Dear KKIM Family,
I come to you tonight with a heavy heart. The Domestic Partnership bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon.
A bill allowing domestic partnerships has cleared a difficult hurdle Monday in the Legislature and is heading to the Senate for debate.
The legislation will give same-sex couples the same legal protections and benefits as married couples.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-5 to send the bill to the full Senate without recommendation whether it should be approved or rejected.
The bill had stalled in the committee on tie votes. However, Democratic Sen. Bernadette Sanchez of Albuquerque broke the stalemate by voting to move the legislation to the Senate for consideration. This bill will lead to same sex marriage in New Mexico.
I was at the KKIM news desk all afternoon reporting live……..We gave updates all day…..with State Rep. Nora Espinoza giving us all the details. At about 3:55 Nora called to say that the bill had been tabled as Sen. Sanchez walked out and did not vote……then about 10 minutes later Nora is calling again saying another vote was taken and Sen. Sanchez voted in favor of the bill, after saying she would vote against it. Like many of you, I was so sad to hear this.
So while we were doing New Mexico News and Views I get this News bulletin out of Washington D.C. from The Human Rights Campaign, the Nation’s largest lesbian, gay,
civil rights group….they sent me this text message right away celebrating the passage………
Domestic Partner Bill Advances in New Mexico Legislature
Bill would permit unmarried couples to receive rights, responsibilities of marriage under state law
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, today praised New Mexico’s state Senate Judiciary Committee for voting 6-5 to advance the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, which would allow gay, lesbian, or straight couples to enter into domestic partnerships and receive the rights, benefits, and responsibilities of marriage under state law. The bill now moves toward a floor vote in the Senate. Similar legislation is pending in the House of Representatives.
“The Human Rights Campaign is pleased that the New Mexico Senate has taken this important step toward enacting much-needed protections for all couples in New Mexico, and we’re hopeful that this legislation will ultimately pass the Senate and House, and be enacted into law. ” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This is simply about making sure that all loving, committed couples in New Mexico receive the equal rights that they and their families need and deserve.”
New Mexico’s legislature has considered similar legislation in each of the last two years, and the bill has, in the past, come within a single vote of passing. New Mexico’s legislative session runs through March 21, 2009.
The Human Rights Campaign has a field director and two field organizers on the ground in New Mexico working to organize grass roots support for the domestic partner bill.
The proposed legislation would provide unmarried couples, gay, lesbian, or straight, with the opportunity to receive important rights and benefits including, but not limited to, hospital visitation, the right to make a medical decision for an incapacitated partner, the right to file a joint state tax return, and inheritance in the event that a partner dies without leaving a will.
Five other states – California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont — as well as the District of Columbia have enacted domestic partner or civil unions laws that provide the same benefits under state law that would be provided by the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act in New Mexico, if enacted.
Two states, Massachusetts and Connecticut, recognize marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples under state law. Three states, Hawaii, Maine, and Washington, provide limited rights to gay and lesbian couples who enter into a domestic partnership or similar relationship. Currently, no gay or lesbian couple receives any of the more than 1,100 federal rights and benefits available to married couples, and the New Mexico bill would not provide any of these rights.
Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Now back to Dewey………
They are celebrating and Gov. Richardson is so happy!
There is a ton of money involved in this.
I predicted months ago that same sex marriage would pass in New Mexico in 2009 if God’s people did not speak up…….We are going down the fast track now to it happening.
Please make this a matter of prayer. I heard from a Pastor today that people have left his Church because of his stance on same sex marriage. I have lost two people here at the Cup because of my stance…it is not my stance…it is God’s!
Satan is having a party!
Let’s hear from the New Mexico Watchman, our dear friend Jose……….
New Mexico Watchman
Homosexual Marriage Moves Forward
Monday, February 16, 2009
In a surprise move, Senator Bernadette Sanchez allowed SB 12 Domestic Partnerships to move forward and on to the Senate floor for consideration by the full chamber. Her explanation was simple: this legislation is “much too complicated” to be addressed by the Judiciary Committee alone; the full Senate should hear the bill.
