Friday, May 31, 2013

Student’s free speech violation will cost DMACC $13,800

Several weeks ago we reported on a case involving Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) after college officials barred a Christian student at the college from distributing fliers containing religious and political messages in the open-air quad on campus. Now we are finding out that the action complained of has cost the college nearly $14,000.

The flyers the student, Jacob Dagel, wanted to pass out criticized the school for subsidizing tickets to a conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. A campus security officer told Dagel that students must obtain a permit 10 school days prior to the activity and remain in a designated area.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a law suit against the college in the U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The college capitulated almost immediately and agreed to longer enforce its policy. Now it is reported that DMACC has been ordered to pay Dagel $100 in damages and to pay his attorney’s fees of $13,700.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Coming up on our next program: Free speech for Christian witness? And what is going on behind those clinic doors?

On this week’s program: What happens when a public university employee publically states her opposition to gay marriage? She gets fired for it, of course! That case is now headed for the Supreme Court and we’ll have her attorney, Robert Muise of the American Freedom Law Center, on the next edition of “Faith on Trial.” Also, we’ll have Attorney Dana Cody, president and executive director of Life Legal Defense Foundation, on the attempts to keep a Birmingham, Alabama abortion clinic from re-opening.  The clinic had been closed by state authorities but the abortionist is back, but now he’s claiming his is only a “medical” clinic. And the clinic owner claims she had nothing to do with the clinic, but her car seems parked there a lot.  Check us out on Iowa Catholic Radio!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Plaintiff steps forward in co-ed locker room case

A high school sophomore who recently transferred to a Los Angeles school was shocked to find that when she went to her PE class she found that a boy – who identifies as a girl – was not only allowed to be in the girl’s PE class, but was also allowed to use the same locker room as the girls. 

This happens as a result of a California Law that requires schools to treat students and faculty as the gender they identify with, not their biological gender. It also allowed students to participate in school activities and use school facilities based on the gender they choose. Thus boys who identify as girls can legally participate in girls-only classes and activities and use the girls’ restrooms and locker rooms. Recently, the California State Assembly passed a bill which adds the opportunity for students to participate in sports teams regardless of gender. 

On last week’s program, Robert Taylor of Advocates for Faith and Freedom, discussed this law with us and expressed some frustration that no plaintiffs had come forward to challenge the law. The case above has changed all that. The young student and her mother are now being represented by Robert and he has contacted the school for corrective action, and is going to the legislature for modification of the law, and, if necessary, will take this matter to court.

Here is what has happened in this case:

Vanessa and the boy, Alex (not real names), both had lockers in the same row in the locker room – away from all of the other girls.  Shortly after she joined the class, Vanessa began to be harassed by Alex.  First of all, she had to change clothes in front of him, since changing into PE clothes was a requirement for the class.  Meanwhile, Alex rarely, if ever, changed his clothes.  He would watch Vanessa change and make comments on her appearance, even touching her hair. 

This situation understandably made Vanessa feel uncomfortable and quite vulnerable.  After awhile, Vanessa started sharing a locker with a friend, away from the isolated area that she had shared with Alex.

Vanessa soon became a target and was “bullied” by Alex and his friend.  At break times, Alex would often hang out in the girls’ restroom, making other girls uncomfortable, too.  One time, another female student said that Alex and a female friend of his stood over one of the bathroom stalls and looked into the next stall – where she was using the facilities!  When Vanessa would enter the restroom, Alex would frequently make her the subject of his verbal harassment, and even some physical intimidation.


So much for tolerance!  Let us pray for Vanessa as she deals with this and ask God to provide Robert Taylor with the courage and wisdom to bring this matter to a successful conclusion.

 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Lawmaker: Put a Planned Parenthood clinic in every neighborhood

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) has an answer for the atrocities performed in Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s Philadelphia abortion clinic: Put a Planned Parenthood clinic in every neighborhood. Nadler did not explain how a PP clinic in every neighborhood would have stopped Gosnell. The local media in Philadelphia reported that many of Gosnell’s former patients would complain to Planned Parenthood about the conditions in Gosnell’s clinic, but there is no record that Planned Parenthood forwarded any of those concerns to the authorities. 

In a related matter, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has announced that 12 of the 16 abortion clinics inspected by the department have failed to meet state regulations.  Four of the clinics were closed immediately while the others were allowed to remain open after adopting plans of corrective action.  Three of the clinics cited were Planned Parenthood clinics. Perhaps Congressman Nadler didn’t hear that part!

