Homosexual Domestic Abuse More Prevalent – Is This a Hate Crime?

(Harrisburg) – Last November President Obama signed into law an expansion of the hate crimes law to include ‘sexual orientation and gender identity.’   Recent cases of same-sex domestic abuse again bring into question the validity of such an expansion as the major threat to those identifying as homosexual seems to be their own same-sex partner, noted the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group.

“Consistently FBI statistics have shown that it is more dangerous in this country to be African-American or Jewish  than to identify as homosexual and be the victim of a hate crime.  The AFA of PA opposed the passage of the law last year and actually opposes all hate crimes laws.  But recent incidents of same-sex domestic violence show just how misguided the law is,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

Three high profile murders of lesbians by their lesbian partners have caught the attention of many in Massachusetts.  Experts on lesbian domestic violence were shocked, but honestly not surprised by these incidents. Last November a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reported a 125% increase in domestic violence fatalities in lesbian and gay couples around the country during the prior year.

The violence is not limited to Massachusetts as Pennsylvania has witnessed its own same-sex domestic abuse recently.  Incidences include the July case in Erie County where a lesbian sexually assaulted her girlfriend.   Elaine Pierson was murdered by  her former same-sex partner in 2007 in Perry County.    Two Westmoreland County lesbians assaulted each other with a rope and knife as they traveled by car along Route 30.

Additionally, women are four times more likely to be victims of domestic violence in a lesbian household than in a married household. (Claire Renzetti, Violent Betrayal) Married women in traditional families experience the lowest rate of violence compared with women in other types of relationships (“Violence Between Intimates,” Bureau of Justice Statistics Selected Findings, November 1994, p. 2)

The incidence of domestic violence among homosexual men is nearly double that in the heterosexual population (D. Island and P. Letellier, Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violence, New York: Haworth Press, 1991, p. 14).

Relationship violence was found to be a significant problem for homosexuals:

44% of the gay men reported having experienced violence in their relationships; 13% reported sexual violence and 83% reported emotional abuse. Levels of abuse ran even higher among lesbians: 55% reported physical violence in their relationships, 14% reported sexual abuse, and 84% reported emotional abuse. (Study of 499 ethnically diverse homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered teenagers and adults) (Susan C. Turrell “A Descriptive Analysis of Same-Sex Relationship Violence for a Diverse Sample” Journal of Family Violence. Vol. 13, Number ., 2000. Page(s) 281-293)

In 2008 Pennsylvania  a total of 68 hate crimes were reported  – 38 of those incidences were intimidation.  Of the 1,241 reporting agencies in PA only 31 reported any hate crimes at all.

“Quite obviously the major threat to a homosexual comes from their own same-sex partner, will these incidences of same-sex domestic abuse be considered hate crimes?  These individuals were targeted because of their ‘sexual orientation’ so why wouldn’t these incidences qualify as a hate crime?” Gramley questioned.

# # #

PennDOT Wrong to Change Gender Markers on Drivers’ Licenses

(Harrisburg) – The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group has contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) with specific questions about its decision to allow men and women who have not undergone sex reassignment surgery to now identify as the sex of their choice on driver’s licenses and state issued identification cards.

“Last week several stories appeared – predominately on homosexual/transgender news outlets and blogs that PennDOT has changed its policy concerning those sexually confused individuals who believe they were born in the wrong body.  It’s interesting that, as of this writing, the AFA of PA has been unable to find a PennDOT news release on their site.   Are they trying to keep this story hush hush?” questioned Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

The AFA of PA letter to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler included the following:

• So, if an unsuspecting woman finds a man who thinks he is a woman standing naked next to her in the shower area of a health club, as occurred to a Western Michigan University nursing professor last year and the woman protests, he can produce his official state-issued driver’s license to show that he’s legally recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as a female.  This professor writes, “I assumed privacy when I used the restroom, showered and dressed there.  Under deceptive circumstances, he invaded the privacy of many women in that locker room. I felt violated and worried about maintaining my dignity and privacy. Some nights, I awoke with dreams that a man was in my house. It was equally disturbing to my husband who wanted to protect me from this violation.”
• This is a threat to the health of women and girls who feel violated by having a man in a restroom, locker room or shower facility.
• Will any of those sexually confused individuals seeking a change in their driver’s license be designated sex offenders? If so, how will they be designated on the Sex Offender Registry?
• If a man who thinks he is a woman is found guilty of a crime and must face a prison sentence, which prison is he to be sent to – a men’s or women’s prison?  How does his driver’s license identify him?

