SUNLIT UPLANDS

ACORN Activities 'Insidious' and 'Evil'

2010-03-15T11:03:00.005-04:00

Obama’s Red Shirts: Acorn in action

From OneNewsNow
By Chad Groening

A public-interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption says it has obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act that reveal despite evidence of massive voter registration fraud by the controversial group ACORN, the Obama administration shut down a federal investigation looking into the organization.

Judicial Watch (JW) says it obtained the documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that detail investigations into the alleged corrupt activities of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. JW spokesman Chris Farrell says the documents reference serious allegations of corruption and voter registration fraud by ACORN, including two complaints filed by Republican registrars in Connecticut during the 2008 election season.

"All of these records that have been produced by these two registrars show fraudulent, false, invalid voter registration information that was supplied to the registrars," he explains.

According to Farrell, ACORN's objective has little to do with getting a particular candidate elected -- and everything to do with undermining the nation's voter-registration system.

"It's quite insidious," says the group spokesman. "It's really a very, for lack of a better term, evil attempt to destroy the American public's confidence in the voting system. They don't care what the [election] outcome is -- they want to make sure that the process is broken so there's no faith and trust in who gets elected."

But Farrell says despite the evidence, the Obama Justice Department -- while acknowledging ACORN had engaged in "questionable hiring and training practices" -- closed down the investigation in March 2009, claiming ACORN broke no laws.

Says JW president Tom Fitton: "Given President Obama's close connections to ACORN, including his campaign's hiring of the ACORN's Project Vote organization, it seems rather obvious why Attorney General [Eric] Holder has failed to investigate these and other alleged ACORN criminal activities."

Spanish Sacred Art Exhibition Comes to National Gallery of Art

2010-03-14T14:53:00.011-04:00

The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture, 1600–1700

February 28–May 31, 2010

Arrestingly real sculptures and paintings of the saints, the Immaculate Conception, and the Passion of Christ are among some 20 Spanish masterpieces of the 17th century on view in a landmark exhibition at the National Gallery of Art. The Sacred Made Real: Spanish Painting and Sculpture, 1600–1700 will showcase major paintings by Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Francisco Pacheco, with painted and gilded sculptures carved by Gregorio Fernández, Juan Martínez Montañés, and Pedro de Mena, among others.

The exhibition will also reveal the dynamic and intricate relationship between two-dimensional pictures on canvas and painted sculptures. Many of the sculptures have never been exhibited away from the Spanish churches, convents, and monasteries where they continue to be venerated and to inspire the faithful.

There is a very interesting discussion about the exhibition here.

The magnificent paintings and sculptures may be seen here.

C-Span Q & A with Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College

2010-03-14T12:00:00.003-04:00

The Tallis Scholars - "Ave Verum Corpus" - William Byrd

2010-03-14T09:25:00.000-04:00

A Homily by Father Franklyn M. McAfee - "Go to Joseph"

2010-03-14T06:30:00.002-04:00

Homily of Reverend Franklyn M. McAfee, D.D.

Pastor Emeritus

St. John the Beloved Catholic Church

McLean, Virginia

March 22, 2009

U.S. Young Adults More Pro-Life: Gallup

2010-03-13T11:29:00.005-05:00

From LifeSiteNews
By Kathleen Gilbert

The percentage of young adults in the U.S. favouring legalized abortion has undergone a significant drop, falling below all other age groups except seniors, according to a Gallup poll released Friday.

The poll results also indicate that young adults are now the group most likely (23%) to favor making abortion illegal in all circumstances.

Michael Barnett, director of American Life League’s LiveCampus project, said the poll backs anecdotal evidence gathered on college campuses nationwide.

“Abortion doesn’t make sense to a generation that wants social justice for all human beings," said Barnett. "It doesn’t take a Gallup poll to see that decades of decriminalized abortion have left an undeniable void in the lives of millennials – brothers, sisters and future classmates whose rights were denied even in the womb.”

LiveCampus is a program designed to train and activate pro-life leaders on the nation’s top campuses while developing resources for pregnant and parenting students, closing local abortion mills and creating counseling programs for post-abortive women.

“What we’re seeing is a generation that views attacks on human beings’ lives – such as abortion – as human rights abuses,” noted Barnett. "As that generation gap widens, legislators hoping to attract the youth vote and pass ‘health care reform’ are going to have to come to grips with that.”

C.S. Lewis: "My Life's Journey"

2010-03-13T06:00:00.004-05:00

David Payne stars in this one-man play recalling the life and times of C.S. Lewis -- the great novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist.

Your Girl Scout Cookies Purchase at Work

2010-03-12T15:30:00.006-05:00

Girl Scouts Distribute Planned Parenthood Sex Guide at UN Meeting

From the Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute
By Terrence McKeegan, J.D.

The World Association of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides hosted a no-adults-welcome panel at the United Nations this week where Planned Parenthood was allowed to distribute a brochure entitled “Healthy, Happy and Hot.” The event was part of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which concludes this week.

The brochure, aimed at young people living with HIV, contains explicit and graphic details on sex, as well as the promotion of casual sex in many forms. The brochure claims, “Many people think sex is just about vaginal or anal intercourse… But, there are lots of different ways to have sex and lots of different types of sex. There is no right or wrong way to have sex. Just have fun, explore and be yourself!” The brochure goes on to encourage young people to “Improve your sex life by getting to know your own body. Play with yourself! Masturbation is a great way to find out more about your body and what you find sexually stimulating. Mix things up by using different kinds of touch from very soft to hard. Talk about or act out your fantasies. Talk dirty to them.”

The brochure also tells students that national laws requiring HIV-positive people to reveal their status to their partner(s) “violate the rights of people living with HIV” and calls for advocacy to “change laws that violate your rights.” It explains, “There are many reasons that people do not share their HIV status. … They may worry that people will find out something else they have kept secret, like they are using injecting drugs, having sex outside of a marriage or having sex with people of the same gender.”

The Girl Scouts, along with the YMCA have been co-moderating a young women’s caucus that included an “Intergenerational Conversation” side event on “universal access” and “reproductive health.” One recent Girl Scout project “aims at securing the right of women, men and adolescents aged between ten and twenty-five, to better reproductive and sexual health.”  

