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user: You are replying to Terry Liberty-Parker about "ACLU News 01-22-97: Internet, Same-Sex M19:11:3001/26/97".

They wrote:
.> On Thu, Jan. 23, 1997, Terry Liberty-Parker (1:382/804) said this:
TLP>SPLIT: 23 Jan 97 10:59:25 @382/804     4     01/02 +++++++++++
TLP>HRS: IBMPC 2
TLP> Forwarded (from: INETMAIL) by Terry Liberty-Parker using timEd 1.10+.
TLP> Originally from ACLU Newsfeed Owner (1:382/87) to terry liberty-parker
TLP>1:382/804).
TLP> Original dated: Wed Jan 22, 19:19
TLP>From: ACLU Newsfeed Owner <owner-aclu-news@aclu.org>
TLP>----------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>1-22-97
TLP>CLU Newsfeed -- ACLU News Direct to YOU
TLP>---------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>ODAY'S NEWS:
TLP>ender: owner-news@aclu.org
TLP>recedence: bulk
TLP>* Reno v. ACLU Update: Government's Brief Asserts Unprecedented Powers
TLP>  To Criminalize Online Speech
TLP>* Catherine Weiss Named Director of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom
TLP>* Maine Group Seeks Vote on Gay Marriage
TLP>* Child Support Lapses Could Lead To Loss of Licenses in North Carolina
TLP>* Los Angeles Tops in Telephone Taps
TLP>* Baby Boomers 'Just Say No' To Prosecuting Doctors Over Medical
TLP>----------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>eno v. ACLU Update
TLP>Government's Brief Asserts Unprecedented Powers
TLP>o Criminalize Online Speech;
TLP>ourt Sets Oral Argument for March 19
TLP>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TLP>ednesday, January 22, 1997
TLP>NEW YORK -- After reviewing the Justice Department's brief on the
TLP>ommunications Decency Act filed late yesterday with the U.S. Supreme
TLP>he ACLU said that the government is seeking unprecedented powers to
TLP>riminalize speech on the Internet.
TLP>The ACLU said that the government's 55-page brief in<A
TLP>spot.1887058.518210802">Reno v. ACLU</A>  is "at odds with the extensive
TLP>actual findings of the trial court," which ruled last June that
TLP>rovisions of the CDA unconstitutionally restricted free speech.
TLP>"The government's arguments, if adopted, would justify blanket censorship
TLP>ust on the Internet, but in traditional forums such as libraries and
TLP>ookstores," said Christopher Hansen, an ACLU national staff attorney on
TLP>eno legal team.
TLP>Further, he noted that the government's brief makes the astounding claim
TLP>t is protecting the First Amendment by censoring free speech on the
TLP>nternet, asserting that a fear of encountering "indecency" online could
TLP>eter potential users from exercising their First Amendment interest in
TLP>ccessing the new medium.
TLP>"It is supremely ironic that the government now says it is protecting the
TLP>irst Amendment rights of Americans by threatening people with jail for
TLP>ngaging in constitutionally protected speech," Hansen said
TLP>The kind of "indecency" identified by government witnesses in the lower
TLP>ncluded words and images displayed online by organizations such as the
TLP>lanned Parenthood, Stop Prisoner Rape, Human Rights Watch and Critical
TLP>IDS Project, all plaintiffs in Reno v. ACLU, Hansen  said.
TLP>The Supreme Court announced today that it would hear oral argument in the
TLP>ase on Wednesday,  March 19, at 10:00 a.m.   Each side will be given a
TLP>alf-hour to present their arguments.  According to the briefing schedule
TLP>y the Court, plaintiff's answering briefs are due on February 20. The
TLP>overnment's final, or reply brief, is due on March 7.
TLP>In addition to the government's brief, three sets of plaintiff groups
TLP>riend-of-the-court briefs on Tuesday in support of the government's
TLP>osition: Enough is Enough (along with eight other plaintiffs), Morality
TLP>edia, and a group of members of Congress led by former Senator J. James
TLP>D-Neb.), who sponsored the Communications Decency Act.
