Response to the Tragedy in Southeast Asia
In the days since the tragedy in Indonesia and surrounding regions, the generosity of the American people, as well as all citizens of the world, has been enormous. While no amount of generosity can make up for the massive tragedy of the loss of life, the Center for Traditional American Values encourages all Americans to give what they can to any of a number of relief organizations which are accepting donations to support their work in the area*.

The C4TAV also calls on the United States government to follow the example of its people and pledge more than the current $15 million to relief efforts. Even in its slightly slowed state, the US economy is one of the largest in the world and the United States should take the initiative and the lead in providing large-scale relief to those attempting to make sense of this tragedy.

The prayers and thoughts of the C4TAV staff are with those coping with loss and fear in the region.
- posted by Auguste @ 5:09 PM 0 comments

 
The ACLU: "We the People's" first line of defense
Press Release: 12/20/2004

Right-wing commentators and mainstream reporters alike are abuzz this holiday season with reports of "threats to Christmas." A few lawsuits have been filed around the country regarding Christian displays, some of the with the support of the ACLU, and this has led such pundits as Bill O'Reilly to declare that Christmas is "under siege."

The ACLU is in the business of defending the civil liberties of Americans, including their freedom of religion. Their activities on behalf of those who feel that overtly Christian displays at this time of year are an infringement of their first amendment rights has led many on the right to declare the ACLU the "Anti-Christian Legislation Union."

This appelation has very little basis in fact. Randi Rhodes, of the Randi Rhodes show on Air America Radio, recently did a survey of ACLU cases supporting the rights of Christians. These include: defending the rights of street preachers on the strip in Las Vegas, supporting baptisms in a park in Virginia, challenging the censorship on religious grounds of high school yearbook entries, defending students "punished for distributing candy canes with religious messages", challenging zoning decisions restricting African-American churches, supporting a minister who refused for religious reasons to have his picture taken for a drivers license, and demanding the rights of prisoners to possess religious articles such as rosaries in prison, among many other cases.

The ACLU has also defended Rush Limbaugh in his attempt to keep his medical records confidential and worked with Jerry Falwell to allow churches to incorporate. In short, the ACLU is exactly what is claims to be: An organization dedicated to defending the civil liberties of all Americans and, far from being an anti-Christian organization, is equally dedicated to the rights of Christians as it is to the rights of Muslims, Jews, atheist, and all other Americans. The Center for Traditional American Values wishes to affirm its wholehearted support for the ACLU and rejects those who seek to undermine its work based on lies and selective memory.

Inquiries to: c4tav.pr@gmail.com
- posted by Auguste @ 1:50 PM 0 comments

 
Alabama legislator advocates library purge
Alabama State Representative Gerald Allen has proposed a bill in the Alabama State House which would prohibit public schools, universities, and libraries from purchasing "textbooks or library materials that recognize or promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle."

Rep. Allen was quoted by the Birmingham News as saying "I guess we dig a big hole and dump them in and bury them." While it can be assumed that Rep. Allen was referring to the offensive material and not homosexuals in general, the Center for Traditional American Values nevertheless reflects on the fact that the United States spent much of the 20th Century engaged in struggles - first in World War II, then in the Cold War - against dictatorial regimes which distinguished themselves by their widespread censorship.

While elementary and high school libraries have long been battlegrounds regarding 'offensive' material, it is disturbing to think that adults - university students, public library users - may have their reading decisions made for them, even in part, by the government. A psychology student, for example, might find the DSM-IV - the American Psychiatric Association's handbook of disease - removed from the library. A Biology student may not be able to read important journals on genetics. Art students may be unable to find a biography of Andy Warhol due to stories about his friends. Film students would be unable to access any number of important films - and of course, students of literature might find their resources cut by large percentages.

It is impossible to overstate the danger to our way of life of proposals like Rep. Allen's and the attitude they represent. Book-burning tactics belong to fascism or communism, not American democracy. The Center for Traditional American Values calls upon the Alabama State House, and any other legislative body in the nation who may be faced with similar bills in the future, to reject out of hand any attempt to gut our nation's libraries and dictate American reading lists.
- posted by Auguste @ 1:23 AM 0 comments