Weekly Issues Alert

June 15 - 21

"It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." --Samuel Adams (http://PatriotPost.US/fqd/)

NC General Assembly

Parents seek special tags — News and Observer

Families of war dead also want state to waive extra fee. Read
Consumer group wants stronger seafood labeling laws — Outer Banks Sentinel

In a report released on May 31, a consumer advocacy group has called on Congress to increase funding for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections of imported seafood. Read
Bill targets farmworker housing — News and Observer

Farm groups and advocates for workers support the measure to improve conditions, a milder version of the 2005 proposal. Read
Senate Leader's Wife Dies — WRAL

The wife of Senate leader Marc Basnight died Sunday after an illness, his office announced Monday. Read
Ethics panel to investigate Rep. Wright — Wilmington Star News

The General Assembly's ethics committee said Thursday it would accept the request to investigate Rep. Thomas Wright that House Speaker Joe Hackney made last month. Read
Review office gets legislature's OK — News and Observer

The General Assembly would create a new legislative office designed to regularly review the work of state departments, agencies and institutions in a bill given final approval Monday night. Read
New law requires candidates to take campaign finance course — Sun Journal

Only rarely does a candidate for municipal office in Craven County spend enough money to require a campaign finance spending report. Some spend only the $5 filing fee. But a new law requires their campaign treasurer — or them, if they don't have a treasurer — to take a N.C. Board of Elections campaign finance course. Read
State would give rest homes ratings aged — News and Observer

But even as the billboard circled — with plans to stop by legislators' favorite eating spots Wednesday night — a House committee approved an industry-opposed bill that would add even more scrutiny: a rating system to help the public gauge the quality of care in homes. Read
Legislation Could Open Locked Doors of Grand Jury Process — WRAL

A grand jury thought Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong had enough evidence to indict three Duke Lacrosse players for rape, a conclusion that Nifong himself eventually abandoned. ..A push at the General Assembly could change that in some cases, especially bribery, political corruption and murder.

It would bring a change in what is now a process wrapped in secrecy. Read
Underage drinking bill punishes adults — Daily Advance

As early as December, anyone convicted of buying alcohol for a minor could lose their driver's license for one year. Read
DWI bracelets under consideration — News 14

There's a new effort underway to prevent drunken driving in North Carolina. It's a bracelet that certain drunken driving offenders would wear that detects alcohol in the system. Lawmakers are just steps away from making it a law. Read
June 11 General Assembly Information: (News and Observer)

GANG PREVENTION: A House judiciary subcommittee heard testimony on proposed legislation that would create new crimes and longer sentences for people who participate in or encourage gang activity. The proposal also would add 10 more years to the crimes of a person who organizes or leads a gang. The bill would set aside $10 million for gang prevention and intervention programs. The panel heard from New Bern Police Chief Frank Colombo, who said many gang members are simply career criminals who need to be incarcerated for longer periods of time. Stormy Ellis, an assistant Durham County district attorney, suggested that lawmakers create a racketeering statute that would allow police officers more flexibility in helping prosecutors make cases against entire gangs. Eric Zogry with the Office of Indigent Defense Services urged lawmakers to examine closely efforts to punish juveniles since research shows young offenders don't have a complete understanding of consequences for their actions.

MOORE ON DEBT: State Treasurer Richard Moore asked budget negotiators to limit the amount and type of state debt they agree to this year to help North Carolina maintain its top-level bond rating. Moore cited an annual debt affordability study that suggested that borrowing be limited to $384 million each year for the next 10 years. He also discouraged increasing reliance on so-called "certificates of participation," which don't require voter referenda before being issued. Moore also wants the final budget to include $45 million to repay money that Gov. Mike Easley intercepted before reaching the state pension funds in 2001 to narrow a budget shortfall.

WASTE NOT: North Carolina's need for safe solid waste disposal is growing with the population, and its citizens and businesses need to help alleviate the situation by recycling more, state officials told the Environmental Review Commission. The information came in an annual report on solid waste management and a review of the status of recycling in the state. Paul Crissman, chief of the solid waste section in the Division of Waste Management, projected that 9.9 million state residents will be producing 1.45 tons of waste per person by 2015. At the same time, there's plenty of room for better recycling efforts, said Scott Mouw of the Division of Pollution Prevention. Among other shortfalls, North Carolinians are simply dumping more than 25,000 tons of aluminum cans that could fetch $30 million a year in the recycling market, and 1.2 million tons of paper worth $50 million.

In the House:

_ S492, to exempt local governments from state public contracting rules when making purchases from contracts established by the federal government or any federal agency. Approved: 110-0. Next: To Gov. Mike Easley's desk.

In the Senate:

_ H353, passed by a vote of 44-0, to permit the state health director to examine personal medical records held by a hospital, laboratory or other medical facility when necessary "to prevent, control, or investigate a disease or health hazard that may present a clear danger to the public health." Next: Return to the House for concurrence motion.
House Tempers Background Checks for Guns- WRAL

The House Wednesday passed what could become the first major federal gun control law in over a decade, spurred by the Virginia Tech campus killings and buttressed by National Rifle Association help. Read

NC Courts

Victim, 80, describes rape to jurors — Star News Online

The victim of a violent sexual assault in her rural Pender County home nearly two years ago took the stand Thursday at the trial of Antonio N. McAllister and calmly recounted the night she was raped. Read
Nifong faces ethics charges at hearing — News 14

Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong will defend his actions taken during the Duke Lacrosse case to three members of the State Bar Disciplinary Hearing Commission. Read