Also at CSW last week, the heads of various powerful UN agencies including the UN Population Fund, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Children's Fund and the World Health Organization released a “UN Joint Statement” under the name of the “UN Adolescent Girls Task Force,” which calls for their agencies to promote and support programs “that empower … adolescent girls, particularly those aged 10 to 14 years.” One of the chief priorities for empowerment is ensuring access to “life-skills based sexuality education, HIV prevention, and sexual and reproductive health.”

The New York Times recently reported that UN Population Fund had co-sponsored a very controversial curriculum with UNESCO, that included teaching children as young as five to be sexually active and training adolescents to advocate for abortion.

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women of America told the Friday Fax, “Governments and NGOs should be aware of Planned Parenthood’s insidious plan to work with UN agencies and girls’ organizations in order to profit from encouraging kids to be sexually active.”

Mexican Military Copter Over U.S. Neighborhood

2010-03-12T10:00:00.002-05:00

From San Antonio Express-News
By Lynn Brezosky and Gary Martin

The Zapata County sheriff Thursday was questioning why a Mexican military helicopter was hovering over homes on the Texas side of the Rio Grande.

It was one of the more jarring incidents of the fourth week of border tensions sparked by drug killings, and rumors of such killings, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said he'd reviewed photos of the chopper flown by armed personnel Tuesday over a residential area known as Falcon Heights-Falcon Village near the binational Falcon Lake, just south of the Starr-Zapata county line. He said the helicopter appeared to have the insignia of the Mexican navy.

“It's always been said that the Mexican military does in fact ... that there have been incursions,” Gonzalez said. “But this is not New Mexico or Arizona. Here we've got a river; there's a boundary line. And then of course having Falcon Lake, Falcon Dam, it's a lot wider. It's not just a trickle of a river, it's an actual dam. You know where the boundary's at.”

Read the rest of this entry >>

A Lenten Reflection - There is Hope in the Cross of Christ

2010-03-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hate Crime

2010-03-11T21:30:00.004-05:00

From Catholic World News
By Diogenes

A pro-life activist is dead. The man who shot him says that he wanted to kill the man because of his pro-life signs. But thanks to the First Amendment-- not the "emanations from the penumbra" but the words of the amendment itself-- it's legal to hold up signs even when some people dislike those signs.

So I'm sure that within a matter of hours liberal politicians will:

Denounce the murder of James Pouillon as a hate crime.
Call for heavier penalties on criminals who assault pro-lifers.
Insist that abortion advocates tone down their rhetoric to avoid inflaming passions against pro-lifers.
Suggest sensitivity training in public schools to help children understand pro-life activists.
Introduce protective legislation establishing a 25-foot "bubble zone" around pro-life activists to protect them from aggressive rivals.

Inclusion of God in Pledge of Allegiance Upheld in Federal Appeals Court

2010-03-11T20:46:00.007-05:00

South Carolina's Fourth District Congressman, Bob Ingliss, voted in committee against protecting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Fortunately, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the wording and our very eccentric Congressman is on his way to forced retirement.

From LifeSiteNews

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that the words "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance "do not violate the Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The Knights of Columbus led the campaign to add the words "under God" to the Pledge in the early 1950s, and the trial court agreed to allow the Knights of Columbus to join the present case as defendants when it was originally filed in 2005.

"This decision is a victory for common sense," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said. "It is also a welcome reversal of the Ninth Circuit's 2002 decision in a similar case that was ultimately thrown out by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Today, the Court got it absolutely right: recitation of the Pledge is a patriotic exercise, not a religious prayer.
"Best of all," continued Anderson, "the Court said that the words 'under God' add a 'note of importance which a Pledge to our Nation ought to have and which in our culture ceremonial references to God arouse.' Every reasonable person knows that, and today's decision is a breath of fresh air from a court system that has too often seemed to be almost allergic to public references to God.
"This is a very good day for America."

In today's ruling, the Court noted that, "Among the 'self-evident truths' the Framers believed was the concept that all people are entitled to certain inalienable rights given to them by the 'Laws of Nature and Nature's God' and that the purpose of government should be to 'secure those rights.'" Such beliefs provide the context in which the words of the Pledge must be understood, the Court said.

The Knights of Columbus and several individual Knights and their families were defendant-intervenors in the case, and the court's 2-1 decision incorporates many of the arguments presented to the Court by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a public interest law firm that represented the Knights in the case.
Oral arguments before the Ninth Circuit panel had been heard in December 2007. Other defendants in the case included the United States government and a Sacramento-area school district.

Michigan Man Guilty of Murdering Pro-Life Activist

2010-03-11T20:37:00.003-05:00

Pro-life Martyr James Pouillon

A jury has found Harlan Drake guilty of two counts first degree premeditated murder in the shooting deaths of pro-life activist Jim Pouillon and gravel pit owner Mike Fuoss. Each count carries a sentence of life in prison without parole, insuring that Drake, 34, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The jury deliberated for four hours before returning their verdicts.

Defense attorneys unsuccessfully attempted to convince the jury that Drake was insane at the time of the murders and should not be held criminally responsible. The prosecution had argued that Drake understood what he was doing and knew it was wrong when he carried out his plan to murder Pouillon as he stood protesting abortion outside Owosso High School on September 11, 2009.

Drake indicated that he had no remorse for the killings, but understood he deserved to be punished for them. Prosecutors said Drake believed he was a hero.

"Justice has been done," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "We are relieved that Mr. Drake's behavior will not be excused because he had a sad story to tell, and that he will be locked away for the rest of his life.

"The pro-life community was stunned by Jim Pouillon's senseless murder and a lot of us who share Jim's passion for protecting the innocent became acutely aware of just how fragile life can be. Jim was a kind-hearted man who cared about the injustices of the world and the plight of pre-born babies that die every day at our nation's abortion clinics. He had the courage to get up and try to do something about that injustice. The world was diminished by Jim's death and those of us who knew him miss him very much.

"We pray that Mr. Drake will now seek repentance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ while we continue to pray for comfort, healing, and closure for the victims' families and for the community that has been traumatized by these tragic murders."

Chief Justice Roberts Remarks on State of the Union

2010-03-11T14:33:00.009-05:00

We should expect a President who is contemptuous of the Constitution to disrespect other branches of government and dishonor the office he holds.