“As we noted in the letter to PennDOT – citizens should at minimum be able to trust their state government to tell them the truth. This is a fundamental honesty-in-government issue.  With last week’s outrageous decision, businesses and Pennsylvania citizens cannot trust PennDot to even be honest about the sex of an applicant for a drivers’ license or state ID card.  The AFA of PA has asked PennDOT to rescind this dangerous policy change,” further commented Gramley.

# # #

August 27, 2010

Issues  (check corresponding number in ‘Details’ and ‘Action’ Sections)

1.)     PennDot is Doing What!

2.)    Barney Frank Really Said It

3.)    Great Video

Details

1.)     Yesterday it was announced that PennDot would begin allowing transgenders (those who claim to be born in the wrong body) to obtain the driver’s license of whichever sex they ‘prefer.’  No sex reassignment surgery is necessary – simply put : if a “fully-equipped” man thinks he is a woman he can now get a Pennsylvania driver’s license. Drivers’ licenses are used for IDs for entry into many places.  Does your local YMCA or pool require photo ID?  If so, then if a man comes in wanting to use the women’s locker/shower room, and he presents a driver’s license which says he is a woman these facilities must allow him to use the women’s locker room!  Imagine the unsafe scenarios that will be created by PennDot’s decision!  Additionally, H.B.300 would add ‘sexual orientation and gender identity or expression’ to the PA Human Relations Act which deals with employment, housing and public accommodation.  Passage of this bill would require all “public accommodations” to allow men who think they are women to use the women’s restroom, locker room/shower facilities.

2.)    Pro-family leaders have long been accused of concocting the Barney Frank quote about the true intent of those pushing the ‘gender identity-transgender’ agenda.  However, the original article has been found with his very revealing quote!  As he acknowledged back in 1999, if people fully understood what the addition of “gender identity” language meant when added to any federal, state or local law then such laws would never pass!  Currently Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County) and Radnor Township (Delaware County) are being ‘encouraged’ to pass a ‘sexual orientation/gender identity’ human relations ordinance!

3.)    On Sunday in New York City a great rally took place opposing the building of a mosque near Ground Zero.

Action Steps

1.)    Let your State Senator, State Representative AND PennDot know your thoughts on this change in drivers’ license policy.  To get information about your State Senator and State Representative, click here and key in your zip code in the upper right hand corner.  Ask your State Senator and Representative to vote ‘No’ on H.B. 300 and to work to get PennDot to rescind this new policy.  PennDot’s website says, “We are very interested in hearing from you!”  Well, let’s see just how interested they are to hear from you about THIS issue.  Here’s PennDot’s contact info 1-800-932-4600 or click here for the electronic form.

2.)      Click here and you can read Barney Frank’s 1999 quote found in New England’s largest homosexual newspaper Bay Windows.  The last two paragraphs contain his quote.  Both Senators Specter and Casey are ‘proud’ co-sponsors of the Senate version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S 1584) – ENDA.  Contact Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, Jr. and ask them to vote ‘No’ on S 1584.  In the House Barney Frank introduced his latest version of ENDA in June 2009.  H.R. 2981 still awaits a vote in the House.  Contact your Congressman and ask him or her to vote ‘No’ on HR 2981 (Note:  Currently Todd Russell Platts is the only PA Congressman listed as a co-sponsor, however, they all need contacted!)

