You Get Rid of Religion...and You Can't Hire Enough Police

I believe it important to share Clay Christensen's profound video clip every once in awhile. It's only 90 seconds but its ever-relevant, ever-challenging. Watch it; reflect on it; share it.

For the Watchmen on the Walls: Prayer and Advocacy Priorities for 2025

Believers in Christ are called on to occupy until Jesus comes, to strengthen the things that remain, to shine their light into the darkness, to stand and courageously defend “the least of these,” to speak the truth in love, to stand against the wicked schemes of the devil, to do justice, to rebuke evildoers, to deliver those being dragged away to death, to be “doers of the Word,” -- you get the idea. Indeed, the biblical responsibilities of Christ’s ambassadors require purposeful, persistent action in every part of private and public life. 

It is hoped that this list of 10 priorities will help motivate and provide some direction for your own intercession and advocacy efforts. We encourage you to use them as stimulants to fervent prayers, conversations, social media, letters to political officials and others, and bringing these critical issues before your pastors as you encourage them to best enlighten, inspire, and protect their flock. 

1) Pastoral Leadership

We desperately need masculinity to make a comeback in our clergy. In fact, a warrior mentality is sorely needed for our shepherds (many, not all) to do a much better job of protecting their flocks from the lies and manipulations of the ravenous wolves who are everywhere in our world. And that includes the wolves using entertainment, Big Tech, and the establishment media. 

American Christians need their leaders to start calling things by their right names. The ministers need to fulfill their duties as prophets (as well as teachers and counselors) by waking up their congregation and then enlightening and equipping them to fight back against the world’s enveloping clouds of false teaching. Evolution. Hedonism. Abortion. Sexual immodesty and impurity. The socialist threats of globalism. The constant attacks on manliness, femininity, marriage, parental responsibilities, and a healthy family life. Government’s strong arm tactics against the freedoms of religion and speech. Wasted time. Materialism. 

Our pastors need to be men of vision and courage -- not timidly compromising the truth or settling for a safe and comfortable and popular job. They should fear God alone -- not the “snowflakes” politically-correct progressives in their congregation, not the government, not the high cost of courageous, Spirit-empowered leadership.

2) Religious freedom, conscience, speech, assembly

A Christian’s ultimate duty is to the Almighty God.  Believers are, first and foremost, citizens of a heavenly Kingdom, a better country, a city to come. They must, therefore, always obey God rather than men when those spheres come into conflict.  But we are to be wise, sacrificial, strategic, and circumspect stewards of all God has given to us and, for an American Christian, that includes the obligations and privileges of our citizenship in the here and now. We are to use our examples of holiness and altruism; we are to use our voices as we speak forth the divine truths of the Word (including its teachings on culture, economics, and law); and we are to use the opportunities offered by political action -- all in the pursuit of as just and free a society as possible. 

Therefore, we stand up for those religious ideals of the American experiment which were introduced to the New Land by our spiritual forefathers. We defend the original intent of their masterwork, the U.S. Constitution which thus requires us to be champions for the freedom of speech against the left’s desire to censor all things it opposes, most especially the historic precepts and virtues of Christianity.

 Christians should also be in firm opposition to Big Tech’s wicked schemes to reign over “the flow of thought.” Google, the establishment press, Wikipedia, Facebook, government agencies, and others have been alarmingly guilty of hiding, distorting, denying, and obliterating altogether those truths that liberate individuals, ennoble and protect civilized culture, and urge men to seek for God. Still other dangers to these freedoms are such things as the criminalization of ideas that disagree with the “thought police;” “bubble zones” that deny pro-life advocates from peaceful, winsome sidewalk counseling (even silent prayers!) outside abortion businesses; the use of State powers to limit (even prohibit altogether) church services and prayer meetings; and denials of an individual’s efforts to raise the American flag, wear a 2nd Amendment T-shirt, or share the gospel of Jesus Christ in a public park. 

Such issues are to be the targets of our fervent prayers and Christ-honoring action.

3) Issues of the Sanctity of Life 

There are two primary battlefronts here. One is the effort to protect moms and preborn boys and girls through legislation and law enforcement.  That is most naturally noble and right to pursue for it is an important application of “rescuing those being dragged to slaughter.” So, whatever actions that might uphold the sanctity of all human life -- and that can realistically be undertaken to that end -- should be given our best efforts. 

Key examples? Stopping government funding of the mega-abortion profiteer that is Planned Parenthood. Reinstating the Mexico City policy. Strengthening and enforcing laws that would protect women from the most egregious crimes against their health and safety. Defending the rights of pro-life advocates and pro-life pregnancy aids centers. Upholding such God-given rights as parental authority. Reversing the easy access to poisonous abortion drugs. Appointing judges who understand and vow to protect the right to life. Elimination of government funding of abortion propaganda -- through the schools, through foreign aid policies, through any channel whatsoever.

