1.
A consistent ethic of life (see here, here and
here) focuses on the major life issues of abortion,
euthanasia, persistent poverty, unjust war, capital
punishment, the use of nuclear arms, violence, racism
and exploitation.
While these are nationally debated issues, there
are community manifestations of these that
municipalities can address.
Will you as a city council member do all in your
power and authority to implement public policies and
facilitate community action that further a consistent
respect for all human life?
COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTERS
2. In recent years attempts have
been made in several states by pro abortion advocates to
pass legislation targeting pro-life pregnancy centers,
even though such centers provide those states with
valuable community services. In Washington State, HB
1366 and SB 5274 required: 1. The listing of
non-provided services both orally and in writing.
This sets a dangerous precedent allowing any
organization with political clout to saddle its
competitors with burdensome requirements of saying or
listing what they do not do.
In January of 2011, a federal judge ruled in
Maryland on a similar law that "the Ordinance violates
the Freedom of Speech Clause of Article I of the
Constitution of the United States" (pg. 2) and has a
"lack of viewpoint neutrality ... a particularly
offensive form of content-based discrimination" (pg.
20). 2.
These bills allow any Planned Parenthood employee,
private citizen, or government entity to bring petitions
for injunctions even if they are repeatedly thrown out
of court.
A local pregnancy center, surviving on donations,
cannot defend itself in Superior Court pro se (without
representation) and cannot afford to pay a lawyer to
defend them even once, yet alone multiple times.
3.
These bills do not regulate conduct, but instead are
directed only at the speech of pregnancy centers.
Do you support the work of community pregnancy
centers and will you oppose efforts to suppress them?
I will fully
support the community pregnancy centers and will
continue to be pro-choice.
I will fully oppose the efforts to suppress them.
PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
3. The US Supreme Court in its 2003
ruling United States v. American Library Association,
Inc, upheld the use of library internet pornography
filters.
Chief Justice Rehnquist stated for the plurality that
"to fulfill their traditional missions, public libraries
must have broad discretion to decide what material to
provide to their patrons.
Although they seek to provide a wide array of
information, their goal has never been to provide
'universal coverage,'" and "most libraries already
exclude pornography from their print collections because
they deem it inappropriate for inclusion."
In 2010, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled
that public libraries' use of internet filters does not
violate the state constitution. Will you as a city
councilor appoint, recommend or request (depending on
your level of authority) only library board candidates
who oppose the inclusion of pornography in public
libraries, whether by internet or printed materials?
I completely
oppose the inclusion of pornography in public libraries.
Libraries should be maintained for the access and
use of education solely.
REGULATION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED
BUSINESSES
4. The U.S. Supreme Court in Young
v. American Mini Theaters, Inc., (1976) and Renton v.
Playtime Theater, Inc., (1986), concluded that
municipalities have "substantial governmental interests"
in protecting and preserving the quality of life for its
community against the adverse secondary effects of
sexually oriented businesses while allowing for
"reasonable alternative avenues of communication."
Land Use Studies from cities around the United
States were cited in both U.S. Supreme Court cases
documenting the harmful secondary effects including 1.
Increased Crime - rape, sexual assault, prostitution and
illegal drug sales; 2. Decreased Property Values - both
residential and commercial; and 3. Urban Blight - people
and businesses fleeing the community.
Will you diligently seek and maintain zoning
ordinances, licensing procedures, permit requirements
and operational regulations which serve to minimize the
adverse secondary effects of Sexually Oriented
Businesses?
I will support
any and all regulations to minimize the availability of
these morally disturbing businesses.
ABORTION
5. Even dedicated proponents of
abortion acknowledge that life begins at conception.
What do you believe?
Does a unique human life begins at conception?
If not at conception, when?
___
3 mths ___
6 mths
___ 9 mths
___
1 yr ___ 18
yrs?
I don’t have an
exact answer here.
6. The 14th Amendment states "nor
shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or
property without due process of law; nor deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of
the laws." The Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, 1973,
stated that "if this suggestion of personhood is
established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses,
for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed
specifically by the [14th] Amendment."
The Court regrettably concluded though that "we
need not resolve the difficult question of when life
begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines
of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to
arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in
the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position
to speculate as to the answer."
Do you believe that the right to life of the
unborn child is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment?
