Oh, That Wicked (and Irrational) Left

Here's a few of the latest dispatches from the culture wars you shouldn't miss:

* “Clarence Thomas Exposes Abortion as Part of Eugenics” (Katie Pavlich, Town Hall)

* “California Senate Passes Bill Mandating Free Abortions at All Colleges and Universities” (Micaiah Bilger, LifeNews.com)

* “It’s Time for California Parents to Defy the Law” (Dr. Michael Brown, The Stream)

* “Banned in Canada” (John Stonestreet & David Carlson, Breakpoint)

* “Argentinian doctor convicted of refusing to perform abortion” (Catholic News Agency)

* “Court affirms media was wrong: Those videos of Planned Parenthood dealing in baby parts were not deceptively edited” (Becket Adams, Washington Examiner)

* “Target stores donate $100K to LGBT nonprofit that promotes ‘inclusive’ K-12 schools” (Martin M. Barillas, Life Site News)

* “Daystar Television Network Studio in Jerusalem Firebombed” (Nancy Flory, The Stream)

Why Don’t More Pastors Speak Out?

Why don't more pastors speak out on the moral and political issues of our day? In this 5-minute clip, Dr. Michael Brown has some very enlightening and challenging answers to that crucial question.

The Blessings of "When Swing Was King" (To the Givers as well as the Receivers)

Oh, the joys of being a part of the When Swing Was King ministry! Here are a few examples from yesterday’s presentations…

* “Your program is one of the best things about living here!”

* “I know you come every month but do you think you could come more often?”

* “We so look forward to the When Swing Was King shows. The music. The photographs. And all of the interesting stories you tell. It is always the high point of our week.”

* “You two do such an excellent job with these shows. It seems every one of them is better than the last. Thank you so much for all the work you put in. We really appreciate it.”

* From a staff member – “You know you guys could make a fortune if you could somehow market When Swing Was King and get it out across the country. It’s really a fabulous show and our residents absolutely love it. I know everyone else would too.”

* And finally, the sweetest blessing of all -- As Vaughn Monroe began to sing “When the Lights Go On Again All Over the World” (a number one song from 1943), our new friend, T…., a U.S. Navy veteran who survived kamikaze attacks on his troop transport in the Pacific in the final year of WWII, stretched across to embrace his wife while they listened to this lovely, poignant song.

I looked over and saw Claire had noticed the same scene. She turned to me with tears in her eyes but a big smile on her face and I knew we were thinking the same thing; namely, “Lord, thank You for letting us bring such tender moments to these dear people -- moments that not only bring a respite to seniors dealing with loneliness, boredom, and the anxiety of aging bodies, but which also create a effective bridge to memory, beauty, love, patriotism, fun, and friendship. It is so cool to be a part of this.”

Melinda Gates a Heroine? An Open Letter to Costco

Dear Costco,

I have appreciated your general policy in keeping your company out of the intense controversies that so divide the country. Therefore, I was greatly disappointed to see you feature Melinda Gates, one of the most prominent and powerful proponents of abortion, in the cover story of the May issue of your magazine. To hail someone who has championed so ardently for surgical and chemical abortion (under such deliberately deceptive terms as “family planning” and “reproductive health care”) is to join in the sorrowful business. And that’s much different than avoiding the tensions of the culture wars.

The article does emphasize that there are grave, complicated problems that need to be addressed throughout the world. And those problems do include health care, malnutrition, housing, transportation, empowerment and responsibility. But the answers to such difficulties will never be solved by organizations that so utterly fail to appreciate the inherent right to life of all human beings...including the unborn children that are so crassly dismissed by pro-abortion organizations like the Gates Foundation.

By the way, one of the photos that accompanied that story showed Gates involved with a project organized by Marie Stopes International, one of the largest, most notorious abortion businesses in the world. Very sad.

I humbly suggest that Costco be more sensitive to the moral convictions of so many of your family and faith-oriented customers and therefore carefully avoid highlighting people, organizations, and ideologies that present such extreme and, in this case, such unjust and violent actions as destroying preborn boys and girls.

Thank you for your consideration of this very serious matter.

Rev. Dennis Hartford
Director, Vital Signs Ministries
Omaha, Nebraska

Lenin's "Grave" Mistake