Friday, February 22, 2013

Mass. Hysteria over School's Drag Policy


Tony Perkins' Washington Update
Family Research Council


If there's one subject giving Massachusetts schools trouble, it's anatomy! The state's Department of Education shocked everyone last week with new directives that completely abolish traditional gender roles, gender-based bathrooms and clothing, and even gender-specific sports in public schools. With 11 pages of rules, the state rolled out the welcome mat to transgender and cross-dressing students--at great expense to their peers and parental rights.

"A student who says she is a girl and wishes to be regarded that way throughout the school day... should be respected and treated like a girl." (Even if that student is actually a boy and just wants easy access to the girls' locker room.) Under these guidelines, teachers are banned from telling moms and dads which gender their child is identifying as at school. "This policy," says Massachusetts Family Policy Council, "allows students to have one gender identity at home and another at school."

Anything short of full acceptance won't be tolerated. A student caught speaking out against the new policy--even if they feel threatened or treated unfairly -- will be punished. If, for example, a student refuses to refer to a transgender classmate by their preferred name or sex, it would be "grounds for discipline." Starting this year, even kindergarteners will be targets for indoctrination. Under the new system, boys and girls can no longer line up separately to use the restroom or leave the classroom.

And liberals wonder why more families are pulling their children out of public school! As a father of three girls, I would do everything in my power to keep teenage boys from accessing my children in school locker rooms or restrooms. Inclusivity has its limits--and personal safety should be one of them. If this policy survives, one thing is certain: Massachusetts schools will be a lawsuit-rich environment.

Apart from modesty, some families are fuming about the injustice of it all. One outraged dad, Bill Gillmeister, is angry that the policy gives cross-dressing students an advantage over other kids. "What about the girl who loses a spot on that basketball team because a boy is able to play as a girl?" he asked.

As parents across Massachusetts fume about the new rules, the controversy certainly reinforces an important point: this is the future of same-sex "marriage" in America. It may take teenage boys invading girls' locker rooms to prove it, but redefining marriage is about a lot more than two people who love each other. This is about the fundamental altering of society. Maybe some of you have fallen for the lie that same-sex "marriage" won't affect you. I guarantee that you'll feel differently when you're trying to pull your second grader out of a lesson on homosexuality--and end up in handcuffs instead. Or when your daughter comes home in tears because she's been suspended for telling someone she felt uncomfortable using the bathroom with a male teacher inside. By then, it will be too late.

If you want to protect your children from a fate like Massachusetts's, it starts by defending marriage now. Click over to FRC's marriage clearinghouse and stock up on the materials you need. While you're there, don't miss our documentary, The Problem with Same-sex Marriage--which includes horrifying testimony from parents about the real-life consequences in states that have redefined marriage. Last but not least, plan to join us and thousands of other Americans fighting for the family next month at the national March for Marriage in Washington, D.C.


Sequester Armageddon?


Gary L. Bauer
American Values

To hear the breathless media reports you would think that we are on the verge of an economic collapse, not because of our runaway debt but because of spending cuts ranging from $22 to $85 billion (the sequester) scheduled to be implemented on March 1st. The budget this year is $3.7 trillion, which is the same as $3,700 billion, and we are being told that not spending 1/43 (on the high end) of that $3,700 billion will destroy us!

Rush Limbaugh was right yesterday when he said this about the crisis:

"What's happening here, folks, is we are being played for fools and being suckered -- suckered into supporting the never-ending expansion of government, the wholesale destruction of the private economy. Everybody who joins in this debate under the premise that Obama puts forth, as well as debating the politics of this nonsense, is just being used to cover up what's actually going on. Now, what's going on is no great conspiracy. It's no mystery. We're spending much more money than we have.

"The government is getting inexorably larger.

"It's less and less efficient at accomplishing anything. We're creating more and more dependents. We're robbing people of their dignity and humanity and of their opportunity to realize their dreams as they turn their lives over to the government. It's like a never-ending cycle. The government makes the private sector smaller. There are fewer job opportunities. There's less money in the private sector, less opportunity to accrue wealth. Income taxes and others threaten to go higher; they do go higher.

"It all adds up to the government growing, the private sector shrinking, freedom being lost ever so slowly, and nobody ever talks about stopping this."

Well said, Rush.

Victory Alert: Parental Rights Bill Passes!


Victoria Cobb, President
The Family Foundation of Virginia


Yesterday, after weeks of numerous twists and turns and more edits and amendments than the Declaration of Independence, a simple two sentence bill guaranteeing parental rights cleared both chambers of the General Assembly by large majorities and are on their way to Governor Bob McDonnell to sign into law.

Starting July 1, Virginia law will recognize that parents have a “fundamental right” to make “decisions concerning the upbringing, education and care” of their children. Short, simple and powerful.
 
