Rick Perry shows his true colors!
Please notice the Rick Perry volunteer at the CA Republican convention. I confronted some of them, and asked, “I just have one question for you Rick Perry people: do you realize that Rick Perry has dressed you up as Aggies?” Of course, since they are all from California, they were completely innocent of the fact […]
Unbelievable!
The Republican won in NY 9, the special election to fill Anthony Wiener’s seat. This is a complete political upset, and the marriage issue was part of the story. Yet, today, the former head of the CA Republican Party says it was all about Israel. The Jews voted for the Republican over Israel. End of […]
Marriage is on the ballot tomorrow in NY state
Metaphorically, that is. There is an empty seat in District 9, Anthony Weiner’s Congressional old seat, which he had to give up in disgrace due to his lack of sexual discretion. (understatement. LOL.) Anyhow, one of the candidates for that seat is a guy called David Weprin. While in the NY state legislature, he voted […]
Another Intelligent Response to an Idiotic Comment: Adoption
You would be amazed at how often I hear some version of this one: “You say marriage is about attaching mothers and fathers to their children and to one another. What about adoption?” Or, “you say kids need a mom and a dad. I had a stepfather who was better than my biological dad.” Or […]
From my notes in the Prop 8 courtroom
When I went to San Francisco last week to cover the Prop 8 trial, I indicated that I would be watching for something specific from the Marriage Redefiners. Will they try to distinguish their case: That is, will they try to come up with some argument that distinguishes the Proponents of Prop 8 from Proponents […]
Yes, Rob Reiner is bankrolling the Prop 8 legal challenges
My earlier post, called “Rob Reiner, the Founder of the Feast,” prompted a call for citations. How do I know that Rob Reiner is bankrolling the Prop 8 legal challenges? Basically, because he has said so, and because Ted Olsen thanked him for it. Look at the website for the American Foundation for Equal Rights. […]
Over-reaching?
The justices seemed to be concerned about over-reaching on both sides. On one side, they asked, suppose we adopt your theory, Mr. Olsen, and rule that the Prop 8 proponents do not have standing to defend the measure? What will be left of the initiative process? On the other side, they asked Chuck Cooper, suppose we adopt […]
quick take on the prop 8 hearing
They did indeed take our electronic equipment when we entered the courtroom. Our friends over at the NOM blog were watching the broadcast on TV. They were able to comment in real time, and I wasn’t, even though they were in DC and I was right in the courtroom! Oh well! I really appreciate everyone coming […]
Rob Reiner, the founder of the feast
There was a celebrity sighting at the Prop 8 trial today. That grey-haired guy in the center of the photo is Rob Reiner. He stood at the podium next to Ted Olsen during the press conference after the hearing. He should. He has been funding these legal challenges. Power to the people. The rich and […]
What I will be watching for
In today’s hearing, I will be watching for the Marriage Redefiners to try to distinguish their case. That is, will they try to come up with some argument that distinguishes the Proponents of Prop 8 from Proponents of other potential ballot initiatives. If they make no attempt to do that, we might conclude that they […]
Not sure what will happen:
I have been told by a veteran of these hearings that I may be asked to give up my electronics before entering the courtroom. In that case, I will have to file my posts later. The hearing begins at 10 AM Pacific Time, and will probably run through noon. Watch this space….
Prop 8 hearing today in SF: the issue is standing
I am in San Francisco today, observing the Prop 8 hearing on behalf of NOM. The issue in today’s hearing is standing: who has standing to defend Prop 8 in court against legal attacks. This issue is significant for several reasons. First, the State of CA has the responsibility of defending its laws in court. […]
Religious persecution around the world
Cato Institute scholar Doug Bandow has a column on the rise of religious persecution around the world. Basing his column on a report by the Pew Forum on Religion, Bandow notes that According to Pew’s new study, “more than 2.2 billion people — about a third of the world’s population– live in countries where government […]
A “dangerous book” on philanthropy
Jeff Cain, President of American Philanthropic, has an interesting review of a book called, Do More Than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World. He doesn’t like it. He is deeply suspicious of what the authors breathlessly call, “catalytic philanthropists.” Having conquered the world of business, come into a great inheritance, or stumbled […]
Don’t hurt yourself jumping to conclusions!
