Hamas has thanked U.S. actor Richard Gere for his efforts in urging Palestinians to vote in local elections two years ago, which the terrorist group won by a large margin.
"We thank Richard Gere for his efforts in the historic election of the Palestinian Islamic resistance [Hamas]," stated Abu Abdullah, largely considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' so-called military wing. Abdullah and other Hamas leaders were quoted on the record thanking Gere in the new book "Schmoozing with Terrorists: From Hollywood to the Holy Land Jihadists Reveal their Global Plans - to a Jew!"
Working with One Voice, a leftist Israeli organization, Gere starred in a commercial urging voter turnout that was broadcast repeatedly on Palestinian television in January 2005, just prior to one of the first municipal Palestinian elections since late PLO leader Yasser Arafat held what was widely regarded as sham local elections about thirty years prior.
The elections were split between Hamas legislators and members of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, which the U.S. considers moderate.
"Hi I'm Richard Gere and I'm speaking for the entire world. (Ah not me Mr Gere!) We're with you during this election time," said Gere in the commercial. (Who's we????)
"It's really important: get out and vote," continued the actor, his words simultaneously being translated into Arabic. Then, switching to speaking in Arabic he concluded in the broadcast: "Take part in the election." Gere appeared in the commercial with Chief Palestinian Justice Taysir Tamimi and former Greek Orthodox Church official Atallah Hanna.
DRIVING WHILE BLACK GETS TWISTED MEDIA ATTENTION
Thomas Sowell noting “In a world where young blacks, especially, are bombarded with claims that they are being unfairly targeted by police, and where a general attitude of belligerence is being promoted literally in word and song, it is hard not to wonder whether some people's responses to policemen do not have something to do with the policemen's responses to them.”
Real Clear Politics
Real Clear Politics
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OKAYS TRANSGENDERED MINISTER
Just when you think you have seen it all. Please, please, please people get out of these phony churches!
Interesting note in the troubling story: “The judicial council met without its president, surgeon general nominee James Holsinger. Holsinger, a Kentucky doctor who has been criticized by gay rights groups for such things as a 1991 paper in which he says gay sex was unnatural and unhealthy, bowed out of the meeting, saying his nomination could become a distraction.”
Ahhh..... a transgendered minister could be a disraction as well.
FOX News
Interesting note in the troubling story: “The judicial council met without its president, surgeon general nominee James Holsinger. Holsinger, a Kentucky doctor who has been criticized by gay rights groups for such things as a 1991 paper in which he says gay sex was unnatural and unhealthy, bowed out of the meeting, saying his nomination could become a distraction.”
Ahhh..... a transgendered minister could be a disraction as well.
FOX News
POLL: IRAN TOPS LIST OF THREATENING COUNTRIES
Also notable in this poll, 11 percent of Democrats and 12 percent of Independents listed the United States as the top threat to worldwide stability. For Democrats, that put the United States ahead of North Korea.
Gallup
Gallup
DEMS GO AFTER HILLARY
Hillary refused to say if she’s in favor of New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposal to provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. (USA Today)
Meanwhile, as Kucinich questions Bush’s mental health (ABC News) he also claims he saw a UFO. (Baltimore Sun)
If Hillary wins do we get to presidents for the price of one?
University to students: 'All whites are racist'
A mandatory University of Delaware program requires residence hall students to acknowledge that "all whites are racist" and offers them "treatment" for any incorrect attitudes regarding class, gender, religion, culture or sexuality they might hold upon entering the school, according to a civil rights group.
Worldnetdaily
Worldnetdaily
"John's Town"
Johnstown, Pa. It could be named after John Murtha who bought and paid for it with your money.
The congressman has used his clout on Capitol Hill to create thousands of jobs and steer billions of dollars in federal spending to help his hometown in western Pennsylvania recover from devastating floods and the flight of its steelmakers.
More is on the way. In the massive 2008 military-spending bill now before Congress, Mr. Murtha has steered more taxpayer funds to his congressional district than any other member. The Democratic lawmaker is chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which will oversee more than $459 billion in military spending this year.
Johnstown's good fortune has come at the expense of taxpayers everywhere else. Defense contractors have found that if they open an office here and hire the right lobbyist, they can get lucrative, no-bid contracts. Over the past decade, Concurrent Technologies Corp., a defense-research firm that employs 800 here, got hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Rep. Murtha despite poor reviews by Pentagon auditors.
A review by The Wall Street Journal of dozens of such contracts funded by Mr. Murtha's committee shows that many weren't sought by the military or federal agencies they were intended to benefit. Some were inefficient or mismanaged, according to interviews, public records and previously unpublished Pentagon audits.
In addition to using taxpayer money to build a local defense industry, Mr. Murtha has funded by legislative fiat miles of new roads, water projects, medical facilities and federal offices for his district. He even brought a Marine attack-helicopter squadron here; it's next to the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Nice name for an airport.....
Much of this money will dry up when Mr. Murtha leaves office, an event local officials fear as much as the next flood.
The congressman has used his clout on Capitol Hill to create thousands of jobs and steer billions of dollars in federal spending to help his hometown in western Pennsylvania recover from devastating floods and the flight of its steelmakers.
More is on the way. In the massive 2008 military-spending bill now before Congress, Mr. Murtha has steered more taxpayer funds to his congressional district than any other member. The Democratic lawmaker is chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which will oversee more than $459 billion in military spending this year.
Johnstown's good fortune has come at the expense of taxpayers everywhere else. Defense contractors have found that if they open an office here and hire the right lobbyist, they can get lucrative, no-bid contracts. Over the past decade, Concurrent Technologies Corp., a defense-research firm that employs 800 here, got hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Rep. Murtha despite poor reviews by Pentagon auditors.
A review by The Wall Street Journal of dozens of such contracts funded by Mr. Murtha's committee shows that many weren't sought by the military or federal agencies they were intended to benefit. Some were inefficient or mismanaged, according to interviews, public records and previously unpublished Pentagon audits.
In addition to using taxpayer money to build a local defense industry, Mr. Murtha has funded by legislative fiat miles of new roads, water projects, medical facilities and federal offices for his district. He even brought a Marine attack-helicopter squadron here; it's next to the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. Nice name for an airport.....
Much of this money will dry up when Mr. Murtha leaves office, an event local officials fear as much as the next flood.
SUPREME COURT LOOKS AT CHILD PORN LAW
From the story: Justice Department lawyers defending a 2003 law that criminalizes the advertising of purported child porn say such Internet ads fuel the market for smut and hurt children even when the advertised pictures are fake. (USA Today)
Meanwhile, Chuck Colson looks at the damage done by porn – especially to children. (Townhall)
Meanwhile, Chuck Colson looks at the damage done by porn – especially to children. (Townhall)
Who Stole My Hurricanes?
Remember all the doom & gloom forcasted hurricanes because of golbal warming? Last year, they were wrong, but promised this year would be exceptional. But instead of exceptionally high, it’s exceptionally low. (COAPS)
From August: NOAA meteorologist Gerry Bell said "The fact that we've seen no hurricanes so far means absolutely nothing." (Boston Globe)
From August: NOAA meteorologist Gerry Bell said "The fact that we've seen no hurricanes so far means absolutely nothing." (Boston Globe)
NEW MOVIE FOR KIDS BASED ON ANTI-RELIGION BOOKS
"The Golden Compass” is adapted from a book series that, according to Bill Donohue, “denigrate Christianity, thrash the Catholic Church and sell the virtues of atheism.”
FOX News
FOX News
BIDEN: NO AG VOTE UNLESS HE CONDEMNS WATERBOARDING
Saying "I think Judge Mukasey's comments on waterboarding were outrageous, especially given that he's seeking the job of attorney general. Anyone who thinks that waterboarding is not torture, is not fit — and will not have my support — to be attorney general."
FOX News
FOX News
TROUBLED NOBEL SCIENTIST DONATED TO HILLARY
Days later, Hillary and Schumer earmarked $900,000 to his lab. The story notes a spokesman for Hillary claims “there was no connection between political donations and the earmark.”
Washington Times
Washington Times
HILLARY STRUGGLES TO GET ABOVE 48 PERCENT
Even against Ron Paul. From the story: Looking at other recent match-ups confirms the sense that what we’re seeing is primarily a reflection of attitudes about the Democratic frontrunner. In the latest Rasmussen Reports polling, Clinton gets 47% against Fred Thompson, 48% against Mitt Romney, 48% against Mike Huckabee, 44% against Rudy Giuliani, and 44% against John McCain.
Rasmussen
Rasmussen
Legion to ignore Veterans Affairs ban on 'God'
The California American Legion is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to reconsider a ban that effectively removes "God" from honor guard flag folding ceremonies at veterans' funerals.
A memo from Steve Muro, director of the Veterans Affairs' office of field programs, bans use of a recitation about the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag, which produce the famous star-covered triangle. The recitation references God several times.
Charlie Waters, parliamentarian for the California legion, said he's taking a simpler route and will advise volunteers to ignore the instructions. "There are 26 million veterans in this country, and they're not going to take us all to prison," he said. Read more...
A memo from Steve Muro, director of the Veterans Affairs' office of field programs, bans use of a recitation about the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag, which produce the famous star-covered triangle. The recitation references God several times.
Charlie Waters, parliamentarian for the California legion, said he's taking a simpler route and will advise volunteers to ignore the instructions. "There are 26 million veterans in this country, and they're not going to take us all to prison," he said. Read more...
DeSantis In Home Stretch
Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis started the morning in Bloomfield. Mr. DeSantis said. "I believe Pittsburghers want change. I am prepared to make that change."
We will soon find out if the voters are ready to make a change. After decades of broken promises, change is long overdue. But change can be scary at times and so far it's been too scary for voters. Come on Pittsburgh, let's expect more!
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorses Desantis
We will soon find out if the voters are ready to make a change. After decades of broken promises, change is long overdue. But change can be scary at times and so far it's been too scary for voters. Come on Pittsburgh, let's expect more!
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorses Desantis
Twanda Carlisle's pension frozen and she needs a coat!
A judge today froze the salary and pension account of Twanda Carlisle, the city councilwoman set to go on trial, and ordered her to turn over a fur coat valued at over $4,000.
Ms. Carlisle is charged with taking kickbacks. Her trial, set to start today, was postponed, but the prosecution sought a temporary restraining order, saying that the restitution it expected Ms. Carlisle to be ordered to pay would be more than $10,000 and that her assets should be secured.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Zottola ordered that Ms. Carlisle be denied access to her city pension account, including her contributions to that account; have her city salary suspended for the duration of her term in office; and be required to turn in a fur coat valued at more than $4,000 that the prosecution says was purchased with stolen city money.
Ms. Carlisle faces a 17-count corruption charge involving city checks totaling $101,480 to her alleged co-conspirators. The councilwoman then deposited smaller amounts in her bank accounts, over time shifting $38,310 to her personal account, and $4,850 to her campaign account, according to the Allegheny County investigating grand jury.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ms. Carlisle is charged with taking kickbacks. Her trial, set to start today, was postponed, but the prosecution sought a temporary restraining order, saying that the restitution it expected Ms. Carlisle to be ordered to pay would be more than $10,000 and that her assets should be secured.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Zottola ordered that Ms. Carlisle be denied access to her city pension account, including her contributions to that account; have her city salary suspended for the duration of her term in office; and be required to turn in a fur coat valued at more than $4,000 that the prosecution says was purchased with stolen city money.