NC Politics

Edwards courts shallow-pocket voters in birthday fundraiser — Wilson Daily Times

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards used his Sunday birthday fundraiser — an event light on cash but heavy on voters — to urge his shallow-pocket supporters to donate their time to help mobilize his campaign. While most presidential campaign fundraisers feature thousand-dollar-a-plate meals, Edwards returned to his hometown roots with an event featuring backyard barbecue and pie. The entrance fee: $15. Read

Other North Carolina News

Service to be Held for North Carolina-based Soldier Killed in Afghanistan — News and Observer

A funeral service will be held Tuesday for a North Carolina-based soldier killed in an Army helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Read
82nd Airborne Reaches Highest Deployment Level Since WWII — WRAL

Another round of Fort Bragg soldiers headed overseas Sunday night. It's the highest deployment level for the 82nd Airborne since World War II. Read
Ex-Marines Seek Nearly $4B For Exposure To Chemicals At Camp Lejeune

(See article under Congress)

Letter from D-Day battlefield — Roanoke — Chowan News Herald

(Editor's note: In recognition of the 63rd anniversary of D-Day {the June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy, France by Allied forces during World War II}, Gwendolyn Martin-Ayers of Ahoskie submitted the following letter her father, US Army Private 1st class Joseph H. Martin, wrote on that infamous day after he parachuted into the battle:) Read
Attorney General Cooper fights internet predators — News 14

...As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of this state and as a parent, Attorney General Roy Cooper sees it as his job to keep that young generation safe when cyber surfing. "Our kids are on the Internet. They are smart enough to navigate the Internet, but not necessarily wise enough to make the best decisions when they get there," said Cooper. Read
N.C. students can take classes online — News 14

North Carolina will make education history as the state's first virtual public school goes online. Beginning Monday, students will be able to take classes over the Internet, but there are some stipulations. Read
Charlie Nelms Tabbed As New NCCU Chancellor — WRAL

Charlie Nelms of Indiana University has been named the new chancellor at N.C. Central University. Read
Education leaders head to Washington, D.C. — News 14

State Board of Education members are in Washington, D.C., to put in their two cents on No Child Left Behind. Read
House budget to study merger of child programs — News and Observer

Under the Dome: When the House passed its $20 billion budget proposal last month, Gov. Mike Easley reportedly criticized House members for not having a "laser-like" focus on education. Read
UNCW marine center plans for more growth — Wilmington Star News

Seven years after moving in, the University of North Carolina Wilmington has outgrown its Center for Marine Science in Myrtle Grove.

School officials are proposing to nearly double the size of the existing 81,000-square-foot facility with a new marine biotechnology building and oyster research site. Read
Orange deputy charged with DWI — News and Observer

An Orange County sheriff's deputy was arrested Thursday night and charged with drunken driving, authorities say. Read
Ocracoke Island Named Nation's Top Beach — WRAL

The nation's best place to get a tan and enjoy the ocean's waves in 2007 is North Carolina's Ocracoke Island, a place so remote that even people in the offices of "Dr. Beach" — Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman — didn't know where to find it on the map. Read
2 wildfires char nearly 1,000 acres of western North Carolina forest — TimesRecordNews.com

Two wildfires have charred more than 900 acres of the parched Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina, officials said Monday. Read
Brunswick sheriff subpoenaed — Star News Online

...County Attorney Huey Marshall said the county received requests Thursday for timecards, finance records and employment records pertaining to the sheriff's office. The requests were signed by a federal clerk and "issued at the request of the U.S. attorney," Marshall said. Read
Herbicide spraying violated state rules — News and Observer

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district has suspended spreading weed killer on competition athletic fields after violating state safety procedures at Smith Middle School in May. Read
North Carolina State, Nevada Officials to Discuss Similar Logos — WRAL

N-C State and Nevada officials plan to discuss their similar logos this week. Nevada officials tell the Reno Gazette-Journal that they're waiting for a memo from N-C State's licensing company, and that a meeting is expected this week. N-C State officials sent an inquiry to the University of Nevada in Reno to find out if 'Toughie' the Wolfpack wolf was being used on Nevada Wolf Pack merchandise. Read
Samantha the elephant leaving Edmonton zoo bound for North Carolina — Canada Press

One of the biggest attractions — literally — at Edmonton's Valley Zoo is leaving town. Samantha, a 19-year-old, 3,200-kilogram African elephant, is heading to an elephant facility in Asheboro, N.C., in hopes of becoming a mom. Read

Congress

House Panel Probes "Poisoned Patriots" — Ex-Marines Seek Nearly $4B For Exposure To Chemicals At Camp Lejeune — CBS

Marine families who lived at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina over three decades drank water contaminated with toxins as much as 40 times over today's safety standard, federal health investigators said Tuesday. The government disclosed results from a new scientific study on the same day that some families testified for Congress about cancers and other illnesses they blame on drinking tainted tap water at the sprawling training and deployment base. Read
Approval of Congress lowest in a decade — LA Times

Only about a quarter of Americans approve of how it's doing its job, a poll shows; most see 'business as usual.' Read
Eagle Forum tells Bush: 'No means no' on amnesty for illegals — One News Now

One of the conservative activist groups instrumental in at least temporarily derailing a Senate bill that would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens living in the U.S. warns the fight against the measure is far from over. The executive director of Eagle Forum says the recent downfall of the bill can be attributed in part to the strong activism of grassroots Americans. Read
Immigration bill will cost taxpayers $trillion$ — AFA Online

Contact your two U.S. Senators today

Are you in favor of the new immigration reform bill soon to be voted on by the U.S. Senate? If you do make a rational decision to oppose the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 — S.1348, get prepared to be called names. Action
House Democratic leaders to kill funding for abstinence education programs — AFA Online

Urgent Telephone Alert to the House Energy & Commerce Committee

The Democratic leaders of the House Energy & Commerce Committee have reportedly decided to kill the abstinence education program this year in favor of so-called "comprehensive" programs that emphasize "safe sex" and contraception. Action
Dr. Alveda King to Congressman Rangel: 'Save the Babies, Save Social Security' — Christian Newswire

Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life, today responded to reports that Congressman Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is working on a plan to save Social Security from a coming financial crunch.

