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AFA of PA ACTION ALERT

February 1, 2008

This is somewhat lengthy and involves several issues, but I hope you will take time this weekend to look through them and act on the ones you feel led to get involved in --

1.) Support FCC Chairman Kevin Martin

2.) Support Exxon Mobil’s Right to Say ‘No’

3.) House Resolution Affirming America’s Christian Heritage

4.) Day of Purity

5.) Warning About Article VI video

1.) It has been announced that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin is currently being investigated for management of the agency and in some cases his policy goals. He is being "investigated" based on unspecified complaints by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Dingell (D-MI).

Mismanagement?

-- On January 25^th the FCC proposed a $1.43 million indecency fine -- the second-largest proposed indecency fine against a television broadcaster ever. The culprits were Central and Mountain Time Zone ABC television stations. The problem was a 2003 episode of "NYPD Blue” which included airing a woman’s naked buttocks during the 9:00 p.m. hour.

-- The FCC fined CBS for broadcasting the indecent exposure of Janet Jackson during the 2004 Super Bowl – remember the ‘garment malfunction.’ CBS is challenging the penalty and the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to render a decision at any time.

Since Kevin Martin has been the FCC chairman, strides have been made in making the FCC relevant in its mission to monitor the nation’s airwaves. Additionally, Mr. Martin supports cable choice – allowing cable subscribers an ala carte option to choose the programming they want rather than have to subscribe to a basic package which may contain objectionable channels. Cable companies strongly oppose this effort.

Now Mr. Martin needs our help. (See ‘Action Needed’ section.)

2.) On January 29^th the New York Comptroller, William C. Thompson, Jr., announced at a press conference at the LGBT Community Center in Lower Manhattan that he and the city’s pension funds had called upon two dozen Fortune 1000 companies to adopt non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity.

The city’s five pension funds, which Thompson oversees, have more than $110 billion in holdings. Erie Indemnity, the Brink’s Company, AK Steel and Synovus Financial Corporations are among the half a dozen companies that have already agreed to adopt the changes in this latest in a series of proposals sent to companies in which the funds have holdings. (Note: How does this affect Pennsylvanians? Do you have Erie Insurance? Erie Indemnity is the parent company of Erie Insurance!)

Fifty companies have amended their policies to include sexual orientation and/or gender identity but Thompson specifically singled out Exxon Mobil for its repeated failure to respond to these ‘requests.’ Exxon Mobil has withstood eight attempts to force them to add this language to their policies. Thompson said they will continue pressuring Exxon. (see below for action item)

3.) A resolution, H.Res. 888, resolves to "affirm" the religious traditions that most historians say played a crucial role in America's founding. Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) introduced the resolution, which has 44 co-sponsors. Congressman Joe Pitts is the only Pennsylvania Congressman listed as a co-sponsor.
Some atheists are complaining and see its provisions as violating the First Amendment of the Constitution and amounting to religious nationalism. They are especially offended by the five pages of historical documentation that is included!

4.) Day of Purity is on February 14^th each year. This is a day when youth can make a public demonstration of their commitment to remain sexually pure, in mind and actions. Today's culture encourages youth to become sexually active at a young age and to experiment with sexual preferences. The Day of Purity offers those who strive for sexual purity an opportunity to stand together in opposition to a culture of moral decline.

Do you know of students in a school or college who would like to participate? Would your church like to promote this effort?

5.) Article VI is a video being promoted as an authoritative interpretation of Article VI of the Constitution. This Article says in part, “ . . . but no religious test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” This video is implying that Christians do not have a Constitutional right to take a candidate’s religion into consideration when voting. This is false. The first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Jay, said “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty -- as well as the privilege and interest -- of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." Wallbuilders has additional information on this, click here.

ACTION NEEDED:

1.) Send an e-mail to FCC Chairman Martin thanking him for his efforts to clean up the network airwaves. Pennsylvania members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are Congressman Mike Doyle (D-14th), Congressman Joe Pitts (R-16th ) and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-18th). Why not give them a call and ask them to support FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

2.) Thank Exxon Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson for their continued stand against the efforts to force them to add ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’ to their policies. Exxon should have the right to say ‘No’ to this coercion. Click here for contact form.

3.) Contact your Congressman and ask him or her to co-sponsor House Resolution 888. Click here for contact information.

4.) Click here for more information on the Day of Purity and organizing ideas.

5.) David Barton of Wallbuilders was on Diane Gramley’s radio program “American Family Focus on PA Issues” on January 23^rd. One of our topics of discussion was Article VI. Click here and select that program to listen.