Weekly Issues Alert

State Capitol Building

April 13 - 19

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry... has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who... have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it." --Thomas Jefferson

NC General Assembly

NC black caucus leader won't release foundation donor list — ABC 13

The leader of the General Assembly's black caucus says she won't release a list of donors that contributed to the group's nonprofit foundation. Read
NC Home Tax — Stop the NC Home Tax

...A land transfer tax is a tax that is paid every time real estate is sold. The tax is a certain percentage of the value of the property. Bills in the State Legislature would force people selling their homes to pay a 1% sales tax. This tax places a large burden on sellers of homes and it would significantly damage the state's economy. Read

Where does your lawmaker stand?
House backs armed judges — News and Observer

The state House on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to give district and superior court judges the right to carry a concealed handgun into court for their protection. Read
State ranks near top of report on rising emissions — Star News Online

...Lawmakers pushing environmentally friendly legislation in the General Assembly seized the report as ammunition for their efforts. Read
Senate committee: corrupt politicians should forfeit retirement — ABC 13

A bill moving through the General Assembly would make elected officials forfeit their retirement pay if they're convicted of corruption or election fraud charges. Read
North Carolina Black Caucus Chairwoman Orders Audit of Foundation Books — WRAL

The new chairwoman of the General Assembly's black caucus ordered an audit of its nonprofit foundation amid questions about spending on the organization's annual conference and banquet. The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Inc. spent $50,000 on its 2005 conference, compared to the $54,000 it gave out for grants and scholarships the same year, according to federal tax records. Read
New N.C. senator has faced bar reprimand, assault allegations — ABC 13

The man chosen to take the seat of Durham County Senator Jeanne Lucas is facing questions about his past, including a reprimand from the state bar and accusations of assault. Read
House agrees on barbecue — as food festival — Star News Online

Raleigh | The showdown over North Carolina barbecue cooled Thursday when state House members agreed to a measure making the Lexington Barbecue Festival the official food festival for North Carolina. Read
Star ratings for elder care face opposition — News and Observer

The long-term care industry in North Carolina is working to derail a proposed star ratings system for adult-care homes that has been introduced at the state legislature. Lobbyist Lou Wilson says the system could hurt some homes. Read
Hackney declines to investigate current, ex-House members — ABC 13

House Speaker Joe Hackney says he won't investigate whether three current or former House members played a role in blocking legislation involving nurse anesthetists last session. Read
Other Bills Introduced: (News and Observer)

Introduced in the House:

- H1764, to require that some personal information in vehicle crash reports be redacted when the reports are made publicly available. Sponsor: Rep. Ty Harrell, D-Wake.

- H1766, to require someone who alleges to be a victim of a felony to sign an affidavit under oath. Sponsor: Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell.

- H1774, clarifying that any infant born alive is included in the definition of "person." Sponsor: Rep. John Blust, R-Guilford.

- H1781, to require parents or custodians of minor children to complete counseling and a parenting agreement before receiving a divorce judgment. Sponsor: Rep. Mark Hilton, R-Catawba.

- H1786, to outlaw "toughman" matches. Sponsors: Reps. Alice Bordsen, D-Alamance; Jimmy Love Sr., D-Lee.

- H1791, to require local governments to provide public notice before approving economic development incentive agreements. Sponsors: Reps. Paul Luebke, D-Durham; Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake.

- H1794, to allow public review of medical records held by the N.C. Medical Board in some cases. Sponsor: Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham.

- H1812, ensuring that schools document student absences and work with parents, law enforcement and social service agencies to improve attendance. Sponsor: Rep. Dan Blue, D-Wake.

- H1815, to prevent law enforcement officers from taking an arrested person to jail if the person complains of injury or serious illness, unless a paramedic concludes the person does not need further medical treatment. Sponsor: Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth.

- H1821, establishing a permit system for medium and large wind energy systems. Sponsor: Rep. Charles Thomas, R-Buncombe.

- H1826, directing state agencies to make annual reports on activities and research related to greenhouse gas emisions and climate change. Sponsors: Reps. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford; Alice Underhill, D-Craven.

- H1835, to ban lawsuits against food purveyors based on weight gain and associated conditions relating to long-term food consumption. Sponsors: Reps. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash; Dewey Hill, D-Columbus; James Crawford, D-Granville; Harold Brubaker, R-Randolph.

- H1837, to permit stem cell research under limited circumstances. Sponsors: Reps. Earl Jones, D-Guilford; Jim Gulley, R-Mecklenburg.

- H1843, making it a felony to endanger a juvenile. Sponsors: Reps. Debbie Clary, R-Cleveland; Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland.

- H1849, to create an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Administration. Sponsor: Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland.

- H1850, to require public toilets to be well-ventilated. Sponsor: Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland.

- H1619, to restrict outside employment of Council of State members and principal state department heads. Sponsor: Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham.