3.)  Here’s a great video from Sunday’s rally.       If you haven’t signed the petition opposing the building of this mosque, click here.

Coudersport Showdown:  Gramley Given Opportunity to Set Record Straight

(Harrisburg) – Homosexual activists Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer have been traveling Pennsylvania’s highways and byways promoting their documentary “Out in the Silence” as evidence that homosexuals live under a reign of terror in small towns across the Commonwealth.  The villain in the documentary is the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) and specifically Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.  Last evening Diane Gramley was given an opportunity to set the record straight.  The setting was the same – the Coudersport Public Library – that Wilson and Hamer used on July 28^th to show their documentary and vilify the AFA of PA and Gramley.

“We were very pleased to be given the opportunity to set the record straight about what really happened during the filming of this so-called documentary and what the AFA of PA letters referred to in the documentary actually said.  We appreciate Dr. Wagner’s invitation,” Gramley responded.

Wednesday night’s event occurred because of the actions of the filmmakers – the filing of false police reports accusing area pastors of creating a dangerous situation for the July 28^th screening, creating a sense of hysteria simply to promote their film.   Additionally, the AFA of PA was accused of being the one behind the effort to get the showing derailed.   However, the AFA of PA did not even know of the showing until the day before the event when we received a phone call from a concerned citizen.  Throughout the months Wilson and Hamer have shown the documentary, the AFA of PA has chosen to not confront the filmmakers with their lies.

A local reporter went away from the July 28^th screening appalled at what he had witnessed.  Rather than being an open and honest debate about the issues of homosexuality, as was advertised, anyone with an opposing view was shut out.

Some of the testimony given by Gramley Wednesday evening during the “Christian Response to out n the Silence” included this from an interested witness:

“At the station WAWN 89.5 fm The producers of this said documentary Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer arrived at the radio station WAWN in Franklin, Pa and asked the Station Manager Jane Richey if she would be willing to answer some questions on film for the documentary.  To which she declined to speak on film but she did not mind off film to answer some questions.  I was sitting in the production studio adjacent the reception area of the station with the door open where I could see Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer.  Jane was a little uncomfortable and asked if the camera was indeed off to which both Dean and Joe assured her that indeed it is off.  I noticed that Dean was holding the camera at his side but would occasionally look down to adjust its angle in an upward fashion toward Jane.  I also noticed a red light was on which I thought meant it was recording.  Noticing this and being aware of Joe and Dean both assuring Jane it was off I moved out into the reception area and stood in front of the camera blocking its ability to record any video.

The Oil Heritage Parade 2006 AFA of Pa attended the Oil Heritage parade with informational banners to assist Mr. Rendell with constituent communications, not at his request of course but we wanted him to know some of the things we knew.   During most of the parade Mr. Rendell was accompanied by Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer and their trusty camera.  When near the end of the parade Joe and Dean spotted Diane Gramley; leaving the Governor’s side they (Joe and Dean) swooped down on Diane and what I mean is they  took place of her shadow Joe at her side with mic in hand and asking question after question while Dean was within inches of the back of Diane’s head and face with the camera.  Diane did well at handling herself in the midst of intimidation and harassment.

The National day of Prayer event; At the national day of prayer event Joe showed up, passed out flyers and filmed the attendees as well as the presenters, It is a free country at least for now, but they crossed the line as the event had come to a close and Diane Gramley left to go home with Joe replacing her shadow once again just as they did at the Oil Heritage parade last year within inches of her physical person and badgering question after question the entire walkto her car.  Others who witnessed this inquired as to what was going on and they were disgusted that any person would have to put up with such treatment.

