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From the Heart: Dobson Explains His Support for SCOTUS Nominee, His Trust in Bush
American Family Association ^ | 6 October 2005 | Jody Brown

Posted on 10/05/2005 7:12:52 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher

(AgapePress) - During a heartfelt and compassionate broadcast this morning (Wednesday), Dr. James Dobson explained why he believes Harriett Miers -- President Bush's pick to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court -- deserves the support of Christians and other family advocates.

The Focus on the Family founder took all of his daily broadcast today to share why he believes the relatively unknown attorney from Texas who has served as White House counsel under the current Bush administration will be a good addition to the high court. He said he knows and has spoken to people who have known Miers for years, and that he has confidence in those people's opinions.

Those individuals, says Dobson, have confirmed reports that the 60-year-old nominee is an active and dedicated Christian who serves in her nondenominational, evangelical Dallas church -- Valley View Christian Church. "She is a deeply committed Christian," said Dobson, "and a tithe-paying member" of her church, according to those conversations. LifeNews.com reported this week that Miers has taught Sunday school and served on the church's mission board for years. And the pastor of her church, according to that report, is a staunch pro-lifer.

According to a New York Times article yesterday, Miers made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ in 1979 and was baptized soon thereafter at Valley View Christian Church. Her longtime friend, Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht -- who prayed with Miers when she accepted the Lord -- told the Times he knows where she stands on abortion. "Yes, she goes to a pro-life church," he said, adding, "I know Harriet is, too."

Dobson also took time during his broadcast to address recent allegations that Miss Miers, in the late 1980s, had voiced support for homosexual rights and financially supported the presidential campaign of Democrat Al Gore. Dobson noted that in a 1989 survey Miers said she supported equal, not special, rights for homosexuals -- a stand consistent with his own beliefs, said Dobson; and in the same survey also state she did not support repeal of the Texas sodomy law, a statute that was later overturned by the Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas.

And regarding the Gore campaign contribution, Dobson pointed out that in 1988 Al Gore was pro-life -- a stand the vice president-to-be would ultimately change, perhaps for political expediency, Dobson suggested.

But aside from Miers' apparent stand on hot-button social issues, Dr. Dobson spent ample time explaining why he believes President Bush ought to be trusted on his selection of the former head of the Texas State Bar. Thus far, he said, the president has been true to his campaign promise to place conservative, strict constructionist judges on the federal bench. So the ministry founder wonders why -- with his political legacy hinging so heavily on his judicial appointments -- would the president "sabotage" that legacy with an appointment inconsistent with his own tenets.

"It would contradict his basic philosophical beliefs," said Dobson. And lest he be accused of being a "shill" for the president, Dobson noted that he does not agree with every policy coming out of the White House, such as how to deal with illegal immigration. But as far as the Miers nomination is concerned, he said, "I believe in trusting this president at this time."

Dobson concluded by saying that if he is wrong on the nomination of Harriett Miers, he will come before the microphone and "repent."

Reports Distorted, Says AIM Meanwhile, the watchdog group Accuracy in Media says some members of the conservative media are distorting portions of Harriett Mier's record. AIM says reports that the Supreme Court nominee is on record supporting the establishment of the International Criminal Court and homosexual adoptions are erroneous.

"There's no evidence for the charge," says AIM's Cliff Kincaid, adding that the "documents" allegedly supporting the reports have been "seriously distorted by WorldNetDaily and other outlets."

AIM also says a Chicago Sun-Times columnist is guilty of perpetuating the inaccurate reports. The columnist, Robert Novak, wrote that Miers chaired a panel the "recommended legalization of gay adoption and establishment of an International Criminal Court." But Kincaid says Miers was chair of a panel that simply passed along recommendations from various entities in the American Bar Association for consideration by members of the ABA.

AIM says "there's no evidence that [Miers] put her personal stamp of approval on those controversial positions."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: afa; fotf; harrietmiers; jamesdobson; scotus; souter2; valleyview
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To: dubyaismypresident

Just under the 60 year yard line. Apply to law school immediately.


61 posted on 10/05/2005 8:36:24 PM PDT by Torie
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To: dubyaismypresident

Effects matter when it comes to interpreting imprecise works. To suggest otherwise is silly.


