Values Voter News

Related: Google submits a brief in opposition to Prop 8 and so do many more for and against. Find the briefs here and read them yourself...

Amicus brief argues Prop. 8 prevents ‘systemic’ church-state conflict

Sacramento, Jan 29, 2009 / 04:10 am (CNA).- A coalition of Jewish, Catholic and Protestant organizations has filed an amicus brief asking that Proposition 8 be upheld. The coalition argues that the successful 2008 ballot measure, which overturned a state Supreme Court decision imposing same-sex “marriage,” prevents widespread church-state conflict.

The parties to the brief include the California Catholic Conference, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church State Council, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Union Of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Their brief, one of sixty submitted to the court, was drafted by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

The brief warned that overturning the ballot measure would undermine the democratic process.

Proposition 8 “serves the common good of society to allow the interconnected and religiously sensitive issues of marriage, family and children to be discussed and decided within the political process, not silenced by judicial pronouncement,” the brief argued.

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The ballot measure also prevents the creation of “a systemic, irresolvable conflict between church and state” in issues such as housing and public accommodations.

“Although no one expects these religious adherents or their ministers to be required actually to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies, we do expect them to be—and have already seen them be—sued and otherwise punished for their refusal to treat same-sex and different-sex couples as moral equivalents in the numerous other contexts where religious institutions operate in society,” the brief continued.

Eric Rassbach, national litigation director at the Becket Fund, in a Jan. 27 statement argued that there are “many fundamental rights and interests at stake in the debate over same-sex marriage.”

“Those rights and interests can best be balanced if the political process is allowed to continue. If the Court instead overturns Proposition 8, it sets the stage to gridlock California courts with hundreds, even thousands, of legal challenges and decades of societal rancor and legal strife,” he said.

"We have an opportunity here to reason, debate and negotiate our way to a place where the civil rights of both gays and lesbians and religious people are recognized and respected. But not if the court steps in and freezes the debate, forcing each side to assume an entrenched position."

The statement adds that the Becket Fund takes no position on the recognition of same-sex marriage. It argues that in states where same-sex marriage is recognized, governments should provide “robust exemptions” for those with conscientious objections.

In November, the Becket Fund released a study titled “Same-Sex Marriage and State Anti-Discrimination Laws” which claimed the legal recognition of same-sex marriage could affect over 350 separate state anti-discrimination laws and could render objectors to same-sex marriage vulnerable to lawsuits."

Bias at Good Morning America the Media Research Center

In 17 Minutes of Blago Coverage, ABC Skips Fact He's a Democrat

On Monday's Good Morning America, the ABC morning show featured four segments on scandal-ridden Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich. And over the course of 17 minutes and 38 seconds, not one host or reporter mentioned his party affiliation. Co-host Diane Sawyer interviewed Blagojevich for two segments and simply referred to him as the Governor or Governor Blagojevich.

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Back in 2004 when Bush won his second election voter turn out grew by 20 million while this years election voter turnout only grew by 4 million (see Obama raised a record $452.8 million vs McCain at $204.4 million and some other interesting facts to put all in balanced perspective.) So keep that in mind as you read this article.

ABC vs. ABC: Excited Over Obama Inaugural; Not So Much With Bush



Proving that four years can make quite a difference, ABC's Good Morning America featured an excited, hyperbolic open for the show's special edition on the inauguration of Barack Obama. As the program began last Tuesday, an ABC announcer trumpeted: "This morning, a new dawn: Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. A new face from a new generation. Driven by an audacity to hope."
So, how did ABC begin Good Morning America on January 20, 2005, the day George W. Bush was sworn in for a second term? A voice simply announced: "This is a special edition of 'Good Morning America.' The second inauguration of George W. Bush." That's it. In contrast, the Obama open heaped generous praise on the new Democratic President: "The nation's capital, filled to capacity. A journey of millions, fueled by hope and the shared dreams of a renewed America," the unidentified person exclaimed.

[This item, by the MRC's Scott Whitlock, was posted Monday afternoon on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ]

Cutting in clips of Obama speeches, the announcer continued, "And a call to overcome challenges not seen in generations...Now, live, a special edition of 'Good Morning America' from Washington D.C., the inauguration of Barack Obama." The best thing that can be said about the brief 2005 open is this: GMA followed the old admonition that many mothers give their children. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

For more on the January 20 GMA open, see a January 21 CyberAlert posting, with video: www.mrc.org

A transcript of the two contrasting show opens follows:

January 20, 2005:
ABC ANNOUNCER: This is a special edition of 'Good Morning America.' The second inauguration of George W. Bush. Live from the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and Peter Jennings.

January 20, 2009:
ABC ANNOUNCER: This morning, a new dawn: Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. A new face from a new generation. Driven by an audacity to hope. PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA: They said this day would never come.
ANNOUNCER: It has. It's here.
OBAMA: Change has come to America.
ANNOUNCER: The nation's capital, filled to capacity. A journey of millions, fueled by hope and the shared dreams of a renewed America.
OBAMA: Yes we can.
ANNOUNCER: And a call to overcome challenges not seen in generations.
OBAMA: I stand here as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure. That the dreams of our founders will live on in our time.
ANNOUNCER: Now, live, a special edition of "Good Morning America" from Washington D.C., the inauguration of Barack Obama."

ABC Spins New Empire State Senator as 'Conservative Democrat'

On Friday's Good Morning America, reporter John Berman spun U.S. Representative Kristen Gillibrand, the soon-to-be announced Senator from New York, as a "conservative Democrat." Although she is only beginning her second term in the House, Gillibrand has been endorsed by the aggressively pro-abortion group NARAL: www.prochoiceamerica.org

According to the New York Observer, she supports gay marriage.

Additionally, the American Conservative Union (ACU) ranked her voting record as a meager eight: www.acuratings.org

During the segment, Berman explained that the issue of gun rights prompted the label: "Now, the Gillibrand pick is not without controversy itself. She is a conservative Democrat, favoring gun rights. And the pick has upset some more liberal Democrats." Gillibrand also opposed the TARP bailout legislation.

Over on the Today show, reporter David Gregory used similar language: "She's demonstrated that she can win as a conservative Democrat, in more conservative part of the state." So, while a few issues may make Gillibrand a moderate Democrat for the state of New York, it seems like a stretch for Gregory, Berman or other reporters to label the new Senator a "conservative Democrat."