- H1605, to cap the sales tax refund for nonprofit groups and reduce the corporate income tax from 6.9 percent to 6.4 percent. Sponsor: Rep. Dale Folwell, R-Forsyth.

- H1606, to require more frequent driver's license testing and renewal periods for older drivers. Rep. Ric Killian, R-Mecklenburg.

- H1610, to create a property tax deferral benefit for low-income poor residents and the disabled. Sponsor: Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret.

- H1625, to improve procedures for eyewitness identification of suspects. Sponsors: Reps. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland; Paul Stam, R-Wake; Deborah Ross, D-Wake; Marvin Lucas, D-Cumberland.

- H1626, to require law enforcement interrogation of a defendant at a police station, jail or other detention center must be recorded electronically in its entirety. Sponsors: Reps. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland; Dan Blue, D-Wake; Deborah Ross, D-Wake.

- H1631, to expand ethnic intimidation laws to include gender, age, sexual orientation or disability. Sponsor: Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford.

- H1633, to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot making the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position. Sponsor: Rep. Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg.

- H1663, to declare confidentiality agreements over proposed economic development projects. don't apply to elected officials. Sponsor: Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham.

- H1682, to make it a high-grade felony to commit torture, kidnapping or the enforced disappearance of someone or conspired to do so in North Carolina even the alleged acts do not take place there. Reps. Earl Jones, D-Guilford; Paul Luebke, D-Durham.

- H1691, to suspend executions for two years. Sponsors: Reps. Earline Parmon, D-Forsyth; Pete Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg; Martha Alexander, D-Mecklenburg; Paul Luebke, D-Durham.

- H1697, to require law enforcement to take a DNA sample of any person arrested for a violent felony or other certain crimes. Sponsor: Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell.

- H1726, to allow state employees to take up to five days of paid community service leave when volunteering their services during an emergency. Sponsor: Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange.

- H1709, to increase the state's minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $7.25 and provide for automatic increases based on inflation. Sponsor: Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford.

- H1711, to require all employees in North Carolina to receive no less than seven paid sick days. Sponsor: Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford.

In the House:

- S184, by a vote of 111-0, to allow judges and district attorneys to identify their business address on new ethics economic disclosure forms rather than a home address. Next: returned to the Senate for concurrence motion.
In the Senate:

- S1465, to bar permits for new swine farm lagoons and sprayfields that fail to meet environmental performance standards, and create a cost-sharing program for farmers who convert to new, environmentally superior systems. Passed 50-0 on initial vote; held for final vote over questions regarding appropriations.

- S180, to permit an alternate juror to replace a juror during case deliberations in certain circumstances. Passed 50-0 on final vote. Next: To the House.
NC Association of Realtors Lobby GA — News and Observer

About 400 real estate agents lobbied legislators in opposition to a proposal that would give counties the power to tax real estate sales. The North Carolina Association of Realtors started a media campaign earlier this month against what it calls the "home tax." Several bills introduced this legislative session would allow counties to assess a land transfer tax generally equal to a maximum of 1 percent of the value of the property, paid by the seller. Read

NC Courts

Child's Killer Could Be Freed Under N.C.'s Pre-Release Program — WRAL

Paulette White used to cry herself to sleep after her 6-year-old son, Perry Lynn, was murdered in 1968. Read
Judge: Some Low-Performing Schools Remain a 'Mess' — WRAL

A judge on Thursday chastised state education officials, saying improvements he ordered in dozens of low-performing schools are too slow in coming. Read

NC Politics

Edwards' Haircuts Cost a Pretty Penny — AOL

Looking pretty is costing John Edwards' presidential campaign a lot of pennies. The Democrat 's campaign committee picked up the tab for two haircuts at $400 each by celebrity stylist Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a financial report filed with the Federal Election Commission. Read
Landing field critics gain allies — News and Observer

Sen. Burr and Rep. Coble join opponents of a Navy site near a wildlife refuge where jets could practice carrier landings Read

Other North Carolina News

Military Confirms Deaths of North Carolina Soldier, Others Based in Colorado — WRAL

Three Fort Carson soldiers, including a North Carolina man, were killed in Iraq when a bomb exploded near their vehicle, the military said Friday. Read
Marines Say First Ospreys Deploying in September — WRAL

The first squadron of a new aircraft to replace Vietnam-era helicopters will deploy to Iraq this fall, the Marine Corps announced Friday. Read
More Than 1,000 Gather to Say Farewell to The North Carolina-bound 440th — WRAL

More than 1,000 people gathered this weekend to bid farewell to the 440th United States Air Force Reserve Airlift Wing at General Mitchell International Airport. The unit will move to the Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina this summer. The transfer of the 440th and the closure of the Air Reserve Station are part of the 2005 Base Realignment. Read
Storm assessment teams sent to western North Carolina — ABC 13

