Freedom Of Choice Act . . . Anything BUT Choice!

The Freedom of Choice Act is the subject of this Big B File.

I am so concerned about the Passage of this Big B File that I sent the following letter to my representatives in Congress, Senator Kit Bond, Congressman Lacy Clay, Senator Claire McCaskill (bold Print included in letters to Congressman Lacy Clay &  Senator Claire McCaskill):

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Sunday, January 25, 2009

 

Dear Senator Kit Bond, Congressman Lacy Clay, Senator Claire McCaskill,

           Recently, President Barak Obama has indicated that he would sign the Freedom of Choice if it gets to his desk. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer, Ted Kennedy have expressed their eagerness to pass it.

I would like to get your responses to the following questions….

• Are you for taking away the rights of states? According to a legal analysis done on FOCA for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which says the following:

               As a general matter, if FOCA were enacted, it would wipe out a very large number of existing state laws on abortion, substantially impede the ability of states to regulate abortion, and override nearly 40 years of jurisprudential experience on the subject of abortion. FOCA does this for several reasons.
              First, FOCA states that the decision whether to have an abortion is a “fundamental” right. Under existing case law, a decision to have an abortion is not a fundamental right as it was under Roe. In 1992, seven justices rejected that view and concluded that the Court’s earlier decisions under Roe had too severely and improperly restricted the states’ power to regulate abortion. Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 873-87 (1992) (O’Connor, Kennedy, Souter, J1.) (concluding that the Court’s earlier decisions had gone “too far” and that “[..not all governmental intrusion [into abortion] is of necessity unwarranted”); id. at 944 (Rehnquist, C.J., joined by White, Scalia, and Thomas, JJ.) (concurring in part, dissenting in part) (agreeing that earlier decisions had gone too far, and urging that Roe be overruled altogether). In judging the constitutionality of abortion laws, the Casey plurality abandoned the use of strict scrutiny, a rigorous test traditionally reserved for the protection of fundamental rights and usually fatal to the challenged law, and substituted for it an undue burden test. The latter test prevents government from imposing a “substantial obstacle” in the path of a woman seeking an abortion before viability. Id. at 878 (emphasis added).

                Here in Missouri, some of the laws that would be wiped off the books if FOCA passes include Parental consent for minors prior to an abortion, Partial-Birth Abortion ban (infanticide law), No taxpayer-funded abortions, 24-hour waiting period and informed consent prior to an abortion, Only physicians can perform or induce abortions, Conscience protections for pro-life doctors and hospitals who don’t want to do abortions; No abortions in order to use fetal organs or tissue for transplantation or experimentation, Licensing of most abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical centers to ensure basic health and safety of the patients, Requiring medical malpractice for doctors who perform or induce abortions, alternatives to abortion programs to encourage and support women who choose not to abort their unborn child.

Are you in favor of taking away parental rights? FOCA would do just that by denying parents the right to raise their kids how they see fit. The kids belong to their parents and NOT the government nor organizations like Planned Parenthood, Now, Pro-Choice America, and others. The parents should have the final decision on whether their daughter has an abortion or not and have the right to be told if their child wants an abortion.

•               Are you in favor of taking away the first amendment right of people of faith? The first amendment says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” FOCA will force Pharmacists, Doctors, and other health professionals to violate their morals and Religious Beliefs and perform Abortion procedures, dispense contraception (a form of abortion and in direct violate of numerous religious teachings, including the Roman Catholic Church). Just ask pharmacists Carol Muzzarelli, of Collinsville, Kelly Hubble, of Belleville, G. Richard Quayle, of Highland and John Menges, formerly of Edwardsville (all Illinois). They were suspended when they refused to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the morning after pill, a form of birth control. The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in December 2008 and the case is Menges, et al. v. Blagojevich (U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois) and go to http://www.aclj.org/Litigation/?state=IL for other cases in this area. This would also apply to people like myself, who would be forced to pay for someone else’s abortion…via the taxes we pay to our respective states and to the Federal Government…forcing us to do something that runs contrary to my values and religious convictions and those of others like me. These tax dollars are the same tax dollars used to pay your salary!
•                 Are you in favor of denying the first amendment rights of Doctors, Nurses and other medical professionals to exercise their religious? FOCA would do this by forcing them to dispense contraception and/or perform abortions in direct violation of their religious beliefs, morals, and consciences.
•                 Are you in favor of violating the part of the first amendment that says, ”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” especially the part that says “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. FOCA would force catholic hospitals and other Catholic Healthcare facilities to provide abortions and contraceptives, along with forcing Catholic organizations like Catholic Charities, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and others to pay for and/or provide abortion and contraceptive services (through programs such as Catholic Charities’ MedAssist Program)…all in direct violation of Code of Cannon Law and official Roman Catholic Church Teaching AND the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