[This item, by the MRC's Scott Whitlock, was posted Friday on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ]

A transcript of the January 23 GMA segment, which aired at 7:02am:

ROBERTS: But we begin with Caroline Kennedy. Before she sought the Senate seat, she was known as an extremely private, private citizen. This morning, she has returned to that role, declining to reveal the exact reason she withdrew her name. Our John Berman has the latest for us. Good morning, John.
JOHN BERMAN: Good morning, Robin. Well, we now know the identity of the next senator from New York. 42-year-old Kirsten Gillibrand. She's a congresswoman, the mother of two from upstate. What is still unknown, was she still Governor David Paterson's first choice? It's just one of the questions in the middle of the swirling, angry debate, over what really happened with Caroline Kennedy. What exactly would you call the behind the scenes, back and forth between the camps for Caroline Kennedy and New York governor, David Paterson?
FRED DICKER (NY Post): A debacle. And embarrassment, fiasco.
BERMAN: A fiasco, debacle or just plain ugly fight. Round one, Caroline Kennedy says she bowed out for personal reasons. What reasons? In the Paterson corner, sources are whispering financial concerns over taxes or nannies. There are also rumors of marital issues. Not so, says the Kennedy corner. Not taxes. Not nannies. Not marriage. But a very private family matter that came to light only this week, that made her decide to be at home, instead of in the Senate. Does that clear things up?
DICKER: Why she couldn't be more candid. If she had this personal problem, why did she get in to begin with? I mean, that's one of the questions to begin with. Why didn't the governor ask her about this a month ago?
BERMAN: Round two, was she Paterson's first choice? From Paterson's corner, whispers that he had no intention of picking her. That he was leaning in another direction and Kennedy knew it.
DICKER: It may be that she got nervous, fearing that she was going to be humiliated by being turned down. And then, rushed to a decision to get out.
BERMAN: But Kennedy's people say she was the first choice. One adviser says the two staffs were already planning the public announcement together. And that Paterson even called Kennedy Monday, to see if she was free Saturday for an announcement. You can feel the bruised feelings in this statement from a Kennedy aide. "Caroline Kennedy withdrew her name for consideration from the United States Senate for personal reasons. Any statements to the contrary are false. This kind of mud slinging damages the process and all those involved." Now, the Gillibrand pick is not without controversy itself. She is a conservative Democrat, favoring gun rights. And the pick has upset some more liberal Democrats. Even then, though, nothing could be as controversial as the six-week process to get here. Robin?"

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Yes, Obama. We will indeed be the happiest people on the planet!!! We will welcome you with open arms. Do what's right. Until then we will lovingly call you to that which is right.

Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. "

Dow Jones on the 28th before the stimulus bill passed was 8375.45. It dropped the 29th and the 30th to 8000.86. Just logging this for information purposes for now.

I am just logging notes here for personal reference. It seemed that the dow jones bounced back when Obama and team made it clear there would be no tax increases for now back in November. But then as this stimulus package has been brewing the dow seems to have lost ground and fell back and now that the stimulus package has indeed passed will this then continue into the next week. It will be interesting to see what happens. It seems that if you are an investor into the American economy then what Washington does will have some what of an effect on how you invest. Just keeping tabs on this for now. Maybe naive but none the less keeping tabs.

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Related: The Dow Jones fell 4 percent. The worst performance on any Inauguration Day ever... (01/22/2009)
Dow has gained 1400 points since 11/21/2008 after dropping 2000 points from 11/4/2008 to 11/20/2008 inspite of recession and unemployment news... (12/09/2008)
Dow has dropped over 2000 points since election day.... (11/20/2008)
No President-elect in the postwar era has been greeted with a more audible hiss from Wall Street. (11/13/2008)
How did the Dow Jones fair the second day after Obama election? (11/07/2008)
Worst post-election day in at least 28 years for the Dow (11/06/2008)

Also, see The Heritage Foundation vs Center for American Progress go head to head on CSpan. See video here. and An argument that demands a 500 billion dollar response!!!

Mexican State of Colima Rejects Legalization of Abortion 19-1

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman, South American Correspondent

COLIMA, MEXICO, January 29 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Mexican State of Colima has become the latest to reject an initiative by Mexican socialists to legalize abortion, in a 19-1 vote in the state Congress.

The representative who formulated the law, Adolfo Nunez Gonzales of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), attributed his loss to the influence of the Catholic faith in the state, which led the liberal Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) to vote with the more pro-life National Action Party against the bill.

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"It's not a secret for anyone that the Catholic Church is a sector with a lot of power and weight, and that, of course, what is said in a church one Sunday or whatever day the mass is done, influences the people to analyze it all week," he said. "PRI members are not foolish and know that if they have a good relationship with the Church, it can encourage the votes of many people."

The PRD has been promoting the legalization of abortion throughout Mexico since passing legislation in the ultraliberal stronghold of Mexico City in 2007, where their party has a majority in the legislature. However, its national pro-abortion initiative has consistently failed and has even provoked constitutional amendments at the state level explicitly acknowledging the right to life from conception.

Members of all political parties, including the PRD, voted to maintain the existing law in the state of Colima, which provides criminal penalties for all abortions except those undertaken in cases of fetal deformities, rape, or danger to the life of the mother. Members of the PRD have opposed abortion legalization in other parts of Mexico as well.

Although exemptions from criminal penalties often exist at the state level in Mexico, Mexicans rarely have recourse to them, due to the strong pro-life values that permeate Mexican society."

Rhode Island Pro-Life Advocates Encouraged Gov Carcieri Joins Abortion Rally

Providence, RI (LifeNews.com) -- Rhode Island pro-life advocates received a boost of encouragement on Tuesday when their governor showed up at a pro-life rally to condemn the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision allowing virtually unlimited abortions.

Governor Donald Carcieri made an unscheduled appearance at a rally sponsored by Rhode Island Right to Life at the statehouse rotunda.

"Let me encourage everything you're doing. Don't give up. Don't give up," Carcieri told the crowd of more than 100 people.

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"You're on the right side of this issue, you know that. There's no debate on this issue," he continued. "It's pretty clear to me. It's pretty clear to anybody who thinks about it very long."

According to the Providence Journal newspaper, he added that he is concerned about "what's happening in Washington" -- referring to President Barack Obama's decision to overturn the Mexico City Policy and send taxpayer funds to groups that promote or perform abortions overseas.

The governor apologized that his wife was unable to attend, but the crowd greeted him enthusiastically.

Barth Bracy, the head of the state pro-life group, told LifeNews.com he appreciated having the governor stop by the rally.

"Tuesday we had a very enthusiastic crowd gather at the State House for our annual Pro-Life Rally. Young and old joined for one purpose: Life," he said.