"Congressman Rangel has to be aware that since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, approximately 48 million Americans, about a third of them African Americans, have been aborted," said Dr. King, the niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Millions of those now deceased people would have been alive and paying into Social Security today had not Mr. Rangel and his friends in the abortion lobby had their way. It's time Mr. Rangel and his fellow Congressmen connect the dots — save the babies, save Social Security." Read
Armey accuses Democrats of 'triple-breasted schizophrenia' on gas prices — One News Now

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is criticizing Democrats for not fulfilling their promise to reduce gasoline prices once they took control of Congress. Read
Democrats accused of dragging feet on Jefferson probe — One News Now

House Minority Leader Roy Blunt is denouncing Democrats for lagging on an ethics investigation of one of their own who has been indicted on federal bribery charges. Read
Everybody Knows Gambling Hurts Families — Christian Newswire

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) will begin holding hearings this week on the "Internet Gambling Regulatory and Enforcement Act of 2007" (H.R. 2046). The bill would set up a scheme to legalize, license and regulate Internet gambling operations..."Gambling hurts families, pure and simple," says Shari Rendall, Concerned Women for America's (CWA) Director of Legislation and Public Policy. "Congressman Frank's misguided legislation makes the problem worse." Read
Destruction of Human Embryos a "Gift from God" says Catholic House Speaker — LifeSiteNews.com

The ability to destroy human embryos to cure diseases is a "gift from God" said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a self-described "devout Catholic," referring to the recent bill passed to fund human embryonic stem-cell research. Read
Bush Pushing Immigration Bill on Hill — WRAL

President Bush mounted a personal effort Tuesday to salvage his derailed immigration bill, as key lawmakers reached for a deal that could quickly revive the measure. Read
Bush to meet with GOP over immigration — USA Today

Rare visit to senators 'shows his dedication to this issue' Read
U.S. House approves federal recognition for N.C. Lumbee Indians — Wilson Daily Times

The Lumbee Indians of North Carolina have crossed a significant hurdle in their quest for federal recognition, as the U.S. House voted this week to approve the tribe's legitimacy. Read
Sen. Brownback Asks Catholic Men's Conference: "Is [Rape] Made Any Better by Killing an Innocent Child?" — LifeSiteNews.com

In a talk to the National Catholic Men's Conference this past weekend, Senator Sam Brownback criticized the commonly held notion that abortion should always be allowed in cases of rape, reports the Associated Press. "Rape is terrible. Rape is awful," Brownback said to the approximately 500 conference attendees, but then asked, "Is it made any better by killing an innocent child? Does it solve the problem for the mother that's been raped?" Read
Democrats load up on antiwar bills — Washington Times

More than 40 bills that call for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq or otherwise trying to end the war are being kicked around Congress by Democrats eager to again challenge President Bush. Read
Lieberman says strike on Iran is an option — Boston Globe

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman said yesterday that the United States should consider a military strike against Iran because of Tehran's alleged involvement in Iraq. Read
Democrats to push vote on Gonzales — Chicago Tribune

Majority Democrats in the Senate are forcing Republican colleagues on the record about whether Attorney General should keep his job. Read
Kennedy alliance costly to GOP senators — The Washington Times

An immigration alliance with Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts is damaging Arizona Sen. John McCain and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham among conservative Republicans. The damage to the two Republican senators caused by their support for Mr. Kennedy's immigration bill — which was blocked by a Senate filibuster last night — is especially clear in Mr. Graham's home state, scene of an early presidential primary next year. Read
CIA Plans Cutbacks, Limits on Contractor Staffing — Washington Post

Acting under pressure from Congress, the CIA has decided to trim its contractor staffing by 10 percent. It is the agency's first effort since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to curb what critics have decried as the growing privatization of U.S. intelligence work, a circumstance that has sharply boosted some personnel costs. Read
Rep. Miller denounces funding of struggling aircraft — News and Observer

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller of Raleigh is calling for an end to years of federal funding to an aerospace company that is trying to develop a military aircraft that takes off and lands vertically. Read
PETA pushes for excise tax on meat — Pittsburg Tribune-Review

Should hunters — or anyone who enjoys a steak or a hamburger — have to pay extra for that little indulgence?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals thinks so. One of the nation's largest anti-hunting organizations, the group has kicked off a "Tax Meat" Campaign, proposing a 10-cent-per-pound excise tax on meat. Animal activists have also asked federal lawmakers to give tax breaks to those who have sworn off the consumption of animals. Read
Deep divisions derail immigration bill — Philadelphia Inquirer

The Senate divisions that derailed a White House-backed immigration bill _ for now, at least _ mirror the U.S. society's deep differences over the issue, according to polling data, lawmakers and analysts. Those gaps will challenge any effort to get the measure back on track. Read
GOP eyes 'shutdown' of Senate over judges — The Washington Times

Republican leaders yesterday threatened a "total shutdown" of Senate business if Democrats keep holding up President Bush's appointments to the federal bench. Read
Jefferson Pleads Not Guilty on 16 Counts in Bribery Case — CNSNews

Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) Friday pleaded not guilty to all 16 counts of soliciting bribes, racketeering, money laundering, fraud, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Read
Democrats Seek Formula To Blunt AMT — The Washington Post