John Roberts recent comments about Obama's boorish State of the Union address make us wish the presidency was in the hands of someone as distinguished and thoughtful as the Chief Justice. And we hope that as long as Obama purports to be the President, the Supreme Court will refuse to dignify with their presence his clownish performances.

On a related note, we wish a very happy birthday to another very distinguished Justice, Antonin Scalia.

Top Conservative Colleges 2009-2010

2010-03-11T12:19:00.011-05:00

Young America’s Foundation today announced the sixth annual “Top Conservative College” list in response to the frequently asked question by parents and students of which schools they recommend to those seeking conservative colleges.

The 2009-2010 Top Conservative College list includes Christendom College, College of the Ozarks, Franciscan University, Grove City College, Harding University, Hillsdale College, The King's College, Liberty University, Patrick Henry College, Regent University, Saint Vincent College, Thomas Aquinas College, Thomas More College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Introduction

A wide variety of rankings exist for the market of American colleges and universities. Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases its “America’s Best Colleges” edition. The magazine grades each institution based on factors including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, and student selectivity. Yet, U.S. News does not rank the overall experience that colleges offer. That is why Young America’s Foundation presents the following list of institutions that offer a conservative experience for students. Young America’s Foundation deemed these institutions the best, and they are listed in alphabetical order.

Many conservative students seek alternatives in higher education, but they may not be fully aware of institutions that fit these criteria. The 2009-2010 “Top Conservative College” list features institutions that proclaim, through their mission and programs, a dedication to discovering, maintaining, and strengthening the conservative values of their students.

These colleges offer an alternative to the liberal status quo, because they allow and encourage conservative students to explore conservative ideas and authors. They offer coursework and scholarship in conservative thought and emphasize principles including smaller government, strong national defense, free enterprise, and traditional values. Furthermore, they avoid trends in academe by continuing to study Western Civilization instead of straying toward the study of Marxism, feminism, sexuality, postmodernism, and other distractions that do not give students a complete understanding of our country, our culture, and its founding principles.

Young America’s Foundation highly recommends service academies such as West Point and Annapolis for people interested in serving their country and receiving a top-notch education. However, these schools do not appear on our list. They are not liberal arts colleges but rather military colleges that follow a training model for future officers. There is nothing more honorable than serving our country, and we strongly encourage qualified students to consider this option.

This is not an exhaustive list of conservative institutions and should not be taken as such. Nor should it be the only source consulted in a college search. Young America’s Foundation recommends that this list serve as a starting point. Parents and students should seek several information sources, read admissions materials thoroughly, consult with friends and counselors, and make visits. Additionally, Young America’s Foundation is not a college rating organization; we decided to publish this list to help address a frequently asked question.

If you would like to recommend other colleges for this list, please contact Young America’s Foundation at 800-USA-1776 or visit their homepage.

Christendom College

Christendom College in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is a Catholic college with more than 400 undergraduates. Six majors and a master’s degree in theological studies are offered. All undergraduate programs begin with a core curriculum that includes study of Catholic doctrine, as well as philosophy, mathematics, and science.

The college was founded in 1977 by a group of Catholics concerned with the direction of higher education, especially within the Catholic church. “Only an education which integrates the truths of the Catholic faith throughout the curriculum is a fully Catholic education,” stated the founders. Led by Dr. Warren H. Carroll, the visionaries also envisioned how, “the only rightful purpose of education is to know the truth and to live by it. The purpose of Catholic education is therefore to learn and to live by the truth revealed by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”

The original vision of Christendom lives today through the institution’s devotion to Catholic theology and way of life. The core curriculum reinforces a Catholic worldview and teaches students to “distinguish truth from error or distortion, and then to communicate truth accurately, effectively, and convincingly to others.” Required courses include “Literature of Western Civilization,” “Introduction to Philosophy,” and “Fundamentals of Catholic Doctrine.”

For more information, contact Christendom College:

Christendom College Admissions

134 Christendom Drive

Front Royal, Virginia 22630

(800) 877-5456

College of the Ozarks

The College of the Ozarks is a unique Christian Work College with about 1,400 students, located in Point Lookout, Missouri. Dubbed as “Hard Work U.” by The Wall Street Journal, it has a special work-study program in which students work in lieu of paying tuition.

In addition to the 41 majors, 38 minors, and eight pre-professional programs it offers, the College of the Ozarks has an extensive character education program. As soon as students arrive for freshman orientation, they begin character education programs and abide by a dress code and an honor code.

A core liberal arts curriculum is required of all students, and an optional character-based curriculum is available. The general education curriculum is “purposefully complemented by an emphasis on the development of vital competencies,” such as writing, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections. Overall, the College of the Ozarks offers a robust array of programs and excellent opportunities to receive a well-rounded education.

One of the most distinctive features of the College of the Ozarks is the work-study program. All students work 15 hours per week instead of paying tuition. Many students find interesting jobs at the College such as working at the College’s own restaurant and lodge, print shop, landscaping department, or on the farm. Two 40-hour weeks are also required during longer breaks, including Christmas or Easter.

For more information, contact College of the Ozarks:

College of the Ozarks Admissions

P.O. Box 17

Point Lookout, Missouri 65726

(800) 222-0525

Franciscan University

Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio is a dynamic Catholic university with 2,049 undergraduate students and 400 graduate students. Majors are available in more than 40 undergraduate subjects, and the college offers 33 undergraduate minors and seven graduate programs. As a devoutly Catholic institution, Franciscan lives by a conservative intellectual and social philosophy based on the strong liberal arts tradition and the teachings of the Catholic church.

Many of Franciscan’s programs are devoted to obtaining a deeper knowledge of the history, philosophy, and culture that shaped Western Civilization. For example, the university offers five specific programs in which students learn directly about Western Civilization and the role of the Catholic church in its formation. Franciscan also offers an honors program devoted to great books of the Western world.

Many faculty members have distinguished themselves in conservative scholarship. Political science professor Dr. Stephen Krason penned books about the founding fathers and the Constitution. Legal Studies program director Brian Scharnecchia authored a three-volume work outlining and advocating a conservative approach to family issues. The University sponsors the nation’s only human life studies minor, which teaches students to think, speak, and act intelligently on human life issues. Using reason and logic, the newly-established Institute of Bioethics at Franciscan University sponsors forums and provides advanced training for students on abortion, euthanasia, the institution of marriage and other ethical issues that impact society.