"We had a surprise visit from Governor Carcieri who addressed the crowd. We also had several Senators and Representatives come out and show their support," Bracy added. "The rally was refreshing and stirred many to get involved."

Related web sites:
Rhode Island Right to Life - http://www.rirtl.org"

From Culture and Media Institute and the Media Research Center....

Obama’s Take out The Trash Day
Networks help new administration side-step abortion controversy.

by Colleen Raezler, Culture and Media Institute

Former President George W. Bush reinstated a policy in 2001 that restricted foreign countries using American dollars for abortions. CBS political consultant Craig Crawford called the action “red meat to the Bible Belt conservatives.”

Just three days after taking office, President Barack Obama rescinded the Mexico City Policy, a policy set into place by Ronald Reagan that prohibited American funding for foreign abortions. Have the media called it red meat for liberals? No. They’ve mostly been silent.

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Signing on the Sneak

Obama signed the executive order late on Jan. 23, the day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It was also Friday, a moment that TIME magazine’s Amy Sullivan called, “a time traditionally reserved for the release of information an administration would like to bury.” During the Clinton administration, Friday afternoon was the time for “document dumps,” when the scandal-ridden White House released embarrassing pieces of its paper trail.

Even Hollywood recognizes the timing for what it is – a calculated strategy to avoid tough press. Characters in the liberal political drama “The West Wing” refer to such days as “take out the trash day.” “The West Wing,” by the way, is a show whose ultimate fantasy -- a young, Democratic congressman from nowhere becoming president --fulfilled in Obama’s election.

Sullivan reported that Obama “wants to turn down the heat on an issue that has defined and divided American politics for more than three decades” and based on the media coverage of his decision, it seems to have worked.

CBS and NBC barely mentioned the change in policy during the Jan. 23, 2009 Evening News and Nightly News broadcasts. On the Saturday “Early Show,” CBS correspondent Kimberly Dozier noted during a wrap-up of the president’s first few days in office that “Mr. Obama also quietly stepped into the abortion debate” with his executive order that overturned the ban on funding for foreign abortions.

Only ABC acknowledged the controversial nature of Obama’s decision, two days after the fact during World News Sunday. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi noted that the president hoped “not to provoke anti-abortion groups” with the order, and that “it didn’t work.” Alfonsi also featured Tony Perkins, president of the pro-life Family Research Council, who said that Obama “does not have consensus and support from, from the majority of Americans” on social issues.

No networks reported the fact that in a 55-page “wish list” sent to the Obama-Biden transition team by abortion rights groups, reinstating American funding for foreign abortions topped the list with regard to international matters.

Bush “Pleased” the Right

What a difference from eight years ago. Then, Crawford wasn’t the only person accusing Bush of playing politics.

Dan Rather, “CBS Evening News” anchor, introduced a Jan. 22, 2001 report on Bush’s reinstatement of the policy by calling it “something to quickly please the right flank in his party.” John Roberts, chief White House correspondent at CBS, noted “the president waded into controversy on this first day” and “in a nod to anti-abortion groups…announced he’ll cut federal funding to organizations that provide family planning and abortion counseling overseas.”

Roberts’ report also featured criticism by Gloria Feldt, then-president of Planned Parenthood, “The fundamental human and civil right to make our own child-bearing choices is at greater threat than it has been anytime in the 28 years since Roe vs. Wade was decided.” Feldt’s comment re-aired during CBS’ Jan. 23, 2001” The Early Show.” CBS failed to provide a pro-life counterpoint to Feldt.

ABC White House correspondent Terry Moran said Bush’s decision was “designed to appeal to anti-abortion conservatives” on the Jan. 22, 2001 “World News Tonight.”

Newsweek’s Howard Fineman told NBC’s Matt Lauer during the Jan. 23, 2001 “Today” that with the executive order stopping the flow of American money to foreign abortion providers, “George W. Bush following a plan. Secure the base. The Christian right is fundamental to the Republican Party and to his presidency.”

Later in the same broadcast, anchor Ann Curry ignored the pro-life support Bush enjoyed as a result of his executive order. She reported, “Abortion rights supporters are condemning the president’s order Monday, restoring a Reagan-era ban on U.S. funding of overseas family planning groups that advocate abortion.”

Explain and Inform

One thing remained constant in the network coverage from then until Obama’s overturning of the Mexico City Policy: no explanation of the policy aside from as ABC’s Chris Cuomo noted on the Jan. 23, 2009 Good Morning America, “the policy was put in place by Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton overturned, but it was reinstituted by George W. Bush.”

But the same day, Family Research Council’s Tom McClusky succinctly explained the policy and what it means now that Obama has rescinded it:

In as little words as possible, the Mexico City policy halts U.S. family planning funds from going to foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that perform abortions or "actively promote" abortion as a method of family planning in other countries… The effect of President Obama rescinding the Mexico City Policy is that now millions ($461 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008) of dollars are taken away from family planning groups that do not promote abortion, and delivered into the hands of organizations that are the most militant in promoting abortion as a population-control method - especially in countries that find abortion objectionable on moral grounds.

ABC may not have covered the story immediately or explained the policy, but the network did recognize that allowing organizations to spend American dollars on abortion is not accepted by all. CBS and NBC failed the American public by not explaining what the policy does and also by not holding Obama to the same scrutiny they held Bush to back in 2001."

ABC Highlights 'Brutal' Reaction to Obama's Abortion Order

Catching up on an item from Friday night, the three broadcast evening newscasts aired virtually nothing on January 23 about President Obama's executive order permitting federal funding of abortions, overturning orders signed by President Bush in his first week in office back in 2001. Both CBS and NBC's White House reporters squeezed in a single sentence about Obama's action during stories about the economic stimulus bill, while ABC's World News said nothing about the orders on Friday.

But on Sunday's World News, ABC's Dan Harris highlighted conservative criticism of Obama's abortion decision, arguing that it showed how "despite his desire to reach out to people who disagree with him, the new President may find that on some issues, it may be impossible to find common ground." Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi also painted the President -- whom she said hoped "not to provoke" conservatives by banning photographs of the signing -- the victim of a "brutal" reaction from conservatives:
"At churches across the country, the good will coming from the pulpit to the President seems to be wavering....On Friday, the President signed an executive order, reversing the ban on federal funding for international organizations that facilitate abortions in other countries. The President didn't allow cameras to film the signing, hoping not to provoke anti-abortion groups....It didn't work. Reaction was fast and brutal. Family groups accused Obama of plotting the infanticide of African children. And the Christian faithful say they're now losing faith in Obama."

