Judge renders latest pro-life law comatose By Allen PalmeriStaff Writer September 20, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY– Kerry Messer, lobbyist, Missouri Baptist Convention Christian Life Commission, is all too familiar with the routine. He likens what took place Sept. 15-16 in Missouri to a team of medical professionals—activists who favor abortion—inducing a coma on a newborn baby. Sometime before 2:02 p.m. Sept. 15, which was when his spokesman released the news electronically, Gov. … [Read more...]
Governor, lawmakers zero in on abortion in historic fashion
Governor, lawmakers zero in on abortion in historic fashion Special session begins Sept. 6 By Allen PalmeriStaff Writer August 23, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – The historic decision by Gov. Matt Blunt to call a special session of the Missouri General Assembly Sept. 6 primarily to approve pro-life legislation is being applauded by Missouri Baptists and leaders of other pro-life organizations in the state. “I think he should be praised for what he is doing,” said Rodney Albert, … [Read more...]
Land: Blunt not with Southern Baptists on SCNT
Land: Blunt not with Southern Baptists on SCNT By Allen PalmeriStaff Writer July 26, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – Culturally, it is clear that Gov. Matt Blunt enjoys being Southern Baptist. His family ties are strong within the denomination, he attends one of the larger Southern Baptist churches in Missouri, and he has fond memories of his membership at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile, Ala., a well-known conservative congregation. But Richard Land, president of The Ethics & Religious … [Read more...]
MBC leaders urge Roberts’ confirmation
MBC leaders urge Roberts’ confirmation By Staff July 12, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) leaders sent a letter July 26 to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging a fair hearing for John G. Roberts Jr., President Bush’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, and his confirmation by Sept. 30. Those signing the letter urging senators to swiftly vote yes on Roberts are: Mitchell Jackson, MBC president, and pastor, … [Read more...]
CLC strategy session set to address forthcoming statewide battle over embryonic stem cells
CLC strategy session set to address forthcoming statewide battle over embryonic stem cells By Staff June 14, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – The Christian Life Commission of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) will hold a strategy session June 30 at 10 a.m. at the Baptist Building in part to discuss how to effectively counter the pro-cloning strategy of the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures (see story on page 1). The CLC meeting will reunite the team of MBC Executive Director David … [Read more...]
Promise of special session on abortion sounds hopeful note
Promise of special session on abortion sounds hopeful note By Allen PalmeriStaff Writer May 17, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – The dramatic failure of pro-life legislation on the last day of the 2005 General Assembly has created a window of opportunity from May through September for pro-life Missourians to communicate with Gov. Matt Blunt, who has called a special session of the Legislature for pro-life bills in conjunction with the scheduled veto session. Blunt, who listens to the pro-life … [Read more...]
Hallelujah! Lawmakers embrace life with massive bill
Thoughts & Adventures Hallelujah! Lawmakers embrace life with massive bill April 19, 2005 Missouri Southern Baptists should rejoice over the imminent passage of a historic pro-life bill that adds new restrictions for abortionists. I encourage you to call the bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Loudon, R-Ballwin; Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood; Speaker of the House Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill; and Gov. Matt Blunt (who has indicated he will sign it into law once the … [Read more...]
Historic pro-life bill poised for passage
Historic pro-life bill poised for passage Omnibus legislation will save babies, protect teen mothers By Lee WarrenContributing Writer April 19, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – For the last seven years, Sen. John Loudon (R-Ballwin) has been fighting to see Senate Bill 2—the bill that would close loopholes and modify numerous state abortion laws—become a reality. His perseverance is paying off. The bill passed the Senate on April 21 and made its way to the House of Representatives, … [Read more...]
Blunt’s view on cloning inconsistent with pro-life position
Thoughts and Adventures Blunt’s view on cloning inconsistent with pro-life position April 5, 2005 RIDGEDALE – Dogged determination can bite both ways. Take for example, Gov. Matt Blunt’s position on somantic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), a form of embryo-destroying cloning that the governor refuses to acknowledge is cloning. Blunt has maintained a pro-life position through his gubernatorial campaign and in his early weeks in office. There is no doubt in my mind that … [Read more...]
Gambling industry may manipulate bill
Gambling industry may manipulate bill By Lee WarrenContributing Writer April 5, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – In a move leaving Missouri gambling opponents scratching their heads, the Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association testified in favor of House Bill 592, which has already been passed by the House and has been assigned to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The bill would require “jackpots over $1,200 won by self-excluded problem gamblers on … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptists seek to rise above stem cell confusion
Missouri Baptists seek to rise above stem cell confusion By Allen PalmeriStaff Writer December 22, 2004 JEFFERSON CITY – Cindy Province and Kerry Messer are pro-life lobbyists in the state Capitol who have been struggling, by sheer lack of resources, to educate lawmakers on the issue of embryonic stem cell research the last three years. The drill goes something like this: 1) Pro-life lobbyist explains what embryonic stem cell research is. 2) Biotech lobbyist provides a different … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist Convention journalists, lobbyist meet with members of Supreme Court
Missouri Baptist Convention journalists, lobbyist meet with members of Supreme Court By Staff February 8, 2005 JEFFERSON CITY – The Pathway for the first time participated in the Missouri Supreme Court Media Day Feb. 3 as judges took the better part of one work day to explain some of the inner workings of the state’s top court. Two Pathway staffers, Don Hinkle, editor, and Allen Palmeri, staff writer, joined about two dozen members of the Capitol press corps as they interacted … [Read more...]