TheA PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH PublicEye ASSOCIATES SPRING 2006 • Volume XX, No.1

COMMENTARY When Adversaries Become Allies The Fight Against the Patriot Act and the Surveillance State

By Abby Scher Allen (Terry) Hoover, a gun rights T. advocate and former deputy sheriff, once had a pink submachine gun made as a gift for his wife. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. And in Idaho, he was a member of a right/left coali- tion called the Boise Patriots, which won local and state resolutions demanding that Congress drop the provisions from the USA Patriot Act that are turning America into a dangerous surveillance state. “The way to cook a frog is to put him in cold water and turn up the heat slowly,” he said after the US Senate renewed a barely-revised Patriot Act in early March. “The original Patriot Act was cold water. Now the heat is turned up, we’re cooked.”

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images Tama/Getty Mario by Photo If the Patriot Act gives rise to any pos- In his notebook, Charles Darwin sketched the “tree of life” depicting evolution, now on exhibit at the itive legacy, it is the “strange bedfellows” American Museum of Natural History in New York. coalitions like Hoover’s. From Dallas to Idaho and Montana, political opponents Designs on the Culture When Adversaries Become Allies continues on page 15 By Jeffrey P. Moran have evolved through Darwinian natural IN THIS ISSUE selection; the alternative, ID would propose, over is over, for now. Beginning in Letters ...... 2 D2004, an elected school board is that these phenomena must instead be attempted to change the Dover, PA, science the products of a superintending intelli- Globalization of an Agenda . . . . . 3 curriculum so that it cast significant doubt gence. The Battle for the on the evolutionary hypothesis. A federal judge, appointed by a con- Mainline Churches ...... 10 servative president who himself believes in The board tried to substitute a textbook, Book Reviews ...... 21 Of Pandas and People, that reflected a new some form of creationism, followed ample element in the antievolution movement— precedent on the separation of Church and Reports in Review ...... 25 namely, “intelligent design” (ID)—or the State and mocked with proper acidulous- Eyes Right ...... 27 theory that some elements of the biologi- ness the Dover School Board’s assertions Eye Lashes ...... 27 cal universe are simply too complicated to Designs on the Culture continues on page 9

THE PUBLIC EYE1 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye LETTERS ThePublicEye Framing Our Values Better Publisher The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, As staff members of the Rockridge Institute, the progressive think-tank where Dr. George M. Div., D. Min. Lakoff is a Senior Fellow, we appreciate the invitation William Gamson and Charlotte Editor Ryan extended to discuss the nature of framing, and its importance in the progressive Abby Scher, Ph.D movement [“Thinking About Elephants: Toward a Dialog with George Lakoff,” by William Circulation A. Gamson and Charlotte Ryan, Fall 2005]. However, be warned: it may turn out to be Shelly Harter one of those boring discussions where everyone agrees with everyone else. Design/layout Gamson and Ryan explain frames with laudable clarity and considerable accuracy— Hird Graphic Design no easy task, as we’ve discovered. We agree with their description of frames as uncon- Printing scious mental structures that give “coherent meaning to what is happening in the Causeway Graphics world.” Frames develop into “common sense” both through our interactions with the world around us, and through cultural reinforcement transmitted through repetition. Editorial Board Chip Berlet • Pam Chamberlain Once established, frames govern our interpretations of events, telling us what the Frederick Clarkson • David Cunningham, Ph.D important parts are and, in the case of politics, determining the credibility of informa- Surina Khan • Roberto Lovato tion provided and of the messengers providing it. The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale Abby Scher • Holly Sklar The difficulty inherent in understanding framing has resulted in many misconcep- Paul Watanabe, Ph.D tions. Some think of framing as a sort of alchemy by which a carefully-crafted slogan is effortlessly transmuted into policy victories. These shortcuts simply don’t exist. How- PRAPRA Political Research Associates ever, the deeper modes of reasoning that people use to evaluate policy can change, after POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES a great deal of time, money and passion have been devoted to the effort. Founder and President Emerita In fact, we follow in the footsteps of many progressive reframers who prove that con- Jean V. Hardisty, Ph.D certed efforts can alter policy by way of framing. The successes of the feminist, civil rights, Staff and environmental justice movements have inspired our work from Day One. Those The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, long-term reframings serve as examples of what is possible when the objectives of Executive Director progressivism as a whole are understood to make common sense. We imagine a future Chip Berlet, Senior Analyst Pam Chamberlain, Research Analyst in which feminism, environmentalism and labor rights are each seen as aspects of a broader Shelly Harter, Data Manager philosophy, because the connections between issues and to core values have been high- Cindy King, Business Manager lighted by organizations and leaders working on them. Tom Louie, Director of Development and Furthermore, as Gamson and Ryan point out, framing the debate is not the same as Communications Abby Scher, Senior Editor winning the debate. For that, you need collaboration between activists, policy professionals, organizers, media mavens and, yes, intellectuals. We’re cognitive linguists, so we focus on Board of Directors the relationship between language, ideas, and intellectual infrastructure. This should not Michael Chapman Richard Gross be seen as a slight to other components of the progressive ecosystem, but rather as an attempt Heeten Kalan to optimize division of labor. We’re contributing to the movement the best way we know Vivien Labaton how: by understanding and then better articulating our common values so that the gen- June Lorenzo Mohan Sikka eral public realizes those values as the governing principles of our nation. That articula- Wendy Volkmann tion will be a success contingent upon our working with and alongside others. Paul Watanabe, Ph.D.

By the same token, we hope progressives recognize The Public Eye is published by Political Research CORRECTION the importance of giving thematic consistency to dis- Associates. Subscriptions are $15.00 for individuals In “The Rise of Dominionism: and non-profit organizations, $10.00 for students parate policy issues. Both progressives and conservatives and low-income individuals. Outside U.S., Canada, Remaking America as a Christian have flourishing grassroots movements—but only and Mexico, add $9.00 for surface delivery or Nation,” (Winter 2005), we referred to $14.00 for air mail. an article in Southern Poverty Law conservatives have an established network of “umbrella” Center’s Intelligence Report in saying Please make checks payable to Political Research that Tom Parker had “longstanding policy groups that link the general themes of their Associates, 1310 Broadway, Suite 201, ties” to the Council of Conservative philosophy together. That’s the shortcoming we’d like Somerville, Massachusetts 02144-1837. 617.666.5300 fax: 617.666.6622 Citizens and the white supremacist to address, but we can’t do it alone. We’re glad League of the South. In fact, Parker PRA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. All appeared with and was photographed Gamson and Ryan share our belief in the importance donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted posing with leaders from those two of collaboration and unity. by law. © Political Research Associates, 2006. organizations while at an event, Dan Kurtz and Anat Shenker-Osorio, Website: www.publiceye.org according to its authors. Nor did All rights reserved. ISSN 0275-9322 Parker refer to his home as “Ft. Dixie.” The Rockridge Institute ISSUE 51

THE PUBLIC EYE 2 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye The Globalization of an Agenda The Right Targets the UN with its Anti-Choice Politics By Pam Chamberlain right to life, family rights, and national sov- a whole, Bush instead enlisted the help of n June 2004, US officials brought along ereignty” at the conference.2 evangelical Protestant and conservative Ia special guest to a regional United Smith’s behavior, outlandish for a mem- Catholic organizations to disrupt the diplo- Nations (UN) conference on population ber of Congress, reflected what anti-choice macy needed to craft solutions to interna- issues, held that year in Puerto Rico. It was lobbyists in Washington hoped for—a tional crises in population growth, high Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Smith, leader to take their agenda abroad. rates of AIDS/HIV, and the needless deaths at one time the head of the New Jersey Right and debility resulting from too little repro- to Life Committee, promotes himself as a Delivering Anti-Choice Politics ductive health care. champion for international human rights Abroad The slow work in dismantling Roe v. and a strong opponent of abortion. hat began during the Reagan years Wade makes the Bush Administration “Anti-life strategies which rely on decep- Was tentative steps into the interna- eager to consolidate its support among its tion and hyperbole…are now being tional arena in the name of curtailing abor- socially conservative base. Giving them deployed with a vengeance in the devel- tions has grown into a major political access to the international arena may dis- oping world,” he once proclaimed.1 success under the administration of George tract these activists from the fact that the As a member of Congress for over W. Bush.3 Administration was failing to deliver twenty years, Smith took advantage of his Under George W. Bush, US interven- entirely on their agenda at home. presence at the regional UN conference — tion makes women’s health disparities In turn, many conservative Christian- the biannual Economic Council for Latin worse. In 2001, he reinstated the “global based organizations find that going global America and the Caribbean—to directly gag rule” that had reigned during the Rea- with an anti-choice message is a comfort- lobby delegates against language that he felt gan and Bush I years, which requires any able fit. A series of factors influenced this hinted at abortion rights. While the UN’s organization applying for US funds to move. First, if its members come from faith International Conference on Population agree neither to counsel nor provide women communities that send missionaries and Development in Cairo a decade ear- with abortions (see box).4 But that was abroad, the organization tends to be sym- lier had substituted a call for “reproductive only the starting point. Showing the dis- pathetic to international work. For health” instead of “family planning”—a dain for working collaboratively with other instance, as early as the mid-1980s, Bev- change that filtered countries that guides his foreign policy as erly LaHaye’s Concerned Women for through all later UN America protested the documents—Smith persecution of a wanted to switch it Christian poet in the back. Soviet Union and Smith was a guest called attention to the at the conference, not needs of Nicaraguans a diplomat. But that who lived in refugee didn’t stop him from camps in Costa Rica.5 lobbying the heads of Choosing these proj- state of Uruguay and ects was politically Guatemala by faxing savvy, since they them from Puerto placed Concerned Rico on Congres- Women as a group sional stationery. In firmly opposed to his message, Smith communism and sup- urged them to make portive of religious abortions illegal in freedom at the same their countries and to time. The second factor instruct their delega- BarryImages Williams/Getty tions to vote against Austin Ruse (R), here with his baby daughter Lucy, is a major strategist for anti-choice forces at the has been the resur- “direct attacks on the United Nations. gence of conservative

THE PUBLIC EYE3 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye evangelical involvement in the political States, which has viewed the UN since its sphere. While staying away from politics founding as a dangerous “One World through most of the 20th century, evan- Government.” The recent appointment of gelicals are now recognized as one of the The power of the purse John Bolton as the stonewalling US major contributors to the rise of the polit- Ambassador makes this anti-UN view in ical Right in the last 40 years. Early lead- gives the United States all practical terms official US policy. ers, like James Dobson of Focus on the Despite their skepticism about the Family, and Tim and Beverly LaHaye, are considerable influence institution, over the past five years the non- still in the forefront of Christian Right governmental organizations, or NGOs, of international work. over many international socially conservative groups have grown in Third, working at the UN helps increase number and gained power in the UN. the organizations’ political power and orga- programs. They now engage in more aggressive and nizational base in the United States, as lead- disruptive diplomacy by securing spots on ers mingle with political heavyweights as official delegations. Their leaders even official UN observers. They can broadcast Christian Thought, the UN and conduct their own wildcard diplomacy as their work on the large-scale Christian the Old Right Rep. Smith has demonstrated. media networks and, perhaps, sustain onservative Christian thought gives Austin Ruse, a prominent Catholic head- their legitimacy as political players even as Cpower to the movement’s interna- ing a conservative watchdog group at the they faced failures in their effort to over- tional work. Many on the Christian Right UN, explains his strategy of stonewalling turn Roe at home. see the abortion struggle as a cosmic battle in an atmosphere of consensus: Finally, an extensive network of health between the forces of good and evil. Abor- We don’t need them all; we need and feminist organizations across the globe tion is not only a sin to this faction, but only a few [member states]… We has advocated for women’s sexual and women’s control of their reproductive establish a permanent UN pro-fam- reproductive autonomy for decades, both futures is seen as threatening the preserva- ily bloc of twelve states. And upon 7 locally and in global arenas. Yet even now, tion of family and society. This worldview these we lavish all of our attention.8 reports the Center for Reproductive Rights, raises the stakes of issues like abortion to a “78,000 women die every year from unsafe very high level in believers’ eyes, and it Showdown at the UN abortion, a statistic that could be virtually contributes its share to the dualistic, or eliminated by the provision of appropriate “black/white” thinking that dominates the espite anti-UN sentiment among health information and services and law reproductive rights debate. Danti-choice groups, their efforts to reform efforts.”6 Still, the conservative As it entered the global arena, the Chris- influence UN declarations have served challenge to these more liberal organiza- tian Right began interweaving its analysis ironically to legitimize the institution’s tions must go on. with that of the far Right in the United influence in conservative eyes. NGOs have an increasing role in the United Nations with over 2000 groups registered with con- sultative status on economic and social GLOBAL GAG RULE issues alone.9 Although the largest NGO In reinstating the global gag rule, Bush declared, “It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should presence is progressive, socially conservative not be used to pay for abortions or advocate or actively promote abortion, either here or abroad.” forces, often originating in the United States, are growing in power. The ratio of In addition to losing funding, the organizations that do not comply with the gag rule also lose pro-choice to anti-choice NGOs is now technical assistance and US-donated contraceptives, including condoms. 3:2. Their agenda includes removing any Its global impact has been profound, even with the European Union picking up some of the mention of abortion and reproductive slack. The gag rule has disrupted not only abortion access but family planning services, prenatal health in UN documents, opposing any care, and HIV/AIDS prevention in multiple countries worldwide, especially in the Global South. recognition of gay rights, and disputing the Women, who both require family planning resources and account for almost half of the global value of comprehensive sex education. population living with HIV/AIDS, suffer the most. The rule has resulted in the halting of pro- Their battles focus on the language of gressive pro-choice lobbying in countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya, which have the UN’s resolutions and policy recom- severely restrictive abortion laws. Particularly in Ethiopia, where abortion is completely illegal, mendations. For instance, progressive most family planning agencies have refused to abide by the gag rule. As a result, the contraceptive women’s groups successfully established supply has been restricted, leading to a high rate of illegal abortion, which is currently the second highest killer of women in that country. “reproductive rights” instead of “popula- tion control” in 1994 at the International

