Weekly Issues Alert

Rural North Carolina Home

October 20 - 26

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." --Thomas Paine (American Crisis, No. 1, 19 December 1776)

NC General Assembly

Lottery's First Payment to Education Less Than Projected — NC Family Policy Council

North Carolina received its first payment from the state lottery towards education, but according to the Raleigh News and Observer, the deposit was millions less than the amount projected. Read

NC Courts

N.C. Suspends Storage At Apex EQ Facility — WRAL

Judge Also Suspends Company's Cleanup Efforts Read
North Carolina Shuts Down Living Trust Scheme — Consumeraffairs.com

A North Carolina judge has issued an injunction ordering American Family Prepaid Legal Corporation and Heritage Marketing and Insurance Services to stop bilking North Carolina seniors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Read
N.C. Urges Court To Reinstate Exotic Dance Restrictions — WSOCTV.com

North Carolina's ban on sexually explicit dancing at establishments that serve alcohol imposes minimal restrictions that don't violate anyone's free-expression rights, an attorney for the state told a federal appeals court Tuesday. Christopher Browning, the state's solicitor general, urged a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court's ruling that some provisions of the law are so broad they are unconstitutional. The statute recognizes "the volatile combination of alcohol and erotica," Browning said. "Harmful secondary effects flow from this kind of conduct." Read
Former Lottery Company Exec Guilty Of Lobbying Violation — NBC 17

Former lottery company executive Alan Middleton was convicted Wednesday of working as an unregistered lobbyist while legislators worked last year to adopt the lottery. Read

NC Politics

The N. C. Property Rights Voters' Guide is now posted on our Web site! Read
North Carolina Family Policy Council Voter Guide Read
Miller, Robinson Debate Illegal Immigration, Iraq — WRAL

Democratic Rep. Brad Miller and his Republican opponent sparred over illegal immigration, the war in Iraq and the congressional page scandal Friday in their final two debates before the November election. Read
Craig Weber a Familiar Face in Eastern North Carolina — Reflector.com

Craig Weber might look familiar to many eastern North Carolinians. The 58-year-old used to be the weatherman for WCTI-TV 12 from the late '70s through the early '80s. He left to help start The Weather Channel, said the Atlantic Beach resident, but the lure of eastern North Carolina brought him back. Now, the Democrat is vying to unseat six-term incumbent Walter Jones in the race for the U.S. House District 3 seat. Read
Speaker's Troubles No GOP Bonanza — Raleigh News and Observer

Political corruption surrounding one of North Carolina's most powerful Democrats, House Speaker Jim Black, seemed a winning issue for Republicans looking to take control of the House in this year's election. Read
State ABC Chairman Took Trips Paid by Group — Charlotte Observer

Doug FoxNorth Carolina's top alcohol regulator met with liquor company representatives in attractive tourist destinations at least seven times in the past two years, raising questions of possible conflicts of interest. Read
A Right Kind of Democrat — LA Times

He is pro-business and antiabortion. He is an evangelical Christian and an avid hunter. But, unexpectedly, Heath Shuler is a Democrat, and he is running for Congress in North Carolina. Read

Other North Carolina News

Two Soldiers With N.C. Ties Killed In Iraq — NBC 17

Two soldiers with ties to North Carolina have been killed in Iraq. Read
Body Of Marine Found In New Subdivision — WRAL

Authorities are investigating the death of a Camp Lejeune Marine whose body was found in a new subdivision in the eastern part of Onslow County. Read
China Industrial Park Sets Up Shop in North Carolina — The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area

One of the highest profile industrial projects in China has established U.S. headquarters in the Triangle at the North Carolina China Center. The Suzhou Industrial Park, an industrial and technological cooperative between the Chinese and Singaporean governments, announced Tuesday that it has opened its U.S. headquarters in World Trade Park near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Read
Father Wants Cussing Toy Pulled From Shelves — NBC 17

A father is asking Toys 'R Us to take a popular toy off the shelves because the one he bought for his 6-year-old son utters a curse word. The toy is a police officer set that includes a nightstick and a utility belt. A recorded message that includes a curse word plays when the nightstick is removed from the belt. Read
Visiting An 'Old-fashioned Woodshed' — Intellectual Conservative

