New Prolife Bumper Sticker

Buy them at my new shop!

The Ultimate Hitler Parody Video

How Did the Illinois GOP Get Like This?

My readers in other states will have gathered from remarks made here, as well as from pieces in the national news, that the Illinois Republican Party is not very... shall we say... robust.

Here's another symptom:

The intimidating tone of state Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano on Dec. 15 betrayed his frustration with communities that, by the scores, say they want no part of legalized video gambling. The setting was a meeting of an Illinois legislative committee and Saviano had a captive listener, Michael Fries, general counsel to the Illinois Gaming Board.

Saviano: "Some of the stuff you read in the newspapers and in the editorials, we feel that certain Gaming Board members or their designees are talking to them, giving them information, to stall this (rollout of video gambling). And we have an immense amount of pressure on us to get this capital bill up and running. So if you could relay a message. ... Could they just keep their mouths shut and get the job done? Cuz we need, we need this capital bill. We need it for our schools, we need it for everybody else. And for them to keep fueling the fire with the newspapers trying to get communities out of this is, is a crime."

Fries didn't cower: "I personally am not aware of any board member that is, that is doing that."

"Well you never would," Saviano retorted. "But they're there."

Thus does the bullying in favor of video gambling unwittingly warn communities that haven't yet opted out: Act while you still can. Who knows what the proponents will dream up next.

•••

The desperation to jam video gambling down Illinoisans' throats is getting ugly. Saviano's little rant to a Gaming Board staffer is just one part of a backlash by proponents of this scourge: They know video gambling could be toxic to legislators who voted for it. They're embarrassed by the number of counties and municipalities opting out. Most of all, they and their squadrons of gambling lobbyists fear that with each new opt-out, momentum to kill legalized video gambling will grow. [Emphasis added.]

And so Rep. Saviano is part of an effort to tax those local counties and municipalities that have opted out of video gambling, to make them pay anyway the amount that the state reckons that video gambling would have generated.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Rep. Saviano is a Republican! And not only is he a state representative, but he's a member of the Republican State Central Committee. When we have RINO's like this not only in the party, but running the party, it's no wonder the GOP is in such piss-poor shape.

Fortunately, Mr. Saviano is not only up for re-election to the SCC, but he has a good conservative opponent: Rosanna Pulido. Here's hoping.

Illinois FOCA Bill Returns

As I predicted on November 21st last, the pro-aborts of Illinois are back for the second year in a row with their Reproductive Health and Access Act, better known as the Illinois FOCA bill. According to the Catholic Conference of Illinois, this bill would:

Like last year, this legislation seeks to: (1) pay for abortions and many other types of reproductive healthcare (including contraceptives) with public funds; (2) make any regulation of abortion beyond the purview of state and local government; and (3) demand that the proponent’s version of comprehensive sex education be taught in every school, grades K thru 12.

The supporters of House Bill 6205 claim this year’s version of the legislation excludes the Health Care Right of Conscience and Parental Notification of Abortion Acts. We have carefully read HB 6205. Their claims are incorrect. In Section 15, the legislation states that notwithstanding any other current law neither the state nor any political subdivision may “interfere” with access to abortion.

Judging by past legislative initiatives and lawsuits, the proponents obviously believe these important laws constitute state “interference” with access to abortion. This legislation is designed to set up legal challenges to both statutes and strip away health care professionals’ right of conscience and parents’ right to know of their daughters’ well being.

As I say, I warned three months ago that this was coming:



Last year, my state representative, Sandy Cole provided the swing vote in committee that passed this bill out to the House floor. This vote was one of my primary motivations for opposing her in the primary election, in which I was defeated two weeks ago.

Now, I have a couple of questions:

1. Will the Republicans who supported Rep. Cole for re-election, at least some of whom claim to be pro-life, be contacting her to urge her to oppose the bill this time?
   
2. Will they point out that their support ought to be worth this?
   
3. Will they warn Rep. Cole that if she does support this bill again, they will have to support me if I run again in 2012?
   
4. Too, there were several notable pro-life figures who encouraged and supported me quietly, but not publicly. Will they warn Mrs. Cole that if she supports this bill again, that they will publicly endorse me if I run again against her?
   
5. And what of the Illinois Catholic Conference? Why is it that they can get involved in politics to the extent of opposing this bill, but not to the extent of supporting a candidate trying to unseat a legislator who has supported this bill?
   
6. And what of Mrs. Cole herself? By election day, she was openly claiming to be a conservative. Will she refrain from supporting this bill in order to reduce my motivation to run against her again? And thereby upset the pro-aborts at Personal PAC who spent their good money to tell lies about me on her behalf?
   

I say again: Fiscal conservatism without social conservatism is unrealistic. A liberal society will never adopt conservative fiscal policies.

Most Popular Sacrament: Annual Ash Wednesday Post

It's almost time once again for everybody's favorite sacrament!

BOSTON -- For the third year in a row, the ashes received during the Ash Wednesday service was listed in an ABC-News/Washington Post poll as most Roman Catholic's favorite sacrament, topping both communion and baptism.

"There is just something about receiving those ashes that makes me feel, well alive," said Katie Stanbury, a lobbyist with Phelps/Dawson Public Relations. "I miss mass quite a bit, but I never, ever miss this service."

Fr. Allen Bannion, of St. Peter Claver Church in Boston, said that the Ash Wednesday service is always standing room only. "People just love that service, as well as the one for Palm Sunday. We always have more people there than any other time of year," he said. "Yeah, people come on Sunday for communion, but at these services they get a little something extra. It is sort of like Bonus Days at the Clinique counter, when you not only get the perfume you went in to purchase, but a kick-ass red lipstick, as well. Or so I've been told."

Maureen's not posting anymore, but this gem is worth another look. Don't miss finding out the runners-up in the poll!

Common Sense on the Ballot!

[guest commentary by Paladin]

Every once in a while, someone says or does something that just... makes sense... and in an otherwise insane world, that's incredibly cheering! (This phenomenon is why I enjoy our host's posts [rhyme unintentional]!) From the inestimable LifeSiteNews.com:

Personhood Colorado Announces Successful Signature Campaign

DENVER, Feb. 14, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Personhood Colorado submitted signatures to the Secretary of State's office Friday for the Colorado Personhood Amendment. The signatures submitted totaled 79,817, although only 76,047 were required. All signatures are pending validation by the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

"We are thrilled with these results. These signatures represent thousands of hours of hard work," remarked Gualberto Garcia-Jones, co-sponsor of the amendment. "All of our volunteers are 100% committed to seeing that the dignity and personhood of preborn babies is recognized in Colorado, and it shows."

The proposed amendment states, in part, that "the term 'person' shall apply to every human being from the beginning of the biological development of that human being."

You go, Colorado...!! (Rhyme only somewhat intended.)

Now, wouldn't it be a better world if everyone did and said things that made sense, like that?

I Thought You Might Be Interested...

... in my concession speech from Tuesday night.

Too Late

(H/T: Brutally Honest):

An Old Favorite Revisited

Unlike some other bloggers, I do not turn up my nose at a good remake, and so I think this one looks like fun:



Besides, I like Jackie Chan.

Defeat

One local paper

Another

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

And, on the bright side, the congressional candidate I endorsed, Joe Walsh, won his 6-way primary, and the Illinois GOP has nominated pro-life governor and lt. governor candidates.

I'll be back to blogging soon.

Election Day In Illinois

The primary elections are today in Illinois. We have a lot at stake here, so please keep us in your prayers.