Honestly, you really ought to stretch and warm up a bit before jumping to conclusions. You guys jumped so far and so hard, I’m worried you might hurt yourselves! I am referring of course, to my now notorious anal sex post. You will recall I made a simple statement:
Intelligent Answers to Common Questions: Infertile Couples
We let infertile couples get married: why shouldn’t we allow same sex couples to get married? Why should a 65 year old opposite sex couple be allowed to marry, and a 65 year old same sex couple not be allowed to marry? The essential public purpose of marriage is to attach mothers and fathers […]
The Culture of Choice is no such thing
We have been habituated to think that the most pressing issues of life and death are really just issues of choice. “Abortion is a woman’s choice.” A choice to do what? is the question never quite answered. People should have the “right to choose” to use contraception, even if they are young and unmarried, as […]
“Twin Reductions” and the Right Side of History
My first response to this story Betsy posted earlier this week about “Twin Reductions” at IVF clinics was to be appalled. But as I have reflected on it, there is more to the story than the outrageousness of it all. To be sure, twin reduction is intrinsically appalling. Fertility doctors routinely implant multiple embryos in […]
Who is obsessed with what?
Oftentimes our FrieWIs (that’s Friends With Wrong Ideas) suggest that we are obsessed with all things gay. Why don’t we work on abolishing divorce? Why don’t we care about all the other atrocities perpetrated by straight people? In the light of that continual carping, I find it interesting to notice which posts generate the most […]
David Cameron on the Family: Dr J on Issues Etc
Tomorrow on my regular Issues Etc segment, I will talk about David Cameron’s recent speech on the importance of the family. Some of the worst aspects of human nature tolerated, indulged – sometimes even incentivised – by a state and its agencies that in parts have become literally de-moralised. So do we have the determination […]
Taking the opportunity to speak freely while it is still legal
Vulgarity alert: don’t read this post out loud in front of your kids or your grandmother. The news of a popular teacher in Florida losing his job over Facebook comments could have a chilling effect on free speech. As one of our commenters pointed out, the people of Florida do not agree that marriage is […]
Another Word on Terminology
The response to my post, A Word on Terminology has confirmed my intuition that I am correct to abstain from using the term “same sex marriage.” Three things have led me to conclude that my instincts are correct about this: 1. The wailing, weeping and general indignation meeting being held all around the Left side […]
How (NOT) to Win Friends and Influence People, Another dumb thing attributed to Gov Perry
Governor Rick Perry was quoted as saying: “Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me….That is their call. If you believe in the 10th […]
A word on Terminology
You may have noticed that I do not use the term “same sex marriage” very often. In fact, I am making a conscious decision not to use the term at all any more. I think the term gives away too much ground to our opponents. Continually using the term makes it possible to believe that such […]
Intelligent Replies to Idiotic Comments, Part 3: A Dumb thing attributed to Gov. Rick Perry
Governor Rick Perry made news with his comments about the definition of marriage at an event in Aspen: “Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with […]
GK Chesterson On the Goodness of Social, Historical Institutions
A friend sent me this quotation by GK Chesterton from the early 20th century. (Suppose) There exists … a certain institution or law; let us say for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the […]
Intelligent Replies to Idiotic Comments, Part 2, (Gasp!!!)
