Life of the Party

Life of the Party to Reagan Wing: Just Do It!

In a bizarre and fancifully written and illustrated, 3 part (so far) series, Reagan Wing president Doug Parris grapples with the only place for conservatives to turn: The REVOLUTION.  Read here for Part I, Part II, and Part III. 

Just do it! 

And for that matter, now that Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo and Fred Thompson are all out of the race, the entire Reagan Coalition needs to regroup and ask of themselves this question:  Is Democracy in Iraq worth the price of our Constitutional Republic?   

Ron Beats Rudy and Fred

"Who'd have predicted that a couple of months ago?"

Jill Stanek Gets It!

She makes the case that Fred Thompson is "the Stephen Douglas of the 2008 Race." 

Pro-Lifers Beginning to Lose Trust in National Right to Life

It's about time!  Jill Stanek initiates the conversation.

National Right to Life Endorses Pro-Choice Candidate

Remember that even some "intellectually honest" pro-choicers believe that Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided?  I guess Fred Thompson is supposed to fit that category, even though he still wants to label himself as "pro-life". 

As reported here, in his Meet the Press interview, Thompson says that although he believes Roe was wrongly decided, and although he supports overturning Roe, he doesn't support a Constitutional Amendment that recognizes preborn children as persons with the unalienable right to life, and he doesn't even support "criminalizing" abortion (read: making it illegal) at any level.

And now it looks as though he'll be picking up the endorsement of National Right to Life, who some in the pro-life movement call "National Right to Lobby".  I can't say that I'm surprised.  National Right to Life has been known to do this kind of thing before, and it fits right in with the continued implosion of pro-life "leadership" and outrageous endorsements that are splitting the pro-life leadership, and will in effect, hand the nomination to Rudy.  That is, if we, the grass roots pro-lifers don't take matters into our own hands, and unite behind one truly pro-life candidate. 

God, have mercy on us!

Update: Michelle Malkin opines, sorta, and is now taking a poll.  Mixed reaction from her readers.   

Pro-Life Leaders Implode While Pro-Life Rank and File Soar

Politics Jaded. Prayer Works. Who Knew?

The Trigger

It started Sunday, November 4th. Fred Thompson, the man whom many conservatives hoped would be "the next Ronald Reagan", committed the un-Reaganesque thumbing of nose at the pro-life plank of the Republican Party platform. It happened on "Meet the Press".  Tim Russert, his persistent interviewer, read the entire plank aloud, and asked for Thompson's position on it.  He opposed it.  It was a serious blow to many of his pro-life supporters.

Committed pro-lifers who are fairly new to the 30 year debate over how best to strategically end legalized abortion, might consider his mere opposition to supporting a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution acceptable, especially in light of his support for overturning Roe vs. Wade.  If one considered it long enough, one would realize that his position, supporting the overturning of Roe, and then leaving it to the states, would have allowed slavery to continue in some states. 

But it gets worse.  When pressed, Thompson said, that although he believes that life begins at conception, and that abortion is the taking of a human life, he doesn't believe it ought to be "criminalized" (read: made illegal).

The blow set off....   

The Implosion

All in the same week:

Evangelical leader, Pat Robertson, would endorse pro-abortion, pro-gay, cross dressing, adulterer, Rudy Giuliani, the man who has inspired a sizeable opposition among serious Catholics, a key constituency for Republicans. 

After flirting with the idea of doing the same, and then receiving outrage from his former supporters, Senator Sam Brownback, former candidate for president, instead chose to gamble away his pro-life Catholic political capital on "Gang of 14" leader, embryonic stem-cell research supporter, illegal immigrant slave trader, John McCain.   

Paul Weyrich, Founding President of the preeminent conservative think tank, Heritage Foundation, and considered by many to be the "father of the modern religious conservative movement", would endorse "Multiple Choice Mitt" Romney. 

David Osteen, Director of The National Right to Life Committee, would defend Thompson's "pro-life" voting record on nominally pro-life legislation as proof enough of his pro-life position, in spite of his aforementioned opposition to making abortion illegal.  (UPDATE: A week later, the National Right to Life would endorse Thompson!)

What disappointment and disarray! What confusion and utter chaos! 

From the Ashes

For the last several months, the diverse array of pro-life bloggers have been cheering on their guy (any one of the nine eight, well...nine if you include Alan Keyes) and yet anticipating the whole of our movement to pick one of the Republican candidates to get behind before the primaries and caucuses, so we'll be united and ready to defeat the pro-death wing of the Republican party and their covert plans, so we can move on to defeat Hillary.  And then these "leaders" divide themselves up between our worse possible choices. 

It would be depressing if it wasn't so comical.  Or so biblical. (Psalm 2:2-4)

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord,  and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.

Amazingly, this implosion was triggered on day 40 of the 40 Days for Life campaign, the largest simultaneous, pro-life mobilization in history that promises to be "the beginning of the end of abortion in America." 

