Gingrich-backing super PAC to receive second $5 million donation

Dr. Miriam Adelson

WashingtonPost.com Miriam Adelson, the wife of the gambling mogul whose $5 million donation helped make Newt Gingrich competitive in South Carolina, has promised the Gingrich-backing super PAC Winning Our Future another $5 million by this week, a source close to Adelson said.

 Newt Gingrich

Sheldon Adelson is the primary owner of the corporation that owns the Sands hotel and casino complex in Las Vegas, as well as casinos and resorts in Macau, China, Singapore and Pennsylvania. The new $5 million pledge was first reported by the Las Vegas Sun.

Read more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/miriam-adelson-wife-of-billionaire-who-gave-to-gingrich-super-pac-promises-another-5-million/2012/01/23/gIQA9d70LQ_blog.html

Or visit PostPolitics.com.

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Senate reached a bipartisan agreement about the partial shutdown of the government

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The Senate reached a bipartisan agreement intended to end a dispute over disaster relief spending that threatened to cause a partial shutdown of the government at the end of the week.
In two votes, the Senate approved short-term spending measures to fund the government for the start of the new fiscal year that begins Saturday. The deal hinged on FEMA's new assessment that it has sufficient funding for the rest of the current fiscal year.
The measures now go to the House, which would need to approve them to ensure the government continues to be funded after Friday.

Stop CA Vaccinatio​ns without Parental Knowledge-​- Act NoStop CA Vaccinatio​ns without Parental Knowledge-​- Act No

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AB 499 Headed for Senate Floor Vote
Permits Consent for STD Vaccinations by 12 year olds
Ask State Senator to Vote No

AB 499, the bill that permits 12 year old children to give consent without their parents' knowledge for vaccines or other medication to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, today advanced to the floor of the CA Senate. It will likely come to a vote within a week. This is the last step before it goes to the Governor to be signed into law.

ACTION Urge senators to vote NO vote on AB 499. It is bad healthcare policy, and an attack on the rights of parents and the rights of children to have the protection and guidance of their parents. Find your State Senator. Visit CCG's Facebook page and share the posting about this bill with your Facebook friends. And, most importantly, pray. Resources: A copy of the letter that CCG sent to members of the California Senate. Talking points, and background

This bill is one of the most egregious violations of parental rights, next to the right to provide abortions for minors without parent knowledge. If it passes, parents will have no right to decide whether or not their child will receive vaccinations that could jeopardize their health. Additionally, children will be approached by Planned Parenthood and other adults encouraging them to be vaccinated to prepare them to become sexually active. AB 499 is an outrage that must be stopped, but it will take a massive public outcry to do it.

Please ask your state senator to vote NO on AB 499 today. It is critical to get others to call as well. We must keep up the pressure until the final vote.

This bill is an end run by the pharmaceutical giant Merck to push their vaccine, Gardasil, on California children at taxpayer's expense. A major public outcry in 2007 killed an effort to make the vaccinations mandatory when Merck proposed it then. Now, if AB 499 becomes law, children as young as 12 years old will face coercion from adults motivated by profit or other agendas to receive vaccines that they don't need and could be harmful.

• The Center for Disease Control has reported deaths of 51 girls and 2 boys after being administered Gardasil, just one of the vaccines covered by this bill. There are many more reports of children maimed for life from the drug. (See http://truthaboutgardasil.org/.) Children are not equipped to evaluate risks and stand up to pressure from adults without the support of their parents.



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• Former Merck researcher, Dr. Diane Harper says, “It is silly to mandate vaccination of 11- to 12-year-old girls... There also is not enough evidence gathered on side effects to know that safety is not an issue."

