Week Ending October 22, 2004
Religious Freedom Coaltion
October 22, 2004 3:53PM EST

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 22, 2004

HOUSE AND SENATE IN RECESS UNTIL NOVEMBER 16TH

Religious Freedom Coalition Internet Site Shut Down

OUR SITE

On Monday, October 18th our main Internet site at www.rfcnet.org was shut down by our Internet hosting service. The shut down was a result of a "spoof" attack. Our domain name - rfcnet.org - was used to send a copy of some of our pro-family materials to liberal lists including what appears to have been a list of homosexuals. These individuals then complained to our Internet hosting company that we had "spammed them with insults." This was used as an excuse to shut down our site. The hosting provider told us they were aware of the fact that this was a "spoof" attack and they were aware the e-mail's did not originate from us, but still shut down the site stating that receiving over 100 "complaints" was sufficient reason no matter how they were generated. It was just an amazing coincidence that this occurred only three weeks before the election when our site was peeking at more than 10,000 hits per day. Because of strong management and aggressive business instincts the RFC Internet site was back up and functioning within 48 hours at an independent "rack" service where a stand-alone server has been installed just for our use. Because we are now using our own dedicated server, our site will be far faster and more accurate than it was when using a standard Internet hosting service. Bottom line: we learned a grave lesson. As a controversial and effective social conservative organization we should not have been on the large server of an Internet hosting company that deals mostly with commercial companies. We will not make the same mistake again. Having our own server means any complaints about what is on our site from left-wing nuts comes to us, not to a huge hosting company that also hosts liberal and gay Internet sites. Although more secure the new system also costs us more money. Our costs will just about triple as a result of this move and the move itself was costly. Donations at our main site at www.rfcnet.org cannot be made in a secure manner as yet and this has hurt us. However, we do have a secure donation site at our STW bookstore. To help us with the cost of the move by making a tax deductible donation please click here. You can also mail contributions to RFC, PO Box 77511, Washington, DC 20013

THE PRESIDENCY

BLACKS FOR BUSH

Here is a shocker which may take many Democrats by surprise. President George W. Bush may receive more than twice as many votes from blacks in 2004 than he did in 2000. Why? Same-sex marriage. Senator John Kerry and his many representatives in the field, including his wife, Teresa, have promised "gays" that he will be their president. He has promised to make "gays" a protected class of people and tells everyone who will listen that the gays of today are in the same struggle as blacks were in the civil rights movement of the 1960's. But many blacks don't see it that way. They know that they were discriminated against because of their skin color, not because of their lifestyle. Many blacks wonder why someone should become an official minority just because of the way they have sex. On this issue in the black community President Bush has the edge. The President is polling at 17% among black voters, more than double the vote he received from that community in 2000. All polls showing a close race have used the "assumption" Bush would not receive more than 6% of the black vote. Hmmm!

LAURA NEVER WORKED?

Teresa Heinz-Kerry said in a USA Today interview that she would make a better First Lady, saying of Laura Bush: "I don't know that she's ever had a real job. My experience is a little bit bigger because I'm older." As for Teresa, she was born to a wealthy Portuguese medical doctor in Mozambique, Africa in 1938. She was educated in private schools in both Switzerland and South Africa before coming to the United States in 1966. She first married a rich Republican Senator and became a conservative, or at least a moderate; now that she is married to an ultra-liberal Senator she is a far left liberal. The truth about Laura Bush: she was born to a lower middle class family, attended public schools, borrowed money to go to college and worked as a teacher and librarian before marrying a West Texas businessman by the name of George W. Bush. At the time they married George W. Bush was doing so well with his business that they lived in a rented apartment. Even today the difference between the two families is enormous. The private Gulfstream jet the Kerry's own cost more money that the Bush ranch in Texas is worth. Besides the jet, the Kerry's own five huge mansions, a yacht named after a French buccaneer, and an entire fleet of SUV's. Heinz-Kerry did apologize later, saying that she "forgot" that Laura Bush had worked as a teacher. Heinz-Kerry apparently does not believe that raising twin girls is a job, but then how would she know? She had servants to raise her kids. Click here for Bush response. Why do liberals always insult stay-at-home moms who spend their time raising their kids and taking care of their homes?

FAITH IN THE WHITE HOUSE

To receive a copy of George W. Bush, Faith in the White House before the election, please order it this weekend. So far our ministry has shipped thousands of copies to individuals and churches. We can ship a copy directly to a pastor or a Sunday School teacher as a gift. We are shipping all orders first class for speedy delivery; however, one-day or two-day UPS is available. The DVD and VHS versions are in stock and ready to ship. The 72 minute version on DVD explores the faith of George W. Bush, how it came about, and how it affects his life today. The documentary commentator is nationally known Christian conservative radio show host Janet Parshall. If you have friends and neighbors who don't understand the effect Christ can have on a nation's leader when he really believes the Gospel, I would recommend that you obtain a copy for them. The DVD and VHS versions are available for just $12.95 each and if you order two or more the shipping is free. For information click here.

