Disrespecting Female Athletes Is a Disrespect to All Women

The following is a letter I'm sending today to the NCAA. Similar letters will also be sent to the International Olympic Committee, to President Biden, to Nebraska's Congressional delegation, and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen.

To the NCAA,

Such a bizarre contradiction of the original intents of Title IX could hardly be imagined than allowing biological men to invade female sports, stealing from girls and women the opportunities for honest and fair athletic competitions for which they have long dreamed, strenuously trained for, and fully deserve to receive. Indeed, this recent fad of accepting biological men into female athletics is not only a reprehensible repudiation of the very purposes laid out in 1972 in Title IX, it is also a blatant denial of the most basic principles of feminism, moral decorum, and science.

Please face the facts. No change of pronouns, no psychological reorientation, no drugs or surgery can provide a sufficient excuse for forcing girls and women to compete with persons born as males who thus have inherent (and profound) advantages of strength, speed, and stamina. There’s no other way to put it -- girls and women are being cheated. And the worst offenders are not the biological men lining up at the starting line with women, but rather the schools and sports associations that allow them to do so…and, of course, the Biden administration which, though claiming so loudly to be pro-woman, is being exactly opposite those claims by trying to force Americans into one of the most despicably sexist policies of all time.

This is a matter of simple fairness, so please do the right thing. Resist this new anti-woman fad. Instead, respect female athletes by ensuring for them a level playing field.

P. S. I include this popular visual from the Babylon Bee that accurately (if though satirically) illustrates the foolishness and over-the-top unfairness of forcing women to compete against men.

The Top 5 (May 11)

* "The Democrat Party’s Antisemitism Went Mainstream With Barack Obama" (Shawn Fleetwood, Federalist)

From the article -- It goes without saying that if the aforementioned demonstrators were “MAGA Republicans” protesting an Islamic country and harassing Muslim students, legacy media “journalists” would be relentlessly spamming the phone lines and emails of every GOP official in the country asking for condemnation. They will never hold Democrats to the same standard, and their refusal to call out Obama for ignoring the leftist occupation of universities shows it.

While the media’s inaction isn’t surprising, neither is Obama’s silence. Obama’s decision to remain mum on the issue is representative of his behavior and the individuals encompassing him throughout his life...

* "The People Setting America on Fire: An investigation into the witches’ brew of billionaires, Islamists, and leftists behind the campus protests." (Park MacDougald, Tablet)

From the article -- Have America’s college students suddenly converted en masse to anarcho-communist-jihadism? Not quite. Many are far left and anti-Israel. Some are foreigners, or the children of foreigners, who have imported the conspiracies and hatreds of their homelands. More, admitted under relaxed pandemic-era admissions standards and proudly ignorant of both American and world history, are taking the “decolonial” half-knowledge pushed by their elders to its logical conclusion.

But students are not the only, and perhaps not even the most important, faction active in the campus protests. As in the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter protests of the summer of 2020, “outside agitators”—professional radicals and organizers, black bloc antifa thugs, Marxist-Leninist revolutionaries, and Palestinian and Islamist radicals—have played a central role in organizing and escalating the campus protests, just as they have organized and escalated the wider anti-Israel protest campaign that began almost immediately after Oct. 7. This largely decentralized network of agitators is, in turn, politically and financially supported by a vast web of progressive nonprofits, NGOs, foundations, and dark-money groups ultimately backed by big-money donors aligned with the Democratic Party...

* "Biden’s double game on Hamas should fool no one: A presidential speech condemned past and present antisemitism. However, it contradicted policies aimed at letting the terrorists win and appeasing pro-Hamas voters." (Jewish News Service)

From the article -- The reason for Biden’s carping at Israel had nothing to do with human rights or America’s strategic interests. It was motivated by politics. From the moment that the Oct. 7 attacks happened, the left wing of the president’s Democratic Party has been vocal in its distaste for Israel and opposition to a successful effort to take out Hamas. So-called “progressives,” as well as the extremists of the left-wing congressional “Squad,” were falsely accusing Israel of war crimes and “genocide” even before the bodies of the Oct. 7 victims were cold. They are motivated by intersectional and critical race theory ideologies, which falsely label Israel as a “white” oppressor and regard the Palestinian war to destroy the one Jewish state on the planet as a righteous cause. They want self-determination for everyone but Jews, perceiving Hamas’s genocidal goals as a form of justified “resistance.”