It is time for parents and anyone who cares about the welfare of California’s children to mobilize.
Let’s flood senator’s offices with phone calls and letters.
For the Common Good,

Bill May
Chairman, Catholics for the Common Good
415 651 4171
415 738 0421 (Fax)

Governor Signs Bill Giving Legislature Control over Social Science Curriculum from Public Policy Insights for the Archdioces​e of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference

 Governor Signs Bill Giving Legislature Control over Social Science Curriculum


Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill Thursday allowing the legislature to set social science curriculum in the schools. A similar bill was vetoed by former Governor Schwarzenegger last year.

SB 48 (Leno, D-San Francisco) Instruction: prohibition of discriminatory content, was promoted as a way to prevent bullying, although many other laws address the situation. (See below.) It requires highlighting the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in history lessons, as well as disabled people and a host of cultural groups.

The need for special exceptions was questioned by opponents of the legislation, including the California Catholic Conference, who pointed out that anti-discrimination on sexual orientation and ethnicity is already law, the language is overly vague, and the measure (which will probably now be litigated in court) will continue to complicate the job of teachers.

Read We Need to Stand Up for Parents and Children where Archbishop Jose Gomez describes the measure as “another example of the government interfering with parents’ rights to be their children’s primary educators.” Thank you to all the Network members who responded to the Action Alert asking the Governor to veto the bill. For more information, contact Carol Hogan, chogan@cacatholic.org.

ACT NOW - Urge Governor Brown to Veto SB 48 - Keep Lawmakers Away from Textbooks

URGE Governor Brown to Veto SB 48 - Keep Lawmakers Away from Textbooks

Take Action!

Professionals, Teachers, Historians Should Determine Curriculum

Politicians are not the right people to determine school curricula – whether in science or social studies. Educational professional, working with teachers and parents and school boards, are better able to instruct our children.

SB 48 (Leno) Instruction: prohibition of discriminatory content would be yet another political idea imposed on the public school curriculum—a mandate "prohibitingdiscriminatory content" in history lessons. Laws promoting acceptance and tolerance of those with diverse heritage, racial identity, sexual orientation, religious conviction or physical ability are already in statute. A law which micromanages the study of history for political correctness is both unwise and dangerous.

As the Los Angeles Times editors wrote on April 12, 2011, letting politicians write our history could lead students to a skewed perception of historical reality: "Minority groups, the elderly and the disabled must be represented proportionally and never portrayed in a bad light. People in poor countries aren’t supposed to be show as poor, lest they be stereotyped… So poor people aren’t poor and the elderly are physicallyfit and financially sound, according to the textbooks…Fables don’t make for solid instruction. History is the great story of people, groups and movements—their faults aswell as their accomplishments—shaping the world up through the events of today. It is a story best told by historians, not by politicians."

TAKE ACTION now to ask Governor Brown to veto SB 48.

U.S. Bishops Issue Statement on Assisted Suicide:Public Policy Insights for the Archdioces​e of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference

 California Catholic Conference
U.S. Bishops Issue Statement on Assisted Suicide


On Thursday, June 16, 2011, the U.S. Bishops approved and released their statement on physician-assisted suicide, To Live Each Day with Dignity. In the opening they said:

“To live in a manner worthy of our human dignity, and to end our days on this earth in peace and comfort, surrounded by loved ones—that is the hope of each of us. Christian hope also sees these final days as a time to prepare for our eternal destiny. Today, however, many people fear the dying process…Our society can be judged by how we respond to these fears.”

The bishops drew on the wisdom of Catholic teaching, the ethos of Western civilization and human compassion in crafting this statement which speaks to all people of good will. It is available in English and Spanish for download and reprint here.

STD Vacination without Parent Knowledge Bill Moves to CA Senate Floor

Catholics for the Common Good Institute
Yesterday, on a party-line vote, the California Senate Judiciary committee passed AB499 without debate. The bill permits 12 year old children to give consent, without their parents' knowledge, for vaccines or other medication to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Unbelievably, the only opposition at the hearing came from the California Catholic Conference, Catholics for the Common Good and one member of a local Tea Party organization. AB499 Links


Talking Points and CCG Letter

More Background: CA Legislature: Children Should Decide on Controversial Vaccinations

In a state of over 37 million people and thousands of associations, only three people were there to stand up against medical witnesses, state agencies, and others advocating for an end-run on parental rights to push a sinister agenda of sexualizing our children. If I had know that would be the case, I would have sent out a call for every able-bodied person within driving distance of Sacramento to show up and pack the hearing room.