At the church This was the one that made me begin suggesting to Diane Gramley that she file harassment charges…one Sunday afternoon as I was returning home from Church and was at the last intersection before my home where I would turn left to go to my home, I noticed to the right out in front of The Fox Street Church of God Joe Wilson was waiting outside the church with camera and microphone in hand.  I just sat at the stop sign of this intersection dumbfounded at what  I was witnessing.  Church must have still been going on as the parking lot was full and Joe was the only person visible.  So I turned right and drove up to Joe and said, “Joe come on don’t you think this is going a bit too far?”  To which he got excited to see some activity and put his camera on me and began asking me questions to which I said this is wrong what you are doing here and you ought to pack up.  Seeing that he had no intention of leaving I drove down the road to turn around and parked between Joe and the Church waiting for Diane to come out and when she did I escorted her to her car keeping my car between the circus and Diane.  We discovered later that Joe had place on the cars in the parking lot, posters with Diane Gramley and Jane Richey on one side and comparing them with Nazis/the KKK on the back. “

As Gramley stated during the August 25^th meeting and many other times, the AFA of PA believes all students should be provided a safe learning environment.  However, passage of anti-bullying laws with a “list” of those to be protected does not do the job – ALL students should be protected, not just homosexual students.  The AFA of PA stands by that commitment.

# # #

FCC to Appeal ‘Fleeting Expletive’ Court Decision

(Harrisburg) –  On July 13 a three-judge panel of the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) indecency policies violate the First Amendment and are “unconstitutionally vague, creating a chilling effect that goes far beyond the fleeting expletives at issue here.” The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide pro-decency organization, applauds today’s FCC decision to appeal the decision of the three-judge panel.

The court decision would have allowed the FCC to try to write a new, very specific indecency policy that does pass constitutional muster. They indicated such a policy would leave little to the discretion of government regulators.

“The FCC has made the right decision to challenge last month’s court ruling rather than write a new indecency policy.  There is nothing vague about federal indecency laws that have been on the books for decades and have always been thought to prohibit the F-word on prime time TV,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

The 2004 change being challenged came after the 2003 Golden Globe Awards, aired by NBC, when U2 singer Bono said on live TV that winning an award was “really, really f——ing brilliant.”  The new FCC regulations left station owners liable for fines of up to $325,000 for airing unscripted, spontaneous or “fleeting” expletives.  Yet delaying technology is available that can prohibit the situations that Fox News, NBC and other broadcasters have found themselves in.

“The FCC restrictions only apply from 6:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. when children are more likely to be in the audience.  Trying to hide behind the First Amendment in saying it’s okay to air obscenities at all hours is ludicrous.  To take away the FCC’s ability to levy large fines, takes away  any ‘teeth’ the agency may have in protecting America’s airwaves,” further noted Gramley.

The FCC’s appeal could set the stage for a challenge in the Supreme Court.  When the court reviewed the case in 2009, several justices raised questions about how the media landscape had changed since 1978, when the court upheld an FCC sanction against a New York radio station for playing comedian George Carlin’s monologue on “Filthy Words.”  Three decades later a majority of Americans now watch television via cable, satellite TV and the Internet, but those mediums don’t currently fall under the FCC’s indecency jurisdiction.

# # #

Judge Halts Federal Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

(Harrisburg) – Today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) applauded the decision of US District Judge for the District of Columbia Royce Lamberth to halt federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (ESCR).  Nightlight Christian Adoptions, a group that encourages adoption of frozen embryonic children, had filed suit last year.  The suit was over the guidelines that the National Institutes of Health developed for taxpayer-funded research that would involve the destruction of living human embryos.

A 2007 United States governments’ Domestic Policy Council admitted that embryos are human beings; the only differences between embryos and other human beings, the report said, are accidental differences in levels of development.  Dr. Bernadine Healy, the director of the National Institutes of Health under the Bush administration, wrote in a March 2009 U.S. News & World Report column that “embryonic stem cells, once thought to hold the cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes, are obsolete.”   In early 2010 California’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine, after five years of fruitless work in embryonic stem cell research, has now quietly diverted funds from ESCR to adult stem cell research.”

“The judge rightly found that the new guidelines clearly violated the Dickey-Wicker amendment  which prevents taxpayer monies from funding research in which embryos are ‘destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death.’  The AFA of PA is very pleased with the decision,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

President Obama needs to redirect funding to adult stem cell research which has proven and continues to prove so successful.