Sometimes there is no better means to teach children respect for authority than to do what the parents of yesteryear used to do — take the youngster for a visit to an "old-fashioned woodshed." Read
Former Durham Teacher Accused Of Providing Minor With Alcohol — WRAL

A former Durham teacher made his first appearance in court Thursday after being accused of taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Grant Frederick Rockett, 48, was released on a $20,000 secured bond Wednesday after being charged with taking indecent liberties with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. According to warrants, Rockett provided the alleged victim with alcohol. Read
Sub Will be Next N.C. Namesake — Raleigh News and Observer

Unlike the showboating Battleship North Carolina, now a tourist attraction with a famous profile, the Navy's newest USS North Carolina will be a sleek nuclear submarine that aims to stay out of sight. Read
Bunting: 'Wins, Losses Don't Justify What We've Done' — WRAL

A day after being informed that he would be let go at the end of the football season, University of North Carolina football coach John Bunting was able to joke about his situation Monday. Read
Money Raised for Prison Ministry — Christian Library International

The 2006 Christian Library International (CLI) Author-Dinner was held on Thursday evening, October 19th at the Crabtree Marriott ballroom in Raleigh. Over 200 CLI supporters attended. Our guest speaker was Pat Robertson, founder and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network. Pat's books were also on sale including his latest book, MIRACLES Can Be Yours Today. Read
Land-Use Think Tank Will Try to Top Ideas for Dix Hill — Raleigh News and Observer

A consensus on what to do with the valuable site has eluded Raleigh for five years. This week, the experts are visiting, and the public is invited. Read
Report: N.C. Health Care Costs Rise Faster than Income — HeraldTribune.com

Health care costs jumped 7 1/2 times more than income for working families in North Carolina and gave them less coverage, according to a report issued Wednesday by the consumer health advocacy group. Read
Governor's Task Force To Take Closer Look At Hazardous Storage Facilities — WRAL

Gov. Mike Easley's task force on hazardous materials will meet for the first time Tuesday. The governor created the task force after a recent explosion and fire in Apex. Read
North Carolina Duo Reels in Bass Title — Star Telegram.com

North Carolina became the first Fish Bowl collegiate bass fishing champion Saturday at Lake Lewisville when Christopher Craven and Alexander Freeman weighed in a five-bass catch weighing 13.57 pounds in the BOATUS National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship tournament. Read
N.C. Jobless Rate Up Slightly In September — WRAL

North Carolina's jobless rate rose slightly in September due to seasonal changes in employment, state officials said Friday. Read
110 Officers Face Action Over Off-Duty Rules — Myrtle Beach Sun News

Rick Armstrong, a detective and president of the Raleigh Police Protective Association, a labor organization for city officers, said he understood that the criminal investigation of the six officers may center on double-dipping — working off-duty jobs during on-duty hours. He said the 104 other officers are being punished for policy violations. Read
Blue Ridge Parkway Advocates See Red Over Funding Cuts — WRAL

Wells said the parkway's in trouble because of a funding crisis. Despite having twice as many visitors as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and more people than the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Yellowstone combined, it receives less money from the federal government than any other national park. "We're down $5 million from the high that was reached 20 years ago," said Wells. "Twenty-five percent of the work force of the Blue Ridge Parkway is no longer here; they've lost their jobs. A third of the maintenance staff of the Blue Ridge Parkway is gone." Read
Female Teacher's Sex Charge is Unusual — Raleigh News and Observer

In North Carolina, from 2000 to 2005, 160 school employees were charged with sexual improprieties with a student. Of those, 147—92 percent — were male. Read
State Archives To Display Lincoln's Slavery Amendment — WRAL

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that was signed by President Abraham Lincoln but never ratified will be on display at the North Carolina State Archives on Wednesday. Read
Fitch Rates Duke University Health System, North Carolina Revs 'AA' — Business Wire

Fitch Ratings has assigned a 'AA' rating to the $151.1 million North Carolina Medical Care Commission Hospital revenue bonds (Duke University Hospital Project), series 2006 A & B. In addition, Fitch affirms the 'AA' rating on approximately $435.6 million of outstanding bonds issued on behalf of Duke University Health System Health System. The Rating Outlook is Stable. Read
USS North Carolina Sailors Help Feed Hungry — Durham Herald Sun