Ms. Carlisle faces a 17-count corruption charge involving city checks totaling $101,480 to her alleged co-conspirators. The councilwoman then deposited smaller amounts in her bank accounts, over time shifting $38,310 to her personal account, and $4,850 to her campaign account, according to the Allegheny County investigating grand jury.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Radio Waves
Duffy pleads guilty
Former sportscaster John Duffy could face more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The 47-year-old former weekend sports anchor on WEAE (1250),also worked as a local correspondent for the national ESPN Radio network. Duffy will be sentenced on Jan. 22. He is currently in federal custody. Prosecutors allege that Duffy was sharing child pornography with other computer users via the Internet. When arrested in May, prosecutors said, Duffy had more than 40 video files on his computer that showed children engaged in sex acts.
Renda Rumors
The rumor mill is running about possible changes at Renda Broadcasting's WJAS (1320) and WPTT (1360). One rumor has the company shuffling hosts at its music station, WJAS, while another has a format change at news-talker WPTT.
Pittcom Gets Full Season
Back to You," the Fox sitcom set in a fictional Pittsburgh TV newsroom, has been picked up for a full season.
WLTJ puts Christmas Music on HD
WLTJ, at least their HD channel at 92.9-2 has flipped from Classic Rock to Christmas music. Sadly, they are not the first station to roll our the X-Mas soundtrack. The B train wreck gets that honor.
Methodist Judicial Council to Rule on Transsexual Pastor
The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church is deliberating this week over a series of controversial issues, among them the recent re-appointment of a transsexual to be pastor of a church in Baltimore. The Judicial Council is meeting in San Francisco to consider 19 different docket items, several dealing with sex and gender identity. The Judicial Council is the highest court in the United Methodist Church, which has 7.9 million members in the United States.
Is there really anything here to deliberate?
Among the groups present during the Judicial Council meeting, Reconciling Witness, a caucus advocating “full inclusion” of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transsexual persons, is planning a series of events to oppose church teachings.
There is no specific mention of transsexuality or sex change operations in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the church’s lawbook. However, the United Methodist Church officially does not ordain into the ministry practicing homosexuals or others who are sexually active outside of marriage. United Methodism affirms God’s love and civil rights for all people, while also affirming marriage as the lifelong union of man and woman.
Is there really anything here to deliberate?
Among the groups present during the Judicial Council meeting, Reconciling Witness, a caucus advocating “full inclusion” of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transsexual persons, is planning a series of events to oppose church teachings.
There is no specific mention of transsexuality or sex change operations in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the church’s lawbook. However, the United Methodist Church officially does not ordain into the ministry practicing homosexuals or others who are sexually active outside of marriage. United Methodism affirms God’s love and civil rights for all people, while also affirming marriage as the lifelong union of man and woman.
CALIFORNIA SUES EPA FOR STRONGER AUTO EMISSIONS LAW
Story notes “Fourteen other states have adopted, or announced their intention to adopt, California's standards: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, New Mexico, Florida and Arizona.”
USA Today
USA Today
HOLLYWOOD MOVIE TO TAKE AMERICA OUT OF GI JOE
From the story: The show biz newspaper Variety reports: "G.I. Joe is now a Brussels-based outfit that stands for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, an international co-ed force of operatives who use hi-tech equipment to battle Cobra, an evil organization headed by a double-crossing Scottish arms dealer."
LVRJ
What's next? "Captain America" becomes "Captain UN"?
LVRJ
What's next? "Captain America" becomes "Captain UN"?
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR END TO DEATH PENALTY
Claiming it is, among other things, plagued by racial bias – but not how one might think. From the story: The report also showed a higher rate of death sentences in cases where victims are white rather than black.
ABC News
ABC News
POLL: REPUBLICANS DON’T KNOW GIULIANI’S POSITIONS ON ISSUES
Story notes “Among those who do know Giuliani’s position on abortion, there is some evidence of a negative impact on likelihood of voting for him, thus suggesting that there is some potential effect if his positions become better known in the months ahead.” (Gallup)
Fred Barnes says it’s a race between Giuliani and Romney. (Weekly Standard)
Fred Barnes says it’s a race between Giuliani and Romney. (Weekly Standard)
'Ex-Gay' Controversy Mars Gospel Concert Tour for Obama
From the story: A gospel tour held over the weekend to raise money for the presidential campaign of Rep. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was criticized by homosexual groups because it included performances by an "ex-gay" minister who believes that sexual orientation is a matter of choice. Read more…
From “29 Ways To Be A Good Democrat” - #6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.
From “29 Ways To Be A Good Democrat” - #6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum to write column for Philadelphia paper
Called the "The Elephant in the Room," the column will be featured in the Inquirer's opinion pages on alternating Thursdays.
Santorum, who lost to Democrat Bob Casey in last year's election, will write about a variety of topics ranging from America's culture wars to its struggles around the globe. Only occasionally will Santorum write about politics.
Santorum, who lost to Democrat Bob Casey in last year's election, will write about a variety of topics ranging from America's culture wars to its struggles around the globe. Only occasionally will Santorum write about politics.
Former lawmaker returns pay to state GOP caucus
A former Republican lawmaker yesterday returned $79,000 to the state, pending a state Ethics Commission review into whether he should have received the money in the first place. Read More
State conceals list of polling places
State officials have decided not to publicize their list of polling places in Pennsylvania, citing concerns that terrorists could disrupt elections in the commonwealth.
Read More
Read More
POLL: ONE-THIRD BELIEVE IN GHOSTS
And UFOs: To put the roughly one-third who believe in ghosts and UFOs in perspective, it's about the same as, in recent AP-Ipsos polls, the 36% who said they are baseball fans; the 37% who said the U.S. made the right decision to invade Iraq; and the 31% who approve of the job President Bush is doing (Associated Press).
EVANGELICALS ADRIFT?
In more ways than one if you ask me. But anyway......
According to Naomi Schaefer Riley: Still, evangelicals have clearly lost their enthusiasm for the GOP. A recent poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life paints the picture: "Throughout Bush's first term, party identification among younger white evangelicals remained relatively stable, but since 2005 the group's Republican affiliation has dropped significantly--by 15 percentage points." The study notes, however, that "the shift away from the GOP has not resulted in substantial Democratic gains." In short, evangelicals seem adrift
(Wall Street Journal).
According to Naomi Schaefer Riley: Still, evangelicals have clearly lost their enthusiasm for the GOP. A recent poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life paints the picture: "Throughout Bush's first term, party identification among younger white evangelicals remained relatively stable, but since 2005 the group's Republican affiliation has dropped significantly--by 15 percentage points." The study notes, however, that "the shift away from the GOP has not resulted in substantial Democratic gains." In short, evangelicals seem adrift
(Wall Street Journal).
PRO-LIFE FILM “BELLA” TO OPEN NATIONWIDE TODAY
From an interview with the star of the movie Eduardo Verastegui: It is a moving work of art that is full of heart. “The film shows there is a time in everyone’s life when a moment will change your life forever and it will never be the same again. If it hasn’t happened to you, it will,” explains Eduardo Verastegui, who plays the lead role of Jose in the film. “It’s a love story that goes beyond romance,” he continues “about a man who had everything. He lost it all, but losing it all he found all that matters in life which is family, true love, true friendship and a lot of beautiful things that you will see while watching the film” (Crosswalk.com).Also an advance review and tons of info on "Bella" from Thomas Peters over at American Papist
UNITED NATIONS: “HUMANITY’S VERY SURVIVAL” AT RISK
From the story: The speed at which mankind has used the Earth’s resources over the past 20 years has put “humanity’s very survival” at risk, a study involving 1,400 scientists has concluded….The bleak verdict on the environment was issued as an “urgent call for action” by the United Nations Environment Programme, which said that the “point of no return” was fast approaching (Times of London).
WHO IS MIKE HUCKABEE?
John Fund wants to know. Why? Because he’s convinced Huckabee is not the “consistent conservative” he claims to be. From the op-ed: Mr. Huckabee attributes his support to the fact he is a "hardworking, consistent conservative with some authenticity about those convictions." He is certainly qualified for national office, having served nearly 11 years as a chief executive. I have known and liked him for years; on the stump he often tells the story of how we first met outside his boarded-up office in the state Capitol, which had been sealed by Arkansas Democrats who refused to accept he had won an upset election for lieutenant governor in 1993. But I also know he is not the "consistent conservative" he now claims to be (Wall Street Journal).BUSH AIDES: IRAN SACNTIONS MEANT TO PREVENT WAR
From the story: In approving far-reaching, new unilateral sanctions against Iran, President Bush signaled yesterday that he intends to pursue a strategy of gradually escalating financial, diplomatic and political pressure on Tehran, aimed not at starting a new war in the Middle East, his advisers said, but at preventing one (Washington Post).
SPORTSCASTER JOHN DUFFY PLEADS GUILTY
Former ESPN Sports WEAE-AM (ESPN RADIO 1250)/PITTSBURGH weekend anchor John Duffy has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges and faces a possible 51-63 month prison sentence. John Duffy, 46, of Carnegie, is charged with one count of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. Duffy pleaded guilty Thurdayin U.S. District Court and will be held until sentencing on January 22. Duffy was indicted in July after a raid found pornographic videos and pictures on his computer.
In the past, Duffy also worked in the press box during University of Pittsburgh basketball games and Steelers games. ESPN Radio studios are located right next to the Radio Disney studios AM 540.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In the past, Duffy also worked in the press box during University of Pittsburgh basketball games and Steelers games. ESPN Radio studios are located right next to the Radio Disney studios AM 540.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Congress Urged to Halt $300 Million to Planned Parenthood
From the story: More than 60 pro-life leaders from across the country called on Congress Thursday to suspend over $300 million in annual taxpayer funding to the nation's biggest abortion provider while one of its local affiliates faces 107 criminal counts in Kansas.
According to the complaint filed in Kansas's Johnson County District Court last week, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri is accused of 29 misdemeanor counts of performing "unlawful late-term abortions," 29 misdemeanor counts of "unlawful failure to determine viability for late-term abortion," 23 felony counts of "making false information" and 27 misdemeanor counts of "unlawful failure to maintain records." Read more...
According to the complaint filed in Kansas's Johnson County District Court last week, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri is accused of 29 misdemeanor counts of performing "unlawful late-term abortions," 29 misdemeanor counts of "unlawful failure to determine viability for late-term abortion," 23 felony counts of "making false information" and 27 misdemeanor counts of "unlawful failure to maintain records." Read more...
There Is No Plan "B" for Catholics
Doctor of Sacred Theology, Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner has taken on the issue whether it is permitted for Catholics to administer Plan B even if it acted as a contraceptive rather than causing abortions.
He dismissed outright the use of Plan B at Catholic hospitals where there is any doubt as to it possibility of causing an abortion. "The fact is, if we have any doubt about whether a given action would directly risk someone's life, entail a violation of justice or threaten the salvation of a soul, we may not act on the basis of a scientific probability," he says. "That means even if the pill in Plan B is only 'dubiously' abortive, we simply may not use it at all."
However, Catholic bioethicists working for hospitals have advised bishops that it is good enough to have "moral certainty" rather than absolute certainty that the pills will not cause an abortion. This should not even be an issue of debate among Catholics as the Church teaches that contraception is intrinsically evil and thus is not permissible even in cases of rape.
Explains Fr. Fehlner, "The woman may certainly resist and should resist to the limit permitted by divine law any sexual assault. But she may not do this by using a means which is intrinsically evil, in this case considering the conception of a child an act of violence justifying the use of contraception."
The stance of Fr. Fehlner calls into question the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services put out by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The document permits contraception in cases of rape. It says specifically that in cases of women who have been raped: "If, after appropriate testing, there is no evidence that conception has occurred already, she may be treated with medications that would prevent ovulation, sperm capacitation, or fertilization."