Campus life at Franciscan is different than most colleges. More than 700 students join small faith-sharing groups called "households." Through sports, Bible study, prayer, and other social activities, households provide an essential bonding experience that parallels the mission of the university. A large portion of the student body’s free time is spent serving the community and attending Mass held on campus.

A factor that distinguishes Franciscan is the student body’s devotion to activism on traditional religious values. Public policy, civic participation, and conservative activism groups remain popular among students.

For more information, contact Franciscan University:

Franciscan University Admissions
1235 University Boulevard
Steubenville, Ohio 43952
(800) 783-6220

Grove City College

Grove City College is a Christian college located just north of Pittsburgh with 2,500 students. It offers 41 undergraduate majors. Its mission is to offer a rigorous academic education in a thoroughly Christian environment at an affordable cost.

As a liberal arts institution, its web site also states: “Rejecting relativism and secularism, [Grove City College] fosters intellectual, moral, spiritual, and social development consistent with a commitment to Christian truth, morals, and freedom.” The atmosphere created at Grove City College through its policies and programs encourages “the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and character development” of its students and staff. Young America’s Foundation has a warm relationship with Grove City College. Students almost always attend Foundation programs and there will be a Foundation high school conference at Grove City College in the summer of 2010.

Grove City has a commitment to conservative scholarship in various fields. For example, Dr. Paul Kengor (political science) has written several best-selling books and is an expert in the American presidency. He is also executive director of the College’s think tank, The Center for Vision & Values. Dr. Tracy Miller (economics) has published articles examining international and agricultural economics and economic development. Many of Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises’ papers are housed and researched at the College. In addition, Grove City boasts a strong department of religion and a major in entrepreneurship. Engineering (ABET-accredited programs in mechanical and electrical engineering), education and business round out the most popular majors.

Additionally, The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College is a think tank offering annual conferences, noted speakers and a chance for faculty members and fellows to share their editorials in media outlets around the country. The Center also produces numerous white papers on social, business, and economic subjects.

Given its legal and financial independence from the federal government, Grove City College’s tuition, room and board are surprisingly low. Annual tuition is less than half the national average for four-year private institutions, and room and board is one-third less than the national average for such institutions, thanks to the College’s fiduciary responsibility. It also has a private loan program as well as its own private need-based and merit-based scholarship program. As a result, Grove City has been called a “best value” in America in higher education time and time again.

For more information, contact Grove City College:

Grove City College
100 Campus Drive
Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127
(724) 458-2100

Harding University

Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas is a robust Christian college with 6,500 students. Ninety majors, thirteen pre-professional programs, and twelve graduate and professional degrees encompass the academic offerings. As the largest private university in Arkansas, Harding offers a well-rounded intellectual experience in a Biblical context. The Honors College also offers in-depth and supplementary study for accelerated students.

Majors from all programs are required to fulfill liberal arts requirements that include seven categories: spiritual and moral values, communications and critical thinking, the individual and social environment, the natural world, the creative spirit, the historical perspective, and global literacy. A moral code signed by all students creates an atmosphere where everyone is held to high standards.

Each year, Harding students participate in a variety of programs from the American Studies Institute, including the Distinguished Lecture Series. Young America’s Foundation is proud to co-sponsor several lectures each year that expose students to conservative ideas. Past speakers include Margaret Thatcher, John Ashcroft, William F. Buckley Jr., Sean Hannity, Zell Miller, Lech Walesa, and J.C. Watts.

Harding’s American Studies Institute puts a strong emphasis on its entrepreneurial development programs. For example, the Belden Center for Private Enterprise Education, led by noted scholar Dr. Don Diffine, educates students on the importance of freedom and private enterprise in relation to the success of business.

For more information, contact Harding University:

Harding University Admissions

915 E. Market Street

Searcy, Arkansas 72143

(501) 279-4000

Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan is a liberal arts college with 1,300 students. Offering 34 traditional majors, eight interdisciplinary majors, and nine pre-professional programs, Hillsdale consistently ranks highly nationwide in U.S. News & World Report and Forbes magazine, among other publications. Its core curriculum exemplifies the tradition of a classic liberal arts program. All students, regardless of major, are required to take courses in humanities, natural science, and social science during their first two years. Highly respected conservative professors teach at Hillsdale including Dr. Burt Folsom (history), Dr. Ivan Pongracic (economics), and Dr. Mickey Craig (political science).

Students at this southern Michigan campus hear from one of the largest and most distinguished lecture programs in the country. Hillsdale’s Center for Constructive Alternatives (CCA) has sponsored more than 1,100 speakers since 1971, including conservative luminaries such as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Walter Williams. Students are required to attend two hours of CCA seminars in order to graduate.

Independence is an important theme at Hillsdale. Upon its founding in 1844, it was the nation’s first college to prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, or religion in its charter. Ever since, the institution has not taken a penny from the federal government. When some students received federal loans in the 1970s, Hillsdale quickly reacted by maintaining independence and rejecting government quotas. Even given the absence of government funding, Hillsdale remains a great value because it continually provides privately funded financial aid packages.

Hillsdale provides students with a well-rounded education that focuses on liberty. Students learn what liberty means and the moral conditions of its preservation. They develop the skills to be productive citizens and the character to be good ones. The mission statement sums up the college well. It reads: “The College considers itself a trustee of modern man’s intellectual and spiritual inheritance from the Judeo-Christian faith and Greco-Roman culture, a heritage finding its clearest expression in the American experiment of self-government under law.”

For more information, contact Hillsdale College:

Hillsdale College Admissions

33 East College Street

Hillsdale, Michigan 49242

(517) 607-2327

The King’s College

The King’s College in New York City is a growing Christian college in the Empire State Building. Their 2009-2010 class added 130 new students to the mid-town Manhattan site to bring enrollment to 300. The King’s College expects more than 200 new students in the fall for a total student body of 450 for the 2010-2011 academic year.