For the 150 plus folks waiting in line for a hot lunch at Urban Ministries of Durham this Sunday, it probably didn't matter whose hands were scooping the portions of spaghetti and salad onto their plastic trays. But for the five sailors of the latest USS North Carolina, a nuclear submarine that will be hitting the seas sometime in 2008, the time spent dishing out food to those in need of a hearty meal on a Sunday won't be easy to forget. Read
Hayes, Agriculture Secretary Tour Central North Carolina — WSOC TV

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is touring central North Carolina today with Congressman Robin Hayes, talking to farmers about immigration and the federal farm bill. Johanns says the Bush administration is waiting to see what kind of immigration bill comes out of Congress before it takes a position on what should happen to the millions of immigrants now here illegally — many of whom are farm laborers. Read
Lincoln Letter On Slavery Found In Raleigh — WRAL

A rare document signed by Abraham Lincoln calling on states to approve a slavery amendment has been uncovered at the State Archives and is on display in downtown Raleigh. Read
Dell Launches N.C. Recycling Program — The Business Journal of the Greater Triad

Dell and Goodwill Industries on Wednesday announced a computer-recycling program that will operate in 49 N.C. counties and five counties in South Carolina. Read
North Carolina State University Receives $3.5 Million Grant to Design New HIV Treatment Strategies — Infection Control Today

Researchers at North Carolina State University have received a $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to develop mathematical and statistical models that will aid in designing new treatment strategies for HIV patients. Read
Helping a Small North Carolina Town — SFGate.com

The Broadway veteran has spent his own money to help renovate a doctor's office and is working to open a grocery store. He's renovated more than five houses, all of which he still owns, and has his sights set on reopening the town's old school as the Seaboard School of Fashion and Costume. Read

Congress

Ceremony to Accompany Border Fence Bill Signing — Washington Times

Congress yesterday sent the bill to build 700 miles of fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border to President Bush, who will sign it in a ceremony Thursday morning in the White House Roosevelt Room. Read
Ethics Panel Grills Hastert — Raleigh News and Observer

Speaker Dennis Hastert has faced increasing questions about whether he and other party leaders ignored or covered up evidence of former Rep. Mark Foley's improper behavior. Read

Courts

New Jersey High Court Uproots Marriage

Concerned Women for America (CWA) criticized the New Jersey Supreme Court today for finding a so-called "right" to same-sex marriage in the state constitution, a ruling that CWA's Chief Counsel Jan LaRue says "essentially mirrors what the Vermont Supreme Court did in 1999." Read
Former Enron CEO Skilling Gets 24 Years in Prison — AOL News

Expressing no emotion, ex-Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling watched former employees and investors of what was once the nation's seventh-largest company get up, one by one, at his sentencing and call him everything from greedy, to a liar, to a drunk. Read
Court Shows Anti-Catholic Bias — Christian Newswire

"It is outrageous to expect the Catholic Church to go against its own beliefs, said Joseph M. Scheidler, National Director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, in response to the ruling by New York State's Court of Appeals that Catholic Charities must provide contraceptive coverage to its employees. Read
Appeals Court Postpones 'Light' Cigarette Case — Reuters

A federal appeals court granted a temporary stay on Tuesday while it hears arguments about whether a $200 billion tobacco trial can proceed as a class-action lawsuit. Read
California Activist: Justices on Ballot Appear Biased Against Traditional Marriage — Agape Press

According to a conservative Christian activist, two currently seated California Supreme Court justices whose names appear on the November 7 ballot could ultimately affect the state of marriage in the Golden State. That activist is convinced the re-election of those two justices "has tremendous historical and cultural implications." Read
Gay Activists Urge More Gay Judges — Citizenlink.com

Family advocates worry about implications of liberal ideologues on the bench. Read
Prison Ministry Allowed to Reach Inmates

After a year and a half of litigation, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dale Drozd ruled today that inmates in a California prison should be allowed to receive free Bible-study materials. Read

