Christian Citizenship Ministry

High school basketball players beaten for 'Tebowing'

2012-01-16T01:29:00.000-06:00

Read article HERE.

Security, in a house of God? Part 2

2012-01-16T01:22:00.002-06:00

“Self-defense is not just a right, but a Christian duty. Jesus told his followers, ‘if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one,’” said Cass. “Christians are not to be a soft target for the hateful and deranged. Church leaders have a duty not to allow a crazed gunman to come and shoot up their congregation. Thank God for security officer Jeanne Assam and for New Life Church’s security preparations.”

Section was taken from this article HERE

Why protecting the freedom and right to be prepared for "self-defense" is so important...

Why Voting Matters

2012-01-13T23:03:00.001-06:00

Who picks almost all our court judges? Politicians.

Did you know what you are being asked to vote for in MN this year?

2012-01-13T22:45:00.003-06:00

Voters to determine the future of marriage...well, voters who show up that is. Full story link below:

http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/122401039.html

MAJOR ELECTION DATES

2012-01-13T22:34:00.001-06:00

MN Precinct Caucuses.....02/07/12

MN Primary.....08/14/12

Election Day.....11/06/12
~Moved since last election? Been a while since you updated your registration? Be sure! REGISTER TO VOTE! CLICK HERE

**Offices on general election ballots statewide-November 6, 2012:

U.S. President & V.P.

U.S. Senator

U.S. Representative

State Senator

State Representative

** Offices that may also be on general election ballots

County Commissioner
City Officers
School Board
Township Officers

Security, in a house of God?!

2012-01-13T15:06:00.000-06:00

There are many reasons, even Biblical ones, to support these steps in churches and synagogues. Here is one example. http://facebook.cufi.org/2012/01/nj-synagogue-firebomb-injures-rabbi/

OPEN QUESTION...

2012-01-12T23:38:00.001-06:00

What are your thoughts on the current and past statements, as well as the actions, of the current Presidential field?

Cashless Society...Something Far Off or In the Present?

2012-01-12T21:48:00.000-06:00

Cashless Society: India Implements First Biometric ID Program for all of its 1.2 Billion Residents

Full story link: http://www.infowars.com/cashless-society-india-implements-first-biometric-id-program-for-all-of-its-1-2-billion-residents/

Make YOUR Voice Heard This Election

2011-12-28T17:07:00.001-06:00

Don't wait until others have chosen our only options for elected offices. You can have a bigger impact that perhaps you know by attending your local Precinct Caucus on February 7, 2012.

What is a Precinct Caucus? And other frequently asked questions with their answers can be found HERE provided by the MN Secretary of State.

Wondering where to go on that date? The 2012 Caucus Finder will be available after January 18, 2012.

Sex Ed For Your Children...At School

2011-10-25T07:33:00.000-05:00

Does Sex Ed Undermine Parental Rights?

By ROBERT P. GEORGE and MELISSA MOSCHELLA

Published: October 18, 2011

IMAGINE you have a 10- or 11-year-old child, just entering a public middle school. How would you feel if, as part of a class ostensibly about the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, he and his classmates were given “risk cards” that graphically named a variety of solitary and mutual sex acts? Or if, in another lesson, he was encouraged to disregard what you told him about sex, and to rely instead on teachers and health clinic staff members?

That prospect would horrify most parents. But such lessons are part of a middle-school curriculum that Dennis M. Walcott, the New York City schools chancellor, has recommended for his system’s newly mandated sex-education classes. There is a parental “opt out,” but it is very limited, covering classes on contraception and birth control.

Observers can quarrel about the extent to which what is being mandated is an effect, or a contributing cause, of the sexualization of children in our society at younger ages. But no one can plausibly claim that teaching middle-schoolers about mutual masturbation is “neutral” between competing views of morality; the idea of “value free” sex education was exploded as a myth long ago. The effect of such lessons is as much to promote a certain sexual ideology among the young as it is to protect their health.

But beyond rival moral visions, the new policy raises a deeper issue: Should the government force parents — at least those not rich enough to afford private schooling — to send their children to classes that may contradict their moral and religious values on matters of intimacy and personal conduct?

Liberals and conservatives alike should say no. Such policies violate parents’ rights, whether they are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist or of no religion at all. To see why, we need to think carefully about the parent-child relationship that gives rise to the duties that parental rights serve and protect.

Parents are responsible for bringing new people into the world, bound to them by blood and, ordinarily, deep feeling. These people are incapable of developing their uniquely human capacities on their own, giving parents an obligation to their children and to society to help them reach maturity — one that requires attending not only to children’s physical and emotional needs, but their intellectual and moral growth as well.

Parenting, especially in moral and religious matters, is very important and highly personal: while parents enlist others’ help in this task, the task is theirs. They are ultimately responsible for their children’s intellectual and moral maturity, so within broad limits they must be free to educate their children, especially on the deepest matters, as they judge best. This is why parental rights are so important: they provide a zone of sovereignty, a moral space to fulfill their obligations according to their consciences.

The right to parent is rather like the right to exercise one’s religion. Like parental duties, religious duties are serious and highly personal. This is why, absent the most serious reasons, it would be a grave violation of individual rights if the state prevented people from honoring what they regarded as their religious obligations. To subject children to indoctrination in deeply personal matters against their parents’ consciences is no less a violation than forcing Muslim parents to send their children to a Catholic Mass.

True, the state needs to protect children from abuse and neglect. It is also true that the state has a legitimate interest in reducing teenage pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. But it is not abuse or neglect to protect the innocence of preteenage children or to teach one’s children more conservative, as opposed to more liberal, moral values. Nor is it wrong or unreasonable to limit the state’s control over what one’s children learn and think about sensitive issues of morality. On the contrary, that is just what is required if parents are to fulfill their duties and exercise their legitimate rights.

Unless a broader parental opt out is added, New York City’s new policies will continue to usurp parents’ just (and constitutionally recognized) authority. Turning a classroom into a mandatory catechism lesson for a contested ideology is a serious violation of parental rights, and citizens of every ideological hue should stand up and oppose it.

Rob%rt P. George is a professor of politics at Princeton and the founder of the American Principles Project. Melissa Moschella is a doctoral candidate in political theory at Princeton.

Seeing IS Believing...

2011-10-20T09:37:00.002-05:00

Life care center dedicates new ultrasoundNorth Side Life Care Center has counseled women for more than three decades

by Scott Noble

MINNEAPOLIS — It can oftentimes be the scariest time in a woman’s life. A time she feels completely unprepared for socially, economically, physically and spiritually. It’s a time when many outside forces are competing to be heard—many of them with differing opinions.It’s a time when she finds out she is pregnant—unplanned and unexpected.

Fortunately, for her and her unborn child, there are resources to help walk her—and other women—through these difficult, uncertain and trying times.

For more than 30 years, North Side Life Care Center has been offering help and hope to women with unplanned pregnancies in north Minneapolis.

Robbie Dircks, executive director of the nonprofit organization, said many of their clients are unprepared for the news that they are pregnant.

“[Our clients are] young, she hasn’t probably finished her education, she’s low income, she is frightened, and she is realizing that having a baby is going to change her life both economically and socially,” Dircks said. “The vast majority of them are under pressure to have an abortion, either from the baby’s father, from their parents or maybe even from others. Maybe even themselves if they’ve just gotten a new job or they just registered for school. There is a lot of coercion involved.”

With all the confusion in their lives, many pregnant women seek out life care centers such as North Side to help them walk through the maze of decisions they now face.

North Side counsels women to choose life, and one of its most effective tools for helping women to choose life is the ultrasound machine.

In late September, the organization dedicated its new ultrasound machine, replacing its old machine that was seven years old and failing. The new one cost $35,000, and the money was raised by private donors and through the Knights of Columbus. North Side raised half the amount of the newultrasound machine and through a program with the national Knights of Columbus organization, North Side’s $17,000 was matched.

“I call the ultrasound ‘our secret weapon,’” Dircks said. “That’s because once a woman sees her baby and hears the heartbeat, sees it move, I think that there is some bonding that is starting. So instead of wanting to get rid of this thing, now they know that it’s just not a blob of flesh—that there really is a baby there. Once a woman has an ultrasound, over 90 percent of them choose life.”

Scheduling the ultrasound is the second step North Side offers women who seek their help. Clients need to be six to eight weeks along in order for the ultrasound to work properly. The organization schedules ultrasounds on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Prior to the ultrasound, however, clients are given a free pregnancy test. Even though most of the women already know they are pregnant, they want the confirmation, Dircks said.

“We give them a pregnancy test, and then we give them counseling,” she said. “I would say it’s a very safe situation for them; it’s very kind, not judgmental, gentle, and they feel at ease and open up about what their situation is and what their needs are.”

North Side also offers prenatal care and helps clients register for medical assistance.

“Our support services don’t stop with just saving the baby,” Dircks said. “The reason we do prenatal is because most of the women are not used to going to the doctor. They have not had health insurance, and they don’t go once a year for their physical. And neither do their parents.”

In fact, Dircks noted, more than one million babies are born each year in the United States without prenatal care, and they want to help avoid the risks associated with that.

North Side also assists its clients during pregnancy with a variety of services.

“We call these women,” she said. “We make the appointments and then we call them to make sure that they are coming in. When they come in, we have a little lunch for them. We give them rewards for making their appointments. In the last month of their pregnancy, we give them a layettewhich has everything they need to bring that baby home from the hospital. So there are diapers, wipes, sleepers, blankets, shampoo, everything they need to bring that baby home. And they know they are going to get that. It’s quite an incentive to continue their medical care.”

Through its incentive-based Small Steps Program, North Side aims to help break the cycle of poverty that many of its clients experience.

“We’re trying to break the cycle and show women that they can achieve things and they can get out of the poverty cycle that maybe they’ve been in,” Dircks said. “A lot of them set their goal to get their GED, and they achieve it. Some of them do entrance exams for college, some get their driver’s license. Things that make it so they can take care of themselves, they can be more self sufficient, more self confident.”

Through all the women North Side has helped over the years, one of the blessings of its work is knowing that the women who choose to have their babies appreciate what North Side did for them. Dircks said that nearly all the women who choose life bring in their babies after they are born, and its offices are filled with photos of mothers and their children.

Dircks believes that caring for women—and doing what she does—entails caring about children as well.

When asked why the former corporate employee now works in the nonprofit world, Dircks said: “Because I really care about women. If you really care about women, you have to care about abortion and about taking care of them if they decide to keep their baby.”

ACTIONPOINT: On Thursday, Oct. 13, North Side Life Care Center will hold its third annual Banquet for Life featuring photographer Michael Clancy. For more information about the banquet or the work of North Side Life Care Center, visit www.northsidelifecare.org.

Would you attend a gay wedding? Here is one televangelist's thoughts...

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000-05:00

Please visit entire story here: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/televangelist-joel-osteen-to-piers-morgan-homosexuality-is-a-sin/

CHRISTIAN-THEMED MOVIE ‘COURAGEOUS’ RESONATES WITH AUDIENCES ACROSS AMERICA

2011-10-03T12:42:00.002-05:00

Full Article Here:http://www.theblaze.com/stories/christian-themed-movie-courageous-resonates-with-audiences-across-america/

Don't forget we are on Facebook...

2011-06-04T20:37:00.002-05:00

Please "friend" us HERE: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000327454867

CHRISTIAN WEATHERMAN SAYS HE WAS FIRED FOR OBJECTING TO RACY STRIPPER STORY

2011-05-08T17:10:00.001-05:00

Posted on May 6, 2011 at 2:44pm by Jonathon M. Seidl

A weatherman in California claims he was fired from an ABC affiliate after he objected to the station airing a story on successful local strip clubs. But he’s not just any weatherman — he‘s the station’s chief meteorologist.

According to a Facebook post, KERO-TV’s Jack Church says he was fired from the Bakersfield, CA news station after he voiced his concerns about the story that featured how local strip joints were doing well despite the down economy:

TV Spy posted a link to what is presumably the racy story, which aired at the end of last week. We actually found the story and have included it below (ironically introduced by two female newscasters):

TV Spy tried to reach out to the station for comment, but received no response as of publication.

Perhaps ironically (or intentionally), church’s current favorite quote listed on his Facebook page says, “When you lose a job it simply opens up endless opportunities.”

He is NOT here; He has RISEN!

2011-04-23T19:27:00.000-05:00

Matthew 28

Jesus Has Risen

¹ After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

¹¹ While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³ telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?

2011-04-21T17:28:00.003-05:00

Matthew 27:32-66

View commentary related to this passage

The Crucifixion

³² Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. ³³ And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). ³⁴ The soldiers gave him wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

³⁵ After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. ³⁶ Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. ³⁷ A sign was fastened to the cross above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” ³⁸ Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

³⁹ The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. ⁴⁰ “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

⁴¹ The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. ⁴² “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! ⁴³ He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁵ At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. ⁴⁶ At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

⁴⁷ Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. ⁴⁸ One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. ⁴⁹ But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, ⁵² and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. ⁵³ They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

⁵⁵ And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. ⁵⁶Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

⁵⁷ As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, ⁵⁸ went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. ⁶⁰ He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. ⁶¹ Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

The Guard at the Tomb

⁶² The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. ⁶³ They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ ⁶⁴So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

⁶⁵ Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” ⁶⁶ So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

60th Annual National Day of Prayer - A Question...

