1. In an article in the Washington Post, former Attorney General Edwin Meese III has written a devastating critique of U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that California voters had no right to amend their state constitution to define marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

"Walker's ruling is indefensible as a matter of law wholly apart from its result," Meese wrote.

"By refusing to acknowledge binding Supreme Court precedent, substantial evidence produced at trial that was contrary to the holding and plain common sense, the ruling exhibits none of the requirements of a traditional decision. This opinion is arbitrary and capricious, and its alarming legal methodology and overtly policy-driven tenor are too extreme to stand."

2. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) and Wisconsin Family Action have filed suit to stop Democratic Governor Jim Doyle and the legislature from evading a state constitutional amendment protecting marriage.

The lawsuit asks the court to halt the state's domestic partnership set-up because it creates a legal status substantially similar to that of marriage, which directly violates the Wisconsin Constitution.

In November 2006, 59% of the people approved an amendment to the state constitution that reads, "Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state."

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the validity of the entire amendment's enactment.

The scheme, contained in the state budget, is available only to couples involved in a same-sex relationship. Domestic partners receive "declarations" instead of marriage licenses, but otherwise, the procedures for becoming domestic partners and becoming husband and wife are virtually the same.

Brian Raum, ADF Senior Counsel, said, "Politicians shouldn't defy the will of voters."

Julaine Appling, President of Wisconsin Family Action, said, "Our system of government serves no purpose if our elected officials can completely and capriciously ignore the will of the people with impunity. A reasonable person observing this registry would easily conclude that it is intended to mirror marriage. It borrows the requirements and eligibility standards for marriage, even to the point of requiring that the price of the registry certificate be the same as for a marriage license."

3. LifeNews.com reports that Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President of Americans United for Life, has urged all citizens to fight against allowing elective abortions at U.S. military installations.

"Every American opposed to taxpayer-funded abortion should be aware of a major legislative battle coming in September. When the Senate reconvenes, debate is expected to begin on this year's Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill," Yoest said.

She explained that the Senate Armed Services Committee added an amendment by Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) to strike a provision in current law that prohibits DOD medical personnel or facilities from performing abortions.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was able to temporarily stop the bill from moving forward, but the full Senate will soon consider the authorization bill with the amendment in it. McCain and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) will continue to lead this fight to prevent abortions on military installations.

"The Burris Amendment would--simply put--turn U.S. military facilities into abortion clinics," Yoest said.