SENATORS CRITICIZE VIOLENT MUSIC . . .Ten U.S. Senators have written a letter to Edgar Bronfman, Jr., CEO of Seagrams/Universal about the violent music his company sells to children. The letter stated, in part: “In light of the horrific tragedy that occurred in Littleton, Colorado, we are writing to request that your company voluntarily cease producing, promoting and distributing to children music that glorifies violence. As you may know, several news reports have indicated that the young killers in Littleton often quoted and mimicked one of your artist, Marilyn Manson – as did the young murderers in several other student rampages that occurred last year. Manson’s songs glorify death and human destruction – and his lyrics seem to eerily reflect the carnage of the recent rampage. Out of respect towards the 13 innocent victims in Colorado, sympathy for their grieving families, and concern for young people everywhere, we ask you to strongly reconsider which lyrics the Seagrams’ corporation chooses to legitimize and popularize. We staunchly oppose any form of censorship or government regulation of music content. We do not claim that you have no right to profit from peddling violent entertainment. Rather, we appeal to you to voluntarily exercise the corporate responsibility and moral sense to cease and desist profiteering from peddling violence to young people.” Signing the letter were Sens. Brownback (R-KS), Ashcroft (R-MO), Allard (R-CO), Campbell (R-CO), Conrad (D-ND), Collins (R-ME), Dorgan (D-ND), Hutchinson (R-AR), Santorum (R-PA) and Sessions (R-AL). [News Release, Sen Sam Brownback, 4/28/99] On May 4, 1999, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will conduct a hearing with Presidents and CEOs of big entertainment conglomerates – Time Warner, Viacom, BMG, Sony, Sega, Nintendo, Hasbro – to explore whether violence is actually marketed to children. HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE UPDATE . .For the past several years, homosexual activists have aggressively pursued their agenda to see that homosexual (same-sex) marriages are legitimized in all 50 states. To accomplish this goal, homosexual activists are filing lawsuits in various states all across the country, demanding the right to marry and asserting that a ban on homosexual marriage is unconstitutional. In HAWAII, after homosexual couples filed a lawsuit, the state’s supreme court indicated it might allow homosexual marriage. To show their disapproval, voters in Hawaii overwhelmingly (69%) passed a referendum measure in 1998 to ban same-sex marriages. However, the Hawaii Supreme Court still has to rule on the homosexual lawsuit – and they could possibly override the will of the people and permit homosexual marriage. In Alaska, an Alaskan state judge found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage after a homosexual couple filed a lawsuit in that state. In response to this ruling, 68% of Alaskan voters passed a Constitutional Amendment in 1998 to ban same-sex marriage. However, the homosexual couple who sued the state for a marriage license is back in court. In Vermont, a homosexual couple filed a lawsuit because they were denied a marriage license. A lower court ruled against the homosexual couple, but the case has been appealed to the Vermont Supreme Court. If the Vermont Supreme Court rules that Vermont’s state constitution allows homosexual marriage, homosexual couples will rush to Vermont to be married, then return to their home state and demand that their Vermont license be honored.Each States Must Be Protected … The battle over homosexual marriage
must be waged one state at a time. Each state must specifically pass
legislation which bans homosexual marriages in their state. At this
time, 29 states have passed a state Defense of Marriage Act, which bans
homosexual marriage. The other 21 states remain unprotected. In
Missouri, a Defense of Marriage Act was passed in 1996 as part of
another bill. The courts later ruled the bill unconstitutional, which
also voided the same-sex marriage ban portion of the bill. During this
current session of the Missouri General Assembly, SB 266 has been
introduced and passed by the Senate. This bill states, in part: “A
marriage between persons of the same sex will not be recognized for any
purpose in this state even when valid where contracted.” SB 266 has now
been passed by the House Judiciary Committee, but the bill has not been
put on the House Perfection calendar for floor debate. Concerned
Missouri citizens should contact their Missouri State Representative at
(573) 751-2000 about SB 266. Constituents in other states should contact
their state legislators about this issue. [Alliance Defense Fund,
Newsletter 3/99; National Liberty Jounral, Mathew Staver, Religious
Freedom Columnist, 4/99]
CHANNEL ONE CONTROVERSY . . .U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) has called for Senate hearings on the content and commercials of the daily 12-minute, in-classroom “Channel One News” program in public schools. Shelby is concerned about students wasting their time and he questions the educational value and appropriateness of the content. For more information, contact Jim Metrock at 205/822-0080 orjmetrock@obligation.org. [NEW & NOTES, Eagle Forum, 4/9/99] ”LIFE CHAIN” – OCTOBER 3, 1999 . . .The “LIFE CHAIN” is a national event that gives pro-life individuals and churches a lawful and peaceful way to express their pro-life views. On October 3, 1999, individuals, pastors and church congregations will stand prayerfully along miles and miles of sidewalks, holding uniform, preprinted signs, such as: “Adoption – The Loving Option,” “Jesus Forgives and Heals,” etc.NORTHLAND “LIFE CHAIN” ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: JUNE 3, 1999 – 2 PM --
AT ANTIOCH BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH, GLADSTONE. We would love to have a
representative from every church north of the river at this meeting. If
we all work together, we can make this year’s “LIFE CHAIN” a huge
success. If your church would like to be involved, but can’t send a
representative on June 3, 1999, give us a call. “LIFE CHAIN” packets
will be mailed out to churches north of the river in the next few
months. Please call us with names of churches that would like to
receive a “LIFE CHAIN” packet. For more information or to RSVP for the
meeting, please call Family Watch at 455-8660.
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