A brief explanation of SOPA/PIPA and why you should be scared of it

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

If you watch the video and want to do something about this , click here to join the online petition!

Thank you!

Local women take pro-life message to Congress

Last week two of West Virginia’s pro-life defenders took their message of adoption and life to Washington, D.C. Carolyn Willis, Executive Director of the Care Pregnancy Center of the Eastern Panhandle, and Kelly McKown-Smallwood, a volunteer at the center were part of the 8^th annual “Babies Go to Congress” campaign.

The Care Pregnancy Center of the Eastern Panhandle (CPCEP) is a well-respected organization in Berkeley County, WV where they have seen their client list grow significantly over the past several years. Willis has developed the volunteer core and community presence of the CPCEP through networking with churches and businesses alike.

“Babies Go to Congress” is a campaign sponsored by Heartbeat International, a nationwide chain of pro-life care pregnancy centers. The goal of this event is to let Congress know that abortion is not the final option and that there is plenty of help available to women seeking alternative options.

Take a look at the video below featuring both Carolyn Willis and Kelly McKown-Smallwood during their trip to Congress where they met Speaker of the House John Boehner and other members of Congress. (The complete article and video can also be seen by clicking this link)

Pro-Life Women Take ‘Babies to Congress’

When Kelly McKown-Smallwood was 14, she became pregnant.

Scared and overwhelmed, she felt pressured by her boyfriend and his family to have an abortion. But she says her Christian conviction ruled that out.

“Deep down I valued life even at the moment and I knew my life would never be the same,” McKown-Smallwood said. “I thank God I didn’t make that choice [to have an abortion].”

Today, McKown-Smallwood is married and works as a dental surgeon.

Now, with her two children, along with a team of other moms and crisis pregnancy center workers, she’s taking the pro-life message to Washington.

The group, known as Heartbeat International, said they want to let lawmakers know that “abortion is not the final option.”

“Some clients, all they want is to look for an abortion. Most choose parenting,” said Carolyn Willis of the Care Pregnancy Center.

Heartbeat International made its eighth visit to Capitol Hill Thursday.

Since the group started its “Babies Go to Congress” campaign, they’ve met with dozens of lawmakers.

Participants say they’re excited about the pro-life bills that have been introduced in Washington since Republicans regained control of the house. But their excitement is tempered.

“We just really are frustrated that these great pieces of legislation are making it out of the House, but the Senate stops them,” Heartbeat International member Virginia Cline explained.

McKown-Smallwood volunteers at a crisis pregnancy in her hometown, where young women get free services in counseling or free supplies for their babies, like formula and furniture.

She said motherhood at a young age was tough, but she made the right choice.

Her goal isn’t to only let members of Congress know there are options, but to let other women who find themselves in similar situations know they have options.

“It is doable. It is absolutely doable,” McKown-Smallwood said. “Care pregnancy centers, we’re there to fulfill whatever needs they have in their lives or to be their friend.”

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

Local elections tomorrow- campaign needs volunteers!

New Poll came out showing the Bill Maloney is in a dead heat race with Democratic candidate Earl Ray Tomblin. The wind is at his back, and we need your help! The Martinsburg Holiday Inn HQ, located on Foxcroft Avenue (Exit 13)  and Ranson Holiday Inn Express HQ need your help to get out the vote. Get involved and make a difference in this election! Can Bill Maloney count on your support? Drop by either Panhandle Headquarters for signs, call lists, walking lists or to show your support.

www.billmaloneyforwv.com

Maloney is not a career politician, he’s a businessman who was founder of mining and drilling company and even helped develop the plan that saved the Chilean miners. He is also past president of the Greater Morgantown Community Trust, an active member of the Society of Mining Engineers, the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, and the Independent Oil and Gass Association of West Virginia and other business groups. Bill, 52, has been married to Sharon Maloney for 30 years, they have 2 daughters, reside in Monongalia County, and attend Chestnut Ridge Church. Elections are Tuesday, Oct. 4th. The race will be very tight and we really need volunteers to help at the campaign office. It resides at the Holiday Inn 301 Foxcroft avenue Martinsburg, WV 25401.

Eastern Panhandle Moms does not endorse any specific candidates for political office.  This information is for information purposes only.

Support bill S 1308

Are you okay with child pornography? I didn’t think so. Most Americans find the thought disconcerting and want to see kids protected to the fullest extent of the law from such criminal behavior. To this end I want to ask you to take action today to help legislation pass that will further protect my kids, your kids, and all kids from the violence and harms of child pornography.

