Teacher fired for opposing Planned Parenthood; next on FOT

Bill Diss was a high school teacher in Portland, Oregon, one who consistently went the extra mile to help students succeed. He also publicly objected when Planned Parenthood built a large abortion facility in northeast Portland. When his activities became public there was a dramatic shift in how he was treated at school; administrators called him in for questioning regarding his activities and subjected him to heightened scrutiny in the classroom.

In September 2012, Planned Parenthood employees came into Diss’ classroom as he was handing back a math quiz. They were there to recruit for their Teen Outreach Program (TOP). When Diss objected and asked to be excused from participating with Planned Parenthood. Administrators not only denied his request they systematically subjected him to unwarranted review and harassment. Despite a wave of community support, including letters from students, parents and fellow teachers, Diss was fired andhis contract was terminated.

Dana Cody 

Last week Dana Cody, president and executive director of Life Legal Defense Foundation, filed suit on Bill’s behalf against Portland Public Schools for violations of his civil rights and employment discrimination.

Dana has been championing the rights of women and the unborn for over twenty years. She started as a lay-counselor to women in crisis pregnancies, and then fulfilled her passion to protect women and children victimized by abortion by obtaining her law degree. In 1996, she accepted the invitation to serve as a board member of Life Legal Defense Foundation and later accepted the position as executive director.

Dana has been a frequent guest on Faith On Trial and she will join us Tuesday morning for a discussion of the Diss case and other activities of Life Legal Defense Foundation which has just celebrated its 25^th Anniversary fulfilling its mission to give innocent and helpless human beings of any age, particularly unborn children, a trained and committed defense against the threat of death, and to support their advocates in the nation’s courtrooms. One of the cases Life Legal has been involved in was that of Terri Schiavo.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll as they discuss these things with Dana at 9 a.m. or catch the re-broadcast at 9 p.m.  Faith On Trial is broadcast from the Catholic Pastoral Center in Downtown Des Moines on 1150 AM and 88.5 & 94.5 FM.  It streams on IowaCatholicRadio.com. Our underwriters are Attorney Rick McConville and Confluence Brewing Company.

 

Next FOT: How lawyers can help: join the Thomas More Society in Des Moines

This week our guest is Matt Heffron of the Thomas More Society, Omaha branch.  He will be in town Wednesday to promote the establishment of a Des Moines branch and will be discussing those efforts with Deacon Mike and Gina Noll Tuesday on Faith On Trial.  The Thomas More Society is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Based in Chicago, the Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

Matt Heffron 

Matt has been a trial attorney since graduating from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1984. He began his law practice with a commercial litigation firm in Helena, Montana. For many years, he was a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona, where eventually he was appointed Deputy Chief for the Criminal Division. He successfully tried numerous jury trials in federal court involving multiple jurisdictions and multiple parties. In 1996, he was awarded the Director’s Award for Superior Performance from the Attorney General of the United States.

He will be speaking Wednesday to the local Lawyers for Life luncheon – bring your own sack lunch.  Attorneys interested can make reservations here.  

For more information join us Tuesday at 9 a.m. (Central) on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRacio.com. The program re-broadcasts at 9 p.m. and is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenburg & Saclise PC 1200 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 515-435-1055 and Confluence Brewing Company, off the Bike Trail just south of Grey’s Lake, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.

Sexual exploitation of young girls, next on FOT

Last week Deacon Mike and Gina discussed a report from Life Dynamics on the issue of teen pregnancy in which it was reported that some underage girls, some as young as 10 were being sexually exploited by adult men.  According to the report, “In America today, we have reached the point where a junior high school girl is more likely to become pregnant by an adult than by someone close to her own age. … [The] investigation has uncovered

Mark Crutcher

irrefutable evidence that both Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation – often operating on taxpayer dollars – knowingly conceal these crimes while aiding and abetting the sexual predators who commit them.”

Tuesday, the author of that report, Mark Crutcher, founderof Life Dynamics, will join the deacon and Gina on Faith On Trial. The report itself can be found here.

In 1992 Mark founded Life Dynamics which has since become widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and professional pro-life organizations in America. Under Mark's direction, Life Dynamics has created an extensive litigation support system that helps women sue the abortionists who kill, injure, or sexually assault them. It has also developed strategies and products for crisis pregnancy centers that have been praised by the people who work in these facilities.  In 1996, Mark authored the book, Lime 5, an exposé that has become the recognized standard for people who want to know what really goes on inside the American abortion industry.  