[This item, by the MRC's Rich Noyes, was posted Tuesday afternoon on the MRC's blog, NewsBusters.org: newsbusters.org ]

Eight years ago, however, the burden was all on George W. Bush when he revoked Bill Clinton's executive orders permitting federal funds to go to abortions. Highlights from the January 22, 2001 evening newscasts, which cast the news as a controversy needlessly instigated by Bush to appeal to his right-wing base (no one this week suggested Obama was appealing to his left-wing base with his abortion orders):

ABC's Terry Moran: "One of the President's first actions was designed to appeal to anti-abortion conservatives. The President signed an order re-instating a Reagan-era policy that prohibited federal funding of family planning groups that provided abortion counseling services overseas. Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was peppered with questions about the order at his first daily briefing."

CBS's John Roberts: "The President waded into controversy on his first day. In a nod to anti-abortion groups on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, he announced he'll cut federal funding to organizations that provide family planning and abortion counseling overseas. Abortion rights activists fear there's more to come."

NBC's Tom Brokaw: "We'll begin with the new President's very active day, which started on a controversial note...."
Reporter David Gregory: "On his first day of official business Bush decides to send his strongest message on the issue of abortion. 28 years to the day since the Roe v Wade decision legalized abortion, Bush today issues an executive order banning federal funding for international groups that offer abortions or abortion counseling abroad, a ban President Clinton had lifted."

For more on how the networks handled Bush's executive orders, and how their approach contrasted with their coverage of Bill Clinton in 1993, check the January 23, 2001 CyberAlert: LINK: www.mrc.org

Here's how CBS and NBC covered Obama's abortion orders on their Friday, January 23 evening newscasts:

CBS's Chip Reid: "Meanwhile, the president overturned yet another Bush administration policy today by executive order, this one on abortion, ending the ban on federal funding for international organizations that perform the procedure or do abortion counseling. But Mr. Obama continued another controversial Bush administration policy, allowing two missile strikes inside Pakistan that killed at least one al-Qaeda operative."

NBC's Savannah Guthrie: "One other note from here tonight, Brian, late this afternoon the president signed an order ending the ban on federal funding to international organizations that provide abortion services or abortion counseling. Brian, back to you."

And while ABC's World News did not mention the controversy on Friday, World News Sunday offered an entire segment about how conservatives were lambasting Obama's new policy:

DAN HARRIS: President Obama has another big fight on his hands, this one with social conservatives. Despite his desire to reach out to people who disagree with him, the new President may find that on some issues, it may be impossible to find common ground. Here's ABC's Sharyn Alfonsi.
SHARYN ALFONSI: At churches across the country, the good will coming from the pulpit to the President seems to be wavering.
LOS ANGELES ARCHBISHOP ROGER CARDINAL MAHONY: He is not on the same page as we are.
ALFONSI: The issue? Abortion. The Vatican condemned the President's policy today, calling it disappointing. On Friday, the President signed an executive order, reversing the ban on federal funding for international organizations that facilitate abortions in other countries. The President didn't allow cameras to film the signing, hoping not to provoke anti-abortion groups.
PROTESTERS: Pro-life remains alive. You don't care if women die.
ALFONSI: It didn't work. Reaction was fast and brutal. Family groups accused Obama of plotting the infanticide of African children. And the Christian faithful say they're now losing faith in Obama.
TONY PERKINS, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: I think that to the degree that the President and his administration departs from the focus on the economy and becomes entangled in these social policy issues, which he does not have consensus and support from, from the majority of Americans, I think he runs the risk of derailing his administration.
ALFONSI: Earlier this week, a decision by the FDA to approve the first human trials of embryonic stem cells intensified the divide. But that may be just the tip of the iceberg. Some conservatives are angry Obama's economic stimulus plan contains funding for contraceptives.
POLITICAL ANALYST DOUG MUZZIO: The religious right is not going away. They're going, you know, the issues are abortion, stem cells, a whole series of issues. They are going to oppose a lot of what Obama said he wants to do.
ALFONSI: And the President may upset some more people in the days ahead. He is expected to lift restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research as early as this week. And proving he's not afraid of a fight, the President told Republicans this week they should stop listening to conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh or risk a new culture war with conservative voters. Dan?
HARRIS: I know there are those who would say the culture wars never ended. Sharyn Alfonsi, thank you very much.

-- Brent Baker"

Click on link below for video report from CBNNews.com...

See US stinginess in foreign aide?/Organized Christianity abuses power and money?/Big Business' portrayed as corrupt?-"Over 98.7% of OBI's spending goes toward humanitarian programs...Operation Blessing International is ranked as one of the top 75 charities in the USA by the NonProfit Times....For every $10 you give, it helps us secure more than $100 of donated food and relief supplies (10 to 1 return on your charitable investment)...Since 1978" Their financial statement of contributions/expenses are listed here. I added up in overall contributions just under a Billion dollars for the past 5 years."

OBI Reaches Milestone with Food Delivery

Operation Blessing International will celebrate another milestone this week - the delivery of one billion pounds of food and relief since its start in 1992.

OBI leaders say the milestone is a "tremendous" achievement. The group is now one of the largest charities in America.

"What Dr. Robertson started as a local effort to assist the poor in Tidewater, Va., has grown into a worldwide humanitarian organization offering not only hunger relief, but clean water, medical services, disaster relief and a myriad of programs for orphans and at-risk children," OBI president Bill Horan said.

RELATED STORIES: China Launches Quake Rebuilding Program OB Provides School for Quake Victims OBI Brings Food to Myanmar Orphans Operation Blessing Helping Ike Victims Forbes Lists Operation Blessing as One of America's Best Charities

OBI's "Hunger Strike Force" delivers more than 2 million pounds of free food and other items a week to community programs throughout the country.

Quick Disaster Response

The charity's tractor trailers have also been some of the first to arrive during past disasters, including Hurricanes Ike and Katrina and the 2004 tsunami in India.

After Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar last year, OBI was able to enter the country even after Burma authorities had blocked the aid of several international groups.

OBI was able to get food and water to victims, and to help restore power to parts of the affect areas. The group purchased three months worth of fuel to run 40 generators that pumped fresh water to some 20,000 people a day.

In China, OBI stayed to help survivors rebuild, long after the country was devastated by an earthquake last May. David Darg, OBI assistant director of international programs, said crews worked around the clock, unloading bricks by hand and laying cement for new homes and buildings.

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OBI also funded the building of a school and dormitory in Sichuan Province to replace the one that collapsed and killed 300 students during the quake.

Economy Taking Its Toll

Despite its success, the dwindling economy has drastically affected the charity. OBI says it has seen a 343 percent increase in requests from food pantries and is "struggling" to keep up.