Christianity/Pro-Family/Religion/Ethics

Anti-Christian Ad in U.K. Results in Gov't-Applied 'Hand Slap' — Agape Press

The quasi-governmental body that regulated advertising content in Great Britain has ruled against an anti-Christian newspaper ad published by the "Gay Police Association" there. The ad bore the headline "In the Name of the Father" and featured a photograph of a Bible beside a pool of blood. It claimed that the Association had documented a 74 percent increase in "homophobic incidents, where the sole or primary motivating factor was the religious belief of the perpetrator." The British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which fielded more than 500 complaints about the ad, declared the ad "untruthful" and determined that its anti-Christian claims were "unsubstantiated." Read
Employee Dismissed For Displaying Marriage Sign — Citizenlink.com

A Virginia man says he was fired after he refused to remove signs from his truck that read "Marriage — Vote Yes," the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Read
Pastors and Churches Shouldn't Be Caught Unaware During Election Period — Christianactionleague.org

Be armed with the right information and determined to participate in the electoral process Read
CWA's Chief Counsel to Speak for Virginia's Marriage Amendment — Christian Newswire

The Virginia Marriage Amendment is a crucial issue that will be on the ballot on November 7. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is calling attention to four press conferences being held throughout the state in support of the amendment on Thursday, Oct. 26. Read
NEST Family Entertainment and TiVo KidZone Team Up to Provide Wholesome Entertainment Options for Families — Christian Newswire

NEST Family Entertainment, a leading producer and distributor of safe, wholesome family entertainment products, and TiVo, Inc., the creator and leader in television services for digital video recorders, today announced a new relationship to provide wholesome entertainment options for families. Read
LifeWay Research: Formerly Churched Indicate Openness To Return — Evangelical News

More than two-thirds of formerly churched adults are open to the idea of attending church regularly again, according to LifeWay Research. In the summer of 2006, the new research arm of LifeWay Christian Resources conducted a survey of 469 formerly churched adults to better understand why they stopped attending church and what it would take to bring them back. The "formerly churched" are defined as those who regularly attended a Protestant church as an adult in the past but no longer do so. Read
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia: Death and Danger in the Horn of Africa — Worthy News

Tensions are rising across the Horn of Africa — there is death and danger. Irredentist Somali Islamists have declared jihad against Ethiopia. Christians are being attacked and murdered by Muslims in Ethiopia. Eritrea, which is accused of arming the Somali Islamists, is exploiting an opportunity and has breached the 2000 cease-fire agreement by moving troops into the Eritrea-Ethiopia border buffer zone. Two Protestant Christians were recently tortured to death in Eritrea. The savagery of persecution appears to be escalating in proportion to regional tensions — and it could be about to get much worse. Read
Chinese Prosecutor Drops Charges Against Jailed Pastors — Worthy News

There were hopes Tuesday, October 24, that at least five prominent Chinese church leaders jailed for their alleged role in resisting police forces while defending their church building would be released, after a prosecutor decided not to prosecute them because of "a lack of evidence," supporters said. Read
Belarusian Government To Make U-Turn On Charismatic Church That Meets In A Former Cowshed? — Worthy News

Belarusian authorities may be preparing to reverse their position towards New Life Church in the capital Minsk, members of which have been on a hunger strike in order to resist efforts by the government to close them down. Read
Cities Increasingly Challenging Street Preachers — Citizenlink.com

Some are fighting back in federal court. Read
(Muslim) Cleric Compares Women To 'Uncovered Meat' — WSOCTV.com

Australia's most prominent Islamic cleric vowed Thursday to stand strong against widespread outrage over his description of women who don't wear head scarfs as "uncovered meat" who invite rape. Read

Abortion/Pro-Life

Limbaugh Says Fox Exploited Disease — AOL News

"Unfortunately, Senator Jim Talent opposes expanding stem cell research," Fox says in the 30-second spot. "Senator Talent even wanted to criminalize the science that gives us a chance for hope." Read
Michael J. Fox's Proposal is Shocking says National Pro Life Action Center — Christian Newswire

Michael J. Fox and other celebrities are going head to head in a debate about stem cell research that destroys a human embryo. In a statement released this morning Dr. Paul Schenck, Executive Director of National Pro-Life Action Center on Capitol Hill had this to say:

"Much has been made of Rush Limbaugh's apology for suggesting that Michael J. Fox exaggerated his Parkinson's symptoms for a political purpose. But the real issue is not what a talk show host may or may not have said about Fox's disease. Rather, it is Fox's proposal that is truly shocking: he suggests, no demands, that tax payers subsidize, under penalty of law, dubious research which results in the deaths of human embryo-children, so that his symptoms might be relieved. That is an outrageous demand — and that is what should spark debate, not what one celebrity thinks about another." Read
Real Hope for Stem-Cell Research — Agape Press (Editorial by Rev. Mark Creech, Executive Director, CAL)

It seems that the direction of stem-cell research has turned a corner. Recent research indicates a growing interest in a more ethical approach — perhaps even discomfort with destroying human embryos for stem cells. Read
Studies Connect the 'Pill' and Breast Cancer: Family Planning Groups Put Women's Health at Risk — Christian Newswire

Separate studies published in the January 2006 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, the October 2006 edition of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, and the October 2006 edition of Mayo Clinic Proceedings connect oral contraception use with an increased risk of breast cancer. Read
National Pro-Life Radio.Net Set to Launch November 6th — Christian Newswire

Gearing up for Election Day 2006, National Pro-life Radio.Net will debut as the nation's first all pro-life radio network. Read

Alcohol/Drugs/Health

Study Sees Gain on Lung Cancer — NYT

Researchers report that millions of lives could be saved by detecting lung cancer early with CT scans. Read

Education/Sex Ed/Teens/Children

Who Elected the ACLU? — Townhall.com

The local school board is supposed to be the microcosm of the democratic process. Parents exercise their right to direct the upbringing and education of their children by electing school board members and entrusting them with their children's education. When, as here, a public school board makes a decision that it believes will enhance students' education, courts should be mindful that, as the Supreme Court of the United States has said, "Judicial interposition in the operation of the public school system of the Nation raises problems requiring care and restraint." In other words, great lengths should be assigned to the educational decision made by the school board in a case such as this. Read
Man Accused Of Keeping Girl In S.C. Bunker Indicted On Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges — WSOC-TV

A man accused of abducting a 14-year-old girl and keeping her in an underground bunker in Kershaw County has been indicted on 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct. Read
Federal Government Creates Bonus Plan for the Best Teachers — Citizenlink.com

Sixteen states to receive grants. Read
Education Officials OK More Single-Sex Classes — WRAL

The U.S. Department of Education announced the change Tuesday after reviewing studies that suggest higher achievement and less disciplinary issues in single-sex classrooms. The current rules, implemented in 1975, only allow same-sex classes in gym or sex education classes. Read
Pro-Family Advocate Blasts Schools Allowing Cross-Gender Enrollment — Agape Press

Some schools in Florida and California are permitting young children who are perceived to have gender identity disorder to enroll as the opposite sex and to cross dress, but a spokeswoman with America's largest public policy women's organization is condemning the phenomenon. Read
Already Well-Paid Teachers Get Bush Bonuses — WRAL

Some Ohio teachers are getting a total of $20 million from the federal government as part of a federal incentive program. Read
Tenn. City Official: ACLU Picked Wrong School District for Anti-Christian Attack — Agape Press

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for a prayer rally tonight in one Tennessee town to show support for a school district that has been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Wilson County School District is being sued for allegedly promoting religious activities at Lakeview Elementary School in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Read
Clemson, USC Tuition Higher than Nationwide Average

Tuition at the universities of Clemson and South Carolina are higher than the national average, according to a report by the College Board. Read
College Town Serial Killer Executed in Florida — AOL News

The bodies of his victims were found over three days in late August, just as the University of Florida's fall semester was beginning. All had been killed with a hunting knife. Some had been mutilated, sexually assaulted and put in shocking poses. One girl's severed head had been placed on a shelf, her body posed as if seated. The killing spree touched off a huge manhunt and plunged the laid-back college town into panic. Students fled and residents armed themselves. Read
$1.3 Billion Drive Is Set at Cornell — The New York Sun

One of New York's most prestigious medical schools plans to raise $1.3 billion to build a new biomedical research center on the Upper East Side... Read
College Grads Make About $23K More — WRAL

How much is a bachelor's degree worth? About $23,000 a year. Read
School Sends Captain Underpants Girls Home — NBC 17