                          You have stated in the past that you want to “protect a woman’s right to choose”. Okay fine… a woman’s right to choose what… abortion or want? What is the other option besides abortion?    I strongly urge you to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) and do everything possible to ensure its defeat once and for all. I would very much appreciate your response, please go to http://big-b.net/feedback.htmlor send them to me at 2192A Keeven Lane in Florissant, MO 63031.

Sincerely Yours,

 

 

Bryan V. Hewing
Author and commentator of the Big B Files
2192A Keeven Lane
Florissant, MO 63031
bvh

 

 

 

The Nation’s Transition to Digital Television & not telling the Whole Story

The Nation’s Transition to Digital TV & not telling the whole story is the subject of this Big B File . . .

     On February 17, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. (local time), all television broadcasters in the United States of America will be making the final transition to digital . . . or will they?

     According to the public service announcements that have run and are still running by the nation’s full-power broadcasters, cable and broadcast networks, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), nonprofit organizations, and other community groups and local governments, among others . . . you and many others in this country would logically say that I’ll all the stations you’re watching right now will shut off their analog transmitters at that time . . . 2/17/09 at 12:01 a.m… and we’ll all be broadcasting in digital only after that time. Just take a look at this notice is given to customers who buy along televisions. Sets in places like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, etc.

CONSUMER ALERT

      This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.DTV.gov.

        Unfortunately, this announcement similar to what others using is not completely accurate. What these notices and public service announcements don’t tell you is that only the full power stations are mandated by federal law to make the switch to High Definition Television (HDTV) on February 17, 2009. The Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations are not mandated to make the switch on February 17th with no deadline of their own to make the transition to digital television.

     The transition to a high definition television began in earnest in 1996 with the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. That act mandated that broadcasters convert their signals to Digital (HDTV) TV within a certain period of time. The original date was December 31, 2006, but was later pushed back several times before finally being set to February 17, 2009. The rest of the time line went like this (according to the website Digital TV Primer):

Time Line (Updated July 2, 2006)