King’s emphasizes a core curriculum that stresses western civilization, writing, politics, philosophy, and economics. King’s graduates learn to contrast ideas based on eternal truths with trendy ideologies that come and go. They are prepared to serve in and eventually lead eight strategic institutions: government, law, business, media, the arts, civil society, education and the church.

The campus located in New York City allows for the campus art gallery to be the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the performing arts center to be Broadway, the library to be the New York Public Library, and the quad to be Central Park. Students eat, shop, study and play in the heart of one of the world’s most influential cities. When it is time to intern, they go to places like Oppenheimer or CBS News.

The King’s College academics feature three majors: Politics, Philosophy and Economics (modeled after Oxford); Business; and Media, Culture, and the Arts. Professors include renowned Christian and conservative authors like Anthony Bradley, Peter Kreeft, Joe Loconte, Udo Middelmann, Anne Hendershott and Marvin Olasky. Adjunct writing professors come from the National Review, the Wall Street Journal, and World.

All students are members of “houses,” groups of students named after greats like C.S. Lewis, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Students this past year experienced leadership first hand by building an award-winning debate team and starting a variety of student organizations.

For more information, please contact The King’s College:

The King’s College

The Office of Admissions

350 5^th Avenue, Suite 1500

New York, NY 10018

212-659-7200

Liberty University

Liberty University, founded in 1971 by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, is located on 6,000 acres in scenic Lynchburg, Virginia. It is the largest evangelical university in the world. Total enrollment is more than 60,000 students, including the distance learning program. The chancellor of Liberty University is Jerry Falwell, Jr.

The mission of Liberty University is, “to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact tomorrow’s world.” A common motto of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell for Liberty University was, “if it’s Christian it should be better.”

In turn, Liberty offers 115 undergraduate areas of study, 24 graduate areas of study and 3 doctoral programs. Notable schools include the Liberty University School of Law, the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Jesse Helms School of Government.

Liberty University students are known for their theologically, socially, and fiscally conservative views on issues like “…an absolute repudiation of ‘political correctness,’ a strong commitment to political conservatism, total rejection of socialism, and firm support for America’s economic system of free enterprise,” among other things.

The experience at Liberty does not stop with the classroom. Dormitories are supervised by a small army of “student leaders” who work to maintain the spiritual and social health of the halls. Liberty mentors one student leader for every five residential students, assuring that no single student is left without adequate social, spiritual, and academic support.

The thrice-weekly, university-wide chapel service plays hosts to 60 national leaders each school year. It is considered to be a required stop on the national, conservative campaign trail, and it is North America's largest weekly gathering of Christian young people. In addition, the university has gathered dozens of “Big South Conference Championships” through its 20 NCAA Division 1 sports, it has a national champion debate team, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs, and hosts numerous special conferences devoted to Biblical and contemporary issues.

For more information, contact Liberty University:

Liberty University Admissions
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg, Virginia 24502
(434) 582-2000

Patrick Henry College

Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia is a classical Christian college with nearly 400 students, located 40 miles from Washington, D.C. Founded in 2000, PHC offers major tracks in Classical Liberal Arts, History, Literature, American Politics, International Politics, Political Theory, Strategic Intelligence, and Journalism. With a comprehensive, 63-credit common core curriculum PHC rigorously grounds students in the great books of Western Civilization, history, philosophy, logic, and the foundations of freedom. Its motto, “Pro Christo et Libertate” (For Christ and For Liberty), embodies its mission.

College President Graham Walker describes the College’s aim as “fearless learning in the spirit of the American Founding.” As he explains, the curriculum “starts with Jesus Christ, in whom ‘all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:17). The faculty insist on accountability to facts, defending reason because of faith. Every student gets a foundation in classical learning and grapples with the full range of ideas, both good and bad, that have dominated our civilization. We equip students to ‘test all things’ and ‘hold fast that which is good’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21).”

Distinguished faculty members lead this effort. The College’s Chancellor, Dr. Michael Farris, has authored 14 books including two constitutional law textbooks, and has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was awarded the Heritage Foundation’s Salvatori Award for American Citizenship. The College’s Provost, Dr. Gene Edward Veith, is a longtime educator, cultural commentator, and author of over 100 published articles and 17 books on subjects ranging from classical Christian education and postmodernism to literature and vocation. Other noted faculty scholars include well-known journalist Dr. David Aikman, and author and apologetics expert Dr. John Warwick Montgomery.

Apprenticeship learning is the culminating step of a classical education at Patrick Henry College. This requires students to gain practical experience and conduct research through top-level internships in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Complementing its mission to engage culture, the forensics program at PHC has earned a national reputation as a legal debate force, winning national championships four of the past six years and sending members on to the nation’s top law and graduate schools, including Harvard, Duke, Georgetown and the University of Virginia.

Patrick Henry College’s unique strategic intelligence concentration in the Department of Government immerses students in intelligence analysis, investigative techniques, open source data exploitation, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and information dissemination. Strategic intelligence students at PHC participate in prestigious apprenticeships with the FBI, the CIA, and in local police departments.

For more information, contact Patrick Henry College:

Patrick Henry College Admissions

One Patrick Henry Circle

Purcellville, VA 20132

(888) 338-1776

Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University has more than 4,800 students studying on its campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. Regent offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective in fields including business, communication and the arts, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, and psychology and counseling. In addition to the rigorous academic environment, Regent offers other unique opportunities.

The Ronald Reagan Symposium, held each year in conjunction with the former president's birthday, features nationally and internationally known scholars, including Harvey Mansfield (Harvard), William Kristol (Weekly Standard), Michael Barone (Washington Examiner and FOXNews), Jean Bethke Elshtain (Chicago), and George Nash (The Russell Kirk Center). Reagan Symposium topics have included "The Future of Conservatism" and "The Future of American Culture." Each Symposium comes out as a scholarly book. For example, The New York Times published a long and favorable review on "The Future of Conservatism: Conflict and Consensus in the Post-Reagan Era."

Clash of the Titans®, annually showcases debates between leading political heavyweights, such as Lt. Col. Oliver North, Mike Huckabee, Arianna Huffinington, Steve Forbes, Howard Dean, Geraldine Ferraro, Alan Colmes, Newt Gingrich and Ehud Barak, debating the war in Iraq, presidential elections, peace in the Middle East, and the American economic crisis.