Friday, May 24, 2013

German homeschooling family denied asylum in the United States

A German family, prohibited from homeschooling their children in Germany, lost their bid for asylum when a federal appeals court ruled that they did not make a sufficient case to stay in the United States.  The Romeike family left Germany in 2008 when they became subject to criminal prosecution for homeschooling. They were initially given asylum in 2010 by an immigration judge, but that ruling was vacated by the Board of Immigration Appeals last year. The board’s decision was upheld by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals this week. While the appeals court said that the U. S. Constitution recognizes the right of parents to direct the education of their children, it found that Germany’s treatment of religiously motivated homeschoolers did not amount to “persecution” under U. S. law. A spokesman for the family said they are planning to appeal the decision.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Our next program: a florist being sued by the state for not providing services for a same-sex "wedding" and the Department of Justice order to employees that they must affirm homosexually ... or else

On this week’s edition of Faith On Trial we will discuss two important legal matters: the first involves the right of a business person not to provide services for a so-called same-sex wedding. Several cases are bubbling up around the country involving bakers, photographers and florists who are being sued by same-sex couples for not providing services for these “wedding” ceremonies.  We will discuss those, including the case of a Washington State florist Barronelle Stutzman who is being sued – not only by the couple, but by the state – for refusing to provide her services for a same-sex union and is fighting back by countersuing!  Dale Schowengerdt, senior legal counsel from the Alliance Defending Freedom, will join us for that discussion. 

In addition, we will have Liberty Counsel senior litigation attorney Harry Mihet discussing the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) order that its employees must not only affirm homosexually, but are being warned that their silence will constitute disapproval and can lead to punishment for creating a hostile work place. Harry has had several bouts with DOJ and he’ll fill us in on that matter and another case where DOJ was attacking someone for her religious beliefs.
Our program runs Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.; Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. and Monday night at 9:00 p.m. (Central time) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM, 88.5 and 94.5 FM and streaming live on http://iowacatholicradio.com. As usual, comments and questions can be sent to our host, Deacon Mike Manno, at DeaconMike@q.com.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Congressional Democrats target crisis pregnancy centers

LifeSiteNews is reporting that Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), along with 14 Democratic co-sponsors, has introduced a bill that would order the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create regulations restricting the advertising practices of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs).  CPCs, such as West Des Moines’ InterVisions Health Clinic, serve women facing unexpected pregnancies with counseling and factual information about parenthood, adoption and abortion.  They also offer practical support for women who choose to parent, such as baby equipment, formula, diapers and clothing.  

The bill is aimed at marginalizing CPCs.  Rep. Maloney says that CPC advertisements claiming to offer information about abortion are misleading because CPCs do not provide or refer for abortions.  They also give information about abortion that can be discouraging to abortion-minded women, such as information on fetal development; information about post-abortion trauma; and the physical risks of abortion including infertility, infections, increased risk for breast cancer, and even death.
LifeSite reports that the wording of the bill is minimal, leaving the details to be written by Obama Administration bureaucrats, the same as was done with the Obamacare legislation.  Those administrative regulations, you may recall, require employers, including most religious based employers, to provide free birth control, abortion inducing drugs, and sterilization for their female employees. 

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

DOJ to employees: Affirm homosexuality regardless of your faith

LibertyCounsel, a public advocacy organization working for religious freedom, is reporting today that the Obama Administration is requiring federal workers to publicly embrace and affirm homosexuality. Liberty Counsel is making that claim after being asked for help by a whistleblower from the Department of Justice (DOJ) who contacted the organization seeking legal help to protect her First Amendment rights.

Liberty Counsel reports: “The whistleblower sent us a copy of an email sent to all DOJ employees entitled: LGBT Inclusion at Work: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Managers. The directive requires employees to vocally affirm homosexuality. ‘DON'T judge or remain silent. Silence will be interpreted as disapproval,’ the DOJ told employees.
“This Administration is pushing the most radical, immoral agenda on the American people. Christians are not merely required to ‘shut up,’ but now they are being coerced to embrace immorality that goes against their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

Monday, May 20, 2013

High Court to review legality of opening public meetings with prayers

The Supreme Court has announced that it will hear an appeal over the constitutionally of opening public meetings with a prayer.  Under review is a Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Greece, New York (a suburb of Rochester) unlawfully opened its town meetings with a prayer.

The town argues that the court has already upheld prayers at the start of legislative meetings and that private citizens offered invocations of their own choosing.  Non-Christian town residents complained they felt marginalized by the use of Christian prayers and filed suit.  They are represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Tougher regulations post-Gosnell force five abortion clinics to close

LifeSiteNews is reporting that five abortion clinics in Pittsburgh have closed as the result of tougher safety regulations adopted as a result of the Kermit Gosnell trial.  Last week a Philadelphia jury convicted the abortion doctor of murder for the killing of babies born alive in his clinic, and for the death of one patient.  The new regulations took effect last June.

There are now only two abortion clinics in the Pittsburgh area. A Planned Parenthood clinic was among those that were shut down.  Upgrading the clinics to conform to the new regulation has forced those clinics that stayed open hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply. When the new regulations were adopted, only one of the state’s 22 abortion clinics met them.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Next show: Will your girl have to shower with a boy after gym class?