TLP><<Complete information on the ACLU's challenge to the CDA, including a
TLP>hronology, trial briefs, affidavits, courtroom transcripts, and a
TLP>ackgrounder on Supreme Court procedures in the case, are available online
TLP>he <A HREF="aol://4344:351.cybspot.1887058.518210802">Spotlight on
TLP>ty</A> in the ACLU's Constitution Hall on America Online (keyword
TLP>CLU>Constitution Hall>Spotlight on the Issues)  or at the <A
TLP>CLU>HREF="http://www
TLP>aclu.org">ACLU's Freedom Network</A> on the Web (http://www.aclu.org).>>
TLP>----------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>atherine Weiss Named Director of the
TLP>CLU's Reproductive Freedom Project
TLP>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TLP>ednesday, January 22, 1997
TLP>NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union today marked the 24th
TLP>nniversary of Roe v. Wade by naming Catherine Weiss as director of the
TLP>CLU's Reproductive Freedom Project.  She will be responsible for
TLP>he ACLU's legal, advocacy, and public education work on reproductive
TLP>The announcement was made by Steven R. Shapiro, the ACLU's national legal
TLP>irector.  "Catherine is a seasoned litigator who brings a sharp mind, a
TLP>lear voice, and a broad vision to the pro-choice movement," Shapiro said.
TLP>m confident that she will be an effective leader in forging new victories
TLP>nd beating back anti-choice restrictions."
TLP>According to Weiss, she is assuming the directorship at a time when the
TLP>truggle to defend and advance reproductive rights requires more energy
TLP>esources than ever before.
TLP>"When the ACLU argued and won Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme
TLP>ourt in 1992, pro-choice Americans sighed in relief, believing that the
TLP>ight to choose was once again secure," Weiss said. "But in reality Casey
TLP>nly a partial victory.  Women in this country still have a right to make
TLP>heir own decisions about their pregnancies, but states have more and more
TLP>atitude to restrict access to abortion."
TLP>"One of our top priorities this year will be to fight proposals to
TLP>riminalize late-term abortion procedures that can be essential to the
TLP>nd health of women facing catastrophic pregnancies," Weiss added. "In
TLP>ddition, we will continue to represent individuals and families who have
TLP>urned to the ACLU for help when the government intruded into their most
TLP>ersonal and intimate decisions."
TLP>Weiss has been the Project's litigation director since 1992.  She is a
TLP>hampion of the rights of low-income women and teenagers who have been the
TLP>bjects of the most persistent attacks on reproductive choice.  She has
TLP>erved as lead counsel in cases aimed at restoring public funding for
TLP>bortions under state constitutions, protecting minors' right to
TLP>bortions, and defending against attacks on minors' access to
TLP>She was closely involved in shaping ACLU strategy on federal legislation,
TLP>ncluding the Freedom of Choice Act and the Freedom of Access to Clinic
TLP>ntrances Act.
TLP>Weiss graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Princeton University in 1981.  She
TLP>eceived her M.A. in political science from Yale University in 1984, and
TLP>.D. from Yale Law School in 1987.  Prior to joining the ACLU in 1988, she
TLP>lerked for Judge Alvin B. Rubin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
TLP>ircuit.  She has also worked at various times in her life as a counselor
TLP>n abortion clinic, a freelance writer, and a teacher.
TLP>---------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>aine Group Seeks Vote on Gay Marriage
TLP>PORTLAND, ME -- The group behind a 1995 ballot measure that would have
TLP>estricted gay rights in Maine now says it has enough signatures to put a
TLP>roposal before the Legislature to ban same-sex marriages, the Portland
TLP>erald reports.
TLP>Concerned Maine Families said that it will submit petitions and 62,157
TLP>ignatures to the secretary of state today. That's about 11,000 more than
TLP>umber required for a citizens' initiative to go before lawmakers,
TLP>o the Herald.
TLP>But Patricia Peard, the president of the ACLU of Maine, told the Herald
TLP>t may not be as simple as a change of wording.
TLP>States ''don't dishonor each others' marriages,'' said Peard, who is also
TLP>amily law specialist at the firm of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer and Nelson.
TLP>arriage laws already vary greatly from state to state, yet marriages are
TLP>ecognized everywhere, she said.
TLP>Peard likened the situation to state laws in the South which for
TLP>anned interracial marriages. Eventually, those laws were ruled
TLP>nconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, she said.
TLP>''Gay people live together now in what amounts to same-sex marriages, and
TLP>aven't seen heterosexual marriages falling apart,'' she said.
TLP>Gov. Angus King said he won't make a decision on whether he would veto or
TLP>upport the Concerned Maine Families' proposal before it reaches his desk.
TLP>---------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>hild Support Lapses Could Lead To Loss of Licenses in North Carolina
TLP>DURHAM, NC -- Local officials here will start enforcing a recently passed
TLP>tate law that allows drivers' licenses to be taken from those who are
TLP>han 90 days behind in child support payments, the Herald Sun reports.