• 1996 — Congress passed Telecommunications Act of 1996 which established December 31, 2006, as the end of the transition to a new ATSC digital television standard. On that date authority to broadcast via the old NTSC analog standard would end.
• 1997 — Congress adopted caveats to that hard date to ensure that no more than 15 percent of American TV households would be cut off from TV before analog transmissions ended in any market.
• May 1, 1999 — Top four networks in the top ten markets required to have their digital channels up and running (although not at full power and not full time).
• November 1, 1999 — Top four networks in markets 11-30 required to have constructed their digital stations.
• May 1, 2002 — Remaining commercial broadcast stations required to be transmitting a digital signal.
• April 1, 2003 — Broadcast stations required to transmit digitally 50 percent of the time that they broadcast analog programming.
• May 1, 2003 — All broadcast stations’ digital channels required to be up and running (these requirements turned out to be a goal, not universally met).
• April 1, 2004 — Broadcast stations required to transmit digitally 75 percent of the time that they broadcast analog programming.
  • Cable operators must supply upon request to their customers, HD STBs with functional Firewire 1394 connectors.▸ July 1, 2004 — 50 percent of models of DTV receivers in sets 36″ and larger that are labeled “Digital Cable Ready” must have DVI or HDMI interfaces using HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection) technology.
  • 50 percent of new televisions 36″ and larger are required to have integrated over-the-air digital tuners
• September 7, 2004 — FCC releases Report and Order, Second Periodic Review of Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television (Mostly technical rules, but among other things, it repealed a requirement for simulcasting and rejected proposals for consumer labeling of analog-only sets).
• December 31, 2004 — Commercial broadcast stations required to increase signal strength to meet “principle community coverage.”
• February 2005 — First round channel elections for broadcast stations with “in-core” channels (i.e. 2-51). Channels 52-69 will be surrendered at the end of the transition and those frequencies (698-806 MHz) will be auctioned off by the government or transferred for use by public safety agencies.
• April 1, 2005 — Broadcast stations required to transmit digitally 100 percent of the time that they broadcast analog programming.
• June 2005 — FCC Media Bureau issues DTV channel election conflict letters.
• July 1, 2005 — all HD STBs must also have DVI (digital visual interface) or HDMI (high definition multimedia interface).
  • 100 percent of models of DTV receivers in sets 36″ and larger and 50 percent in sets 25″ to 35″ that are labeled “Digital Cable Ready” must have DVI or HDMI interfaces using HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection) technology; any set labeled “Digital Cable Ready” must also include an integrated over-the-air digital tuner.
  • 100 percent of new televisions 36″ and larger are required to have integrated digital tuners; 50 percent of new televisions 25″ to 35″ are required to have integrated over-the-air digital tuners.
  • Use-it-or-lose-it deadline for the top four networks’ stations in the 100 largest TV markets to go to full digital signal coverage (a replication and maximization protection deadline).
• August 2005 — Broadcast stations file with FCC first round channel election interference conflict forms.
• September 2005 — Second round of channel elections for broadcast stations.
• October 2005 — FCC completes second round channel election interference conflict analysis; Media Bureau issues conflict letters.
• November 1, 2005 — The Senate and the House of Representatives each pass their own version of a new digital TV transition bill. The House version would end the transition on December 31, 2008, and the Senate version would set that date as April 7, 2009. Each would have a subsidy for digital-to-analog set-top-boxes.
• December 2005 — Broadcast stations submit second round conflict decision forms to FCC.
• December 31, 2005 — Non-commercial broadcast stations required to increase signal strength to meet “principle community coverage.”
• February 8, 2006 — Digital TV Transition Act of 2005 signed into law, establishing February 17, 2009 as the last day for NTSC/analog TV broadcasts.
• February 2006 — Third round channel elections for stations without confirmed channels.
• March 1, 2006 — All new televisions 25″ to 35″ are required to have integrated over-the-air digital tuners.
• March 2006 — FCC to resolve third round DTV channel election interference conflicts.
• July 1, 2006 — 100 percent of models of DTV receivers in sets 25″ to 35″ that are labeled “Digital Cable Ready” must have DVI or HDMI interfaces using HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection) technology.
  • Use-it-or-lose-it deadline for all smaller commercial stations plus non-commercial stations to go to full digital signal coverage (a replication and maximization protection deadline, with caveats depending on channel assignment).
• August 2006 — FCC completes channel elections, issues new DTV Table of Allotments. That is, all TV broadcast stations have their final digital channel numbers.
• March 1, 2007 — Deadline for all television sets (13″ and larger) to include integrated ATSC (digital) tuners.
• January 1, 2008 — First day that consumers may request $40 government subsidy coupons for a digital-to-analog converter box.
• February 17, 2009 — Hard cutoff date for analog TV broadcasts set by the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005.
• March 31, 2009 — Last day for consumers to request $40 government subsidy coupons for a digital-to-analog converter box.

     Here are some serious issues in relation to the Digital transition when it comes to low-power, Class A, and TV translator stations. As I said earlier, Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations are not mandated to make the switch to HDTV on February 17, 2009 and have no set date for these stations to make the switch themselves. Unlike Full Power stations, Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations were not automatically assigned a second digital channel by the FCC like the Full Power stations were in the late 1990s.

     Up until the past few years, Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations were virtually ignored by the FCC and organizations like the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and were left on their own to find a second digital channel. Not only that, but if a Low Power station was on a channel that has been assigned to a full-power station as their digital channel, they have no choice other than find a new channel, file a displacement relief application (without FCC help and using their own funds), or cease operations altogether a.k.a. shut down permanently (go dark /silent) . . . just ask Bob Suffel, Former owner & General Manager of KBTV-LP in Sacramento, California, which had to shut down his station in February 2000 after being bumped by KOVR-DT (then owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, now by CBS).

     Currently, there is no set deadline for all the Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations to switch to Digital TV . . . even though FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has suggested in a letter to National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and others a goal of having 2012 as the date of the switch to digital for low power stations.

