A Mormon Woman's Reflections on Life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

May 10, 2010

Dear Karen,

President Obama has nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court. Her opposition to the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and her apparent opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are cause for concern. While Dean of the Harvard Law School, Kagan threw military recruiters off campus on the grounds of opposing the law prohibiting open homosexuals from serving in the military. “This action causes me deep distress,” Kagen wrote. “I abhor the military’s discriminatory recruitment policy.” It is a “profound wrong – a moral injustice of the first order.” Her decision was essentially overturned by the Supreme Court on a unanimous 8-0 vote, showing how far out of the judicial mainstream her thinking is. Ms. Kagan has already tipped her hand on one of the most important issues that is likely to come before the Supreme Court. Overturning ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will have a devastating impact on military morale, recruitment and retention. Plus, there will be no possibility of promotions for officers and chaplains who defend natural marriage as a matter of conscience. Any officer with deeply held views about the immorality of homosexual behavior would have no future in Elena Kagan’s military. Our national security is far too important to become a plaything in the hands of judicial activists like Ms. Kagan would certainly be. Her nomination ought to be rejected on these grounds alone. Plus, Ms. Kagan is part of the Department of Justice that filed a brief which declared “this Administration does not support DOMA as a matter of policy [and] believes that it is discriminatory.” Marriage between a man and a woman is the cornerstone of any healthy society. To put someone with such hostility to natural marriage and duly enacted law on the Supreme Court is an unacceptable threat to this profoundly important institution. e Supreme Court of the United States. If confirmed, Ms. Kagan will fill the vacancy created by Justice Stevens‟ retirement at the end of this term.

Ms. Kagan currently serves as the Solicitor General of the United States. She was confirmed to that position on March 19, 2009, by a vote of 61-31. She is the first woman to hold that position.1 Before being confirmed as Solicitor General, she served as the first female dean of Harvard Law School.2 If confirmed, she will be the fourth woman to sit on the Supreme Court.3 She would also be the first Justice since former Chief Justice William Rehnquist to be confirmed without prior judicial experience.4 Her lack of judicial experience also means that she lacks a judicial record for senators to examine during the confirmation process.

Dear Friends,

If we don’t act now, by the end of the week, Vermont could become the first state to adopt same-sex marriage legislatively — without a court order hanging over their heads.

We need two things from you today. It’ll only take about 5 minutes, but your action could make the difference for marriage, not just in Vermont, but in the nation. Once the floodgates open in Vermont, it will be easier for other state legislatures to follow suit.

We need to remind these legislators that their constituents are watching, and that they will be held accountable for their votes. We can’t let them forget that 17 Vermont legislators lost their seats over civil unions in 2000. Urge them to adopt a proposed amendment sending the same-sex marriage bill to the people of Vermont for a vote. Tell them this is too important an issue to ramrod through in just a few days — with no real public debate. (more…)

How do we hold on, when the sled of solvent parental rights is tilted downhill at lightening speed? Get involved in United Families International or in your local state chapter, and have a voice in the national, international, and local policy issues that will impact you and your children, and their children.

March 23, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today US District Judge Edward R. Korman ordered the FDA to make the morning after pill available to 17-year-old minor girls without a physician’s visit or prescription and without parental consent. Judge Korman also asked the FDA to consider making the drug available to girls and women regardless of age. (more…)

ALERT
If you visit this site, you can add your name to the group of 22208 people who have already signed a petition (copy below) aimed at opposing doctors’ rights to choose ‘not’ to perform abortions according to their personal convictions.  I read something the other day about taking responsibility. It’s easy to sit by and watch things change, but as Mormons, as people of all faiths, we need to do more than be silent bystanders.  This just takes 30 seconds to one minute to do.

President Obama said he wants to hear from you and I. But he’s given us a deadline:  We’ve got two weeks to voice your concerns - to speak out for America’s pro-life medical professionals … and their moral conscience - before it’s too late. (more…)