2011-04-21T17:17:00.000-05:00

This is a tale of two videos. First the theme for this year's National Day of Prayer.

And now the other video from You Tube.

Your thoughts on this?

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-06:00

Reflection, Review and Recommendation - ATTN: International & American Readers

2010-11-05T21:47:00.006-05:00

With the Election of 2010 now past (at least for the most part) we have reached a time of reflection on that chapter. It is wise to look back and assess how the CCM handled preparing and informing potential voters as well as making that information user friendly. So we would love to hear your feedback. You may do so anonymously if you choose and if so you can also add to your comments your city and state/country, or state/country, etc. to help us better estimate where our readers are located. (The detailed step-by-step instructions for "How to leave a comment" on a post here are listed on the far right hand column of the main page.)

We have visitors and readers from all over including many countries across the world. The CCM would like to hear from our INTERNATIONAL READERS as well as those in the United States of America.

It is our hope that everyone takes this opportunity to post opinions and observations. This will help us meet the current and future needs of those in all locations. We may not be able to implement all suggestions. However, we will certainly take each one under serious and prayerful consideration. The CCM appreciates you for sharing your time and thoughts with us.

Blessings!
Brittany M. Schommer
Director

Post-Election 2010

2010-11-04T17:00:00.005-05:00

Important Links/Information:

Election Results 2010 General Election - Statewide

2010 Election Results and Possible Recount in Governor's Race

**FYI: State Canvassing Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2010, State Office Building, Room 10

Real Clear Politics (National Results/Information)
.

Apathy or Action

2010-11-01T13:00:00.000-05:00

In the physical world our vote is the most powerful weapon of freedom we have been given. In the spiritual world prayer is our most powerful weapon. During elections we must remember not to neglect either one. We have a duty in both the physical world and in the spiritual one. These battles will continue long after the votes have been counted so it will remain imperative that we continue to pray and stay engaged.

The Christian Citizenship Ministry is here to help in everyway we can. But we cannot do it successfully without your involvement. When those elected are sworn in they will need our prayers and we will need to be vigilant about what they are doing as our leaders. Because Election Day is not the end of the story, it is only the end of a chapter.

What happens next depends on the choice we make; the choice between apathy and action.

"He who rules over men must be just,

ruling in the fear of God."

II Samuel 23:3

MN STATEWIDE Judicial Race - Appeals Court Judge Seat 14

2010-10-28T23:02:00.001-05:00

Larry Strauber - Candidate Website
Interview click HERE (* This website also has interviews with multiple candidates for many offices.)

Dan Griffith - Candidate Website

Interview click HERE

Statewide Candidates - Part 4: Governor

2010-10-28T22:27:00.001-05:00

The following offices and the candidates for them will be on ALL ballots in Minnesota come this Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd:

Governor and Lt. Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Auditor

We will continue this four part series with the candidates for the office of Governor.

Mark Dayton - Candidate Website (Democrat)

Tom Emmer - Candidate Website (Republican)

Tom Horner - Candidate Website (Independence)

Three full debate videos below:

**Don't forget more information is available within voter guides too. Those links are available in previous posts!

Statewide Candidates - Part 3: Attorney General

2010-10-28T21:30:00.000-05:00

The following offices and the candidates for them will be on ALL ballots in Minnesota come this Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd:

Governor and Lt. Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Auditor

We will continue this four part series with the candidates for the office of Attorney General.

Chris Barden - Candidate Website (Republican)

Lori Swanson - Candidate Website (Democrat)

Chris Barden Clips:

Lori Swanson Clips:

Lori Swanson begins at 1min 40sec:

**Don't forget more information is available within voter guides too. Those links are available in previous posts!

Statewide Candidates - Part 2: Secretary of State

2010-10-23T20:12:00.002-05:00

The following offices and the candidates for them will be on ALL ballots in Minnesota come this Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd:

Governor and Lt. Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Auditor

We will continue this four part series with the candidates for the office of Secretary of State.

Mark Richie - Candidate Website (Democrat)

Dan "Doc" Severson - Candidate Website (Republican)

**Don't forget more information is available within voter guides too. Those links are available in previous posts!

Statewide Candidates - Part 1: Auditor

2010-10-23T15:09:00.002-05:00

The following offices and the candidates for them will be on ALL ballots in Minnesota come this Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd:

Governor and Lt. Governor

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Auditor

We will begin this four part series with the candidates for the office of Auditor.

Pat Anderson: Campaign Website (Republican Party)

Rebecca Otto: Campaign Website (Democrat Party)

Annie Young: Campaign Website (Green Party)

Two debates are posted below.

**Don't forget more information is available within voter guides too. Those links are available in previous posts!

Major Political Party Websites of MN

2010-10-22T19:54:00.000-05:00

Democrat Party (DFL)

Independence Party

Republican Party (GOP)

MN Supreme Court Candidates Pt. 2

2010-10-21T20:26:00.009-05:00

Justice Helen Meyer is being challenged by Greg Wersal

Justice Alan Page is being challenged by Tim Tingelstad

Links for Helen Meyer:

http://www.mncourts.gov/default.aspx?page=31&ID=30010

http://helenmeyer.org/

For s0me information on Greg Wersal click HERE.

_____________________

Links for Alan Page:

http://www.mncourts.gov/default.aspx?page=31&ID=30009

http://alanpageforjustice.org

For s0me information on Tim Tingelstad click HERE.

Star Tribune Voter Guide: http://elections.startribune.com/myvote/pf.php

Note From The Director

2010-10-21T19:38:00.006-05:00

We do our best here at the CCM to be as up front and honest as possible on all topics. While our site may seem slanted at times I can assure you it is not due to any partisanship. It would be only due to the more Biblically based views held by those people, websites, etc. we post about.

One of our goals is to provide a wide variety of information for you to do your own research (located mainly in the center column) but we will often offer commentary as well. This will be offered from us as a group or directly from myself. While I reserve the rights to my freedom of speech when I speak on behalf of the CCM I do so with non-partisan motives.

I feel the need to address this issue at this time due to the current Judicial races here in Minnesota. There are several candidates that are very vocal about their beliefs and have gone on record about many topics. This makes my job much easier. Unfortunately, these candidates are all endorsed by the Republican Party (although at least one was also endorsed by the Constitution and Libertarian Parties). On our next post we will be linking to at least one website for each MN Supreme Court candidate but the amount and quality of information may not be even. This is not acceptable to us. Nevertheless, in a situation such as this there is little that can be done.

When candidates choose not to campaign similarly to their opponents it makes offering you similar comparisons difficult. We always welcome your e-mails, posts or comments on our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to provide us with additional information and links!

Blessings!

Brittany M. Schommer

Director

MN Supreme Court Candidates

2010-10-20T21:43:00.005-05:00

Here are two of the four candidates for the MN Supreme Court. They are not running against each other but both have an opponent for the seat they are seeking.

MORE INFORMATION ON THESE RACES TO COME SOON...

Greg Wersal (who is challenging Incumbent Helen Meyer)

Tim Tingelstad (who is challenging Incumbent Alan Page)

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.mnvoter.com/

Congressman Gets State Election Commission to Shut Down Pro-Life Organization

2010-10-15T18:09:00.003-05:00

Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Unhappy that a pro-life group wanted to run billboards against him because he violated his pro-life views and voted for the abortion-funding ObamaCare health care bill, Ohio congressman Steve Driehaus has successfully pressured the state elections commission to shut down the Susan B. Anthony List...

CONTINUE ARTICLE HERE:

http://lifenews.com/state5553.html

VOTER GUIDES

2010-10-12T17:40:00.003-05:00

Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life

League of Women Voters

MORE COMING SOON......

It's STILL the Social Issues, Stupid

2010-10-05T20:16:00.002-05:00

By Shane Vander Hart

Published October 04, 2010 | FoxNews.com

“It’s the social issues, stupid.” With the growing list of Republican leaders wanting to throw social conservatism under the bus, I must harken back to the affinity of President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign catch phrase. Okay, I know that the line then was, "It's the economy, stupid." And it’s still easy to think about that when, by nature we tend to think with our wallets.

Today, it’s also easy to believe that issues like abortion and marriage are on the periphery in light of longer unemployment lines, an exploding national debt and Obamacare.

To think economic issues should be a major campaign theme is understandable, but to fly the white flag of surrender is quite another. It is nonsensical to declare a truce on social issues when so much is at stake, and we have a strong upper hand.

We now have a majority of Americans who consider themselves pro-life. All thirty-one states that have had the marriage issue on the ballot have voted in favor of traditional marriage. Last month a Rasmussen poll found that only 33% of Americans agreed that taxpayer money should be used for embryonic stem cell research –and that on an issue that the left once thought would be their Trojan horse.

Our leadership’s inclinations are particularly troubling from my perspective in Iowa. Here, Republicans overwhelmingly (at a whopping 77% in a Des Moines Register poll in June) want to vote to overturn our Supreme Court’s ruling striking down our Defense of Marriage Act. In the midst of this debate, it is disconcerting to hear national Republican leaders and conservative pundits say they want to abandon the marriage issue.

I’m not suggesting that we should determine our principles based on poll findings. Our principles should rest, just as the Declaration does, on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” Our Founders further recognized this, enshrining those principles and our rights in the Constitution. As John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Its great premise is that the supreme sovereign in this country is the people themselves.

Those in leadership should know that you can only have good governance and sound fiscal policy when you have sound social policy, but this gets ignored to our society’s detriment.

This summer, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels called for a truce on social issues. Recently, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said that candidates who do anything but focus on economic issues are “taking [their] eye[s] off the ball” and are “running down rabbit trails.” He went on to say that a candidate’s stance on abortion, “ain’t going to change anybody’s vote this year."

Therein lays the problem with the current Republican establishment. They don’t want to fight the good fight. The only value they hold true and virtue they proclaim is winning. Are the candidates “electable”?

Look at how the Republican establishment, in particular the Beltway establishment, has acted in contested primaries: One of the most egregious examples we have seen is the recent Delaware GOP Senate primary.

Christine O’Donnell who is both a fiscal and social conservative ran against a 30-year establishment fixture in Representative Mike Castle. The establishment coalesced around Castle, loaded up on opposition research, and attacked O’Donnell because of her financial struggles – something that too many Americans can relate to.

Even after she won the primary she’s still being called out as “unelectable,” and the Republican Senatorial Committee refuses to spend any money on the race. They are so blinded by a desire to declare a victory; they don’t see that mainstream Americans want principled leadership and spinal fortitude, something they don’t offer.

The political class always want to set the agenda, and in the recent past, they have. What they fail to realize is that the ultimate sovereigns, “We the People,” now set the agenda. We want more than electability. We want principles. We want leaders with conviction.

The Beltway politicos and the Republican establishment nationwide have much to learn about the will of their constituents, and they have very little time to learn it. Will they listen to the people and show enough spinal fortitude to earn our votes? Will they join what is fast becoming a conservative revolution? We’ll see in November.

Shane Vander Hart is the Iowa Communications Director for American Principles Project’s Preserve Innocence Initiative and is also the editor of CaffeinatedThoughts.com, a popular conservative blog based in Iowa.

See You At The Pole 2010

2010-09-08T21:45:00.002-05:00

Standing as a Sentinel

2010-06-21T19:35:00.000-05:00

The Congressional Prayer Caucus flexes its muscles

by Adam Colwell

Virginia Congressman Randy Forbes just wants to make sure faith and religion have a seat at the table in the nation’s Capitol.

He reaffirmed that commitment in his role as founder and chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus during an interview earlier this month on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk radio broadcast.

The Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization created to help protect American’s freedom to publicly pray and express faith in God, and restore Judeo-Christian principles to a more visible place in the marketplace of ideas – all with the ultimate goal of working alongside members of Congress to unify the nation to trust God again.

The Congressional Prayer Caucus, an official caucus of the U.S. Congress, exists to formally acknowledge the important role that faith in God and prayer plays in American life and history and to stand as a sentinel to guard the right of individuals in America to publicly pray and express faith in God.

Forbes and fellow Prayer Caucus members believe there is a concerted effort to expunge every vestige of God from government and the influence that the Christian faith had on establishing the principles upon which American liberties were secured. The Caucus finds the U.S. Supreme Court’s continued bias towards secularism – defined as the rejection or exclusion of religion or religious influence – and against Christianity’s influence in public discourse creates a hostile environment for citizens that desire complete freedom of expression in regards to their faith’s role in public discourse and shaping public policy. The Caucus has also concluded that this bias has created an environment in public education where the historical facts regarding the role Christian faith played in forming the Republic has been all but eliminated.

In May, Forbes and some 30 other Congressmen defended the National Day of Prayer event held at the Cannon House building when protesters tried to keep it from happening. Last month, Forbes also introduced a bipartisan resolution to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States.