Join Deacon Mike, Gina Noll and Mark Crutcher for a lively discussion of his report.  Tuesday at 9 a.m. (CDT) and rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM and 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.  Underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines; and Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.

‘Seal of Confessional’ case headed to U.S. Supreme Court: Must a priest testify to what was said in the confessional? Next on FOT

Several months ago the Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled that a priest from the diocese of 

Professor Ciolino

Baton Rouge must divulge what transpired during a sacramental confession. Canon Law strictly prohibits priests from breaking that seal, or even acknowledging that there was a confession. 

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has now appealed that ruling to the United States Supreme Court and joining us Tuesday to discuss this matter will be Professor Dane Ciolino, the  Alvin R. Christovich Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Professor Ciolino graduated cum laude from Rhodes College in 1985, and magna cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1988, where he was inducted into Order of the Coif and selected as Editor in Chief of the Tulane Law Review.

The Diocese has released a statement that says in part:

“[T]he Louisiana Supreme Court's ruling strikes a very hard blow against religious

freedom, and one which the diocese and Father [Jeff] Bayhi feel compelled to vigorously contest. That ruling, left undisturbed, would result in a trial during which the plaintiffs would be permitted to offer evidence regarding what transpired during a series of alleged confessions, with Father Bayhi and the diocese utterly unable to defend themselves …”

Join Deacon Mike Manno and co-host Gina Noll as they discuss these matters with Professor Ciolino Tuesday morning at 9 (CDT) or the re-broadcast at 9 p.m. on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.

Iowa Catholic Radio, KWKY Des Moines; FOT is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, and Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.

Raunchy textbooks and too many churches next on FOT

Our old friend, Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, will join us Tuesday to

Brad Dacus

discuss the case of one school’s raunchy ninth-grade’s textbooks and a California city’s refusal to permit a new church because there are already too many in the area.  Brad has been a frequent and favorite guest on FOT and is always involved in something that affects faith or parenting.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and co-host Gina Noll for a lively discussion with Brad, live at 9 a.m. (CDT) Tuesday or for the re-broadcast at 9 p.m. Faith On Trial is broadcast on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM (KWKY); 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming at IowaCatholicRadio.com.

Faith On Trial is underwritten by Attorney RickMcConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100  Westown Parkway, West Des Moines; and Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.

 

No ‘right to die’ at hands of doctors in New Mexico

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing several New Mexico legislators and a medical association have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the New Mexico Court of Appeals in favor of reversing a state judge’s decision to allow doctor-prescribed death.

In January, Judge Nan G. Nash of the New Mexico Second Judicial District ruled that physician-assisted suicide no “right more fundamental, more private or more integral to the liberty, safety and happiness of a New Mexican than the right of a competent, terminally ill patient to choose aid in dying.”

“Suffering patients need understanding and sound medical treatment, not encouragement to kill themselves – and especially not through doctors who pledge to ‘do no harm,’” said ADF Litigation Counsel Catherine Glenn Foster. “New Mexico law clearly criminalizes deliberate assistance in someone else’s suicide. The lower court was wrong to invent a right to doctor-

Catherine Glenn Foster

prescribed death that does not exist – placing New Mexicans at risk of coercion and an early grave.”

As the ADF brief filed in Morris v. King explains, “The overwhelming majority of States – and the U.S. Supreme Court – reject a fundamental right to die or to physician-assisted suicide. New Mexico, too, has banned physician-assisted suicide to assert its compelling interests in preserving life, protecting the vulnerable, and upholding the integrity of the medical profession.”

“With the growth of and trailblazing improvements in palliative care, there is no excuse to destroy life simply because it grows imperfect, old, or frail,” the brief continues. “By prohibiting assisted suicide, more attention and focus can be directed toward palliative care and research improving the latter days of a person’s life, rather than making a so-called problem go away.”

ADF attorneys filed the brief on behalf of five state senators, six members of the state house, and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.

“Doctors have a fundamental duty to try to heal patients and not prematurely deny families the opportunity to honor and cherish their loved ones in their final days,” added ADF Senior Counsel Steven H. Aden. “We hope the court will affirm this respect for life as the people of New Mexico have always done.”

Sneeze, ‘Bless you.’ Say what? Now go to the principal’s office!

Jeremiah Dys

Next on FOT: Kendra Turner said she was rebuked by her teacher at Dyer County High School and thrown out of class for violating the teacher’s ban on the words “bless you.”

 “She said that we’re not going to have godly speaking in her class and that’s when I said we have a constitutional right,” Kendra told a Memphis television station. Another student sent the television station a photo taken inside the teacher’s classroom showing a list of banned words. Among the censored words are "dump," "stupid," "my bad," "hang out" and "bless you."