Governor Easley has sent damage assessment teams to five counties in western North Carolina. The teams will look at storm damage to public and private property in Alexander, Caldwell, Macon, McDowell and Polk counties. Read
Cooper announces task force on campus security — News and Observer

N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper today announced the creation of a task force to examine safety issues on North Carolina campuses in the wake of Monday's slayings at Virginia Tech. Read
N.C. Unveils New License Plate Design — WRAL

North Carolina will see a change in its license plate for the first time in 25 years. Read
Pension travel not all work — News and Observer

The employees who manage the $70 billion North Carolina public pension fund are going to exotic locations far more often than they did just three years ago. Some trips are at state expense. Others are paid for almost entirely by private firms.Read
Bank of America and China Construction Bank to Collaborate on Credit Card Business — Carolina Newswire

Bank of America Corporation and China Construction Bank have agreed on a memorandum of understanding to jointly enter into a new credit card collaboration aimed at providing innovative card products for the rapidly growing Chinese market. Read
North Carolina Education, Law Enforcement Officials Launch Security Review — WRAL

North Carolina's top law enforcement officer joined education officials Wednesday in announcing they would review security on the state's college campuses in the wake of the 33 shooting deaths at Virginia Tech. Read
Funeral service board warns of possible insurance scam — ABC 13

The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service is warning of an insurance scam targeting people who have recently lost loved ones. Two incidents, one involving a funeral home in Hendersonville and another in Goldsboro, were reported to the board. Officials say a male caller identified himself as an insurance company representative and told family members that the deceased person had a life insurance policy with the company. The person then asked for a credit card number and might have asked for money to be wired. Read
Ideas sought to cut dropout rate in N.C. — News and Observer

One-on-one mentoring and identifying students who are at risk of quitting school — even as early as in elementary grades — are key steps to cutting North Carolina's high dropout rate, educators and activists told lawmakers Wednesday.Read
Tweetsie Railroad Stays on Track: Mountain Park Open Through 2010 — WRAL

A landmark Wild West theme park nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina will remain open through 2010, despite skyrocketing land prices that threatened to shutter its doors. The Tweetsie Railroad theme park was up against a 2007 deadline to renew land leases or close, but owners negotiated deals so the family-run park could operate for at least a few more years at its current location in Blowing Rock. The park will celebrate its 50th season of entertaining families when it opens May 4. Read
Explosive devices on campus — ABC 13

Two students are charged with detonating explosive devices at Western Carolina University. Read
Carolina Regional Cancer Center Announces The Activation Of A Clinical Trial For Men With Prostate Cancer — Carolina Newswire

Carolina Regional Cancer Center (CRCC) and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are proud to announce the activation of a clinical trial in Myrtle Beach participating through the Hollings Cancer Center Clinical Trials Network. Read
Lenovo to Cut 350 Jobs in Triangle, 1,400 Company Wide — WRAL

Many are former IBM workers who joined Lenovo when PC manufacturer bought Big Blue's personal computer division in 2005. Read
Nuclear foes see danger in waste — News and Observer

Longtime nuclear critics plan to highlight the nuclear waste quandary during a two-year safety review as Progress Energy seeks to extend the Shearon Harris operating license into the middle of the century. Read
Forsyth Commissioners Say They'll Fight Prayer Lawsuit — WRAL

Forsyth County commissions plan to fight a lawsuit that challenges prayer during the opening of the governing board's public meetings. "Prayer should not be censored, not by government and not by the ACLU," said attorney Mike Johnson of the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing the county commission at no cost. The board voted 4-3 on Wednesday to fight a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina and the Winston-Salem Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Read
The Castleton Group Named Among Largest For-Profit Employers By Business North Carolina — Carolina Newswire

Jay McLamb, COO of The Castleton Group, a full service HR outsourcing company, has announced that the firm has been named to Business North Carolina's list of the 100 largest for-profit employers for 2006. The annual list is based on the number of employees each organization employs. The Castleton Group has been named to the list for the first time in 2006, the firm employs 4,300 people in North Carolina.Read
Campbell gets $1 million grant for new arena — News and Observer

Campbell University has received a $1 million grant from the Michigan-based Kresge Foundation to help with the construction of a 109,000 square-foot entertainment and sports center expected to be completed by fall 2008. Read

Congress

Lumbees testify in Washington for full federal recognition — ABC 13

North Carolina's Lumbee Indians are again seeking full federal recognition. But several members within the state's congressional delegation could stand in the way. Read
Grassroots Gag Order — AFA

Bill # H.R.984

The bill would silence organizations like American Family Association in needless paperwork and burdensome reporting requirements any time it communicates to constituents on public policy issues that are before Congress, with the threat of severe fines and criminal penalties. Read
'Hate Crime' Legislation Sends Grandmas to Jail — Christian Newswire