One Plan Would Impose Surtax Of 4.3% on Richest Households Read

Christianity/Pro-Family/Religion/Ethics

SBC president says repentance must come before blessing — One News Now

The president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) says the denomination will only experience God's true favor and blessings when individuals practice personal repentance over arrogance and pride. Read
Property developers and neglect threaten Jerusalem's ancient glory — Haaretz News

Jerusalem's glorious history is fading at an alarming pace, according to the National Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The Jerusalem-based academy hosted a conference this week on the progress of preserving ancient sites in the capital. Conference speakers were pessimistic about the chances of Jerusalem's heritage surviving for future generations. Read
Arafat's Legacy Lives On in Battle for Jerusalem — CNS

...The "most alarming legacy" to emerge from the July 2000 Camp David summit — hosted by Bill Clinton — was Arafat's statement that the Jewish Temple built by the Biblical King Solomon never existed, and that if it did, it wasn't in Jerusalem, Gold told Cybercast News Service in a recent interview. "These were not just Arafat's own diplomatic antics, but it was an effort to de-legitimize the core claim of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland," said Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations. Read
Southern Baptists open resolution debates — One News Now

The annual business meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has kicked off with a challenge from the denomination's president and introduction of motions. Read
Poll shows belief in evolution, creationism — USA Today

Issue could play a part in GOP presidential race Read
Bible Quotes, Devotions, and Prayer Requests go Mobile — Christian Newswire

J R Wireless Inc. is a Montreal based company focusing on bringing innovative and value-added mobile services to the North American market. Their latest mobile service solution will bring advantages and a new communication channel to Christian radio stations, TV broadcasters, ministries and congregations. The solution brings Bible quotes and devotions directly to any mobile phone and enables prayer requests using text messages (SMS). Read
Clergy sex abuse survivors call for Southern Baptist leaders to investigate 'growing problem' — One News Now

An activist group that tries to raise awareness of sexual abuse by clergy members is asking the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to do more to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct among its pastors. Read
U.S. Grant Winds Up as 2 Ships Gone Awry — NYT

A case of two Coast Guard cutters shows that earmarks to faith-based groups may not achieve their stated purpose. Read
Report shows media undermining 'American values' — News One Now

A new survey commissioned by a media watchdog group claims the news and entertainment media are damaging the nation's moral values. At an event in Washington to unveil the report, CMI director Bob Knight argued the more a person watches television, the less likely he is to accept personal responsibility for his actions. "We believe that the figures show clearly that the more TV you watch, the more you want to depend on the government," Knight explained. The report also shows the more a person watches TV, the less likely he is to value religious principles and obedience to God. Read

Courts

Federal Judges Call Bush Policy 'Disastrous' for U.S. — AOL

The Bush administration cannot legally detain a U.S. resident it believes is an al-Qaida sleeper agent without charging him, a divided federal appeals court ruled Monday. The court said sanctioning the indefinite detention of civilians would have "disastrous consequences for the constitution — and the country." Read
C High Court Upholds Zoloft Conviction — US News and World Report

The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the murder conviction Monday of a teenager who claimed antidepressants led him to kill his grandparents and set their house on fire when he was 12 years old. Read
The Line Between Civilian and Soldier — NYT

A federal appeals court has rejected a new, intermediate category proposed by the Bush administration: "unlawful enemy combatant." Read
Supreme Court: Home care workers not entitled to overtime — Chicago Tribune

Affects more than 1 million workers who care for the elderly and disabled in their homes. Read
Judge Tries Suing Pants Off Dry Cleaners — NYT

Roy L. Pearson Jr. sued his dry cleaner for $67.3 million over lost pants in a case that has been lampooned as an example of American legal excess. Read
Syrian Arms Dealer Indicted in NYC — Sun Journal

A wealthy Syrian arms dealer previously accused of arming militants from Iraq to Somalia has been arrested in Spain on charges he plotted to supply millions of dollars worth of weapons to Colombian rebels, U.S. officials said Friday. The arrest followed an international sting operation in which undercover agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration convinced Monzer al-Kassar that they wanted to buy surface-to-air missile systems, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, thousands of machine guns and millions of rounds of ammunition for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, a rebel army classified in the United States as a terrorist group. Read
Ga. Court Tosses Voter ID Challenge — US News and World Report

The Georgia Supreme Court threw out a challenge Monday to the state's voter ID law, but sidestepped a decision on the law's validity by ruling that the plaintiff didn't have the legal standing to challenge the law. Read
FCC regulation rejected by court — The Patriot Post

By a 2-1 margin, the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York this week rejected a Federal Communications Commission indecency ruling against Fox Television for airing "fleeting expletives." The case history dates to the 2002 and 2003 Billboard Music Awards, in which Cher and Nicole Richie, respectively, uttered expletives that were broadcast uncensored. In 2004, following yet another "accidental airing" the prior year on NBC's showing of the Golden Globes during which singer Bono used the phrase, "f*****g brilliant," the FCC ruled that a certain word, regardless of context, "inherently has a sexual connotation" and can thus be regulated by indecency standards. The court cited lack of "reasoned basis" for the FCC's ruling, claiming that it violated the commission's pre-2004 policy that "fleeting and isolated remarks of this nature do not warrant commission action." Yet, while regulators debate the obscure notion of expletives by intent, broadcasters continue their mad dash towards moral decadence. Where broadcasters once held themselves to at least a modicum of decency, they now embrace what public culture once would have condemned. Abandoning all societal responsibility, they have once again proven themselves an enemy to moral values as a basis for civil society. Rather than propagate a false interchange of libertinism and liberty, broadcasters should renounce their discipleship of depravity in exchange for a standard of decency. Read
Judge: No 10-Year Sentence for Teen Sex — US News and World Report