This seems to mean that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is now in direct conflict with several Popes (including the current pope) as they have consistently taught that contraception is "intrinsically evil" and thus impermissible regardless of circumstances.
He dismissed outright the use of Plan B at Catholic hospitals where there is any doubt as to it possibility of causing an abortion. "The fact is, if we have any doubt about whether a given action would directly risk someone's life, entail a violation of justice or threaten the salvation of a soul, we may not act on the basis of a scientific probability," he says. "That means even if the pill in Plan B is only 'dubiously' abortive, we simply may not use it at all."
However, Catholic bioethicists working for hospitals have advised bishops that it is good enough to have "moral certainty" rather than absolute certainty that the pills will not cause an abortion. This should not even be an issue of debate among Catholics as the Church teaches that contraception is intrinsically evil and thus is not permissible even in cases of rape.
Explains Fr. Fehlner, "The woman may certainly resist and should resist to the limit permitted by divine law any sexual assault. But she may not do this by using a means which is intrinsically evil, in this case considering the conception of a child an act of violence justifying the use of contraception."
The stance of Fr. Fehlner calls into question the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services put out by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The document permits contraception in cases of rape. It says specifically that in cases of women who have been raped: "If, after appropriate testing, there is no evidence that conception has occurred already, she may be treated with medications that would prevent ovulation, sperm capacitation, or fertilization."
This seems to mean that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is now in direct conflict with several Popes (including the current pope) as they have consistently taught that contraception is "intrinsically evil" and thus impermissible regardless of circumstances.
"Mother of All Tax Hikes"
Very interesting reading. If you are ready for the largest individual income tax increase in American history the put the Dems in Charge.
Memo: McCrery on "Mother of All Tax Hikes"
October 25, 2007
By Ways and Means Republican Press Office
MEMO
RE: “Mother of All Tax Hikes” Bill
TO: Republican Members, Republican Staff
FROM: Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Jim McCrery
My Friends,
At a bipartisan Ways and Means caucus last night, Chairman Rangel outlined his long-awaited “Mother of All Tax Hikes” legislation. The basics of the package are simple: This is the largest individual income tax increase in history.
The bill will add a 4% surtax on Americans earning more than $150,000 a year ($200,000 for couples). That is on top of the scheduled expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. So, under Democrats’ plan, over the next few years, the individual income top tax rate in the United States will rise from 35% to 44%. By way of comparison, the other 29 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries – basically other developed nations - have an average top marginal tax rate of 35.7%. In fact, only five OECD countries would have higher top marginal tax rates in 2011 than the United States if the Democrats’ bill is enacted.
This crushingly high tax rate will affect approximately 10 million taxpayers directly - including those who report business income, like small business owners and farmers - but the damage will ripple throughout our economy. Because small businesses and family farms often pay their income taxes as individuals, this is a massive tax hike on the engine that drives job growth in this country.
In addition, the surtax is on adjusted gross income, not taxable income. This sounds like a technical issue, but it means that Rangel’s bill will erode the value of a series of tax deductions – including for mortgage interest, charitable giving, medical expenses, state and local taxes, and the standard deduction. And, because the surtax kicks in at $150,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples, the bill creates a monster of a marriage penalty.
Chairman Rangel will claim that these tax increases go to provide tax cuts to 90 million Americans, but he is selling pure snake-oil. Many if not most of those taxpayers are getting a purely imaginary “tax cut.” Some of them are the roughly 20 million people that Republicans shielded with the Alternative Minimum Tax patch. Millions more are people who have benefited from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and only get “tax cuts” if you assume that the 10% bracket, marriage penalty, and $1,000 per child tax credit will expire. Others, like single people who will now be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, are getting a tax refund from the government even though they don’t actually pay income taxes.
It will take time to analyze this bill and sort through the data, but we know from the start that the 90 million figure is pure hokum. In fact, before you know it more taxpayers may wind up paying higher taxes – and fewer paying less - under Rangel’s plan than they did last year.
Which brings us to the larger fallacy of the Democrats’ “paygo” system. There is no need to “pay for” protecting taxpayers from a massive AMT tax hike. The government never meant for the AMT to affect middle-class Americans, and we have a responsibility to make sure it doesn’t. By arguing that preventing this tax increase requires us to raise taxes elsewhere, Democrats are trying to lock Congress into a system where we are guaranteed to raise taxes by $3.5 trillion over ten years.
That’s right. $3.5 trillion. The baseline that the Democrats are using for “paygo” includes revenue from an “un-patched” AMT and from the tax increases that occur when the 2001 and 2003 tax laws expire after 2010. Together they total $3.5 trillion over ten years. If we play by the Democrats “paygo” rules, that is the size of the tax increase we are imposing on the American people. That will hurt our nation’s competitiveness and cost us American jobs. The Rangel bill is the first step down a road none of us want to follow, and I urge you to oppose it strongly.
Memo: McCrery on "Mother of All Tax Hikes"
October 25, 2007
By Ways and Means Republican Press Office
MEMO
RE: “Mother of All Tax Hikes” Bill
TO: Republican Members, Republican Staff
FROM: Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Jim McCrery
My Friends,
At a bipartisan Ways and Means caucus last night, Chairman Rangel outlined his long-awaited “Mother of All Tax Hikes” legislation. The basics of the package are simple: This is the largest individual income tax increase in history.
The bill will add a 4% surtax on Americans earning more than $150,000 a year ($200,000 for couples). That is on top of the scheduled expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. So, under Democrats’ plan, over the next few years, the individual income top tax rate in the United States will rise from 35% to 44%. By way of comparison, the other 29 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries – basically other developed nations - have an average top marginal tax rate of 35.7%. In fact, only five OECD countries would have higher top marginal tax rates in 2011 than the United States if the Democrats’ bill is enacted.
This crushingly high tax rate will affect approximately 10 million taxpayers directly - including those who report business income, like small business owners and farmers - but the damage will ripple throughout our economy. Because small businesses and family farms often pay their income taxes as individuals, this is a massive tax hike on the engine that drives job growth in this country.
In addition, the surtax is on adjusted gross income, not taxable income. This sounds like a technical issue, but it means that Rangel’s bill will erode the value of a series of tax deductions – including for mortgage interest, charitable giving, medical expenses, state and local taxes, and the standard deduction. And, because the surtax kicks in at $150,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples, the bill creates a monster of a marriage penalty.
Chairman Rangel will claim that these tax increases go to provide tax cuts to 90 million Americans, but he is selling pure snake-oil. Many if not most of those taxpayers are getting a purely imaginary “tax cut.” Some of them are the roughly 20 million people that Republicans shielded with the Alternative Minimum Tax patch. Millions more are people who have benefited from the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, and only get “tax cuts” if you assume that the 10% bracket, marriage penalty, and $1,000 per child tax credit will expire. Others, like single people who will now be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, are getting a tax refund from the government even though they don’t actually pay income taxes.
It will take time to analyze this bill and sort through the data, but we know from the start that the 90 million figure is pure hokum. In fact, before you know it more taxpayers may wind up paying higher taxes – and fewer paying less - under Rangel’s plan than they did last year.
Which brings us to the larger fallacy of the Democrats’ “paygo” system. There is no need to “pay for” protecting taxpayers from a massive AMT tax hike. The government never meant for the AMT to affect middle-class Americans, and we have a responsibility to make sure it doesn’t. By arguing that preventing this tax increase requires us to raise taxes elsewhere, Democrats are trying to lock Congress into a system where we are guaranteed to raise taxes by $3.5 trillion over ten years.
That’s right. $3.5 trillion. The baseline that the Democrats are using for “paygo” includes revenue from an “un-patched” AMT and from the tax increases that occur when the 2001 and 2003 tax laws expire after 2010. Together they total $3.5 trillion over ten years. If we play by the Democrats “paygo” rules, that is the size of the tax increase we are imposing on the American people. That will hurt our nation’s competitiveness and cost us American jobs. The Rangel bill is the first step down a road none of us want to follow, and I urge you to oppose it strongly.
Abortion doctor wants grand jury stopped
One of the nation's few late-term abortion providers is asking Kansas' highest court to block a grand jury investigation of him and his Wichita clinic that was initiated by anti-abortion groups.Anti-abortion groups collected nearly 7,900 signatures, more than three times the number required, to force Sedgwick County to create a grand jury to consider whether Dr. George Tiller violated a 1998 state law restricting late-term abortions.
Tiller denies the allegations and wants the Kansas Supreme Court to prevent the panel from convening. The grand jury is scheduled to meet Tuesday.
WHAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?
Feeling like playing hooky, but nervous about getting caught? The Excused Absence Network has got your back.For about $25, students and employees can buy excuse notes that appear to come from doctors or hospitals. Other options include a fake jury summons or an authentic-looking funeral service program complete with comforting poems and a list of pallbearers.
Some question whether the products are legal or ethical - or even work - but the company's owners say they're just helping people do something they would have done anyway.
Selling lies. Many people have become quite rich in doing so!
AP
Some question whether the products are legal or ethical - or even work - but the company's owners say they're just helping people do something they would have done anyway.
Selling lies. Many people have become quite rich in doing so!
AP
SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS PROFANITY ON TELEVISION
The story explains “The larger questions surrounding the dispute: As broadcast TV pushes the limits of sexual content to compete against its racier and unregulated cable competitors, should an occasional expletive be allowed? Or can the FCC completely stamp out what it views as verbal smut on broadcast television, in the name of family-friendly programming?”
USA Today
USA Today
NEW REPUBLIC STILL DEFENDING ANTI-MILITARY WRITER
Story notes the New Republic editor “said the Army has refused to turn over supporting documents in the case, despite a Freedom of Information Act request, and then "selectively leaked" material to Drudge. In an e-mail to the magazine yesterday, Army spokesman Maj. Kirk Luedeke said he was "surprised and appalled that this information was leaked" and that the military would investigate.”
Washington Post
Washington Post
RANGEL PROPOSES BIG TAX INCREASE
The story notes “Republican leaders, in a statement, denounced the proposal as the ``mother of all tax hikes,'' saying it boosted taxes by $1 trillion over 10 years.”
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
OBAMA HOMOSEXUAL CONTROVERSY GROWS
As the gay community is demanding he remove a gospel singer from an event who believes homosexuality is a sin. (FOX News)
So, another story notes, “Obama's campaign invited Rev. Andy Sidden, a South Carolina pastor who is openly gay, to appear on Sunday in Columbia.” (AP)
In other Obama news, he promised an Obama presidency would have Al Gore “involved in our administration in a very senior capacity in his role.” (ABC News)
CA LT. GOVERNOR USES TRAGIC FIRE TO ATTACK BUSH ON IRAQ
In his appearance on MSNBC. The video: (Townhall)
Oral Roberts President Takes Leave Amid Allegations
Oral Roberts University president Richard Roberts has asked for a leave of absence while the schools resolves a lawsuit filed by three former professors who have charged Roberts and his wife of misconduct.
The three former ORU professors who filed the lawsuit last week contend that they were wrongfully terminated from their positions at the university after reporting information indicating that the Roberts lavishly misspent donors’ money for personal expenses and that Roberts jeopardized the university’s nonprofit status by becoming illegally involved in a local political campaign.
Roberts has denied the allegations, saying last week on “Larry King Live” that they were “preposterous and untrue.”
The three former ORU professors who filed the lawsuit last week contend that they were wrongfully terminated from their positions at the university after reporting information indicating that the Roberts lavishly misspent donors’ money for personal expenses and that Roberts jeopardized the university’s nonprofit status by becoming illegally involved in a local political campaign.