The Family Policy Council of West Virginia is helping our friends at Morality in Media to rally support for a bill authored by Sen. Orrin Hatch that would give authorities greater ability to seize evidence in order to prosecute child pornography offenders.

The bill, S 1308, “Protecting Children from Child Pornographers Act of 2011” is designed to require search engines like Google and Bing to cooperate with authorities and turn over search records dealing corresponding to child pornography. Such legislation could prove vital in aiding law enforcement as they seek to prosecute and stop child predators and those seeking to exploit children.

I spoke with Morality in Media Executive Director Dawn Hawkins about S 1308 and why a bill like this is needed. Hawkins explained that S 1308 would “make it a crime if there is any financial transaction related to child pornography.” She said that even if a transaction was merely started and never completed a person could be charged with a federal offense related to child pornography.

Hawkins said that S 1308 would allow authorities to subpoena search records from companies like Google and Bing in order to secure evidence of child pornography crimes. And, before you get nervous about civil rights violations and privacy issues, Hawkins made it clear that search records can only be subpoenaed “if there is probable cause of illegal activity, and only search records related to child pornography can be secured, not general search records.”

When I asked how the search engines like Google and Bing were reacting to this S 1308 I was pleasantly surprised to hear Hawkins say that based on everything she has read to this point “they are supporting the bill and happy to help.” It’s good to know that money doesn’t trump morals in this case.

I think it’s easy to agree that our kids need protected. Predators have a far greater advantage through the Internet, social networks, and technology. Legislation like this will help ensure our kids are shielded from those that would seek to exploit them and do them harm. I don’t’ know about you, but I would rather take action now rather than look back and wish I would have acted.

So here’s how you can help. We are asking you to contact our members of Congress and urge them to support this bill. You will find all of their contact information below so you won’t even have to look for it. Please, take a moment and make sure members of Congress from West Virginia know just how much we care about our kids. Then, after you do that, take just one more minute and pass this on to someone else and urge them to take action as well.

Thank-you, for your support in protecting our children. (Note: Each Representative’s website has an option to “Email me” that allows you to send an email with one simple click.)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller
531 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-4802
Phone: (202) 224-6472
Fax: (202) 224-7665
Website: rockefeller.senate.gov

Sen. Joe Manchin
303 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-4801
Phone: (202) 224-3954
Fax: (202) 228-0002
Website: manchin.senate.gov

Rep. Shelley Moore-Capito
2443 Rayburn House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-4802
Phone: (202) 225-2711
Fax: (202) 225-7856
Website: capito.house.gov

Rep. David McKinley
313 Cannon House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-4801
Phone: (202) 225-4172
Fax: (202) 225-7564
Website: mckinley.house.gov

Rep. Nick Rahall
2307 Rayburn House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-4803
Phone: (202) 225-3452
Fax: (202) 225-9061
Website: rahall.house.gov

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

Caylee’s Law~ sign the petition

I was one of the mama’s whose heart broke as the verdict was read.

I can not understand how anyone could not report their child missing for more than a month?

Regardless of what we may think of Casey Anthony, the fact remains that a sweet, innocent child laid dead in a swamp with duct tape on her face and her mother said nothing.

There is something we can do in honor of Caylee’s memory {and hopefully to make sure that no other child suffers this horrible fate}.

A mom from Oklahoma has introduced a petition, called Caylee’s Law that would make it a felony to not report your child missing.  I am proud to sign the petition and want to help spread the word.

Click on the link to add your name to the more than half a million {so far} supporters of this important cause.

What are you racing for? A cure or something else?

If you’re like me you love feel good stories with happy endings. The idea of giving back to the community, taking part in charity events, serving people is heart- warming. So it’s almost a no brainer to get involved with organizations doing great work to fight cancer, or Alzheimer’s. Some startling news however made me reconsider the “no brainer” part.

Enter the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

We’ve all heard of Komen for the Cure and perhaps you’ve even taken part in one of their marathons or other fundraising venues. But did you know you might have been raising money for abortion?

We’ve mentioned this before, but it is becoming more of an issue that Komen for the Cure gives money to the Planned Parenthood abortion industry. Specifically, Komen says they give money for mammograms. The problem is that Planned Parenthood doesn’t do mammograms…at all!

Pro-life advocate Lila Rose and her Liveaction.org organization exposed the lie that Planned Parenthood offers mammogram services earlier this year. Associates of Liveaction.org called 30 different Planned Parenthood clinics in 27 different states to ask about mammogram services. What they discovered is that PP doesn’t offer the service at any of their clinics.

When pressed on the issue Komen came clean and acknowledged that PP doesn’t do mammograms.