On Tuesday at the terrace of the Cannon House Office Building, Faith2Action began a national television campaign to fight so- called "hate crimes" (H.R. 1592)-legislation which has already sent grandmas to jail at the state level for the "crime" of sharing the Gospel on a Philadelphia public sidewalk. The announcement came as part of a press conference led by the Traditional Values Coalition, a linking partner of Faith2Action..."This is the most dangerous bill in America," declares Faith2Action President, Janet Folger, host of a live, daily, nationally syndicated radio program, and writer of a weekly column for WorldNetDaily. On Tuesday, the U.S. House began hearings on the bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes to include "thought crimes" against the homosexual agenda. "HR1592 is about hate — hating free speech, hating equal justice, and hating grandma," said Folger. Read
Congress eyes loan scandal — News and Observer

Lawmakers likely to curb colleges' cozy arrangements with 'preferred lenders.' Read
U.S. Senate Committee Considers Curbing RU-486 — Citizenlink

Amendments would save lives of women, preborn babies. On Wednesday, a U.S. Senate committee will vote on a bill related to the Food and Drug Administration. Two amendments attached to the bill could save women's lives and limit abortions. Read
FBI Searches Rep. John Doolittle's Home — AOL News

FBI agents have searched the home of Republican Rep. John Doolittle, who is under scrutiny over his ties to convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Doolittle's attorney said Wednesday. Read
Citizenship Rule at Embassies to Ease — AP

The State Department wants to slash the number of years foreign employees must work at U.S. embassies or consulates before they can apply for American citizenship. To reward foreigners who have worked in difficult and dangerous conditions and may be at risk, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, the department said Tuesday it would ask Congress to cut the requirement from 15 years to three. "We want to do right by people who have served well and honorably on behalf of their country and the United States," said department spokesman Sean McCormack. "We think that this effort should move forward as quickly as possible." Read
Bill Targeting Parents Who Spank with a Switch Passes Committee — Christian Newswire

AB 755 biases authorities against good parents who use traditional discipline methods Thomasson: "AB 755 biases police officers, social workers, district attorneys, and juries to regard traditional methods of child discipline as hateful, harmful abuse. This irresponsible committee has passed a very irresponsible bill." Read
Pelosi stalls on war bill conferees — Washington Times

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday delayed appointing lawmakers to finish a war-funding bill, putting off the emergency legislation for the second day since returning from the House's two-week spring break.

Read
Dole: Take Different Approaches to Fannie, Freddie Reform — WRAL

Amid a worsening housing slump, Senate and House lawmakers are pushing different approaches to strengthen oversight of the two government-backed mortgage giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Read
Hate-Crimes Bill Introduced in Senate — Citizenlink

Legislation would add extra penalties based on motivation. Read
Cheney bets Democrats will chuck war timetable — The Washington Times

Vice President Dick Cheney said he is "willing to bet" that Democrats will acquiesce to the White House's insistence on a supplemental-spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan that does not include a timetable for withdrawal or binding benchmarks on the Iraqi government. Read
Sen. Boxer sees action on global warming legislation — Herald Tribune

Sen. Barbara Boxer said Wednesday she sees a bipartisan consensus developing on her Environment and Public Works Committee in favor of legislation to curb global warming emissions. Read

Christianity/Pro-Family/Religion/Ethics

The Abominable Convocation at Virginia Tech — Christian Newswire

Yesterday, we Christians sat in horror as we witnessed all the false religions of the world being lifted up without mentioning the Name of the One who could truly bring healing — Jesus! Read
Text of Lutheran Pastor at Virginia Tech Read
Franklin Graham: Satan Behind Virginia Tech Killings — NewsMax

Evangelist Franklin Graham said Cho Seung-Hui, the killer at Virginia Tech University, was "filled with evil," and that Satan is responsible for Monday's mass killings of 32 people at the Blacksburg, Va., campus. Read
Christians Reviving America's Values (CRAVE) Who We Are — Christian Newswire

Christians Reviving America's ValuEs is a national organization also known by the name CRAVE, because we CRAVE revival in our churches and the restoration of Godly principles in America. Every year we write more than 1,000,000 letters to Christians in America. We want to educate them about the War on Christianity. We tell them about the role played by Christianity, The Ten Commandments and morality of our Founding Fathers in establishing our great nation. We remind people that honesty, integrity, moral character and our national freedoms are still important in America today. Read
Turkey: Three killed in attack on Bible publishing house — Jerusalem Post

Assailants killed three people Wednesday at a publishing house that distributed Bibles, in the latest attack apparently targeting Turkey's tiny Christian minority. Read
The 9-To-5 Marriage — Forbes

More and more employees have a ''work spouse'' at the office. Read
Anglican Head Williams Says Anti-Gays Misread Bible — The Washington Post

The spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans has said conservative Christians who cite the Bible to condemn homosexuality are misreading a key passage written by Saint Paul almost 2,000 years ago. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, addressing theology students in Toronto, said an oft-quoted passage in Paul's Epistle to the Romans meant to warn Christians not to be self-righteous when they see others fall into sin. Read
Central America bans 'the Antichrist' — The Scotsman

THREE Central American governments have banned a man claiming to be the Antichrist from entering their countries, outraged by his inflammatory preaching against the Catholic Church and organised religion. El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala have banned Jose de Jesus Miranda, who heads a cult-like movement with sermons televised from Miami to dozens of mostly Latin American nations and wants to join followers at a rally next week in Guatemala. Read

Courts

Court Backs Ban on Abortion Procedure — WRAL

The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controversial abortion procedure Wednesday, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench. Read
N.Y. judge: Taxpayers have right to challenge recognition of Canadian same-sex "marriages" — LifeSiteNews.com

A New York Supreme Court judge denied a bid by homosexual activists to dismiss a case questioning the state's recognition of same-sex "marriages" performed in Canada. Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed suit on behalf of New York taxpayers in 2006 seeking to block the state comptroller's attempts to recognize of out-of-state same-sex "marriages." Read
Edwards; SCOTUS Ruling Hurts Women's Health — Human Events

John Edward's campaign released a statement that said: "I could not disagree more strongly with today's Supreme Court decision. The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake — starting with, as the Court made all too clear today, a woman's right to choose." Read
Alleged Iraqi 'Sleeper Agent' Convicted — AP

An alleged Iraqi "sleeper agent" sent by Saddam Hussein to spy on dissidents in the United States was convicted Monday of lying about his ties to the former Baghdad regime. Read

Abortion/Pro-Life

NJ Pro-Life Groups Call on U.S. Attorney Chris Christie to Enforce Partial Birth Abortion Ban in NJ — Christian Newswire

New Jersey pro-life organizations hold press conference outside metropolitan medical associates, Engelwood, NJ on April 18, 2007 to respond to U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding partial birth abortion ban Read
Adult Stem cell patch restores vision — LifeSiteNews

A man's vision has been restored by a corneal patch grown from adult stem cells by a team at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) and the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery (BOBIM). Read
Sidebar: Giving Babies 'A Different and Better Welcome' — CNS News

"The best case against partial birth abortion is a simple description of what happens and to whom it happens," President Bush said on Nov. 5, 2003, when he signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. Read
Pro-Family Americans Asked To Contact 'American Idol' — Christian Newswire

In a statement released to the media on March 9, 2007, Douglas R. Scott, Jr., president of Life Decisions International (LDI), expressed his disappointment over the decision by "American Idol" to include two pro-abortion groups among the charities that will benefit from its "Idol Gives Back" project. Read
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Bush Honors 'Brave' Professor — CNS News

In a speech commemorating the National Day of Remembrance for the Holocaust, President Bush Wednesday honored the Virginia Tech professor who died trying to save his students from a gunman who ended the lives of 32 people. Read
Now scientists create a sheep that's 15% human — The Mail

Scientists have created the world's first human-sheep chimera — which has the body of a sheep and half-human organs. Read
Population Research Institute Responds to Attack by Left-Wing Members of European Parliament — Christian Newswire

On March 28, 2007, Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, received a letter signed by 19 EU politicians urging her to withdraw from this year's World Congress on Families, to be held in Warsaw, May 11-13. The politicians cited the supposedly "extremist and intolerant views held by some participants and attendees" as reasons why she should stay away, going on to attack Population Research Institute and its President, Steven W. Mosher, by name. Read

Alcohol/Drugs/Health

Muslim cabbies face license loss for refusing fares with alcohol — The Washington Times

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will begin suspending licenses of Muslim taxi drivers who refuse for religious reasons to provide service to passengers transporting alcohol. Read

Education/Sex Ed/Teens/Children

'Amen for Safe Sex!' Declares Planned Parenthood — Christian Newswire

"The people at Planned Parenthood are clueless," said Douglas R. Scott, Jr., president of Life Decisions International (LDI). "They have no idea how offensive it is to Christians when they use God or the things of God to promote their insidious agenda." Read
"Day of Silence" Articulates Condemnation of Biblical Values — CWA

This Wednesday, April 18, homosexual students and their supporters will refuse to participate in class, remaining silent in protest over the treatment of "sexual minorities." Along with its disruptive nature in the classroom, the day also sends clear messages to Christian students that Biblical views of human sexuality are "homophobic," "hateful" and "discriminatory." Read
Violent Film Possibly Connected to Virginia Tech Massacre — Christian Newswire

Among the many shocking images in the package sent to NBC News by murderer Cho Seung-Hui, was a snapshot eerily similar to a character in a violent film. The parallels between Cho and poses struck by the villain in the movie "Oldboy" provide not only clues for investigators but further evidence of a connection between media violence and aggressive behavior. Read
Was Virginia Tech Massacre a Hate Crime? Absurdity of Hate Crimes Legislation — Christian Newswire