The legislation, HB 1642 and SB 908, patroned by Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96, James City County) and Senator Bryce Reeves (R-17, Spotsylvania), respectively, elevates the common law understanding of parental rights in place in Virginia for 400 years to that of a fundamental right.  What’s in a word? Plenty.  While no rights are absolute, courts give special deference to fundamental rights, requiring the state’s “compelling interest” to intervene.
 
These bills also codify the essence of the L.F. v. Breit Virginia Supreme Court decision in January that upheld parental rights.  That’s especially important since 24 other state courts have reduced parental rights to “ordinary” – a standard more easily trumped by government authorities that attempt to interpose themselves in family decisions.

Even as the bills were being debated in recent days, evidence of the need for protecting parental rights came to light when we learned that the Obama administration is arguing in a federal court that parents do not have a fundamental right to home school their kids!  Those who argued that this new law is unnecessary couldn't be more wrong.
 
We thank Delegate Pogge and Senator Reeves for their patience and skillful navigation through the often Byzantine legislative process, while negotiating over several amendments but not giving ground on the goal of reasserting the foundational principle parents by nature have to raise their children.  We also appreciate the effort of the Home School Legal Defense Association who brought this bill to the General Assembly and have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to see it to completion.
 
Thank you for contacting your senators and delegates each time when called upon these last six weeks.  In the end, many delegates and senators responded to the common sense of these bills as reflected in their constituents’ beliefs. 
 
Click here to thank Delegate Pogge and click here to thank Senator Reeves.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Criminalizing Judeo-Christian Values

Gary L. Bauer
American Values
 
For those of you who appreciate biblical references, we've been telling you that the handwriting is on the wall when it comes to the radical agenda of the militant homosexual rights movement. It is trying to criminalize the teaching of the Bible and punish those who dare defend God's ordained institution of marriage. Well, here we go.

Last month a homosexual rights group dragged Pastor Scott Lively into a Massachusetts federal court and essentially charged him with "crimes against humanity." The suit alleges that Lively's preaching and support for legislation in Uganda criminalizing homosexual behavior directly contributed to violence against homosexuals in the country.

And who is behind the lawsuit? The left's biggest benefactor -- George Soros. The plaintiffs in the case are being represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is funded by Soros.

Fortunately the judge seemed highly critical of the Center's claim that Lively could be held responsible. But this lawsuit is a dangerous precedent that exposes the Left's intolerance for our First Amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty.

Rep. Robert Hurt Statement Following Secretary Of State John Kerry’s First Domestic Speech At UVA


WASHINGTON, D.C.
– Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) today released the following statement after welcoming Secretary John Kerry to the University of Virginia for his first domestic speech as Secretary of State. President Teresa Sullivan and Senator Tim Kaine joined Congressman Hurt in welcoming Secretary Kerry to Virginia's 5th District:


"I was proud to join President Sullivan and Senator Tim Kaine as we welcomed newly-appointed Secretary of State John Kerry to the University of Virginia and to Virginia's 5th District. Thomas Jefferson's University is a fitting place for the Secretary of State to deliver his first speech – not only was Thomas Jefferson our nation's first Secretary of State, but he was also the author of our nation's founding document, the Declaration of Independence. As Thomas Jefferson well knew in our early days, the relationships we build across the globe and the role we play on the world stage were critical to ensuring the continued success of our nation in its infancy, and that still holds true today. It was an honor to be a part of this important day at the University of Virginia. I look forward to working with Secretary Kerry, Senator Kaine, and all of my colleagues as we strive to adhere to the principles set forth by Thomas Jefferson and our nation's founders, who cherished our independence and set the stage for a strong America that the world looks to for leadership."



Senator Obenshain's Photo ID Bill Passes Both Chambers

 

RICHMOND—Today, legislation patroned by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls passed the House on a 65-34 vote, having previously passed the Senate 21-20, with Lieutenant Governor Bolling casting the tiebreaking vote.

 

"Today's victory is a long time coming," said Obenshain, who first introduced Photo ID legislation in 2005. "If we believe that our system of free and fair elections is important, then we need the process to be secure – and just importantly, we need to instill confidence in the results."

 

"We have to be vigilant in order to prevent an erosion of the public confidence in the election process," said Obenshain. "We saw such erosions after the razor-thin margins of the 2000 election, and doubts have surfaced among partisans on both sides of the aisle in every presidential election since. This lack of confidence is unhealthy, and it's important that we take reasonable steps to provide the assurance that our elections are indeed free and fair."

 

In 2005, the bipartisan Carter-Baker Commission Report recommended that states adopt photo ID laws and many have – with the Democrat-controlled Rhode Island legislature joining the list in 2011. The Carter-Baker Commission concluded that "[t]he electoral system cannot inspire public confidence if no safeguards exist to deter or detect fraud or to confirm the identity of voters. Photo IDs currently are needed to board a plane, enter federal buildings, and cash a check. Voting is equally important."

