News Intelligence Analysis
From the FRC
To: Friends of Family Research
Council
From: Tony Perkins, President
May 2, 2005 - Monday
Please forward this to your Friends and Family!
Senator Denial
Last week, prior to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's (R-TN)
proposal on breaking the judicial filibuster, Senate Minority
Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offered a judges proposal of his own.
His proposal was given careful consideration by Senator Frist
and rightfully rejected. Senator Reid's proposal would have allowed
votes on one or two judges, but allowed the Senate Democrats
to continue the unprecedented filibuster of the remaining judges.
Senator Frist has always maintained that the only fair solution
for all involved is an up or down vote on ALL nominees, as guaranteed
in the U.S. Constitution. This is something the Democratic leadership,
beholden to liberal interest groups, has denied qualified nominees.
Last week Senator Reid spoke about needing a "miracle"
for the Democrats to retake the Senate. Here is some unsolicited
campaign advice for the good Senator: it is not a "miracle"
the Democrats need, but a substantive agenda and a willingness
to listen to those who disagree with them. Democrats cannot win
by denying debate on issues important to people today. Open discussion
on Social Security reform - denied! Debate on true tax reform
- denied! Up or down vote on qualified judges - denied! Senate
Democrats cannot return to majority status unless they stop denying
a chance for true compromise and at least offer viable alternatives
to Republican proposals. A party of denial will prompt voters
to respond in kind.
Left Behind: Liberals Examine the "Religious Far Right"
Some of those aforementioned liberal activist groups held a conference in New York City this past weekend to study the weird creatures (to them at least) called "conservative Christians." The Conference, "Examining the Real Agenda of the Religious Far Right," was sponsored by the City University of New York and supported by People for the American Way, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, The Nation and The Village Voice. Attendees to the conference were regaled as speakers took a look at Christian conservative with the same attitude as renowned primatologist Jane Goodall might examine a tribe of apes. If you doubt the conference had an anti-religious tone here are the titles of some of the "discussions": Fundamentalism: The Fear and the Rage, Learning about the Christian Right, and What in the World to Do, and Christian Jihad. As reported by the Washington Times there appears to have been at least one rational speaker present, Chip Berlet, senior analyst at Political Research Associates. "Actually," Berlet was saying on Friday afternoon, "I don't like those labels at all, calling people 'religious extremists' or 'radical religious right.' You can't have a conversation when you start that way. I want to talk to these people. I want to engage them. ... I want to have a real discourse about religion and politics." If more people, on both the left and right of religious politics, behaved as Mr. Berlet suggests, true dialogue on the role of religion in public life might be possible.
The Sunshine State
Yesterday I spoke at a special "Law Day" service and
a community-wide rally at Marcus Point Baptist Church in Pensacola,
Florida. Dozens of law enforcement officials as well as judges
were in the special service. My challenge to the over 2000 people
present was that despite the increasing hostility toward Christians
who get involved in the important issues of the day, like same-sex
marriage, abortion, judicial activism and so on, we must not
shrink back or grow weary, or be intimidated, but we must boldly
stand up and speak the truth. This morning I spoke to a number
of local pastors about the importance of their leadership in
this battle for the heart and soul of our nation. I encouraged
them to participate in the petition drive to place a marriage
amendment on the ballot in Florida. My challenge to them was
quite simple - Stand up for Jesus.
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