State Blog: “This proves Elena Kagan is an open and avowed socialist. The woman declares that socialists must stick together instead of fracture in order to advance a socialist agenda, which Kagan advocates.”

Princeton Demands We Not Show You Elena Kagan’s Socialist Thesis

Red State Blog carries the video.

National Review: “In gearing up for the 2010 Census, the General Services Administration (GSA) leased office space throughout the country. One location is a 6,654 square foot section of a two-story building on Edsall Road in Alexandria, Va. owned by the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque. The United States government is spending $582,000, or about $23,000 per month, to lease the space from November 2008 through the end of this year . . . ”

KMJNOW: “A tradition dating back nearly 50 years at Exeter Union High School is no more. The district recently decided to end the practice of a clergy-led prayer in favor of a moment of silence at the June 4 graduation ceremony.”

LifeSiteNews: “A Georgia woman is soon to be charged with killing her 24-week-old unborn baby in a car accident after fleeing police while driving under the influence of alcohol.”

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the Columbia University School of Law Commencement: “Over the past three and a half decades, our legal system has transformed in ways that, while easy to overlook or take for granted, are critically important. . . . Today, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Act – which the President signed into law last October – does just that, finally protecting our Nation’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizens from vicious hate crimes. . . . Young people, it seems to me, are uniquely qualified to re-imagine – and in doing so, to reinvigorate – the law and the world. Many of the great social advancements in our Nation’s history were, in no small part, the result of ideas that law school graduates envisioned and, over time, implemented.”

The Tampa Tribune: “Gov. Charlie Crist all but said today he would likely veto a controversial bill requiring women to get an ultrasound before an abortion. ‘On two fronts it disturbs me,’ Crist said today during a meeting with The Tampa Tribune’s editorial board. ‘That you would force a woman to go through this procedure . . . almost seems mean-spirited. To have your government impose on you, listen to a lecture, then on top of that, you have to pay for it.’” | HB-1143 | For more on the bill, see this ADF Alliance Alert compound tag: http://www.alliancealert.org/tag/state-florida+topic-abortion+topic-legislation/

ADF attorney Nate Kellum appeared on Common Sense with Shea Daily to discuss a lawsuit over a requirement that individuals obtain a permit to exercise First Amendment rights at national parks, monuments. | MP3 16:25 mins | Boardley v. U.S. Department of the Interior resource page

Examiner.com: “On May 12, the Atheist Alliance International (AAI), an umbrella organization of atheist groups and individuals around the world committed to promoting and defending reason and the atheist worldview, sent out a press release deploring the vandalism of the WWI memorial cross in the Mojave National Preserve. They also offered to contribute $5,000 to efforts to establish an inclusive alternative in a more appropriate area . . . ”

Washington Post: “Administration officials asked Kagan directly about her sexual orientation when she was being vetted for her post as solicitor general, [Former Whitehouse Communications Director Anita] Dunn said in response to a question that she protested was inappropriate. But she insisted that it was not a relevant factor in determining who was named to that job or this one. ‘When there’s a gay nominee, there’s a gay nominee, which will be a good thing, if they’re qualified and should be on the court,’ Dunn said.”   The report doesn’t indicate whether she ever answered it despite objecting to it.

Courthouse News Service: “An immigration board’s decision to deny a gay anti-Hugo Chavez activist’s request for asylum was ‘riddled with error’ because it ignored the widespread violence and discrimination he faced in Venezuela, the Eleventh Circuit ruled. The circuit granted the immigrant’s petition for review, since both the immigration judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals ‘failed to provide a reasoned explanation’ for denying relief.” | Ayala v. U.S. Attorney General, No. 09-12113 (11th Cir. May 7, 2010)

Zenit: “The European Centre for Law and Justice has been authorized to become a third party in the court hearing regarding the legitimacy of displaying crucifixes in Italian schools. The center reported Wednesday that the European Court of Human Rights gave it authorization to become an amicus curiae to the ‘Lautsi vs. Italy’ case.”

