Connecticut begins defense of ban on assisted suicide
On Monday, the state of Connecticut began its defense of the state law banning assisted suicide. The state argued in the first hearing challenging the law that assisted suicide is an issue for the legislature, not the courts, to decide.
Two Fairfield County doctors, Gary Blick and Ronald Levine, have brought the lawsuit and are being backed by the advocacy group "Compassion Choices." They argue that "aid in dying" is a legitimate medical treatment when a mentally competent patient has exhausted all other avenues for getting well and for alleviating pain. Currently, only Washington and Oregon allow physician-assisted suicide.
An associate attorney general pointed to the fact that a bill didn't even make it out of committee during last year's session. The state wants the case dismissed. Last month, Massachusetts Family Institute testified at the State House against a bill legalizing such a practice in the Bay State.
Even in the darkest moments of life we must seek ways to affirm life, to seek the glimmer of hope within the darkest gloom, and while none of us may dare stand in judgment and condemn personally those who could not withstand the awful vicissitudes of life, neither can we condone or encourage that which is regarded as a desecration and a profanation of the Divine.
It is the task of all of us to attempt to understand the redemptive potential of our lives and what God has planned for us -- to nurture, to love, to encourage, to strengthen, to provide hope. Ever cognizant of our limitations, however, we have no "right" to invade the exclusive province of the Divine.
Researchers at Indiana University recently announced unsettling conclusions for a ten year study. Researchers found that teenage girls who undergo regular testing and treatment programs at community health centers contract Chlamydia at the same rate as girls who do not visit such centers. The findings present a dilemma for those who say more information and access to treatment will help sexually active youths avoid sexually transmitted infections.
On a separate, but equally troubling front, Yale University announced that it has received a $3.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a video game for teens aged 9-14. The game, "Retro-Warriors," will be designed to teach children to avoid risky behaviors that could lead to HIV infection.
Click HERE to view the Indiana University Study. To read an article about the study in the Washington Times, click HERE. To view the announcement from Yale University, click HERE.
Maine Human Rights Commission asks for public input
According to the Bangor Daily News, after a contentious meeting Monday, the Maine Human Rights Commission postponed deciding whether to give advice to schools about how to accommodate transgender students. The commission decided 4-1 against taking action on proposed guidelines so that it can get more public comment. About 50 people were at the meeting, though they were not allowed to speak.
The discussion revolved around a document the commission created called "Sexual Orientation in Schools and Colleges," a guide for schools to address accommodating students who are confused about their gender. The guide recommends schools allow these students to use the bathrooms, play on the sports teams and follow the dress codes of the gender they identify with.
Catholic Charities forced out of the public square
The Archdiocese of Washington, due to same-sex "marriage" being legalized in the District of Columbia, has ended their adoption and foster care services in D.C. The Catholic Charities adoption and foster care services will be handed over intact -- so as not to hurt any kids -- to a third party.
So who is it that is getting hurt here? Who is being helped by driving one of the best charities for deprived children out of the public square? Will one same-sex couple really be better off because no Catholic adoption and foster care service exists?
Brian Brown, executive director for the National Organization for Marriage: "I never imagined living in an America where the government would tell the church how to run its charities. Remember this day the next time someone tells you that gay marriage is about love and tolerance, that it won't have any consequences."
President Barack Obama recently introduced his version of healthcare "reform" -- which looks very similar to the U.S. Senate version.
Under the administration's "new" plan, this bill would be the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade -- with a big chunk of the proposal tagged directly for groups like Planned Parenthood. Despite public opposition, President Obama reverted back to the Senate's language, which would force taxpayers to fund abortions even if their state opts-out of the coverage.
To make matters worse, the White House is upping the ante on the Senate's abortion bailout, asking for $11 billion in "community health centers," which can easily be redirected to groups like Planned Parenthood. The President's package also includes Sen. Barbara Mikulski's (D-MD) amendment, which would allow the administration to define abortions as "preventative health services" and force private insurers to cover them.
Military brass raise doubts about ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Army General George Casey and Air Force General Norton Schwartz told lawmakers earlier this week that they are worried about the impact of repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding homosexuals serving openly in the military. They were most concerned about the impact on a U.S. military under the stress of years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their caution ran opposite of the view of Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has come out in favor of allowing homosexuals to serve openly.