“When a mammogram is indicated, a patient is often referred to a local program, such as the state’s breast and cervical cancer program. In other cases, the Komen Affiliate’s grant to Planned Parenthood may include funds to pay for mammograms outright. When this happens, a local provider performs the mammogram, and is then reimbursed by Planned Parenthood using the Komen grant funds.”

So let me get this straight. Komen is giving grants to PP for a service they don’t perform so that when someone needs this service they can be referred to a clinic that does? How does that make any sense whatsoever?

It would be logical to assume that if someone doesn’t do mammograms that you would not refer them to that organization. It seems logic has no place in the Komen organization. Just ask John Jansen of the Pro-Life Action League.

Jansen wanted to know if Komen would distance themselves from PP after the abortion giant came under fire to helping sex-traffickers, lying to patients, lying about what services they offer, and breaking many state and federal laws (Is this a “health” organization or a mob outlet?).

Jansen emailed Komen from two different accounts asking where he could get a mammogram for his mother. Komen responded by offering three resources, one of those was Planned Parenthood. When Jansen called the PP clinic to inquire about getting the mammogram done the PP rep told him they didn’t offer the service.

Why is Komen referring people to PP for mammograms when PP doesn’t offer the service?

While I can’t answer that question, one thing is certain; “Komen for the Cure” needs its own cure. It needs to stop associating with and funding the abortion business by giving grants to PP. Komen needs to find other allies that actually offer the services they are funding. With so many Americans now saying they are pro-life Komen might find their support base shrinking if they continue to associate with abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.

TAKE ACTION: Contact Komen for the Cure to ask it to stop referring women for nonexistent mammograms at Planned Parenthood at http://ww5.komen.org/Contact.aspx

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

MTV Cancels Raunchy Show

If anyone ever says that public outcry and bad press doesn’t have an effect I want you to laugh, shake your head, and tell them about the MTV show “Skins.” This raunchy show not fit for anyone – let alone the teenage audience it was aimed at – won’t be making an encore appearance this season.

When the show first aired I brought you coverage of this sex, alcohol and drug filled show aimed to show what “real” teen lives are like. This show was so distasteful that it immediately began receiving criticism and complaints. Part of the problem is that it was aimed at 13-18 year olds and depicted activities illegal for 13-18 year olds; not to mention the activity that is illegal for people of all ages. And oh yeah, let’s not forget the underage cast members depicting these activities they are not legally allowed to do in real life.

I, personally, think the problem began when they decided a show that is a “hit” in the UK would be a good idea for the US. Anyone that has paid any attention to the culture of the UK knows that words like “morals” and “values” have little meaning there. The loose sexual culture of the UK is well documented and hardly disputable.

But there is still a core majority in the US that care about morals and values. So when smut peddlers like MTV try airing garbage like “Skins” that portrays marginalized teenage behavior while telling us it’s normal, average teenage behavior, you can bet there will be a backlash.

The writing on the wall was there for “Skins” when a host of major advertisers began pulling their support for the show. Advertisers know that if you upset the consumer by what you support they will shop somewhere else (Considering the bad press Taco Bell and GM have had recently it’s no surprise they dropped their support of the show).

A rep with the Parents Television Council – the organization that blew the whistle on “Skins” commented on the shows’ demise:

“I’m not sure if it comes as much of a surprise, but it’s a message for MTV and other cable networks that there are some lines that aren’t meant to be crossed. Life would be easier if MTV and other networks would take the concerns of parents and families seriously before even beginning production on something like this.”

It’s good to know that people still care what is put on television. I hope more parents will pay attention to what their kids are watching and take a stand against shows that will serve to demoralize and undercut family values.

I also hope MTV will pay attention to the shows and movies that are seeing broad spectrum support in America: family shows and movies. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you want to have long-term success you need to keep it clean and fun for the whole family.

Hopefully the music isn’t too loud over there at MTV to hear the message.

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community.

Anybody want a coke?

You have probably heard by now that PepsiCo has partnered with Senomyx, a company that develops flavors and works to enhance existing flavors. The problem is that Senomyx is using aborted baby tissue in its research and development of flavors. Now, I don’t know about you, but that just sounds disgusting to think that they are using the tissue of aborted babies to develop flavors that go into foods.

I don’t see how aborted baby tissue is supposed to help develop flavor for PepsiCo, but regardless of that question it’s morally wrong. PepsiCo is, in essence affirming abortion as a company. And many pro-life Pepsi drinkers let them know about it. I wish I could say they cared, but it seems they are just going to try and sweep it under the rug.

