LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 9, 2005
HOUSE IN SESSION / SENATE IN RECESS
RFC IN THE NEWS
CHRISTMAS AND FOX NEWS
On Tuesday December 6th I appeared on FOX News Live at 2:20 PM to discuss the "Holiday" tree in the rotunda of the Wisconsin Capital Building in Madison. My opponent was Dan Barker, the co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Barker defended the use of the name Holiday tree, citing the worn out rhetoric that the term "Christmas tree" was offensive. The only thing really offensive in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda is a sign installed by his group under regulations that allow anyone to place a "holiday" item in that rotunda. I pointed out on national TV that the atheist group's sign was far more offensive to far more people than a "Christmas" tree could ever be. The sign says, "Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The state of Wisconsin has no problem with the sign, but refuses to call the Christmas tree in the Rotunda a Christmas tree.
MORE ABOUT CHRISTMAS ON FOX NEWS
On Monday morning, December 12th, I will be on FOX and Friends sometime between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM to discuss the politically correct atmosphere in corporate America which censors employees and causes them to fear for their jobs. My opponent on the program will be a business consultant who teaches managers how to repress the freedom of speech of employees in the name of "sensitivity." I currently have an Op-ed running in various newspapers on this issue. (Click here to read Op-ed)
SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY
I was just a little surprised to find myself in the current issue of Science and Theology News, being compared to C. S. Lewis and H. G. Wells. While I have written several books I am certainly not in the category of these titans of literature. Fortunately the comparison was drawn on conversion experiences and not on literary ability. (Click here for article)
BAD CHRISTMAS NEWS ON FOX
While I like FOX and appreciate all they are doing to bring a more balanced message to the public I am not a blind follower. As you can tell from my criticisms of President George W. Bush I don't hold punches to make sure I am invited to receptions and the same is true when it comes to FOX News. I received information on a Saudi Prince having the ability to spike news on FOX: The e-mail to me read as follows: Saudi Prince Walid bin Talal made these remarks during the Arab and World Media Conference in Dubai (today and tomorrow) where he was a speaker, and the quote was picked up and published by Middle East Online. The Prince was remarking on his own influence over what gets aired on Murdoch's Fox News Channel now that he (the Prince) is a voting shareholder etc. He said: "During last month's street protests in France, Fox ran a banner saying: 'Muslim riots'. I picked up the phone and called Murdoch to tell him these are not Muslim riots, these are riots out of poverty...Within 30 minutes, the title was changed from Muslim riots to civil riots." He was referring to Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of News Corp. which owns the Fox News Channel. It appears extremist Saudi Muslims have bought their way into FOX News.
THE SUPREME COURT
The ultra left-wing group People for the American Way held a fund raising event in Washington, DC this past week. The main event was an auction of a tour of the TV set for Desperate Housewives, the ABC Sunday night soap opera that features sex, more sex and even more sex. It was the most popular item at the fund raiser attended by 500 guests who paid $250 each to drink Chardonnais champagne and munch on hors d'oeuvres. The event featured the actresses Sharon Stone, Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly, as well as a performance by original cast members from the musical "Rent." The entire purpose of the event, which took in several hundred thousand dollars, was to raise funds to oppose the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. In contrast, not a single fund raising event is planned by conservative groups to raise funds to support Alito. Social conservative groups just don't have a bunch of people with that kind of money to show up at these kinds of high dollar fund raising events. So far my 501c4, the Religious Freedom Action Coalition, has raised less than $1,000 to buy the T-shirts and buttons for volunteers to wear during the January hearings supporting Alito. Secularists will pay big bucks to destroy the righteous, while too many conservatives just sit on their wallets praying for the best.
THE HOUSE
THE ATHEIST LAWSUIT AND THE PLEDGE
On Monday the Religious Freedom Coalition mailed 25,000 more petitions seeking signatures in support of the Pledge Protection Act of 2005. This is our response to atheist Michael Newdow, who sued to remove "under God" from the Pledge. The only way to stop the constant harassment lawsuits by Newdow, the ACLU and other God haters is for Congress to remove religious _expression lawsuits from judicial review-- just as Rep. Todd Akin is attempting to do with the proposed Pledge Protection Act. To view or print out copies of our petition click here. NEW: Click here for our "Under God" Christmas ornament!