     When the $40 government subsidy coupon program began one year ago, it was only for Converter Boxes that did not have the analog pass-through capability . . . meaning that LPTVs cannot be viewed before and after the transition, whether the converter box is on or off. As a result of this, the Community Broadcasters Association (CBA) filed a lawsuit on March 26, 2008, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. In the lawsuit, the Community Broadcasters Association said that all but six of the converter boxes that were lacking the Analog Pass-Through capability violate the All-Channel Receiver Act (ACRA), 47 U.S.C. §303(s), and Sections stations 15.115(c) and 15.117(b) of the FCC’s Rules. The Big B Files believes that the CBA was correct in this regard and that a recall should be issued in this regard for the Noncompliant converter boxes to be exchanged for ACRA compliant boxes as well. The Lawsuit was dismissed in Early May and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled against the CBA in Early May and CBA had said they have no plans to appeal the case. The good news is that the vast majority of the converter boxes out now do have this capability.

     As of Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 7:51 pm CST, only the following stations have a digital channel in the St. Louis, Mo Metro area:

• KUMO-LD
• K23IR-D
• KPTN-LD
• K49FC

     The Big B Files says that the FCC must assign a digital channel to the Low Power (LPTV), Translator, booster, and Class A television stations in the country, set a hard date for the switchover to digital and provide funds to those who need funds to make the transition to HDTV and allow some of those stations to upgrade to Full Power status.

     That is the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and let me know what you think… I’m Bryan Hewing.

Novena to defeat the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) – January 11-20, 2009

Dear Big B Files Readers,

     Please mark on your calendar the day to start this Novena, Jan 11th. Our prayers are desperately needed.  If you are opposed to abortion then there is bad news on the horizon. I know that most of you are aware. For those of you who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if congress passes iton January 21-22 of2009. The FOCA is the next sick chapter in the book of abortion. If made a law then all limitations on abortion will be lifted which will result in the following:

1. All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals will be required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.   (We can only imagine what kind of repercussions this will have on our Church.)
2. Partial birth abortions would be legal and have no limitations.
3. All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.
4. Parental notification will no longer be required.
5. The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.

     Perhaps most importantly, the government will now have control in the issue of abortion. This could result in a future amendment that would force women by law to have abortions in certain situations (rape, Down Syndrome babies, etc) and could even regulate how many children women are allowed to have

     Needless to say this information is disturbing, but sadly true. As Catholics, as Christians, as anyone who is against the needless killing of innocent children, we must stand as one. We must stop this horrific act before it becomes a law.
The Plan: To say a novena (9 days of prayer) along with fasting starting on January 11th. For Catholics, the prayer of choice will be the Rosary with intentions to stop the FOCA. For non-Catholics I encourage you to ptay your strongest prayers with the same intentions, also for nine consecutive days. The hope is that this will branch and blossom as to become a global effort with maximum impact. We have very little time so we all must act fast. Just do three things:

• Pass this letter to 5 or more people.
• Do it in three days or less.
• Start the novena on January 11th and pray for nine consecutive days.

     Remember that with God all things are possible and the power of prayer is undeniable. If you are against the senseless killing of defenseless children then the time is now to do something about it!   Please also fast for at least two days during the novena.

May God bless you all !!

“If you pray well, you will live well, if you live well, you will die well; and if you die well, all will be well.”

- St. Augustine

“We cannot fight credibly against other social and moral evils, including poverty and violence, while we tolerate mass killings by abortion.”

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Gov. Rod Blagojevich Impeachment Press Conference

you can watch the press conferences live (From WAND-TV NewsCenter 17 in Decatur, IL)

The Ye ‘Ole Rumor Mill… what’s wrong with it?

        The Ye ‘Ole Rumor Mill and all the problems that come with it is the subject of this Big B File.

         In today’s world, rumors spread like wildfire and with regularity every day of the year. There are shows on television that are about nothing else but rumors . . .also known as gossip . . . examples being Access Hollywood Entertainment Tonight (ET), TMZ on TV, Extra, etc. Even television and radio stations along with cable networks have reporters whose job is to do nothing else other than cover and report on the latest rumors about someone… particularly celebrities and other people and positions of power in this country United States and all over the world… including at all levels of power from the local town to Congress and the Presidency.

          Now, i’ll admit that I have spread rumors in the past and was an active participant in that endeavor as well. Nevertheless, it is wrong in a number of ways… not to mention violating the eighth commandment which says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”.

