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Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
PAtownhall.com
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
Pennsylvania's Marketplace of Ideas
by Newsletter
FAMILY UPDATE
Volume 4, Issue 20
August 1, 2008
The Pennsylvania Family Institute's weekly update to concerned citizens.
Michael Geer, President
Attention: PA Family Institute has printable versions of the Family Update that can be downloaded and printed easily!Follow this link to get a 1-page version that you can hand out to your friends and family: http://www.pafamily.org/index.php?pID=78
!Please forward this email to family and friends!
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Quote of the Week
"The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority."
~ Alexander Hamilton
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Pennsylvania News
Good News! PA Hate Crimes Law Struck Down. Rejecting an appeal filed on behalf of Gov. Ed Rendell, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision striking down the expansion of the state's Ethnic Intimidation Law (i.e. hate crimes) to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental disability. The Court argued the Legislature violated the state's constitution in enacting the measure signed by Republican Gov. Mark Schweiker. Pennsylvania Family Institute opposes these laws as a potential threat to free speech and religious liberty.
PFI Testifies at Hearings to Stop Gambling Expansion and Help Families. On Tuesday, Randall Wenger, chief counsel for Pennsylvania Family Institute, testified at a hearing against HB 1663. This bill would allow electronic video poker machines at non-profit clubs like the American Legion Posts and volunteer fire companies, who already host raffles and bingo as fundraisers. Then on Wednesday, Tom Shaheen, VP for policy for Pennsylvania Family Institute, testified at a hearing in favor of HB 783, which would require casinos to send monthly gambling statements to their patrons. These monthly statements would help gamblers see their wins and losses and also perhaps help family members to spot an addiction in order to intervene.
We can learn from our neighbors in West Virginia who are dealing with the problems of video poker. Video poker and slot machines account for nearly 80 percent of the addictions afflicting West Virginia problem gamblers, according to a recent report. "People tell me they feel relaxed playing it," said Sheila Moran, the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia's director of quality assurance. "They might have a lot of problems in life and they say it feels like they're playing with Monopoly money. Maybe it's the way a teenager would play video games."
News posted daily at www.PAFamily.org!
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Family News
3rd Circuit Court Throws Out Federal Online Child Protection Act. The law, passed in 1998, makes it illegal to post pornographic material online for commercial purposes, since it is harmful to children. The law has been fought by the ACLU and never enforced. This week, the court called it "overboard and vague," ruling it unconstitutional and dismissing the case.
Public High Schools Allowed to Teach Bible Class in Texas. The State Board of Education approved the elective class, ignoring complaints from the ACLU and ruling in favor of academic freedom.
U.S. House Condemns China for Human Rights Abuses. The U.S. House passed a resolution this week calling on China to end the human-rights abuses. Those abuses include: coerced abortion and sterilization, repression in Tibet, and support of like-minded tyrants in Myanmar and Sudan.
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Marriage News
Massachusetts Exporting Same-Sex "Marriage" and Locking Out Voters. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill today to repeal a 1913 law that prohibited couples from marrying in the state if their unions were not legal in their home states. In addition, lawmakers added an "emergency" clause to it to prevent voters from fighting back. The Massachusetts Constitution allows voters to conduct a petition drive within 90 days of the passage of a law. If enough signatures are gathered, the issue can go to the voters. In this case, however, the Legislature thwarted that possibility by declaring an "emergency."
Congress Debates "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Policy. The House Armed Services Committee debated repealing the 1993 law which banned openly homosexual men and women from serving in the military. Gay activists are pushing for this repeal, however, the Defense Department is not advocating a change in policy.
Mississippi State University begins Healthy Marriage Initiative. The new program was begun to combat the alarming rates of single-parenting and poor child well-being in the state. It offers support programs to stepfamilies, grandparents, and engaged couples as well.
News posted daily at www.PA4Marriage.org!
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PFI News
City On The Hill Youth Leadership Conference Was a Huge Success! God was really at work in the hearts of the participants, as they heard excellent speakers, studied the Truth of Scripture, and learned to challenge the ideas of the World. The finale of the week was our debate on the floor of the State Senate, where the student legislators discussed the merits of real legislation and cast their votes. Thank you for all of your prayers! We are already looking forward to another great COTH next summer!!
View pictures and watch video clips from the conference at www.pafamily.org.
Register Online Today! PFI 2nd Annual Golf Tournament to benefit City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference is on September 15 at the exclusive Bent Creek Country Club. Visit www.pafamily.org/golf.php to sign up as a sponsor or player.
Don't Miss! Special Friends of the Family events with Gov. Mike Huckabee on Saturday, October 11. Look for more information at www.pafamily.org.
Don't Miss Michael Geer's The Common Good and Family Update Radio Shows on Christian Radio Stations throughout Pa. and online through our podcasts.
This Week's Topic: City on the Hill students sharing their experiences from the week.
The Pennsylvania Family Institute is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Pennsylvania Family Institute, click here: www.pafamily.org/donate
23 N. Front St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 ~ Phone: 717-545-0600 ~ Fax: 717-545-8107 ~ www.pafamily.org