Unanswered Questions

Recognizing that the committee was stacked in favor of passage, in my testimony, aside from the violation of parental rights to protect the welfare of their minor children, I appealed to the consciences of the members to consider flaws in the poorly thought-out bill and appealed to the committee to address the following questions:

The Center for Disease Control has reported deaths of 51 girls and 2 boys after being administered one of the vaccines covered by this bill (Gardasil). Why are there no assurances in the bill that children will be told that receiving these vaccines could cause them to die, although the risk is small. What about the other possible debilitating side effects of these vaccines?

How can a 12 year old evaluate risks and statistics? How do their brains process such information? Has there ever been a study on that?

Children can be easily intimidated or influenced by the authority of adults. There is money to be made by administering these vaccines and other drugs by the drug companies and service providers (like Planned Parenthood). What protects children from coercion driven by the profit motive?

If there are allergic reactions and other side effects to the vaccines, how will parents be able to recognize them and act on them quickly if they don’t know that their child has received the vaccine? It is critical to react quickly to save lives and to prevent long-term consequences for the child.

No one on the committee asked any of these questions, not even the lone Republican who showed up for the hearing. The committee chairman, Senator Noreen Evans, said the bill was necessary because parents are not competent to make sure their children are protected from sexually transmitted diseases, so the state needs to step in. The statement made evident their intent to try to vaccinate every child they possibly can even though there was a public outcry when they tried to make such vaccinations mandatory in 2007.

I do not believe California parents have become so cynical and apathetic that they are ready to give up on their rights and the health and welfare of their children. We have got to do a better job of spreading the word and getting more engaged in opposing this bill as it comes to a vote on the Senate floor. We are a small apostolate with limited resources. We need your support and participation. Here is what needs to be done.

First, take out your checkbooks and write a tax deductable check to Catholics for the Common Good Institute. You can find the address or make an online donation at http://ccgaction.org/donate/CCGIdonation. The threat is ongoing, so please consider signing up for monthly donations. We are overwhelmed by the volume of legislation geared to undermining children’s understanding of love, relationships, family, and marriage. We need your help.

Write a letter or make a phone call to your state senator and ask them to vote NO on AB499. Find your state senator at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.

Write a letter to the editor. Express your feelings about this bill and ask others to join you in opposing it. If you write a letter to the editor, also send it to CCG so we can share it with other letter writers. Send it to info@ccgaction.org.

Call radio talk shows to explain what AB 499 does and why people need to oppose it.

If you know doctors or other medical professionals who will oppose AB499, ask them to write letters to the editor or commentaries.

Make announcements about this bill at meetings and events in which you participate. We need to let everyone know about the pending threat to our children.
Send this email to at least 5 other people and ask them to get involved in this issue.
And, most importantly pray.

Talking points and a copy of the letter that CCG sent to members of the Judiciary Committee are available for your reference.

We will continue to keep you up to date on activities to oppose AB499. Don’t forget, please send copies of your letters to the editor to info@ccgaction.org.

For the Common Good,
Bill May
Chairman, Catholics for the Common Good
415 651 4171
415 738 0421 (Fax)

"Marriage unites a man and a woman with each other and any children born from their union.

"Recognized in their own ways throughout time by every culture, state, and religion, this is what marriage is. It is not a matter of faith, but a human reality. It is God's plan for creation, but is independent of belief in God."

Judge refuses to overturn ruling against Prop. 8

Los Angeles Times

June 14, 2011
1:20 p.m.

