Republicans Losing Their Grip

Bob Novak's column today zooms in on Senator Lindsey Graham's fears regarding Republican indifference to the conservative policies they were elected to enact. Lip service won't cut it, says Graham; nor will playing it safe. The only strategy that can bring the G.O.P. back from the brink of defeat is one that centers on cutting spending -- big time.

The Inconvenience Continues: Al Gore's Manic, Misinformed & Misleading Movie

Canadian aerospace engineer and veteran writer, Tom Harris, zipped over an e-mail last night referring to an earlier post here on Vital Signs Blog about the Associated Press "puff piece" on Al Gore's movie, "An Incovenient Truth". That Vital Signs post had included references to an excellent article of Harris' in the Canada Free Press which examined the many unfounded claims regarding global warming and he was sending along a thank-you for our citation.

He mentioned too that he had recently written another article specifically tackling Gore's movie which had been published by the National Post (Canada) entitled, "The Gods Are Laughing." I read it this morning and it is also a very fine article -- relevant, very detailed and cleverly written. Don't miss it.

Thanks for the "heads up", Tom.

"Truth, Justice and All That Stuff"

I'm not much of a Bill O'Reilly fan but this column (apparantly he's now part of the Town Hall posse) is a perceptive one. It concerns the new Superman flick and how it reveals how strangely different is today's America than the one in which the super-hero first began.

The culture war has tugged on Superman's cape, and it is not pretty. In the new film "Superman Returns," Daily Planet editor Perry White responds this way after being told the Man of Steel has come back after a five-year absence: "Does he still stand for truth, justice and all that stuff?"

And all that stuff?

The original line in the television series and movie, of course, was "truth, justice and the American way." But no way the "American way" gets in the film.

That's because Warner Brothers, the studio distributing the movie, doesn't want to tee off any foreign viewers with pro-U.S. sentiment. It's bad enough Superman was raised in the Midwest, we can't have the hero actually stand for the American way now, can we? Some jihadist in Pakistan might throw popcorn at the screen...

The Tragic Fate of IVF's "Excess" Babies

Here from LifeSite News is an excellent review of in vitro fertilization's known but ignored tragedy; namely, the treatment of "extra" children as unwanted refuse.

British Medical Group Reverses Course -- Now Votes to Reject Physician-Assisted Suicide

Here's an excerpt from the Times (U.K.) story...

Doctors today decisively rejected the legalisation of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.

In a debate at the British Medical Association meeting in Belfast, representatives overturned policy that was only formulated last year, and joined other leading medical bodies in opposing any change in the law.

The vote was clear-cut, with two thirds of the doctors present rejecting both physician-assisted suicide - when doctors provide a lethal draught but do not administer it - and voluntary euathanasia, in which the doctor does the killing

These were taken as separate votes, because some have suggested that are ethical distinctions between them. But both were rejected by almost equal majorities: physician-assisted suicide by 165 to 88, and voluntary euthanasia by 163 to 88.

Non-voluntary euthanasia - where the patient has no choice - was not surprisingly rejected by a much bigger margin, 236 to 16. Calls for the whole issue to be put to a ballot of the entire BMA membership were rejected.

The result was a triumph for Care not Killing, an alliance of church, palliative care and disablement groups set up to counter attempts by Lord Joffe to change the law by introducing the Assisted Dying for the Terminally-Ill bill in the House of Lords. The bill was defeated, and now the alliance can claim credit for helping to reverse last year’s BMA vote.

Dr Peter Saunders, the alliance's campaign director, said that he was delighted at the vote, which had brought the BMA back into line with the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

He said he now expected the BMA to campaign actively against any further attempts to change the law...

Nebraskans for Humane Care Achieve Petition Goal

Dan Parsons sent along the following press release regarding the petition drive to put a constitutional amendment on the upcoming Nebraska ballot:

LINCOLN - The Nebraskans for Humane Care Committee today turned in more than 137,000 signatures to the Nebraska Secretary of State in support of a Constitutional Amendment that would guarantee basic human rights to all Nebraskans.

Tom Mann, Treasurer of Nebraskans for Humane Care Committee, predicted voters would overwhelmingly approve the proposed amendment in the November election.