THE PUBLIC EYE 4 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Conference on Population and Develop- tle against abortion, homosexuality, and the Congresses on Families culminated in the ment in Cairo, signaling a shift in empha- general expansion of sexual and political Doha International Conference for the sis from demographics to women’s rights. rights. He rejoices at the hostility directed Family, held in November of 2004, whose This prompted a backlash from conserva- towards him by progressive groups, saying, mission was to protect the “natural” fam- tive forces who saw the language as a slip- We attended all of the women’s ily as the fundamental unit of society. pery slope towards increased access to meetings and essentially took them Billed as an international conference like abortion worldwide. over. Memos were going back from Beijing or Cairo, Doha was independent Conservative NGOs, like the evangel- the conference in New York to gov- of the UN with an explicit anti-choice ical Concerned Women for America and ernments in the European Union focus and attended by more than one the Family Research Council, take their that radical fundamentalists had thousand participants. cues from their older brother at the UN, taken over the meeting, and that The conference drew on the common the Vatican/Holy See. The Vatican has was us.10 values of conservative Christians, Catholics been, at least until recently, the single most and Muslims, and was held in the capital influential abortion opponent at the UN. Since the Cairo conference, groups like of the wealthy Emirate of Qatar. It involved This may be because of its special “per- the Mormon-supported World Family a year of planning and regional conferences manent observer” status, held by no other Policy Center, Concerned Women for in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with NGO, which gives it more access and much of the research on the current state influence, and because of its lengthier his- of the family and marriage provided by the tory of participating in NGO activities Policy Center itself. there. In fact, the Vatican already mobilized Tentative steps during After the conference, the government of opposition to the gains of the 1994 Cairo Qatar put forth a conservative resolution conference in time for the UN’s women’s the Reagan years to on the family to the UN General Assem- conference in Beijing the very next year. bly that was adopted without a vote. A Well-funded, powerful groups work curtail abortion in the number of speakers subsequently disasso- both alone and in “Family Rights” coali- ciated themselves from the consensus cit- tions, sometimes forming alliances with international arena have ing as their primary explanation the unexpected religious groups. Shared omission of language, previously accepted beliefs are the threads that connect fun- grown into a major at international levels, which recognized damentalist Muslims and Christians with that the family structure could take vari- similar views on traditional families and political success under ous forms, according to the official UN the role of women. press announcement on the resolution.12 One of the prominent American anti- George W. Bush. The forward momentum of anti-choice abortion organizations working in the efforts at the UN suffered a setback in United Nations is the Catholic Family and November of 2005. The UN Human Human Rights Institute (abbreviated as C- Rights Committee (UNHRC), an 18- Fam), headed by Austin Ruse. Human Life member group that monitors the imple- International, an organization of Catholic America, and the National Right to Life mentation of the UN’s human rights priests with worldwide reach (which was Committee intensively monitor the plan- covenants, decided in its first abortion denied official recognition in the UN due ning schedule of international gatherings case, KL v. Peru, that abortion is a human to its attacks on Islam and hostility towards sponsored by the UN, prepare lobbying right. This decision affirmed the work of UN goals) created C-Fam along with a strategies for each event, and participate, international women’s health advocates think tank, Population Research Interna- sometimes with large contingents. Such and sent anti-choice NGOs into tailspins. tional, led by Steve Mosher. anti-choice NGOs largely attend events on Austin Ruse stubbornly declared in his C-Fam issues UN-related faxes every Fri- women’s issues, but by their mere presence Friday Fax that the committee’s decision day. These faxes are Ruse’s attempt to they also have an impact on gatherings con- was not only an example of flawed rea- 13 expose the “dirty laundry” of the UN while cerning children, families, population, the soning but was non-binding anyway. bragging about C-Fam’s ability to disrupt environment, and human rights. Not so, says Luisa Cabal, Director of the UN activity. C-Fam and similar organiza- The World Family Policy Center International Legal Program at the Center tions with ties to the Vatican/Holy See, builds influence through its annual for Reproductive Rights, one of the groups Ruse says, consider countries such as Sudan, forums for UN delegates, ambassadors, that brought the case before the Committee. and religious leaders from around the Libya, Iraq, Iran, and other moderate and We are thrilled that the UNHRC hard-line governments as “allies” in the bat- world, outlining how it sees UN policies affecting the family.11 Its series of World has ruled in favor of protecting

THE PUBLIC EYE5 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

women’s most essential human rights. for Population, Refugees, and Migration organization conducts research on safe Every woman who lives in any of the without Congressional approval. Women’s abortion techniques. 154 countries that are party to this health and human rights advocates world- treaty—including the US—now has wide expressed outrage. Home-Grown Groups Take the a legal tool to use in defense of her The challenge to “suggestive language” Grand Tour rights. This ruling establishes that it has over the past few years become a major n line with their missionary orientation, is not enough to just grant a right on tactic of the Bush Administration at the IChristian Right groups directly support paper. Where abortion is legal it is United Nations. It repeatedly tried to grassroots efforts that promote a “culture of governments’ duty to ensure that weaken a unanimous resolution on the life” in other countries. These groups 14 women have access to it. right to health by pressuring for the word include: the American Life League, Con- “services” to be deleted from the phrase cerned Women for America and its LaHaye The Impact on the Bush “health care services,” claiming that it was Institute, Focus on the Family, Heartbeat Administration a code word for abortion.18 International, Human Life International, f reinstating the global gag rule was Bush’s In promoting sexual abstinence for ado- the Justice Foundation, National Right to Iopening shot for the anti-choice cause on lescents, the Bush Administration and its Life Committee, and United Families Inter- the international level, refusing to allies fight language referring to repro- national. ratify the United Nations Con- Beyond launching overseas vention on the Elimination of All groups, they support foreign infra- Forms of Discrimination Against structure and help develop their Women (CEDAW) was certainly Many of the conservative NGOs electoral strategies. For instance, a follow up. Because this interna- the National Right to Life Com- tional treaty opposing discrimina- working at the UN hold a critical, even mittee’s Wanda Franz claimed that tion against women includes her group, with help from the suggestive language like “access to disdainful, opinion of UN programs American Life League, helped health care services, including those launch 200 local groups and elect related to family planning,” US and of the institution itself. 12 anti-choice members of par- anti-choice groups feared it would liament in Sweden in only six 15 20 lead to the right to an abortion. years. As she put it: Their success in preventing the Early in the 1990s a young United States from signing on to man named Michal Oscarson sought CEDAW—in existence since the Reagan ductive health care. For instance they out NRLC's support for a study years—reflects the ability of these groups fought this battle at the Special Session on project that allowed a few volun- to maintain a long-term focus on curtail- Children in 2002 and in rescinding US sup- teers to come from Sweden and spend ing women’s rights. port for the 1994 International Conference time here in America with NRLC The treaty “is like the Equal Rights on Population and Development agree- staff and affiliates with a view to Amendment on steroids,” quipped Wendy ment (the Cairo Program of Action) which building a strong and effective pro- 19 Wright of Concerned Women for Amer- mentioned condoms explicitly. life movement in that country. In the 16 ica in describing her opposition. Even without winning battles over lan- six years that have followed that ven- Not all their efforts muck up the works guage, the power of the purse gives the ture Ja til Livet has grown to 200 globally. At a February 2005 conference United States considerable influence over chapters throughout Sweden. marking the 10th anniversary of the Beijing many international programs. In 2003 and Recently they helped to elect 12 new Conference on the Status of Women, offi- again in 2005, the US House of Repre- pro-life parliamentarians, including cial US delegates failed in their effort to sentatives blocked $500 million in inter- Michal Oscarson himself.21 national family planning funds destined for remove references to the right to abortion For those wanting to take special pro- but still reaffirmed support for the decla- the United Nations Population Fund 17 life missionary trips, Human Life Inter- rations made in Beijing. But all was not (UNFPA), falsely claiming that the funds would go to Chinese women aborting national offers the chance to proselytize lost for anti-choice supporters. During abroad while establishing satellite offices in the January 2006 holiday recess, Bush pregnancies to comply with China’s one child-one-family population policy. more than 50 countries including Kenya, appointed the chief of the US delegation, South Korea, Chile and Russia. The mis- Ellen Sauerbrey, a former Bush campaign The United States also froze $3 million in aid to the World Health Organization sionaries also export anti-choice strategies worker and anti-choice representative at the already in use in the United States: form- UN, to be the Assistant Secretary of State in 2002 because the global public health

THE PUBLIC EYE 6 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

the Family, which has produced a cur- riculum, “No Apologies, The Truth about Life, Love and Sex.” “No Apologies” can be found in many of the 150 countries where Focus has a presence. According to Focus’ own figures, “No Apologies” has reached 1 million teens worldwide.24

Why Export a “Pro-Life” Agenda? here are pros and cons to working as Tan anti-choice NGO at the UN. Cer- tainly a history and culture of missionary work can provide some of the experience and most of the motivation necessary to mount a campaign. Working at the inter- national level can offer a magnified feeling of power. Yet many of the conservative NGOs working at the UN hold a critical, even disdainful, opinion of UN programs and of the institution itself. Steven Mosher, President of the HLI-supported Population Research Institute, has called the UN-ini- tiated Global Fund for AIDS “the global fund for abortion, prostitution and the homosexual agenda.”25 Even while her organization works at the UN, a spokesperson for the Beverly LaHaye Institute at Concerned Women for Amer- ica said: Sincere women of faith within the mainline churches are being duped into thinking that by endors- ing the UN they are helping the Great Commission of Christ to go into all the world, spreading the good news and healing the sick. Instead, their resources and influence are going to an institution that is Best ofBest Economista Latin Americ, El often ineffective in providing relief to the suffering and oppressed. Even ing crisis pregnancy and post-abortion of their commitment to abstinence until worse, scandal and unethical prac- healing centers, fighting sex education and marriage.22 A recipient of more than $1 mil- tices riddle the United Nations.26 establishing “chastity programs” in schools, lion in US government faith-based fund- and training priests how to organize against ing since 2002, the Silver Ring Thing lost Susan Roylance, a founder of United abortion. its government funding in August 2005 Families International, recognizes the con- Recent media attention spotlighted the after an ACLU lawsuit. It still supports an tradiction but provides a rationale for “Silver Ring Thing,” a Christian absti- international presence, particularly in sticking it out at the UN: nence sexuality education program affili- South Africa where 10 events are already I do not believe family policies ated with the John Guest Evangelical Team. scheduled for 2006.23 should be formulated in the inter- It encourages students to take virginity Another well-known group with exten- national arena…We must become pledges and wear a silver ring as a symbol sive international programming is Focus on involved to protect our families from

THE PUBLIC EYE7 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

those who would “re-engineer” the End Notes 21 http://www.nrlc.org/news/1998/NRL10.98/olivia.html. social structures of the world.27 1 “An Urgent Appeal to get Involved in Politics: Public Ser- 22 http://www.silverringthing.com/get_ring.html. vice a Ministry to Protect the ‘Least of our Brethren And 23 http://www.silverringthing.com. These comments are reminiscent of Strengthen the Family.’ ”, a speech at the Vatican Con- ference on Globalization, Economy and Family, Vatican 24 http://www.family.org/docstudy/newsletters/ Sen. Jesse Helms’ fear that the UN repre- City, November 2000. http://priestsfrolife.org/govern- a0037280.cfm. sents a “One World” government. Helms’ ment/chrissmithspeech.htm. 25 Steven Mosher, “Weekly Briefing,” February 21, 2003, politics, the same Helms who authored the 2 See http://www.planetwire.org/details/4879 for a copy http://www.pop.org/main.cfm?EID=444. 1973 Helms Amendment which prohibits of Smith’s fax. 26 Katy Kiser, “The United Nations: an Untold Story,” at: spending federal money on abortions 3 Because the mainstream media tends neither to cover the http://www.beverlylahayeinstitute.org/articledisplay.asp?i international work of conservative groups nor the inter- d=6623&department=BLI&categoryid=reports. abroad, sit squarely at the intersection of national conferences themselves, the Christian media 27 Susan Roylance, Pro-Family Negotiating Guide, (Gilbert, a nationalist resistance to multilateral becomes an important source of information about the Ariz: United Families International, 2001) v. accomplishments of such groups as Human Life Inter- agreements and a desperate hold on tradi- national, Concerned Women for America, and Focus on 28 Skuster, Patty. “Advocacy in Whispers: The Impact of the tional views of women. the Family abroad. Reproductive justice advocates, pri- USAID Global Gag Rule Upon Free Speech and Free marily from the international women’s heath network. Association in the Context of Abortion Law Reform in The UN’s ability to attract powerful peo- Catholics for a Free Choice, the Sexual Information and Three East African Countries.” Michigan Journal of ple motivates the groups to spend consid- Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), Gender and Law. Vol. 11:97. 10/27/2004. erable resources to set up offices in New Planned Parenthood, and the International Women’s 29 Harrison, Dian. “Women worldwide face effects of Health Coalition all watch this trend. Bush’s gag rule.” March 7, 2005. The San Francisco York and travel extensively to gatherings 4 http://www.usaid.gov/whmemo.html. Chronicle. h t t p : / / w w w. s f g a t e . c o m / c g i - b i hosted around the world. Because of their 5 n / a r t i c l e . c g i ? file=/chronicle/archive/2005/03/07/ http://www.cwfa.org/history.asp. EDGT0ARPRT1.DTL. NGO status, organizations can work 6 “The Bush Global Gag Rule: Endangering Women’s directly with State Department officials in Health, Free Speech and Democracy,” Fact sheet from the US delegation, particularly now that the the Center for Reproductive Rights, June 2003, at http://www.crlp.org/pub_fac_ggrbush.html. anti-choice UN critic John Bolton is 7 “Kitchen Table Backlash: The Antifeminist Women’s ambassador. This allows for greater polit- Movement,” in Mobilizing Resentment (Boston: Beacon ical incorporation of once marginal polit- Press, 1999) 69-96 and Pam Chamberlain and Jean Hardisty, “Reproducing Patriarchy: Reproductive Rights ical groups. Under Siege,” in Defending Reproductive Rights Plus they can make news. Pro-family (Somerville, Mass.: PRA, 2000) 1-24. NGOs in general have learned to use the 8 Austin Ruse as quoted in Jennifer Butler, “For Faith and Family: Christian Right Advocacy at the United Nations,” Christian media to reach a much wider The Public Eye, IX, 2/3, Summer/Fall 2000, 10. audience than a mere mail campaign to 9 http://www.un.org/esa/coordination/ngo/pdf/INF_ donors and members. Through these TV, List.pdf. radio, and web services, as well as print 10 Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation speech, March 2000. media, they access a communications net- 11 Larsen, Kent. “BYU’s Annual World Family Policy Forum Addresses UN Policies.” July 27, 2001. Mormon work that does not exist for them in main- News. http://www.mormonstoday.com/010727/ stream media, transmitting their “culture T3WFPForum01.shtml. of life” philosophy, pro-family stories, and 12 http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/ga10311. anti-One World Government perspective. doc.htm. These pro-family forces recognize the 13 C-FAM Friday Fax, December 9, 2005, at http://www.c- fam.org/current.htm. value of supporting multiple strategies 14 “UN Human Rights Committee Makes Landmark simultaneously. They see the value of Decision Establishing Women’s Right to Access legal cultivating personal relationships with Abortion,” Press release, November 17, 2005, Center for Reproductive Rights. http://www.crlp.org/pr_ potential allies at United Nations’ gather- 05_1117KarenPeru.html. ings that were designed with very different 15 http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/text/econ- goals from their own. They do not hesitate vention.htm#article12. to imagine that they are capable of influ- 16 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,54524,00.html. encing global institutions. They have tasted 17 Goldenberg, Suzanne. “American Urges UN to Renounce Abortion Rights.” Guardian, March 1, 2005. www.glob- victory, and they will come back for another alpolicy.org/empire/un/2005/0301abortion.htm ■ helping. 18 “Bush’s Other War: The Assault on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.” International Women’s Pam Chamberlain is a research analyst with Health Coalition. www.iwhc.org. Political Research Associates. Thanks to 19 SIECUS Public Policy Office Fact Sheet. “Exporting Inef- Diana Dukhanova for research assistance fective Policy: The Globalization of American Abstinence- with this article. Only-Until-Marriage Programs.” http://www.siecus. org/inter/exporting_us_foreign_policy.pdf 20 http://www.nrlc.org/news/1998/NRL10.98/olivia.html.