"I do have serious concerns about the impact of repeal of the law on a force that's fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for eight-and-a-half years," Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee. Both Casey and Army Secretary John McHugh told U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) they would not favor a temporary moratorium on dismissals while the policy is under review, saying this could complicate pending cases.
The devastating harm from pornography is becoming more evident with each passing day, and a website has been launched to provide ready access to credible, peer-reviewed research documenting that harm. "Pornography Harms is a one-stop location for sound research, news articles and opinion pieces demonstrating the harm from pornography," said Patrick Trueman, creator of the site. Trueman is the former chief of the U.S. Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. The site will be of great help to researchers at all academic levels, the press and concerned public.
Addiction to pornography, Trueman noted, is now common among men, women, and even many children, bringing life-long consequences. Pornography use is a significant factor in divorce; a contributing cause of the spread of prostitution and the sexual trafficking of adults and children.
Illinois State Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) is moving to outlaw all cell phone use by drivers, in the wake of criticism that the state's limited new texting-while-driving ban is practically unenforceable.
The NH House of Representatives was expected to vote today on two measures pertaining to same-sex "marriage" in the Granite State. One is a repeal of the law legalizing same-sex "marriage," which went into effect last month. The second is a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Judiciary Committee is recommending that both proposals be defeated. (WCAX)
Rhode Island
The Ocean State has elected an openly homosexual state representative to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Rep. Gordon Fox (D-Providence), who had served as majority leader, received the votes of 51 of 75 lawmakers. Rep. Fox will replace William Murphy. The future of traditional marriage in Rhode Island may be in jeopardy as outgoing Murphy was an opponent of same-sex "marriage," as is Gov. Carcieri, who is in the last year of his final term as governor. Fox will preside over a veto-proof Democratic majority and have wide sway over which bills come to a vote and which bills die. (Boston Globe)
As you know, the big political news this week was the announcement of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) that he will not seek re-election. There is a lot of speculation about why a relatively popular incumbent with $12 million in his campaign war chest would quit. The constant political talk this week surrounds who will run for his seat on the Democrat side, and which of the Republicans will win the May primary.
Senator Bayh's political views and his voting record on issues such as life or marriage protection were not pro-family. His consistent support of the Clinton and Obama Administrations contradict his image as a so-called "moderate." However, if this is the closing of a political legacy, then it is a time to commend a public servant who always held every office with dignity, free from personal scandal and dishonor.
May God bless Senator Bayh and his wonderful family. I hope that the Senator is able to spend time with his family, set aside politics for a while, and enjoy what truly matters most in this world.
Presidents of the United States morphed in sequence from George Washington to (President Elect) Barack Obama. Pictures of the Presidents were found by library and internet search. Images were editted in Photoshop Elements to make them all the same size. The faces were morphed from one to the next using FantaMorph. The images were put into Vegas Pro and faded from one to the next and the face morph overlaid and "cookie cuttered" out so that the backgrounds faded and the faces morphed simultaneously. The music is 'Hooked on America' performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Now that the buzz over the pro-life Tim Tebow ad in the Super Bowl is beginning to quiet down, Focus on the Family's Stuart Shepard asks Gary Schneeberger to discuss the return it brought. What exactly does a chance to talk about the sanctity of life for 30 seconds in the largest sporting event of the year get you?
What a beautiful scene. While there are those who are complaining about the snow and the slush today, I praise God for His beautiful artwork. It is calm and clean. The air has been washed by enormous flakes of snow. If I stand still, I can hear the earth resonate with the fall of each unique creation.
As I paused in shoveling the driveway this morning, I listened to the quite and took in deep breathes of crisp air only to have the silence interrupted by a blue jay squawking and a wood pecker hammering a tree.
Snowflakes are a wonderful tool of the Creator. It is one of the simple truths of scripture, "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork" (Ps:19:1). Every snowflake is unique, each is a tiny miracle of creation. How could mere chance produce multiple and multiple of googles of unique snowflakes -- on my driveway alone -- 7 inches deep? Then think of all the unique snowflakes covering the ground from Chicago to Washington D.C.
The work to clear the driveway and walkway was exhausting and cold. Sure, I have to scrape it off my windshield, but I didn't really mind because I was busy appreciating the miracle that was all around me. Humbling.
I suppose it's all a matter of perspective, but I like to think that God in His gracious wisdom allows these moments specifically for people who are paying attention to the fact that He is in it all.
"Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness." ~Psalm 150:1-2