In his radio interview with Dr. Dobson, Forbes said “anti-faith” groups around the country are fundraising aggressively and earmarking those monies to target one particular lawsuit or issue in hopes of achieving a precedent. Forbes exhorted believers in Christ to be bold and let their national leaders and others know that there is not just the anti-faith voice, but people of faith that are standing up as well against this growing attack against Christianity and efforts to eliminate all references to the Christian faith.

The Congressional Prayer Caucus has obtained a specific room in the U.S. Capitol, Room 219, in which Congressional members can convene before every session to pray for the country. This room is a place where members of Congress also meet weekly to seek the face and hand of God for Divine wisdom and intervention in our government affairs.

The Caucus has three defining objectives:

1. Uniting Americans to pray for the nation. A number of states have begun to form prayer caucuses, including Mississippi and Virginia.

2. Sustaining, supporting, and equipping Godly leaders who are determined to have God and His principles influence every aspect of our culture.

3. Sparking an intellectual awakening regarding the principles and values illuminated in the nation’s founding documents.

As we thank God for the role the Congressional Prayer Caucus is playing, let’s also pray for our nation, that:

- Bless our land and forgive us for the many ways in which we’ve departed from His ideals for this country.

- Use America to bring God’s Word and His message of love to other nations and cultures in need of Him.

- Revive within us, as a people, a desire for the Lord and for the things which please Him, so that we may be used to impact others to His glory.

- Bring strength and hope to the United States as we continue to deal with trial and loss resulting from war, violence and natural disaster.

Adam Colwell is a freelance writer and Chief Editor of The Presidential Prayer Team website. Active in Christian para-church ministry for over 25 years, he and his wife Ginger have two daughters and live in Tucson, AZ.

"I Surrender All"

2010-05-18T13:39:00.005-05:00

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

The National Day of Prayer 2010 - NEXT THURSDAY MAY 6th

2010-04-27T12:59:00.004-05:00

The following are quick links to various ways to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Whether you are at a computer, on a phone or on the move – the following options will connect you with millions who are joining coast to coast in prayer for America on May 6.

Find an event in your area – Tens of thousands of gatherings are taking place around the nation so search our event listing now for details.

Prayer Requests
Submit a prayer request in the NDP Prayer Community – No registration required to use. Just click and type.

Our iPhone Prayer Wall is also available.

6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST National Prayer Call: You can join in a nationwide conference call to pray with others across America on Thursday, May 6th. In partnership with Greater Calling and the National Prayer Committee, we will be hosting a day of non-stop prayer via conference call. Simply dial (712)432-0232 and when prompted, type in the access code 7729# (pray). You will be placed in a conference room with anywhere from 2 to 96 people.

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon EST Watch the National Observance LIVE from Washington D.C. via webcast or Direct TV channel 365.
View the LIVE Webcast>
List of television stations>

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST Join the International House of Prayer in Kansas City for LIVE Prayer via webcast. View the streaming video now>

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. EST LIVE Prayer Chat: Dialog and Pray with the National Day of Prayer Task Force in Washington D.C. using the Our Prayer network. Click here to enter the chat rooms>

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST Watch a National Day of Prayer Observance LIVE from Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House featuring Ricky Skaggs and friends.
View event schedule>

Also, be sure to submit a Prayer Request on the Tangle.com Prayer Wall

Marriage & Family Lobby Day @ Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda

2010-04-22T02:02:00.002-05:00

Minnesota Family Council Action Alert

Marriage and Family Lobby Day at Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
Thursday, May 6, 2010, 2 pm to 4 pm
Following National Day of Prayer Observance at State Capitol

April 21, 2010

Dear Friend,

As you are aware, the institution of marriage is under continued assault in our state and nation. In the current Minnesota legislative session 5 bills legalizing homosexual marriage in Minnesota received committee hearings. Senator John Marty, author of the Senate bill, said he looks to see homosexual marriage legalized in Minnesota in 2011!

It is important state legislators hear from people on the importance of marriage and protecting the family from legislative threats. You are invited to join the Minnesota Family Council (MFC) in the state Capitol rotunda on May 6 at 2:00 p.m. for a lobby day gathering on marriage and the family. This will follow the National Day of Prayer event scheduled to start at 11:30 am in front of the State Capitol.

Speakers during the Lobby Day gathering will discuss the marriage issue as well as other legislative threats to parental rights and the family, e.g. domestic partnerships, surrogacy agreements, and comprehensive sex education.

Please join us on May 6th and help protect marriage and family values in Minnesota! Attend the National Day of Prayer Gathering at 11:30 am and the Marriage and Family Lobby Day at 2 pm.

Support God's Design for Marriage and the Family!

Click here to volunteer to be a prayer warrior, make and display signs or talk to your legislator. For more information call or e-mail Jim Hansen at jim@mfc.org or 612-789-8811 ext. 211.

Please forward this message to family and friends.

Thanks for standing up for marriage!

Tom Prichard

Minnesota Family Council

It's 2010; Do you know where your Freedom of Speech is?

2010-04-18T23:42:00.003-05:00

After reading this article, regardless of anyone's feelings towards those personally mentioned, it should make every American shiver.

Published on NewsBusters.org (http://newsbusters.org)

Time’s Klein: Beck, Palin Potentially Committing Sedition against U.S. Government; Heilemann Adds Limbaugh

By Jeff Poor

Created 04/18/2010 - 19:29

Liberals are all too often eager to charge conservative personalities of using hyperbole to gain a political advantage, especially when it contradicts their world view - whether it's suggesting the Obama administration is taking the country down the path of socialism, fascism or any other -ism.

However, it could be argued there's a different set of standards for those same people when they want to make strong charges. On NBC's April 18 "The Chris Matthews Show," Time columnist Joe Klein all but accused former GOP vice-presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, along with Fox News host Glenn Beck of sedition.

"I did a little bit of research just before this show - it's on this little napkin here. I looked up the definition of sedition which is conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of the state. And a lot of these statements, especially the ones coming from people like Glenn Beck and to a certain extent Sarah Palin, rub right up close to being seditious."

As Klein pointed out, the legal definition of sedition [1] is "a revolt or an incitement to revolt against established authority." And, sedition has been declared a felony in Supreme Court opinions [2], thus making Klein's national television accusation a fairly serious one, one of which New York magazine's John Heilemann agreed with. However, Heilemann added conservative talker Rush Limbaugh to that list.

"And Joe's right and I'll name another person, I'll name Rush Limbaugh who uses this phrase constantly and talks about the Obama administration as a regime," Heilemann said. "That phrase which has connotations of tyranny. And what's so interesting about it to me, to get to Norah's point - what is the focus, what is the cause of this? You think back to 1994, there was Ruby Ridge. There was Waco. There were triggering incidents. There's been nothing like that. The only thing that's changed in the last 15 months is the election of Barack Obama. And as far as I can see, in terms of the policies that Obama has implemented, there's nothing."

Heilemann also suggested that the alleged up tick in militia activity is a result of the Obama presidency. Klein said it was not only the Obama presidency, but that he was "African-American," and had "Hussein" as a middle name, along with the "scary" economic crisis.

"Two are two things going on here and one thing is certainly that," Klein said. "One thing is he is African-American, but that his name is Barack Hussein Obama. The other we've had a very scary economic crisis. And when people get scared, they get defensive and they get a little crazy."

Source URL:
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2010/04/18/time-s-klein-beck-palin-potentially-committing-sedition-against-u-s-gover

Links:
[1] http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sedition
[2] http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0350_0497_ZO.html

PAGA

2010-04-17T21:37:00.007-05:00

I have to admit that to me it sounds like "ta-da!" You know, something you would hear a magician or a three year old say after doing something exciting. And when you think about it, that's exactly what it is. God's "ta-da!"

I'm going to use the explanation of what Paga is from the Paga Ministry page for Celebration Church on Facebook. It says; Paga (Hebrew in origin) is word meaning to encounter, to meet, to reach, and to make intercession. It is a face-to-face or cheek-to-cheek meeting with God and us that will release the power of God and enforce the victory of Jesus through Reconciliation, Healing, Deliverance and much more...

Short version, prayer with worship and the Word but you won't leave the same way you came. It's an experience worth making time to come for whether or not you attend Celebration Church!

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 7pm @ Celebration Church and the following Fridays: April 30, June 25 and August 27 from 8pm to Midnight please join us in the sanctuary for an intimate experience with God...PAGA!

God's "ta-da!"

Feds say Border Patrol vehicles being 'cloned' by Mexican smugglers

2010-04-13T00:40:00.007-05:00

By: Sara A. Carter - April 12, 2010
National Security Correspondent

Federal agents along the Texas border were warned by the Department of Homeland Security that Mexican drug cartels are using "cloned" Border Patrol vehicles to smuggle drugs into the United States, according to documents obtain by the Washington Examiner.

The DHS report was sent to Border Patrol officials in Webb County, Texas, in March. It asked Border Patrol agents and local law enforcement officials to be on alert for "a suspected cloned marked Crown Victoria" the same vehicle type used by the agents.

The alert was part of a "significant incident report," which contains information that is not to be made public or released to the media. A U.S. law enforcement Official, with knowledge of drug cartel operations along the border, said "cloned vehicles pose a significant problem for both law enforcement and citizens."

He said, "It's especially dangerous since attacks against federal and local law enforcement agents has increased over the past year. The cartels are finding more innovative ways to move across the border and we have to be one step ahead of them."

The danger has increased for federal agents on the border, figures showed.

Steven Cribby, spokesman for the DHS, said assaults on Border Patrol agents are up "16 percent compared to last year." One federal law enforcement official said incursions over the border from Mexico involving fake Border Patrol vehicles have happened for years. He recalled a chase in which U.S. law enforcement officials pursued a cloned Border Patrol vehicle transporting narcotics until it recrossed the border.

"There was very little we could do once the vehicle crossed back into Mexico," he said. Some federal law enforcement officials said intelligence indicates that Mexican law enforcement officials who have been corrupted by payments from drug cartels are assisting in cross-border drug smuggling.

"We don't know who to trust anymore," one federal official said. "The problem gets more pronounced when some actual Mexican law enforcement or military are working for the cartels."

Texas law enforcement authorities have been complaining that incursions across the border by Mexican police are occurring more frequently, according to Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas. According to Poe, those incursions, "represent how dangerously porous our border still really is."

Poe, who serves on the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime Terrorism, and Homeland Security and Judiciary's Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law Membership, said he will call for hearings on border security.

"People who say that the violence on the border won't come into the U.S. live in never-never land," he said. "They don't see what's happening now. We should not wait until something tragic happens before we do something about it."

scarter@washingtonexaminer.com

Still Looking for that Silver Bullet

2010-04-04T21:31:00.002-05:00

4-1-10

by Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality

Pornography could become even more prevalent on the Internet.

Horror stories seem to share a common premise: An unholy monster terrorizes ordinary folks who need some special magic – a wooden stake or a silver bullet – to completely and finally put an end to the foul beast.

It appears that the dot-xxx top-level domain has this same unholy ability to survive. Having already been killed several times over, ICM Registry Inc., and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) have again resurrected plans to create a dot-xxx domain.

The concerns of pro-family groups have not changed in ten years. Those concerns are:

dot-xxx will create an entirely new pornographic realm on the Internet. Proliferating pornography will not protect children from pornography. It will only increase the risk of exposure. Pornographers will not be required to abandon their dot-com Web sites.
Creating a dot-xxx domain confers legitimacy to a largely criminal industry. It’s like creating a free-market zone for drug dealers or prostitutes to operate more effectively.
There are state and federal laws already in place prohibiting the sale or distribution of hard-core pornography, but many Internet sites currently violate those laws. Will they adhere to the regulations of a dot-xxx domain, especially without the force of law behind them?
Moving pornographic content to a dot-xxx domain might hamper law enforcement efforts. The problem will be seen as settled and further ignored.

ICM has been ruthlessly pushing this idea for years. ICM President Stuart Lawley told Computer Business Review that his company hopes to register half a million sites, generating about $30 million annually.

You've heard the saying about herding cats? Try ensuring 500,000 porn sites aren't breaking rules. Lawley told Family News in Focus that he plans to hire third-party contractors to make sure all sites correctly employ adult content ratings (meta-tags), but will rely on the complaint process to identify sites peddling child pornography.

In other words, the porn viewers themselves will police the new domain.

Worse, there will be "a nonprofit foundation that will include all stakeholders including child protection advocates, free speech advocates and members of the adult entertainment community that will receive $10 per domain per year," according to Lawley.

With half a million Web sites, this foundation will receive $5 million per year. Lawley told Family News in Focus that "a lot of that money will be spent on parental awareness … [and] child education in the classroom on a national basis to make sure the people know what triple X is and, if they choose to, how to deploy filters and how to make those filters more successful."

Now we're going to protect children by "making sure they know what triple X is”?

Lawley also assures us that a dot-xxx domain "allows the responsible members of the adult entertainment community to identify themselves as such and … go about their business without fear of persecution."

That persecution, presumably, is the pressure from pro-family groups to enforce federal obscenity laws. Fear that the porn industry would finally be free from prosecution is precisely why the common folks from this nation and around the world have fought so tirelessly to kill the dot-xxx beast.