But the second battlefield is of at least equal importance. And that is for Christians to enthusiastically and consistently pray for and actively promote the sanctity of human life in the church and in the general culture. We must be cheerleaders for all kids (born and as-yet-unborn), families, foster parents, adoptive parents, and those pregnant women under stress who lovingly relinquish their newborn children into the best homes possible, for people with disabilities and special needs, for the aged and ill and marginalized.  We need to educate people about the scientific (as well as the theological) case for the humanity of preborn children. We need to tell the truth about what happens in an abortion and the terrible effects on moms, dads, and the society as a whole. (This, of course, includes abortions that are caused by chemical poisons, including the tragically misnamed “birth control” pill.) 

And never forget, that in this area as well as all others, both the Christian’s precepts and practice must always be Christ-centered. We do God’s work in God’s ways, depending on the Holy Spirit’s power and direction, and keeping the good news of Christ’s gospel central to our agenda. God gave His Son as a sacrifice for sinners, that all who would simply trust in that awesome Gift as payment for their sins might find forgiveness, new life, a forever family, and an eternal home in heaven. That message must itself be a priority and permeate our other duties. 

We must speak confidently, joyfully, and frequently of the immediate availability of the pardon Jesus paid for us all -- those who have participated in abortion decisions, thieves and robbers, bullies, liars and cheats, murderers, cowards, drunk drivers, manipulators and tempters, traitors, and all those who knew what should have been done but failed to do it. That list goes on -- a list that includes you and me -- and yet there is not one single sinner in the whole world who is excluded from the merciful invitation of Jesus Christ to be saved. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB)

4) Sexual Morality

Once again, we must call things by their right names without fear of being attacked or ridiculed for being out of step with the spirit of the age. We must boldly, wisely, humbly, and with a sincere desire for people’s repentance speak the truth in love of what God’s Word has to say on matters of modesty, promiscuity, marriage, children, parenting, divorce, gender denial and the freakish attempts to manipulate biological realities (“male and female He created them”), and the tragic and dangerous abomination which is homosexual activity. 

The Bible’s teaching also calls Christians to be defenders of biblical standards of both masculinity and femininity, of chivalry and fairness. For instance, Christians should not only stand against sex trafficking and child abuse, but also against drag queens leading children’s story hours at the public library, and against biological men invading women’s sports and such “safe spaces” as bathrooms, showers, and and dorm rooms.

5) Lawlessness

America must get tougher in fighting crime -- a lot tougher! After all, this is a key reason God allowed for earthly government in the first place. Our nation is reeling from lawlessness -- from the blood pollution of abortion, to rape and robberies without number, to sex trafficking and stolen elections, to a brutally broken criminal justice system. There must be change if the nation is to survive.  

Among the most important and immediate targets? We must renew a respect for the law and law enforcement by making the punishment truly fit the crime. Away with the corrupt and counter-productive mess that is our current court system: plea bargaining, easy bail (even for murderers), early parole, erasure of prison time for “good behavior,” the “revolving door” pattern of our jails and prisons, the extremely expensive luxuries awarded to criminals living in “country club” prisons, the refusal to enforce “three strike” rules, progressive and soft-headed judges, etc.  

Build more prisons and keep the grossest criminals there and away from the public. Stiffer penalties are needed for crimes of violence and for crimes that exploit the most vulnerable. And never forget the common sense lesson of the “broken windows” maxim; that is, a society’s disrespect for the rule of law doesn’t begin with bank robbery but rather with the “start-up crimes” of vandalism, trespass, panhandling, shoplifting, looting, “petty” robbery, motor vehicle crimes (including a shameful liberality in dealing with drunk drivers), etc. If our political leaders continue to “sow the wind” by neglecting the enforcement of ALL just laws, the whirlwind our nation will reap will soon be beyond any control whatsoever.

And, it should certainly go without saying, that we need a dramatic improvement of U.S. border security! 

6) Education

Out of dire concern for kids -- and the nation -- Christians should advocate an end to the monopoly held by the fiasco that is the modern government school system. Indeed, the government school system has become a worst case scenario of education failure, crime, bullying, grade inflation, historical revisionism, anti-American passions (and yes, anti-Semitism and anti-Christian attitudes too), socialist propaganda, and a blind dedication to evolution and such other silly, ideologically-motivated “science” as gender realignment and climate change.