The campaign was not political, though of course, we hoped it would have political impact.  It was a mobilization of thousands of Christians across 90 cities, to pray and fast, and hold peaceful vigil in front of their local abortion clinic.  Some cities also did community outreach to educate the public about abortion, but the main components were prayer, fasting and vigil outside the abortion clinic.  Prayer to end abortion, in our laws and in our hearts, for the mothers, the fathers, the clinic workers and all involved, including politicians. 

Those of us participating had little to no time for politics during the 40 days.  We were on the front lines.  We saw amazing things that only come about through the power of God.  Answers to prayers for the individuals we saw there.  I really could write a book about our campaign in Everett, Washington alone, and if I can stop for long enough, I just might.  (Check out the blog) 

I wondered many times aloud, what would transpire on day 40.  Would the Jericho Walls of Planned Parenthood come crumbling down?  Would the liberal U.S. Congress suddenly have an "aha" moment and pass laws outlawing abortion?  Would married women of childbearing age and their husbands suddenly be converted to embrace the gift of their fertility and of life, and single men and women commit to saving themselves for marriage?  I hoped.

No.  Instead of the Culture of Death imploding, pro-life leadership did.  This is consistent with what I felt that God was saying through the 40 Days for Life campaign.

Though I knew that it was not beyond the power of God to crush the Culture of Death, with only a word, as I told the crowd at our midway rally, I was convinced that He wouldn't.  That instead, He was calling all of us to take part in ending abortion.  More than putting a bumper sticker on our car, or voting for the right candidate, or even campaigning for the right candidate.  More than giving a few dollars to a pro-life organization.  What He wants from us is not political, but will have impact on politics.   

He wants total commitment from us.  He wants repentance and sacrifice.  Our own sins have had a part in getting us where we are too, and He is calling us to repentance for ourselves and for our nation.  Repentance for our immorality as well as for our apathy and for our lack of courage.  Our actions, as Fr. Pavone says, "have not reflected the magnitude" of the blood that spills out daily on our land from abortion, and cries out to God...that is, until 40 Days for Life, according to Fr. Pavone.  I agree.

Participants here in Everett, showed the magnitude by giving of their time, standing out in the cold, sometimes rainy, sometimes stormy, windy weather, often enduring insults from Planned Parenthood supporters, to show their love and commitment to the mothers and babies and most of all, to God. 

Soaring to Heaven

Everyone who took part in the 40 days across the nation has sacrificed in some way, and each is a touching story.  I encourage you to learn about Regis Burlas (pictured left), the man in his 80's, who was killed in a car accident on his way to a 40 Days for Life vigil in Jacksonville, FL on the final Saturday (listen to the audio version of the story here).  You will be moved when you hear about the deep commitment to life that Regis and his wife shared.            

Though the exhausting 40 Days has concluded, pro-lifers have a renewed commitment and energy to work like we've never worked before and pray like we've never prayed before, with firm resolve to end abortion.  After rejuvenating for a little bit, here in Everett, we will continue to hold vigils on targeted days in front of the local Planned Parenthood.  New people are entering pro-life work for the first time, and veterans are encouraged by their presence to persevere.  Whether it be weekly prayer vigils, sidewalk counseling, pregnancy aid or post-abortion counseling, running for public office or teaming up to flood the caucuses, pro-lifers are committed.  We will not quit until we see the end or until our Lord calls us home. 

If the latter comes first, I suppose we'll still be at it there. 

Victory and Peace

I think it's no coincidence that the aforementioned implosion was triggered on day 40.  I see the hand of God in it.  The Human Life Amendment hasn't had this much public discussion for a long time.  Now it does.  On day 41, a Washington State potential candidate for Congress, from Seattle, no less, wrote in favor of it, and 2 presidential candidates responded to Thompson's opposition of it.   

Putting it charitably, I think the imploding pro-life leaders are tired and weary.  Their endorsements aren't likely to change the opinion of very many voters.  If they were combined, it would be another story.  Thank God they're not. 

As I write this, my feed reader has a new headline from the Sound Politics public blog, "Big News for Pro-Life Washington Tonite" [SIC].  The news is that "A federal judge has suspended Washington state's requirement that pharmacists sell "morning-after" birth control pills [which works as a chemical abortion if the woman is pregnant], a victory for druggists who claim their moral objections to the drug are being bulldozed by the government. "

And last night, I saw something else that was inspiring, and what I believe to be part of God's plan in all of this.  A new film maker has a trailer out for their first film, due out in Spring of '08.  It's called "Come What May" and it's about Roe vs. Wade, and the trailer indicates a theme of "no compromises".  "Do the Right Thing, Come What May," it's graphic says.  What a fitting name.  That should be our new theme. 

I don't know what will happen when Republican primary and caucus voters make their choice.  Politics is jaded.  Though it shouldn't be.  My hope is that they will pick one of the few candidates who consistently stand for Life and for our nation's founding principles.  I hope these candidates have a heart to heart before that, and decide which one of them should go forward, so that we don't split the pro-life vote or split the coalition, and as a result, hand the nomination to Rudy.  I'm hoping some of the other campaigns implode before then. 