If a silver bullet exists, it will be found among the public comments generated from average folks.

Please take a moment to register your concerns with ICANN and then invite your friends and family to do the same. Send an email to icm-options-report@icann.org.

Link for this article here: http://www.citizenlink.org/clcommentary/A000012371.cfm

The Heat is On: Congressman’s Office Says Constituent Calls Are ‘Harassment’

2010-03-19T11:53:00.001-05:00

by Capitol Confidential

Yesterday, I decided to call Rep. John Garamendi’s (CA-10) office in Washington, D.C. He’s my representative and I wanted to voice my opposition to the Senate Health Care Bill. I spoke with a female staffer and politely told her that, while I support health care reform, I oppose the Senate Bill because it wasn’t true “reform.” She said the Congressman thinks it’s a good bill and that he campaigned on health care reform. I told her I knew that. I also mentioned that I voted for him. When I tried to give her specific reasons why the Senate Bill would harm our system rather than reform it, she refused to listen. She said she was very busy and hung up on me. Being the persistent person that I am, I kept calling back. Each time I tried to finish my point, she hung up.

I called one more time. This time she said, “If you call one more time, we will notify Capital Police.” I asked why my conduct warranted involving federal law enforcement agents. She said I was “harassing” her. I tried to explain that trying to convince a representative to change his or her vote didn’t constitute “harassment.” Before I could fully explain, she hung up again.

I called back. This time, I asked to speak to her supervisor in order to report her repeated hanging up as well as the threat she made. I was placed on hold. Thinking I was holding for her supervisor, I was shocked when a Federal Agent with the Capital Police picked-up the telephone.

At first, the Agent was curt with me. He claimed I was harassing Mr. Garamendi’s staff by continually calling after being told to stop calling. I asked him when it became a federal crime to lobby a congressman. He said that it wasn’t but it was a crime to “harass” congressional members and staff pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 223. I told him I was an attorney (which I am) and that I would research the statute he had cited.

After researching 47 U.S.C. 223, I called Mr. Garamendi’s office again and asked to be transferred back to the Capital Police Agent. The Agent picked up the phone and I explained to him that the statute he cited was not controlling since it only prohibits people from calling with the specific intent to harass. I further explained that I was simply trying to voice my concerns with the intent of getting Mr. Garamendi to change his mind, not to harass his staff. The Agent eventually agreed with my position and said he would call Mr. Garamendi’s office and instruct his staff that I was within my rights to call my congressman and voice my concerns.

After I hung up, I realized that this story should be told. Besides being an attorney, I’ve also had the privilege of serving this great country in the United States Marine Corps. Having seen the ugly legislative process the Senate Bill had been through, I saw this as not just another tactic to pass the Senate Bill at all costs, but also as an affront to our liberties.

While I’m fortunate enough to be able to legally challenge what happened today, others aren’t. The sad part is the democrats know this. They know that Americans unfamiliar with federal jurisprudence can easily be silenced when threats to involve federal agents are made. They know that most Americans don’t want trouble and they’ll go away rather than face the possibility of having to explain themselves to federal agents. That’s why I found this tactic appalling, as a Marine, as an attorney and as a proud American.

During my final contact with Mr. Garamendi’s staff, it was confirmed to me that he would vote for the Senate Bill no matter what. I was told that I was wasting my time by calling. Mr. Garamendi is a junior member of the House of Representatives. He was just elected via a special election last November. He has made it clear that he is willing to forsake his constituents in order to please the Speaker of the House.

Speaker Pelosi has said that she will stop at nothing to get the Senate Bill passed. She publicly stated that she would “pole vault over a wall” if barriers stood in her way. While that may be an amusing spectacle, it is indicative of what happened to me today. Apparently, threatening Americans with federal crimes to silence them is the latest tool in Speaker Pelosi’s dirty bag of tricks.

In the coming days, I’m sure more stories will develop illustrating the “win at all costs” tactics being employed by democrats. It’s these tactics that have appalled a majority of Americans to the point that the Senate Bill has overwhelmingly been rejected by the American people. When we try to explain that to Speaker Pelosi’s Caucus, we are threatened with criminal sanctions. We are told to shut up or face federal agents. Such treatment may be acceptable in the former Soviet Union, but it’s repulsive in the country I love and served. Is this hope and change?

Article found at http://biggovernment.com/capitolconfidential/2010/03/19/the-heat-is-on-congressmans-office-says-constituent-calls-are-harassment/

GET INVOLVED This Saturday...

2010-03-11T20:24:00.004-06:00

WHAT: Rally Protesting Planned Vote on ObamaCare

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Upper Mall of Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

WHO: Minnesota Congressional Representatives and Advocacy Group Leaders. Speakers include:

• Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• Congressman John Kline
• Twila Brase, CCHC
• Ed Morrissey, Hot Air Blog
• Dr. Lee Kurisko, M.D.
• Barb Davis-White, Congressional Candidate
• Emceed by Sue Jeffers, KTLK Radio

Even though every major poll clearly shows a supermajority of Americans oppose the current health care ‘reform’ bill, Nancy Pelosi is planning to jam the bill through Congress with a vote scheduled for March 18.

If you care about preserving your right to make health care decisions for you and your family, please be sure to come to Saturday’s rally. Bring a sign demonstrating your opposition to the bill.

For additional details, visit www.MinnesotaMajority.org.

Sponsored by Minnesota Majority, Citizens Council on Health Care, Twin Cities Tea Party Patriots and Taxpayers League of Minnesota

'Dolphins are people, too'

2010-03-08T20:41:00.001-06:00

Peter Heck - Guest Columnist - OneNewsNow.com
3/8/2010 8:40:00 AM

One of the most serious consequences coming from our society's collective abandonment of the Judeo-Christian ethic handed down to us from our Founders is our startling tendency to drift from truth into utter confusion. While the biblical worldview provides a solid foundation upon which to build our respect for life, liberty and property, its emerging replacement – moral relativism – offers only the passing whims and fancies of whichever political and cultural fad is currently in vogue.

Take for example what recently occurred at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The fascinating topic of conversation (please note the sarcasm) was the ethical and policy implications of dolphin intelligence. In other words, should we grant dolphins some form of human rights that would protect them to a greater degree than other animals?

All of these over-educated folks gave powerful testimony of how the dolphin brain was very large and advanced. Lori Marino of Emory University pointed out that beyond just size, the dolphin brain is incredibly developed and, "stack(s) up quite well to human brains."

But it was Thomas White of Loyola Marymount University who stole the show and demonstrated just how dangerously confused our society is becoming. According to ScienceNOW magazine, White "made the argument that dolphins aren't merely like people – they may actually be people, or at least, 'nonhuman persons' as he described them."

Evidently White made the suggestion that since dolphins meet virtually all the criteria that philosophers agree help us define humanity (living, aware of environment, demonstrate emotions), it should logically be accepted that dolphins are people too. Of course, if this is the criteria that must be met for personhood to be granted, one could make a strong case for apes, baboons, dogs, cats, rabbits, and a whole host of other animals to be put on the same philosophical plane as humans. Oddly enough, the same geniuses who want dolphins to be protected with personhood rights are the very ones who vehemently deny baby humans in the womb those same rights.

This would be unbelievable if it weren't so predictable. This nonsense is the logical end to an illogical worldview. It is exactly what to expect when your culture has torn itself free from any foundational moorings.

The biblical worldview is clear: man is God's crowning achievement in all of creation. He is a being created in the very image of God, and therefore is to be valued and protected to a much greater degree than other beings in the creaturely realm. This position of superiority allows him to exercise dominion and dominance over all other living things. A "person" then is not merely the fulfillment of some philosophical checklist, but rather is a distinction given only to those who bear the image of the Creator. Sorry Flipper, you don't make the cut.

Now, this reality in no way justifies or excuses unbridled cruelty to animals. While human beings are the highest form of life, the biblical mandate of stewardship is binding. It demands that we use those things put under our dominion wisely and appropriately. Making an argument against dolphin slaughter is therefore completely legitimate and warranted. But basing that argument on the idiotic proposition that dolphins are people certainly isn't.

Yet that is the direction we are being taken by the towering intellects of pop culture. They find the notion of a Creator unenlightened and therefore seek to build a cultural worldview solely upon the shifting sands of prevailing popular opinion and totally removed from the concept of a transcendent moral authority.

But when you begin with the assumption that there is no Creator, the distinction of humanity quickly gets lost in a fog of philosophy. We blur lines that should otherwise appear clearly visible and get caught up in strange and bizarre arguments that lack any substantive grounding.

The end result is a society that would grant dolphins and apes the unalienable right to life while denying baby humans in the womb the same. That is the very definition of confusion...tragic confusion.

For Those Against The Current "HealthCare" Bill - A Way to Get Involved!

2010-03-08T01:47:00.002-06:00

	WHAT:	Rally Protesting Planned Vote on ObamaCare
	WHEN:	Saturday, March 13 Noon – 1:00 p.m.
	WHERE:	Upper Mall of Minnesota State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155
	WHO:	Minnesota Congressional Representatives and Advocacy Group Leaders. Speakers include: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann Twila Brase, CCHC Others (to be confirmed)

Although every major poll clearly shows a supermajority of Americans oppose the current health care ‘reform’ bill, Nancy Pelosi is planning to ram the bill through Congress with a vote scheduled for March 18.

If you care about preserving your right to make health care decisions for you and your family, please be sure to come to Saturday’s rally. Bring a sign demonstrating your opposition to the bill.

PPT UPDATE: America born as a Christian nation?‏

2010-03-08T00:47:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite things to do is read what the Founding Fathers and their contemporaries thought and had to say when our nation was being born.

A French dignitary, Alexis de Tocqueville, is one such figure. His tour of America in 1831-1833 to research our prisons and justice system had a lasting effect on him, causing him to write his hallmark Democracy in America. For a child raised in the politically tumultuous country of revolutionary France, this expansive volume was the result of his fascination with our government and its founding.

His research and observations uncovered many things about our young country, not the least of which was his realization that a belief in God played a very critical role in its birth. "The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds," he wrote, "that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other."

Yet Alexis also had a warning:

Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot. How is it possible that society should escape destruction if the moral tie is not strengthened in proportion as the political tie is relaxed? And what can be done with a people who are their own masters if they are not submissive to the Deity?As you read more about Our Nation's Godly Heritage , will you consider what focus should be made as we continue to move through history as a nation?

It is so exciting to see what an impact the Prayer Wall is making - since its debut last week, over three hundred prayers for our president and other leadership have been posted, with thousands of people praying for them.

Come over and check out the Wall for yourself right now and see what the impact of prayer can be for the nation.

In the meanwhile, please check out these updates on the site right now:

Washington, D.C., Ushers in Same-Sex Marriage

2010-03-02T21:12:00.000-06:00

Article from CitizenLink: staff reports

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to intervene; marriage licenses will be handed out Wednesday.

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Washington, D.C., marriage battle, which means same-sex couples can get married in the District of Columbia beginning Wednesday.

The Alliance Defense Fund had filed an appeal Monday with Chief Justice John Roberts over the District's refusal to let the people vote on the issue of marriage.

In December, the D.C. City Council overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage; the law is set to go into effect Wednesday. The U.S. Congress oversees the District, but has not taken action on the new law.

Marriage advocates want D.C. voters to decide the definition of marriage.

"The people have a right to have the final say on any law regarding marriage passed by the D.C. Council," said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund. "The D.C. Charter makes that right clear, and officials should not be ignoring the right of the people to vote for or against the new definition of marriage fabricated by the council.

"The district's marriage-redefinition law shouldn't go into effect until voters have the opportunity to vote on a critical matter that affects everyone in the district."

Today's Supreme Court ruling does not end the initiative already begun in the District to overturn the law.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst at Focus on the Family Action, is blogging on D.C. marriage at DriveThru.

Gay marriage bills debated in House committee

2010-03-02T20:57:00.002-06:00

by Paul Demko
Published: February 22,2010 Time posted: 7:26 pm

The debate over gay marriage was back at the Capitol on Monday afternoon. A trio of bills relating to same-sex unions were heard before the House’s Civil Justice committee.

A proposal introduced by Rep. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis, would allow two consenting adults to enter into “civil union contracts,” regardless of their gender. Another bill, put forth by Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, would recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states as legally valid in Minnesota.

But the most far-reaching legislation would legalize gay marriage by removing gender-based terminology in existing state statute. The measure was introduced by Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, more than a year ago and has 22 other Democratic co-sponsors. Kahn noted in advocating for the bill that she’s probably been married longer than any other current legislator at the Capitol.

“I just want to personally state that I think allowing other people to get married poses absolutely no threat to my marriage,”Kahn told the committee. “The legislative session is probably a little more damaging.”

Chris and Ryan Dolan were the first witnesses to testify in support of gay marriage. The couple, who got married in Toronto, brought along their adopted infant daughter, Olivia, to the hearing. Chris Dolan pointed out that the couple is penalized financially because gay marriage is outlawed in Minnesota, including by having to pay higher costs for health and life insurance policies.