“But same sex couples already have children!” This is not, strictly speaking, an idiotic comment, since it is a statement of fact. However, I want to call your attention to the exasperated gasp (EG for short) that usually accompanies this comment. The EG is designed to intimidate the listener into believing that some deeply important […]
Demographic Winter on Catholic Radio of San Diego
On my radio program on Monday, I will be interviewing Don Feder, talking about Demographic Winter and the World Congress of Families Summit in Moscow. Tune in on-line at www.catholicradioofsandiego.com to listen. Or listen live in the San Diego area on AM 1000 KCEO. All you Lefties: tune in and find out if concern about […]
The Issue is Never the Issue
Red diaper baby David Horowitz is an expert on the mentality of the Radical Left. In his pamplet Barack Obama’s Rules for Revolution, (which I highly recommend, by the way) David makes the following point: An SDS radical once wrote, “the issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.” In other words, the cause-whether […]
Intelligent Replies to Idiotic Comments
“Nothing so terrible has happened in Massachusetts or Canada, so let’s just have same sex marriage.” Marriage is the social institution that connects generations to each other. Redefining marriage changes the basic structure by which the generations relate to one another, including who counts as a parent. We will not experience the most significant consequences of redefining marriage […]
Todd Wilken’s last question
Issues Etc host Todd Wilken’s last question to me was, “If you had 30 seconds to talk to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius, what would you say to her?” (This was regarding the requirement (which is simultaneously silly and offensive) that all insurance carriers provide contraception with no co-pay.) I simply said, “You need to go […]
Mandatory contraception coverage
I did my issues etc radio show on this today, and we talked about it on my Monday night Catholic Radio of San Diego program: “Health insurance plans must cover birth control as preventive care for women, with no copays, the Obama administration said Monday.” Later in the article, we learn: a government study last […]
Mazal Tov to Ari and Samantha Mendelson
Mrs. Mendelson just gave birth to their fourth child yesterday. The ever irrepressible Ari wrote on his facebook wall: “Thinking of various, creative and brazen ways to trick, fool or deceive my new daughter. She was, after all, born yesterday.” (Everyone please note: this is a joke. Don’t get upset! Betsy has full authority to […]
What About Non-Gay Suicide Risks?
Yet another story blaming gay suicide on society’s failure to conform to the desires of the Sex Radicals and Gay-ists. So I wonder, did you know: divorce doubles a man’s risk of suicide, but does not particularly affect women’s propensity to commit suicide? (Augustine Kposowa, Journal of Epidemiology and community Health, 2000; 54: 254-261) Swedish adolescents […]
Symbol of Stupidity
I’ve noticed that writing about symbols is a sure way to generate a lot of hate mail from my “feel the love” Friends With Wrong Ideas. But here goes anyway. Regular Ruth Readers have heard me say many times that “equality” is not a stand-alone concept. The term “equality” needs a referent: who is equal […]
Ohio Court Gets a Custody Case Right
Note: This post was researched and written by Mr. Austin Muck, second year law student at SMU, and legal intern for the summer at the Ruth Institute. Dr J Recently the Supreme Court of Ohio appropriately decided a case that protected the constitutional right of parents to determine what is in the best interest […]
Catholic Radio at ITAF!
We have just confirmed that Catholic Radio of San Diego will be broadcasting live from the opening event of our ITAF conference. We are very excited about this development. Live broadcasts make the event more fun, and they make for good radio. The host that evening will be Hugh Largey. We expect that I will […]
Now that we lost a big one in New York…
Now that we lost a big one in New York, I have an idea: let’s all the social conservatives stand around in a circle and criticize each other. NOT! I stumbled over two separate social conservatives criticizing the Catholic Church in New York for not doing enough, here and here. These articles were mostly repeats […]
On the difficulty of getting kicked out of the Catholic Church
Critics of the Catholic Church claim that the Church wields authoritarian control over all its members. The Pope and the bishops ruthlessly suppress all dissent, debate or disobedience. To those who think this way, I have two words: Andrew Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, lives in the Governor’s Mansion with a woman to […]
Fathers need recognition as husbands, too
by Jennifer Roback Morse // originally published at NationalReview.com and MercatorNet In the wake of Father’s Day there is a great article on the Ruth Institute blog about honouring husbands. Jennifer Roback Morse talks about the importance for children of seeing their parents loving and admiring each other Father’s Day is a day for honoring […]
Why we can’t get the govt out of the marriage business
In my previous post, rebutting the Libertarian Party of MN’s position on same sex marriage, I mention that I have written about why the government can’t really get out of the marriage business. It is interesting to me how common this argument has become. I think lots of people just wish this whole topic would […]
The Incoherent Libertarian Position on Marriage
The Libertarian Party of Minnesota has taken a position on the proposal to place a marriage amendment on the ballot for the voters of Minnesota. I am taking the time to rebut this paragraph because this kind of argument has become all too common, even among those who have every desire and intention to expand […]
What is good? What does “ought” mean?
