Lawsuit Challenges "People's Override"
 The
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Center for Reproductive
Rights, and the ACLU filed suit this week to overturn Michigan's
Legal Birth Definition Act (LBDA). The LBDA became law when more
than 460,000 Michigan voters signed a petition introducing the
legislation, which subsequently passed both the House and Senate.
Dubbed "The People's Override," this monumental effort
bypassed the Governor, who had vetoed the same legislation when
previously passed by the Legislature.
"We anticipated that a lawsuit such as this
would be filed," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely.
"Fortunately, we are also confident that the LBDA is constitutionally
sound and will survive this challenge." Michigan Attorney
General Mike Cox will defend the LBDA in federal court. For more
information, click
here.
President
Reaffirms Faith-Based Initiative
 At
a Leadership Conference recently in Washington, D.C., President
Bush reaffirmed his commitment to his Faith-Based Initiative.
The President said that the government should be finding ways
to help the "armies of compassion" reach out with love
to our nation's must vulnerable citizens.
The President was clear in stating that the Faith-Based
Initiative is not about any particular faith or religion. "We
should judge an organization by its results, not its religion,"
he said. "Faith organizations are achieving results we want."
To read the rest of the President's speech, click
here. To view news coverage from CNN about the President's
remarks, click
here.
Supreme
Court Begins Hearings on Ten Commandments
 The
U.S. Supreme Court began hearings this week on two cases related
to the constitutionality of public displays of the Ten Commandments.
Both cases, one from Texas and one from Kentucky, dealt with displays
of the Commandments at the state capitol buildings. According
to the Family Research Council (FRC), which is monitoring the
case in Washington, early debate seems to indicate a reluctance
on the part of the Justices toward banning such displays.
Meanwhile, Michigan Representative Tom Casperson
(R-Escanaba) has introduced legislation that would allow the display
of the Ten Commandments at state-owned locations, including the
Capitol building, if the Supreme Court rules in favor of allowing
them. Governor Granholm has said she is not personally opposed
to such displays, but would not be in favor of an "unconstitutional
display" at the Capitol building. Casperson's bill would
require that the Ten Commandments be displayed along with other
"documents, public records, or objects of historical significance
that have formed and influenced the legal or governmental system
of the United States." To read a news story related to this
bill click
here. To read the bill's language, click
here.
Pro-Life/Abstinence Conference
in Detroit
 On
Saturday and Sunday, March 19th and 20th, the Open Door Church
of God in Christ will be hosting a two-day conference on abortion
and abstinence with a special focus on the African-American community.
Speakers include Dr. Fred Hogan, OB/GYN and Gianna
Jessen, abortion survivor. The conference is free of charge. For
more information, contact the Open Door Church at (313) 526-3460.
New Technology Increases
Risk of Exposure to Porn
 New
wireless cell phone technology, as well as the increase in the
number of video and DVD players in vehicles are increasing the
risk of minors being exposed to pornography.
The latest cell phone technology, known as "G-3"
allows unprecedented access to wireless databases, including porn
sites. Industry leaders have promised to "self-regulate"
such access, but family groups are skeptical as to how beneficial
self-regulation would be. To read more, click
here.
On a related issue, Michigan State Senator Alan
Sanborn is currently drafting legislation that would prohibit
minors from viewing pornographic material on car video and DVD
screens. "Parents shouldn't have to worry about what their
kids might see when they are stuck in traffic or passing someone
on the highway," said MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely.
"MFF has successfully helped pass legislation in the past
protecting children from inadvertent exposure to pornography.
We hope to do the same with Sen. Sanborn's bill."
Quote
of the Week
 "It's
always puzzled me how a country founded on Christian beliefs has
struggled with accepting and embracing its roots, the source of
many of the freedoms we enjoy, except the freedom to let people
know it."
—Michigan Representative Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba)
Source:http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-23/1109783919285740.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
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