“My wife Lexi and I are grateful for the support of thousands of our fellow Nebraskans who signed their names to gain the right to vote on the proposed Humane Care Amendment to the Nebraska Constitution. We are optimistic that this much-needed human rights measure will be overwhelmingly approved by voters this November,” the Treasurer said.

Mann, an Omaha lawyer and legal software consultant, said that the proposed amendment allows for honoring the will of any person to make his or her own decision, while guaranteeing the basic human need of food and water.

“The Humane Care Amendment would protect any person if an institution’s withholding of food and water would reasonably result in death or grave physical harm. The petition does not modify existing Nebraska law that allows any person to sign an advanced directive requesting the withholding of food or water under specific conditions,” Mann said.

“As an attorney who has dealt with estate planning and end-of-life issues, I am grateful to my fellow Nebraskan, Dr. Stephen Safranek, Professor at Ave Maria School of Law, for his service as lead author of the Humane Care Amendment,” Mann noted. “By specifying the fundamental human right of food and water in the Nebraska Constitution, rather than merely by legislation, we will safeguard all Nebraskans from corporate lobbyists, special interests and shifting political winds in Lincoln.”

Lexi Mann, president and owner of Special Journeys, an Omaha company dedicated to providing vacations to people with disabilities, said, “I’m privileged to work closely with our state’s special-needs citizens, their families, caregivers and advocates.”

“We feel strongly that no Nebraskan, regardless of disability, age or color should ever be involuntarily denied something as essential as hydration,” she added.

Christian Athletes Using their Visibility to Point to Jesus

Here's a good look at the increasing involvement of outspoken Christian athletes in the public square from a secular publication, the online edition of the Austin American Statesman. The story begins with an example from a local minor league ballplayer and then expands.

An hour before the Round Rock Express takes the field, hundreds of people gather outside Dell Diamond to hear from star outfielder Luke Scott. A hot sun bears down, but Scott appears cool and polished in crisp white baseball pants and a blue practice jersey.

"I'm here today because I'm not ashamed," Scott begins, his voice a faint contrast to his muscular frame. The crowd presses closer to hear him. He briefly recounts a past marked by drinking and partying before stating with force, "I gave my life to God on June 9, 2001."

The crowd erupts, clapping and exclaiming, "Praise God!"

Scott, who was speaking at the team's first pre-game Faith Night earlier this month, sees his position as "a good stage to preach the good word and talk about the Lord." He is by no means unique in his evangelism. In recent years, more athletes have been using their celebrity status and media access to witness for Christ.

These players are doing more than pointing heavenward after hitting a home run or kneeling in the end zone to pray after a touchdown. They are modifying their uniforms, crediting Jesus in post-game interviews and talking candidly about the role God plays in their lives and careers.

And thanks to the increased visibility of evangelical Christians, who helped President Bush win re-election in 2004, Christian athletes are encountering a more receptive audience in the press box and beyond..

Waste Watching

Citizens Against Government Waste publishes a monthly online newsletter highlighting just a few of the overspending, useless spending, corrupt spending, and semi-secret spending schemes perpetrated by our elected officials. It is called Wastewatcher and you can read the June edition by zipping on over here.

Warning -- If you have high blood pressure problems, you might want to consult your physician before reading these stories of million dollar swimming pools, a hundred grand spent on annual getaway sprees for Forest Service employees, and so on.

Senate Republican Leaders Still Failing to Confirm Bush Court Nominees

Here is a PDF file of the letter sent last month to all Majority Sentors from the Third Branch (a coalition of citizens working to improve U. S. courts) which details many of the excellent nominees who continue to languish outside the system because the Senate Republicans lack the courage and inspiration to do the right thing by them...and by our country.

It is a lengthy letter but one well worth reading. It is also well worth your time to e-mail/call/write your own Senators and urge them to get off their...laurels...and get these conservative nominees on the bench ASAP. The Third Branch letter will give you plenty of ammunition for your appeals.

Planned Parenthood's Program of Options (Wayne Stayskal's Take)

Seeing Abortion Through a Child's Eyes

It is significant to see how quickly and clearly a child sees through the twisted logic of those who try to justify abortion -- even, as in this case, when the child exposes the barbarity of abortions done by his own parent.

This Nat Hentoff column in Jewish World Review also has some illuminating information on Jesse Jackson, Derek Humphrey and the continuing lack of a logical defense from liberals for abortion.

