The American Family Association (AFA) is calling for a boycott of PepsiCo over its support of pro-homosexual groups.

In October, AFA twice wrote officials with PepsiCo, requesting a meeting to discuss the company’s role in the culture war. AFA wished the company would remain neutral, neither supporting nor opposing the homosexual agenda. But according to the AFA, Pepsi has given millions to homosexual-friendly groups and causes. In an Action Alert to its supporters on January 8, the pro-family group cited instances in which the soft drink conglomerate gave half-a-million dollars to two separate pro-homosexual groups — the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). According to that Action Alert, the $1 million was to be used to “help promote homosexuality in the workplace.”

In addition, according to AFA, Pepsi “forces” its employees to attend sexual orientation and gender-identity diversity training “where they are taught to accept homosexuality.”

In a November 2008 response from Pepsi’s public policy director, Paul Boykas, the company acknowledged its grant to PFLAG for an initiative designed to “promote further understanding and equality” in the workplace — something he said is in line with the values promoted by the PepsiCo Foundation, which awarded the grant.

Randy Sharp, special projects director with AFA, claims Pepsi has not addressed the company’s support of the homosexual agenda, and says it is time the company feels heat from Christian consumers.

“We’re asking people, number one, not to buy these products; and number two, and more importantly, to let Pepsi know that they’re joining the boycott by going [online] and signing the boycott pledge,” he explains.

Both HRC and PFLAG supported efforts in California to defeat Proposition 8, a voter initiative amending that state’s constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Prop. 8 passed in November with 52 percent of the vote.

Pepsi products includes numerous flavors and versions of its signature drink as well as other recognizable names as Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Mug Root Beer, Gatorade, Lipton Green Tea, Dole juices, and Aquafina water.

Source: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=379832

Obama to End Military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy

Obama will allow gays to serve openly in the military by overturning the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

WASHINGTON â€â€� President-elect Barack Obama will allow gays to serve openly in the military by overturning the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that marred President Clinton’s first days in office, according to incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

The startling pronouncement, which could re-open a dormant battle in the culture wars and distract from other elements of Obama’s agenda, came during a Gibbs exchange with members of the public who sent in questions that were answered on YouTube.

“Thadeus of Lansing, Mich., asks, ‘Is the new administration going to get rid of the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy?’” said Gibbs, looking into the camera. “Thadeus, you don’t hear a politician give a one-word answer much. But it’s, ‘Yes.’”

The Obama transition team declined to elaborate on that one-word answer when asked by FOX News on Wednesday about a timetable for repealing the policy, which was enacted by Clinton after a protracted public debate. Obama officials also would not explain which lawmakers or Pentagon officials would attempt to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Clinton, who initially sought to overturn the longstanding ban on gays in the military, ended up enacting the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy as a compromise that made it illegal for commanders to ask about the sexual orientation of service members, who were also barred from announcing they were homosexual. If a service member’s homosexuality becomes known anyway, he or she is expelled.

Clinton is widely viewed as having stumbled during his first days in office by getting caught up in the raging controversy, which detracted from the rest of his agenda. It is not yet clear whether Obama would face a similar debacle.

For years, Obama has said he generally opposes the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Last summer, he told a gay magazine he can “reasonably” see it being repealed. But that was a far cry from Gibbs’ unequivocal promise that the policy will indeed be ended.

The gay community is eager for a quick repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” but fears it could be months before the new administration reaches a consensus with lawmakers and the military. Others think Obama could do it quickly, but is leery of the kind of fallout Bill Clinton faced when he tackled the divisive issue.

FOX News’ Carl Cameron contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/15/obama-end-militarys-dont-ask-dont-tell-policy/