Join us for the next edition of Faith on Trial where we will answer the question about when or whether your teen daughter will be forced to shower with boys after gym class.  You will be shocked by what you hear, and to discuss the matter with us will be Bob Taylor, president and chief legal counsel for the Advocates for Faith and Freedom.  He will also update us on a proposed new abortion law.  Besides Bob, our old friend Brad Ducas, attorney and founder of the Pacific Justice Institute, will visit with us about a new California law that requires licensed counselors to affirm the homosexual lifestyle for minors having sexual identity issues.  The law applies to all licensed counselors, even if they are clergy or working in a private, Christian, or Catholic school.  Brad will tell us what he is doing about it.

Join us this weekend for the program which will be aired at three different times for your convenience: Saturday at 8 a.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m.; and Monday at 9 p.m. (all times Central).  Listen on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM, 88.5 and 94.5 FM and streaming live on iowacatholicradio.com.  Your comments and questions can be sent to Deacon Mike Manno at deaconmike@q.com.

Tune in, you’ll be informed and surprised.   

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Another Gosnell? Abortionist twisted babys' heads off!

Only days after a Pennsylvania jury found the abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell guilty of first degree murder for killing babies born alive in his abortion clinic, LifeSiteNews is reporting that another abortionist is facing criminal investigation for allowing late-term babies to be born alive, then twisting their heads off with his bare hands.
The news site quotes former employees of the abortionist as saying that he sometimes would put his finger down the baby’s windpipe and placed some living babies in plastic bags to suffocate.  The employees reported that live births in the clinic were not uncommon. 
The investigation was done by Life Dynamics, Inc. who is withholding the name of the doctor involved because he is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.  Life Dynamics would only say that the clinic was not located in Pennsylvania, where Gosnell’s clinic was located.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Vermont passes physician-assisted suicide bill; governor to sign

Vermont will shortly become the latest state that allows physician assisted suicide.  The Vermont House passed the measure 75-65, following earlier Senate approval 17-13.  Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin has said he will sign the legislation into law.  When he does, Vermont will become the third state to allow physician assisted suicide, joining Oregon and Washington.   The Montana Supreme Court has ruled in the case Baxter v. Montana, that state law does not preclude physician assisted suicide.

Under the Vermont bill, terminally ill patients with less than six months to live can request a prescription from their doctor for drugs that will hasten death.  Several other states are considering similar legislation.
We sometimes tend to focus on the beginning of life when we proclaim ourselves to be “pro-life,” but the attacks are coming at the other lend of life’s journey, too.  Besides assisted suicide, there is a growing euthanasia movement that will allow health care workers to “mercifully” end their patient’s suffering.

Monday, May 13, 2013

The Gosnell verdict: Is this the end or just the beginning?

As the news circulates that the Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of three counts of first degree murder, many in the pro-life community are breathing a sigh of relief.  The conviction, needless to say, was welcome, but the Gosnell case may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the conditions in America’s abortion clinics.  Last week one of our guests was Anna Higgins, director of the Center for Human Dignity of the Family Research Council, who discussed abortion regulations and the lack of the enforcement in that area.  We also had Adel Keim of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who updated us on the status of the HHS litigation.  Join us this weekend for more eye-opening guests.  “Like” us on Facebook.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

News from the front lines ... Cardinal O'Malley takes a stand


BOSTON – Archbishop Sean Cardinal O’Malley will not attend the Boston College commencement May 20 because the Jesuit college is scheduled to award a Doctor of Laws degree to Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny, an abortion supporter.  The cardinal cited the college’s failure to follow USCCB directives not to honor those whose views are inconsistent with Church teachings.

WASHINGTON – The U. S. House has issued a ‘spousal” ID to the ‘husband’ of openly gay Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis).
 
NEW YORK – U. S. District Judge Edward R. Korman has refused to stay his ruling that girls 16 and younger be given access to the so-called morning after pill without a prescription.  The government had asked for the stay while it appeals Korman’s ruling.  The judge called the government’s request for a stay “frivolous.”

LONDON – Pro-abortion lawyer Barbara Hewson is proposing that the age of sexual consent be dropped from 16 to 13 to protect “old men” who molest young people from what she calls legal “persecution.”

WASHINGTON – The Family Research Council is seeking public comment against a proposed FCC rule what would allow some nudity on broadcast television.  To comment go to this link

Update on DMACC -- College folds under pressure from ADF


DES MOINES – Last week we reported on a case involving Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) after college officials barred Jacob Dagel, a Christian student at the college, from distributing fliers containing religious and political messages in the open-air quad on campus. The fliers protested the allocation of college funds to subsidize student tickets a conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. A campus security officer told Dagel that students must obtain a permit 10 school days prior to the activity and remain in a designated area.

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a Federal suit against the college. The suit argued that the college’s speech policy unconstitutionally prohibited students from speaking spontaneously and open spaces of the campus.

This week the college has agreed to no longer enforce its policy of limiting its student speech to a table in the student center and also agreed to no longer require students to get permission to distribute flyers 10 days in advance.