THE PUBLIC EYE 8 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye DESIGNS continued from page 1 that theirs was not a religious crusade materialist explanations is a culture that has having anything to do with the wedge marching under the camouflage of fla- given up on the possibility of the miracle, document), in the end, the similarity in gella and microbiology. on the belief that God may intervene in the substance is paramount. The Wedge writ- Although no one believes that we have natural world through whichever mecha- ers view “scientific materialism” as the very heard our last from the Intelligent Design nisms he chooses, including particularly the source of almost all destructive “moral, cul- bunch, it may be useful at this resting saving grace of Jesus. tural and political legacies” of the past point to take a longer view of the contro- Backed by a wide majority of the Amer- century and a half. What are these legacies? versy. In the 1925 Tennessee Scopes trial, ican people, Bryan in 1925 could be quite Bathtub gin has shuffled off the stage, invoked ritually every time another squab- open about America’s need to follow the originally replaced by Freudianism, utopi- ble erupts over whether to teach Darwin natural history lessons laid out in the first anism, and communism, but now more or the Bible in the public schools, the chapters of Genesis. If the majority believed recently supplanted by liberal attitudes antievolutionists still had the confidence it, then what right did a small minority of toward personal responsibility, theology, to come out hot for Genesis in its narrow- natural scientists have to impose their nar- and, in a nod to the Discovery Institute’s est interpretation rather than take cover row vision of Darwinism on the nation’s well-heeled supporters, “products liability.” behind “Intelligent Design” or Envisioning this behemoth of some other linguistic squid ink. scientific materialism as a giant Led by one of the most famous tree whose trunk can be split men in the United States, the A grab-bag of controversies have with a thin wedge at its weakest Democratic politician William point (evolutionary theory, Jennings Bryan, the Tennessee persuaded a small number of conservative apparently), the wedge strategy antievolutionists in 1925 also commences with Phillip John- made clear that the tension evangelicals that they are an aggrieved son’s 1991 brief Darwinism on between the Bible and Darwin’s Trial and develops the various theory of natural selection was not minority in America. means by which “Intelligent their sole concern. Although Design” and its related arguments they surely felt their dignity tar- can be used to widen the gap so nished by Darwin’s assertions of that Americans may approach a common ancestry between humans and schoolchildren? More than half a century the ultimate goal of redeeming American beasts—especially monkeys —much of of court cases mandating a clearer separa- culture from scientists, doctors, lawyers, their animosity toward evolutionism grew tion of church and state have backed and actuaries. out of its larger commitment to “materi- Bryan’s heirs into various evasive strategies, Assuming that commitments to reform- alism.” Commonly used today to denote from claiming to teach a neutral “creation ing psychoanalysis or tort law are not an unseemly attachment to consumer science” (rejected in 1987’s Edwards v. enough to charge the faithful, it is clear from goods, “materialism” in Bryan’s day con- Aguillard as simply another attempt to interviews with the men and women at the veyed more a sense that the scientific disguise religion in a lab coat) to the more leading edge of the wedge that they see the method—seeking material explanations recent ID proposals for schools to “teach ID fight as part of the broader culture wars for natural phenomena, such as explaining the controversy” between evolution and ID of the last thirty-five years. These include why species change over time—was liter- with a wink at supporters who are in on the the school wars over prayer, sexuality edu- ally “disenchanting” the world by remov- game. We might hope that these calculated cation, displays of the Ten Command- ing a role for God to play. Darwin and his adaptations have in many ways weakened ments, and a grab-bag of other controversies scientific allies seemed to have barred God the original organism. that have persuaded a small number of from playing a role in the natural world. But a look at the so-called “Wedge Doc- conservative evangelicals that they are an Like many of his own allies, from the ument,” a long-term strategic plan for aggrieved minority in America, suffering Vatican proper to the “Protestant Vati- ousting evolution and renewing Amer- persecution at the hands of the courts, the can” of Nashville, Tennessee, Bryan feared ica’s Christian character developed at Seat- schools, and Hollywood liberals. that a reliance on materialism had left us tle’s well-funded Discovery Institute in Many of their grievances are cranked up with a degraded, godless culture—and the the 1980s, also reveals the persistent vigor within the echo chambers of talk radio conceptual connection he made in the of the anti-materialist impulse as it funnels rather than real impositions on the local 1920s from the Origin of Species to flap- itself through the fight against evolution. concerns of any one school or congregation, perism, jazz, and bathtub gin has changed Although no longer able to trumpet its reli- but the public schools make an ideal stag- today primarily in its form, not its sub- gious goals as openly as Bryan did (and, in ing ground for activism. Well-organized stance. A culture that relies purely on fact, the Discovery Institute initially denied groups can capture small local elections or

THE PUBLIC EYE9 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Much of their animosity The Battle for the toward evolutionism grew out of its larger Mainline Churches commitment to “materialism.” take advantage of other political anomalies, such as the provision in Kansas that the state board of education be elected from local dis- tricts rather than appointed by, say, a gov- ernor. It is these national issues being filtered through the local level that makes for such rich headlines and, in the cases of both Dover and Kansas, international mockery. Ridicule stings, but for the committed Christians on the leading edge of the wedge, such treatment is merely more evi- dence that a secular, materialist culture has decided to throw them to the lions—or, rather, continue to lump them in with the monkeys. Thus, Judge John E. Jones’ thumping decision in the Dover, PA, case Stan Honda/AFP/GettyStan Images stands as a greater vindication yet for their continued crusade. Further, while the tips of wedges can be broken, the stump often remains behind. By Frederick Clarkson why the National Council of Churches has The courts may retain their reason; voters ake no mistake,” wrote Avery been chosen to be its first victim and the may turn the rascals out, at least tem- “MPost, the national president of opening wedge for attacks on the denom- porarily. But at the end of the day, without the United Church of Christ in 1982, "the inations themselves.”1 a strong mandate to teach evolution as their objectives of the Institute on Religion Post’s letter to regional leaders of the 1.7 professional training has prepared them to, and Democracy are the exact opposite of million-member church followed the Insti- how many public school biology teachers what its name appears to stand for. The tute of Religion and Democracy’s (IRD) will open the textbook, look down into the purpose of its leaders is to demoralize the media attacks against the National Coun- faces of their pupils, and decide it’s just not mainline denominations and to turn them cil of Churches (NCC) and its member ■ worth the fight? away from the pursuit of social and denominations in Readers Digest and on 60 Jeffrey P. Moran is associate professor and chair economic justice. Minutes. Both were smear jobs, alleging that of the Department of History at the Univer- “We must not wait for this attack to be money from Sunday collection plates were sity of Kansas. He is the author of The Scopes launched in the congregations of the financing Marxist guerrillas. 60 Minutes Trial: A Brief History with Documents United Church of Christ. I urge you to producer Don Hewitt told TV talk show (The Bedford Series in History and Culture), move quickly to tell the ministers and host Larry King in 2002 that it was the one Teaching Sex: The Shaping of Adoles- members of the churches in your confer- program he truly regretted in his career. cence in the 20th Century, and, with ence about this campaign to disrupt our Twenty years late, but at least he acknowl- Ernest May, America Cold War Strategy & church life and to explain to them how and edged the error.2 The Scopes Trial.

THE PUBLIC EYE 10 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Avery Post was prophetic in his warn- The Origins of IRD historic roots in the earliest days of the ing. Unfortunately, he was not widely or much of the 20th century, the main- nation. Indeed, they epitomize the very idea heeded. Although the episode was big Fline Protestant churches maintained a and image of “church” for many Americans. news at the time, it seemed to drift from vigorous “social witness.” That is what In retrospect, it seems inevitable that pow- people’s consciousness. These days, the bat- these Protestants call their views on such erful external interests would organize and tle lines are drawn over such issues as same matters as peace, civil rights and environ- finance the conservative rump factions into sex marriage and ordination of gay and les- mental justice. While there was certainly strategic formations intended to divide bian priests and ministers. But as impor- conservative opposition to the develop- and conquer—and diminish the capacity tant as these matters are, the stakes are far ment of these views, and to the activities that of churches to carry forward their idea of a larger. They go to the extent to which the grew out of them, the direction of mainline just society in the United States—and the mainline churches will continue to play a Protestantism was clear. The churches world. central role in American public life, or the became powerful proponents of social When the strategic funders of the Right, extent to which they will be marginalized, change in the United States. They stood at such as Richard Mellon Scaife, got together perhaps forever. the moral and political center of society with to create the institutional infrastructure of People outside of the churches may wonder, why they should care? Methodist minister Andrew Weaver, who has The UCC Responds researched the Institute and its satellite groups, explains that the member churches In recent years several book length studies have generated broader awareness of the issue – and catalyzed counter movements, including, A Moment to Decide: The Crisis in Mainstream of the National Council of Churches Presbyterianism; Methodism @ Risk; and Hardball on Holy Ground: The Religious Right v the account for about 25% of the population Mainline for the Church’s Soul. and half of the members of the US Con- gress. “NCC church members’ influence In an interview with The Public Eye, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Associate Conference Minister of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), explained his is disproportionate to their numbers,” he work on a UCC task force, that operates “under the authority of the Council of Conference says, “and include remarkably high num- Ministers,” who are regional church executives. He says the task force was formed “two years bers of leaders in politics, business, and cul- ago as a direct response to attacks on our congregations. The center of a lot of it,” he says they ture.... Moreover, these churches are some learned, “is IRD [the Institute on Religion and Democracy].” of the largest landowners in the U.S., with The UCC’s unique polity and liberal theology, he explained, makes its local churches logical hundreds of billions of dollars collectively takeover targets. Because the UCC “confers complete autonomy on every congregation, in assets, including real estate and pension Right-wing groups can perform takeovers and end up with millions of dollars in property, funds. A hostile takeover of these churches membership contributions, and endowments,” he says. would represent a massive shift in Ameri- Among other things, the renewal groups, including the IRD-affiliated Biblical Witness can culture, power and wealth for a rela- Fellowship, sponsors a secretive “pastoral referral network,” that seeks to bypass the denomi- tively small investment.” nation’s standard procedures for finding evangelical pastors through a private web site. “Churches offer themselves as willing to receive these ‘Godly pastors,’ and the Referral What is more, the institutional moral Network sends them information about a pastor willing to serve their church.” Dorhauer authority, leadership, and resources of the says that Runion-Barford in a taped radio interview explained that they seek to identify churches have been vital to major move- pastors who have graduated from “evangelical seminaries outside the denomination who ments for social change throughout the are willing to serve in UCC churches.” 20th Century—from enacting child labor The task force seeks to “detect patterns” of activities intended to undermine congregations and laws, to advancing the African-American “to develop strategies for what congregations can do to respond to these attacks.” They also civil rights movement, to ending the war developed strategies for churches not yet targeted to prepare in advance. in Vietnam. But as it happens, individu- The task force has noticed, for example, a new group called “Faithful and Welcoming,” with close als such as civil rights leader Rev. Andrew links to IRD and IRD affiliates, that focuses on issues of individual congregational withdrawal. Young (United Church of Christ) and antiwar leader Rev. William Sloan Coffin, “Our greatest task,” he said, “is to help local church pastors understand that they can’t fight the battle alone. That this is not just happening in their congregation.” (Presbyterian) are often better known than their denominations. He says that within the UCC, there is “growing recognition, but a high degree of denial. The good news is that in recent years, new Some get it, some don’t. Some eyes are being opened, but not all. Some eyes that are still shut, efforts to understand the IRD, its affiliates, are willingly kept shut.” and allies are accompanied by efforts to Dorhauer is writing a weekly essay at www.Talk2Action.org on the attacks on the churches, share that understanding and respond both and what to do about them. inside and outside the targeted churches.