The administration’s decision to appeal the decision is additional proof of their anti-life positions.  They are willing to target the most defenseless of all Americans – the unborn.

# # #

August 20, 2010

Issues  (check corresponding number in ‘Details’ and ‘Action’ Sections)

1.)     Ground Zero Mosque

2.)    Parental Rights Amendment

Details

1.)    The controversy grows about the possible construction of an Islamic mosque near ground zero.  Arguments are being raised that Muslim service members pray in the Pentagon just 80 feet from where the plane struck the building on 911.   We are told we must show religious tolerance and permit the building of the mosque.  Here are a couple other things to consider:  yes, Muslims do pray in the Pentagon chapel that was constructed in 2002; but so do Christians, Buddhists, etc., etc. because it is an ‘interfaith’ chapel not used exclusively by Muslims.  Rabbi Aryeh Spero calls it a “Trojan Horse Mosque” and says it is the second attack on Ground Zero.  The first was a frontal attack while this second is a stealth attack.  The proposed location is right on Wall Street where there is a minimal number of residences, thus there is no need for a 12-13 story $150 million mosque.  Rabbi Spero goes on to say that if this mosque is built, the Muslims will wine and dine Wall Street investors and brokers and tell them all that is good with Sharia finance.  Do we need another mosque to join the many others that are already in New York City?

2.)    Government intrusion has gotten bolder in recent years. You may recall that a father in Tennessee last year took his 13-year-old son to the doctor, and granted permission for the doctor to test his son for drug use. Yet, when the tests came back, the doctor refused to give the father the results, insisting he must have the son’s permission to disclose that information. He cited federal HIPPA regulations as his reason for ignoring the parent’s rights.

And the intrusion is likely to get worse. Several articles and a brand new book written by 20 American law professors urge the banning of all private and home schools in the U.S. in order to protect children from religious indoctrination by their parents.  “Perhaps the more appropriate suggestion for our current educational dilemma is that public education should be mandatory and universal….” (Martha Albertson Fineman, What Is Right for Children?, page 237) “If the core principle in a parent’s belief system is that there is only one immutable truth…many educational topics will be off limits. Such ‘private truths’ have no place in the public arena, including the public schools.” (Catherine J. Ross, “Fundamentalist Challenges to Core Democratic Values: Exit and Homeschooling”, page 8 )

The ideas follow the ideas of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Over the past two years groups have been working to get a constitutional amendment to protect parental rights passed.  We have gained 140 cosponsors of the Parental Rights Amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives (including Pennsylvania’s Tim Murphy, Joe Pitts, Todd Russell Platts, Bill Shuster, and Glenn Thompson), and 7 in the U.S. Senate, plus 31 senators opposing the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child through S.R. 519  (Neither Senator Arlen Specter or Senator Bob Casey, Jr. are co-sponsors of either.).

Great strides have been made, but if we don’t get to 218 co-sponsors, the House leadership–even if it changes–will not want to schedule a final vote on the floor.

Action Steps

1.)    Sign this Vision America petition opposing the Ground Zero mosque.

2.)    A.) Reach 80 more petition signers in your congressional district, or enlist 5 others who can each reach 80.  Here’s a link to a variety of resources including a petition to gather signatures.  B.) Sign up for an online seminar that will better equip you to share the Parental Rights Amendment with your friends and neighbors. To sign up or for more details on either A or B, call Jason at 540-751-1241, or email jason@parentalrights.org.

AFA of PA President Joins SBA-List Stop in Meadville

(Franklin) — Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA joined the Susan B. Anthony List “Votes Have Consequences: Abortion is Not Health Care” bus tour at Bicentennial Park in Meadville on Monday morning.   This was part of a 23-city bus tour across Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylania targeting the districts of  ’pro-life’ Democrats who voted for the so-called health car reform bill in March.