In so doing, there has been an enormity of wasted taxpayer funds that stinks to high heaven...because Johnny still can’t read! Oh yes; revolutionary reform of the “public schools” is way past due but it will never happen unless American citizens a) begin to hold school administrators, the teachers’ unions, and the Democrat Party responsible for the ongoing “dumbing down” of America’s youth, and b) provide such incentives for schools to improve as school choice, vouchers, education tax credits, vocational training options, decreases in funding when certain basic levels of education are not met. (P.S. This all applies to the scandal of our nation’s universities too.)

7) National unity, patriotism, civility

How’s this for a world-shaking, world-improving project? Let Americans begin to teach and honor the ideals of the American experiment. Expect from the outset, of course, that we cannot depend on the media or the schools to do this. Nor will we get help from Hollywood, Big Tech, or the local library. But you and I (and our churches) can include in our worldview a joyful thanksgiving for the historic virtues in the American dream -- justice, freedom, hard work, fair play, civility, altruism, sportsmanship, authentic principles of natural conservation, gratitude, courage, respect for the rule of law, looking out for the innocent and needy, honoring genuine public servants, respect for our elders, respect for the cop on the beat and the soldier on the field, and faith in an Almighty, yet personal God. Christians must be role models in these areas and thus teach and inspire our neighbors and the next generations.

8) Election Integrity

It’s way past time to purge registration roles of illegal voters, fake voters, and dead voters! Let’s return to an election DAY with early voting and absentee voting restricted to exceptional, truly necessary situations. No vote harvesting. Paper ballots. Fair and efficient counting with appropriate quality checks as in trained, vetted, third party evaluators of the vote counts. Let us please look to Florida’s procedures instead of the clowns (if not actually, the crooks who are in charge of the counts in California and Arizona.) Strict punishment for election tampering of any sort. And drastic actions taken against foreign countries who try to influence our elections, as did Russia, China, Great Britain, Ukraine, Iran, and the United Nations tried to do this last election.

9) Globalism

It can no longer be dismissed as a “tin hat” conspiracy theory. There are, quite openly now, a cadre of extremely rich elitists who are working for a trans-national world, a world governed by the enlightened caste to which they few belong. And they want to control everything. Human rights are no longer important; it’s all about the State -- humanity in the collective, not in the individual. Thus we see the United Nations passing laws that they insist on being obeyed by every citizen in every country. We see the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.  And we see these “beyond-border oligarchs” glean ever more power to themselves as they control greater swathes of information outlets, corporations and financial markets, entertainment, manufacturing, commerce, pharmaceuticals, education, and more. 

Therefore, whatever American Christians can do to persuade their own countrymen to honor America’s past, her borders, her just laws, and her defense, they should, by all legitimate  means, do. Specific changes would include America’s getting out of the United Nations, strictly observing her commitments to her allies, and refusing to play the patsy as we have so badly in recent years with nations like Iran and Communist China.  

America is a generous nation -- a remarkably and rightfully generous nation. But America must be safe and prosperous in order to help others. So, make tariffs and trade policies work for America and her people. Stop China’s spying and land grabbing. Bring creativity and manufacturing back to American workers. And build up America’s military might. Make the Armed Forces strong and able with their sole purpose being on appropriate military aims rather than the racist, “woke” absurdities they have chased under Presidents Obama and Biden.   

10) Cleaning the Deep State Stables

American patriots should be praying that President Trump and his team dig out, clean up, and widely disinfect the American federal government agencies that have become so smelly with the “progressive” ideologies of DEI, sexual perversion, socialism, abortion zealotry, and Trump Derangement Syndrome. Begin with the State Department, the FBI, the DOJ, the IRS, and the Education Department...at least until it is abolished! And then, don’t stop! Keep cleaning house! 

Shrink the whole arrogant, bloated thing with its nepotism, sheer laziness, mountain high piles of waste and fraud, and inefficiency caused by no-talent government employees who feel no compunction to work hard, work smart, or even work in the national interest. For so terribly many government workers realize that quality control has long been a foreign concept to Washington, D.C., and so they never fear having to face the consequences of lousy job performance. Let’s explain reality to them -- start passing out the pink slips.

Our First Pachyderm Luncheon

Claire and I attended the Greater Omaha Pachyderm Luncheon yesterday, an event sponsored by a local G.O.P. group that, it turns out, hosts these luncheons the second, fourth, and fifth Monday of each month at the German American Society. The luncheon costs $25 (which will certainly limit our attendance) but yesterday's experience was excellent: enlightening, challenging, and helpful to the max. Thank you so much to John Sieler for the heads up about this opportunity. 

Yesterday’s program presented a panel of three Nebraska state senators who answered a variety of questions from the audience. Those senators were Rick Holdcroft (District 36), newly-elected Bob Anderson (District 49), and our own state senator Christy Armendariz (District 18). Claire and I were favorably impressed with the knowledge, conservative conviction, skill, and passion presented by all three yesterday as they discussed in detail various issues -- state finances, the abortion amendment fight, election integrity, OPPD, school choice, the Electoral College, and the complicated ways the “Unicameral machine” tries to do its work. 