“I can’t state this any clearer: the failure of this state to recognize our marriage is financially hurting our marriage” said Chris, an attorney at Faegre & Benson. “Why is the state of Minnesota making it more difficult for us to provide OIivia with a stable home?”

Dale Carpenter, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, prefaced his testimony by stating that he’s a lifelong conservative Republican. He argued that marriage is a powerful legal institution that encourages healthy, monogamous relationships — whether gay or straight.

“There have been no negative effects on heterosexual families or on children raised in those families,” Carpenter testified of the increasing prevalence of gay marriage. “No slippery slope to polygamy or anything else.”

But opponents of same-sex unions also had their say. Teresa Collett, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas, argued that gay marriage would damage society in eight specific ways. Among the harmful effects, according to Collett: retaliation against individuals who oppose homosexual unions and elimination of tax-exempt status for churches that fail to sanction such marriages.

“Make no mistake, marriage as a civil institution, as a legal institution, is grounded not merely in religion, but in the biological reality that sex makes children and children need a mom and a dad,” she said.

Barb Davis White, an African American who is running for Congress in the 5th Congressional District, argued that gay sex is physically dangerous and that children need both a mother and father in their lives.

“Rosa Parks didn’t move to the front of the bus to support sodomy,” she said.

No votes were taken on the bills and no additional hearings are scheduled.

Article posted at politicsinminnesota.com/blog/2010/02/gay-marriage-bills-debated-in-house-committee/

What does a man having sex with a table and 100,000 Condoms for Olympians, including the United States own Curling team's brand, have in common?

2010-02-22T22:18:00.004-06:00

Man caught having sex with table gets 6 months

Cold days, hot nights: Olympic Village secrets

It is difficult to read these articles and not see some of the effects of the moral sink hole we continue to allow ourselves and our culture to fall into. Or perhaps jump into. It can come in our lives in the forms of movies, TV shows, music or seemingly innocent conversations. Today it's becoming increasingly more politically incorrect to stand for Biblical principles and against these social "norms." What would we say if someone asked, "Hey have you seen _____ movie yet? It was really funny!" or "What did you think about that ______ episode last night?" So we often find ourselves watching many of these movies and TV shows and sometimes ignoring our better judgment. It's easy to say things like, well I know the difference between right and wrong and I'm not letting the kids watch, so it's not a big deal.

What effects do what we see and hear have on our lives? Where do you draw that line? Sure there is a point one can go overboard but we must guard our hearts and minds. That is where studying the Bible and having a solid Church comes in. Even these basic foundations are under attack daily.

The real trick is how effectively the Devil can use that almost invisible first crack he makes in our moral armor. Once that crack develops it becomes increasingly more difficult to heal (if we even recognize it). Often we fall into the Devil's lie that it doesn't even exist until it gets so out of control we have lost everything.

Another lie we need to avoid is believing that this doesn't really effect us "Christians." But the Bible warns us repeatedly about this destructive attitude. For example in 1 Corinthians 10:12 it says, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" So I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce a ministry called Pure Intimacy.

Blessings,
Brittany M. Schommer
Director

Pure Intimacy is an online ministry of Focus on the Family that recognizes the pain of pornography and sexual brokenness and offers the hope of healing and restoration. We are committed to the idea that God loves us and wants to help us when we are hurting. We also believe that God’s design for healthy sexuality is liberating for those tired of living with sexual confusion or pain. Our site is designed for parents, pastors, counselors and strugglers alike. We hope anyone pursuing God’s best in their life–or helping others do the same–will find Pure Intimacy’s guidance and help in the area of sexual redemption to be a comforting and useful. We invite you to take a look around.

Pure Intimacy was designed to be accessible and easy to navigate, with sections addressing a variety of audiences and needs.

Pornography & addiction
This section contains a focal point in our ministry – helping people understand and struggle free from the harms of pornography and roots of addiction. While most articles here address pornography use, they also provide insights into a number of issues related to sexual brokenness. This is the place for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of addiction, the harm of pornography, and how to begin to heal.

God’s design for sex
Everything we strive for via Pure Intimacy is to uphold and call people toward God’s good plan. Hence, this section can be considered the "heartbeat" of Pure Intimacy. Some years ago, we realized that we were trying to help people break free from porn use and addictions, but we hadn’t defined what healthy sexuality looked like. We hope this section begins to open up that door for many people. We recognize the Christian Church hasn’t always had a very robust or informative vision from sexuality. We hope to change that.

Married couples
The majority of our visitors are or have been married at some point. Our goal is to preserve marriages when possible and provide resources to help couples navigate the difficult journey of healing from pornography, addiction or infidelity. We also hope to help married men and women gain a vision of what a thriving relationship looks like. Many wounded spouses come here believing they can never go back to their lives as they knew them. We want to be a positive influence in your discovery of a new relationship – one you have never had before, one that functions as God intended from the beginning. There is hope!

Parents
One of the most common questions Pure Intimacy receives is "How can I help my child who has been using pornography." Just as common is the request to help parents teach and pass on Christian values about sexuality. We hope to give you the resources you need to protect your child from pornography, heal your child if he has been exposed and help you give your children a vision for sexual health and wholeness according to God’s beautiful design.

Protect my family
If you are concerned about emerging technology and the dangers it poses to your family, be sure to visit this section. Resources on how to monitor and filter content on the Internet, cell phones, iPods, and social networking sites, will arm you to protect your family and give your children a sense of healthy media use.

Ministry leaders
These resources are both about and for clergy and other ministry leaders. If a minster or leader has experienced a moral failure or may simply be looking for better ways to serve the church by teaching on sexuality issues, we have resources here to help. We also recommend that all ministry leaders visit the section on God’s design for sex – this is the core of what churches need to hear and aspire to in our sexually broken culture.

Singles
Drawing from some of the best resources from our sister site, Boundless.org, which is devoted to encouraging the Christian single, we have gathered a thorough line up of articles dealing with pornography use, sex in dating, preparing for marriage and how to handle unwanted singleness.

Homosexuality
Many Pure Intimacy readers have requested information on the specific issue of homosexuality – and particularly, responding to unwanted same-sex attractions. This section offers some introductory articles to this topic which is so prevalent in today’s culture. Also, important links to organizations which provide more in-depth assistance can be found in the "your questions answered" portion of this section.

Other features

Talk to someone
Pure Intimacy maintains that professional Christian counseling is an integral component of lasting recovery from pornography use, sexual abuse, sexual addiction, marital infidelity, and other disorders. Please review the counseling resources thoroughly and consider accepting Focus on the Family’s offer of a free counseling consultation. To talk with one of our trained Christian therapists, call (719) 531-3400 x7700 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST) Monday through Friday. Be sure to mention this site when you call.

Questions, comments, etc
The primary method of determining how well Pure Intimacy is serving its audience is by visitor comments sent through the feedback form. This form is designed for you to let us know whether our resources have helped you or your family member, or if the site could be improved in any manner. Past visitor comments have been instrumental in developing the content currently featured on the site. This

Pray for me
If you would like the prayers of our staff, please fill out our prayer request form. Every week the Focus on the Family staff gathers to pray for the needs of our friends.

Share this site
Pure Intimacy has operated for several years with a small budget. We have spent most of it on content rather than marketing. If this site has assisted or intrigued you, please let others know about us. Our goal is to help and inspire as many people as possible.

Speak the truth, defend your rights

2010-02-16T14:01:00.002-06:00

Bill Bumpas - OneNewsNow - 2/15/2010

A pro-family advocate in Michigan says he's honored to be on the front lines in fighting for First Amendment rights to speak out against homosexuality.

Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, is concerned that the "Hate Crimes Act" signed into law last year will be used to prosecute those who speak in favor of traditional biblical morality. He cites a personal example.

"Several years ago Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit and I were personally accused by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force in a news release of being responsible for inciting the alleged beating death of a 72-year-old homosexual man in Detroit, merely because we had actively supported Michigan's Marriage Protection Amendment reaffirming marriage as only between a man and a woman," he remarks.

Glenn says aside from the fact that officials found that there was no assault and the man died of natural causes, it illustrates the point that preachers of biblical truth are being targeted. He encourages boldness.

"Don't be intimidated," he counsels. "Continue to speak biblical truth; continue to tell people that marriage is and always has been between one man and one woman -- that's what's best for society, best for children. And stand up against these continuing restrictions on the exercise of free speech."

Glenn and three Michigan pastors recently challenged the constitutionality of the Hate Crimes Act by filing a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Their attorney argues the law violates his clients' rights to freedom of speech, expressive association, and free exercise of religion as protected under the First Amendment.

"Planned Parenthood" Valentines? Yep...

2010-02-12T22:52:00.016-06:00

- WARNING -

CONTENT INAPPROPRIATE FOR SOME AGES

Dear Friends,

I saw the article I am posting below and was disgusted. While I wasn't completely surprised, I must admit I can't imagine why more of us aren't setting aside our fear of political correctness and calling groups like this out for who they really are. But what exactly can we do?

I would suggest respectfully but strongly sharing your thoughts with Planned Parenthood. Then pass this article along to other friends and family to let them know and encourage them to share their thoughts as well. Organizations like this must not be allowed to go unchallenged when they promote themselves as one thing when their real agenda is very different. The truth must be exposed and who will do it if we won't?

Blessings!
Brittany M. Schommer
Director

February 11, 2010

Planned Parenthood: My Condom Valentine

UPDATE, 2/12, 7:13a: Glad to see WorldNetDaily.com picking up this story.

2/11, 10:08a: Question: If Planned Parenthood's honest goal is to help women control their procreation - to plan their parenthood - why does it expend so much energy promoting sexual titillation and promiscuity?

Answer: Obviously the organization has become financially dependent on selling contraceptives and abortion, and what better way to increase sales than promote rampant sex.

Quick case in point, condom Valentines Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has made available to print and send on Valentine's Day....

Someone might say these could apply to husbands, but I question the monogamy of a marriage where discussions about "safe sex" are necessary, which these days are as least as much about transmission of sexually transmitted diseases as guarding against pregnancy.

And what good do condoms do anyway? Our good friend Gerard Nadal posted a thorough piece on this topic February 9. The other side's own source shows condoms have a 15% annual failure rate (which I also quoted in a WND column last month), leading to these shocking statistics, from LifeIssues.net (click to enlarge):

With those kinds of stats, how "safe" should one feel having condom sex with a person who has HIV? Gerard goes into great detail on the STD epidemic.

So back to those PP VD cards, here they are. Another troubling aspect is they are consistent with PP's constant message that romance and love are equated to sex.

Click all to enlarge...

The Tebow Story

2010-02-09T00:22:00.003-06:00

View 2010 Super Bowl Ad: Click Here

David Barton - Founders of the Constitution

2010-02-04T20:38:00.001-06:00

2009 State Legislative Sessions in Review - Americans United for Life

2010-02-04T19:15:00.006-06:00

The Christian Citizenship Ministry has highlighted Minnesota but the full report can be found HERE.

2009 State Legislative Sessions in Review

Overview

Despite Congress and the Obama Administration’s pursuit of an incremental strategy to implement a regime of unregulated and unrestricted abortion-on-demand, fund unethical and destructive biotechnologies, and coerce and undermine the consciences of health care providers, the majority of states continue their pursuit of life-affirming laws and policies.

In 2009, approximately 60 pro-life measures[1] were enacted in the states, a marked increase from 2008. This accomplishment is especially notable given that there was a nearly one-third decline in the number of pro-life measures introduced in the states in 2009 (as compared to 2008 activity levels).

Several notable and promising developments and trends also emerged in 2009:

The states considered approximately 300 abortion-related measures, the vast majority of them life-affirming, and virtually every state considered at least one pro-life measure.
Several states introduced resolutions opposing the federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), a radical piece of legislation that would enshrine abortion-on-demand into American law and override all federal and state laws regulating or restricting abortion. Meanwhile, attempts in five states to enact state versions of FOCA were handily defeated.
Informed consent, ultrasound requirements, enhanced parental involvement requirements, and comprehensive health and safety regulations for abortion clinics continued to receive significant attention in the states.
States continued to seek to protect the unborn in contexts other than abortion by enacting protections for unborn victims of violence, encouraging substance-abuse treatment for pregnant woman, and providing legal recourse for families whose unborn children are killed through the criminal acts or neglect of others.
Measures to regulate biotechnologies and to prohibit or restrict technologies that destroy nascent life increased by nearly 20 percent – the first increase in such legislation in three years.
Legislation to protect health care providers’ freedom of conscience declined by 50 percent However, for the first time in three years, measures to protect conscience outpaced measure to violate or compel conscience by a margin of 2 to 1.
States legislation on end of life issues doubled from 2008 activity levels.

These life-affirming trends – especially during an economic crisis – bode well for the 2010 state legislative sessions and the continuing pursuit of a renewed Culture of Life.

Abortion

In 2009, the states considered approximately 300 measures related to abortion, a decrease of 33 percent from 2008 levels. However, this decrease was less than that expected, given state legislatures’ understandable focus on economic and budgetary issues.