A judge on Monday voided a 10-year sentence for a man accused of having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. He instead gave Genarlow Wilson a 12-month misdemeanor sentence with credit for time already served. The state is likely to appeal the ruling. Read
Suit to decide workplace 'hate speech' — The Washington Times

The words "natural family," "marriage" and "union of a man and a woman" can be punished as "hate speech" in government workplaces, according to a lawsuit that is being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Read
Judge says DWP gouged agencies for $200 million — LA Times

The county and other entities were overbilled for electricity for more than a decade, a judge says. Read

Abortion/Pro-Life

Texas baby who survived hanging by mother to live with aunt — USA Today

A 9-month-old girl who was the lone survivor of her mother's attempt to hang herself and her four children will live temporarily with an aunt, attorneys said Tuesday. Evelyn Frayre has been in foster care since she was released from the hospital the day after the May 29 hangings. Her mother, Gilberta Estrada, hanged all four daughters — ages 5, 3, 1 and 8 months — then hanged herself with pieces of clothing from a wooden rack in a closet in their mobile home in Hudson Oaks, about 25 miles west of Fort Worth. Attorneys for the families of Estrada and Gregorio Frayre Rodriguez, the baby's father, met behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss who could best care for the baby. Read
Now Phila. is officially 'pro-choice' — The Philadelphia Inquirer

...That wasn't the case yesterday, as Council proclaimed Philadelphia a "Pro-Choice City," which supports "women's reproductive rights and freedom" and defends "the right to choose a legal and safe abortion as a final but critical option for women." Read
N.H. Senate votes abortion law repeal — The Boston Globe

The state Senate voted yesterday to make New Hampshire the first state to repeal a law requiring parental notification for teenagers to get abortions. Read
New Poll Finds 71% of Canadians Support Assisted Suicide — LifeSiteNews.com

On June 10, 2007, the Ipsos Reid polling company released the results of a poll that was done between June 5—7, that included two questions related to assisted suicide. The results of the poll indicated that 71% of Canadians supported doctor-assisted suicide and 76% supported the concept of the "Right to Die." The second question, however, concerning the "Right to Die," is a bogus question due to the mixture of meaning related to the terminology. Read
Expert Witness in Criminal Abortion Case Drops Bombshell Testimony — Christian Newswire

The leading witness against abortionist George R. Tiller broke his six month silence today by granting an on camera interview arranged by Women Influencing America. Dr. Phillip McHugh has recorded a statement answering questions about abortion records involved in the highly charged criminal case against Tiller. Dr. McHugh, from Boston, Massachusetts, is a published author and an expert in the field of psychiatry. Read
Vatican Ambassador to the UN to Present Award to Proponent of "Contraceptives" — LifeSiteNews.com

Tomorrow the Vatican ambassador to the United Nations, known officially as the Holy See Permanent Observer to the United Nations, will be presenting an award to Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, president of the 61st session of the U.N. General Assembly. The Vatican ambassador, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, will be presenting the award on behalf of the Path to Peace Foundation, over which he presides as President. Read

Alcohol/Drugs/Health

Doctors: Cheney needs new pacemaker battery — Houston Chronicle

Vice President Dick Cheney's routine checkup today revealed no new blockages in his heart, but doctors said he needs a new battery for a special pacemaker he has in his chest, a spokeswoman said. Read
FDA: Diet Drug May Spur Suicidal Behavior — CBS

Obesity Treatment Acomplia May Also Trigger Other Psychological Side Effects Read
Eye To Eye: Autism — CBS

Michael and Theresa Cedillo, whose lawsuit seeks to prove a link between autism and vaccines, tell Sharyl Attkisson how their daughter was transformed after a routine shot. Video

Education/Sex Ed/Teens/Children

Utah No. 1 in graduation — Salt Lake Tribune

Despite spending less per pupil on its students than any other state in the nation, Utah has the highest high-school graduation rate of any state, according to data released Tuesday by the publication Education Week. Read
Buddhist teachers gunned down in school library — The Daily Telegraph

TWO female Buddhist teachers were shot dead at a school in Thailand's Muslim-majority south today, prompting 50 institutions to close indefinitely for fear of further attacks, officials said. Read
Planned Parenthood bills would mandate homosexuality and other offensive topics as requirement for graduation — MassResistance

Planned Parenthood Bill (H597) would mandate homosexuality and other offensive topics as statuatory requirement for graduation and passing certain grade levels in school. Every parent's nightmare. Read
When School Is Out, Getting Good Food In — NYT

Summer is an ideal time to start children on a wholesome nutritional track and to encourage enjoyable physical activities. Read
Belhaven College: Meeting the Needs of Students Online — Christian Newswire

Imagine completing your college degree on the mission field in Asia, while your professors are in Mississippi! That's now possible, thanks to Belhaven College's Virtual Online Education Program. Read
School cuts a sticking point of tax-reform plan — Tallahassee.com

Democrats dig in over $7.1 billion impact Read
America's Best Colleges — US News and World Report

Princeton tops the annual list of the national universities, while the California Institute of Technology was named the best national value among more than 1,900 schools ranked and reviewed. Read
America's Best Graduate Schools — US News and World Report

Harvard took top billing in the business, medical research and education fields. More than 1,200 schools are ranked and included in our directory of graduate level programs. Read
School Board Finds 'Gay Gene' — Christian Newswire

PFOX released this statement in response to the Montgomery County School Board's approval of a new sex education curriculum for public schools: "According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological cause for homosexuality. But now the Montgomery County Board of Education has done what science and medicine could not do by declaring in its newly approved curriculum that homosexuality is "innate" or inborn. The board could not produce any factual evidence for what it will now teach students — only political "pledges" and payoffs for last year's school board elections as claimed by gay rights activists. Read