The reality was in itself much more orchestrated. Senator Sanchez was the systematic target of the ACLU. First, ACLU staff canvassed Senator Sanchez’s district by going door-to-door, endorsing and encouraging passage of SB 12 Domestic Partnerships.
Once that was done, the ACLU purchased a survey in her senatorial district that presented the issue in the most favorable light, i.e. “allowing medical decisions … health and financial protection,” etc.
Thirdly a petition and postcards were generated to demonstrate what appeared to be a groundswell of support.
Ms. Sanchez’s senatorial office stopped receiving phone calls at some point. They simply went unanswered. On Friday of last week Senator Sanchez complained of being bombarded by “threatening” phone calls at home.
Today, Monday, the Judiciary Committee finally met at 4:00 p.m. following a 2:00 scheduled start time. Ms. Sanchez was not present. The initial vote was again a tie and supporters of the legislation began to leave the room. Moments later, Ms. Sanchez appeared, apologized for her absence and explained that she was involved in a number of other legislative efforts.
Again a vote was taken, this time to move the legislation forward. She explained that, although the Research & Polling survey did not mention homosexual marriage, the implication of the legislation was necessarily the same. She made reference to other states that had passed similar laws and where, as the result of judicial intervention, same sex marriage had resulted. She expressed reservations about the poll because it did not mention same sex marriage.
In the end Senator Sanchez voted to move the legislation forward, thus breaking the tie and side stepping political responsibility for offending the homosexual community.
The Domestic Partnerships bill (SB12) will be considered by the full Senate soon, though probably not before Thursday. If the legislation passes the Senate, the House of Representatives will, without question, open the door to homosexual marriage in New Mexico.
During New Mexico News and Views, Jonathan Olivas joined us and sounded the shofar…….
Here is a note from a listener, Chris……..
Shalom Dewey,
How appropriate that the young man is on News and Views with his Shofar today. The clarion Hebrew call to charge forward as Joshua spoke to the Israelites:
Hazak vey ematz – be strong and very courageous
From Joshua 1:6
Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to His instruction, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.
Hazak!!!
Chris Tomlin
______________________________________________________________
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the House of the G-d of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His Paths. Isaiah 2:3
This note from Rebecca Shuman from the Arc of New Mexico……..Please keep this in your prayers……..
Sad news for people with developmental disabilities and their families who lost a terrific advocate. Patty Jennings died last Saturday. You can go to the obituary at this link:
http://www.roswell-record.com/main.asp?SectionIDc&SubSectionID 2&ArticleID9466&TMF292.45
This prayer need from Pastor Vic Tafoya of Truelife Fellowship………
Pro-life pastor prepares for sentencing
Charlie Butts – OneNewsNow – 2/15/2009 4:10:00 AM
An Oakland, California, pastor could face jail time for expressing his pro-life views.
Pastor Walter Hoye ran into trouble with an abortion clinic while doing an informational picket. Dennis Howard, leader of The Movement for a Better America, believes Hoye is innocent.
“His approach was simply to carry a sign that said ‘Jesus Loves You. Can We Help?’ and offering those who wanted it some information about alternatives to abortion,” Howard explains.
A complaint was filed and Hoye was found guilty in spite of proof to the contrary. “There was a video taken of him doing this, and it shows that he was not harassing anybody,” Howard points out. “In fact, he was being harassed by escorts from the abortion clinic.”
Pastor Hoye faces up to two years in jail and a $4,000 fine. Howard is calling Christians into action. “We feel that pro-life organizations around the country ought to take up this man’s cause and pray and fast between now and February 19,” he concludes.
That is when Hoye is due to be sentenced.
Some notes from today’s posting…………
Oh Dewey, I too feel like you have been gone for soo long. Welcome HOME.
Greetings from a warrior in Fresno, Ca. You mentioned how Sharon has paid a price for your ministry. She is a blessed woman. And sure she knows it. But how great that you felt so blessed with blending more with your relationship. You and Sharon are much needed. Keep up the tuning. 🙂
This morning I have read alot. The rain outside makes me want to do that. But anyway, I have been reading Jesus’s words in Matt. 5-8 about how we should live our lives here on this earth. It touches on just about everything we need to know. Jesus’s words always come alive.
