D.C. SCHOOLS: VACCINATE YOUR CHILD OR GO TO JAIL
School officials in Washington, DC are expelling students who have not had all the required immunizations, declaring them "truants," and threatening to impose fines and jail time on their parents. D.C. children are required to be given vaccines against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenza, hepatitis B, pneumococcal pneumonia, and chicken pox. Meanwhile, in England where vaccines are voluntary, immunizations have declined because of big publicity about the link between the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and autism. PM Tony Blair won't answer the question as to whether his 20-month-old son has had the MMR vaccine.
Source: BBC News, 2-14-02, and Las Vegas Sun, 2-8-02.
SPINNING THE NEWS ABOUT VACCINES
A New York Times (2-21-02) news article, entitled "Panel Discounts Some Fears Over Vaccinations for Babies," reported that a panel of experts said that childhood shots do not increase the risk of juvenile diabetes, and there is no reason to change the current immunization schedule, which calls for infants to receive as many as 15 shots in the first six months of life. You have to get to the 17th paragraph to read the admission by the chairwoman of the panel, Dr. Marie McCormick, who said, when asked about the effect of vaccines on asthma: "The evidence is not sufficient to say either yes, or no." The panel's report admitted that 25% of parents believe that administering too many vaccines is not good for babies and could weaken immune systems. The article did not contain any report on possible conflicts of interest by panel members, which is so common on vaccine advisory committees.
HIS-AND-HER BIBLE
The International Bible Society will release in April a gender-neutral alternative to the best-selling New International Version. It's called Today's New International Version and boasts that it is "inclusive" (a favorite feminist word). The publishers say the language changes are necessary to keep the Bible up to date and speak "in the language of the day." (Translated, that means, cave in to feminist demands.) The new version does little more than change "brothers" to "brothers and sisters" and "sons" to "children of God." But be on guard - the feminists really seek a theological change; their ultimate goal is to make God and His Son gender-neutral, too.
Source: New York Times, 2-10-02
SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS ON SCHOOL CHOICE
On Feb. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of Cleveland's publicly funded school voucher system. Parents are offered up to $2,250 per child for private elementary school tuition, or to send their child to other public schools in the system. It was instituted in 2000 after the Cleveland pubic school system was deemed an "academic emergency" by the State of Ohio.Teachers' unions and others challenged the plan, which was declared unconstitutional a federal district judge and by a 2-1 vote of the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
OHIO MAY ADD "INTELLIGENT DESIGN" TO BIOLOGY TEACHING
The Ohio School Board will consider next month a proposal to add to the teaching of high school science the fact that "some scientists believe parts of biological life are 'designed' - not evolved from a single ancestor by blind chance, as declared by Charles Darwin." The Board is not considering replacing Darwinism, but merely adding to its statewide standards the "intelligent design" theory. The design theory is "compatible with belief in God and the Bible, but it does not require adherence to any particular faith or doctrine." The Board will meet March ll in a 400-seat auditorium to hear testimonies from science experts, both for and against the proposal.
Source: Washington Times, 2-18-02
ALABAMA COURT DENIES LESBIAN CUSTODY OF DAUGHTER
On Feb. 15, the Alabama Supreme Court awarded child custody to a child's father instead of the lesbian mother. In his concurring opinion, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore quoted from Alabama's Abstinence Act, which Alabama Eagle Forum authored and shepherded to passage. It directs that sex education must include "an emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state."
BUSH ADMINISTRATION CAVES ON EXEMPTION FROM HOMOSEXUAL HIRING IN FAITH-BASED
INITIATIVE The White House confirmed January 31 that the new version of President Bush's Faith-Based Initiative bill will not contain a "Charitable Choice" provision exempting religious groups who receive its federal funds from local laws against job discrimination based on sexual orientation. The inclusion of such a provision in the House-passed version was seen as an obstacle to Senate passage of the legislation, since it was viciously opposed by homosexual groups, separation of church and state interests, and other liberal groups who oppose the faith-based concept in any event. A bipartisan compromise bill is now being drafted by Sen. Rick Santorum (R, PA) and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D, CT).
Patrick Trueman of the American Family Association said, " We're very upset ... The president's faith-based initiative was the hallmark of his administration. If he caves on that, we can't trust him on any issue of our agenda."
On Feb. 1, the President announced his appointment of lawyer and self-declared Democrat James Towey to head the White House office for the faith-based initiative, replacing John DiIulio, also a Democrat, who resigned in August. Towey worked with Mother Teresa and served as her counsel for 12 years, and headed Florida's department of health and social services under a Democratic governor.
MINNERY'S BOOK STATES THE CASE FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE INVOLVED
A new book by Focus on the Family's vice president, Tom Minnery, called Why You Can't Stay Silent: A Biblical
Mandate to Shape Our Culture, is an excellent antidote to the books and speeches of some prominent religious spokesmen who have unfortunately been exhorting Christians to stay in their pews and avoid involvement in politics. Minnery says it's time for Christians to speak up and step out. He says history is full of examples of courageous Christians who stood strong at critical moments and helped righteousness prevail - and courageous Christians are surely needed today.
PROPOSED BILL WOULD ALLOW CHURCHES TO ENDORSE CANDIDATES
Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. (R, NC)'s Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act. would allow a church, mosque, synagogue or other house of worship to endorse candidates and spend some - but not a substantial amount- of its resources to help elect them. Current law allows churches to address political issues and invite candidates to speak, but a church risks its tax exempt status if it calls for the election or defeat of a candidate for public office, under a 1954 provision of the tax code.
Source: Washington Post, 1-17-02.
HOW GOOD MORALS USED TO BE MAINTAINED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Someone just sent us a 1962 newspaper showing an article about Cornell University suspending a graduate student who shared his off-campus apartment with a girl friend from another school. The student was suspended under a university rule that read: "At all times and in all relationships, a Cornell student should conduct himself in a decent and respectable manner."
Source: Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, 10-13-62
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