Senate Passes "Drive-by Porn" Legislation
 The
Michigan Senate this week passed legislation sponsored by Sen.
Alan Sanborn that would make it illegal to view pornographic material
on in-car video/DVD systems. First time violators would face a
fine of up to $1500. Subsequent violations would mean larger fines
and possible jail time.
"This bill is a no-brainer," said MFF
Executive Director Brad Snavely. "Parents should not have
to worry about sitting in traffic and having their kids exposed
to hardcore pornography in the minivan next to them. The state
has a responsibility to protect children from irresponsible adults."
The legislation now awaits action in the Michigan
House, where it is expected to easily pass. To view the legislation,
click
here.
Video Game Legislation Update
 Video
games were the topic of discussion this week in both the Michigan
House and Senate. The House passed two bills, HB4702 and HB4703,
that prohibit retailers from displaying or distributing sexually
obscene video games to minors and require retailers to provide
information about video game ratings to parents by placing posters
or brochures in the store.
The Senate meanwhile listened to additional testimony
from lawyers for the video game industry and others during debate
of SB416. This bill would make it illegal to sell "ultra-violent"
and sexually explicit video games to minors. Senator Alan Cropsey,
the bill's sponsor, also added a provision to include the sale
of violent or sexually explicit movies in the statute. This bill
remains on the Senate floor. To contact your Senator to ask for
their support, click
here.
Click on the bill number to view the legislation:
HB4702
HB4703
SB416
Hundreds Gather for Annual
Michigan Prayer Breakfast
 Several
hundred people gathered in Lansing this morning for the Annual
Michigan Prayer Breakfast. Governor Granholm and her brother,
who is a pastor in Canada, joined those who gathered to promote
prayer for our state and national leaders.
Salvation Army Commissioner James C. Osborne gave
the keynote address calling on the attendees to remember America's
heritage as a Christian nation. He also challenged those present
to consistently pray for America's leaders and others in leadership
roles in our lives.
A highlight of the morning was the awarding of
the Annual Amy Writing Award. This award is given for a published
work that contains Scripture and is written from a biblical worldview
and is published in a secular venue. This year's grand prize winner
was Nicole C. Brambila for her story "Born by Rape, Allowed
to Live." Nicole is a journalist in Texas. Michigan writer
Kendall Wingrove received an award for his article "Remembering
D-Day and the Liberation of Corrie Ten Boom." Kendall is
a press secretary with the Michigan House of Representatives.
For more information about the Amy Writing Awards,
click here.
Department of Justice Cracks
Down on Obscenity
 It
is now clear that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is committed
to prosecuting distributors of obscenity, fulfilling his promise
to make obscenity crimes a major priority at the Department of
Justice.
The Department announced the creation of the Obscenity
Prosecution Task Force, "exclusively dedicated to the investigation
and prosecution of obscenity cases." This follows a directive
last week by the Attorney General to all United States Attorneys
to report to him by July on effective ways to crack down on obscenity
in their districts.
"This is very encouraging news," said
MFF Executive Director Brad Snavely. "The Department has
been too lax for too long. Violators of the nation's decency standards
should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
For more information about the new Obscenity Prosecution
Task Force, click
here.
To view a new publication from the Family Research Council about
how to deal with pornography in your community, click
here.
International Fatherhood
Conference
 The
National Partnership for Community Leadership has announced the
dates for its 7th Annual International Fatherhood Conference (IFC).
This year's event will take place June 8-10 at the Northwest Activities
Conference Center in Detroit.
The theme will be "Reaffirming the Role of
Men: Fathers, Husbands, Workers, and Community Leaders."
The registration fee is $150.00. To download the registration
information, click
here.
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