Captain Underpants may be a superhero, but he isn't welcome at one suburban New York school.... Principal Nicholas Restivo said he knows they weren't naked, but it appeared that way, so he sent them home. He didn't like the way they looked. Read
Sooner State School Officials Remove Sexual-Orientation Language — Citizenlink.com

The Oklahoma City Public School District has removed language from an anti-bullying statute that listed sexual orientation as protected class, after concerned citizens pointed out the statute didn't fall in line with state and federal law, The Associated Press reported. Read

Gambling

SLED Checks Geddings' Lottery Activity in South Carolina — WIStv.com

The State Law Enforcement Division is reviewing Kevin Geddings' relationship with Scientific Games International, which provides games for the South Carolina Education Lottery. Read
Town Hopes Casino Brings New Gilded Age — NYT

Many residents of French Lick, Ind., hope that the return of casino gaming will heal the area's economic woes. Read

God and Country/National Security/Politics/Economy

U.S. Forces Hunt for Missing Soldier in Iraq — AOL News

A U.S. military spokesman said Tuesday there had been no word on the fate of a U.S. Army solider reported missing in Baghdad, as troops continued door-to-door searches in the central Karradah district. U.S. and Iraqi forces threw a security cordon around Karradah on Monday night and Iraqis seeking to pass through the downtown area on Tuesday were turned away at roadblocks. Army Kiowa OH-58 reconnaissance helicopters were seen repeatedly circling the area in pairs. Read
Active Duty GIs Being Recruited To Lobby Congress Against War — The New York Sun

Former military generals are criticizing anti-war groups for helping to organize active-duty soldiers to urge Congress to end the war in Iraq. In interviews yesterday, the generals were careful to say they have no objection to enlisted soldiers petitioning Congress as private citizens. It is a different matter, however, to coordinate this drive so close to the midterm elections and publicize it with the aid of anti-war organizations, they said. Read
Mexico Gathers Support >From 27 Nations for Declaration Opposing U.S. Border Fence Plan — Fox News

Mexico, supported by 27 other nations, made a declaration at the Organization of American States slamming U.S. plans to build hundreds of miles (kilometers) of fence on its southern border. Read
With Beheadings, Drug Gangs Terrorize Mexico — NYT

A war between drug gangs is raging in Mexico. The violence has claimed more than 1,700 lives this year. Read
Home Prices Fall By Largest Amount In Decades — NBC17

The median price of a new home plunged in September by the largest amount in more than 35 years, even as the pace of sales rebounded for a second month. Read
Voter Registration Lists May Foil Voters — HeraldTribune.com

Between every registered voter and the voting booth is The List. And if you're not on it, you might not be able to cast a ballot. One of the biggest changes wrought by the Help America Vote Act is the mandate that every state must have a voter registration database up and working by the Nov. Read
U.S.: Plans for Russian Nuclear Plant in Iran May Stymie Effort To Curb Tehran Program — NY Sun

While European diplomats proposed a new sanctions package yesterday aimed at preventing international assistance to Iran's nuclear program, they said Russia should be allowed to finish building a plutonium plant at Bushehr, Iran. Read
Mass. Among Handful of States Where Iraq Withdrawal on Ballot — HeraldTribune.com

For a week and a half, 81-year-old Hamer Lacey hauled his broken back and clipboard to a Gloucester grocery store parking lot, looking for signatures of residents who shared his fervent opposition to the war in Iraq. His work over the summer put Gloucester among 139 Massachusetts communities where residents will vote next month on a nonbinding question that calls for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Read
Michael J. Fox Uses Misleading Information to Promote Doyle — Christian Newswire

"Brace yourself! Wisconsin is being deluged with ads featuring actor Michael J. Fox which are just as misleading as the ones currently airing in Missouri and other states," declared Barbara Lyons, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life. Read
Los Alamos Security Breach Probed — CBS News

A drug raid on a the home of a scientist at the Los Alamos nuclear weapons laboratory in New Mexico turned up what appeared to be classified documents taken from the facility, the FBI said. Read
U.S. Official: Britain Seeks Iraq Pullout in a Year — Reuters

The British military hoped to withdraw troops from Iraq within about a year and London wanted to focus on the war in Afghanistan, a U.S. defense official said on Tuesday. Read
Elections Could be Most Costly in US History — Financial Times