A friend of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia decided to contact PepsiCo to let them know how unhappy he was to learn of the unethical practices of the research firm Senomyx that PepsiCo has aligned itself. Here is the response he got from the “Pepsi Consumer Relations” department:

“Thank you for contacting us to share your sincere concerns.

Please be assured that PepsiCo is committed to using only the highest ethical methods in all aspects of our research. This is something we take very seriously, and we hold ourselves and all of our research partners to the same high standards as the world’s leading research centers.

With respect to the flavor discovery research with Senomyx, we utilize techniques that have been the gold standard for several decades by top universities, hospitals, U.S. government agencies, food and beverage companies, and essentially every pharmaceutical and biotech company in the world. Yet, there is some misinformation being circulated meant to distort what we’re doing and question our motives and those of other companies. This is unfortunate, and it is certainly not reflective of the work we are doing.

We hope this information is helpful and reassuring. Thank you again for reaching out to us and allowing us to clarify the situation.”

This sounds like such a load of politically correct pandering that I can hardly read it without having an adverse reaction. PepsiCo is obviously not concerned about a boycott and not concerned about the bad press they are receiving. I believe McDonald’s and Ford Motor Company were equally unconcerned, until they saw their profits dropping as a result of the boycott. (The list of groups calling for a boycott is growing as we speak…er, as you read).

Interestingly, a pro-life group that contacted PepsiCo about this issue received the exact same “form” response from the “Pepsi Consumer Relations” department.

Maybe you’re more irritated now than before that PepsiCo would blatantly ignore the pro-life views held by the majority of Americans (many of whom are paying customers). Maybe you will give Coke another try. Or maybe you want to contact PepsiCo yourself to let them know that your money will not support a company that openly supports abortion. Here is how to contact PepsiCo:

Jamie Caulfield, Sr. VP
PepsiCo, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 253-2000
Email form: http://cr.pepsi.com/usen/pepsiusen.cfm?time=5189878

Pepsi needs to know that pro-life Americans will not support their continued partnership with a company that uses aborted baby tissue in research. There is nothing refreshing about that.

Don’t you just love those cute polar bears in the Coke commercials?

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

Do you watch MTV?

**Editor’s Note:  As someone that works with teen moms I feel it is important to note that I feel MTV does a good job of portraying the reality of teen pregnancy and parenting.  Shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom offer a realistic look into the ways that parenting affects teenagers- their relationships, education and more.  However, the facts in this article remain and the opinions expressed are those of our political columnist. **

More now than ever before parents have to be informed, involved, and “in the know” on what their kids are watching on television. It’s not enough to set parental locks and think that all is well in the world. Tech savvy kids and the internet have made getting around parental locks a snap. Next thing you know your kids are watching MTV and being told abortion is okay and that Planned Parenthood is an “adoption referral service” that is here to help!

The controversial network that caters to every form of immorality you can imagine has decided to quit running ads from one pro-life organization in favor of running commercials for the Planned Parenthood abortion business. If that wasn’t enough of a slap in the face to the pro-life majority of Americans, they have listed Planned Parenthood on their website as an “adoption referral resource.” What!?

You would have to be naïve, delusional, or just blatantly ignorant to believe for a second that Planned Parenthood is anything but an abortion business. According to their own report the majority of services performed by their organization are abortions, with a teeny, tiny percentage being prenatal care and adoption referrals. Sorry MTV, no one is buying the Kool-Aid you and Planned Parenthood is selling.

A recent report on this distasteful turn of events shares some interesting information:

“MTV was also running Heroic Media pro-life ads…but officials said the cable network will no longer continue running them, as they had been after midnight. The ads, ‘Teen Angst’ and ‘We Can Help,’ ran from May to November 2010 but MTV spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas says the network will no longer accept ads from Heroic Media. Kedas said the MTV standards department decided against airing any further ads and added that Heroic Media was notified of the decision…”

MTV has a “standards” department? Has anyone in that department actually watched MTV? Never mind, that’s for another day.

You might be wondering what kind of ad was so profane that not even MTV would air it. Well, it’s not that the ad was profane or graphic or anything of that nature, in fact, the ad is reprinted below.

Young Woman: I’m pregnant.
Adult Woman: It happens.
Young Woman: I’m afraid.
Adult Woman: That’s normal.
Young Woman: I’m worried, My boyfriend’s scared, my parents are mad.
Adult Woman: Get a grip people. You’re not alone. We can help.
Graphics:  Text PREGNANT to 95495, 877-877-9927, Logo: Heroic Media

Yup, that’s it. No, the reason MTV has decided not to air any other ads from this company at all is that they are a pro-life group. So what does that tell you about MTV’s position on abortion? It would seem they are in favor of abortion and happy to help support it.