THE PUBLIC EYE11 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye the Right in the 1970s and 80s, they under- bites for the press. de-legitimizes the UCC as a religious wrote the founding of the IRD in 1980 as One Association for Church Renewal body,” he said. “We are deeply saddened by a Washington, DC-based agency that (ARC) member group, The Presbyterian this tragic day in the history of our church would help network, organize, and inform Layman, a nationally circulated publication that once had a faithful witness for Jesus internal opposition groups, while sustain- edited by Parker Williamson, has been Christ.”6 What he didn’t say was that the ing outside pressure and public relations notable for being particularly caustic and resolution was really a recommendation to campaigns. divisive. At a press conference sponsored the individual churches, not a policy. The IRD was started as a project of the by ARC in connection with the 50th outspoken Runion-Bareford was widely Coalition for a Democratic Majority anniversary meeting of the WCC in Zim- quoted in the mainstream press before, dur- (CDM), an organization of conservative babwe in 1998, Parker declared, for exam- ing, and after the synod. Democrats (many of whom later defected ple, “Rhodesian blacks were in no position to the GOP), who had sought to counter to run this sophisticated and highly efficient Mainline or Evangelical? the takeover of the party by liberals few years ago, the Protestant associated with 1972 presidential ANational Council of candidate George McGovern. IRD Churches, struggling with budget was originally run by Coalition chief, problems and political gridlock, Penn Kemble—a political activist Politically motivated and externally almost shut down. Coincidentally, who did not attend church.3 Accord- the 50th anniversary of the NCC ing to a profile by the International funded campaigns for church came during this still-troubled Relations Center, IRD received about period. “Rather than a birthday $3.9 million between 1985 and 2002 schism are unprecedented in party,” said IRD President Diane from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Knippers in a March 27, 2001 Foundation, Sarah Scaife Founda- American history. press release, “the NCC should be tion, John M. Olin Foundation, Cas- given a funeral service.” The release tle Rock Foundation, The Carthage was headlined: “Mainline Reform Foundation, and JM Foundation.4 Leaders Call for Dissolution of the The Institute remains a well-funded National Council of Churches.” and influential hub for a national network infrastructure… Theirs had been a tribal The IRD’s best efforts not withstanding, of conservative factions called the Associ- life, governed by a worldview that could not the NCC has reorganized under the lead- ation for Church Renewal. The member easily comprehend ideological assump- ership of Rev. Bob Edgar and appears organizations, called “renewal” groups, tions on which the Rhodesian economy was poised to once again be an influential body variously seek to neutralize church ten- based.”5 Most recently, Williamson joined in public life. dencies of which they don’t approve; drive Alan Wisdom, (a Presbyterian renewal The IRD presented its people as “main- out staff they don’t like; and seek to take leader), at the WCC meeting in Brazil, line” reformers in calling for the dissolu- over the churches, but failing that—tak- from which he posted critical reports in tion of the NCC. But when convenient, it ing as many churches and assets out as pos- The Presbyterian Layman Online. will change clothes and become aligned sible. The network’s spokespersons are Although much of what they do is con- with the National Association of Evangel- treated as credible voices of conservative dis- ducted quietly, arguably covertly, renewal icals. For example, in a recent press release, sent by mainstream media. groups pop-up in response to matters they IRD announced: “At the urging of evan- IRD’s program is currently focused on don’t like. For example, the leader of the gelical leaders, including the IRD’s interim the NCC’s three largest denominations, IRD affiliate, Biblical Witness Fellowship, president [Alan Wisdom], the National together comprising 14 million mem- was outraged at the historic stand taken by Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has bers: the United Methodist Church, The elected delegates to last year’s biannual decided NOT to endorse campaigns or Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian General Synod of the UCC. When the legislation regarding global warming.” Church in the United States of America synod voted overwhelmingly to endorse Similarly, leaders of IRD and its affili- (PCUSA). They also find the time to tar- marriage equality for same-sex couples, ated Association for Church Renewal hold get the NCC, and the World Council of Rev. David Runion-Bareford declared that critical press events at NCC and denomi- Churches. For example, interim IRD pres- the UCC “has arrogantly supposed to speak national events —but ARC holds its own ident Alan Wisdom personally attended for God”—and suggested that the UCC annual meeting in tandem with the the recent World Council of Churches was no longer a Christian denomination. National Association of Evangelicals. (WCC) meeting in Brazil, issued critical “This resolution does not validate same dispatches for the IRD web site, and sound sex relationships but only invalidates and

THE PUBLIC EYE 12 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

“The IRD is affiliated with no denom- science.’”10 That gambit didn’t work, how- Members of the Right-wing ination and is accountable only to its ever. In 2004, Good News drew up a Association for Church own, self-perpetuating board of direc- schism resolution—which it didn’t intro- Renewal17 tors,” write Andrew Weaver and Nicole duce due to the overwhelming enthusiasm Alliance for Confessing Evangelicals Seibert, “[and it] focuses its principal for a unity resolution at the Methodist Gen- American Anglican Council expenditures and most of its efforts on the eral Assembly. Anglicans United United Methodist Church.” A similar schism campaign targeting the American Baptist Evangelicals The IRD Methodist affiliate, Good Episcopal Church had its origins in 2000. American Lutheran Publicity News, not only has organized for schism Members of IRD’s American Anglican Bureau but its leaders Rev. Scott Field and Rev. Council solicited funding for the effort Biblical Witness Fellowship James Heidinger told Christianity Today from Howard and Roberta Ahmanson— Community of Concern “institutional separation is all but who had already contributed hundreds of 7 Disciple Renewal inevitable.” thousands of dollars over the years to IRD. Evangelical Lutheran Confessing Weaver and Seibert note that in 2002, Bankrolled with more $1 million from Fellowship a foundation controlled by Richard Mel- the Ahmansons in 2000 and 2001, and lon Scaife “gave $225,000 to the IRD for with Roberta Ahmanson now on the IRD Good News its “Reforming America’s Churches Pro- board, the group eventually targeted the Institute on Religion and Democracy ject”—among whose stated goals is the appointment and consecration of the Rt. National Alliance of Covenanting elimination of the Methodists’ General Rev. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal church’s Congregations Board of Church and Society, the church’s first bishop to be openly gay when elected. Presbyterian Layman voice for justice and peace, as well as “With its war chest full and its strongest pre- Presbyterians for Faith, Family, discrediting United Methodist Church text yet for a schism, the group cranked up & Ministry pastors and bishops with whom they dis- a smear campaign against Robinson,” Presbyterians for Renewal agree by instigating as many as a dozen Blumenthal wrote, “falsely accusing him of Presbyterians Pro-Life church trials over the next few years. sexual harassment and administering a RENEW Network The longtime director of IRD, the late bisexual pornography Web site.” This The Confessing Movement Diane Knippers was, according to encouraged wealthy dioceses and congre- The Renewal Fellowship Salon.com’s Max Blumenthal, “the chief gations to split with the Episcopal Church Solid Rock Lutherans architect” of an initiative “to ‘restructure and join the Anglican Council’s renegade Transforming Congregations the permanent governing structure’ of network. Word Alone ‘theologically flawed’ mainline churches… In September of 2004, IRD quietly in order to ‘discredit and diminish the organized a campaign to divert funds away Supporting Ministries Religious Left’s influence.’8 from the church and towards “orthodox” IRD and its agents in all of the major Anglican groups. Tom Donnelly, one of the Bristol House, Ltd.; Fellowship denominations have indeed used the inter- principals of The Jefferson Group, a Wash- of St. James nal church judicial system to create divi- ington, DC lobbying firm, personally sion while seeking to enforce their versions handled funding solicitations for the of orthodoxy. The Presbyterian Church “United Anglican Fund” which he and two Divide and Conquer or Denominational Unity? USA, for example, has seen many judicial others incorporated in response the con- battles over, among other things, ordina- secration of Bishop Robinson. “Since the IRD and its member groups also try to tion of gay clergy and the carrying out of goal of the UAF,” wrote IRD staffer Lau- have it both ways when it comes to whether same sex commitment ceremonies during ren Whitnah, “is to provide a safe mecha- they seek unity or schism, which would split this period.9 nism for giving, there are no ties between them formally from the main church The public gamesmanship over schisms it and any entity of the Episcopal Church.” bodies. While they usually say they favor gets quite interesting. Knippers told the By “safe,” she means ensuring that “the denominational unity, in fact they have New York Times that liberal Methodists funds stay out of the control of hostile dio- been secretly working for broad scale should leave in response to the discord gen- ceses…” and to fund “orthodox” projects schism for years. Schisms are not unusual erated by church trials: “Rather than be “in North America and the world.”11 in the history of mainline Protestantism – embroiled in legal battles in church courts Since Robinson’s consecration, a num- but such targeted, politically motivated, over sexuality, let’s find a gracious way to ber of dioceses affiliated with the Anglican and externally funded and organized cam- say, ‘we’ll let you (liberals) leave this system Council have threatened schism and have paigns may be unprecedented in American because you believe it violates your con- increasingly aligned themselves with con- history.

THE PUBLIC EYE13 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye servative Anglican churches in Africa and churches that support religious pluralism End Notes Asia. Indeed, Rev. Dr. Stephen Noll, Vice and separation of church and state and are 1 Avery D. Post, “To the Conference Ministers of the Chancellor of Uganda Christian Univer- major obstacles to the theocrats’ long range United Church of Christ,” December 29, 1982. 2 Andrew J. Weaver and Fred W. Kandeler, “Being 60 Min- sity, a keynote speaker at a recent confer- vision, as well as to the short term goals of utes Means Never having to Say You are Sorry – Except ence in South Carolina (“dedicated to the Christian Rightists in the Republican Party. Once,” Talk to Action (www.talk2action.org), January 5, memory of Diane Knippers”) declared, The Ahmansons helped bankroll such 2006. 3 Frederick Clarkson, Eternal Hostility: the Struggle Between “Liberal Anglicanism is reaping the har- organizations as Focus on the Family and Theocracy and Democracy, Common Courage Press, vest of unbelief,” and, “The gates of hell the Traditional Values Coalition; state- 1997, pg. 173. will not prevail against His Church…The level antigay and pro-school voucher bal- 4 Right-Web, http://rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/1496; present order is passing away.”12 lot initiatives, and funneled millions of see also, Andrew Weaver and Nicole Seibert, “Special Report: ‘Follow the Money’ Documenting the Right’s dollars into electoral politics in California. Well Heeled Assault on the UMC,” Zion’s Herald, Janu- Theocratic Visions ary/February 2004. 5 art of the backdrop of all of this is Denominations Emerging from Lewis Daly, A Moment to Decide, the Crisis in Mainstream Denial Presbyterianism, Institute for Democracy Studies, 2001, PHoward Ahmanson’s broader involve- pp. 37-38. ment with the religious Right, which began ainline denominational leaders who 6 David Runion-Bareford, “Renewal Group Reacts to when he became a disciple of the leading Mseek to defend their faith and the insti- UCC Gay Marriage Decision; Tragic Day for the UCC,” July 4, 2005. http://www.biblicalwitness.org/ theocratic theologian of the 20th century, tutions they lead need to look at the wider SYNOD_NEWS.htm. R.J. Rushdoony, founder of the Chalcedon context of the internal struggles in which 7 Andrew Weaver, et al, “IRD/Good News: How the Foundation in Vallecito, CA. Rushdoony they are engaged. To fail to look beyond Right Wing Targets United Methodist Women,” Media Transparency, November 17, 2005. See also, Andrew was the seminal thinker of the Christian individual denominational dissidents is to Weaver and Nicole Siebert, “Secular Conservative Phil- Reconstructionist movement that seeks to miss the forest for the trees. The Right anthropies Waging Unethical Campaign to Take Over eventually create a theocracy based on aims to march through the institutions it United Methodist Church,” August 2, 2004. sees as controlled by liberals, disrupt them, 8 Max Blumenthal, “Avenging Angel of the Religious “Biblical Law” in the United States, and Right,” Salon.com, January 6, 2004; http://www. around the world.13 Ahmanson reportedly or take them over. That means higher edu- salon.com/news/feature/2004/01/06/ contributed $1 million during his many cation, public schools, and, yes, churches. ahmanson/index_np.html. 9 years of service on the Chalcedon board. In Rev. John Thompson, the current pres- Daly, passim. ident of the United Church of Christ, sees 10 Stephen Swecker, ed., Hardball on Holy Ground: The Reli- 1985, he told the Orange County Register, gious Right v. the Mainline for the Church’s Soul, BW Press, “My goal is the total integration of biblical the forest. 2005. pg. 84. law into our lives.” “Groups like the Evangelical Association 11 Lauren Whitnah, “NEW!! The United Anglican Fund: Since then, he has distanced himself of Reformed, Christian and Congrega- Supporting Orthodox Faith at a Grass-roots Level,” (September 28, 2004). www.anglicanlaity.net/ from some of Rushdoony’s ideas. For tional Churches and the Biblical Witness resources/dspnews.cfm?id=13. example, he told Max Blumenthal in an Fellowship,” he said last year, “are increas- 12 Erik Nelson, ‘Mere Anglicanism’ Challenges Anglicans email interview that he disagreed with ingly being exposed even as they are increas- to Think Globally,” Episcopal News, February 9, 2006. http://www.ird-renew.org/site/apps/nl/ Rushdoony that homosexuals should be ingly aggressive. Their relationship to the content2.asp?c=fvKVLfMVIsG&b=399595&am executed. But how far Rushdoony’s disci- right-wing Institute for Religion and p;ct=1971501. ple fell from the Reconstructionist tree is Democracy and its long-term agenda of 13 Clarkson, Eternal Hostility, passim. hard to measure. The Ahmansons were at silencing a progressive religious voice while 14 Clarkson, Eternal Hostility, passim. Rushdoony’s bedside when he died. When enlisting the church in an unholy alliance 15 J. Bennett Guess, “Prodigal’s resentful ‘older brother’ still with right-wing politics is no longer deni- undermines faithfulness, Thomas tells UCC’s Executive Blumenthal asked Roberta Ahmanson, Council,” United Church News, (October 15, 2005). who serves as her husband’s spokesperson, able. United Church of Christ folk like to http://news.ucc.org/index.php?option=com_con- if they still seek to implement biblical law, be ‘nice,’ to be hospitable. But, to play with tent&task=view&id=357&I%20temid=54. 16 she replied: “I'm not suggesting we have an a verse of scripture just a bit, we doves inno- http://www.faithfulandwelcoming.org. cently entertain these serpents in our midst 17 Member Organization of the Association for Church amendment to the Constitution that says Renewal, http://www.ird-renew.org/site/pp.asp? 15 ■ we now follow all 613 of the case laws of at our own peril.” c=fvKVLfMVIsG&b=356307. the Old Testament ... But if by biblical law Perhaps people will hear Thompson you mean the last seven of the 10 Com- better than they did Avery Post. mandments, you know, yeah.” Frederick Clarkson is a member of the edi- Whatever Howard Ahmanson’s per- torial board of The Public Eye. He is the sonal differences with Rushdoony on author of Eternal Hostility: The Struggle aspects of Biblical Law, he has put his Between Theocracy and Democracy, and money where his mouth once was. He is co-founder of the blog Talk to Action finances attacks on the mainline Protestant (www.Talk2Action.org)