"There have always been some hungry people in America, but never as many as we are seeing now," Horan said. "Folks who have never had to ask for help before are turning to churches and relief agencies for help in feeding their families."

Currently, the group is operating primarily off the efforts of major donors like Rich Products Corporation, which increased it's food donations last year to keep up with demand.

Want to know how you can help Operation Blessing provide relief to millions across the globe? Click here to donate."

From LifeNews.com....

Senate Defeats Pro-Life Amendment to Restore Mexico City Policy on Abortion

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- On Wednesday, members of the U.S. Senate defeated an amendment sponsored by pro-life members to restore the Mexico City Policy that President Barack Obama rescinded last week. The policy prevents taxpayers from funding groups like Planned Parenthood that promote or perform abortions overseas.

Sen. Mel Martinez, a Republican from Florida, drafted an amendment offered to the SCHIP bill to ask members of the Senate to override Obama's executive order.

The Senate defeated the Martinez amendment on a 60-37 vote with only one Democrat, Sen Bill Nelson of Nebraska, joining most of the chamber's Republicans to support it.

A handful of pro-abortion Republicans joined Senate Democrats in opposing the effort to stop taxpayer money from going overseas to pay for abortions or lobbying foreign countries to reverse their pro-life laws.

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The Family Research Council had asked pro-life senators to support the Martinez amendment, saying, "Americans should never be forced to pay for abortions--at home or abroad."

Meanwhile, pro-life Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, and several other pro-life members of the House have introduced legislation to restore the Mexico City Policy.

Congressman Smith is joined by Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Bart Stupak (D-MI), and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) in introducing H.R. 708.

“One of President Barrack Obama’s first acts in office was to issue an executive order to allow U.S. taxpayer money to flow to groups that perform abortions or actively work to overturn pro-life laws all over the world,” Smith told LifeNews.com in a statement. "It’s a sad statement about his list of priorities. With Americans facing an economic crisis the likes of which we've not seen in generations, he chooses to enact a policy that will redirect funds to foreign organizations promoting and conducting abortions."

“The Mexico City Policy represents common ground,” Smith said about the abortion debate.

“It has allowed the US to substantially fund international family planning without padding the budgets of radical groups intent on spreading the scourge of abortion. Under Mexico City policy, funding for family planning was not reduced one penny," he explained.

"The President’s decision will shift U.S. funding from true family planning programs to programs that provide and promote abortion with little or no regard for the sovereignty of democratic nations that oppose abortion as a method of family planning," Smith said.

“If President Obama truly seeks to reduce the number of abortions, he must resist funding groups who are driven to export and expand abortion as a method of family planning,” Smith added. “Abortion is never safe for the child and women deserve better than the tragic, irreversible consequences of abortion."

ACTION: 1) Contact your members of the Senate by going to http://www.Senate.gov and responding to how they voted on using your money to fund pro-abortion groups promoting and performing abortions overseas. See below for the Senate roll call. 2) Contact members of the House by going to http://www.House.gov and urging strong support for HR 708 to restore the Mexico City Policy.

Senate Vote on Pro-Life Martinez Amendment on Mexico City Policy
(Yea is a pro-life vote and Nay is a pro-abortion vote)

Alabama:	Sessions (R-AL), Yea	Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Alaska:	Begich (D-AK), Nay	Murkowski (R-AK), Nay
Arizona:	Kyl (R-AZ), Yea	McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas:	Lincoln (D-AR), Nay	Pryor (D-AR), Nay
California:	Boxer (D-CA), Nay	Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Colorado:	Bennet (D-CO), Nay	Udall (D-CO), Nay
Connecticut:	Dodd (D-CT), Nay	Lieberman (ID-CT), Nay
Delaware:	Carper (D-DE), Nay	Kaufman (D-DE), Nay
Florida:	Martinez (R-FL), Yea	Nelson (D-FL), Nay
Georgia:	Chambliss (R-GA), Not Voting	Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii:	Akaka (D-HI), Nay	Inouye (D-HI), Nay
Idaho:	Crapo (R-ID), Yea	Risch (R-ID), Yea
Illinois:	Burris (D-IL), Nay	Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Indiana:	Bayh (D-IN), Nay	Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa:	Grassley (R-IA), Yea	Harkin (D-IA), Nay
Kansas:	Brownback (R-KS), Yea	Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Kentucky:	Bunning (R-KY), Yea	McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Louisiana:	Landrieu (D-LA), Nay	Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Maine:	Collins (R-ME), Nay	Snowe (R-ME), Nay
Maryland:	Cardin (D-MD), Nay	Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Massachusetts:	Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting	Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Michigan:	Levin (D-MI), Nay	Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Minnesota:	Klobuchar (D-MN), Nay
Mississippi:	Cochran (R-MS), Yea	Wicker (R-MS), Yea
Missouri:	Bond (R-MO), Yea	McCaskill (D-MO), Nay
Montana:	Baucus (D-MT), Nay	Tester (D-MT), Nay
Nebraska:	Johanns (R-NE), Yea	Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada:	Ensign (R-NV), Yea	Reid (D-NV), Nay
New Hampshire:	Gregg (R-NH), Yea	Shaheen (D-NH), Nay
New Jersey:	Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay	Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
New Mexico:	Bingaman (D-NM), Nay	Udall (D-NM), Nay
New York:	Gillibrand (D-NY), Nay	Schumer (D-NY), Nay
North Carolina:	Burr (R-NC), Yea	Hagan (D-NC), Nay
North Dakota:	Conrad (D-ND), Nay	Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Ohio:	Brown (D-OH), Nay	Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma:	Coburn (R-OK), Yea	Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Oregon:	Merkley (D-OR), Nay	Wyden (D-OR), Nay
Pennsylvania:	Casey (D-PA), Nay	Specter (R-PA), Nay
Rhode Island:	Reed (D-RI), Nay	Whitehouse (D-RI), Nay
South Carolina:	DeMint (R-SC), Yea	Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota:	Johnson (D-SD), Nay	Thune (R-SD), Yea
Tennessee:	Alexander (R-TN), Yea	Corker (R-TN), Yea
Texas:	Cornyn (R-TX), Yea	Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Utah:	Bennett (R-UT), Yea	Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont:	Leahy (D-VT), Nay	Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Virginia:	Warner (D-VA), Nay	Webb (D-VA), Nay
Washington:	Cantwell (D-WA), Nay	Murray (D-WA), Nay
West Virginia:	Byrd (D-WV), Nay	Rockefeller (D-WV), Nay
Wisconsin:	Feingold (D-WI), Nay	Kohl (D-WI), Nay
Wyoming:	Barrasso (R-WY), Yea	Enzi (R-WY), Ye

Click on link below from CBNNews.com to watch interview...