As conservative Christians who recognize more than ever the need to be effective ambassadors for Christ in the public square -- as well as in church and our prayer closets -- we were very grateful we attended this event. We urge others to utilize the opportunity as you are able.

Oh yes, we had a delightful reunion there with a gentleman who is not only a Nebraska hero, but a friend and mentor, Hal Daub. That alone was worth the price of our admission!

There The Democrats Go Again

In one of the many political ads paid for by the Nebraska Democratic Party, the claim is made about Congressman Don Bacon that his "extreme anti-choice bill will endanger women’s lives.”  Well, any thinking person recognizes that this is a gross lie.  

But then, the modern Democratic Party isn’t going to back down from telling lies.  It’s all they’ve got.  Lies about preborn babies.  Lies about inescapable biological realities.  Lies about socialism.  Lies about crime and the police.  Lies about the Constitution.  Lies about viruses and lockdowns.  Lies about illegal immigration.  Lies about election integrity.  Lies about what’s happening (and what’s not happening) in government schools.  Lies about their political opponents and lies about themselves.

So, yes; they will continue to lie even as they hope that there are enough unthinking sheep out there to believe them.

Let’s take this pro-abortion ad from Nebraska Democrats as an example.  First of all, the bill they are referring to is a simple, compassionate, common sense, fully Constitutional, and scientifically impeccable bill that would not endanger anyone or anything unless, that is, you’re talking about it limiting the profits of such racist, sneaky, and violent abortion profiteers as Planned Parenthood.

For again, any thinking person knows that pro-life bills do not in any way actually endanger women’s lives. Hardly. They do, in fact, seek to save untold numbers of women’s lives that, if the Democrats were to keep having their way, would be cruelly ended by the abortionist’s suction machines and curettes and chemical poisons.  Women's lives and needs matter – most certainly.  But so do the lives of preborn girls and, while we're at it, preborn boys as well.  And, make no mistake, the pro-life bills like those supported by Congressman Don Bacon will compassionately serve the needs of them all.

Praying God’s Arrows Will Fly

In recent years my intercessory prayers have included specifically “targeted” prayers against the mindless, nihilistic lawlessness which is spreading across the world – lawlessness seen not only in riots, looting, and increased homicides in our cities, but also in the rebellion of the general culture against God’s distinct and holy laws regarding sexuality, sanctity of life, respect for parents and the “ancient boundaries,” modesty, humility, just punishment for criminal acts, and the exclusivity of the gospel.

These prayers have frequently utilized a biblical metaphor that I was drawn to in our reading of Psalms and Job; namely, the arrows of God.  Let me give you a couple of examples.

“Your arrows are sharp; the peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies.”  (Psalm 45:5, NASB)

“If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.  He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons; He makes His arrows fiery shafts.”  (Psalm 7:12-13 NASB)

“He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, and lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them.”  (Psalm 18:14 NASB)

“For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. Their poison my spirit drinks. The terrors of God are arrayed against me.”  (Job 6:4 NASB)

I have been praying, therefore, for the arrows of God’s judgment to fly into the heart of the King’s enemies, that the corrosive poison they possess would weaken and overcome the wicked purposes devised by the devil.  For those who will not repent, who will not submit to the holiness and mercy of God, I pray that His fiery shafts will fly swift and sure into their ranks, bringing about confusion, deflation, and defeat.

But I’m not praying for these things in general. I’m praying that these divine arrows fly into the heart of certain key strongholds of the enemy. In fact, here are the specific targets in my list.

* Islam and other false religions (including Communism and the various other strains of Marxism).

* The apostasy, syncretism, cowardice, and love of the world’s approval which increasingly marks the churches of our day.

* The mega-abortion corporation that is Planned Parenthood.

* The lying, manipulative media.

* The Democrat Party and its fellow travelers who have completely sold out to abortion, sexual perversion, religious intolerance, the coddling of criminals, and anti-Americanism.

* The monopolistic and irreligious powers of government educators.

* The malevolent powers of Big Tech (Google, Twitter, YouTube, Amazon, and others) which are, like the “old guard” media, going all out to suppress the truth, to persuade people to believe lies, and to mock all things godly.

* The Deep State.

A couple of things to note – If you feel uncomfortable with this kind of prayer, perhaps it is because you have paid more attention to the prayers you normally hear in church than to the prayers you find in Scripture.  I would suggest you read through Psalms (prayers for God’s judgments upon the wicked absolutely abound there) but also in the prophets, the New Testament epistles, and Revelation.