Wall Street Journal: “As an aide to President Bill Clinton, Elena Kagan appeared to favor letting stand a measure providing for new funding to religious groups, despite some constitutional objections from the Justice Department.”

‘We are rather surprised that Liberty would be so one-sided in a matter of liberty because there are two liberties to uphold in this case.’

BBC: “Mosaic, formed to encourage young Muslims to engage with society, is hoping to address the lack of adult volunteers to help scout packs.”

Christian Science Monitor: “Kenya’s churches are opposing a draft Kenyan Constitution they see as encouraging abortion. Three US lawmakers – targeting the abortion issue – have also sent a letter to the State Department questioning US support of the constitution process in Kenya . . . ”

“There are more than 1000 IVF clinics in India, but no laws govern assisted reproductive technology (ART), which includes surrogacy, and no watchdog has been authorised to police it. ‘Most of the ART clinics in this country are not following these guidelines because they do not have any legal strength,’ said R. S. Sharma, the deputy director-general in the division of reproductive health and nutrition at the Indian Council of Medical Research.” | Via Wesley J. Smith | For more on surrogacy in India, see this ADF Alliance Alert compound tag: http://www.alliancealert.org/tag/country-india+topic-surrogacy/

CNA: “Two Moroccan students who attended a university in the central Italian city of Perugia were expelled from the country last month after it was discovered that they were conspiring to kill Pope Benedict. One of them allegedly said he wished to ‘earn a place in Paradise.’”

CNA: [Peter Sprigg of FRC] . . . said in a statement Friday that “is well established that the freedom of association includes the freedom of private organizations not to associate with those who do not share the goals of the organization.”
‘This is especially true for religious organizations,’ he added, ‘which have every right to exclude people whose beliefs or lifestyle contradict the moral and theological teachings of that organization.’ ‘Many Christian schools do not consider themselves to be in a relationship with the student alone, but with the student’s parents as well, and they have every right to exclude from the school community those who seek to undermine their religious values.’”

“A woman wanting an abortion in Missouri must be given the chance to view an ultrasound image and listen to the heartbeat of her fetus under legislation given final approval Friday to expand the state’s 24-hour consent law . . . ”

Michael Perry writes at the Mirror of Justice Blog: “In the new issue of AMERICA, here. . . . Particularly rich is the author’s analysis of the current ‘pharmacist wars.’”

Breitbart (AP): “. . . Justice Anthony Kennedy said lawmakers should not try to figure out how high court nominee Elena Kagan would rule on specific questions. He said they should instead look at whether her temperament, commitment and character make her suitable for the job . . .”

National Secular Society: “The NSS’s campaign to remove prayers from council meetings entered a new phase last week when a lawyer’s letter ahead of action was sent to Bideford Council setting out the grounds under which we believe the practice to be illegal. We advised the Council that unless the practice was stopped, the NSS would seek a judicial review. It is hoped that this will set a precedent that will affect the many other councils that have prayers as part of their agenda.”

Washington Post:”Prince George’s County officials have decided not to seek further appeal in a court battle against a Laurel church that was awarded $3.7 million from a jury in 2008. Reaching Hearts International, a Seventh-day Adventist church, claimed the county unfairly tried to thwart its plan to build a sanctuary on 17 acres in Laurel. Jurors for the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt found that the county’s actions were motivated at least in part by discriminatory intent against a religious institution.”

Sakaal Times: “The All India Christian Council on Friday demanded that in the Census 2010 format, provision should be made for religious monorities – as the same has been done for respective castes.”

Crosby Herald: “The Anti-Homophobic Bullying Strategy will be unveiled at St George’s Hall on May 17, which is also the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). The strategy – one of the first of its type in the country – is backed by local church leaders, representatives from the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and the National Union of Teachers.”