Related: Fireproof: Strengthening Marriages Through Film from a radio broadcast at Focus on the Family.

'Fireproof' Actor Talks about DVD Release

The Christian blockbuster hit "Fireproof" will be released on DVD Tuesday.

Fireproof, the independent film about a man's fight to save his marriage, debuted at No. 4 at the box office in September. It quickly became the highest grossing Christian film of all time grossing $6.5 million.

CBN News' Donna Russell recently spoke to actor Kirk Cameron about the success of the movie Fireproof and the upcoming DVD release. Click play to watch.

RELATED STORIES: Georgia the New Christian Hollywood? 'Fireproof' Surprise Hit of Fall Season

Christian retailers have already taken pre-orders for the DVD.

The faith-based movie starred actor Kirk Cameron and was directed and produced by the Kendrick brothers of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., on a $500,000 budget.

Cameron says the movie has started a movement with churches all over the country.

"I heard stories of couples walking out of the theater holding hands, renewing their vows, getting new wedding rings, and just restoring their marriages, some people canceling their divorce hearings," he said.

The DVD also features bonus footage, a commentary by Kirk Cameron, bloopers, and rescued scenes."

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Also, see About Kirk Cameron for an audio testimony of how Kirk came to Christ.

"Kirk is best known as the lovable teen heartthrob Mike Seaver, of the award winning series Growing Pains. He entertained audiences worldwide as the charming troublemaker. He is also known to many Christians as "Buck Williams" from the Left Behind films -- based on the NY Times runaway best selling novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

But much more noteworthy than his acting career was his conversion to Christianity. Kirk was not raised in a church-going home and describes himself as a devout atheist from a very young age. By the age of 14 he was so convinced there was no God that he laughed at those who thought there was. But that all changed one afternoon as he sat in his sports car pondering the first Gospel message he had ever heard. You can hear Kirk's testimony in his own words..."

Children Can be Compelled to Receive Homosexual Indoctrination against Parents’ Wishes: Spanish Supreme Court

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

MADRID, January 29, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After three days of debate, the Spanish Supreme Court has declared that parents do not have the right to opt out of a national civics program that includes indoctrination in homosexualist ideology and other offensive elements.

The program, "Education for Citizenship," teaches children to make a "critical evaluation of the social and sexual division of labor and racist, xenophobic, sexist, and homophobic social prejudices" and instructs teachers to "revise the student’s attitude towards homosexuality." It was formulated by Spain's Socialist Worker's Party, which has held power since 2004.

Following the implementation of the program, families sued to secure status as conscientious objectors in the State of Asturias, where the local Supreme Court ruled that they could not exempt their children from the course. They then appealed the case to the Spanish Supreme Court, which ruled against the families yesterday 23-7, in a plenary session.

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Organizations representing dissenting families were defiant, arguing that the decision was unconstitutional, and had no authority over the autonomous provinces of Spain. They also announced plans to appeal the ruling to the nation's Constitutional Court, and beyond.

Parents who refuse to allow their children to attend, "are not committing any crime or illegitimate act with their children" said Benigno Blanco, President of the Spanish Family Forum, who also stated that "nothing is changing except for the four cases analyzed by the Supreme Court; all of the parents who have administrative or judicial coverage are perfectly able to impede their children from entering the classes."

Responding to the call of Spain's Minister of Education for all provinces to comply with the decision, Blanco stated that "the Minister can't give orders to the Autonomous Communities" and added that she "can't change the Constitution nor human rights. That is higher than the hollow words of the Minister."

Spain's socialist political establishment, however, was jubilant.

"I celebrate that with this the debate is finished," said Spain's Justice Minister Fernandez Bernejo, who added that "this situation has been created by the bad decisions of some autonomous communities who haven't fulfilled their obligation to educate children well."

Contact Information:

Embassy of Spain in the USA
Ambassador D. Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza.
2375 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
Telephone: (202) 452-0100; (202) 728-2340
Fax: (202) 833-5670
E-mail:

Embassy of Spain in Canada
74 Stanley Avenue , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1M 1P4
Telephone (613) 747-2252, 7293, 1143/241-0542(24h)
Fax (613) 744-1224

For a list of Spanish embassies around the world see
http://www.spanish-living.com/info_embassies.htm

Related Links:

Manifesto Against "Education for Citizenship" (Spanish)
Manifiesto contra la Asignatura "Educación para la Ciudadanía"
http://servicios.ceu.es/manifiesto/manifiesto.aspx

Previous LifeSiteNews Coverage:

Spanish Supreme Court Deadlocked Over Allowing Families to Opt Out of Homosexual Indoctrination Program
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jan/09012709.html

Legal Status of Catholic Church in Spain Threatened over Opposition to Mandatory Pro-Gay Citizenship Course
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07081003.html

Gay-Friendly "Diversity Training" to be Mandatory in Spanish Schools
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jul/07072508.html"

From LifeSiteNews.com....

Tens of Thousands Crowd San Francisco Waterfront, Rally Against Abortion

SAN FRANCISCO, January 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - More than 30,000 pro-life supporters filled the boulevard along San Francisco’s waterfront for more than a mile in the 5th Annual Walk for Life West Coast on Saturday, walking behind a 10-foot-long “Abortion Hurts Women” banner.

The Walk came four days after President Barack Obama’s inauguration and one day after Obama reversed the Bush administration's ban on federal funding of international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information.

“We shall overcome!” Frank Lee of Asian Americans Against Abortion, said, addressing the crowd in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Lee joined Walk organizer Eva Muntean to urge opposition to the proposed Freedom of Choice Act which would eliminate all restrictions on abortion.

“Women deserve better, men deserve better – we all deserve better than abortion,” Feminist for Life speaker Karen Shablin, an African American, told the crowd. Shablin, a former member of the National Abortion Rights Action League who had an abortion in her 20s, said that 37 percent of abortions are done on black women—who make up just 13 percent of the population.

President Obama puts a face on black genocide,” declared Rev. Clenard Childress, a Baptist pastor and founder of BlackGenocide.org, who has spoken at the Walk since its inception in 2005. “President Obama is the fulfillment of what the abortion industry always wanted and that was a black face to validate abortion.”

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But Childress said that Obama’s election is not the end of the pro-life movement - to the contrary.

“We thank God today for this moment. You’re not going away, I’m not going away. This is our moment,” Childress said.