Living as he does in a left-wing bubble inside the White House and, as he has always been throughout his long political career, a weathervane determined to stay in sync with liberal fashion, Biden thinks the anger at his initial pro-Israel policies is the reason why he continues to trail former President Donald Trump in the polls. He believes that mollifying disaffected young leftists, as well as Arab and Muslim-American voters, is the key to retaining the support of the Democratic base.

* "A simple and persuasive way to explain your pro-life view is as easy as one, two, three." (Paul Stark, NRL News)

From the article -- If someone asks what you think about abortion, or why you’re pro-life, what do you say? How do you get supporters of abortion to rethink the issue—or even change their minds? We can put forward our case clearly, concisely, and in a way that appeals to those who aren’t already pro-life. Here are three key points to make when articulating your view....

* "To Abortion Workers: 'Jesus Still Loves the Little Children'" (Denny Hartford, Vital Signs Blog)

From the article -- The Wednesday focus in Vital Signs “3 for 5 Prayer Campaign Against Planned Parenthood” is to “pray for spiritual conversion among Planned Parenthood employees and supporters.”...Well, with this prayer target in mind, I thought I’d write up a quick summary of the appeal I made to the abortionists last Monday morning when Claire, Keith, and I were engaged in our prayers and public pro-life witness on the sidewalk there. It is one of the messages I have spoken to abortion workers for over 40 years and it goes something like this...

The “Imperative” Take-Aways from the Assure Banquet

We were blessed to be part of the very large audience at the Assure Women’s
Center banquet last night…and for several reasons. For instance, it was wonderful to again hear director Toni Clarke detail the effectiveness of Assure in helping women and families, dissuading women from committing abortion, winsomely sharing the gospel with clients, helping people experience thorough forgiveness and healing from past abortion decisions, engaging in unique and highly persuasive educational ministries through social media, and more. Assure is clearly one of the most influential and thoroughly biblical Christian ministries in the Midwest.

But last night was also important because the leadership of Assure, knowing all too well the grave dangers to pro-life work posed by the extremist Protect Our Rights ballot initiative which, if successful, would enshrine absolutely unlimited abortion in the Nebraska state constitution, addressed the matter with courage and wisdom. Toni herself spoke briefly to the matter, but Assure also built into the evening’s program remarks directly aimed at the ballot initiative by Lorelee Byrd, Karen Bowling of the Nebraska Family Alliance, former Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen. Thank you, Assure, for including that crucial service to the pro-life community in the evening’s purposes.

And, of course, I must not fail to mention that the keynote speaker for the Assure banquet, Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon, provided inspiration and encouragement to the large gathering present. Among his stimulating remarks were “5 Imperatives in Defeating the Culture of Death.” They were 1) We must secure the right to speak freely. 2) Defend reality. 3) We must aim at victory, not compromise. 4) Focus on winning back the culture. And 5) Courage is contagious. Within these five challenges, Dillon had a lot of sage advice, presented in a provocative, often humorous, way -- advice and challenge that this veteran pro-life activist deeply appreciated.

Of course, another wonderful blessing in the evening for Claire and I was being able to share it with the guests at our tables: Bev, Suzi, Gary & Christi, Charlotte, Kathy, John & Tabi, Karla, Sonya, Dan & Cindy, Tom & Lila, David & Ruth, Matt & Vivien, Matt, Luke, Ryan, Kyra, Reagan, Rob & Hope, Mark & Mary, and Sharon. What a noble company indeed!

Thanks so much, Assure staff, for a most inspiring evening. And thanks even more for the ongoing work you do for moms, babies, families, the Church, and the hopes of restoring to our culture a respect for the sacredness of human life.