A federal judge today refused to invalidate last year's ruling against Proposition 8, ruling that the gay jurist who overturned the same-sex marriage ban had no obligation to remove himself from the case because of his long-term relationship with another man. Chief Judge James Ware of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco refused to invalidate last August's ruling by Judge Vaughn R. Walker, although Walker's ruling remains on hold pending further consideration to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Full story http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/gay-marriage-judge-proposition-8.html.advertisement
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A Moral Framework for Addressing California's Budget Crisis

 http://www.cacatholic.org/
In Search of the Common Good

A Moral Framework for Addressing California's Budget Crisis
California Catholic Conference
June 2011

For five consecutive years California has stood on the edge of a budgetary abyss. The state’s credit rating has been seriously eroded. Severe cuts have been made in key social programs with profound implications for the dignity of the human person and the nature of our social compact. Decades of disparate policy in the areas of tax, expenditure and pension structures have created ever-increasing dilemmas with no short-term solution.

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Yet amidst this deepening fiscal crisis, political dialogue has failed to identify a path forward, despite strenuous efforts by many in state government. Partisan dynamics have blocked the crafting of hard but necessary solutions that will genuinely address the enduring problems built into California’s budgetary house of cards. Major elements necessary for genuine remedies for our state’s financial woes are declared “off the table” by both political parties as well as by the vested interests that support them. Policy is dictated more by stalemate and impasse rather than by a search for compromise on solutions that will best serve the interests of all Californians.

In such a climate it is necessary to underscore that the budgetary struggle crippling California is not merely political in nature or implications. Rather, it concerns profound moral questions about who are we as a society, how we view our future and whether as a people we can look beyond our own self-interest to the interest of the larger society. Much of the inability of our political leaders to forge workable solutions to the real budget dilemmas arises from the lack of a common moral frame of reference for evaluating the tradeoffs that lie before us.

For this reason we speak as the Catholic bishops of California on the budgetary crisis that confronts our state. We speak as pastors of those who operate California’s small and large businesses, who teach in our schools, who work in our fields, who staff our local governments, who are unemployed. We also speak as providers of education, social and health services who know firsthand the effects of cutbacks in programs that form the social safety net of our state. We speak as employers who meet payrolls in our parishes, schools and social service agencies, and who understand the problems of rising costs, particularly in the field of health care. Most of all we speak out of the two thousand year old tradition of ethical analysis and moral insight that is contained in Catholic social teaching. We hope that our tradition, in concert with those of other religious communities, can provide a frame of reference for a deeper and ethically-infused public dialogue about the budgetary problems that confront our state.

From Tres Mali: My Personal Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com: Romans 11:25-36

 Tres Mali Scott

Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com

June 6, 2011 - New American Standard
Romans 11:25-36

25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery -so that you will not be wise in your own estimation -that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved ; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB." 27 "THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS." 28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers ; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways ! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR ? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN ? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

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Re-registering Four Times a Year Deceases Participation, Increases Hunger

ACT NOW to Fight Hunger in California - Archdiocese of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference Alert
Eliminate Excessive Registration for CalFreshTake Action!


Re-registering Four Times a Year Deceases Participation, Increases Hunger

The number of eligible people in California participating in CalFresh (formerly known as food stamps) is the third worse in the nation, in part due to overly restrictive registration requirements that even the USDA recommends changing. AB 6 CalWORKs and CalFresh (Fuentes, D-Los Angeles) will reduce the quarterly re-registering required by California regulations and boost participation in the program.

Even though California enjoys a rich and diverse agricultural economy, our state now has more than 2.2 million residents who cannot afford enough food and experience episodes of hunger—most of them are working families with children or seniors. An overly burdensome reporting system acts as a major barrier for households trying to access critical nutrition assistance through CalFresh.

When recipients fail to keep up with the program’s paperwork they are removed from the rolls. To get back on, they must start the whole application process over again. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 50 percent of eligible California households do not participate in the program, ranking California 48th in participation among states in the Union.