THE SENATE
THE ALITO NOMINATION
RFC Executive Director Peggy Birchfield is continuing to work with other conservative groups to plan events around the Samuel Alito confirmation hearings. Our sister organization, the Religious Freedom Action Coalition, has taken a leadership role in support of the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. It is critical to have men and women on the Supreme Court who will honor God and our Constitution as was intended by the Founders of our nation. Judge Alito is well qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. He has spent the past 15 years as a judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and has proven to be a genuine judicial conservative who will not legislate from the bench. Hearings may begin as early as January 9, 2006.
Please help us with our various projects on Capitol Hill and in the Holy Land. Donate today!
INTERNATIONAL
THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Executive Director, Peggy Birchfield participated in the International Human Rights Day Conference hosted by newly elected Assistant Secretary of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Barry F Lowenkron at the U.S. Department of State on Thursday. The conference brought together over 200 NGO's (Non-Governmental Organizations) and U.S. State officials to discuss and to promote human rights and democracy which is the cornerstone of our American foreign policy. Peggy had a chance to speak personally with the speakers, Deputy Assistant Secretary J. Scott Carpenter and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns regarding programs of Women's Empowerment, Christian Persecution, Religious Liberties and other commitments to Human Rights and Justice. The Department of State would like to expand NGO networking and to encourage groups such as ours to build strong relationships with the State Department and to assist their efforts to protect human rights and religious liberties around the world.
MORE CHRISTMAS
RFC CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SELLING FAST!
Our custom made Religious Freedom Coalition Christmas ornament feature "under God" three - dimensionally imposed over the American flag is a hot seller at our Internet store. This is a beautiful 3" high ornament that can be purchased nowhere else! The ornament symbolizes our work to protect the words "under God" in the Pledge to our flag. To have it on your tree for Christmas order today! We also have an "under God" men's neck tie. A beautiful new item we are offering is the crystal nativity plaque made in Germany (see picture above). Proceeds from sales at our Internet store assist us in our work both in the United States and internationally. AND: My autobiography, My Life Without God, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies, is once again available at the RFC Internet store.
The Ten Commandments engraved on Jerusalem stone displayed in a handsome wall plaque with gold colored frame. Plaque comes in a gift box with a certificate of authenticity and gift card. The Jerusalem Stone is a limestone material found in the areas between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, and between Galilee and Haifa. This stone was excavated by the Israelites as early as 1000 to 2000 B.C, and used to construct such historical, religious sites as the “City of Jerusalem” and “King Solomon’s Temple”. Today this treasured stone is used in all modern construction within the city of Jerusalem. We also still have just a few of the Nativity sets that were made for us in Bethlehem by Christian artisans using real Jerusalem stone. Click here or on the image for more details on these beautiful Nativities. We have less than 40 of these handmade Nativity sets on hand and we cannot get any more before Christmas. Please order soon for Christmas delivery. There are also handmade crosses available.
OLIVE OIL SOAP IN SHORT SUPPLY
We have only 100 bars left for Christmas sale! This 100% olive oil soap is handmade by Christian families in Samaria. The men of these families are converts from Islam and have been accused of being "collaborators" with Israel. As a result they have death warrants against them and cannot return 
to their villages. We have great difficulty in getting soap out of Palestinian controlled areas and into Israel so we can ship it to our Virginia facility and for this reason we must often remove it from our Internet store. The funds go to them and their families, not to us. The soap is available to individuals for just $3.95 per bar! To learn more about this handmade olive oil soap click here or on the image. Our store is located at www.rfcstore.com.
Please help with our various projects on Capitol Hill and in the Holy Land. Make your year end donation today!
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William J. Murray, Chairman
Religious Freedom Coalition , PO Box 77511, Washington, DC 20013 - (202) 543-0300
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Religious Freedom Coalition * Copyright - 2005