Philosopher Thaddeus Kozinski takes up these questions in his very interesting article in today’s Public Discourse. His bottom line: “am I saying that only an ethics rooted in the divinely revealed truth of creation-as-gift and creator-as-love can coherently and adequately make sense of the universal experience of ought? Indeed I am, though I think that […]
Doing What Comes Naturally?
Here is a video, shown at a GLBT Fun Sex Seminar event at Texas A&M, partially paid for with taxpayer money. This video is so explicit, that You Tube requires you to affirm that you are over 18 to watch it. This video was brought to light by Aggie Conservatives, who are asking to either defund this […]
Billionaires for Eugenics
The website is slightly unhinged, but I love this headline. Billionaires for Eugenics. The solution to the problems of poor people is to have fewer poor people. The way to have fewer poor people is not to uplift the poor people, but to get rid of the poor people. Indirectly of course, by having them have […]
CA AG Sophistry in the on-going drama of Prop 8
The on-going drama of Prop 8. The opponents of Prop 8 are willing to gut the state’s voter initiative process in order to defend the same sex “marriage” decision imposed on the state by the Supreme Court back in 2008. Let’s see: the State Supreme Court overturned a citizens’ legislative initiative and declared the male/female […]
Same-Sex Marriage and the Assault on Institutional Integrity
Same-Sex Marriage and the Assault on Institutional Integrity is Matthew Franck’s article over at the Public Discourse on the shameful behavior of King and Spaulding in ditching the defense of DOMA. Non-lawyers don’t normally think about this aspect of the lawyers’ duty: the rule of law depends to a great degree on the probity of […]
Free emergency contraception linked to rise in teen STI rates
As if on cue, from my previous post, I stumbled over this article published in Infectious Diseases in Children March 2011. I wonder if the editors of Maria Talks will change any of their “scientific” information. Don’t hold your breath…. Free access to the “morning-after pill” has not reduced teenage pregnancy and may be associated with […]
In Massachusetts, your tax dollars at work
The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is a not-for-profit, community-based health organization whose mission is to stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. The AIDS Action Committee (AAC) developed the Maria Talks website with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). (ie, with tax dollars.) […]
Truth never fears debate
So what do you make of the fact that The Life Style Left avoids debate? I think they want compliance, not discussion. From a defense of Paul Clement’s decision to stay on the as DOMA”s defender: The truth is never afraid of a good debate. At the core of the First Amendment is the idea […]
Why No Adoption in the DE case? Does it Matter?
I haven’t seen many details on the Delaware case I posted the other day. But one fact is clear: the non-mother in same sex couple did not do a second party adoption. If she had done an adoption, she would have the same parental rights as the woman who went to Kazakhstan to adopt the child […]
Bored to Death
Bored to Death is the title of an article by philosophy professor Russell Snell. He talks about boredom as the “stance toward the world most evident in the historical and social space of contemporary Western life.” Many of us no longer find the world beautiful, or good, or of worth, and since the world and […]
SC PIE: Dr Pat Fagan
Next up at SC PIE: Dr. Pat Fagan of the Family Research Council, and incidentally, a member of the Ruth Institute Academic Advisory Board. He is showing this audience of African American faith leaders some of his charts. among his results: His index of belonging, showing over 80% of black children do not spend […]
Baby Boomer Regrets
USA Today has a story about Baby Boomers and their regrets. most of them are about money: (we didn’t save enough) or about health (I should have used more sunscreen and exercised more.) As a BB’er myself (born in 1953), let me add something to the discussion: I regret that I spent so many years […]
SC PIE: Dr Freda Bush
I’m at the SC Parents Involved in Education abstinence education meeting for African American clergy and Teachers. First speaker is Dr. Freda Bush of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health. http://www.medinstitute.org/public/ at the She is an OB-GYN, and also the author of “Hooked.”