“The assistant principal said if I didn’t want to respect my teacher’s rules then maybe my pastor should teach me because my freedom (of) speech and religion does not work at their school,” she said.

Tuesday on FOT we’ll discuss this matter with Jeremiah Dys, Kendra’s attorney and senior counsel for Liberty Institute.

Jeremiah graduated from Taylor University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts, and from West Virginia University College of Law. Before joining Liberty Institute in 2013, he provided leadership in advocacy on the issues of life, marriage, and religious freedom for a public policy organization associated with Focus on the Family.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll as they discuss this and other school matters with Jeremiah Tuesday morning at 9 (CDT) on Iowa Catholic Radio; 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.  The program will be re-broadcast at 9 p.m.

Faith on Trial is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola,Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC 1200 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 515-453-1055 and Confluence Brewing Company, off the Bike Trail just south of Grey’s Lake, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.

Court upholds Iowa rule banning web-cam abortions

An Iowa trial court today upheld a rule from the Iowa Board of Medicine that regulates chemical abortion by requiring that a physician physically examine a woman before providing abortion-inducing drugs. The physician-approved regulation, which was adopted by an 8-2 vote of the Board of Medicine, would protect women from potentially dangerous misuse, such as taking the drug too late in pregnancy or during an ectopic pregnancy, by requiring an in-person exam by a physician rather than a videoconference. This practice is sometime called “telemed abortion.”

“Women can die when life-ending drugs are carelessly administered,” said Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest. “Iowa’s regulation and today’s decision demonstrates that doctors agree that chemical abortion can be dangerous for women and requires a careful examination. Providing these drugs without a physical examination by a physician amounts to nothing less than reckless gambling with the lives of women.”

During the litigation, Planned Parenthood admitted that, under its preferred method of chemical abortion, a physician never physically meets with a woman. Moreover, staff members—such as certified medical assistants (CMAs)—conduct physical exams or ultrasounds instead of doctors or other licensed healthcare providers.

Today’s decision acknowledged that chemical abortion is not safe for some women, and that the Board’s purpose was to ensure the health and safety of women considering chemical abortion by requiring physician presence. Such presence promotes the necessary physician-patient relationship and helps ensure examination by healthcare personnel trained to recognize the dangers inherent in the chemical abortion process.

The court also rejected Planned Parenthood’s arguments that the regulation is invalid under the U.S. Constitution, finding that the regulation poses no “undue burden” to women seeking chemical abortion in the state of Iowa.

More on the Tempe, Arizona Planned Parenthood rape case (and others) Tuesday on FOT

Natalie Decker

Last week we brought you the story of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Tempe, Arizona that failed to report the rape of a young woman because “it was not worth the hassle.” (See previous post.) Tuesday we will discuss this matter with Alliance Defending Freedom Attorney Natalie Decker who is leading the call for an investigation of the Tempe clinic. Natalie serves as legal counsel with the ADF’s Center for Life. She earned her J.D. from the University of Iowa,

Natalie will discuss this case as well as several others involving Planned Parenthood clinics with Deacon Mike Manno and his co-host Gina Noll Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. (CDT) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com. The program will be re-broadcast at 9 p.m.

Iowa Catholic Radio (KWKY) broadcasts from the Catholic Pastoral Center at Sixth and Grand in Des Moines.  Faith On Trail is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville, of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 515-453-1055 or at csmclaw.com.

From today’s program: ADF report on the Tempe PP clinic

This is the Alliance Defending Freedom report on a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood of Tempe, Arizona for allegedly not reporting the rape of a minor as required under Arizona law:

The “War on Women” – another view next on FOT

Mallory Quigley

Is there really a war on women?  To listen to some politicians and news commentators there is and, along with their political opponents, we in the pro-life and pro-family movement are conducting it.  Are conservative Christians at war with women?   

We’ll have some answers Tuesday when our guest will be Mallory Quigley, communications director for the Susan B. Anthony List.  Mallory has been a guest on numerous national and local media outlets and well as overseeing the SBA List’s website, social media, and press relations.

So join Deacon Mike Manno and Co-host Gina Noll Tuesday at 9 a.m. (live) and 9 p.m. (re-broadcast) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.  Times are CDT. Sponsored by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, 515-453-1055 or at csmclaw.com.