THE PUBLIC EYE 14 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye ADVERSARIES/ALLIES continues from page 1 in red states made common cause across party lines in the struggle to defeat its The Patriot Act worst provisions. Some Patriot Act skeptics like George Will wondered whether the struggle to soften the “In the Boise Patriots, I had to rub Patriot Act was irrelevant since the Bush Administration refuses any Congressional 12 shoulders with socialists, gays,” said oversight of its secret spying. The Defense Intelligence spying program on anti-war Hoover. “It was interesting. There was a activists, the National Security Agency’s illegal spying on phone calls from the US callers overseas, and the massive database of “suspicious” names were all exposed by common denominator of mistrust of the press not the Administration. government with such vast power—who Still, in March, the US Senate validated many of the provisions of the law passed six would be next? [And] many were well- weeks after September 11th, even as it stumbles in forcing the Administration to reveal versed in history, remembering Rev. details of its spying programs. Under the revised Act, signed by President Bush March 9, Niemoller—first they came for you, until there was nobody left.” • The government can still spy on people’s reading habits at libraries without The strange bedfellows won local coun- a warrant by securing the information from internet service providers (Section 215). cil, county and even state resolutions decry- • The government can still secretly search people’s homes and businesses ing the Patriot Act’s abuse of civil liberties, without telling them, but now must within 30 days (Section 213). which both pressured and gave political • Agencies have fewer barriers to share information. support to the Republican Senators and • The government can still bypass the usual need to connect its searches to Congresspeople who at least briefly broke potential “terrorists.” party ranks to pursue Patriot Act reform • The government now allows targets of secret warrants to appeal the secret and broader investigations of illegal spying National Security letters for phone, internet, banking and business records by the National Security Agency. And the requests under a weak appeals process. grassroots organizing can be credited with • The gag rule on targets of searches is lifted—after one year. stopping Patriot Act II, a short-lived effort • The National Security letters provision will expire in four years. in 2003 to legitimize the spying power of The Department of Justice used more than 30,000 of secret National Security letters the government even further. in a single year, culling unknown thousands of people’s financial and other records that But even before the March defeat, it then privately shared with other agencies, according to a November expose by The activists of all political stripes wondered Washington Post. And even the Justice Department admits that 88% of the sneak and how—with the media and legislators ignor- peek searches were not for terrorism investigations. ing their cause—they could stop the fed- eral government from breaking the Constitutional and moral boundaries that through collective and government action. Act defeat. Defense Department spying on traditionally kept it from limiting peo- Together they challenge the Bush anti-war Quakers, its new database of ple’s rights. In this struggle, both progres- Administration’s symbol of the threatened activists to watch, FBI scrutiny of PETA as sive and conservative coalition members are homeland that requires extraordinary meas- possible terrorists: Will all flow on rooted in the American republican tradi- ures to save it. And as cross-party coalitions, unchecked? tion, which for two centuries—dating they are inoculated from the insinuations The second question is whether that dis- back to Tom Paine—saw government of treason coming from those coached by connect—and the new coalitions—can power as a threat to liberty. In keeping with Bush strategist Karl Rove. spark a major political realignment within this long lineage, they view those in gov- While all coalitions are by their nature each of the political parties, if not between ernment as subject to corruption, and temporary, they nurture our ability to them, in a way that defends liberties. There claim the right and responsibility to stand work with strange bedfellows, increasing is a deep cleavage within the Republican firm in the struggle to control it. the likelihood that we can learn from one coalition that is starting to break open; con- Listening to their fears, you come to another and collaborate again in the future. servative stalwarts both nationally and understand how personally the allies feel the They recalibrate the dense moral thickets locally are more committed to the princi- threat to their own political activity. With- that set the boundaries of our action. But ples of free speech, free association, and free- out the freedoms outlined in the Bill of in this continuing fight, there are two dom from arbitrary government spying, Rights—to free speech, free association, and major unknowns. First, can movements on than the Administration’s agenda of unlim- freedom from unwarranted spying—full the ground ever force action from Con- ited executive power.1 Among Democrats, citizenship cannot act as a counterweight gresspeople who seem accountable only to all but nine Senators voted for Patriot Act to overreaching government power. Liber- party or plunder? The disconnect between renewal. Can the party rank and file call als take it a step further and support these the grassroots and Washington power cen- them to task in election season, pushing the freedoms to pursue the common good ters never seemed greater than in the Patriot Cold War-style stalwarts to the side?

THE PUBLIC EYE15 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

The more sturdy coalitions, and the for a compromise. And then the Democ- Congressman Bob Barr, David Keene (head ones with the potential to disrupt party rats, perhaps fearing for their reelection of the American Conservative Union), and alignments, are local. Certainly the Belt- chances against “patriotic” pro-war Repub- Larry Pratt’s Gun Owners of America. way groups have joined in left/right licans, joined them. Together with the ACLU, they launched alliances in the past without much impact The advocates had faced a difficult chal- Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances on political alignments. And some pro- lenge in convincing the very Congress that early in 2005, and joined the low profile Lib- gressives show little interest in forging passed the Patriot Act that the initiatives erty Coalition after its founding by liber- enduring partnerships with any allies who which they supported in the weeks after Sep- tarian Republicans in October 2005. remain actively anti-gay or anti-immi- tember 11th were unconstitutional. And Paul Weyrich, of the Free Congress grant. But as we will see, the determination despite its outrage over the National Secu- Foundation, wrote mournfully of the and disgust of local Rightwing activists rity Agency’s warrantless spying on Amer- Checks and Balances coalition: “I detest against an inactive Congress and much of what the ACLU stands for overreaching president are wildcards [but] we know of no other way of whose impact on the Republican getting the attention of the media Party will reverberate long after the and the Congress to improve the coalitions end. Both progressive and conservative USA Patriot Act.”6 Gun Owners of America, like the Coalitions on the Hill coalition members are rooted in ACLU, is linked with members at the n December, hope flared when a the American republican tradition, grassroots that they can mobilize. In Ifew “libertarian” Republicans inside the Gun Owners of America case, the Congress crafted a strange bedfel- activists are often populist, anti-gov- lows coalition with Democrats (and which sees government power ernment defenders of the little man, Independents) to revise the worst small enterprise and personal lib- excesses of the Patriot Act and fight as a threat to liberty. erty. Defense against a tyrannical against the new surveillance society federal government is at the root of (see box).2 Though temporary, their their arguments for gun rights. explosive alliance delayed Patriot Act One organizer noted, “The Left renewal, marking the first major effort by icans’ overseas phone calls, Congress seems will refer to COINTELPRO and legislators to restore a constitutionally sanc- more interested in defending its prerogatives McCarthyism [in opposing parts of the tioned balance of power between the White as overseer of the executive branch than as Patriot Act] and the Right will refer to Ruby House and Congress on national security defender of the Constitution.4 Ridge,” the incident in Idaho when federal issues. agents shot and killed members of the Joining a filibuster led by Sen. Russell The Beltway Conservative Weaver family on their 20-acre homestead Feingold (D-WI) were 42 Democrats and Organizations without first calling for their surrender. Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Chuck turdier than the Republican Senators in Larry Pratt is well within that world. He Hagel (R-NE), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) Sdefending civil liberties are the conser- resigned as cochair of Buchanan’s 1996 bid and John Sununu (R-NH).3 The legislators vative organizations within the Beltway, for the presidency after charges that he was of two of those states – Alaska and Idaho— whose number are much broader than the linked to militias and white supremacists. passed Patriot Act resolutions. libertarians noticed by the press.5 They are He has been on the faculty of Camp Amer- “The bridge between Right and Left is a coalition of small government conserva- ican, which teaches the “deception of evo- rare in this town and this era because there tives who first came together with pro- lution” and aims to “restore America to is so much partisan animosity,” said Lisa gressives to oppose President Bill Clinton’s Christ.” Still, as a coalition member, he is Graves, the legislative director of the ACLU 1996 Antiterrorism and Death Penalty “very principled,” said one progressive who led weekly phone meetings updating Control Act, a precursor to the Patriot Act. who has worked with him. He and his coalition partners nationwide from the That law legalized the use of secret evidence group continued to defend civil liberties left, right and center. “That’s a significant in deportation hearings, created a black list against the 1996 Anti-Terrorism bill even bridge. Saying you need a connection to a of “terrorist” groups, and restricted the after a troublesome provision for gun own- suspected terrorist before getting records ability of some of those detained by the gov- ers was dropped and the National Rifle is just common sense.” ernment to find redress in the courts. Association left the coalition. Even this modest alliance turned out to Among those opposing both laws are “Gun Owners of America is not con- be weak, with the four Republicans in Republican operatives like Grover Norquist vinced that the FBI doesn’t need to be February bowing to White House pressure of Americans for Tax Reform, former GOP watched,” Pratt said at an Oct. 26, 2005

THE PUBLIC EYE 16 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye press conference calling for Patriot Act where.” reform. While Keene In creating the coalition Patriots to remembers his Restore Checks and Balances, all these early alliances with conservative leaders hashed out their con- ACLU director Ira cerns with the ACLU, the only liberal Glasser dating member of the group. Igniting their con- back to the 1970s, cern were Section 213—the secret searches Bob Barr, who clause; Section 215—allowing the gov- launched Patriots ernment to secretly secure records of a for Restoring person’s gun purchases; and the overly Checks and Bal- broad section 802, which defines domes- ances with the tic terrorism as “any act that is dangerous ACLU, credits to human life,” which could sweep in pro- Laura Murphy, life demonstrators.7 Freedom of speech, the ACLU’s they agreed, is violated by the Patriot Act’s recently retired “gag order,” preventing those forced to legislative director, secretly provide information to the gov- for reaching out to ernment from discussing it.8 Republicans after Patriots for Checks and Balances “con- the 1994 election ceded to certain provisions that we don’t when they took Terry Shepard, a member of the Boise (ID) Patriots, dresses up as Ben Franklin agree with—the Patriot Act shouldn’t have over Congress. to bring attention to threatened liberties. existed at all,” said Shane Corey, the chief “That for me per- of staff of the Libertarian Party. Nonethe- sonally set the less, the party signed on. stage [for] work- For the Libertarian Party, working in ing with the groups on Patriot Act reform.” ing for reform of the Patriot Act to defend coalitions is new. “We just started a year and As a Congressman, Barr worked with the liberty. The tactic, developed months after a half ago where we’ll sign on,” said Corey. ACLU against the 1996 Anti-Terrorism the passage of the legislation, was a catalyst “You have people who aren’t used to talk- law, opposing the national ID card and for making grassroots strange bedfellow ing with one another with any kind of other proposals, even while opposing the coalitions possible. Through its small cen- trust,” said Kit Gage, director of the pro- organization on reproductive rights issues, tral office, BORDC offered concrete activ- gressive National Committee Against flag burning and drug prohibition. ities that people could pursue in the face of Repressive Legislation who helped craft the Even after the four Republican senators a big government that seemed out of con- coalition opposing the 1996 Anti-Terror- caved in to White House pressure, many trol: lobby their local legislators to pass the ism Act. “You try to set ground rules, have Beltway conservatives kept up their battle resolutions opposing the Patriot Act’s vio- clarity of communication. At a very core arguing that the “right to privacy” contin- lations of the Constitution, educate their level (you) come to an agreement on where ues to be violated by the Patriot Act.9 As neighbors and make a big noise so others you agree…so you don’t have ACLU say we Keene had said the month before, refusing realize there is a problem with the Patriot want X and the NRA say we want X & Y. to be a lapdog of the Republican Party in Act. When the NSA spying story broke in You don’t end up with a clear message.” fact increases his organization’s influence, December 2005, the BORDC promoted David Keene and the American Con- and contributes to a recentering of the new tactics like sponsoring local vigils, a new servative Union are old hands at coali- party around his politics. round of visits to legislators, and ads in local tions. “We would not work in coalition papers in hopes of reviving Patriot Act with a terrorist group. But there are always Local Actions: Dallas reform coalitions that had often degener- areas of overlap with groups that externally oalitions are key to taking back ated into virtual activism on listservs. disagree,” he said. “We’ve worked with “Cthis country,” says Chip Pitts, leader While the Beltway alliances defending the ACLU since the early 1970s. We fight of the successful Bill of Rights Defense civil liberties long predate the latest scan- with them more but work with them when Committee (BORDC) in conservative dals, the local ones are new, sometimes we can. Dallas, and chairman of the national involving activists who had never been “When I work with a liberal group, BORDC, based in Northampton, MA. involved in politics before. In Republican- people say, what the hell are you doing? But Inspired by the committee’s core strategy, dominated areas, progressive organizers you are more effective in Congress and else- 405 municipalities passed resolutions call- had no choice but build the widest coali-