To view the Montgomery County public school teacher's emails against the ex-gay community, see: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=5x8ebbcab.0.dkoqbbcab.tuqepibab.856&ts=S0254&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpfox.org%2Fphpbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Fp%3D193%23193

To view PFOX's testimony before the School Board, see http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=5x8ebbcab.0.ekoqbbcab.tuqepibab.856&ts=S0254&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpfox.org%2Fphpbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Fp%3D192%23192

A copy of this press release is online at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=5x8ebbcab.0.fkoqbbcab.tuqepibab.856&ts=S0254&p=http%3A%2F%2Fpfox.org%2Fphpbb%2Fviewtopic.php%3Fp%3D194%23194
Private Loans Deepen a Crisis in Student Debt — NYT

As tuition has soared past the limits on federal aid, more students are relying on barely regulated private loans. Read
State school draws foreign pupils — BBC News

A state comprehensive school in England is taking in pupils from other countries who want to follow its International Baccalaureate course. Read
Ohio Experiment Survives Cuts by Becoming a Charter School — NYT

An experimental public high school that has had success in sending low-income students to college will go under the control of the University of Dayton. Read

God and Country/National Security/Politics

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq at 3,501 — Sun Journal

As of Thursday, June 7, 2007, at least 3,501 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,863 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. Read
3 U.S. troops dead in Iraq bridge strike — News 14

The suicide explosion that destroyed a vital bridge outside the Iraqi capital killed three American soldiers guarding the span over a main highway, the U.S. military said Monday, as bulldozers worked to clear the shattered concrete. Read
A Push to Grow Special Operation Forces — US News and World Report

Twenty years later, the U.S. faces a challenge to expand its elite units without sacrificing quality. Read
Soldiers Suspected of Alien Smuggling — AP

Three National Guardsmen assigned to the Texas-Mexico border were accused of running an immigrant smuggling ring after 24 immigrants were found inside a van one of them was driving, the U.S. Attorney said Monday. Read
U.S.: NATO has intercepted Iranian arms — News 14

NATO has intercepted Iranian weapons shipments to Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents, providing evidence Iran is violating international law to aid a group it once considered a bitter enemy, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday. Read
USCG shows off new laser system — Daily Advance

Officials from the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies were at the U.S. Coast Guard base last week to take a look at new laser technology being used by the Coast Guard. Read
Clinton Gets Campaign Link To Latinos — CBS

New York Democrat Announces Sen. Robert Menendez Will Serve As Co-Chair Of Her Campaign Read
Low marks for top presidential candidates on immigration — One News Now

An immigration research organization says voters should check out their website to determine how the various 2008 presidential candidates have voted on important immigration legislation. Read
Casting Ballot From Abroad Is No Sure Bet — NYT

The Pentagon's system for allowing citizens living abroad to vote is plagued with security and privacy problems. Read
Powell says prison should be shut immediately — Boston Globe

Former secretary of state Colin Powell said yesterday that the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay for foreign terrorism suspects should be immediately closed and its inmates moved to the United States. Read
Dow drops almost 130 as rate rise shakes investors — USA Today

Wall Street tried to claw back from sharp losses Tuesday, but kept on tumbling as the 10-year Treasury yield spiked as high as 5.27% — exacerbating jitters that the Federal Reserve would hike interest rates. Read
Anti-Israel rally meets stiff resistance in DC — One News Now

A group known as United for Peace & Justice co-sponsored an anti-Israel rally that took place Sunday on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The head of a pro-Israel group says organizers of the rally are seeking the destruction of the Jewish state. Read
Iranians confirm fourth US arrest — BBC

Mr Shakeri disappeared when he was due to fly out of Iran. Iran has officially confirmed that it is detaining a fourth Iranian American on suspicion of spying. Read
The wrath of 2007: America's great drought — The Independent

America is facing its worst summer drought since the Dust Bowl years of the Great Depression. Or perhaps worse still. From the mountains and desert of the West, now into an eighth consecutive dry year, to the wheat farms of Alabama, where crops are failing because of rainfall levels 12 inches lower than usual, to the vast soupy expanse of Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida, which has become so dry it actually caught fire a couple of weeks ago, a continent is crying out for water. Read
Air Force Removes 140 Bombs From Langley Golf Course — Hampton Roads 3 News

Nearly 140 old bombs have been excavated from a Virginia golf course built over a former bombing range. The job was done quietly last summer at Langley Air Force Base and was just disclosed last week. The Air Force says golfers were never in danger because no bombs were near the surface. The property was used for bombing practice from 1917 to 1937. It became a landfill before it was converted into two 18-hole golf courses. Read
Setback for Ill Workers at Nuclear Bomb Plant — NYT

A federal advisory panel has recommended that former workers at a nuclear weapons plant be denied immediate government compensation. Read
Violent crime up again, more murders, robberies — Yahoo News

More murders and robberies in 2006 sent U.S. violent crimes higher for the second straight year, the FBI said on Monday, with the increase blamed on gangs, youth violence, gun crimes and fewer police on beats. Read
US fears over China nuclear weapons — Financial Times

The US is increasingly concerned about China's deployment of mobile land and sea-based ballistic nuclear missiles that have the range to hit the US. The 2007 Pentagon China military power report highlights the surprising pace of development of a new Jin-class submarine equipped to carry a nuclear ballistic missile with a range of more than 5,000 miles. Washington is also concerned about the strategic implications of China's preparations later this year to start deploying a new mobile, land-based DF-31A intercontinental ballistic missile that could target the whole US. Read
'Military plan against Iran is ready' — The Jerusalem Post