Abortion Bans

Saline Abortions

Minnesota considered a ban on saline abortions.

Sex-Selective Abortions

At least five states including Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia considered measures to ban abortions performed for sex selection. Oklahoma became the third state to enact such a ban.

Abortion Funding

In 2009, legislation and issues related to the use of state taxpayer funding for abortion were debated in a number of states.

State Funding for Abortions

At least eight states including Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia considered measures related to the use of state funding (including Medicaid funding) for abortions.

Iowa, Maryland, and Minnesota reauthorized their existing permissive funding policies.

Prohibition on the Use of State Funding for Abortion Counseling or Referrals

A few states including Minnesota and West Virginia considered measures to prohibit the use of state funding for abortion counseling or referrals.

Informed Consent

Coerced-Abortion Prevention

At least 12 states including Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas considered measures to prevent women from being coerced into having abortions. Typically, these bills required abortion providers to inform or counsel women on coercion and the protective services available to them. Some also criminalized coercive behavior.

Provider Requirements

Abortion Clinic Regulations

At least eight states, including Minnesota, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, considered health and safety regulations for abortion clinics. Some of these measures included abortion-specific regulatory schemes, while others sought to regulate abortion clinics as “ambulatory surgical centers.”

Physician-Only Requirements for Abortion

At least four states including Arizona, Nevada, Minnesota, and West Virginia considered measures to limit the performance of abortions to licensed physicians or to certain categories of physicians. Arizona enacted a measure limiting the performance of surgical abortions to physicians, and Nevada enacted measures prohibiting “osteopathic medical professionals” and chiropractic physicians from performing abortions.

State “Freedom of Choice Acts”

At least five states including Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Rhode Island considered state versions of the federal Freedom of Choice Act, providing for an unrestricted state right to abortion and abolishing any existing regulations of or restrictions on abortion.

Contraception and "Emergency Contraception"

In 2009, 25 states considered more than 60 measures related to contraception. The vast majority of the measures sought to expand access to both contraceptives and so-called “emergency contraception” or Plan B.

Substance Abuse by Pregnant Women

Continuing a significant legislative trend over the past few years, at least 19 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Texas introduced measures designed to curb substance abuse by pregnant women and/or provide for needed treatment.

Bioethics and Biotechnologies

In 2009, legislators in 31 states considered more than 95 measures related to biotechnologies. This level of activity represents an almost 20 percent increase from 2008. Over the last several years, however, we have noted a significant downward trend in legislation concerning these critical and emerging areas. Thus, even with the increase in bioethics-related legislation in 2009, this level of activity does not compare favorably to the 500 bills introduced in 2005.

Human Cloning

At least 11 states – including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia – considered measures related to human cloning.

Destructive Embryo Research

At least 12 states – including Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Oregon – considered measures banning or promoting destructive embryo research. In addition, West Virginia considered a measure prohibiting the use of “unborn children” in research experiments.

Ethical Forms of Research

At least seven states – Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas – considered measures promoting ethical forms of stem cell research, including the use of adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood.

State Funding of Biotechnology

Funding measures ran the gamut in 2009, from prohibiting taxpayer funding of destructive embryo research and/or human cloning, to funding ethical forms of research, to funding destructive embryo research. In all, eight states considered funding measures related to biotechnologies.

Four states – Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Texas – considered measures prohibiting or limiting the use of public funding for human cloning or destructive embryo research. Minnesota enacted a measure prohibiting the funding of human cloning.

End-of-Life Issues

In 2009, 44 states considered nearly 150 measures related to end-of-life issues, more than twice 2008 activity levels.

Advance Directives, Living Wills, Health Care Powers of Attorney, and Related Documents

The vast majority of end-of-life measures considered in 2009 dealt, in varying ways, with advance directives, “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders, life-sustaining treatments, and the proper appointment of guardians and health care agents. In 2009, 12 states enacted new or revised current laws dealing with advance directives.

Minnesota amended applicable statutes to permit the release of medical records to health care agents.

Report From CitizenLink - Action Center

2010-01-29T20:00:00.004-06:00

Federal Bill Would Impose Gay Agenda on Local Schools

1-29-10

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis has introduced legislation that would give gay activists yet another tool for promoting homosexuality and gay marriage in the classroom.

The Colorado Democrat's would make it a federal crime for schools to discriminate against "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

Tim Tracey, legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said bullying is wrong and should be stopped, but the real issue is the behavior, and not the characteristics, of the particular student.

"What we're seeing," he said, "is the Left promoting the homosexual agenda using vague, deceptive language in 'nondiscrimination policies' to impose their ideology on our culture."

— Staff Report

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Go to the DriveThru blog to read more about this topic.

Pro-Choice Groups Not So Pro-Choice

2010-01-29T19:27:00.008-06:00

So often when it really comes down to it "pro-choice" unfortunately means just pro-abortion.

I would implore you to keep the Tebows and Focus on the Family in your prayers as they have embarked on this wonderful journey during the Super Bowl to share what choosing life can mean. We will post the ad and follow-up when it is available but for now here is some more information on in this ad "controversy."

Why Is NOW So Afraid of a Pro-Life, Pro-Family Ad?

By Marjorie Dannenfelser - FOXNews.com

What is the National Organization for Women afraid of? Apparently a touching story about a courageous woman who chooses life in the face of adversity is just too much to take. And when her football star son decides to share that story on Super Bowl Sunday, well, that goes too far. It’s “divisive.”

NOW and its affiliate organizations the Feminist Majority and Women’s Media Center are condemning the Super Bowl advertisement featuring Tim Tebow and his mother Pam, calling it an offensive “anti-choice” ad.

Could you imagine anything more ironic? The organization that purports to embrace women and “choice” is desperately clamoring to shut down the most loving choice of all: the choice for life. Yet the women of NOW can’t abide 30 seconds of a heart-warming story. What would producers at Lifetime Television say?

Let’s be real. What’s the worst case scenario here? That if Americans hear this message they will choose to make sacrifices in order to have a child and bring a wonderful life in to the world? That’s hardly an abhorrent message.

These groups are not “for” women and they don’t want them to have a “choice.” They only want women to “choose” the path of abortion. Never mind that abortion has been shown over and over to be destructive in numerous ways, both physically and psychologically. But, *please* don’t tell people that there are alternatives.

In their efforts to cling to the old feminist mantra that we somehow “need” abortion, NOW sells American women short. They assume that women are so weak-brained and easily manipulated that they must be protected from a life-affirming message.

This fracas over the Super Bowl illustrates perfectly how NOW & Co. are losing their grip as their pro-abortion position sinks in public opinion. For the first time in decades, Gallup recently reported that a majority of Americans now consider themselves pro-life. The demand by pro-life Americans, and the members of Congress who represent them, insisting that the health care reform package must not include federal funding of abortions has damaged the prospects of getting the health care reform plan through Congress. The March for Life in Washington last Friday was one of the biggest ever attended with tens of thousands of seniors, young people and Americans of every race and creed taking a stand in defense of life.

It is this growing American pro-life majority that has driven NOW to desperation. In an effort to remain relevant, they apparently have become experts at sports. In their words, the purpose of the Super Bowl is to “bring people together.” I’m not sure if you asked Sedrick Ellis of the Saints or Gary Brackett of the Colts if that was their mission that they’d agree. Two teams fighting to the last second to be named Super Bowl champion is a divisive event within itself. If you have any doubts, just ask the fans.

What is divisive are NOW’s attempts to demonize the Tebow family, CBS, and ad sponsor Focus on the Family. In a desperate attempt to keep full information from women, they are attacking the family of an American sports hero with the courage to live out his convictions.

As a mother of five, I can only say I’d much rather have my children watch the Tebow story than the hundreds of other things they might see during the Super Bowl. Somehow I think the majority of American sports fans, women and men alike, will be able to appreciate the blessings of life expressed by the Tebow family. If this beautiful story of family unity, sacrifice and triumph is too harsh on the eyes and ears for so-called women’s groups, I have two words of advice: mute button.

Marjorie Dannenfelser is President of the Susan B. Anthony List, a nationwide network of over pro-life Americans dedicated to advancing, mobilizing and representing pro-life women in the political process.

Connecting the Dots

2010-01-29T02:01:00.003-06:00

No, They Do Not Teach This In School Anymore

Posted by penguin2 on redstate.com

Wednesday, January 27th at 7:58AM EST

Valuing Life

This is a diary I felt compelled to write. Last week I read a news item and magazine article, both of which got me thinking. In 1963, a momentous Supreme Court ruling occurred. It removed prayer from public schools. My premise: the removal of prayer, a spiritual foundation from the public school curriculum, laid the groundwork for Roe v Wade in 1973. The continued minimizing of the concept of God and valuing life, which is based on moral precepts, contributed to the explosive numbers of abortion that have occurred in this country over the past 37yrs.

Having prayer and exposure to the concept of God, a Supreme Being, something greater than ourselves, teaches us to value life. Once the Left was able to remove and thus undermine the moral basis for this in society, they moved incrementally the rest of the way. Now we have physician assisted suicide in some states, and we will be facing “death panels” with Socialized medicine. If we as a society do not teach our young to value life, they cannot embrace it, for they lack the moral tenets to hold on to. A tiny human being becomes an inconvenience, not real, and then there is no reason to nurture the new life. Remember, candidate Obama said he “did not want his daughters punished with a baby?” So, if society removes moral responsibility, we do not have to feel any consequences.

In Houston, Texas, a Planned Parenthood facility, its’ largest, with over 78,000 sq. ft. is set to open this April. There is a surgical wing that will perform second-trimester abortions. That means abortions up to 25wks. Today, with modern medicine, we know that life can be viable as early as 21-23 weeks. The news story related to this of course, was the presence of pro-life demonstrators who picketed the building on MLK Day. Many of those protesting were representatives of the Black and Hispanic clergies, because yes, this PP facility is surrounded by low-income Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. We already know this frequently is where PP locates their clinics, but a little publicized fact is that this building is right outside the main gate of the University of Houston, enrollment - females - 18,371/male - 17,733. Now we have PP giving ready access to the poor and vulnerable, and young and vulnerable students at a major university.

The second item I read came from the Weekly Standard, an incredible article by Jon A. Shields and David Daleiden, “Mugged By Ultrasound.” It is long, but an important discussion regarding the people who perform abortions; some eventually develop a conscience, stop and begin to work on pro-life causes. The article spoke mainly about the emotional distress, increasing now because of 3D ultrasound showing the perfection of a tiny human body, with a beating heart, movement, everything.

How are the two stories connected? The first one brought to my mind the trains transporting millions of people to the concentration camps run by Nazi Germany. People living in nearby towns and outside the very gates claimed ignorance after the war. How could they not have known? Smokestacks going night and day are hard to miss, and the smell of burning flesh does not just dissipate. In the Shield and Daleiden article, 3rd trimester abortion provider George Tiller is discussed, and there is this statement, “to handle the large volume of biological waste (ie. infant body parts-my words), Tiller had a crematorium on the premises.”

We took prayer and God out of the public schools; the Leftists/Socialists are continuing to work on removing God from the public consciousness, and without a moral foundation, there can only be moral relativism, no moral absolutes and clarity. The end result, you have society saying anything goes, no guilt, no shame, no bother and no consequences. I feel certain the Founding Fathers never intended for this to be the result of the tenets they so carefully laid out. Society needs a moral compass, it is on the road to self-destruction without it. Our schools do not teach moral absolutes, they have been taken over by Leftists/ Secularists who continue to push to have no limits for decadent behavior. We have a “safe schools” czar, Kevin Jennings, who advocates teaching innocent children perverted things that they really cannot begin to understand. Jaded wrote about this czar, here.

Last week, The Directors of RedState posted a powerful FP diary, In Memoriam. Aaron Gardner, a FP contributor wrote a poignant comment in it, if you have a chance, please read it. He said, “he weeps,” I say, “we all should weep” and never stop trying to teach those around us to value life.

We may eventually, by God’s Grace, overturn Roe v Wade on legal grounds, simply because it is a violation of the right to life, declared by the Declaration of Independence and supported by the Constitution. Until then we will always be fighting a very dark enemy - men who think they are God.

2010 Precinct Caucus/MN Governor's Race Information

2010-01-28T22:57:00.008-06:00

It has been said... The world is run by those who show up. Where will you be THIS TUESDAY February 2nd?

REMEMBER to attend your PRECINCT CAUCUSES!!

CLICK HERE to find your location

For more information on precinct caucuses CLICK HERE

~

2010 Minnesota Governor’s Race

Loading... Gap responds - Should the boycott end or not? You decide

2009-11-19T12:10:00.002-06:00

Gap ad compares Christmas to pagan "Solstice" holiday

November 17, 2009

Gap has responded to AFA's call for a Christmas boycott of their Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic stores with a commercial that takes a cavalier approach towards Christmas.