America is still reeling over the horrific slaughter of students and faculty at Virginia Tech. The shooter's actions have not been listed as a hate crime, but what makes that heinous crime somehow less hateful or less important than a crime of bias? No one doubts that there was a great deal of hatred on the part of the gunman who shot so many people regardless of race, sexual orientation or religion. Read
Mathematica Study Doesn't Add Up to the End of Abstinence — FRC

After years of fighting funding for abstinence education, liberal groups are heralding a new research study on several abstinence programs. Read
Virginia Tech Shooting Deadliest Campus Shooting in History — CNS News

As many as 32 people are reported dead and at least 21 others injured in two separate incidents when gunfire erupted at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Monday morning. Read
Did Killer Learn From Violent Video Games? NewsMax.com

The media have been quick to point the finger at "guns" as the problem in the Virginia Tech massacre. But NewsMax exposes the dirty secret of violent "First Person Shooter" video games and how this particular killer's style mimicked game play. Read
Threats Rattle Schools in 10 States — ABC News

School campuses in at least 10 states were locked down or evacuated in the aftermath of a Virginia Tech student's shooting rampage that killed 33 people. Read
Christian school to host gay activists — Boston Globe

Breaking with many fellow conservative Christian schools, Gordon College in Wenham will welcome to campus this week a busload of young adults who are sharply critical of the school's policies on homosexuality.The gay-rights activists have repeatedly been arrested and barred from the campuses of other Christian colleges this year as they travel the country in their effort to call attention to what they view as discriminatory policies and hostile climates on evangelical campuses. Read
NYC School Investigated After Cuba Trip — AP

A spring break trip to Cuba taken by students and a teacher from a New York City public high school has raised concerns about whether the group violated U.S. travel restrictions to the Communist country. Read
School Sex Tape Causes Furor — WRAL

A principal and a teacher at a suburban elementary school quit amid allegations they were caught on video having sex in the principal's office, authorities say. Read
Is Gay Indoctrination the Alternative to Polish Education Bill- Christian Newswire

Responding to criticism of a Polish bill banning discussion of homosexuality in the schools, Larry Jacobs, vice president of the World Congress of Families, wondered if it's preferable to let the left use public schools to indoctrinate in favor of the gay lifestyle. The bill, supported by both Poland's President Lech Kaczynski and Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, would prohibit "the promotion of homosexuality in the schools." Read
Washington Lawmakers Reject Abstinence-Only Education — Citizenlink

If a school in Washington chooses to teach sex education, it would not be allowed to teach abstinence-only curriculum under a bill passed by the state's House on Wednesday. Read
Dozens of Girls Booted from Prom in Louisiana for Revealing Dresses — FOX

Dozens of girls were turned away from a prom at Higgins High School because a teacher thought their dresses were too revealing. Read
Louisiana Teen, 16, Accused of Paying Another Teen $5 to Kill Dad — FOX

Police have arrested a 16-year-old from Shreveport who is accused of paying another teen $5 to kill his father. Cops are still looking for the youth allegedly hired for the hit. Read

God and Country/National Security/Politics

Two Border Patrol agents involved in El Paso shooting — KGBT 4

An unidentified man was injured today in a shooting incident involving a pair of Border Patrol agents in south El Paso. Agency spokesman Martin Hernandez says agents were conducting surveillance when they followed a pair of vehicles to an auto parts shop parking lot. Authorities say two unidentified men were witnessed exchanging a roll of money. Hernandez says when the agents approached the pair, one man surrendered — but the other drove toward the agents, hitting their unmarked vehicle and then taking aim at the agents. Read
U.S. Town Requires Residents to Own Guns — AOL

The Virginia Tech killings have set off calls for tighter U.S. gun laws but anyone wanting to know why those demands likely will make little headway should visit Kennesaw, a town where owning a gun is both popular and mandatory..."When the law was passed in 1982 there was a substantial drop in crime ... and we have maintained a really low crime rate since then," said police Lt. Craig Graydon. "We are sure it is one of the lowest (crime) towns in the metro area." Read
Australia, U.S. Agree to Refugee Exchange Program, Howard Says — Bloomberg

Australia and the U.S. have agreed to exchange detained asylum seekers in a bid to deter people smuggling, Prime Minister John Howard said. ''It is part of our policy to reinforce the message to those who would engage in people smuggling that this country has a very tough border-protection policy,'' Howard said in an interview on Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio today. Read
U.S. may open doors to 25,000 refugees — The Washington Times

The United States could take in up to 25,000 Iraqi refugees this year — more than three times the number it previously agreed to admit — in an effort to provide some relief to the crisis affecting several Arab countries, the State Department said yesterday. Read
EU Official Criticizes U.S.-Mexico Wall — AP