Roberts has denied the allegations, saying last week on “Larry King Live” that they were “preposterous and untrue.”
Bella
I don't often push movies but I keep hearing about a new move called "Bella". It is a love story with a bold pro-life theme. I applaud movies that are pure, wholesome and promote the Culture of Life.
Click here for the website and to find a theatre. Click here to watch the trailier. It opens on October 26! To find a theatre near you, click here.
Click here for the website and to find a theatre. Click here to watch the trailier. It opens on October 26! To find a theatre near you, click here.
No Sympathy for Local 85
Over the summer I overheard a PAT bus driver badmouth Dan Onorato after he said the Port Authority needed to cut costs. The sense of entitlement by this man was really sad. His attitude was the world would stop turning if he was no longer driving a bus.
Today I learned the Port Authority's union contract with bus-trolley hourly workers provides the most generous retiree health-care benefits when compared to a number of other public sector contracts, according to a benchmarking study released today by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The study also said wages paid to members of Local 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, are the highest of any transit system in the U.S. when adjust for the cost of living in the region.
Notice to Local 85 members.... You are creating your own demise. Taxpayers are tired of subsidising you under the guise of "transportation for lower income earners'. Mass transit does not work in this region. It's bleeds money and union greed does not to create much sympathy.
Here is how bad it is:
SEPTA, (Philadelphia-based Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) with three times as many employees, will spend $7.3 million on retiree healthcare benefits this year while the Port Authority spends $29.2 million.
Under the current contract, a retiree under age 65 with a spouse costs the Port Authority about $18,000 a year in insurance premiums.
The authority's average hourly wage, when adjusted for inflation, amounts to $23.30 an hour, higher than any other major metro transit system.
Anyone see a problem here??? It's time for PAT to stand on it's own. If were up to me they would not see another dime of public money. It's sink or swim time. The union knows how to take, I wonder if they can give as well?
Full Story
Today I learned the Port Authority's union contract with bus-trolley hourly workers provides the most generous retiree health-care benefits when compared to a number of other public sector contracts, according to a benchmarking study released today by the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The study also said wages paid to members of Local 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, are the highest of any transit system in the U.S. when adjust for the cost of living in the region.
Notice to Local 85 members.... You are creating your own demise. Taxpayers are tired of subsidising you under the guise of "transportation for lower income earners'. Mass transit does not work in this region. It's bleeds money and union greed does not to create much sympathy.
Here is how bad it is:
SEPTA, (Philadelphia-based Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) with three times as many employees, will spend $7.3 million on retiree healthcare benefits this year while the Port Authority spends $29.2 million.
Under the current contract, a retiree under age 65 with a spouse costs the Port Authority about $18,000 a year in insurance premiums.
The authority's average hourly wage, when adjusted for inflation, amounts to $23.30 an hour, higher than any other major metro transit system.
Anyone see a problem here??? It's time for PAT to stand on it's own. If were up to me they would not see another dime of public money. It's sink or swim time. The union knows how to take, I wonder if they can give as well?
Full Story
Planned Parenthood Indicted
Former Kansas Attorney General and Johnson County prosecutor Phil Kline is to be commended for filing a 107-count indictment against a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Overland Park, Kan.
Judge James Vano reviewed the charges and found probable cause to indict the clinic for performing unlawful late-term abortions. The charges provide detailed evidence that late-term abortions were being performed without meeting requirements for fetal viability testing.
Furthermore, it is alleged that documents were illegally falsified in order to conceal the fact that such abortions were being performed. Late-term abortions are not the same as partial-birth abortions (PBAs). The term "partial-birth abortion" refers to a technique for aborting a baby. A "late-term" abortion is usually one performed after the baby becomes viable - able to live outside the womb - regardless of the technique.
Restrictions on such post-viability abortions are permissible under the Supreme Court's Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision. Therefore, the Kansas prosecution is not some wild-eyed assault on abortion. Approximately 40 states have passed laws regulating late-term abortions.
At this time, medical science has made it possible for babies as young as 22 weeks of gestation to live. We also urge the U.S. Justice Department to investigate for violations of the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (2002) given the possibility that some of these Kansas babies might have survived an attempted abortion.
ENDA VOTE
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) comes up for a vote in the House and the Democratic Leadership is continuing to use smoke and mirrors to mask just how dangerous this bill is.
The Democrats' first action will be to try to reinsert protections for "sexual identity" - men who like to dress and act as women and women who like to dress and act as men. Additionally a vote is expected on Rep. George Miller's (D-Cal.) deceptive "religious exceptions" amendment.
Mr. Miller's amendment seeks to protect certain educational institutions but is so deceptively written very few educational facilities would actually be covered. This amendment does not expand the protection for religious institutions, because it is conditioned on already being protected under the bill's existing language. It is a blatant attempt to persuade members that it protects religious liberty when in fact the amendment facilitates the overall bill's undermining of religious institutions.
Put simply, you cannot improve a piece of legislation that is as fundamentally flawed as ENDA is. The true purpose behind ENDA is to destroy religious liberty in the name of sexual tolerance. I applaud President Bush for his statement vowing to veto the ENDA bill.
The Democrats' first action will be to try to reinsert protections for "sexual identity" - men who like to dress and act as women and women who like to dress and act as men. Additionally a vote is expected on Rep. George Miller's (D-Cal.) deceptive "religious exceptions" amendment.
Mr. Miller's amendment seeks to protect certain educational institutions but is so deceptively written very few educational facilities would actually be covered. This amendment does not expand the protection for religious institutions, because it is conditioned on already being protected under the bill's existing language. It is a blatant attempt to persuade members that it protects religious liberty when in fact the amendment facilitates the overall bill's undermining of religious institutions.
Put simply, you cannot improve a piece of legislation that is as fundamentally flawed as ENDA is. The true purpose behind ENDA is to destroy religious liberty in the name of sexual tolerance. I applaud President Bush for his statement vowing to veto the ENDA bill.
Gender Politics Key to Hillary’s Political Calculation
My thanks to Amanda for this story. Amanda Carpenter is National Political Reporter for Townhall.com.
Hillary Clinton has made a political calculation to capture the women’s vote by playing gender politics to make herself the first woman President.
Her approach includes an often made pitch to women that she needs their votes to “make history” and “shatter the highest glass ceiling” by installing her in the White House.
To make Clinton’s winning strategy appear less mercenary, however, it comes with a heavy dose of feel-good, “you-go-girl” rhetoric that includes hair and make-up gossip on the talk-show circuit and light-hearted jokes about Republican men who can’t stop obsessing over her candidacy.
In a breakfast meeting with reporters, Penn predicted that 24 percent of Republican women would vote for Clinton, and released a campaign memo that said Clinton “enjoys her deepest support among working and middle class women - people who care most about issues like health care and child care, issues that Hillary has worked on throughout her life in public service.”
A June poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News revealed that Clinton polled “especially strong” among “lower-income, lesser-educated” women. Her campaign characterizes these voters as “women with needs” and some of her subsequent policy proposals, like her $110 billion per year universal healthcare program, would benefit them.
On the third day of her women’s outreach tour, Clinton proposed spending $1.75 billion per year to provide universal paid leave through expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act at a YWCA in Manchester, New Hampshire.
There, Clinton recounted her time working as a lawyer when she became pregnant with her daughter, Chelsea. “I kept getting more and more pregnant, and the lawyers just kept sort of walking down the hall looking away.”
She also lamented women could be discriminated against today for getting pregnant. “Women can be fired just for being pregnant, if their employer has no leave policy,” she said. “If that sounds horribly outdated that’s because it is.”
On October 16, the Clinton campaign held a women-only fundraising event dubbed the “Woman’s Finance Council Summit” that cost participants at least $1300 to get in the door. It netted her a cool $1 million.
She remarked that the event’s success indicated a “tremendous outpouring of support for us, for what we will do together.”
To further court the women’s vote, Clinton is even offering personal details about her relationship with Bill to media.
“Oh, he’s so romantic,” she told Essence, a fashion magazine that’s targeted to black women. “He's always bringing me back things from his trips."
She listed a watch with a wrist strap made of “white cubes” as one of those gifts. “I had dental surgery and it reminded him of teeth,” she told the magazine.
When pressed for details on how she managed Mr. Clinton’s infidelity she said, “I never doubted that it was a marriage worth investing in even in the midst of those challenges, and I'm really happy that I made that decision."
Then, Clinton remarked “it's so important for women to stand up for the right of women to make a decision that is best for them.”
Note: The interview will be published in the November issue of Essence.
Hillary Clinton has made a political calculation to capture the women’s vote by playing gender politics to make herself the first woman President.
Her approach includes an often made pitch to women that she needs their votes to “make history” and “shatter the highest glass ceiling” by installing her in the White House.
To make Clinton’s winning strategy appear less mercenary, however, it comes with a heavy dose of feel-good, “you-go-girl” rhetoric that includes hair and make-up gossip on the talk-show circuit and light-hearted jokes about Republican men who can’t stop obsessing over her candidacy.
In a breakfast meeting with reporters, Penn predicted that 24 percent of Republican women would vote for Clinton, and released a campaign memo that said Clinton “enjoys her deepest support among working and middle class women - people who care most about issues like health care and child care, issues that Hillary has worked on throughout her life in public service.”
A June poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News revealed that Clinton polled “especially strong” among “lower-income, lesser-educated” women. Her campaign characterizes these voters as “women with needs” and some of her subsequent policy proposals, like her $110 billion per year universal healthcare program, would benefit them.
On the third day of her women’s outreach tour, Clinton proposed spending $1.75 billion per year to provide universal paid leave through expansion of the Family Medical Leave Act at a YWCA in Manchester, New Hampshire.
There, Clinton recounted her time working as a lawyer when she became pregnant with her daughter, Chelsea. “I kept getting more and more pregnant, and the lawyers just kept sort of walking down the hall looking away.”
She also lamented women could be discriminated against today for getting pregnant. “Women can be fired just for being pregnant, if their employer has no leave policy,” she said. “If that sounds horribly outdated that’s because it is.”
On October 16, the Clinton campaign held a women-only fundraising event dubbed the “Woman’s Finance Council Summit” that cost participants at least $1300 to get in the door. It netted her a cool $1 million.
She remarked that the event’s success indicated a “tremendous outpouring of support for us, for what we will do together.”
To further court the women’s vote, Clinton is even offering personal details about her relationship with Bill to media.
“Oh, he’s so romantic,” she told Essence, a fashion magazine that’s targeted to black women. “He's always bringing me back things from his trips."
She listed a watch with a wrist strap made of “white cubes” as one of those gifts. “I had dental surgery and it reminded him of teeth,” she told the magazine.
When pressed for details on how she managed Mr. Clinton’s infidelity she said, “I never doubted that it was a marriage worth investing in even in the midst of those challenges, and I'm really happy that I made that decision."
Then, Clinton remarked “it's so important for women to stand up for the right of women to make a decision that is best for them.”
Note: The interview will be published in the November issue of Essence.
FEDS: PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES, ENDANGERING PEOPLE
From the story: To environmentalists, the law is sacred. Don't expect them to sit by quietly as the Georgia congressional delegation's request to amend the ESA so that species protections can be lifted during emergencies is considered in Washington, or the courts consider the state's request for an injunction against the Corps. Few in the green movement would choose drinking water for humans over living conditions for animals further down the food chain.
IBD
IBD
CONGRESS TRAVEL PERKS INCREASE DESPITE LIMITS
Story begins: Despite new House travel restrictions, lawmakers accepted free trips worth nearly $1.9 million during the first eight months of this year — more than in all of 2006, records show.