Also speaking at the event were Diana Nagy, a singer who placed her son for adoption after becoming pregnant at 15, and Sister of Life Mother Agnes Mary. “We’ve made a lot of progress,” Nagy said, noting that 36 years after the Roe v. Wade decision, “abortion is at an all time low.”

“Let us pass on the love,” Mother Agnes Mary said. “Let us tell the truth, let us change the world.”

The Walk was founded in 2005 by a group of San Francisco residents to reach out to women who have had abortions and to show support for them and for women in crisis pregnancies. "

You can view the video Fitna that caused the controversy from a link at See the video that has caused a stir internationally exposing the work and goals of radical islam and their interpretation of the Quran.

For a video report and actual interview Politician Geert Wilders from CBNnews click below article from 10/2008...

Anti-Islam Film Sparks Hate Speech Trial

By Dale Hurd

CBN News Senior Reporter

January 28, 2009

CBNNews.com - Politician Geert Wilders may be the most widely known Dutchman in the world.

His short film Fitna became an international sensation on the Internet last year. It shows acts of Islamic terrorism next to violent verses from the Koran.

Wilders, a Dutch parliament member and leader of the Freedom Party, has been one of the most outspoken opponents of what some call the islamization of the Netherlands. Wilders has called islam retarded. He's compared it to Nazism and the Koran to Hitler's Mein Kampf. And now he could be sent to jail for it.

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Last week a Dutch court ordered that Wilders stand trial for hate speech.

RELATED STORIES: London Church Forced Off Its Property Europe Keeps Close Eye on Mosques Make Way for the Mega-Mosque HURD ON THE WEB: Explosive Dutch Koran Film Ready for Air Dutch Anti-Koran Film "Fitna" is Released Holland: Will There Be Blood? STAKELBECK ON TERROR: "One Day, There Will be a Caliphate in Europe"

Click play to watch CBN News Reporter Dale Hurd's conversation with the controversial Wilders, or read the transcript below.

Dale Hurd: What was the purpose of the film Fitna?

Geert Wilders: Our country, the Netherlands as many other countries is based on Christianity, is based on Judaism, is even based on humanism. But not on islam. And this is what I wanted to show people, not by using actors, but by using real images and real verses from the Koran, that the Koran is not just and old book from 1500 years ago.It's a book that is still very alive today. And people get a lot of wrong incentives from it today.

So I wanted to warn the people and I was quite successful, whatever you may think about "Fitna." In the Netherlands more than 3 million people watched it after 24 hours. And worldwide more than 20 million people watched it after two weeks.

Hurd: I'm sure people who have watched you provoke Islam over the years wonder if you have a death wish. Are you secretly daring Muslims to try to kill you?

Wilders: No and I'm not even provoking them as you said. I try to warn the people in the Netherlands and maybe even abroad and Western societies about the actual danger that Islam brings to our society and to our freedom.

Hurd: Do you believe that a moderate of democratic Islam can exist?

Wilders: No. I don't believe in it. I don't think there is a European Islam. There is no moderate Islam. Islam is, as I see it, a fascist ideology, full of hatred, submission and anything else that we should fight against. However, I make a distinction between the ideology, I believe islam is more an ideology than a religion and the people. There are of course, people, Muslims.I have nothing against Muslims who are not terrorists, who are.the majority of the Muslims in my country are law abiding people; are not terrorists at all.

Hurd: I've heard you call Islamic culture "retarded."

Wilders: It is a culture of backwardness, of retardedness, of barbarism.

Hurd: You've been called a racist. Do you believe in the superiority of whites?

Wilders: No, of course not. I am not a racist. I'm not even in contact with countries, with parties like the British National Party who believe in black and white. I am a Democrat, full stop.

Hurd: In your speech to parliament a few days ago, you referred to Muslim "colonists." What did you mean?

Wilders: Well, people that are coming to the Netherlands to stir up problems or who are in the Netherlands, they are not here to integrate. But to dominate. They don't give a d---, excuse my words, for all he criticism and all the culture that we have in the Netherlands today.

That's why I call them colonists. We have immigrants from Morocco who have been living here for 30 years who don't speak a word of Dutch.

Hurd: So you see Islam growing, you see a government you don't believe cares enough. So where is the Netherlands headed on this issue?

Wilders: The biggest problem we face today is the dominant political culture is one of cultural relativism. Most of the political elite really do believe in cultural relativism - really do believe that all cultures are equal. Wereas I believe they are not equal.

I believe the Christian and the Jewish culture is far better. And I'm not ashamed to say it. I'm not a racist to say that the Christian culture is better than the Islamic culture. There is an enormous gap between the political elite and the vox populi.

The people see that our country is changing. They see in their streets, in their neighborhoods, in their cities, in their villages; they see that it's often not the Netherlands anymore. They feel they live in "Little Morocco" or "Little Turkey."

We have an Islamic intifada today. I'm not exaggerating. In many, many cities in the netherlands. This is a problem. And the government looks the other directiuon and ignores it and puts it under the carpet, all the problems.

Hurd: Are you tired of living with a death threat over your head?

Wilders: Well, not tired, but sometimes - not sometimes - I wish I didn't have it. And I am not exaggerating if I say I lost my freedom. I lived in prison cells for half a year and army barracks and moved two places.

My life changed a lot and I can manage, and people don't have to have sympathy for me because I feel I have a mission. My mission is very strong, and I really believe in it. And I know that if we really don't get a sense of urgency and act and defend our culture, defend our freedom, that it's too late.

*Original broadcast October 13, 2008."

Court Decision Boosts Party of Dutch Lawmaker Who Criticized Islam


(CNSNews.com) – Controversial Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders has seen his party’s popularity rise following a court ruling that he should stand trial for his statements about Islam.
Last week’s decision by an appeals court in Amsterdam instructing prosecutors to indict Wilders for “inciting hatred and discrimination” has directly contributed to increased support for his Party for Freedom (PVV), according to Dutch pollster Maurice de Hond.

The court ruling “has had a clear positive effect on the size of the electoral support for the PVV,” which now stands at a 16-month high, he said.

Since Nov. 2006 elections the PVV has controlled nine seats in the 150-member legislature. That election result made Wilders’ party the fifth biggest in the house, but this week’s poll showing would make it the third largest, behind the Christian Democrats (29 seats) and Labor (27).

Wilders, who lives under tight security because of death threats, last year released a short documentary film linking the Koran to terrorism. Entitled “Fitna” (an Arabic word sometimes translated as “strife”), the movie shows images of major terror attacks carried out by Muslims over recent years and footage of radical Islamists – in the Netherlands and elsewhere – inciting violence, interspersed with translations of verses from the Koran.

