Some Heads of State Won't Be Attending Reagan Funeral

June 10, 2004

CBN.com –(CBN News) - Leaders from around the country and the world are gathering in Washington for President Reagan's funeral on Friday.

But some important heads of state have announced they will not attend. And that is raising some eyebrows in the U.S.

French President Jacques Chirac has been in Georgia all week for the G-8 summit, but says he is not staying for Friday's funeral. Neither is Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

So far, only three members of the G-8 have confirmed they will stay in the United States to honor the former president: British Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

President Reagan: The Rights of the Unborn

(CBN News) - Protecting the rights of the unborn was a cornerstone issue for President Reagan, as we look back and remember our 40th President.

Reagan said, "Until it can be proven that the unborn child is not a living entity then its right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness must be protected." (applause)

He continued, "I know what I'm about to say is controversial, but I have to say it. This nation cannot continue turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the taking of some 4,000 unborn children's lives everyday (applause). That's one every 21 seconds. We cannot pretend that America is preserving her first and highest ideal, the belief that each life is sacred, when we have permitted the deaths of 15-million helpless innocents since the Roe v. Wade decision. Fifteen million children who will never laugh, never sing, never know the joy of human love, will never strive to heal the sick or feed the poor, or make peace among nations. Abortion has denied them the first and most basic rights...we are all infinitely poorer for their loss."

Mich. Legislature Approves Law to Ban Partial Birth Abortion

(CBN News) - The Michigan legislature has passed a law that would effectively ban partial-birth abortion. The legislature first approved a ban last year, but Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm vetoed it.

So pro-life groups collected nearly half-a-million signatures to send the issue back to the legislature. Because the new law was initiated through a petition, it does not require the governor's approval.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan plans to challenge the law before it takes effect next spring.

Gay Pride Group Picks Jerusalem as Site of Next Meeting

A gay pride group says Jerusalem will be the site of their next international gathering, but Jerusalem's mayor says he wants to stop the event from taking place. He says Jerusalem is a holy city and the event would provoke residents.

The International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Pride coordinators held their first "Worldpride" event in Rome in 2000.

It drew homosexuals from around the world. CNS News.com reports many residents of Jerusalem have expressed opposition to the event, but most say they will simply ignore it.

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