Also keep in mind that the pattern of prayer Jesus gives His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4 includes an appeal for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.  That means dispensing holiness and justice in Washington, D.C., Beijing, the Kremlin, Damascus, and everywhere else. (Don’t forget, however, that the faithful disciple of Christ desires God’s will be done also in one’s home, business, entertainment decisions, finances, the kids’ education, etc.) So, make no mistake. Prayers for God’s judgment upon sin and rebellion are not only always in order; they are our duty.

Finally, remember always the cautionary promise of Romans 12:19. “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”  That’s a promise that first appears in Deuteronomy 32:35 but it is repeated in Psalm 94:1-3, here in Romans, and in Hebrews 10:30. It is obvious, then, that God wants us to appreciate that the dispensing of judgment isn’t a bad thing at all.  That is, unless we try to deal it out ourselves.  No, our hatred and anger, our cursing and complaining; any dirty tricks we might want to play on our enemies – none of that serves the cause of justice. Indeed, none of that pleases God in the least.  However, vengeance delivered from the throne of God is another thing altogether.  God’s vengeance is wonderful, holy, and eminently just. It is a comforting promise that underscores both His righteousness and His power.  And so it’s a good thing to pray for. 

Lord, let Your arrows fly into the heart of Your enemies.  Let their wicked schemes crumble and fall apart. And in the confused fight from their destruction, let many souls turn to the liberating, cleansing power of the gospel message.  Yet, even so, Lord Jesus; please come soon for Your Church.

I invite you to join Claire and me in this intercessory campaign against these (and other) demonic strongholds. 

Catching Up on News You Need to Know

It's been too long since I created a compilation post for Vital Signs Blog, partly because of our schedule and partly because there have been so many hugely significant news events and movements going on. Okay, enough already. I've scanned through 3 weeks of backed up emails, alerts, and bookmarks and now deliver ten articles I think genuinely indispensable. Let's go...

* “Planned Parenthood Killed Over 1 Million Babies in Abortions Worldwide in 2016” (Jonathan Abbamonte, LifeNews.com)

* “In a World of Real Evil, the Left Fights Fake Evil” (Dennis Prager, Daily Signal)

* “Oh Scientia! Oh Mores!” (Jonathan Goldberg, National Review)

* “Stunning testimony: Voting machines can be hacked without a trace of evidence” (Stephen Dinan, Washington Times)

* “Union Bosses Have Too Much Control. It’s Time to Protect the Rights of American Workers” (Rep. Phil Roe, Daily Signal)

* “The Devil's Silence” (Erick Erickson, Town Hall)

* “Study: The Liberal Media’s Summer of Pummeling Trump” (Rich Noyes & Mike Ciandella, MRC Newsbusters)

* “Rep. Trent Franks: Life is a gift, Iceland, no matter what” (Rep. Trent Franks, Washington Examiner)

* “Seattle's Mayor Resigns After Fifth Allegation of Child Sexual Abuse” (Christine Rousselle, Town Hall)

* “Why ‘Dunkirk’ Is the Hit of the Summer” (Suzanne Fields, Town Hall)

Light-bearing Letters vs Darkness Unopposed

Sure, we all know the old maxim that it’s far better to light a candle than merely curse the darkness.  But both the state of the culture and the compromising mediocrity of the modern Church suggest we haven't been very diligent in applying the exhortation.

However, Vital Signs Ministries still takes this charge quite seriously.  And though we do so with seriousness of purpose, we also do so with lightness of heart for it is in the Lord’s Name and in the power of His spirit that we act.

Our candle-lighting ministries include our pro-life witness and sidewalk counseling outside the abortion mill; visitation and entertainment in the nursing homes; information and exhortation via speaking, writing, and the internet; and a variety of other evangelistic and discipleship activities. We also light candles by encouraging citizen advocacy -- a practice that includes quarterly letter-writing parties like the one we hosted last night.

Our letter targets last night included, as one would expect, the defunding of Planned Parenthood and principled, courteous protests of anti-life and anti-family actions recently committed by businesses, television programs, and publications. Also on the table were such issues as corruption, vote fraud, education and welfare reform, religious freedom, and a few more.  And, as always, there were also several thank you cards sent along to people who are lighting candles themselves.

We invite you think about the topics mentioned and to scan through a few sample letters (taken from the 65 written last night) which I post below as inspiration for you to write a couple of letters yourself. Also, think about joining us for our next party and even to imagine the profound light that could illuminate the cultural darkness were you to organize a letter-writing party for your own church, small group, Sunday School class, whatever.

Here's the promised sampling.

1) Dear Mr. President,
Stay the course!
Drain the swamp!
And please keep as priorities the need to expand religious freedom, to protect the sanctity of life, and to reduce the coercive power of government.