Following are Gramley’s remarks:

“After a contentious health care debate marked by Cornhusker Kickbacks and Louisiana Purchases, the health care bill passed on March 22^nd by a vote of 219-212.  The following day President Obama signed the health care bill into law still assuring Americans that the new law would not use taxpayer dollars to fund abortions.  On March 24^th Obama, a usual ‘media hog,’ signed the greatly touted executive order that bought the needed pro-life Democrat votes, behind closed doors without the presence of media.  The American Family Association of Pennsylvania noted then that Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and three of Pennsylvania’s Congressmen Chris Carney, Kathy Dahlkemper, Michael Doyle were among the fourteen invited guests. Four of Pennsylvania’s so-call pro-life Democratic politicians took part in this effort to further mislead Americans who truly oppose abortion.

Our messages here today are that votes DO have consequences and abortion is not healthcare.  A question to those who voted for this bill: “If this executive order was really a means to stop federal health care dollars from being spent on abortion, why would Planned Parenthood applaud the passage of the bill?”  In fact Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, said in a statement released shortly after passage that stopping the Stupak amendment was their top priority – well they succeeded and pro-life Democrats walked away with a worthless piece of paper in exchange for their votes. I said then, “This executive order is simply words void of meaning placed on a blank piece of paper for a feel good affect.  An executive order cannot trump federal law”  and I still stand by those words.

Executive Orders have a history of being overturned in court and can be rescinded at any president’s whim.  A Congressional Research Service assessment commissioned by Sens. Enzi and Coburn concluded that the language in the health care bill and the Executive Order is insufficient at preventing taxpayer-funded abortions.

How has it played out so far?  Pennsylvania will receive $160 million federal dollars to set up the high risk pool plan.  The June 28^th news release issued by the Department of Insurance very slyly omitted the word ‘abortion’  and used the words “much more” in the list of covered services, but a review of the plan showed that it wouldsubsidize all abortions except those for sex selections.  In July the fat hit the fire as the saying goes!

Revelations that Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maryland would include elective abortion coverage in their high risk pool plans caused the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to scramble and it now states that HHS guidelines will make sure Hyde amendment restrictions apply to these programs in the spirit of President Obama’s executive order — promising there would be no such funding of abortions within these programs.

But this change only came about after vigorous opposition from pro-life groups and the HHS statement was completely undermined by the White House’s statement that it was not a precedent for other programs or policies.  This whole episode reveals just how vigilant the pro-life movement must be because the bill lacks any real legislative protections against taxpayer-funded abortions.  Additionally, the Congressional Research Service said that “neither the restrictions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Presidential Executive Order 13535, nor the recently released HHS contract materials actually prohibit a state high-risk pool from covering elective abortions.”

Rep. Joe Pitts – PA’s 16^th Congressional District–  has offered a bill called the Protect Life Act (HR 5111), which would apply the Stupak-Pitts language to health care reform. However, the bill lacks Stupak’s support, who continues to insist that Obama’s order suffices.

As we’ve said votes have consequences:  Bart Stupak has chosen not to run for re-election.  Is there a message to deliver to “pro-life” Democrats who voted for the health care bill opening the door for our tax dollars to be used to kill babies in the womb?  You will have an opportunity to deliver that message on November 2^nd.”

# # #

Homosexual activists with the help of Councilman Don Berk and Solicitor David Conn, have developed an ordinance extending special protections to homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders, creates a human relations commission and sets up a domestic partner registry for same sex couples allowing homosexual partners to register their relationships with the borough if they can prove they share a residence and other property. Council President Det Ansinn said “It’s not marriage, but it’s a way for people to have their relationships recognized.”  Recognized for what?  At this time agencies and businesses would not be required to offer the same benefits to “life partners” as they offer to married couples, but what about the future?  Why have a ‘life partner’ registry, if the Borough Council doesn’t plan on forcing businesses and the borough government itself to extend marriage like benefits to homosexual couples?  (Planned Parenthood passed a resolution endorsing the ordinance!)