 

           As I was once told by someone, rumors can cause harm to somebody… whether it is their reputation, integrity, and/or physically… and that harm could become so severe that it could take a long time to get all that all that back or it could be irreparable and as a result they would never get their reputation back.

 

           How fast does a rumor spread? The best example that the Big B Files could find comes from the 11^th season episode of the hit TV series M*A*S*H entitled “bombshells”. In this episode, Dr. Hawkeye Pierce and Dr. Charles Winchester III started a completely made up rumor that Marilyn Monroe was coming to the 4077^th M*A*S*H for a visit. Before long, everyone in the camp had believed the rumor and so everything was arranged for the “visit” that was never going to occur in the first place. In the end… the two doctors had illustrated perfectly for us how fast rumors can spread as well is how believable those same rumors… true or false… can be.

 

 

          Unfortunately spreading rumors can cause harm as a Big B Files told you just a few moments ago. Just ask the parents of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri native Megan Meier, who committed suicide as a result of some vicious rumors that were spread around the Internet… specifically using the website MySpace…on more than one occasion, and the end a nearby neighbor of the Meiers’ who was behind the rumors is now facing trial on charges of one count of conspiracy and three counts of accessing protected computers without authorization to obtain information to inflict emotional distress in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, California where MySpace is based (from the 

 

 

St. Charles, MO Journal).

Tina was pressed for time. She had to go. But once at the orthodontist’s office she called Megan: Did you sign off?

“No, Mom. They are all being so mean to me.”

“You are not listening to me, Megan! Sign off, now!”

Fifteen minutes later, Megan called her mother. By now Megan was in tears.

“They are posting bulletins about me.” A bulletin is like a survey. “Megan Meier is a slut. Megan Meier is fat.”

 

 

 Megan was sobbing hysterically. Tina was furious that she had not signed off.

Once Tina returned home she rushed into the basement where the computer was. Tina was shocked at the vulgar language her daughter was firing back at people.

“I am so aggravated at you for doing this!” she told Megan.

Megan ran from the computer and left, but not without first telling Tina, “You’re supposed to be my mom! You’re supposed to be on my side!”

On the stairway leading to her second-story bedroom, Megan ran into her father, Ron.

“I grabbed her as she tried to go by,” Ron says. “She told me that some kids were saying horrible stuff about her and she didn’t understand why. I told her it’s OK. I told her that they obviously don’t know her. And that it would be fine.”

Megan went to her room and Ron went downstairs to the kitchen, where he and Tina talked about what had happened, the MySpace account, and made dinner.

Twenty minutes later, Tina suddenly froze in mid-sentence.

“I had this God-awful feeling and I ran up into her room and she had hung herself in the closet.”

Megan Taylor Meier died the next day, three weeks before her 14th birthday.

Later that day, Ron opened his daughter’s MySpace account and viewed what he believes to be the final message Megan saw – one the FBI would be unable to retrieve from the hard drive.

It was from Josh and, according to Ron’s best recollection, it said, “Everybody in O’Fallon knows how you are. You are a bad person and everybody hates you. Have a shitty rest of your life. The world would be a better place without you.”

 

 

- St. Charles Journal story by Steve Pokin (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)

 

           And, as the example demonstrated the harm done can be irreparable… even to the point that the result was a tragedy, not only for the person harmed, but for the family and numerous other people as well.  The Big B Files suggests that before spreading or even starting a rumor, we all should consider why it is being spread, who is the subject of the rumor and what the impact is to the person who is the object of the rumor. To put it in the words of former U.S Secretary of Labor in Ronald Reagan’s administration, Raymond James Donovan, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?” That is a great question indeed! An excellent illustration of why rumors are a bad thing and should not be spread whatsoever.

 

 And that’s the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think… I’m Bryan Hewing

Abortion: a woman’s right to choose…what?

The issue of abortion and of “a woman’s right to choose” is the subject of this Big B File. . .