Bob Casey's Twisted Interpretations of Being Pro-Life

Much has been made of Bob Casey being a pro-life Democrat, especially by those who desire to cut into the conservative base of voters who have been electing Rick Santorum to the U.S. Senate. However, this interview excerpt (printed in full on the liberal blog My DD) clearly reveals that Casey's pro-life convictions are weak, inconsistent and ranking far lower in his priorities than is his unqualified support of anyone in the Democrat Party, including obviously the most adamant supporters of abortion. Note too his convenient indifference to abortion when it's dealt out in chemicals instead of curettes.

...[Jonathan] Singer: One concern that many in the progressive blogosphere have about your campaign is your stance towards social issues, particularly the issue of abortion. To what extent will these social issues drive your actions in Congress? Or, put another way, would you seek a spot on the Judiciary Committee or other committees that are very focused in the battle over the social issues?

Casey: I think in terms of... To work backwards for your question, in terms of any committees, Jonathan, you should know that because I'm both Irish and cautious, I never talk about committees. [Laughter]

Not when and until I'm elected. But to be serious about the question you raised, I think that one of the most important factors in the way a lot of Americans look at the issue of abortion is the question that they hope would happen more in Washington but it doesn't, and that is that a lot of Americans want people to be honest about where they stand and I have been, even when some members of the Democratic Party disagree with my position, and I think it's important to be honest about differences.

I also think it's very important to be respectful of people that disagree, and I've done that I think well as a public official. I've tried to be very respectful of people that disagree, especially when it comes to an issue like abortion that's important to people on both sides of the debate.

Despite all the division about it there is, their honest differences, I think there's a great consensus in this country, whether it's from the left or the right or the middle, that most Americans and most Pennsylvanians want to reduce the number of abortions, want to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. They know what was in the recent New York Times column by Nicholas Kristoff where he talked about 3 million unintended pregnancies every year which lead to more than a million abortions, among other things.

So I think that there's a great consensus on family planning and birth control, which I have always supported as a public official and would support United States Senator. Also the newer issue within the family planning discussion is emergency contraception, and the big difference between Senator Santorum and me in this race, I support it and he doesn't. And I've been criticized by some leaders in religious community - even in the Catholic community - for supporting emergency contraception.

And I also don't support litmus tests for judges and presidential candidates like Rick Santorum, who will always support the Republican candidate for President, I always support the Democrat even when that Democrat disagrees with me on an issue like abortion or any other issue...

Two Court Rulings Go Against the Homosexual Agenda

There are stories from various sources around the web today about two recent court rulings that have dealt unexpected defeats to those promoting the homosexual agenda. I'm offering connections to those on the Baptist Press web site.

The first story concerns the New York Court of Appeals ruling that "gay marriage" is an issue for the state legislature to decide, not the courts. The second deals with the Georgia State Supreme Court overuling a lower court decision and reinstating a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage.

A Religion of Peace?

There are many in the government, the media and even the pulpits who continue to ignore not only the historical record of Islam but the day-to-day facts of its ongoing campaigns of intolerance, injustice and violence. Here is just one tragic example -- a Christian woman in Niger whose murder at the hands of a bloodthirsty mob is related to the imposition of sharia law there.

A Quick Kansas City Excursion

I turn 55 today and we're observing the occasion by traveling down to KC to connect with good friends Harvey and Judy Gilbert. We will be taking them to our favorite eatery in the city, Arthur Bryant's barbecue restaurant down in the historic 18th and Vine district, and later catching the Royals vs Twins game at Kaufman Stadium. Tomorrow morning we we will be meeting some pro-lifers who serve at a local pregnancy center and then we'll make the dash north for home.

The blog entries, of course, will resume then. Bye.

Amnesty for the Preborn

There's a bold new move within the European Union to protect preborn children -- a move designed to take the publicity surrounding Amnesty International's recent turn towards pro-abortion policies and turn it around into a fresh appreciation of life, justice and compassion for the innocent. This effort, called Amnesty for Babies Before Birth, is being led by Kathy Sinnott, an Irish independent MEP, and the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children in England.

Clicking on the title of this post will take you to Ms. Sinnott's speech in Geneva last week which kicked off the campaign but here's an excerpt...