Next month's midterm elections will be the most costly congressional races in US history, with business interests contributing three-quarters of the estimated $2.6bn that will be spent, says a non-partisan research group. Read
Massive Vote Manipulation Discovered in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — Christian Newswire

The 2004 Bernalillo County Absentee Canvassing Board found evidence of deliberate manipulation in data entry tallies in favor of Democrat candidates by hundreds, and possibly thousands of votes following the night of the 2004 election, in all races including the Presidential race. The details of the elections returns manipulation were captured on the County Clerk website, confirming the recording of overstated vote tallies before the canvassing board convened. Saenz, Quintana and the other members of the canvassing board found evidence of manipulation of data entry. Read
Consumers Revolt Against Hotel Surcharges — Consumeraffairs.com

Some Hotels Levy Phone Charges Even If You Don't Make Any Calls Read
Fugitive Millionaire Seeks U.S. Extradition Papers — Reuters

Fugitive millionaire Jacob "Kobi" Alexander is seeking details of an extradition request filed in Namibia by U.S. authorities who have charged him with manipulating stock options, his lawyer said on Wednesday Read
Jousting with Jiffy Lube — Consumeraffairs.com

Lately, Jiffy Lube has been slipping on its own oil. Since last spring, several of the quick-lube franchises, especially five Los Angeles-area stores owned by Heartland Automotive, were caught charging for work never performed. Read
Nissan Recalls Muranos, Maximas for Ignition Problem — Consumeraffairs.com

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling approximately 132,000 vehicles around the world including 80,000 in the U.S. because of an ignition key defect. Nissan is recalling about 70,000 Muranos and 10,000 Maxima sedans in North America, according to a company spokesperson. Read
Europeans move Iran Resolution Without U.S. — ABC News

Key European states on Tuesday circulated their own draft resolution imposing nuclear and missile-related sanctions on Iran after failing to reach agreement with Washington, U.S. and European officials said. Read
U.S. Says More GIs May Be Needed in Iraq — AP

Two weeks before U.S. midterm elections, American officials unveiled a timeline Tuesday for Iraq's Shiite-led government to take specific steps to calm the world's most dangerous capital and said more U.S. troops might be needed to quell the bloodshed. Read
U.S. Sees Iraqis Taking Over Security in 12 to 18 Months — Fox News

U.S. officials said Tuesday Iraqi forces should be able to take full control of security in the country in the next 12 to 18 months with "some level" of American support, and Iraq's leaders have agreed to produce a timeline for making "hard decisions" to ensure progress in stabilizing Iraq. Read
'Tower of Babel' Translator Made — BBC News

A "Tower of Babel" device that gives the illusion of being bilingual is being developed by US scientists. Users simply have to silently mouth a word in their own language for it to be translated and read out in another. The researchers said the effect was like watching a television programme that had been dubbed. The system, detailed in New Scientist, is not yet fully accurate, but experts said it showed the technology was "within reach." The translation systems that are currently in use work by using voice recognition software....But the new device, being created by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, is different. Read
Fed Again Leaves Rate Unchanged — NYT

The move gave investors reason to think that the rate could remain at its current level of 5.25 percent for months to come. Read
Immigration Officials Arrest Former Salvadoran Army Officer — LA Times

Gonzalo Guevara Cerritos, convicted of the 1989 death squad murders of six Jesuit priests, is arrested in L.A. as a human rights violator. Federal authorities said a tip from the public put them on Guevara Cerritos' trail. Read

Pornography/Homosexuality/Obscenity/Immorality/Sexual Abuse

Anti-Pornography Week Starts Sunday — Citizenlink.com

White ribbons symbolize purity of thought. Morality in Media is asking people to wear a White Ribbon Against Pornography for the week of Oct. 29 through Nov. 5. Read
Sponsors of Jessica's Law Urge Californians to Vote Yes on Proposition 85 Also — Christian Newswire

The authors of Jessica's Law are urging those who support strengthening laws against child predators in California to vote yes on a companion ballot measure — Proposition 85, the Parents' Right to Know & Child Protection Initiative. Read
Child-Porn Sites Reported to the U.S. Rarely Shut Down — Citizenlink.com

More than half of them appear to be hosted here. Read
City Sets Underwear Rule for Firefighters — Reuters