CalFresh benefits have the highest economic multiplier effect out of all government programs or fiscal policy tools that stimulate the economy. Increasing participation levels to near 100 percent, could mean an additional $4.9 billion in Federal benefits for needy Californian’s. Food insecurity continues to be a struggle faced by too many California families. We must work to implement strategies that reduce barriers in accessing benefits and increase CalFresh participation.

By simplifying the process and going to a semi-annual reporting system, we would improve access to critical nutrition assistance, reduce administration workload and improve program accuracy. This change in the system is likely to help families stay on the program and increase participation.

Ask your lawmaker to vote yes on AB 6.

Egypt permanently reopens its border with Gaza

CNN Breaking News
CNN.com

Egypt permanently reopens its border with Gaza, opening access to Palestinians. The Rafah border had been blockaded by Egypt and Israel after Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007.

Supreme Court upholds order for California to release 46,000 inmates

Los Angeles Times

May 23, 2011
7:30 a.m.

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has upheld a ruling by a three-judge panel ordering California to release about 46,000 inmates - more than one-fourth of the state prison population - over the next two years to relieve overcrowding.
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Public Policy Insights for the Archdioces​e of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference : Budget Debate

Budget Debate to Re-ignite Next Week


With the Governor scheduled to revise his budget proposal on Monday, Republican lawmakers released their own version of the budget this week – something they have not done since California first entered the current fiscal crisis more than four years ago.

Rejecting any tax extension, the GOP proposal eliminates reserves for First 5 (children’s health) and mental health programs. Both those moves would require voter approval but each was rejected during a 2009 special election. (Ironically, that’s the same election which Republicans point to as already rejecting the tax extension.) The plan would also cut state employee costs by 10 percent without specifying a mechanism and eliminate many of the duties of re-development agencies, siding at least partially with the Governor.

Even taking into account the $2.5 billion unexpected increase in revenue reported last week, the proposal still leaves a $6 to $7 billion deficit which the Republicans would address through additional cuts to health and social services programs. Many in Sacramento assumed that both the Governor and GOP would give the increase in revenue to education. And, in fact, the Republican plan does just that, except for $450 million allocated to law enforcement. (Such a choice – between education and law enforcement – illustrates just how basic and difficult the budget decisions are for California.)

The Governor’s May Revise was scheduled for release today but has been delayed until early next week. The Capitol has been “occupied” this week by advocates for the teacher’s union and a variety of other causes.

For more information, contact Steve Pehanich, spehanich@cacatholic.org.

Public Policy Insights for the Archdioces​e of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference: Anti-Bullying Legislation

Anti-Bullying Legislation Takes Center Stage


With more than 300 education-related bills introduced in the current two-year legislative session (2011-12), the topic of bullying in schools seems to be one of the prevailing issues on the minds of legislators.

According to a 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey of youth across the United States, one in five students in grades 9-12 say they were victims of bullying on school property over a one-year period. The California legislature and state school boards have frequently addressed this issue, enacting many laws and regulations requiring teacher training and enhanced penalties for students who bully others.

This session, California’s legislature has considered 10 separate bills related to bullying and pupil safety in K-12 public schools and postsecondary institutions. However, with imposing legislative deadlines and the state’s recurring fiscal limitations, only five of these bills continue to move forward.

Among those remaining, potentially the most important, is AB 746, introduced by Assembly Member Nora Campos (D-San Jose). This bill relates specifically to “cyber-bullying” and would add "the posting of messages on a social network Internet Web site" to the list of issues school districts are encouraged to address within their strategies to improve school attendance and reduce school crime and violence.

Moreover, it appears that the California legislature is not the only governing body attempting to address this issue, as the issue of bullying has also gotten nationwide attention and has even become a more global issue, with France, Mexico, and Brazil, all adopting measures related to the topic. Citing two global studies on the issue, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a 2006 report that cell phones and the Internet provide "new opportunities for bullying."