Regent’s monthly Executive Leadership Series brings a cross-section of preeminent leaders to campus. Among them are Rudy Giuliani, Dick Morris, Maria Bartiromo, John Maxwell, Art Williams, Barbara Corcoran and Zig Ziglar.

"Christian Leadership to Change the World," Regent's motto since its founding, motivates its resolve to offer unparalleled opportunities. The Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, and thousands of other alumni got their start at Regent University.

For more information, please contact Regent University :

Regent University Admissions

1000 Regent University Drive

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464

(888) 718-1222

Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College is a traditional Catholic college in rural Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. With almost 1,700 students, it offers a comprehensive liberal arts program in the Benedictine tradition.

Archabbot Wimmer, the founder of St. Vincent College, noted that students should learn “first what is necessary, then what is useful, and finally what is beautiful and will contribute to their refinement.” The college continues that vision with a strong core curriculum promoting hard work and the study of philosophy. In addition, St. Vincent boasts a strong writing program and is committed to theology, mathematics, and the natural sciences in the core curriculum.

The student life at St. Vincent is unique given its proximity to the monastery and influence of the Benedictine community. The college is committed to service learning and volunteering. Everyone in the first-year class participates in an orientation community service event. There is a very active campus ministry, and President Jim Towey takes a service group of 12 students each year to serve in Mother Theresa’s mission in Calcutta.

The Alex G. McKenna School of Economics and Government highlights conservative ideas through its programs including the Center for Political and Economic Thought, where internationally recognized guests interact with students and faculty through lectures and events. A focus on philosophy and principles instead of current events and polling data, especially in political science, allows students to learn more deeply about the importance of Western civilization.

For more information, please contact Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College

300 Fraser Purchase Road

Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650

(724) 537-4540

Thomas Aquinas College

Thomas Aquinas College is a small Catholic college located in southern California with 351 students. No majors or minors are offered since all students participate in the prescribed great books curriculum. The somewhat secluded location in the hills of rural southern California provides a metaphor for the unique nature of this fine institution.

The “great books” of Western civilization comprise the entire curriculum of Thomas Aquinas College, and all students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Works on many subjects are included in the program, including music, mathematics, and science as well as philosophy, language, and theology. Faculty members serve less as lecturers and more as facilitators using the Socratic method. Catholic faculty members publicly take the Oath of Fidelity and make a Profession of Faith at the beginning of their terms in office.

Campus life at Thomas Aquinas follows with traditional Catholic morality and teaching, and there are many groups in which students participate. For example, the St. Genesius Players is a drama group that puts on productions, the choir often performs, and the “bushwhackers” maintain local trails and organize hiking trips. Student groups are also involved with activism on issues related to traditional religious values.

For more information, please contact Thomas Aquinas College:

Thomas Aquinas College Admissions

10000 North Ojai Road

Santa Paula, California 93060

(800) 634-9797

Thomas More College

The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is a four-year undergraduate college in Merrimack, New Hampshire that carefully guides students through the best that has been written and thought throughout the history of Western civilization and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Thomas More College is a college where parents can be confident that their children will receive a liberal arts education that is rigorous and well-grounded in the permanent things, preparing them for whatever work they may be called upon to perform in the world.

Students graduate from Thomas More College with a full knowledge of the literature, politics, philosophy, art, and architecture that has contributed to the development and formation of the Church, Western civilization, America’s constitutional order. The read the works of such luminary figures as Hayek, Kirk, Weaver, Friedman, Dawson, Burke, Eliot, Homer, Plato, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.

In addition to mastering a wide array of readings, our students come to understand why they should learn what they learn; why certain authors are giants; why greatness in literary capability must not be equated with greatness in moral capability; and how the humanistic tradition of the West is their inheritance and will shape their lives.

One of the hallmarks of the educational experience students receive at Thomas More College is a full semester spent in Rome, Italy, during their sophomore year. Living and studying in Rome need little justification: the experience of the city gives immediacy and substance to the broad range of studies at the College, awakening the student to the significance of Rome on the formation of Western civilization and the Catholic Church. As importantly, the Roman Republic was a major influence on America’s Founders as they sought to establish a republic in the New World. By studying and experiencing first hand Roman institutions, students come to understand the significance of and develop a greater appreciation for the American experiment.

By providing students with a deep understanding of first principles, training them to think and write clearly, and preparing them for public speaking, Thomas More College is engaging in the indispensible task of nurturing a new generation of leaders who are prepared to defend the Christian and free market roots of our society throughout their lives.

For more information, please contact Thomas More College:

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

6 Manchester Street

Merrimack, New Hampshire 03054

(603) 880-8308

Wisconsin Lutheran College

Wisconsin Lutheran College, with an enrollment of nearly 785, is a four-year liberal arts Christian college located in Milwaukee. Founded in 1973, it is committed to providing quality teaching, scholarship, and service that are rooted in Holy Scripture, promoting the spiritual growth of students, faculty, and staff; and preparing students for lives of Christian service.

The college offers 30 undergraduate majors, pre-professional programs in pre-dental, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, and pre-veterinary medicine, and three degrees; a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of science in nursing. Wisconsin Lutheran is known for its academic excellence, its strong athletics and fine arts programming, and its thorough preparation in producing Christian leaders as graduates.

Wisconsin Lutheran College prepares students to become leaders in their chosen academic field. Taught from a Christian perspective, the college’s courses help students develop skills they’ll need in their career: critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and decision-making. Wisconsin Lutheran’s professors foster challenging academic experiences, giving their students a solid basis for graduate work or for their future career in an ever-changing, challenging world.

In addition to ongoing classroom learning, guest speakers such as U.S. Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick, former Vice President Dan Quayle, Starr Parker, Michael Medved, Tony Snow, and other nationally known conservative leaders have lectured on campus, sharing their perspectives and insights with Wisconsin Lutheran College students.

For eight consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Wisconsin Lutheran College as one of “America’s Best Colleges.” Forbes.com also includes Wisconsin Lutheran in its rankings of America’s best undergraduate institutions.

Wisconsin Lutheran College’s vision is to strive to establish a distinctive identity as one of America’s finest liberal arts colleges characterized by faithfulness to the Scriptures and to the Lutheran Confessions, rigorous pursuit of academic excellence, and dedication to preparing Christian leaders for the Church and the world.