In honor of Lent,
let’s talk about forgiveness and reconciliation. In my booklet, “101 Tips for a Happier Marriage,” I have a whole section called, “Forgiveness is More Important than Sex.” Why is that? People forget a great sexual encounter five minutes after it is over. But they’ll remember their grudges for a lifetime. So, I was reading Jesus […]
Revisiting the Rainbow Coalition
I get it that the advocates of same sex marriage don’t like to admit this, but: the movement for natural marriage is a genuine rainbow coalition. Our movement cuts across race, religion, and ethnicity. Here is more evidence, from Rhode Island. This Hispanic Pastors Coalition held a prayer rally in favor of natural marriage. look here. […]
More on the NEA Representative’s UN speech
The presentation at the UN Committee on the Status of Women that talked about “orgasm, oral sex and masturbation” in the schools generated a lot of controversy, around the internet and right here at the Ruth blog. One of our permanent commenters suggested that I go listen to the whole speech, and that I would […]
Maybe you thought sex ed was supposed to reduce teen pregnancy…
A representative of the NEA, the US’s largest teachers union, has a different idea about the purpose of comprehensive sex ed. She tells all to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women. Comprehensive sex education is “the only way to combat heterosexism and gender conformity,”(NEA representative, Diane) Schneider proclaimed, “and we must make these issues a […]
More Leftist Images
This video has been circulating in pro-life circles. I’m interested in the images of the signs carried by the pro-abortion people. Pause the video around 3 minutes, and run it slowly for the next 15 seconds. You will see: “Life Begins when you stand up to Christian Fascists” “Abortion on Demand without Apology” “Abortion Providers Save […]
The Leftist Idiom Among the Gay Radicals
This article in the Baptist Standard isn’t particularly interesting. It is the photo that interests me: The Clenched Fist is an image straight out of the Hard Left playbook. They are getting careless, and letting the mask slip. Up until now, the Sex Radicals have done a pretty good job of steering people away from […]
Response to Alex Cohen’s Open Letter to me
My internet and facebook friend, Alex Cohen, has written an open letter to me, entitled “A Question to the CPAC Boycotters.” Here is my response. Dear Alex, I didn’t attend CPAC. However, it does not follow that the Ruth Institute or I boycotted CPAC. Ruth Institute is a c3 organization that has never gone to […]
Supporting those who choose chastity
For those who have chosen chastity, here is an interesting news story from USAToday that I think affirms the chaste lifestyle: There’s a worrisome uptick in the incidence of certain head and neck cancers among middle-aged and even younger Americans, and some experts link the trend to a rise in the popularity of oral sex […]
Rev Ron Sider: What would you accept as proof?
In his much-discussed First Things article, Bearing Better Witness, Rev. Ron Sider offers his view of the same sex marraige debate. I submitted a letter to the editor of First Things, and chose not to participate in the on-line discussion, pending publication of the printed letter. I am pleased to say that my letter was […]
Safety in Biology
The stories from Anonymous Us are very powerful. Here is an extract from one called Safety in Biology: When I tell people I wish I had been raised by my real father often they are offended and say things like, “Your real father is the man that raises you, kisses your scrapes, tucks you in, […]
In-Person Report from the March for Life in DC
Friend of Ruth, Steve Hicks, sends this report from the March for Life in DC. Jan 24 2011 – Wash DC It may have well been called the “youth march” for life! I don’t know what the numbers were yet, but I stood and listened to the youth bagpipe band playing on the curb of […]
Mental Health, without Modifiers
So, the bottom line of that story on women’s mental health is this: we are really really depressed. All of us. Depression is expected to become the world’s second biggest health problem after heart disease by 2020, according to the World Health Organisation. This is not an easy society in which to live, for anyone.
Mental Health of Women…. and Men
Betsy blogged this story about a week ago, and no one has picked up on it and chatted about it. The bulk of the story was about women in depression: a depressing enough story in itself. I read the whole thing, hoping the authors might have some insight as to why this is all happening […]