“The General Assembly passed a controversial bill regulating strip clubs and other adult entertainment businesses Thursday night . . . The bill outlaws nudity at strip clubs, restricts alcohol sales and requires the clubs to close at midnight. It also limits the clubs and other adult entertainment businesses from locating within 1,000 feet of a school, church or public park. The final vote on the bill was 27-4 in the Senate.” | SB 586 | For more information on the history of this bill, see this ADF Alliance Alert compound tag: http://www.alliancealert.org/tag/state-missouri+topic-legislation+topic-pornography/

Forum 18: “Religious communities punished for meeting for worship in Azerbaijan, or who have had religious literature confiscated, continue to formally appeal against these human rights violations, they have told Forum 18 News Service. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Muslim readers of the works of Said Nursi have demanded the return of confiscated literature. But despite repeated appeals over more than 15 years – most recently in early 2010 – for the Baptist church in Aliabad to be registered, its application has still not been granted.”

CCFON: “Dale Mcalpine, 42, was arrested and hauled before the courts after a homosexual police officer arrested him on 20 April 2010 for saying that homosexuality is going against the word of God. He was held in a cell for several hours before being charged with a public order offence. Yesterday, 13 May 2010, charges against Mr Mcalpine were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as preaching peacefully that homosexuality is a sin is not against the law.”

The Christian Institute: “The Irish Government is planning to allow transsexuals to marry partners of the same sex . . . Ireland’s Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó’Cuiv, has confirmed that the Irish Government is committed to introducing ‘legal recognition of the acquired gender of transsexuals’ through the Renewed Programme for Government announced in 2009.”

“[Dramatic footage] recorded with a hidden camera shows the moment that a Christian street preacher was arrested by police in Cumbria, England, for saying homosexual conduct is a ‘sin’.”

GayPolitics.com: “The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute has announced its 2010 class of David Bohnett Gay & Lesbian Leadership Fellows, a group of 10 openly LGBT leaders who will receive scholarships to attend the Harvard Kennedy School this summer . . . ”

Congress.org: “A bitter fight over the Democratic health care overhaul has left a bipartisan group of antiabortion lawmakers with poor vital signs. Lawmakers say a dispute over whether the landmark legislation would allow federal funding of abortion seriously damaged relations among Democratic and Republican members of the House Pro-Life Caucus, once known for its ability to cross party lines.”

“As for Jews and the Democrats, Yale was at least one-third Jewish when I attended . . . which is where all the Justices have come from since Clarence Thomas . . . ”

Brian Darling of the Heritage Foundation writes at Human Events: “. . . the Senate should demand Clinton-era memos written by Kagan, so lawmakers can understand her view of the 2nd Amendment. After all, she was very much involved in many of the gun-control initiatives pushed by President Bill Clinton. The Senate must ‘properly evaluate’ Kagan and ‘appropriately’ educate the public about any anti-gun views she holds . . . Instead, though, expect the administration to stonewall. Kagan has no public record to speak of, and the President aims to keep her anti-gun views secret from the American public . . . ”

CCON: “Pink News, an homosexual online news source, has called MPs with conscientious objections ‘unfortunate’ and suggested that if the newly elected leadership really want to lead a progressive country ‘they must think carefully’ about changing the practice of ‘free votes’ when the issue of homosexuality is involved . . . ”

Spero News (includes video): “After a recent bomb blast and gun attack in Iraq that targeted Christian students, a local bishop has criticized the government for failing to protect Christians, who are suffering from a series of violent attacks by terrorist groups . . . ”

ADF attorney Jeffery J. Ventrella appeared on Kor Kast Radio with Ryan Dobson to discuss the National Day of Prayer litigation. | MP3 – 40:39 mins | Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Obama resource page

CitizenLink: “Elijah Group, an Evangelical Christian Church, is fighting City Hall in Leon Valley, Texas. The city says it’s fine for the church to use the facilities for a day care and counseling center, but it cannot meet in the building for worship on the weekends because of zoning laws.”

