Today on Kresta - April 7

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Apr. 7

3:00 – Eastern MI Univ. ousts student for not affirming homosexual behavior
Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom have filed a lawsuit against Eastern Michigan University after school officials dismissed a student from the school’s counseling program for not affirming homosexual behavior as morally acceptable. The school dismissed Julea Ward from the program because she would not agree prior to a counseling session to affirm a client’s homosexual behavior and would not retract her stance in subsequent disciplinary proceedings. EMU requires students in its program to affirm or validate homosexual behavior within the context of a counseling relationship and prohibits students from advising clients that they can change their homosexual behavior. Attorney Jeremy Tedesco is here to discuss it.

3:20 – How the 'not guilty' verdict was secured for abortionist George Tiller
About ten days ago, a jury of three men and three women found notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller not guilty on 19 charges of illegal abortions. Many believed this was a straightforward open-and-shut case. Apparently not so. We get an explanation of how and why late term abortionist George Tiller was found "Not Guilty." Jenn Giroux is our guest.

3:40 – Afghan law legalizes spousal rape / Sharia OK with Obama’s Top Lawyer
A new Afghan law makes it legal for men to rape their wives. Critics worry the legislation undermines hard-won rights for women enacted after the fall of the Taliban's strict Islamist regime. The law — which some lawmakers say was never debated in parliament — is intended to regulate family life inside Afghanistan's Shiite community, which makes up about 20 percent of the country of 30 million people. The law does not affect Afghan Sunnis. Also, President Obama has tabbed the former dean of Yale Law School, Harold Koh, to become the legal adviser for the State Department. Among numerous questionable and controversial statements, Koh has said that the “war on terror” -- a term which the Obama Administration has already quietly abandoned, was “obsessive.” And in a 2007 speech, according to a lawyer who was in the audience, Koh opined that “in an appropriate case, he didn’t see any reason why sharia law would not be applied to govern a case in the United States.” Robert Spencer responds.

4:00 – 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family
In her new book, 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, author Rebecca Hagelin lays out 30 simple and concrete actions that parents can implement-one day at a time-to reconnect with their children and restore peace in their home. As a mother of three, a syndicated columnist, and specialist on family, culture, and media issues, Rebecca understands the frustration parents feel. She designed this book with working parents and busy families in mind. Moms and dads can read a chapter at soccer practice or while waiting in carpool and come away with practical solutions to common parenting problems that can easily be put to use. She joins us.

4:40 – Where Do They Stand?
A group of unhappy professional academic philosophers have submitted a petition to the American Philosophical Association. What are they up in arms about? The opening paragraph of the petition tells it all: “Many colleges and universities require faculty, students, and staff to follow certain “ethical” standards which prohibit engaging in homosexual acts.” But now there is a counter-petition signed by a number of notable philosophers. What has the APA said? We talk to Keith Pavlischek of the Ethics and Public Policy Center who has been following this story closely.

5:00 – Notre Dame Students Speak Out
This weekend on the steps of Notre Dame's famed Golden Dome and under the watchful eye of the school's patroness, ND Response held its first public demonstration protesting Notre Dame's commencement speech invitation to President Obama. Harold Cassidy, nationally recognized litigator and Alfred Freddoso, Professor of Philosophy and Oesterle Professor of Thomistic Studies at the University of Notre Dame, gave keynote speeches to a crowd of over 400. It was the first public event hosted by ND Response, an ad hoc coalition of Notre Dame-sponsored student groups that has been organized to lead student reactions to the University's decision to invite Barak Obama to give a commencement address and honor him with a doctorate in law. ND Response spokesperson Kathleen Donohue joins us.

5:20 – Kresta Comments