USA Today
USA Today
THE MYTHS OF JENA 6
Including this: According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team.
CS Monitor
CS Monitor
Radio Waves
Howard Stern then and Now
Howard Stern had 20 million listeners when he was on radio. Today he has 1,225,100 listeners to his satellite show.That's Stern's weekly cume according to Arbitron's first-ever report detailing listening to XM and Sirius. It shows his $500 million contract with Sirius buys the company an average 96,700 listeners in any given quarter hour. While his audience is just a fraction of what it once was, his "Howard 100" channel is satellite radio's top-rated, delivering more listeners than any other channel.
Opie & Anthony Are Out at WYSP-FM/Philadelphia
Syndicated Opie & Anthony are out at CBS Radio's WYSP-FM/Philadelphia. The duo had handled mornings on the Rock outlet since replacing David Lee Roth in April, 2006. While rumors of this move have been circulating for a few weeks, it seems as though it was expedited following a segment on the morning’s show which called PD John Cook vulgar name for not communicating with them. WYSP will go with jockless music for the time being, although it is expected that afternooner Kidd Chris will eventually shift to mornings. WYSP dropped "Free FM" and flipped to fulltime Rock in September.
A.I.R. Awards finalists
Finalists have been named for the 12th annual Achievement in Radio (A.I.R.) awards recognizing the best in local radio talent, programming, news and advertising.
Selected Categories:
Station Sponsored Community Event: "Toys For Tots 2006" (WLTJ-FM), Pregnancy Care Network "Choose Life" (WORD), Y108 Donkey Baseball VFD Fundraiser (WDSY), Y108's Tiki Town (WDSY), Stop the Music, Stop the Violence (WAMO)
Afternoon Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station: Fred Honsberger (KDKA), Kevin Miller (KDKA), Doug Hoerth (WPTT), Mark Madden (WEAE/ESPN), John & Stephanie (WORD)
Individual Performance in a Radio Spot: Darren Eliker, Port Authority, "Crossing Rivers/Idea" (WORD); Darren Eliker, Extreme Fitness, "So Easy/Meathead" (WORD); Mark Roberts, PA AFL/CIO, "Labor Day" (Mark Roberts); Bill Cameron, ABC Cell Phones, "Valentine's Day" (WDVE); Bill Cameron, NMC Mortgage, "Up At Night" (WDVE)
And A TV Story
Channel 11 continues to struggle in their new location. WPXI has been plagued by technical difficulties. Last night's 11 p.m. news was no exception. A report froze, which resulted in a long string of commercials."We want to apologize for the technical difficulties we've had," said news anchor Darieth Chisolm. "Thanks for hanging in for us."
Later, video froze during John Fedko's spotscast, his microphone went out and a promo eventually cut him off in mid-sentence. Anchors Darieth Chisolm and David Johnson returned apologizing again for the flubs. They then painfully sat there not sure what to do next (no music, no sound effects) until they cut to commercial to end the newscast. A commercial for a "Just Pay Half" sale on WPXI.com followed but it was a sale "starting April 10th."
Howard Stern had 20 million listeners when he was on radio. Today he has 1,225,100 listeners to his satellite show.That's Stern's weekly cume according to Arbitron's first-ever report detailing listening to XM and Sirius. It shows his $500 million contract with Sirius buys the company an average 96,700 listeners in any given quarter hour. While his audience is just a fraction of what it once was, his "Howard 100" channel is satellite radio's top-rated, delivering more listeners than any other channel.
Opie & Anthony Are Out at WYSP-FM/Philadelphia
Syndicated Opie & Anthony are out at CBS Radio's WYSP-FM/Philadelphia. The duo had handled mornings on the Rock outlet since replacing David Lee Roth in April, 2006. While rumors of this move have been circulating for a few weeks, it seems as though it was expedited following a segment on the morning’s show which called PD John Cook vulgar name for not communicating with them. WYSP will go with jockless music for the time being, although it is expected that afternooner Kidd Chris will eventually shift to mornings. WYSP dropped "Free FM" and flipped to fulltime Rock in September.
A.I.R. Awards finalists
Finalists have been named for the 12th annual Achievement in Radio (A.I.R.) awards recognizing the best in local radio talent, programming, news and advertising.
Selected Categories:
Station Sponsored Community Event: "Toys For Tots 2006" (WLTJ-FM), Pregnancy Care Network "Choose Life" (WORD), Y108 Donkey Baseball VFD Fundraiser (WDSY), Y108's Tiki Town (WDSY), Stop the Music, Stop the Violence (WAMO)
Afternoon Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station: Fred Honsberger (KDKA), Kevin Miller (KDKA), Doug Hoerth (WPTT), Mark Madden (WEAE/ESPN), John & Stephanie (WORD)
Individual Performance in a Radio Spot: Darren Eliker, Port Authority, "Crossing Rivers/Idea" (WORD); Darren Eliker, Extreme Fitness, "So Easy/Meathead" (WORD); Mark Roberts, PA AFL/CIO, "Labor Day" (Mark Roberts); Bill Cameron, ABC Cell Phones, "Valentine's Day" (WDVE); Bill Cameron, NMC Mortgage, "Up At Night" (WDVE)
And A TV Story
Channel 11 continues to struggle in their new location. WPXI has been plagued by technical difficulties. Last night's 11 p.m. news was no exception. A report froze, which resulted in a long string of commercials."We want to apologize for the technical difficulties we've had," said news anchor Darieth Chisolm. "Thanks for hanging in for us."
Later, video froze during John Fedko's spotscast, his microphone went out and a promo eventually cut him off in mid-sentence. Anchors Darieth Chisolm and David Johnson returned apologizing again for the flubs. They then painfully sat there not sure what to do next (no music, no sound effects) until they cut to commercial to end the newscast. A commercial for a "Just Pay Half" sale on WPXI.com followed but it was a sale "starting April 10th."
Global Warming To Blame For Fires, Says Harry Reid
"One reason why we have the fires in California is global warming," the Nevada Democrat told reporters, emphasizing the need to pass the Democrats' comprehensive energy package. Read more..
Are you sure that it’s not talk radio?
Are you sure that it’s not talk radio?
Bonus Inquiry Extends To GOP
From the story: A state investigation into bonuses given to legislative staffers has extended into the House Republican caucus.
Attorney General Tom Corbett issued five subpoenas for personnel documents Monday night, caucus spokesman Stephen Miskin said yesterday. Mr. Corbett has said he is investigating all four legislative caucuses to determine whether $3.4 million in employee bonuses were given as veiled compensation for campaign work, which would be illegal.
Until now, the investigation appeared to be focused on House Democrats, who gave the bulk of the bonuses, up to $1.9 million in amounts that ranged from $65 to more than $28,000. Read more…
Should Corbett follow though and thoroughly investigate all 4 caucuses, he could have the support to be elected governor in 2010.
Attorney General Tom Corbett issued five subpoenas for personnel documents Monday night, caucus spokesman Stephen Miskin said yesterday. Mr. Corbett has said he is investigating all four legislative caucuses to determine whether $3.4 million in employee bonuses were given as veiled compensation for campaign work, which would be illegal.
Until now, the investigation appeared to be focused on House Democrats, who gave the bulk of the bonuses, up to $1.9 million in amounts that ranged from $65 to more than $28,000. Read more…
Should Corbett follow though and thoroughly investigate all 4 caucuses, he could have the support to be elected governor in 2010.
PowerBlog! Named Most Influential Political blog
Thanks to all you loyal readers, PowerBlog! has been named Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political blog by BlogNetNews.
BlogNetNews' Blogosphere Influence Rating combines a variety of data sets to determine which blogs are most powerfully influencing the direction of the Pennsylvania political blogosphere.
You can count on us to bring you all the information you need to make an informed decision in the voting booth and in life.
BlogNetNews' Blogosphere Influence Rating combines a variety of data sets to determine which blogs are most powerfully influencing the direction of the Pennsylvania political blogosphere.
You can count on us to bring you all the information you need to make an informed decision in the voting booth and in life.
Watered-down ethics changes pass House
Reformers sought an extreme makeover for the House Ethics Committee on Monday. Instead, they got the equivalent of a haircut. Read More
MCCAIN: BIN LADEN TAPE IS PROOF WE ARE WINNING
Atheist Project
Dinesh D'Souza of Townhall.com quotes a variety of sources on the increasing effort in academia to “de-religionize” their students. Fifteen years ago, when Peg Luksik was fighting OBE in Pennsylvania, she asked, “Who owns the children?” The article is a telling read that shows the mindset of the people undertaking this effort. A brief snippet:
Of course, parents—especially Christian parents—might want to say something about all this. That’s why the atheist educators are now raising the question of whether parents should have control over what their children learn. Dawkins asks, “How much do we regard children as being the property of their parents? It’s one thing to say people should be free to believe whatever they like, but should they be free to impose their beliefs on their children? Is there something to be said for society stepping in? What about bringing up children to believe manifest falsehoods? Isn’t it always a form of child abuse to label children as possessors of beliefs that they are too young to have thought out?”
Dennett remarks that “some children are raised in such an ideological prison that they willingly become their own jailers…forbidding themselves any contact with the liberating ideas that might well change their minds.” The fault, he adds, lies with the parents who raised them. “Parents don’t literally own their children the way slaveowners once owned slaves, but are, rather, their stewards and guardians and ought to be held accountable by outsiders for their guardianship, which does imply that outsiders have a right to interfere.”
Full article
Of course, parents—especially Christian parents—might want to say something about all this. That’s why the atheist educators are now raising the question of whether parents should have control over what their children learn. Dawkins asks, “How much do we regard children as being the property of their parents? It’s one thing to say people should be free to believe whatever they like, but should they be free to impose their beliefs on their children? Is there something to be said for society stepping in? What about bringing up children to believe manifest falsehoods? Isn’t it always a form of child abuse to label children as possessors of beliefs that they are too young to have thought out?”
Dennett remarks that “some children are raised in such an ideological prison that they willingly become their own jailers…forbidding themselves any contact with the liberating ideas that might well change their minds.” The fault, he adds, lies with the parents who raised them. “Parents don’t literally own their children the way slaveowners once owned slaves, but are, rather, their stewards and guardians and ought to be held accountable by outsiders for their guardianship, which does imply that outsiders have a right to interfere.”
Full article
Albus Dumbledore Ummmmm...
He is the master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts. And he is gay.REALITY CHECK: Dumbledore does not exsist. Hogwarts does not exsist. So if all this is fantasy, so is his inveted homosexuality. Many of you emailed me asking my take on this curfluffle.
It's like asking if papa smurf ever served in the military. He not real. It's a waste of time to consider. Put this in the box with tinky winky. It doesn't matter. Let's worry about real threats instead of some wizard who is going to turn kids gay.
Pastor: Reaction to archbishop giving Communion to 'nuns' overblown
Reaction to San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer giving Communion to two men in mock nuns' garb during an Oct. 7 Mass has been overblown, said the pastor of the church where the Mass was celebrated.
"It is most unfortunate this incident has clouded the fact the archbishop came to meet with his people and celebrate a beautiful and reverent Mass together -- and that is what really happened," said Father Stephen Meriwether, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish.
"This incident has been blown way out of proportion," he told Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.Reaction has run the gamut from some who insist the "sisters" had set out to embarrass the church and the archbishop to others who felt the unannounced visitors who videotaped the Mass were more of an intrusion than the costumed men.