The baby before birth is the most vulnerable human being, unable to speak on its own behalf and in need of the strongest possible advocacy at UN level, Council of Europe level, EU level and state level, and at every level within the state.

When we talk of amnesty, we may think of someone who has been condemned to death and for whom a pardon or amnesty is sought: perhaps a political prisoner who is interned simply for opposing a dictatorial government. 'Amnesty' is actually related to the Greek amnestos which means 'the forgotten ones'.

Do we need to ask who are the forgotten ones in our society? Who are excluded when it comes to human rights? Babies once conceived, and prior to birth, in the society in which we live are often terminated and truly become the forgotten ones, the amnestos. Their human right to life is ignored.

Through the political process of many countries, laws have been enacted allowing babies to be routinely condemned to death every day. There is no trial, no judge, no jury and no appeals procedure; just a death sentence. If [these aborted children] are not strictly political prisoners, they are certainly prisoners of politics in need of amnesty.

We in this campaign must ask why they are being killed. What is their crime? The babies' so-called crime is just being there. They commit the crime of being present and inconvenient; the crime of being disabled, being a girl, being a second child or, in the west, simply being conceived.

Amnesty International is currently consulting its members all over the world on the question of whether to campaign actively to make abortion a human right. Sadly, some countries have already decided that it should be a human right. The targeting of the baby before birth by powerful international organisations and all attempts to make abortion a human right are unfair, unjust and contrary to the human rights of the baby before birth. Babies need strong advocacy to bring their plight to the world's attention.

Abortion is not, and can never be, a human right. Abortion ignores the right to life of innocent and vulnerable babies. We insist we must have an amnesty for babies...

By the way, Ms. Sinnott was born in Chicago. In addition to her responsibilities as a member of the European Parliament, she is a proud enough mom and homemaker to make those offices the key points of her official curriculum vitae. She is also the the founder of the Association for the Severely and Profoundly Mentally Handicapped (1983-1997) and, since 1996, Founder/Chair of the Hope Project.

If you would like to send along a word of thanks to Ms. Sinnott for her efforts, check out this page for an e-mail address.

National Notice of Omaha Abortion Mill Closing

Here is LifeNews' story on the closing of the 46th Strret abortion clinic. It is a brief but good news story, incorporating the earlier reports of the World-Herald notice, an account that came from Larry Donlan, and the entry posted here at Vital Signs Blog.

Superman Returns As a "Sensitive, Slacker Metrosexual"

Claire and I very rarely hit the theaters anymore. I'm guessing we average one every 18 months or so. It's not that we don't love movies -- we do. However, our movie tastes run in the same direction as do our tastes for books, music and automobiles; namely, towards the classic.

Anyhow, because not every visitor to Vital Signs Blog or The Book Den is as "old school" as we are, I do occasionally pass on a movie review as a public service. This is an especially enjoyable task, however, when the review is as penetrating and witty as Debbie Schlussel's is of Superman Returns. It is a real hoot and not to be missed -- the review, that is.

Koizumi Croons Presley

Wanna' hear a little "Fools Rush In" as sung by Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi?

Here's a short (but charming) clip from Fox News via the Hot Air blog showing Koizumi having a grand time in his trip to Graceland. I particularly like the fact that Koizumi instantly knew the words and tunes of a couple of the King's very best records. For though Elvis rocked through rockabilly tunes as good as any of 'em; he has always most superb in the ballads.

Memo to President Bush: Loosen up a bit.

Memo #2 to President Bush: Yes, Elvis did cut a version of "Blue Suede Shoes" but the song was, of course, the signature song of the late, great Carl Perkins. He was always pretty sensitive to the fact that Elvis' version was referenced more than his.

Independent Science Becoming Victim to Global Warming Scare

The field of science is increasingly dominated by political ideology and/or profit motivation. From Ru-486 to the abortion/breast cancer link...from the search for a "gay gene" to human cloning...from embryonic stem cell research to genetic manipulation...from intolerance for teaching intelligent design to intolerance for pharmacists with pro-life convictions...and yes, from greenhouse effect to global warming, the facts and even the scientific method itself are being obscured by the pre-established agendas of the powers that be.

Here's a revealing example from Terence Corcoran. Writing in the National Post (Canada), Mr. Corcoran shows how the scrambling scare-mongering connected to global warming may well signal the death of independent science.