The video entitled Ready for Holiday Cheer features a group of people dancing and chanting:

Two, Four, Six, Eight, now's the time to liberate
Go Christmas, Go Hanukkah, Go Kwanza, Go Solstice.
Go classic tree, go plastic tree, go plant a tree, go add a tree,
You 86 the rules, you do what feels just right.
Happy do whatever you wanukkah, and to all a cheery night.

Go Christmas, Go Hanukkah, go whatever holiday you wanukkah.

Did you notice it? Gap compares Christmas to the pagan holiday called "Solstice." Solstice is celebrated by Wiccans who practice witchcraft!

Gap also encourages you to "86" or "dismiss" traditions and "do what feels just right."

Take our Poll! Since Gap has now included the word "Christmas" in a television ad, should AFA call for an end to the boycott of their stores?

Click here to take our poll!

So How Are Your Knees?

2009-10-12T18:24:00.013-05:00

One great resource to help focus our prayers not just on a President but on all areas of our government and country is the Presidential Prayer Team. They can send e-mail reminders and have a wide range of resources on their website. We hope you will take full advantage of what they have to offer! Here is just a very small introduction to the Presidential Prayer Team:

Who is The Presidential Prayer Team?

We are dedicated to a focused mission of encouraging and inspiring PRAYER for our nation, our President, our nation's leaders and our troops. We also seek to be a catalyst in the development of a robust prayer lifestyle of our selves and others. We do this by finding and PROVIDING tools to encourage prayer – through email, the web, mobile phones, and any other communication tools the Lord has given us. Ultimately we believe that our prayers will TRANSFORM our nation, by transforming hearts one at a time.

"If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."
Isaiah 7:9

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."
Matthew 12: 25

Wisdom from Abraham Lincoln - On September 11, 1858 Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech at Edwardsville, Illinois where he addressed the needs to rely on God for the issues facing America:

“Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in us. Our defense is in the spirit which prized liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism at your own doors. Familiarize yourselves with the chains of bondage and you prepare your own limbs to wear them. Accustomed to trample on the rights of others, you have lost the genius of your own independence and become the fit subjects of the first cunning tyrant who rises among you."

PRAY LIVE

Join others around the nation in prayer for our nation and President right now. Click here to join.

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

"Thank you, dear Lord, for this nation and for the freedoms we enjoy here. Give us the courage to preserve our precious liberties and the strength to share them with oppressed people around the world. May we speak out against injustice and oppression everywhere. And, may the flame of freedom that burns brightly here in America be a beacon for all the world to see. Amen."

Our Schools Under Attack. What Are You Doing to Protect The Kids?

2009-09-26T12:19:00.010-05:00

PART ONE:

The President Speaks to Our Children: Information or Indoctrination?

Click on the title of the article above to go to the link...pictured below is the "test" the children were given in school:

PART TWO:

Remember, we can't sing Christmas songs but this is just fine...

**Click to enlarge the lyrics....

PART THREE:

The Story of Stuff. Here is the explanation taken directly from their website.

What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

And here is their video:

(Although if you want to watch the four part series posted further below you will see the full video with the rebuttal. This is just an option for those who wish who don't have a lot of time or don't wish to see the full video twice.)

So why is this a big deal?

7,000 schools and churches and organizations are now playing this across the country.

PLEASE WATCH ALL FOUR PARTS.

This way you will have seen the full video and the rebuttal information. It will be worth the time you invested.

Who is most responsible for our children?

And what are we doing about it?

*

Did you miss it? Watch Highlights HERE!

2009-09-22T21:18:00.002-05:00

VALUES VOTER SUMMIT 2009

Did you miss last weekend's Values Voter Summit?

Over 1,800 activists from 49 states gathered in our nation's capital. and over 175,000 watched online to hear from speakers, such as: Governors Rick Perry and Tim Pawlenty, former Governors Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Reps. John Boehner (R-Ohio), Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Tom Price (R-Ga.), and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Bill Bennett, actor Stephen Baldwin, best-selling author Joel Rosenberg, Phyllis Schlafly, Ken Blackwell, Star Parker, Lila Rose and many others.

CLICK ON THE BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT TO WATCH THE WEBCAST

The Health Care Townhall Meeting
House Minority Leader, Rep. John Boehner
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Rep. Mike Pence
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
Texas Governor Rick Perry
House Minority Whip, Rep. Roy Blunt
Rep. Eric Cantor

You can watch the highlights from the Values Voter Summit today.

Sincerely,

Tony Perkins
President

Religious liberties threat gaining momentum‏

2009-09-18T22:07:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

Though the nation is focused on the health care debate, we must also keep our eyes on the growing threat of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).

Shortly after Focus on the Family^® federal policy analyst, Ashley Horne, presented petitions opposing the pro-gay Hate Crimes and ENDA bills to Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), the House Education and Labor Committee announced that it will consider ENDA next Wednesday, September 23.

Answering the Call to Preserve our
Religious Liberties
Despite its innocent-sounding name, ENDA would, in fact, require faith-based employers to choose between granting special workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation and their deeply held religious beliefs. That means a Christian employer could be forced to make hiring and other employment decisions that violate their consciences--or risk liability!

The ability of private businesses to choose employees who agree with the organization's mission would be stripped away--possibly forcing groups like Focus to hire homosexuals or those who are hostile to our deeply held moral and religious beliefs.

Efforts by pro-gay activists working to build support in both the House and the Senate appear to be paying off as Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) proclaimed the House may have the necessary votes to pass ENDA, but later admitted it would be a tougher battle for passage in the Senate.

This is a very real threat to our religious liberties, and one that cannot go unmentioned. That's why we'll continue to keep you up-to-date on this and other important issues that could impact the family.

Thank you for standing with Focus on the Family and for your efforts to protect our families, our faith and our nation!

For faith and family,

Tom Minnery
Senior Vice President, Government & Public Policy

Abercrombie & Fitch pitches new trashy T-shirts to America's youth

2009-09-14T17:35:00.004-05:00

Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) continues its pattern of pushing pornographic-themed material into mainstream America. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has just begun offering their "New College" line of T-shirts.

The first A&F t-shirt pictures a young girl opening her blouse - exposing herself. A&F titles the image: "Show the Twins".

The second picture is of a female running nude. A&F titles it: "Female streaking encouraged."

The next Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt is entitled: "Female Students Wanted for Sexual Research"

Abercrombie & Fitch does not merely sell a popular line of clothing – they sell a lifestyle. And because A&F clothing is popular among teens and college kids, the influence of their sex-as-recreation lifestyle is widespread.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year— almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.

TAKE ACTION
Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.

After sending your email, call A&F at 614-283-6500 (press "0" to speak directly to a real person).

We Must NEVER Forget 9.11.01

2009-09-11T13:28:00.000-05:00

U.N. Report Advocates Teaching Masturbation to 5-Year-Olds

2009-09-03T19:56:00.004-05:00

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
By Joseph Abrams

NEW YORK —

The United Nations is recommending that children as young as five receive mandatory sexual education that would teach even pre-kindergarteners about masturbation and topics like gender violence.

The U.N.'s Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a 98-page report in June offering a universal lesson plan for kids ranging in age from 5-18, an
"informed approach to effective sex, relationships" and HIV education that they say is essential for "all young people."

The U.N. insists the program is "age appropriate," but critics say it's exposing kids to sex far too early, and offers up abstract ideas — like "transphobia" — they might not even understand.

"At that age they should be learning about ... the proper name of certain parts of their bodies," said Michelle Turner, president of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, "certainly not about masturbation."

Turner was disturbed by UNESCO's plans to explain to children as young as nine about the safety of legal abortions, and to advocate and "promote the right to and access to safe abortion" for everyone over the age of 15.

"This is absurd," she told FOXNews.com.

The UNESCO report, called "International Guidelines for Sexuality Education," separates children into four age groups: 5-to-8-year-olds, 9-to-12-year-olds, 12-to-15-year-olds and 15-to-18-year-olds.

Under the U.N.'s voluntary sex-ed regime, kids just 5-8 years old will be told that "touching and rubbing one's genitals is called masturbation" and that private parts "can feel pleasurable when touched by oneself."

• Click here to see the report.

By the time they're 9 years old, they'll learn about "positive and negative effects of 'aphrodisiacs," and wrestle with the ideas of "homophobia, transphobia and abuse of power."

At 12, they'll learn the "reasons for" abortions — but they'll already have known about their safety for three years. When they're 15, they'll be exposed to direct "advocacy to promote the right to and access to safe abortion."

Child health experts say they are wary of teaching about the sticky topic of abortion, but stress that as long as messages stay age-appropriate, educating kids at a younger age helps better steer them into adulthood.

"The adults are more leery of [early sex-ed] than the kids are," said Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, a child psychiatrist in New York. "Our own fears sometimes prevent us from being as open and honest with our kids as possible."

Hartstein, however, who didn't see much harm in explaining basic concepts that kids of all ages will have questions about, was baffled by some of the ideas the U.N. hoped to introduce to kids as young as 5 years old, who will be taught about "gender roles, stereotypes and gender-based violence."

"I want to know how you teach that to a 5-year-old," Hartstein told FOXNews.com.

Despite those challenges, the U.N. insists that "in a world affected by HIV and AIDS ... there is an imperative to give children and young people the knowledge, skills and values to understand and make informed decisions."

UNESCO officials said the guidelines were "co-authored by two leading experts in the field of sexuality education" — Dr. Doug Kirby, an adolescent sexuality expert, and Nanette Ecker, the former director of international education and training at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

Their report was based on a "rigorous review" of sex-ed literature, "drawing upon 87 studies from around the world," said Mark Richmond, director of UNESCO's Division for the Coordination of U.N. Priorities in Education, in an e-mailed statement.

Richmond defended teaching about masturbation as "age-appropriate" because even in early childhood, "children are known to be curious about their bodies." Their lessons, he added, would hopefully help kids "develop a more complex understanding of sexual behaviour" as they grow into adults.

But Michelle Turner, of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, said that such roles should be left up to parents, and worried that children were being exposed to too much information too soon.

"Why can't kids be kids anymore?" she said.

Inspirational Story

2009-08-19T20:52:00.002-05:00

Shades of Stalin: White House wants us to snitch on each other

2009-08-08T09:52:00.000-05:00

by Jim Backlin on August 6, 2009 - 6:23pm.

The shocking news this week coming out of Washington D.C. was the report that Barack Obama's White House wants us Americans to snitch on each other. The apparent reason is that Obama is getting worried that the American people are overwhelmingly turning against his socialized medicine scheme.

Videos on YouTube.com showing angry Americans at town hall meetings confronting their Senators -- such as that hosted by Pennsylvania Democrat Arlen Specter and Obama's HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius -- about their concerns about Obamacare have really shaken up the Obama White House.

Indeed, Obama's health care scheme is in such deep trouble that even the massive lobby which represents tens of millions of senior citizens, the AARP, is now backing down and telling its irate members who are calling in that the AARP is definitely not supporting the Obama health care system or the Nancy Pelosi health care scheme in the House of Representatives. That first fact is volunteered by an AARP representative even before a senior citizen can complain about a specific health care bill.

Amanda Carpenter in today's "The Washington Times" reported that the left-wing former television network news "reporter," Linda Douglas, now the communications director for the White House Office of Health Reform, "caused the White House to start asking people to report information on the Web about 'health insurance reform that seems fishy.'"

Fox News' Glenn Beck reported tonight that "Team Obama wants you to report any fishy report about the White House health care bill." On the Beck show tonight, former judge, Andrew Napolitano, reported that Congress wrote a law saying that neither the president nor the executive branch shall keep records about Americans who are utilizing their freedom of speech rights." Judge Napolitano also said that "The president cannot intimidate people by threatening to keep their names on file just because they criticize the president and his administration."

In Carpenter's column today, she reported that "RedState founder Erick Erickson said that 'given the near certainty that no one will be stripping from e-mails the names of the people forwarding the information, the White House is most likely engaged in illegal activity.'

"He points to a section of the U.S. Code titled 'Records maintained on individuals' that says government agencies, including the executive branch, may 'maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained unless pertinent to and within the scope of authorized law enforcement activity.'"

Mr. Erickson goes on to say: "This will be the first significant time the White House has ignored the Privacy Act and may open President Obama up to litigation." Where are the watchdogs in the mainstream news media who should be concerned about the First Amendment rights of all Americans? Unfortunately, they seem to have gone into hibernation for the next four years.

Ironically, this latest scheme by the Obama administration attempting to get Americans to snitch on each other comes from a president who is only president because Obama began his political career as a community organizer who paid activists to show up at town hall meetings held by elected officials. Concerned Americans showing up at townhall meetings this month do not have to be paid to express their dire concerns about Obamacare.

Barack Obama, and his minions such as Linda Douglas, should heed warnings that they will violate the privacy act if they do keep records on Americans who are only providing to their fellow citizens information criticizing the Obama health care plans, but to the Obama administration are providing "information which seems fishy." The Obama government cannot continue to intimidate American citizens because what they are doing is chilling free speech for all Americans.

An Immediate Challenge to Every American

2009-07-04T01:55:00.001-05:00

The signers of the Declaration of Independence would be heartbroken to say the least if they saw how we celebrate this holiday today. Not because of the fireworks, or barbecues, or family get-togethers but because of the way we so apathetically take for granted the historical reason we have this holiday in the first place.