         On August 16th, 2008 at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest, California, Pastor Rick Warren . . . author of the best-selling book “The Purpose Driven Life” . . . asked John McCain and Barak Obama the question of when life begins (in their opinion). This got me thinking about the whole argument on the issue of abortion and from those that say they are “pro-choice.”
          The people that say they are pro choice always tell us that they are pro choice because they want to “protect a woman’s right to choose.” Okay fine . . . a woman’s right to choose what . . . abortion or want? What is the other option besides abortion? The Big B Files would like to have those who are pro-choice and support abortion to answer those two very simple questions. Simple question, HUH?
           This simple answer is that the other option is adoption. There are thousands of couples wanting to become parents by simply adopting newborn children and unfortunately not able to do so due to babies being aborted a.k.a. killed ( 45 million since 1973) along with state and federal law that desperately need changed. Rather than give this simple answer the pro-choice supporters would rather dodge the question altogether and/or attack people like myself for even asking that in the first place!
            The Big B Files wonders why if being pro-choice means you support abortion on demand and without restrictions of any kind, then why don’t those people just come now and publicly say they are pro-abortion and not use euphemisms such as pro choice while offering no other options other than abortion on demand and without restrictions?
            The Big B files believes that this would be more intellectually honest rather than using a euphemism when in reality they basically tell you to choose an abortion… with no other options whatsoever.

That is the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and let me know what you think… I’m Bryan Hewing

The ye ‘ole Big B Files Mailbox and updates on topics of past Big B Files

The ye ‘ole Big B Files Mailbox and updates on topics of past Big B Files is the subject of this Big B File.

First the mailbox. This where the Big B Files responds to your . . yes, I said Your comments . . which is what makes this feature unique. The comments cover the Big B Files Blocking the Return of the Fairness Doctrine & Protecting the First Amendment from Tuesday, July 17, 2007, Christian Persecution in America. . .What Christian Persecution in America? from Monday, July 16, 2007, and Hate Crimes Laws, You Free Speech Rights, AND Your Pastor’s Free Speech Rights from Sunday, July 8, 2007.

The Big B Files begins with the comments from the Big B File Christian Persecution in America. . .What Christian Persecution in America? from Monday, July 16, 2007. Anthropomorphous from across the pond in the United Kingdom (more commonly referred to us in the United States as Great Britain) writes the following:

” Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation Anyway … nice blog to visit.

cheers, Anthropomorphous.”

- Anthropomorphous.

Thanks Anthropomorphous for the kind words about the Big B Files. . . .they are very much appreciated and cheers to you and yours as well. As far as missing the point, The big B files suggests that you check out ACLJ.org, CBN.com, and persecution.com for a better understanding of the issue and I’ll see what I can do on my end as well . . .thanks again for the feedback. Meanwhile, Ms. Suzanne Byrne chimes in with the following comments about this issue:

“I read your piece above. I am a baptized Catholic, and am tired of being persecuted by ignorant zealots who don’t know the first thing about Catholicism. But the reason I am dropping you a line is to suggest you run spell check/grammar check on your editorial. There are many errors, and corrections would make your arguments for non-persecution read as much more viable. Good luck to you.”

- Ms. Suzanne Byrne

The Big B Files wholeheartedly in what you said in the first sentence. As far as your suggestions about the errors along with running the Spelingl & Grammar Checks . . . thanks. The Big B Files did just that and I have since corrected the errors. Let me know what you think and thank you so very much for the “heads up” on those errors. Scott wrote the following comment in reaction to the Big B File and Hate Crimes Laws, You Free Speech Rights, AND Your Pastor’s Free Speech Rights from Sunday, July 8, 2007:

“It is ironic that Conyers would be so careful about the Constitution when it comes to expanded presidential powers and yet attack free speech when convenient. We need a consistency in congress. Rep. Ron Paul is a good example.”

- Scott

Amen Brother! The Big B Files could not agree with you more. As far as the Hate Crimes Legislation, the bill was Defeated shortly after that Big B File was written. Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer, Ted Kennedy and others tried to get it through congress three more times and has not be reintroduced since. As far as the Big B Files knows, the issue is dead . . . but the Big B Files suggests that you will keep an eye on Congress because you never know what the Far-Left people like Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and others like them running Congress.

Doug Meyers wrote the following in regards to the Big B File Blocking the Return of the Fairness Doctrine & Protecting the First Amendment from Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Use Option #1 for HR 2905 this is the best and most definitive course of action.

- Doug Meyers

The Big B Files wholeheartedly concurres with that statement. All three bill have the same text . . . with the only difference being who the sponsors are and where the bill was introduced. Pence’s bill is the one the Big B files has been following since last July, which leads me top the Big B Files Update.