THE PUBLIC EYE17 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye RJ Matson, caglecartoons.com RJ Matson, tions possible. This led to more effective Racist or hate groups were not invited to the tions are growing because right-leaning statewide organizing—while only 50 out coalition, which almost split over gay rights people feel betrayed by big-government of the 397 local resolutions were in red issues that in general were off the table. Republicans posing as conservatives, and states, four of the eight states that passed Joining Pitt in the organization was left-leaning people oppose those big-gov- anti-Patriot Act resolutions voted for Bush David Rogers, a “Ron Paul” Republican. ernment Republicans because they are in 2004. The victories reveal a volatility in In Texas, that means he, like libertarian Republicans.” red state support for the Bush Adminis- Congressman Ron Paul, opposes the After a year and a half of organizing, in tration’s agenda. “nanny state” and champions small gov- February 2004, the strange bedfellows “For Dallas, you needed a broad coali- ernment and individual liberty. Rogers, managed to sway the City Council. By tion,” says Pitt, 45, and a lawyer. “Dallas is Paul and their allies in the Republican then, the coalition not only included the basically a conservative bastion, the main Liberty Caucus of Texas are a pesky and per- Ron Paul Republicans but the gay party base of Bush’s political and emotional sup- sistent thorn in the side of establishment organizations Log Cabin Republicans and port.” One member “almost had a scary mili- Republicans, not least over the Iraq War. Stonewall Democrats; ACORN; conser- tia gleam in his eye,” he added. “They didn’t Days before the final House vote on the vative and liberal Muslim groups; and a few like black people. They didn’t like gay peo- Patriot Act in March, Paul called for Pres- local billionaires like Lucy Billingsley. ple. These issues are important enough that ident Bush’s impeachment, saying the “The deceptive effort (of the govern- we are going to put aside the other issues.” country is drifting “perilously close to dic- ment) to prevent people from getting the “We set forth rules that we are going to tatorship.”10 facts worked in our favor, when they said treat each other with respect and focus on Rogers gave a simple reason for work- the constitution is not involved,” said Pitt. what we can work on together,” said Pitt. ing with the “enemy”: “I think these coali-

THE PUBLIC EYE 18 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Idaho: Guns and Greens Unite munity into the coalition. rity guard for the local zoo and nearby n Idaho, the Green Party made a first stab “In order for a people to be free they Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Iat promoting a local resolution in a must be allowed to own firearms and any “The Constitution is a contract with the largely Republican state that went for Bush awful implement of war,” said Hoover, who people and the government,” he said with in 2004. But no one would work with makes his living as an insurance agent in indignation. them, recalled Gwen Sanchirico, 38, and Boise. “The Second Amendment and the With friends up in the mountains “who a recent migrant to the state from Queens, Bill of Rights…guarantees the one right to think the world is going to end,” he said, NY. “So we just dropped the Green Party defend self and others and nation. And “I’ve always been more conservative but I’ve thing and made it independent,” said when a government seeks to eliminate it, found Gwen and the liberal people are more Sanchirico. “Then people feel like they it is the way that all other rights are being willing to stand up than the John Birch can participate even if you are saying the lost … The KKK regularly rode through Society and churches. These people wait exact same thing.” until their ministers tell them what to The novelty of the guns and greens think. They support the government and coalition that became the Boise Patriots God.” grabbed the press’s attention. “The bridge between “Checks and balances—history teaches A libertarian and anti-government streak us what happens when we don’t have it,” runs through the Republican Party in Right and Left is rare in he added. Idaho, and its Congressman, Butch Otter, In Montana, a coalition including the was one of the few to vote against the orig- this town and this era Eagle Forum (founded by Phyllis Schlafly), inal Patriot Act. Otto also was a leader in Montana Shooting Sports Association, trying to defund the Patriot Act’s sneak and because there is so much Gun Owners of America, and a slew of pro- peak provisions two years ago. In Idaho, gressive groups won the toughest anti- Gun Owners of America members came to partisan animosity.” Patriot Act resolution in the country, the vital Boise Patriot events that the media pointed out Matt Bowles, a field organizer covered, even if they weren’t active in the of the ACLU. The legislature instructed its small coalition meetings. And carrying state agencies not to enforce the Patriot Act. the water on the resolution before the the black towns terrorizing them. And the Even among the coalitions, there were Idaho County Commission in the middle [black] men took the few guns they had – doubts. A few progressives wondered if they of the state were members of the GOP’s tiny and you know cowards run.” had sold out by sidestepping heartfelt divi- rival, the conspiratorial Constitution Party. “The Patriot Act has a provision in it sions, especially on gay or immigrant rights This far right anti-government party has that, in order to catch a terrorist, registers issues. Conservatives seemed less worried roots in the militia movement, sees coun- everybody who has bought a firearm in this that they might be weakening a Republi- ties as the supreme branch of government country,” said Hoover, who had worked can Party they feel is betraying its principles. and views the United Nations as a threat- with the state’s senators and Congress- One national rightwing group that ening world government.11 Their allies in people for years on Second Amendment failed to follow the coalition-building lead the state legislature were important once issues. “Osama bin Laden’s cousin isn’t of some of its affiliates was Eagle Forum, the campaign went statewide (eventually going to walk into a gun store to buy a a socially conservative, “pro-family” group winning a bill in March 2005). firearm.” Hoover also was concerned that the “Some people in the statehouse are rad- State Resolutions ical anti-United Nations people,” mar- Patriot Act did not restrict itself to terror- veled Sanchirico. “It was really hard to ism cases; it is deployed in criminal cases Against Patriot Act remind people that we have to work against drug dealers and allows the gov- Alaska together and forget this and forget that.” ernment to secure warrants with very lit- Opposing racial profiling in the Boise tle or no cause. California resolution was one hard won battle that ini- Another visible member in Boise was Colorado tially divided the coalition. Still, a lot of Terry Shepard, who dresses up as Benjamin Hawaii those who dropped out were liberals: “The Franklin to promote patriotism as a counter Democrats had a hard time even being in to nationalism and champions “liberty.” Idaho the same room as others not like them,” said “Liberty is something everybody can Maine identify with—President Bush called the Sanchirico. Montana Terry Hoover, the gun rights advocate, Constitution just a goddamn piece of was a central player in pulling that com- paper,” said Shepard, a 58-year-old secu- Vermont

THE PUBLIC EYE19 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye with roots in pro-military anti-commu- you can’t go totally back. You open the door End Notes nism. Its leader, octogenarian Phyllis to other possibilities,” said Sanchirico, 1 Civil liberties is not the only cleavage threatening the GOP. Intelligent design and Rightwing pork barrel politics are Schlafly, launched her public life as an who said she could easily see working with also explosive. George Will, “What next for Conserva- active Republican warning of the govern- gun advocates in the future. tives,” Nov. 17, 2005, accessed at www.townhall. com/opinion/column/georgewill/2005/11/17/17897.ht ment’s betrayal of national security during “There is something about genuine- ml. For splits around the size of government, see Eyal Press, the Korean War. She straddled the fence on ness and integrity and not talking politics “Even Conservatives Are Wondering: Is Bush One of Us?” the Patriot Act, saying, “We have some con- that makes coalitions,” said Bernie Hueb- The Nation, May 31, 2004: 11-20. On immigration, see Dan Balz, “Political Splits on Immigration Reflect Vot- cerns about it. We are not actively ner, 62, a member of the Maine Civil Lib- ers’ Ambivalence, Washington Post, Jan. 3, 2006:A7. opposed… A lot of conservatives think we erties Union who worked on that state’s 2 For instance, see Rick Klein, “Patriot Act Extension are in a war and think strenuous opposi- resolution calling for Patriot Act reform Shelved,” Boston Globe, Nov. 19, 2005. Accessed at http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/arti- tion is necessary.” with a conservative legislator. “We sat in my cles/2005/11/19/patriot_act_extension. house. We talked. We cowrote things. 3 On Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, “the Bush administration Coalition Building in the Having worked with him, we have stepped in and with the acquiescence of Congressional Beltway versus the Grassroots Republicans,’ the conference negotiations ended, Democ- immense respect for one another. I would rats were excluded and the White House became the nego- inding commonalities and leaving aside listen to anything he says. tiators with Congressional Republicans.” Statement of Sen. differences, building trust: all are the ele- “This is how politics should happen, not Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senate floor, Nov. 18, 2005. F 4 For a full analysis of the Constitutional violations, see Peter ments of a strange bedfellows coalition. tied to a party or party leadership. It gives P. Swire, “Legal FAQs on Illegal Wiretaps,” Center for While they may be easiest to build in the me hope when I don’t have much hope.” American Progress, January 26, 2006, accessed at Beltway, they are stronger and have deeper www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c_biJRJ80VF&b+ 1389573. personal impact in the hinterlands where Next Steps 5 Some of the first attention to left/right coalitions came discontent bubbles. he campaign against surveillance cre- from the conservative press. James Bovard, “Surveil- David Keene thinks it is easiest to build ated a politics beyond party. Its lead- lance State,” The American Conservative (May 19, 2003), T accessed at http://www.amconmag.com/05_19_03/cov- alliances inside the Beltway because it is ers, challenging an out-of-touch Congress, erprint.html; Paul Rush, “Patriot Act Forges Unlikely ruled by the pragmatism that passes legis- have no doubt that it will reverberate in Alliance,” Insight on the News (Sept. 16, 2003), accessed at www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/13_ lation. But former Congressman Bob Barr unexpected ways into the fall elections and 2003_Sept_16/ai_107543545. says it is toughest in Congress because beyond. While entered into for practical rea- 6 “An Unlikely Group of Patriots,” March 30, 2005, party regimentation rules all. Events seem sons, the coalitions may nurture a legacy accessed at www.freecongress.org/commen- taries/2005/050330.asp. to bear him out. from the 1960s that is lost – the ethic of non- 7 “Top Five Reasons Conservatives Support a Careful But the local organizers not surpris- violence where activists struggle to under- Review of Key Patriot Act Provisions,” Patriots to Restore ingly see the Beltway as part of the prob- stand or even love their opponents as their Checks and Balances, accessed at http://www.checks- lem. David Rogers of the Liberty Caucus neighbor. In that struggle, bystanders and balances.org/topfive.php. of Texas thinks “it is much harder in DC, 8 Letter to Hon. Arlen Specter (PA), Hon. Patrick Leahy even activists are inspired to shift positions (VT), Hon. Pat Roberts (KS), and Hon. John D. Rock- where far more coalitions, alliances, mon- in unexpected ways, perhaps even reducing efeller IV (WV) from Sen. Larry E. Craig (ID), Sen. John eyed interests and constituencies are in Sununu (NH), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Sen. Richard the attraction of Bush’s vision of patriots ver- J. Durbin (IL), Sen. Russell D. Feingold (WI) and Sen. play for a longer time with deeper roots. sus traitors. Ken Salazar (CO), Nov. 17 , 2005. The grassroots display much more flexi- Working together, those refusing to be 9 For instance, see “Latest Patriot Act Compromise Falls bility in organizing and allying for specific spectators of a drama unfolding in the Short,” Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances, March 1, 2006. projects and on specific issues.” Beltway can also strengthen their hand in 10 Paul Joseph Watson, “Republican Congressman Predicts Pitt of the Texas BORDC also sees local politics and thus their faction’s power Bush Impeachment: Says US close to dictatorship,” inside-the-Beltway politics as part of the within local parties to reestablish libertar- www.PrisonPlanet.com, March 3, 2006. problem: “What they do in the Beltway has ian ground rules in American politics. But 11 See “Shooting for Respectability: Firearms, False Patri- ots, and Politics in Montana,” Montana Human Rights a ripple effect outside and polarizes it. they will have to change their tactics and Network, 2003. Most of the nation doesn’t understand move beyond local resolutions and demon- 12 George Will is one example on the Right. “No Checks, how much they agree on. Even on issues like strations; it may be time to learn from the Many Imbalances,” Washington Post, February 16, 2006: gay rights, abortion and gun control. Based Ron Paul Republicans and work to take A27. on polling there’s middle ground even on over local party machines and take on a dis- those issues.” interested media. ■ A few of the grassroots organizers said Abby Scher is editor of The Public Eye and they had changed as a result of working with a sociologist. She was active in the NYC Bill their erstwhile opponents. of Rights Defense Committee. “Once you’ve accepted working with a type of person who in the past you avoided,