To Abortion Workers: "Jesus Still Loves the Little Children"

The Wednesday focus in Vital Signs “3 for 5 Prayer Campaign Against Planned Parenthood” is to “pray for spiritual conversion among Planned Parenthood employees and supporters.”

Indeed, here is the sample prayer we offer: “Please, Lord Jesus, reveal to those who work with, promote, or otherwise support Planned Parenthood the organization’s inherent evils.  Give them a new understanding of the sanctity of life, marriage, family, and purity.  And with repentance and conversion, make of these ‘born again’ people effective servants of Your grace and holiness.”

The Scripture exhortation we connect to the Wednesday prompting is 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Well, with this prayer target in mind, I thought I’d write up a quick summary of the appeal I made to the abortionists last Monday morning when Claire, Keith, and I were engaged in our prayers and public pro-life witness on the sidewalk there. It is one of the messages I have spoken to abortion workers for over 40 years and it goes something like this...

“Good morning! You know, among our prayers this morning, are heartfelt prayers for you and your colleagues. Specifically, we are praying that you wake up to the real nature of this business -- the evil, barbaric destruction of preborn boys and girls. We are praying that (for the sake of both your happiness and the state of your eternal soul) you find another job, one where you can truly help people rather than being a part of a business that lies to women, plays on their fears and confusion, and then actually kills little human beings for money. 

I know you know the song ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children.’ You have probably sung it yourself when you yourself were a kid. Well, that’s not just a religious song. Make no mistake; Jesus does love the little children; each single child is a very big deal with Him. And He is urging you today to separate yourself from a business whose primary profits come from cruelly tearing these little children to pieces. Please reconsider what you’re involved in here. Hundreds of abortion workers have found forgiveness, spiritual cleansing, and a fresh start with God, simply by trusting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to pay the penalty of all their sins and to start a new, noble, and eternal life with Jesus as their forever Friend. Won’t you take this wonderful opportunity also? Please, leave this wicked place today and come to Jesus.”

I hope this brief post serves as an effective reminder for you to pray for us as we engage in this pro-life witness, but also to pray for the conversions of men and women who are going so far in “suppressing the truth in unrighteousness” that they willingly work in such a heinous business. And, of course, we encourage you aloso to participate with pro-life advocates all over the country in all of the points of the “3 for 5 Prayer Campaign. You’ll find it right here on the Vital Signs Ministries website. Thanks so much.

The Top 5 (May 4)

* “The Biden Administration Has Redefined ‘Sex.’ What Does That Mean for Schools?” (Jonathan Butcher & Lindsey Burke, Daily Signal)

* “Can The Current Universities Be Saved?” (Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness)

* “10 Lies Democrats Tell About Our Elections (And How To Refute Them)” (Shawn Fleetwood, Federalist)

* “The show trial of Donald Trump: The railroading of the former president is in plain sight” (Hugh Hewitt, Fox News)

* “George Soros is paying student radicals who are fueling nationwide explosion of Israel-hating protests” (Isabel Vincent, New York Post) 

And 3 bonus links ---

* “To Be Happy, Women Must Do The Opposite Of Everything Secular Western Culture Tells Them” (Joy Pullman, Federalist)

* “Abortion Hurts...Even the Survivor” (Denny Hartford, Vital Signs Blog)

* “CDC Found Evidence COVID-19 Vaccines Caused Deaths: Internal documents contradict claims from the CDC, which refused to explain the discrepancy.” (Zachary Stieber, Epoch Times)

Abortion Hurts...Even the Survivor

The harm performed on a preborn child by an abortionist is cruel, barbaric and, alas, lethal.

But the harm doesn’t stop there.

As we tell abortion clients when we sidewalk counsel outside an abortion clinic (giving them the facts about abortion that are denied them inside the building), the violent, remarkably unnatural act of abortion also creates terrible risks to the woman’s health. In both the long and short term, a woman putting her pregnant body in the hands of an abortion profiteer faces a whole host of dangers -- not to mention the grave spiritual consequences of such an act.