I’m sure they would want us to enjoy the fireworks, the barbecues and get-togethers but also to truly celebrate and pass on what the Fourth of July/Independence Day was, is and means for our future.

What is it that makes us hesitant to do so? Perhaps we are afraid to be that odd one of the family that everyone will roll their eyes about when they speak up about the historical meaning of the day. Well, I think it is time to stand up and take that role if that is what it is going to take. It is a small price to pay.

Think of it. Those brave men, knowing their very lives were at stake by even signing their name to that piece of paper, concluded with these powerful and profound words;

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Do you really think it is too much to ask to take a few moments during your weekend to reflect on their sacrifice? And would you be willing to sacrifice all you had, including your life for freedom? Look around you, it isn’t really all that far fetched if you get your head out of the sand and really start paying attention to what is going on.

We owe the divine Providence the freedom we have because of those men having the courage to pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

Let us not simply pay lip service to their legacies. But each holiday has a history and while I love traditions I think it is long over due to add one more tradition in order to keep the reality and sheer humbling history that led, in this case, to our Republic, the United States of America. We assume will always be there, but the truth is, it wasn’t always there and it can be lost if we don’t protect it.

How do we protect it? It isn’t by trusting the media to do our work for us. It isn’t by abusing our freedoms. It certainly isn’t by pledging our allegiance to a political party or candidate.

We do it daily by working hard, staying informed, speaking out, getting involved, not allowing a government that works for you to think you work for them, helping teach our children about our history and to understand the true meaning of our founding and our founding documents. And go to the original sources; don’t just take someone else’s word for it. These things are far too important and we have a duty, a responsibility to each generation to pass on the truth.

Do these things really seem all that much of a sacrifice? And if we continue to remain apathetic, we will be rendering this statement, their sacrifices, and those of all the men and women that came after them to protect our Republic...meaningless.

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Maybe this Independence Day is a good time to start reading the Declaration of Independence to your family and thinking of those who gave all they had for your freedom. You might even take a moment to truly reflect on your willingness to do what they did if you were in their position.

Would you pledge your life, your fortune and your sacred honor for freedom? A day, perhaps sooner than later, may come when you or your children are asked to answer that very question.

We are the keepers of freedom.

2009-06-03T17:50:00.009-05:00

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

- Edmond Burke

Dear Friends,

Each of us should take a good look in the mirror on a regular basis. I guess you could think of it as an assessment of where we are and what we spend our time doing.

What are we doing to leave this place better than we found it? What are we doing when no one is looking? There are countless things we can do, seemingly small things, that can change the outcome of the world for the better. Our God is bigger than anything and if we allow Him to work through us nothing is impossible.

Please challenge yourself to pray daily for our leaders, our country and those who defend liberty all across the world. Please take that 5-10 minuets to write that e-mail or make that call in order to allow your voice to be heard.

Please use this upcoming time as we prepare to celebrate our Independence Day to review for yourself and with your family a little more about the true history of our founding. And go to the original sources...they are the most accurate accounting! Let us never forget and always pass on to the next generation the blessings of liberty that were given to us.

However, we must always remain vigil as we are the keepers of that sacred freedom and with that comes sacrifice and therefore action. So I will conclude by asking all of us once again, what are we DOING and what else can we BE DOING?

Blessings,

Brittany M. Schommer
Director
.

County puts kibosh on home Bible study

2009-05-29T21:30:00.004-05:00

Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 5/28/2009 1:40:00 PM

A San Diego pastor says county officials have told him he needs a permit to host a weekly Bible study in his home.

Pastor David Jones and his wife, Mary, were hosting the weekly study near their church, when they say they were visited by a county code enforcement officer. According to Dean Broyles, an attorney for the Joneses, the county official asked the pastor if they hosted a regular weekly meeting in their home, and if they prayed and said "Amen" and "Praise the Lord" at those meetings.

After replying in the affirmative to those inquiries, a subsequent citation notified the couple they were in violation of county regulations, should stop "religious assembly," and needed to apply for a "major use" permit to continue the gatherings -- a process that could cost several thousands of dollars.

Jones, his wife, and their attorney, Dean Broyles, were interviewed on the Fox News Channel. Broyles says the couple's rights have been violated.

"The government may not prohibit the free exercise of religion," says the attorney. "And I believe that our Founding Fathers would roll over in their graves if they saw that here in the year 2009 that a pastor and his wife are being told that they can't have a simple Bible study in their own home."

The American Family Association has launched an online petition drive related to the incident, asking the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to immediately stop interfering with the rights of individuals to hold Bible studies in their homes.

Jones and his wife say they will continue to challenge the county's policy. About 15 people attend the weekly meetings.

View related video news report

Are you paying attention or have you become apathetic? What will the next 100 days bring?

2009-05-13T18:16:00.002-05:00

Obama’s National Day of Prayer Proclamation Mentions God Only Once

2009-05-07T22:22:00.001-05:00

Thursday, May 07, 2009
By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer

(CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama issued a proclamation on Thursday afternoon – as required by federal law – marking the day as National Day of Prayer, but the proclamation is in contrast to the original proclamation making the first Thursday in May a national day of prayer and fasting.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama would issue a proclamation but that he did not plan any public appearances or meetings with religious leaders as President George W. Bush did each year of his administration.

On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation beginning with the words:

“Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.”

In today’s proclamation, Obama opened the document with these words:

“Throughout our Nation's history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.”

In Lincoln’s proclamation, God is mentioned five times and emphasizes God’s dominion over the nation, the need for people to repent, and the divine nature of the Bible.

“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord,” Lincoln wrote.

Obama’s proclamation mentions God once – “I call upon Americans to pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God’s continued guidance, grace and protection for this land that we love” – and also refers to people who don’t believe in God, which is tied to a reference to the U.S. military.

“On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces,” Obama wrote. “We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.”

Unlike Obama’s reference to the Civil War, which states that Lincoln asked people to pray for the nation, Lincoln wrote that the war might be a punishment for a nation that had turned its back on God, despite his blessing on the country.

“And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People?” Lincoln wrote.

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven,” Lincoln wrote. “We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown.”

“But we have forgotten God,” he wrote. “We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”

In his proclamation, Obama does not refer to the Bible but to the “Golden Rule” – or the “ethic of reciprocity” sometimes linked to verses in the Bible and other religious books.

“As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth,” Obama wrote.

Lincoln’s proclamation calls on people to worship God and keep the National Day of Prayer “holy.”

“And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion,” Lincoln wrote.

Obama’s directive is secular in nature:

“Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill,” Obama wrote. “Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times.”

Lincoln also called for the nation to reconcile with God.

“It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness,” Lincoln said.

The complete text of the proclamations by Lincoln and Obama are as follows:

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.

And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.

Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.

All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State

------------------------------------------

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 7, 2009
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Throughout our Nation's history, Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer. In 1775, as the Continental Congress began the task of forging a new Nation, colonists were asked to observe a day of quiet humiliation and prayer. Almost a century later, as the flames of the Civil War burned from north to south, President Lincoln and the Congress once again asked the American people to pray as the fate of their Nation hung in the balance.

It is in that spirit of unity and reflection that we once again designate the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer. Let us remember those who came before us, and let us each give thanks for the courage and compassion shown by so many in this country and around the world.

On this day of unity and prayer, let us also honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. We celebrate their commitment to uphold our highest ideals, and we recognize that it is because of them that we continue to live in a Nation where people of all faiths can worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience.

Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon Americans to pray in thanksgiving for our freedoms and blessings and to ask for God's continued guidance, grace, and protection for this land that we love.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

This Thursday! National Day of Prayer

2009-05-04T17:07:00.006-05:00

I wanted to share an e-mail I received from Chaplin Dan Hall. I sincerely hope people who believe prayer can make a real difference find a way to be involved this Thursday!

Please Join Us

National Day of Prayer

The Minnesota State Capitol

This Thursday, May 7^th

11:30 ^AM -1:30 ^PM

Bring your own US Flag

Prepare to Humble Yourself, Pray and Seek His Face

Prayer Leaders will Include:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Lt Gov Carol Molnau

Dan & Sandy Adler and Heart of the City Band

Chaplain Aaron Dogotch, Capitol Ministries

Susan Ohman, Blowing the Shofar

Chaplain Dan Hall, Capitol Prayer

Many State Government Leaders

John Helmberger, MFI

John Tuma, MECHA

Rep. Bob Dettmer

Bob Bakke, Global Prayer

Alan Langstaff, Kairos Ministries

Fred Summers, International Artist

Brian Gibson, Pro Action Ministries

Pastor Bob Burmeister, North Heights

Pastor Brian Hammond, Procession of Healing

Marcy Grams (actress), Hollywood Prayer Network

Cathy Jo Severson, MN Christian Leaders’ Network

You might find an observance in your community by clicking on www.ndptf.org/events. Watch the National Observance in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington DC live on Web Cast at www.ndptf.org from 9am-12noon EST. www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Dan Hall
State Chaplain
MN Capitol Prayer Network 12936 Portland Ave S
Burnsville, MN 55337
612-790-2000
CapitolPrayerNetwork.org
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity,
religion and morality are indispensable supports…” --George Washington

Is No Girl Too Young for Plan B?

2009-04-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

By Rep. Michelle Bachmann

Washington, D.C., Apr 24 -

The Food and Drug Administration said it will acquiesce to a New York federal court's order to allow 17-year-old girls access to the “morning after pill.” The FDA’s decision reverses a restriction put in place by the FDA under President Bush that prohibited girls under the age of 18 from accessing so-called Plan B birth-control pills.

What this means is that 17-year-old girls will now be able to obtain “morning after pills” over the counter with just an ID displaying their date of birth -- and nothing else.

What's even more troubling is that the judge also told the FDA to reconsider making the drug available to girls of all ages without a prescription.

Regardless of your views on the issue of abortion, the FDA decision and the judge's ruling raise some giant red flags.

One, the FDA has never approved that a high-dose of a drug be available non-prescription when a low dose of the same drug requires a prescription. The low-dose I refer to here is regular birth control pills. Birth control requires a prescription, yet this judge is urging the FDA to allow use of a more heavily concentrated dose with no prescription at all. Does that make any sense?

The reason why birth control requires a prescription is because women need medical oversight when taking it. The same holds true for the “morning after pill” – to say nothing of the parental oversight needed for girls accessing the pills.

According to Wendy Wright with the CWA:

"It can cause blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Women who are sexually active should be regularly tested for conditions that may not produce symptoms. And under-age, sexually-active girls deserve counseling and help in case they are in a coerced or abusive relationship.

"Making the morning-after pill over-the-counter for teenagers denies medical counseling and testing to girls who need mature guidance. A thirteen-year-old who may be pregnant is also a girl who may be sexually abused and at risk of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease."

Two, the FDA may be trampling the will of states and localities and what they feel is best to monitor birth control distribution and regulation. In the

United States

, each state has different laws and policies about whether or not minors — anyone under the age of 18 — may get contraceptive prescriptions and counseling from a health care professional.

But in those states in which minors can not receive even a prescription for birth control without parental consent, minors will now be allowed to receive the "morning after pill" without not only parental consent, but also without a prescription.

This ruling blatantly steps on parents' ability to protect the health and well-being of their minor daughters.

As Wright further notes:

"Minors need permission to go on a field trip, get a piercing, or use a tanning booth. But now, by one judge’s order, girls will be encouraged to rely on an ineffective drug without medical oversight or parental involvement."

Another great example of putting politics before common sense.

Christian Citizenship Ministry

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Statewide Candidates - Part 3: Attorney General

Statewide Candidates - Part 2: Secretary of State

Statewide Candidates - Part 1: Auditor

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Congressman Gets State Election Commission to Shut Down Pro-Life Organization

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The National Day of Prayer 2010 - NEXT THURSDAY MAY 6th

Marriage & Family Lobby Day @ Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda

Marriage and Family Lobby Day at Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda Thursday, May 6, 2010, 2 pm to 4 pm Following National Day of Prayer Observance at State Capitol

It's 2010; Do you know where your Freedom of Speech is?

Time’s Klein: Beck, Palin Potentially Committing Sedition against U.S. Government; Heilemann Adds Limbaugh

PAGA

Feds say Border Patrol vehicles being 'cloned' by Mexican smugglers

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GET INVOLVED This Saturday...

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What does a man having sex with a table and 100,000 Condoms for Olympians, including the United States own Curling team's brand, have in common?

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Planned Parenthood: My Condom Valentine

The Tebow Story

David Barton - Founders of the Constitution

2009 State Legislative Sessions in Review - Americans United for Life

Overview

Abortion

Contraception and "Emergency Contraception"

Bioethics and Biotechnologies

End-of-Life Issues

Report From CitizenLink - Action Center

Pro-Choice Groups Not So Pro-Choice

Connecting the Dots

Marriage and Family Lobby Day at Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda
Thursday, May 6, 2010, 2 pm to 4 pm
Following National Day of Prayer Observance at State Capitol