What kind of organization is Heroic Media? Take a look:

“Everything Heroic Media does is designed to reach women where they are.  Heroic Media runs messages that focus on the issue from a woman’s perspective, messages that are positive and hopeful.  Heroic Media believes that when a woman learns about compassionate, positive alternatives, she’ll choose life. Heroic Media remains committed to airing positive messages that connect women with hopeful alternatives to abortion,” Marissa Gabrysch, Director of New Projects for Heroic Media.

Quite a difference from Planned Parenthood, the organization that seeks to perform as many abortions as they possibly can. One group seeks to help women, inform women, and support women, while the other seeks to end life, cover up crimes and make as much money as they can while doing it (including taking your tax money). Yes, Planned Parenthood is one peach of an organization that is responsible for killing millions of babies.

I refuse to watch MTV for any reason. Anyone with a single strand of moral fiber would be lying to themselves to support this morally bankrupt network. And don’t forget, the more you support MTV the more you support the Planned Parenthood abortion business. Just “keepin it real.”

To view the TV spot go to:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfu3ZebO4HM

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

Parenting Fail! 10 yr old encouraged to change genders

I know standards of parenting have been, seemingly, slipping in the last few years, but this is ludicrous. What kind of parents would willingly advocate for sex-reassignment surgery on their 10 year old son? How could it possibly be a good idea to put a child through a life changing surgery such as this? I’m not saying I would win any parent of the year awards, but I can say with certainty I’ve got these parents beat.

In this story out of Australia we have a child, a 10 year old child that parents and authorities says is “confused” about his gender identity and therefore needs immediate surgery to change him from a male to a female in order to help him. How is that  helping? Here’s a thought, mom and dad, if you want to help clear up the confusion, stop dressing him like a girl and get him a haircut. Then teach him what it means to be a male.

No, I’m not insensitive; though I’m sure someone will say I am, over the plight of those struggling with gender identity issues. The difference is that this is not a 20 something or 30 something adult male that wants to be a female. This is a, wait let me quote from the article, boy that “for the past two years, had been allowed to use the girls’ toilet at school and was ‘presenting as a very attractive young girl with long, blonde hair.’” This is a boy, a child.

You know, children tend to be confused about a lot of things. They want to be cars, should we surgically attach wheels to their limbs? They want to be fairies, should we surgically attach wings and ensure they can’t grow taller than 2 feet? They are confused because they are children living in a society that says they should be confused and not accept their biological sex, but rather should consider changing sexes to appease all those striving for an androgynous society.

Unfortunately for this young man, rather than having parents that recognize what could be an unbelievable mistake due to youth, immaturity, and confusion generated by societal worship of alternate lifestyles, and steering him into a proper understanding of his biological sex, young “Jamie” has parents that want to help him become a female. I consider such action a form of child abuse that should be punished, not celebrated.

Parents are tasked with protecting their children. We do not cheer parents that allow their kids to engage in risky or dangerous behaviors. We report them to DHHR. And yet these parents are willingly complicit in a politically motivated scheme to alter their precious little boy and do serious harm to him. And society wants to cheer.

Look at one leading U.S. psychiatrist had to say about this madness:

“One leading U.S. psychiatrist who conducted an in-depth investigation into the results of sex-change therapy has concluded that the psychiatric community was cooperating with mental illness by diagnosing transsexualism as a legitimate physical condition.

“’We psychiatrists… would do better to concentrate on trying to fix their minds and not their genitalia,’ Dr. Paul McHugh, University Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University, wrote in First Things, 2004.

“’I have witnessed a great deal of damage from sex-reassignment,’ wrote Dr. McHugh, in an article titled Surgical Sex. ‘The children transformed from their male constitution into female roles suffered prolonged distress and misery as they sensed their natural attitudes. Their parents usually lived with guilt over their decisions — second-guessing themselves and somewhat ashamed of the fabrication, both surgical and social, they had imposed on their sons.’”

If society would stop holding alternate lifestyles up in a sort of distorted envy others should seek to emulate we would see far less “confusion” on the part of kids, teens, and others.

My heart goes out to this family. They are pawns in a political game, being used by a reckless judge, and being lied to by medical professionals in order to advance a dangerous homosexual agenda.

The full text of Dr. McHugh’s article, “Surgical Sex” is available by clicking here.It is certainly worth reading.

Nathan A. Cherry lives in Bunker Hill with his wife and two children. He is a contributing blogger for the Family Policy Council of West Virginia as well as Eastern Panhandle Moms. Nathan is the Connection Pastor at New Hope Church in Inwood West Virginia where he serves to connect folks into places of service both within the church and in the community

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