In a column written for the Oct. 19 issue of the archdiocesan newspaper but made public Oct. 11, Archbishop Niederauer apologized for giving Communion to "two strangely dressed persons," but said he did not realize they were members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group that has "long made a practice of mocking the Catholic Church."He said he had never met members of the group that describes itself as "a leading-edge order of queer nuns" and "did not recognize who these people were when they approached me.""I did not recognize either of them as wearing mock religious garb," he added.
CNS
"It is most unfortunate this incident has clouded the fact the archbishop came to meet with his people and celebrate a beautiful and reverent Mass together -- and that is what really happened," said Father Stephen Meriwether, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish.
"This incident has been blown way out of proportion," he told Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.Reaction has run the gamut from some who insist the "sisters" had set out to embarrass the church and the archbishop to others who felt the unannounced visitors who videotaped the Mass were more of an intrusion than the costumed men.
In a column written for the Oct. 19 issue of the archdiocesan newspaper but made public Oct. 11, Archbishop Niederauer apologized for giving Communion to "two strangely dressed persons," but said he did not realize they were members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group that has "long made a practice of mocking the Catholic Church."He said he had never met members of the group that describes itself as "a leading-edge order of queer nuns" and "did not recognize who these people were when they approached me.""I did not recognize either of them as wearing mock religious garb," he added.
CNS
Campaigning on state time
Brett Cott, a high-ranking policy analyst in the state House of Representatives, spent 11 weeks straight in Beaver Falls last year working on former House Democratic Whip Michael Veon's unsuccessful re-election campaign. Read More
Loans to fix roads begin
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will borrow $532 million this week toward a possible record $9.6 billion in loans to provide extra funds for the state's roads, bridges and public transit. Read More
EARTHSAVE: PLANET MUST CONVERT TO VEGETARIAN
Article claims “the best way to reduce global warming in our lifetimes is to reduce or eliminate our consumption of animal products. Simply by going vegetarian (or, strictly speaking, vegan), , , we can eliminate one of the major sources of emissions of methane, the greenhouse gas responsible for almost half of the global warming impacting the planet today.”
Earthsave
Earthsave
ROWLING REVEALS GAY CHARACTER IN POTTER SERIES
Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts. The story notes Rowling “also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."
CNN
CNN
THOMAS RIPS YALE OVER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
From the story: The conservative justice says he initially considered his admission to Yale a dream, but soon felt he was there because of his race. He says he loaded up on tough courses to prove he was not inferior to his white classmates but considers the effort futile. He says he was repeatedly turned down in job interviews at law firms after his 1974 graduation. "I learned the hard way that a law degree from Yale meant one thing for white graduates and another for blacks, no matter how much any one denied it," Thomas writes. "I'd graduated from one of America's top law schools, but racial preference had robbed my achievement of its true value."
FOX News
FOX News
60 MINUTES FEATURES ANOTHER ANTI-BUSH BOOK PUT OUT BY PARENT COMPANY
This time, Valerie Plame’s book “Fair Game.” (60 Minutes) Like so many anti-Bush books featured on 60 minutes, “Fair Game” is from Simon and Schuster which, according to the publisher’s own website, is “a part of the CBS Corporation.” (Simon and Shuster)
LOUISIANA ELECTS 36 YEAR OLD REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR
Easily thumping the competition. (FOX News)
From Patrick Ruffini: Old orders like this always seem to die hard. Think of liberalism in 1979, the Democratic majority in Congress in 1994, unlimited welfare in 1996. They all went on for decades, and seemed indestructible. Until one day they weren't. Inevitably, they fail so spectacularly that the people are compelled to rebel through democratic means. Yesterday was that day in Louisiana, the last enclave of welfare state liberalism and corruption in the South. (Townhall)
From Patrick Ruffini: Old orders like this always seem to die hard. Think of liberalism in 1979, the Democratic majority in Congress in 1994, unlimited welfare in 1996. They all went on for decades, and seemed indestructible. Until one day they weren't. Inevitably, they fail so spectacularly that the people are compelled to rebel through democratic means. Yesterday was that day in Louisiana, the last enclave of welfare state liberalism and corruption in the South. (Townhall)
GOP DEBATE FOCUSES ON HILLARY, CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS
Including this from the story: McCain said Clinton had recently tried to spend $1 million on a Woodstock Museum, commemorating perhaps the most famous counterculture event of the 1960s. "Now my friends I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event," he said. "I was tied up at the time," he deadpanned, and the audience rose to applaud the reference to the five and a half years McCain spent as a prisoner of war during Vietnam.
ABC News
ABC News
Republicans Vie for 'Most Conservative' Label
From the story: The eight Republican candidates for president held a fiery debate last night filled with charges and confrontations about who is a true conservative and "real Republican" as they defended their stands on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, and taxes. "Read more…
Paging Arlen Specter, these candidates are ignoring your calls for so called "moderation".
Paging Arlen Specter, these candidates are ignoring your calls for so called "moderation".
Pa. sets post-rape rules for hospitals
Hospitals in Pennsylvania must provide women who have been raped or sexually assaulted with emergency contraception, according to state regulations approved yesterday. Read More
So now the horrific act of rape is met by the murder of a child sanctioned by the state.
So now the horrific act of rape is met by the murder of a child sanctioned by the state.
Pa. hits $1 billion mark in slots revenue
Revenue from Pennsylvania's fledgling slot-machine gambling industry has surpassed the $1 billion mark, three years after the state legalized the devices as a way to cut taxes and inject new life into its equine industry. Read More
Hillary's Fortune Cookie
You would think at some point people would learn. Not yet....Mysterious people in some of the poorest Chinese neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, have been swept by an extraordinary impulse to shower money on one particular presidential candidate -- Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dishwashers, waiters and others whose jobs and dilapidated home addresses seem to make them unpromising targets for political fundraisers are pouring $1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton's campaign.
Clinton has raised more money than any candidate in history, but where is it all coming from???
Clinton has enlisted the aid of Chinese neighborhood associations. Many of Clinton's Chinatown donors said they had contributed because leaders in neighborhood associations told them to. The other piece of the strategy involves holding out hope that, if Clinton becomes president, she will move quickly to reunite families and help illegal residents move toward citizenship. At least one reported donor denies making a contribution. Another admitted to lacking the legal-resident status required for giving campaign money.
The Times examined the cases of more than 150 donors who provided checks to Clinton after fundraising events geared to the Chinese community. One-third of those donors could not be found using property, telephone or business records. Most have not registered to vote, according to public records.
Drag “sisters” receive the Eucharist from archbishop
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The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of men mockingly dressed as religious sisters, received Holy Communion from the Archbishop of San Francisco.The “sisters”, dressed in costume and white facial paint, and with names such as “Sister Porn Again” were given the Eucharist by Archbishop George Niederauer at the Most Holy Redeemer parish in San Francisco.
California Catholic Daily reports that the parish and its pastor, Father Stephen Meriwether, have been sympathetic to the predominately homosexual population of the Castro district in San Francisco where it is located.
STOP! This is what happens when we have priests that are unwilling to adhere to the teachings of the faith they claim to preach, teach and live. It is way past due for Rome to crack down on admiting anyone and everyone who approachs the body of Christ. From politicians to drag queens, very few are willing to take a stand and rebuke those in clear cut sin. This was not an act of communion, this was a desecration of Jesus himself.
This same parish has participated in the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade and allowed the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" to lease a hall for “Revival Bingo”, giving the men in the group the opportunity to dress as sisters and award prizes such as sex toys and porn DVDs.
Whoever is responsible for allowong this happen needs to be removed from ministry. They are aiding a abeting anti-Catholic and anti-Christian actions.
The article continues: Parishoners were disappointed that the archbishop didn’t preach to the sisters, whose slogan is “Go forth and sin some more!” The witness stated that the archbishop’s homily was very generic. “He could have used the occasion to preach to them, but he didn’t.”
Then the archbiship has neglected his duty. If I fail to do my job I will be fired. Might I suggest the same action is called for here.
Some of you may recall and earlier post about the Folsom Street Fair. This took place right in front of a parish! Archbishop George Niederauer did not condemn the Fair, nor the blasphemous antics of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence there. That's a huge missed opportunity. But to make things worse, he gave Holy Communion these same people dressed in full drag costumes.
Catholic Pro-Choice candidates have nothing to worry about. Just get in line behind the homosexual with the blond wig and pretend not to notice as they mock the faith.
NOBEL WINNER WITHDRAWS COMMENTS ON BLACK INTELLIGENCE
Saying “That is not what I meant. More importantly, there is no scientific basis for such a belief.”
FOX News
FOX News
MUSLIM SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA COULD BE SHUT DOWN
From the story: The report relies heavily on a 2006 analysis of Saudi textbooks that found inflammatory passages against Christians, Jews and Shiite Muslims. One example for ninth-graders said that the hour of judgment "will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them."
USA Today
USA Today
COSBY CONTINUES MESSAGE, GETS BETTER RECEPTION
Bill Cosby is one of my hero's. He tells it like it is.
From the story: Other prominent black Americans, while they still bristle at Mr. Cosby's calls for blacks to stop blaming whites, acknowledge that both personal responsibility and social justice are needed.
Washington Times
From the story: Other prominent black Americans, while they still bristle at Mr. Cosby's calls for blacks to stop blaming whites, acknowledge that both personal responsibility and social justice are needed.
Washington Times
6 IN 10 GIULIANI SUPPORTERS HAVE RESERVATIONS
From the story: Giuliani's backers have growing reservations about their candidate, however. Today, 60 percent say they have their doubts, up from 45 percent in August. Thirty percent strongly favor the former New York City mayor, down from 47 percent two months ago. (CBS News)
Meanwhile, an evangelical professor endorses Romney. (Townhall)
And good news for the GOP in a near upset in Massachusetts. (US News)
ENDA CLEARS COMMITTEE
And will see a House vote next week. This story from a gay newspaper notes “Rep. Barney Frank said Oct. 16 that House leadership has agreed to strategy on the ENDA bill to insert gender identity through an amendment to the bill once it reaches the floor of the House.” (Bay Windows)
A September Citizen article on ENDA. (Citizen)
A September Citizen article on ENDA. (Citizen)
HILLARY TRIES TO GET $1 MILLION FOR WOODSTOCK MUSEUM
Prompting McCain to say "Woodstock Museum is a shining example of what's wrong with Washington on pork-barrel, out-of-control spending.”From John Kyl: “With all the pressing needs facing our country today, from entitlement reform to children's health care to the war in Iraq, the idea that the federal government should fund a museum that celebrates a 38-year-old concert is simply absurd." The museum is tied to a big Hillary donor.
FOX News
Philadelphia School Policy Forces Parents To Be Fingerprinted For Classroom Entry
(Fox News) The Philadelphia School District on Thursday was trying to clarify a policy that requires parents to submit to FBI fingerprinting before they can enter their children's classrooms.
One mother said she found out about the policy when she signed in to visit her daughter's first-grade class at the Meredith Elementary School. Alison McDowell said she was told every parent who enters the school must have criminal, child abuse and FBI fingerprint clearances.
A new state law requires employees to have FBI background checks. But a district official says some principals may have mistakenly extended that requirement to parent volunteers.
How is it that only in academia can an 11-year-old be given birth control without parental permission, but parents have to be fingerprinted before given access to their children?
One mother said she found out about the policy when she signed in to visit her daughter's first-grade class at the Meredith Elementary School. Alison McDowell said she was told every parent who enters the school must have criminal, child abuse and FBI fingerprint clearances.
A new state law requires employees to have FBI background checks. But a district official says some principals may have mistakenly extended that requirement to parent volunteers.
How is it that only in academia can an 11-year-old be given birth control without parental permission, but parents have to be fingerprinted before given access to their children?