 

"SB 1256 will ensure that every legal vote counts and that those votes are not diluted by fraudulent votes. More importantly, this will buttress voter confidence in the integrity of our election process.  This approach is reasonable, fair, cost-effective, and in line with the recommendations of the bipartisan Carter-Baker Commission," said Obenshain, noting that courts have upheld similar requirements in other states.

 

Obenshain's bill requires every voter to show photo identification when casting a ballot. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a driver's license, passport, an employee or Virginia college student ID card (with a photo), or any other government-issued photo identification card, and it provides for the free provision of voter registration cards bearing a photo through registrar's offices. "Not everyone has a photo ID, but under this bill, anyone can obtain one easily and free of charge," said Obenshain.

 

"Here in Virginia, we've taken voter confidence seriously, phasing out electronic balloting, streamlining overseas absentee balloting, and working to create greater uniformity in election deadlines. Now we're addressing legitimate concerns about the lack of safeguards at the polls themselves," Obenshain added.

 

"Last year, we saw just how easy voter fraud can be when a congressional campaign official was caught on tape talking about ways to cast fraudulent ballots," said Obenshain. "Photo ID is a common sense way to ensure that every legitimate vote counts, and that no one's vote is diluted by voter fraud."

 

"Free and fair elections are one of the defining features of our system of government, and it's worth the effort to keep them that way, and to give voters confidence in our election process," Obenshain concluded.

 

Vote tallies for SB 1256 are available at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=131&typ=bil&val=sb1256

 

Mark Obenshain has served in the Senate of Virginia since 2004, and is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Attorney General of Virginia.


Dem Senators on Responsibility for ObamaCare: Who, Us!?


Hadley Heath
Senior Policy Analyst
Independent Women's Voice


Did you hear about the recent Senate hearing where Gary Cohen, a top Obama administration health care official and head of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, appeared before the Senate Finance Committee, its chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), and Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA)?

No, you say?  Well, we could hardly blame you if you haven't.  As the always entertaining James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal points out, the hearing seems only to have received any media coverage in two specialized publications: The Hill and Kaiser Health News.

But, as Taranto highlights, at this hearing the aforementioned Senators (all of whom voted for ObamaCare) "tore into [Cohen]."  Why, you ask?

[Washington Sen.] Cantwell, the Hill reports, "criticized the administration for delaying implementation of the Basic Health Program--an option for states to provide cost-efficient health coverage outside of Medicaid and the law's new insurance exchanges." It was supposed to start next year but the administration is delaying it until 2015. Cantwell asked Cohen: "Are you artificially raising the cost to all taxpayers by trying to lure them onto the exchange?" (Cohen said no, the Basic Health Plan, in the Hill's paraphrase, "simply had to take a backseat to other priorities.")

You'd think if the Obama administration was attempting to compel people into ObamaCare's exchanges, it might merit a little news coverage?  But wait, there's more:

"Wyden pressed Cohen to help find ways to resolve a glitch in the law which may result in the denial of federal assistance to millions of Americans of modest means who could be priced out of family health coverage at work," according to Kaiser. At issue is an IRS ruling limiting federal subsidies for such plans. Said Wyden: "We've got millions of people--working-class, middle-class people--who are going to be pushed into a regulatory health coverage no man's land." So much for President Obama's promise that if you like your plan, you can keep it.

This is hardly the first instance where the President's promise that if you like your coverage you can keep it has been proven false.  But, needless to say, the Senators who voted for this legislative monstrosity are stepping up to take responsibility for it.  Or not:

"Democrats are getting nervous and consequently are trying to put some distance between themselves and the ACA," [blogger Walter Russell] Mead observes, ... "We don't blame them for trying, but it may be a futile effort. For better or worse, their fates are now tied to that of Obamacare."

Indeed there isn't much point in blaming them for trying. But they deserve the blame for imposing this monstrosity on the country. To quote Bill Nelson: "I want somebody to be accountable for this, and if it was a mistake, for somebody to own up to it."

If you really want to find someone to blame, Sen. Nelson, we recommend you go seek out a mirror.