Predicting that Iran will obtain a nuclear weapon within three years and claiming to have a strike plan in place, senior American military officers have told The Jerusalem Post they support President George W. Bush's stance to do everything necessary to stop the Islamic Republic's race for nuclear power. Read
Giuliani retains GOP lead for presidential nomination as Fred Thompson gains — LA Times

Poll shows conservatives embracing the former Tennessee senator, who has yet to enter the race. Clinton still leads Democrats, but trails Giuliani. Read
U.S. spy agencies say al Qaeda's top leaders, once on the run, have regrouped — US News and World Report

When President Bush talks about Osama bin Laden these days, it's usually to rally support for the U.S. effort in Iraq. Last month, he told an audience that bin Laden and his al Qaeda network "have made it clear they want to drive us from Iraq to establish safe haven in order to launch further attacks." But over the past year, U.S. intelligence agencies have completely revised their assessment of al Qaeda and reached an alarming conclusion: Bin Laden already has a safe haven-in Pakistan-and may be stronger than ever. Read
Anchor Babies — the fastest track to citizenship Immigration, Part 2: "Subject to the jurisdiction thereof"? The Patriot Post

Would it surprise you to know that more than 20 percent of children born in the United States are born to illegal aliens? As recently as 2002, that figure was 23 percent. Currently, all those children enjoy birthright citizenship and all its favors, despite the fact that there are legitimate questions about the constitutionality of such a right. Read
The End of New York? — New York Sun

The company that owns the New York Stock Exchange "might consider" taking the "New York" out of its name, and replacing it with something more generic, like "World," or "Global," the Wall Street... Read
Studies Say Death Penalty Deters Crime — US News and World Report

Anti-death penalty forces have gained momentum in the past few years, with a moratorium in Illinois, court disputes over lethal injection in more than a half-dozen states and progress toward outright abolishment in New Jersey. Read
U.S. may modify passport policy — USA Today

The government is considering a temporary waiver of new anti-terrorism rules that require U.S. citizens to show passports when flying to and from Mexico and Canada, because of a backlog in passport applications, according to a Bush administration official. Read
Pentagon Tabs Admiral to Replace Pace As Head of Joint Chiefs of Staff — Wilson Daily Times

The Bush administration sidelined Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Friday, announcing plans to replace him as the nation's top military officer rather than reappoint him and risk a Senate confirmation struggle focusing on the Iraq War. "It would be a backward looking and very contentious process," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said at a Pentagon news conference where he announced he would recommend Adm. Mike Mullen to replace Pace. Read
Nearly 500 Arrests In First 2 Days of Blitz — Washington Post

Aim Is to Prevent Summer Crime Surge. The District's stepped-up campaign to fight crime brought 492 arrests in its first two days, including 51 for felonies, a 70 percent increase over the previous weekend that has left city leaders hopeful about the new strategy. Read
NBC to campaign for Gore — The Patriot Post

Al Gore's upcoming "Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis" will enjoy coverage Hillary and Barack could only dream of. NBC will lavish 75 hours of airtime to the Warming Reverend Gore and his band of climate gurus. Read
G-8 Leaders Agree on Africa Aid Package, Warn Iran on Nuclear Program, Differ on Kosovo — Wilson Daily Times

Leaders of the Group of Eight agreed Friday on a $60 billion package to fight AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa and warned Iran over its disputed nuclear program, closing out a summit of the world's richer nations. But a deal could not be reached on the the independence-seeking Serbian province of Kosovo during three days of talks at the Baltic Sea resort of Heiligendamm. Read
Programs rat out reckless drivers — USA Today

Tipsters turning in dangerous motorists Read

Pornography/Homosexuality/Immorality/Obscenity/Violence

Massachusetts Governor insults citizens of Commonwealth — marches in depraved homosexual parade. — MassResistance

And this only the tip of the iceberg. We hadn't seen anything quite like it. It was so hideous that our report on this past weekend's "gay pride" events (also supported by your elected officials and corporate sponsors) will need to be spread out over the next four days, Tuesday thru Friday. Keep in mind: This is the movement that is demanding to go into your public schools to "sensitize" your children. Call the Governor at 617-725-4005 and let him know how you feel about this "payback" to the homosexual lobby for their help in raising money for his election campaign. Read

Boston Mayor insults citizens by raising 'gay flag" over City Hall — in honor of "Gay Pride Week."
Therapy tries to create 'ex-gays' — Chicago Tribune

Movement to turn gays straight grows in popularity, but critics say it's ineffective at best, harmful at worst. Read
National Ex-Gay Group Defends Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger and Ex-Gay Community Attacked by Gay Groups — Christian Newswire

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) today condemned the bigoted remarks by gay activists being made about the new Surgeon General nominee. Gay rights groups are attacking Dr. James Hoslinger's nomination because his church is inclusive of ex-gays and he supports the right to self-determination regarding one's sexual attraction. Read
Around the nation: Marriage and abortion — The Patriot Post

In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 with an overwhelming 61 percent of the vote, barring that state from recognizing same-sex marriages. For the second time in three years, the state assembly has tried to thwart the will of the people by legalizing said unions. A bill sponsored by San Francisco lawmaker Mark Leno has passed the house and is on its way to the senate. However, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill two years ago and appears ready to do so again. Read
Patrick to join march for gay pride — Boston Globe

This weekend, on the eve of what could be a historic and final vote on same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick will become the first sitting governor in state history to march in Boston's gay pride parade, according to organizers. Read
Israeli Lawmakers Move to Ban Homosexual Parades — CNSNews

Israeli lawmakers have taken steps to prevent "gay pride" parades from taking place in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the country.The Knesset approved the first reading of two bills submitted by lawmakers from two separate right-wing religious parties on Wednesday.