Thank you.

2) Dear General Mattis,

I’ve been keeping my attention on this transgender debate with amazement.  I have 2 grandsons in the Marines and 1 granddaughter in the Air Force, and they do not want to be taking showers with the opposite sex no matter what gender those persons, at that particular moment, “identify with.”

It’s hard for me to grasp that this is actually something that needs debating in our military.  I am asking you as a brave soldier to nix this folly of counter-productive political-correctness.

Praying you will stop the madness and not allow transgenderism to weaken yet further our military’s readiness.

Sincerely,

3) Dear Ms Grossman,

Because of Weight Watchers’ continued sponsorship of the disgusting Fox TV show “The Mick,” I will not be buying your products or utilizing your services.  When even a particularly irresponsible and offensive episode (one in which Planned Parenthood was promoted and the outrageous lie touted that the mega-abortion business provides health care to 3,000,000 women) doesn’t bother your company, it’s time for the public to spend their money elsewhere.

Please reconsider and drop “The Mick.” Give your advertising dollars instead to more family-friendly, wholesome, culturally enriching programs. That would be better for the culture…and better for Weight Watchers too.

4) Dear Governor Ricketts,

A couple of quick but very fervent questions: 1) Why haven’t Nebraska’s conservative officeholders yet gone after defunding Planned Parenthood…as other states have effectively done?

And 2) Why haven’t Nebraska’s conservative officeholders boldly promoted welfare reform that includes work requirements as other states have effectively done — work requirements that help the economy as well as those needy individuals who get forever stuck in the welfare cycle?

These are questions that are not only on my mind a lot, but that come up frequently in conversations. So, what are the answers?

Crucially curious,

5) Mr. President,

I recently read a description of several of the winners of the National Endowment for the Humanities latest history scholarships for youth.  Projects extolling Margaret Sanger.  Rachel Carson.  Mother Jones.  And so on.  As the opening line of the article stated, “Well, we’ve had our first glimpse of Trump’s NEH and it looks a lot like Obama’s NEH.”

Could you please redouble your efforts to drain this particular part of the swamp by eliminating this largely useless, wasteful, and counter-productive agency.

And then do likewise with the NEA.

Thank you so much, Mr. President.  Stay the course.  You’re in our daily prayers.

6) Dear John Bryant,

I am writing to express my disappointment in your company’s decision to pull advertising from the conservative website Breitbart. I have 4 children and we would prefer not to boycott Kellogg’s. Please don’t choose sides in the culture wars.

Thank you.

7) Dear Mr. Legere, (T-Mobile)

I recently learned that your company was one of those sponsoring Fox Television’s remarkably insensitive, offensive, and deliberately misleading episode of “The Mick” in which the show’s characters promote Planned Parenthood by claiming (quite falsely) that the mega-abortion business provides health care for 3 million women.  Of course, that’s a canard that has been proven to be grossly wrong….over and over.   But then supporters of Planned Parenthood, the gigantic business whose main business and primary profits are the violent destruction of preborn boys and girls, have forever suppressed the truth about Planned Parenthood’s origins, business practices, profits, and criminal actions.

But your company doesn’t have to play that game.

Therefore, I write to urge you to use your influence as a major sponsor to dissuade the program’s blatant misleading of their audience.  For if your business continues to promote such offensive, untrue, and socially damaging programming, the public has little recourse except to 1) turn off the program, and 2) turn off its advertisers.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

8) Dear General Mattis,

Enough please of the political correctness and gender experimentation and the use of the American military as a sophomore social project.  Please.  Let’s get back to a strong, wise, and on target approach to defending America and her historic ideals.

Thanks.

Article Round Up: March for Life Edition #2

* “Little-Known Facts about Roe v. Wade” (Alexandra DeSanctis, National Review)

* “Pro-Life Feminists Are Old-School” (Marjorie Dannenfelser, National Review)

* “Meet the Woman Who Wants to Take Down Planned Parenthood” (Robin Marty, Cosmopolitan)

* “Will The Trump DOJ Finally Launch a Criminal Investigation Into Planned Parenthood?” (Katie Pavlich, Town Hall)

* “When Abortion Suddenly Stopped Making Sense” (Frederica Mathewes-Green, National Review)

* “Illegals Did Vote In November, And Trump Is Right To Investigate” (Editors, Investor’s Business Daily)

* “Muslim Refutes Jesus’ Divinity in Scottish Church During Epiphany” (Derryck Green, Juicy Ecumenism)

* “Things Keep Getting Worse for Elizabeth Warren” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

* “Why Do Democrats Fear Trump’s Probe of ‘Fake’ Voter Fraud?” (Deroy Murdock, Town Hall)