CONGRESS

RECESS

Congress will be in recess until after the election. Members will probably return for a few days beginning November 16th to try to finish work on some of the appropriations bills to keep the government in the business of spending money. Once they adjourn from that lame duck session I don't expect them to return until 2005.

INTERNATIONAL

THE UNITED NATIONS

RFC Executive Director Peggy Birchfield is in New York at the United Nations today lobbying member nations to pass a resolution against human cloning. Many nations, even European nations, have passed laws against human cloning but scientists throughout the world seek the Frankenstein-like thrill of manipulating human life. Peggy Birchfield is joined in New York by representatives of other pro-family organizations including Concerned Women for America. Peggy has been working with United Nations officials for almost a year to move the Religious Freedom Coalition to Permanent NGO status, to make our work there more efficient. Please pray with us that UN officials will grant us the official status in the near future. For Peggy's latest report from New York click here. For Washington Times story click here.

KOSOVO

On Thursday of this week I had lunch with Serbian Orthodox Bishop Artemije of Kosovo, Prince Mihajlo Karadjordjevic of the Serbian royal family and some pastors and Orthodox priests to discuss the continuing deterioration of the rights of Orthodox Christians in Kosovo. This is the fourth trip to the United States this year for the Bishop who met with officials at our State Department on the abuses of human rights in Kosovo by the Albanian Muslim majority. Also present at the lunch were some of the members of the fact finding mission to Kosovo in August, Pastor Michael Faulkner of New York and Episcopal priest, Father Keith Roderic and Colonel Fred Peterson, USMC ret. Discussions centered on means of enforcing UN resolution 1244 which called for the creation of a "multi-ethnic"
society in Kosovo. As reported earlier, more than 35 churches and seminaries were desecrated and destroyed in March of this year by Albanian Muslim mobs. The Albanian government has set aside about five million dollars for reconstruction of the churches at the demand of the United Nations. The Cathedral of Saint George in Prizren alone will cost that much or more to repair as even its foundation was damaged when it was set on fire by mobs.

MOROCCO

Attention pastors and music directors ... May 6-8, 2005 there will be a music festival in Marrakesh, Morocco featuring Gospel music. This is the first time a Christian concert has been held in a "Muslim" nation. The program is an attempt by the secular government there to move the nation further to the West. If you have an interest in visiting Morocco and want details of the Christian concert there May 6-8, 2005 please contact us at events@rfcnet.org. There will also be an opportunity to work with the small Christian community in Morocco.

HOLY LAND

Dr. Ronald Stone is a member of a Presbyterian Church USA "fact finding" team sent to speak with terrorist leaders on behalf of that denomination which is currently "divesting" itself of any investments in companies doing business with Israel. During a meeting with Hezbollah leader Sheikh Nabil Qauq in south Lebanon Dr. Stone stated that, "Relations and conversations with Islamic leaders are a lot easier than dealings and dialogue with Jewish leaders." He also told the terrorist leader that, "We treasure the precious words of Hizbullah and your expression of goodwill toward the American people." The Presbyterian Church USA has condemned Israel on numerous occasions for its treatment of Palestinians, but remains silent when Islamists murder innocent Jewish civilians in Israel. As a result of the remarks from the "fact finding" team praising the terrorist organization, Israeli leaders have refused to meet with the delegation. See jpost.com.

THE WEST BANK

Please remember that our organization continues to support evangelical Christian families on the West Bank who have converted from Islam to Christianity. These familles are ostracized and some of the men of the families are actually on a death list. The families produce handmade complexion soap made of pure olive oil as their only means of support. We sell the soap in the United States for them. Because the soap is made in the West Bank, acts of terrorism cut the supply lines to us. It is for that reason that the soap is only mentioned from time to time. We do have the soap back in stock as of this week. Please consider purchasing some of this handmade soap to support these families. For more information click here.

AND FINALLY

ARMY TEN MILER

As part of a family tradition my daughter, Katie, my wife, Nancy and I will run the Army Ten Miler this Sunday in Washington, DC. For those who enjoy running I highly recommend this wonderful run that includes many great sights such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Building and the Pentagon. Unfortunately I will not be running in the Marine Marathon next weekend because I did not have sufficient time to train after surgery for a hernia in August. Please pray for the safety of all the runners in both races as there has been concern that the events may be targets of terrorists.

THANKSGIVING

Our Internet store has received a new shipment of men's Thanksgiving ties. These 100% pure silk ties show you care about the significance of a day of Thanksgiving. Every man should have a few seasonal ties, such as those for Easter, Christmas, July 4th! The fall and Thanksgiving ties our organization makes available to help finance our work are worn by me to Capitol Hill and the White House. I would not try to sell you something I would not wear myself. These are nice! Click here or on image. Complete tie selection click here.