In the Big B File Blocking the Return of the Fairness Doctrine & Protecting the First Amendment from Tuesday, July 17, 2007, I wrote about efforts by the Far Left to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine and about the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007, a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana . . . a former Radio Talk Show host . . . and 121 others that would ban forever the return of the Fairness Doctrine through various methods. As of the writing of this Big B File, the bill was 6/28/2007 Referred to House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet on June 28, 2007 where Nancy Pelosi and others wanted to make sure that the bill would never be acted upon nor voted on by the full House. On October17, 2007, a motion was filed to discharge the Rules Committee from consideration of H.Res. 694, which provides for the consideration of H.R. 2905. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures for further action. (Discharge Petition No. 110-3: text with signatures.)

The Senate versions of the bill . . .S.1742, S.1748 . . . were referred top the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where they have remained ever since. As far as the bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana and 121 others . . . . On October17, 2007, a motion was filed to discharge the Rules Committee from consideration of H.Res. 694, which provides for the consideration of H.R. 2905. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures for further action. (Discharge Petition No. 110-3: text with signatures.).

Recently Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said the following to John Gizzi of Human Events.com:

“At a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor yesterday, I asked Pelosi if Pence failed to get the required signatures on a discharge petition to get his anti-Fairness Doctrine bill out of committee, would she permit the Pence measure to get a floor vote this year.
“No,” the Speaker replied, without hesitation. She added that “the interest in my caucus is the reverse” and that New York Democratic Rep. “Louise Slaughter has been active behind this [revival of the Fairness Doctrine] for a while now.”
Pelosi pointed out that, after it returns from its Fourth of July recess, the House will only meet for another three weeks in July and three weeks in the fall. There are a lot of bills it has to deal with before adjournment, she said, such as FISA and an energy bill.
“So I don’t see it [the Pence bill] coming to the floor,” Pelosi said. “Do you personally support revival of the ‘Fairness Doctrine?’” I asked. “Yes,” the speaker replied, without hesitation

Pelosi Supports ‘Fairness Doctrine’ by John Gizzi

(Posted 06/25/2008 EST

Rep. Mike Pence, the bill’s house sponsor, responded to Pelosi’s comments about the Fairness Doctrine. He said the following in response to Pelosi’s statement from June 25^th:

“One year ago, over 300 Democrats and Republicans stood together to oppose efforts to restore the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ to the airwaves of this country for a single year – it was an encouraging vote.

But following that vote, I introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act which would permanently ban the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ from ever coming back. And so far, not one single House Democrat has signed our petition for an up-or-down vote on broadcast freedom…and now we know why. Asked yesterday if she supported reviving the ‘Fairness Doctrine,’ Speaker Nancy Pelosi replied ‘yes.’

She told a meeting at the Christian Science Monitor that the Broadcaster Freedom Act would not receive a vote because ‘the interest of my caucus is the reverse.’

I say to Speaker Pelosi with respect:

‘Defending freedom is the paramount interest of every Member of the American Congress. I urge my Democrat colleagues to take a stand for freedom. Oppose the Democrat leadership’s plan to censor the airwaves of American talk radio and American Christian radio. Sign the discharge petition for Broadcast Freedom, and help us send the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ to the ash heap of broadcast history, where it belongs.”

Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana (former Radio Talk Show host)

on the House Floor- July 7, 2008

So far . . .not a single Democrat Member of Congress (and a few Republicans) Who Supported a One-Year Moratorium on the Fairness Doctrine But Have Not Signed the Discharge Petition as of the writing of this Big B File. Those members of Congress are listed here. Call them and demand that they sign the discharge petition now! You can read about the myths versus facts in relation to the Fairness Doctrine by clicking here.

If you need some talking points about this issue, Representative Pence has provided them here as well. This is a very bipartisan issue . . just look at Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes of Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes Program.

And that is the Big B Files. Click on the “Comments” Link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.

In Loving Memory of a Fine & Faithful Servant . . . Tim Russert (1950 – 2008)

The Loving Memory of Tim Russert and the one thing that animated him most of all is the subject of this Big B File.

      On Friday, June 13, 2008, we all heard about the sudden death of NBC News Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief and “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert. From all indications, Tim apparently died of a heart attack resulting from a clot that had broken away in a vessel near his heart. He died doing the one thing he loved doing . . . journalism. He was by all accounts a fair minded and kind person.

     People from all over . . . Conservatives, Liberals, etc . . . all praised Tim Russert for what he did and for his strong sense of family. However, there was one thing most of all that they left out . . . his deep seeded faith. Like me (in a large number of ways), he was a devout Roman Catholic.

