SPANKING ILLEGAL IN CALIFORNIA...

The issue of spanking has again surfaced in California, where members of the California Assembly's Public Safety Committee voted 5-2 on Tuesday to advance a bill that would define the use of switches or paddles to be child abuse and subject anyone convicted under the statute to face a possible year in jail.

The bill, AB 2943, is sponsored by Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-Mountain View), the same lawmaker who made national headlines last year for her proposal to totally ban spanking in California, even in people's homes. (Lieber's office provided information to Cybercast News Service for this report but did not grant an interview.)

This year, however, Lieber is quietly proposing a bill that would continue to allow spanking with the hand for children older than three but would ban parents from using "implements" to punish children. Lieber defines "implements" as "sticks, rods, switches, electrical cords, belts, brooms, or shoes." Conservative News

THE POPE"S VISIT TO AMERICA...

The significance of the pontiff's April 15-20 U.S. visit — his first as pope — is not lost on evangelicals. Many have found an ally in Pope Benedict, whose social convictions and message of faith coincide with theirs.

In his opening remarks, President Bush told the pope that he would find America to be a nation of prayer and compassion, one that "welcomes the role of faith in the public square," and while "fully modern," is "guided by ancient and eternal truths.

"Most of all, Holy Father, you will find in America people whose hearts are open to your message of hope," said Bush. Christianity Today 

DID POPE GAIN HEALING WITH VISIT...

Pope Benedict XVI inspired hope in victims of sexual abuse, according to victims whom the Pope personally addressed Thursday morning. "He first apologized.  And I didn't think I needed an apology, I thought I had heard them and they rang hollow," victim Olan Horne told CNN. "But there's a great sense of hope that came here.  There's a great new bell that has been rung as far as I'm concerned." "He seemed to intrinsically understand what we were talking about....It was something he obviously spent time to get to know," added Horne. Life SIte News