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tuesday criticized U.S. plans to extend barriers along its border with Mexico, saying immigrants should not be treated like criminals. Read
Bush administration seeks to expand surveillance law — USA Today

FBI agents and other federal investigators would have greater leeway to eavesdrop on foreigners in the USA suspected of having information on terrorism or national security threats, under a Bush administration proposal. Read
Warning is sounded on ethanol use — LA Times

The fuel would create more ground-level ozone than gasoline if used heavily, a study finds. Critics disagree on the overall risk. Read
US seeks info on ex-FBI agent missing in Iran — Jerusalem Post

The US State Department said Wednesday it is expanding appeals for information about a former FBI agent who went missing in Iran more than a month ago. Frustrated by the lack of a response from Iran to three previous formal requests made through Swiss intermediaries about the welfare and whereabouts of Robert Levinson, the department said it is now asking other nations with ties to Iran for help. Read
The US Constitution Only Delegates the Power Over Immigration or Asylum to the States — The Federalist Blog

Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall on behalf of herself and several other county attorneys and sheriffs, recently said a Arizona proposed immigration provision is an unconstitutional intrusion by the state into immigration policies, which are solely the purview of the federal government. This struck me kind of odd because in order to come under the purview of the federal government the authority must be found delegated or, incidental to a delegated power granted to Congress under the US Constitution. There is a significant reason why Congress has no delegated power leading to jurisdiction under the US Constitution in matters of immigration or Asylum. Read
Playboy's Hugh Hefner Backs Hillary — Newsmax.com

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has joined the celebrities who are supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential race — he contributed $2,300, the maximum allowed, to her campaign Read
Vendors employing illegals not welcome, Deerfield Twp. says — The Community Press

Vendors wanting to do business in this Warren County community must provide written proof that they do not employ illegal immigrants. Deerfield Township trustees at their April 17 meeting approved legislation requiring contractors to submit written documentation showing compliance with and violations of the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act in the county or any bordering counties during the last four years. The act makes it unlawful to hire or recruit an immigrant alien knowing that person is unauthorized to work in the United States. Read
Iran sending arms to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pace says — The Washington Times

Iran is shipping arms and explosives to Afghanistan, in addition to providing deadly armor-piercing bombs covertly to Iraqi insurgents, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday. Read
Bay of Pigs — An Anniversary of Heroism and Shame — Human Events

...At the Bay of Pigs, Lynch (an American) and his band of Cuban brothers learned — first in speechless shock and finally in burning rage — that their most powerful enemies were not Castro's Soviet-armed soldiers massing in Santa Clara, Cuba but the Ivy League's best and brightest conferring in Washington. Read
US concern over Iran Afghan role — BBC

Taleban insurgents frequently attack Nato troops. A senior official in the US State Department has expressed growing concern at Iran's role in Afghanistan. Read
Gates: Iraq failure would be felt in ME before US — Jerusalem Post

Failure in Iraq will unleash sectarian strife and extremism and will be felt first in the Middle East, visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday. Read
Rice meets Palestinian minister — BBC

Rice met the Palestinian minister at an unofficial occasion US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has met the Palestinian Finance Minister, Salam Fayyad. This is the highest-level contact between a US official and a minister in the new Palestinian unity government. Read
White House Won't Rise to Calls for Gun Control — Human Events

As the President and First Lady prepared to join with families in mourning the tragedy at Virginia Tech today, the White House would not take the bait of calls for new gun control legislation. Read
Industry wants cheap, inept workers — The Community Press

Americans will do any kind of work. They dig coal miles underground in dangerous mines; they pick up garbage on the street; they work in sewers; they harvest fruits and vegetables on their own farms; and they fill mind-numbing assembly line jobs. Here is what Americans by and large won't do. They won't work in physically demanding jobs for a wage that doesn't support a family. They won't do grueling work, such as in roofing or construction, that doesn't offer sick pay or annual vacation time. They won't work in the blood and bile pits of slaughterhouses without reasonable health and safety standards. When these industries complain that they can't find American workers, what they mean is they can't find enough people willing to work for the pay, benefits and working conditions offered. Illegal immigrants do take American jobs, by allowing employers to make jobs unpalatable. If this shadow workforce were unavailable, market forces would transform most of those jobs into decent work. Read
Dollar at Near Record Low Vs. Euro — Yahoo

Dollar Loses Ground to Euro and Pound As Tourist Season Approaches Read
Bush says U.S. will impose new punishments if Sudan doesn't act to stop Darfur bloodshed — Chicago Sun Times

President Bush said Wednesday that the United States will tighten economic sanctions and impose new punishments if Sudan fails to take concrete action to stop the bloodshed in Darfur. Read
Sixty Percent of Americans See Recession Ahead — Money News.com

Most Americans are expecting a recession in the next year and a large number describe their own finances as "shaky," according to a recent survey conducted for the Los Angeles Times and financial news wire Bloomberg. Read
Bill Clinton's Strange U.N. Visit — Newsmax