Rep. Robert Hurt To Make Stops In Danville And Pittsylvania County Tomorrow


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) will make stops in Danville and Pittsylvania County tomorrow, Thursday, February 21st:

Thursday, February 21, 2013

7:30 AM
Robert Hurt To Host Southern Virginia Home Builders Association Meeting
Averett University Riverview Campus
512 Bridge Street
Danville, VA

8:30 AM
Robert Hurt To Host Health Care Roundtable
Averett University Riverview Campus
512 Bridge Street
Danville, VA

9:50 AM
Robert Hurt To Stop By Southern States Cooperative
742 Craghead Street
Danville, VA

10:10 AM
Robert Hurt To Visit Jarrett Welding Company
954 Goodyear Blvd.
Danville, VA

10:40 AM
Robert Hurt To Visit Axxor International
2275 Cane Creek Parkway
Ringgold, VA

11:20 AM
Robert Hurt To Visit God’s Pit Crew
2499 North Main Street
Danville, VA

12:15 PM
Robert Hurt To Present Flag To Chatham Middle School Future Farmers Of America
11650 U.S. Highway 29 N
Chatham, VA

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Obama Denounces His Own Idea

Gary L. Bauer
American Values


We're just days away from the looming sequestration cuts, which politicians on both sides of the aisle claim they want to avoid. But rather than coming up with solutions, President Barack Obama delivered another stump speech today defending big government at a highly-staged White House event.

As he has done so many times in the past, the president even used first responders as a backdrop for his remarks. The implication was clear: If you don't support his demand for even more tax hikes, then you want people's homes to burn down because firefighters might be laid off by the sequester.

Among his remarks, the president said, "These cuts are not smart. They are not fair. They will hurt our economy." That's an odd statement for Obama to make -- sequestration was his idea and he signed the legislation that authorized it!

Responding to President Obama's call for more tax hikes, Speaker Boehner said:

"Today the president advanced an argument Republicans have been making for a year: his sequester is the wrong way to cut spending. That's why the House has twice passed legislation to replace it with common sense cuts and reforms that won't threaten public safety, national security, or our economy. But once again, the president offered no credible plan that can pass Congress – only more calls for higher taxes. ...

"Replacing the president's sequester will require a plan to cut spending that will put us on the path to a budget that is balanced in 10 years. To keep these first responders on the job, what other spending is the president willing to cut?"

Fwd: $83,679 vs. $51,986. Who Deserves a Raise?


$83,679 vs. $51,986. Who Deserves a Raise?

Congressman Cantor Opposes Across the Board Federal Civilian Pay Raise

Did you know that in 2010 the average salary for a federal civilian employee was $83,679? At the same time, the average private sector salary was $51,986.  When you add benefits to the equation, total compensation packages for federal employees stood at $126,141 compared to $62,757. 1 

And now, President Obama has given all of these federal civilian employees a pay raise. Congressman Eric Cantor believes that’s just wrong. “Last week, the House voted to overturn President Obama’s executive order which gave the entire civilian federal workforce – including the Vice President and Cabinet Secretaries – an across-the-board pay hike,” said Congressman Cantor. “Federal workers already make 16% more than those in the private sector. Even during the current federal pay freeze, the average federal salary increased by more than $3,000. Hardworking taxpayers and families struggling to get by shouldn’t have to bear an additional $11 billion in new government spending.”

$51,986 = Average Private Sector Salary (2010)

$83,679 = Average Federal Civilian Employee Salary (2010)

On Friday, Congressman Cantor voted to stop this automatic pay raise for federal employees by voting in favor of H.R. 273, Overturning the President’s Federal Pay Hike. This bill would stop the federal employee pay raise for federal civilian employees, including raises scheduled for the President, Vice President and Members of Congress.

Over the last decade, the average federal salary has increased by 62 percent – from $51,518 to $83,679. At a time when we’re worried about the need to get government spending under control, the last thing we need is an across the board pay raise – especially when it isn’t even based on merit.

Congressman Cantor concluded, “The President’s pay hike is extremely reckless in the face of sequestration. The Administration should be looking for ways to reduce spending not increase it. Putting our country on a fiscally sustainable path should not only be a shared goal, it is a responsibility. It’s time to work together and get serious about solving our spending problem.”


Email of the Day


The last three shooters.

Here is an image of the last three shooters...


Robert Hurt To Make Stops In Rustburg, Evington, And Altavista Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) will make stops in Rustburg, Evington, and Altavista tomorrow, Wednesday, February 20th:

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

 

2:45 PM

Robert Hurt To Stop By Shentel Cable Company Call Center

94 Ewing Drive

Rustburg, VA

 

3:15 PM

Robert Hurt To Stop By Buckner Industrial Rigging

7422 Wards Road

Rustburg, VA

 

3:45 PM

Robert Hurt To Stop By Concrete World

7320 Wards Road

Rustburg, VA

 

4:00 PM

Robert Hurt To Stop By Gladys Truck Plaza And Restaurant

7335 Wards Road

Rustburg, VA

 

4:15 PM

Robert Hurt To Tour Sonny Merryman Virginia’s Bus Company

5120 Wards Road

Evington, VA

 

5:00 PM

Robert Hurt To Attend Altavista Chamber Of Commerce / YMCA Event

Altavista YMCA

718 7th Street

Altavista, VA