He appealed in the film for Muslims to repudiate violence-inciting verses in the Koran, but the film’s release instead sparked angry protests and boycotts, and provided further ammunition for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-led campaign to outlaw the “defamation” of Islam. Millions of people have viewed the film online....."

In this week's Focus Action Update™, Stuart Shepard and Tom Minnery examine what was said at the inaugural and dig into the new president's left-leaning agenda as posted on the White House Web site.



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Also, see there Welcome to Issue Analysis for analysis of issues from Abstinence Policy, Boethics/Sanctity of Human Life to Homosexuality and Gender.

Update with new video below by Tony Perkins at FRC concerning the stimulus.





Related: Obama doesn't get bipartisan support for Economic Stimulus bill. Bill passes without one Republican vote...
The actual $850 billion, 334 pages, and counting stimulus package for yourself at...
“Stimulus” 101 Update: The Trillion Dollar Spending Plan Passes House
Morning Bell: Why Obama Failed
First, we learn the economic stimulus package would fund abortion advocate organizations now we learn of a $246 million tax break for Hollywood...
ABC & CBS Chide Republicans for 'Turning Cold Shoulder' to Obama
And for Republicans in the Senate and their concerns see 35 minute video report at C-span at Senate Republicans Press Conference on Economic Stimulus Legislation. Alot different then how ABC and CBS reported.

Not Quite a Stimulus: Speaker Pelosi's Payoffs and Pork Bill - UPDATED

Many thanks to the website readthestimulus.org and its participating organizations.

PAYOFFS

To the "Green" Lobby

$600 Million To Buy New Cars For Government Workers (Page 89)
These cars would be "green" friendly cars - however very few gas pumps have the right gas to run these cars. The Federal government already spends $3.5 billion a year.

$10M for bike and walking trails (Page 65)

$200M for plug-in car stations (Page 31)

$400 million for NASA scientists to conduct climate change research (Page 22)

$800 million to clean up Superfund sites (Page 122)

$600 million for grants for diesel emission reduction (Page 119)

$650 million for "alternative energy technologies, energy efficiency enhancements and deferred maintenance at Federal facilities" (Page 119)

$1.5 billion for construction of "Green Schools" (Page 176)

To the Unions

$1 billion to the controversial COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES COPS Hiring Program
"$150 billion in new federal spending, a vast two-year investment that would more than double the Department of Education's current budget. The proposed emergency expenditures on nearly every realm of education, including school renovation, special education, Head Start and grants to needy college students" Sam Dillon, "Stimulus Plan Would Provide Flood of Aid to Education," New York Times. January 27, 2009. NOTE: Private and religious schools are excluded.

Look for the Union Label. "The stimulus bill passed by the House last night contains a controversial provision that would mostly bar foreign steel and iron from the infrastructure projects laid out by the $819 billion economic package. A Senate version, yet to be acted upon, goes further, requiring, with few exceptions, that all stimulus-funded projects use only American-made equipment and goods." Anthony Faiola, "'Buy American' Rider sparks trade Debate," Washington Post, January 29, 2009.

To the Abortion Industry

Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) inserted in the original bill billions of dollars for family planning groups, including the abortion giant, Planned Parenthood. Pressure and public exposure from Congressional Republicans forced the Democrats to remove such funding from this bill. However the bill still provides billions in reforming the health care system and working towards nationalized health care - with little to no debate.

$2.7B in NIH grants which would be targeted to among other things embryonic stem cell experimentation. (Page 56)

Other Special Interests

$3 Billion for Prevention & Wellness Programs, Including $335 million for STD Education and Prevention -- Recent government expenditures in this area include a transgender beauty pageant in San Francisco that advertised available HIV testing and an event called "Got Love? - Flirt/Date/Score" that taught participants how "to flirt with greater finesse."

$83 billion for the earned income credit for people who don't pay income tax. SOURCE Wall Street Journal

$246 million for Hollywood SOURCE National Journal

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (Page 122)

$75 million for smoking cessation (Page 148). This contradicts the latest version of SCHIP that is funded largely by new taxes on cigarettes.

$4.19 billion open to ACORN. The Pelosi-Reid bill makes groups like ACORN eligible for a $4.19 billion pot of money for "neighborhood stabilization activities."

MISCELLANEOUS PORK
Some of the biggest winners in the package are federal agencies and Congressional relatives:

$2 Billion for national parks. "A top House Republican is demanding an investigation into whether the more than $2 billion for national parks in the House stimulus package is proper in light of the fact that the chief lobbyist for the National Parks Conservation Association is the son of House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey (chief author of the bill.)" Stephen Dinan and S.A. Miller, "Stimulus has plum for Lawmakers Son," Washington Times, January 29, 2009.

$54 billion will go to federal programs that the Office of Management and Budget or the Government Accountability Office have already criticized as "ineffective" or unable to pass basic financial audits. SOURCE Wall Street Journal

$462 Million for Equipment, Construction, and Renovation of Facilities at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (Page 137)

$1.2 billion to the National Science Foundation (Page 46) "Chuck Grassley knows it when he sees it. The "it," of course, is pornography. And Grassley has seen it deep in a demurely titled section of a report from the National Science Foundation -- a report that says NSF employees have been spending significant amounts of company time on smut sites and in other explicit pursuits . . . In one particularly egregious case, the report says one NSF "senior official" was discovered to have spent as much as 20 percent of his working hours over a two-year interval 'viewing sexually explicit images and engaging in sexually explicit online 'chats' with various women.' Investigators calculated the value of the time lost at more than $58,000 -- for that employee alone." Andie Coller, "Grassley Lainches Porn Inquiry," Politico, January 29, 2009.

$150 Million for Repairs to Smithsonian Institution Facilities (Page 128)

$44 million to the Agricultural Research Service (Page 135)

$227 million for oversight of the pork barrel spending in the stimulus (Page 11)

$1 Billion for the Follow-Up to the 2010 Census (Page 49)

Discretion is given to governors and Mayors for how to spend a large chunk of the money. The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently sent Congress a $96.6 billion wish list of "shovel-ready" projects which now could be funded by the stimulus. These projects include: "$1 million for annual sewer rehabilitation in Casper, WY; $6.1 million for corporate hangars, parking lots, and a business apron at the Fayetteville, AR airport; 28 projects with the term "stadium" in them; and 117 projects mentioning landscaping and/or beautification efforts. The taxpayers should be most teed off at the 20 golf courses included in the list." SOURCE National Taxpayers Union