For more information, please contact Wisconsin Lutheran College:

Wisconsin Lutheran College Admissions

8800 West Bluemound Rd.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226

(414) 443-8811

Miss. School Prom Off after Lesbian's Date Request

2010-03-11T11:55:00.003-05:00

While this cancellation has made national headlines and must be another notch for the Anti-Christian Liberties Union, we wish someone in the know would write a story about what kind of parents let their mentally disturbed daughter do this to an entire community.

A northern Mississippi school district will not be hosting a high school prom this spring after a lesbian student sought to attend with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo.
The Itawamba County school district's board decided Wednesday to drop the prom because of what it called recent distractions but without specifically mentioning the girl's request, which was backed by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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7.2-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Chile

2010-03-11T10:56:00.009-05:00

Tsunami alert issued after largest aftershock since calamitous Feb. temblor

The largest aftershock since Chile's devastating earthquake rocked the South American country Thursday, minutes before the inauguration of President Sebastian Pinera.

The 7.2-magnitude aftershock was stronger than the Jan. 12 quake that devastated the Haitian capital. It happened along the same fault zone as Chile's magnitude-8.8 quake on Feb. 27, said geophysicist Don Blakeman at the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado.

Chile's emergency office said there were no immediate reports of damage, but the Chilean Navy issued a tsunami alert.

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Watchdog Says GMAC Bailout Could Cost Taxpayers $6.3 Billion

2010-03-11T09:52:00.006-05:00

The Treasury Department sank billions into auto finance giant GMAC Inc. without an exit strategy or proof the company was viable -- a decision that could cost taxpayers $6.3 billion, a new watchdog report says.

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Lindsey Graham's Advocacy of National ID and Fingerprinting Must Be Last Straw

2010-03-10T09:58:00.008-05:00

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Lindsey Graham, working with Senator Charles Schumer to craft yet another immigration bill, wants you and every worker in America to be fingerprinted before you may hold a job. The fingerprints, along with other biometric information, would be embedded in a mandatory ID card.

In other words, because federal officials have failed to address the nation's criminal immigration problem, you and all Americans will be treated like criminals.

In this regard, may we suggest an important project to the South Carolina Tea Party Movement?

Fewer than twenty states currently allow for the recall of federal officials. Unfortunately, South Carolina is not one of them. We strongly recommend that South Carolina not wait until 2014 to term limit its rogue United States Senator. South Carolina needs and deserves faithful representation now.

Let's amend the South Carolina Constitution as soon as possible and send Lindsey home to Seneca. So urgent is the need for South Carolina to have two United States Senators representing its interests, we are providing a draft amendment to the state constitution:

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of South Carolina the right to recall any Federally elected officeholder elected by the people of the state of South Carolina. A recall election is required within 45 days of verification of signatures equaling 10% of the votes cast in the last election of the office being recalled. Citizens seeking the recalled office will have 15 days from the time the recall initiative if verified to place their name on the ballot for election.

At the time of the recall vote, voters will vote to recall as well as vote for a new office holder if the recall initiative is successful. A run-off election if necessary will consist of those receiving the three highest number of votes with the winner being elected to fill the remainder of the term recalled.

If the recall is successful, the person recalled is immediately stripped of all the authority to represent the people of the state of South Carolina and must vacate federal office space within 24 hours.

Christian's Speech Deemed 'Hateful Propaganda'

2010-03-10T09:41:00.004-05:00

From OneNewsNow
By Charlie Butts

A Christian student in the Los Angeles Community College District is carrying his free-speech case to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Jonathan Lopez had an assignment in a public speaking class and was required to give an informative speech on any topic. Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorney David Hacker tells OneNewsNow that Lopez chose to speak about his Christian beliefs. "And during that speech, when he mentioned that marriage is between a man and a woman according to his Christian beliefs, the professor called him this horrible name, refused to let him finish the assignment, and told other students in the class, 'If you're offended, you can leave,'" Hacker explains.

When no students left, the professor dismissed the class. Hacker adds that Lopez is an "A" student -- "but the problem is he never got a grade on that informative speech, and in fact, the professor wrote on his evaluation form, 'Ask God what your grade is.'"

The ADF attorney argues that demonstrates the hostility towards religion on many college campuses. The lower court in Los Angeles issued a preliminary injunction against the school, saying its speech code -- allowing administrators to punish Lopez's "hateful propaganda" -- is unconstitutional. That has been appealed to the Ninth Circuit.

Chief Justice Says State of Union Speech has 'Degenerated to Political Pep Rally'

2010-03-10T09:30:00.003-05:00

From The Examiner

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."

Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question about the Senate's method of confirming justices, Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know nominees can't answer because of judicial ethics rules.

"I think the process is broken down," he said.

Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision during the January address, with six of the court's nine justices seated before him in their black robes.

Roberts said he wonders whether justices should attend the address.

"To the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I'm not sure why we're there," said Roberts, a Republican nominee who joined the court in 2005.

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Big Hollywood Visits Hillsdale College

2010-03-09T21:16:00.007-05:00

Here's a look at one of our favorite colleges from, of all places, the perspective of Hollywood.

On a related matter, this Thursday we will be posting the Young America's Foundation 2009-2010 listing of the ten best conservative colleges in America. We hope and expect Hillsdale will continue to be among them.

The imposing but elegant Central Hall houses the administrative offices of Hillsdale College.

From Big Hollywood
By Robert J. Avrech

No tattoos. No body piercings.

That’s the first thing that hits me about the students here at Hillsdale College.

This is an environment that is free from self-mutilations, an affliction that seems rampant among America’s young.

Hillsdale prides itself as a place “where an education in the permanent things is a matter of precedent, plan and procedure.”

The educational mission at Hillsdale rests upon two foundational principles: academic excellence and institutional independence. The college does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of its operations. All funding come from donors and tuition.

A bastion of conservative thought, Hillsdale is a college where, among other studies, you can major in Latin and Greek. Here, the Constitution is taken seriously and the Western Canon is revered in their core curriculum.

A sculpture of Winston Churchill stands in the entrance of the Hillsdale Library. I was told that the artist was a biology major here at Hillsdale. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale, worked as Director of Research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill.