For more information, contact Mary Samaniego, msamaniego@cacatholic.org

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Public Policy Insights for Archdiocese of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference

No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act Passes U.S. House


The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3) passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week with strong bipartisan support (251 to 175). The bill would permanently ban federal funding of abortion and forbid federal and state and local governments from discriminating against health care providers who decline to provide, refer for or pay for abortions. It must now go to the Senate.

Calling it a “decisive step” toward protecting life, the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomed the news. (Read the statement.) In California, the Alliance of Catholic Health Care applauded the House for passing the measure that “will provide strong, unambiguous and permanent civil rights conscience protections to health care providers.”



“For nearly two decades, various California state agencies have threatened to compel California hospitals and health care workers to violate their consciences by forcing them to perform, participate in, pay for or refer for abortions. If passed by the Senate and signed by the president, H.R. 3 would end this discriminatory practice in California and other states,” said Bill Cox, President and CEO of the Alliance, which represents California's four state-based Catholic health care systems and their 53 hospitals.



Read the full story here. For more information, contact Carol Hogan, chogan@cacatholic.org.

Public Policy Insights for the Archdioces​e of Los Angeles - California Catholic Conference: California Budget

Governor’s Budget Revision Might Be Delayed


California’s top elected officials remained stymied about how to handle the State’s ongoing deficit. The Governor’s May Revise – a refinement of his January budget proposal using the latest quarterly results – may be delayed by a week as more accurate revenue and spending figures slightly alter the picture.

Meanwhile, the Governor is crisscrossing the State trying to drum up support for his proposed solution to the deficit: one-half extension of some taxes and one-half spending cuts. About $13 billion has already been cut mostly from higher education, child care, health care and support for low-income children. Still to be decided are questions on redevelopment agencies, enterprise zones, the special election and “realigning” some local services.

Two polls released this week show that voters favor the half-and-half approach and want an opportunity to vote on tax extensions, but also show that approval of the extensions is far less certain. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) showed voters particularly concerned about potential impact of cuts on K-12 education while a University of Southern California/Los Angeles Times poll found a plurality of voters support pension reform.

To illustrate just how convoluted the path to a solution is, voters from both major parties and independents oppose the sales or income tax extensions, but instead prefer to have the income tax raised on the wealthiest Californians—especially if it means preventing further K-12 cuts. The poll also found that the California legislature’s approval rating continues at near record lows. Only 14 percent of likely voters approve of their work and 74 percent disapprove. That figure is actually up from last fall’s budget battle when the approval rating was in single digits.

For more information, contact Steve Pehanich, spehanich@cacatholic.org.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

The Catholics for the Common Good Institute have identified an issue on The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

...President Obama’s recent decision not to defend The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was based on his Administrations' stated policy that there is no legitimate government interest in marriage for the raising of children by both of their biological parents, which was Congress' justification for defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.


There is legislation pending in the California Assembly, SB 48, that, if passed, would sexualize the social studies curriculum even in elementary schools by changing textbooks to highlight contributions by gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered people. It is one of many proposed laws that are geared to contribute to the curriculum that is already undermining the understanding of love, relationships, marriage, and family for millions of California children.

We are disturbed by these things and grow restless. If we are not careful this can lead to despair and a sense of hopelessness...

For a more detailed article go to: Angels Do Speak! a Catholic News Source
Life after DOMA.(Federal Defense of Marriage Act): An article from: Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy

Update: Man arrested in Cleveland positively ID'd as subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion

Community Message has been issued by the LASD - Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff.


Tuesday April 12, 2011 10:14 PM PDT

Update: Man arrested in Cleveland positively ID'd as subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion

Man arrested in Cleveland positively identified as Ron Hirsch, subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion, charged in federal warrant

Joint Press Release
FBI
Santa Monica Police Dept.
ATF

Ron Hirsch, 60, a transient, was arrested in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Monday evening after officers with the Cleveland Heights Police Department were contacted by a local resident with whom Hirsch had come into contact, announced Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles; Tim Jackman, Chief of the Santa Monica Police Department; and John Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Hirsch is currently in federal custody in Cleveland, Ohio, after he was charged federally with a violation of Title 18; U.S. Code, Section 1074, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for damaging or destroying any building or other real or personal property. The criminal complaint charging Hirsch was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles today.