Mt. Lebanon Church Leaves PC (USA)
From the story: Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church was dismissed from the Pittsburgh Presbytery yesterday so it could join a more conservative denomination -- the first of what could be several votes over divisive theological and ecclesiastical questions.
[The Rev. Rick Wolling, pastor of Beverly Heights,] has said before that he believes the Presbyterian Church (USA) has turned from classical Trinitarian theology and from belief that Jesus is the son of God and sole savior of humanity. Read more...
While we have not bottomed out yet, I think that the denominational leaders in Louisville are finally coming around to the fact that you can’t continue with the liberal activism and not pay a price as far as churches leaving. Clifton Kirkpatrick, who as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been at the center of many controversies, has suddenly decided to step down and not seek a 4th term. The leader of the PC (USA)’s controversial Washington Office, which lobbies government for every liberal cause, is also stepping down. These are positive signs.
[The Rev. Rick Wolling, pastor of Beverly Heights,] has said before that he believes the Presbyterian Church (USA) has turned from classical Trinitarian theology and from belief that Jesus is the son of God and sole savior of humanity. Read more...
While we have not bottomed out yet, I think that the denominational leaders in Louisville are finally coming around to the fact that you can’t continue with the liberal activism and not pay a price as far as churches leaving. Clifton Kirkpatrick, who as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been at the center of many controversies, has suddenly decided to step down and not seek a 4th term. The leader of the PC (USA)’s controversial Washington Office, which lobbies government for every liberal cause, is also stepping down. These are positive signs.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AGREES TO PROVIDE YOUNG GIRLS BIRTH CONTROL
A follow up to yesterday’s story. The Portland School Committee voted 5-2 in favor and, the story notes, “students decide for themselves whether to tell their parents about the services they receive.” (AP)
From the Boston Herald: "I have a daughter in a public middle school. I know how hard it is to get a school-sanctioned Tylenol on campus. I’ve fought the “no cupcakes, they might have peanuts!” fight. Some schools are getting rid of the snack machines out of fear of giving our children access to high-fructose corn syrup. But these same liberal educators are going to let the school nurse pump my 11-year-old full of progesterone so she can “get her groove on” without fear of pregnancy? Please. Just give her the cupcake." (Boston Herald)
ROMNEY ENCOURAGES MARRIAGE BEFORE CHILDREN, AND THAT’S A NEWS STORY
While Romney’s aim is to encourage marriage before children, the headline reads “Romney planning to take aim at single motherhood.” (Boston Globe) Meanwhile, Dr. Albert Mohler discusses the Bob Jones III endorsement of Romney with Hugh Hewitt. (Townhall)
DISNEY DEMANDS REMOVAL OF “GOD” FROM TEN COMMANDMENTS TRAILER
Promenade president and Chief Operating Officer Cindy Bond said "God in our movie is the main character. You rip the whole guts out of the piece.”
FOX News
FOX News
House Democrats Predicted To Fall Short In Votes Needed To Override SCHIP Veto
(Fox News) Democrats appear to be about 15 votes short in the House heading into today's attempt to override Bush's veto of their $35 billion spending increase for the program.
The president has said the measure that passed Congress encourages families with higher incomes to drop private coverage so that they can get their insurance paid for by the government.
*** Update - The House came up short on its veto override vote this afternoon. As expected, Pelosi claimed that it was "For the children..." ***
The president has said the measure that passed Congress encourages families with higher incomes to drop private coverage so that they can get their insurance paid for by the government.
*** Update - The House came up short on its veto override vote this afternoon. As expected, Pelosi claimed that it was "For the children..." ***
The Fake Catholics United
It drives me crazy when some liberal yahoo slaps a "Catholic" label on things and claims to speak for me. Such is the case of the liberal partisan organization "Catholics United".
The organization is running radio advertisements on Christian stations in 10 congressional districts targeting what they deem as pro-life hypocrites. By this they mean House members who are pro-life when it comes to abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and the Mexico City policy, but who oppose the expansion of SCHIP, a children's health insurance program that has become a Trojan Horse for universal health care.
Catholics United promotes global warming, government control of health care, and withdrawal from Iraq. Their targets for the SCHIP ads look like they were handpicked by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. All the targeted congressmen, save one, are pro-life Republicans and of those nine, six are in very vulnerable districts.
The one Democrat, Gene Taylor of Mississippi, won with 80% of the vote last year. That's a lame attempt to cover the group's partisanship.
Such choices indicate that the ideal candidate for Catholics United is a pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage Democrat - issues the Roman Catholic Church deems non-negotiable who will support a massive expansion of SCHIP. Heretics United might be a better name.
Catholics United Executive Director Chris Korzen in a press release regarding these ads said: "Building a true culture of life requires public policies that promote the welfare of the most vulnerable." Given the organization's determination to oust pro-life Republicans, the "most vulnerable" to Mr. Korzen are clearly not innocent children in the womb.
Mr. Korzen, I want nothing to do with your mission and I hope your Bishop will correct you.
UPDATE: The script for the radio commercial reads: “I'm the mother of three children, and I'm pro-life. I believe that protecting the lives our children must be our nation’s number one moral priority. That’s why I’m concerned that Congressman X says he’s pro-life but votes against health care for poor children. That’s not pro-life. That’s not pro-family. Tell Congressman X to vote for health care for children. Call him today at XXXX, that’s XXXXX.”
I don't believe any will run in the Pittsburgh area, however PA Rep. John Peterson of Pennsylvania is a target of one of the ads. Listen here.
The organization is running radio advertisements on Christian stations in 10 congressional districts targeting what they deem as pro-life hypocrites. By this they mean House members who are pro-life when it comes to abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and the Mexico City policy, but who oppose the expansion of SCHIP, a children's health insurance program that has become a Trojan Horse for universal health care.
Catholics United promotes global warming, government control of health care, and withdrawal from Iraq. Their targets for the SCHIP ads look like they were handpicked by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. All the targeted congressmen, save one, are pro-life Republicans and of those nine, six are in very vulnerable districts.
The one Democrat, Gene Taylor of Mississippi, won with 80% of the vote last year. That's a lame attempt to cover the group's partisanship.
Such choices indicate that the ideal candidate for Catholics United is a pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage Democrat - issues the Roman Catholic Church deems non-negotiable who will support a massive expansion of SCHIP. Heretics United might be a better name.
Catholics United Executive Director Chris Korzen in a press release regarding these ads said: "Building a true culture of life requires public policies that promote the welfare of the most vulnerable." Given the organization's determination to oust pro-life Republicans, the "most vulnerable" to Mr. Korzen are clearly not innocent children in the womb.
Mr. Korzen, I want nothing to do with your mission and I hope your Bishop will correct you.
UPDATE: The script for the radio commercial reads: “I'm the mother of three children, and I'm pro-life. I believe that protecting the lives our children must be our nation’s number one moral priority. That’s why I’m concerned that Congressman X says he’s pro-life but votes against health care for poor children. That’s not pro-life. That’s not pro-family. Tell Congressman X to vote for health care for children. Call him today at XXXX, that’s XXXXX.”
I don't believe any will run in the Pittsburgh area, however PA Rep. John Peterson of Pennsylvania is a target of one of the ads. Listen here.
Muslim leaders send letter to pope proposing theological similarities
CNS WASHINGTON - For the first time, more than 100 senior Muslim leaders from around the world sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders proposing theological similarities as a basis for peace and understanding.
"Finding common ground between Muslims and Christians is not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders," said 138 Muslim leaders in a letter released Oct. 11 in Washington.
Here is what I find really interesting. This letter was not sent to Billy Graham or Rick Warren or Joel Osteen or any other evangelical leader.
100 senior Muslim leaders consider the pontiff the leader of all Christianity. If we are to seek common ground between Muslims and Christians, don't we need common ground among Christians first?
Story
"Finding common ground between Muslims and Christians is not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders," said 138 Muslim leaders in a letter released Oct. 11 in Washington.
Here is what I find really interesting. This letter was not sent to Billy Graham or Rick Warren or Joel Osteen or any other evangelical leader.
100 senior Muslim leaders consider the pontiff the leader of all Christianity. If we are to seek common ground between Muslims and Christians, don't we need common ground among Christians first?
Story
Scalia opines on faith and justice
Devout U.S. Catholics like himself may stand apart from much of the nation on abortion, homosexuality, and embryonic stem-cell research, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a packed audience at Villanova University yesterday, but he insisted "there is no such thing as a 'Catholic judge.' "
"The bottom line is that the Catholic faith seems to me to have little effect on my work as a judge," he declared.
Invited to speak to that very question - "the role of Catholic faith in the work of a judge" - the famously opinionated justice rendered his decision just three minutes into his keynote lecture at Villanova Law School's annual Scarpa conference on law, politics and culture.
"Just as there is no 'Catholic' way to cook a hamburger," he said to a murmur of laughter, "I am hard-pressed to tell you of a single opinion of mine that would have come out differently if I were not Catholic."
Nonetheless, he continued, his Catholic faith obliges him to abide by two "commands" in his life and his work as a judge.
" 'Be thou perfect as thy heavenly Father is perfect.' And 'Thou shalt not lie,' " he said.
Full Story
"The bottom line is that the Catholic faith seems to me to have little effect on my work as a judge," he declared.
Invited to speak to that very question - "the role of Catholic faith in the work of a judge" - the famously opinionated justice rendered his decision just three minutes into his keynote lecture at Villanova Law School's annual Scarpa conference on law, politics and culture.
"Just as there is no 'Catholic' way to cook a hamburger," he said to a murmur of laughter, "I am hard-pressed to tell you of a single opinion of mine that would have come out differently if I were not Catholic."
Nonetheless, he continued, his Catholic faith obliges him to abide by two "commands" in his life and his work as a judge.
" 'Be thou perfect as thy heavenly Father is perfect.' And 'Thou shalt not lie,' " he said.
Full Story
Pope names Daniel DiNardo, ex-Pittsburgher, a cardinal
Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement in Rome shortly before noon, around 6 a.m. in Pittsburgh. The only other American to be named was Archbishop John Foley, a native Philadelphian who has worked for many years in the Vatican. Cardinal-designate Foley is grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, but was for many years the head of the Pontifical Office for Social Communications, which handles electronic media for the Vatican.Many people had expected another Pittsburgh native and longtime prelate here, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington D.C., to be named. However Archbishop Wuerl had been actively discouraging speculation on the matter, saying it was very unlikely. The reason is believed to be that his predecessor in Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, is still very active and is eligible to vote in a conclave until he turns 80 in July 2010. It is virtually unheard of to have two voting cardinals in the same archdiocese.
Pa. House asks MLB to retire Clemente's No. 21
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives urged Major League Baseball to retire Roberto Clemente's No. 21 in a resolution passed Tuesday. Read More
Check out the RETIRE 21 Website
Legislation would add surcharge to gas bills
Likening natural gas pipelines in Pennsylvania to crumbling roads and bridges, two top Democrats in the state House propose legislation they say would expedite the ability of utilities to make improvements. Read More
Seized files ruled relevant
Confidential campaign plans. Opponent profiles. Analyses of political attitudes in House districts. All were recovered by state attorney general's agents executing what investigators termed a "surgical" eight-minute search Aug. 23 of the state House Democrats' Office of Legislative Research. Read More
Read This @%$&^! Post
Regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better their feelings as well as develop social relationships, according to a study by researchers.
They assessed that swearing would become more common as traditional taboos are broken down, but the key appeared to be knowing when such language was appropriate and when to turn to blind eye. (or ear)
Swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be seriously discouraged or banned, but in other circumstances it helped foster solidarity among employees and express frustration, stress or other feelings.