Read
National Ex-Gay Group Defends Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger and Ex-Gay Community Attacked by Gay Groups — Christian Newswire

Parents and Friends of Ex- Gays & Gays (PFOX) today condemned the bigoted remarks by gay activists being made about the new Surgeon General nominee. Gay rights groups are attacking Dr. James Hoslinger's nomination because his church is inclusive of ex-gays and he supports the right to self-determination regarding one's sexual attraction. Ex-gays and Americans who support the right to self- determination of same-sex attraction are routinely ridiculed by the very people who claim to be victims themselves. "Gay activists lobby to be included in tolerance policies, hate crimes and employment non- discrimination legislation, but work hard to deny ex- gays the right to the same treatment," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. "This demonstrates how far the gay rights movement has moved from self-described victims to proactive perpetrators." Read
Faith and Family: Philadelphia Boy Scouts under fire — The Patriot Post

The City of Brotherly Love passed a resolution last week threatening to kick the local Boy Scouts' Cradle of Liberty Council (COL) out of their rent-free headquarters in Philadelphia unless the COL adopts a non-discrimination policy toward homosexuals. "It's as a consequence of [COL's] refusal to clarify their policy that we've taken the steps that we have," said City Solicitor Romulo Diaz. "We're not trying to hurt the Cradle of Liberty Council, but at the same time, this is a commonsense approach that recognizes we have non-discrimination policies that are established in Philadelphia law." The COL, which has worked from the headquarters under the same agreement with the city since 1928, already has a non-discrimination policy that was approved in 2004 by both the city and the Boy Scouts' national organization. Based on the Supreme Court's 2000 ruling, the Boy Scouts are still allowed to bar homosexuals from the organization. "There has never once been a charge or allegation of discrimination based on sexual orientation brought against the Cradle of Liberty Council in its history, and I'm not quite sure what their basis is for eviction," said a COL spokesman. Read
Dozens Go For Nude Bike Ride — Hampton Roads 3 News

..."It is time more motorists stripped off their armor plating and moved around more gently on this earth," said Duncan Blinkhorn, 45, one of the event's organizers. More than 200 cyclists in various stages of undress took part in the World Naked Bike Ride in Brighton and Hove, sister cities on the southern coast of England, to promote cycling. Read

Other News

Israel's new spy satellite could see bottles on floor, will track Iran — World Tribune

Israel believes its newly-orbited Ofeq-7 satellite can track people and weapons in any targeted country, including Iran. Israeli officials said Ofeq-7 contained a reconnaissance platform that could spot bottles on the floor. They said the camera payload could identify and send high-resolution images of items as small as 40 centimeters. Read
Report: Tel Aviv within Hizbullah range — Jerusalem Post

Hizbullah has amassed an undisclosed number of Fatah-110 rockets, which could theoretically be fired at Tel Aviv. The projectile, an upgraded Chinese assault rocket, has a 500-lb warhead and a range of 200 kilometers. According to the report, close to the Israel-Lebanon border, under the noses of United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, the guerrilla group has built a network of underground military bunkers that can withstand air strikes. Read
Fears of war as Israel and Syria show army might — Scotsman.com News

Concern is growing that Israel and Syria may be heading towards war, with signs that both are preparing their armies. The preparations are being made across both sides of the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights area occupied by Israel since 1967. Syria has increased troop numbers and brought in rocket units similar to those used by Hezbollah against Israel in last summer's war in Lebanon, according to intelligence estimates. The Syrians have also brought in new anti-aircraft guns and tanks from Russia and recently conducted a frontline exercise of troops. Read
Israel to replace soldiers with machines — Isreal Today

Starting in August of this year, the border between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip will be guarded by machines, rather than live Israeli soldiers. Israel has developed a remote-controlled border surveillance system that will allow Israel to keep a close eye on the Gaza security fence without putting soldiers' lives in danger. The robotic surveillance towers are also equipped with automatic weapons to allow them to engage any terrorist threat. Read
Ancient Rome Is Rebuilt Digitally — AP

Computer experts on Monday unveiled a digital reproduction of ancient Rome as it appeared at the peak of its power in A.D. 320 — what they called the largest and most complete simulation of a historic city ever created. Read
Hamas Captures Key Palestinian Facility — CBS

Fatah Considers Pulling Out Of Government Coalition As Gaza Fighting Intensifies Read
Iraqis Are Failing to Meet U.S. Benchmarks — NYT

Just three months before progress reports are due, Iraq's political leaders have failed to reach agreements on nearly every key law. Read
Iran Adding Attack Boats in Persian Gulf — Yahoo News

Iran is increasing its fleet of small attack boats capable of challenging warships and disrupting oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the sea route for two-fifths of the world's daily supply of crude oil, the U.S. Navy says. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps already has more than 1,000 of the speedboats and continues to add boats armed with anti- ship cruise missile. Naval intelligence, in its latest report on threats, said an attack against U.S. forces and commercial tankers ''could include over 100 boats in coordinated groups of 20 to 30 approaching simultaneously from multiple axes.'' Read
Sudan Relents on Peacekeepers in Darfur — NYT

Sudan set conditions for the deployment, insisting that a majority of the soldiers be African, which may hamper efforts to raise the force to full strength. Read
Peres wins Israeli presidency — News 14

Elder statesman Shimon Peres was elected Israel's ninth president Wednesday, capping a campaign to extend his six-decade political career in a race marred by rape allegations against the sitting president, the parliament speaker said. 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