62 posted on 10/05/2005 8:37:29 PM PDT by Torie
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To: Torie

works = words.


63 posted on 10/05/2005 8:37:51 PM PDT by Torie
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To: Torie
LOL. Especially with a 2.9% MOE.

Do you think by 2035 a night school state university student will be acceptable for SCOTUS?

64 posted on 10/05/2005 8:42:41 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: Lemondropkid31

It's going to be brought up in the hearings. Ms. Miers, you recently broke away from the Valley View congregation to start a church with 200 others? Why did you do that? I've heard that there was a new pastor installed, so she could just say that she followed her regular pastor (which she did), but her regular pastor is known as very pro-life.

I suspect that this *news* could be the lead-in to her views on abortion, and the frenzy will start thereafter. If she comes across as being more of a direct assault on Roe v. Wade then Roberts did, and I think she is, her nomination will clearly pit Bush loyalists and the religious right against everybody else. That means several pubbie senators will vote against her nomination. And if the dims hold firm against her because they can make the case that she'll overturn Roe, then her nomination will be in big trouble.

The whole court inventing law in spite of the people charade - changing WE THE PEOPLE into WE THE JUDGES - was cemented with Roe v. Wade. But there are many pro choice *conservatives* to go along with the united left and bleating media to give those opposing Miers a big target. That's why that little nugget about her activities within the last month or so is *news*.


65 posted on 10/05/2005 8:46:39 PM PDT by Kryptonite
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To: dubyaismypresident; Torie
LOL. Especially with a 2.9% MOE.

Woops. That belonged on another thread.

66 posted on 10/05/2005 8:48:59 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: dubyaismypresident

It depends what you do after. And that is the truth. The elite schools tend to be a filter for the best and the brightest, and they afford connections, but in the end, if you have the right stuff, and a sublime integrative mind, and even temperment and genial personality, the world is your oyster. JMO.


67 posted on 10/05/2005 8:49:20 PM PDT by Torie
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To: Aussie Dasher

Dobson has really disappointed me. First, so what that she is a committed Christians. Second, what's up with this civil rights stuff? If you mean they can vote and speak and publish their opinions, trying to persuade people, then fine. If you mean everyone is forced by the government to hire homosexuals, cross-dressers and all of that the NO WAY! Everyone else has rights too. Did he forget that? Does Dobson hire them? I can tell you right now that he does not.


68 posted on 10/05/2005 8:51:44 PM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past ("Let the wicked man forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord" Is 55:7)
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To: Torie

Cool. Now I just got to figure out if my current employer would from on me going to law school. Then again who could be against an MBA/JD. The MBA is from a pretty decent school. Of course the JD would be from Cleveland State, I suppose.


69 posted on 10/05/2005 8:52:10 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: Kryptonite

that makes sense. Thanks for explaining!


70 posted on 10/05/2005 8:52:19 PM PDT by Lemondropkid31 (Conroe, TX)
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To: Aussie Dasher
And regarding the Gore campaign contribution, Dobson pointed out that in 1988 Al Gore was pro-life -- a stand the vice president-to-be would ultimately change, perhaps for political expediency, Dobson suggested.

Errrr Dr. Dobson? I don't see any Pro Life Votes on Gore's ACU scorecard, but I do see Pro-Abortion votes.


71 posted on 10/05/2005 8:55:48 PM PDT by handy (Forgive me this day, my daily typos...The Truth is not a Smear!)
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To: handy
"It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong. I hope that some day we will see the current outrageously large number of abortions drop sharply. . . . Let me assure you that I share your belief that innocent human life must be protected . . . In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably the taking of a human life. . . ." (Letter from Rep. Al Gore to a Constituent, 7/18/84) Gore had a high rating from the antiabortion movement (an 84 rating), and a similar letter to a constituent in 1987, can be found in a 1999 biography, ''Gore: A Political Life,'' by former ABC News reporter Bob Zelnick.

OK fine, he's a liar. These things were harder to check before Al "invented" the internet.

72 posted on 10/05/2005 8:58:57 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: dubyaismypresident
OK fine, he's a liar.

