From: Gary Bauer [gary.bauer@amvalues.org] Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 5:31 PM Subject: End of Day 2-1-07 Thursday, February 1, 2007 To: Friends & Supporters From: Gary Bauer General Targets Iran Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, one of the top commanders in Iraq, sat down with USA Today and provided examples of weapons captured in Iraq that trace back to Iran. Lt. Gen. Odierno described rocket propelled grenades that are larger and more sophisticated than those normally used by Iraqi terrorists and capable of firing armor-piercing rounds. He identified large Katyusha rockets, like those Hezbollah used in its recent conflict with Israel in Lebanon. The general also mentioned the increased lethality of the improvised explosive devices that are killing our soldiers, noting, “some of the elements to make them are coming out of Iran.” And, of course, there is also the fact that U.S. forces have arrested a number of Iranians during counterterrorism raids. On the same day that USA Today printed its interview with Lt. Gen. Odierno, the paper also ran an article headlined “Senators Warn Against War With Iran.” A number of senators on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee used this week’s confirmation hearing of John Negroponte to warn the administration against any military confrontation with Iran. In view of the general’s comments, I have to wonder why the politicians on Capitol Hill aren’t warning Iran about its military confrontations with us! Meanwhile, a leading security think tank in London released a report yesterday suggesting that Iran may be only two years away from developing a nuclear weapon. What’s Next? Now that House Democrats have finished their “100 hours” agenda of relatively non-controversial items, many folks are wondering what the Speaker from San Francisco may be planning next. Of great concern to pro-family conservatives is an expected assault on religious freedom coming in the form of so-called “hate crimes” legislation, special employment rights, and same-sex “marriage.” Consider these few examples: Christian Vanneste, a member of the French parliament, was prosecuted recently for speaking out against a same-sex “marriage” ceremony. According to one report, Vanneste said that homosexuality was “inferior” to heterosexuality and that it would be “dangerous for humanity if it was pushed to the limit.” Even though the “marriage” was declared illegal, Vanneste was convicted and fined $4,000. He got off easy – he could have gone to jail. In Great Britain, a bill extending sexual orientation to existing non-discrimination laws failed to provide any exemptions or protections for churches or religious charities, including those involved in adoption services. As a result of this legislation, the British government is effectively forcing the Catholic Church and other Christian ministries to provide adoption services to homosexual couples, even though it violates their belief that children deserve a mother and a father. In Canada, a marriage commissioner (justice of the peace) is facing a disciplinary hearing for refusing to perform a same-sex “marriage” ceremony. While legal in Canada, there is no “conscience clause” protection for civil servants who don’t want to violate their religious beliefs by marrying two men or two women. Reacting to the success of state-level marriage protection amendments, the homosexual lobby is launching a major counterattack this year -- pushing legislation in eleven states seeking to redefine marriage or extend the rights of marriage to same-sex couples. My friends, the militant homosexual movement is aggressively using the power of big government to pursue its agenda, and it is on a collision course with the religious freedom cherished by millions of Americans. If politicians can be prosecuted for speaking against same-sex “marriage,” why not pastors? It’s already happened in Sweden, and it will happen here if men and women of faith fail to defend our values in the public policy arena. Good News President Bush went to Wall Street yesterday to tout the good news on the economy that Big Media has largely ignored. The economy grew at a robust pace of 3.6% in the 4th quarter of 2006, inflation is in check, and unemployment remains low at 4.5%. The stock market is soaring, real wages are up, and more than 7 million jobs have been created since 2003. * * * * * If you are interested in receiving Mr. Bauer's daily report by e-mail, please call 703-671-9700, visit SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER'S "END OF DAY REPORT" or simply send a reply e-mail titled "Subscribe" and include your name and address. To be removed from Gary Bauer's End of Day distribution list, please reply to this message with "Remove" in the subject line. Please feel free to share this report with family and friends. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. 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