Snowy Weekend Reading (In Between Charles Dickens, Of Course)

* “America as Animal Farm — Again” (Victor Davis Hanson, National Review)

* “Liberal Logic” (Tom Trinko, American Thinker)

* “Abortion Biz CEO Cecile Richards Thanks Obama for Forcing States to Fund Planned Parenthood” (Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com)

* “Tony Perkins pans Rex Tillerson pick to lead the State Department” (Bradford Richardson, Washington Times)

* “Records: Too many votes in 37% of Detroit’s precincts” (Joel Kurth and Jonathan Oosting, Detroit News)

* “Mrs. Stephanopoulos Brags Daughter Threw Pro-Abortion Hissy Fit After Trump Won” (Kristine Marsh, News Busters)

* “All the Rage: Taxpayer-Funded Colleges Offer Courses On America’s ‘Problem Of Whiteness’” (Eric Owens, Daily Caller)

* “Muslim Student Made Up Story About Harassment by Trump Supporters” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

Catching Up from the Weekend

* “Why The Left Loves Totalitarians Like Fidel Castro” (Paul Bonicelli, The Federalist)

* “In America, a Thousand Little Castros” (Andrew Cline, NRO)

* “Why Trump’s Phone Conversation with Taiwan’s President Is a Good Sign” (Ian Tuttle, NRO)

* “Should Claire McCaskill Determine Who Will Replace Scalia?” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

* “Obama administration fails to check immigrants against FBI databases, approves citizenship” (Stephen Dinan, Washington Times)

* “For a ‘Peaceful’ Group, Black Lives Matter Sure Does Love Cop Killers and Murderous Dictators” (David French, NRO)

* “Big Labor threw tons of cash at Democrats, but workers voted red” (Carl Campanile, New York Post)

* “Illegal Voting and What To Do About It” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

Turn Off the Old Guard Media...and Read These Instead

* “Refusing To Serve Customers You Don’t Agree With Is Suddenly Cool Again” (Mary Katharine Ham, Federalist)

* “Advice for the Loyal Opposition” (Mark Steyn, Steyn Online)

* “Literally Shaking” (Ann Coulter)

* “Transgender Conformity” (Katherine Kersten, First Things)

* “Media Malpractice? Media Bias And The 2016 Election” (Editors, Investor’s Business Daily)

* “Keep crying wolf about Trump, and no one will listen when there’s a real crisis” (Kyle Smith, New York Post)

* “Barbra Streisand urges Obama to bypass Senate, appoint Supreme Court justice unilaterally” (Valerie Richardson, Washington Times)

* “Google’s Eric Schmidt Wore ‘Staff’ Badge at Hillary Clinton Election Night Party” (Joe Schoffstall, Washington Free Beacon)

* “ESPN’s Public Editor Agrees With Viewers That Network ‘Has Moved Leftward’” (Clay Waters, MRC News Busters)

Why Voter Fraud Is Still a Massive Problem

From the editors of National Review comes this brief but important video clip. It's definitely one to watch, to pass along, and to be very, very alarmed about.

The Latest on the Culture Wars

From the alternative media, here's a few more articles dealing with culture war issues. Relevant, insightful stuff.

* “Men Are Getting Weaker…because We’re Not Raising Men” (David French, National Review)

* “For sale, the most brazen president money can buy” (Wes Pruden, Washington Times)

* “Voter Fraud Is Real. Here Are 4 More Cases.” (Peter Tapsak & Jason Snead, Daily Signal)

* “CNN (Castro News Network) Celebrates Fidel’s Birthday” (Humberto Fontova, Town Hall)

* “Signs of the Times: Liberal Hypocrisy in 2016” (Steven Hayward, Power Line)

* “Her Health Plan Was $257 a Month. Now Her Obamacare Plan Could Be $650 a Month.” (Melissa Quinn, Daily Signal)

* “‘The War Won’t Be Over Soon’: Ukraine’s Long Fight Against Russia for Freedom” (Nolan Peterson, Daily Signal)

* “$104 million lawsuit against Christian activist threatens to chill free speech in Canada” (Lea Singh, Mercator)

A Few "Don't Miss" Articles

There are a still a few journalists worthy of the name -- men and women and publications that care about truth, relevance, character, and moral virtue. Here are a few from recent days that I heartily recommend.