TLP>Professional licenses -- such as those with which people from lawyers to
TLP>eauticians to house movers do business -- also can be revoked under the
TLP>aw. The machinery for revoking professional and drivers' licenses is
TLP>ifferent, however. While professional certificates may be yanked without
TLP>ourt action, it will take the nod of a District Court judge for someone's
TLP>riving permit to be taken away.
TLP>Some defense lawyers have begun blasting the new law as unfair and
TLP>ven unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of North
TLP>tands guardedly behind this point of view, the Herald Sun said.
TLP>"I think it is very suspect constitutionally," lawyer Tom Loflin of
TLP>old the paper.
TLP>"What is the nexus between a driver's license or a professional license
TLP>he assumed evil that this law is aimed at?" Loflin asked. "Of course,
TLP>n evil not to support one's child. But what is the nexus between driving
TLP>afely and supporting one's child? There is none.
TLP>"It makes no rational or reasonable sense to me," Loflin added. "To me,
TLP>orders on being arbitrary and capricious. It offends the Constitution.
TLP>o we allow other people to drive who do things we don't like? What about
TLP>rug sellers? You have to fashion a remedy that fits the offense -- not
TLP>unish people in all kinds of ways that don't make sense."
TLP>Deborah Ross, executive director and legal director of the ACLU of North
TLP>arolina, told the Herald Sun that there are "serious legal questions"
TLP>rapped up in the new law.
TLP>But Ross conceded that drivers' licenses -- unlike some professional
TLP>- are subject to relatively easy seizure because high courts have
TLP>hey are not "property."
TLP>Still, Ross agreed with Loflin that the new law is "constitutionally
TLP>uspect."
TLP>But she added, "I don't know if it will be facially unconstitutional, or
TLP>t will just be unconstitutional in selected cases. I don't think it's a
TLP>lear-cut, slam-dunk thing."
TLP>---------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>os Angeles Tops in Telephone Taps
TLP>LOS ANGELES -- Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles County are among
TLP>ation's leaders for tapping telephone lines, the Associated Press
TLP>According to statistics released by the FBI, investigators from local,
TLP>nd federal agencies operating within the county placed an historical high
TLP>,080 taps on phones between Jan. 1, 1993 and March 1, 1995.
TLP>By contrast, AP said, there were 452 wiretaps placed in Dade County
TLP>hich includes Miami, during the period and 252 in Cook County, Illinois,
TLP>hich includes Chicago. The report did not say what types of
TLP>ere involved, or why the number of taps was higher in some areas than
TLP>thers.
TLP>Ramona Ripston, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union
TLP>outhern California, told the AP that she was "shocked" that Los Angeles
TLP>ounty would have such a high rate of electronic surveillance.
TLP>"I can't understand why we would be more surveyed than any other place,''
TLP>ipston said. "I don't think Los Angeles is any hotbed of crime or any
TLP>llegal activities of any type or people planning subversive activities.''
TLP>---------------------------------------------------------------
TLP>aby Boomers 'Just Say No'
TLP>o Prosecuting Doctors Over Medical Marijuana
TLP>As the debate over the medical uses of marijuana continues across the
TLP>ountry, members of USA Today's "Baby Boomer Panel" sounded off on the
TLP>ubject recently. With very few exceptions, panelists said doctors should
TLP>ble to recommend marijuana to relieve pain and to treat medical
TLP>Panelist Sarah Hartstein, a pediatric nurse, said early in her career she
TLP>eens hospitalized with terminal cancer benefit from using marijuana to
TLP>ontrol nausea from chemotherapy.  "It was years ago and may have been
TLP>xperimental," she said.  "Nobody said anything.  The patients seemed to
TLP>hink it was helpful."
TLP>Another panelist, Steve May, said the issue has been given impetus by the
TLP>IDS crisis.  "More than 150 of my friends have died from AIDS.  I am
TLP>trongly in favor of the medical use of marijuana to help those patients
TLP>he disease and their reactions to its treatment," he said.
TLP>But doctors now face criminal penalties if they attempt to ease their
TLP>atients' symptoms by prescribing marijuana.
TLP>Last week, a group of physicians and patients represented by the American
TLP>ivil Liberties Union and others filed a class action suit in federal
TLP>n San Francisco, seeking an injunction blocking federal officials from
TLP>aking any punitive action against physicians who simply recommend the
TLP>edical use of marijuana to their patients.
TLP>The lawsuit is a direct response to the Clinton administration's December
TLP>nnouncement of its plan to fight implementation of Proposition 215 by
TLP>hreatening doctors with a range of punishment if they are found to be
TLP>--
TLP>-- timEd 1.10+
TLP>* Origin: LibertyBBS, Austin,Tx [512]462-1776  (1:382/804)
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