Food and Water Not a Right?

"I only hope that if I am lucky enough to be in hospital, that the doctors treating me will not believe at some stage that it will be in my best interests for ANH to be withdrawn even when death is imminent, effectively letting me die of starvation and thirst when I am no longer able to communicate my wishes.

"I will be making a living will, even though it will give me no comfort, for as it stands living wills are not legally binding and can be disregarded if the wishes contained in it conflict with the doctor's view."

So said Leslie Burke who has now lost, in both England and a European Union court, his legal case that would have guarenteed him the right to receive food and water in the last stages of his illness. Burke suffers from cerebellar ataxia, a degenerative and eventually fatal brain condition that causes a lack of muscular and nervous coordination, but does not affect mental faculties.

Here is the story from the Scotsman (U..K.) And here is another angle, more from Mr. Burke's perspective.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Passes Unanimously

Well, what do you know!

Despite the secretive machinations of pork-barrel experts Ted Stevens and Robert Byrd, Senator Tom Coburn's Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act has passed. In fact, it was passed unanimously and the differences between this Senate bill and a weaker House version have already been worked out -- in favor of the broader, brighter "sunshine designs" of Coburn's bill.

This is a fabulous victory for full disclosure. And it was achieved not only by the diligence of Coburn and a few other genuine spending conservatives (very rare birds those), but also by the bloggers who forced the hands of our spendthrift politicians. Way to go, guys.

Congrats and thanks are in order to Sen. Coburn, Rep. Obama and the others who moved this thing along.

A Pro-Life Congressional Hopeful

I remember young Mark Byrne from his days of accompanying his mom and dad to various pro-life activities here in Nebraska. He was a terrific kid, very intelligent, friendly and with a keen desire to be a difference-maker like his dad. And that was a high aspiration. His dad, Dr. Paul Byrne, is one of America's genuine pro-life heroes, a warm-hearted pediatric surgeon who invented the first baby incubator with built-in monitors. Dr. Byrne is also one of the first (and most effective) in raising the alarm about how "brain death" would be used to push forward the euthanasia movement. (Here's a couple of articles by Dr. Byrne about this important issue. 1 and 2.)

Anyhow, I see young Mark has grown up and is making good in his desire to help build a culture of life. He is now a husband, father of two girls, partner in a successful St. Louis law practice, and a candidate for the U.S. Congress. Here's his website.

The Big Ripoffs

"Legalized theft."

That's how Timothy Carney, author of The Big Ripoff: How Big Business and Big Government Steal Your Money, describes such scandalous scams as the death tax, pork-barrel spending, export subsidies, and a whole lot more. Check out this quick Top Ten list over at Human Events.

Jerry Springer "Opera" A Sad, Scary Sign of the Times

You've no doubt heard of the Jerry Springer Show, one of the trashiest, most offensive, most disturbing television programs ever. You may even have realized that it inspired a satirical "opera" developed by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas that is every bit as profane and blasphemous.

Despite widespread protests, Jerry Springer: The Opera has played in London, on Broadway and in a multitude of other places, including an Easter Week performance in Cambridge, England, where it drew the attention of a good friend, Ian Cooper, Senior Tutor at Christian Heritage Cambridge.

Is the "opera" mere entertainment, a good-natured (though edgy) farce? Or is it something reflective of a deep and dangerous philosophical shift in Western culture?

I think you'll find Ian's penetrating review (located right here) will provide some profound answers.

Of Cuba, Freedom and Books

If you're one of those who pray for a free Cuba, you may be interested in an exchange between Henry Louis Gomez and myself concerning books that reflect the truth about Cuba, Communism and Castro. It's over at The Book Den.

The Democrats' New Religious Website

We are the party of abortion, gay marriage, sodomy, divorce, pornography, the one-parent household and premarital sex – in short, the party of the sexual revolution, secularism, political correctness and permissiveness...

This line from Tom Donnelly's column over at FaithfulDemocrats.com, the new website aimed at staunching the flow of "values voters" away from the Democrat Party, says it all. For even though Donnelly suggests the line is a harsh caricature, neither his column or the others at the site dares to deny the reality. The Democrats do represent "the party of abortion, gay marriage, sodomy, divorce, pornography, the one-parent household and premarital sex!"

Reading through the articles on this website is much like sitting through a liberal church service -- a lot of platitudes, a lot of self-righteousness, and a lot of criticism of "that old time religion" that just isn't hip enough to please progressive minds. In fact, reading through the articles on this website is also like listening to a Bill Moyers PBS program -- plenty of furrowed brows, mangled language and hollow arguments.

No, the Democrats just don't get it anymore. Religion that is worth its salt (no pun intended) has to be authoritative, holy, passionate, consistent and connected, not to sociology, but to a revelation from a totally "other-than-man" God. If its not, why bother with it at all? Why go through the charade?