National Catholic Register: “Eight Canadian university students face expulsion for mounting a pro-life display with pictures of Nazi and Armenian genocides alongside photos of abortion . . . ‘Canadian and American universities have very similar ideological mindsets, but in the U.S. we have more protection for free speech,’ said [David French] of the Alliance Defense Fund’s Tennessee-based Center for Academic Freedom. The center defends pro-life clubs against university administrations in the U.S. on First Amendment grounds.” | For more information see this ADF Alliance Alert compound tag: http://www.alliancealert.org/tag/country-canada+global-sanctity-of-life+topic-education/

OneNewsNow: “Last year, Anthony Verdugo asked permission to use Hart Memorial Central Library in Osceola County for his ‘Religion in America’ seminar, but he was turned down because of the religious content . . . ‘Once their attorneys got wind of what was going on, they changed their policy to allow for religious uses of the room and to stop their discrimination,’ [Joel Oster] reports.”

ADF attorney Joe Infranco appeared on KFUO with Roland Lettner to discuss the stolen Mojave Desert Cross. | MP3 – 23:46 mins.

Liberty Counsel: “Today, the Sixth District Circuit Court of Appeals denied the ACLU’s request to rehear ACLU v. Grayson County, Kentucky, in which the Court upheld a display including the Ten Commandments in Leitchfield, Kentucky. The display, entitled ‘Foundations of American Law and Government,’ was located on the second floor of Grayson County’s courthouse and includes the Ten Commandments, Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Preamble to the Kentucky Constitution, Star-Spangled Banner, National Motto, and a picture of Lady Justice, with an explanation of the significance of each . . . ”

Religion Clause Blog: “However the debate became contentious when North York council member Giorgio Mammoliti– a candidate for mayor in the upcoming October elections– pressed to still restrict stores from opening on Good Friday and Easter. He said: “Those of us that believe in God know that there are certain days that we’re not supposed to be working and we are supposed to be with our families.” That brought a response from council member Raymond Cho who asked Mammoliti whether he would be working only for Christians when he became mayor.”

AP: “Al-Qaida in Iraq’s new leader warned Shiites on Friday that “dark days soaked with blood” lie ahead and that a new campaign of attacks was under way . . . ‘Wait for the long gloomy nights and dark days soaked with blood,’ said Abu Suleiman, addressing Iraq’s ‘polytheistic rejecters,’ an insulting term for Shiites common among extremist Sunnis . . . ”

Arizona’s Mohave Community College agreed Tuesday–after receiving a letter from the Alliance Defense Fund–not to eliminate the opening and closing prayers from its nursing program’s pinning ceremony this year.

Telegraph: “President Nicolas Sarkozy slammed his fist on the table and threatened to pull France out of the euro at a meeting of European leaders deciding Greece’s aid package last Friday, according to Spain’s El Pais newspaper.”

“Holder refused to say radical Islam had anything to do with the attack and never once used any form of the word ‘terrorist’ to describe the event.”

Palma Strand, Harvey Milk, Jane Roe, and James Brady: Why Civic Organizing Matters (Fall 2010). Maine Law Review, Forthcoming. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1585336

“This Article explores the conditions under which the kind of consensual story that enables broadly-supported law can emerge. After all, the American people are not monolithic and do not speak with one voice. How do many voices, especially voices that represent vastly different experiences and views, come to sufficient harmony that the Supreme Court (or other lawmaking institutions) can discern a dominant chord? In considering this question, the Article goes beyond noting the importance of narrative in the abstract to grounding its approach in specific personal stories about civic life – the author’s and others. From these individual accounts it derives themes, ratified by sociological research, that suggest conditions of civic interaction, of civic story-sharing in which a sufficiently unified story can emerge to serve as the basis, for example, for constitutional law rulings by the Court. The Article then considers three areas in which constitutional law is currently unsettled – gay rights, abortion, and gun control – to assess how the status of law correlates to the presence or absence of these conditions of civic interaction. Most importantly, it looks at whether the personal stories from which collective stories can collaboratively emerge are vocalized and shared or whether they are suppressed and silenced.”