I am a firm
believer in nurture versus nature.
I have experienced this with 4 adopted cousins
from all over the world.
There are many people that want children that
can’t have their own, that is why adoption facilities
are successful.
Giving the child a chance in life is the greatest
power humans have and hopefully a child will be brought
up in the world in a healthy sustainable environment.
7.
Is taking the life of a pre-born child through
abortion ever permissible?
Check all that apply:
_____ No, it's never permissible
___X__ Yes, to save mother's life
___X__ Yes, in cases of rape or
incest
___X__ Yes, for physical deformity
___X__
Yes, for genetic predispositions
_____
Yes, for gender
_____
Yes, for race
_____
Yes, for economic hardship
_____
Yes, to punish spouse
_____
Yes, it's always permissible
8. Do you support parental
notification and/or consent before a minor (under 18
years of age) could have an abortion? A judicial bypass
of parents would be allowed when necessary.
A 2013 poll commissioned by Human Life WA, found
Washington State voters are widely supportive of laws
requiring "parental involvement" in abortion decisions
for girls under the age of 18 (62-29% with just under
10% undecided).
Read a summary of the results here.
Do you support:
Notification?
Yes parents
should be involved and notified
Consent?
Yes parents
should be involved in the consent.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
9. The nation's biggest abortion
provider, Planned Parenthood, in the 2011-2012 fiscal
year received a record $542.4 million in government
funding and aborted a record 333,964 babies.
Should Planned Parenthood be contracted with to
make community presentations, provide literature, birth
control chemicals or devises, and/or abortion services?
Yes,
Planned Parenthood should be directly involved in
education and service options.
GAMING
10. The hotly debated casino off
I-5 near Ridgefield would be one of the largest in the
nation.
What is your position on the building of this casino?
I have not giving
this much thought.
I feel the casino might be good for sustainable
jobs, however I also feel that casino’s contribute to
bad habits and addiction.
On the other hand I’m 1/8 registered Cherokee
Echota out of Alabama.
My ancestors are the ones that walked the trail
of tears. I
feel there are some examples where Native Americans have
rights to do what they want on their land, and if
financially viable and profitable then let them.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS
11. "Religious communities are the
largest and best-organized civil institutions in the
world, claiming the allegiance of billions across race,
class, and national divides. These communities have
particular cultural understandings, infrastructures, and
resources to get help where it is needed most" (World
Conference of Religions for Peace).
Southwest Washington has a broad range of
religious communities that contribute substantially to
the welfare of families, children, seniors, the
homeless, sick, and refugees.
They are a highly valued part of our community
which respects and defends human life at every stage.
Are you an active member in a church, synagogue,
temple, mosque or other religious assembly?
If so, you may state here where at:
I am a confirmed
Catholic and grew up going weekly to St Joseph’s
Catholic Church here in Vancouver.
At this time I attend Cross Roads Community
Church here in Vancouver.
Although I do not attend church as much as I
should, I find Cross Roads to have incredible energy and
really enjoy the institution they have built.
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD
PARTNERSHIPS
12. The White House's Office of
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships ensures that
religious and other community organizations are able to
compete on an equal footing for participation in Federal
programs without impairing the character of such
organizations and without diminishing the religious
freedom of those served.
Does the collaboration of government with
faith-based charitable works lawfully ensure fair
treatment of religious organizations, and is it good for
our communities?
Here is another
topic I am under educated on.
I believe this sounds like a solid and good
position for our community, however I am not fully
educated on how well the government ensures fair
treatment.
QUALIFICATIONS
13. Please state your professional
experience, community involvement, education and other
qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.
I’m a
Communications Engineer and small business owner going
on 8 years in operation.
I have worked for and with small companies and
have been successful in leading them to growth and
increased sustainability.
I am one of the original board members of our
Neighborhood Association and still active today.
A graduate of the University of Idaho 1996, and
continue personal education through reading and being
involved. I
understand better than most how to utilize resources
that are available and want to make sure the City and
local government looks at all options to build our
future and be profitable not in debt.
14. May Life Pac post your returned
survey on our website?
Surveys are posted only with your permission.
Yes Please
Please give your campaign web
address if you have one:
Campaign for
Brian Joseph Smith
9801 SE Evergreen
Hwy
Vancouver, WA
98664