Keep it clean if you desicde to comment.
Full Story
They assessed that swearing would become more common as traditional taboos are broken down, but the key appeared to be knowing when such language was appropriate and when to turn to blind eye. (or ear)
Swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be seriously discouraged or banned, but in other circumstances it helped foster solidarity among employees and express frustration, stress or other feelings.
Keep it clean if you desicde to comment.
Full Story
NOBEL PRIZE WINNER SAYS BLACKS AREN’T AS SMART AS WHITES
It wasn't Al Gore that said it, but a stupid comment none the less.
Dr James Watson: “All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really.”
I think I found the first guest for the Don Imus show!
Daily Mail
Dr James Watson: “All our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really.”
I think I found the first guest for the Don Imus show!
Daily Mail
STUDY: TWO-WORKING-PARENT FAMILY NEEDS $74,044 TO SURVIVE IN L.A.
But only $51,035 if just one parent works. The story notes “Calculations were based on families who do not receive healthcare through employment, rent rather than own real estate and have a car.” Later in the story, “The federal poverty line for a family of four was $20,650 in 2007, less than a third of what this report estimates they need.”
Now this is some fuzzy math!
PUTIN COZIES UP TO AHMADINEJAD
I remember Rumsfeld saying we should never trust Russia. The story begins: Vladimir Putin issued a veiled warning Tuesday against any attack on Iran as he began the first visit by a Kremlin leader to Tehran in six decades - a mission reflecting Russian-Iranian efforts to curb U.S. influence.
Who's up for World War III?
AP
Who's up for World War III?
AP
GIULIANI BLASTS HILLARY’S LACK OF EXPERIENCE
With this: "She's never run a city, she's never run a state. She's never run a business. She has never met a payroll. She has never been responsible for the safety and security of millions of people, much less even hundreds of people."
FOX News
FOX News
HOUSE TO VOTE ON RESTRICTING TERROR SURVEILLANCE
From the story: The bill, which was scheduled for a vote Wednesday, allows unfettered surveillance of foreign targets but requires special authorization if the foreign targets are likely to be in contact with people inside the United States — an effort to safeguard Americans' privacy.
FOX News
FOX News
S-CHIP “Logic”
As usual, George Will nails it:
S-CHIP is described as serving "poor children" or children of "the working poor." Everyone agrees that it is for "low income" people. Under the bill that Democrats hope to pass over the president's veto on Thursday, states could extend eligibility to households earning $61,950. But America's median household income is $48,201. How can people above the median income be eligible for a program serving lower-income people?
S-CHIP is described as serving "poor children" or children of "the working poor." Everyone agrees that it is for "low income" people. Under the bill that Democrats hope to pass over the president's veto on Thursday, states could extend eligibility to households earning $61,950. But America's median household income is $48,201. How can people above the median income be eligible for a program serving lower-income people?
“Mother” and “Father” Banned In California?
"The vague language of [California Senate Bill 777] could be interpreted to mean that [school] instruction that only features a mom and dad or traditional family would be 'promoting a discriminatory bias' against homosexual couples. It would promote 'heterosexism' to only show male and female couples, without equal time for homosexual, transsexual and transgender 'families,'" said Karen England, of the Capital Resource Institute.
She said while supporters of the activist plan argue those conclusions are absurd, the organization actually "is merely publicizing policies that have already been implemented in Los Angeles Unified School District regarding transgender students."
England noted that the district website confirms if a male perceives himself as a female, "he must be granted access to female locker rooms and restrooms. He must be allowed to participate in female sports activities. Read more...
She said while supporters of the activist plan argue those conclusions are absurd, the organization actually "is merely publicizing policies that have already been implemented in Los Angeles Unified School District regarding transgender students."
England noted that the district website confirms if a male perceives himself as a female, "he must be granted access to female locker rooms and restrooms. He must be allowed to participate in female sports activities. Read more...
Peduto: Take Politics Out of Road Paving Plan
From the story: A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette review of this year's paving plan found that 46 members of the Democratic Committee were slated to get fresh asphalt on the roads in front of or next to their homes, and four of nine council members -- counting Mr. Peduto -- have parts of their streets, or streets very close to their homes, on the paving list.
[To address the issue] Mr. Peduto's proposal requires that the city spend 90 percent of its paving dollars on streets identified by a pavement management system, while 10 percent could be dedicated to contingencies and emergencies. Read more...
Man, I wish that I had known that all I had to do was to tell the township that I’m a Republican Committeeman and I could get the badly deteriorating road in front of my house paved. Why didn’t anyone tell me this!?!
[To address the issue] Mr. Peduto's proposal requires that the city spend 90 percent of its paving dollars on streets identified by a pavement management system, while 10 percent could be dedicated to contingencies and emergencies. Read more...
Man, I wish that I had known that all I had to do was to tell the township that I’m a Republican Committeeman and I could get the badly deteriorating road in front of my house paved. Why didn’t anyone tell me this!?!
Radio Waves
WAMO, nightclub sued over shooting
A Monroeville woman has sued WAMO-FM (106.7) and a nightclub from which the radio station was broadcasting when a shooting occurred. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Davina Wilson is demanding damages from the Strip District's Touch nightclub and WAMO over the July 31, 2006 incident in which eight people were shot, two fatally. Wilson was on the second-floor balcony at the time and suffered bullet wounds to her left leg and foot, according to the newspaper. During the summer of 2006, WAMO was sponsoring Sunday night dance parties at Touch where ladies drank free from 10 p.m. until midnight, according to the P-G.
'DUQ backlash
Adrian McCoy reports that donations to WDUQ's annual fall pledge drive, which began last week, are down. Some listeners are backing the university's decision to defend its pro-life mission, but others, McCoy says, are "alarmed" that a public radio station with a news department would withhold something from its airwaves for political or religious reasons. HELLO, IT"S A CATHOLIC RADIO STATION!
The Catholic church condemns both birth control and abortion as immoral; Duquesne University, which holds WDUQ's license, is a Catholic institution. WDUQ General Manager Scott Hanley says the pledge drive is "much lower in response than normal" and tells McCoy he's concerned that the controversy is distracting people from the fact that the station relies on contributions to meet its annual budget.
If you have a few bucks, send them to DUQ. Let's support them taking this stand. Give here
Pittsburgh's Moment of Truth
Pittsburgh's last republican mayor served during the Depression. Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-1, but business executive Mark DeSantis has emerged as a serious challenger to Democratic incumbent Luke Ravenstahl, in part because of the young mayor's missteps.
DeSantis, who won the Republican mayoral nomination as a write-in, has government experience, is wooing black voters - despite their history of overwhelmingly rejecting GOP candidates - and is benefiting from a unique set of circumstances.
Ravenstahl is only 27 and was not elected to office. As City Council president, he was next in line to take over when Mayor Bob O'Connor died of brain cancer in September 2006.
Ravenstahl landed feel-good spots on David Letterman's Late Show and other national media outlets as the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city, but since then he has stumbled - several times.
Most recently, Ravenstahl was criticized for using a special police SUV bought with federal Homeland Security funds to take his wife and friends to a Toby Keith concert. Ravenstahl said he did not know how the vehicle was purchased, and stopped using it when he found out.
DeSantis, 48, runs a high-tech firm, was an aide to U.S. Sen. John Heinz, and was a science policy adviser to the first President Bush and did similar work in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The first mayoral debate last Tuesday attracted a standing-room-only crowd, a sign the GOP has put forward a serious candidate and not just its traditional sacrificial lamb.
Make no mistake, city voters hold the survival of Pittsburgh in their hands. With all due respect to the late Mayor O'Conner, he was not the man for the job. Voters have been given another oppprtunity to make the right choice. Will they blindly vote for another democrat or will they give DeSantis a chance to prove himself.
I gave up on city government about 5 years ago when I moved out of the Pittsburgh city limits. I tired of the Mayor Murphy's attempt and building his vision of Utopia through "eminent domain" threats and without care who pays the bill.
We have all the resources we need in this region to be a great city. We need solid leadership to make it happen.
That is why I personally have chosen to endorse Mark DeSantis for Pittsburgh Mayor
DeSantis, who won the Republican mayoral nomination as a write-in, has government experience, is wooing black voters - despite their history of overwhelmingly rejecting GOP candidates - and is benefiting from a unique set of circumstances.
Ravenstahl is only 27 and was not elected to office. As City Council president, he was next in line to take over when Mayor Bob O'Connor died of brain cancer in September 2006.
Ravenstahl landed feel-good spots on David Letterman's Late Show and other national media outlets as the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city, but since then he has stumbled - several times.
Most recently, Ravenstahl was criticized for using a special police SUV bought with federal Homeland Security funds to take his wife and friends to a Toby Keith concert. Ravenstahl said he did not know how the vehicle was purchased, and stopped using it when he found out.
DeSantis, 48, runs a high-tech firm, was an aide to U.S. Sen. John Heinz, and was a science policy adviser to the first President Bush and did similar work in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The first mayoral debate last Tuesday attracted a standing-room-only crowd, a sign the GOP has put forward a serious candidate and not just its traditional sacrificial lamb.
Make no mistake, city voters hold the survival of Pittsburgh in their hands. With all due respect to the late Mayor O'Conner, he was not the man for the job. Voters have been given another oppprtunity to make the right choice. Will they blindly vote for another democrat or will they give DeSantis a chance to prove himself.
I gave up on city government about 5 years ago when I moved out of the Pittsburgh city limits. I tired of the Mayor Murphy's attempt and building his vision of Utopia through "eminent domain" threats and without care who pays the bill.
We have all the resources we need in this region to be a great city. We need solid leadership to make it happen.
That is why I personally have chosen to endorse Mark DeSantis for Pittsburgh Mayor
Show Update
Yesterday I spoke out against the false teacher heretic Joel Osteen. We revisted Mr. Osteen on the show today. I still think he is a heretic. No one has the right to edit the Gospel so it does not make people uncomfortable. That's removing the cross.
Michael Spencer (Internet Monk) joined us. He was a bit kinder then I was but agreed the same. Check out his post here.
Witch Complains About Halloween Decoration
(CNSNews.com) - A Halloween decoration -- a witch hanging from a noose - has drawn a complaint in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Kelly Lynch, who calls herself a witch, considers the decoration a hate crime against her (Wicca) religion, press reports said. Read more…
A move builds to outlaw strikes by Pa. teachers
In the face of powerful union opposition, some state lawmakers are agitating to build support for legislation that would ban teacher strikes in Pennsylvania. Read More
2 more aides to testify on Democratic bonuses
Two more staffers from the House Democratic Research Office are among those subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating bonuses given by legislative leaders last year. Read More
Bill to reduce size of state Legislature remains in committee
A suburban Pittsburgh legislator's campaign to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature, the largest full-time assembly in the nation, suffered a major setback yesterday. Read More
Pope Fire
I tend to cringe at these stories but what the heck.....Did Pope John Paul II make an appearance from beyond the grave?
The image, said by believers to show the Holy Father with his right hand raised in blessing, was spotted during a ceremony in Poland to mark the second anniversary of his death. Details appeared on the Vatican News Service.
The pictures were being broadcast continuously on Italian TV and also posted on religious websites, some of which crashed as thousands logged on to see for themselves the eerie figure formed by the flames. The bonfire was lit during a service at Beskid Zywiecki, close to John Paul's birthplace at Katowice, southern Poland, on April 2 - the second anniversary of his death.
What do I believe??? I believe where there is smoke there is fire.
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