You mentioned the Holy Spirit’ . I too have thought alot about that lately, and how through the Holy Spirit now we have the ability to see the Truth, the Life, and the Way. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. are one. And as our Lord said, He had to go, so we could have the Holy Spirit. I for one believe that when I hear scripture or a testimony that gives me ‘goose bumps’ Or a washing from my head to my toes. That is the Holy Spirit! He is getting my total attention, for the feeding of my Poor Soul. I am so very Thankful this rainy day for our Saviors Unconditional Love for us all. And to God the Father for sending His only Begotten Son. So that we too shall reap a blessed harvest.
In Gods Grace, sam
You captured the essence of WTR so well! Thrilled you and Sharon we’re able to enjoy it and that you’re hearts were encouraged!!
Michelle Blood
Ambassador
One more note on prayer needs from John Robb……..
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther
“We can accomplish more by time and strength put into prayer than we can by putting the same amount of time and strength into anything else.” – R.A. Torrey
Dear Friends,
It has been several weeks since I have written due to a focus on other things as well as observing a mini-sabbatical. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Here are some current serious concerns I would like to share with you for prayer.
Pakistan- A friend of mine who is a convert to Christ out of Islam is asking for your prayer about the growing unrest and mayhem caused by the Taliban in the Northwest part of the country. I am attaching his request in his own words with slight editing:
“Some of you know already that Taliban are very active, brutal and have network all over Pakistan. They have closed more than two hundred schools for the children in only one city … They burnt up many of those schools. They are following those who are teachers by profession. Except slaying people like animals, they do nothing. One million people left their homes, town, properties and belongings and migrated to other cities to save their lives. My friend also changes his station every day to take a nap. He said that the day they found him that would be the end of him. The Taliban do not know about Islamic Law but they do all of this in the name of Allah. There is no security being provided in that area. Taliban are against those who send their daughters to schools. In the bazaars they slay people and throw them on the spot. I have encouraged my friend that I will ask a few of my friends to pray for those who are the target of these brutal people. So I would like to ask you to please pray individually and in your church against this Talibanism. Pray against these strongholds and for the safety of those human beings who reside there. May God bless you.”
Afghanistan- The international community of believers, most of whom are involved in humanitarian efforts, are being pressed to give up their place of worship by an unjust judicial proceeding. Pray that they will be vindicated and able to keep their meeting place. Pray also for their security and protection along with all other followers of Jesus in this more and more dangerous nation. A few days ago, armed militants carried out an attack in the middle of the capital of Kabul. These terrorists are the same Taliban with whom the government of Pakistan is contending. Pray that both governments, and the supporting coalition forces in the case of Afghanistan, will be able to prevail and that the Taliban will give up their destructive conflict, dissolving as a political and military force. We saw the same thing happen with the Khmer Rouge in 1994 and 1995 as God’s people began to pray unitedly and specifically for this to happen. They dissolved and came to nothing. Let’s ask the Lord to do it again!
Zimbabwe- A few days ago, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition, was became the new prime minister of a unity government with the party of Robert Mugabe, the president. This could be the “start of a momentous political transformation”, but there are huge hurdles to overcome, such as holding new, legitimate elections, rebuilding a tattered infrastructure and restoring the national economy in which 8 out of 10 are without work. Please pray for Mr. Tsvangirai and for this longsuffering nation to make a new and good beginning.
World Economic Situation- America and many other nations around the world continue to suffer a global financial meltdown. Please pray for the Obama administration and U.S. Congress as well as for the leaders of other governments to have God’s wisdom, humility and uprightness in finding the good solutions to restore long-term economic wellbeing to our planet.
Prayer Initiative in the heartland of America- For Omaha and its sister city, Council Bluffs, Nebraska, there will be a special prayer initiative with local pastors, young people and intercessors. Please pray with us for His strong anointing on all who are involved and for the movement of prayer in the region to be refreshed, strengthened and enlarged.
Thanks so much for praying. May the Lord bless, refresh and encourage you as you do!
Warm greetings,
John Robb
International Prayer Council
As we close tonight, please pray for the State of New Mexico……
Love, Dewey Sharon and family