* “America’s Worst President?” (Myron Magnet, City Journal)

* “It Took 19 Tortured Interpretations of the Law to Let Hillary Off the Hook” (Rachel Alexander, The Stream)

* “Rigged 101” (Rich Lowry, Jewish World Review)

* “Potential Trump VP on abortion: 'Women have to be able to choose’” (Vaughn Hillyard & Carrie Dann, NBC News)

* “Obama and Company Decline to Speak Honestly About Dallas” (Paul Mirengoff, Power Line)

* “Socialism’s Support for Abortion Drove Whittaker Chambers to Faith” (Jonathan Leaf, The Stream)

* “Orgy of Guilt” (Mona Charen, Jewish World Review)

* “Media Ignore the Tsunami of Black Violence against Cops” (Colin Flaherty, American Thinker)

*  “The meaning of the baby bust” (Joel Kotkin & Wendell Cox, Orange County Register)

Priority Items for the New Congress (A Quick Video Clip)

What do you think should be the priority items for members of the new Congress and Senate? Have you let them know yet?

Perhaps my letter will give you a few ideas to consider.



The CP article on Planned Parenthood.

Contacting government officials.

Congratulations, Conservatives. Now What?

Here's an idea. Copy the picture above (or some creation of your own) and print it off to make “congratulation cards” to the conservatives you supported in Tuesday's elections. On the inside (or simply the back side if you go with a postcard format), tell them the four things on which you want them to press "fast and furious" as soon as they take office. (Those items, of course, will be different for the various offices your candidates won.)  And keep a copy of your card so you can refer to those priorities in your next communications.

It’s not enough to get these folks elected. Nor is it enough to applaud them (or ourselves), or feel satisfied and happy. The job of governing with principle, efficiency, and wisdom is now at hand. Our prayers, encouragement, and perseverance to keep our political representatives accountable are more important than ever.

By the way, what are the priorities I’m sending along? Well, to Ben Sasse, Joni Ernst and others heading to the U.S. Senate that I prayed for, cheered on, and supported in various ways, those priorities are:

1) The de-funding of the mega-abortion business that is Planned Parenthood.

2) Increased military might in order to better protect America from her enemies.

3) Protecting the Constitution from activist ideologues being appointed to the Supreme Court.

4) Much stronger protections against vote fraud.

In my card to those winning in Congressional races, since it is not the duty of Congress to confirm judicial nominees, I substitute #3 for “Dismantling ObamaCare."

So, what do you say? Send in your cards and letters today. We mobilized for their election. Let’s stay mobilized to insure these folks govern the way they promised.

Dispatches from the Culture Wars

Here are a few key stories (and one astounding video clip) from the latest VS collection. You'll notice that many of them deal with the corrupt media but, trust me, they are important reads all.

* “Wait, There’s a Problem with Christian Medical Missionaries?” (David French, NRO)

* “Assisted Suicide ‘Out of Control’ in Netherlands” (Nick Hallett, Breitbart)

* “Rand Paul on Plan B” (Ramesh Ponnuru, NRO) You're wrong, Senator. And, because your medical training makes you know you're wrong, it brings up a troubling lack of character.



* “Mia Farrow’s dirty profits—a hidden payoff in corrupt Ecuador trial” (Phelim McAleer, New York Post)

* “‘Face the Nation’ Leaves Out Netanyahu's Criticism of Obama” (Trey Sanchez, Truth Revolt)

* “Princeton Professor: Cultural Elite Can No Longer Tolerate Christians” (Ginni Thomas, Daily Caller)

Vote Fraud: The Biggest Problem That Doesn't Exist

The Democrats (and the American media) continue to insist that there is no serious problem with vote fraud.

So, what are they saying about this?

“North Carolina’s Board of Elections found that tens of thousands of registered voters from the state have personal information matching that of registered voters in other states, and appear to have voted in states other than North Carolina in 2012. In some cases, votes were cast under names of individuals who had passed away before Election Day.”

The Democrats (and the American media) continue to insist that there is no serious problem with vote fraud.

Sigh.

Here’s more of the story from Andrew Johnson at National Review.

Eric Holder's DOJ Ignores Woman Who Voted Six Times For Obama

Last week Al Sharpton embraced convicted vote fraudster Melowese Richardson at a “voting rights” rally in Cincinnati.  The United States Department of Justice under Eric Holder has done nothing to Melowese Richardson 410 days after she admitted on camera that she committed multiple federal felonies by voting six times for President Obama’s reelection.

Federal law makes it a felony to vote more than once for President.  In fact, 42 U.S.C. Section 1973i(e) subjects Richardson to twenty-five years in federal prison for her six votes for Obama.

The lack of DOJ action against an unrepentant federal vote fraudster combined with Richardson’s lionization by Sharpton and the organization that sponsored the rally demonstrates how the Justice Department is facilitating a culture of brazen criminality on the eve of the 2014 midterm elections.  The failure to indict Richardson is the latest example of Holder’s department excusing lawlessness in federal elections and abandoning law abiding Americans…

Read on. (“No Justice Department Charges Against Ohio Woman Who Voted Six Times for Obama” by J. Christain Adams over at Breitbart.)