Monday Minute : Unusual Marriage Appeal Heard Today

Thoughts from our Executive Director


In August of this year, a judge in California ruled that the California Constitution violated the U.S. Constitution by defining marriage as a relationship between one-man and one-woman. Today that decision is being appealed before the ninth circuit court of appeals.

This case is unusual in several respects. In addition to hearing arguments about a state’s ability to define marriage, the court will decide whether those who disagree with the judge’s decision even have standing to appeal it.

Highest Evangelical Turnout In History

Over the past several months, we have talked repeatedly about the need for conservative Christians to vote. Nationally, fewer than 40% of evangelicals vote in a typical election. As a result, millions of ballots that could be cast on behalf of enduring, common-sense values are left blank. Over the past decade, we have seen the impact of this failure to steward our civic authority as halls of government have become increasingly hostile to common sense and enduring concepts of what is true.

Then Tuesday happened.

By now you know that Tuesday’s elections represented an historic…something. The talking heads are still working out what that was. But what you may not know is exactly who is responsible for this change.

10 Reasons to Oppose Taxpayer Funding of Abortion

In light of the Governor's ongoing hearings to discuss how to save tax dollars, here are 10 reasons why now is a good time to end taxpayer funding of abortions in Washington:

1. Every year Washington spends over $7 million directly to pay for abortions, through the Medicaid program. If these funds are to be spent on anything, they would be better spent helping the mentally and physically disabled, tuition expenses for exceptional but poor students,
2. Washington is just one of a handful of states that uses tax money to pay for abortions.
3. The federal government has not paid for abortions for decades, recognizing that it is immoral to compel people to fund activities they find morally wrong.
4. With a multi-billion dollar deficit, Olympia cannot justify this expenditure when so many other programs, with broad public support, are being cut.

The problem with Kagan

According to a recent study, only two-thirds of Americans can name a single Supreme Court justice. That means it is likely that even fewer are aware that the U.S. Senate is in the process of deciding whether Elena Kagan will be the next justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Does it Matter if Signatures are Released?

Thoughts from the Executive Director

Last year, the Washington State Legislature passed a law granting same-sex domestic partnership legal equivalence to heterosexual marriages. Those who opposed the law collected enough signatures to allow the voters to either approve or reject the law. Amid threats of intimidation, a lawsuit was filed to keep the names of those who signed the petition private.

Today the United State’s Supreme Court held, in an 8-1 decision, that public disclosure of referendum signatures does not generally violate the first amendment’s guarantee of free speech. The court did not decide the signatures must be disclosed, only that disclosure does not automatically violate the First Amendment. In the coming months, a judge will determine whether the facts surrounding Referendum 71 justify keeping the signatures private.

Planned Parenthood More Trustworthy than Other Medical Practices?

Planned Parenthood More Trustworthy than Other Medical Practices?
June 1,2010

Every day in Washington State, people have surgery in office-based facilities. Hundreds of offices perform procedures like oral surgery, foot surgery, and plastic surgery outside hospital facilities.

While I am not personally aware of any crisis, there is apparently concern about lack of regulation of these facilities. Enough concern, in fact, that within the Washington State Department of Health,

This is All Our Fault

Congress just passed ObamaCare over the objections of the majority of the country. Washington State is awakened to the reality that in Washington a 13 year-old girl can get an abortion without her parent’s awareness but can’t get her ears pierced without their permission. Two long weeks later, the Washington State Legislature finally figures out how to raise taxes amidst high unemployment and a struggling economy.