The Democrats can attract plenty of folks...and they will. But the religious voters? They've left (and are still leaving) the liberal churches in droves because there's no real religion there. And they turn off Bill Moyers the moment they see him for the same reason. This new website will face the same fate. Until the Democrat Party begins to change its ways regarding the promotion of, yes, "abortion, gay marriage, sodomy, divorce, pornography, the one-parent household and premarital sex," the religious voters will go elsewhere.

Postscript -- For a quick check on the sincerity of the Democrat's desire to reach out to religious people, check out their links at the bottom of the page. If you think you'll find links to the American Catholic Bishops, the Family Research Council, the Southern Baptists, World Magazine, Focus on the Family, etc....well, then you have been watching too much Bill Moyers!

NY Times Continues Its Sad, Pro-Castro Bias

Carlos Eire is the T. Lawrason Riggs Professor of History at Yale University. Eire’s memoir of his childhood in Cuba, Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy, won the 2003 National Book Award for nonfiction. So it was not unusual that The New York Times op-ed page should come calling when Castro was hospitalized several weeks ago. What was unusual was that the Times evidently had very specific ideas about what this illustrious writer should tell readers.

According to this account by Eire — which I received directly from the author, and am publicizing with his permission — the Times wanted a critique of anti-Castro protestors in Florida. When Eire proposed to write somethng critical about the Cuban dictator himself, he was informed by the Times: “We’re afraid that this approach is not quite right.”

The above paragraphs I read in this post over at Political Mavens. And at that post, you can read what Carlos Eire DID say about the Times, Cuba, Fidel and more. It is well worth your time.

Hoppy's "Ten Guidelines for Life"

Just how far has our culture descended from traditional morality?

Well, here's one example to help measure the decline. It is a list of simple, common-sense moral precepts but it comes from a fellow who was a hero, role model and beloved entertainer all rolled into one for my generation. Read through these proverbs and imagine how they would differ from the advice that would come from the media icons of today's youth.

"Ten Guidelines for Life" from Hopalong Cassidy

1 The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty.
Be truthful at all times.

2 Your parents are the best friends you have.
Listen to them and obey their instructions.

3 If you want to be respected, you must respect others.
Show good manners in every way.

4 Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.

5 Your good deeds always come to light.
So don't boast or be a show-off.

6 If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.

7 Many animals are good and loyal companions.
Be friendly and kind to them.

8 A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.

9 Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.

10 Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you.
Be glad and proud you are an American.

Feints, Frauds & False Hopes: Business As Usual in the ESCR Industry

I have posted several items in the last couple of weeks about the hyped-up claims regarding the new techniques of embryonic stem cell research that were supposedly harmless to the embryos. It is an important story. Well, Michael Fumento's Town Hall column is not only a terrific review of the whole matter, but he brings his own experience and wisdom into play in helping you sort out the most important implications of the affair. And as an attorney and writer who has long specializeed in health and science issues, Michael Fumento's wisdom is valuable indeed.

Note also in his article how painstakingly he has created links for those who want to follow up and expand their own understanding of all the various facets of the issue. Very complete and thoughtful. You don't get that kind of attention to detail (not to mention the respect for the reader's ability to make up his own mind) from the MSM.

Becoming Pro-Life: Fred Barnes on Reagan, Hyde...and Fred Barnes

How do people become pro-lifers? What turns people into passionate foes of abortion and related issues like euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research? I'm not referring to those who supported the pro-life position because of their family upbringing or religious faith or because of a political requirement as, say, a Republican candidate in a red state. I'm talking about people who, as adults or mature teenagers, were either pro-abortion or basically indifferent to the issue. Then something changed their mind, prompting them to take up the anti-abortion cause. Perhaps they began defending the pro-life position without realizing they'd flipped. In any case, what caused the change? What happened?

The answer can be found in the experiences of five people: Ronald Reagan, Henry Hyde, Ramesh Ponnuru, Wesley Smith, and myself. And their stories, I think, are roughly representative of what a multitude of others went through as they came to embrace the cause of saving unborn children. The five experienced two things in common that should be easy to spot as we look at their five cases...

Read the rest of this intriguing Fred Barnes article at its Weekly Standard location right here. The piece is actually a condensed form of the speech Mr. Barnes gave to the National Right to Life Committee convention several weeks back. He is in really fine form.

Margaret Sanger & 'The New Woman' -- An Insightful Article by Anne Barbeau Gardiner

Wow.

Today's "must read" comes from Anne Barbeau Gardiner and is published in the September edition of New Oxford Review. It is a compelling, incisive look at the woman behind Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger.