Fired for opposing a “Gay Bible?” Next on FOT

Matt Whitaker

Can you be fired for comments against homosexuality on your own personal blog?  That is the position in which the editor of the Newton (Iowa) Daily News found himself.  Bob Eschliman posted on his personal blog comments about what he termed the “Gaystopo” and criticized the “Queen James Bible,” a version of the holy book that looks favorably on homosexuality. He was then fired from his job.

What rights does he have? And what about some of the other legal issues facing the Christian community today such as the IRS controversy?

Our guest Tuesday is Mr. Eschliman’s attorney, Matt Whitaker, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. As U.S Attorney Matt prosecuted cases in areas such as national security, immigration, income tax and firearms. He was also an Academic All-American and a member of the last Hawkeye Rose Bowl football team in 1990 when he played for Coach Hayden Fry.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and his co-host Gina Noll as they discuss with Matt some of the legal pitfalls waiting for many practicing Christians. Tuesday at 9 a.m. and re-broadcast at 9 p.m. (CDT) on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.  Our program is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville, Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 453-1055 or at csmclaw.com.

Court rejects atheists’ attempt to remove Ground Zero Cross from museum

Cross’s spiritual role at Ground Zero has historical significance  

Recognizing the important role that religion plays in society, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order on Monday rejecting the effort by American Atheists, Inc. to force the National 9/11 Museum to remove the Ground Zero Cross from its display or to include a plaque honoring atheists alongside the Cross. 

“This is an enormously important and common-sense ruling,” said Eric Baxter, Counsel for

the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who filed a brief supporting the Museum’s right to display the cross. “The Court draws an important distinction. Even though the Ground Zero Cross is unquestionably a religious symbol, and holds deep religious meaning for many people—particularly those who found hope and inspiration in its discovery—the government does not violate the Establishment Clause by recognizing and educating others about the actual role played by religion in our history and culture.” 

The Court’s order recounts the tragedy of 9/11, and the horrific circumstances under which the rescue workers labored to find survivors and discusses how the discovery and subsequent use of the Cross in religious rituals became “a symbol of various positive expressions” including “a symbol of ‘hope, faith, and healing,’ of ‘the human spirit,’ and of ‘how people will care for each other at the worst moment in their life.’” “The history of 9/11 would not be complete without including the impact the Ground Zero Cross had in inspiring rescue workers and Americans generally,” said Baxter. “Displaying the cross in a display about ‘Finding Meaning at Ground Zero’ is perfectly appropriate.” 

Cross’s spiritual role at Ground Zero has historical significance  

Recognizing the important role that religion plays in society, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order on Monday rejecting the effort by American Atheists, Inc. to force the National 9/11 Museum to remove the Ground Zero Cross from its display or to include a plaque honoring atheists alongside the Cross. 

“This is an enormously important and common-sense ruling,” said Eric Baxter, Counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, who filed a brief supporting the Museum’s right to display the cross. “The Court draws an important distinction. Even though the Ground Zero Cross is unquestionably a religious symbol, and holds deep religious meaning for many people—particularly those who found hope and inspiration in its discovery—the government does not violate the Establishment Clause by recognizing and educating others about the actual role played by religion in our history and culture.” 

The Court’s order recounts the tragedy of 9/11, and the horrific circumstances under which the rescue workers labored to find survivors and discusses how the discovery and subsequent use of the Cross in religious rituals became “a symbol of various positive expressions” including “a symbol of ‘hope, faith, and healing,’ of ‘the human spirit,’ and of ‘how people will care for each other at the worst moment in their life.’” “The history of 9/11 would not be complete without including the impact the Ground Zero Cross had in inspiring rescue workers and Americans generally,” said Baxter. “Displaying the cross in a display about ‘Finding Meaning at Ground Zero’ is perfectly appropriate.” 

Tired of sex and violence on TV? So is the Parents Television Council, next on FOT

Melissa Henson

This week we’re going to cover a different story: that of the almost non-stop assault on decency by the television networks and cable channels.  This week’s guest is Melissa Henson, director of grassroots education and activism for the ParentsTelevision Council. The mission of the Parents Television Council is to protect children and families from graphic sex, violence and profanity in the media, because of their proven long-term harmful effects; and to provide a safe and sound entertainment media environment for children and families across America.

Join Deacon Mike Manno and Gina Noll to learn what dangers for your family, and especially your children, are lurking inside you television and how you can become a more effective advocate for media decency. We’re on live at 9 a.m. (CDT) on Iowa Catholic Radio 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.  The program will be rebroadcast at 9 p.m.

KWKY Des Moines, Iowa; Faith On Trial is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville, Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, 453-1055 or at csmclaw.com.