These dangers posed by abortion to mothers should never be a mere “side issue” for sidewalk counselors, CPC workers, and other pro-life advocates who hold high the banner for the sanctity of life. This is because we require the mother’s change of mind to save her baby’s life, of course, but also because we are genuinely concerned for her welfare too.

Abortion hurts...even the survivor. That must always be one of our most important messages, shared with true compassion and accompanied by practical ways to help.

For a review of just how abortion hurts women, check out the information provided by such research resources as the Elliot Institute about both the physical effects and the psychological effects of abortion. It will better equip you to speak life, love, and health to those who desperately need to know.

A Quick Get-Away to Art, History, and the Company of Good Friends

How unusual and stimulating our last two days have been! We are in Kansas City on a 2 -day holiday with Larry and Deb Harrold Herald, staying in a massive and magnificent old house (built in 1902) in the historic Hanover Place district near downtown. Claire and I had left Omaha just after our Sunday afternoon church service; enjoyed a very pleasant drive with conversation, prayers, and some old radio programs; and then joined the Harrolds at the bed and breakfast a few minutes after 7:00. Catching up, sharing memories, snacking on Paleo apple muffins, and a bit of reading H. Rider Haggard rounded off our Sunday and a very restful sleep prepared us for the full day to come.

6:30 Monday morning found me at Mother Earth coffee shop on Gillham Road, just two minutes from the house. Spacious, quiet, clean, classical music playing softly, and good coffee -- I could certainly use a place just like this in Omaha! And after journaling, devotions, making final edits on the May newsletter, and beginning J. Warner Wallace’s excellent Cold-Case Christianity, I rejoined the crew to take on the august Nelson -Atkins Art Museum which houses the most impressive art collection in the Midwest. Heavy on ancient China and India, the museum also has several remarkable Egyptian pieces. But that’s only the beginning. Their vast collections also include art by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Seurat, Gaugin, Vernet, Tolouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Cezanne, Caravaggio, Gainsborough, Constable, Turner, Stuart, Benton, Cranach the Elder, Rembrandt, and many, many more, including very provocative items from Medieval and Renaissance Christian art.

We were wowed all morning and our tour through the centuries stimulated us to make notes of several things we want to explore in the future. Of course, there was a lot of modern, lousy stuff there too that progressives hail as art. But, believe me, there was more treasure than trash and I recommend the place to anyone visiting Kansas City.

Oh yes; we also had a very nice lunch right there in the lovely atrium of the museum.

Our afternoon and evening were more sedentary, but still very enjoyable. We watched together (on a really large TV screen) some of our favorite Christian music selections; we talked about a host of topics; I explored the old house’s basement; we had a delicious BBQ dinner at Jack Stacks (I highly recommend the Burnt Ends Stew); and we had a “command performance” of the April “When Swing Was King” program. A bit more talk, a bit more reading, and a brief (and successful) search for a lost phone concluded what was a full and invigorating day

Today (Tuesday) began again for me with coffee at Mother Earth but I was back home in time to join in on to the Arabia Steamboat Museum just north of downtown. Many years ago I read the book, Treasure in a Cornfield, which told the amazing story of five men (all regular working stiffs) who took on the herculean task of uncovering a steamship that had sunk in the Missouri River before Civil War! That steamship was found way, way down in a cornfield, a mile and 1/2 from the modern shore of the river. It was an amazing true-life story. But to go to the museum today and see a portion of the material they unearthed from America's past is almost indescribable. Indeed, the Arabia Museum houses the most extensive collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world. Browsing through that material, along with learning more about the story of its astounding discovery, along with the privilege of meeting one of the original 5 adventurers made it the most memorable of experiences.

We had a quick but very enjoyable lunch near the museum (the City Market area) and are now involved in more relaxing pursuits back at our home base. We may very well continue to do so until we all take off tomorrow morning -- Larry and Deb for home in Omaha, Claire and I for Wichita in order to visit my little sister Sherry for a couple of days. Thank You, Lord, for this momentous get-away with dear friends.