Our nation is at a turning point in the coming months.  But whatever happens on a political scale, I know that it's all in God's hands.  His Truth is Marching On!

Our job is to "do the right thing, come what may."  Don't compromise.  Pray.  Trust in God's mercy and perfect justice. 

Fred, How Can You Not Remember Terri?

Terri Schiavo, the woman who was starved and dehydrated to death under court order of Circuit Court Judge, George W. Greer of Pinnelas-Pasco's Sixth Judicial Court just two years ago, the constant legal battle between her wayward husband who wanted her dead and her loving parents who wanted to care for her, the battle that engaged public figures at every level including local sherrif, state legislators, Florida's Governor, the U.S. Congress, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, the President, and every prominant religious leader including the Pope, the #23 top ranked "biggest news story that shaped history" and Fred Thompson "doesn't remember the details" enough to comment on it.  "That's going back in history," he says.   

But in spite of his lack of memory of "history", he did give it enough consideration to give his old "federalism is the answer to everything" reply, "Local matters generally speaking should be left to the locals. I think Congress has got an awful lot to keep up with." 

Fred, you're gonna have to wake up to the fact that this pat answer does not solve anything.  When you have state legislatures passing laws, only to be thrown out by state courts, "states rights" is a moot point.  There needs to be objective criteria.  What is a person?  What does the Constitution say about protecting persons? 

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin: Take a Stand, Fred.  I think the Anti-Harriet Miers Caucus is showing signs of life, which is a very good thing.   

Rudy McRompson, "Scaredy Cat"

It was mentioned here the other day, that Fred Thompson had joined the "three headed RINO" in snubbing Joseph Farah and Phyllis Sclafly, by avoiding the upcoming "Values Voters" debate.  Here's what Farah, founder and CEO of of World Net Daily had to say in his latest column, The GOP Gutless Wonders: 

Would you elect a man president of the United States who was afraid of tough questioning from Phyllis Schlafly or Star Parker?

Would you consider voting for a man who had better things to do than to talk to an audience of millions concerned about the assault on family values?

What would you say to front-running GOP presidential candidates who take your vote for granted because they think you have nowhere to go?

These are some of the questions you should be pondering today as we get ready for a Republican presidential debate next Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – a debate in which four major contenders will be conspicuously absent.

They are: Willard "Mitt" Romney, Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson.

I, for one, am particularly disappointed in Thompson, who has not yet participated in a single GOP debate. This one would have been his first opportunity since officially announcing his candidacy. He could have changed all the dynamics. He could have made this debate the biggest national news story of the day. He could have forced others to join the debate. But, he, too, had better things to do....(click here to read the rest of "The GOP Gutless Wonders".)

Open Letter to Fred Thompson: Pro-lifers Need Answers

Since Fred Thompson has managed thus far, to run his campaign, avoiding every debate that the other candidates have had to endure, Life of the Party thought it was time he actually answered some substantive questions instead of just giving us platitudes on the issue of Human Life.  This letter was submitted in the little box that his campaign website gives, so I made it short and sweet. 

We know where most of the candidates stand on these questions, but his position remains vague, especially in light of his much clearer pro-abortion-choice position in his campaign for Senate.  His voting record does not include some of the issues in these questions, nor does anyone else's voting record, but the presidential candidates who have also been U.S. Congressional candidates in the past, have had these questions asked before, and their answers or non-answers can be easily found.  Fred, on the other hand has supposedly had a conversion on this issue.   We need to know to what extent he'll act on that conversion if elected.

Dear Mr. Thompson,

Please answer the following questions:

1) Do you believe unborn children have a fundamental right to life that cannot be infringed? 

2) Do you support a human life amendment to the U.S. Constitution, recognizing pershonhood of unborn children from the moment of conception, regardless of how the child was conceived?

3) Do you support extending 14th Amendment protections to unborn children?

4) Do you support keeping the pro-life plank of the national Republican platform intact and un-watered down? (Note: All of the above are supported in the national platform)

5) Do you oppose legalizing euthanasia and asisted suicide?

6) I've heard you say that after Roe vs. Wade, abortion should be left up to the states.  Do you think slavery should have been left up to the states as well?

I look forward to your reply and will post your answers at Life of the Party.

Sincerely,

Michelle McIntyre

Rudy McRompson

As the much anticipated "conservative messiah" makes his big announcement on the JAY LENO SHOW, the news is in that he joins the "three headed RINO" in snubbing Joseph Farah, Phyllis Schlafly and the Values Voters.  (Via the New York Sun)

Mayor Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, and Senator McCain are all declining to participate in a September 17 debate in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that's being hosted by an umbrella social-conservative group called ValuesVoter.org. Social conservatives will be upset; other conservatives might well be heartened by the waning power of the religious right.

A number of second-tier Republican candidates have confirmed attendance at the event, according to the news site WorldNetDaily.com, whose editor, Joseph Farah, is slated to moderate the debate. They include Rep. Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, Rep. Tom Tancredo, Senator Brownback, Rep. Ron Paul, and John Cox.