It really should not be missed; in fact, this article is one to print off and keep handy in your files.

Hollywood's Hip Religion

Here's a blast from the past...but one that still is as relevant as the day I first recorded this "Vital Signs" radio program.

It is a brief description of one of the few religions of which Hollywood allows a positive treatment. And if you think you've heard of loopy religions before, wait until you've learned a bit about this one.

By the way, the celebrity adherents of this religion include Lisa Marie Presley (upper left), Tom Cruise (upper right), Isaac Hayes (a fairly new convert, lower left) and Sofia Milos (lower right).

Pro-Abortion Vandals Apologize (Well, Sorta')

In a sadly typical example of how easy the courts go on abortion zealots who break the law compared to how the hammer falls on pro-life activists (even when they're not breaking the law), we now learn what happened to the students who destroyed an officially-sanctioned pro-life display at Northern Kentucky University last spring.

Here's a Vital Signs Blog post from those days to refresh your memory of the incident.

The instructor that led the melee has already been let off the hook -- an egregious case of court irresponsibility. But now the students are getting the same kind of cuddling. For though the initial charges were criminal mischief and theft by unlawful taking (as opposed to Kentucky's allowance of theft by lawful taking?) -- crimes which could have cost the free-spirited vandals a year in jail and a $500 fine -- the reality is they have had to pay a token $100 fine and write letters of apology.

That's it.

Furthermore, as you can see from this letter, the apologies are anything but apologetic. Indeed, they are full of the same spirit of arrogance that led to the crimes in the first place.

Flip, Hip and Far Left: Katie Couric's Future Is Connected to Her Past

With the MSM going giddy with the dawn of the Katie Couric era, it is the right time to remind yourself of just what the lady has stood for in her journalistic career thus far. Clicking on the title of this post will take you to the "Executive Summary" as written by the ever-watchful folks with the long memories over at the Media Research Center.

But once your read that, be sure and check out the links at the bottom of that page to read two more detailed articles. They're both excellent.

LifeNews.com Is Looking To Help You In Your Pro-Life Service

As regular visitors to Vital Signs Blog know, one of the pro-life sources I find most helpful is LifeNews.com. I have frequently linked to the stories and commentary they provide and I have gone further in encouraging you to bookmark their site AND to sign up for their free e-mail update. Now, with the election season moving towards full throttle, Steven Ertelt is asking us to remind you once again of their services and how they can help keep you informed, sharpened and stimulated to prayerful action.

I'm pleased to say "yes" to that request.

So, do make LifeNews.com a frequent stop in your web surfing and consider signing up for their very valuable e-mail updates. Just go to news@LifeNews.com.

The MSM's Formalized Bias on Abortion

No, this brief piece by John Bambenek over at ProLife Blogs dealing with the Associated Press policy on "reporting" abortion related stories will not necessarily surprise you, but I think you'll still find it most interesting and well-presented.

Dreaming of a Free Cuba

Here's a thoughtful essay "Cuban Freedom and the Possibilities of History" by veteran journalist, Marc R. Masferrer. It is over at the blog Uncommon Sense.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are -- Bloggers Uncover Secret Senators

So who were those "secret Senators" who were holding up S. 2590, the much-needed, common-sense Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act that would create a database for all of us to see how Congress is spending our money? (See this earlier Vital Signs Blog entry for background.)

The bloggers just wouldn't give up and, even though the Senate's ominous rules allow the culprits to stay in the dark, persistence, creativity and pressure paid off.

And who did they eventually ferret out? Big surprise -- two of the most egregious over-spenders of all time, Virginia's Democrat (and former KKK member) Robert Byrd and Alaska's Republican Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens.

Here's this good news story from the Chicago Tribune.

Tulsa Megachurch Bolts from Presbyterian Denomination: Homosexuals in the Pulpit Was the Last Straw

"We at the Kirk are holding to what Scripture clearly teaches. The PCUSA has left this critical foundation. We, therefore, no longer recognize the authority of the PCUSA over any congregation that chooses to hold to the traditional authority of Scripture, as once held by the PCUSA."

Those words are from Rev. Thomas W. Gray (co-pastor with Roger Wayne Hardy) of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, explaining why the 2,700 member church decided to leave the ever-more liberal Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Kirk of the Hills is now the largest congregation so far to leave.

This is, of course, terrible news for the old but increasingly irrelevant PCUSA. And the disparity of the vote to bolt (over 96%!) is even worse. Yet so far, the leadership of the denomination refuses to even consider a return to biblical orthodoxy. They prefer doctrines of sexual perversion, abortion and heresy. Talk about a death wish.

What a sad, ugly end of what historically was a great Christian denomination.

Post lux, tenebras -- (After the light, darkness.)

Here's the full story from the Christian Post.