This ordinance will impact housing, employment and public accommodations — meaning the Boy Scouts could be banned from using borough parks and facilities (because they prohibit open homosexual leaders and members), day cares would be forced to hire homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders and men who think they are women would be allowed to use the women’s restroom in a ‘public accomodation’ (i.e. restaurants, department stores, etc.) and locker room at the local pool.

How much will passage of this ordinance cost the Borough financially?  Stephen Glassman, chairman of the PA Human Relations Commission says, “Council could expect to pay $30,000 for a part-time employee and $60,000 for a full-time employee, plus benefits, mileage and office supplies.”  Is this the best way to spend YOUR tax dollars?

Action Steps:

·        Contact Borough Manager John Davis at 215-345-4140 to express your concerns.
·        Contact your Borough council member (contact info below) and ask him or her to vote ‘no’ on this ordinance.
·        Attend the August 16th meeting at 7:00 p.m. held in the Borough Hall, 57 W. Court Street, Doylestown.
Here’s the contact info:

President Det Ansinn (Ward 1) detansinn@gmail.com  215-771-8680

VP Lou White (Ward 1) dellwhite@verizon.net 215.348.2581

Bill Stevens (Ward 2) bill.stevens2@verizon.net

David Laustsen kv91@tradenet.net

Dennis McCauley (Ward 2) dennismccauley@verizon.net or  dennis@mccauley4ward2.com   Cell: 267.337.3368

Don Berk don.berk@comcast.net 215-340-9355

Joan D Doyle jd.doyle@verizon.net 215-262-4242

Noni West west@msn.com

Susan Madian (Ward 3) smadian@gmail.com 215.345.8075.

August 11, 2010

Issues  (check corresponding number in ‘Details’ and ‘Action’ Sections)

1.)     How Did Your Congressman Vote on the XXXXX Act of XXXX?

2.)    California Judge Reinstates Homosexual Marriage

Details

1.)     Yesterday the House passed by a vote of 247 to 161 a bill which included $26 billion dollars in additional “stimulus money.”  The bill’s title?  The XXXXXX Act of XXXX! 

House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) has some suggestions: 

–Save Our ‘Stimulus’ (SOS) Act
– ‘Recovery Summer’ Bailout Act (Cash for Flunkers)
– Delivering Unions a Major Boost (DUMB) Act
– Helping Election Expenditures, Hurting American Workers (HEEHAW) Act
– Frivolous Act of Ineffective Largesse (FAIL) Act

The bill number is HR 1586 and was an amendment attached to an overall air traffic control modernization bill.  Check out number 4 on this page. 

2.)      Last Wednesday California Judge Vaughn Walker threw out voter-passed Proposition 8 in which more voters voted for traditional marriage than voted for Barak Obama in 2008.  How and why did this happen?  You may be surprised – or not.  Here’s an outline of the judge’s decision.    Here’s more of an inside story of what happened – especially read the second paragraph. 

Action Steps

1.)    How did your Congressman vote on this no-name bill which will cost taxpayers another $26 billion?  Click here to find out.   Perhaps you will want to express your concern to your Congressman.  Click here for contact info. 

2.)    Note:   “After ADF actively opposed Liberty Counsel, ADF presented only two witnesses at trial, following the 15 witnesses presented by those who challenged the amendment. Even Judge Walker commented that he was concerned by the lack of evidence presented by ADF on behalf of Prop 8.”   Judge Walker’s decision may be viewed as judicial activism, but defending traditional marriage requires pulling out all the stops and presenting all the evidence about the dangers of redefining marriage and family.  It cannot be approached in a half-hearted way with the intent of not offending anyone.  Defending traditional marriage – standing for the truth – will be offensive to some.  Remember simply defending the word ‘marriage’ is not enough.  In Pennsylvania, which currently has no marriage protection amendment, a simple one sentence amendment is not enough.  Any amendment must also prohibit counterfeit marriage – civil unions and domestic partnerships.  We must stand for the truth, no matter how unpopular.