...While the U.N. labeled the meeting as an "official" visit, the Clinton entourage insisted the meeting was "private." Read
Report: France Told U.S. of Al Qaeda Hijack Plot Before 9/11 — FOX

...In a version declassified last September, the report shows that the Federal Aviation Administration's intelligence unit received "nearly 200 pieces of threat-related information daily from U.S. intelligence agencies, particularly the FBI, CIA, and State Department." Read
Sallie Mae to be bought for $25 billion — Yahoo News

...Sallie Mae, whose formal name is SLM Corp. The deal is unusual because leveraged buyouts usually entail boosting debt at a company to increase the return on equity, but financial companies usually have high debt levels to begin with. Read
Wal-Mart tops Fortune 500 list — CNN Money.com

World's largest retailer edges out Exxon Mobil, marking the fifth time in the last six years it has claimed the No. 1 spot. Read
Chrysler to build plants, ax 1,800 jobs — The Washington Times

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group plans to build two new plants in Michigan and upgrade three others, but because the plants will be more efficient, there will be a net loss of about 1,800 jobs. Read
The Positive Side of 'Global Warming'? — Sun Sentinel

A new study conducted by two atmospheric experts indicates that global warming is producing increasingly stronger wind shear over the Atlantic, something that might hinder hurricane formation, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. Read

Related

Pornography/Homosexuality/Immorality/Obscenity/Violence

Pornography Crackdown — National Catholic Register

Critics Say U.S. Attorney Firings Were Linked to Anti-Porn Efforts Read
Deliberate HIV-Infection Rampage Kept from Australian Police by Health Officials — LifeSiteNews.com

Two Australian men who openly admitted their campaigns to intentionally infect others with HIV were not reported to police, out of health officials' concerns for the individuals' medical privacy, according to a report published April 10 in The Daily Telegraph. Read
Hillary is Loud and Proud of Gay Support — Human Events

Hillary wants everyone to know she is supported by the gay community. Her campaign gave a list of gay professional support to the Washington Blade to prove she's backed by a strong contigent gay-rights activists. Read
N.H. Governor Says He'll OK Civil Unions — WRAL

Gov. John Lynch said Thursday he will sign legislation establishing civil unions for gay couples in New Hampshire. Read
Prosecuting Pornography — National Catholic Register

When toxic sludge leeches into neighborhoods, we demand the polluter stop and clean up his mess. What about the sludge of pornography? Read
Gay Rights Bills Pass Oregon House — AP

Same-sex couples would receive the same benefits as married couples, and gays and lesbians would be protected against discrimination under bills approved Tuesday by the Oregon House. The Senate is expected to pass the two bills and Gov. Ted Kulongoski plans to sign both. Read
Author Dispels Myth that Homosexuality is Compatible with Scripture — Citizenlink

Love Won Out speaker says "To stay relevant means to understand the prevailing errors and problems of our time and to be equipped to answer them from a Biblical perspective." In his new book The Gay Gospel? How Pro-Gay Advocates Misread the Bible, Joe Dallas dissects the rhetoric of the gay Christian movement. Dallas, a featured speaker at Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conferences since they began in 1998, spent six years on staff with a pro-gay church. He opens the book writing, "I remember clearly, and with inexpressible regret, the day I convinced myself it was acceptable to be both gay and Christian." Read
Billboard Company Refuses Ex-Gay Ads — Citizenlink

Competitor stands up for free speech. Read
Errors Sends New York Sex Predator Hotline Calls to Sex Chat Line — FOX

An effort to provide constituents with a hotline number that helps track the location of sexual predators backfired for a group of Long Island politicians when they mistakenly listed a telephone number that connects callers to a sex chat line.Read

Other News

Trapped Miners' Chances Diminishing — WRAL

Efforts to dig out two miners buried for nearly two days beneath at least 45 feet of rocks and dirt in an open pit coal mine resumed Thursday morning after a seven-hour safety delay, a federal official said. Read
World Bank's President Refuses To Step Down — New York Sun

The embattled World Bank president, Paul Wolfowitz, said yesterday that he would continue to lead bank efforts to reduce global poverty, resisting calls to step down over his involvement in securing a huge pay increase for a close female friend. Read
Olmert: There is chance for peace soon — Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that a solution for Middle East peace would be feasible in the next couple of years. Read
Assad: 'We have seen nothing but harm from Israel' — Jerusalem Post

Syrian President Bashar Assad has called Israel a "fierce enemy," and said that Syria was "working daily to strengthen [its] defenses." Read
EU close to agreement on hate crime law — EU Observer

After six years of heated political debate, EU member states are set to agree on a common anti-racism law, under which offenders will face up to three years in jail for stirring-up racial hatred or denying acts of genocide, such as the Holocaust. 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