Hirsch was wanted in connection with the investigation into last week’s explosion outside a Chabad House synagogue in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, April 7, 2011.
An investigation has been underway since the initial report of an explosion was received by the Santa Monica Police Department. A lengthy forensic post-blast investigation of the incident site was conducted following the initial field assessment and resulted in evidence indicating that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed. Investigation determined that Items found in and around the crime scene were linked to Hirsch.

No motive for a deliberate attack is known at this time. Prosecutors with the United States Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, working with investigators, are examining potential charges in connection with the explosion.

Hirsch will be afforded an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday; currently scheduled for 1:30 Eastern Daylight Time.

It is anticipated that Hirsch will be removed to Los Angeles pursuant to the federal warrant.

A joint investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department, the FBI, the ATF&E, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department is ongoing.

Considerable assistance and cooperation was provided by members of the Anti-Defamation League and Chabad Lubavitch; both national organizations.

The agencies working collaboratively greatly acknowledge the press coverage during the search for Hirsch by media outlets locally and nationally, which directly contributed to the arrest.

Joint Press Release
Media Contact: FBI:
FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343
Santa Monica Police Department: Lieutenant Jay Trisler: 310 458-8471
ATF: Special Agent Chris Hoffman: 818 265-2507

Forwarded by:
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
http://www.lasd.org/
(323) 267-4800
****
Original Press Release
From: LASD - Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 05:17 PM

Subject: Advisory Message: Synagogue explosion suspect believed to have left Los Angeles for East Coast via bus (Photo)
Synagogue explosion suspect believed to have left Los Angeles for East Coast via bus (Photo)

A man wanted for questioning in connection with an investigation into last week’s explosion outside the Chabad House synagogue, in Santa Monica, California, is believed to have boarded a Greyhound bus on the day of the incident, Thursday, April 7, 2011.

Investigators confirmed that a man known as J. Fisher, a known alias used by suspect, Ron Hirsch, purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to New York that was originally scheduled to arrive Sunday, April 10th. There are at least ten destinations in between Los Angeles and New York. Additional investigation and video surveillance indicates that Hirsch disembarked the bus in Denver and may have further deviated from his original route. Hirsch is believed to have family in New York.

An investigation has been underway since the initial report of an explosion was received by the Santa Monica Police Department. A lengthy forensic post-blast investigation of the incident site was conducted following the initial field assessment and resulted in evidence indicating that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed. Investigation determined that Items found in and around the crime scene are linked to Ron Hirsch, identified as a transient.

Ron Hirsch
AKA: Israel Fisher, J. Fisher
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Brown hair, green eyes 5’07”, 207 lbs.
Date of Birth December 9, 1950

Hirsch is known to frequent synagogues and Jewish community centers seeking charity from patrons. Hirsch is currently being sought on state charges of possession of a destructive device and unrelated local charges. His photograph is being released publicly and to law enforcement. Federal investigators are also interested in questioning Hirsch.

Based on his suspected involvement in this incident, Hirsch is considered extremely dangerous. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Hirsch is urged to contact law enforcement. The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day in Los Angeles at 888 CANT HIDE. Alternatively, anyone with information can dial 911.

No known motive for a deliberate attack is known at this time. A joint investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department, the FBI, the ATF, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department is ongoing.

Reward money is available in exchange for information leading to a conviction in connection with this alleged crime.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel11/la041111.htm
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/
Media Contact: FBI:
FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343
Santa Monica Police Department: Lieutenant Jay Trisler: 310 458-8471
ATF: Special Agent Chris Hoffman: 818 865-5207

Forwarded by:
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
http://www.lasd.org/
(323) 267-4800

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