He = Al Gore.

73 posted on 10/05/2005 9:04:35 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: dubyaismypresident; handy

Dobson is right.

In 1980, Gore wrote a letter to NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE, supporting the Hyde Amendment.

* On June 26, 1984, Representative Al Gore cast an extremely pro-life vote. While debating the Civil Rights Act of 1984, Representative Siljander proposed the following amendment.

"For the purposes of this act, the term 'person' shall include unborn children from the moment of conception."
After debate, Mr. Siljander demanded a recorded vote. The amendment was defeated 219 to 186. Among the recorded votes for the amendment was that of Al Gore. This amendment was in direct opposition to Roe v Wade, not just one against federal funding for abortions. In addition, he denied even casting that vote on Meet the Press on Feb. 21, 1988, and a Gore advisor stated to U.S. News and World Report on March 7, 1998, that: "Since there's a record of that vote, we only have one choice. In effect, what we have to do is deny, deny, deny."

* In Iowa and New Hampshire, questions at Gore's open meetings focused on health care and education. In Los Angeles, they ran the gamut from welfare reform to the environment, as well as a number of questions about Gore's commitment to individual rights, such as gay rights, rights of the disabled and civil rights. Abortion continued to be an issue for Gore, who was asked by reporters in Venice about comments he made during his 1976 congressional race suggesting that a woman's "freedom to live her own life" does not always outweigh the rights of a fetus.
Source: "Democrats Take Race to West Coast In Costly California, Key Goal Is 'Free Media'"
By William Booth and Lois Romano Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, February 4, 2000; Page A06 (this is one document I do not have a copy of)

* During his tenure in the U.S. House (1977 to 1984) Gore voted pro-life 27 times and had a 84% pro-life voting record.

* In letters to a constituents, he wrote: "It is my deep personal conviction that abortion is wrong. I hope that some day we will see the current outrageously large number of abortions drop sharply." (Letters from Sept. 15, 1983, August 22, 1984, )

* In a May 26, 1987 letter to a constituent he wrote: "During my 11 years in congress, I have consistently opposed federal funding for abortions. In my opinion, it is wrong to spend federal funds for what is arguably taking of a human life. Let me assure you that I share your belief that innocent human life must be protected, and I am committed to furthering this goal."


74 posted on 10/05/2005 9:17:38 PM PDT by 1035rep
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To: dubyaismypresident

Yep, only 25% think she's the wrong choice, yet they are about 80% of the posts.


75 posted on 10/05/2005 9:18:14 PM PDT by McGavin999 (We're a First World Country with a Third World Press (Except for Hume & Garrett ))
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To: dubyaismypresident
OK fine, he's a liar. These things were harder to check before Al "invented" the internet.

Yes, Gore was and is a liar. "Talk" and "letters to Constituents" are cheap, look at how Gore voted. Is that to much to ask of people like Dobson who want to play in the bigs? I don't think so, we are not talking about some unknown congressman's record. People insist on giving Miers a pass for giving money to Al Gore because he was a "conservative southern Democrat". The record says otherwise.

76 posted on 10/05/2005 9:18:41 PM PDT by handy (Forgive me this day, my daily typos...The Truth is not a Smear!)
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To: McGavin999

Only 32% support her, and that seems to be rougly eqivalent to the number of posts.


77 posted on 10/05/2005 9:20:35 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: handy

see 74


78 posted on 10/05/2005 9:21:09 PM PDT by NeoCaveman (trust but verify)
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To: 1035rep
Dobson is right.

Did you look at Gore's voting record? How can you say Dobson is right when Gore cast Pro-Abortion votes from 1985 to 1988 in the Senate?

If you can find some pro life votes Gore cast in the Senate I will look at them. So far I don't see any.

79 posted on 10/05/2005 9:21:56 PM PDT by handy (Forgive me this day, my daily typos...The Truth is not a Smear!)
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To: Aussie Dasher
Trust is not transitive.

That is, the facts that A trusts B, and B trusts C, do not require that A trust C.

80 posted on 10/05/2005 9:26:01 PM PDT by steve-b (A desire not to butt into other people's business is eighty percent of all human wisdom)
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