THE PUBLIC EYE 20 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye Book Reviews THE REPUBLICAN WAR ON SCIENCE His veritable “Battle Damage Assessment” runs the gamut Chris Mooney from minor skirmishes to pitched battles. With eerie parallels Basic Books [a member of the Perseus Books Group] to a certain other War, the body count is high and climbing. An 342 pages, $24.95 hardcover, 2005 early—and vital—victim was Congress’ own Office of Tech- Reviewed by Peter Hirst nology Assessment (OTA), which Mooney describes rather Science is under siege. At least this is the impression left after generously as having been “dismantled” by the Gingrich-led reading journalist Chris Mooney’s first book. The Republican Republican caucus. The reality was rather more brutal: the 104th War on Science, published in hardback last September, takes us Congress simply chose not to fund OTA’s work after Septem- on a meticulously researched and eloquently narrated journey ber 30, 1995. During its 23-year history, OTA provided Con- through some unsettling interactions between science and pol- gressional members and committees with objective and itics in contemporary America. Many readers authoritative analyses of hundreds of complex (about half, in a politically balanced sample) scientific and technical issues. The demise of may not enjoy the ride. In essence, Mooney’s OTA thus dealt a double-headed blow. It case is that over the last several decades, con- deprived Congress of an important source of servative and in particular Republican activists objective advice on science and technology have sought to systematically undermine and policies and their implications; and it closed attack the integrity of science, in order to down a public space where policy could meet advance their own economic and social agen- science in a transparent and accountable debate das and interests. Moreover, he says, they are of the issues. OTA’s detractors, of course, might succeeding. argue just the opposite—that OTA itself had Mooney traces the story’s roots back to become an instrument of left-wing anti-busi- Kennedy era “right-wing anti-intellectual- ness and anti-military interests. Perhaps so, but ism” and the 1964 Goldwater presidential the reality is that it was, to say the least, incon- candidacy, though tensions between science venient for an office of Congress itself to be pro- and conservatism are at least as old as the ducing findings, as it occasionally did, that were Enlightenment. The environmental and con- inconsistent with prevailing conservative doc- sumer movements were ascendant in the trines and policies, such as the 1998 OTA 1960s and 1970s, and the ensuing government report that was highly skeptical about the via- regulation stirred the sleeping giant of industry into defensive bility of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, popularly known action. Its money sparked an explosive growth in the lobbying as “Star Wars.” (In the interests of full disclosure: From 1995 business and spawned a think-tank culture which became a breed- to 1998 I served as a fellow of the UK version of OTA.) ing ground for reactionary conservative ideology and policy devel- Drawing on extensive research, Mooney documents the opment for decades to come. The watershed moment, according creeping consolidation of an anti-science nexus in the political to Mooney, was the Reagan presidency that, albeit less invidi- Right. He shows how time and again the same strategies have ous in its treatment of science than later Republican adminis- been used: the paradoxically named Data Quality Act and the trations, laid much of the groundwork on which subsequent doublespeak of Sound Science; deliberately playing-up and mis- attacks on science were built. Reagan exemplified the twin polit- representing the nature and extent of scientific uncertainty and ical ideals of religious conservatism and pro-business deregula- debate around lightning rod issues like global warming; the coer- tion that were the prime motivators of the hostilities towards cion of scientific officials and appointees—as seen recently at science and its despised supposed bedfellows, secular intellec- NASA—and the outright distortion and rejection of their tual elitism and liberalism. findings and advice. He explains how these have been applied Mooney identifies an array of tools and techniques deployed in issues ranging from tobacco, fishery conservation and dietary to assault and undermine science, including legislation, regu- sugar to the teaching of evolution, creationism and intelligent lation, PR and managerial practices. He shows how these design; and from contraception, abortion and AIDS to stem cell weapons have been absorbed into the armory of the Republi- research. Not all of these battles were won (or lost, depending can War on Science just as the religious and pro-business dereg- on one’s perspective), nor were they all even decisive. Most still ulation movements themselves have coalesced into the GOP rumble on. The War on Science, Mooney appears to rather mainstream.

THE PUBLIC EYE21 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye despondently conclude, is one War that its hawkish Republi- at least one of the objections to OTA as a bureaucratic behemoth. can supporters might actually be winning. Since this book was published, events have hardly been Mooney rightly observes that conservatives have not been the static. Lawsuits about the teaching of evolution and intelligent only ones to try to bend science to their own agenda. Greenpeace, design struggle through the courts, stem cell research remains to cite but one, has also been guilty of misrepresenting science in the news, and extreme weather events fuel concerns over global in its fights against genetically modified foods and in several envi- warming, to name but a few examples. And despite the Presi- ronmental campaigns. The alliance of the conservative religious dent speaking in his State of the Union Address on the need to and pro-business deregulation movements under the Republi- invest in science and technology as the engine of US economic can umbrella, however, is what makes the War on Science a quin- competitiveness—hardly the words of a science-hater—the very tessentially Republican phenomenon. same speech, alas, called for legislation to “prohibit the most egre- What can be done by those dismayed by such develop- gious abuses of medical research: human cloning in all its forms ments? Mooney offers a few proposals in an Epilogue, which is ....” This single sentence captured the essence of the Republi- a rather too brief call to arms, lacking somewhat the depth and can War on Science in all its gory glory - misrepresenting, over- rigor evident in the preceding chapters. Notwithstanding its simplifying, confusing and politicizing all at once. brevity, though, he advances some key pro- In the subject targeted by Bush (stem cell posals. First and foremost, Mooney supports research), science may not have done itself the need to revive or replace OTA’s capa- many favors lately. The escalating scandal bilities. This really goes to the crux of the It was inconvenient for an arising from the admitted fraud by eminent issue and will be no easy feat. Attempts to (and now infamous) Korean researcher resurrect an OTA-like function through office of Congress to be Woo Suk Hwang also implicates researchers legislative amendments and appropriations in several US universities and even Science over several years have consistently failed to producing findings that magazine, the flagship science journal pub- gain traction in Congress. lished by the AAAS. The Right readily co- Mooney also urges the scientific com- were inconsistent with opted this as evidence to impugn the munity to redouble its own self-defensive integrity of science and question the scien- efforts, praising organizations such as the prevailing conservative tific process itself. After all, with such inter- National Academies and the American doctrines and policies. nal strife in the scientific community, how Association for the Advancement of Science can we trust its findings and recommen- for their moves to engage with these issues. dations? He suggests that those who would like to But such thinking misses the point about arrest and reverse the politicization of science should use every the scientific process. Science has an intrinsic immune system available legal and educational recourse in defense of its integrity. that challenges new ideas and discoveries and rejects those that He calls on journalists to think more critically about and do a cannot stand up to objective testing and repetition. This can be better job of explaining science to their readership, especially in a messy, organic process when viewed up close, but over the long the context of controversial policy issues. And he hopes that mod- run it has established an enormous body of knowledge on erating influences in the GOP will gain strength and pull back which we rely as a society for our well-being, quality of life and from the worst excesses of recent years. indeed our very survival. The question is can science’s autoim- Here, some international comparisons might have been mune system withstand a retro-viral-like onslaught on the informative. At the most basic level, I am left wondering integrity of the practitioners and institutions on which its func- whether this is a fundamentally American problem, or whether tioning critically depends? If not, the consequence could be dire. perhaps there are parallels in other countries. The Thatcher years Into this environment, Chris Mooney has contributed an in the UK, maybe, or the conservative resurgence in Germany? insightful reckoning of a complex and important subject. If I Does America stand alone—and in increasing isolation—over have one reservation about this book, it is that the author's pas- these issues? And what are the consequences? Moreover, are there sion for the subject and sometimes palpable sense of exaspera- any approaches being tried elsewhere to protect science against tion lends a needlessly partisan quality to the text, which could politicization and enable open public discourse of difficult pol- cause some readers to discount his basic thesis. This would be icy issues in science and technology that might also be effective unfortunate: readers on both sides of the aisle should take note in the United States? Several European countries, for instance, of this book. have developed their own highly respected versions of OTA in Dr. Peter Hirst, Ph.D, is a freelance science and technology policy recent years - in most cases smaller and more agile entities than analyst and strategy consultant based in Boston, MA. the US organization that inspired them, which would counter Copyright Peter Hirst, 2006.

THE PUBLIC EYE 22 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Book Reviews CONTINUED THE DEATH OF FEMINISM not be pro-choice and anti-gay marriage, nor [sic] can one oppose What’s Next in the Struggle for Women’s Freedom both rape and affirmative action. One has to sign on to the entire Phyllis Chesler Palgrave, 2005, $24.95, 256 pages. politically correct agenda or risk being attacked and ostra- cized.” Reviewed by Eleanor J. Bader Lord knows which Democrats Chesler is referring to as most Eleanor J. Bader is a Brooklyn, NY-based teacher, writer and pundits have noted the Party’s rightward swing on issues includ- activist. She is coauthor of Targets of Hatred: Anti-Abortion Ter- ing abortion, civil liberties and pre-emptive war. Similarly, it is rorism (St. Martin’s Press, 2001). impossible to discern which academic institutions are breeding It’s not exactly headline news that men and women have yet the array of youthful revolutionaries Chesler to achieve equality. On average, women still references. (Needless to say, if the Dems and earn less than men, the lion’s share of child and the universities were as bold as Chesler charges, elder care falls on female shoulders, and men we might not be in Iraq, the Patriot Act might remain largely absent from the domestic Chesler sees domestic not have won Congressional passage, and tableau. Couple this with shrinking access to the U.S. Constitution might include an abortion, birth control, and sexuality edu- feminists as wildly amendment giving women equal rights. But cation, and it is easy to dismiss 20th century I digress.) feminism as a colossal failure. anti-American. Chesler grounds her theories in highly Of course, such reductive reasoning misses selective personal observations and anec- the mark, sidestepping a slew of issues and dotes. Throughout, she lambastes left-femi- obstacles. Nonetheless it has become increas- nists for making Shar’ia Law seem like just ingly trendy to blame feminism for every- another religious option and for failing to thing from teenaged angst to romantic denounce the oppressive garments man- blunders. dated by Muslim modesty. Had they done Phyllis Chesler, whose groundbreaking so, she suggests, feminists could have liber- book, Women and Madness, galvanized thou- ated these sisters; instead, they parade sands of “Second Wave” feminists when it through European and U.S streets “veiled, was released in 1972, has joined the back- like ghosts.” lash at full tilt. Her arguments run from the A chapter entitled “My Afghan Captiv- facile to the silly and deride feminists as ity” seeks to further pull readers’ heart- craven beings whose allegiance to the left has strings. In it, Chesler recounts her 1961 caused them to abandon those who need lib- elopement, at age 20, with her Afghani eration most. As she sees it, “the disease of Muslim sweetheart, Ali. After getting mar- politically correct passivity” has kept the ried, the couple travel to Ali’s birthplace in women’s movement from decrying the major Kabul; the tale of his family’s treatment of threat to contemporary U.S. values, Islamic her is horrific, rife with insults, bad food, and fundamentalism. mobility restrictions. Yet the story seems to Chesler, a frequent contributor to David be missing some important details. A self- Horowitz’s FrontPage Magazine and an described Orthodox Jew, Chesler never dis- unabashed fan of George W. Bush, sees cusses her family’s reaction to the betrothal. domestic feminists as wildly anti-Ameri- Were Muslims the only people to denounce can. She also sees university-level women’s studies classes as pur- this improbable match, or did her family sit Shiva, mourning veyors of radicalism, brainwashing innocent adolescents to her marriage as if she had died? More generally, how did the insu- undervalue Judeo-Christian traditions. lar Borough Park, Brooklyn, community in which Chesler was Yes, rhetoric is high in Chesler’s The Death of Feminism, as reared deal with her worldly aspirations? Later, following her even- are gross generalizations. “A Democrat today means that one is tual divorce, was all forgiven? a liberal,” she writes. “And liberals are no longer what they once While Chesler never mentions these topics, she does offer a were or who they should be. Today liberals are more left than veritable Megillah of horrors suffered by Muslim females. Her ever before. Many engage in totalitarian groupthink… One can- analysis of the ways women police one another to enforce

THE PUBLIC EYE23 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye misogynist customs is insightful, Chesler’s biases are blatant. She rails against progressives and although her refusal to acknowledge gratuitously criticizes feminists including The Nation’s Katha that they are not the only ones to Pollitt. She dismisses critics of U.S. foreign policy as cultural oppress their own is troubling. relativists and presents political disagreements as a breakdown And therein lies the central failing in civility, as if it is the height of diplomatic discourse when Dick of The Death of Feminism. Chesler Cheney calls opponents of the Iraq War shameless, reprehen- believes that stopping Muslim fun- sible cowards. damentalism should be a top priority Still, the essence of the matter—something Chesler misses— Phyllis Chesler the world over. She further believes is that all forms of religious fundamentalism threaten justice- that there is a universal code of con- loving people. Esther Kaplan, in With God on Their Side, wrote duct that can, and should, be followed. Despite historical evi- that the current war on terror can be seen as a “religious crusade dence to the contrary, she implies that outsiders can impose new by Christian fundamentalists at home and Islamic fundamen- social mores on Muslim countries without engendering either talists abroad.” While Chesler is rooting for the Christians, those backlash or resentment. It is as if she envisions a Koran-reading who disagree with her face a thornier dilemma: how to make sec- cadre eager for consumerist bounty. What’s more, as Chesler con- ular humanism a desirable alternative. In addition, she offers no jures this illusion, she ignores Christian and Jewish fundamen- guidance on how—or if—to limit cultural autonomy and talism, thereby demonizing Muslims and setting up a dichotomy promote assimilation amongst groups as diverse as the Amish, in which some fundamentalists—notably brown-skinned Arabs Hasidic Jews, Native Americans or socially conservative Mus- and Africans in non-Western attire—are presented as more dan- lim immigrants. gerous than men like Jerry Falwell, Tim LaHaye, Pat Robertson As recent violence in France made clear, ignoring these issues or the Lubavitcher rebbes. has dire consequences. Sadly, Chesler’s rant about the “Islamiza- “Muslims in the West should not have the right to face-veil tion of the West” does nothing to address this or to advance their girls and women; practice female genital mutilation; women’s rights. Yet she is right about one thing: Feminism is arrange forced marriages; or commit crimes such as polygamy, incompatible with fundamentalism. Indeed, if feminism is to wife-beating, child abuse and shame-based honor murders,” she survive as a political movement, it must work to vanquish this writes. I agree. But are Muslims here clamoring for such imper- enemy both at home and abroad. atives? Secondly, aren’t there already laws against these practices that cover everyone?