A Canadian city under pressure for alleged sexual harassment within its fire department has ordered firefighters to wear only boxer-style underwear. Read
Group Says Pro-Homosexual Policies Hurting Ford's Earnings, Local Dealers — AgapePress

Even as a new CEO described yesterday's news of Ford's latest earnings as "clearly unacceptable," a spokesman for a pro-family organization called the automaker's slipping profits "simple economic sense" in light of its continued financial support of the homosexual agenda. Read
New Jersey Gay Marriage Ruling Due on Wednesday — Reuters

A ruling on whether New Jersey will become the second U.S. state to legalize gay marriage will be handed down on Wednesday, a court official said. Read
Buyer Reconsiders Land Deal for Nudist Community — WIStv.com

The Natura Christian Fellowship wants to put homes, townhouses and a campground on the site. The group has said not all the community would be clothes-free. They say the nudist areas would be enclosed and would not be open to the public. Read
Expert on Human Trafficking to Visit the United States — Christian Newswire

Free For Life Ministries of Nashville, Tennessee is pleased announce the upcoming arrival of Iana Matei of Reaching Out, Romania. The organization Reaching Out operates a safe house in Eastern Europe for teen victims rescued from human trafficking. The safe house has cared for over 150 girls since it was first opened in 1998. Read
AFA: Online Queries Reveal Wal-Mart's Promotion Of Homosexuality — Evangelical News

A pro-family organization is warning that Wal-Mart's new alliance with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is showing up in moves the corporation has made on its store shelves and in its employee benefit policies. Read
Trial Against Internet Porn Purveyors Under Way — Citizenlink.com

A federal trial began Monday in which the Justice Department is seeking to shut down Internet sites that fail to protect minors from obscene content, The Los Angeles Times reported. Read

Other News

JetBlue Used Passengers as Guinea Pigs in Pilot Fatigue Experiment — Consumeraffairs.com

Thousands of JetBlue Airways passengers were unwitting participants in a test of pilot fatigue that was conducted last year without proper federal approval, the Wall Street Journal reported. Read
Germany in radical shake-up of military — Financial Times

Germany will on Wednesday adopt the most radical restructuring of its military since 1945, turning the Bundeswehr into an international intervention force, according to an internal cabinet strategy paper obtained by the Financial Times. Read
Despite Embargo, Sudan Builds a Booming Economy Based on Oil — Int'l Herald Tribune

While one of the world's worst humanitarian crises continues in Darfur, all across Khartoum bridges are being built, office towers are popping up, supermarkets are opening and flatbed trucks are hauling plasma screen televisions through thickening traffic. Read
Terrorists: Major attacks against Israel on their way — Ynet News

Several senior terror leaders in Gaza told WorldNetDaily that terror groups allied with Hamas in the Gaza Strip are planning a series of large-scale attacks against Israeli positions near Gaza "within the coming days," including rocket attacks, suicide bombings against Jewish communities and raids of Israeli military posts. Read
Gazans Building 'Underground City': Israeli Army Chief — AFP

Palestinian militants are constructing an "underground city" in the Gaza Strip to store weapons and attack Israeli forces in the future, army chief of staff Dan Halutz has been quoted as saying. Read
Spain: 'Road map' not working, need new ME plan — Jerusalem Post

One of Europe's foremost voices on the Middle East said Tuesday that the "road map" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is doomed, and that a major new initiative is needed to resolve a conflict that has seemed to stretch on without end. Read
Iran readies new nuclear centrifuges — London Telegraph

Iran announced yesterday that a second set of equipment for enriching uranium was just days from being completed, deepening its defiance over its nuclear program. Read
Putin Indicates He'll Still be a Player in Russia after '08 — USA Today

President Vladimir Putin, barred by Russia's constitution from running for a third consecutive term, signaled Wednesday that he expects to play a role in setting government policy after he leaves office in 2008. Read
Peretz: Israel didn't fire at German ship — Ynet News

Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated Wednesday that that reports that IAF jets had fired shots at a German ship were completely untrue. According to a report, which was initially confirmed by the Defense Ministry in Berlin, two Israeli warplanes and a German navy vessel have clashed off the Lebanese coast. Read

Disclaimer: The Christian Action League of North Carolina does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site.

Index of Weekly Issues Alerts

2007

2006