But this is no dusty, stodgy institution. Hillsdale has vital and active arts programs. There is a wonderful theater department. There are dance and sculpture studios. There are arty kids and nerdy kids. But from what I’ve seen Hillsdale students are refreshingly absent post-modern attitudes and ironic posturing.

The last time I saw so many women in skirts was when I visited my daughters at Yeshiva University Stern College for women.

This afternoon, a group of us met with several theater majors. We discussed career goals and dreams. Those of us with experience in film or theater, offered our advice. The students—incredibly mature and respectful—listened, took notes and asked relevant questions. I’ve met far too many theater students who project a sullen and tragic personae—getting all Stanislavsky—as if playing a romantic role. The Hillsdale students were, in contrast, good-natured, enthusiastic, if a bit nervous, to meet life’s challenges after graduation.

Dan Ford, director John Ford’s grandson, and author of Pappy: The Life of John Ford, offered valuable insights into the thicket of a Hollywood career.

My main advice to the Hillsdale actors and actresses was: talent is important but tenacity is even more important.

Last night we screened Goodbye, Mr. Chips, a wonderful film starring Robert Donat and Greer Garson. Because the film is modestly helmed—no fancy, attention-grabbing shots—by the fine craftsman Sam Wood, it’s not readily apparent that this is, like Gone With the Wind, a great saga of a particular time, place and people. Wood’s camera is always in the right spot capturing, with admirable restraint, the magnificent drama and vital emotions that need to be laid end to end in order for the film’s complex narrative to cohere.

Greer Garson and Robert Donat in Goodbye Mr. Chips, 1939.

Donat’s performance is so finely tuned, so modestly scaled that he was awarded the Oscar for best actor in that overpowering year of 1939 when the other nominees were Clark Gable (GWTW), Laurence Olivier (Wuthering Heights), James Stewart (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) and Mickey Rooney (Babes in Arms.) Wood, sadly reviled because of his right wing politics, directs with such a sure hand that the narrative, covering over fifty years in a man’s life, moves by with seamless precision.

As the film ended, all around me, there were barely suppressed sniffles and sobs.

This deeply moving film about the life of a teacher and his students in a fine old English school was particularly appropriate because, it seems to me, that Hillsdale is the American version of the film’s Brookfield Public School, where tradition and Western values are paramount.

Film scholar David Thomson delivered a dazzling lecture about the Hollywood of 1939. Speaking of the massive audiences that went to see films in 1939, Thomson memorably noted that going to the movies was not just a communal experience, but a “patriotic gesture.”

The applause that greeted this observation brought tears to my eyes.

A striking statue of Abraham Lincoln on campus. Hillsdale was the first American college to prohibit in its charter discrimination based on race, religion or sex. It was the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.

Click here for Hillsdale’s exceptional website.

Unbelievable Coincidence Saves Baby from Abortion in Indianapolis

2010-03-09T17:30:00.001-05:00

From LifeSiteNews
Commentary by David Bereit, National Coordinator, 40 Days for Life

I know you're familiar with the old saying, "God works in mysterious ways." Please sit down and read this whole story. Our God of mystery has outdone Himself this time!

A young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana - we'll call her Erin - woke up, saw her kids off to school, dropped her preschoolers at a friend's house, and noticed that she was late for an appointment ... at Planned Parenthood ... for an abortion.

So Erin picked up her phone and called to see if she could still come in. She thought she was calling Planned Parenthood. In her haste, she dialled a wrong number.

Instead of Planned Parenthood, she got Joseph, who was answering the cell phone that's being used by ...

... get ready for this ...

... 40 Days for Life in Indianapolis!

Joseph took a deep breath and tried to be as calm as possible. He took Erin's name and number and simply said that a counselor would call her back.

So Elizabeth, the counselor, called Erin. Elizabeth begged her not to hang up, and then explained that she had not reached Planned Parenthood. Asked if she was a Christian, Erin said "yes." So Elizabeth told her God's grace was at work in this "wrong number" situation.

So what had led Erin to the abortion center? Simply put - desperation.

She has four children, their father is in jail, she had lost her job, her electricity is about to be shut off, and she doesn't have enough money to pay the rent.

Later, Erin arrived at Planned Parenthood with her aunt. The aunt told counselors she opposed the abortion, but Erin's mother and sister insist it's the best answer. They say Erin just can't handle another child.

In the meantime, Elizabeth had spread the word about Erin's situation. A volunteer offered to pay her electric bill. Ten others pooled their cash to pay her rent.

Eileen in Indianapolis says a local group is now working with Erin to help her find a job. "She has a lot of potential," Eileen said, "but needs support since her mother and sister are still encouraging her to abort the baby."

Erin has reacted with both joy and disbelief that strangers were helping her. She has called Planned Parenthood to cancel her appointment and request a refund.

Please keep Erin and her family - and all those helping her - in your prayers.

So, you see? God does work in mysterious ways. There are no coincidences ... and in this case, no wrong numbers!

Obama Administration to Prohibit Fishing

2010-03-09T15:22:00.010-05:00

And you thought the Obama Administration would just take away your guns. No, not content with that, they want your fishing rod too.

Obama administration will accept no more public input for federal fishery strategy

From ESPN Outdoors
By Robert Montgomery

The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters.
This announcement comes at the time when the situation supposedly still is "fluid" and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force still hasn't issued its final report on zoning uses of these waters.
That's a disappointment, but not really a surprise for fishing industry insiders who have negotiated for months with officials at the Council on Environmental Quality and bureaucrats on the task force. These angling advocates have come to suspect that public input into the process was a charade from the beginning.
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Beijing openly Claims the Right to Choose Next Dalai Lama

2010-03-09T15:03:00.004-05:00

From AsiaNews.it

Beijing has indicated that it will not negotiate the selection of a successor to the aging Dalai Lama with him, insisting that it has the final decision on the reincarnated successors to the Buddhist region's top lamas, this according to Padma Choling, governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region, who said there was no need now to discuss the issues related to the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. At present, the succession to the god-king of Tibet has become one of the region’s most sensitive issues. The current and 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is aging. His death could create a leadership vacuum in the Tibetan government-in-exile and among China’s Buddhists that worries both Dharamsala (seat of the government-in-exile) and Beijing.

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