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THE PUBLIC EYE 24 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye ……Reports in Review…… REPORT OF THE MONTH

Downsizing Cities for downsizing state and local government in California.” These Target San Diego: The Right Wing Assault on Urban Democracy are distributed to the media, corporations and lawmakers through and Smart Government an extensive communications apparatus. Lurking behind their pri- by Lee Cokorinos, Center for Policy Initiatives, November 2005 vatization proposals, says Cokorinos, “is the potential for major contractors and developments to make a killing”—a fact that This report shows how national organizations like the Amer- explains the fundraising success of Reason and similar think tanks. ican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC, founded in 1973 by When Cokorinos finally reaches San Diego and its local Paul Weyrich) connect conservative state legislators with each other think tank, the Performance Institute (on p. 39 of the 55-page and with corporations and industry associations, creating “a report), the reader has a good sense of the context that allows the pipeline of ideas and proposals that directly impact how urban Performance Institute to survive and thrive. The Performance policy is framed across a wide range of issues.” ALEC generates Institute relies on national think tanks and organizations like the ideas and circulates policies while the State Policy Network ALEC to provide privatization and downsizing campaign mod- supports the growth and capacity of state-level think tanks like els, then applies the same formula on an issue-by-issue basis: “first the San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute. issuing slick research reports setting out the nature of the prob- The national initiatives then allow “the conservative movement lem, followed by well funded communications campaigns to move to drive its infrastructure down into America’s major metropol- specific proposals, then involvement in setting policy priorities itan areas,” as the report shows through its case study of San Diego, for the new administration during the transition phase, and finally a key battleground city. involvement in restructuring policies within government agen- The Pacific Research Institute’s Web “activity log,” which Coko- cies themselves.” rinos analyzes, shows a busy schedule of staff meetings with other In the report’s conclusion, Cokorinos declares “this long- conservative think tanks, Wall Street Journal editorial page term confrontation” to be “winnable.” He calls for defending pro- writers, federal officials, Assemblymen and city supervisors, and gressive institutional power against right-wing assaults while corporate attorneys and public affairs directors. Cokorinos also overcoming the narrowness of single-issue politics and the dis- profiles the libertarian Reason Foundation, which “focuses connection of the base from a national progressive superstructure. intensely on producing nuts-and-bolts strategies and ‘how to’ guides – Jeremy Smith

Other Reports in Review Denying Women Emergency nancy. But many Catholic hospitals, which do not. Even worse, most of their referrals for Contraception handle 15% of all emergency room visits in emergency contraception are inaccurate or Complying with the Law?: How Catholic the United States, deny women emergency nonexistent. One way Catholic hospitals cir- Hospitals Respond to State Laws Mandat- contraception, or EC. “EC in the ER” laws cumvent the law is by refusing to treat sexual ing the Provision of Emergency Contra- exist in a few states to counteract this situa- assault patients in the first place. ception to Sexual Assault Patients tion, but it is not always clear how well they Residents of California, New Mexico, Catholics for Free Choice and Ibis Reproductive protect women’s access to emergency contra- New York, Washington and South Carolina Health; Washington, DC , January 2006. ception. —all with EC in the ER laws—will find spe- http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/health Catholics for a Free Choice enlisted Ibis cific information about their states. Recom- care/documents/2006complyingwtihthe law.pdf Reproductive Health to research the compliance mended tactics for advocates include lobbying Although the Hyde Amendment created Catholic hospitals with these laws. The result- for EC in the ER laws in more states, encour- a furor when it prohibited federal funding of ing study is a welcome, if somber, illustration aging hospitals to improve how they imple- most abortions in 1977, many barriers to of covert barriers to reproductive justice. ment their EC provisions and pharmacy reproductive services are less obvious. Women The good news is that in states with “EC referrals, and working with policymakers to who have been sexually assaulted, for instance, in the ER” laws, most Catholic hospitals pro- help them understand the value of this pub- deserve immediate medical attention, includ- vide sexual assault victims with emergency lic policy protection. ing medication to prevent an unwanted preg- contraception-related services. But about –Pam Chamberlain one-third of Catholic hospitals in these states

THE PUBLIC EYE25 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

Why Open and Affirming Faith-Based Funding Framed history; 4. the group had an explicit religious Churches Need Secular Support Getting a Piece of the Pie: Federal Grants affiliation (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, etc.); David v. Goliath: A Report on Faith to Faith-Based Social Service Organizations and 5. the organization integrated religious activities in the content of its services (Bible Groups Working for Lesbian, Gay, By Lisa M. Monteil and David J. Wright, Round- study, prayer, etc.). Over half of the organi- Bisexual and Transgender Equality table on Religion and Social Welfare, Rockefeller (and what they’re up against) Institute on Government, State University of zations identified by the researchers met four Richard A. Lindsay and Jessica Stern, National New York, Albany, NY, February 2006. or five of these variables. It found that the Agency for International Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Washington, DC, Conservatives can’t seem to agree on Development funds a higher percentage of 2005. whether this new report by the Roundtable on faith-based organizations than most other Here is some interesting data for those Religion and Social Welfare Policy is good agencies in the study —over one-quarter of wondering how to counteract the enor- news or bad news. While the researchers found th awards; the Department of Labor’s “Com- mous opposition to LGBT equality from that the number of grants awarded to faith- bating Exploitative Child Labor Through religious conservatives, building on some of based organizations is up, they also found that Education” gave the highest percentage of indi- the “most underused resources in the pro- the amount of money being awarded is down. vidual grants; and HUD’s “Assisted Living gressive movement.” In other words, less money is being spread Conversion Program for Eligible Multifam- These are the American faith communities among more FBO’s. The White House dis- ily Housing Projects” showed the largest net that work to support LGBT issues, compiled putes the findings, saying federal funding is increases in FBO funding. California, Florida, in this report for the first time. You will find up for religious groups. On the other hand, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and LGBT-identified denominations such as the Stanley Carlson-Thies, director of social pol- Texas made the top ten for most amount of Metropolitan Community Church or Unity icy studies at the Center for Public Justice, funding in all three years of the study. Fellowship Church; denominational support seemed to accept the report, saying it “gives – Cindy King groups inside mainline denominations such the lie to the alarmists” and shows that Bush as the United Church of Christ Coalition for isn’t trying to turn the government into a “reli- LGBT Concerns or Lutherans Concerned of gious apparatus.” Wal-Mart’s Busted Dream North America; and “bridge builders,” the The Roundtable looked at all ten govern- organizations working on bridging faith, ment agencies which established centers for Wal-Mart: Rolling Back Wages, Workers’ LGBT, and race or gender issues, such as faith-based and community initiatives after the Rights, and the American Dream Queer Asian Spirit or Centro Cristiano. Bush Administration issued its executive By Erin Johannson, American Rights at Work, What makes this report so useful is its order setting them up in 2001. They warned, November 2005 method of organization. Coupled with exam- however, that this research does not tackle the http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/docU- ples of each category of these progressive faith difficult-to-track flows channeled through ploads/WalmartReport%5Flowres%2Epdf groups are descriptions of organizations within the states. The most cutting part of this report is a the same traditions that oppose LGBT equal- Of over 28,000 federal grants awarded table at the end, borrowed from a 2004 Busi- ity, such as the American Anglican Council under the order, 3,526 went to 1,146 organ- nessWeek article, that compares union-friendly (anti-gay Episcopalian) or Good News Forum izations identified as faith-based (see below for Costco with the evil Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club. for Scriptural Christianity (anti-gay a description). In 2002 11.6% of the grants Despite its union-busting, discrimination, Methodist) as well as the reach of the denom- went to these groups, while 17.8% of the exploitation of undocumented immigrants, ination-spanning Institute on Religion and money did; in 2003 12.2% of the grants and and assorted other crimes and misdemeanors Democracy. [see related article on p.10]These 17.1% of the money; and in 2004, 12.8% of exposed in class action lawsuits and the courts, anti-gay faith groups outspend their LGBT- the grants and 17.8% of the money. Percent- Wal-Mart cannot make Sam’s Club as prof- supportive counterparts by a ration of 8:1, ages don’t tell all, since while the percentage itable per worker as Costco. according to the report. of money distributed to faith based groups The Teamsters represent only 16% of “David v. Goliath” describes anti-gay might be the same from 2002 to 2004, the Costco’s workers, but the corporation extends groups in an even-handed, nondemonizing total money distributed dropped in that its wage agreement to all workers, who receive tone. The recommendations are clearly aimed period. an average of $15.97/hour. That is in contrast at secular progressive groups that have much Lacking a standard definition of a “faith- to the Sam’s Club average of $12.52. Eighty- to gain and a lot to learn from new collabo- based organization,” the researchers looked at seven percent are covered by a health plan, rations with LGBT-supportive faith groups. whether: 1. the organization uses religious compared to 47% at Sam’s Club. Turnover is As a whole, the information provides a gen- words or symbols in its name, logo, etc., and lower – only 9% a year compared to 21% at tle nudge to groups more comfortable work- refers to itself as a faith-based, religious, or Sam’s Club. Even with these benefits, Costco’s ing only with their own kind about the faith-affiliated organization; 2. the organiza- labor costs as a percentage of sales are lower potential for change. – Pam Chamberlain tion’s mission or value statement specifically than Sam’s Club. –Abby Scher refers to God, Christ, etc.; 3.there were spir- itual or religious elements in the organization’s

THE PUBLIC EYE 26 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

EYES WIDE SHUT ABOUT He concludes: “The faith community BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN must step forward and tell left-leaning activists that undermining border security is R. Cort Kirkwood laid down the law in the not a religious imperative.” cover story for the February 20, 2006 issue of The New American on the film “Brokeback Source: “DC Church Activists Out of Touch on Border Issues,” Press Release, February 21, 2006. http://tancre- Eyes Mountain.” do.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1141 He reminds us that the old Westerns, RIGHT depicting pioneers who “were mostly good IF YOU BUILD IT, Christians and sturdy, daring Americans,” KEEP THEM OUT TARGET: GAY ED provided role models for “father and son alike” to “learn something about how a man Tony Perkins at the Family Research Coun- An affiliate of Focus on the Family is warn- is supposed to behave.” cil warns the readers of his Washington Report ing its members that any class can promote The new movie, on the other hand, is “a of a health risk to the residents of Chicago homosexuality to young students. perversion of masculinity,” “ a propaganda and beyond. “The tragedy is that there are The Massachusetts Family Institute wrote: piece,” with “homos on the range” that “give Americans who may well be infected with a “With the recent court developments in our the term ‘rough riders’ a new, blue meaning.” deadly disease as a direct result of this most state, history, science, and even math classes can How does he know? Especially since he unwise decision.” promote homosexual ideals—including the hasn’t seen the movie? “You needn’t lift the That decision? The Department of State normalization of same-sex marriage….Encour- lid on a garbage can, after all, to know what’s granting special status to allow foreign ath- age your child to tell you if a teacher or class- inside.” letes with HIV to travel to the United States mate talks about same-sex marriage.” this summer for the Gay Games. Gay Games Source: The New American, vol. 22, no. 4, February Parents can “opt out” of sex education 20, 2006, pp.12-19. VII will bring over 8000 guests to Chicago, classes for their children, under Massachu- including international Olympic medalists setts law. But the Family Institute is spon- GETTING TOUGH who serve as Games Ambassadors. Perkins soring a bill requiring parents to “opt in” to ON…CHURCHES? encourages those concerned to call the White these classes for their child. A pamphlet issued Congressman Tom Tancredo, the man House hotline. by the group suggests that any discussion of known for getting tough on border crossers, Source: http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU06B20 February 28, 2006. same-sex marriage is sexuality education. is now taking his immigration struggle to the Their not-so-hidden agenda? A section of the churches. MFI webpage is www.voteonmarriage.org, In a recent press release, he targets the the statewide organizing effort to repeal the Catholic and Episcopal Churches, United legality of same-sex marriage. Methodists, Presbyterian Church USA and Source: “Back to School: A Parents’ [sic] Guide,” Evangelical Lutheran Church as “left-lean- Massachusetts Family Institute, http://www.mafamily.org Eye ing religious activists” using “smear tactics” LASHES HAVING FUN WITH HOME against the December House bill that he SEIZURES helped shepherd through. He must be upset What religion was hijacked in this at the unified opposition shown by the main- Since last June, people on the right and left quote from President Bush during line churches to a bill that, if supported by were riled by a Supreme Court ruling that the Senate, would criminalize undocumented his recent visit to Afghanistan?: New London, CT could take over property immigrants and those who work with them, using eminent domain for a private shopping “So we’ve got a common alliance, remove the right of court review of immi- center that contributed to the “public good.” gration decisions, build a border wall, and all aimed at routing out people But it took Logan Darrow Clements, a devo- require local and federal cooperation in who are evildoers, people who tee of Ayn Rand, to mount a campaign enforcing immigration law. based on his objections to the decision. His have hijacked a great religion He lists some of the statements that raised target: David Souter, one of the justices vot- and kill innocent people in the his ire: ing in the majority. His campaign: to persuade Quoting the Presbyterian Church: “[the name of that religion.” Weare, NH, to seize Souter’s home and build bill is] a frontal assault on the due process a Lost Liberty Hotel and Just Desserts Café A. Islam rights of non-citizens.” on the site. Why did the Los Angeles resident B. Christianity Quoting the Catholics: “Cardinal McCar- choose Souter as his focus? “Because his C. Judaism rick…commented: ‘people who are trying to address was the easiest to find on the Inter- D. Hinduism help immigrants will be finding themselves net,” Clements explained. turned into criminals. That’s going to include E. All of the above Source: The Weekly Standard, February 13, 2006, p. 22. people at churches.’”

THE PUBLIC EYE27 SPRING 2006 The Public Eye

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