     

Tim Russert made every effort to make it to mass every day, which turned out to be the highlight of his day. He had met both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. All of the others who reminisced about Tim Russert being a journalist, his country (United States), and his family motivated him to be what he was at the time of his death on June 13^th.

     The Big B Files believes wholeheartedly that all of that was because of and motivated by his Roman Catholic Faith. It was like at times that Tim Russert was so devout in his Roman Catholic Faith, that he would put myself and others to shame. I have seen this myself and with my own eyes . . . having been following him over the years.

     Tim Russert was the one who arranged to have the daily Mass celebrated LIVE on national network television by none other than Pope John Paul II himself. Tim Russert was the only network news journalist to have his son, Luke Russert, baptized by a pope. Pope John Paul II Baptized his son, Luke Russert, twenty-tow (22) years ago at St. Peter’s in Vatican City (Rome).

     For that reason, Tim Russert should be a role model for as well as an inspiration on how we should live our faith and how we should act toward others. I am sure that God the Father is saying to Tim Russert, “Well done, my good and very faithful servant.” The Big B Files wholeheartedly concurres with that statement as well.

And that is the Big B Files. Click on the “Comments” Link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.

 

Big B Files Website Maintenance, Modification, & Updating

Dear Visitors to Big B Files online,

     The Big B Files website will be undergoing some design modefications over the next week.  the look may look funny and/or wierd… please be patient as the process to give the Big B Files website gets underway. . .thanks so very much in advance.

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Bryan V. Hewing

Designer and commentator of the Big B Files Online.

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WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, POPE BENEDICT XVI

Pope Benedict XVI’s papal Visit to the United States of America is the subject of this Big B File.

     POPE BENEDICT XVI arrived in the United States of America Tuesday Afternoon near Washington, D.C.   The pope was greeted at Andrews Air Force Base by President George W. Bush, Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna Bush.  this was the only time the president has met a foreign dignitary at the air force base ever.  as the Catholic news agency put it..

 Pope Benedict touches down in the United States
     Washington DC, Apr 15, 2008 / 03:52 pm (CNA).- Shepherd One landed right on time this afternoon, bringing Pope Benedict XVI to the United States for the first time. President Bush, Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna paid Pope Benedict the honor of meeting him at the airport—the first time Bush has done so for a head of state. 
     The Pontiff was greeted by an honor guard of military servicemen and a crowd of 5,000 military family members. 
     After waving to the crowd, the Pope was transported via motorcade to the house of the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi. Normally, President Bush takes Marine One to the Andrews Air Force Base, but due to the scale of the preparations for tomorrow’s record crowd of 12,000 people at the White House using the helicopter became impossible.  Pope Benedict will reside at the Apostolic Nunciature while in Washington and will make his first public remarks on Wednesday morning at the White House at 10:30 EST.

      Pope Benedict XVI did address the Priest Sex Abuse Scandal that the Ancient Media has been bashing the Roman Catholic Church over ther head since the late 1990s (courtesy Catholic News Agency [CNA]).

     “It is a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the Church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said. “It is difficult for me to understand how it was possible that priests betray in this way their mission … to these children.
     I am deeply ashamed and we will do what is possible so this cannot happen again in the future,” the pope said.
     Benedict XVI also said he was determined to prevent pedophiles from becoming priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
     “We will absolutely exclude pedophiles from the sacred ministry,” Benedict said in English. “It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound.” Pedophilia is “absolutely incompatible” with the priesthood,” Benedict said.

- Pope promises to “do everything possible” to heal scandal of sex abuse
Aboard the papal plane, Apr 15, 2008 – Catholic News Agency [CNA]

 

  I do not know how much more assertive he could be in his statements to satisfy the far left (if they can ever be satisfied) short of removal from office people like Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony of Los Angeles, CA and other church leaders who either refuse to follow or dragging their feet in implementing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  Numerous people had, essence, written Pope Benedict XVI’s obituary before he had served even one day as pope and had written him off as a “transitional pope” . . . including on the Big B Zone radio program I did from 2004-2007 on the Odyssey and judging from how viabrant and physically fit the Pope is, I believe and would not be surprised that he becomes the first Centurian (100 year old+) pope in Church history!

 

And that is the Big B Files. Click on the “Comments” Link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.